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Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) network is considered a promising alternative to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent conductive electrode (TCE). However, there are several intrinsic shortcomings such as rough surface topography, poor ambient and thermal stability still restrict their practical application. Here, we demonstrated a low temperature solution-processed composite TCE comprising of Ag NWs and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) could resolve above issues. The highest temperature in whole process is no more than 100 °C. By optimizing the density of Ag NWs together with the thickness of ZnO NPs layer, the composite TCE showed excellent flexibility, ambient and thermal stability (∼300 °C) as well as high electrical conductivity (∼20 Ω/sq) and good optical transparency (∼87% at 550 nm). In addition, the ZnO NPs capping layer reduced the surface roughness of Ag NWs network by more than half of its initial value. All the demonstrated properties show the Ag NWs/ZnO composite TCE would be an ideal choice in a variety of flexible optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The air-cooling transport process of AZ31B magnesium alloy plate was investigated and carried out under different initial cooling temperatures and different sample sizes at a transport velocity of 0.3 m/s. In order to provide the theoretical basis for the actual industrial rolling production, a detailed analysis of the temperature distributed along both the width direction and the thickness direction under different conditions was performed. Through the processing of the experimental data, the emissivity of AZ31B plate in the air-cooling transport process, as an important heat transfer parameter, was modeled accurately. After that, based on the establishment of the emissivity calculation model, the empirical formula of Stefan-Boltzmann was modified and optimized to be the temperature control model for the air-cooling process in consideration of the heat transfer characteristics of magnesium alloy. Finally, combining the finite element numerical simulation and the experimental results, comprehensive heat transfer coefficient between the AZ31B plate and the external environment during the transport process was accurately defined and further fitted about the experimental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of effective transition metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts performing well in alkaline environments remains challenging. In this study, ordered macroporous ZIF-8 @C supports were prepared via carbonization using polystyrene microspheres as templates, and transition metal oxygen reduction catalysts (M-N x /OMC; M = Fe, Co, and Mn) were prepared by loading metalloporphyrins and carbonization. Among the catalysts prepared, Fe-N x /OMC exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity under alkaline conditions, the half-wave (0.911 V) and initial (0.960 V) potentials are 80 and 60 mV higher than that of Pt/C respectively. In addition, the specific capacity of the zinc–air battery (ZAB) catalyzed by Fe-N x /OMC reached 751 mAh g−1, which is 84 mAh g−1 higher than that of the ZAB catalyzed by Pt/C. The superior catalytic ORR activity is attributed to the hierarchical porous structure, which may have more exposed active centers in the carbon materials and improved mass-transfer efficiency. This study offers a new method for preparing high-performance carbon-based metal–organic framework electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Macropore ZIF-8 frameworks were prepared using polystyrene sphere template. • Ordered macroporous structure provides rapid mass transport. • Fe-N x -OMC exhibits remarkable ORR performances in alkaline media. • Zn-air battery assembled using Fe-N x -OMC exhibits excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Mn content multicomponent olivine phosphate LiMn 0.9 Fe 0.1 − x Co x PO 4 /C ( x = 0, 0.05 and 0.1) are synthesized by two-step solid-state method and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectra, XPS, electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements. Upon substitution, the cell volume decrease as a result of the smaller ionic radii of Fe 2+ and Co 2+ compared to Mn 2+ . Structural analysis demonstrates that Fe and/or Co substitution decrease the Mn–O and P–O bond length and increase the Li–O bond length, leading to enhanced physical stability and expanded Li diffusion channels. The Fe 2+ and/or Co 2+ substituted LiMnPO 4 is found to have improved kinetics, lithium storage performance, and electronic conductivity during electrochemical reaction. In particular, LiMn 0.9 Fe 0.05 Co 0.05 PO 4 /C delivers a capacity of 145 mA h g −1 at a current of 0.05 C and exhibits enhanced capacity retention compared to that of unmodified LiMnPO 4 /C. The enhanced electrochemical performance of co-substituted LiMnPO 4 is attributed to the enhanced physical stability, the favorable delithiation/lithiation induced by previous redox reaction of Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ and Co 2+ /Co 3+ and the improved electric/ionic transport properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-powered solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are gaining increasing recognition as green, efficient, and sustainable devices, representing a development trend in the evolution of next-generation optoelectronics. Much efforts have been devoted to carbon-based materials for their excellent conductivity. Among these materials, commercial carbon fiber sheets stand out due to their distinctive 3D structure, impressive conductivity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, rendering them highly suitable for a wide range of photosensitive applications. The realm of flexible optoelectronic devices has garnered substantial interest owing to its pivotal role in diverse domains. However, the utilization of carbon cloth (CC) as a substrate for photodetectors remains an area ripe for exploration. This study aims to fabricate self-powered solar-blind UV photodetectors based on amorphous Ga 2 O 3 (a -Ga 2 O 3) thin films modified CC using a concise and efficient physical vapor deposition technique (magnetron sputtering). The results show that the optimal responsivity of the a- Ga 2 O 3 /CC photodetector is 16.98 mA/W, with response times of 0.16/0.10 s (rise/decay time). Even after 300 cycles of bending treatment, this self-powered photodetector maintains excellent cyclic stability and repeatability. Furthermore, first-principles calculation reveals a significant built-in electric field around the interface between a- Ga 2 O 3 and CC, which can effectively separate photogenerated electrons and holes and suppress carriers' recombination. This inherent mechanism allows the a- Ga 2 O 3 /CC-based photodetector to exhibit remarkable self-powered characteristics and prominent solar-blind detection ability. • Self-powered solar-blind UV photodetectors was fabricated based on amorphous Ga 2 O 3 thin films modified carbon cloth. • Even after 300 cycles of bending treatment, the photodetector maintains excellent cyclic stability and repeatability. • The self-powered solar-blind photodetector has a fast response characteristic that τ r is 0.16 s, and τ d is 0.10 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] LiV3O8 nanobelts anchored with Ag nanoparticles are prepared by a sol–gel route. [•] LiV3O8/Ag composite have greatly reduced the charger transfer resistance. [•] LiV3O8/Ag composite exhibit superior cyclic stability and good rate capability. [•] High specific capacity of 128mAhg−1 is remained after 250 cycles at 1000mAg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]