Boron Nitride-Integrated Lithium Batteries:Exploring Innovations in Longevity and Performance

The current global warming,coupled with the growing demand for energy in our daily lives,necessitates the development of more efficient and reliable energy storage devices.Lithium batteries(LBs)are at the forefront of emerging power sources addressing these challenges.Recent studies have shown that integrating hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)nanomaterials into LBs enhances the safety,longevity,and electrochemical performance of all LB components,including electrodes,electrolytes,and separators,thereby suggesting their potential value in advancing eco-friendly energy solutions.This review provides an overview of the most recent applications of h-BN nanomaterials in LBs.It begins with an informative introduction to h-BN nanomaterials and their relevant properties in the context of LB applications.Subsequently,it addresses the challenges posed by h-BN and discusses existing strategies to overcome these limitations,offering valuable insights into the potential of BN nanomaterials.The review then proceeds to outline the functions of h-BN in LB components,emphasizing the molecular-level mechanisms responsible for performance improvements.Finally,the review concludes by presenting the current challenges and prospects of integrating h-BN nanomaterials into battery research.

One-dimensional ZnS-based Hetero-,Core/shell and Hierarchical Nanostructures

A focus of the current nanotechnology has shifted from routine fabrication of nanostructures to designing functional electronic devices and realizing their immense potentials for applications. Due to infusion of multi-functionality into a single system, the utilization of hetero-, core/shell and hierarchical nanostructures has become the key issue for building such devices. ZnS, due to its direct wide bandgap, high index of refraction, high transparency in the visible range and intrinsic polarity, is one of the most useful semiconductors for a wide range of electronics applications. This article provides a dense review of the state-of-the-art research activities in one-dimensional （1D） ZnS-based hetero-, core/shell and hierarchical nanostructures. The particular emphasis is put on their syntheses and applications.

Recent Progress in One-dimensional ZnS Nanostructures:Syntheses and Novel Properties

In this review, the progress made during the last two years with respect to the syntheses and novel properties of one-dimensional （1D） ZnS nanostructures is presented. Primarily the research on 1D ZnS nanostructures has been of growing interest owing to their promising applications in nanoscale optoelectronic devices. Diverse 1D ZnS nanostructures with delicately-tuned morphologies, sizes, and microstructures have been synthesized through relatively simple and well-controlled techniques. Some novel properties of the nanomaterials have been explored and the relationships between their structural features and functions have been understood gradually.

One-Dimensional(1-D) Nanoscale Heterostructures

One-dimensional （l-D） nanostructures have been attracted much attention as a result of their exceptional properties, which are different from bulk materials. Among 1-D nanostructures, 1-D heterostructures with modulated compositions and interfaces have recently become of particular interest with respect to potential applications in nanoscale building blocks of future optoelectronic devices and systems. Many kinds of methods have been developed for the synthesis of 1-D nanoscale heterostructures. This article reviews the most recent development, with an emphasize on our own recent efforts, on 1-D nanoscale heterostructures, especially those synthesized from the vapor deposition methods, in which all the reactive precursors are mixed together in the reaction chamber. Three types of 1-D nanoscale heterostructures, defined from their morphologies characteristics, are discussed in detail, which include 1-D co-axial core-shell heterostructures, 1-D segmented heterostructures and hierarchical heterostructures. This article begins with a brief survey of various methods that have been developed for synthesizing 1-D nanoscale heterostructures and then mainly focuses on the synthesis, structures and properties of the above three types of nanoscale heterostructures. Finally, this review concludes with personal views towards the topic of 1-D nanoscale heterostructures.

Stabilising Cobalt Sulphide Nanocapsules with Nitrogen-Doped Carbon for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Storage

Conversion-type anode materials with a high charge storage capability generally su er from large volume expansion, poor electron conductivity, and sluggish metal ion transport kinetics. The electrode material described in this paper, namely cobalt sulphide nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon cages(Co9S8@NC), can circumvent these problems. This electrode material exhibited a reversible sodium-ion storage capacity of 705 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 with an extraordinary rate capability and good cycling stability. Mechanistic study using the in situ transmission electron microscope technique revealed that the volumetric expansion of the Co9S8 nanoparticles is bu ered by the carbon cages, enabling a stable electrode–electrolyte interface. In addition, the carbon shell with high-content doped nitrogen significantly enhances the electron conductivity of the Co9S8@NC electrode material and provides doping-induced active sites to accommodate sodium ions. By integrating the Co9S8@NC as negative electrode with a cellulose-derived porous hard carbon/graphene oxide composite as positive electrode and 1 M NaPF6 in diglyme as the electrolyte, the sodium-ion capacitor full cell can achieve energy densities of 101.4 and 45.8 Wh kg^-1 at power densities of 200 and 10,000 W kg^-1, respectively.

Recent Progress on Fabrications and Applications of Boron Nitride Nanomaterials:A Review

Boron nitride(BN) nanostructures with complementary functions to their carbon counterparts are one of the most intriguing nanomaterials.Here we devote a compact review on the syntheses of BN nanomaterials:typical zero-dimensional(OD) fullerenes and nanoparticles,one-dimensional(1D) nanotubes and nanoribbons,two-dimensional(2D) nanosheets as well as three-dimensional(3D) nanoporous BN.Combining low-dimensional quantum confinement and surface effects with unique physical and chemical properties of BN,e.g.excellent electric insulation,wide band gap,and high chemical and thermal stability,BN nanomaterials have drawn particular attention in a variety of potential applications,e.g.luminescence,functional composites,hydrogen accumulators,and advanced insulators,which are also reviewed.

Nanotubes in a Gradient Electric Field as Revealed by STM TEM Technique

We have investigated the behavior of two nanotube systems,carbon and boron nitride,under controlled applied voltages in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope(TEM)equipped with a scanning tunneling microscope(STM)unit.Individual nanotubes(or thin bundles)were positioned between a piezo-movable gold electrode and a biased(up to±140 V)STM tip inside the pole-piece of the microscope.The structures studied include double-and multi-walled carbon nanotubes(the latter having diverse morphologies due to the various synthetic procedures utilized),few-layered boron nitride nanotube bundles and multi-walled boron nitride nanotubes(with or without functionalized surfaces).The electrical breakdown,physical failure,and electrostatic interactions are documented for each system.

Boron nitride nanotube growth via boron oxide assisted chemical vapor transport-deposition process using LiNO3 as a promoter

High-purity straight and discrete multiwalled boron nitride nanotubes （BNNTs） were grown via a boron oxide vapor reaction with ammonia using LiNO3 as a promoter. Only a trace amount of boron oxide was detected as an impurity in the BNNTs by energy-dispersive X-ray （EDX） and Raman spectroscopies. Boron oxide vapor was generated from a mixture of B, FeO, and MgO powders heated to 1,150 ℃, and it was transported to the reaction zone by flowing ammonia. Lithium nitrate was applied to the upper side of a BN bar from a water solution. The bar was placed along a temperature gradient zone in a horizontal tubular furnace. BNNTs with average diameters of 30-50 nm were mostly observed in a temperature range of 1,280-1,320 ℃. At higher temperatures, curled polycrystalline BN fibers appeared. Above 1,320 ℃, the number of BNNTs drastically decreased, whereas the quantity and diameter of the fibers increased. The mechanism of BNNT and fiber growth is proposed and discussed.

Nacre-bionic nanocomposite membrane for efficient in-plane dissipation heat harvest under high temperature

Waste heat management holds great promise to create a sustainable and energy-efficient society as well as contributes to the alleviation of global warming.Harvesting and converting this waste heat in order to improve the efficiency is a major challenge.Here we report biomimetic nacre-like hydroxyl-functionalized boron nitride(BN)-polyimide(PI)nanocomposite membranes as efficient 2D in-plane heat conductor to dissipate and convert waste heat at high temperature.The hierarchically layered nanostructured membrane with oriented BN nanosheets gives rise to a very large anisotropy in heat transport properties,with a high in-plane thermal conductivity(TC)of 51 Wm^(-1) K^(-1) at a temperature of~300 C,7314%higher than that of the pure polymer.The membrane also exhibits superior thermal stability and fire resistance,enabling its workability in a hot environment.In addition to cooling conventional exothermic electronics,the large TC enables the membrane as a thin and 2D anisotropic heat sink to generate a large temperature gradient in a thermoelectric module(△T=23 ℃)through effective heat diffusion on the cold side under 220 C heating.The waste heat under high temperature is therefore efficiently harvested and converted to power electronics,thus saving more thermal energy by largely decreasing consumption.