Search

NiAl-layered double hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) networks loaded carbon microcylinder (CMC) hybrid was synthesized for the first time using typical carbon based microelectromechanical systems (C-MEMS) techniques combined with in situ growth progress. The incorporation of NiAl-LDH on C-MEMS structures via a simple pyrolysis of modified photoresist was investigated. With proper control of parameters in lithography and hydrothermal processes, the NiAl-LDH/CMC composites with suitable morphology were fabricated. When the composites applied as new catalytic material for glucose detection, this simple sensor showed satisfying electrocatalytic properties towards glucose oxidation owing to its unique structure and excellent electric conductivity. It is also worth pointing out that this novel fabrication process can equip carbon microfeatures with various nanostructures, and have wide potential applications in scaling up carbon based nanocomposites.

Lithium-sulfur batteries with higher energy density are highly attractive, but the practical applications have been greatly affected by their poor cycle performance. Despite much effort has been devoted to design the structure of sulfur cathode to suppress polysulfide dissolution, relatively little emphasis has been placed on in-situ immobilizing the sulfur atoms. Herein, we demonstrate a new approach of in-situ immobilizing the sulfur atoms into the TiO2 host, in which, the polysulphides can localized in the cathode side and efficiently reused during cycling due to the novel S-TiO2 hollow shell structure. The battery based on the well-designed S-TiO2 cathode can deliver a discharge capacity of 601 mA h g-1 at 0.5 C after 100 cycles. The good electrochemical performance could be attributed to the homogeneous dispersing of sulfur in the TiO2 host in the in-situ formation process, and the hollow structure of the S-TiO2 materials. The economical and simple strategy to overcome the polysulfide dissolution issues provides a commercially feasible way for the construction of lithium-sulfur batteries.