Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Song Huang, Rong Tang, Xiaoqing Liu, Yufei Zhang, Yongchao Tang, Zhipeng Wen, Minghui Ye, Yang Yang, Cheng Chao Li
Summary: This study introduces a new interfacial layer (Zn@PFPA) to improve the cycling stability and electrochemical performance of aqueous Zn-metal batteries. The interfacial layer is able to rapidly replenish Zn2+ and eliminate concentration gradients, achieving non-dendritic and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping behaviors. Additionally, it has high electronegativity and hydrophobic properties, which reduce charge repulsion of detrimental anions and the presence of water, inhibiting the HER and by-product generation. Experimental results demonstrate the excellent performance of the interfacial layer under high current density and long-term cycling.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan Xu, Xinhua Zheng, Jifei Sun, Weiping Wang, Mingming Wang, Yuan Yuan, Mingyan Chuai, Na Chen, Hanlin Hu, Wei Chen
Summary: A nucleophilic interfacial layer (NIL) was developed to achieve a stable Zn anode for aqueous Zn batteries, resulting in improved performance and extended lifespan.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaxian Zheng, Zihao Huang, Fangwang Ming, Ye Zeng, Binbin Wei, Qiu Jiang, Zhengbing Qi, Zhoucheng Wang, Hanfeng Liang
Summary: In this review, the potential and issues of rechargeable zinc-ion batteries are discussed. The focus is on improving the surface and interface properties of the zinc anode through strategies such as designing and applying zinc anode supports and surface protective layers. Recent progress and promising research directions are also presented.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li Zeng, Jun He, Chenyu Yang, Dan Luo, Huaibo Yu, Hanna He, Chuhong Zhang
Summary: In this study, a direct 3D printing method was proposed for the first time to design a novel Ag-anchored hierarchical porous flexible Zn anode (3DP-ZA) to solve the issues of dendrite growth and poor deformation endurance in flexible Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs). The 3DP-ZA anode demonstrated excellent mechanical flexibility and structural stability through the interaction between the components in the ink and the 3D-printing customized macro holes. The introduced zincophilic Ag source and hierarchical porous structure enabled uniform electronic/ionic fluxes and homogeneous Zn growth, leading to superior lifespan and low voltage hysteresis.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xueqing Hu, Joanna Borowiec, Yijia Zhu, Xiaopeng Liu, Ruiqi Wu, Alex M. Ganose, Ivan P. Parkin, Buddha Deka Boruah
Summary: This study explores the use of zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) and nanoflakes (NFs) as artificial layers on zinc anodes to enhance the performance of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). The incorporation of ZnO improves charge storage performance by facilitating efficient electron transport and desolvation of Zn2+ ions. The highly polar surfaces of ZnO NFs promote strong interactions with water molecules, resulting in exceptional hydrophilicity and improved battery performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nannan Zhang, Shuo Huang, Zishun Yuan, Jiacai Zhu, Zifang Zhao, Zhiqiang Niu
Summary: In this study, an ultrathin and uniform MXene layer was assembled on the surface of zinc anodes using an in situ spontaneously reducing/assembling strategy. The integrated MXene layer reduced the zinc nucleation energy barrier and provided a more uniformly distributed electric field, resulting in low voltage hysteresis and excellent cycling stability with dendrite-free behaviors in zinc-ion batteries.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huibing He, Hongyu Qin, Jia Wu, Xingfa Chen, Renshu Huang, Fang Shen, Zhenrui Wu, Guoning Chen, Shibin Yin, Jian Liu
Summary: This article discusses the electrochemistry of zinc, the degradation mechanism of zinc anodes, and the surface engineering strategies to address zinc dendrite issues. It summarizes the mechanisms of different coating materials, and proposes a design principle for an ideal interface layer on the zinc metal.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yiding Jiao, Fangyan Li, Xin Jin, Qingsong Lei, Luhe Li, Lie Wang, Tingting Ye, Er He, Jiacheng Wang, Hao Chen, Jiang Lu, Rui Gao, Qianming Li, Chang Jiang, Jianwei Li, Guanjie He, Meng Liao, Huigang Zhang, Ivan P. Parkin, Huisheng Peng, Ye Zhang
Summary: A new ion-selective polymer glue coated on the zinc anode allows for rapid zinc ion migration and uniform electrodeposition, resulting in a record-high zinc utilization of 90% for 1000 hours. When paired with a vanadium-based cathode, the zinc-ion battery exhibits an ultrahigh device-scale energy density of 228 Wh kg(-1), comparable to commercial lithium-ion batteries.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yongbiao Mu, Zheng Li, Bu-ke Wu, Haodong Huang, Fuhai Wu, Youqi Chu, Lingfeng Zou, Ming Yang, Jiafeng He, Ling Ye, Meisheng Han, Tianshou Zhao, Lin Zeng
Summary: The researchers address the limitations of metallic zinc anodes in zinc ion batteries by developing a composite zinc anode with a three-dimensional hierarchical graphene matrix. This structure effectively minimizes dendrite growth and side reactions, resulting in improved cycling stability.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sang Hyuk Gong, Hyo Jin Lim, Ji Hyeon Lee, Yiseul Yoo, Seungho Yu, Hee-Dae Lim, Hyun Wook Jung, Jesse S. Ko, In Soo Kim, Hyung-Seok Kim
Summary: In this study, a thin tin oxide layer was produced using atomic layer deposition to address the challenges of dendrite growth and hydrogen gas evolution in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. The tin oxide layer effectively suppresses hydrogen gas evolution and enables uniform zinc plating/stripping, leading to improved performance of zinc-ion batteries.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxiu Liu, Luping Li, Xu Ji, Shuang Cheng
Summary: Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with high capacity, low cost, and low working potential are considered as strong competitors and substitutes for lead-acid, nickel-metal hydrogen, nickel-cadmium, and even lithium-ion batteries. Significant progress has been made in recent years, but challenges still remain.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chuanhao Nie, Gulian Wang, Dongdong Wang, Mingyue Wang, Xinran Gao, Zhongchao Bai, Nana Wang, Jian Yang, Zheng Xing, Shixue Dou
Summary: Aqueous Zn-ion batteries have gained significant attention as a promising energy storage candidate due to their safety, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. However, the cycling stability of Zn metal anodes is a major challenge due to issues such as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution. Interface engineering strategies, including controllable synthesis of Zn, surface engineering, electrolyte formulation, and separator design, have been developed to address these challenges. This review provides an update on these strategies and discusses future challenges and perspectives for the development of practical AZIBs.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongyu Qin, Wei Kuang, Nan Hu, Xiaomin Zhong, Dan Huang, Fang Shen, Zongwu Wei, Yanping Huang, Jing Xu, Huibing He
Summary: This study introduces a thiourea additive to improve the performance of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) by constructing a unique metal-molecule interface, which regulates the interface chemistry of the zinc electrode and the electrolyte environment. The metal-molecule interface acts as a corrosion inhibitor to alleviate water-induced side reactions and as a regulator for promoting homogeneous zinc deposition, resulting in a corrosion-free and dendrite-free zinc anode. The zinc|zinc symmetric cell exhibits an extended lifespan and high cumulative capacity, while the zinc|V2O5 full cell shows a high capacity retention after cycles.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hangda Chen, Juanjuan Huang, Shuhao Tian, Li Liu, Tianfeng Qin, Lei Song, Yanpeng Liu, Yanan Zhang, Xiaogang Wu, Shulai Lei, Shanglong Peng
Summary: By inserting Mn2+, the structure stability of hydrated vanadium oxide is improved, the electronic structure is adjusted, and the conductivity is enhanced. Moreover, Mn2+ alters the migration pathway of Zn2+, reduces the migration barrier, and enhances the rate performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wen Zhao, Jared Fee, Harshul Khanna, Seth March, Nathaniel Nisly, Samantha Joy B. Rubio, Can Cui, Zhuo Li, Steven L. Suib
Summary: Neutral aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have gained significant attention for their safety and environmental friendliness. Here, a Zn-doped delta-MnO2 material was developed for the cathode in aqueous ZIBs, exhibiting remarkably enhanced electrochemical performance and providing new opportunities for high-energy aqueous ZIBs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Kefeng Xie, Wenjie Wang, Yi Li, Min Xu, Zhengang Han, Yonghui Zhang, Wensheng Gao
Summary: Polymer-based nanocomposites have great potential for protecting spacecraft in low earth orbits from atomic oxygen erosion. However, the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites with superior atomic oxygen resistance is challenging due to a lack of understanding of the protection mechanism and advanced composite technology. In this study, alkylated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was successfully used as a nano-filler to protect the polymer matrix from atomic oxygen erosion, leading to significant improvements in mechanical properties and atomic oxygen resistance. Furthermore, a quantitative model of RGO aspect ratio was proposed and used to establish a linear structure-performance relationship for polypropylene/RGO composites.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaisi Liu, Hongrun Jin, Liwei Huang, Yongxin Luo, Zehao Zhu, Simin Dai, Xinyan Zhuang, Zidong Wang, Liang Huang, Jun Zhou
Summary: This article introduces a facile strategy for synthesizing ultrathin oxide nanosheets using a self-formed sacrificial template of carbon layers. By taking advantage of the Maillard reaction and violent redox reaction between glucose and ammonium nitrate, 36 large-area ultrathin oxides with various compositions have been successfully fabricated, including perovskite oxides which exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kefeng Xie, Shengyuan Xu, Wei Hao, Jie Wang, Anping Huang, Yonghui Zhang
Summary: Ziegler-Natta (Z-N) catalyst is an important catalyst in the petrochemical industry, allowing large-scale production of polyolefins under mild conditions. The surface energy of MgCl2 is an effective descriptor for predicting catalyst performance.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingliang Li, Jing Zheng, Xiaoge Wang, Runze Yu, Yunteng Wang, Yi Qiu, Xiang Cheng, Guozhi Wang, Gang Chen, Kefeng Xie, Jinyao Tang
Summary: Researchers have successfully designed and synthesized a new organic semiconductor material, AZO-BTBT-8, which utilizes strain engineering to improve the carrier mobility of the material. The photoisomerization of AZO-BTBT-8 induces lattice strain in thin-film devices, leading to exceptional device performance enhancement. Based on this, a large-scale flexible organic field-effect transistor (OFET) device array has been fabricated, achieving high-resolution UV imaging and reversible light response.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hongrun Jin, Simin Dai, Zehao Zhu, Yongxin Luo, Bei Qi, Kaisi Liu, Tao Wu, Xinyan Zhuang, Jun Zhou, Liang Huang
Summary: The inferior stability of Zn anode is a major challenge in the commercialization of aqueous zinc ion batteries. In this study, a unique zinc phytate interphase with H2O molecules is developed to optimize the Zn anodes. The presence of crystal water greatly enhances the Zn2+ diffusion coefficient and improves the lifespan and performance of aqueous ZIBs.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zhen Su, Yingzhi Jin, Hongmei Wang, Zaifang Li, Liang Huang, Hao Wang
Summary: Flexible supercapacitors based on PEDOT:PSS have been extensively studied due to their high conductivity, high theoretical capacitance, and excellent flexibility. However, there is a need to summarize the scattered literature studies and provide guidance for future research. This review focuses on the recent progress of PEDOT:PSS-based flexible supercapacitors from the perspectives of fiber, film, and three-dimensional porous block, and discusses the challenges and outlook for their practical application.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kefeng Xie, Shengyuan Xu, Kai Xu, Wei Hao, Jie Wang, Zheng Wei
Summary: BiOCl semiconductors have attracted extensive attention due to their potential in addressing energy shortages, improving sterilization performance, and solving environmental issues. Researchers have developed effective methods, such as heterojunction construction, to overcome the limitations in optical quantum efficiency and reduction capacity. The applications of BiOCl heterojunctions in pollutant degradation, CO2 reduction, water splitting, organic synthesis, and tumor ablation are also reviewed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kefeng Xie, Jie Wang, Shengyuan Xu, Wei Hao, Li Zhao, Liang Huang, Zheng Wei
Summary: Transition metal carbides and nitrides/carbonitrides (MXenes) have attracted significant attention in the field of electrochemical sensors due to their conductivity, high surface area, and hydrophilicity. MXenes can be modified to alter their properties and used as carriers for recognition elements in biosensors. They also exhibit excellent biological compatibility and can be combined with metal oxide nanoparticles to enhance catalytic activity. MXene-based sensors have been developed for various applications, including strain, pressure, gas, biomarker, and environmental pollutant detection.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongxin Luo, Kaisi Liu, Hongrun Jin, Zidong Wang, Simin Dai, Liang Huang
Summary: 2D materials have unique properties due to their ultrathin feature, making them forefront in various research areas. To ensure wider application, there is a global pursuit for industrial scale fabrication methods. Blowing method is a general and scalable strategy for synthesizing thin materials, providing a new approach for economic and massive preparation of good-quality 2D nanosheets. This minireview summarizes the steps and principles of blowing method, recent progress in preparing different 2D materials, and future opportunities in this field.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kefeng Xie, Shengyuan Xu, Kai Xu, Jun-Bing Lin
Summary: In order to reduce costs and improve catalytic activity, a two-dimensional porphyrin sheet with single nickel atoms (Ni TDPS) was used as a catalyst for CO oxidation, and the detailed reaction path was studied by DFT. The stability of Ni - TDPS was determined by AIMD simulations. Three typical reaction mechanisms of CO oxidation on Ni TDPS were discussed, including LH, ER, and TER mechanisms. The results showed that the TER mechanism is feasible due to the minimum reaction energy barrier in the rate-determining step. Therefore, Ni - TDPS is a potential candidate catalyst for CO oxidation in theory.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Kefeng Xie, Shengyuan Xu, Kai Xu, Wei Zhang, Sanchuan Yu, Ping Wang, Zhengang Han, Naipu He, Peng Chen
Summary: Copper phthalate was employed as an antibacterial agent to improve its dispersibility in PET fiber. It exhibited the best antibacterial activity among copper phthalate, copper terephthalate, and nano-copper oxide. A copper phthalate antibacterial masterbatch was prepared via melt blending, and integrated into PET during the spinning process at 285°C to produce antibacterial fiber. The sample containing 0.3% copper phthalate showed excellent antibacterial performance and durability against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shuangyang Kuang, Li Su, Xiaoyan Wei, Jun Zhou, Liwei Xiong, Liang Huang
Summary: The self-powered seawater desalination system proposes a solution to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution by using a wind-driven nanogenerator. This system achieves high desalination capacity and can utilize natural wind energy for desalination.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinyan Zhuang, Hongrun Jin, Boyang Yu, Hui Wang, Yongxin Luo, Kaisi Liu, Bin Hu, Kefeng Xie, Liang Huang, Jiangjiang Duan, Jun Zhou
Summary: A multi-level three-dimensional carbon electrode was designed to improve the output current and Carnot-relative efficiency of thermoelectrochemical cells (TECs). By loading nitrogen-doped carbon nanowires on carbon cloth fibers, the composite electrode enhances ion transmission and reaction kinetics. When combined with an optimized thermosensitive crystallization-boosting electrolyte, the electrode achieves the highest reported efficiency for TECs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuanyuan He, Ning An, Congcong Meng, Kefeng Xie, Xiaotong Wang, Xiuyan Dong, Daming Sun, Yuying Yang, Zhongai Hu
Summary: Redox-active covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with controlled morphology, such as COFs-R, exhibit high specific capacitance and good cycling stability, making them promising candidates for the next generation of intelligent energy storage materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
