Multilevel carbon architecture of subnanoscopic silicon for fast‐charging high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries

Silicon(Si)is widely used as a lithium‐ion‐battery anode owing to its high capacity and abundant crustal reserves.However,large volume change upon cycling and poor conductivity of Si cause rapid capacity decay and poor fast‐charging capability limiting its commercial applications.Here,we propose a multilevel carbon architecture with vertical graphene sheets(VGSs)grown on surfaces of subnanoscopically and homogeneously dispersed Si–C composite nanospheres,which are subsequently embedded into a carbon matrix(C/VGSs@Si–C).Subnanoscopic C in the Si–C nanospheres,VGSs,and carbon matrix form a three‐dimensional conductive and robust network,which significantly improves the conductivity and suppresses the volume expansion of Si,thereby boosting charge transport and improving electrode stability.The VGSs with vast exposed edges considerably increase the contact area with the carbon matrix and supply directional transport channels through the entire material,which boosts charge transport.The carbon matrix encapsulates VGSs@Si–C to decrease the specific surface area and increase tap density,thus yielding high first Coulombic efficiency and electrode compaction density.Consequently,C/VGSs@Si–C delivers excellent Li‐ion storage performances under industrial electrode conditions.In particular,the full cells show high energy densities of 603.5 Wh kg^(−1)and 1685.5 Wh L^(−1)at 0.1 C and maintain 80.7%of the energy density at 3 C.

Lignin‐derived carbon with pyridine N‐B doping and a nanosandwich structure for high and stable lithium storage

Biomass‐derived carbon is a promising electrode material in energy storage devices.However,how to improve its low capacity and stability,and slow diffusion kinetics during lithium storage remains a challenge.In this research,we propose a“self‐assembly‐template”method to prepare B,N codoped porous carbon(BN‐C)with a nanosandwich structure and abundant pyridinic N‐B species.The nanosandwich structure can increase powder density and cycle stability by constructing a stable solid electrolyte interphase film,shortening the Li^(+) diffusion pathway,and accommodating volume expansion during repeated charging/discharging.The abundant pyridinic N‐B species can simultaneously promote the adsorption/desorption of Li^(+)/PF_(6)^(−) and reduce the diffusion barrier.The BN‐C electrode showed a high lithium‐ion storage capacity of above 1140 mAh g^(−1) at 0.05 A g^(−1) and superior stability(96.5% retained after 2000 cycles).Moreover,owing to the synergistic effect of the nanosandwich structure and pyridinic N‐B species,the assembled symmetrical BN‐C//BN‐C full cell shows a high energy density of 234.7Wh kg^(−1),high power density of 39.38 kW kg−1,and excellent cycling stability,superior to most of the other cells reported in the literature.As the density functional theory simulation demonstrated,pyridinic N‐B shows enhanced adsorption activity for Li^(+) and PF_(6)^(−),which promotes an increase in the capacity of the anode and cathode,respectively.Meanwhile,the relatively lower diffusion barrier of pyridinic N‐B promotes Li^(+) migration,resulting in good rate performance.Therefore,this study provides a new approach for the synergistic modulation of a nanostructure and an active site simultaneously to fabricate the carbon electrode material in energy storage devices.

Pseudocapacitive Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Cathode for Aluminum-Ion Batteries with Ultrahigh Reversible Stability

Aluminum(Al)-ion batteries have emerged as a potential alternative to conventional ion batteries that rely on less abundant and costly materials like lithium.Nonetheless,given the nascent stage of advancement in Al-ion batteries(AIBs),attaining electrode materials that can leverage both intercalation capacity and structural stability remains challenging.Herein,we demonstrate a C3N4-derived layered N,S heteroatom-doped carbon,obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures,as a cathode material for AIBs,encompassing the diffusion-controlled intercalation and surface-induced capacity with ultrahigh reversibility.The developed layered N,S-doped corbon(N,S-C)cathode,synthesized at 900℃,delivers a specific capacity of 330 mAhg^(-1)with a relatively high coulombic efficiency of~85%after 500 cycles under a current density of 0.5 A g^(-1).Owing to its reinforced adsorption capability and enlarged interlayer spacing by doping N and S heteroatoms,the N,S-C900 cathode demonstrates outstanding energy storage capacity with excellent rate performance(61 mAhg^(-1)at 20 A g^(-1))and ultrahigh reversibility(90 mAhg^(-1)at 5Ag^(-1)after 10000cycles).

Preparation and mechanical properties of carbon/carbon composites with high textured pyrolytic carbon matrix

Short carbon fiber felts with an initial porosity of 89.5% were deposited by isobaric, isothermal chemical vapor infiltration using natural gas as carbon source. The bulk density of the deposited carbon/carbon （C/C） composites was 1.89 g/cm3 after depositing for 150 h. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the C/C composites were studied by polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and three-point bending test. The results reveal that high textured pyrolytic carbon is deposited as the matrix of the composites, whose crystalline thickness and graphitization degree highly increase after heat treatment. A distinct decrease of the flexural strength and modulus accompanied by the increase of the toughness of the C/C composites is found to be correlated with the structural changes in the composites during the heat treatment process.

Production of carbon anodes by high-temperature mould pressing

Laboratory-scale carbon anodes were produced by a new method of high temperature mould pressing, and their physico-chemical properties were studied. The influence of mould pressing conditions and coal pitch addition on the bulk density, crushing strength, and oxidation resistance was analyzed. The mierostructure of carbon anodes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and the mechanism of producing carbon anodes by high-temperature mould pressing was analyzed. The results show that when the anodes are produced by high-temperature mould pressing, coal pitch can expand into the coke particles and fill the pores inside the particles, which is beneficial for improving the quality of prebaked anodes. The bulk density of carbon anodes is 1.64-1.66 g/cm3, which is 0.08-0.12 g/cm3 higher than that of industrial anodes, and the oxidation resistance of carbon anodes is also significantly improved.

Study on High Strength Concrete Confined by Continuous Carbon Fiber Sheet

Eight high strength concrete (HSC) prisms strengthened with continuous carbon fiber sheet(CFS)were tested.As a result of the confinement provided by CFS,the concrete would fail at a greater strain than the unconfined and then a significant increase in ductility can be achieved.The lateral pressure exerted by CFS would increase the compressive strength of the concrete,resulting in higher load bearing capacity.This paper proposes the stress strain curve of this kind of hybrid specimen,which agrees well with the test results.Based on the stress strain relationship and the assumptions proposed in this paper,a computer program was developed to analyze HSC columns,confined by CFS,which were subjected to axial compression and biaxial bending.The results shown in this paper indicate that the ductility of HSC column is significantly improved and the strength is also increased by some degree.

Research on the Low-carbon-high-value Agriculture Technology in the Comprehensive Improvement of Intra-county Environment Pollution——Taking the Development of Cultivation and Breeding Industry in the Ecological Cyclic Agricultural Garden in Shaoshan Irri

The comprehensive improvement strategy of intra-county environment pollution in the city and countryside was searched.By the research method which combined the microscopic view,the macroscopic view with the dynamic perspective,the seriousness of rural water quality,soil and atmospheric pollution in Xiangxiang,Xiangtan and the surrounding areas in Shaoshan irrigated area was revealed.The control measure which was 'four-dimensional pollution in the city and countryside'—— low-carbon-high-value agriculture and the technology innovation was proposed.The low-carbon-high-value technology innovation industrialization demonstration in three parts which included the pre-production,mid-production and post-production deep-processing of cultivation and breeding industry in the ecological cyclic agricultural garden in Shaoshan irrigated area was the driving force.We tried to propel the low-carbon ecological cultivation and breeding industry which included the paddy rice,grass,tree,medicinal herbs and pig,cow,chick,duck,fish.We wanted to relieve the structural unbalance of previous cultivation and breeding industry,'cheap grain hurting the farmers' and the short-leg problem of social-economic-ecological benefit.The results showed that the low-carbon-high-value agricultural system was a poly-generation technology system which promoted the multi-level and grading utilization,saved the energy,reduced the consumption and cleaned the production based on the ecology.

Carbon foam with microporous structure for high performance symmetric potassium dual-ion capacitor

A novel carbon foam with microporous structure(CFMS),with the advantages of a simple fabrication process,low energy consumption,large specific surface area and high conductivity,has been prepared by a facile one-step carbonization.In addition,the carbon foam possesses suitable interlayer spacing in short range which is flexible to accommodate the deformation of carbon layer caused by the ion insertion and deinsertion at the charge and discharge state.Furthermore,a low cost carbon-based symmetric potassium dual-ion capacitor(PDIC),which integrates the virtues of potassium ion capacitors and dual-ion batteries,is successfully established with CFMS as both the battery-type cathode and the capacitor-type anode.PDIC displays a superior rate performance,an ultra-long cycle life(90%retention after 10000 cycles),and a high power density of 7800 W kg^-1 at an energy density of 39Whkg^-1.The PDIC also exhibits excellent ultrafast charge and slow discharge properties,with a full charge in just 60 s and a discharge time of more than 3000 s.

Microstructure of Surface Layer Formed at Low Temperature and High Carbon Concentration Carburizing with Rare Earth Element

A suitable carburized microstructure with fine granular dispersed carbides in hypereutectoid zone,ultra fine martensite in matrix and recrystallized austenite to be refined to the grain size of 12～14 has been obtained by a new process,which is a high carbon concentration carburizing with rare earth element at low temperature(860～880℃)in a discontinuous gas carburization furnace.There was not much difference for the microstructure in eutectic zone between this and conventional process.Forming mechanism of granular carbides has been also studied in this paper.

Effect of electromagnetic stirring in mold on the macroscopic quality of high carbon steel billet

An industrial plant trial for optimizing the process parameters in a round billet continuous casting mold with electromagnetic stirring （M-EMS） was performed, in which the influences of stirring parameters with M-EMS on the solidification macrostructure of high carbon steel were investigated. The results show that the billet quality is not well controlled under the condition of working current and frequency with EMS, in which the subsurface crack of grade 1.0-2.0 ups to 38.09%, the central pipe of grade 1.0-1.5 reaches to 14.28%, and the central porosity of grade 1.5 is 14.29%. The parameters of current 260 A and frequency 8 Hz as the final optimum scheme has a remarkable effect for improving the macroscopic quality of billet, in which the subsurface crack, central pipe and skin blowhole are all disappeared, and the central porosity and carbon segregation are also well improved.

Regulation of carbon distribution to construct high-sulfur-content cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S)battery is regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems due to the ultra-high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg^(-1).To address the insulation nature of sulfur,nanocarbon composition is essential to afford acceptable cycling capacity but inevitably sacrifices the actual energy density under working conditions.Therefore,rational structural design of the carbon/sulfur composite cathode is of great significance to realize satisfactory electrochemical performances with limited carbon content.Herein,the cathode carbon distribution is rationally regulated to construct high-sulfur-content and high-performance Li-S batteries.Concretely,a double-layer carbon(DLC)cathode is prepared by fabricating a surface carbon layer on the carbon/sulfur composite.The surface carbon layer not only provides more electrochemically active surfaces,but also blocks the polysulfide shuttle.Consequently,the DLC configuration with an increased sulfur content by nearly 10 wt%renders an initial areal capacity of 3.40 mAh cm^(-2) and capacity retention of 83.8%during 50 cycles,which is about two times than that of the low-sulfur-content cathode.The strategy of carbon distribution regulation affords an effective pathway to construct advanced high-sulfur-content cathodes for practical high-energy-density Li-S batteries.

Grafting polymeric sulfur onto carbon nanotubes as highly-active cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries

Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are being explored as promising advanced energy storage systems due to their ultra-high energy density.However,fast capacity fading and low coulombic efficiency,resulting from the dissolution of polysulfides,remain a serious challenge.Compared to weak physical adsorptions or barriers,chemical confinement based on strong chemical interaction is a more effective approach to address the shuttle issue.Herein,we devise a novel polymeric sulfur/carbon nanotube composite for Li–S battery,for which 2,5-dithiobiurea is chosen as the stabilizer of long-chain sulfur.This offers chemical bonds which bridge the polymeric sulfur and carbon nanotubes.The obtained composite can deliver an ultra-high reversible capacity of 1076.2 m Ahg^-1(based on the entire composite)at the rate of 0.1 C with an exceptional initial Coulombic efficiency of 96.2%,as well as remarkable cycle performance.This performance is mainly attributed to the reaction reversibility of the obtained polymeric sulfur-based composite during the discharge/charge process.This was confirmed by density functional theory calculations for the first time.

A Fe-N-C catalyst with highly dispersed iron in carbon for oxygen reduction reaction and its application in direct methanol fuel cells

Exploring non‐precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） is essential for fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Herein, we report a Fe‐N‐C catalyst possessing a high specific surface area （1501 m2/g） and uniformly dispersed iron within a carbon matrix prepared via a two‐step pyrolysis process. The Fe‐N‐C catalyst exhibits excellent ORR activity in 0.1 mol/L NaOH electrolyte （onset potential, Eo=1.08 V and half wave potential, E1/2=0.88 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode） and 0.1 mol/L HClO4 electrolyte （Eo=0.85 V and E1/2=0.75 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode）. The direct methanol fuel cells employing Fe‐N‐C as the cathodic catalyst displayed promising per‐formance with a maximum power density of 33 mW/cm2 in alkaline media and 47 mW/cm2 in acidic media. The detailed investigation on the composition–structure–performance relationship by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mo-ssbauer spectroscopy suggests that Fe‐N4, together with graphitic‐N and pyridinic‐N are the active ORR components. The promising direct methanol fuel cell performance displayed by the Fe‐N‐C catalyst is related to the intrinsic high catalytic activity, and critically for this application, to the high methanol tolerance.

KOH activated carbon derived from biomass-banana fibers as an efficient negative electrode in high performance asymmetric supercapacitor

Here we demonstrate the fabrication, electrochemical performance and application of an asymmetric supercapacitor (AS) device constructed with ss-Ni(OH)(2)/MWCNTs as positive electrode and KOH activated honeycomb-like porous carbon (K-PC) derived from banana fibers as negative electrode. Initially, the electrochemical performance of hydrothermally synthesized ss-Ni(OH)(2)/MWCNTs nanocomposite and K-PC was studied in a three-electrode system using 1 M KOH. These materials exhibited a specific capacitance (Cs) of 1327 Fig and 324 F/g respectively at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. Further, the AS device i.e., ss-Ni(OH)(2)/MWCNTs// K-PC in 1 M KOH solution, demonstrated a Cs of 156 F/g at scan rate of 10 mV/s in a broad cell voltage of 0-2.2 V. The device demonstrated a good rate capability by maintaining a Cs of 59 F/g even at high current density (25 A/g). The device also offered high energy density of 63 Wh/kg with maximum power density of 5.2 kW/kg. The AS device exhibited excellent cycle life with 100% capacitance retention at 5000th cycle at a high current density of 25 A/g. Two AS devices connected in series were employed for powering a pair of LEDs of different colors and also a mini fan. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Internal structures and high-velocity frictional properties of a bedding-parallel carbonate fault at Xiaojiaqiao outcrop activated by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

This paper reports internal structures of a bedding-parallel fault in Permian limestone at Xiaoji-aqiao outcrop that was moved by about 0.5 m during the 2008 MW7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. The fault is located about 3 km to the south from the middle part of Yingxiu-Beichuan fault, a major fault in the Longmenshan fault system that was moved during the earthquake. The outcrop is also located at Anxian transfer zone between the northern and central segments of Yingxiu-Beichuan fault where fault system is complex. Thus the fault is an example of subsidiary faults activated by Wenchuan earthquake. The fault has a strike of 243°or N63°E and a dip of 38°NW and is nearly optimally oriented for thrust motion, in contrast to high-angle coseismic faults at most places. Surface outcrop and two shallow drilling studies reveal that the fault zone is several centimeters wide at most and that the coseismic slip zone during Wenchuan earthquake is about 1 mm thick. Fault zone contains foliated cataclasite, fault breccia, black gouge and yellowish gouge. Many clasts of foliated cataclasite and black gouge contained in fault breccia indicate multiple slip events along this fault. But fossils on both sides of fault do not indicate clear age difference and overall displacement along this fault should not be large. We also report results from high-velocity friction experiments conducted on yellowish gouge from the fault zone using a rotary shear low to high-velocity frictional testing apparatus. Dry experiments at normal stresses of 0.4 to 1.8 MPa and at slip rates of 0.08 to 1.35 m/s reveal dramatic slip weakening from the peak friction coeffcient of around 0.6 to very low steady-state friction coeffcient of 0.1–0.2. Slip weakening parameters of this carbonate fault zone are similar to those of clayey fault gouge from Yingxiu-Beichuan fault at Hongkou outcrop and from Pingxi fault zone. Our experimental result will provide a condition for triggering movement of subsidiary faults or off-fault damage during a large earthquake.

Carbonation Resistance of Sulphoaluminate Cement-based High Performance Concrete

The influences of water/cement ratio and admixtures on carbonation resistance of sulphoaluminate cement-based high performance concrete （HPC） were investigated. The experimental results show that with the decreasing water/cement ratio, the carbonation depth of sulphoaluminate cement-based HPC is decreased remarkably, and the carbonation resistance capability is also improved with the adding admixtures. The morphologies and structure characteristics of sulphoaluminate cement hydration products before and after carbonation were analyzed using SEM and XRD. The analysis results reveal that the main hydration product of sulphoaluminate cement, that is ettringite （AFt）, decomposes after carbonation.

Effect of carbon on high temperature compressive and creep properties of β-stabilized TiA l alloy

Carbon is an important alloying element in improving high temperature mechanical properties of various metallic materials.The effects of carbon on high temperature mechanical properties of aβ-stabilized Ti?45Al?3Fe?2Mo(molar fraction,%)alloy were studied through compressive and creep tests.The results show that the carbon addition(0.5%,molar fraction)obviously enhances the high temperature compressive strength and creep resistance of theβ-stabilized Ti?45Al?3Fe?2Mo alloy.A lot of nano-scaled Ti3AlC carbides precipitate in theβ-stabilized alloy and these carbides pin the dislocations,and greatly increase the high temperature properties.At the same time,the carbon addition decreases the amount of?phase,refines the lamellar spacing,and causes solution strengthening,which also contribute to the improvement of the high temperature properties.

INFLUENCE OF HEAT TREATMENT ON OXIDATION PROPERTIES OF C/C COMPOSITES FABRICATED BY HIGH PRESSURE IMPREGNATION CARBONIZATION

Felt base carbon/carbon composites fabricated by super-high pressure impregnation carbonization process (SPIC) were heat treated at high temperature 2773K. The oxidation properties of felt base carbon/carbon composites were investigated at different temperatures (773-1173K), and the microstructures of carbon/carbon composites were studied by SEM and X-ray diffraction. The experimental results showed that the inter-laminar distance of (002) plane (d002) deceased while the microcrystalline stack height (Lc) increased. The oxidation rate of felt base carbon/carbon composites was invari-able at certain temperatures. The oxidation mechanism of carbon/carbon composites changed remarkably at the oxidation temperature 973K. At the initial oxidation stage of carbon/carbon composites, carbon matrix was oxidized much more rapidly than carbon felt.

Apparent Morphologies and Nature of Packet Martensite in High Carbon Steels

The apparent morphologies of packet martensite in eight high carbon steels were researched by using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. It was found that the apparent morphologies, substructures, and habit plane of packet martensite in high carbon steels are entirely different from that in low carbon steels; the substructures of packet martensite in high carbon steels possess fully twinned structure, while the substructures of individual coarse martensite plates in these steels bear both fully and partially twinned structures. The formation reason for apparent morphologies, substructures and two habit planes （i. e, { 111 }, and { 225}r） of high carbon martensite were discussed in detail.

Carbon nanotube enhanced water-based drilling fluid for high temperature and high salinity deep resource development

Drilling fluids face failure during drilling deep reservoir with high temperature and high salt.The experimental results show that high temperature and salinity reduce the negative charge on the surface of bentonite in the drilling fluid and cause the coalescence of bentonite particles.As a result,the particles coalesce,the grid structure is destroyed,and the rheological properties,rock-carrying capacity and filtration properties are lost.To resolve the foregoing,in this study,0.05-wt%carbon nanotubes are introduced into a 4%bentonite drilling fluid under conditions where the temperature and concentration of added Na Cl reach 180°C and 10 wt%,respectively.The carbon nanotubes adsorb on the bentonite surface and increase the space among bentonite particles.The steric hindrance prevents the coalescence of bentonite in high temperature and high salt environment.Thus bentonite maintains the small size distribution of bentonite and supports the bentonite grid structure in the drilling fluid.As a result,the rock-carrying capacity of the drilling fluid increases by 85.1%.Moreover,the mud cake formed by the accumulation of small-sized bentonite particles is dense;consequently,the filtration of bentonite drilling fluid reduced by 30.2%.