Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)catalytic electrodes under actual working conditions show interesting mass transfer behaviors at solid(electrode)/liquid(electrolyte)/gas(hydrogen)three-phase interfaces.These behaviors...Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)catalytic electrodes under actual working conditions show interesting mass transfer behaviors at solid(electrode)/liquid(electrolyte)/gas(hydrogen)three-phase interfaces.These behaviors are essential for forming a continuous and effective physical contact region between the electrolyte and the electrode and require further detailed understanding.Here,a case study on 1 T-2 H phase molybdenum disulfide(Mo S_(2))/carbon fiber paper(CFP)catalytic electrodes is performed.Rapid gas-liquid mass transfer at the interface for enhancing the working area stability and capillarity for increasing the electrode working area is found.The real scenario,wherein the energy utilization efficiency of the as-prepared non-noble metal catalytic electrode exceeds that of the noble metal catalytic electrode,is disclosed.Specifically,a fluid dynamics model is developed to investigate the behavior mechanism of hydrogen bubbles from generation to desorption on the catalytic electrode surface with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.These new insights and theoretical evidence on the non-negligible three-phase interface behaviors will identify opportunities and motivate future research in high-efficiency,stability,and low-cost HER catalytic electrode development.展开更多
As an alternative to conventional energy conversion and storage reactions,gas-involved electrochemical reactions,including the carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)and hydrogen e...As an alternative to conventional energy conversion and storage reactions,gas-involved electrochemical reactions,including the carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),have become an emerging research direction and have gained increasing attention due to their advantages of environmental friendliness and sustainability.Various studies have been designed to accelerate sluggish kinetics but with limited results.Most of them promote the reaction by modulating the intrinsic properties of the catalyst,ignoring the synergistic effect of the reaction as a whole.Due to the introduction of gas,traditional liquid-solid two-phase reactions are no longer applicable to future research.Since gas-involved electrochemical reactions mostly occur at the junctions of gaseous reactants,liquid electrolytes and solid catalysts,the focus of future research on reaction kinetics should gradually shift to three-phase reaction interfaces.In this review,we briefly introduce the formation and constraints of the three-phase interface and propose three criteria to judge its merit,namely,the active site,mass diffusion and electron mass transfer.Subsequently,a series of modulation methods and relevant works are discussed in detail from the three improvement directions of‘exposing more active sites,promoting mass diffusion and accelerating electron transfer’.Definitively,we provide farsighted insights into the understanding and research of three-phase interfaces in the future and point out the possible development direction of future regulatory methods,hoping that this review can broaden the future applications of the three-phase interface,including but not limited to gas-involved electrochemical reactions.展开更多
The use of seawater-based electrolytes in zinc-air batteries(S-ZABs)presents significant economic and social benefits and mitigates the demand for scarce freshwater resources.However,it is challenging to achieve a met...The use of seawater-based electrolytes in zinc-air batteries(S-ZABs)presents significant economic and social benefits and mitigates the demand for scarce freshwater resources.However,it is challenging to achieve a metal^(-)nitrogen-carbon(M-N-C)catalyst that exhibits high resistance to corrosive Cl^(-)in seawater-based electrolytes and possesses a strengthened binding affinity with O_(2),which enables catalysts with an optimized oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and enhances the applicability of S-ZABs.Herein,we propose a combined wet chemistry-pyrolysis strategy to obtain atomically dispersed Fe-decorated nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres(N-MCS-Fe-900).Benefiting from the capacity of the Fe decorations to form the edge-hosted aerophilic FeN_(4)-O_(2)sites at the optimized three-phase interface,N-MCS-Fe-900 affords the enhanced resistance of the active Fe sites to corrosive Cl^(-),as well as improved interaction with O_(2),thereby facilitating the ORR process.As expected,the N-MCS-Fe-900 delivers high half wave potential of 0.90 V and kinetic current density of 18.61 mA cm^(-2)at 0.85 V in seawater-based 0.1 M KOH.More importantly,the S-ZABs equipped with N-MCS-Fe-900 exhibited long-term stability under a high current density for over 140 h without voltage decay.Theoretical calculations and electrochemical performance evaluations collectively revealed the superior catalytic efficacy and genesis of this activity in N-MCS-Fe-900,which features edge-hosted FeN_(4)-O_(2)sites at the stable three-phase interface in seawater electrolytes.This study provides new insights for the advancement of ORR catalysts in sustainable energy conversion technologies for seawater-based electrolytes.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
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
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
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
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
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
Flexible energy storage and harvesting devices,as core components of the flexible electronic system,have driven the transformation of electronic system from“external power supply”to“self-powering”and from“fixed f...Flexible energy storage and harvesting devices,as core components of the flexible electronic system,have driven the transformation of electronic system from“external power supply”to“self-powering”and from“fixed forms”to“adaptive configurations”,thus playing an important role in the advancement of wearable technology,the internet of things,and other related fields.MXenes,a class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides,nitrides,and carbonitrides,emerge as promising candidates for flexible energy storage and harvesting devices,attributed to their excellent conductivity,mechanical flexibility,and tunable interfacial characteristics.Specifically,the interfacial characteristics of MXenes,including surface energy,surface terminations,and interlayer spacing,have a decisive influence on the performance of MXene-based energy devices.This review summarizes the influence of microcosmic interfacial characteristics on macroscopic properties,the interfacial regulation strategies,and applications in flexible energy storage and harvesting of MXenes,concluding with current challenges and perspectives to guide the design of high-performance MXene-based energy devices.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
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
A new method was proposed for preparing AZ31/1060 composite plates with a corrugated interface,which involved cold-pressing a corrugated surface on the Al plate and then hot-pressing the assembled Mg/Al plate.The resu...A new method was proposed for preparing AZ31/1060 composite plates with a corrugated interface,which involved cold-pressing a corrugated surface on the Al plate and then hot-pressing the assembled Mg/Al plate.The results show that cold-pressing produces intense plastic deformation near the corrugated surface of the Al plate,which promotes dynamic recrystallization of the Al substrate near the interface during the subsequent hot-pressing.In addition,the initial corrugation on the surface of the Al plate also changes the local stress state near the interface during hot pressing,which has a large effect on the texture components of the substrates near the corrugated interface.The construction of the corrugated interface can greatly enhance the shear strength by 2−4 times due to the increased contact area and the strong“mechanical gearing”effect.Moreover,the mechanical properties are largely depended on the orientation relationship between corrugated direction and loading direction.展开更多
Two-step-processed(TSP)inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have demonstrated significant promise in tandem applications.However,the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of TSP p-i-n PSCs rarely exceeds 24%.Here,we d...Two-step-processed(TSP)inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have demonstrated significant promise in tandem applications.However,the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of TSP p-i-n PSCs rarely exceeds 24%.Here,we demonstrate that TSP perovskite films exhibit a vertically gradient distribution of residual PbI_(2)clusters,which form Schottky heterojunctions with the perovskite,leading to substantial interfacial energy-level mismatches within NiO_(x)-based TSP p-i-n PSCs.These limitations were effectively addressed via a vertical interfacial engineering enabled by dual-interface modification incorporating tin trifluoromethanesulfonate(Sn(OTF)_(2))and 4-Fluorophenylethylamine chloride(F-PEA)at the NiO_(x)/perovskite and perovskite/C60 interfaces,respectively.The functional Sn(OTF)_(2)not only enhances the conductivity of NiO_(x)films but also suppresses ion migration,while inducing the formation of a Pb-Sn mixed perovskite interlayer that precisely regulates the energy level at the NiO_(x)/perovskite interface.Complementally,F-PEA post-treatment effectively converts surface residual PbI_(2)clusters into a 2D perovskite capping layer,which simultaneously passivates surface defects and enhances energy-level alignment at the perovskite/C60 interface.Consequently,the optimized NiO_(x)-based TSP p-i-n PSCs achieve a notable PCE of 25.6%with superior operational stability.This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms limiting the efficiency of TSP p-i-n PSCs,while establishing design principles for these devices targeting 26%efficiency.展开更多
Rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur(M-S)batteries,including Li/Na/K-S chemistries,have the potential to utilize abundant and low-cost sulfur cathodes yet offer high theoretical energy densities.However,their practical el...Rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur(M-S)batteries,including Li/Na/K-S chemistries,have the potential to utilize abundant and low-cost sulfur cathodes yet offer high theoretical energy densities.However,their practical electrochemical performance is fundamentally limited by the polysulfide shuttle effect.This challenge is particularly exacerbated in Na-S and K-S systems owing to larger metal-ion radii,weaker solvation energies,slower redox kinetics,and greater electrolyte-electrode incompatibilities compared to Li-S batteries.This review presents a comparative analysis of interface engineering strategies designed to suppress the shuttle effect across these three systems.Following a summary of sulfur cathode properties and reaction mechanisms,we systematically examine the origins of polysulfide shuttling.Our analysis progresses from functional separator design and interlayer enhancements to the implementation of solid-state electrolytes for root-cause inhibition.By evaluating interface engineering research specific to Na-S and K-S batteries,we elucidate both shared principles and unique challenges inherent to alkali M-S systems.Finally,we propose multifaceted solutions to achieve shuttlefree operation and enhance overall battery performance,thereby establishing a foundation for future advancements.展开更多
The osteochondral(OC)interface exhibits a mineral gradient,varying in thickness by several hundred micrometers across different species.Disruptions in this interface damage OC tissues,leading to osteoarthritis.The nat...The osteochondral(OC)interface exhibits a mineral gradient,varying in thickness by several hundred micrometers across different species.Disruptions in this interface damage OC tissues,leading to osteoarthritis.The natural architecture and composition of native OC interfaces can be replicated using biomaterial scaffolds via regenerative engineering approaches.A novel one-step bioextrusion process was employed to fabricate a unitary synthetic graft(USG),which mimics the native OC interface’s mineral concentration gradient.This novel USG is composed of an agarose-based cartilage layer and a bone layer,consisting of agarose enriched with 20%(200 g/L)hydroxyapatite.The USG features a gradient interface with mineral concentrations transitioning from 0%to 20%(mass fraction),mimicking the transition between the cartilage and bone.Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the gradient transition lengths of the graft and native OC tissue harvested from bovine knees were similar((647±21)vs.(633±124)μm).The linear viscoelastic properties of the grafts,which were evaluated using strain sweep and frequency sweep tests with oscillatory shear,indicated a dominant storage modulus over loss modulus similar to that of native OC tissues.The compressive and stress relaxation behaviors of the USGs demonstrated that the graft maintained structural integrity under mechanical stress.Viability assays performed after bioextrusion showed that chondrocytes and human fetal osteoblast cells successfully integrated and survived within their designated regions of the graft.The novel USGs exhibit properties similar to native OC tissue and are promising candidates for regenerating OC defects and restoring knee joint functionality.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62004051)the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang province(No.LH2020F013)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Fund(No.2020M670909)the Heilongjiang Postdoctoral Science Fund(No.LBH-Z19017)。
文摘Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)catalytic electrodes under actual working conditions show interesting mass transfer behaviors at solid(electrode)/liquid(electrolyte)/gas(hydrogen)three-phase interfaces.These behaviors are essential for forming a continuous and effective physical contact region between the electrolyte and the electrode and require further detailed understanding.Here,a case study on 1 T-2 H phase molybdenum disulfide(Mo S_(2))/carbon fiber paper(CFP)catalytic electrodes is performed.Rapid gas-liquid mass transfer at the interface for enhancing the working area stability and capillarity for increasing the electrode working area is found.The real scenario,wherein the energy utilization efficiency of the as-prepared non-noble metal catalytic electrode exceeds that of the noble metal catalytic electrode,is disclosed.Specifically,a fluid dynamics model is developed to investigate the behavior mechanism of hydrogen bubbles from generation to desorption on the catalytic electrode surface with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.These new insights and theoretical evidence on the non-negligible three-phase interface behaviors will identify opportunities and motivate future research in high-efficiency,stability,and low-cost HER catalytic electrode development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20332,52103226,52202275,52203314,and 12204253)the Distinguished Young Scholars Fund of Jiangsu Province(BK20220061)the Fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2021 M702382)。
文摘As an alternative to conventional energy conversion and storage reactions,gas-involved electrochemical reactions,including the carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR),nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),have become an emerging research direction and have gained increasing attention due to their advantages of environmental friendliness and sustainability.Various studies have been designed to accelerate sluggish kinetics but with limited results.Most of them promote the reaction by modulating the intrinsic properties of the catalyst,ignoring the synergistic effect of the reaction as a whole.Due to the introduction of gas,traditional liquid-solid two-phase reactions are no longer applicable to future research.Since gas-involved electrochemical reactions mostly occur at the junctions of gaseous reactants,liquid electrolytes and solid catalysts,the focus of future research on reaction kinetics should gradually shift to three-phase reaction interfaces.In this review,we briefly introduce the formation and constraints of the three-phase interface and propose three criteria to judge its merit,namely,the active site,mass diffusion and electron mass transfer.Subsequently,a series of modulation methods and relevant works are discussed in detail from the three improvement directions of‘exposing more active sites,promoting mass diffusion and accelerating electron transfer’.Definitively,we provide farsighted insights into the understanding and research of three-phase interfaces in the future and point out the possible development direction of future regulatory methods,hoping that this review can broaden the future applications of the three-phase interface,including but not limited to gas-involved electrochemical reactions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22309197,22279124,and 52261145700)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2022ZD30).
文摘The use of seawater-based electrolytes in zinc-air batteries(S-ZABs)presents significant economic and social benefits and mitigates the demand for scarce freshwater resources.However,it is challenging to achieve a metal^(-)nitrogen-carbon(M-N-C)catalyst that exhibits high resistance to corrosive Cl^(-)in seawater-based electrolytes and possesses a strengthened binding affinity with O_(2),which enables catalysts with an optimized oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and enhances the applicability of S-ZABs.Herein,we propose a combined wet chemistry-pyrolysis strategy to obtain atomically dispersed Fe-decorated nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres(N-MCS-Fe-900).Benefiting from the capacity of the Fe decorations to form the edge-hosted aerophilic FeN_(4)-O_(2)sites at the optimized three-phase interface,N-MCS-Fe-900 affords the enhanced resistance of the active Fe sites to corrosive Cl^(-),as well as improved interaction with O_(2),thereby facilitating the ORR process.As expected,the N-MCS-Fe-900 delivers high half wave potential of 0.90 V and kinetic current density of 18.61 mA cm^(-2)at 0.85 V in seawater-based 0.1 M KOH.More importantly,the S-ZABs equipped with N-MCS-Fe-900 exhibited long-term stability under a high current density for over 140 h without voltage decay.Theoretical calculations and electrochemical performance evaluations collectively revealed the superior catalytic efficacy and genesis of this activity in N-MCS-Fe-900,which features edge-hosted FeN_(4)-O_(2)sites at the stable three-phase interface in seawater electrolytes.This study provides new insights for the advancement of ORR catalysts in sustainable energy conversion technologies for seawater-based electrolytes.
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(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.
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.
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supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52422205,52403154)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFB3811303)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(2026NSFSCZY0103,2026NSFSC1406)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(GZC20230383)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2025M770159)。
文摘Flexible energy storage and harvesting devices,as core components of the flexible electronic system,have driven the transformation of electronic system from“external power supply”to“self-powering”and from“fixed forms”to“adaptive configurations”,thus playing an important role in the advancement of wearable technology,the internet of things,and other related fields.MXenes,a class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides,nitrides,and carbonitrides,emerge as promising candidates for flexible energy storage and harvesting devices,attributed to their excellent conductivity,mechanical flexibility,and tunable interfacial characteristics.Specifically,the interfacial characteristics of MXenes,including surface energy,surface terminations,and interlayer spacing,have a decisive influence on the performance of MXene-based energy devices.This review summarizes the influence of microcosmic interfacial characteristics on macroscopic properties,the interfacial regulation strategies,and applications in flexible energy storage and harvesting of MXenes,concluding with current challenges and perspectives to guide the design of high-performance MXene-based energy devices.
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 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.
基金supported by Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research, China (No. 2020B0301030006)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (No. SWU-XDJH202313)+1 种基金Chongqing Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project, China (No. 2112012728014435)the Chongqing Postgraduate Research and Innovation Project, China (No. CYS23197)。
文摘A new method was proposed for preparing AZ31/1060 composite plates with a corrugated interface,which involved cold-pressing a corrugated surface on the Al plate and then hot-pressing the assembled Mg/Al plate.The results show that cold-pressing produces intense plastic deformation near the corrugated surface of the Al plate,which promotes dynamic recrystallization of the Al substrate near the interface during the subsequent hot-pressing.In addition,the initial corrugation on the surface of the Al plate also changes the local stress state near the interface during hot pressing,which has a large effect on the texture components of the substrates near the corrugated interface.The construction of the corrugated interface can greatly enhance the shear strength by 2−4 times due to the increased contact area and the strong“mechanical gearing”effect.Moreover,the mechanical properties are largely depended on the orientation relationship between corrugated direction and loading direction.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(62504130)National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFB0704100)+1 种基金the Key university laboratory of highly efficient utilization of solar energy and sustainable development of Guangdong(Y01256331)the Technology Development Project of Henan Province(252102240047).
文摘Two-step-processed(TSP)inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells(PSCs)have demonstrated significant promise in tandem applications.However,the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of TSP p-i-n PSCs rarely exceeds 24%.Here,we demonstrate that TSP perovskite films exhibit a vertically gradient distribution of residual PbI_(2)clusters,which form Schottky heterojunctions with the perovskite,leading to substantial interfacial energy-level mismatches within NiO_(x)-based TSP p-i-n PSCs.These limitations were effectively addressed via a vertical interfacial engineering enabled by dual-interface modification incorporating tin trifluoromethanesulfonate(Sn(OTF)_(2))and 4-Fluorophenylethylamine chloride(F-PEA)at the NiO_(x)/perovskite and perovskite/C60 interfaces,respectively.The functional Sn(OTF)_(2)not only enhances the conductivity of NiO_(x)films but also suppresses ion migration,while inducing the formation of a Pb-Sn mixed perovskite interlayer that precisely regulates the energy level at the NiO_(x)/perovskite interface.Complementally,F-PEA post-treatment effectively converts surface residual PbI_(2)clusters into a 2D perovskite capping layer,which simultaneously passivates surface defects and enhances energy-level alignment at the perovskite/C60 interface.Consequently,the optimized NiO_(x)-based TSP p-i-n PSCs achieve a notable PCE of 25.6%with superior operational stability.This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms limiting the efficiency of TSP p-i-n PSCs,while establishing design principles for these devices targeting 26%efficiency.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52371131)the 10th Youth Talent Lifting Project of the China Association for Science and Technology.
文摘Rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur(M-S)batteries,including Li/Na/K-S chemistries,have the potential to utilize abundant and low-cost sulfur cathodes yet offer high theoretical energy densities.However,their practical electrochemical performance is fundamentally limited by the polysulfide shuttle effect.This challenge is particularly exacerbated in Na-S and K-S systems owing to larger metal-ion radii,weaker solvation energies,slower redox kinetics,and greater electrolyte-electrode incompatibilities compared to Li-S batteries.This review presents a comparative analysis of interface engineering strategies designed to suppress the shuttle effect across these three systems.Following a summary of sulfur cathode properties and reaction mechanisms,we systematically examine the origins of polysulfide shuttling.Our analysis progresses from functional separator design and interlayer enhancements to the implementation of solid-state electrolytes for root-cause inhibition.By evaluating interface engineering research specific to Na-S and K-S batteries,we elucidate both shared principles and unique challenges inherent to alkali M-S systems.Finally,we propose multifaceted solutions to achieve shuttlefree operation and enhance overall battery performance,thereby establishing a foundation for future advancements.
基金supported by the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences of Nazarbayev University,Astana,Kazakhstan(to CE)。
文摘The osteochondral(OC)interface exhibits a mineral gradient,varying in thickness by several hundred micrometers across different species.Disruptions in this interface damage OC tissues,leading to osteoarthritis.The natural architecture and composition of native OC interfaces can be replicated using biomaterial scaffolds via regenerative engineering approaches.A novel one-step bioextrusion process was employed to fabricate a unitary synthetic graft(USG),which mimics the native OC interface’s mineral concentration gradient.This novel USG is composed of an agarose-based cartilage layer and a bone layer,consisting of agarose enriched with 20%(200 g/L)hydroxyapatite.The USG features a gradient interface with mineral concentrations transitioning from 0%to 20%(mass fraction),mimicking the transition between the cartilage and bone.Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the gradient transition lengths of the graft and native OC tissue harvested from bovine knees were similar((647±21)vs.(633±124)μm).The linear viscoelastic properties of the grafts,which were evaluated using strain sweep and frequency sweep tests with oscillatory shear,indicated a dominant storage modulus over loss modulus similar to that of native OC tissues.The compressive and stress relaxation behaviors of the USGs demonstrated that the graft maintained structural integrity under mechanical stress.Viability assays performed after bioextrusion showed that chondrocytes and human fetal osteoblast cells successfully integrated and survived within their designated regions of the graft.The novel USGs exhibit properties similar to native OC tissue and are promising candidates for regenerating OC defects and restoring knee joint functionality.
