Search

The brain‐storm of designing low‐cost and commercialized eutectic electrolytes for zinc (Zn)‐based electrochemical energy storage (ZEES) remains unresolved and attractive, especially when implementing it at low temperatures. Here, we report an appealing layout of advancing chlorine‐functionalized eutectic (Cl‐FE) electrolytes via exploiting Cl anion‐induced eutectic interaction with Zn acetate solutions. This novel eutectic liquid shows high affinity to collaborate with 1,3‐dioxolane (DOL) and is prone to constitute Cl‐FE/DOL‐based electrolytes with a unique inner/outer eutectic solvation sheath for the better regulation of Zn‐solvating neighboring and reconstruction of H‐bonding. The side reactions are effectively restricted on Zn anodes and a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.5 % can be achieved over 1000 cycles at −20 °C with Zn//Cu setups. By prototyping scale‐up Zn‐ion pouch cells using the optimal eutectic liquid of 3ZnOAc1.2Cl1.8‐DOL, we obtain improved electrochemical properties at −20 °C with a high capacitance of 203.9 F g−1 at 0.02 A g−1 in a range of 0.20–1.90 V and long‐term cycling ability with 95.3 % capacitance retention at 0.2 A g−1 over 3,000 cycles. Overall, the proposal of ideal Cl‐FE/DOL‐based electrolytes guides the design of sub‐zero and endurable aqueous ZEES devices and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon dot-sensitized Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 dual-phase (TiO2−x/CDs) composite photocatalytic systems were successfully constructed using a low-temperature hydrothermal method. The TiO2−x photocatalyst showed improved photocatalytic activities for the removal of Cr6+ and RhB under visible light. Remarkably, RhB (10 mg L−1) and Cr6+ (40 mg L−1) solutions were degraded completely in 30 and 120 min, respectively, by the composite photocatalyst (1 g L−1) under visible-light irradiation. These results were much better than those of commercial P25. This fascinating photocatalytic performance was attributed to the improved photogenerated electron–hole separation efficiency from the synergistic effects of rutile and anatase, and the reduced photogenerated charge carrier recombination and facilitated visible-light absorption from the introduced CDs. This study provides a promising approach for the treatment of real wastewater using sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon materials with large capacity and low potential serve as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Carbon defects offer active sites for sodium storage but sacrifice reversibility, whereas carbon microcrystals improve conductivity but may suffer from low capacity. Herein, the balance between defects and microcrystals is realized by the molecular chemistry method of cross-linking and defect repairing. Real-time spectroscopic analyses reveal that the decomposition of tetrabromophthalic anhydride (TBPA) molecule induces the dehydrogenation of pitch to release small gas molecules to form pseudo-closed pores, followed by the cross-linking of C═O bonds in TBPA with the dehydrogenated pitch to form C─O─C bonds and thus suppress the excessive microcrystal growth. Meanwhile, the decomposition products of TBPA can also react with the dehydrogenated pitch to repair carbon defects. Thanks to the microstructure balance, the as-synthesized carbon material exhibits a smoother ion mass transfer channel (d (002) = 0.386 nm, La = 4.56 nm) and a larger storage space (V pseudo-closed pore = 0.086 cm 3 g -1 ) than the pitch carbon (PC, d (002) = 0.349 nm, La = 5.90 nm, V pseudo-closed pore = 0.041 cm 3 g -1 ), increasing the capacity from 162.5 to 336.5 mAh g -1 . This work sheds a chemical light on regulating carbon material microstructure for advanced SIBs., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)