Controllable fabrication of FeCoS_(4) nanoparticles/S-doped bowl-shaped hollow carbon as efficient lithium storage anode

To address the low conductivity and easy agglomeration of transition metal sulfide nanoparticles,FeCoS_(4) nanoparticles embedded in S-doped hollow carbon(FeCoS_(4)@S-HC)composites were successfully fabricated through a combination of hydrothermal processes and sulfidation treatment.The unique bowlshaped FeCoS_(4)/S-HC composites exhibit excellent structural stability with a high specific surface area of 303.7 m^(2)·g^(-1) and a pore volume of 0.93 cm^(3)·g^(-1).When applied as anode material for lithium-ion batteries,the FeCoS_(4)@S-HC anode exhibits efficient lithium storage with high reversible specific capacity(970.2 mA·h·g^(-1) at 100 mA·g^(-1))and enhanced cycling stability(574 mA·h·g^(-1) at 0.2 A·g^(-1) after 350 cycles,a capacity retention of 84%).The excellent lithium storage is attributed to the fact that the bimetallic FeCoS_(4) nanoparticles with abundant active sites can accelerate the electrochemical reaction kinetics,and the bowl-shaped S-HC structure can provide a stable mechanical structure to suppress volume expansion.

S-doped mesoporous graphene modified separator for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Due to their low cost,environmental friendliness and high energy density,the lithium-sulfur batteries(LSB)have been regarded as a promising alternative for the next generation of rechargeable battery systems.However,the practical application of LSB is seriously hampered by its short cycle life and high self-charge owing to the apparent shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides.Using MgSO_(4)@MgO composite as both template and dopant,template-guided S-doped mesoporous graphene(SMG)is prepared via the fluidized-bed chemical vapor deposition method.As the polypropylene(PP)modifier,SMG with high specific surface area,abundant mesoporous structures and moderate S doping content offers a wealth of physical and chemical adsorptive sites and reduced interfacial contact resistance,thereby restraining the serious shuttle effects of lithium polysulfides.Consequently,the LSB configured with mesoporous graphene(MG)as S host material and SMG as a separator modifier exhibits an enhanced electrochemical performance with a high average capacity of 955.64 mA h g^(-1) at 1C and a small capacity decay rate of 0.109%per cycle.Additionally,the density functional theory(DFT)calculation models have been rationally constructed and demonstrated that the doped S atoms in SMG possess higher binding energy to lithium polysulfides than that in MG,indicating that the SMG/PP separator can effectively capture soluble lithium polysulfides via chemical binding forces.This work would provide valuable insight into developing a versatile carbon-based separator modifier for LSB.

A cascade of in situ conversion of bicarbonate to CO_(2) and CO_(2) electroreduction in a flow cell with a Ni-N-S catalyst

Combination of CO_(2) capture using inorganic alkali with subsequently electrochemical conversion of the resultant HCO_(3)^(-)to high-value chemicals is a promising route of low cost and high efficiency.The electrochemical reduction of HCO_(3)^(-)is challenging due to the inaccessible of negatively charged molecular groups to the electrode surface.Herein,we adopt a comprehensive strategy to tackle this challenge,i.e.,cascade of in situ chemical conversion of HCO_(3)^(-)to CO_(2) and CO_(2) electrochemical reduction in a flow cell.With a tailored Ni-N-S single atom catalyst(SACs),where sulfur(S)atoms located in the second shell of Ni center,the CO_(2)electroreduction(CO_(2)ER)to CO is boosted.The experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the introduction of S increases the p electron density of N atoms near Ni atom,thereby stabilizing^(*)H over N and boosting the first proton coupled electron transfer process of CO_(2)ER,i.e.,^(*)+e^(-)+^(*)H+^(*)CO_(2)→^(*)COOH.As a result,the obtained catalyst exhibits a high faradaic efficiency(FE_(CO)~98%)and a low overpotential of 425 mV for CO production as well as a superior turnover frequency(TOF)of 47397 h^(-1),outcompeting most of the reported Ni SACs.More importantly,an extremely high FECOof 90%is achieved at 50 mA cm^(-2)in the designed membrane electrode assembly(MEA)cascade electrolyzer fed with liquid bicarbonate.This work not only highlights the significant role of the second coordination on the first coordination shell of the central metal for CO_(2)ER,but also provides an alternative and feasible strategy to realize the electrochemical conversion of HCO_(3)^(-)to high-value chemicals.

Regulated electronic structure and improved electrocatalytic performances of S-doped FeWO4 for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

The exploration of active and long-lived oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)catalysts for the commercialization of zinc-air batteries are of immense significance but challenging.Herein,the sulfur doped FeWO_(4)embedded in the multi-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon structure(S-FeWO_(4)/NC)was successfully synthesized.The doped S atoms optimized the charge distribution in FeWO_(4)and enhanced the intrinsic activity.At the same time,S doping accelerated the formation of reaction intermediates during the adsorption reduction of O_(2)on the surface of S-FeWO_(4)/NC.Accordingly,the S-FeWO_(4)/NC catalyst showed more positive half-wave potential(0.85 V)and better stability than that of the FeWO_(4)/NC catalyst.Furthermore,the S-FeWO_(4)/NC-based zinc-air battery exhibited considerable power density of 150.3m W cm^(-2),high specific capacity of 912.7 m A h g^(-1),and prominent cycle stability up to 220 h.This work provides an assistance to the development of cheap and efficient tungsten-based oxygen reduction catalysts and the promotion of its application in the zinc-air battery.

Tempura-like carbon/carbon composite as advanced anode materials for K-ion batteries

Graphite as a promising anode candidate of K-ion batteries(KIBs)has been increasingly studied currently,but corresponding rate performance and cycling stability are usually inferior to amorphous carbon materials.To protect the layer structure and further boost performance,tempura-like carbon/carbon nanocomposite of graphite@pitch-derived S-doped carbon(G@PSC)is designed and prepared by a facile and low-temperature modified molten salt method.This robust encapsulation structure makes their respective advantages complementary to each other,showing mutual promotion of electrochemical performances caused by synergy effect.As a result,the G@PSC electrode is applied in KIBs,delivering impressive rate capabilities(465,408,370,332,290,and 227 m A h g^(-1)at 0.05,0.2,0.5,1,2,and 5 A g^(-1))and ultralong cyclic stability(163 m A g^(-1)remaining even after 8000 cycles at 2 A g^(-1)).On basis of ex-situ studies,the sectionalized K-storage mechanism with adsorption(pseudocapacitance caused by S doping)-intercalation(pitch-derived carbon and graphite)pattern is revealed.Moreover,the exact insights into remarkable rate performances are taken by electrochemical kinetics tests and density functional theory calculation.In a word,this study adopts a facile method to synthesize high-performance carbon/carbon nanocomposite and is of practical significance for development of carbonaceous anode in KIBs.

Size control synthesis of sulfur doped titanium dioxide (anatase) nanoparticles,its optical property and its photo catalytic reactivity for CO_2 + H_2O conversion and phenol degradation

Sulfur doped anatase TiO2 nanoparticles （3 nm- 12 nm） were synthesized by the reaction of titanium tetrachloride, water and sulfuric acid with addition of 3 M NaOH at room temperature. The electro-optical and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized sulfur doped TiO2 nanoparticles were studied along with Degussa commercial TiO2 particles （24 nm）. The results show that band gap of TiO2 particles decreases from 3.31 to 3.25 eV and for that of commercial TiO2 to 3.2 eV when the particle sizes increased from 3 nm to 12 nm with increase in sulfur doping. The results of the photocatalytic activity under UV and sun radiation show maximum phenol conversion at the particle size of 4 nm at 4.80% S-doping. Similar results are obtained using UV energy for both phenol conversion and conversion of CO2＋H2O in which formation of methanol, ethanol and proponal is observed. Production of methanol is also achieved on samples with a particle size of 8 and 12 nm and sulfur doping of 4.80% and 5.26%. For TiO2 particle of 4 nm without S doping, the production of methanol, ethanol and proponal was lower as compared to the S-doped particles. This is attributed to the combined electronic effect and band gap change, S dopant, specific surface area and the light source used.

Fe,N,S-doped porous carbon as oxygen reduction reaction catalyst in acidic medium with high activity and durability synthesized using CaCl_2 as template

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells suffer from the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and the high cost of Pt catalysts.In the present work,a high‐performance ORR catalystbased on Fe,N,S‐doped porous carbon(FeNS‐PC)was synthesized using melamine formaldehyderesin as C and N precursors,Fe(SCN)3as Fe and S precursors,and CaCl2as a template via a two‐stepheat treatment without a harsh template removal step.The results show that the catalyst treated at900℃(FeNS‐PC‐900)had a high surface area of775m2/g,a high mass activity of10.2A/g in anacidic medium,and excellent durability;the half‐wave potential decreased by only20mV after10000potential cycles.The FeNS‐PC‐900catalyst was used as the cathode in a proton exchangemembrane fuel cell and delivered a peak power density of0.49W/cm2.FeNS‐PC‐900therefore hasgood potential for use in practical applications.

Photoinduced Second Harmonic Generation of Bi_2S_3 Microcrystallite Doped Silica Glass

Silica glasses doped with Bi2S3 microcystallite was prepared by the sol-gel process. Photoinduced second harmonic generation (SHG) was observed in the glass when it was irradiated with intense 1.06 mum and frequency doubled laser beams from a mode-locked Nd: YAG laser. It was found that the signal intensity increased with the irradiating time and approached a saturation gradually. The effect may be explained reasonably by the DC field model.

Highly dispersed few-layer MoS_2 nanosheets on S, N co-doped carbon for electrocatalytic H_2 production

Ultrathin small MoS2nanosheets exhibit a higher electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction.However,strong interactions between MoS2layers may result in aggregation;together with the low conductivity of MoS2,this may lower its electrocatalytic activity.In this paper we present a method that we developed to directly produce solid S,N co‐doped carbon(SNC)with a graphite structure and multiple surface groups through a hydrothermal route.When Na2MoO4was added to the reaction,polymolybdate could be anchored into the carbon materials via a chemical interaction that helps polymolybdate disperse uniformly into the SNC.After a high temperature treatment,polymolybdate transformed into MoS2at800°C for6h in a N2atmosphere at a heating rate of5°C/min,owing to S2?being released from the SNC during the treatment(denoted as MoS2/SNC‐800‐6h).The SNC effectively prevents MoS2from aggregating into large particles,and we successfully prepared highly dispersed MoS2in the SNC matrix.Electrochemical characterizations indicate that MoS2/SNC‐900‐12h exhibits a low onset potential of115mV and a low overpotential of237mV at a current density of10mA/cm2.Furthermore,MoS2/SNC‐900‐12h also had an excellent stability with only^2.6%decay at a current density of10mA/cm2after5000test cycles.

EFFECT OF THE EXISTING STATES OF CHROMIUM ION ON THE COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF DOPED β-C_2S

According to the theory of crystal field, the existing state of chromium ions in β-C_2S was studied with optical spectra and EPR. The energy levels of chromium ions were calculated. Chromium ions exist in form of Cr^(4+) and Cr^(5+) coordinated with distorted octahedra. The reason of fading of β-C_2S hydrate is that the strength of light absorption declines be- cause of the valence change of chromium ions and chroninm dissolves out and loses in water.

S/N-co-doped graphite nanosheets exfoliated via three-roll milling for high-performance sodium/potassium ion batteries

Due to its larger ionic radius,further studies are needed before graphite can be used as an anode for sodium/potassium-ion batteries(SIBs/KIBs).It is believed that doping and increasing the layer spacing can improve the Na+/K+storage.Herein,S/N co-doped graphite nanosheets(GNS)with an enlarged interlayer spacing of 0.39 nm were prepared via exfoliation with three-roll milling(TRM)combined with thiourea heated at different temperatures.This method generates abundant defects and active sites for GNS,as well as facilitates rapid access and transport of electrolytes and electrons/ions.The electrochemical results show that the S/N-doped GNS exfoliated 15 times and heated at 600°C(SNGNS15-600)with thiourea as the electrode delivers a discharge capacity of 94 mAh g–1 over 6000 cycles at 10 A g–1 with an enhanced rate capability and stable performance for application in SIBs.Calculations using density functional theory show that the increased interlayer spacing by TRM and S,N co-doping enhances the adsorption energies of Na+on graphite,thus improving the Na+storage.As the anode for KIBs,the SNGNS15-600 electrode has a capacity of 142 mAh g–1 after 5000 cycles at 0.5 A g–1.This study provides an essential theoretical basis for the effective exfoliation of layered graphite-based materials and their applications in energy storage.

Engineering defects and adjusting electronic structure on S doped MoO2 nanosheets toward highly active hydrogen evolution reaction

The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)is one of the most promising ways for low-cost hydrogen production in the future.In this work,hetero S atoms were introduced into the MoO2 to enhance the catalytic activity by simultaneously adjusting electron structure,engineering lattice defect,and increasing oxygen vacancies.And the S doped MoO2 nanosheets with proper S doping amount show the enhanced performance for HER.The optimized catalyst shows a small onset overpotential as low as 120 mV,a low overpotential of 176 mV at the current density of 10 mA/cm^2 which is decreased 166 mV compared to that of the pristine MoO2 nanosheets,a low Tafel slope of 57 mV/decade,and a high turnover frequency of 0.13 H2/s per active site at 150 mV.This finding proposes an effective strategy to prepare nonprecious metal oxide catalyst for enhancing HER performance by rationally doping hetero atoms.

Heterostructured Nitrogen and Sulfur co-Doped Black TiO2/g-C3N4 Photocatalyst with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Conventional titanium dioxide(TiO2)photocatalyst could absorb only ultraviolet light due to its wide bandgap.In this paper,black TiO2 with narrow bandgap was prepared by introducing oxygen vacancies.Meanwhile.nitrogen(N)and sulfur(S)elements were doped to further broaden the visible light response range of TiOx(NS-BT),and then heterostructured N.S-doped black TiOz/g-C3Na(CN/NS-BT)was successfully constructed by easily accessible route.The formation of CN/NS-BT heteroiunction structure increased the generation and separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs,as well as accelerated the transfer rate of the carriers.The as-prepared CN/NS-BT exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance towards the degradation of Rhodamine B(RhB)under visible light irradiation with satisfactory stability.The apparent reaction rate constant of CN/NS-BT(0.0079)was 15.8-fold higher than that of commercial P25(0.0005),The structure,morphology,chemical composition and optical properties of the as-prepared CN/NS-BT were characterized by various analytical methods,and possible photocatalytic enhancement mechanism was proposed.Overall,CN/NS-BT composites look promising as photocatalytic material for future environmental treatment.

LJItrasensitive H2S gas sensors based on p-type WS2 hybrid materials

Owing to their higher intrinsic electrical conductivity and chemical stability with respect to their oxide counterparts, nanostructured metal sulfides are expected to revive materials for resistive chemical sensor applications. Herein, we explore the gas sensing behavior of WS2 nanowire-nanoflake hybrid materials and demonstrate their excellent sensitivity （0.043 ppm-1） as well as high selectivity towards H2S relative to CO, NH~, H2, and NO （with corresponding sensitivities of 0.002, 0.0074, 0.0002, and 0.0046 pprn-1, respectively）. Gas response measurements, complemented with the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, suggest that the intrinsic electronic properties of pristine WS2 alone are not sufficient to explain the observed high sensitivity towards H2S. A major role in this behavior is also played by O doping in the S sites of the WS2 lattice. The results of the present study open up new avenues for the use of transition metal disulfide nanomaterials as effective alternatives to metal oxides in future applications for industrial process control, security, and health and environmental safety.