3D Porous Architecture Research Articles

Scalable Ni12P5-Coated Carbon Cloth Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

As a better alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) stand out because of their multi-electron redox reactions and high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mA h g−1). However, the long-term stability of LSBs and their commercialization are significantly compromised by the inherently irreversible transition of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPS) into solid short-chain S species (Li2S2 and Li2S) and the resulting substantial density change in S. To address these issues, we used activated carbon cloth (ACC) coated with Ni12P5 as a porous, conductive, and scalable sulfur host material for LSBs. ACC has the benefit of high electrical conductivity, high surface area, and a three-dimensional (3D) porous architecture, allowing for ion transport channels and void spaces for the volume expansion of S upon lithiation. Ni12P5 accelerates the breakdown of Li2S to increase the efficiency of active materials and trap soluble polysulfides. The highly effective Ni12P5 electrocatalyst supported on ACC drastically reduced the severity of the LiPS shuttle, affected the abundance of adsorption–diffusion–conversion interfaces, and demonstrated outstanding performance. Our cells achieved near theoretical capacity (>1611 mA h g−1) during initial cycling and superior capacity retention (87%) for >250 cycles following stabilization with a 0.05% decay rate per cycle at 0.2 C.

Universal design of three-dimensional porous graphene-iron based promotors for kinetically rationalized lithium-sulfur chemistry

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are widely deemed to be one of the most potential candidates for future secondary batteries because of their remarkable energy density. Nevertheless, notorious polysulfide shuttling and retarded sulfur reaction kinetics pose significant obstacles to the further application of Li-S batteries. While rationally designed highly active electrocatalysts can facilitate polysulfide conversion, the universal and scalable synthesis strategies need to be developed. Herein, a universal synthetic strategy to construct a series of three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene-iron (3DGr-Fe) based electrocatalysts involving 3DGr-FeP, 3DGr-Fe3C, and 3DGr-Fe3Se4 is exploited for manipulating the Li-S redox reactions. It has been observed that the implementation of a 3D porous Gr architecture leads to the well-designed conductive networks, while the uniformly dispersed iron nanoparticles introduce an abundance of active sites, fostering the lithium polysulfide conversion, thereby bolstering the overall electrochemical performance. The Li-S battery with the 3DGr-Fe based electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable capacity retention of 94.8% upon 100 times at 0.2 C. Moreover, the soft-packaged Li-S pouch cell based on such a 3DGr-Fe electrocatalyst delivers superior capacity of 1060.71 mA h g−1 and guarantees for the continuous 30 min work of fan toy. This investigation gives comprehensive insights into the design, synthesis, and mechanism of 3DGr-Fe based electrocatalysts with high activity toward efficient and durable Li-S batteries.

3D Porous Graphene Architecture Integrated with Cu2O for Enhanced Electrochemical Sensing Performance.

Construction and functionalization of a 3D graphene architecture are crucial to harness and extend the unique features of graphene and thus essential for its numerous conventional and novel applications. Herein, a 3D honeycomb-patterned porous graphene architecture is constructed through a facile and low-cost self-assembly process and then integrated with Cu2O nanoparticles via a simple electrodeposition procedure. The 3D porous graphene structure is prepared by the breath figure method using a graphene oxide (GO)-based complex in which GO is modified by a surfactant as the casting material. Benefiting from the intercalation of the surfactant between the GO nanosheets and the fabrication of a 3D porous structure, the aggregation inhibition of GO nanosheets and increases in accessible surface area are realized at both nano- and microscales, resulting in good electrochemical performance. Moreover, the deposition of Cu2O nanoparticles can further improve the electrochemical sensing performance of the porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) structure. Extremely low detection limit (30.72 nM) with a linear range of 0 μM to 30 μM, excellent anti-interference, repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and high accuracy for actual sample testing are shown when the 3D porous Cu2O/rGO film is applied as an electrochemical sensor for DA detection. This work provides not only a superior electrochemical biosensor but also a simple, yet effective and general strategy for the construction and functionalization of a 3D graphene structure.

Heterostructure-anchored 3D CNT-bridged graphene architecture via layer-by-layer structural engineering for thick electrodes of supercapacitors

The emerging thick electrode concept is dedicated to maximize active material areal loading at the device-scale through straightforward structural designs to meet the high energy density demand. Nevertheless, overcoming the sluggish charge kinetics and complex manufacturing route in thick composite electrodes is still challenging. Herein, a novel all-laser structural engineering protocol is developed to construct MnO-Mn3O4/MnS heterostructure-anchored 3D porous graphene architecture with reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) interface (MHGC) by layer-by-layer laser induction of polyethersulfone film containing manganese acetate precursors without introducing any templates or catalysts. Creatively, along with the synchronous generation of porous graphene and multivalent manganese compounds heterostructures, a uniform distribution process of nanoparticles is integrated into a one-step in-situ laser irradiation, which is unique and straightforward for preparing thick composite electrodes. Besides, the interlayer bridging of CNT network between MnO-Mn3O4/MnS/graphene layers accelerates electron transport, accompanied by the ameliorative deep diffusion of ions by open graphene macropores derived from laser-assisted vaporization. Thanks to the configuration of efficient electronic bridge and ion channel, combined with multi-heterointerface and fast surface reaction kinetics endowed by heterostructure nanoparticles, MHGC electrode with a thickness of 442 μm delivers a high specific capacitance of 954.5 mF cm−2 (at 0.5 mA cm−2). The assembled symmetrical supercapacitor with LiCl aqueous electrolyte exhibits a broadened potential window of 1.3 V, obtaining a prominent energy density (39.99 μWh cm−2) and power density (1625 μW cm−2). This advanced laser engineering and enabled thick electrodes open a brand-new avenue in burgeoning energy chemistries, not limited to supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries.

3D porous PEDOT/MXene scaffold toward high-performance supercapacitors

3D architectures of conductive polymer, especially PEDOT hold great promise in energy storage and conversion fields. However, the facile construction of 3D PEDOT and its functionalization have still been challenges due to its poor processability. Herein, the fabrication of 3D porous PEDOT:PSS and its functionalization with MXene are realized synchronously through a simple and low-cost self-assembly process. The prominent capacitive performance of MXene, excellent chemical stability of PEDOT:PSS and 3D porous architecture with inhibited aggregation of MXene nanosheets, large amount of active sites, and electrolyte storage chamber endow the PEDOT/MXene-based porous structure with superior capacitive performance than individual PEDOT:PSS or MXene porous and flat structures. Furthermore, the PEDOT/MXene-based porous structure can be applied as a flexible scaffold for the deposition of conductive polymer to construct excellent electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs). When polypyrrole (PPy) is deposited, the prepared porous PEDOT:PSS/MXene/PPy electrode exhibits a high gravimetric specific capacitance of 345 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and a remarkable capacitance retention of 89 % over 5000 cycles. Based on it, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with a high energy density of 56.34 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 120 W kg−1, and a capacitance retention of 75 % after 5000 cycles is developed. Besides, the porous PEDOT:PSS/MXene/PPy can be constructed on various substrates in any pattern with high design freedom, thus enabling customizable electrochemical performance. When constructing on a flexible substrate, excellent deformation-tolerant performance is shown. This work provides a high-performance electrode for SCs, as well as a universal route for the construction and functionalization of 3D PEDOT-based structures.

Facile and scalable preparation of Ni/NiO/SiO2@porous carbon network with strong and wide bandwidth microwave absorption

Researchers are exploring high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbing materials to mitigate electromagnetic interference, focusing on minimizing surface reflection and enhancing attenuation capability. However, one single component and structure struggle to meet the aforementioned requirements. Here, a Ni/NiO/SiO2@porous carbon network (Ni/NiO/SiO2@PCN) with porous structures is synthesized via a pyrolysis process. The magnetic Ni/NiO and dielectric SiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed within the PCN matrix. The absorption capability of the material can be controlled by adjusting the SiO2 content in Ni/NiO/SiO2@PCN. Particularly, when the SiO2 loading is 0.5 wt%, the resulting Ni/NiO/SiO2@PCN-0.05 demonstrates outstanding EMW absorption properties, exhibiting strong broadband absorption attributed to its 3D porous architectures, the hybrid composition of Ni/C, NiO/C, and SiO2/C, and good impedance matching. At a filler loading of 20 wt%, the Ni/NiO/SiO2@PCN-0.05 achieves remarkable EMW absorption performance, with a minimal reflection loss reaching −71.42 dB at 2.6 mm and 11.18 GHz, and an effective absorption band extending over 6.24 GHz within the frequency range of 11.52 to 18.0 GHz at a thickness of 2.25 mm, effectively covering the entire Ku band. This study introduces a cost-effective and efficient fabrication approach for producing high-performance microwave absorbers, thereby offering promising prospects for applications in the field of microwave telecommunications.

Platinum-nickel nanocrystals anchored on heteroatom-functionalized Ti3-xC2Ty MXene 3D porous architecture for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution in alkaline electrolytes

BackgroundRational design and construction of efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for enhancing the activity and stability of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes. MethodsHerein, heteroatom (phosphorus and sulfur)-functionalized and self-adapting Ti3+ species defect decorated Ti3-xC2Ty MXene (PS-TCT) with 3D porous architecture for anchoring platinum-nickel (PtNi) bimetallic nanocrystals for alkaline electrocatalytic HER. Experimental and theoretical studies have shown that the heteroatoms delicately modulated the electronic configuration of MXene to optimize the adsorption capacity of the reaction intermediates. The 3D porous spatial configuration of PS-TCT with abundant Ti3+ species defect endowed an efficient channel for charge transfer and sufficient catalytically active sites, thus facilitating fast dynamics and long-term stability. Additionally, the strong bimetal-substrate interfacial interaction (Pt-S bonding) between PtNi and PS-TCT established an electron directional transport channel, thus achieving valid and stable interfacial electron transport. Significant findingsConsequently, the optimized PtNi@PS-TCT nanohybrids showed remarkable catalytic activity with low overpotentials of 56.1 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and impressive Tafel slope of 81 mV dec−1 for HER in alkaline electrolytes (1.0 M KOH), while exhibiting outstanding electrochemical stability. This work offers a constructive route for precisely constructing high-performance multifunctional composite electrocatalysts.

Deciphering the Performance Enhancement, Cell Failure Mechanism, and Amelioration Strategy of Sodium Storage in Metal Chalcogenides-Based Andes.

Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) emerge as promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), heralding a new era of energy storage solutions. Despite their potential, the mechanisms underlying their performance enhancement and susceptibility to failure in ether-based electrolytes remain elusive. This study delves into these aspects, employing CoS2 electrodes as a case in point to elucidate the phenomena. The investigation reveals that CoS2 undergoes a unique irreversible and progressive solid-liquid-solid phase transition from its native state to sodium polysulfides (NaPSs), and ultimately to a Cu1.8S/Co composite, accompanied by a gradual morphological transformation from microspheres to a stable 3D porous architecture. This reconstructed 3D porous structure is pivotal for its exceptional Na+ diffusion kinetics and resilience to cycling-induced stress, being the main reason for ultrastable cycling and ultrahigh rate capability. Nonetheless, the CoS2 electrode suffers from an inevitable cycle life termination due to the microshort-circuit induced by Na metal corrosion and separator degradation. Through a comparative analysis of various TMCs, a predictive framework linking electrode longevity is established to electrode potential and Gibbs free energy. Finally, the cell failure issue is significantly mitigated at a material level (graphene encapsulation) and cell level (polypropylene membrane incorporation) by alleviating the NaPSs shuttling and microshort-circuit.

Controlling the Architecture of Freeze-Dried Collagen Scaffolds with Ultrasound-Induced Nucleation.

Collagen is a naturally occurring polymer that can be freeze-dried to create 3D porous scaffold architectures for potential application in tissue engineering. The process comprises the freezing of water in an aqueous slurry followed by sublimation of the ice via a pre-determined temperature-pressure regime and these parameters determine the arrangement, shape and size of the ice crystals. However, ice nucleation is a stochastic process, and this has significant and inherent limitations on the ability to control scaffold structures both within and between the fabrication batches. In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to overcome the disadvantages of the stochastic process via the use of low-frequency ultrasound (40 kHz) to trigger nucleation, on-demand, in type I insoluble bovine collagen slurries. The application of ultrasound was found to define the nucleation temperature of collagen slurries, precisely tailoring the pore architecture and providing important new structural and mechanistic insights. The parameter space includes reduction in average pore size and narrowing of pore size distributions while maintaining the percolation diameter. A set of core principles are identified that highlight the huge potential of ultrasound to finely tune the scaffold architecture and revolutionise the reproducibility of the scaffold fabrication protocol.

3D interconnected porous graphene architecture as a high-performance capacitive deionization electrode

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a promising technology for brackish water desalination because of its high efficiency, no secondary pollution and low cost. However, the ion removal capacity of CDI system for brackish water desalination is still insufficient. Herein, a new in-situ porous Cu template method is used to prepare a unique open three-dimensional mesoporous graphene foam (3DMG) with high CDI performance. The developed 3DMG material has rich mesoporous structure, interconnected pore structure, high specific surface area, good hydrophilicity and excellent electrical conductivity, which can achieve effective solution/pore contact, rapid ion migration and high electrosorption capacity. Therefore, the specific capacitance of 3DMG as high as 141.37F/g at 1 M NaCl and 10 mV/s, and the maximum salt adsorption capacity is as high as 32.08 mg/g (1000 mg/L, 1.2 V), which is significantly higher than that of graphene-based electrode materials reported in most literatures. It also shows excellent regeneration performance and stability after repeated electrosorption-desorption cycles. The developed 3DMG undoubtedly provides a promising electrode material platform for CDI devices, effectively solving the urgent problem of freshwater resource shortage.

Coordination Engineering of N, O Co‐Doped Cu Single Atom on Porous Carbon for High Performance Zinc Metal Anodes

AbstractTraditional challenges of poor cycling stability and low Coulombic efficiency in Zinc (Zn) metal anodes have limited their practical application. To overcome these issues, this work introduces a single metal‐atom design featuring atomically dispersed single copper (Cu) atoms on 3D nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) co‐doped porous carbon (CuNOC) as a highly reversible Zn host. The CuNOC structure provides highly active sites for initial Zn nucleation and further promotes uniform Zn deposition. The 3D porous architecture further mitigates the volume changes during the cycle with homogeneous Zn2+ flux. Consequently, CuNOC demonstrates exceptional reversibility in Zn plating/stripping processes over 1000 cycles at 2 and 5 mA cm−2 with a fixed capacity of 1 mAh cm−2, while achieving stable operation and low voltage hysteresis over 700 h at 5 mA cm−2 and 5 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations show that co‐doping N and O on porous carbon with atomically dispersed single Cu atoms creates an efficient zincophilic site for stable Zn nucleation. A full cell with the CuNOC host anode and high loading V2O5 cathode exhibits outstanding rate‐capability up to 5 A g−1 and a stable cycle life over 400 cycles at 0.5 A g−1.

Ni,S co-doped Cu dendrites decorated with core-shell architecture assisted by MOF and Fe0.92Co0.08S nanoflakes on nanocellulose/graphene fibers for fabrication of flexible wire-type micro-supercapacitor.

One-dimensional micro-supercapacitors (1D micro-SCs) have been regarded as an efficient energy storage system to fulfill the ever-growing need for miniaturized electronics. Designing multi-dimensional nanoarchitectures on fibrous microelectrodes is an effective strategy to build a high-performance 1D micro-SC. In this work, Ni,S-doped Cu was firstly prepared on Cu wire as a micro-sized 1D current collector through Cu electrodeposition using a H2 bubble template and then co-doped with nickel and sulfur. Benefiting from the high electrical/thermal conductivity of Cu, and the highly electroactive sites of Ni and S as well as the 3D porous architecture, the deposited Ni,S-doped Cu provided a platform for growing active substances. Thereafter, cobalt carbonate hydroxide (CoCH) pine-like nanoneedle integrated ZIF-67 polyhedrons were synthesized on a foam-like skeleton and converted into NiMoCo-layered triple hydroxide (LTH)/Ni,S-doped Cu shish-kebab type nanoarrays by applying a hydrothermal method. Finally, Ni2Mo3N-CoN/Ni,S-doped Cu was prepared via nitridation. The potent interactions and synergy between components realized a well-organized hybrid nanoarchitecture consisting of dodecahedrons decorated on needle-like arrays within a 3D framework with rich redox properties, rapid ion/electron transfer dynamics and high electroactivity. In comparison to the LTH obtained from the electrodeposition method (without the ZIF-67 precursor) and that derived from leaf-like ZIF-Co, this modified microfiber exhibited a high charge storage capacity of 1.5 mA h cm-2 (149.9 mA h cm-3 and 0.187 mA h cm-1) at 4 mA cm-2 and possesses an excellent durability of 98.4% after 5000 cycles. Additionally, FeCoS nanoflakes were electrodeposited using carbon fiber coated with an rGO-nanocellulose hydrogel (GNCH) and employed as a negative 1D microelectrode, which delivered a high specific capacitance of 1223 mF cm-2 (83 F cm-3, 232.4 mF cm-1) at 4 mA cm-2 with a superior cyclic lifespan. Ultimately, the assembled 1D flexible micro-device (Ni2Mo3N-CoN/Ni,S-doped Cu@CW//FeCoS/GNCH@CF) yielded an energy density of 7.2 mW h cm-3 at a power density of 294 mW cm-3 and outstanding cycling stability in PVA/KOH electrolyte and preserved the capacitive performance under various bending states. This research highlights that assembled 1D micro-SCs have a high potency for next-generation portable/wearable energy-supply microelectronics.

Nanoporous Architecture of Mo Incorporated Nifeldh Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) Electrode for Efficient Water Electrolysis

Designing efficient catalysts with non-precious metals is of utmost significance for a sluggish anodic reaction (oxygen evolution reaction) in large-scale hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting. Towards this endeavor, this work presents a simple and scalable methodology for binder free direct growth of Mo-doped NiFe-layered double hydroxides (NiFeLDH) on a nickel substrate by electrodeposition route at room temperature. A three-dimensional (3D) porous nanosheet architecture of electrocatalyst delivers immense electrochemical surface area as well as abundant catalytically active sites. In addition, Mo doping in the NiFeLDH plays a vital role in regulating the OER catalytic performance. Furthermore, the fabricated electrocatalyst exhibits low overpotential (230 mV) at 30 mAcm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline electrolyte with ultralow Tafel slope of ~28 mV dec−1 and retains exceptional stability for 100 h. Furthermore, the optimized Mo doped NiFeLDH electrode was used as an anode in single cell lab-scale system for alkaline water electrolysis at 80 °C with continuous flow of alkaline electrolyte. The single cell exhibits efficient electrochemical performance with a lower cell voltage of 1.80 V at a current density of 400 mA cm−2. Also, an admirable long-term cell durability is shown by the cell for 24 h. This work encourages new designs and further development of electrode materials for alkaline water electrolysis to the commercial scale.

Unveiling the morphological influence of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood anchored 3D transition metal oxide microarchitectures on catalytic activity: A trifunctional electrocatalyst for sensing and energy conversion

The rational construction and advancement of binder-free, self-standing, and cost-effective electrodes endowed with highly active trifunctional electrocatalysts represent a pivotal nexus between the research domains of energy and healthcare applications. However, the lack of proficient non-precious-metal trifunctional electrocatalysts bridging the aforementioned research domains remains a pinnacle barrier. Herein, we proposed distinct fabrication protocols to construct morphologically diverse three-dimensional (3D) CuO microarchitectures directly docked over the naturally inherited carbon channels of nitrogen-doped carbonized wood (NCW) (CuO@NCW) obtained by the carbonization of waste wood monoliths and explored the efficacy of different catalytic designs towards the trifunctional performances on non-enzymatic glucose sensing and glucose oxidation-assisted water splitting. Among the diverse binder-free engineered electrodes, CuO@NCW obtained via the facile electrodeposition (E) route (dubbed as CuO-E@NCW) demonstrated proficient electrocatalytic trifunctionality benefitting from the allied merits of the robustly anchored 3D porous dendritic architectures equipped with ample porosity and momentous interconnectivity. The as-fabricated CuO-E@NCW electrode as a glucose sensor displays two broad linear ranges between 0.01 and 0.5 mM and 0.5–4.0 mM with corresponding elevated sensitivities of 24.6 and 7.2 mA mM−1 cm−2, with a lower limit of detection of 0.0013 mM (S/N = 3). Besides, this best-performing electrode delivers a high current density of 50 mA cm−2 with a low cell voltage of 1.39 V in the glucose electrolysis system, which is 170 mV lower compared with stereotypical alkaline water splitting.

In Situ Etching of Multifunctional Three-Dimensional Interfacial Layers for the Construction of Porous Zn Anodes with Enhanced Surface Textures.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries offer the advantages of greater security and lower fabrication costs over their lithium-ion counterparts. However, their further advancement and practical application are hindered by the drastic decay in their performance due to the uncontrollable dendrite growth on Zn anodes. In this study, we fabricated a versatile three-dimensional (3D) interfacial layer (3D PVDF-Zn(TFO)2 (PVDF: poly(vinylidene fluoride); TFO: trifluoromethanesulfonate), which simultaneously formed porous Zn-metal anodes (PZn) with an enhanced (002) texture, via a in situ etching scheme. The 3D PVDF-Zn(TFO)2@PZn symmetrical cells leverage the advantages of surface coating and 3D porous architectures to yield extra-long cyclic lifetimes of over 5300 h (0.1 mA cm-2). The fabricated anodes were found to be compatible with MnO2 cathodes, and the resulting full batteries delivered an outstanding capacity of 336 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and exhibited impressive long-term reversibility with a capacity retention of 78.7% for 2000 cycles. The proposed coating strategy is viable for developing porous structures with cutting-edge designs and for textured surface engineering.

3D flower-like hollow MXene@MoS2 heterostructure for fast sodium storage

Constructing an anode with fast electron transport and high cycling stability is important but challenging for large-scale applications of sodium-ion batteries (SIB). In this study, hierarchical flower-like MXene structures were synthesized using poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microsphere as templates. Subsequently, a straightforward hydrothermal reaction was utilized to anchor small-sized MoS2 nanosheets. The resulting MXene@MoS2 heterostructure exhibits a distinctive three-dimensional (3D) porous hollow architecture. This structure effectively addresses challenges related to self-aggregation of MoS2 nanosheets and volume expansion of the electrode material during Na+ insertion/extraction processes. Furthermore, the robust hetero-interface supports fast and stable electron transfer, thereby enhancing electrochemical reaction kinetics. The prepared MXene@MoS2 electrode demonstrates the specific capacity of 682.1 mA h g−1 at 0.2 A/g and the reversible capacity of 494.4 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g. It is noteworthy that the full battery assembled with the composite material as the anode can still maintain the capacity of 456.2 mA h g−1 after 80 cycles at 0.5 A/g. This outstanding reversible capacity and sustained stability over numerous cycles highlights its potential for a wide range of applications.

Efficient removal of U(VI) from wastewater by a sponge-like 3D porous architecture with hybrid electrospun nanofibers

Removal of uranium(VI) from nuclear wastewater is urgent due to the global nuclear energy exploitation. This study synthesized novel sponge-like 3D porous materials for enhanced uranium adsorption by combining electrospinning and fibrous freeze-shaping techniques. The materials possessed an organic–inorganic hybrid architecture based on the electrospun fibers of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and SiO2. As a supporting material, the surface of fibrous SiO2 could be further functionalized by cyano groups via (3-cyanopropyl)triethoxysilane. All the cyano groups were turned into amidoxime (AO) groups to obtain a amidoxime-functionalized sponge (PAO/SiO2-AO) through the subsequent amidoximation process. The proposed sponge exhibited enhanced uranium adsorption performance with a high removal capacity of 367.12 mg/g, a large adsorption coefficient of 4.0 × 104 mL/g, and a high removal efficiency of 97.59%. The UO22+ adsorption kinetics perfectly conformed to the pseudo-second-order reaction. The sorbent also exhibited an excellent selectivity for UO22+ with other interfering metal ions.

Soft-template-assisted bottom-up fabrication of tunable porosity monolithic copper film for interconnection in microelectronics

Background: Third-generation devices offer superior attributes, necessitating advanced packaging materials for harsh operating environments. Incorporating 3D porous architectures to increase the reaction area further enhances the reaction rate, making transient liquid phase bonding an ideal interconnection process. Methods: Fabrication of monolithic porous Cu films using a bicontinuous microemulsion (BME) as a dynamic soft template is reported. The BME phase consists of interconnected three-dimensional networks of aqueous and oil phases, separated by surfactants and cosurfactants. This unique structure enables the selective electrodeposition of Cu exclusively within the aqueous region, preventing any unwanted reactions in the oil phase. Tunable porosity in the monolithic Cu film is achieved by adjusting the water to oil phase ratio in the BME. Significant findings: The Sn-plated porous Cu films exhibit low-temperature reflow capability while still maintaining high service temperatures. The utilization of the BME soft template offers a promising approach for fabricating monolithic Cu films with tunable porosity, providing flexibility in controlling the compositions and performance of interconnections. The compatibility of the BME with existing wafer deposition techniques makes it a viable and scalable solution for mass production. The electrodeposition of monolithic Cu arrays on Cu pillars demonstrates its potential applicability in advanced packaging technologies.

Super-flexible and highly conductive H-Ti3C2Tx MXene composite films with 3D macro-assemblies for electromagnetic interference shielding

2D MXene are showing great prospects for EMI shielding by virtue of abundant surface functional groups and outstanding metallic electrical conductivity. However, it remains a great challenge to simultaneously achieve flexible, lightweight and high stability in MXene shielding materials due to inferior mechanical strength and poor oxidation stability. Gelation paves up an effective and facile strategy to develop highly stable and conductive 3D porous Ti3C2Tx architectures. Herein, super-flexible and highly conductive H-Ti3C2Tx MXene composite films with 3D macro-assemblies for EMI shielding were fabricated through a gelation-densification process initiated by hydrochloric acids, and two-step vacuum-assisted filtration followed by freeze-casting approach. The obtained nanocomposite films manifest satisfactory mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 116.51 MPa, excellent EMI SE of 55.14 dB, superior SSE/t and high EMI SE retention after 5000 cycles of bending deformation. In addition, the as-prepared nanocomposite papers demonstrate outstanding thermal management performances such as rapid response time, high Joule heating temperature (118 °C) at low applied voltage (2.5 V) and eminent working stability (4000 s).

Three-dimensional porous carbon framework coated with polyaniline for highly stable and selective ammonia sensing

Ammonia (NH3) sensing for environmental pollution monitoring is simultaneously required high selectivity against interfering gases, long-term stability with humidity tolerance and low detection limit, which needs further exploring. Here, the compositions of three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon framework (C-FW) coated with polyaniline (PANI@3D C-FW CPs) have been developed for highly selective and stable NH3 detection, which have been firstly prepared 3D C-FW via freezing/drying, and have been then in-situ coated with PANI. As-synthesized PANI@3D C-FW CPs present 3D porous architectures with rough surface. Beneficially, the PANI@3D C-FW CPs show a distinguished selectivity to NH3 against other interfering gases and possess 100 ppb-concentration detection limit at room temperature (∼25 °C), respectively. Remarkably, the PANI@3D C-FW CPs sensor prototypes show outstanding cycling stability to 10 ppm NH3, and 249-day long stability. Theoretically, such outstanding NH3 sensing performance might be attributed to the unique deprotonation/protonation process of PANI molecules layer and the abundant adsorption sites of 3D porous framework structure. Practically, simulation to detect NH3 using as-prepared PANI@3D C-FW CPs has been conducted with reliable sensing response.