Influence of rare-earth metal doping on the catalytic performance of CuO-CeO_2 for the preferential oxidation of CO in excess hydrogen

Doping of different rare-earth metals （Pr, Nd, Y and La） had an evident influence on the catalytic performance of CuO-CeO2 for the preferential oxidation （PROX） of CO in excess hydrogen. As for Pr, the doping enhanced the catalytic activity of CuO-CeO2 for PROX. For example, the CO conversion over the above catalyst for PROX was higher than 99% at 120 °C. Especially, the doping of Pr widened the temperature window by 20 °C over CuO-CeO2 with 99% CO conversion. For Nd, Y, and La, the doping depressed the catalytic activity of CuO-CeO2 for PROX. However, the doping of transition metals markedly improved the selectivity of CuO-CeO2 for PROX.

Infrared Polarizabilities of 3d-Transition and Rare-Earth Metals

A transition or rare-earth metal is modeled as the atom immersed in a jellium at intermediate electron gas densities specified by? rs=4.0. The ground states of the spherical jellium atom are constructed based on the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham density-functional formalism with the inclusion of electron-electron self-interaction corrections of Perdew and Zunger. Static and dynamic polarizabilities of the jellium atom are deduced using time-dependent linear response theory in a local density approximation as formulated by Stott and Zaremba. The calculation is extended to include the intervening elements In, Xe, Cs, and Ba. The calculation demonstrates how the Lindhard dielectric function can be modified to apply to non-simple metals treated in the jellium model.

Neutron Diffraction Study of Self-Curing and Self-Crystallization Phenomena of Low-Temperature Dehydrogenating Products of Powder Crystals of Rare-Earth Metals Trihydroxides

The phenomenon of hydrogen thermoemission out of a crystal lattice of powder rare-earth metals trihydrooxides R(OH)3 (R is La, Pr, Nd) was found. The hydrogen thermoemission out of a crystal lattice is partial or full removal of hydrogen out of the crystal lattice of powder hydrogen-containing crystal without change of symmetry of such crystal at continuous evacuation of high vacuum at evacuation temperature of Тev. which is lower than recrystallization Тrecrys. or disintegration (Tdisinteg.) temperature of this crystal: Тev. Тrecrys. Tdisineg.. By neutron diffraction it is found that low- temperature (Тevacuation = 400 - 420 K ) removal of hydrogen (by hydrogen thermoemission) out of a crystal lattice of trihydrooxide R(OH)3 under continuous high vacuum evacuating makes possible to obtain metastable “trioxide” R[O]3. Existence of such substance contradicts to the valence law (oxygen is bivalent and Pr is trivalent in hydroxides). Such “trioxide” has a superfluous negative charge: R3+O6-. So they aspire to “capture” three more protons (hydrogen ions) from a water molecules. Obviously, this substance can be stable at low temperatures and in the mediums, which are not containing hydrogen. In the air at room temperature this substance, most likely, interacting with water molecules, gradually again turns into trihydroxide R(OH)3, compensating the superfluous negative charge by three hydrogen atoms. From this it follows that substance R[O3] can simultaneously be an absorber of hydrogen and generator of oxygen at atmospheric conditions and in any mediums which contains water molecules, without any prior processing like heating or high pressure. Thus, the obtained material, without any prior processing like heating or high pressure, can simultaneously be oxygen generator and hydrogen accumulator in any mediums characteristic of R[O3] to transform into stable form R(OH)3 by selective bonding of hydrogen from the hydrogen-containing environment allowing implication of Pr[O3] as the hydrogen selective absorber. Separation (by low-temperature removal) of hydrogen out of R(OH)3 lattice can again lead to restoration of its capabilities to be a simultaneous hydrogen accumulator and oxygen generator in a medium containing water molecules.

Regio-and Stereoselective Polymerization of Bio-based Ocimene by Rare-Earth Metal Catalysts

Coordination polymerization of renewable β-ocimene has been investigated using asymmetric diiminophosphinate lutetium complex1, β-diketiminate yttrium complex 2, bis(phosphino)carbazolide yttrium complex 3, half-sandwich benzyl fluorenyl scandium complex 4 and pyridyl-methylene-fluorenyl rare-metal complexes 5a–5c. Complexes 1, 4 and 5a–5c show trans-1,2-regioselectivities and high activities, of which 5c exhibits excellent isoselectivity(mmmm>99%). Conversely, complexes 2 and 3 promote β-ocimene polymerization to produce isotactic cis-1,4-polyocimenes(cis-1,4>99%, mm>95%). Diblock copolymers cis-1,4-PIP-block-cis-1,4-POc and cis-1,4-PBD-block-cis-1,4-POc are obtained in one-pot reactions of β-ocimene with isoprene and butadiene using complex 3. Epoxidation and hydroxylation of polyocimene afford functionalized polyolefins with enhanced T_(g)(from-20 ℃ to 79 ℃ and 74 ℃) and hydrophilicity.

Synthesis of pyrrolidinyl-ethylene fluorenyl rare-earth metal complexes and catalysis for 2-vinylpyridine polymerization

The metathesis reaction between pyrrolidinyl-ethylene fluorenyl lithium salts with in situ prepared cationic rare-earth metal dialkyl species[Ln(CH_(2)SiMe_(3))_(2)(THF)_(x)][BPh_(4)]afford efficiently the corresponding constrained-geometry complexes L^(1)Ln(CH_(2)SiMe_(3))_(2)(L^(1)=FluCH_(2)CH_(2)NC_(4)H_(8),Ln=Y(1a),Lu(1b),Sc(1c))and L^(2)Ln(CH_(2)SiMe_(3))_(2)(L^(2)=(2,7-di-tert-butyl)FluCH_(2)CH_(2)NC_(4)H_(8),Ln=Y(2a),Lu(2b),Sc(2c))in good yields.All these complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy,and the solid-state molecular structure of yttrium complex 1a was defined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.The catalytic performance of these complexes towards 2-vinylpyridine polymerization was investigated,where these complexes alone can efficiently promote the polymerization of 2-vinylpyridine giving isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine).Upon the activation with[Ph_(3)C][B(C_(6)F_(5))_(4)],the yttrium and lutetium complexes also afford isotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine),while the scandium complexes produce syndiotactic poly(2-vinylpyridine).

Unusual selective reactivity of the rare-earth metal complexes bearing a ligand with multiple functionalities

Ligands play a key role in controlling activity of organometallic complexes so that development of new ligands to overcome the challenge is the main topic of modern chemistry.The first example of 1,1-hydride migratory insertion and intramolecular redox reaction has been realized in this work by applying a new ligand in rare-earth metal chemistry.The novel rare-earth metal complexes L^(Mes)RECH2TMS(THF)(RE=Y(1a),Dy(1b),Er(1c),Yb(1d),L^(Mes)=1-(3-(2,6-iPr_(2)C_(6)H_(3)N=CH)C8H4N)-CH_(2)CH_(2)-3-(2-CH2–4,6-Me_(2)C_(6)H_(2))-(N(CH)_(2)NC),THF=tetrahydrofuran)bearing a ligand with imino,indolyl,NHC(N-heterocyclic carbene)multiple functionalities were synthesized and characterized.Treatment of complexes 1 with silanes(PhSiH3or PhSiH2Me or PhSiD3)selectively produced the unprecedented 1,1-hydride(or deuterated H)migratory insertion of the indolyl moiety of the novel unsymmetrical dinuclear rare-earth metal complexes 2.The complex 2a reacts with Ph_(2)C=O to give the selective C=O double bond insertion to the RE–Co-methylene-Mesbond product 3a which further reacts with another Ph_(2)C=O(or DMAP,4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine)affording the novelμ-η^(2):η^(3)-dianionic 3-iminoindolyl dinuclear rare-earth metal complex 4a.The latter is formed through an unusual intramolecular redox reaction(through electron migration from the 2-carbanion of the indolyl ring to the imino motif)resulting in the re-aromatization of the indolyl ring.

Templated synthesis of transition metal phosphide electrocatalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions

Transition metal phosphides(TMPs)have been regarded as alternative hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)catalysts owing to their comparable activity to those of noble metal-based catalysts.TMPs have been produced in various morphologies,including hollow and porous nanostructures,which are features deemed desirable for electrocatalytic materials.Templated synthesis routes are often responsible for such morphologies.This paper reviews the latest advances and existing challenges in the synthesis of TMP-based OER and HER catalysts through templated methods.A comprehensive review of the structure-property-performance of TMP-based HER and OER catalysts prepared using different templates is presented.The discussion proceeds according to application,first by HER and further divided among the types of templates used-from hard templates,sacrificial templates,and soft templates to the emerging dynamic hydrogen bubble template.OER catalysts are then reviewed and grouped according to their morphology.Finally,prospective research directions for the synthesis of hollow and porous TMP-based catalysts,such as improvements on both activity and stability of TMPs,design of environmentally benign templates and processes,and analysis of the reaction mechanism through advanced material characterization techniques and theoretical calculations,are suggested.

Oxygen functionalization-assisted anionic exchange toward unique construction of flower-like transition metal chalcogenide embedded carbon fabric for ultra-long life flexible energy storage and conversion

The metal-organic framework(MOF)derived Ni–Co–C–N composite alloys(NiCCZ)were“embedded”inside the carbon cloth(CC)strands as opposed to the popular idea of growing them upward to realize ultrastable energy storage and conversion application.The NiCCZ was then oxygen functionalized,facilitating the next step of stoichiometric sulfur anion diffusion during hydrothermal sulfurization,generating a flower-like metal hydroxysulfide structure(NiCCZOS)with strong partial implantation inside CC.Thus obtained NiCCZOS shows an excellent capacity when tested as a supercapacitor electrode in a three-electrode configuration.Moreover,when paired with the biomass-derived nitrogen-rich activated carbon,the asymmetric supercapacitor device shows almost 100%capacity retention even after 45,000 charge–discharge cycles with remarkable energy density(59.4 Wh kg^(-1)/263.8μWh cm^(–2))owing to a uniquely designed cathode.Furthermore,the same electrode performed as an excellent bifunctional water-splitting electrocatalyst with an overpotential of 271 mV for oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and 168.4 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)at 10 mA cm−2 current density along with 30 h of unhinged chronopotentiometric stability performance for both HER and OER.Hence,a unique metal chalcogenide composite electrode/substrate configuration has been proposed as a highly stable electrode material for flexible energy storage and conversion applications.

Recent advances in transition metal phosphide materials:Synthesis and applications in supercapacitors

Supercapacitors(SCs)are considered promising energy storge systems because of their outstanding power density,fast charge and discharge rate and long-term cycling stability.The exploitation of cheap and efficient electrode materials is the key to improve the performance of supercapacitors.As the battery-type materials,transition metal phosphides(TMPs)possess high theoretical specific capacity,good electrical conductivity and superior structural stability,which have been extensively studied to be electrode materials for supercapacitors.In this review,we summarize the up-to-date progress on TMPs materials from diversified synthetic methods,diverse nanostructures and several prominent TMPs and their composites in application of supercapacitors.In the end,we also propose the remaining challenges toward the rational discovery and synthesis of high-performance TMP electrodes materials for energy storage.

Highly Efficient Aligned Ion‑Conducting Network and Interface Chemistries for Depolarized All‑Solid‑State Lithium Metal Batteries

Improving the long-term cycling stability and energy density of all-solid-state lithium(Li)-metal batteries(ASSLMBs)at room temperature is a severe challenge because of the notorious solid–solid interfacial contact loss and sluggish ion transport.Solid electrolytes are generally studied as two-dimensional(2D)structures with planar interfaces,showing limited interfacial contact and further resulting in unstable Li/electrolyte and cathode/electrolyte interfaces.Herein,three-dimensional(3D)architecturally designed composite solid electrolytes are developed with independently controlled structural factors using 3D printing processing and post-curing treatment.Multiple-type electrolyte films with vertical-aligned micro-pillar(p-3DSE)and spiral(s-3DSE)structures are rationally designed and developed,which can be employed for both Li metal anode and cathode in terms of accelerating the Li+transport within electrodes and reinforcing the interfacial adhesion.The printed p-3DSE delivers robust long-term cycle life of up to 2600 cycles and a high critical current density of 1.92 mA cm^(−2).The optimized electrolyte structure could lead to ASSLMBs with a superior full-cell areal capacity of 2.75 mAh cm^(−2)(LFP)and 3.92 mAh cm^(−2)(NCM811).This unique design provides enhancements for both anode and cathode electrodes,thereby alleviating interfacial degradation induced by dendrite growth and contact loss.The approach in this study opens a new design strategy for advanced composite solid polymer electrolytes in ASSLMBs operating under high rates/capacities and room temperature.

Lithium-Ion Charged Polymer Channels Flattening Lithium Metal Anode

The concentration difference in the near-surface region of lithium metal is the main cause of lithium dendrite growth.Resolving this issue will be key to achieving high-performance lithium metal batteries(LMBs).Herein,we construct a lithium nitrate(LiNO_(3))-implanted electroactiveβphase polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene(PVDF-HFP)crystalline polymorph layer(PHL).The electronegatively charged polymer chains attain lithium ions on the surface to form lithium-ion charged channels.These channels act as reservoirs to sustainably release Li ions to recompense the ionic flux of electrolytes,decreasing the growth of lithium dendrites.The stretched molecular channels can also accelerate the transport of Li ions.The combined effects enable a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.0%for 250 cycles in lithium(Li)||copper(Cu)cell and a stable symmetric plating/stripping behavior over 2000 h at 3 mA cm^(-2)with ultrahigh Li utilization of 50%.Furthermore,the full cell coupled with PHL-Cu@Li anode and Li Fe PO_(4) cathode exhibits long-term cycle stability with high-capacity retention of 95.9%after 900 cycles.Impressively,the full cell paired with LiNi_(0.87)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.03)O_(2)maintains a discharge capacity of 170.0 mAh g^(-1)with a capacity retention of 84.3%after 100 cycles even under harsh condition of ultralow N/P ratio of 0.83.This facile strategy will widen the potential application of LiNO_(3)in ester-based electrolyte for practical high-voltage LMBs.

Temperature-sensing array using the metal-to-insulator transition of Nd_(x)Sm_(1-x)NiO_(3)

Rare-earth nickelates(RENiO_(3))show widely tunable metal-to-insulator transition(MIT)properties with ignorable variations in lattice constants and small latent heat across the critical temperature(TMIT).Particularly,it is worth noting that compared with the more commonly investigated vanadium oxides,the MIT of RENiO_(3)is less abrupt but usually across a wider range of temperatures.This sheds light on their alternative applications as negative temperature coefficient resistance(NTCR)thermistors with high sensitivity compared with the current NTCR thermistors,other than their expected use as critical temperature resistance thermistors.In this work,we demonstrate the NTCR thermistor functionality for using the adjustable MIT of Nd_(x)Sm_(1-x)NiO_(3)within 200–400 K,which displays larger magnitudes of NTCR(e.g.,more than 7%/K)that is unattainable in traditional NTCR thermistor materials.The temperature dependence of resistance(R–T)shows sharp variation during the MIT of Nd_(x)Sm_(1-x)NiO_(3)with no hysteresis via decreasing the Nd content(e.g.,x≤0.8),and such a R–T tendency can be linearized by introducing an optimum parallel resistor.The sensitive range of temperature can be further extended to 210–360 K by combining a series of Nd_(x)Sm_(1-x)NiO_(3)with eight rare-earth co-occupation ratios as an array,with a high magnitude of NTCR(e.g.,7%–14%/K)covering the entire range of temperatures.

Regulating zinc ion transport behavior and solvated structure towards stable aqueous Zn metal batteries

Aqueous Zn metal batteries(AZMBs)with intrinsic safety,high energy density and low cost have been regarded as promising electrochemical energy storage devices.However,the parasitic reaction on metallic Zn anode and the incompatibility between electrode and electrolytes lead to the deterioration of electrochemical performance of AZMBs during the cycling.The critical point to achieve the stable cycling of AZMBs is to properly regulate the zinc ion solvated structure and transfer behavior between metallic Zn anode and electrolyte.In recent years,numerous achievements have been made to resolve the formation of Zn dendrite and interface incompatible issues faced by AZMBs via optimizing the sheath structure and transport capability of zinc ions at electrode-electrolyte interface.In this review,the challenges for metallic Zn anode and electrode-electrolyte interface in AZMBs including dendrite formation and interface characteristics are presented.Following the influences of different strategies involving designing advanced electrode structu re,artificial solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)on Zn anode and electrolyte engineering to regulate zinc ion solvated sheath structure and transport behavior are summarized and discussed.Finally,the perspectives for the future development of design strategies for dendrite-free Zn metal anode and long lifespan AZMBs are also given.

From Liquid to Solid‑State Lithium Metal Batteries:Fundamental Issues and Recent Developments

The widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries has been driven by the proliferation of portable electronic devices and electric vehicles,which have increasingly stringent energy density requirements.Lithium metal batteries(LMBs),with their ultralow reduction potential and high theoretical capacity,are widely regarded as the most promising technical pathway for achieving high energy density batteries.In this review,we provide a comprehensive overview of fundamental issues related to high reactivity and migrated interfaces in LMBs.Furthermore,we propose improved strategies involving interface engineering,3D current collector design,electrolyte optimization,separator modification,application of alloyed anodes,and external field regulation to address these challenges.The utilization of solid-state electrolytes can significantly enhance the safety of LMBs and represents the only viable approach for advancing them.This review also encompasses the variation in fundamental issues and design strategies for the transition from liquid to solid electrolytes.Particularly noteworthy is that the introduction of SSEs will exacerbate differences in electrochemical and mechanical properties at the interface,leading to increased interface inhomogeneity—a critical factor contributing to failure in all-solidstate lithium metal batteries.Based on recent research works,this perspective highlights the current status of research on developing high-performance LMBs.

Ultrasensitive Mechanical Sensor Using Tunable Ordered Array of Metallic and Insulating States in Vanadium Dioxide

Detecting tiny deformations or vibrations, particularly those associated with strains below 1%, is essential in various technological applications. Traditional intrinsic materials, including metals and semiconductors, face challenges in simultaneously achieving initial metallic state and strain-induced insulating state, hindering the development of highly sensitive mechanical sensors. Here we report an ultrasensitive mechanical sensor based on a strain-induced tunable ordered array of metallic and insulating states in the single-crystal bronze-phase vanadium dioxide [VO_(2)(B)] quantum material. It is shown that the initial metallic state in the VO_(2)(B) flake can be tuned to the insulating state by applying a weak uniaxial tensile strain. Such a unique property gives rise to a record-high gauge factor of above 607970, surpassing previous values by an order of magnitude, with excellent linearity and mechanical resilience as well as durability. As a proof-of-concept application, we use our proposed mechanical sensor to demonstrate precise sensing of the micro piece, gentle airflows and water droplets. We attribute the superior performance of the sensor to the strain-induced continuous metal-insulator transition in the single-crystal VO_(2)(B) flake, evidenced by experimental and simulation results. Our findings highlight the potential of exploiting correlated quantum materials for next-generation ultrasensitive flexible mechanical sensors, addressing critical limitations in traditional materials.

From Topological Nodal-Line Semimetals to Quantum Spin Hall Insulators in Tetragonal SnX Monolayers(X=F,Cl,Br,I)

Two-dimensional(2D)topological materials have recently garnered significant interest due to their profound physical properties and promising applications for future quantum nanoelectronics.Achieving various topological states within one type of materials is,however,seldom reported.Based on first-principles calculations and tightbinding models,we investigate topological electronic states in a novel family of 2D halogenated tetragonal stanene(T-SnX,X=F,Cl,Br,I).All the four monolayers are found to be unusual topological nodal-line semimetals(NLSs),protected by a glide mirror symmetry.When spin-orbit coupling(SOC)is turned on,T-SnF and TSnCl are still ascertained as topological NLSs due to the remaining band inversion,primarily composed of Sn pxy orbitals,while T-Sn Br and T-SnI become quantum spin Hall insulators.The phase transition is ascribed to moving up in energy of Sn s orbitals and increasing of SOC strengths.The topology origin in the materials is uniformly rationalized through elementary band representations.The robust and diverse topological states found in the 2D T-SnX monolayers position them as an excellent material platform for development of innovative topological electronics.

Towards advanced zinc anodes by interfacial modification strategies for efficient aqueous zinc metal batteries

Developing sustainable and clean energy sources(e.g.,solar,wind,and tide energy)is essential to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.Due to the discontinuous and inco nsistent nature of common clean energy sources,high-performance energy storage technologies are a critical part of achieving this target.Aqueous zinc metal batteries(AZMBs)with inherent safety,low cost,and competitive performance are regarded as one of the promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage.However,zinc metal anodes(ZMAs)with irreversible problems of dendrite growth,hydrogen evolution reaction,self-corrosio n,and other side reactions have seriously hindered the development and commercialization of AZMBs.An increasing number of researchers are focusing on the stability of ZMAs,so assessing the effectiveness of existing research strategies is critical to the development of AZMBs.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and challenges of AZMBs.Resea rch strategies for interfacial modification of ZMAs are systematically presented.The features of artificial interfacial coating and in-situ interfacial coating of ZMAs are compared and discussed in detail,as well as the effect of modified interfacial ZMA on the full-battery performance.Finally,perspectives are provided on the problems and challenges of ZMAs.This review is expected to offer a constructive reference for the further development and commercialization of AZMBs.

Evaluation of Four Anthropogenic Activity Impacts on Heavy Metal Quality of the Kumba River in the South West Region of Cameroon

Anthropogenic activities have contributed to pollution of water bodies through deposition of diverse pollutants amongst which are heavy metals. These pollutants, which at times are above the maximum concentration levels recommended, are detrimental to the quality of the water, soil and crops (plant) with subsequent human health risks. The objective of the work was to evaluate the impacts of human-based activities on the heavy metal properties of surface water with focus on the Kumba River basin. Field observations, interviews, field measurements and laboratory analyses of different water samples enabled us to collect the different data. The results show four main human-based activities within the river basin (agriculture, livestock production, domestic waste disposal and carwash activities) that pollute surface water. Approximately 20.61 tons of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural activities, 156.48 tons of animal wastes, 2517.5 tons of domestic wastes and 1.52 tons of detergent from carwash activities were deposited into the river each year. A highly significant difference at 1% was observed between the upstream and downstream heavy metal loads in four of the five heavy metals tested except for copper that was not significant. Lead concentrations were highest in all the activities with an average of 2.4 mg∙L−1 representing 57.81%, followed by zinc with 1.596 mg∙L−1 (38.45%) and manganese with 0.155 mg∙L−1 (3.74%) for the different anthropogenic activities thus indicating that these activities highly lead to pollution of the Kumba River water. The level of zinc and manganese was significantly influenced at ρ 005 by anthropogenic activities though generally the variations were in the order: carwash (3.196 mg∙L−1) < domestic waste disposal (3.347 mg∙L−1) < agriculture (4.172 mg∙L−1) < livestock (4.886 mg∙L−1) respectively and leading to a total of 14.04 tons of heavy metal pollutants deposited each day.

A Review on Engineering Transition Metal Compound Catalysts to Accelerate the Redox Kinetics of Sulfur Cathodes for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Engineering transition metal compounds(TMCs)catalysts with excellent adsorption-catalytic ability has been one of the most effec-tive strategies to accelerate the redox kinetics of sulfur cathodes.Herein,this review focuses on engineering TMCs catalysts by cation doping/anion doping/dual doping,bimetallic/bi-anionic TMCs,and TMCs-based heterostructure composites.It is obvious that introducing cations/anions to TMCs or constructing heterostructure can boost adsorption-catalytic capacity by regulating the electronic structure including energy band,d/p-band center,electron filling,and valence state.Moreover,the elec-tronic structure of doped/dual-ionic TMCs are adjusted by inducing ions with different electronegativity,electron filling,and ion radius,resulting in electron redistribution,bonds reconstruction,induced vacancies due to the electronic interaction and changed crystal structure such as lat-tice spacing and lattice distortion.Different from the aforementioned two strategies,heterostructures are constructed by two types of TMCs with different Fermi energy levels,which causes built-in electric field and electrons transfer through the interface,and induces electron redistribution and arranged local atoms to regulate the electronic structure.Additionally,the lacking studies of the three strategies to comprehensively regulate electronic structure for improving catalytic performance are pointed out.It is believed that this review can guide the design of advanced TMCs catalysts for boosting redox of lithium sulfur batteries.

Distinct vibrational signatures and complex phase behavior in metallic oxygen

Evidence for metallization in dense oxygen has been reported for over 30 years[Desgreniers et al.,J.Phys.Chem.94,1117(1990)]at a now routinely accessible 95 GPa[Shimizu et al.,Nature 393,767(1998)].However,despite the longevity of this result and the technological advances since,the nature of the metallic phase remains poorly constrained[Akahama et al.,Phys.Rev.Lett.74,4690(1995);Goncharov et al.,Phys.Rev.B 68,224108(2003);Ma,Phys.Rev.B 76,064101(2007);and Weck et al.,Phys.Rev.Lett.102,255503(2009)].In this work,through Raman spectroscopy,we report the distinct vibrational characteristics of metallicζ-O_(2) from 85 to 225 GPa.In comparison with numerical simulations,wefind reasonable agreement with the candidate structure up to about 150 GPa.At higher pressures,the C2/mstructure is found to be unstable and incompatible with experimental observations.Alternative candidate structures,and Ci,with C2/m C2/conly two molecules in the primitive unit cell,are found to be stable and more compatible with measurements above 175 GPa,indicative of the dissociation of(O_(2))4 units.Further,we report and discuss a strong hysteresis and metastability with the precursory phaseϵ-O_(2).Thesefindings will reinvigorate experimental and theoretical work into the dense oxygen system,which will have importance for oxygen-bearing chemistry,prevalent in the deep Earth,as well as fundamental physics.