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[Display omitted] • A uniform protective layer composed of Li x Al y SiO z /Li 2 O is formed by the chemical reaction of aluminum isopropoxide with Li x Si. • The modified Li x Si has high lithium reserves and great environmental adaptability. • The storage time under the condition of certain oxygen and water content can be prolonged. In recent years, lots of efforts have been applied to improve the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), among which prelithiation is considered to be one of the most promising schemes. Here we report a modified Li x Si with high lithium reserves and great environmental adaptability as the prelithiation reagent, which can make up for the capacity loss of the negative electrode in the first cycle. Through the chemical reaction between aluminum isopropoxide and Li x Si, a protective layer consisting of Li x Al y SiO z /Li 2 O is formed on the surface of Li x Si particles. This synthesized material provides a new idea for the actual industrial production of prelithiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs), with a large amount of pentagon defects introduced in the walls, were explored as the support of high loaded Pt–Ru catalysts for the anode of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) in comparison with conventional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Vulcan XC carbon black. By ethylene glycol reduction, Pt–Ru catalysts with a high loading (60wt%) and uniform particle size of 2–3nm were uniformly deposited on BCNTs; while 60wt% Pt–Ru catalysts on CNTs resulted in significant agglomeration. The Pt–Ru/BCNT catalyst showed the highest activity on methanol oxidation in cyclic voltammetry and highest performance as the anode in a DMFC single cell. Such an enhancement was largely ascribed to an enhanced interaction of the introduced pentagon defects with Pt–Ru, which could promote a high loading and well dispersion of Pt–Ru catalysts and the charge transfer from Pt–Ru to the tubes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]