Regulated adsorption-diffusion and enhanced charge transfer in expanded graphite cohered with N,B bridge-doping carbon patches to boost K-ion storage

The great challenges are remained in constructing graphite-based anode with well built-in structures to accelerate kinetics and enhance stability in the advanced K-ion batteries(KIBs).Here,we firstly report the design of expanded graphite cohered by N,B bridge-doping carbon patches(NBEG)for efficient K-ion adsorption/diffusion and long-term durability.It is the B co-doping that plays a crucial role in maximizing doping-site utilization of N atoms,balancing the adsorption-diffusion kinetics,and promoting the charge transfer between NBEG and K ions.Especially,the robust lamellar structure,suitable interlayer distance,and rich active sites of the designed NBEG favor the rapid ion/electron transfer pathways and high K-ion storage capacity.Consequently,even at a low N,B doping concentration(4.36 at%,2.07 at%),NBEG anode shows prominent electrochemical performance for KIBs,surpassing most of the advanced carbon-based anodes.Kinetic studies,density functional theory simulations,and in-situ Raman spectroscopy are further performed to reveal the K-ion storage mechanism and confirm the critical actions of co-doping B.This work offers the new methods for graphite-electrode design and the deeper insights into their energy storage mechanisms in KIBs.

Intercalation assisted liquid phase production of disulfide zirconium nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic dinitrogen reduction to ammonia

Disulfide zirconium(ZrS_(2)) is a two-dimensional(2D) transition metal disulfide and has given rise to extensive attention because of its distinctive electronic structure and properties.However,mass production of high quality of ZrS_(2)nanosheets to realize their practical application remains a challenge.Here,we have successfully exfoliated the bulk ZrS_(2)powder with the thickness of micron into single and few-layer nanosheets through liquid-phase exfoliation in N-methylpyrrolidone(NMP) assisted via aliphatic amines as intercalators.It is found that the exfoliation yield is as high as 27.3%,which is the record value for the exfoliation of ZrS_(2)nanosheets from bulk ZrS_(2)powder,and 77.1% of ZrS_(2)nanosheets are 2-3 layers.The molecular geometric size and aliphatic amine basicity have important impact on the exfoliation.Furthermore,the ZrS_(2)nanosheets have been used as catalyst in the electrocatalytic dinitrogen reduction with the NH3yield of 57.75 μg h^(-1)mg_(cat.)^(-1),which is twice that by ZrS_(2)nanofibers reported in literature and three times that by the bulk ZrS_(2)powder.Therefore,the liquid phase exfoliation strategy reported here has great potential in mass production of ZrS_(2)nanosheets for high activity electrocatalysis.

Construction of robust coupling interface between MoS2 and nitrogen doped graphene for high performance sodium ion batteries

As a layered inorganic material,MoS2 has recently attracted intensive attention as anode for sodium ion batteries(SIBs).However,this anode is plagued with low electronic conductivity,serious volume expansion and sluggish kinetics,resulting in capacity fading and poor rate performance.Herein,we develop an interface engineering strategy to substantially enhance the sodium storage performance of MoS2 by incorporating layered MoS2 into three dimensional N-doped graphene scaffold.The strong coupling-interface between MoS2 and N-doped graphene scaffold can not only stabilize the MoS2 structure during sodium insertion/extraction processes,but also provide plenty of anchor sites for additional surface sodium storage.The 3D MoS2@N-doped graphene composite as anode for SIBs performs an outstanding specific capacity of 667.3 mA h g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1,a prolonged stability with a capacity retention of 94.4%after 140cycles and excellent rate capability of 445 mA h g^-1 even at a high rate of 10 A g^-1.We combined experiment and theoretical simulation to further disclose the interaction between MoS2 and N-doped graphene,adsorption and diffusion of sodium on the composite and the corresponding sodium storage mechanism.This study opens a new door to develop high performance SIBs by introducing the interface engineering technique.

CO oxidation on MXene(Mo_(2)CS_(2)) supported single-atom catalyst: A termolecular Eley-Rideal mechanism

Finding transition metal catalysts for effective catalytic conversion of CO to CO_(2)has attracted much attention.MXene as a new 2D layered material of early transition metal carbides,nitrides,and carbo-nitrides is a robust support for achoring metal atoms.In this study,the electronic structure,geometries,thermodynamic stability,and catalytic activity of MXene (Mo_(2)CS_(2)) supported single noble metal atoms (NM=Ru,Rh,Pd,Ir,Pt and Au) have been systematically examined using first-principles calculations and ab initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations.First,AIMD simulations and phonon spectra demonstrate the dynamic and thermal stabilities of Mo_(2)CS_(2)monolayer.Three likely reaction pathways,LangmuirHinshelwood (LH),Eley-Rideal (ER),and Termolecular Eley–Rideal (TER) for CO oxidation on the Ru1-and Ir_(1)@Mo_(2)CS_(2)SACs,have been studied in detail.It is found that CO oxidation mainly proceeds via the TER mechanism under mild reaction conditions.The corresponding rate-determining steps are the dissociation of the intermediate (OCO-Ru_(1)-OCO) and formation of OCO-Ir_(1)-OCO intermediate.The downshift d-band center of Ru1-and Ir_(1)@Mo_(2)CS_(2)help to enhance activity and improve catalytst stability.Moreover,a microkinetic study predicts a maximum CO oxidation rate of 4.01×10^(2)s^(-1)and 4.15×10^(3)s^(-1)(298.15K) following the TER pathway for the Ru_(1)-and Ir_(1)@Mo_(2)CS_(2)catalysts,respectively.This work provides guideline for fabricating and designing highly efficient SACs with superb catalyts using MXene materials.