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• The NiFe-LDH nanosheets grow on the carbon nanofibers via an in-situ conversion strategy. • The CNF@NiFe-LDH interlayer can effectively restrict the diffusion of polysulfides. • The CNF@NiFe-LDH interlayer cells exhibit good cyclic and rate performances. • High initial discharge capacity of 799 mAh g−1 at 1 C with a low decay ratio of 0.045 % per-cycle over 500 cycles. To solve the shuttle effect of polysulfides and sluggish reaction kinetics in Li-S batteries, a functional interlayer added between the cathode and separator has been proven to be a very effective means. The pleasing interlayer is usually formed by the conductive skeleton and active components that have polysulfide adsorption and catalytic conversion abilities. In this paper, an electrospinning method assisted with in-site growth strategy has been developed to design a hierarchical functional film with NiFe-LDH nanosheets anchored on carbon nanofibers (CNF@NiFe-LDH). Structural characterizations and electrochemical measurements have been taken to indicate that the CNF@NiFe-LDH interlayer can effectively restrict the diffusion of polysulfides and accelerate the redox kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • CC/NCNF/NiFe LDH composites are fabricated by CVD, N doping and electrodeposition. • OER activity of the CC/NCNF/NiFe LDH composites outperforms that of the IrO 2. • Synergy between NCNFs and NiFe LDHs contributes to OER activity of the composites. Nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs), which are grown on carbon cloth (CC) and loaded with NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets, are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, ammonia annealing and electrodeposition. The obtained three dimensional CC/NCNF/NiFe LDH composites demonstrate an overpotential of 220 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 30 mV dec−1 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), both of which are superior to those of the state-of-the-art iridium oxide catalysts. The excellent OER performances of the CC/NCNF/NiFe LDH composites may be attributed to collective contributions of large surface areas of CNFs, nitrogen doping and synergy between NCNFs and NiFe LDHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of porous carbon nanofiber networks has been synthesized via electrospinning technique by using polyacrylonitrile and asphalt as carbon sources and Pluronic F127 as soft template. After stabilization and carbonization treatment, the obtained fabrics were directly utilized as self-supported anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. This kind of porous carbon nanofiber exhibits excellent sodium-ion storage properties, with a reversible capacity of 210 mA h g −1 at current density of 500 mA g −1 after 1000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A α-Fe2O3 nanorod array on electrospinning carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is prepared by a hydrothermal method using low-cost precursor of FeCl3 followed by a simple annealing. The obtained Fe2O3/CNFs show that the iron oxide nanorods grown on the CNF surface are 20–40nm in diameter and 100–150nm in length and are α-Fe2O3. The Fe2O3/CNF composite demonstrates good rate capability and cycling performance up to 50 times (~758mAhg−1 retained at 0.2C). The improved electrochemical performance may be attributed to the enhanced Li ion percolation that results from the spaced radial Fe2O3 nanorods on CNFs having an increased portion of exposed surfaces and the enhanced electron conductivity of the electrode that results from the cross-linking CNFs'' conductive network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pt/carbon composite nanofibers were prepared by electrodepositing Pt nanoparticles onto electrospun carbon nanofibers and were used as catalysts towards the oxidation of methanol. The morphology and size of Pt nanoparticles were controlled by selectively adjusting the electrodeposition potential and time. SEM and TEM results show that the composite nanofibers were successfully obtained and Pt particle diameters were between 10 and 55 nm. The electrocatalytic activity of the composite nanofibers expressed by current density per Pt particle mass was found to depend on the particle size, showing an increasing activity when the catalyst diameter decreased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Co doped MoS 2 was decorated on nitrogen-doped carbon fiber/carbon paper (NCFCP) by a solvothermal process. • The lattice spacing of (1 0 0) plane of Co-MoS 2 was slightly narrow than that of MoS 2. • The as-prepared Co-MoS 2 /NCFCP hybrids showed enhanced electrochemical activity for HER. In this paper, Co-doped MoS 2 (Co-MoS 2) with various Co/Mo mole ratio (6%–12%) decorated on nitrogen-doped carbon fiber/carbon paper (NCFCP) (Co-MoS 2 /NCFCP) is fabricated by a solvothermal method as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The NCFCP substrate is prepared by electrochemical deposition of polypyrrole on carbon paper followed by heat treatment. The obtained 9% Co-MoS 2 /NCFCP hybrid catalyst exhibits an excellent electrocatalytic HER activity with a low overpotential of 174 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1 and long-term stability. Thus, Co-MoS 2 /NCFCP hybrid holds high potential as an efficient earth-abundant electrocatalyst material for HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]