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(a) Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of LSM, (b) top view of model structure. • The LSM are prepared by simple one-step topological reaction. • The LSM with two-dimensional structure has an ultrathin thickness of 20 nm. • The LSM has a large specific surface area and abundant pore sizes. • The LSM displays good specific capacity and cycling stability comparing with common Si material. The structure fracture of silicon electrodes due to the volume change during Si-Li alloying reactions greatly hinders their practical applications. Herein a layered Si material (LSM) was prepared by a simple one-step topological reaction and used as an effective LIBs anode. The layered structure has abundant gaps and pores to accelerate ion transportation. Microstructure measurements demonstrate the formation of an amorphous lithiation product but not Si-Li alloys. As a result, the LSM anode shows higher specific capacity and a much better cycling performance than common bulk Si anode. Thus, the LSM could be alternative high-performance Si anode in LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domain switching at the nanoscale is studied at both −Z and +Z surfaces of a lithium niobate crystal. A remarkable difference between both surfaces is experimentally observed by scanning probe microscopy, and is theoretically analyzed by the structural property and the chemical bonding structure of the lithium niobate crystal. The domain switching at the −Z surface is much easier and more stable than that at the +Z surface, which makes lithium niobate crystals have potential applications in the future domain engineering, especially at the nanoscale level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]