Cell reports physical science 

About: Cell reports physical science is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Chemistry & Engineering. It has an ISSN identifier of 2666-3864. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 568 publications have been published receiving 1988 citations.

Oxygen-vacancy-induced O2 activation and electron-hole migration enhance photothermal catalytic toluene oxidation

Abstract: The rapid elimination of volatile organic compounds and the intermediate analysis with efficient photothermal catalysis are of great significance to the environment. Oxygen vacancies (Vo) play a crucial role in structural modification and performance improvement of heterogeneous catalysts. Accordingly, here, abundant Vo sites are introduced into Co 3 O 4 /TiO 2 composite via treatment under H 2 and Ar flow at 200°C, and the photothermal catalytic performance of toluene is significantly improved. The molecular oxygen (O 2 ) adsorbed by Vo is activated to form reactive oxygen species for deep oxidation of toluene. Vo generated on the unilateral side in Co 3 O 4 /TiO 2 heterojunctions serves to capture electrons and break the dynamic balance of electron-hole pairs. The excited electrons are trapped by Vo, and the direct recombination of electron-hole pairs is inhibited, thus promoting the photochemical process. Moreover, the photothermal synergy effect and the relationship between Vo evolution and intermediates transformation mechanism are systematically studied. • The oxygen-vacancy-induced O 2 adsorption and activation mechanism in photothermal catalysis is studied • Oxygen-vacancy-trapped electrons inhibit electron-hole pair recombination • Oxygen vacancies promote rapid photothermal oxidation of toluene and intermediates Oxygen vacancies are known to influence the performance of heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, Yang et al. show that oxygen vacancies in Co 3 O 4 /TiO 2 induce the activation of O 2 and migration of electron holes, with light-generated carriers promoting the generation of active radicals to catalyze the oxidation of toluene.

Ultrathin and super-tough membrane for anti-dendrite separator in aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Abstract: Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries have emerged as potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries in grid energy storage due to their intrinsic safety, economy, and high capacity of zinc anode. Unfortunately, dendrite growth, limited reversibility, and corrosion of metal zinc anodes in aqueous systems seriously hamper the application of zinc-ion batteries. Herein, ultrathin and high-toughness membranes composed of eco-friendly biomass nanofibers are constructed for substituting glass-fiber separators in rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. The presence of this robust biomass membrane lowers separator thickness to 9 μm, which can prevent the pierce of zinc dendrite, manipulate crystallographic orientation during zinc deposition, and improve the anti-corrosion property of zinc. Thus, this robust biomass membrane enables excellent electrochemical performance and sheds light on a multifunctional design for improving metal zinc anode performance from separators beyond zinc itself.

Advances in electrode/electrolyte interphase for sodium-ion batteries from half cells to full cells

Abstract: Rechargeable sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are an important component for grid electrochemical energy storage. Their assembly and operational stability are heavily reliant on the effects that occur at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Although there are numerous recent advances in understanding the interface, the relevant evaluation of electrode/electrolyte interphases from a full-cell perspective has not been well outlined. Herein, this review comprehensively summarizes the interphase formation mechanism and discusses the overall battery performance subject to the characteristics of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI) formed on different anode and cathode materials, which are critical for the optimization of performance and the commercialization of devices. Furthermore, it stresses effective serial strategies for moving interface compatibility in full cells forward, including anode/cathode surface engineering and electrolyte regulation. It concludes with an outlook on the challenges and promising avenues to explore rational interface designs for long-lasting rechargeable batteries.

Deep eutectic solvents as a green toolbox for synthesis

Abstract: Energy and environmental issues are increasingly prominent, and sustainable synthetic strategies are needed in response. As a class of green and easily modified solvent, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) may contribute to this goal. Composed of monomers from biological sources, they are biodegradable with low toxicity, facilitating large-scale use. Indeed, their applications are already widespread on both the laboratory and industrial scales. This review focuses on the application of DESs in materials synthesis. After a brief summary of their use in organic synthesis, four strategies for materials synthesis are surveyed: solvothermal methods, electrodeposition, calcination, and polymerization. Materials synthesized using DESs are expected to find application among both academia and industry. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) find application as biodegradable and non-toxic solvents in synthesis, separation, and extraction protocols. Yu et al. review the use of DESs in materials synthesis and propose a framework for evaluating the potential industrial application of such methods.

Low-overpotential overall water splitting by a cooperative interface of cobalt-iron hydroxide and iron oxyhydroxide

Abstract: Interface engineering is a powerful strategy for modulating electronic structure and enhancing intrinsic activity of electrocatalysts for water splitting. Here, we grow two-dimensional cobalt-iron hydroxide (CoFe-OH) nanosheets on nickel foam substrates and deposit FeOOH nanoparticles in a rapid and scalable wet chemical approach. The [email protected] nanocomposite features abundant active sites and high surface area, allowing fast kinetics for electrochemical water splitting. The electrode has a low overpotential value of 200 mV at 50 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution. When used as both anode and cathode for overall water splitting, [email protected] provides a low cell voltage of 1.56 V to deliver 10 mA cm−2 current density. The synergistic activity is presumed to be from the seamless interface of CoFe-OH and FeOOH, improving conductivity and mass transfer. We envision that this simple approach may offer a new direction for designing efficient electrodes for energy conversion applications.