A review of niobium oxides based nanocomposites for lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors

Anodes and Sodium‐Free Cathodes in Sodium Ion Batteries

Photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production on zinc sulfide (ZnS) still remains unsatisfactory because of the fast charge carrier recombination through direct-bandgap and photocorrosion by oxidative holes at the valence band. Here we report on a strongly coupled heterojunction photocatalyst (ZnS/PDA) comprising by a ZnS nanorod and ultrathin polydopamine (PDA). The ZnS/PDA exhibits H2 production rate of 2162.5 μmol h−1  g−1, and 78.7 % of this initial photoactivity is sustained after consecutive running for 24 h. A double staggered heterostructure by interfacial zinc oxysulfide and 1 nm-thick PDA layer gives rise to the effective separation, transport, and tunneling of charge carriers for robust H2 production without the trade-off between photocatalytic stability and activity. We anticipate that the present ZnS/PDA can be exploitable in other catalytic applications, such as disinfection of bacteria and air purification. Furthermore, easy modification of optoelectronic properties by PDA will be applicable to a wide range of materials.

Efficient photocatalytic production of hydrogen by exploiting the polydopamine-semiconductor interface

Rationally designed nanostructured metal chalcogenides for advanced sodium-ion batteries

Towards high-performance anodes: Design and construction of cobalt-based sulfide materials for sodium-ion batteries

3D Graphene Network Encapsulating Mesoporous ZnS Nanospheres as High‐Performance Anode Material in Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Metal sulfide represents one of the most promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this study, we report the design and synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon coating mesoporous ZnS nanospheres (m-ZnS NSs@NC) via a simple hydrothermal reaction, followed by a carbonization process. Systematic electrochemical studies demonstrate the as-developed m-ZnS NSs@NC exhibits good cycling stability and high rate capability as anode materials of SIBs. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the special mesoporous structure of ZnS nanospheres and the polydopamine-derived N-doped carbon coating.

Nitrogen-doped carbon coating mesoporous ZnS nanospheres as high-performance anode material of sodium-ion batteries

Front Cover: 3D Graphene Network Encapsulating Mesoporous ZnS Nanospheres as High‐Performance Anode Material in Sodium‐Ion Batteries (ChemElectroChem 12/2018)

Liang Hu

Papers

3D Graphene Network Encapsulating Mesoporous ZnS Nanospheres as High‐Performance Anode Material in Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Nitrogen-doped carbon coating mesoporous ZnS nanospheres as high-performance anode material of sodium-ion batteries

Front Cover: 3D Graphene Network Encapsulating Mesoporous ZnS Nanospheres as High‐Performance Anode Material in Sodium‐Ion Batteries (ChemElectroChem 12/2018)