Catalytic effect in lithium metal batteries: From heterogeneous catalyst to homogenous catalyst

Lithium metal batteries are regarded as prominent contenders to address the pressing needs owing to the high theoretical capacity.Toward the broader implementation,the primary obstacle lies in the intricate multi-electron,multi-step redox reaction associated with sluggish conversion kinetics,subsequently giving rise to a cascade of parasitic issues.In order to smooth reaction kinetics,catalysts are widely introduced to accelerate reaction rate via modulating the energy barrier.Over past decades,a large amount of research has been devoted to the catalyst design and catalytic mechanism exploration,and thus the great progress in electrochemical performance has been realized.Therefore,it is necessary to make a comprehensive review toward key progress in catalyst design and future development pathway.In this review,the basic mechanism of lithium metal batteries is provided along with corresponding advantages and existing challenges detailly described.The main catalysts employed to accelerate cathode reaction with emphasis on their catalytic mechanism are summarized as well.Finally,the rational design and innovative direction toward efficient catalysts are suggested for future application in metal-sulfur/gas battery and beyond.This review is expected to drive and benefit future research on rational catalyst design with multi-parameter synergistic impacts on the activity and stability of next-generation metal battery,thus opening new avenue for sustainable solution to climate change,energy and environmental issues,and the potential industrial economy.

From Jackfruit Rags to Hierarchical Porous N-Doped Carbon: A High-Performance Anode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Renewable biomass-derived carbon materials have attracted increasing research attention as promising electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage devices, such as sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, hierarchical porous structure, intrinsic heteroatom doping, and environmental friendliness. Here, we investigate the potential of hierarchical N-doped porous carbon (NPC) derived from jackfruit rags through a facile pyrolysis as an anode material for SIBs. The cycling performance of NPC at 1 A/g for 2000 cycles featured a stable reversible capacity of 122.3 mA h/g with an outstanding capacity retention of 99.1%. These excellent electrochemical properties can be attributed to the unique structure of NPC;it features hierarchical porosity with abundant carbon edge defects and large speci c surface areas. These results illuminate the potential application of jackfruit rags-derived porous carbon in SIBs.

Tri-profit electrolysis for energy-efficient production of benzoic acid and H_(2)

Electrosynthesis has recently attracted intensive research attentions and holds great potential in implementing scalable green synthesis thanks to more and more readily accessible renewable electric energy.

通过水响应超可收缩聚合物薄膜构建柔软而共形的生物电子界面

In the thriving era of the Internet of Things (IoT), there is an escalating inclination towards establishing comprehensive connectivity, not only for linking external entities but also for connecting human body to external environment [1]. While the internet and portable electronics have largely achieved the former goal, the challenge of linking the human body and biological systems to the external environment persists. Fortunately.

Making polymer fibers strong and tough simultaneously

It has long been a great challenge to prepare materials with integrated merits of high strength,high modulus,high toughness,and light weight for structural material applications(e.g.,aircrafts,automobiles).High strength representing a good resistance to deformation usually requires the material have a rigid/hard molecular structure,whereas high toughness representing a good resistance to fracture typically originates from a soft/flexible molecular structure.Therefore,the trade-off between the rigid and flexible components in a molecule usually leads to an intrinsic conflict between high strength and high toughness[1].It is more intuitively in the typical stressstrain curves,where the integrated area of a tensile curve can be calculated for the toughness.Apparently,the attainment of high toughness needs not only high strength but also high tensile strain.

An interfacial engineering strategy of electrocatalyst boosts ammonia electrosynthesis

Ammonia (NH3) is not only an essential chemical feedstock for the manufacture of nitrogen-rich fertilizers but also a promising carbofree energy carrier for storing H2 due to its high content of hydrogen (17.6% by mass). At present, industrial NH3 is still dominantly produced by the traditional Haber-Bosch process, which reduces nitrogen (N2) to NH3 (N2+3H2←→2NH 3) at high temperatures (350-550 °C) and high pressures (150-350 atm)[1]. Such a process not only requires the raw materials of high-purity streams of nitrogen and hydrogen but also consumes tremendous energy;noting that the consumed hydrogen occupied approximately 50% of its global production that produced exclusively from transformations of fossil resources with the emission of greenhouse gas [1].