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Various copper-related defects in the absorption layer have been a key factor impeding the enhancement of the efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells. Alkali metal doping is considered to be a good strategy to ameliorate this problem. In this article, Rb-doped CZTSSe (RCZTSSe) thin films were synthesized using the sol–gel technique. The results show that the Rb atom could successfully enter into the CZTSSe lattice and replace the Cu atom. According to SEM results, a moderate amount of Rb doping aided in enhancing the growth of grains in CZTSSe thin films. It was proven that the RCZTSSe thin film had the densest surface morphology and the fewest holes when the doping content of Rb was 2%. In addition, Rb doping successfully inhibited the formation of CuZn defects and correlative defect clusters and promoted the electrical properties of RCZTSSe thin films. Finally, a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 7.32% was attained by the champion RCZTSSe device with a Rb content of 2%. Compared with that of un-doped CZTSSe, the efficiency improved by over 30%. This study offers new insights into the influence of alkali metal doping on suppressing copper-related defects and also presents a viable approach for improving the efficiency of CZTSSe devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MgAl-Mo 3 S 13 -LDH composite is synthesized which exhibits good irradiation resistance and excellent iodine adsorption performance benefiting from the physical and chemical adsorptions. [Display omitted] • The MgAl-Mo 3 S 13 -LDH composite is prepared via swelling/restoration method. • MgAl-Mo 3 S 13 -LDH shows an extremely large iodine capture of 1580 mg/g. • S2−/S 2 2− in [Mo 3 S 13 ]2− reduce I 2 to [I 3 ]− ions which are fixed in LDH gallery. • The S2−/S 2 2− are oxidized to S 8 and SO 4 2− during the iodine capture. • MgAl-Mo 3 S 13 -LDH exhibits good irradiation resistance ability. From the swollen LDH, bulky [Mo 3 S 13 ]2− anions are facilely introduced into the LDH interlayers to assemble the Mo 3 S 13 -LDH composite, which exhibits excellent iodine capture performance and good irradiation resistance. The positive-charged LDH layers may disperse the [Mo 3 S 13 ]2− uniformly within the interlayers, providing abundant adsorption sites for effectively trapping iodine. The Mo-S bond serving as a soft Lewis base has strong affinity to I 2 with soft Lewis acidic characteristic, which is conducive to improvement of iodine capture via physical sorption. Besides, chemisorption has a significant contribution to the iodine adsorption. The S 2 2−/S2− in [Mo 3 S 13 ]2− can reduce the I 2 to [I 3 ]− ions, which are facilely fixed within the LDH gallery in virtue of electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, the S 2 2−/S2− themselves are oxidized to S 8 and SO 4 2−, while Mo4+ is oxidized (by O 2 in air) to Mo6+, which combines with SO 4 2− forming amorphous Mo(SO 4) 3. With the collective interactions of chemical and physical adsorption, the Mo 3 S 13 -LDH demonstrates an extremely large iodine adsorption capacity of 1580 mg/g. Under γ radiation, the structure of Mo 3 S 13 -LDH well maintains and iodine adsorption capability does not deteriorate, indicating the good irradiation resistance. This work provides an important reference to tailor cost-effective sorbents for trapping iodine from radioactive nuclear wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transition‐metal‐free method is disclosed for the construction of selenylated spirocyclohexadienones via cascade cyclization/dearomatization reaction of aryl phenol‐tethered alkynes with diselenides. The high efficiency of this protocol was demonstrated by room temperature, simple reaction conditions, and the ability to enable a gram‐scale synthesis. The experiment results implied that the dearomatization process proceeded in a radical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C26H17NO3, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 20.044(2) Å, b = 10.7294(9) Å, c = 9.4232(8) Å, β = 91.689(3)°, V = 2025.6(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0360, wRref(F2) = 0.0814, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kitchen waste (KW) is a vast potential source of fermentable substrates. To bio-convert the KW into high-value chemicals, we used KW as substrate for the production of fengycin by an artificial consortium containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HM618 producing fengycin and the engineering Pichia pastoris producing amylase, glucosidase, or lipases. The maximal amylase activity of the constructed amylase-producing engineering strain (recombinant P. pastoris GS115-amy98) reached 385.4 U‧mL−1. The engineering strain GS115-α-glu53 producing glucosidase reached an enzyme activity titer of 247.3 U‧mL−1, while the lipase activities of the engineering strains GS115-lip2, GS115-α-lip2, and GS115-lip7 were around 90.0 U‧mL−1, with no significant differences among them. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the components of fengycin synthesized by B. amyloliquefaciens HM618 were complex, including C14–C18 fengycins A, C13–C14 fengycins B, C16–C18 fengycins B, C16 fengycin B2 and some fengycin homologues with unsaturated fatty acid chains. The levels of fengycin were 15.9 mg‧L−1 and 4.6 mg‧L−1 under the co-culture with strain HM618 and the recombinant strains producing amylase and lipase, respectively. The maximal titer of fengycin was 21.2 mg‧L−1 in the artificial consortia consisting of HM618 and the engineering strains producing glucosidase, amylase and lipase. Taken together, these results show that the co-culture of B. amyloliquefaciens HM618 and engineering strains producing amylase and lipase can promote the conversion of KW into fengycin. The work provides a new strategy for boosting the resource utilization of KW. [Display omitted] • The recombinant P. pastoris produced amylase and lipase to degrade kitchen waste. • The maximum activities of amylase and lipase were 385.4 and 89.1 U‧mL−1. • The fengycin titer of strain HM618 in co-culture was higher than that in pure culture. • Structures of fengycin produced by strain HM618 were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schematic illustration of the protective effect of the MPS layer on NCM83, the electrochemical performance comparison profiles of NCM83 and NCM83-2 electrodes and corresponding morphology and microstructure of cycled electrodes. [Display omitted] • MPS layer is synthesized via in situ hydrolysis-polycondensation of TEOS. • MPS layer not only serves as a physical isolation layer but also an ionic conductor. • MPS layer successfully inhibits H2 to H3 phase transition and reduces gas release. • The cell assembled with modified NCM83 delivers improved electrochemical performance. Multifunctional polysiloxane (MPS) layer is elaborately constructed on the surface of LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 (NCM83) particles via in situ hydrolysis-polycondensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate. Impressively, optimal NCM83 (NCM83-2) electrode covered with average 7 nm-thickness of fresh MPS layer delivers improved capacity retention ratio of 81.8 % after 150 cycles at 25 °C and retains the value of 78.7 % after 200 cycles at 60 °C and 1.0 C. Moreover, NCM83-2 electrode presents lower polarization degree with sluggish growth of the capacity platform. The significant advantages of NCM83-2 can be interpreted by the fact that the MPS layer effectively mitigates microcracks generation by inhibiting phase transition and lattice oxygen loss. Moreover, the MPS protective layer suppresses the thickening of cathode electrolyte interphase film and boosts the structural stability of NCM83 electrode to optimize electrochemical properties. Therefore, this strategy may provide promising enlightenments for preserving structural integrity and improving interfacial stability of nickel-rich cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent decade, growing efforts have been devoted to employing elemental selenium as a selenium source in organic synthesis. In contrast to unstable, smelly, and toxic previous selenium reagents, elemental selenium is readily available, cheap, bench‐stable, and easy to handle. This review will mainly focus on the strategies for the activation of elemental selenium and the synthesis of organoselenium compounds including monoselenides, diselenides, selenium‐containing heterocycles and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the contributions of sitagliptin to endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus were previously reported, the mechanisms still undefined. Autophagy plays an important role in the development of diabetes mellitus, but its role in diabetic macrovascular complications is unclear. This study aims to observe the effect of sitagliptin on macrovascular endothelium in diabetes and explore the role of autophagy in this process. Diabetic rats were induced through administration of high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Then diabetic rats were treated with or without sitagliptin for 12 weeks. Endothelial damage and autophagy were measured. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured either in normal glucose or in high glucose medium and intervened with different concentrations of sitagliptin. Rapamycin was used to induce autophagy. Cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy were detected. The expressions of proteins in c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-Bcl-2-Beclin-1 pathway were measured. Sitagliptin attenuated injuries of endothelium in vivo and in vitro. The expression of microtubuleassociated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3II) and beclin-1 were increased in aortas of diabetic rats and cells cultured with high-glucose, while sitagliptin inhibited the over-expression of LC3II and beclin-1. In vitro pre-treatment with sitagliptin decreased rapamycin-induced autophagy. However, after pretreatment with rapamycin, the protective effect of sitagliptin on endothelial cells was abolished. Further studies revealed sitagliptin increased the expression of Bcl-2, while inhibited the expression of JNK in vivo. Sitagliptin attenuates injuries of vascular endothelial cells caused by high glucose through inhibiting over-activated autophagy. JNK-Bcl-2-Beclin-1 pathway may be involved in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ti4+ doping can provide a stronger Ti-O bond to strengthen the structural stability. • NCM83-2.0 presents compact secondary particles with more ordered layered structure. • NCM83-2.0 delivers 170.5 mAh g−1 and 92.2 % after 100cycles at 2.0 C and 60 °C. • NCM83-2.0 preserves the structural integrity of secondary particles after cycles. The further commercialization of layer-structured Ni-rich LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 (NCM83) cathode for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been challenged by severe capacity decay and thermal instability owing to the microcracks and harmful phase transitions. Herein, Ti4+-doped NCM83 cathode materials are rationally designed via a simple and low-cost in-situ modification method to improve the crystal structure and electrode–electrolyte interface stability by inhibiting irreversible polarizations and harmful phase transitions of the NCM83 cathode materials due to Ti4+-doped forms stronger metal-O bonds and a stable bulk structural. In addition, the optimal doping amount of the composite cathode material is also determined through the results of physical characterization and electrochemical performance testing. The optimized Ti4+-doped NCM83 cathode material presents wider Li+ ions diffusion channels (c = 14.1687 Å), lower Li+/Ni2+ mixing degree (2.68 %), and compact bulk structure. The cell assembled with the optimized Ti4+-doped NCM83 cathode material exhibits remarkable capacity retention ratio of 95.4 % after 100cycles at 2.0 C and room temperature, and outstanding reversible discharge specific capacity of 148.2 mAh g−1 at 5.0 C. Even under elevated temperature of 60 °C, it delivers excellent capacity retention ratio of 92.2 % after 100cycles at 2.0 C , which is significantly superior to the 47.9 % of the unmodified cathode material. Thus, the in-situ Ti4+-doped strategy presents superior advantages in enhancing the structural stability of Ni-rich cathode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in many fields because of the advantages of high energy density, excellent cycling performance, and low self-discharge rate. Nevertheless, the specific capacity of lithium-ion batteries cannot satisfy the practical demands further after being employed for 3 to 5 years due to the decomposition of liquid electrolytes, which can lead to a large number of spent lithium-ion batteries undoubtedly. Therefore, recycling and utilizing of spent lithium-ion batteries reasonably can not only economize the resource, but also alleviate the environmental pollution. This paper summarizes the processing steps of spent lithium-ion batteries during the recycling process, which mainly consists of the pretreatment of ternary cathode materials, the leaching and separation of valuable metal ions and the regeneration of ternary cathode materials as well as comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various methods. On that basis, it is reasonable to move in a safe, environmental and efficient direction to recycle and utilize of ternary cathode materials in spent lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NASICON-type solid electrolyte powders Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 (LATP) are synthesized by spray-drying and assisted sintering processes. The effects of different pH values of the spray-dried precursor solution on the crystallinity, morphology, ionic conductivity, compaction density and cycling stability of the LATP solid electrolyte sheets are investigated. The LATP-6.0 solid electrolyte sheets present the most perfect microstructure with a compaction density of 2.968 g cm−1 and the highest ionic conductivity of 1.182 E−4 S cm−1 with an activation energy of 0.273 eV at room temperature when the pH value of the precursor solution is adjusted to 6.0. Additionally, the assembled LiCoO 2 /LATP-6.0/Li all-solid-state coin cell delivers commendable cycling stability with a high discharge specific capacity of 150.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after five activation cycles and retains a specific capacity retention rate of 94.28% after 300 cycles with various current densities at room temperature. Moreover, the LATP-6.0 solid electrolyte sheets maintain an intact morphology and uniformly-distributed elements composition after cycling. Based on these excellent results, the use of the LATP-6.0 sheets as solid electrolytes in high-performance all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries is a promising strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel CO 3 2−-bridged Dy 4 cluster displays slow magnetic relaxation behavior under H dc = 0 Oe, fluorescence property and well antibacterial activity. [Display omitted] • A Dy 4 cluster 1 has been synthesized and structurally characterized. • 1 displays slow magnetic relaxation behavior under H dc = 0 Oe filed. • Cluster 1 possesses well antibacterial activity. A novel tetranuclear Dy(III)-based cluster, namely [Dy 4 (CO 3)L 4 (acac) 2 (CH 3 OH) 2 (CH 2 OH) 2 ]·2CH 3 OH (1) (where H 2 L is 2-(hydroxyimino)-2-[(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]hydrazide and Hacac is acetylacetonate) has been constructed by employing a newly prepared Schiff based ligand H 2 L. X-ray diffraction data reveal that 1 is mainly consist of a rhombic Dy 4 core, in which the four Dy3+ ions are bridged by six μ -O atoms from four ligands H 2 L and two μ 2 -O atoms from the in situ formed CO 3 2− via spontaneous fixation of atmospheric CO 2. The crystal structure of 1 possesses two distinct Dy3+ ions coordination center, and the nine-coordinated Dy73+ ions center presenting a distorted spherical capped square antiprism geometry and eight-coordinated Dy43+ ions center presenting a distorted triangular dodecahedron geometry. Magnetic study indicates that 1 displays slow magnetic relaxation behavior under H dc = 0 Oe filed. Furthermore, the fluorescence property investigation reveals that 1 shows DyIII characteristic emission peaks. Moreover, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of 1 have been systemically studied, and cluster 1 possesses well antibacterial activity on five common bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus). In addition, the interaction between 1 and DNA have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical calculations at both density functional theory (DFT) and single-point CCSD(T) levels suggest that Be2B6 (D6h, 3A1g) and Be2B7+ (D7h, 3A2′) clusters adopt interesting inverse sandwich structures with spin-triplet ground states, featuring a perfect planar B6 (or B7) monocyclic boron ring being sandwiched by two lone Be atoms. There is pronounced charge transfer from the Be atoms to the monocyclic boron rings, leading to [Be]2+[B6]4−[Be]2+ and [Be]2+[B7]3−[Be]2+ charge transfer complexes. Chemical bonding analysis showed that Be2B6 and Be2B7+ clusters have σ/π double aromaticity with 4σ and 6π delocalized electrons on the boron rings. The Be2B6 inverse sandwich possesses the smallest monocyclic boron ring motif in Be-doped boron clusters to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NASICON-type fast ion conductor powders Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 (LATP) are prepared by spray-drying and sintering processes confirmed by XRD and SEM analyses. Novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropylene) (P(VDF-HFP))-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) doped with various amounts of LATP particles are fabricated via classical inverse-phase method. As a result, the as-prepared CPE-5 membrane can present excellent physicochemical properties when the doped amount is maintained at 5% vs. polymer matrix, in which the interfacial impedance value can rapidly stabilize at 472 Ω and the thermal decomposition temperature can be up to 430 °C, respectively. In particularly, the ionic conductivity can be as high as 3.943 mS cm−1 at 25 °C. In addition, the assembled LiCoO 2 /CPE-5/Li coin cell can deliver a discharge specific capacity of 145.4 mAh g−1 at 1.0 C with 96.93% capacity retention ratio after 25 cycles. These outstanding properties can promote the CPE-5 to be a candidate electrolyte to improve the performance of lithium ion batteries. Brief preparation process and characterization of composite polymer electrolytes doped with various amounts of LATP powders. Unlabelled Image • NASICON-type LATP powders are prepared by spray-drying and sintering methods. • The optimum LATP doping amount is 5% vs. polymer matrix. • The ionic conductivity at room temperature is as high as 3.943 mS cm−1. • The assembled cell delivers a discharge specific capacity of 132.8 mAh g−1 at 1.0 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new Tb 4 clusters show high catalytic activity of the cycloaddition reaction of CO 2 and epichlorohydrin under mild conditions. [Display omitted] Two new and interesting tetranuclear Tb(III)-based clusters [Tb 4 (NO 3) 2 (acac) 4 (HL) 2 (CH 3 OH) 2 ]·2(CH 3 CN)] (1) and [Tb 4 (NO 3) 2 (acac) 4 (L) 2 (CH 3 CH 2 OH) 2 ] (2) (H 4 L1 = 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)propane-1,3-diol); H 3 L2 = 2-(((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol; and Hacac = acetylacetone) have been successfully synthesized by using two polydentate Schiff base ligands (H 3 L2 and H 4 L1). The crystal structures, fluorescent properties, magnetic properties and catalytic properties of the two clusters 1 and 2 have been systematically studied. Interestingly, both clusters 1 and 2 can catalyze the cycloaddition of CO 2 with epoxides with high efficiency under mild conditions; and cluster 1 as a catalyst could be reused at least three times without obvious loss of catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient visible‐light‐driven strategy for bromination of α‐diazo compounds is achieved for the construction of α‐bromoesters with bromoform. It is noteworthy that the reaction occurs under sole light irradiation without a photocatalyst or an additive. Several synthetic transformations and gram‐scale reactions demonstrate the synthetic potential of this photochemical reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] InCl 3 @Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 -F (InCl 3 @LATP-F) solid electrolyte powders are designed and fabricated by coating a uniform InCl 3 layer on the surface of F--doped Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 (LATP-F) solid powders via a feasible wet-chemical technique. The assembled Li/InCl 3 @LATP-F/Li cell can undergo longer cycles of 2500 h at 0.4 mA cm−2 without obvious increases in the overvoltage compared to 1837 h for the Li/LATP-F/Li cell, and the interfacial resistance demonstrates a sharp decrease from 3428 to 436 Ω for the Li/InCl 3 @LATP-F/Li cell during the first 500 h. Importantly, the assembled LiCoO 2 /InCl 3 @LATP-F/Li cell delivers a high discharge specific capacity of 126.4 mAh g−1 with a 95.42% capacity retention ratio after 100 cycles at 0.5 C , and the value easily returns to 112.9 mAh g−1 when the current density is abruptly set back to 0.1 C after different rate cycles. These improved results can be mainly attributed to the fact that the InCl 3 layer with a lithiophilic nature can react with lithium metal to form a Li-In alloy, which can guarantee homogeneous lithium ion flux to avoid the accumulation of ions/electrons across the interface and suppress the growth of lithium dendrites. Moreover, the InCl 3 layer can prevent direct contact of the LATP-F solid electrolyte and lithium metal to effectively alleviate the reduction reaction of Ti4+ and preserve the structural stability of the composite electrolyte. Therefore, this work may provide an effective strategy to engineer and regulate the interfacial stability between LATP solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes for LATP-type solid-state lithium batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 (NCM523) powders modified with fast ion conductor Li 3 InCl 6 (LIC) are fabricated via sol-gel and sintering processes, and the LIC layer with a thickness of about 2.4842 nm is uniformly covered on the surface to fabricate the targeted LIC@NCM523-2 composite powders, in which the LIC layer not only lowers the residual lithium content but also decreases the cation mixing degree. The LIC@NCM523-2 electrode preserves relatively intact morphology and layered structure after cycles. Moreover, the LIC@NCM523-2 electrode delivers discharge specific capacity of 130.5 mAh g−1 with capacity retention ratio of 76.8% after 200 cycles at 1.0 C and 25 °C, and retains about 108.8 mAh g−1 at the 200th cycle at 1.0 C and 60 °C. Importantly, the LIC@NCM523-2 electrode exhibits desirable discharge specific capacity of 128.2 mAh g−1 at 5.0 C and easily returns back to 164.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 25 °C. Those outstanding electrochemical properties are ascribed to the fact that the appropriate thickness LIC layer protects active particles from the corrosion of liquid electrolytes to stabilize the internal structure and provides high conductivity to facilitate Li+ ions transport, elucidating the importance of the surface modified strategy with the fast ion conductor LIC layer. [Display omitted] • LIC@NCM523-2 powders are successfully fabricated via sol-gel and sintering processes. • LIC layer provides high conductivity and protects active particles from corrosion. • LIC@NCM523-2 retains 150.7 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 1.0 C and 60 °C. • LIC@NCM523-2 can preserve well-layered structural integrity during repeated cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1-Gd 2 compound displays cryogenic magnetocaloric effect, while 2-Tb 2 and 3-Ho 2 compounds shows SMMs behaviors under H dc = 0 Oe filed. (3) The Tb 2 and Ho 2 compounds show SMM behaviors under H dc = 0 Oe filed. [Display omitted] • Four new LnIII 2 compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized. • The Gd 2 compound displays cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with − Δ S m = 21.07 J kg−1 K−1. • The Tb 2 and Ho 2 compounds show SMM behaviors under H dc = 0 Oe filed Four new LnIII 2 compounds [Ln 2 (dbm) 2 (L) 2 (CH 3 OH)] (Ln(III) = Gd (1), Tb (2), Ho (3), and Tm (4)), where H 2 L is 2-hydroxyamino-propionic acid (3,5-di- tert -butyl-2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-hydrazide and Hdbm is dibenzoylmethane, were successfully synthesized via solvothermal method and characterized structurally and magnetically. Magnetic studies reveal the anti-ferromagnetic interaction was existed in compound 1. Moreover, magnetic refrigeration property study suggests that compound 1 exhibits magnetocaloric effect with − Δ S m = 21.07 J kg−1 K−1 for Δ H = 7.0 T at 2.0 K. Alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility study of 2 and 3 suggests that single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior occurs for 2 and 3 under H dc = 0 Oe with the effective energy barrier Δ E / k B of 20.05 K and τ 0 of 2.93 × 10−6 s for 2 and Δ E / k B = 0.85 K and τ 0 = 3.47 × 10−5 s for 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon/carbon (Si/C) composite anode materials are successfully synthesized by mechanical ball milling followed by pyrolysis method. The structure and morphology of the composite are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results show that the composite is composed of Si, flake graphite, and phenolic resin-pyrolyzed carbon, and Si and flake graphite are enwrapped by phenolic resin-pyrolyzed carbon, which can provide not only a good buffering matrix but also a conductive network. The Si/C composite also shows good electrochemical stability, in which the composite anode material exhibits a high initial charge capacity of 805.3 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and it can still deliver a high charge capacity of 791.7 mAh g−1 when the current density increases to 500 mA g−1. The results indicate that it could be used as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Friction stir welding of in-situ ZrB 2 /AA7085 composites with different mass fraction was successfully carried out. • The effect of different strengthening mechanisms on friction stir welding joint of ZrB 2 /AA7085 composites was analyzed. • The mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of ZrB 2 /AA7085 composites were mainly affected by nano-ZrB 2 particles and precipitates. • Under the same welding conditions, the ultimate tensile strength of 1 wt% ZrB 2 /AA7085 FSWed joint was 72.9 MPa higher than that of 7085 aluminum alloy FSWed joint. Friction stir welding (FSW) has been widely used to join Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys. As the mechanical properties of the heat affected zone (HAZ) of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys joints are affected by the additional welding thermal cycle, which always contributes to a weak HAZ. In this paper, the in-situ ZrB 2 particle was used to optimize the mechanical properties of the HAZ of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy joint. The effects of mass fraction of ZrB 2 particle on the microstructure and tensile properties of in-situ ZrB 2 /AA7085 composites FSW joints were studied. The results showed that the coarsening of precipitates contributed to the softening of HAZ and declined the strength of AA7085 FSW joint to approximately 294.3 MPa. Small amount of in-situ ZrB 2 (1 wt%) provided an additional strength of HAZ and increased the strength of the FSW joint to approximately 367.2 MPa. However, when the content of ZrB 2 increased to 3 wt% and 5 wt%, many ZrB 2 -rich band structures were formed in stir zone. The brittle nature of the ZrB 2 -rich band structure resulted in the crack initiation and propagation in stir zone. It declined the strength of ZrB 2 (3 wt% and 5 wt%)/AA7085 FSW joint to 308.3 MPa and 275.5 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP))-based gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) membranes are prepared by phase inversion method using urea as pore-forming agent and dimethylformamide as solvent, respectively, and the desired polymer electrolytes are obtained after being immersed the as-prepared polymer electrolyte membranes into liquid electrolytes for 1 h. Physicochemical properties of the GPEs are investigated by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, EIS and LSV. When the weight ratio of urea to P(VDF-HFP) is up to 0.6:4, the results show that the polymer electrolyte membrane presents the most uniform surface with abundant interconnected micro-pores and excellent thermal stability, in which the ionic conductivity at room temperature can reach 2.671 mS cm−1 and the reciprocal temperature dependence of ionic conductivity follows Arrhenius relationship. The interfacial resistance of the Li/GPE/Li simulated cell with 0.6 g urea can rapidly increase to a steady value about 650 Ω cm−1 from the initial value about 475 Ω cm−1 during 15 days storage at 30 °C. The polymer electrolyte with 0.6 g urea can be stable at 5.3 V (vs Li/Li+) at room temperature and the assembled Li/GPE/LiCoO2 coin cell can also show good rate and cycle performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We perform in this work a comprehensive first-principles investigation on the geometric and electronic structures of Au(BO) and Au(BS) which are valent isoelectronic to the well-known Au(CN) monoanion. Au(BO) and Au(BS) complexes prove to possess linear ground-state structures similar to Au(CN) and the BO and BS ligands in them are found to be coordinated terminally via boron atoms to gold centers which are weakly negatively charged. Au-B bonds in Au(BO) and Au(BS) appear to have higher Wiberg bond indices (0.79 and 0.80) and more covalent components (60 and 53 %) than the corresponding values of Au-C interaction in Au(CN) (0.67 and 39 %, respectively) at the same theoretical levels. Their Au-B bifurcation values of the electronic localization function also turn out to be higher than Au-C. These results strongly suggest that the Au-B bonds in Au(BO) and Au(BS) with multiple-bond character possess stronger covalent characters than Au-C in Au(CN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal models have shown that regional anesthesia (combined with or without general anesthesia) would attenuate the surgical stress response by preserving immune function and result in better long-term outcome. In order to test the hypothesis that cancer patients who had surgery with epidural anesthesia (EA) would have better outcome (either overall survival [OS] or recurrence-free survival [RFS]) than those who were general anesthesia (GA), we performed this meta-analysis. By searching relevant literature, a total of 14 studies containing 18 sub-studies (seven in OS analysis and eleven in RFS analysis) were identified and meta-analyzed. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association. For OS, the random-effects model was used to analyze the data and demonstrated an OS benefit in favor of EA compared with GA alone (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.96, P = 0.013). The influence analysis showed the robustness of the results. Specifically, a significantly positive association between EA and improved OS was observed in colorectal cancer (HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.99, P = 0.045). For RFS, the random-effects model was used to analyze the data and no significant relationship between RFS benefit and EA (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.64–1.22, P = 0.457) was detected. In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that epidural anesthesia and/or analgesia might be associated with improved overall survival in patients with operable cancer undergoing surgery (especially in colorectal cancer), but it does not support an association between epidural anesthesia and cancer control. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether the association between epidural use and survival is causative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray images of steel cord conveyor belt are built on a repetitive unit of a pattern. Based on the statistical features and the idea of regularity, a fault automatic detection method named MRB (Modified Regular Bands) was proposed to monitor the status of steel cord conveyor belt. Firstly, the input image of steel cord conveyor belt was normalized and standardized. Then the MRB parameters of each pixel were calculated by the progressive scanning. Finally, after subtracting the MRB parameter mean of the whole image, the detected result whether it is a fault image or not was obtained and the fault region was extracted from the fault image, by the way of comparing with the thresholds obtained from training stage. The results of the detection of four kinds of typical steel cord conveyor belt faults show that the MRB method has higher precision, is simple and fast enough for real-time on-loom fault detection. Compared with the statistical method such as the mean and variance, the MRB method is sensitive to the faults and can detect the small faults. The image of MRB parameter has higher contrast, so it can stand out the fault region from the fault-free region. And the shape of fault region is well acquired by MRB method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal–boron complexes BnM have been predicted at density functional theory level to be molecular bowls (n = 8–14) hosting a transition metal atom (M) inside or molecular tires (n = 14) centered with a transition metal atom. Small Bn clusters prove to be effective inorganic ligands to all the VB–VIIIB transition metal elements in the periodic table. Density functional evidences obtained in this work strongly suggest that bowl-shaped fullerene analogues of Bn units exist in small BnM complexes and the bowl-to-tire structural transition occur to the first-row transition metal complexes BnM (M = Mn, Fe, Co) at n = 14, a size obviously smaller than n = 20 where the 2D-3D structural transition occurs to bare Bn. The half-sandwich-type B12Cr (C3v), full sandwich-type (B12)2Cr (D3d), bowl-shaped B14Fe (C2), and tire-shaped B14Fe (D7d) and B14Fe- (C7v) are the most interesting prototypes to be targeted in future experiments. These BnM complexes may serve as building blocks to form extended boron-rich BnMm tubes or cages (m ≥ 2) or as structural units to be placed inside carbon nanotubes with suitable diameters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public-private partnership-based services could be one of the better solutions for developing urban environmental infrastructure--which includes sewage treatment and municipal solid waste disposal services--in developing countries. Due to the low availability of funds for investment in the public sector and operating inefficiencies in government-run utilities, public-private partnership (PPP) can help to provide environmental services by calling on private-sector investment and managerial and technical skills. The Chinese government is facing a "capital bottleneck" and low efficiency in the existing government-run system for developing urban environmental infrastructure (UEI). To achieve the environmental targets under the Tenth and Eleventh Five Year Plans (2001-2010), the Government needs to draw up financial strategies and implement financial mechanisms that include PPP. There is no substantial experience of establishing PPP systems in most developing countries, including China. This study identifies the role of PPP, and examines the necessity of introducing the PPP system in China. It also clarifies the reform process in the UEI sector, existing policies, and important options for PPP-based projects and services. The study focuses on key issues like target setting, pricing regulations and tariff policy design, policies for promoting PPP, and contractual arrangements. It is based on international experiences and seeks to examine how these can be applied in China in order to enhance UEI implementation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new analytical method is suggested for the computation of primary fragment velocity for an explosion in a shell (or case). The influence of the shell on the intensity of explosion-generated air shock waves is discussed, which shows that it is determined by the wall thickness (or the mass) of the location at which the fragment occurs, not by the total mass of the shell. By experimentation the air shock wave overpressures and the damage effects of simulative targets that are caused by the explosions of explosive charges in a shell and without a shell are examined under the same charge mass and shape, to verify the validity of the presented result in this work. By using the suggested theoretical method, the upper bound of fragment velocity and the lower bound, respectively, are calculated. The fragment velocity depends on the thickness of a shell, and the thicker or the heavier the shell, the more serious the influence of the shell on blast shock wave intensity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the mid 1990s, governments have attached increasing importance to urban environmental infrastructure (UEI) development in East Asian developing countries. There are two critical strategic issues for improving urban environmental infrastructure in East Asia: the enhancement of governmental capacities in financing UEI, and the mobilization of private-sector funds to ease governmental financial difficulties and improve the efficiency of environmental investments. This article examines special features of UEI investment in East Asia and argues that the most beneficial way to enhance governmental capacity is to raise the priority given to UEI in governmental agendas, diversify financing sources for UEI investment by developing Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and use financial and tax measures and economic instruments to augment local financial capacities. This article also identifies possible roles for private finance initiative (PFI) in UEI (mainly sewerage treatment and garbage disposal facilities) and creates new policies and institutional arrangements promoting PFI in UEI projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TC NP composite nanofibers are fabricated by electrospinning and heat-treatment. • TC NP composite nanofibers demonstrate high electronic conductivity. • Uniform dispersion of ultrafine TiO 2 nanoparticles ensures structural stability. • Assembled Li//TC NP cell exhibits enhanced specific capacity and rate performance. Electrospinning combined with heating treatment is employed to fabricate N/P co -doped carbon nanofibers encapsulating homogenous ultrafine TiO 2 nanoparticles (TiO 2 @N/P-CNFs). Characterization results reveal that one-dimensional electrospun composite nanofibers with high electronic conductivity and structural integrity are interconnected with each other to construct a three-dimensional conductive nanofiber network as efficient ion/electron transport channels. Specifically, the Li//TiO 2 @N/P-CNFs coin cell delivers an initial discharge specific capacity of 754.9 mAh/g at 100 mA/g and maintains the reversible specific capacity of 486.1 mAh/g after 100 cycles. Moreover, the cell expresses the exceptional rate capability with discharge specific capacity of 272.2 mAh/g at 2000 mA/g, whose capacity can be restored to 474.3 mAh/g as soon as the current density is returned to 100 mAh/g. Furthermore, Li//TiO 2 @N/P-CNFs cell demonstrates a significant pseudocapacitive contribution of 78% at 1.0 mV/s. The excellent electrochemical performance can be explained by the fact that the N/P co -doping strategy is promising strategy for facilitating Li+ ions storage and transfer by broadening interlayer distance and increasing the distribution of defects and active sites. Besides, ultrafine TiO 2 nanoparticles with diameter of about 7 nm harness excellent mechanical strength to maintain structural stability upon cycling. Therefore, easily fabricated TiO 2 @N/P-CNFs composite nanofibers with excellent electrochemical properties may be served as a promising option for advanced anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The morphology of TC NP composite nanofibers and corresponding rate performance of the assembled Li/TC NP coin cell. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, zinc-borosilicate silicon（ZBS） glass containing europium (Eu) ions and CsPbBr 3 quantum dots (QDs) (ZEQ) was synthesized via melting crystallization route. The composition and luminescent properties are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The XRD and XPS results imply that Eu 3+, Eu 2+ ions and CsPbBr 3 QDs are coexisted in ZBS glass. The dual-mode emission from cyan to orange-red can be achieved by adjusting the melting temperature. Besides, the ZEQ has good water resistance, outstanding light irradiation and excellent heating-cooling cycle stability. Moreover, based on the ZEQ, the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are designed to obtain the white light with the correlated color temperature (CCT) of 5255 K, the Coherent Infrared Energy (CIE) color coordinate of (0.337 0.313), the NSCT color gamut of 116 % and 87 % of Rec.2020. Thus, this article provides a novel material ZEQ, which is tunable luminescence and ultra-stable. The strategy provides the route that the luminescence of Eu ions and QDs can be observed at the same time, solving the difficulty of the rare earth ions entering into the QDs lattice. Moreover, the ZEQ is expected to be used as the light source for solid-state lighting and also provides valuable research results for future exploration of functional glass containing both rare-earth ions and QDs materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of boron‐based molecular rotors stems from boron‐carbon binary clusters containing multiple planar hypercoordinate carbons (phCs, such as C2B8). However, the design of boron‐coordinated phCs is challenging due to boron's tendency to occupy hypercoordinate centers more than carbon. Although this challenge has been addressed, the designed clusters of interest have not exhibited dynamic fluxionality similar to that of the initial C2B8. To address this issue, we report a σ/π doubly aromatic CB2H5+ cluster, the first global minimum containing a boron‐coordinated planar tetracoordinate carbon atom with dynamic fluxionality. Dynamics simulations show that two ligand H atoms exhibit alternate rotation, resulting in an intriguing dynamic fluxionality in this cluster. Electronic structure analysis reveals the flexible bonding positions of the ligand H atoms because they do not participate in π delocalized bonding nor bond to any other non‐carbon atom, highlighting this rotational fluxionality. Unprecedentedly, the fluxional process involves not only the usual conversion of the number of bonding atoms, but also the type of bonding (3c π bonds ↔4c σ bonds), which is an uncommon fluxional mechanism. The cluster represents an effort to apply phC species to molecular machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk for suffering immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)‐associated myocarditis increases in patients with pre‐existing conditions and the mechanisms remain to be clarified. Spatial transcriptomics, single‐cell RNA sequencing, and flow cytometry are used to decipher how anti‐cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen‐4 m2a antibody (anti‐CTLA‐4 m2a antibody) aggravated cardiac injury in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) mice. It is found that anti‐CTLA‐4 m2a antibody increases cardiac fibroblast‐derived C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 1 (Cxcl1), which promots neutrophil infiltration to the myocarditic zones (MZs) of EAM mice via enhanced Cxcl1‐Cxcr2 chemotaxis. It is identified that the C–C motif chemokine ligand 5 (Ccl5)‐neutrophil subpopulation is responsible for high activity of cytokine production, adaptive immune response, NF‐κB signaling, and cellular response to interferon‐gamma and that the Ccl5‐neutrophil subpopulation and its‐associated proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines promoted macrophage (Mφ) polarization to M1 Mφ. These altered infiltrating landscape and phenotypic switch of immune cells, and proinflammatory factors synergistically aggravated anti‐CTLA‐4 m2a antibody‐induced cardiac injury in EAM mice. Neutralizing neutrophils, Cxcl1, and applying Cxcr2 antagonist dramatically alleviates anti‐CTLA‐4 m2a antibody‐induced leukocyte infiltration, cardiac fibrosis, and dysfunction. It is suggested that Ccl5‐neutrophil subpopulation plays a critical role in aggravating anti‐CTLA‐4 m2a antibody‐induced cardiac injury in EAM mice. This data may provide a strategic rational for preventing/curing ICIs‐associated myocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogeneous and three-dimensional structural Cu 6 Sn 5 alloy thin-film composite materials are successfully fabricated by efficiently electrodepositing the acidic leaching solution of waste printed circuit boards with the pH value adjusted to 10 at different current densities, which are confirmed by inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. When the Cu 6 Sn 5 alloy thin-film composite materials electrodeposited at 5 mA/cm2 are employed as anode materials for lithium-ions batteries, the assembled coin cells can deliver initial discharge and charge specific capacity of about 617 and 502 mAh/g at 100 mA/g, respectively, and can retain a discharge specific capacity of 448 mAh/g after 25 cycles. Moreover, the cells assembled with Cu 6 Sn 5 alloy anodes can exhibit an enhanced lithium-ion diffusion coefficient of 5.045 × 10−16 cm2/s with a lower transfer resistance of 63.43 Ω. Those results may provide an effective strategy for the resource utilization of low-value wastes into copper‑tin alloy thin-film electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of different intensities of physical activity on college students' mental health and fortitude. For a freshman in high school, the psychological state Experimentally, the effects of various exercise methods on various psychological issues were explored. It transpires that: Exercise benefits the heart. The rational state regulates effectively. Taijiquan is vital in learning anxiety; The healthy body is held, tai chi, and feather hairball has a noticeable improvement in symptoms with tai chi. The author employs cluster sampling, selects a college student as the research object, and employs the SCL-90 self-assessment scale and the adolescent mental toughness scale to examine the effect of physical exercise of varying intensities on improving the mental health and mental toughness of college students. *To a first-year high school student 786 To perform a questionnaire survey. Written by Zhou Bucheng et al., the Mental Health Diagnostic Test (M IT I) was used to conduct the survey. 753 recoveries, 3 valid surveys, and 384 boys. There were 27 men and 9 women in total. Input the original data acquired from the questionnaire with XE C king:12 X(commit to the actual number into the computer. The co-printed names were examined for physical symptoms using the M H T scale. We were learning about anxiety and psychological allergy tendencies for the freshman. According to the ex E E Zl X(random sampling), Each group contributes functions, which are arranged in basketball, setting-up exercise, tai chi, and feather hair. The experiment was conducted in four separate groups--the eight-week interval between exercising twice weekly and working out. The Fording exam was administered eight weeks later compared to the previous period. The scores of somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and paranoia on the SCL-90 scale of college students in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control groups 1, 2, and 3. All P values were < 0.01; The scores of the psychological toughness questionnaire in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control groups 1 and 2. Both P values were 0.01; Students in the observation group believed physical activity might positively affect social interaction, spiritual emancipation, and self-discipline. * Students with learning anxiety performed minimal Tai Chi exercises. There were statistically significant differences between groups (P & LT; 0.05), indicating that only Taiji boxing is of concern. This may be a requirement of "To Harbin" tai chi to enhance the impact. "The mind controls the action." Under the control of awareness, the neurological system is always fully set in the precision of every action, whether false or true, opening and closing, coordinating - and even to Garden life, metamorphosis, and respiration. Be determined to accomplish Flexibility and equilibrium of the neurological system are enhanced further. Self-ideation management Additionally, the control ability improves anxiety symptoms such as hypersensitivity. The heart does not experience real fear without cause. Anxiety and dread prevent the mind from being controlled, preventing the exercise of self-control and the section. The observation group's somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, sadness, anxiety, and paranoid scores were considerably higher than those of the control groups 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.01). The scores on the psychological resilience scale were substantially higher in the observation group than in the control group 1,2, P < 0.01. The students in the observation group stated that physical exercise might positively affect social interaction, physical and mental health, mental emancipation, and self-training, and their scores were statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to those in the other groups. College students can improve their mental health and mental toughness through moderate-intensity physical activity, which merits attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A coupling reaction of 2‐iodobiphenyl with benzoisoxazole under the cooperative catalysis of Pd(CH3CN)2Cl2 and P(4‐F−Ph)3 is disclosed. The reaction proceeds via intramolecular C−H activation/N−O cleavage/migratory insertion sequence to give an array of N‐arylcarbazoles with an aldehyde or a ketone. The employment of benzoisoxazoles as an amination agent obviates the need for stoichiometric amount of oxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new method to improve V oc and PCE by Sb, Ag dual-cation doping is put forward. • The impact of PHT process of CAZTSSSe/CdS on device performance is first reported. • The PHT process can achieve more optimized band alignment by reducing CBO. • An efficiency of up to 9.44 % is achieved at a PHT temperature of 200 °C. • The PHT process can be better applied to obtain high-efficiency solar cells. Cu 2 ZnSn (S, Se) 4 (CZTSSe) semiconductors have become a recent focus of research owing to their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and high efficiency. However, insufficient band alignment between the CZTSSe absorption layer and the CdS buffer layer significantly hampers the high conversion efficiency of CZTSSe devices. In this study, problems related to energy-band matching were solved by the post-heat treatment (PHT) of the absorber and buffer layers. Based on obtaining a high-quality absorption layer through double-doped (Cu, Ag) 2 Zn(Sn, Sb)(S, Se) 4 (CAZTSSSe), the impact of the PHT process of CAZTSSSe/CdS on the device performance and heterojunction quality was investigated. The PHT process promoted the reciprocating motion of elements in the heterojunction region, directly inducing the movement of Cd towards the absorption layer and Cu towards the buffer layer. Furthermore, the PHT method enhances the recrystallization of CdS, resulting in the formation of a CdS layer with excellent crystalline quality. After PHT processing, a more favorable conduction band arrangement was obtained, which helps to reduce non-radiative recombination. Ultimately, when the PHT temperature reaches 200 °C, we get an optimal device with an efficiency of up to 9.44 %, as open circuit voltage (V OC) escalates to 431 mV, and lower fill factor (FF) attains 55.63 %. It is believed that this PHT process can be better applied in thin film cells to obtain high-efficiency solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schematic illustrations of preparation processes of the self-assembled SnO 2 @SnS 2 hybrid microsphere anode. • Self-assembled SnO 2 @SnS 2 hybrid materials are successfully prepared. • SnO 2 @SnS 2 particle presents a perfect sphere with a diameter approximate of 4.5 μm. • SnO 2 @SnS 2 microsphere is centered on SnO 2 and surrounded by a SnS 2 layer of 55.2 nm. • The assembled cell shows an initial discharge specific capacity of 1068.0 mAh g−1. Self-assembled SnO 2 @SnS 2 hybrid microspheres are successfully synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The coin cells assembled with the SnO 2 @SnS 2 hybrid microspheres as anode materials can deliver a high initial discharge specific capacity of 1068 mAh g−1 and present a good cycling stability after 50 cycles at 100 mA g−1, which can be mainly attributed to the unique hybrid structure and synergy effects of SnO 2 and SnS 2. These considerable electrochemical properties indicate that the as-prepared SnO 2 @SnS 2 hybrid microspheres may be a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower-like SnS 2 /NC@GO composite powders are successfully synthesized by freeze-drying a mixed suspension of graphene oxide (GO) and melamine decorating flower-like SnS 2 powders with following annealing processes, which are confirmed by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. These results demonstrate that a three dimensional network provided by GO wraps uniformly on the surface of flower-like SnS 2 powders coated with the N-doped carbon (NC) layer derived from melamine, in which the NC layer can effectively relieve the volume expansion and the conductive network can supply plentiful charge transfer channels for electrons and lithium ions. When served as an anode material, the coin cell with the SnS 2 /NC@GO composite electrode exhibits an outstanding cyclic property and delivers an average discharge specific capacity of 761.5, 569.7, 502.6, 415.1 and 290.3 mAh g−1 at 100, 200, 300, 500 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. The cell can deliver a high discharge specific capacity of 621.1 mAh g−1 when the current density recovers suddenly to 100 mA g−1. Moreover, the cell with the SnS 2 /NC@GO composite electrode presents an enhanced lithium ions diffusion coefficient of 1.872 × 10−14 cm2 s−1 and a low charge transfer resistance of 129.1 Ω. It is no doubt that the as-prepared SnS 2 /NC@GO composite with improved electrochemical properties can be used as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Schematic illustrations of lithium ions storage processes of the SnS 2 /NC@GO composite. Unlabelled Image • Flower-like SnS 2 /NC@GO composite is successfully synthesized. • The pores of flower-like SnS 2 are loaded with N-doped carbon particles. • SnS 2 /NC composite is further encapsulated by a graphene oxide cage. • The as-prepared SnS 2 /NC@GO electrode presents enhanced electrochemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sandwich-like structural Si@TiO 2 @rGO composite are prepared via simple sol-gel combined with graphene encapsulation processes and are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, galvanostatic cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in which the stable TiO 2 coating can not only prominently restrain volume effect of electrodes but deliver partial capacity for electrodes, and the flexible graphene networks can not only significantly enhance the electronic conductivity but provide extra spaces for volume changes of electrodes. The as-synthetized Si@TiO 2 @rGO anodes show an initial coulombic efficiency of 76.9%, a charge specific capacity of 1135.1 mAh g−1 under a test current of 200 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, a charge specific capacity of 568.1 mAh g−1 even under a test current of 3000 mA g−1 and an enhanced diffusion coefficient of lithium ion of 8.008 E-11 cm2 s−1 in the 100th cycle, which can be attributed to the synergetic effects of the stable TiO 2 coating and flexible graphene networks. Moreover, the Si@TiO 2 @rGO electrodes still retain integrated sandwich-like structure and uniform element distribution after 100 cycles, which are further revealing their stable physical and excellent electrochemical properties. These noteworthy results exhibit significant potential of the Si@TiO 2 @rGO composite as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. Concise preparation schematics of the Si@TiO 2 @rGO composite. Image 1 • The Si@TiO 2 @rGO composite with sandwich-like structure are synthesized. • Stable TiO 2 coating can effectively restrain volume effect of electrodes. • Flexible graphene networks enhance prominently electrical conductivity of electrodes. • The Si@TiO 2 @rGO composite anodes exhibit remarkable cycle and rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel NASICON-type structural Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 Si x P 5(3-0.8x) O 12 (LATSP) solid electrolytes are synthesized by spray-drying combined with sintering methods, and the corresponding physicochemical properties are investigated by X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The targeted LATSP powders present uniform cube-like morphology and excellent crystallinity, in which the LATSP-0.05 solid electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 1.053 E-4 S cm−1 and a low activation energy of 0.44 eV at 25 °C as well as a high compaction density of 2.892 g cm−3 when the content of Si doping retains 5% vs. the molar ratio of the pure Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3. Furthermore, the assembled LiCoO 2 /LATSP-0.05/Li all-solid-state coin cell can achieve a relatively high initial discharge specific capacity of 116.2 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and possess outstanding cycle and rate performance compared to other cells at room temperature. These results show that the novel LATSP-0.05 solid electrolyte with NASICON-type structure is expected to widely employ in the field of all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. Preparation schemes of novel NASICON-type structural Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 Si x P 5(3-0.8x) O 12 solid electrolytes. Unlabelled Image • NASICON-type structural Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 Si x P 5(3-0.8x) O 12 solid electrolytes are synthesized. • The LATSP-0.05 exhibits uniform morphology and excellent crystallinity. • Ionic conductivity and activation energy are 0.105 mS cm−1 and 0.44 eV, respectively. • The assembled all-solid-state cell presents outstanding cycle and rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C6H6N2O4, the planar carboxyl group makes a dihedral angle of 74.61 (2)° with the uracil plane. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a three-dimensional network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural schematic of Ni-rich LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 cathode materials enhanced by Mg2+ doping and Li 3 PO 4 coating and the corresponding cycle performance at a high temperature. [Display omitted] • NCM83-MP is synthesized by Mg2+ doping and followed by H 3 PO 4 modifying. • The residual lithium is converted to be a Li 3 PO 4 covering after H 3 PO 4 modifying. • The cells with NCM83-MP retains 157.4 mAh g−1 and 90.0 % after 200 cycles at 2.0 C. • NCM83-MP shows a restrained growth of the polarization during the cycling process. Li 3 PO 4 coating Li 0.98 Mg 0.01 Ni 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 (NCM83-MP) composite powders are successfully synthesized by first doping Mg2+ into LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 by co -calcination processes and followed by H 3 PO 4 modifying the obtained Li 0.98 Mg 0.01 Ni 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 composite powders by sol–gel methods. Related physicochemical characterization results demonstrate that Mg2+ doping can significantly enlarge the lattice space along the c -axis to 14.1431 Å and lower the Li/Ni mixing degree to 1.58 %, and H 3 PO 4 modifying can effectively reduce the residual lithium content and generate a homogeneous Li 3 PO 4 covering with a thickness of about 11.7 nm on the surface of the composite particles. Furthermore, the battery performance tests indicate that the coin cells assembled with NCM83-MP can exhibit excellent cycling performance, in which the distinguished discharge specific capacity of 157.4 mAh g−1 at 2.0 C at 25 °C after 200 cycles and 154.6 mAh g−1 at 2.0 C at 60 °C after 100cycles are amazingly retained, respectively. Additionally, the electrode can present a smaller gap of redox peaks of 0.10 V and a lower resistance value of 193.8 Ω compared to the ones of 0.49 V and 451.8 Ω of NCM83-0 after cycles. Those enhanced electrochemical properties are mainly ascribed to the synergetic effect of Mg2+ doping and H 3 PO 4 modifying, which can not only stabilize the lattice structure but also provide fast transfer channels to facilitate Li ions migrating. Therefore, the proposed strategy may excavate new ideas to the further investigation of high-performance Ni-rich cathode materials for lithium ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schematic illustrations of preparation processes of the heterostructural Sn/SnO 2 @NC microcube anode. [Display omitted] • SnO microcubes are successfully fabricated via a hydrothermal process. • SnO is easily transformed into Sn and SnO 2 at a high temperature in the inert atmosphere. • The Sn/SnO 2 @NC electrode presents enhanced cycling performance and improved rate performance. • The improved performance can be ascribed to the heterostructure and the NC layer. The nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) coating encapsulating heterostructural Sn/SnO 2 microcube powders (Sn/SnO 2 @NC) are successfully fabricated through hydrothermal, polymerization of hydrogel, and carbonization processes, in which the SnO precursor powders exhibit regular microcube structure and uniform size distribution in the presence of optimized N 2 H 4 ·H 2 O (3.0 mL of 1.0 mol/L). Interestingly, the precursor powders are easily subjected to a disproportionated reaction to yield the desirable heterostructural Sn/SnO 2 @NC microcube powders after being calcined at 600 °C in N 2 atmosphere in the presence of home-made hydrogel. The coin cells assembled with the Sn/SnO 2 @NC electrode present a high initial discharge specific capacity (1058 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), improved rate capability (an excellent D Li+ value of 2.82 × 10-15 cm2 s−1) and enhanced cycling stability (a reversible discharge specific capacity of 486.5 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1). The enhanced electrochemical performance can be partly ascribed to the heterostructural microcube that can accelerate the transfer rate of lithium ions by shortening the transmission paths, and be partly to the NC coating that can accommodate the volume effect and contribute to partial lithium storage capacity. Therefore, the strategy may be able to extend the fabrication of Sn/SnO 2 heterostructural microcube powders and further application as promising anode materials in lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural schematic of Mg2+ and Ti4+ co -doping Ni-rich layered LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 composite powders and the corresponding cycle performance at a high temperature. [Display omitted] • Mg2+ and Ti4+ co -doping can effectively stabilize structure and expand interplane spacing. • NCA-11 show a well-ordered layered structure with the a low Li+/Ni2+ mixing degree. • The increasing doping content of Mg2+ and Ti4+ will decrease the initial discharge specific capacity. • The cells with NCM-11 remains 166.7 mAh g−1 and 85.8% after 100cycles at 2.0 C at 60 °C. • NCM-11 can preserve integrity of the secondary particles after cycling. To optimize the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode materials, the 0.005 mol of Mg2+ and 0.005 mol of Ti4+ co -doping LiNi 0.83 Co 0.11 Mn 0.06 O 2 composite powders, labeled as NCM-11, are successfully prepared by being calcinated at 750 °C for 15 h following by an appropriate post-treatment, which are confirmed by XRD, EDS and XPS. The results suggest that NCM-11 presents a well-ordered layered structure with a low Li+/Ni2+ mixing degree of 1.46% and Mg2+ and Ti4+ ions are uniformly distributed across the lattice. The cell assembled with NCM-11 can deliver an initial discharge specific capacity of 194.2 mAh g−1 and retain a discharge specific capacity of 163.0 mAh g−1 after 100cycles at 2.0 C at 25 °C. Furthermore, it still maintains a discharge specific capacity of 166.7 mAh g−1 after 100cycles at 2.0 C at 60 °C. More importantly, it also exhibits a higher discharge specific capacity of about 150.7 mAh g−1 even at 5.0 C. Those superior electrochemical performance can be mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of Mg2+ and Ti4+ co -doping, in which Mg2+ ions can occupy the Li+ layer to act as pillar ions and Ti4+ ions can occupy the transition metal ions layer to enlarge the interplane spacing. Thus, the heterovalent cations co -doping strategy can be considered as a simple and practical method to improve the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ag-alloyed Cu 1.9 Ag 0.1 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CAZTSSe) films were prepared by selenidation of Cu 1.9 Ag 0.1 ZnSnS 4 (CAZTS) precursor films under various selenidation conditions. The effects of selenidation time and selenidation temperature on the composition, morphology, optical band gap (Eg) and device performance of CAZTSSe films were systematically studied. It is found that the selenidation temperature of 480 °C and selenidation time of 10 min provide a favorable selenidation environment for the growth of the film, which can promote grain growth and form a thick and smooth film. This has been strongly confirmed through relevant tests. In addition, the analysis of performance characterization of the films shows that the Eg of the films can be adjusted via adjusting the selenidation conditions, so as to improve the electrical properties. Finally, the CAZTSSe solar cell with a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.94 % and an open circuit voltage (V oc) of 397 mV was successfully prepared at the selenidation temperature of 480 °C and selenidation time of 10 min. • A new method to improve V oc and PCE of CZTSSe solar cell by Ag doping is put forward. • This is the first report on the effect of post-selenization on CAZTSSe solar cell. • Eg of CAZTSSe can be continuously adjusted by adjusting the selenidation condition. • The effect of selenization condition on PCE is ascribed to change of V OC and FF. • This study shows hopeful character of selenidation condition in increasing the PCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystallization growth occupies a crucially important role in terms of impacting the film microstructure and device characteristics of the kesterite Cu 2 ZnSn(S,Se) 4 (CZTSSe) solar cell. Previous studies frequently observed that the selenized CZTSSe film consists of a multiple-layer structure with a large-grained top layer and a fine-grained bottom layer. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed for adjusting spin-coated layers and conducting two-step selenization to promote the fine-grain layers growth of Bi-doped CZTSSe (CZTBiSSe) films for high-performance solar cells. This study systematically investigates the effects of spin-coated layers and the selenization process on growth kinetics of the CZTBiSSe films. By comparison, the optimal spin-coated layer can be identified as "7 + 3", the CZTBiSSe film has a bilayer large grain structure from up to down, which reduces the grain boundaries, thus reducing the charge recombination loss, and is more conducive to charge carrier transfer. Finally, a CZTBiSSe solar cell with the highest efficiency of 7.27 % was obtained, which increased by 36 % more than one prepared using traditional methods (5.34 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 14‐electron ternary anionic CBe2H5− cluster containing a planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) atom is designed herein. Remarkably, it can be stabilized by only two beryllium atoms with both π‐acceptor/σ‐donor properties and two hydrogen atoms, which means that the conversion from planar methane (transition state) to ptC species (global minimum) requires the substitution of only two hydrogen atoms. Moreover, two ligand H atoms exhibit alternate rotation, giving rise to interesting dynamic fluxionality in this cluster. The electronic structure analysis reveals the flexible bonding positions of ligand H atoms due to C−H localized bonds, highlighting the rotational fluxionality in the cluster, and two CBe2 3c–2e delocalized bonds endow its rare 2σ/2π double aromaticity. Unprecedentedly, the fluxional process exhibits a conversion in the type of bonding (σ bond↔π bond), which is an uncommon fluxional mechanism. The cluster can be seen as an attempt to apply planar hypercoordinate carbon species to molecular motors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathogenesis involving immune system dysregulation and inflammation. Previous studies have indicated that metabolic abnormalities are closely related to the development and occurrence of psoriasis. However, the specific involvement of amino acid metabolism in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of amino acid metabolism pathway changes in psoriasis patients using transcriptome data, genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) data, and single‐cell data. Our findings revealed 11 significant alterations in amino acid metabolism pathways within psoriatic lesions, with notable restorative changes observed after biological therapy. Branched‐chain amino acids, tyrosine and arginine metabolism have a causal relationship with the occurrence of psoriasis and may play a crucial role by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of the keratinocytes or immune‐related pathways. Activation of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis suggests a favourable prognosis of psoriasis after treatment. Additionally, we identified the abnormal metabolic pathways in specific cell types and key gene sets that contribute to amino acid metabolic disorders in psoriasis. Overall, our study enhances understanding of the role of metabolism in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and provides potential targets for developing new therapeutic strategies for the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]