Exploring catalytic behaviors of CoS_(2)-ReS_(2) heterojunction by interfacial engineering

Herein, a stable and efficient CoS_(2)-ReS_(2) electrocatalyst is successfully constructed by using the different molar ratios of CoS_(2) on ReS_(2). The size and morphology of the catalysts are significantly changed after the CoS_(2) is grown on ReS_(2), providing regulation of the catalytic activity of ReS_(2). Particularly, the optimized CoS_(2)-ReS_(2) shows superior electrocatalytic properties with a low voltage of 1.48 V at 20 mA cm^(-2) for overall water splitting in 1.0 M KOH, which is smaller than the noble metal-based catalysts(1.77 V at 20 mA cm^(-2)). The XPS, XAS, and theoretical data confirm that the interfacial regulation of ReS_(2) by CoS_(2) can provide rich edge catalytic sites, which greatly optimizes the catalytic kinetics and drop the energy barrier for oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions. Our results demonstrated that interfacial engineering is an efficient route for fabricating high-performance water splitting electrocatalysts.

Interfacial Engineering Strategy for High-Performance Zn Metal Anodes

Due to their high safety and low cost,rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries(RAZIBs)have been receiving increased attention and are expected to be the next generation of energy storage systems.However,metal Zn anodes exhibit a limited-service life and inferior reversibility owing to the issues of Zn dendrites and side reactions,which severely hinder the further development of RAZIBs.Researchers have attempted to design high-performance Zn anodes by interfacial engineering,including surface modification and the addition of electrolyte additives,to stabilize Zn anodes.The purpose is to achieve uniform Zn nucleation and flat Zn deposition by regulating the deposition behavior of Zn ions,which effectively improves the cycling stability of the Zn anode.This review comprehensively summarizes the reaction mechanisms of interfacial modification for inhibiting the growth of Zn dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions.In addition,the research progress of interfacial engineering strategies for RAZIBs is summarized and classified.Finally,prospects and suggestions are provided for the design of highly reversible Zn anodes.

Tunable Syngas Synthesis from Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Under Visible-Light Irradiation by Interfacial Engineering

Visible-light-driven CO2 photoreduction to achieve renewable materials,such as syngas,hydrocarbons,and alcohols,is a key process that could relieve environmental problems and the energy crisis simultaneously.Reduction of syngas products with diff erent H2:CO proportions is highly expected to produce high value-added chemicals in the industry.However,the development of technologies employing long-wavelength irradiation to achieve CO2 photoreduction and simultaneous tuning of the resultant H2:CO proportion remains a challenging endeavor.In this work,we carried out interfacial engineering by designing a series of heterostructured layered double-hydroxide/MoS2 nanocomposites via electrostatic self-assembly.The syngas proportion(H 2:CO)obtained from CO2 photoreduction could be modulated from 1:1 to 9:1 by visible-light irradiation(λ>400 nm)under the control of the interface-rich heterostructures.This work provides a cost-eff ective strategy for solar-tofuel conversion in an artificial photosynthetic system and describes a novel route to produce syngas with targeted proportions.

Dual interfacial engineering for efficient Cs_(2)AgBiBr_(6) based solar cells

The emerging lead-free halide double perovskite solar cells have attracted widespread attentions due to their long-term stability and non-toxicity, but suffer from the low device performance. One efficiencylimiting factor is the improper contacts between the halide double perovskite and anode/cathode electrodes. Here, we improve the efficiency and stability of the bismuth-halide double perovskite based solar cells by a synergistic interface design for both electron and hole transport layers(ETL/HTL). The results show that the modification of the TiO_2 ETL with a thin hydrophobic C60 layer and replacement of the lithium-doped small molecule HTL with an un-doped conjugated polymer lead to higher surface quality of perovskite film and better energy-level alignment at the contacts. As a result, the optimized device shows reduced trap density, suppressed charge recombination and enhanced charge extraction, leading to an increase of 69% in device efficiency. In addition, the device also exhibits superior stability in ambient environment, heat stress and light bias after interface optimization. This work provides an efficient strategy for the device optimization of the emerging lead-free perovskite solar cells.

Interfacial engineering in lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells

Lead(Pb)-free Tin(Sn)-based perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have been favored by the community due to their low toxicity,preferable bandgaps,and great potential to achieve high power conversion efficiencies(PCEs).Interfaces engineering plays important roles in developing highly efficient Sn-based PSCs via passivation of trap defects,alignment of energy levels,and incorporation of low-dimensional Sn-based perovskites.In this review,we summarize the development of Pb-free Sn-based perovskites and their applications in devices,especially the strategies of improving the interfaces.We also provide perspectives for future research.Our aim is to help the development of new and advanced approaches to achieving high-performance environment-friendly Pb-free Sn-based PSCs.

Extended phase diagram of La_(1-x)Ca_(x)MnO_(3)by interfacial engineering

The interfacial enhanced ferromagnetism in maganite/ruthenate system is regarded as a promising path to broaden the potential of oxide-based electronic device applications.Here,we systematically studied the physical properties of La_(1-x)Ca_(x)MnO_(3)/SrRuO_(3)superlattices and compared them with the La1-x Cax MnO_(3)thin films and bulk compounds.The La_(1-x)Ca_(x)MnO_(3)/SrRuO_(3)superlattices exhibit significant enhancement of Curie temperature(TC)beyond the corresponding thin films and bulks.Based on these results,we constructed an extended phase diagram of La_(1-x)Ca_(x)MnO_(3)under interfacial engineering.We considered the interfacial charge transfer and structural proximity effects as the origin of the interfaceinduced high TC.The structural characterizations revealed a pronounced increase of B-O-B bond angle,which could be the main driving force for the high TCin the superlattices.Our work inspires a deeper understanding of the collective effects of interfacial charge transfer and structural proximity on the physical properties of oxide heterostructures.

Interfacial engineering of the layered oxide cathode materials for sodium-ion battery

The layered metal oxides are reviewed as the hopeful cathode materials for high-performance sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)due to their large theoretical capacity,favorable two-dimensional(2D)ion diffusion channel,and simple manipuility.However,their cycling stability,rate capability,and thermal stability are still significantly concerned and highlighted before further practical application.The chemical,mechanical and electrochemical stability of the cathode–electrolyte interfaces upon cycling is of great significance.Herein,the unique structural and electrochemical properties of the layered oxide cathode materials for SIB are reviewed.The mechanism of bulk/surface degradation induced by oxygen evolution,phase transition,microcrack,and electrolyte decomposition is thoroughly understood.Furthermore,the interfacial engineering to construct stable interface through various effective methods is fully discussed.The future outlook and challenges for interfacial engineering in this filed are also summarized.This review should shed light on the rational design and construct of robust interface for applications of superior layered oxide cathodes in SIB and may suggest future research directions.

Built-in electric field induced S-scheme g-C_(3)N_(4)homojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution:Interfacial engineering and morphology control

S-scheme possesses superior redox capabilities compared with the II-scheme,providing an effective method to solve the innate defects of g-C_(3)N_(4)(CN).In this study,S-doped g-C_(3)N_(4)/g-C_(3)N_(4)(SCN-tm/CN)S-scheme homojunction was constructed by rationally integrating morphology control with interfacial engineering to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance.In-situ Kelvin probe force microscopy(KPFM)confirms the transport of photo-generated electrons from CN to SCN.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the generation of a built-in electric field between SCN and CN enables the carrier separation to be more efficient and effective.Femtosecond transient absorption spectrum(fs-TAS)indicates prolonged lifetimes of SCN-tm/CN_(3)(τ1:9.7,τ2:110,andτ3:1343.5 ps)in comparison to those of CN(τ1:4.86,τ2:55.2,andτ3:927 ps),signifying that the construction of homojunction promotes the separation and transport of electron hole pairs,thus favoring the photocatalytic process.Under visible light irradiation,the optimized SCN-tm/CN_(3)exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity with the hydrogen evolution rate of 5407.3μmol·g^(−1)·h^(−1),which is 20.4 times higher than that of CN(265.7μmol·g^(−1)·h^(−1)).Moreover,the homojunction also displays an apparent quantum efficiency of 26.8%at 435 nm as well as ultra-long and ultra-stable cycle ability.This work offers a new strategy to construct highly efficient photocatalysts based on the metal-free conjugated polymeric CN for realizing solar energy conversion.

A Review on Engineering Design for Enhancing Interfacial Contact in Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The utilization of solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)presents a promising solution to the issues of safety concern and shuttle effect in Li–S batteries,which has garnered significant interest recently.However,the high interfacial impedances existing between the SSEs and the electrodes(both lithium anodes and sulfur cathodes)hinder the charge transfer and intensify the uneven deposition of lithium,which ultimately result in insufficient capacity utilization and poor cycling stability.Hence,the reduction of interfacial resistance between SSEs and electrodes is of paramount importance in the pursuit of efficacious solid-state batteries.In this review,we focus on the experimental strategies employed to enhance the interfacial contact between SSEs and electrodes,and summarize recent progresses of their applications in solidstate Li–S batteries.Moreover,the challenges and perspectives of rational interfacial design in practical solid-state Li–S batteries are outlined as well.We expect that this review will provide new insights into the further technique development and practical applications of solid-state lithium batteries.

Allying interfacial engineering of 2D carbon nanosheet-,graphene-,and graphdiyne-based heterostructured electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution and overall water splitting

Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and overall water splitting(OWS)for renewable energy generation have recently become a highly promising and sustainable strategy to tackle energy crisis and global warming arising from our overreliance on fossil fuels.Previously,tremendous research breakthroughs have been made in 2D carbon-based heterostructured electrocatalysts in this field.Such heterostructures are distinguished by their remarkable electrical conductivity,exposed active sites,and mechanical stability.Herein,with fundamental mechanisms of electrocatalytic OWS summarized,our review critically emphasized on state-of-the-art 2D carbon nanosheet-,graphene-,and graphdiyne-based heterostructured electrocatalysts in HER and OWS since 2018.Particularly,the three emerging carbonaceous substrates tend to be incorporated with metal carbides,phosphides,dichalcogenides,nitrides,oxides,nanoparticles,single atom catalysts,or layered double hydroxides.Meanwhile,fascinating structural engineering and facile synthesis strategies were also unraveled to establish the structure-activity relationship,which will enlighten future electrocatalyst developments toward ameliorated HER and OWS activities.Additionally,computational results from density functional theory simulations were highlighted as well to better comprehend the synergistic effects within the heterostructures.Finally,current stages and future recommendations of this brand-new electrocatalyst type were concluded and discussed for advanced catalyst designs and future practical applications.

Interfacial Engineering of Polymer Blend with Janus Particle as Compatibilizer

Mixing two or more polymers to produce the“polymer alloy”is one of the most versatile and economical strategies for developing new polymeric materials.The compatibility between polymer components largely determines the comprehensive performance of polymer blend.More recently,a type of unique surface partitioned materials,Janus particles,has been proposed to act as a novel interfacial compatibilizer for polymer blends.Such Janus particles integrates the amphipathicity of diblock copolymer and interfacial stabilization of nanoparticles,displaying a significant superiority in comparison with molecular compatibilizers for a wide range of polymer blends.In this review,we mainly focus on the compatibilizing effects of Janus nanofillers of various morphologies,including spherical,snowman-like,and two-dimensional nanosheets,on polymer blends.We shed light on the impacts of compatibilization of Janus particles on phase morphologies,mechanical properties,and functionalities of polymer blends.This review could provide a guidance for designing an effective Janus particle compatibilizer to develop high-performance polymer blends.

Multiphase Interfacial Regulation Based on Hierarchical Porous Molybdenum Selenide to Build Anticorrosive and Multiband Tailorable Absorbers

Electromagnetic wave(EMW)absorbing materials have an irreplaceable position in the field of military stealth as well as in the field of electromagnetic pollution control.And in order to cope with the complex electromagnetic environment,the design of multifunctional and multiband high efficiency EMW absorbers remains a tremendous challenge.In this work,we designed a three-dimensional porous structure via the salt melt synthesis strategy to optimize the impedance matching of the absorber.Also,through interfacial engineering,a molybdenum carbide transition layer was introduced between the molybdenum selenide nanoparticles and the three-dimensional porous carbon matrix to improve the absorption behavior of the absorber.The analysis indicates that the number and components of the heterogeneous interfaces have a significant impact on the EMW absorption performance of the absorber due to mechanisms such as interfacial polarization and conduction loss introduced by interfacial engineering.Wherein,the prepared MoSe_(2)/MoC/PNC composites showed excellent EMW absorption performance in C,X,and Ku bands,especially exhibiting a reflection loss of−59.09 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth of 6.96 GHz at 1.9 mm.The coordination between structure and components endows the absorber with strong absorption,broad bandwidth,thin thickness,and multi-frequency absorption characteristics.Remarkably,it can effectively reinforce the marine anticorrosion property of the epoxy resin coating on Q235 steel substrate.This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between interfacial engineering and the performance of EMW absorbers,and provides a reference for the design of multifunctional,multiband EMW absorption materials.

Boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production via interfacial engineering over a Z-scheme core/shell heterojunction

Designing high efficacy photocatalysts is a promising way to improve solar fuel production efficiency.In this work,we prepared a core/shell composite of loose ZnCr layered double hydroxide nanosheets modified CdS nanorods for efficient visible light driven photocatalytic hydrogen production.The highest hydrogen production rate achieved 425.8μmol·h^(−1) without adding any noble metal cocatalyst under the visible light stimulus,which is 22.4 times that of 1 wt.%Pt-modified CdS.The corresponding apparent quantum yield is 13.9%at 420 nm.It is revealed that the synergistic actions of the interfacial redox shuttle of Cr^(3+)/Cr^(δ+)and the interfacial electric field enable the efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers between two components via a Z-scheme energy band configuration.Meanwhile,with the hydrogen evolution contribution of Zn^(2+),a remarkable improvement in photocatalytic performance was achieved in contrast to bare CdS.This work provides an effective methodology to construct highly efficient and economically viable photocatalysts for solar H_(2)production and mechanistic study.

Interfacial engineering of lithium-polymer batteries with in situ UV cross-linking

Developing promising solid-state Li batteries with capabilities of high current densities have been a major challenge partly due to large interfacial resistance across the electrode/electrolyte interfaces.This work represents an integrated network of self-standing polymer electrolyte and active electrode materials with in situ UV cross-linking.This method provides a uniform morphology of composite polymer electrolyte with low thickness of 20-40μm.This modification leads to promising cycling results with 85%specific capacity retention in LijjLiFePO4 cell over 100 cycles at high current densities of 170 mA g1(~25μA cm^(-2),1 C).By applying this method,the interfacial resistance decreases as high as seven folds compared to noncross-linked interfaces.The following work introduce a facile and cost-effective method in developing fastcharging self-standing polymer batteries with enhanced electrochemical properties.

High‑Quality Epitaxial N Doped Graphene on SiC with Tunable Interfacial Interactions via Electron/Ion Bridges for Stable Lithium‑Ion Storage

Tailoring the interfacial interaction in SiCbased anode materials is crucial to the accomplishment of higher energy capacities and longer cycle lives for lithium-ion storage.In this paper,atomic-scale tunable interfacial interaction is achieved by epitaxial growth of high-quality N doped graphene(NG)on SiC(NG@SiC).This well-designed NG@SiC heterojunction demonstrates an intrinsic electric field with intensive interfacial interaction,making it an ideal prototype to thoroughly understand the configurations of electron/ion bridges and the mechanisms of interatomic electron migration.Both density functional theory(DFT)analysis and electrochemical kinetic analysis reveal that these intriguing electron/ion bridges can control and tailor the interfacial interaction via the interfacial coupled chemical bonds,enhancing the interfacial charge transfer kinetics and preventing pulverization/aggregation.As a proof-of-concept study,this well-designed NG@SiC anode shows good reversible capacity(1197.5 mAh g^(−1)after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g^(−1))and cycling durability with 76.6%capacity retention at 447.8 mAh g^(−1)after 1000 cycles at 10.0 A g^(−1).As expected,the lithium-ion full cell(LiFePO_(4)/C//NG@SiC)shows superior rate capability and cycling stability.This interfacial interaction tailoring strategy via epitaxial growth method provides new opportunities for traditional SiC-based anodes to achieve high-performance lithium-ion storage and beyond.

Interfacial nitrogen engineering of robust silicon/MXene anode toward high energy solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Replacing the conventional carbonate electrolyte by solid-state electrolyte (SSE) will offer improved safety for lithium-ion batteries.To further improve the energy density,Silicon (Si) is attractive for next generation solid-state battery (SSB) because of its high specific capacity and low cost.High energy density and safe Si-based SSB,however,is plagued by large volume change that leads to poor mechanical stability and slow lithium ions transportation at the multiple interfaces between Si and SSE.Herein,we designed a self-integrated and monolithic Si/two dimensional layered T_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene,T_(x) stands for terminal functional groups) electrode architecture with interfacial nitrogen engineering.During a heat treatment process,the polyacrylonitrile not only converts into amorphous carbon (a-C) that shells Si but also forms robust interfacial nitrogen chemical bonds that anchors Si and MXene.During repeated lithiation and delithiation processes,the robust interfacial engineered Si/MXene configuration enhances the mechanical adhesion between Si and MXene that improves the structure stability but also contributes to form stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI).In addition,the N-MXene provides fast lithium ions transportation pathways.Consequently,the Si/MXene with interfacial nitrogen engineering (denoted as Si-N-MXene) deliveres high-rate performance with a specific capacity of 1498 m Ah g^(-1) at a high current of 6.4 A g^(-1).A Si-N-MXene/NMC full cell exhibited a capacity retention of 80.5%after 200 cycles.The Si-N-MXene electrode is also applied to SSB and shows a relative stable cycling over 100 cycles,demonstrating the versatility of this concept.

Synergistic Interfacial and Doping Engineering of Heterostructured NiCo(OH)_(x)-Co_(y)W as an Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst

To achieve high efficiency of water electrolysis to produce hydrogen(H_(2)),developing non-noble metal-based catalysts with consid-erable performance have been considered as a crucial strategy,which is correlated with both the interphase properties and multi-metal synergistic effects.Herein,as a proof of concept,a delicate NiCo(OH)_(x)-CoyW catalyst with a bush-like heterostructure was realized via gas-template-assisted electrodeposition,followed by an electrochemical etching-growth process,which ensured a high active area and fast gas release kinetics for a superior hydrogen evolution reaction,with an overpotential of 21 and 139 mV at 10 and 500 mA cm^(−2),respectively.Physical and electrochemical analyses demonstrated that the synergistic effect of the NiCo(OH)_(x)-Co_(y)W heteroge-neous interface resulted in favorable electron redistribution and faster electron transfer efficiency.The amorphous NiCo(OH)_(x) strengthened the water dissociation step,and metal phase of CoW provided sufficient sites for moderate H immediate adsorption/H_(2) desorption.In addition,NiCo(OH)_(x)-CoyW exhibited desirable urea oxidation reaction activity for matching H_(2) generation with a low voltage of 1.51 V at 50 mA cm^(−2).More importantly,the synthesis and testing of the NiCo(OH)_(x)-CoyW catalyst in this study were all solar-powered,sug-gesting a promising environmentally friendly process for practical applications.

Recent advances based on Mg anodes and their interfacial modulation in Mg batteries

Magnesium(Mg)batteries(MBs),as post-lithium-ion batteries,have received great attention in recent years due to their advantages of high energy density,low cost,and safety insurance.However,the formation of passivation layers on the surface of Mg metal anode and the poor compatibility between Mg metal and conventional electrolytes during charge-discharge cycles seriously affect the performance of MBs.The great possibility of generating Mg dendrites has also caused controversy among researchers.Moreover,the regulation of Mg deposition and the enhancement of battery cycle stability is largely limited by interfacial stability between Mg metal anode and electrolyte.In this review,recent advances in interfacial science and engineering of MBs are summarized and discussed.Special attention is given to interfacial chemistry including passivation layer formation,incompatibilities,ion transport,and dendrite growth.Strategies for building stable electrode/interfaces,such as anode designing and electrolyte modification,construction of artificial solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)layers,and development of solid-state electrolytes to improve interfacial contacts and inhibit Mg dendrite and passivation layer formation,are reviewed.Innovative approaches,representative examples,and challenges in developing high-performance anodes are described in detail.Based on the review of these strategies,reference is provided for future research to improve the performance of MBs,especially in terms of interface and anode design.

Laser-Derived Interfacial Confinement Enables Planar Growth of 2D SnS_(2) on Graphene for High-Flux Electron/Ion Bridging in Sodium Storage

Establishing covalent heterointerfaces with face-to-face contact is promising for advanced energy storage,while challenge remains on how to inhibit the anisotropic growth of nucleated crystals on the matrix.Herein,faceto-face covalent bridging in-between the 2 D-nanosheets/graphene heterostructure is constructed by intentionally prebonding of laser-manufactured amorphous and metastable nanoparticles on graphene,where the amorphous nanoparticles were designed via the competitive oxidation of Sn-O and Sn-S bonds,and metastable feature was employed to facilitate the formation of the C-S-Sn covalent bonding in-between the heterostructure.The face-to-face bridging of ultrathin SnS;nanosheets on graphene enables the heterostructure huge covalent coupling area and high loading and thus renders unimpeded electron/ion transfer pathways and indestructible electrode structure,and impressive reversible capacity and rate capability for sodium-ion batteries,which rank among the top in records of the SnS_(2)-based anodes.Present work thus provides an alternative of constructing heterostructures with planar interfaces for electrochemical energy storage and even beyond.

Surface passivation by multifunctional carbon dots toward highly efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells

Interfacial imperfections between the perovskite layer and the electron transport layer(ETL)in perovskite solar cells(PSCs)can lead to performance loss and negatively influence long-term operational stability.Here,we introduce an interface engineering method to modify the interface between perovskite and ETL by using multifunctional carbon dots(CDs).C=O in the CDs can chelate with the uncoordinated Pb2+in the perovskite material,inhibit interfacial recombination,and enhance the performance and stability of device.In addition,–OH in CDs forms hydrogen bonds with I-and organic cation in perovskite,inhibiting light-induced I2release and organic cation volatilization,causing irreversible degradation of perovskite films,thereby enhancing the long-term operational stability of PSCs.Consequently,we achieve the champion inverted device with an efficiency of 24.02%.The CDs-treated PSCs exhibit high operational stability,and the maximum power point tracking only attenuates by 12.5%after 1000 h.Interfacial modification engineering supported by multifunctional quantum dots can accelerate the road to stable PSCs.