3D hierarchically porous NiO/Graphene hybrid paper anode for long-life and high rate cycling flexible Li-ion batteries

With the rapid emergence of wearable devices, flexible lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are much more needed than ever. Free-standing graphene-based composite paper electrodes with various active materials have appealed wide applications in flexible LIBs. However, due to the prone-to-restacking feature of graphene layers, a long cycle life at high current densities is rather difficult to be achieved. Herein, a unique threedimensional(3D) hierarchically porous NiO micro-flowers/graphene paper(fNiO/GP) electrode is successfully fabricated. The resulting fNiO/GP electrode shows superior long-term cycling stability at high rates(e.g., storage capacity of 359 mAh/g after 600 cycles at a high current density of 1 A/g). The facile 3D porous structure combines both the advantages of the graphene that is highly conductive and flexible to ensure rapid electrons/ions transfer and buffer the volume expansion of NiO during charge/discharge,and of the micro-sized NiO flowers that induces hierarchical between-layer pores ranging from nanomicro meters to promote the penetration of the electrolyte and prevent the re-stacking of graphene layers. Such structural design will inspire future manufacture of a wide range of active materials/graphene composite electrodes for high performance flexible LIBs.

Study on oil–source correlation by analyzing organic geochemistry characteristics: a case study of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south of Ordos Basin, China

In the south of the Ordos Basin, the oil source of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is confused all the time, which affects further exploration. In this study, oil sources from the oil layers of Ch6, Ch8 and Ch9 are all analyzed and confirmed. Through their carbon isotope value and biomarkers, characteristics of crude oils from the Yanchang Formation are analyzed. Then, the oil–source relation is discussed, with the source rocks' features.Finally, the oil–source relation is calculated through cluster analysis. It is believed that the oils from the Yanchang Formation deposit in a similar redox environment, with weak oxidation–weak reduction, and have all entered maturity stage. Ch9 crude oil is more mature than crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8, and has more advanced plants and fewer algae. Gas chromatography(GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) analysis show that crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 may come from Ch7, and Ch9 crude oil may not. Cluster analysis displays that crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 have closer squared Euclidean distance with Ch7 source rocks than Ch9 crude oil does,indicating crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 stem from Ch7 source rocks. And Ch9 crude oil has rather close squared Euclidean distance with Ch9 source rocks, illustrating Ch9 crude oil may be from Ch9 source rocks. This research may provide the theoretical basis for the next exploration deploy in the south of Ordos Basin.

Highly concentrated graphene oxide ink for facile 3D printing of supercapacitors

3D printing of functional energy storage devices is receiving escalating attention over the years due to the customizable manufacturing flexibility and imparted high areal and gravimetric energy density of three-dimensional structured devices, which contribute to the creation of numerous new opportunities for futuristic electronics. Graphene-based inks are ideal elements for the realization of 3D printed energy storage devices if the attractive intrinsic physiochemical properties of graphene could be preserved. However, it is still a great challenge to prepare uniformly dispersed graphene-based materials with desired rheological properties for 3D printing. Here we report a facile strategy for 3D printing of supercapacitors from a highly concentrated graphene oxide (GO) ink. The GO is properly dispersed and the ink fulfills the stringent rheological specifications for 3D printing. The printed GO electrode is functionalized with enhanced structural stability for proper reduction to graphene. The printed supercapacitors deliver the potential to linearly scale up in areal capacitance without jeopardizing the gravimetric capacitance when increasing printed layers. The results hold great promise for the construction of 3D structured energy storage devices that cater to the challenges from next-generation electronics.

Solid-state mechanochemistry advancing two dimensional materials for lithium-ion storage applications:A mini review

The vigorous development of two-dimensional(2D)materials brings about numerous opportunities for lithiumion batteries(LIBs)due to their unique 2D layered structure,large specific surface area,outstanding mechanical and flexibility properties,etc.Modern technologies for production of 2D materials include but are not limited to mechanochemical(solid-state/liquid-phase)exfoliation,the solvothermal method and chemical vapor deposition.In this review,strategies leading to the production of 2D materials via solid-state mechanochemistry featuring traditional high energy ball-milling and Sichuan University patented pan-milling are highlighted.The mechanism involving exfoliation,edge selective carbon radical generation of the 2D materials is delineated and this is followed by detailed discussion on representative mechanochemical techniques for tailored and improved lithium-ion storage performance.In the light of the advantages of the solid-state mechanochemical method,there is great promise for the commercialization of 2D materials for the next-generation high performance LIBs.

Surface-regulated triangular borophene as Dirac-like materials from density functional calculation investigation

By applying the first principles calculations combined with density functional theory (DFT), this study explored the optical properties, electronic structure, and structure stability of triangular borophene decorated chemically, B3X (X=F, Cl) in a systematical manner. As revealed from the results of formation energy, phonon dispersion, and molecular dynamics simulation study, all the borophene decorated chemically were superior and able to be fabricated. In the present study, triangular borophene was reported to be converted into Dirac-like materials when functionalized by F and Cl exhibiting narrow direct band gaps as 0.19 eV and 0.17 eV, separately. Significant light absorption was assessed in the visible light and ultraviolet region. According the mentioned findings, these two-dimensional (2D) materials show large and wide promising applications for future nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Metamorphism and geochronology of garnet amphibolite from the Beishan Orogen,southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Constraints from P-T path and zircon U-Pb dating

Numerous lenses of garnet amphibolite occur in the garnet-bearing biotite-plagioclase gneiss belt in the Baishan area of the Beishan Orogen,which connects the Tianshan Orogen to the west and the Mongolia-Xing’anling Orogen to the east.The study of metamorphism in Beishan area is of great significance to explain the tectonic evolution of Beishan orogen.According to the microstructures,mineral relationships,and geothermobarometry,we identified four stages of mineral assemblages from the garnet amphibolite sample:(1) a pre-peak stage,which is recorded by the cores of garnet together with core-inclusions of plagioclase(Pl1);(2) a peak stage,which is recorded by the mantles of garnet together with mantle-inclusions of plagioclase(Pl2)+amphibole(Amp1)+Ilmenite(Ilm1)+biotite(Bt1),developed at temperature-pressure(P-T) conditions of 818.9-836.5℃ and7.3-9.2 kbar;(3) a retrograde stage,which is recorded by garnet rims + plagioclase(Pl3)+amphibole(Amp2)+orthopyroxene(Opx1)+biotite(Bt2)+Ilmenite(Ilm2),developed at P-T conditions of 796.1-836.9℃ and5.6-7.5 kbar;(4) a symplectitic stage,which is recorded by plagioclase(Pl4)+orthopyroxene(Opx2)+amphibole(Amp3)+biotite(Bt3) symplectites,developed at P-T conditions of 732 ±59.6℃ and 6.1 ±0.6 kbar.Moreover,the U-Pb dating of the Beishan garnet amphibolite indicates an age of 301.9 ±4.7 Ma for the protolith and 281.4±8.5 Ma for the peak metamorphic age.Therefore,the mineral assemblage,P-T conditions,and zircon U-Pb ages of the Beishan garnet amphibolite define a near-isothermal decompression of a clockwise P-T-t(Pressure-Temperature-time) path,indicating the presence of over thickened continental crust in the Huaniushan arc until the Early Permian,then the southern Beishan area underwent a process of thinning of the continental crust.

Atomistic simulation of the coupled adsorption and unfolding of protein GB1 on the polystyrenes nanoparticle surface

Understanding the processes of protein adsorption/desorption on nanopartieles＇ surfaces is important for the development of new nanotechnology involving biomaterials; however, an atomistic resolution picture for these processes and for the simultaneous protein conformational change is missing. Here, we report the adsorption of protein GB 1 on a polystyrene nanoparticle surface using atomistic molecular dynamic simulations. Enabled by metadynamics, we explored the relevant phase space and identified three protein states, each involving both the adsorbed and desorbed modes. We also studied the change of the secondary and tertiary structures of GB 1 during adsorption and the dominant interactions between the protein and surface in different adsorption stages. The results we obtained from simulation were found to be more adequate and complete than the previous one. We believe the model presented in this paper, in comparison with the previous ones, is a better theoretical model to understand and explain the experimental results.

Current advances and future perspectives of additive manufacturing for functional polymeric materials and devices

Three-dimensional(3D)printing has received extensive attention due to its unique multidimensional functionality and customizability and has been recognized as one of the most revolutionary manufacturing technologies.Functional 3D printed products represent an important orientation for next-generationmanufacturing and attract a great spotlight for the application in sensors,actuators,robots,electronics,and medical devices.However,the lack of functions of printing polymeric materials dramatically limits the development of functional 3D printing.Different from traditional processing,the physical properties,such as geometry and rheological behavior,of the polymericmaterialsmust match the printing process,making the selection of printable materials limited.More importantly,challenges in large-scale production of such materials further stifle the development of functional 3D printing industry.In this review,we aim to outline recent advances in polymeric materials and methodologies for the functional 3D printing technology.The reports are classified based on functionalities,including electronic conductive,thermally conductive,electromagnetic interference shielding,energy storage,and energy harvesting materials.This study attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities for 3D printing functional polymeric materials/devices,also seeks to enlighten the orientation of future research in this field.

Insight into Cellulose Nanosizing for Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion:A Review

Living in a world of heavy industrialization and confronted by the ever-deteriorating environment,the human race is now undertaking serious efforts to reach the target of carbon neutrality.One major step is to promote the development of sustainable electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies based on green resources instead of the traditional nonreusable petroleum-based technologies.As an almost inexhaustible bioresource,nanocellulose derived from natural biomass exhibits outstanding physiochemical properties that could be well leveraged to bring about numerous opportunities for electrochemical processes.Through structure engineering,nanocellulose with a width of a few tens of nanometers and a length of up to micrometers could be realized.The drastic reduction in dimensions leads to superior mechanical,optical,and functional properties inaccessible to the bulky cellulose counterpart.In this review,different types of nanocellulose with distinctive physiochemical properties and their respective preparation methods are first examined.This is followed by a detailed and insightful analysis of the superiority and unprecedented performance gains that nanocellulose imparts to different electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications as a result of nanosizing.Finally,we humbly put forward our perspectives on the problems regarding current studies as well as on the future research direction for nanocellulose-mediated electrochemical processes to enable practical applications.This review is intended as guidance to initiate cross-disciplinary research effort in this engaging field and help evoke inspiration to effect solutions to critical energy issues of the day.