Fast synthesis of uniform mesoporous titania submicrospheres with high tap densities for high-volumetric performance Li-ion batteries

High-tap density electrode materials are greatly desired for Li-ion batteries with high volumetric capacities to fulfill the growing demands of electric vehicles and portable smart devices. TiOz, which is one of the most attractive an- ode materials, is limited in their application for Li-ion batteries because of its low tap density （usually 〈1 gcm-3） and volumetric capacity. Herein, we report uniform mesoporous TiO2 submicrospheres with a tap density as high as 1.62 gcm-3 as a promising anode material. Even with a high mass load- ing of 24 mg cm-2, the TiO2 submicrospheres have impressive volumetric capacities that are more than double those of their counterparts. Moreover, they can be synthesized with -100% yield and within a reaction time of -6 h by optimizing the experimental conditions and formation mechanism, exhibiting potential for large-scale production for industrial applications. Other mesoporous anode materials, i.e., hightap density mesoporous Li4Ti5O12 submicrospheres, are fabricated using the generalized method. We believe that our work provides a significant reference for the industrial production of mesoporous materials for Li-ion batteries with a high volumetric performance.

Microplasma electrochemistry(MIPEC)strategy for accelerating the synthesis of metal organic frameworks at room temperature

Metal organic frameworks(MOFs) are a kind of promising materials in many applications,while the fast and controllable synthesis of MOFs is still challenging.Here,taking HKUST-1 as illustration,a microplasma electrochemistry(MIPEC) strategy was developed to accelerate the synthesis process of MOFs with micro-plasma acting as cathode.Treating the HKUST-1 precursor solution with micro-plasma cathode could not only transfer the electrons into the solution leading to the deprotonation effect,but also generate radical species to trigger and accelerate the nucleation and growth of MOFs at the plasmaliquid interface.Thus,uniform and nanosize MOFs could be prepared within minutes.The obtained MOFs show similar excellent uranium adsorption properties compared with those obtained by other method,with a highly adsorption capability of uranium with 550 mg/g in minutes.The novel MIPEC strategy developed in this work provides an alternative for controllable synthesis of MOFs,and especially has potential application in accelerating traditional organic synthesis.