TiO_2/graphene nanocomposites as anode materials for high rate lithium-ion batteries

A simple strategy to prepare a hybrid of nanocomposites of anatase TiO2/graphene nanosheets （GNS） as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries was reported.The morphology and crystal structure were studied by X-ray diffraction （XRD）,field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）.The electrochemical performance was evaluated by galvanostatic charge-lischarge tests and alternating current （AC） impedance spectroscopy.The results show that the TiO2/GNS electrode exhibit higher electrochemical performance than that of TiO2 electrode regardless of the rate.Even at 500 mA/g,the capacity of TiO2/GNS is 120.3 mAh/g,which is higher than that of TiO2 61.6 mAh/g.The high performance is attributed to the addition of graphene to improve electrical conductivity and reduce polarization.

Mesocrystal Co3O4 nanoplatelets as high capacity anode materials for Li-ion batteries

Faceted crystals with exposed highly reactive planes have attracted intensive investigations for applications. Herein, we demonstrate a general synthetic method to prepare mesocrystal Co3O4 with predominantly exposed {111} reactive facets by the in situ thermal decomposition from Co（OH）2 nanoplatelets. The mesocrystal feature was identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and N2 isotherm analyses. When applied as anode material in lithium-ion batteries, mesocrystal Co3O4 nanoplatelets delivered a high specific capacity and an outstanding high rate performance. The superior electrochemical performance should be ascribed to the predominantly exposed {111} active facets and highly accessible surfaces. This synthetic strategy could be extended to prepare other mesocrystal functional nanomaterials.

Ultra-Thin Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes： A Novel Nanocontainer for Preparing Atomic Wires

Double-walled carbon nanotubes （DWCNTs） with high graphitization have been synthesized by hydrogen arc discharge. The obtained DWCNTs have a narrow distribution of diameters of both the inner and outer tubes, and more than half of the DWCNTs have inner diameters in the range 0.6-1.0 nm. Field electron emission from a DWCNT cathode to an anode has been measured, and the emission current density of DWCNTs reached 1 A/cm2 at an applied field of about 4.3 V/~tm. After high-temperature treatment of DWCNTs, long linear carbon chains （C-chains） can be grown inside the ultra-thin DWCNTs to form a novel C-chain@DWCNT nanostructure, showing that these ultra-thin DWCNTs are an appropriate nanocontainer for preparing truly one-dimensional nanostructures with one-atom-diameter.

Plasmonic-enhanced two-photon fluorescence with single gold nanoshell

Single gold nanoshell with mutilpolar plasmon resonances is proposed to enhance two-photon fluorescence efficiently.The single emitter single nanoshell configuration is studied systematically by employing the finite-difference time-domain method.The emitter located inside or outside the nanoshell at various positions leads to a significantly different enhancement effect.The fluorescent emitter placed outside the nanoshell can achieve large fluorescence intensity given that both the position and orientation of the emission dipole are optimally controlled.In contrast,for the case of the emitter placed inside the nanoshell,it can experience substantial two-photon fluorescence enhancement without strict requirements upon the position and dipole orientations.Metallic nanoshell encapsulating many fluorescent emitters should be a promising nanocomposite configuration for bright two-photon fluorescence label.The results provide a comprehensive understanding about the plasmonic-enhanced two-photon fluorescence behaviors,and the nanocomposite configuration has great potential for optical detecting,imaging and sensing in biological applications.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 3D flowerlike a-Ni(OH)_2 nanostructures for supercapacitor application

Three-dimensional flowerlike α-Ni（OH）2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized by the microwave-assisted reflux as short as 30 rain. The crystalline structure and morphology of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The α-Ni（OH）2 nanostructure shows a large surface area of 173 m2 g-1 and narrow mesopore distribution. The electrochemical properties of the as-prepared α-Ni（OH）2 as an electrode material for supercapacitor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements in 6 mol/L KOH electrolyte. The α-Ni（OH）2 nanostructure shows a maximum specific capacitance of 2030 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and exhibits excellent rate capability. These results suggest that it is a promising electrode material for supercapacitor application.

An important step towards commercialization of quantum-dot light-emitting diode displays

Colloidal quantum dots(QDs)are a unique class of emissive materials with size-tunable emission wavelengths,saturated emission colors,near-unity luminance efficiency,inherent photo-and thermal-stability,and excellent solution processability.Display based on quantum-dot light-emitting diodes(QLED)may combine the superior properties of QDs,the benefits of solution-based fabrication techniques,and the advantages of self-emission devices,which promises an unprecedented generation of cost-effective,large-area,energysaving,wide-color-gamut,ultra-thin and flexible displays.