Featured
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| Open AccessBuilding and identifying highly active oxygenated groups in carbon materials for oxygen reduction to H2O2
The identity of catalytic sites for H2O2 generation in carbon-based materials remains controversial with limited experimental evidence to date. Here, the authors decorate various target functional groups on carbon materials and quinone-enriched samples exhibit the highest activity and selectivity.
- Gao-Feng Han
- , Feng Li
- & Jong-Beom Baek
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Article
| Open AccessA chemically self-charging aqueous zinc-ion battery
Self-charging power systems integrating energy generation and storage are receiving consideration attention. Here the authors report an aqueous Zn-ion battery that can be self-recharged by the spontaneous redox reaction between cathode and oxygen from ambient environment without external power supply.
- Yan Zhang
- , Fang Wan
- & Jun Chen
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Article
| Open AccessLattice distortion induced internal electric field in TiO2 photoelectrode for efficient charge separation and transfer
The driving force for charge transfer in photoelectrochemical systems is typically derived from band bending at a surface-electrolyte interface. In this work, battery-type lithiation of TiO2 generates a built-in electric field in the bulk material, giving a 750% enhancement in photocurrent density.
- Yuxiang Hu
- , Yuanyuan Pan
- & Lianzhou Wang
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Article
| Open AccessPromoting H2O2 production via 2-electron oxygen reduction by coordinating partially oxidized Pd with defect carbon
Electrocatalysts which deliver high selectivity for two-electron oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide in acidic media are sought to replace the conventional anthraquinone process. Here, the authors develop partially oxidised palladium clusters on carbon nanotubes with near 100% selectivity.
- Qiaowan Chang
- , Pu Zhang
- & Zheng Chen
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Article
| Open AccessExciton diffusion in two-dimensional metal-halide perovskites
The so-called two-dimensional (2D) layered perovskites possess distinct optoelectronic properties from their 3D counterparts due to their reduced dimensionality. Here Seitz et al. investigate the exciton transport dynamics in 2D perovskites and highlight the impact of the stiffness of the lattice.
- Michael Seitz
- , Alvaro J. Magdaleno
- & Ferry Prins
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Article
| Open AccessConfining H3PO4 network in covalent organic frameworks enables proton super flow
Development of porous proton-transporting materials combining stability and high performance has remained a challenge. Here, the authors report a stable covalent organic framework with excellent proton conductivity in which nitrogen sites on pore walls confine and stabilize a H3PO4 network in the channels via hydrogen-bonding interactions.
- Shanshan Tao
- , Lipeng Zhai
- & Donglin Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessVoltage- and time-dependent valence state transition in cobalt oxide catalysts during the oxygen evolution reaction
Determining catalyst electronic structures during electrochemical reactions is crucial to understand mechanisms. Here authors perform in operando soft X-ray spectroscopy on a cobalt oxide catalyst during O2 evolution and observe voltage and time-dependent valence state transitions.
- Jing Zhou
- , Linjuan Zhang
- & Zhiwei Hu
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Article
| Open AccessDirect evidence of boosted oxygen evolution over perovskite by enhanced lattice oxygen participation
While water splitting provides a renewable means to store energy, the sluggish O2 evolution half-reaction limits applications. Here, authors examine a silicon-incorporated strontium cobaltite perovskite and correlate lattice oxygen participation in O2 evolution to the oxygen ion diffusivity.
- Yangli Pan
- , Xiaomin Xu
- & Zongping Shao
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Article
| Open AccessRecord thermopower found in an IrMn-based spintronic stack
Antiferromagnetic materials are potentially useful for spintronic applications. Here, the authors report high thermoelectric power value of 390 μV/K Seebeck coefficient in IrMn-based half magnetic tunnel junctions at room temperature.
- Sa Tu
- , Timothy Ziman
- & Haiming Yu
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Article
| Open AccessSynthesis of high-entropy alloy nanoparticles on supports by the fast moving bed pyrolysis
The large-scale application of extremely small, high-entropy alloy nanoparticles is limited by the phase separation and immobilization. Here, the authors develop a general method of fast-moving bed pyrolysis, uniformly dispersing high-entropy alloy nanoparticles on various granular supports.
- Shaojie Gao
- , Shaoyun Hao
- & Jun Lu
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-sustainable protonic ceramic electrochemical cells using a triple conducting electrode for hydrogen and power production
While producing renewable fuel is crucial for a sustainable energy economy, there is still a need for active and durable materials capable of efficient fuel generation and utilization. Here, authors demonstrate a triple-conductive oxide as an oxygen electrode for H2 or electricity production.
- Hanping Ding
- , Wei Wu
- & Dong Ding
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Article
| Open AccessHydrogen migration at restructuring palladium–silver oxide boundaries dramatically enhances reduction rate of silver oxide
Species migration across interfacial boundaries can affect the function of bimetallic catalysts. Here the authors report that palladium oxide drives the reduction of silver oxide by facilitating molecular hydrogen dissociation and migration of hydrogen atoms across the Pd–Ag interface with concurrent surface restructuring.
- Christopher R. O’Connor
- , Matthijs A. van Spronsen
- & Cynthia M. Friend
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Article
| Open AccessManipulating dehydrogenation kinetics through dual-doping Co3N electrode enables highly efficient hydrazine oxidation assisting self-powered H2 production
While facile hydrazine oxidation could replace the sluggish H2O oxidation reaction in renewable H2 production, few bifunctional catalysts exist. Here, authors explore a dual-doping strategy for Co3N nanowires that bestows bifunctionality toward both hydrazine oxidation and H2 evolution catalysis.
- Yi Liu
- , Jihua Zhang
- & Genqiang Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-atom-layer traps in a solid electrolyte for lithium batteries
High ionic conductivity in solid electrolytes is dependent on the existence of features that interrupt the periodic nature of host materials. Here, the authors enrich the defect chemistry in a typical Li-ion conductor, reporting atom-thick planar defects that form closed loops and trap mobile species.
- Feng Zhu
- , Md Shafiqul Islam
- & Cheng Ma
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Article
| Open AccessCircumventing huge volume strain in alloy anodes of lithium batteries
Alloy anode materials in lithium batteries usually suffer from fatal structural degradation due to the large volume change during cycling. Here the authors report a design in which Al foil serves as both anode and current collector to circumvent the strain.
- Hongyi Li
- , Takitaro Yamaguchi
- & Tetsu Ichitsubo
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Article
| Open AccessMetal chloride perovskite thin film based interfacial layer for shielding lithium metal from liquid electrolyte
Metal halide perovskite is well-known for the high absorption coefficient; however, its Li-ion transport property remains poorly explored. Here the authors coat an ion conducting metal chloride perovskite interfacial layer on the Li metal anode, enabling good battery performance.
- Yi-Chen Yin
- , Qian Wang
- & Hong-Bin Yao
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Article
| Open AccessExamining the surface evolution of LaTiOxNy an oxynitride solar water splitting photocatalyst
While solar-driven water splitting may afford a renewable means to harvest energy, it is essential to understand how photocatalysts transform during catalysis. Here, authors study LaTiOxNy films by surface-sensitive techniques before and after photoelectrochemical water splitting.
- Craig Lawley
- , Maarten Nachtegaal
- & Thomas Lippert
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Article
| Open AccessHighly efficient electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide on a superhydrophobic three-phase interface by natural air diffusion
H2O2 electrosynthesis has garnered great attention as a green alternative to the anthraquinone process. Here the authors propose a cost-effective cathode to greatly improve the O2 diffusion coefficient, resulting in a high H2O2 production without the need for aeration.
- Qizhan Zhang
- , Minghua Zhou
- & Xuedong Du
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Article
| Open AccessApproaching the activity limit of CoSe2 for oxygen evolution via Fe doping and Co vacancy
While electronic-structure engineering lies at the heart of catalyst design, most previous studies utilize only one technique to tune the electronic states. Here, authors demonstrate that Fe doping and Co vacancy work synergistically to approach the activity limit of CoSe2 for oxygen evolution reaction.
- Yuhai Dou
- , Chun-Ting He
- & Huijun Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessA solution-processable and ultra-permeable conjugated microporous thermoset for selective hydrogen separation
Rigidity, as seen in crosslinked polymers, and plastic processability are mutually exclusive properties. Here, the authors prepare a solution-processable conjugated microporous thermoset with permanent pores and demonstrate its application as a two-dimensional molecular sieving membrane for hydrogen separation.
- Wei Liu
- , Shu-Dong Jiang
- & Kian Ping Loh
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Article
| Open AccessLamella-nanostructured eutectic zinc–aluminum alloys as reversible and dendrite-free anodes for aqueous rechargeable batteries
Aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries are attractive energy storage devices, but their wide adoption is impeded by the irreversible metallic Zn anode. Here the authors report lamellar-nanostructured eutectic Zn/Al alloys as reversible and dendrite-free anodes for improved battery performance.
- Sheng-Bo Wang
- , Qing Ran
- & Qing Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessAtomically dispersed cobalt catalyst anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets for lithium-oxygen batteries
The performance of Li-O2 batteries is largely determined by the oxygen electrocatalytic reactions at the cathode. Here, the authors report cobalt single-atom catalysts anchored on carbon nanosheets. The design improves oxygen redox kinetics and enables good electrochemical performance.
- Peng Wang
- , Yingying Ren
- & Longwei Yin
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Article
| Open AccessUnveiling reductant chemistry in fabricating noble metal aerogels for superior oxygen evolution and ethanol oxidation
Non-efficient gelation methods for noble metal particles limit the development of the corresponding gel materials. Here the authors describe the role of reductants, unlocking ligand chemistry, and largely expanding the composition space of noble metal aerogels for high-performance electrocatalysis.
- Ran Du
- , Jinying Wang
- & Alexander Eychmüller
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Article
| Open AccessQuantifying contact status and the air-breakdown model of charge-excitation triboelectric nanogenerators to maximize charge density
Surface charge density is a key factor for developing high performance triboelectric nanogenerators. Herein, authors establish criteria to quantitatively evaluate the contact efficiency and air breakdown model on charge excitation triboelectric nanogenerators to maximize output charge density.
- Yike Liu
- , Wenlin Liu
- & Chenguo Hu
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Review Article
| Open AccessA reflection on lithium-ion battery cathode chemistry
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to a trio of pioneers of the modern lithium-ion battery. Here, Professor Arumugam Manthiram looks back at the evolution of cathode chemistry, discussing the three major categories of oxide cathode materials with an emphasis on the fundamental solid-state chemistry that has enabled these advances.
- Arumugam Manthiram
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Article
| Open AccessRegulating strain in perovskite thin films through charge-transport layers
Remnant tensile strain in the perovskite films induced in the thermal annealing step is a known source of material and device instabilities. Here Xue et al. use a thermal expandable hole transporting layer to compensate the strain and result in most stable wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells so far.
- Ding-Jiang Xue
- , Yi Hou
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessTitanium-based potassium-ion battery positive electrode with extraordinarily high redox potential
The Ti4+/Ti3+ redox couple is usually a good choice for anodes due to its low potential. Here, the authors show that the potential can be increased to nearly 4.0 V in KTiPO4F, which serves as a high-performance cathode for K-ion batteries.
- Stanislav S. Fedotov
- , Nikita D. Luchinin
- & Evgeny V. Antipov
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Article
| Open AccessLow-temperature paddlewheel effect in glassy solid electrolytes
Glasses are promising electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries; however, due to their amorphous structure, the ionic conduction mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, atomic-scale modeling reveals that lithium migration occurs via concerted hopping of Li-ions coupled to quasi-permanent rotations of tetrahedral anions.
- Jeffrey G. Smith
- & Donald J. Siegel
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular vibrations reduce the maximum achievable photovoltage in organic solar cells
A steep absorption edge is preferred for high performance solar cells, but is less common for organic solar cells (OSCs). Here Panhans et al. find that the absorption tails are dominated by zero point vibrations and are responsible for the lowering of the open-circuit voltage and the performance of OSCs.
- Michel Panhans
- , Sebastian Hutsch
- & Frank Ortmann
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessElectronic metal-support interactions in vacuum vs. electrolyte
- Tobias Binninger
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Article
| Open AccessTwo-dimensional gersiloxenes with tunable bandgap for photocatalytic H2 evolution and CO2 photoreduction to CO
Solar energy conversion may provide a renewable means to store energy as fuels, although there are a limited range of suitable photocatalysts. Here authors develop germanium and silicon based 2D materials with tunable bandgaps for high-performance photocatalytic water and CO2 reduction.
- Fulai Zhao
- , Yiyu Feng
- & Wei Feng
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Article
| Open AccessElastic conducting polymer composites in thermoelectric modules
Though deformable thermoelectric materials are desirable for integrating thermoelectric devices into wearable electronics, typical thermoelectric materials are too brittle for practical application. Here, the authors report a high-performance elastic composite for stretchable thermoelectric modules.
- Nara Kim
- , Samuel Lienemann
- & Klas Tybrandt
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Article
| Open AccessSynergistic electroreduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide on bimetallic layered conjugated metal-organic frameworks
Effective electrocatalyst is crucial in promoting CO2 reduction to address current energy/environmental issue. Here, the authors develop bimetallic layered two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic framework to synergistically and efficiently electro-catalyze CO2 to CO toward syngas synthesis.
- Haixia Zhong
- , Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl
- & Xinliang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessColossal oxygen vacancy formation at a fluorite-bixbyite interface
Oxygen vacancies can impart interesting properties in complex oxides, but specific architectures designed to create high-density oxygen vacancies are largely unknown. Here the authors report a fluorite-bixbyite nanobrush platform to tune interfacial oxygen and show that an atomically well-defined heterointerface can induce charge modulation.
- Dongkyu Lee
- , Xiang Gao
- & Ho Nyung Lee
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Article
| Open AccessCation insertion to break the activity/stability relationship for highly active oxygen evolution reaction catalyst
Renewable hydrogen production from water will require understanding and improving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on catalyst surfaces. Here, authors report α-Li2IrO3 to transform into a hydrated birnessite phase under OER conditions that exhibits enhanced OER performances and durabilities.
- Chunzhen Yang
- , Gwenaëlle Rousse
- & Alexis Grimaud
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Article
| Open AccessTin-graphene tubes as anodes for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities
Here the authors report a tin anode design by encapsulating tin nanoparticles in graphene tubes. The design exhibits high capacity, good rate performance and cycling stability. Pairing with NMC, the full cell delivers a volumetric energy density twice as high as that for the commercial cell.
- Runwei Mo
- , Xinyi Tan
- & Yunfeng Lu
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Article
| Open AccessInterlayer gap widened α-phase molybdenum trioxide as high-rate anodes for dual-ion-intercalation energy storage devices
The power/energy trade-off is a common feature seen in a Ragone plot for an electrochemical storage device. Here the authors approach this issue by showing water-incorporated α-MoO3 anodes with expanded interlayer gaps, which allow for the assembling of dual-ion energy storage devices.
- Minghao Yu
- , Hui Shao
- & Xinliang Feng
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Article
| Open AccessEnhanced optical path and electron diffusion length enable high-efficiency perovskite tandems
Metal-halide perovskite based tandem solar cells are appealing but making a high efficiency device is not trivial. Here Chen et al. increase the carrier collection in the perovskite layer and largely enhance the efficiency in tandem cells when combined with colloidal quantum dot or silicon layers.
- Bin Chen
- , Se-Woong Baek
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessRuthenium anchored on carbon nanotube electrocatalyst for hydrogen production with enhanced Faradaic efficiency
To efficiently produce pure and clean H2 through electrochemical processes, an efficient and durable catalyst is essential. Here, authors report ruthenium nanoparticles anchored on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as an efficient catalyst for H2 evolution in both acidic and alkaline media.
- Do Hyung Kweon
- , Mahmut Sait Okyay
- & Jong-Beom Baek
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Article
| Open AccessA fluoroxalate cathode material for potassium-ion batteries with ultra-long cyclability
The abundance and low cost of potassium makes potassium batteries a promising technology for large scale energy storage. Here the authors apply a previously known frustrated magnet, KFeC2O4F, as the cathode in which the unique structure and Fe2+/Fe3+ redox enable excellent cycling stability.
- Bifa Ji
- , Wenjiao Yao
- & Yongbing Tang
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Article
| Open AccessStructural evolution at the oxidative and reductive limits in the first electrochemical cycle of Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2
Practical application of high-energy-density lithium-rich materials remains a challenge due to issues including voltage fade and poor energy efficiency. Here the authors report a novel densified phase together with a trick to recover capacity in these materials that could help in curing their practical limitations.
- Wei Yin
- , Alexis Grimaud
- & Jean-Marie Tarascon
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Article
| Open AccessOxide-ion conduction in the Dion–Jacobson phase CsBi2Ti2NbO10−δ
Oxide ion conductors are an exciting class of materials with applications in various domains. Here, the authors show that Dion–Jacobson Phases are a structure supporting high O2− mobility. The bulk conductivity of CsBi2Ti2NbO10−δ even exceeds that of YSZ, offering new possibilities in electrolyte discovery.
- Wenrui Zhang
- , Kotaro Fujii
- & Masatomo Yashima
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Article
| Open AccessTailoring the separation properties of flexible metal-organic frameworks using mechanical pressure
Separation of gasses with similar physical and chemical properties can be energy demanding, and adsorption-based technologies may provide alternatives with lower energy consumption. Here, the authors show mechanical control of pore size aperture in flexible metal-organic frameworks for separation of gasses.
- Nicolas Chanut
- , Aziz Ghoufi
- & Philip L. Llewellyn
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Article
| Open AccessSimultaneous enhanced efficiency and thermal stability in organic solar cells from a polymer acceptor additive
Thermal instability is a critical bottleneck for bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Here Yang et al. use barely 1 wt% of a polymer acceptor as an additive to simultaneously improve the device efficiency and thermal stability of several state-of-the-art organic photovoltaic systems at high temperatures.
- Wenyan Yang
- , Zhenghui Luo
- & Jie Min
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Article
| Open AccessIntermolecular cascaded π-conjugation channels for electron delivery powering CO2 photoreduction
While conversion of CO2 to fuels may offer a bio-inspired means to renewably utilize fossil fuel emission, most materials demonstrate poor activities for CO2 reduction. Here, authors construct conjugated polymers that modulate photo-induced electron transfer to CO2 reduction catalysts.
- Shengyao Wang
- , Xiao Hai
- & Jinhua Ye
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Article
| Open AccessReactant friendly hydrogen evolution interface based on di-anionic MoS2 surface
H2 energy as an alternative to fossil fuels requires cost-effective catalysts with fast kinetics for splitting water. Here, authors design MoS2 materials with di-anionic surfaces to improve the electrocatalytic H2 evolution activities.
- Zhaoyan Luo
- , Hao Zhang
- & Junjie Ge
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Article
| Open AccessElucidating heterogeneous photocatalytic superiority of microporous porphyrin organic cage
The investigation on the catalytic properties of porous organic cages is still in an initial stage. Herein, the heterogeneous photocatalytic superiority of microporous porphyrin organic cage has been clearly elucidated due to unique cage-induced long triplet lifetime and porous structure.
- Chao Liu
- , Kunhui Liu
- & Jianzhuang Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessActivating low-temperature diesel oxidation by single-atom Pt on TiO2 nanowire array
Supported metal single-atom catalysts face challenges on both durability and practicality. Here, the authors demonstrate that a sustained 90% diesel oxidation conversion at ~160 oC is achieved by single-atom Pt on TiO2 nanowire-array integrated catalytic converter.
- Son Hoang
- , Yanbing Guo
- & Pu-Xian Gao
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular elucidating of an unusual growth mechanism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in confined space
Coke-induced catalyst deactivation draws increasing concerns in industrially catalytic processes. Here the authors provide a strategy integrating advanced mass spectroscopy and isotope labeling to uncover a cage-passing molecular route of coking species in molecular sieve catalysts.
- Nan Wang
- , Yuchun Zhi
- & Zhongmin Liu