Solid solution phosphide (Mn1-xFexP) as a tunable conversion/alloying hybrid anode for lithium-ion batteries

Nanostructured metal phosphides: from controllable synthesis to sustainable catalysis

Metal phosphides (MPs) with unique and desirable physicochemical properties provide promising potential in practical applications, such as the catalysis, gas/humidity sensor, environmental remediation, and energy storage fields, especially for transition metal phosphides (TMPs) and MPs consisting of group IIIA and IVA metal elements. Most studies, however, on the synthesis of MP nanomaterials still face intractable challenges, encompassing the need for a more thorough understanding of the growth mechanism, strategies for large-scale synthesis of targeted high-quality MPs, and practical achievement of functional applications. This review aims at providing a comprehensive update on the controllable synthetic strategies for MPs from various metal sources. Additionally, different passivation strategies for engineering the structural and electronic properties of MP nanostructures are scrutinized. Then, we showcase the implementable applications of MP-based materials in emerging sustainable catalytic fields including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, mild thermocatalysis, and related hybrid systems. Finally, we offer a rational perspective on future opportunities and remaining challenges for the development of MPs in the materials science and sustainable catalysis fields.

Multifunctional inorganic nanomaterials for energy applications

Our society has been facing more and more serious challenges towards achieving highly efficient utilization of energy. In the field of energy applications, multifunctional nanomaterials have been attracting increasing attention. Various energy applications, such as energy generation, conversion, storage, saving and transmission, are strongly dependent upon the electrical, thermal, mechanical, optical and catalytic functions of materials. In the nanoscale range, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, photovoltaic, catalytic and electrochromic materials have made major contributions to various energy applications. Inorganic nanomaterials' unique properties, such as excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, large surface area and chemical stability, make them highly competitive in energy applications. In this review, the latest research and development of multifunctional inorganic nanomaterials in energy applications were summarized from the perspective of different energy applications. Furthermore, we also illustrated the unique functions of inorganic nanomaterials to improve their performances and the combination of the functions of nanomaterials into a device. However, challenges may be traced back to the limitations set by scaling the relations between multifunctional inorganic nanomaterials and energy devices.

Construction of Mn-Zn binary carbonate microspheres on interconnected rGO networks: creating an atomic-scale bimetallic synergy for enhancing lithium storage properties

Transition metal carbonates (TMCs), as promising anode materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries, possess the advantages of abundant natural resources and high electrochemical activity; however, they suffer from poor Li+/e- conductivities and serious volume changes during the charge/discharge process. Constructing multicomponent carbonates by introducing binary metal atoms, as well as designing a robust structure at the micro and nanoscales, could efficiently address the above problems. Therefore, single-phase MnxZn1-xCO3 microspheres anchored on 3D conductive networks of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are facilely synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method without any structure-directing agents or surfactants. Due to the well-designed architecture and atomic-scale bimetallic synergy, the MnxZn1-xCO3/rGO composites show superior lithium storage capacity, good rate capability and ultra-long cycling performance. Specifically, the Mn2/3Zn1/3CO3/rGO composites could deliver a high capacity of 1073 mA h g-1 at 200 mA g-1. After 1700 cycles at a high rate of 2000 mA g-1, a stable capacity of 550 mA h g-1 can be maintained with the capacity retention approaching 88.6%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the partial Zn substitution in MnCO3 could significantly decrease the band gap of the crystal, resulting in great improvement of electric conductivity. Moreover, the commercial potential of the MnxZn1-xCO3/rGO composites is investigated by assembling full cells, suggesting good practical adaptability of the composite anodes. This work would provide a feasible and cost-efficient method to develop high-performance anodes and stimulate many more related research studies on TMC-based electrodes.