Powder Metallurgy Institute

This review provides a detailed overview on the latest developments in the design and control of the interface in polymer based composite dielectrics for energy storage applications. The methods employed for interface design in composite systems are described for a variety of filler types and morphologies, along with novel approaches employed to build hierarchical interfaces for multi-scale control of properties. Efforts to achieve a close control of interfacial properties and geometry are then described, which includes the creation of either flexible or rigid polymer interfaces, the use of liquid crystals and developing ceramic and carbon-based interfaces with tailored electrical properties. The impact of the variety of interface structures on composite polarization and energy storage capability are described, along with an overview of existing models to understand the polarization mechanisms and quantitatively assess the potential benefits of different structures for energy storage. The applications and properties of such interface-controlled materials are then explored, along with an overview of existing challenges and practical limitations. Finally, a summary and future perspectives are provided to highlight future directions of research in this growing and important area.

The biomimetic dynamic nature of the Fe–N–C active site with a near-optimal Fe^2+/3+redox potential facilitates ORR by balancing the site-blocking effect and O₂dissociation.

The electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CRR) and N₂ reduction reaction (NRR), which convert inert small molecules into high-value products under mild conditions, have received much research attention.

Functional nanostructured materials have attracted great attention over the past several decades owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, while their applications have been proven to be advantageous not only in fundamental scientific areas, but also in many technological fields. Spray pyrolysis (SP), which is particularly facile, effective, highly scalable and suitable for on-line continuous production, offers significant potential for the rational design and synthesis of various functional nanostructured materials with tailorable composition and morphology. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in various functional nanostructured materials synthesized by SP and their potential applications in energy storage and conversion. After a brief introduction to the equipment, components, and working principles of the SP technique, we thoroughly describe the guidelines and strategies for designing particles with controlled morphology, composition, and interior architecture, including hollow structures, dense spheres, yolk-shell structures, core-shell structures, nanoplates, nanorods, nanowires, thin films, and various nanocomposites. Thereafter, we demonstrate their suitability for a wide range of energy storage and conversion applications, including electrode materials for rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, highly active catalysts for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction and fuel cells, and photoelectric materials for solar cells. Finally, the potential advantages and challenges of SP for the preparation of nanostructured materials are particularly emphasized and discussed, and several perspectives on future research and development directions of SP are highlighted. We expect that this continuous, one-pot, and controllable synthetic technology can serve as a reference for preparing various advanced functional materials for broader applications.

Tannic acid (TA), a large polyphenolic molecule, has long been known for use in food additives, antioxidants, bio-sorbents, animal feed and adhesives due to its intrinsic properties such as antioxidation, metal chelation, and polymerization. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in fabricating engineered advanced materials with TA modification for novel bio-applications. The modification process involves various interactions/reactions based on its diverse chemical structure, contributed by abundant aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups. In addition, the obtained composites are endowed with retained TA activity and novel enhanced properties. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight the recent biomedical application of TA-based metal phenolic networks (TA-MPNs) by focusing on their intrinsic properties and the endowed ability for novel engineered functional composites. The potential contributions of TA-MPNs in "Tumor Theranostics", "Anti-Bacterial Ability", "Wound Repair for Skin Regeneration" and "Bone Tissue Regeneration Applications" are summarized in this paper.

For the first time, mesoporous Fe3O4@ZnO sphere decorated graphene (GN-pFe3O4@ZnO) composites with uniform size, considerable porosity, high magnetization and extraordinary electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties were synthesized by a simple and efficient three-step method. Structure and morphology details were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Electron microscopy images reveal that pFe3O4@ZnO spheres with obvious porous and core-shell structures are uniformly coated on both sides of the GN sheets without significant numbers of vacancies or apparent aggregation. EM wave absorption properties of epoxy containing 30 wt% GN-pFe3O4@ZnO were investigated at room temperature in the frequency region of 0.2-18 GHz. The absorption bandwidth with reflection loss (RL) values less than -10 dB is up to 11.4 GHz, and the minimal RL is almost -40 dB. The intrinsic physical and chemical properties of the materials, the synergy of Fe3O4 and ZnO, and particularly the unique multi-interfaces are fundamental to the enhancement of EM absorption properties. The as-prepared GN-pFe3O4@ZnO composites are shown to be lightweight, have strong absorption, and broad frequency bandwidth EM absorbers.

An in-depth summary about the regulation of the coordination structure in single atom catalysts for the CO₂RR is summarized.

Focusing on the atomic-scale engineering of CVD grown 2D TMDs, we discuss the six engineering strategies to tailor the electronic structure, conductivity and electrocatalytic properties in detail. Finally, challenges and perspectives are addressed.

The function of the interfacial effect caused by MoO₂/Mo₂C heterostructures was proved by DFT and DOS calculations, promoting ultrastable cycling performance.

. The results are beneficial for the design and manufacture of high performance porous pyroelectric and piezoelectric materials in devices for energy harvesting and sensor applications.

Two-step redox reactions (Mn(<sc>ii</sc>) ions ⇌ ZnMn₂O₄ spinel ⇌ layered Zn-birnessite) during the charge–discharge process.

Abstract Applications of room‐temperature–sodium sulfur (RT‐Na/S) batteries are currently impeded by the insulating nature of sulfur, the slow redox kinetics of sulfur with sodium, and the dissolution and migration of sodium polysulfides. Herein, a novel micrometer‐sized hierarchical S cathode supported by FeS 2 electrocatalyst, which is grown in situ in well‐confined carbon nanocage assemblies, is presented. The hierarchical carbon matrix can provide multiple physical entrapment to polysulfides, and the FeS 2 nanograins exhibit a low Na‐ion diffusion barrier, strong binding energy, and high affinity for sodium polysulfides. Their combination makes it an ideal sulfur host to immobilize the polysulfides and achieve reversible conversion of polysulfides toward Na 2 S. Importantly, the hierarchical S cathode is suitable for large‐scale production via the inexpensive and green spray‐drying method. The porous hierarchical S cathode offers a high sulfur content of 65.5 wt%, and can deliver high reversible capacity (524 mAh g −1 over 300 cycles at 0.1 A g −1 ) and outstanding rate capability (395 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 for 850 cycles), holding great promise for both scientific research and real application.

The <italic>in situ</italic> formed AgZn₃ alloy on the Zn@Ag anode can facilitate uniform zinc deposition and enhance the electrochemical performance of ZIBs.

coefficients to detect longitudinal, transverse and shear loads. This work expands on the potential applications of freeze casting and provides new opportunities for the manufacture of future electronic sensors.

Hierarchical hollow CoP and carbon composites were obtained through a facile synthetic method, where carbonization and phosphorization of the precursor were completed within one single step. The composites are composed of hollow CoP@C spheres, which are further made up of CoP nanoparticles with a thin outer carbon layer. Electrochemical performances of the prepared CoP@C composites as anodes for sodium and potassium storage were evaluated and compared. In situ TEM, in situ synchrotron XRD, and DFT calculations were conducted to study the structural evolution and the interaction between Na/K and CoP during cycling processes. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of conductive carbon layer and hierarchical hollow structure, the as-prepared CoP@C composites demonstrate superior sodium and potassium storage capability as anode materials for rechargeable batteries.

Although a high-entropy alloy has exhibited promising mechanical properties, little attention has been given to the dynamics deformation mechanism during uniaxial tension, which limits its widespread and practical utility.

An ultra-high discharged energy density P(VDF-HFP) capacitor is achieved by introducing a small fraction of Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ nanofibers.

Electrical field dependence of permittivity in (1 − <italic>x</italic>)AN-<italic>x</italic>BZN ceramics. Arrow directions down, up and down then up are related to domain switching, field induced transition and domain switching plus field induced transitions, respectively.

Copper-based alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have recently triggered much research interest for the development of low-cost and high-performance bimetallic catalysts that have industrial applications.

Doped BiOCl nanoplates enclosed with (001) and (110) facets were fabricated to demonstrate the role of doping in promoting spatial carrier separation.