Cream roll-inspired advanced MnS/C composite for sodium-ion batteries: encapsulating MnS cream into hollow N,S-co-doped carbon rolls

A Brief Overview of Silicon Nanoparticles as Anode Material: A Transition from Lithium-Ion to Sodium-Ion Batteries

The successful utilization of silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) to enhance the performance of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) has demonstrated their potential as high-capacity anode materials for next-generation LIBs. Additionally, the availability and relatively low cost of sodium resources have a significant influence on developing Na-ion batteries (SIBs). Despite the unique properties of Si-NPs as SIBs anode material, limited study has been conducted on their application in these batteries. However, the knowledge gained from using Si-NPs in LIBs can be applied to develop Si-based anodes in SIBs by employing similar strategies to overcome their drawbacks. In this review, a brief history of Si-NPs' usage in LIBs is provided and discuss the strategies employed to overcome the challenges, aiming to inspire and offer valuable insights to guide future research endeavors.

Sulfur-Bridged Bonds Heightened Na-Storage Properties in MnS Nanocubes Encapsulated by S-Doped Carbon Matrix Synthesized via Solvent-Free Tactics for High-Performance Hybrid Sodium Ion Capacitors

The exploitation of electrode materials with ability to balance capacity and kinetics between cathode and anode is a challenge for sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs). Mn-based anode materials are limited by poor electrical conductivity, sluggish reaction kinetics, large volume variation, weak cycling stability, and inferior reversible capacity. Herein, MnS nanocubes encapsulated in S-doped porous carbon matrix (MSC) with strong sulfur-bridged bond interactions (CSMn) are successfully synthesized by solvent-free tactics. The CSMn bonds generated between MnS and carbon significantly inhibit the aggregation of nanostructural MnS cubes, restrict the volume expansion, and stabilize the nanostructure, which improves the Na⁺ storage reversibility and stability. Moreover, S-doped porous carbon enhances the electrical conductivity and electrons/ions diffusion rate, which boosts a fast kinetic reaction. As expected, MSC anode presents an outstanding reversible capacity of 600 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1 and a long-term stable capacity of 357 mAh g^-1 for 1000 cycles at a high current density of 10 A g^-1 in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The as-assembled SIHCs deliver a high energy density of 109 W h kg^-1 and a high power output of 98 W kg^-1 , with 88% capacity retention at 2 A g^-1 after 2000 cycles and practical applications (55 LEDs can be lighted for 10 min).

Three-dimensional Ti3C2Tx and MnS composites as anode materials for high performance alkalis (Li, Na, K) ion batteries

Exploring capable and universal electrode materials could promote the development of alkalis (Li, Na, K) ion batteries. 2D MXene material is an ideal host for the alkalis (Li, Na, K) ion storage, but its electrochemical performance is limited by serious re-stacking and aggregation problems. Herein, we cleverly combined electrostatic self-assembly with gas-phase vulcanization method to successfully combine Ti₃C₂T_x-MXene with ultra-long recyclability and high conductivity with MnS, which presents high specific capacity but poor conductivity. The as-prepared 3D hierarchical Ti₃C₂T_x/MnS composites have an unique sandwich-like constituent units. The tiny MnS nanoparticles are restricted between the Ti₃C₂T_x layers and play a key role in expanding the Ti₃C₂T_x interlayer spacing. As a result, the 3D Ti₃C₂T_x/MnS composites as the anode of LIBs exhibits a superior capacities of 826 and 634 mAh/g after 1000 and 3000 cycles at 0.5 and 1.0 A/g, respectively. More importantly, we reveal the reaction mechanism that the specific capacity first increases and then gradually stabilizes with the increase of charge and discharge cycle times when the as-prepared 3D Ti₃C₂T_x/MnS was used as the anode of LIBs. In addition, we have also used this material in SIBs and PIBs and achieved remarkable electrochemical capability, with a specific capacity of 107 mAh/g after 2500 cycles at 0.5 A/g or 127 mAh/g after the 2000th cycle at 0.2 A/g, respectively.

Ni nanoparticle-decorated biomass carbon for efficient electrocatalytic nitrite reduction to ammonia

Electrocatalytic nitrite (NO₂^-) reduction to ammonia (NH₃) can not only synthesize value-added NH₃, but also remove NO₂^- pollutants from the environment. However, the low efficiency of NO₂^--to-NH₃ conversion hinders its applications. Here, Ni nanoparticle-decorated juncus-derived biomass carbon prepared at 800 °C (Ni@JBC-800) serves as an efficient catalyst for NH₃ synthesis by selective electroreduction of NO₂^-. This catalyst shows a remarkable NH₃ yield of 4117.3 μg h^-1 mg_cat.^-1 and a large faradaic efficiency of 83.4% in an alkaline electrolyte. The catalytic mechanism is further investigated by theoretical calculations.

Tetrakaidecahedron-shaped Cu four-core supramolecular as novel high-performance electrode material for lithium-ion batteries

Here, a tetrakaidecahedron-shaped Cu four-core supramolecular was designed to overcome the defects of supramoleculars for lithium-ion batteries. With multiple metal centers, conductive ligands and abundant hydrogen bonds, this novel electrode...

Ambient electrochemical N2-to-NH3 conversion catalyzed by TiO2 decorated juncus effusus-derived carbon microtubes

Electrocatalytic N2 reduction is a sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for ambient NH3 synthesis, but it needs efficient and stable catalysts. Herein, a hybrid of TiO2 and juncus effusus-derived...

Rock-Salt MnS0.5Se0.5 Nanocubes Assembled on N-Doped Graphene Forming van der Waals Heterostructured Hybrids as High-Performance Anode for Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Manganese-based chalcogenides would be of latent capacity in serving as anodes for assembling lithium- and/or sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs) due to their large theoretical capacity, low price, and low-toxicity functionality, while the low electroconductivity and easy agglomeration behavior may impede their technical applications. Here, a solid-state solution of MnS_0.5Se_0.5 nanocubes in rock-salt phase has been synthesized for the first time at a relatively low temperature from the precursors of Mn(II) acetylacetonate with dibenzyl dichalcogens in oleylamine with octadecene, and the MnS_0.5Se_0.5 nanocubes have been assembled with N-doped graphene to form a new kind of heterostructured nanohybrids (shortened as MnS_0.5Se_0.5/N-G hybrids), which are very potential for the fabrication of metal-ion batteries including LIBs and/or SIBs. Investigations revealed that there have been dense vacancies generated and active sites increased via nonequilibrium alloying of MnS and MnSe into the solid-solution MnS_0.5Se_0.5 nanocubes with segregation and defects achieved in the low-temperature solution synthetic route. Meanwhile, the introduction of N-doped graphene forming heterojunction interfaces between MnS_0.5Se_0.5 and N-doped graphene would efficiently enhance their electroconductivity and avoid agglomeration of the active MnS_0.5Se_0.5 nanocubes with considerably improved electrochemical properties. As a result, the MnS_0.5Se_0.5/N-G hybrids delivered superior Li/Na storage capacities with outstanding rate performance as well as satisfactorily lasting stability (1039/457 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1 for LIBs/SIBs). Additionally, full-cell LIBs of the anodic MnS_0.5Se_0.5/N-G constructed with cathodic LiFePO₄ (LFP) further confirmed the promising future for their practical application.

Paper-based electroanalytical devices for stripping analysis of lead and cadmium in children's shoes

Children's shoes are potential sources of toxic heavy metals, especially for younger children. Electrochemical detection could be applied for effective stripping analysis of heavy metals (such as Cd and Pb). However, the substrates of working electrodes are still limited and it is not well known which property is critical. Herein ITO glass was used as the substrate and the working electrode was modified with carbon cement for stripping analysis of Cd and Pb. The electrochemical impedance spectra of the ITO modified electrodes suggested the connection between the resistance and the electrochemical responses of heavy metals in stripping analysis, depending on the dilution ratio of the carbon cement. After optimization, the ITO modified electrodes in paper-based analytical devices could be used to sensitively quantify Cd and Pb with the concentration ranging from 10 to 1000 ppb. The detection limit of Pb2+ could reach less than 1 ppb while that of Cd2+ could reach 5 ppb, depending on the pH value of the sample solution. The paper-based electroanalytical devices could be used to quantify the concentration of Cd and Pb in children's shoes. This study implied the impact of the electric conductivity of the electrode substrates on stripping analysis, which might help to find more materials for the fabrication of the working electrodes.

MnS@N,S Co-Doped Carbon Core/Shell Nanocubes: Sulfur-Bridged Bonds Enhanced Na-Storage Properties Revealed by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy

Rational structure and morphology design are of great significance to realize excellent Na storage for advanced electrode materials in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, a cube-like core/shell composite of single MnS nanocubes (≈50 nm) encapsulated in N, S co-doped carbon (MnS@NSC) with strong CSMn bond interactions is successfully prepared as outstanding anode material for SIBs. The carbon shell significantly restricts the expansion of the MnS volume in successive sodiation/desodiation processes, as demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of one single MnS@NSC nanocube. Moreover, the in situ generated CSMn bonds between the MnS core and carbon shell play a significant role in improving the Na-storage stability and reversibility of MnS@NSC, as revealed by in situ Raman and TEM. As a result, MnS@NSC exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 594.2 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 100 mA g^-1 and an excellent rate performance. It also achieves a remarkable cycling stability of 329.1 mAh g^-1 after 3000 charge/discharge cycles at 1 A g^-1 corresponding to a low capacity attenuation rate of 0.0068% per cycle, which is superior to that of pristine MnS and most of the reported Mn-based anode materials in SIBs.

N-doped carbon-coated ultrasmall Nb2O5 nanocomposite with excellent long cyclability for sodium storage

Niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) has drawn significant interest as a promising anode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) due to its large interplanar lattice spacing and relatively high diffusion efficiency. However, the intrinsic drawbacks of low electrical conductivity and substantial volume change greatly impede its practical applications in large-scale energy storage systems. In this work, ultrasmall Nb₂O₅ nanoparticles wrapped with nitrogen-doped carbon (denoted as Nb₂O₅@NC) were delicately synthesized via a facile sol-gel method and subsequent heat treatment. The unique structure of ultrasmall Nb₂O₅ nanoparticles in a carbonaceous matrix can not only effectively shorten the transmission distance for both ions/electrons but also relieve the strain and stress caused by volume variation during the sodiation/desodiation process. In addition, the synergistic effect of nitrogen doping and carbon coating can further improve the electronic conductivity and pseudocapacitive behavior of the active materials, thus promoting the rapid electrochemical reaction kinetics of the Nb₂O₅@NC composite. The obtained 600-Nb₂O₅@NC-2 anode exhibits superior rate capability and outstanding cycling stability, delivering a reversible capacity of 196 mA h g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 after 1000 cycles. Even at high current densities of 5 A g^-1 and 10 A g^-1, the long-life cycling tests show that the reversible capacities still remain at 128.4 mA h g^-1 and 95.9 mA h g^-1 after 3000 cycles, respectively, which is the best performance of Nb₂O₅-based anodes at high current densities so far. These results indicate that the feasible synthetic strategy of Nb₂O₅@NC is an effective approach to develop high-performance Nb₂O₅-based anodes for large-scale energy storage.

Supercapattery and full-cell lithium-ion battery performances of a [Ni(Schiff base)]-derived Ni/NiO/nitrogen-doped carbon heterostructure

[Ni(Schiff base)]-derived Ni/NiO on the conductive carbon network is explored as an electrode material for high-performance supercapatteries and lithium-ion batteries.