Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is an effective approach to directly convert solar energy into clean hydrogen fuel.As a visible-light-responsive p-type semiconductor,CuBi_(2)O_(4)possesses a suitable bandgap ...Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is an effective approach to directly convert solar energy into clean hydrogen fuel.As a visible-light-responsive p-type semiconductor,CuBi_(2)O_(4)possesses a suitable bandgap and good stability.However,its performance is inhibited by high interfacial resistance and severe charge carrier recombination.In this study,a CuO interlayer was introduced between fluorine-doped tin oxide(FTO)and CuBi_(2)O_(4)to construct CuO/CuBi_(2)O_(4)photocathodes,aiming to improve interfacial charge transfer.The results showed that CuO/CuBi_(2)O_(4)-200 exhibited a photocurrent density of−1.71 mA/cm^(2)at 0 V vs.RHE,which was more than 3.5 times higher than that of bare CuBi_(2)O_(4).The incident photon-to-current efficiency(IPCE)at 365 nm was enhanced to~13%and the maximum applied bias photon-to-current efficiency(ABPE)reached 0.17%.Water splitting experiments revealed a hydrogen yield of 2.05μmol/cm^(2),significantly surpassing that of the unmodified photoelectrode.The enhanced PEC performance indicated that the CuO layer established a favorable band alignment,promoted hole transport toward the FTO substrate and effectively suppressed interfacial carrier recombination.This work demonstrated a simple and efficient interfacial engineering strategy,offering new insights and guidance for the design and development of high-performance semiconductor-based PEC photoelectrodes.展开更多
With the growing global energy demand and the pressing need for a clean energy transition,supercapacitors(SCs)have demonstrated significant application potential in electric vehicles,wearable electronics,and renewable...With the growing global energy demand and the pressing need for a clean energy transition,supercapacitors(SCs)have demonstrated significant application potential in electric vehicles,wearable electronics,and renewable energy storage systems owing to their rapid charge-discharge capability,exceptional power density,and prolonged cycle life.The improvement of their overall performance fundamentally depends on the synergistic design of electrode materials and electrolyte systems,as well as the precise regulation of the electrode-electrolyte interface.This review focuses on the key components of supercapacitors,systematically reviewing the design strategies of high-performance electrode materials,outlining recent advances in novel electrolyte systems,and comprehensively discussing the critical roles of interfacial reinforcement and optimization in enhancing device energy density,power performance,and cycling stability.Furthermore,interfacial engineering strategies and innovations in device architecture are proposed to address interfacial degradation in flexible SCs under mechanical stress.Finally,key future research directions are highlighted,including the development of high-voltage and wide-temperature-range electrolyte systems and the integrated advancement of multiscale in situ characterization techniques and theoretical modeling.This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and innovative strategies for material design,contributing toward the realization of next-generation supercapacitors with enhanced energy density and reliability.展开更多
In view of the frequent deterioration of molten steel quality during the tundish filling process,the slag-steel-air interface behavior in a tundish,including liquid level fluctuation,slag eyes,slag entrapment and air ...In view of the frequent deterioration of molten steel quality during the tundish filling process,the slag-steel-air interface behavior in a tundish,including liquid level fluctuation,slag eyes,slag entrapment and air suction during the steady-state casting and filling process,was comparatively studied through physical modeling and mathematical simulation methods.During the filling process,the liquid surface forms a large-size slag eye under the impact of molten steel from a ladle shroud,which simultaneously results in a violent fluctuation of liquid level.Concurrently,the liquid flow entrains the air phase and the cover slag into the tundish impact zone,resulting in slag entrapment and air suction.At filling flow rates of 1.5Q,2.0Q,and 2.5Q(Q is the flow rate under steady-state casting),the amount of slag entrapped is 8.39×10^(-5),9.65×10^(-5),and 12.7×10^(-5)m^(3),respectively,while the volume of air aspirated is 0.84×10^(-4),1.47×10^(-4),and 2.01×10^(-4)m^(3),indicating that slag entrapment and air suction intensify with an increase in tundish filling flow rate.Flow field characterization identifies eddy currents in the impact zone as the primary driver of the above phenomena.Proper filling process parameters were proposed to improve the steel quality during the tundish filling.展开更多
Invasive as well as non-invasive neurotechnologies conceptualized to interface the central and peripheral nervous system have been probed for the past decades,which refer to electroencephalography,electrocorticography...Invasive as well as non-invasive neurotechnologies conceptualized to interface the central and peripheral nervous system have been probed for the past decades,which refer to electroencephalography,electrocorticography and microelectrode arrays.The challenges of these mentioned approaches are characterized by the bandwidth of the spatiotemporal resolution,which in turn is essential for large-area neuron recordings(Abiri et al.,2019).展开更多
Preferential magnesium(Mg)electrodeposition on separators is a ubiquitous yet poorly understood phenomenon in rechargeable Mg-metal batteries,posing a fundamental challenge to their development.In this work,the synerg...Preferential magnesium(Mg)electrodeposition on separators is a ubiquitous yet poorly understood phenomenon in rechargeable Mg-metal batteries,posing a fundamental challenge to their development.In this work,the synergy effects of interface-accelerating desolvation and spatial confinement have been demonstrated as the essential causation of this counterintuitive experimental phenomenon.At the molecular level,the imide ring(-CO-NR-CO-,in which R represents the phenyl)groups in an artificially introduced polyimide(PI)interlayer facilitate the strong electrostatic affinity towards Mg^(2+),which accelerates the desolvation process for Mg^(2+)solvation structures at the inner Helmholtz plane.At the nucleation scale,the wedge-like concave geometry formed at the PI/current collector interface provides energetically favorable sites for Mg nucleation.This unique architecture reduces the critical nucleus size,thereby significantly lowering nucleation energy barriers.As a result,the satisfactory Coulombic efficiency for Mg plating/stripping(98.22%)and cycle lifespan(1200 cycles,above 100 days)have been achieved,outperforming most of the previous results.This work pioneers a molecular-level understanding of separator-directed Mg deposition and resolves a long-standing confusion in Mg-metal batteries.展开更多
The escalating global issues of water scarcity and pollution emphasize the critical need for the rapid development of efficient and eco-friendly water treatment technologies.Photoelectrocatalytic technology has emerge...The escalating global issues of water scarcity and pollution emphasize the critical need for the rapid development of efficient and eco-friendly water treatment technologies.Photoelectrocatalytic technology has emerged as a promising solution for effectively degrading refractory organic pollutants in water under light conditions.This review delves into the advancements made in the field,focusing on strategies to enhance the generation of active species by modulating the micro-interface of the photoanode.Strategies,such as morphological control,element doping,introduction of surface oxygen vacancies,and construction of heterostructures,significantly improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges and the generation of active species,thereby boosting the efficiency of photoelectrocatalytic performance.Furthermore,the review explores the potential applications of photoelectrocatalytic technology in organic pollutant degradation in solutions.It also outlines the current challenges and future development directions.Despite its remarkable laboratory success,practical implementation of photoelectrocatalytic technology encounters obstacles related to stability,cost-effectiveness,and operational efficiency.Future investigations need to focus on optimizing the performance of photoelectrocatalytic materials and exploring strategies for upscaling their application in real water treatment scenarios.展开更多
Recently, quantum Hall interface has become a popular subject of research;distinct from that of the quantum Hall edge, which is constrained by external background confinement, the interface has the freedom to move, li...Recently, quantum Hall interface has become a popular subject of research;distinct from that of the quantum Hall edge, which is constrained by external background confinement, the interface has the freedom to move, likely towards a string-like state. In disk geometry, it was known that the interface energy has an extra correction due to its curvature which depends on the size of the disk. In this work, we analytically calculate the energy of the integer quantum Hall interface on a cone surface which has the advantage of its curvature being more easily adjustable. By tuning the length and curvature of the interface by the cone angle parameter β, we analyze the dependence of the quantum Hall interface energy on the curvature and verify this geometric correction.Moreover, we find that the tip of the cone geometry has an extra contribution to the energy that reflects on the u_(2), u_(4) term.展开更多
Introducing Ti_(2)AlC particles into TiAl alloys can effectively improve their strength,but this can also lead to stress concentration at the interface,resulting in the reduction of ductility.Therefore,Mn is adopted t...Introducing Ti_(2)AlC particles into TiAl alloys can effectively improve their strength,but this can also lead to stress concentration at the interface,resulting in the reduction of ductility.Therefore,Mn is adopted to synergistically improve the strength and ductility of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl composite through solid solution and interface manipulation.The first-principles calculation shows the Ti-Mn bonds are formed at the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl interface after Mn doping,characterized primarily by metallic bonds with some covalent bonding.This combination preserves strength while enhancing ductility.Then,Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl-Mn composite is prepared.The Ti_(2)AlC,with an average size of 1.6μm,is uniformly distributed within the TiAl matrix.Mn doping reduces the lamellar colony size and lamellar thickness by 25.1%and 27.4%,respectively.A small quantity of Mn accumulates at the boundaries of the lamellar colonies.The Mn content must be controlled to avoid segregation,which may negatively impact performance.The yield stress,ultimate compressive stress,fracture strain,and product of strength and plasticity of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl-Mn composite have been increased by 5.5%,11.5%,10.4%,and 23.0%,respectively,compared to those of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl composite.The enhancement in strength is due to the combined effects of grain refinement,solid solution of Mn,and twining strengthening.Grain refinement and twin strengthening also can reduce stress concentration and improve ductility.In addition,at the electronic level,the Ti-Mn bond formed at the interface is contributed to the improvement of ductility.展开更多
Purpose-Interface management is the process of managing communications,responsibilities and coordination of project parties,phases or physical entities which are dependent on one another.Interface management is a cruc...Purpose-Interface management is the process of managing communications,responsibilities and coordination of project parties,phases or physical entities which are dependent on one another.Interface management is a crucial part of managing any construction project-but particularly important for high-speed railway projects that often have several contractual parties and stakeholders,very long project timelines and huge upfront cost overlays.This paper discusses how various project interfaces were managed during the design and construction of the civil engineering infrastructure for the High Speed Two(HS2)project in the United Kingdom.Design/methodology/approach-The paper uses the case study methodology.Key interfaces on the HS2 project are grouped into various categories and the paper discusses how they were managed within the Area North Integrated Project Team(IPT)of the HS2 project made up of contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI(BBV),the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture(DJV)and client HS2 Ltd.3 different case studies drawn from across the IPT are used,each of them highlighting different interfaces and how these interfaces were managed.Findings-The paper shows how innovative technical designs and modern methods of construction were used to address some of the unique and peculiar challenges of designing a brand-new railway in the United Kingdom.Addressing the contrasting and often competing requirements of different stakeholders,coupled with challenging physical constraints of the very limited land available for the project and the use of a rarely used Act of Parliament in the delivery of the project required different approach to interface management.Collaboration and proactive stakeholder engagement are necessary for successful interface management on megaprojects.The authors posit that adopting an integrated approach to engineering and construction management is an essential ingredient for the successful delivery of high-speed railway projects.Originality/value-With many high-speed railway projects around the world coming up in the next few years,understanding the context and challenges for each country will help engineering and design managers adopt appropriate approaches for their projects.The lessons learned on the HS2 project are also transferable to other mega infrastructure projects with complex project interfaces.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
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy conversion and storage devices.Nevertheless,side reactions and dendrite growth on the zinc metal anode hinder their widespread applica...Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy conversion and storage devices.Nevertheless,side reactions and dendrite growth on the zinc metal anode hinder their widespread application.In this study,hemin was employed as a multi-functional artificial interface for the first time to inhibit the disordered growth of zinc dendrites and mitigate side reactions.Theoretical calculations indicate that hemin is preferentially adsorbed onto the zinc anode,thus blocking the interaction between the active zinc anode and electrolyte.Compared with zinc foil,the Hemin@Zn anode demonstrates enhanced corrosion resistance,a decrease in hydrogen evolution,and more orderly deposition of zinc.As expected,the symmetric cell with Hemin@Zn anode can sustain up to 4000 h at 0.2 mA/cm^(2),0.2 mAh/cm^(2).Asymmetric Zn//Cu cells exhibit an average coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.72 % during 500 cycles.Moreover,the full cell Hemin@Zn//NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10) delivers a superior capacity up to 367 m Ah/g and the discharge capacity retention reaches 124 mAh/g after 1200 cycles even at a current density of 5 A/g.This work provides a simple and effective method for constructing a robust artificial interface to promote the application of long-life AZIBs.展开更多
Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries(AZMBs)have distinct advantages in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness.However,the industrial application of AZMBs is currently not ready due to challenges of Zn dendrite growth and t...Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries(AZMBs)have distinct advantages in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness.However,the industrial application of AZMBs is currently not ready due to challenges of Zn dendrite growth and the side reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)on the Zn anodes.In this review,we discuss how inorganic interfaces impact the Zn^(2+)plating/stripping reaction and overall cell performance.The discussion is categorized based on the types of inorganic materials,including metal oxides,other metal compounds,and inorganic salts.The proposed protection mechanisms for Zn metal anodes are highlighted,with a focus on the dendrite and HER inhibition mechanisms facilitated by various inorganic materials.We also provide our perspective on the rational design of advanced interfaces to enable highly reversible Zn^(2+)plating/stripping reactions toward highly stable AZMBs,paving the way for their practical implementation in energy storage.展开更多
Parasitic interface side reactions and uncontrollable Zn deposition seriously erode the cycling performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries,thus impeding the large-scale application.Herein,an organic acid molecule with ...Parasitic interface side reactions and uncontrollable Zn deposition seriously erode the cycling performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries,thus impeding the large-scale application.Herein,an organic acid molecule with a unique molecular structure,camphorsulfonic acid(CSA),is first proposed to remodel the interface microenvironment as an electrolyte additive.The proton provided by CSA can neutralize the hydroxide ions generated by side reactions and inhibit the accumulation of alkaline by-products.The sulfonic acid groups are firmly adsorbed on the Zn anode surface,thereby enabling the regulation of interfacial species.Specifically,oxygen-containing functional groups combined with hydrophobic rigid carbon rings achieve a water-poor interface environment and promote the transfer of Zn^(2+),providing a suitable environment for Zn deposition.As a result,Zn//Zn symmetrical battery can run for over 2800 h(2 mA cm^(-2)-2 mAh cm^(-2)),demonstrating 28-times lifespan compared to the battery without CSA.Furthermore,Zn//KVO full cell presents excellent performance of 800 cycles at 3 A g^(-1).Besides,the pouch cell with CSA can also operate a capacity of 153.8 mAh after 60 cycles at 0.5 A g^(-1) with96.5%capacity retention rate.This work provides an organism-inspired additive selection for stabilizing the interface chemistry of the Zn anode.展开更多
Surface passivation via two-dimensional(2D)perovskite has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)due to the effective compensation of interfacial states.However,the i...Surface passivation via two-dimensional(2D)perovskite has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)due to the effective compensation of interfacial states.However,the in situ grown 2D perovskite passivation layers typically comprise a mixture of multiple dimensionalities at the interface,where band alignment has only been portrayed qualitatively and empirically.Herein,the interface states for precisely phase-tailored 2D perovskite passivated PSCs are quantitatively investigated.In comparison to traditional passivation molecules,2D perovskite layers based on 4-trifluoromethyl-phenylethylammonium iodide(CF3PEAI)exhibit an increased work function,introducing desirable downward band bending to eliminate the Schottky Barrier.Furthermore,precisely phase-tailored 2D layers could modulate the interface trap density and energetics.The n=1 film delivers optimal performance with a hole extraction efficiency of 95.1%.The optimized n-i-p PSCs in the two-step method significantly improve PCE to 25.40%,along with enhanced photostability and negligible hysteresis.It highlights that tailoring in the composition and phase distribution of the 2D perovskite layer could modulate the interface states at the 2D/3D interface.展开更多
Thermal-mechanical damage and deformation at the interface between shotcrete linings and the surrounding rock of tunnels under high-temperature and variable-temperature conditions are critical to the safe construction...Thermal-mechanical damage and deformation at the interface between shotcrete linings and the surrounding rock of tunnels under high-temperature and variable-temperature conditions are critical to the safe construction and operation of tunnel engineering.This study investigated the thermo-mechanical damage behavior of the composite interface between alkali-resistant glass fiber-reinforced concrete(ARGFRC)and granite,focusing on a plateau railway tunnel.Laboratory triaxial tests,laser scanning,XRD analysis,numerical simulations,and theoretical analyses were employed to investigate how different initial curing temperatures and joint roughness coefficient(JRC)influence interfacial damage behavior.The results indicate that an increase in interface roughness exacerbates the structural damage at the interface.At a JRC of 19.9 and a temperature of 70℃,crack initiation in granite was notably restrained when the confining pressure rose from 7 MPa to 10 MPa.Roughness-induced stress distribution at the interface was notably altered,although this effect became less pronounced under high confining pressure conditions.Additionally,during high-temperature curing,thermal stress concentration at the tips of micro-convex protrusions on the granite surface induced microcracks in the adjacent ARGFRC matrix,followed by deformation.These findings provide practical guidelines for designing concrete support systems to ensure tunnel structural safety in high-altitude regions with harsh thermal environments.展开更多
Understanding the friction behavior between hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)and water is critical for the potential applications of h-BN in liquid-related functional devices.By using a density-functional-theory(DFT)-base...Understanding the friction behavior between hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)and water is critical for the potential applications of h-BN in liquid-related functional devices.By using a density-functional-theory(DFT)-based machine learning(ML)technique combined with long-time ML-parameterized molecular dynamics simulations,we have systematically investigated charge transfer and friction at the interfaces between h-BN and water.The introduction of defects(including Stone-Wales,B-vacancy,N-vacancy,and B-vacancy/N-vacancy defects)into h-BN significantly enhances heterogeneous charge polarization and distribution at h-BN layers,as well as increases the friction coefficients at water/h-BN interfaces compared to perfect h-BN.The observed increase in interfacial friction of defected h-BN can be attributed to stronger charge transfer and higher charge density at the defected h-BN layers induced by interactions with water molecules.Our results offer deeper insights into the role of defects in modulating charge exchange and transfer between water and h-BN,as well as their impact on interfacial friction.展开更多
The increasing power density of chips poses a significant challenge in the form of material aging for aluminumfilled polydimethylsiloxane(Al/PDMS)composites,which are widely used in thermal interface materials.Despite...The increasing power density of chips poses a significant challenge in the form of material aging for aluminumfilled polydimethylsiloxane(Al/PDMS)composites,which are widely used in thermal interface materials.Despite the growing importance of this issue,the specific mechanisms behind the interfacial aging process remain elusive,hindering a comprehensive grasp of the aging dynamics in these composites.In our research,we have developed an in-situ Raman aging monitoring system that leverages the non-contact and high-resolution capabilities of Raman spectroscopy to study the interface aging process.Our findings indicate a notable decrease in the intensity of the Raman peak as further cross-linking of the molecules during aging,with the most pronounced decline occurring at the interface between aluminum and PDMS.This insight could potentially elucidate why the interface in composite materials is frequently the site of failure during aging.Our study offers a versatile methodology for investigating the interfacial aging of polymer composites,contributing to a broader understanding of the interface behavior in composite materials at the molecular level.展开更多
Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries are restricted due to Zn anodes facing notorious Zn dendrites and water-induced side reactions,which impede cycle performance.Herein,a zincophilic-hydrophobic interface layer is fabrica...Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries are restricted due to Zn anodes facing notorious Zn dendrites and water-induced side reactions,which impede cycle performance.Herein,a zincophilic-hydrophobic interface layer is fabricated via an electrospinning method,where zincophilic silver(Ag)nanoparticles are evenly anchored in the hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride fiber matrix(Ag@PVDF),aiming to stabilize the Zn anode.The zincophilic nanoparticles can act as Zn nucleation sites and balance the interfacial electric field,ensuring a homogenous Zn deposition.Meanwhile,the hydrophobic fiber framework can prevent water-induced side reactions and modulate the Zn ion flux distribution.Consequently,the Ag@PVDF-Zn//Ag@PVDF-Zn symmetric cell delivers a superior lifespan over 2600 h(1.0 mA cm^(-2),1.0 mAh cm^(-2)).In addition,based on the stable Ag@PVDF-Zn anode,the Ag@PVDF-Zn//I_(2) full cell delivers84.3%capacity retention after 800 cycles at 2.0 C,and the aqueous Zn ion hybrid supercapacitor maintains a stable cycling performance over 15,000 cycles.This work highlights zincophilic-hydrophobic interface engineering to enable robust Zn anodes.展开更多
Stability of base-exposed backfill roof in underhand drift-and-fill mining is crucial for the safety of those working beneath.Given the commonly used primary-and-secondary mining sequence,interfaces are formed between...Stability of base-exposed backfill roof in underhand drift-and-fill mining is crucial for the safety of those working beneath.Given the commonly used primary-and-secondary mining sequence,interfaces are formed between adjacent filled drifts,which can weaken the integrity of the backfill roof.These interfaces also lead to two common drift layouts:aligned drifts and staggered drifts.However,less attention has been paid to the interfaces and the two drift layouts were not adequately distinguished in previous studies.In this paper,the interfaces between filled drifts were firstly considered to investigate the stability of backfill roof.Failure modes and strength requirements of backfill roof in aligned and staggered drifts are comprehensively investigated by FLAC3D,with a focus on considerations of varied shear parameters of the interfaces.Results show that failure modes in aligned drifts transition from block sliding to top caving,bottom caving or sloughing as the interface cohesion increases from zero to at least half of the backfill cohesion.Further increases in interface cohesion allow aligned drifts to behave as if there are no interfaces between them.The critical stability conditions of backfill roof in aligned drifts were mostly determined by the interface strength instead of the backfill strength.However,the stability of backfill roof in staggered drifts is barely affected by the interface strength.The outcomes are expected to provide references for mining engineers to optimize drift layouts and perform cost-effective backfill roof strength design at mines using underhand drift-and-fill mining method.展开更多
基金Supported by Educational Department(JYTMS20230310)Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province(2024-MS-215)。
文摘Photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is an effective approach to directly convert solar energy into clean hydrogen fuel.As a visible-light-responsive p-type semiconductor,CuBi_(2)O_(4)possesses a suitable bandgap and good stability.However,its performance is inhibited by high interfacial resistance and severe charge carrier recombination.In this study,a CuO interlayer was introduced between fluorine-doped tin oxide(FTO)and CuBi_(2)O_(4)to construct CuO/CuBi_(2)O_(4)photocathodes,aiming to improve interfacial charge transfer.The results showed that CuO/CuBi_(2)O_(4)-200 exhibited a photocurrent density of−1.71 mA/cm^(2)at 0 V vs.RHE,which was more than 3.5 times higher than that of bare CuBi_(2)O_(4).The incident photon-to-current efficiency(IPCE)at 365 nm was enhanced to~13%and the maximum applied bias photon-to-current efficiency(ABPE)reached 0.17%.Water splitting experiments revealed a hydrogen yield of 2.05μmol/cm^(2),significantly surpassing that of the unmodified photoelectrode.The enhanced PEC performance indicated that the CuO layer established a favorable band alignment,promoted hole transport toward the FTO substrate and effectively suppressed interfacial carrier recombination.This work demonstrated a simple and efficient interfacial engineering strategy,offering new insights and guidance for the design and development of high-performance semiconductor-based PEC photoelectrodes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52072208 and 52261160384)supported by the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program(Grade B)of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under Grant Number GZB20250057China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2025M770223).
文摘With the growing global energy demand and the pressing need for a clean energy transition,supercapacitors(SCs)have demonstrated significant application potential in electric vehicles,wearable electronics,and renewable energy storage systems owing to their rapid charge-discharge capability,exceptional power density,and prolonged cycle life.The improvement of their overall performance fundamentally depends on the synergistic design of electrode materials and electrolyte systems,as well as the precise regulation of the electrode-electrolyte interface.This review focuses on the key components of supercapacitors,systematically reviewing the design strategies of high-performance electrode materials,outlining recent advances in novel electrolyte systems,and comprehensively discussing the critical roles of interfacial reinforcement and optimization in enhancing device energy density,power performance,and cycling stability.Furthermore,interfacial engineering strategies and innovations in device architecture are proposed to address interfacial degradation in flexible SCs under mechanical stress.Finally,key future research directions are highlighted,including the development of high-voltage and wide-temperature-range electrolyte systems and the integrated advancement of multiscale in situ characterization techniques and theoretical modeling.This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and innovative strategies for material design,contributing toward the realization of next-generation supercapacitors with enhanced energy density and reliability.
基金support from National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51874033)to Prof.Hai-Yan Tang.
文摘In view of the frequent deterioration of molten steel quality during the tundish filling process,the slag-steel-air interface behavior in a tundish,including liquid level fluctuation,slag eyes,slag entrapment and air suction during the steady-state casting and filling process,was comparatively studied through physical modeling and mathematical simulation methods.During the filling process,the liquid surface forms a large-size slag eye under the impact of molten steel from a ladle shroud,which simultaneously results in a violent fluctuation of liquid level.Concurrently,the liquid flow entrains the air phase and the cover slag into the tundish impact zone,resulting in slag entrapment and air suction.At filling flow rates of 1.5Q,2.0Q,and 2.5Q(Q is the flow rate under steady-state casting),the amount of slag entrapped is 8.39×10^(-5),9.65×10^(-5),and 12.7×10^(-5)m^(3),respectively,while the volume of air aspirated is 0.84×10^(-4),1.47×10^(-4),and 2.01×10^(-4)m^(3),indicating that slag entrapment and air suction intensify with an increase in tundish filling flow rate.Flow field characterization identifies eddy currents in the impact zone as the primary driver of the above phenomena.Proper filling process parameters were proposed to improve the steel quality during the tundish filling.
文摘Invasive as well as non-invasive neurotechnologies conceptualized to interface the central and peripheral nervous system have been probed for the past decades,which refer to electroencephalography,electrocorticography and microelectrode arrays.The challenges of these mentioned approaches are characterized by the bandwidth of the spatiotemporal resolution,which in turn is essential for large-area neuron recordings(Abiri et al.,2019).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22279068,52374306)the Taishan Scholars of Shandong Province(tsqn202408202)the Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory Open Project(QNESL OP202312)。
文摘Preferential magnesium(Mg)electrodeposition on separators is a ubiquitous yet poorly understood phenomenon in rechargeable Mg-metal batteries,posing a fundamental challenge to their development.In this work,the synergy effects of interface-accelerating desolvation and spatial confinement have been demonstrated as the essential causation of this counterintuitive experimental phenomenon.At the molecular level,the imide ring(-CO-NR-CO-,in which R represents the phenyl)groups in an artificially introduced polyimide(PI)interlayer facilitate the strong electrostatic affinity towards Mg^(2+),which accelerates the desolvation process for Mg^(2+)solvation structures at the inner Helmholtz plane.At the nucleation scale,the wedge-like concave geometry formed at the PI/current collector interface provides energetically favorable sites for Mg nucleation.This unique architecture reduces the critical nucleus size,thereby significantly lowering nucleation energy barriers.As a result,the satisfactory Coulombic efficiency for Mg plating/stripping(98.22%)and cycle lifespan(1200 cycles,above 100 days)have been achieved,outperforming most of the previous results.This work pioneers a molecular-level understanding of separator-directed Mg deposition and resolves a long-standing confusion in Mg-metal batteries.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52100076)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No.2023MS064)。
文摘The escalating global issues of water scarcity and pollution emphasize the critical need for the rapid development of efficient and eco-friendly water treatment technologies.Photoelectrocatalytic technology has emerged as a promising solution for effectively degrading refractory organic pollutants in water under light conditions.This review delves into the advancements made in the field,focusing on strategies to enhance the generation of active species by modulating the micro-interface of the photoanode.Strategies,such as morphological control,element doping,introduction of surface oxygen vacancies,and construction of heterostructures,significantly improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges and the generation of active species,thereby boosting the efficiency of photoelectrocatalytic performance.Furthermore,the review explores the potential applications of photoelectrocatalytic technology in organic pollutant degradation in solutions.It also outlines the current challenges and future development directions.Despite its remarkable laboratory success,practical implementation of photoelectrocatalytic technology encounters obstacles related to stability,cost-effectiveness,and operational efficiency.Future investigations need to focus on optimizing the performance of photoelectrocatalytic materials and exploring strategies for upscaling their application in real water treatment scenarios.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 12347101 and 12474140the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No. 2024CDJXY022+3 种基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 61988102The Key Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province under Grant No. 2019B090917007the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province under Grant No. 2019B090909011Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory under Grant No. 2019B121203002。
文摘Recently, quantum Hall interface has become a popular subject of research;distinct from that of the quantum Hall edge, which is constrained by external background confinement, the interface has the freedom to move, likely towards a string-like state. In disk geometry, it was known that the interface energy has an extra correction due to its curvature which depends on the size of the disk. In this work, we analytically calculate the energy of the integer quantum Hall interface on a cone surface which has the advantage of its curvature being more easily adjustable. By tuning the length and curvature of the interface by the cone angle parameter β, we analyze the dependence of the quantum Hall interface energy on the curvature and verify this geometric correction.Moreover, we find that the tip of the cone geometry has an extra contribution to the energy that reflects on the u_(2), u_(4) term.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52371031 and 52574435)the Science and Technology Development Program of Jilin Province,China(No.20250102103JC)+2 种基金the Science and Technology Development Program of Changchun City,China(No.23JQ03)Changbaishan Laboratory,China(No.CBS2025004-03)the Undergraduate Innovation Fund of Jilin University,China(No.S202410183310).
文摘Introducing Ti_(2)AlC particles into TiAl alloys can effectively improve their strength,but this can also lead to stress concentration at the interface,resulting in the reduction of ductility.Therefore,Mn is adopted to synergistically improve the strength and ductility of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl composite through solid solution and interface manipulation.The first-principles calculation shows the Ti-Mn bonds are formed at the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl interface after Mn doping,characterized primarily by metallic bonds with some covalent bonding.This combination preserves strength while enhancing ductility.Then,Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl-Mn composite is prepared.The Ti_(2)AlC,with an average size of 1.6μm,is uniformly distributed within the TiAl matrix.Mn doping reduces the lamellar colony size and lamellar thickness by 25.1%and 27.4%,respectively.A small quantity of Mn accumulates at the boundaries of the lamellar colonies.The Mn content must be controlled to avoid segregation,which may negatively impact performance.The yield stress,ultimate compressive stress,fracture strain,and product of strength and plasticity of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl-Mn composite have been increased by 5.5%,11.5%,10.4%,and 23.0%,respectively,compared to those of the Ti_(2)AlC/TiAl composite.The enhancement in strength is due to the combined effects of grain refinement,solid solution of Mn,and twining strengthening.Grain refinement and twin strengthening also can reduce stress concentration and improve ductility.In addition,at the electronic level,the Ti-Mn bond formed at the interface is contributed to the improvement of ductility.
文摘Purpose-Interface management is the process of managing communications,responsibilities and coordination of project parties,phases or physical entities which are dependent on one another.Interface management is a crucial part of managing any construction project-but particularly important for high-speed railway projects that often have several contractual parties and stakeholders,very long project timelines and huge upfront cost overlays.This paper discusses how various project interfaces were managed during the design and construction of the civil engineering infrastructure for the High Speed Two(HS2)project in the United Kingdom.Design/methodology/approach-The paper uses the case study methodology.Key interfaces on the HS2 project are grouped into various categories and the paper discusses how they were managed within the Area North Integrated Project Team(IPT)of the HS2 project made up of contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI(BBV),the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture(DJV)and client HS2 Ltd.3 different case studies drawn from across the IPT are used,each of them highlighting different interfaces and how these interfaces were managed.Findings-The paper shows how innovative technical designs and modern methods of construction were used to address some of the unique and peculiar challenges of designing a brand-new railway in the United Kingdom.Addressing the contrasting and often competing requirements of different stakeholders,coupled with challenging physical constraints of the very limited land available for the project and the use of a rarely used Act of Parliament in the delivery of the project required different approach to interface management.Collaboration and proactive stakeholder engagement are necessary for successful interface management on megaprojects.The authors posit that adopting an integrated approach to engineering and construction management is an essential ingredient for the successful delivery of high-speed railway projects.Originality/value-With many high-speed railway projects around the world coming up in the next few years,understanding the context and challenges for each country will help engineering and design managers adopt appropriate approaches for their projects.The lessons learned on the HS2 project are also transferable to other mega infrastructure projects with complex project interfaces.
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financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52372188)Natural Science Foundation of Henan (Nos.242300421625,252300421333)+4 种基金CAS Henan Industrial Technology Innovation & Incubation Center (No.2024121)Key Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Henan Province (Nos.22A150042,23A150038,and 24A150019)2023 Introduction of studying abroad talent programthe China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No.2019 M652546)Key Project of Science and Technology of Henan Province (No.252102240007)。
文摘Aqueous zinc-ion batteries(AZIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising energy conversion and storage devices.Nevertheless,side reactions and dendrite growth on the zinc metal anode hinder their widespread application.In this study,hemin was employed as a multi-functional artificial interface for the first time to inhibit the disordered growth of zinc dendrites and mitigate side reactions.Theoretical calculations indicate that hemin is preferentially adsorbed onto the zinc anode,thus blocking the interaction between the active zinc anode and electrolyte.Compared with zinc foil,the Hemin@Zn anode demonstrates enhanced corrosion resistance,a decrease in hydrogen evolution,and more orderly deposition of zinc.As expected,the symmetric cell with Hemin@Zn anode can sustain up to 4000 h at 0.2 mA/cm^(2),0.2 mAh/cm^(2).Asymmetric Zn//Cu cells exhibit an average coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.72 % during 500 cycles.Moreover,the full cell Hemin@Zn//NH_(4)V_(4)O_(10) delivers a superior capacity up to 367 m Ah/g and the discharge capacity retention reaches 124 mAh/g after 1200 cycles even at a current density of 5 A/g.This work provides a simple and effective method for constructing a robust artificial interface to promote the application of long-life AZIBs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52272183)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(buctrc202316)the support of the China Experience Fund and the Stephen Slavens Faculty Scholar Endowment Fund from Oregon State University。
文摘Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries(AZMBs)have distinct advantages in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness.However,the industrial application of AZMBs is currently not ready due to challenges of Zn dendrite growth and the side reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)on the Zn anodes.In this review,we discuss how inorganic interfaces impact the Zn^(2+)plating/stripping reaction and overall cell performance.The discussion is categorized based on the types of inorganic materials,including metal oxides,other metal compounds,and inorganic salts.The proposed protection mechanisms for Zn metal anodes are highlighted,with a focus on the dendrite and HER inhibition mechanisms facilitated by various inorganic materials.We also provide our perspective on the rational design of advanced interfaces to enable highly reversible Zn^(2+)plating/stripping reactions toward highly stable AZMBs,paving the way for their practical implementation in energy storage.
基金financially supported by The Excellent Youth Project of the Education Department of Hunan Province(No.24B0008)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52377222)。
文摘Parasitic interface side reactions and uncontrollable Zn deposition seriously erode the cycling performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries,thus impeding the large-scale application.Herein,an organic acid molecule with a unique molecular structure,camphorsulfonic acid(CSA),is first proposed to remodel the interface microenvironment as an electrolyte additive.The proton provided by CSA can neutralize the hydroxide ions generated by side reactions and inhibit the accumulation of alkaline by-products.The sulfonic acid groups are firmly adsorbed on the Zn anode surface,thereby enabling the regulation of interfacial species.Specifically,oxygen-containing functional groups combined with hydrophobic rigid carbon rings achieve a water-poor interface environment and promote the transfer of Zn^(2+),providing a suitable environment for Zn deposition.As a result,Zn//Zn symmetrical battery can run for over 2800 h(2 mA cm^(-2)-2 mAh cm^(-2)),demonstrating 28-times lifespan compared to the battery without CSA.Furthermore,Zn//KVO full cell presents excellent performance of 800 cycles at 3 A g^(-1).Besides,the pouch cell with CSA can also operate a capacity of 153.8 mAh after 60 cycles at 0.5 A g^(-1) with96.5%capacity retention rate.This work provides an organism-inspired additive selection for stabilizing the interface chemistry of the Zn anode.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.62304111,62304110,22579136)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFE0201800)+6 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2024M761492)the Project of State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays(Nos.GDX2022010009,GZR2023010046)the Natural Science Research Start-up Foundation of Recruiting Talents of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications(No.NY223053)the Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu(Science and Technology Cooperation Project of HongKong,Macao and Taiwan,No.BZ2023059)Shaanxi Fundamental Science Research Project for Mathematics and Physics(No.22jSY015)Young Talent Fund of Xi'an Association for Science and Technology(No.959202313020)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Optoelectronic Materials and Intelligent Photonic Systems(No.2023B1212010003).
文摘Surface passivation via two-dimensional(2D)perovskite has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)due to the effective compensation of interfacial states.However,the in situ grown 2D perovskite passivation layers typically comprise a mixture of multiple dimensionalities at the interface,where band alignment has only been portrayed qualitatively and empirically.Herein,the interface states for precisely phase-tailored 2D perovskite passivated PSCs are quantitatively investigated.In comparison to traditional passivation molecules,2D perovskite layers based on 4-trifluoromethyl-phenylethylammonium iodide(CF3PEAI)exhibit an increased work function,introducing desirable downward band bending to eliminate the Schottky Barrier.Furthermore,precisely phase-tailored 2D layers could modulate the interface trap density and energetics.The n=1 film delivers optimal performance with a hole extraction efficiency of 95.1%.The optimized n-i-p PSCs in the two-step method significantly improve PCE to 25.40%,along with enhanced photostability and negligible hysteresis.It highlights that tailoring in the composition and phase distribution of the 2D perovskite layer could modulate the interface states at the 2D/3D interface.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52209130 and 52379100)Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(No.ZR2024ME112).
文摘Thermal-mechanical damage and deformation at the interface between shotcrete linings and the surrounding rock of tunnels under high-temperature and variable-temperature conditions are critical to the safe construction and operation of tunnel engineering.This study investigated the thermo-mechanical damage behavior of the composite interface between alkali-resistant glass fiber-reinforced concrete(ARGFRC)and granite,focusing on a plateau railway tunnel.Laboratory triaxial tests,laser scanning,XRD analysis,numerical simulations,and theoretical analyses were employed to investigate how different initial curing temperatures and joint roughness coefficient(JRC)influence interfacial damage behavior.The results indicate that an increase in interface roughness exacerbates the structural damage at the interface.At a JRC of 19.9 and a temperature of 70℃,crack initiation in granite was notably restrained when the confining pressure rose from 7 MPa to 10 MPa.Roughness-induced stress distribution at the interface was notably altered,although this effect became less pronounced under high confining pressure conditions.Additionally,during high-temperature curing,thermal stress concentration at the tips of micro-convex protrusions on the granite surface induced microcracks in the adjacent ARGFRC matrix,followed by deformation.These findings provide practical guidelines for designing concrete support systems to ensure tunnel structural safety in high-altitude regions with harsh thermal environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(12472105)the Western Light Project of CAS(xbzg-zdsys-202118)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(NO.NJ2024001)a Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.
文摘Understanding the friction behavior between hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN)and water is critical for the potential applications of h-BN in liquid-related functional devices.By using a density-functional-theory(DFT)-based machine learning(ML)technique combined with long-time ML-parameterized molecular dynamics simulations,we have systematically investigated charge transfer and friction at the interfaces between h-BN and water.The introduction of defects(including Stone-Wales,B-vacancy,N-vacancy,and B-vacancy/N-vacancy defects)into h-BN significantly enhances heterogeneous charge polarization and distribution at h-BN layers,as well as increases the friction coefficients at water/h-BN interfaces compared to perfect h-BN.The observed increase in interfacial friction of defected h-BN can be attributed to stronger charge transfer and higher charge density at the defected h-BN layers induced by interactions with water molecules.Our results offer deeper insights into the role of defects in modulating charge exchange and transfer between water and h-BN,as well as their impact on interfacial friction.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52303092)Talent Recruitment Project of Guangdong Province(No.2023QN10X078)+2 种基金Open Project of Yunnan Precious Metals Laboratory Co.,Ltd(No.YPML-2023050278)National Key R&D Project from Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2022YFA1203100)Shenzhen Science and Technology Research Funding(No.JCYJ20200109114401708)。
文摘The increasing power density of chips poses a significant challenge in the form of material aging for aluminumfilled polydimethylsiloxane(Al/PDMS)composites,which are widely used in thermal interface materials.Despite the growing importance of this issue,the specific mechanisms behind the interfacial aging process remain elusive,hindering a comprehensive grasp of the aging dynamics in these composites.In our research,we have developed an in-situ Raman aging monitoring system that leverages the non-contact and high-resolution capabilities of Raman spectroscopy to study the interface aging process.Our findings indicate a notable decrease in the intensity of the Raman peak as further cross-linking of the molecules during aging,with the most pronounced decline occurring at the interface between aluminum and PDMS.This insight could potentially elucidate why the interface in composite materials is frequently the site of failure during aging.Our study offers a versatile methodology for investigating the interfacial aging of polymer composites,contributing to a broader understanding of the interface behavior in composite materials at the molecular level.
基金(partially)funded by the BK21 FOUR Program of Graduate School,Kyung Hee University(GS-1-JO-ON-info2120241890)。
文摘Aqueous zinc(Zn)metal batteries are restricted due to Zn anodes facing notorious Zn dendrites and water-induced side reactions,which impede cycle performance.Herein,a zincophilic-hydrophobic interface layer is fabricated via an electrospinning method,where zincophilic silver(Ag)nanoparticles are evenly anchored in the hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride fiber matrix(Ag@PVDF),aiming to stabilize the Zn anode.The zincophilic nanoparticles can act as Zn nucleation sites and balance the interfacial electric field,ensuring a homogenous Zn deposition.Meanwhile,the hydrophobic fiber framework can prevent water-induced side reactions and modulate the Zn ion flux distribution.Consequently,the Ag@PVDF-Zn//Ag@PVDF-Zn symmetric cell delivers a superior lifespan over 2600 h(1.0 mA cm^(-2),1.0 mAh cm^(-2)).In addition,based on the stable Ag@PVDF-Zn anode,the Ag@PVDF-Zn//I_(2) full cell delivers84.3%capacity retention after 800 cycles at 2.0 C,and the aqueous Zn ion hybrid supercapacitor maintains a stable cycling performance over 15,000 cycles.This work highlights zincophilic-hydrophobic interface engineering to enable robust Zn anodes.
基金supported by Deep Earth Probe and Mineral Resources Exploration-National Science and Technology Major Project(Grant No.2024ZD1003705)the Beijing Nova Program(Grant No.20220484057)support from China Scholarship Council under Grant CSC No.202110300001.
文摘Stability of base-exposed backfill roof in underhand drift-and-fill mining is crucial for the safety of those working beneath.Given the commonly used primary-and-secondary mining sequence,interfaces are formed between adjacent filled drifts,which can weaken the integrity of the backfill roof.These interfaces also lead to two common drift layouts:aligned drifts and staggered drifts.However,less attention has been paid to the interfaces and the two drift layouts were not adequately distinguished in previous studies.In this paper,the interfaces between filled drifts were firstly considered to investigate the stability of backfill roof.Failure modes and strength requirements of backfill roof in aligned and staggered drifts are comprehensively investigated by FLAC3D,with a focus on considerations of varied shear parameters of the interfaces.Results show that failure modes in aligned drifts transition from block sliding to top caving,bottom caving or sloughing as the interface cohesion increases from zero to at least half of the backfill cohesion.Further increases in interface cohesion allow aligned drifts to behave as if there are no interfaces between them.The critical stability conditions of backfill roof in aligned drifts were mostly determined by the interface strength instead of the backfill strength.However,the stability of backfill roof in staggered drifts is barely affected by the interface strength.The outcomes are expected to provide references for mining engineers to optimize drift layouts and perform cost-effective backfill roof strength design at mines using underhand drift-and-fill mining method.
