3D Artificial Array Interface Engineering Enabling Dendrite-Free Stable Zn Metal Anode

The ripple effect induced by uncontrollable Zn deposition is considered as the Achilles heel for developing high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries.For this problem,this work reports a design concept of 3D artificial array interface engineering to achieve volume stress elimination,preferred orientation growth and dendrite-free stable Zn metal anode.The mechanism of MXene array interface on modulating the growth kinetics and deposition behavior of Zn atoms were firstly disclosed on the multi-scale level,including the in-situ optical microscopy and transient simulation at the mesoscopic scale,in-situ Raman spectroscopy and in-situ X-ray diffraction at the microscopic scale,as well as density functional theory calculation at the atomic scale.As indicated by the electrochemical performance tests,such engineered electrode exhibits the comprehensive enhancements not only in the resistance of corrosion and hydrogen evolution,but also the rate capability and cyclic stability.High-rate performance(20 mA cm^(-2))and durable cycle lifespan(1350 h at 0.5 mA cm^(-2),1500 h at 1 mA cm^(-2)and 800 h at 5 mA cm^(-2))can be realized.Moreover,the improvement of rate capability(214.1 mAh g^(-1)obtained at 10 A g^(-1))and cyclic stability also can be demonstrated in the case of 3D MXene array@Zn/VO2battery.Beyond the previous 2D closed interface engineering,this research offers a unique 3D open array interface engineering to stabilize Zn metal anode,the controllable Zn deposition mechanism revealed is also expected to deepen the fundamental of rechargeable batteries including but not limited to aqueous Zn metal batteries.

Laser-Induced Recoverable Fluorescence Quenching of Perovskite Films at a Microscopic Grain Scale

Understanding the fundamental properties of metal-halide perovskite materials is driving the development of novel optoelectronic applications.Here,we report the observation of a recoverable laser-induced fluorescence quenching phenomenon in perovskite films with a microscopic grain-scale restriction,accompanied by spectral variations.This fluorescence quenching depends on the laser intensity and the dwell time under Auger recombination dominated conditions.These features indicate that the perovskite lattice deformation may take the main responsibility for the transient and show a new aspect to understand halide perovskite photostability.We further modulate this phenomenon by adjusting the charge carrier recombination and extraction,revealing that efficient carrier transfer can improve the bleaching resistance of perovskite grains.Our results provide future opportunities to attain high-performance devices by tuning the perovskite lattice disorder and harvesting the energetic carriers.

Recent advances in anisotropic two-dimensional materials and device applications

Two-dimensional(2D)materials,such as transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs),black phosphorus(BP),MXene and borophene,have aroused extensive attention since the discovery of graphene in 2004.They have wide range of applications in many research fields,such as optoelectronic devices,energy storage,catalysis,owing to their striking physical and chemical properties.Among them,anisotropic 2D material is one kind of 2D materials that possess different properties along different directions caused by the intrinsic anisotropic atoms5 arrangement of the 2D materials,mainly including BP,borophene,low-symmetry TMDs(ReSe2 and ReSa)and group IV monochalcogenides(SnS,SnSe,GeS,and GeSe).Recently,a series of new devices has been fabricated based on these anisotropic 2D materials.In this review,we start from a brief introduction of the classifications,crystal structures,preparation techniques,stability,as well as the strategy to discriminate the anisotropic characteristics of 2D materials.Then,the recent advanced applications including electronic devices,optoelectronic devices,thermoelectric devices and nanomechanical devices based on the anisotropic 2D materials both in experiment and theory have been summarized.Finally,the current challenges and prospects in device designs,integration,mechanical analysis,and micro-/nano-fabrication techniques related to anisotropic 2D materials have been discussed.This review is aimed to give a generalized knowledge of anisotropic 2D materials and their current devices applications,and thus inspiring the exploration and development of other kinds of new anisotropic 2D materials and various novel device applications.

Fiber-tip polymer clamped-beam probe for high-sensitivity nanoforce measurements

Micromanipulation and biological,material science,and medical applications often require to control or measure the forces asserted on small objects.Here,we demonstrate for the first time the microprinting of a novel fiber-tip-polymer clamped-beam probe micro-force sensor for the examination of biological samples.The proposed sensor consists of two bases,a clamped beam,and a force-sensing probe,which were developed using a femtosecond-laser-induced two-photon polymerization(TPP)technique.Based on the finite element method(FEM),the static performance of the structure was simulated to provide the basis for the structural design.A miniature all-fiber micro-force sensor of this type exhibited an ultrahigh force sensitivity of 1.51 nmμN−1,a detection limit of 54.9 nN,and an unambiguous sensor measurement range of~2.9 mN.The Young’s modulus of polydimethylsiloxane,a butterfly feeler,and human hair were successfully measured with the proposed sensor.To the best of our knowledge,this fiber sensor has the smallest force-detection limit in direct contact mode reported to date,comparable to that of an atomic force microscope(AFM).This approach opens new avenues towards the realization of small-footprint AFMs that could be easily adapted for use in outside specialized laboratories.As such,we believe that this device will be beneficial for high-precision biomedical and material science examination,and the proposed fabrication method provides a new route for the next generation of research on complex fiber-integrated polymer devices.

Coupling of piezocatalysis and photocatalysis for efficient degradation of methylene blue by Bi_(0.9)Gd_(0.07)La_(0.03)FeO_(3) nanotubes

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants is of great significance for wastewater remediation but is still hindered by the poor catalytic efficiency of the catalysts.Herein,we report a strategy to simultaneously introduce piezocatalysis and to enhance the intrinsic photocatalysis in a single catalyst,which improved the performance for catalytic degradation of methylene blue(MB)significantly.Specifically,piezoelectric BiFeO_(3)(BFO)nanotube doped with different contents of Gd and La(Bi_(0.9)(GdxLa_(1−x))0.1FeO_(3))were produced by electrospinning.The doping led to a higher concentration of surface oxygen vacancy(OV)in Bi_(0.9)Gd_(0.07)La_(0.03)FeO_(3),which effectively increased the piezoelectric field due to the deformation of BFO,and suppressed the recombination of photon-generated electron–hole pairs.The Bi_(0.9)Gd_(0.07)La_(0.03)FeO_(3)nanotube showed excellent catalytic performance under simultaneous light irradiation and ultrasonic excitation,giving an extraordinary 95%degradation of MB within 90 min.These findings suggest that the piezoelectric effect combined with defect engineering can enhance the catalytic performance of Bi_(0.9)Gd_(0.07)La_(0.03)FeO_(3)nanotube.This could potentially be extended to other catalytic systems for high-performance pollutant treatment.

Design and realization of 3D printed fiber-tip microcantilever probes applied to hydrogen sensing

Cantilevers in microelectromechanical systems have the advantages of non-labeling,real-time detection,positioning,and specificity.Rectangular solid,rectangular hollow,and triangular microcantilevers were fabricated on an optical fiber tip via two-photon polymerization.The mechanical properties were characterized using finite element simulations.Coating the microcantilever with a palladium film enabled high sensitivity and rapid hydrogen detection.The shape of the cantilever determines the sensitivity,whereas the thickness of the palladium film determines the response time.Additional microelectromechanical systems can be realized via polymerization combined with optical fibers.