Electrocatalytic nitric oxide(NO)reduction reaction(NORR)is a promising and sustainable process that can simultaneously realize green ammonia(NH3)synthesis and hazardous NO removal.However,current NORR performances ar...Electrocatalytic nitric oxide(NO)reduction reaction(NORR)is a promising and sustainable process that can simultaneously realize green ammonia(NH3)synthesis and hazardous NO removal.However,current NORR performances are far from practical needs due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts.Engineering the lattice of metal-based nanomaterials via phase control has emerged as an effective strategy to modulate their intrinsic electrocatalytic properties.Herein,we realize boron(B)-insertion-induced phase regulation of rhodium(Rh)nanocrystals to obtain amorphous Rh_(4)B nanoparticles(NPs)and hexagonal close-packed(hcp)RhB NPs through a facile wet-chemical method.A high Faradaic efficiency(92.1±1.2%)and NH_(3) yield rate(629.5±11.0μmol h^(−1) cm^(−2))are achieved over hcp RhB NPs,far superior to those of most reported NORR nanocatalysts.In situ spectro-electrochemical analysis and density functional theory simulations reveal that the excellent electrocatalytic performances of hcp RhB NPs are attributed to the upshift of d-band center,enhanced NO adsorption/activation profile,and greatly reduced energy barrier of the rate-determining step.A demonstrative Zn-NO battery is assembled using hcp RhB NPs as the cathode and delivers a peak power density of 4.33 mW cm−2,realizing simultaneous NO removal,NH3 synthesis,and electricity output.展开更多
High-performance alloys are indispensable in modern engineering because of their exceptional strength,ductility,corrosion resistance,fatigue resistance,and thermal stability,which are all significantly influenced by t...High-performance alloys are indispensable in modern engineering because of their exceptional strength,ductility,corrosion resistance,fatigue resistance,and thermal stability,which are all significantly influenced by the alloy interface structures.Despite substantial efforts,a comprehensive overview of interface engineering of high-performance alloys has not been presented so far.In this study,the interfaces in high-performance alloys,particularly grain and phase boundaries,were systematically examined,with emphasis on their crystallographic characteristics and chemical element segregations.The effects of the interfaces on the electrical conductivity,mechanical strength,toughness,hydrogen embrittlement resistance,and thermal stability of the alloys were elucidated.Moreover,correlations among various types of interfaces and advanced experimental and computational techniques were examined using big data analytics,enabling robust design strategies.Challenges currently faced in the field of interface engineering and emerging opportunities in the field are also discussed.The study results would guide the development of next-generation high-performance alloys.展开更多
Layered oxides have attracted significant attention as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)due to their compositional versatility and tuneable electrochemical performance.However,these materials still face challeng...Layered oxides have attracted significant attention as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)due to their compositional versatility and tuneable electrochemical performance.However,these materials still face challenges such as structural phase transitions,Na^(+)/vacancy ordering,and Jahn–Teller distortion effect,resulting in severe capacity decay and sluggish ion kinetics.We develop a novel Cu/Y dual-doping strategy that leads to the formation of"Na–Y"interlayer aggregates,which act as structural pillars within alkali metal layers,enhancing structural stability and disrupting the ordered arrangement of Na^(+)/vacancies.This disruption leads to a unique coexistence of ordered and disordered Na^(+)/vacancy states with near-zero strain,which significantly improves Na^(+)diffusion kinetics.This structural innovation not only mitigates the unfavorable P2–O2 phase transition but also facilitates rapid ion transport.As a result,the doped material demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance,including an ultra-long cycle life of 3000 cycles at 10 C and an outstanding high-rate capability of~70 mAh g^(−1)at 50 C.The discovery of this novel interlayer pillar,along with its role in modulating Na^(+)/vacancy arrangements,provides a fresh perspective on engineering layered oxides.It opens up promising new pathways for the structural design of advanced cathode materials toward efficient,stable,and high-rate SIBs.展开更多
TiNb_(2)O_(7)represents an up-and-coming anode material for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries,but its practicalities are severely impeded by slow transfer rates of ionic and electronic especially at the low-temperat...TiNb_(2)O_(7)represents an up-and-coming anode material for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries,but its practicalities are severely impeded by slow transfer rates of ionic and electronic especially at the low-temperature conditions.Herein,we introduce crystallographic engineering to enhance structure stability and promote Li+diffusion kinetics of TiNb_(2)O_(7)(TNO).The density functional theory computation reveals that Ti^(4+)is replaced by Sb^(5+)and Nb^(5+)in crystal lattices,which can reduce the Li+diffusion impediment and improve electronic conductivity.Synchrotron radiation X-ray 3D nano-computed tomography and in situ X-ray diffraction measurement confirm the introduction of Sb/Nb alleviates volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation processes,contributing to enhancing structure stability.Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra results verify that crystallographic engineering also increases short Nb-O bond length in TNO-Sb/Nb.Accordingly,the TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers an outstanding capacity retention rate of 89.8%at 10 C after 700 cycles and excellent rate performance(140.4 mAh g^(−1) at 20 C).Even at−30℃,TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers a capacity of 102.6 mAh g^(−1) with little capacity degeneration for 500 cycles.This work provides guidance for the design of fast-charging batteries at low-temperature condition.展开更多
基金funding support from General Research Fund[Project No.14300525]from the Research Grants Council(RGC)of Hong Kong SAR,Chinafunding support from Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)Young Scientists Fund(Project No.22305203)+2 种基金NSFC Projects Nos.22309123,22422303,22303011,22033002,92261112 and U21A20328support from the Hong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center(NPMM)at City University of Hong Kongsupport from Young Collaborative Research Grant[Project No.C1003-23Y]support from RGC of Hong Kong SAR,China.
文摘Electrocatalytic nitric oxide(NO)reduction reaction(NORR)is a promising and sustainable process that can simultaneously realize green ammonia(NH3)synthesis and hazardous NO removal.However,current NORR performances are far from practical needs due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts.Engineering the lattice of metal-based nanomaterials via phase control has emerged as an effective strategy to modulate their intrinsic electrocatalytic properties.Herein,we realize boron(B)-insertion-induced phase regulation of rhodium(Rh)nanocrystals to obtain amorphous Rh_(4)B nanoparticles(NPs)and hexagonal close-packed(hcp)RhB NPs through a facile wet-chemical method.A high Faradaic efficiency(92.1±1.2%)and NH_(3) yield rate(629.5±11.0μmol h^(−1) cm^(−2))are achieved over hcp RhB NPs,far superior to those of most reported NORR nanocatalysts.In situ spectro-electrochemical analysis and density functional theory simulations reveal that the excellent electrocatalytic performances of hcp RhB NPs are attributed to the upshift of d-band center,enhanced NO adsorption/activation profile,and greatly reduced energy barrier of the rate-determining step.A demonstrative Zn-NO battery is assembled using hcp RhB NPs as the cathode and delivers a peak power density of 4.33 mW cm−2,realizing simultaneous NO removal,NH3 synthesis,and electricity output.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52122408 and 52474397)the High-level Talent Research Start-up Project Funding of Henan Academy of Sciences(No.242017127)+1 种基金the financial support from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(University of Science and Technology Beijing(USTB),Nos.FRF-TP-2021-04C1 and 06500135)supported by USTB MatCom of Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering。
文摘High-performance alloys are indispensable in modern engineering because of their exceptional strength,ductility,corrosion resistance,fatigue resistance,and thermal stability,which are all significantly influenced by the alloy interface structures.Despite substantial efforts,a comprehensive overview of interface engineering of high-performance alloys has not been presented so far.In this study,the interfaces in high-performance alloys,particularly grain and phase boundaries,were systematically examined,with emphasis on their crystallographic characteristics and chemical element segregations.The effects of the interfaces on the electrical conductivity,mechanical strength,toughness,hydrogen embrittlement resistance,and thermal stability of the alloys were elucidated.Moreover,correlations among various types of interfaces and advanced experimental and computational techniques were examined using big data analytics,enabling robust design strategies.Challenges currently faced in the field of interface engineering and emerging opportunities in the field are also discussed.The study results would guide the development of next-generation high-performance alloys.
基金supported by the“Pioneer”and“Leading Goose”R&D Program of Zhejiang Province of China(No.2024C01056)。
文摘Layered oxides have attracted significant attention as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)due to their compositional versatility and tuneable electrochemical performance.However,these materials still face challenges such as structural phase transitions,Na^(+)/vacancy ordering,and Jahn–Teller distortion effect,resulting in severe capacity decay and sluggish ion kinetics.We develop a novel Cu/Y dual-doping strategy that leads to the formation of"Na–Y"interlayer aggregates,which act as structural pillars within alkali metal layers,enhancing structural stability and disrupting the ordered arrangement of Na^(+)/vacancies.This disruption leads to a unique coexistence of ordered and disordered Na^(+)/vacancy states with near-zero strain,which significantly improves Na^(+)diffusion kinetics.This structural innovation not only mitigates the unfavorable P2–O2 phase transition but also facilitates rapid ion transport.As a result,the doped material demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance,including an ultra-long cycle life of 3000 cycles at 10 C and an outstanding high-rate capability of~70 mAh g^(−1)at 50 C.The discovery of this novel interlayer pillar,along with its role in modulating Na^(+)/vacancy arrangements,provides a fresh perspective on engineering layered oxides.It opens up promising new pathways for the structural design of advanced cathode materials toward efficient,stable,and high-rate SIBs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22279026,2247090373)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX1401)+2 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M764198)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22509044)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(grant no.HIT.OCEF.2022017).
文摘TiNb_(2)O_(7)represents an up-and-coming anode material for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries,but its practicalities are severely impeded by slow transfer rates of ionic and electronic especially at the low-temperature conditions.Herein,we introduce crystallographic engineering to enhance structure stability and promote Li+diffusion kinetics of TiNb_(2)O_(7)(TNO).The density functional theory computation reveals that Ti^(4+)is replaced by Sb^(5+)and Nb^(5+)in crystal lattices,which can reduce the Li+diffusion impediment and improve electronic conductivity.Synchrotron radiation X-ray 3D nano-computed tomography and in situ X-ray diffraction measurement confirm the introduction of Sb/Nb alleviates volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation processes,contributing to enhancing structure stability.Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra results verify that crystallographic engineering also increases short Nb-O bond length in TNO-Sb/Nb.Accordingly,the TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers an outstanding capacity retention rate of 89.8%at 10 C after 700 cycles and excellent rate performance(140.4 mAh g^(−1) at 20 C).Even at−30℃,TNO-Sb/Nb anode delivers a capacity of 102.6 mAh g^(−1) with little capacity degeneration for 500 cycles.This work provides guidance for the design of fast-charging batteries at low-temperature condition.
