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Solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen generation via splitting water requires an efficient visible light active photocatalyst. In this work, Ni cocatalysts on a TiO2 composite photocatalyst with different graphene oxide (GO) contents were prepared using a hydrothermal method and characterized by TEM, XRD, UV-vis, Raman and PL spectra. The results show that the synthesized TiO2/GO/Ni nanosheet composites have a large specific surface area and can provide a large number of active sites for a photocatalytic hydrogen production reaction. GO can broaden the optical absorption range of TiO2 and absorb more visible light, thus stimulating more photogenerated electron–hole pairs. At the same time, GO can collect electrons and promote the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Ni, as a cocatalyst, can be used as an active site for hydrogen ion adsorption, which is conducive to promoting the migration of photogenerated electrons in the system and prolonging the life of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus ensuring the high efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have received great attention owing to the increasing demand for safe and inexpensive batteries. However, their poor cycling issue hinders their commercialization and further application, resulting from the zinc dendrite growth, corrosion, and passivation that occur on the Zn anode, as well as the dissolution and cracking issue of active materials on the cathode. Herein, we introduce the use of a chelating agent triethanolamine (TEA) as an additive in the electrolyte to enhance the cycling stability of AZIBs. TEA molecules preferentially coordinate with Zn2+, replacing water molecules in the solvation sheath of Zn2+, thereby reducing the solvation effect in the electrolyte. Moreover the adsorbed interface layer on the anode Zn surface forms a stable solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) while the cathode forms a cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI), suppressing the side reactions and dendrite growth of metallic Zn and protecting the cathode from dissolution while increasing the diffusion rate of Zn2+. The Zn‖MnO2@CNT cell showed reversible and durable performance with 78% retention after 2000 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction pathway as well as the mechanism of the solid state reaction between MgH2 and AlCl3 has been a mystery so far. Based on SEM, TEM and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) analyses, an amorphous intermediate (AlH6)n was preferentially formed and recrystallized as a γ phase at the final stage of the reaction. As a novel finding, this research provides a deep insight into the process and mechanism of this mechanically activated reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic and inorganic materials have their own advantages and limitations, and new properties can be displayed in organic-inorganic hybrid materials by uniformly combining the two categories of materials at small scale. The objective of this study is to hybridize activated carbon (AC) with ferrocene to obtain a new material, ferrocene/AC, as the cathode for Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs). The optimized ferrocene/AC material owns fast charge transfer kinetics and can obtain pseudo-capacitance through redox reaction. Due to the introduction of ferrocene/AC, the ZHSCs exhibit remarkable electrochemical performances relative to that using ferrocene cathode, including high discharge specific capacity of 125.1 F g -1 , high energy density (up to 44.8 Wh kg -1 at 0.1 A g -1 ) and large power density (up to 1839 W kg -1 at 5 A g -1 ). Meanwhile, the capacity retention rate remains 73.8% after 10 000 charge and discharge cycles. In particular, this cathode material can be used at low temperatures (up to -30 °C) with 60% capacity remained, which enlarges the application temperature range of ZHSCs. These results of this study can help understand new properties of organic-inorganic hybrid materials., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The reaction pathway as well as the mechanism of the solid state reaction between MgH2 and AlCl3 has been a mystery so far. Based on SEM, TEM and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) analyses, an amorphous intermediate (AlH6)n was preferentially formed and recrystallized as a γ phase at the final stage of the reaction. As a novel finding, this research provides a deep insight into the process and mechanism of this mechanically activated reaction.