Progress of Microgravity Material Research During the Period of 2007-2009

Orbital experimental researches on crystal growth of Mn-doped GaSb and Bi2Se0.21Te2.79 are briefly summarized.The space experiments were completed in September of 2007 on broad the Foton-M3 satellite of Russia.Ground-based researches on the solidification behaviors of Al-Al3Ni,AlAl2Cu,Ag-Cu eutectic,Al-Pb monotectic and Cu-Co peritectic alloys in a 50-meter-high drop tube were investigated.New experimental results on the ultrasonic field and the temperature recycling induced to chiral symmetry breaking of NaClO3 crystal also were reported in the present paper.

Sepiolite/Cu_2O/Cu photocatalyst: Preparation and high performance for degradation of organic dye

A novel ternary sepiolite/Cu_2O/Cu(SCC) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot method. The Cu_2O/Cu nanoparticles in the SCC nanocomposite are well dispersed on the sepiolite surface. It exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance in the degradation of congo red(CR), remarkably superior to that of Cu_2O or Cu_2O/Cu nanoparticles. Elemental copper in the SCC serves as a good electron acceptor to promote the transfer of photo-generated electrons in Cu_2O and suppress the recombination of the photo-generated electrons and holes of the composite. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is attributed to the synergistic effect of sepiolite and Cu_2O/Cu. This type of SCC nanocomposites is a promising candidate as photocatalytic material for environmental protection.

Recent progress in Li-S and Li-Se batteries

Li–S and Li–Se batteries have attracted tremendous attention during the past several decades, as the energy density of Li–S and Li–Se batteries is high（several times higher than that of traditional Li-ion batteries）.Besides, Li–S and Li–Se batteries are low cost and environmental benign. However, the commercial applications of Li–S and Li–Se batteries are hindered by the dissolution and shuttle phenomena of polysulfide（polyselenium）, the low conductivity of S（Se）, etc. To overcome these drawbacks, scientists have come up with various methods, such as optimizing the electrolyte, synthesizing composite electrode of S/polymer, S/carbon, S/metal organic framework（MOF） and constructing novelty structure of battery.In this review, we present a systematic introduction about the recent progress of Li–S and Li–Se batteries, especially in the area of electrode materials, both of cathode material and anode material for Li–S and Li–Se batteries. In addition, other methods to lead a high-performance Li–S and Li–Se batteries are also briefly summarized, such as constructing novelty battery structure, adopting proper charge–discharge conditions, heteroatom doping into sulfur molecules, using different kinds of electrolytes and binders. In the end of the review, the developed directions of Li–S and Li–Se batteries are also pointed out. We believe that combining proper porous carbon matrix and heteroatom doping may further improve the electrochemical performance of Li–S and Li–Se batteries. We also believe that Li–S and Li–Se batteries will get more exciting results and have promising future by the effort of battery community.