Thermally tailoring magnetic molecular sponges through self-propagating combustion to tune magnetic-dielectric synergy toward high-efficiency microwave absorption and attenuation

As an important semi-reaction process in electrocatalysis, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is closely associated with electrochemical hydrogen production, CO2 electroreduction, electrochemical ammonia synthesis and other reactions, which provide electrons and protons for the related applications. Considering their fundamental mechanism, metastable high-valence metal sites have been identified as real, efficient OER catalytic sites from the recent observation by in situ characterization technology. Herein, we review the transformation mechanism of high-valence metal sites in the OER process, particularly transition metal materials (Co- and Ni-based). In particular, research progress in the transformation process and role of high-valence metal sites to optimize OER performance is summarized. The key challenges and prospects of the design of high-efficiency OER catalysts based on the above-mentioned mechanism and some new in situ characterizations are also discussed.

Transformation mechanism of high-valence metal sites for the optimization of Co- and Ni-based OER catalysts in an alkaline environment: recent progress and perspectives.

Functional phase change materials (PCMs) capable of reversibly storing and releasing tremendous thermal energy during the isothermal phase change process have recently received tremendous attention in interdisciplinary applications. The smart integration of PCMs with functional supporting materials enables multiple cutting-edge interdisciplinary applications, including optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic, medical, mechanical, and catalytic disciplines etc. Herein, we systematically discuss thermal storage mechanism, thermal transfer mechanism, and energy conversion mechanism, and summarize the state-of-the-art advances in interdisciplinary applications of PCMs. In particular, the applications of PCMs in acoustic, mechanical, and catalytic disciplines are still in their infancy. Simultaneously, in-depth insights into the correlations between microscopic structures and thermophysical properties of composite PCMs are revealed. Finally, current challenges and future prospects are also highlighted according to the up-to-date interdisciplinary applications of PCMs. This review aims to arouse broad research interest in the interdisciplinary community and provide constructive references for exploring next generation advanced multifunctional PCMs for interdisciplinary applications, thereby facilitating their major breakthroughs in both fundamental researches and commercial applications.

Phase Change Thermal Storage Materials for Interdisciplinary Applications.

Metal sulfides have shown great promise for sodium‐ion batteries due to their excellent redox reversibility and relatively high capacity. However, metal sulfides generally suffer from sluggish charge transport and serious volume change during the charge–discharge process. Herein, potato chip‐like nitrogen‐doped carbon‐coated ZnS/Sb2S3 heterojunction (ZnS/Sb2S3@NC) is precisely synthesized through a sulfurization reaction, and a subsequent metal cation exchange process between Zn2+ and Sb3+. The theoretical calculations and experimental studies reveal the boosted charge transfer in ZnS/Sb2S3@NC composites. Therefore, the ZnS/Sb2S3@NC electrode exhibits excellent cycling stability (a high reversible capacity of 511.4 mAh g‐1 after 450 cycles) and superior rate performance (400.4 mAh g‐1 at 10 A g‐1). In addition, ZnS/Sb2S3@NC is based on a conversion‐alloy reaction mechanism to store Na+, which is disclosed by the X‐ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. This effective synthesis method can provide a reference for the design of other high‐performance electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.

Construction of ZnS/Sb2S3 Heterojunction as an Ion‐Transport Booster toward High‐Performance Sodium Storage

Adjustable Heterointerface-Vacancy Enhancement Effect in Ruo2@Co3o4 Electrocatalysts for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Molecularly elongated phase change materials for mid-temperature solar-thermal energy storage and electric conversion

Construction of Cos-Encapsulated in Ultrahigh Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanofibers from Energetic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Superior Sodium Storage

Efficiency of the electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) strongly depends on their extrinsic physical properties and intrinsic electronic structures. Among various modulation strategies, nanoalloying is an efficient route to regulate the intrinsic activities of HER intermediates. Herein, we develop a facile and universal one-step pyrolyzed method to fabricate bimetallic Ru-based nanoalloy catalysts encapsulated by B/N co-doped graphitic nanotubes ([email protected], M=Ir, Pt, Ag, Co, and Fe) for high-performance alkaline HER. BCN nanotube substrates provide sufficient open channels, porous structures and strong anchoring effect to achieve fast kinetics and high stability. The bimetallic nanoalloying strategy greatly promotes the water dissociation and hydrogen adsorption ability of the electrocatalysts via modulation on their intrinsic electronic structures. Therefore, the as-made [email protected] demonstrates varied HER behaviors by alloying metals, in which [email protected] exhibits the highest alkaline HER activity with an overpotential of 23.6 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming commercial Pt/C. 

Unveiling the nanoalloying modulation on hydrogen evolution activity of ruthenium-based electrocatalysts encapsulated by B/N co-doped graphitic nanotubes

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) show significant advantages in developing solid-state batteries due to their high flexibility and easy processability. In CPEs, solid fillers play a considerable effect on electrochemical performances. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as new solid fillers and show great promise to regulate ion migration. Herein, by using a Co-based MOF, a high-performance CPE is initially prepared and studied. Benefiting from the sufficient interactions and pore confinement from MOF, the obtained CPE shows both high ionic conductivity and a high Li+ transference number (0.41). The MOF-incorporated CPE then enables a uniform Li deposition and stable interfacial condition. Accordingly, the as-assembled solid batteries demonstrate a high reversible capacity and good cycling performance. This work verifies the practicability of MOFs as solid fillers to produce advanced CPEs, presenting their promising prospect for practical application.

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Metal-organic framework (MOF)-incorporated polymeric electrolyte realizing fast lithium-ion transportation with high Li+ transference number for solid-state batteries

Rationally designed oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with structural and compositional superiorities are essential for energy-related electrocatalytic techniques. Transition-metal phosphides have been used as promising electrocatalysts for OER. Incorporating heteroatoms into the lattice can induce lattice distortion and redistribution of electron density, consequently modifying the electronic structure and improving catalytic performance. Herein, Fe- and S-substituted Ni2P uniformly dispersed throughout porous carbon substrate (Ni—Fe—P—S@C) was rationally designed through transformation from the pre-synthesized NiFe-metal organic frameworks (NiFe-MOFs) by partial sulfurization and subsequent phosphorization process. Experimental results and density functional theory calculations showed that Fe and S incorporation could modulate the electronic structure of Ni2P and alter the adsorption free energies of reaction intermediates, contributing to admirable electrocatalytic activity and stability toward OER. Notably, the in-situ formed partially oxidized surface was vital to further improve the local environment. This proposed cation- and anion-substitution strategy will bring new inspiration to boost the electrocatalytic performance of transition-metal-based electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications. 

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Zi Lei Liang

Papers

Molecularly elongated phase change materials for mid-temperature solar-thermal energy storage and electric conversion

Construction of Cos-Encapsulated in Ultrahigh Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanofibers from Energetic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Superior Sodium Storage

Unveiling the nanoalloying modulation on hydrogen evolution activity of ruthenium-based electrocatalysts encapsulated by B/N co-doped graphitic nanotubes

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-incorporated polymeric electrolyte realizing fast lithium-ion transportation with high Li+ transference number for solid-state batteries

Electronic modulation of Ni2P through anion and cation substitution toward highly efficient oxygen evolution