Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jianguo Sun, Tuo Wang, Yulin Gao, Zhenghui Pan, Runpeng Hu, John Wang
Summary: Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage, but there is a need for beyond lithium-ion batteries with higher energy density and lower cost. Lithium-sulfur batteries have been extensively pursued due to their high energy density, but poor cyclability remains a major challenge. This perspective examines the challenges and opportunities faced by lithium-sulfur batteries and proposes approaches at different levels to transform them into leading champions in the pursuit of beyond lithium-ion batteries. Suggestions for near-future research directions for both liquid and solid state lithium-sulfur batteries are also provided.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiabing Liu, Gaoran Li, Dan Luo, Jianhui Li, Xinyu Zhang, Qiang Li, Haipeng Li, Yongguang Zhang, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: In this study, a hierarchical and hollow nanoplate assembled by Fe-doped Co3O4 nanosheets (Fe-Co3O4 HHNPs) is designed as an advanced sulfur nanoreactor to overcome the challenges faced by lithium-sulfur batteries. The interlaced nanosheets establish a robust and porous network for fast charge transfer and efficient active site exposure. The heteroatomic Fe incorporation tailors the electronic structure, contributing to massive active sites that lower the energy barrier for sulfur conversions. The resulting sulfur adsorption and catalyzation endow the Li-S cells with high capacity retention and decent rate performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tiantian Li, Liuping Liang, Zhenyu Chen, Jinliang Zhu, Peikang Shen
Summary: In this study, MXene@CoSe2/NC heterostructured composites were synthesized by embedding CoSe2 nanoparticles onto the surface of N-doped carbon layered MXene hollow spheres. The composites exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance and excellent stability under large areal capacity.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenxu Dong, Cheng Zhou, Yan Li, Yongkun Yu, Tianhao Zhao, Ge Zhang, Xinhui Chen, Kaijian Yan, Liqiang Mai, Xu Xu
Summary: In this study, the problem of shuttle effect and sluggish redox reaction in Li-S batteries was successfully addressed by modifying polypropylene separators. The Li-S batteries showed admirable cycling stability and capacity even after 400 cycles of testing. Thus, this research provides a new approach for using single atom catalysts in Li-S batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Peng Wang, Yunhe Song, Zhenming Xu, Na Li, Jinfeng Sun, Bo Hong, Yanqing Lai
Summary: In this study, a strategy of preparing MoxC@NC was proposed to enhance the performance of Li-S batteries. The hollow structure of MoxC@NC can confine the active materials and facilitate the ion/electrolyte penetration, while the MoxC nanoparticles in the shell can suppress the shuttling effect of LiPSs. Moreover, the defective MoxC can catalytically accelerate the conversion of polysulfides, improving the redox kinetics of sulfur species.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wei Wang, Kai Xi, Bowen Li, Haojie Li, Sheng Liu, Jianan Wang, Hongyang Zhao, Huanglong Li, Amor M. Abdelkader, Xueping Gao, Guoran Li
Summary: The use of a multipurpose separator can address the aggregation of polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries, preventing the formation of dead sulfur and improving capacity. It shows promising performance in stability, flexibility, and sustainability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Minhui Li, Hui Wang, Xuyun Wang, Xianguo Ma, Jianwei Ren, Rongfang Wang
Summary: In this study, a FeCo/Fe3C-CNC composite was used as the cathode to address the poor cycling stability and capacity fading in lithium-sulfur batteries. The composite improved battery performance by tuning electronic structure, providing catalytic capability, and inhibiting shuttle effect. It exhibited a good specific capacity and low capacity fading rate, demonstrating its potential for application in lithium-sulfur batteries.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiabing Liu, Wanjie Gao, Xinyu Zhang, Jianhui Li, Qiang Li, Gaoran Li, Yongguang Zhang, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: This study develops a composite material based on Zr metal-organic frameworks and establishes an interweaved structure of ultrathin nanosheets and CNTs, which provides a porous and conductive network for fast charge transfer and active interface exposure. The composite material shows high initial capacity and excellent cycling stability, as well as decent electrochemical performance even under high sulfur loading.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xueqin Song, Da Tian, Yue Qiu, Xun Sun, Bo Jiang, Chenghao Zhao, Yu Zhang, Lishuang Fan, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: The study introduces topological insulator Bi2Te3 as an electrocatalyst to accelerate sulfur electrochemistry, improving the cyclability and rate capability of Li-S batteries. Bi2Te3 effectively anchors soluble sulfur species and enhances both sulfur reduction reactions and reverse processes, leading to impressive rate capability and low capacity decay in Li-S batteries.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liwei Liu, Yue Guo, Zhihao Qi, Yu Zeng, Xueyi Cheng, Lijun Yang, Qiang Wu, Xizhang Wang, Zheng Hu
Summary: By employing hollow cerium fluoride nanocages as the host material, the polysulfides shuttling and sluggish conversion kinetics in lithium-sulfur batteries can be effectively addressed, leading to improved capacity and rate capability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongyang Li, Guxian Chen, Kailong Zhang, Liangbiao Wang, Gaoran Li
Summary: In this study, chromium boride is developed as a sulfur electrocatalyst, enabling fast and efficient sulfur electrochemistry in lithium-sulfur batteries. The unique dual-sulphophilic mechanism of the chromium boride facilitates strong interactions with the intermediate polysulfides, leading to excellent cyclability, rate capability, and high-loading performances of Li-S batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nianxiang Shi, Baojuan Xi, Jie Liu, Zhengchunyu Zhang, Ning Song, Weihua Chen, Jinkui Feng, Shenglin Xiong
Summary: In this study, NbN nanocrystals immobilized on N-doped carbon nanosheets were used to functionalize a polypropylene (PP) membrane with a thin coating of only 4 μm. The results showed that the functional modifier layer exhibited excellent cycling stability and rate capacity in sulfur cells, and also induced homogeneous lithium deposition in Li//Li symmetric cells. The strong chemical interactions between NbN and lithium polysulfides played a key role in the good electrochemical performance, and the introduction of NbN catalytically accelerated the reaction kinetics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haodong Shi, Jieqiong Qin, Pengfei Lu, Cong Dong, Jian He, Xiujian Chou, Pratteek Das, Jiemin Wang, Liangzhu Zhang, Zhong-Shuai Wu
Summary: A novel twinborn holey Nb4N5-Nb2O5 heterostructure is designed as a dual-functional host for high-efficiency Li-S batteries, accelerating the redox reactions at the sulfur cathode and inhibiting dendrite growth at the lithium anode.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanfei Zhu, Gaoran Li, Dan Luo, Hui Wan, Ming Feng, Dingwang Yuan, Wangyu Hu, Zhaoqiang Li, Rui Gao, Zhen Zhang, Wenwen Liu, Matthew Li, Yaping Deng, Li Wang, Yongfeng Hu, Xiaohua Chen, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: This research explores the coordinative unsaturation in ferric hexacyanoferrate for improved lithium-sulfur batteries, demonstrating fast, stable, and efficient sulfur electrochemistry with good rate capability and excellent cyclic stability. The coordinatively unsaturated Fe sites offer higher adsorbability and conversion catalytic activity to polysulfides, enabling enhanced performance in Li-S batteries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingyue Cui, Jin Li, Yingjun Cai, Haitao Zhang, Suojiang Zhang
Summary: A high catalytic activity and high conductivity sulfur host material was introduced, utilizing intrinsic lattice defects and composite carbon structure. The material can catalyze sulfur chemistry, exhibit high cycling stability, and rate performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aosai Chen, Chenyang Zhao, Jiaze Gao, Zhikun Guo, Xingyuan Lu, Jiachi Zhang, Zeping Liu, Ming Wang, Nannan Liu, Lishuang Fan, Yu Zhang, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: The researchers developed a multifunctional coating called PVA@SR-ZnMoO4 on the Zn anode, which consists of an outer layer PVA@SR to enhance flexibility and Zn2+ mobility, and an inner layer ZnMoO4 to inhibit dendrite growth and side reactions. The cooperation between these layers improved the performance of the Zn anode.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xun Sun, Yue Qiu, Bo Jiang, Zhaoyu Chen, Chenghao Zhao, Hao Zhou, Li Yang, Lishuang Fan, Yu Zhang, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: In this study, an isolated Fe-Co heteronuclear diatomic catalyst is reported for high efficiency bifunctional catalysis in lithium-sulfur batteries. The Fe-Co diatomic catalytic materials supported by hollow carbon spheres achieve high-efficiency catalysis for the conversion of polysulfides and the decomposition of Li2S simultaneously. The excellent bifunctional catalytic activity originates from the diatomic synergy between Fe and Co atoms.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Shiru Le, Baozexi Yan, Yachun Mao, Dazhao Chi, Min Zhu, Hongyu Jia, Guangyu Zhao, Xiaodong Zhu, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: The study developed a nitrogen-doped layered delta-manganese dioxide coated on nitrogen-doped carbon cloth (N-CC@N-MnO2) as a cathode material for zinc-ion batteries. Nitrogen doping effectively improved the oxygen vacancy concentration in MnO2, leading to enhanced capacity storage and inhibition of manganese dissolution. N-CC@N-MnO2 exhibited a high capacity retention of 94.6% after 2000 cycles, compared to only 40.5% for the counterpart without nitrogen doping (CC@MnO2). Moreover, N-CC@N-MnO2 achieved a capacity of 402 mAh·g-1, while CC@MnO2 only achieved 163.2 mAh·g-1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Mu Su, Jiajie Mei, Gilberto de Oliveira Mendes, Da Tian, Limin Zhou, Shuijin Hu, Zhen Li
Summary: Red soils in subtropical regions are often deficient in available phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) can release phosphorus from phosphate reservoirs, but their interactions with minerals in red soils are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of Aspergillus niger, a phosphate-solubilizing fungus, on phosphorus dissolution in acidic and alkaline red soils. In the acidic soil, A. niger promoted phosphorus release and decreased the content of Fe/Al oxides. In the alkaline soil, phosphorus availability declined after A. niger addition due to the diminished function of PSMs and strong soil buffering.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Qizhong Xiong, Shaojie Wang, Xuewei Lu, Yating Xu, Lei Zhang, Xiaohui Chen, Gang Xu, Da Tian, Ligan Zhang, Jianyuan Jing, Xinxin Ye
Summary: Adding humic acid to phosphate fertilizer production can improve fertilizer efficiency and promote crop growth. This study investigates the chemical and biological mechanisms of humic-acid-added phosphate fertilizers. The results show that humic acid phosphate fertilizer forms phosphate esters and changes the soil microbial community structure, enhancing soil enzyme activity and nutrient absorption by plants.
Article
Agronomy
Yijun Huang, Liangliang Zhang, Shijia Yuan, Wenpei Liu, Chaochun Zhang, Da Tian, Xinxin Ye
Summary: In this study, the production of organic acid by Aspergillus niger (A. niger) under different lead (Pb) concentrations was investigated. A. niger showed high Pb tolerance and was able to produce oxalic acid even at 1500 mg/L Pb concentration. The formation of lead oxalate minerals played a key role in protecting A. niger from Pb toxicity. Moreover, the presence of Pb stimulated the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme and improved the production of oxalic acid by A. niger.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Da Tian, Xiaoru Zhang, Liyan Wang, Mingxue Han, Chaochun Zhang, Xinxin Ye
Summary: Lead (Pb) is a common heavy metal pollutant that poses a direct or indirect threat to human health. Apatite can immobilize Pb by forming pyromorphite (Pyro), but its effectiveness depends on the release of phosphorus (P). Phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) can secrete organic acid to enhance P release from apatite. This research reviews the potential pathway of strengthening Pb immobilization by PSF and apatite, while considering the limitations and promoting the development of these remediation technologies.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongxiang Shu, Yajun He, Guorong Ye, Xuyou Liu, Jiahuang Huang, Qinghui Zhang, Da Tian, Tengyan Wang, Jianchang Shu
Summary: Curcumin inhibits the activity and promotes apoptosis of LX-2 cells by suppressing autophagy through activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, lipid recovery and energy deprivation due to autophagy inhibition may be the mechanism by which curcumin attenuates the pro-fibrotic activity of LX-2.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Liyan Wang, Da Tian, Xiaoru Zhang, Mingxue Han, Xiaohui Cheng, Xinxin Ye, Chaochun Zhang, Hongjian Gao, Zhen Li
Summary: Phosphate-solubilizing fungi dissolve insoluble phosphates through organic acid secretion, with Penicillium chrysogenum showing higher efficiency in phosphorus release from tricalcium phosphate than from ferric phosphate. Ferric phosphate significantly increases oxalic acid and citric acid production by Penicillium chrysogenum and induces a transformation of its mycelial morphology from pellet to filamentous. The filamentous morphology exhibits higher efficiency in organic acid secretion and phosphorus release.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Runjie Zhang, Da Tian, Hongwei Wang, Xinyue Kang, Gang Wang, Lianman Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a model for evaluating the risk of compound dynamic disasters, which combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method (EWM) to address the issues of an imperfect evaluation index system and subjective index weight. The model's accuracy and weight were found to be better than traditional evaluation methods through statistical analysis of typical cases.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu Zhang, Yue Qiu, Lishuang Fan, Xun Sun, Bo Jiang, Maoxu Wang, Xian Wu, Da Tian, Xueqing Song, Xiaoju Yin, Yong Shuai, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: By constructing dual-atoms iron sites on nitrogen doped graphene, highly efficient catalysts for lithium sulfur batteries are achieved. The dual-atoms sites can firmly bind polysulfides, facilitating electron transfer and polysulfide activation, thereby improving the performance and cycle life of the batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Erlei Zhang, Huijie Tian, Meng Li, Shiru Le, Lijun Wu, Bingjiang Li, Lishuang Fan, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: MTC was added as an electrolyte additive in lithium metal batteries, forming solid electrolyte interfaces to protect both the anode and cathode. Additionally, MTC acted as a Lewis base to remove HF and prevent electrolyte deterioration. Therefore, appropriate addition of MTC can effectively enhance the electrochemical performance of lithium metal batteries.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenghao Zhao, Yang Huang, Bo Jiang, Zhaoyu Chen, Xianbo Yu, Xun Sun, Hao Zhou, Yu Zhang, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: This research introduces strain into MoS2 through a simple physical method and reveals the origin of strain effects in the reaction process of lithium-sulfur batteries. It provides important design principles and references for the rational design of high-performance catalytic materials in the future.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoming Bai, Guangyu Zhao, Guiye Yang, Ming Wang, Zhaoyu Chen, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: In this study, a high-activity titanium-oxygen cluster was used as a brazing filler to successfully braze LLZTO with a lithium anode into a whole unit, leading to a significant reduction in interfacial impedance and inhibition of lithium dendrite growth.
Review
Electrochemistry
Zhikun Guo, Lishuang Fan, Lijun Wu, Bingjiang Li, Naiqing Zhang
Summary: Zinc-ion battery is a popular research topic in the energy storage field due to its low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application of zinc as an anode is hindered by problems such as dendrites and hydrogen evolution on the surface. Constructing an artificial interface layer is a direct and effective method to protect the zinc anode, improving its cycle life and utilization. This review summarizes the progress and practical significance of artificial interfacial layers in terms of ion transport, inhibition of side reactions, and mechanical stability.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2023)
