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[Display omitted] • A universal, facile and ultrafast precipitation polymerization method is developed. • Dual-aldehyde monomers are adopted to prepare hierarchical polymer particles. • Without using templates, hydrothermal devices, surfactants and catalysts. • The preparation process just cost 10 minutes. • Representative WBL carbon microsphere anodes exhibit high performance for LIBs. Hierarchical polymer architectures have attracted considerable attention owing to their crucial roles in catalysis, drug delivery, biology, electronics and energy storage fields. Unfortunately, the current synthesis of polymer particles with hierarchical structures mainly relies on templates, hydrothermal devices, surfactants, and catalysts approaches that have the disadvantages of time-consuming procedures, complex manufacturing processes, high cost, the use of toxic agents (e.g. HF acid for templates removal) and potential risk of explosion (hydrothermal methods). Herein, for the first time, we have developed an ultrafast template-free, hydrothermal-free, surfactant-free, and catalyst-free precipitation polymerization method to synthesize a diversity of polymer particles with multi-dimensional (0D, 1D, 2D and 3D) hierarchical structures simply from polymerization of common dual-aldehyde and amino monomers at room temperature, and the fabrication process only took 10 min. After carbonizing one typical polymer particles (wool-ball-like structure) as an application example, we further tested the electrochemical performance of the as-obtained typical structures and the results show a reversible lithium-ion storage capacity of 226.5 mAh g−1 after 3200 cycles at the current density of 5 A g−1. Our technique provides a cost-effective, rapid, scalable, and green approach to prepare multi-dimensional hierarchical polymer structures and paves the way towards their application in a diversity of emerging fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The layered multi-anionic Ni(SO 4) 0.3 (OH) 1.4 @rGO nanocomplexes were first optimally fabricated for Li-ion battery anodes. • The optimized anode delivers greatly superior lithium storage performance. • The in-situ XRD results first reveal the multi-electro conversion mechanisms for the unique anode. • The graphene wrapping offers great electronic conductivity. The multielectron reaction materials for lithium-ion batteries are interesting charge storage hosts for next-generation high-energy–density anodes. As a class of multiple-anion transition metal compounds (MATMCs), the layered Nickel hydroxide sulfate (NiSH) nanobelts integrate positive-charged cations and intercalated anions, can be expected to construct the advanced high-energy–density materials, but have not yet reported. Herein, the layered NiSH nanobelts grafting on the 3D porous reduced Graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets were fabricated for the first time as the negative electrode of lithium-ion battery (denoted as NiSH@rGO) by a one-pot hydrothermal approach. As expected, the NiSH@rGO composite delivers a superior initial discharge capacity (1060 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 230 cycles) and an exceptional rate capacity (991 mA g−1 at 2000 mA g−1). Through in-situ XRD, ex-situ SEM and TEM, we showed that the outstanding performance of NiSH@rGO anode originate from multielectron reaction mechanism and prominent structural, which render expose more active sites for charge storage, increase the surface wettability of anode, accelerate electron/ion diffusion and ensure the stability of the structure. Above that, it showed excellent lithium storage capacity and high-rate performance. Furthermore, a full cell composed of the NiSH@rGO anode and LiFePO 4 cathode displays an impressive capacitance and low-capacity decay rate. Our findings fundamentally and experimentally provide insights into the multi-anionic compounds for markedly enhancing the performance of the multi-electron anodes for advanced high-capacity lithium-ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • DFT calculation reveals the highly zincophilic properties of N,O dual-doping sites. • Zn deposition can be regulated by functionalized carbon nanofiber (CNF) interlayers. • The modified Zn anodes exhibit excellent plating/stripping reversibility. • Interfacial transport kinetics was studied by in-situ EIS technique. Although the intrinsic safety, low cost, and high theoretical energy densities have made the Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) to be a promising candidate in the application of energy storage fields. However, battery failure caused by the dendrite formation has become the major issue that disrupt their practical application. To solve that, herein, we report a unique interface strategy for regulating the interfacial electrodeposition kinetics and inhibiting dendrite formation through covering a N,O co-doped Carbon nanofiber (CNF) interlayers on Zn metal anode surface. Such CNF interlayers with robust zincophilicity can effectively capture the Zn ions, and guiding the regular Zn electrodeposition in the anode-electrolyte interface, which have been demonstrated by both theoretical calculation and experimental results. Significantly, the electrochemical tests confirmed that the cell modified with CNF interlayers exhibits a high Zn plating/stripping reversibility with a low nucleation overpotential. Notably, the modified cell enables steadily operating for 1200 h with a low overpotential of 59.5 mV at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2 (1 mAh cm−2). Moreover, the rate capability and cyclic stability of Zn-MnO 2 full battery can be greatly improved after covering the CNF interlayers on the Zn metal anode surface. This work is highly expected to provide a new route to enable dendrite-free Zn metal anodes and high-performance AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 1,2-Dimethyl-3-hexadecylimidazolium bromide, which lacks an acidic proton at the C-2 imidazolium ring position, exhibits thermotropic SmA2 phase behavior above its melting point of 90.3°C and up to 232.1°C. The corresponding layer spacing and the full width at half maximum from XRD patterns display a temperature dependence. In binary mixtures with water, over a concentration range of 40–75%, lyotropic liquid crystalline phases form between 0.5 and 25°C. The molecules of the new ionic liquid (IL) in the binary mixtures show three different self-assembly processes, namely, formation of rod micelles, coexistence of rod micelles and a hexagonal phase, and a pure hexagonal phase. The distance between the two centers of adjacent columns of cylinder units remains nearly constant at 4.97±0.04nm when the IL content exceeds 70%, indicating that the cylinder units attain a dense and highly ordered packing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ternary mixtures of 1,2-dimethyl-3-hexadecylimidazolium bromide/1-decanol/water form two types of well-ordered lyotropic ionic liquid crystals, a hexagonal phase linked to the ionic liquid–water axis, and a lamellar phase located at the center of their phase diagram. The lamellar and hexagonal phases span a wide temperature range from 3 to 40°C, depending on the composition. The spontaneous self-assembly of the mixtures arises from strong association between the hydroxyl groups of 1-decanol or water and the polar head-groups of the ionic liquid (head-group solvent), aromatic stacking interaction between the imidazolium rings and the hydrophobic effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A facile construction of Ru/RuO 2 composite with porous reticular structure (denoted as Ru/RuO 2 -PRS) by controllable pyrolysis of Ru3+ coordinated cyanoguanidine was presented for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The Ru/RuO 2 heterostructure was identified in Ru/RuO 2 -PRS. Taking the advantages of the Ru/RuO 2 heterostructure and large specific surface area, Ru/RuO 2 -PRS exhibits much more improved OER activity with much lower onset potential and overpotential to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2 compared with RuO 2 porous powder and RuO 2 nano-particles counterparts in both acidic and alkaline solution. Specifically, Ru/RuO 2 -PRS exhibits much improved durability because the unique Ru/RuO 2 heterostructure relieves the dissolution of RuO 2 at high anodic potential that has been the bottleneck of Ru-based catalysts for OER, especially in acidic electrolyte. This study provides a new strategy to promote the OER application in acidic solution. • We present a facile one-step calcination method to synthesize 3D porous reticular structure of Ru/RuO 2 (Ru/RuO 2 -PRS). • The as prepared Ru/RuO 2 -PRS presents abundant Ru/RuO 2 heterostructure, which benefits to the electrocatalytic process. • Ru/RuO 2 -PRS exhibits excellent OER activity and stability in both acid and alkaline electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A nature-inspired etching strategy is developed for the construction of karst topography (KT)-featured electrode. • The KT architecture offers a "superaerophobic" surface for rapidly releasing O 2 bubbles during electrocatalysis. • Experimentally identifying that the core-shell structure optimizes the adsorption strength of *OH intermediates. • The obtained electrocatalysts achieve the large current densities of 1500 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 380 mV. Exploring of electrocatalysts for high-output oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is key to practical applications, but still remains challenging. Here, we developed a nature-inspired etching strategy for the construction of karst topography (KT)-featured electrode comprising core-shell structured Ni(0)@Ni(II) towards efficient OER. Intriguingly, the KT architecture confers a "superaerophobic" surface to render the large amount of generated O 2 bubbles release rapidly and timely from the electrode surface at the high current density of OER (i.e., 1500 mA cm−2). Moreover, this strategy allows good control over the generated core-shell structure for promoting the heterointerface synergetic effect of Ni(0)@Ni(II). By adding probing molecules to react with OER intermediates under operation conditions, we obtain first direct experimental evidence that the core-shell structure can optimize the adsorption strength of *OH for significantly boosting the OER kinetics. Notably, the obtained electrode has excellent performance for OER with a small overpotenital of 380 mV at 1500 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel structure of Fe-doped NiO coupled Ni cluster hollow nanotube arrays (Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs) composed of defect-rich NiO phase and Ni clusters anchored on outside of nanotubes is presented. The d-band downshifted by Fe-doping, coupled of Ni clusters and defect-rich nature greatly improve electrocatalytic performances of Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs toward oxygen evolution reaction. • A multi-level structure of Fe-doped NiO coupled Ni cluster hollow nanotube arrays (Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs) was synthesized as a catalyst for OER. • Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs exhibits overpotential of 245 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and outstanding durability that surpasses most of transition metal oxides. • The improved OER activity is mainly because Fe doping downshifts the d-band of metal sites. • Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs obeyed the adsorbate evolution mechanism with a nonconcerted proton-electron transfer pathway. Herein we present a novel multi-level structure of Fe-doped NiO coupled Ni cluster hollow nanotube arrays (Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs) grown on carbon fiber cloth as an efficient catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction. In this multi-level structure, rocksalt-type Fe-doped NiO phase hybrids with Ni clusters coupled into the nanospheres anchored to the outside of nanotube, forming a unique 3D corn-like structure. This novel multi-level structure represents a large specific area for catalytic reaction. X-ray absorption fine structure indicates that the defect-rich Fe-doped NiO phase has abundant coordinative unsaturated sites as active sites, and Fe doping downshifts the d-band of metal sites, which is the main contribution to the improved oxygen evolution reaction catalytic activity. The OER of Fe-NiO-Ni CHNAs obeys the adsorbate evolution mechanism with the nonconcerted proton-electron transfer pathway as a rate-determining step. Thus Fe-doped NiO CHNAs exhibits excellent OER performance and outstanding durability that surpasses most of transition metal oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A material composed of MoS 3 and MXene is proposed by an electrostatic self-assembly. • MoS 3 exhibits impressive electrochemical performance in LIBs and in LSBs. • Ex-situ XPS was used to explore the electrochemical mechanism both of LIBs and LSBs. • We conceived the mechanism of LIBs and adsorption and catalytic mechanism of LSBs. The development of electrode materials with the synergistic effects of good chemical stability and high electrical conductivity has improved the sluggish ion kinetics and severe capacity degradation of rechargeable lithium batteries. Herein, a multifunctional heterostructure material (MoS 3 -Ti 3 C 2 T x) comprising a functionalized MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x) and amorphous MoS 3 is prepared by a scalable electrostatic self-assembly method. Remarkably, as lithium-ion battery anodes, the resultant MoS 3 -Ti 3 C 2 T x not only exhibits increased electrochemical activity, accelerated lithium-ion diffusion and fast charge transfer kinetics but also shows high specific capacity, excellent rate performance and long-term cycling stability. By virtue of these merits, MoS 3 -Ti 3 C 2 T x offers an excellent reversible capacity of 1043 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1 and exhibited a capacity of 568 mAh g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. When acting as the cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries, the amorphous MoS 3 anchored on MXene demonstrates high capture and catalytic activity towards polysulfide conversion. Accordingly, the optimized electrode exhibits a capacity of 836 mAh g−1 at 0.2C after 100 cycles and a satisfactory rate performance of 463 mAh g−1 at 2C after 400 cycles. Moreover, the associated conversion mechanism is studied by ex situ XPS. These results demonstrate that heterostructure composites constructed by an amorphous sulfide and surface functionalized MXene are feasible electrode materials for both lithium-sulfur batteries and lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High-performance heterostructure MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN anode material is facile prepared. • The synergistic coupling effect among the different components is clearly revealed. • MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN displays high discharge performance and excellent cycle stability. • The Li+ ions storage mechanism is investigated by in-situ XRD, ex-site XPS/SEM. • A full cell is also successfully fabricated to study the practical application. Transition metal sulfides have high abundance and large theoretical capacities are considered to be an effective candidate for advanced electrodes of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a large-scale and controllable method was used in synthesizing ultrathin MoS 2 nanosheets anchored on 3D hierarchical nanohybrids with SnS quantum dots, which are decorated on a carbon nanosheet network (MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN). The 3D cross-linked carbon nanosheet not only could prevent SnS from being directly exposed to the electrolyte but also retained the structural stability of the electrode. Moreover, the MoS 2 nanosheets exposed active sites to carry lithium ions. A heterojunction was formed at the interface owing to the close contact between molybdenum disulfide and SnS and greatly increased charge carrying and lithium storage capacities. Benefiting from these structural advantages, the MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN electrodes showed outstanding electrochemical and long-term cycling performance owing to their unique structures and amazing synergies. As a half-cell anode material, MoS 2 @SnS-QDs/CNN-2 provided a reversible capacity of 713 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1. When assembled into a full battery, it still provided 491 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 after 100 cycles. At the same time, a small LED bulb was lit for a while. This advanced material has great potential in other applications, such as supercapacitors, catalysis, and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultralight aerogels with tunable density (10−50 mg/cm3) and high porosity (96.3 %–99 %) are prepared from renewable nanochitin. The resultant nanochitin-based aerogels present hydrophobic behavior (contact angle >130°), robust mechanical stiffness (the specific compression modulus of 65 MPa cm3/g) and low thermal conductivity (30.5–35.8 mW/m K). This work may provide a new opportunity to fabricate lightweight, strong environmentally friendly and applicable high-performance thermal insulators using biomass. • Ultralight chitin aerogels with tunable density (10−50 mg/cm3) are produced. • They present robust mechanical property and low thermal conductivity. • Silylation modification improves their water resistance and mechanical performance. The development of lightweight, strong and high-performance thermal insulators from renewable biomass are highly desired for sustainable development. Here, ultralight aerogels based on renewable nanochitin with outstanding mechanical properties, excellent water-resistant, and promising thermal insulation properties are fabricated. The pristine nanochitin aerogels (PNCAs) assembled from mechanically strong carboxylated chitin nanorods are firstly prepared through acid-induced gelation and supercritical drying. The resultant PNCAs present tunable density (10−50 mg/cm3) and strong mechanical stiffness (the specific compression modulus of 30.2 MPa cm3/g) combining with low thermal conductivity (27.2 mW/m K). After a facile silylation modification, the silylated nanochitin aerogels (SNCAs) exhibit hydrophobic behavior (contact angle >130°), improved compression performance (the specific compression modulus of 65 MPa cm3/g), and promising thermal insulation property (30.5–35.8 mW/m K). Moreover, the silylated aerogel shows a negligible loss of mechanical performance when exposed to water for 12 h at 35 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facile Preparation of a Fluorine-Free, Robust, Superhydrophobic Coating through Dip Coating Combined with Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation (Dip-Coating-NIPS) Method B Front Cover b : In article number 2000023 by Chuanxin He, To Ngai, and co-workers, a superhydrophobic PLLA/SiO SB 2 sb coating is successfully prepared by facile dip coating combined with a non-solvent induced phase separation method. Highly efficient water-oil separation is achieved using a PU sponge covered with the prepared PLLA/SiO SB 2 sb coating. [Extracted from the article]

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) undergoes large overpotentials for achieving preferable efficiency due to its sluggish dynamics. As such, highly active electrocatalysts are often needed for its acceleration. Despite the significant progress achieved on the synthesis of transition‐metal (TM)‐based HER electrocatalysts, their activity is still far from their Pt‐based counterparts. In their Minireview article on page 3930 ff., C. He et al. describe current methods used for doping nonmetals into transition‐metal (TM)‐based nanomaterials and their performances in the HER. Doping nonmetals can efficiently tune the electronic structures of the TM and, therefore, optimize the Gibbs free energy of the TM for adsorption of H* intermediates, in turn boosting the HER of the TM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 under the high temperature electrolysis condition with favored kinetics is a promising method to utilize and convert CO 2 to valuable chemicals and to reduce its environmental impact. In this work, the electrochemical performance of perovskite-type La 0·3 Sr 0·7 Fe 0·7 Ti 0·3 O 3 (LSFT) oxide was thoroughly investigated as a cathode for high temperature solid oxide electrochemical reduction under practical CO 2 electrolysis conditions of various current densities, partial pressures, and different CO–CO 2 mixtures. The rate-limiting step of CO 2 reduction on the LSFT surface was determined by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique with a three-electrode configuration. The exceptional performance of LSFT cathode is confirmed as reflected by the low polarization resistance and the extremely low activation energy. Moreover, improved electrode performance is also obtained on the reduced LSFT sample under reducing atmosphere with CO, while the rate-determining step is not changed. It is also confirmed that the reduced LSFT cathode gives increased surface oxygen vacancy concentration which is believed to serve as accommodation for chemical adsorption and consequently the active sites for electrochemical activation of CO 2 , leading to the improved electrochemical performance. • Electrochemical activity under practical CO 2 reduction condition is studied. • Cathode polarization of LSFT for CO 2 reduction is verified with 3-electrode study. • LSFT shows super-low polarization and activation energy for CO 2 reduction in SOEC. • Reduced LSFT with increased oxygen vacancies benefits the HT chemical adsorption and activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rücktitelbild: Bioinspired Unidirectional Silk Fibroin-Silver Compound Nanowire Composite Scaffold via Interface-Mediated In Situ Synthesis (Angew. Die Seidenfibroinmatrix Yu, C. He, Y. Lu et al. berichten in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 14290 ff., dass die Seidenfibroinmatrix wie auch die Grenzfläche geordneter Kanäle wichtige Rollen bei Keimbildung und Wachstum von Ag SB 3 sb PO SB 4 sb -Nanodrähten spielen. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights from the article: Keywords: electronic structures engineering; heterointerfaces; metal borates; nanomeshes; water splitting In article number 1901130, Chuanxin He and co-workers propose a general, one-step strategy for crafting a series of ultrathin metal borate nanomeshes with abundant nanopores by capitalizing on 3D bark-like N-doped carbon as nanoreactors. Electronic structures engineering, heterointerfaces, metal borates, nanomeshes, water splitting.

Ultrathin nanomeshes perfectly inherit the integrated advantages of ultrathin 2D materials and porous nanostructures, which have shown their great application potential in catalysis and electronic devices. Here, the general synthesis of ultrathin metal borate (i.e., Co‐Bi, Ni‐Bi, and Fe‐Bi) nanomeshes is reported by capitalizing on 3D bark‐like N‐doped carbon (denoted BNC) as nanoreactors. Indeed, this strategy is straightforward, only comprising a one‐step reaction between metal cations and sodium borohydride without using templates. As nanoreactors, the BNC derived from biomass waste of lychee exocarp possesses distinctive advantages of low cost, fractured textures, porous nanostructures (surface area: 1915.5 m2 g−1), electronegative surface (zeta potential: −43.4 mV), and superhydrophilicity for greatly facilitating the adsorption of metal cations with strong strength to effectively control the growth of 2D nanomeshes. The as‐synthesized Co‐Bi and Ru‐doped Co‐Bi (Ru‐Co‐Bi) nanomeshes exhibit excellent performance for the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction, respectively. Impressively, the water splitting device based on the Co‐Bi and Ru‐Co‐Bi nanomeshes can enable a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a small cell voltage of 1.53 V. Therefore, this work paves new avenues for the facile synthesis of ultrathin metal nanomeshes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In article number 1803867 by Chuanxin He and co‐workers an easy yet robust route is developed to craft N, O‐codoped graphene‐integrated boxes by employing hybrids containing polymers and Prussian blue analogue cubes as precursors. Benefiting from the hierarchically porous nanostructures and highly active N, O‐codoped graphene, the resulting electrocatalysts display excellent performance in overall water splitting and Zn–air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the exciting achievements made in synthesis of monofunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), or hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), it is challenging to develop trifunctional electrocatalysts for both ORR/OER/HER. Herein, N, O‐codoped graphene nanorings‐integrated boxes (denoted NOGB) are crafted via high‐temperature pyrolysis and following acid etching of hybrid precursors containing polymers and Prussian blue analogue cubes. The electrochemical results signified that the resulting NOGB‐800 (800 refers to pyrolysis temperature) is highly active for trifunctional electrocatalysis of ORR/OER/HER. This can be reasonably attributed to the advanced nanostructures (i.e., the hierarchically porous nanostructures on the hollow nanorings) and unique chemical compositions (i.e., N, O‐codoped graphene). More attractively, the rechargeable Zn–air battery based on NOGB‐800 displays maximum power density of 111.9 mW cm−2 with small charge–discharge potential of 0.72 V and excellent stability of 30 h, comparable with the Pt/C+Ir/C counterpart. The NOGB‐800 could also be utilized as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting to yield current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a voltage of 1.65 V, surpassing most reported electrocatalysts. Therefore, the NOGB‐800 is a promising candidate instead of precious metal–based electrocatalysts for the efficient Zn–air battery and water splitting. An easy yet robust route, for the first time, is developed to craft N, O‐codoped graphene‐integrated boxes by employing hybrids containing polymers and Prussian blue analogue cubes as precursors. Benefiting from the hierarchically porous nanostructures and highly active N, O‐codoped graphene, the resulting electrocatalysts display excellent performance on the overall water splitting and Zn–air battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for 'Bifunctional organic sponge photocatalyst for efficient cross-dehydrogenative coupling of tertiary amines to ketones' by Teng Zhang et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 12536–12539. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]