3D-Printed Topological MoS2/MoSe2 Heterostructures for Macroscale Superlubricity

Progress and perspectives on iron-based electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries: a critical review

Iron-based materials with significant physicochemical properties, including high theoretical capacity, low cost and mechanical and thermal stability, have attracted research attention as electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries (AMIBs). However, practical implementation of some iron-based materials is impeded by their poor conductivity, large volume change, and irreversible phase transition during electrochemical reactions. In this review we critically assess advances in the chemical synthesis and structural design, together with modification strategies, of iron-based compounds for AMIBs, to obviate these issues. We assess and categorize structural and compositional regulation and its effects on the working mechanisms and electrochemical performances of AMIBs. We establish insight into their applications and determine practical challenges in their development. We provide perspectives on future directions and likely outcomes. We conclude that for boosted electrochemical performance there is a need for better design of structures and compositions to increase ionic/electronic conductivity and the contact area between active materials and electrolytes and to obviate the large volume change and low conductivity. Findings will be of interest and benefit to researchers and manufacturers for sustainable development of advanced rechargeable ion batteries using iron-based electrode materials.

Surface-Modified LDH Nanosheets with High Dispersibility in Oil for Friction and Wear Reduction

Surface and interfacial engineering of nanomaterials is essential for improving dispersion stability in liquids. In this study, we report that oleic acid (OA)- and stearic acid (SA)-functionalized layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets as lubricant additives can achieve high dispersion and reduce friction and wear. LDH is a typical layered structure, and OA and SA are long-chain organic molecules that are not only compatible with base oils but also act as friction-reducing agents. The OA and SA molecules were branched onto ZnMgAl LDH nanosheets using dehydration condensation between the exposed OH groups on the surface of LDH and the COOH groups on the OA and SA molecules. Compared with that of the pristine ZnMgAl LDH, the dispersion of OA-ZnMgAl LDH and SA-ZnMgAl LDH was significantly improved. The surface-modified LDH exhibited superior tribological properties and great stability due to the synergistic lubrication effect between OA, SA, and LDH. Even at an ultralow concentration (0.15 wt %), the coefficient of friction and wear volume were reduced by ∼65 and ∼99%, respectively, compared to those of the base oil. Due to the green and simple synthesis method and excellent tribological properties, surface-functionalized LDH has enormous possibilities for future industrial applications.

Template-free scalable growth of vertically-aligned MoS2 nanowire array meta-structural films towards robust superlubricity

Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide exhibits a variety of intriguing behaviors depending on its orientation layers. Therefore, developing a template-free atomic layer orientation controllable growth approach is of great importance. Here, we demonstrate scalable, template-free, well-ordered vertically-oriented MoS2 nanowire arrays (VO-MoS2 NWAs) embedded in an Ag-MoS2 matrix, directly grown on various substrates (Si, Al, and stainless steel) via one-step sputtering. In the meta-structured film, vertically-standing few-layered MoS2 NWAs of almost micron length (∼720 nm) throughout the entire film bulk. While near the surface, MoS2 lamellae are oriented in parallel, which are beneficial for caging the bonds dangling from the basal planes. Owing to the unique T-type topological characteristics, chemically inert Ag@MoS2 nano-scrolls (NSCs) and nano-crystalline Ag (nc-Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) are in situ formed under the sliding shear force. Thus, incommensurate contact between (002) basal planes and nc-Ag NPs is observed. As a result, robust superlubricity (friction coefficient μ = 0.0039) under humid ambient conditions is reached. This study offers an unprecedented strategy for controlling the basal plane orientation of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) via substrate independence, using a one-step solution-free easily scalable process without the need for a template, which promotes the potential applications of 2D TMDCs in solid superlubricity.

Nature-Inspired 3D Spiral Grass Structured Graphene Quantum Dots/MXene Nanohybrids with Exceptional Photothermal-Driven Pseudo-Capacitance Improvement

Solar-thermal conversion is considered as a green and simple means to improve the performance of energy storage materials, but often limited by the intrinsic photothermal properties of materials and crude structure design. Herein, inspired by the unique light trapping effect of wide leaf spiral grass during photosynthesis, a biomimetic structural photothermal energy storage system is developed, to further promote the solar thermal-driven pseudo capacitance improvement. In this system, three-dimensional printed tortional Kelvin cell arrays structure with interesting light trapping property functions as "spiral leaf blades" to improve the efficiency of light absorption, while graphene quantum dots/MXene nanohybrids with wide photothermal response range and strong electrochemical activity serve as "chloroplast" for photothermal conversion and energy storage. As expected, the biomimetic structure-enhanced photothermal supercapacitor achieves an ideal solar thermal-driven pseudo capacitance enhancement (up to 304%), an ultrahigh areal capacitance of 10.47 F cm^-2 , remarkable photothermal response (surface temperature change of 50.1 °C), excellent energy density (1.18 mWh cm^-2 ) and cycling stability (10000 cycles). This work not only offers a novel enhancement strategy for photothermal applications, but also inspires new structure designs for multifunctional energy storage and conversion devices.

Macroscale Superlubricity of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots

In the present work, Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots (BPQDs) were synthesized via sonication-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation. The average size of the BPQDs was 3.3 ± 0.85 nm. The BPQDs exhibited excellent dispersion stability in ultrapure water. Macroscale superlubricity was realized with the unmodified BPQDs on rough Si3N4/SiO2 interfaces. A minimum coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.0022 was achieved at the concentration of 0.015 wt%. In addition, the glycerol was introduced to promote the stability of the superlubricity state. The COF of the BPQDs-Glycerol aqueous solution (BGaq) was 83.75% lower than that of the Glycerol aqueous solution (Gaq). Based on the above analysis, the lubrication model was presented. The hydrogen-bonded network and silica gel layer were formed on the friction interface, which played a major role in the realization of macroscale superlubricity. In addition, the adsorption water layer could also prevent the worn surfaces from making contact with each other. Moreover, the synergistic effect between BPQDs and glycerol could significantly decrease the COF and maintain the superlubricity state. The findings theoretically support the realization of macroscale superlubricity with unmodified BPQDs as a water-based lubrication additive.

Reinforcement of nanoporous lanthanum-doped zinc borate by vanadium selenide nanosheets for improved tribological activity

Nanoporous zinc borate (ZB) and 10% lanthanum-doped porous zinc borate (LZB) were synthesized to explore the role of porosity and doping in zinc borate during lubrication. HR-SEM, TEM, and HR-TEM authenticated nanoporous structures. The tribological properties of their blends with paraffin oil (PO) were compared by employing ASTM D4172 and ASTM D5183 norms on a four-ball tester. Vanadium selenide nanosheets (VSe₂) were used to reinforce the structure of LZB for further advancement of the tribological properties. The superiority of the LZB/VSe₂ over LZB and VSe₂ nanosheets could be adjudged by tribological data. The porosity and lanthanum doping have yielded commendable tribological activity. The VSe₂ nanosheets have strengthened the LZB matrix. The other constituent oxides of tribofilm from the LZB matrix, based on EDX analysis and XPS studies of the worn surface, ZnO, B₂O₃, La₂O₃, and V₂O₅, have abetted lubrication. The AFM and SEM investigations of wear track corroborated the tribological results.

Successful reinforcement of nanoporous lanthanum-doped zinc borate by vanadium selenide nanosheets and their utilization in Tribology has been described.