High Surface Area Research Articles

Methane Decomposition over a Titanium-Alumina and Iron Catalyst Assisted by Lanthanides to Produce High-Performance COx-Free H2 and Carbon Nanotubes

COx-free H2, along with uniform carbon nanotubes, can be achieved together in high yield by CH4 decomposition. It only needs a proper catalyst and reaction condition. Herein, Fe-based catalyst dispersed over titania-incorporated-alumina (Fe/Ti-Al), with the promotional addition of lanthanides, like CeO2 and La2O3, over it, is investigated for a methane decomposition reaction at 800 °C with GHSV 6 L/(g·h) in a fixed-bed reactor. The catalysts are characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The promoted catalysts are facilitated with higher surface area and enhanced dispersion and concentration of active sites, resulting in higher H2 and carbon yields than unpromoted catalysts. Ceria-promoted 20Fe/Ti-Al catalyst had the highest concentration of active sites and always attained the highest activity in the initial hours. The 20Fe-2.5Ce/Ti-Al catalyst attains >90% CH4 conversion, >80% H2-yield, and 92% carbon yield up to 480 min time on stream. The carbon nanotube over this catalyst is highly uniform, consistent, and has the highest degree of crystallinity. The supremacy of ceria-promoted catalyst attained >90% CH4 conversion even after the second cycle of regeneration studies (against 87% in lanthanum-promoted catalyst), up to 240 min time on stream. This study plots the path of achieving catalytic and carbon excellence over Fe-based catalysts through CH4 decomposition.

Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate Cathode with Stable Structure and Fast Kinetics for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) show great promise as cathode candidates for aqueous zinc-ion batteries thanks to their high operating voltage, open-framework structure, and low cost. However, suffering from numerous vacancies and crystal water, the electrochemical performance of PBAs remains unsatisfactory, with limited capacity and poor cycle life. Here, a simple coprecipitation method is shown to synthesize well-crystallized cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) with a small amount of water and high specific surface area. Benefitting from two redox-active sites, CoHCF could deliver 104.6 mA h g-1 at 0.02 A g-1 and 72 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1, with good capacity retention of 92.4% after 300 cycles at 0.5 A g-1. Several electrochemical kinetic tests indicate that the reaction is dominated by capacitive behavior and that the diffusion coefficient of Zn2+ ions is approximately 10-9 cm2 s-1. Furthermore, ex-situ XRD indicated a reversible insertion/extraction of Zn2+ ions without any phase transition.

Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

ABSTRACTThe increasing demand for sustainable fuels has driven extensive research into biodiesel production, which typically relies on the use of active catalysts to facilitate the transesterification of oils. While homogeneous catalysts are commonly employed, they pose challenges in terms of recyclability and environmental impact, leading to growing interest in heterogeneous catalysts. Among these, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained attention due to their high surface area and tuneable properties. This study investigates the performance of a copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC) MOF as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production. CuBTC was synthesised via solvothermal method and thoroughly characterised using scanning electron microscopy to examine the morphology, powder X‐ray diffraction to determine the crystalline structure, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify the functional groups. The synthesised CuBTC has an octahedral morphology and successfully catalysed biodiesel production with unsaturated fatty acids within the C16 to C18 range, achieving a yield of 78.6% using 1 wt.% CuBTC and a 10:1 methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio. The iodine value of the produced biodiesel was 59.3 g I/g, and the higher heating value was 39.2 MJ/kg. Recycled CuBTC maintained its efficacy, yielding 76.6% and 63.4% fatty acid methyl esters in the first and second recycling runs, respectively, with 16.6% and 15.3% of C16 to C18 fatty acids. The produced biodiesel met quality standards outlined in EN 14214, highlighting CuBTC's potential for sustainable biodiesel production.

In Situ Spectroscopic Probing of the Hydroxylamine Pathway of Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction on Iron-Oxy-Hydroxide.

Crystalline γ-FeO(OH) dominantly possessing ─OH terminals (𝛾-FeO(OH)c), polycrystalline γ-FeO(OH) containing multiple ─O, ─OH, and Fe terminals (𝛾-FeO(OH)pc), and α-Fe2O3 majorly containing ─O surface terminals are used as electrocatalysts to study the effect of surface terminals on electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (eNO3RR) selectivity and stabilization of reaction intermediates. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis and electrochemically determined surface area suggest a high active surface area of 117.79 m2 g-1 (ECSA: 0.211 cm2) for 𝛾-FeO(OH)c maximizing the surface accessibility for nitrate adsorption and exhibiting selective eNO3RR to NH3 at pH 7 with a yield rate 18.326mg h-1 cm-2, >85% Faradaic efficiency (FE), and at least nine-times catalyst-recyclability. 15N- and D-labeling combined with in situ IR and Raman studies validate the adsorption of nitrate ions on the ─OH terminals of 𝛾-FeO(OH)c and the generation of nitrite and hydroxyl amine as eNO3RR intermediates. A kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 2.1 indicates H2O as the proton source and proton-coupled electron transfer as the rate-limiting step. The rotating-ring disk electrochemical (RRDE) study and subsequent Koutecký-Levich analysis reveal the electron-transfer rate constant (k) for the 2e- reduction of nitrate to nitrite is 5.7 × 10-6cm s-1. This study provides direct evidence of the hydroxyl amine formation as the dominant pathway of eNO3RR on γ-FeO(OH).

Facile Synthesis of Iron Phosphide Nanoparticles in 3D Porous Carbon Framework as Superior Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Iron phosphide (FeP) represents a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries, attributed to its significant theoretical capacity, moderate operating potential, and natural abundance. However, due to the low conductivity and significant volume expansion of FeP electrodes, their specific capacity and cycle life decrease rapidly during charging and discharging. In this study, we synthesized FeP nanoparticles supported on a three-dimensional porous carbon framework composite (FeP@PCF) using a straightforward colloidal blow molding method, employing iron nitrate nonahydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone as raw materials. The nanoscale size of the FeP particles, along with the abundant mesopores and high specific surface area of the 3D porous carbon framework, contribute to the impressive sodium storage performance of FeP@PCF. It is revealed that FeP@PCF achieves a remarkable capacity of 196.6 mA h g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. Furthermore, after 800 cycles at this current density, it retains a capacity of 172.4 mA h g−1, demonstrating excellent cycling performance. Kinetic and dynamic studies indicate that this exceptional performance is largely attributed to the well-designed FeP@PCF, which exhibits a high capacitive contribution of 88.3% at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1.

Antimicrobial membranes based on polycaprolactone:pectin blends reinforced with zeolite faujasite for cloxacillin-controlled release

Multifunctional membranes applied to biomedical materials become attractive to support the biological agents and increase their properties. In this study, biopolymeric fibers based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and pectin (PEC) were reinforced with faujasite zeolite (FAU) for cloxacillin antibiotic (CLX) loading. FAU with a high specific surface area (347 ± 8 m2 g−1), high crystallinity and particles with a diameter of up to 100 nm were produced under optimized synthesis conditions (100 °C/4 h). Zeolites were incorporated into polymeric nanofibers to be a cloxacillin (CLX) carrier in wound treatment, using electrospinning as an efficient synthesis method. The fibers produced showed good mechanical resistance and the incorporation of CLX was proven by assays to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The controlled release of CLX in different pH conditions, which simulate the wound environment, was carried out for up to 229 h, achieving a released CLX concentration of up to 6.18 ± 0.02 mg L−1. These results prove that obtaining a hybrid fiber (polymer-zeolite) to incorporate drugs to be released in a controlled manner was successfully achieved. The bactericidal activity of this material shows that its use for measured applications could be an alternative to conventional methods.Graphical abstract

Plasmon-Enhanced CO2 Reduction to Liquid Fuel via Modified UiO-66 Photocatalysts

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as versatile materials with remarkably high surface areas and tunable properties, attracting significant attention for various applications. In this work, the modification of a UiO-66 MOF with metal nanoparticles (NPs) is investigated for the purpose of enhancing its photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to liquid fuels. Several NPs (Au, Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, and Ni) were loaded into the UiO-66 framework and employed as photocatalysts. The synergistic effects of plasmonic resonance and MOF characteristics were investigated to improve photocatalytic performance. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confirming the successful integration of metal NPs onto the UiO-66 framework. Morphological analysis revealed distinct distributions and sizes of NPs on the UiO-66 surface for different metals. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction experiments demonstrated enhanced activity of plasmonic MOFs, yielding methanol and ethanol. The findings revealed by this study provide valuable insights into tailoring MOFs for improved photocatalytic applications through the incorporation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles.

Mineralogy as a potential driver of irregular radiocarbon patterns among Icelandic fluvial carbon pools

Abstract Fluvial export of organic carbon (OC) from the terrestrial biosphere to the ocean forms a key component of the global carbon cycle. Carbon sources and transformations along the land–ocean aquatic continuum are dynamic with a complex interplay between particulate and dissolved organic and inorganic carbon pools (POC, DOC, DIC). Radiocarbon dating serves as a valuable tool, providing crucial insights into turnover and residence times within these pools. However, the myriad of carbon sources, including ancient ‘petrogenic’ OC from sedimentary rocks or freshly assimilated OC derived from aquatic in-situ production, makes it challenging to interpret 14C signatures in the context of terrestrial biospheric OC turnover and residence times. Icelandic rivers and streams offer an opportunity to examine biospheric carbon dynamics due to the virtual absence of petrogenic OC (e.g., shales, carbonates) in underlying bedrock. Our study of 43 rivers and streams, collectively draining approximately 42% of Iceland’s surface, revealed that radiocarbon signatures of POC largely align with global river patterns but lacked the presence of significantly old (14C-depleted) carbon likely reflecting the absence of ancient petrogenic OC. In contrast, DOC tended to be older compared to global rivers and the corresponding POC and DIC pools in Icelandic rivers. These observations challenge the paradigm that riverine POC generally exhibits longer turnover and residence times than DOC. After excluding other potential factors, we argue that this apparent age inversion among carbon pools in Icelandic rivers may reflect retention of DOC prior to its release to the aquatic continuum through interactions with high surface area minerals prevalent in the volcanic soils of Iceland. This finding may be relevant for other fluvial systems draining volcanic bedrock and have broader implications regarding biospheric OC dynamics in rivers and streams globally.

Revolutionizing healthcare: The role of silver nanoparticles in modern medicine

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are emerging as powerful tools in healthcare due to their unique properties, including antimicrobial activity, high surface area, and biocompatibility. They are widely used in medical applications such as wound healing, drug delivery, cancer therapy, and diagnostics, particularly for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. AgNPs enhance the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics and show potential in synergistic therapies with other nanomaterials. However, challenges remain regarding their toxicity to human cells and the environment. The lack of standardized synthesis and application protocols complicates their regulatory approval and widespread use. To address these concerns, we should focus on engineering AgNPs to reduce toxicity, enhance specificity, and develop biodegradable systems to minimize environmental impact. However, AgNPs hold significant promise for advancing medical treatments, and current research is essential to ensure their safe and effective use in healthcare.

MoS2–Plasmonic Hybrid Platforms: Next-Generation Tools for Biological Applications

The combination of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with plasmonic nanomaterials has opened up new possibilities in biological applications by combining MoS2’s biocompatibility and high surface area with the optical sensitivity of plasmonic metals. These MoS2–plasmonic hybrid systems hold great promise in areas such as biosensing, bioimaging, and phototherapy, where their complementary properties facilitate improved detection, real-time visualization, and targeted therapeutic interventions. MoS2’s adjustable optical features, combined with the plasmon resonance of noble metals such as gold and silver, enhance signal amplification, enabling detailed imaging and selective photothermal or photodynamic therapies while minimizing effects on healthy tissue. This review explores various synthesis strategies for MoS2–plasmonic hybrids, including seed-mediated growth, in situ deposition, and heterojunction formation, which enable tailored configurations optimized for specific biological applications. The primary focus areas include highly sensitive biosensors for detecting cancer and infectious disease biomarkers, high-resolution imaging of cellular dynamics, and the development of phototherapy methods that allow for accurate tumor ablation through light-induced thermal and reactive oxygen species generation. Despite the promising advancements of MoS2–plasmonic hybrids, translating these platforms into clinical practice requires overcoming considerable challenges, such as synthesis reproducibility, toxicity, stability in physiological conditions, targeted delivery, and scalable manufacturing. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing their potential as next-generation tools in diagnostics and targeted therapies.

In Situ Synthesis of Zr-Doped Mesoporous Silica Based on Zr-Containing Silica Residue and Its High Adsorption Efficiency for Methylene Blue

Zr-containing silica residue (ZSR) is an industrial by-product of ZrOCl2 production obtained through an alkali fusion process using zircon sand. In this study, low-cost and efficient Zr-doped mesoporous silica adsorption materials (Zr-MCM-41 and Zr-SBA-15) were prepared in one step via the hydrothermal synthesis method using ZSR as the silicon source for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from dye-contaminated wastewater. The samples were characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The findings indicate that the synthesized Zr-MCM-41 and Zr-SBA-15 possess highly ordered mesoscopic structures with high specific surface areas of 910 and 846 m2/g, large pore volumes of 1.098 and 1.154 cm3/g, and average pore diameters of 4.18 and 5.35 nm, respectively. The results of the adsorption experiments show that the adsorbent has better adsorption properties under alkaline conditions. The adsorption process obeys the pseudo-quadratic kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model, indicating the coexistence of physical and chemisorption processes. The maximum adsorption capacities of Zr-MCM-41 and Zr-SBA-15 are 618.43 and 516.58 mg/g, respectively, as calculated by the Langmuir model (pH = 9, temperature of 25 °C). Compared with mesoporous silica prepared with sodium silicate as the silicon source, Zr-MCM-41 and Zr-SBA-15 have different structural properties and better adsorption properties due to Zr doping. These findings indicate that ZSR is the preferred silicon source for preparing mesoporous silica, and the mesoporous silica prepared using Zr silicon slag is a promising adsorbent and has great application potential in wastewater treatment.

Recent progress in two-dimensional polymer materials: interfacial synthesis and applications

Abstract As a new two-dimensional polymer synthetic material, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) not only have the advantages of high specific surface area and high transparency of two-dimensional materials, but also have the advantages of high mechanical strength and easy processing of polymer materials. Therefore, 2DPs are widely used and have become one of the indispensable materials today. However, there are still challenges in preparing 2DPs using traditional methods. Among the various synthesis strategies, the interfacial synthesis methods with the advantages of simple operation and high crystallinity have become typical method for preparing 2DPs. In this review, we first summarize the types of interface synthesis methods and the latest research progress. Secondly, the 2DPs applications in optoelectronic devices, membrane separation, sensor, electrical device and batteries, etc. are introduced. Finally, we summarize and prospect the existing challenges and future research directions based on the current research status of 2DPs.

Research on Ceramic Nanofiber Assembled Aerogel

With the accelerated advancement of science and technology, the traditional textiles material has been unable to meet the specific functional and performance requirements. Meanwhile, the special structure of aerogel exhibits the drawback of limited thermal stability. The high surface energy of the particles makes it susceptible in high-temperature environments, which can lead to a reduction in specific surface area and even collapse of the porous structure. Aerogel assembled from ceramic nanofibers could be a solution. When the fiber size is reduced from micron to nanometer, the special properties brought by the small size effect and the high specific surface area effect will give the nanofibers new properties such as in light, electricity and sound. This paper provides a comprehensive general introduction of the structure, capability, preparation, and modification techniques employed in ceramic nanofiber aerogel research. The sol-gel electrospinning method can produce nanofiber aerogel with excellent properties. The paper reveals the excellent thermal insulation properties of ceramic grains that is located on ceramic fibers such as ZrO2, SiO2 and Al2O3, combined with the porous structure of aerogel can lock gas molecules, so that they can be used in high temperature environments.

Activated Carbon from Birch Wood as an Electrode Material for Aluminum Batteries and Supercapacitors

AbstractDue to its sustainable approach, biomass is the subject of much research focused on the synthesis of multifunctional materials including electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors. In this work, sawdust from the processing of birch logs was used to produce a highly porous carbon material (CBW) that is employed for the construction of electrodes for aluminum batteries (ABs) and supercapacitors (SCs). A multitude of characterizations indicated that CBW is built in with highly disordered amorphous carbons and an extremely high specific surface area of 3029 m2 g−1 which is predominant with microporous features. The chemical analysis of CBW indicated the presence of a significant amount of oxygen functionalities. As a cathode of AB, CBW achieved discharge capacities 115, 74, 54, 50, 47, 43, and 29 mAh g−1 at current rates 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 10.0 A g−1, respectively. Similarly, SC with CBW symmetric electrodes exhibited capacitances 143, 94, 87, 79, 74, 69, 65, and 51 F g−1 at current rates 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 10.0 A g−1, respectively. The electrochemical characterization revealed that CBW is promising for ABs and SCs, and controlling the porosity type could further enhance the performance.

MOF-derived Carbon-Based Materials for Energy-Related Applications.

New carbon-based materials (CMs) are recommended as attractively active materials due to their diverse nanostructures and unique electron transport pathways, demonstrating great potential for highly efficient energy storage applications, electrocatalysis, and beyond. Among these newly reported CMs, metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived CMs have achieved impressive development momentum based on their high specific surface areas, tunable porosity, and flexible structural-functional integration. However, obstacles regarding the integrity of porous structures, the complexity of preparation processes, and the precise control of active components hinder the regulation of precise interface engineering in CMs. In this context, this review systematically summarizes the latest advances in tailored types, processing strategies, and energy-related applications of MOF-derived CMs and focuses on the structure-activity relationship of metal-free carbon, metal-doped carbon, and metallide-doped carbon. Particularly, the intrinsic correlation and evolutionary behavior between the synergistic interaction of micro/nanostructures and active species with electrochemical performances are emphasized. Finally, unique insights and perspectives on the latest relevant research are presented, and the future development prospects and challenges of MOF-derived CMs are discussed, providing valuable guidance to boost high-performance electrochemical electrodes for a broader range of application fields.

Direct Knitting of Pincer Palladium Complexes into Hyper-crosslinked Polymers for Superior Catalytic Performance in Suzuki-Miyaura Reactions.

Using a direct knitting strategy, we successfully prepared a novel heterogeneous catalyst consisting of pyridine-bridged bis(imidazolium-2-ylidene) palladium complexes (CNC-Pd) embedded in a knitted network polymer. The resulting catalysts (HCP-CNC-Pd-d) exhibited high specific surface areas of 982 m2 g-1 with microporous and mesoporous structures. The large surface area enhances contact between the substrate and the catalytic center, while the strong chelation between CNC and the metal ion ensures the catalyst's durability. The HCP-CNC-Pd-d catalysts exhibited superior performance, achieving an impressive 99% yield in the Suzuki coupling reaction between bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid. The catalyst also demonstrated good performance across a range of substrates in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. Furthermore, the catalyst could be recycled for over 10 cycles without any significant loss in activity and selectivity. This highly cost-effective and convenient approach provides valuable insights into the design and application of heterogeneous catalysts in various fields.

HF-free low-temperature synthesis of MXene for electrochemical hydrogen production

MXenes [two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides] are gaining significant interest as alternative electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction due to their excellent properties such as high electrical conductivity, large surface area and chemical stability. MXenes are traditionally synthesized using hydrofluoric acid (HF), which raises safety and environmental concerns due to its highly corrosive and toxic nature. HF introduces fluoride functional groups on the surface of MXenes, and these have been reported to have a detrimental effect on electrocatalysis. As a result, there is growing interest in developing MXenes through non-fluoride routes. Here, we report room-temperature, HF-free, wet-chemical synthesis of MXene using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and chromium chloride. The newly prepared CH-MXenes possess hydrophilic functionalities (-Cl, -OH and =O). Key advantages of the CH route over HF-based synthesis include the elimination of an additional delamination step, the prevention of MXene restacking via chloride functionalities and the consistent production of high-quality 2D MXenes with a reproducible flake size (∼650 nm). These CH-MXenes exhibit a high surface area, excellent conductivity and enhanced chemical stability, making them suitable for various energy and other applications.

A novel fabrication of graphitic carbon nitride/chitosan composite modified with thiosemicarbazide for the effective static and dynamic adsorption of Pb2+ from aqueous media.

In this work, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) prepared by thermal treatment, graphitic carbon nitride/chitosan (GCS), and graphitic carbon nitride/chitosan embedded thiosemicarbazide (TGCS) were developed as an effective solid adsorbent. The fabricated adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, ATR-FTIR, TGA, XRD, ζ potential, SEM, and TEM, where TGCS composite had a higher surface area (536.79 m2/g), total pore volume (0.4152 cm3 /g), average pore size (3.09 nm), and pHPZC (6.4). TGCS revealed a Langmuir adsorption capacity of 329.61 mg/g for Pb2+ at an adsorbent dosage of 1.5 g/L, pH 5, 45 min of shaking, and 23 °C. The experimental results were applied well by pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm. Through the first five adsorption-desorption cycles, only 12.2, 6.2, and 5.1 % decline in efficiency were noted for g-C3N4, GCS, and TGCS, respectively. Column adsorption capacity (qo, mg/g) was determined to be 132.24 mg/g at bed height 3 cm, flow rate of 80 mL/min, and 80 mg/L as initial Pb2+ concentration. Based on the lower reduced chi-square values (ꭓ2 × 10-4, 3.8810-12.9000) and the higher correlation coefficients (R2, 0.9917-0.9979), the Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models suggested an acceptable match for the breakthrough curve. Our findings suggested that TGCS had great adsorption capacity, strong selectivity, and quick kinetics, indicating its potential for water treatment applications.

Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Dual-Ion Batteries with T-Nb2O5/Nitrogen-Doped Three-Dimensional Porous Carbon Composites

Niobium pentoxide (T-Nb2O5) is a promising anode material for dual-ion batteries due to its high lithium capacity and fast ion storage and release mechanism. However, T-Nb2O5 suffers from the disadvantages of poor electrical conductivity and fast cycling capacity decay. Herein, a nitrogen-doped three-dimensional porous carbon (RMF) was prepared for loading niobium pentoxide to construct a composite system with excellent electrochemical performance. The obtained T-Nb2O5/RMF composites have a well-developed pore structure and a high specific surface area of 1568.5 m2 g−1, which could effectively increase the contact area between the material and electrolyte, improving the electrode reaction and lithium-ion transfer diffusion. Nitrogen doping increased surface polarity, creating more active sites and accelerating the electrode reaction rate. The introduction of T-Nb2O5 imparted high power density and excellent cycling stability to the battery. The composites exhibited good electrochemical performance when used as dual-ion battery anode, with a stable cycle life of 207.2 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density after 650 cycles and great rate performance of 181.5 mA h g−1 at 5A g−1 was also obtained. This work provides the possibility for applying T-Nb2O5/RMF as an anode for a high-performance dual-ion battery.

High Performance Sodium‐Ion Hybrid Capacitor Based on Graphene‐Tin Pyrophosphate Nanocomposite Anode

AbstractThe development of alternative energy storage technologies such as sodium‐ion hybrid capacitors, which do not rely on critical raw materials such as cobalt or nickel, for the replacement of conventional lithium‐ion batteries for some niche applications, is extremely important to successfully achieve a sustainable development in our planet. In this work, we introduce a novel sodium‐ion hybrid capacitor system formed by the combination of an optimized nanostructured composite material containing reduced graphene oxide and tin pyrophosphate as negative electrode, and a high specific surface area graphene‐carbon composite as positive electrode. The electrochemical performance of each material has been individually evaluated using NaPF6 in EC/DMC as electrolyte, showing impressive specific capacity values above 100 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, for both faradaic and capacitive‐type electrodes. The integration of the electrodes in an optimized full cell with anode‐to‐cathode mass balance of 1.5 : 1, enabled stable full cells that can provide energy densities of almost 60 Wh kg−1 at 3,000 W kg−1, showcasing the potential of these type of materials in the design of next generation energy storage systems.