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| Open Access4D imaging of lithium-batteries using correlative neutron and X-ray tomography with a virtual unrolling technique
The combination of X-ray and neutron CT enables 4D studies, i.e. to explore the evolution of 3D structures with time. Here the authors apply this approach to a Li-ion primary cell, revealing elsewhere unseen trends in the spatial distribution of performance aided by a new ‘unrolling’ methodology.
- Ralf F. Ziesche
- , Tobias Arlt
- & Paul R. Shearing
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| Open AccessSpatial quantification of dynamic inter and intra particle crystallographic heterogeneities within lithium ion electrodes
Dynamic chemical and structural heterogeneities within electrodes are known to lead to battery degradation and failure. Here, the authors show that X-ray diffraction computed tomography can be used to spatially quantify the dynamic crystallographic states of electrodes as they operate and degrade.
- Donal P. Finegan
- , Antonis Vamvakeros
- & Kandler Smith
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| Open AccessElectronic parameters in cobalt-based perovskite-type oxides as descriptors for chemocatalytic reactions
Design of efficient catalysts requires understanding the decisive electronic parameters for catalytic efficacy and their dependence on elemental composition. Here, the authors report covalency as suitable descriptor of perovskite-type transition metal oxides as chemo-catalysts.
- Johannes Simböck
- , M. Ghiasi
- & Regina Palkovits
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| Open AccessStabilizing lithium metal anode by octaphenyl polyoxyethylene-lithium complexation
Despite the large theoretical promise of Li metal anode, the dendrite growth poses a serious safety challenge. Here the authors address this issue by adding octaphenyl polyoxyethylene as an electrolyte additive which facilitates the formation of a dual-functional layer and excellent performance.
- Hongliu Dai
- , Xingxing Gu
- & Shuhui Sun
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Article
| Open AccessReversible interconversion between methanol-diamine and diamide for hydrogen storage based on manganese catalyzed (de)hydrogenation
The development of cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient catalysts for liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems is a significant goal. Herein, authors present a system based on manganese catalysis with a theoretical H2 capacity of 5.3 wt% and high selectivity for the dehydrogenation reaction.
- Zhihui Shao
- , Yang Li
- & Qiang Liu
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Article
| Open AccessStretchable fabric generates electric power from woven thermoelectric fibers
Despite recent advances in flexible thermoelectric generators for wearable devices, current designs are unable to efficiently harvest heat flowing from human body. Here, the authors report high thermoelectric performance and stretchability in interlocked fiber-based modules for wearable devices.
- Tingting Sun
- , Beiying Zhou
- & Gerald Jeffrey Snyder
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Article
| Open AccessTemplated growth of oriented layered hybrid perovskites on 3D-like perovskites
The orientation of layered perovskites plays a crucial role in their charge transport behavior and hence, the efficiency of related solar cells. Here, the authors find that preformed 3D-like perovskites can efficiently template the growth of layered perovskites and determine their orientation.
- Jifei Wang
- , Shiqiang Luo
- & Yongbo Yuan
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Article
| Open AccessObservation of persistent species temperature separation in inertial confinement fusion mixtures
The influence of contaminants is one of the factors hindering self-sustained thermonuclear burn in inertial confinement fusion. Here, the authors present evidence, through simulations and experiments, that contaminants do not fully reach thermal equilibrium, and thus their amount is usually underestimated.
- Brian M. Haines
- , R. C. Shah
- & D. W. Schmidt
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Article
| Open AccessHighly efficient three-dimensional solar evaporator for high salinity desalination by localized crystallization
Solar-driven water evaporation technology still faces main challenges of limited efficiency and salt fouling. Here the authors achieve high energy efficiency and evaporation rate under high salinity through an energy reutilizing strategy based on interfacial water film inhomogeneity on a biomimetic structure.
- Lei Wu
- , Zhichao Dong
- & Yanlin Song
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Article
| Open AccessBiomacromolecules enabled dendrite-free lithium metal battery and its origin revealed by cryo-electron microscopy
Inspired by the role of proteins in regulating eggshell mineralization, here Tao, Liu and colleagues apply trifluoroethanol modified eggshell membrane to combat lithium dendrite. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals that the growth along the most favored crystallographic direction is suppressed.
- Zhijin Ju
- , Jianwei Nai
- & Xinyong Tao
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Article
| Open AccessPt-O bond as an active site superior to Pt0 in hydrogen evolution reaction
While converting water to H2 with a catalyst offers a renewable means to produce carbon-neutral fuels, understanding the catalytic active sites has proven challenging. Here, authors show a structurally well-defined model complex with Pt-O bonding to enable efficient H2 evolution electrocatalysis.
- Fei-Yang Yu
- , Zhong-Ling Lang
- & Yang-Guang Li
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Article
| Open AccessSynergistic effect of quinary molten salts and ruthenium catalyst for high-power-density lithium-carbon dioxide cell
Lithium-carbon dioxide cells are challenging due to the sluggish electron transfer in the Lithium carbonate in aprotic electrolyte. Here, the authors report synergistic effect of molten salt electrolyte and Ruthenium catalyst to enhance the electrochemical performance of Lithium-carbon dioxide batteries
- Kyungeun Baek
- , Woo Cheol Jeon
- & Seok Ju Kang
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Article
| Open AccessBiological impact of lead from halide perovskites reveals the risk of introducing a safe threshold
Halide perovskites are promising for next generation photovoltaic technology but their environmental impact has not been fully evaluated. Here Li et al. show that the lead from perovskites is ten times more dangerous than lead-containing electronics while tin perovskites are much less bioavailable.
- Junming Li
- , Hai-Lei Cao
- & Antonio Abate
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| Open AccessAtomically dispersed Pt–N4 sites as efficient and selective electrocatalysts for the chlorine evolution reaction
Chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is a key electrochemical reaction for chemical, pulp, and paper industries, and water treatments. Here, the authors report that an atomically dispersed Pt−N4 site can catalyse CER with high activity and selectivity under a wide range of Cl– concentrations and pH.
- Taejung Lim
- , Gwan Yeong Jung
- & Sang Hoon Joo
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Article
| Open AccessCu2O photocathodes with band-tail states assisted hole transport for standalone solar water splitting
While solar-to-fuel conversion offers a promising technology to produce energy, device components can limit light absorption and reduce performances. Here, authors show copper thiocyanate to assist hole transport in photoelectrodes and enable a 4.55% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in tandem devices.
- Linfeng Pan
- , Yuhang Liu
- & Anders Hagfeldt
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| Open AccessNanoelectrode design from microminiaturized honeycomb monolith with ultrathin and stiff nanoscaffold for high-energy micro-supercapacitors
Micro-supercapacitors are promising energy storage systems to power the future electronic devices. Here, the authors utilize honeycomb alumina nanoscaffold as a nanostructuring platform to design nanoelectrodes and construct micro-supercapacitors with impressive performance.
- Zhendong Lei
- , Long Liu
- & Yong Lei
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient lateral-structure perovskite single crystal solar cells with high operational stability
Lateral-structured perovskite solar cells are easily integratable for large modules but suffer from less impressive efficiency compared to the sandwich-structured counterparts. Here Song et al. demonstrate stable and 11% efficiency devices under 1 Sun illumination by anode contact treatment.
- Yilong Song
- , Weihui Bi
- & Qingfeng Dong
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| Open AccessHighly efficient all-inorganic perovskite solar cells with suppressed non-radiative recombination by a Lewis base
There has been a hot competition to optimize the device performance for all-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Here Wang et al. employ a Lewis base molecule to suppresses the non-radiative recombination in the inverted device and achieve a champion efficiency of 16.1%.
- Jing Wang
- , Jie Zhang
- & Alex K. Y. Jen
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Article
| Open AccessLow cost satellite constellations for nearly continuous global coverage
Telecommunication, navigation and remote sensing services are highly dependent on how well satellites provide global coverage. Here the authors show a pair of four-satellite low-cost longer-life constellations that provide nearly continuous global coverage to support Earth observation.
- Lake A. Singh
- , William R. Whittecar
- & Patrick M. Reed
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| Open AccessSub-1.4eV bandgap inorganic perovskite solar cells with long-term stability
Current research focus on the perovskites solar cells (PSCs) is mainly limited to the lead-based ones with bandgaps above 1.5 eV. Here Hu et al. report efficient and stable inorganic tin-containing PSCs, opening doors to exploring abundant perovskite materials with bandgaps lower than 1.4 eV.
- Mingyu Hu
- , Min Chen
- & Yuanyuan Zhou
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| Open AccessCharge distribution guided by grain crystallographic orientations in polycrystalline battery materials
The authors here report on the influence of grain orientation on the charge distribution in polycrystalline materials for batteries. The quantitative characterization provides mechanistic insight into the way the grain orientation can be engineered to mitigate the charge heterogeneity.
- Zhengrui Xu
- , Zhisen Jiang
- & Feng Lin
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Article
| Open AccessMagneto-optical painting of heat current
Spin caloritronics offers advantages for the thermal management of spintronic devices. Here, the authors demonstrate that the direction of heat currents generated by spin-caloritronic phenomena can be changed by illuminating magnetic materials with visible light.
- Jian Wang
- , Yukiko K. Takahashi
- & Ken-ichi Uchida
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| Open AccessDouble layer charging driven carbon dioxide adsorption limits the rate of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction on Gold
Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a potential route to the sustainable production of valuable fuels and chemicals. In this joint experimental-theoretical work, the authors address the issue of the rate-limiting step on Gold and present insights from multi-scale simulations into the importance of the electric double layer on reaction kinetics and mass transport.
- Stefan Ringe
- , Carlos G. Morales-Guio
- & Karen Chan
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| Open AccessThin-film composite membrane breaking the trade-off between conductivity and selectivity for a flow battery
Low-cost flow batteries with high power density are promising for energy storage, but membranes with simultaneously high ion conductivity and selectivity should be developed. Here the authors report a thin-film composite membrane that breaks the trade-off between ion conductivity and selectivity.
- Qing Dai
- , Zhiqiang Liu
- & Xianfeng Li
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| Open AccessCryopolymerization enables anisotropic polyaniline hybrid hydrogels with superelasticity and highly deformation-tolerant electrochemical energy storage
Energy storage devices that can endure large and complex deformations are central to the development of wearable electronics. Here the authors present a cryopolymerization strategy for preparing an anisotropic polyvinyl alcohol/polyaniline hydrogel for flexible supercapacitor electrodes.
- Le Li
- , Yu Zhang
- & Tianxi Liu
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Article
| Open AccessFluorinated hybrid solid-electrolyte-interphase for dendrite-free lithium deposition
Here the authors report a simple method to create a solid electrolyte interphase that is tightly anchored onto the surface of lithium metal anode. This artificial structure suppresses dead and dendrite Li and stores Li via formation of alloys, enabling impressive battery performance.
- Rajesh Pathak
- , Ke Chen
- & Qiquan (Quinn) Qiao
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Article
| Open AccessConjunction of triboelectric nanogenerator with induction coils as wireless power sources and self-powered wireless sensors
Renewable energy based wireless power transfer is challenging. Here the authors show a resonant-coupled triboelectric nanogenerator as a wireless power source and have further utilized this system to explore two fully self-powered wireless chipless sensors.
- Chi Zhang
- , Jinkai Chen
- & Zhong Lin Wang
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| Open AccessAn ultrathin ionomer interphase for high efficiency lithium anode in carbonate based electrolyte
The authors here report an ultrathin ionomer membrane as an artificial solid-electrolyte interphase filter that minimizes parasitic reactions and enables stable dendrite-free lithium plating-stripping cycles in a carbonate-based electrolyte. The protected anodes exhibit outstanding coulombic efficiencies at room and elevated (50 °C) temperatures.
- Yu-Ting Weng
- , Hao-Wen Liu
- & Nae-Lih Wu
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| Open AccessPlatinum–copper single atom alloy catalysts with high performance towards glycerol hydrogenolysis
Selective hydrogenolysis of biomass glycerol to propanediol is a promising route for the production of high-value chemicals but remains a challenge. Here, the authors find a PtCu single atom alloy catalyst exhibits remarkably boosted performance with a turnover frequency value of 2.6 × 103 molglycerol·molPtCu–SAA−1·h−1.
- Xi Zhang
- , Guoqing Cui
- & Min Wei
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| Open AccessRETRACTED ARTICLE: Colloidal silver diphosphide (AgP2) nanocrystals as low overpotential catalysts for CO2 reduction to tunable syngas
Conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals by use of renewable energy is promising to achieve a carbon-neutral energy cycle. Here, the authors show that AgP2 is a stable, selective and efficient syngas catalyst for solar-to-fuel conversion with a 3-fold lower overpotential compared to the benchmark Ag catalyst.
- Hui Li
- , Peng Wen
- & Scott M. Geyer
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient sky-blue perovskite light-emitting diodes via photoluminescence enhancement
Despite the rapid progress on perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs), the efficiency of blue PeLEDs is lagging behind. Here Wang et al. employ yttrium (III) chloride additive to yield enhanced photoluminescence in the perovskite materials and thus record high device efficiencies for sky-blue and blue PeLEDs.
- Qi Wang
- , Xiaoming Wang
- & Jinsong Huang
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of imploded core heating via fast electrons with super-penetration scheme
Fast ignition is an interesting scheme for nuclear fusion reaction. Here the authors show electron generation using intense short laser pulses and energy transport by coupling the laser energy to the imploded plasma core as in the ICF conditions.
- T. Gong
- , H. Habara
- & K. A. Tanaka
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Article
| Open AccessSupremely elastic gel polymer electrolyte enables a reliable electrode structure for silicon-based anodes
Silicon-based anodes must maintain the electrode structure to fulfil their potential. Here the authors report the use of a supremely elastic gel polymer electrolyte to stabilize such anodes at electrode and particle levels, enabling superior battery performance with a commercial-level capacity.
- Qingquan Huang
- , Jiangxuan Song
- & Donghai Wang
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| Open AccessAll-fiber tribo-ferroelectric synergistic electronics with high thermal-moisture stability and comfortability
Though triboelectric technology is attractive for designing next-generation electronic textiles, current devices do not meet performance requirements. Here, the authors report all-fiber e-textiles featuring a triboelectric/ferroelectric synergistic effect for optimizing performance and wearability.
- Weifeng Yang
- , Wei Gong
- & Hongzhi Wang
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| Open AccessNear 100% CO selectivity in nanoscaled iron-based oxygen carriers for chemical looping methane partial oxidation
Chemical looping methane partial oxidation is an effective technology to produce syngas with a minimal energy penalty. Here, the authors design and develop a mesoporous silica supported nanoparticle oxygen carrier that enables a near 100% CO generation with high recyclability and substantially lower operating temperature.
- Yan Liu
- , Lang Qin
- & Liang-Shih Fan
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Article
| Open AccessCarrier multiplication in van der Waals layered transition metal dichalcogenides
During carrier multiplication, high-energy free carriers in a given material relax by generation of additional electron-hole pairs. Here, the authors report evidence of carrier multiplication in multilayer MoTe2 and WSe2 films with up to 99% conversation efficiency.
- Ji-Hee Kim
- , Matthew R. Bergren
- & Young Hee Lee
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| Open AccessEfficient upgrading of CO to C3 fuel using asymmetric C-C coupling active sites
Catalysts for CO electroreduction have focused on Cu, and their main products have been C2 chemicals. Here authors use the concept of asymmetric active sites to develop a class of doped Cu catalysts for C-C coupling, delivering record selectivity to n-propanol.
- Xue Wang
- , Ziyun Wang
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessNanocomposite electrodes for high current density over 3 A cm−2 in solid oxide electrolysis cells
High-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells are a promising technology for energy conversion, but higher current density is needed to increase efficiency. Here the authors design nanocomposite electrodes to improve electronic and ionic conductivity to achieve a high current density.
- Hiroyuki Shimada
- , Toshiaki Yamaguchi
- & Yoshinobu Fujishiro
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Article
| Open AccessDecoupling of mechanical properties and ionic conductivity in supramolecular lithium ion conductors
Typically, ion conducting polymers exhibit a trade-off between mechanical robustness and ionic conducting performance. Here, the authors utilize supramolecular chemistry obtaining extremely tough electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and enabling stretchable lithium-ion batteries.
- David G. Mackanic
- , Xuzhou Yan
- & Zhenan Bao
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Article
| Open AccessZinc anode-compatible in-situ solid electrolyte interphase via cation solvation modulation
Zinc chemistry is not favourable to the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase as a result of its high redox potential. In a break with the traditional wisdom, the present authors realise ZnF2-rich hybrid SEI on Zn anode via the modulation of cationic speciation in a eutectic electrolyte.
- Huayu Qiu
- , Xiaofan Du
- & Guanglei Cui
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Article
| Open AccessNickel-molybdenum nitride nanoplate electrocatalysts for concurrent electrolytic hydrogen and formate productions
Hydrogen production by electrocatalytic water splitting is limited by the sluggish evolution kinetics of low value-oxygen. Here, authors show concurrent electrolytic productions of H2 and glycerol oxidation to formate by utilizing Ni-Mo-N/CFC electro-catalyst as both anodic and cathodic catalysts.
- Yan Li
- , Xinfa Wei
- & Mingyuan He
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Article
| Open AccessAn efficient and stable photoelectrochemical system with 9% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency via InGaP/GaAs double junction
Photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices with III-V semiconductors are efficient for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, but high costs and poor stability limit applications. Here, authors decouple light harvesting from electrolysis to enhance stability without compromising the efficiency.
- Purushothaman Varadhan
- , Hui-Chun Fu
- & Jr-Hau He
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Article
| Open AccessEnvironmental co-benefits and adverse side-effects of alternative power sector decarbonization strategies
There lacks a consistent and holistic evaluation of co-benefits of different mitigation pathways in studies on Integrated Assessment Models. Here the authors quantify environmental co-benefits and adverse side-effects of a portfolio of alternative power sector decarbonisation pathways and show that the scale of co-benefits as well as profiles of adverse side-effects depend strongly on technology choice.
- Gunnar Luderer
- , Michaja Pehl
- & Edgar G. Hertwich
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Article
| Open AccessGeneral technoeconomic analysis for electrochemical coproduction coupling carbon dioxide reduction with organic oxidation
Coupling of carbon dioxide reduction and organic oxidation is promising for sustainable chemicals production; however, economics are impacted by variations in product combinations and process design. Here the authors report technoeconomic analysis for a range of technologies and coproduction processes.
- Jonggeol Na
- , Bora Seo
- & Ung Lee
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Article
| Open AccessRoom temperature and low-field resonant enhancement of spin Seebeck effect in partially compensated magnets
The spin Seebeck effect (SSE) converts thermally induced magnetization dynamics in magnetic materials to spin currents, but is so far an inefficient process. Here, the authors achieved resonant enhancement of the SSE voltage 700% larger than previously observed in Y3Fe5O12 by tuning the magnon lifetime via doping in \({{\rm{Lu}}}_{2}{{\rm{BiFe}}}_{4}{{\rm{GaO}}}_{12}\).
- R. Ramos
- , T. Hioki
- & E. Saitoh
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Article
| Open AccessRoom-temperature direct synthesis of semi-conductive PbS nanocrystal inks for optoelectronic applications
Providing large-scale iodide capped semi-conductive PbS nanocrystals inks preparation for high-throughput manufacturing remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a direct one step and scalable synthesis method enabling cost reduction and promoting its commercial viability for solar cells.
- Yongjie Wang
- , Zeke Liu
- & Wanli Ma
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Article
| Open AccessUnassisted solar lignin valorisation using a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical cell
The effective valorisation of lignin is crucial for realizing a sustainable biorefinery. Here, the authors report that a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical design enables unassisted, selective, and stable solar lignin valorisation without the need for any additional bias or chemicals.
- Myohwa Ko
- , Le Thanh Mai Pham
- & Ji-Wook Jang
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| Open AccessA bio-inspired coordination polymer as outstanding water oxidation catalyst via second coordination sphere engineering
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process is very important for water oxidation catalysis. Here, the authors introduced uncoordinated carboxylate in the second-coordination-sphere of Ni-Fe coordination polymer catalyst as an internal base to promote the water oxidation kinetics by such PCET process.
- Wenlong Li
- , Fusheng Li
- & Licheng Sun
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Article
| Open AccessLithiophilic montmorillonite serves as lithium ion reservoir to facilitate uniform lithium deposition
The address one of the major challenges facing the lithium metal anode, here the authors use lithiophilic montmorillonite as an additive to the ether-based electrolyte to regulate the lithium ion concentration on the anode surface, facilitating uniform lithium deposition.
- Wei Chen
- , Yin Hu
- & Chenglin Yan