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Photocatalysis is an eco-friendly technique and a promising avenue for producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Transition metal sulfoselenides (MSxSe1-x) are an emerging class of novel materials garnering interest due to their tunable properties and low charge transfer resistance, leading to improved photocatalytic performance. Herein, we designed and developed property-tunable zinc sulfoselenides (ZnSxSe1-x) using a facile hydrothermal process, exhibiting superior H2O2 production in comparison to pure ZnS (166 µM h−1) and ZnSe (262 µM h−1) with ZnS0.5Se0.5 exhibiting the highest H2O2 production rate of 415 µM h−1. A study with the radicals and their corresponding scavengers’ is performed to gain insight into the mechanistic aspects and the reaction pathway of H2O2 production, complimented by Mott-Schottky analysis and density functional theory (DFT). DFT reveals favorable energetics for O2 reduction to H2O2 on distorted ZnS0.5Se0.5 (1 1 0) surface, which exhibits a strong interaction with O2 molecule (Eb = -170 kJ/mol) and H atom (Eb = -56 kJ/mol), highlighting the role of modified materials in the development of photocatalysis technologies.

Photocatalysis is an eco-friendly technique and a promising avenue for producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Transition metal sulfoselenides (MSxSe1-x) are an emerging class of novel materials garnering interest due to their tunable properties and low charge transfer resistance, leading to improved photocatalytic performance. Herein, we designed and developed property-tunable zinc sulfoselenides (ZnSxSe1-x) using a facile hydrothermal process, exhibiting superior H2O2 production in comparison to pure ZnS (166 µM h−1) and ZnSe (262 µM h−1) with ZnS0.5Se0.5 exhibiting the highest H2O2 production rate of 415 µM h−1. A study with the radicals and their corresponding scavengers’ is performed to gain insight into the mechanistic aspects and the reaction pathway of H2O2 production, complimented by Mott-Schottky analysis and density functional theory (DFT). DFT reveals favorable energetics for O2 reduction to H2O2 on distorted ZnS0.5Se0.5 (1 1 0) surface, which exhibits a strong interaction with O2 molecule (Eb = -170 kJ/mol) and H atom (Eb = -56 kJ/mol), highlighting the role of modified materials in the development of photocatalysis technologies.

A lot of progress has been made in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology research in the last decade, even so, renewed developmental efforts must be pursued to better improve energy density, capacity retention and rate capability. This review discusses the role that one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials can play towards development of next-generation LIBs. Electrode nanoengineering, interfacial kinetics and high-volume manufacturing are critical issues limiting energy density, electrochemical performance and material viability. These points are discussed, as are the advantages of deploying these nanomaterials in rechargeable LIB devices. Current data from literature is indicative of laboratory-scale success as these 1D nanomaterials display excellent capacity retention, high-rate capability and long cycle life emanating from high mechanical strength, resilience and short charge carrier diffusion distance. However, significant advances are required to translate these achievements into commercial scale deployment.

A lot of progress has been made in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology research in the last decade, even so, renewed developmental efforts must be pursued to better improve energy density, capacity retention and rate capability. This review discusses the role that one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials can play towards development of next-generation LIBs. Electrode nanoengineering, interfacial kinetics and high-volume manufacturing are critical issues limiting energy density, electrochemical performance and material viability. These points are discussed, as are the advantages of deploying these nanomaterials in rechargeable LIB devices. Current data from literature is indicative of laboratory-scale success as these 1D nanomaterials display excellent capacity retention, high-rate capability and long cycle life emanating from high mechanical strength, resilience and short charge carrier diffusion distance. However, significant advances are required to translate these achievements into commercial scale deployment.

A lot of progress has been made in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology research in the last decade, even so, renewed developmental efforts must be pursued to better improve energy density, capacity retention and rate capability. This review discusses the role that one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials can play towards development of next-generation LIBs. Electrode nanoengineering, interfacial kinetics and high-volume manufacturing are critical issues limiting energy density, electrochemical performance and material viability. These points are discussed, as are the advantages of deploying these nanomaterials in rechargeable LIB devices. Current data from literature is indicative of laboratory-scale success as these 1D nanomaterials display excellent capacity retention, high-rate capability and long cycle life emanating from high mechanical strength, resilience and short charge carrier diffusion distance. However, significant advances are required to translate these achievements into commercial scale deployment.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are technologically significant for sulfur is cheap, and offers high gravimetric capacity and a large energy density. But achieving long term cyclability with moderate capacity loss, and scalability pose formidable challenges. A solution phase approach for the preparation of a composite of sulfur with hydroxyl groups functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTols) and coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) is presented for the first time. Comparison of the Li-S performances at 0.1 C current-rate show that the S based cell with a S-loading of 80% retains a low capacity of 122 mAh gsulfur−1 after 100 cycles, whereas cells with S/MWCNTols and S/MWCNTols/PEDOP composites with sulfur loadings of 73 and 70% respectively, retain capacities of 384 and 624 mAh gsulfur−1 after 200 charge-discharge cycles, with Coulombic efficiencies of 96 and 98.7% respectively. This performance differential illustrates the role of PEDOP in inhibiting sulfur loss and in maximizing cell response. The polymer provides electrical interconnects between the insulating sulfur clusters and facilitates Li+ transfer at the interface. The ease of the synthesis, coupled with the remarkable cycling performance delivered by this composite at a high sulfur-loading, demonstrate the promise that this S/CNT/conducting polymer composite has for practical Li-S batteries.

Long-lasting Li-Se cells with a Se/graphite platelet nanofiber (GPNF) composite is prepared for the first time, and it shows a reversible capacity of 489 and 384.7 mAh g(Se)(-1) after 200 and 350 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. It shows superior rate capability and low Se polarization even with a high Se (75 wt %) proportion. It also shows higher capacity and better cycling stability compared to conventional Se/carbon material composites (with graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and carbon nanotubes). The effectiveness of GPNFs as a conductive support and for inhibiting the shuttle and dissolution of polyselenides in the electrolyte is also confirmed by conducting atomic force microscopy studies. Nanoscale current maps of Se/GPNFs reveal the presence of homogeneously distributed high -current domains, which are retained even after the first discharge. In contrast, the pristine Se electrode is characterized by predominant low -current regions after the first discharge. The ability of GPNFs to enable the preparation of durable and easily processable Li-Se cells is demonstrated.

Long-lasting Li-Se cells with a Se/graphite platelet nanofiber (GPNF) composite is prepared for the first time, and it shows a reversible capacity of 489 and 384.7 mAh g(Se)(-1) after 200 and 350 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. It shows superior rate capability and low Se polarization even with a high Se (75 wt %) proportion. It also shows higher capacity and better cycling stability compared to conventional Se/carbon material composites (with graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and carbon nanotubes). The effectiveness of GPNFs as a conductive support and for inhibiting the shuttle and dissolution of polyselenides in the electrolyte is also confirmed by conducting atomic force microscopy studies. Nanoscale current maps of Se/GPNFs reveal the presence of homogeneously distributed high -current domains, which are retained even after the first discharge. In contrast, the pristine Se electrode is characterized by predominant low -current regions after the first discharge. The ability of GPNFs to enable the preparation of durable and easily processable Li-Se cells is demonstrated.

Long-lasting Li-Se cells with a Se/graphite platelet nanofiber (GPNF) composite is prepared for the first time, and it shows a reversible capacity of 489 and 384.7 mAh g(Se)(-1) after 200 and 350 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. It shows superior rate capability and low Se polarization even with a high Se (75 wt %) proportion. It also shows higher capacity and better cycling stability compared to conventional Se/carbon material composites (with graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and carbon nanotubes). The effectiveness of GPNFs as a conductive support and for inhibiting the shuttle and dissolution of polyselenides in the electrolyte is also confirmed by conducting atomic force microscopy studies. Nanoscale current maps of Se/GPNFs reveal the presence of homogeneously distributed high -current domains, which are retained even after the first discharge. In contrast, the pristine Se electrode is characterized by predominant low -current regions after the first discharge. The ability of GPNFs to enable the preparation of durable and easily processable Li-Se cells is demonstrated.

Long-lasting Li-Se cells with a Se/graphite platelet nanofiber (GPNF) composite is prepared for the first time, and it shows a reversible capacity of 489 and 384.7 mAh g(Se)(-1) after 200 and 350 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. It shows superior rate capability and low Se polarization even with a high Se (75 wt %) proportion. It also shows higher capacity and better cycling stability compared to conventional Se/carbon material composites (with graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and carbon nanotubes). The effectiveness of GPNFs as a conductive support and for inhibiting the shuttle and dissolution of polyselenides in the electrolyte is also confirmed by conducting atomic force microscopy studies. Nanoscale current maps of Se/GPNFs reveal the presence of homogeneously distributed high -current domains, which are retained even after the first discharge. In contrast, the pristine Se electrode is characterized by predominant low -current regions after the first discharge. The ability of GPNFs to enable the preparation of durable and easily processable Li-Se cells is demonstrated.

Long-lasting Li-Se cells with a Se/graphite platelet nanofiber (GPNF) composite is prepared for the first time, and it shows a reversible capacity of 489 and 384.7 mAh g(Se)(-1) after 200 and 350 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. It shows superior rate capability and low Se polarization even with a high Se (75 wt %) proportion. It also shows higher capacity and better cycling stability compared to conventional Se/carbon material composites (with graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and carbon nanotubes). The effectiveness of GPNFs as a conductive support and for inhibiting the shuttle and dissolution of polyselenides in the electrolyte is also confirmed by conducting atomic force microscopy studies. Nanoscale current maps of Se/GPNFs reveal the presence of homogeneously distributed high -current domains, which are retained even after the first discharge. In contrast, the pristine Se electrode is characterized by predominant low -current regions after the first discharge. The ability of GPNFs to enable the preparation of durable and easily processable Li-Se cells is demonstrated.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are technologically significant for sulfur is cheap, and offers high gravimetric capacity and a large energy density. But achieving long term cyclability with moderate capacity loss, and scalability pose formidable challenges. A solution phase approach for the preparation of a composite of sulfur with hydroxyl groups functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTols) and coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) is presented for the first time. Comparison of the Li-S performances at 0.1 C current-rate show that the S based cell with a S-loading of 80% retains a low capacity of 122 mAh gsulfur−1 after 100 cycles, whereas cells with S/MWCNTols and S/MWCNTols/PEDOP composites with sulfur loadings of 73 and 70% respectively, retain capacities of 384 and 624 mAh gsulfur−1 after 200 charge-discharge cycles, with Coulombic efficiencies of 96 and 98.7% respectively. This performance differential illustrates the role of PEDOP in inhibiting sulfur loss and in maximizing cell response. The polymer provides electrical interconnects between the insulating sulfur clusters and facilitates Li+ transfer at the interface. The ease of the synthesis, coupled with the remarkable cycling performance delivered by this composite at a high sulfur-loading, demonstrate the promise that this S/CNT/conducting polymer composite has for practical Li-S batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are technologically significant for sulfur is cheap, and offers high gravimetric capacity and a large energy density. But achieving long term cyclability with moderate capacity loss, and scalability pose formidable challenges. A solution phase approach for the preparation of a composite of sulfur with hydroxyl groups functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTols) and coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) is presented for the first time. Comparison of the Li-S performances at 0.1 C current-rate show that the S based cell with a S-loading of 80% retains a low capacity of 122 mAh gsulfur−1 after 100 cycles, whereas cells with S/MWCNTols and S/MWCNTols/PEDOP composites with sulfur loadings of 73 and 70% respectively, retain capacities of 384 and 624 mAh gsulfur−1 after 200 charge-discharge cycles, with Coulombic efficiencies of 96 and 98.7% respectively. This performance differential illustrates the role of PEDOP in inhibiting sulfur loss and in maximizing cell response. The polymer provides electrical interconnects between the insulating sulfur clusters and facilitates Li+ transfer at the interface. The ease of the synthesis, coupled with the remarkable cycling performance delivered by this composite at a high sulfur-loading, demonstrate the promise that this S/CNT/conducting polymer composite has for practical Li-S batteries.