The recent progress of laser-induced graphene based device applications

Laser writing is a fast and efficient technology that can produce graphene with a high surface area,whereas laser-induced graphene(LIG)has been widely used in both physics and chemical device application.It is necessary to update this important progress because it may provide a clue to consider the current challenges and possible future directions.In this review,the basic principles of LIG fabrication are first briefly described for a detailed understanding of the lasing process.Sub-sequently,we summarize the physical device applications of LIGs and describe their advantages,including flexible electronics and energy harvesting.Then,chemical device applications are categorized into chemical sensors,supercapacitors,batteries,and electrocatalysis,and a detailed interpretation is provided.Finally,we present our vision of future developments and challenges in this exciting research field.

An in-situ generated Bi-based sodiophilic substrate with high structural stability for high-performance sodium metal batteries

Sodium(Na)metal anode exhibits a potential candidate in next-generation rechargeable batteries owing to its advantages of high earth abundance and low cost.Unfortunately,the practical development of sodium metal batteries is inherently plagued by challenges such as the side reactions and the growth of Na dendrites.Herein we report a highly stable Bi-based“sodiophilic”substrate to stabilize Na anode,which is created by in-situ electrochemical reactions of 3D hierarchical porous Bi_(2)MoO_(6)(BMO)microspheres.BMO is initially transformed into the Bi“nanoseeds”embedded in the Na-Mo-O matrix.Subsequently,the Bi nanoseeds working as preferential nucleation sites through the formation of BiNa alloy enable the non-dendritic Na deposition.The asymmetric cells based on such BMO-based substrate can deliver a long-term cycling for 600 cycles at a large capacity of 4 m Ah cm^(-2) and for 800 cycles at a high current density of 10 m A cm^(-2).Even at a high depth of discharge(66.67%),the Na-predeposited BMO(Na@BMO)electrodes can cycle for more than 1600 h.The limited Na@BMO anodes coupled with the Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(3) cathodes(N/P ratio of 3)in full cells also show excellent electrochemical performance with a capacity retention of about 97.4%after 1100 cycles at 2 C.

Recent progress on nanostructured bimetallic electrocatalysts for water splitting and electroreduction of carbon dioxide

The exploitation of renewable energy as well as the elimination of the harmful impact of excessive carbon emission are worldwide concerns for sustainable development of the ecological environment on earth.To address that,the technologies regarding energy conversion systems,such as water splitting and electroreduction of carbon dioxide,have attracted significant attention for a few decades.Yet,to date,the production of green fuels and/or high energy density chemicals like hydrogen,methane,and ethanol,are still suffering from many drawbacks including high energy consumption,low selectivity,and sluggish reaction rate.In this regard,nanostructured bimetallic materials that is capable of taking the full benefits of the coupling effects between different elements/components with structure modification in nanoscale are considered as a promising strategy for high-performance electrocatalysts.Herein,this review aims to outline the important progress of these nanostructured bimetallic electrocatalysts.It starts with the introduction of some important fundamental background knowledge about the reaction mechanism to understand how these reactions happen.Subsequently,we summarize the most recent progress regarding how the nanostructured bimetallic electrocatalysts manipulate the activity and selectivity of catalytic reactions in the order of bimetallic alloying effect,interface/substrate effect of bi-component electrocatalyst,and nanostructuring effect.