A Review of Solid Electrolyte Interphases on Lithium Metal Anode

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are among the most promising candidates of high-energy-density devices for advanced energy storage. However, the growth of dendrites greatly hinders the practical applications of LMBs in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Constructing stable and efficient solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is among the most effective strategies to inhibit the dendrite growth and thus to achieve a superior cycling performance. In this review, the mechanisms of SEI formation and models of SEI structure are briefly summarized. The analysis methods to probe the surface chemistry, surface morphology, electrochemical property, dynamic characteristics of SEI layer are emphasized. The critical factors affecting the SEI formation, such as electrolyte component, temperature, current density, are comprehensively debated. The efficient methods to modify SEI layer with the introduction of new electrolyte system and additives, ex-situ-formed protective layer, as well as electrode design, are summarized. Although these works afford new insights into SEI research, robust and precise routes for SEI modification with well-designed structure, as well as understanding of the connection between structure and electrochemical performance, is still inadequate. A multidisciplinary approach is highly required to enable the formation of robust SEI for highly efficient energy storage systems.

Interwall Friction and Sliding Behavior of Centimeters Long Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Here, we studied the interwall friction and sliding behaviors of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs). The interwall friction shows a linear dependence on the pullout velocity of the inner wall. The axial curvature in DWCNTs causes the significant increase of the interwall friction. The axial curvature also affects the sliding behavior of the inner wall. Compared with the axial curvature, the opening ends of DWCNTs play tiny roles in their interwall friction.

Powering Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance by Propelling Polysulfide Redox at Sulfiphilic Hosts

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery system is endowed with tremendous energy density, resulting from the complex sulfur electrochemistry involving multielectron redox reactions and phase transformations. Originated from the slow redox kinetics of polysulfide intermediates, the flood of polysulfides in the batteries during cycling induced low sulfur utilization, severe polarization, low energy efficiency, deteriorated polysulfide shuttle, and short cycling life. Herein, sulfiphilic cobalt disulfide (CoS2) was incorporated into carbon/sulfur cathodes, introducing strong interaction between lithium polysulfides and CoS2 under working conditions. The interfaces between CoS2 and electrolyte served as strong adsorption and activation sites for polar polysulfides and therefore accelerated redox reactions of polysulfides. The high polysulfide reactivity not only guaranteed effective polarization mitigation and promoted energy efficiency by 10% but also promised high discharge capacity and stable cycling performance during 2000 cycles. A slow capacity decay rate of 0.034%/cycle at 2.0 C and a high initial capacity of 1368 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C were achieved. Since the propelling redox reaction is not limited to Li-S system, we foresee the reported strategy herein can be applied in other high-power devices through the systems with controllable redox reactions.

The influence of straight pore blockage on the selectivity of methanol to aromatics in nanosized Zn/ZSM-5: an atomic Cs-corrected STEM analysis study

Here we report the direct atomic scale observation of ZSM-5 pores and the influence of extra-framework Al on methanol to aromatic (MTA).

Highly thermally conductive UHMWPE/graphite composites with segregated structures

Polymer composites with segregated structures based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and graphite flakes were fabricated by a novel binder-mixing method and high thermal conductivity of the composites was achieved.

Moderately oxidized graphene–carbon nanotubes hybrid for high performance capacitive deionization

Moderately oxidized graphene–carbon nanotubes hybrid can be used as good electrode materials for CDI with enhanced electrosorption capacity.

Bayberry-like ZnO/MFI zeolite as high performance methanol-to-aromatics catalyst

A unique bayberry-shaped MFI zeolite structure with a zeolite shell (1–1.5 μm in thickness) and numerous zeolite nanowires (500–800 nm in length) vertically grown on two sides of the shell is prepared. The catalytic efficiency is significantly higher than that of the conventional ZnO/MFI zeolite.

Diabetes mellitus and risk of hip fractures: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis revealed that diabetic adults had a twofold greater risk of hip fractures compared with non-diabetic populations, and this association was more pronounced in type 1 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and risk of hip fracture yielded conflicting results. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of hip fractures based on observational studies.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases through May 2015. We selected cohort and case-control studies providing at least age-adjusted risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of hip fractures among diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Moreover, we pooled the female-to-male RR of hip fractures from studies that reported gender-specific risk estimate in a single study.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies involving 82,293 hip fracture events among 6,995,272 participants were identified. Diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures (RR 2.07; 95 % CI 1.83-2.33) in a random effects model. Subgroup analysis indicated that excess risk of hip fracture was more pronounced in type 1 diabetes (RR 5.76; 95 % CI 3.66-9.07) than that in type 2 diabetes (RR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.19-1.51). The pooled female-to-male RR of hip fractures was 1.09 (95 % CI 0.93-1.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with diabetes mellitus have an excessive risk of hip fractures, and this relationship is more pronounced in type 1 diabetes. The association between diabetes and hip fracture risk is similar in men and women.

Equilibrium analysis of methylbenzene intermediates for a methanol-to-olefins process

An Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution in an MTO process comes from a thermodynamic equilibrium.

Janus Separator of Polypropylene-Supported Cellular Graphene Framework for Sulfur Cathodes with High Utilization in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Owing to the conversion chemistry of the sulfur cathode, the lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries exhibit high theoretical energy density. However, the intrinsic mobile redox centers during the sulfur/Li2S-to-lithium polysulfides solid-to-liquid phase transition induce low sulfur utilization and poor cycling life. Herein, the Janus separator of mesoporous cellular graphene framework (CGF)/polypropylene membrane to promote the utilization of sulfur cathode is introduced. The porous polypropylene membrane serves as an insulating substrate in contact with lithium anode while CGFs that possess high electrical conductivity of 100 S cm-1, a large mesopore volume of 3.1 cm3 g-1, and a huge surface area of 2120 m2 g-1 are adhered on cathode side to reactivate the shuttling-back polysulfides and to preserve the ion channels. Therefore, the Li-S cell with the "two-face" CGF Janus separator exhibit a high initial capacity of 1109 mAh g-1 and superior capacity preserved upon 800 mAh g-1 after 250 cycles at 0.2 C, which is 40% higher on sulfur utilization efficiency than the corresponding results with routine polypropylene separators. There are significant improvements on capacity as well as electrochemical kinetics. A very high areal capacity of 5.5 mAh cm-2 combined with high sulfur content of 80% and areal loading amount of 5.3 mg cm-2 is achieved for such advanced configuration. The negative impact of shuttle mechanism on lowering the utilization of sulfur and overall energy density of a Li-S battery is well eliminated by applying CGF separators. Consequently, employing carbonaceous materials as Janus face of separators enlightens new opportunities for improving the utilization of active materials and energy density of devices that involve complex phase evolution and conversion electrochemistry.

Molded MFI nanocrystals as a highly active catalyst in a methanol-to-aromatics process

ZSM-5 nanocrystals with a short b-axis length exhibited higher activity and low coke selectivity in methanol-to-aromatics reaction than microcrystals, whether in the pristine state or in large molded particles toward industrial scale application.

Crystal-plane effect of nanoscale CeO2 on the catalytic performance of Ni/CeO2 catalysts for methane dry reforming

The morphology and crystal-plane effects of CeO₂ materials (nanorods, nanocubes, nanooctas and nanoparticles) on the catalytic performance of Ni/CeO₂ in methane dry reforming were investigated.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in freerange chickens in Jilin Province, northeastern China

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-range chickens in Jilin province, northeastern China was investigated. A total of 1095 serum samples were collected from nine administrative regions from July to October, 2012, and antibodies to T. gondii were examined by an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA). The detection results were confirmed by Western blot. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in free-range chickens was 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.4-19.4%), ranging from 13.3% (95% CI, 6.3-20.4%) in Siping to 23.6% (95% CI, 15.7-31.6%) in Liaoyuan. There was no significant difference in T. gondii infection among different regions in Jilin province (P> 0.05). The widespread presence of T. gondii infection in freerange chickens of Jilin province implies the wide contamination with T. gondii oocysts in the living environment of people, and free-range chickens might be an important source of infection for humans.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Alendronate sodium/vitamin D3 combination tablet versus calcitriol for osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women: a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator-controlled study with a 6-month extension

This study compares efficacy of ALN/D5600 versus that of calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women. ALN/D5600 produced greater bone mineral density (BMD) increases, greater bone turnover marker decreases, and less vitamin D insufficiency. This study provided detailed clinical information regarding ALN/D5600 treatment versus calcitriol 0.25 μg/day. The study did not evaluate fracture risk.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to investigate efficacy of alendronate 70 mg/vitamin D3 5600 IU combination tablets (ALN/D5600) versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This study is a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator study with 6-month extension (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01350934) in postmenopausal women aged >55 years with osteoporosis (low bone mineral density (BMD) with/without prior fragility fracture). Patients were randomized to ALN/D5600 once weekly or calcitriol 0.25 μg daily. The primary efficacy end point of the base study was percent change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD (month 6). Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria were safety events of special interest.

RESULTS

A total of 219 patients (ALN/D5600 n = 111, calcitriol n = 108) were randomized. Baseline characteristics were similar, 30.3 % baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤15 ng/mL. At months 6 and 12, changes in lumbar spine BMD from baseline were 3.5 versus 1.6 % and 5.2 versus 2.3 % for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol (between-group differences p < 0.001), respectively. Between-group differences for ALN/D5600 versus calcitriol were significant (p < 0.001) at months 6 and 12 for change from baseline in procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (-59.1 versus -16.8 %, -68.1 versus -17.0 %) and serum C-telopeptides (-79.2 versus -27.2 %, -76.2 versus -24.2 %). Drug-related adverse events (AEs) and discontinuations due to drug-related AEs occurred in 15 (14.0 %) versus 8 (7.4 %) patients and 3 (2.8 %) versus 0 patients in the ALN/D5600 and calcitriol group, respectively. Hypercalciuria 12-month incidence (24-h urine Ca >300 mg) was 8.4 (ALN/D5600) versus 13.9 % (calcitriol) (p > 0.05). One patient (calcitriol) had hypercalcemia.

CONCLUSIONS

ALN/D5600 produced greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and greater decreases in bone turnover markers versus calcitriol in osteoporotic Chinese women. It is not known whether the greater increase in BMD results in fewer fractures. ALN/D5600 was generally well tolerated in Chinese patients.

Directly correlating the strain-induced electronic property change to the chirality of individual single-walled and few-walled carbon nanotubes

We fabricate carbon nanotube (CNT)-field effect transistors (FETs) with a changeable channel length and investigate the electron transport properties of single-walled, double-walled and triple-walled CNTs under uniaxial strain. In particular, we characterize the atomic structure of the same CNTs in the devices by transmission electron microscopy and correlate the strain-induced electronic property change to the chirality of the CNTs. Both the off-state resistance and on-state resistance are observed to change with the axial strain following an exponential function. The strain-induced band gap change obtained from the maximum resistance change in the transfer curve of the ambipolar FETs is quantitatively compared with the previous theoretical prediction and our DFTB calculation from the chirality of the CNTs. Although following the same trend, the experimentally obtained strain-induced band gap change is obviously larger (57%-170% larger) than the theoretical results for all the six CNTs, indicating that more work is needed to fully understand the strain-induced electronic property change of CNTs.

Spatially Confined Hybridization of Nanometer-Sized NiFe Hydroxides into Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Frameworks Leading to Superior Oxygen Evolution Reactivity

Nanometer-sized hydroxide active centers are uniformly and strongly hybridized into a graphene framework by means of defect-anchored nucleation and spatially confined growth, resulting in a superior electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction. This family of strongly coupled complexes and the topology-assisted fabrication strategy is expected to open up new avenues of research. It sheds light on a novel branch of advanced nano-architectured materials.

Catalysis: Spatially Confined Hybridization of Nanometer-Sized NiFe Hydroxides into Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Frameworks Leading to Superior Oxygen Evolution Reactivity (Adv. Mater. 30/2015)

A hydroxide/graphene hybrid electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction is proposed by Q. Zhang and co-workers, as described on page 4516. Nanosized hydroxide active centers are uniformly and strongly hybridized into a nitrogen-doped graphene framework via defect-anchored nucleation and spatially confined growth. The as-obtained hydroxide/graphene is demonstrated to overperform commercial Ir/C catalysts and compete favorably against reported alternatives for high-performance oxygen evolution reactivity.

Aerosol-Assisted Heteroassembly of Oxide Nanocrystals and Carbon Nanotubes into 3D Mesoporous Composites for High-Rate Electrochemical Energy Storage

Nanostructured composites built from ordinary building units have attracted much attention because of their collective properties for critical applications. Herein, we have demonstrated the heteroassembly of carbon nanotubes and oxide nanocrystals using an aerosol spray method to prepare nanostructured mesoporous composites for electrochemical energy storage. The designed composite architectures show high conductivity and hierarchically structured mesopores, which achieve rapid electron and ion transport in electrodes. Therefore, as-synthesized carbon nanotube/TiO2 electrodes exhibit high rate performance through rapid Li(+) intercalation, making them suitable for ultrafast energy storage devices. Moreover, the synthesis process provides a broadly applicable method to achieve the heteroassembly of vast low-dimensional building blocks for many important applications.