Interconnected Structure Research Articles

Decentralized Framework for Securing Smart Grids Using Blockchain and Machine Learning

Abstract: The transition to smart grids has revolutionized energy distribution, enabling more efficient and flexible power management through advanced communication and control systems. However, this interconnected structure makes smart grids vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as False Data Injection Attacks (FDIA), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and data manipulation. These threats undermine the stability and reliability of the grid, and existing centralized security frameworks are often ill-equipped to address them due to their susceptibility to single points of failure and limited scalability. To overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a decentralized security framework that combines blockchain technology with machine learning (ML). The framework leverages blockchain to provide a transparent, immutable, and decentralized ledger, employing consensus mechanisms like Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) or Proof of Authority (PoA) to ensure secure data validation. Alongside this, ML models, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), are used to detect anomalies in time-series data, such as FDIA, with high precision. Smart contracts embedded in the blockchain enable automated, real-time responses to threats, such as isolating compromised nodes or rerouting energy flows to maintain grid stability. Through simulations replicating real-world cyberattacks, the proposed framework demonstrated over 95% detection accuracy, a 30% reduction in response times, and enhanced computational efficiency with lower energy consumption. These results affirm the effectiveness of the framework as a scalable and resilient solution for modern smart grid security.

Multiple Protophilic Redox-Active Sites in Reticular Organic Skeletons for Superior Proton Storage.

Protons (H+) with the smallest size and fastest redox kinetics are regarded as competitive charge carriers in the booming Zn-organic batteries (ZOBs). Developing new H+-storage organic cathode materials with multiple ultralow-energy-barrier protophilic sites and super electron delocalization routes to propel superior ZOBs is crucial but still challenging. Here we design multiple protophilic redox-active reticular organic skeletons (ROSs) for activating better proton storage, triggered by intermolecular H-bonding and π-π stacking interactions between 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone and 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol nanofibrous polymer. ROSs expose reticular electron delocalization geometries to fully access build-in protophilic carbonyl sites and promote ultrarapid H+ migration with an ultralow activation energy (0.13 vs. 0.29 eV of Zn2+ ions), thus delivering high capacity (359 mAh g-1) and large-current survivability (100 A g-1). Moreover, the extended interconnected reticular structures strengthen the anti-dissolution of ROSs in aqueous electrolytes, affording long-lasting proton-storage activity in ZOBs to a superior level (60,000 cycles at 20 A g-1). Systematic studies identify the source of excellent charge storage as high-kinetics H+-coupled five-electron redox process of carbonyl motifs in superstable ROSs. These findings can be of importance for evoking superior proton activity in multiple redox organics to build advanced Zn-organic batteries.

Structure and stability of copper nanoclusters on monolayer tungsten dichalcogenides.

Layered materials, such as tungsten dichalcogenides (TMDs), are being studied for a wide range of applications, due to their unique and varied properties. Specifically, their use as either a support for low dimensional catalysts or as an ultrathin diffusion barrier in semiconductor devices interconnect structures are particularly relevant. In order to fully realise these possible applications for TMDs, understanding the interaction between metals and the monolayer they are deposited on is of utmost importance. The morphology that arises due to given metal-substrate combinations determines their possible applications and thus is a central characteristic. Previous theoretical studies typically focus on the effects which single metal adatoms, or dopants, have on a TMDs' electronic and optical properties, thereby leaving a knowledge gap in terms of thin film nucleation on TMD monolayers. To address this, we present a density functional theory (DFT) study of the adsorption of small Cu clusters on a range of TMD monolayers, namely WS2, WSe2, and WTe2. We explore how metal-substrate and metal-metal interactions contribute to both the stability of these Cu clusters and their morphology, and investigate the role of the chalcogen in these interactions. We find that single Cu atoms adsorb most strongly to the adsorption site above the W atom, however as nanocluster size increases, Cu tends to be adsorbed atop the chalcogen atoms in the monolayer to facilitate Cu-Cu bond formation. We show that Cu-Cu interactions drive the stability of the adsorbed Cu nanoclusters, with a clear preference for 3D structures on all 3 monolayers studied. Furthermore, significant Cu migration occurs during 0 K relaxation. This, combined with the small activation barriers found for Cu migration suggest facile and dynamic cluster behaviour at finite temperature on all three monolayers. Finally, we find that Cu clusters are generally most stable on WTe2 and least stable on WSe2. This difference however is typically only in the range of 0.1 eV.

3D Interconnected Boron Nitride Macrostructures and Derived Composites for Thermal Energy Regulation

AbstractAmong the diverse categories of 2D materials, hexagonal boron nitride (BN) has emerged as a preeminent contender due to its exceptional mechanical, chemical, and thermal attributes. The construction of 3D interconnected network macrostructures (3D‐IBNM) from 2D BN building blocks represents a pivotal advancement, yielding next‐generation materials with preserved surface area (2078 m2g−1) and 99.99% porosity. Exploiting such high porosity in interconnected BN structures holds promise for achieving ultralow thermal conductivity (k) and enhancing the k of compounded matrices through synergistic effects. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed toward developing extreme k materials based on BN macrostructures, with implications spanning from superinsulation to conduction. This review endeavors to present the latest advancements in 3D‐IBNM, commencing with a succinct overview of 2D BN and the merits of its 3D interconnected configurations. Subsequently, it delves into state‐of‐the‐art fabrication strategies encompassing free‐standing BN macrostructures and in situ composites. The review then elucidates the diverse applications of 3D‐IBNM and their derived composites within the realm of thermal energy, encompassing areas such as transfer, storage, conversion, and insulation. Last, it outlines prospective directions and future avenues for designing 3D‐IBNM geared toward achieving extreme k.

Nanoenzyme-Anchored Mitofactories Boost Mitochondrial Transplantation to Restore Locomotor Function after Paralysis Following Spinal Cord Injury.

Mitochondrial transplantation is a significant therapeutic approach for addressing mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), yet it is limited by rapid mitochondrial deactivation and low transfer efficiency. Here, high-quality mitochondria microfactories (HQ-Mitofactories) were constructed by anchoring Prussian blue nanoenzymes onto mesenchymal stem cells for effective mitochondrial transplantation to treat paralysis from SCI. Notably, the results demonstrated that HQ-Mitofactories could continuously produce vitality-boosting mitochondria with highly interconnected and elongated network structures under oxidative stress by scavenging excessive ROS. Furthermore, HQ-Mitofactories enabled efficient transfer of therapeutic mitochondria to injured neurons primarily via gap junctions, resulting in the restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis and thereby suppressing intracellular ROS burst and facilitating neuronal repair. After i.v. administration, HQ-Mitofactories migrated to the injured spinal cords of SCI mice and subsequently promoted neuronal regeneration and remyelination. Consequently, HQ-Mitofactory-treated mice successfully recovered locomotor function within 4 weeks, with 40% of the mice fully restoring walking after hindlimb paralysis. Conversely, untreated SCI exhibited completely abolished hindlimb movements. In light of real-time generation of vitality-boosting mitochondria even under oxidative stress and enabling targeted mitochondrial transfer, HQ-Mitofactories have promising therapeutic potential in the context of mitochondrial transplantation to reduce SCI-related paralysis, and more broadly impact the field of neuroregenerative medicine.

Synergizing bioprinting and 3D cell culture to enhance tissue formation in printed synthetic constructs.

Bioprinting is currently the most promising method to biofabricate complex tissues in vitro with the potential to transform the future of organ transplantation and drug discovery. Efforts to create such tissues are, however, almost exclusively based on animal-derived materials, like gelatin methacryloyl, which have demonstrated efficacy in bioprinting of complex tissues. While these materials are already used in clinical applications, uncertainty about their safety still remains due to their animal origin. Alternatively, synthetic bioinks are developed that match the printability of natural bioinks but lack their biological complexity, and thereby often fail to support cell growth and facilitate tissue formation. Additionally, most synthetic materials do not meet the mechanical demands to bioprint stable constructs while providing a suitable environment for cells to grow, limiting the number of available bioinks. To bridge this gap and synergize bioprinting and 3D cell culture, we developed a PEG-based bioink system to promote the growth and spreading of cell spheroids that consist of human primary endothelial cells and fibroblasts. The 3D bioprinted centimeter-scale constructs have a high shape fidelity and accelerated softening to provide sufficient space for cells to grow. Adjusting the rate of degradability, induced by the integration of ester-functionalized crosslinkers in addition to protease cleavable crosslinkers into the hydrogel network, improves the growth of spheroids in larger printed hydrogel constructs containing an interconnected channel structure. The perfusable constructs enable extensive spheroid sprouting and the formation of a cellular network upon fusion of sprouts as initial steps towards tissue formation with the potential for clinical translation.

Enhancing CO oxidation performance by controlling the interconnected pore structure in porous three-way catalyst particles.

Highly ordered porous structured particles comprising three-way catalyst (TWC) nanoparticles have attracted attention because of their remarkable catalytic performance. However, the conditions for controlling their pore arrangement to form interconnected pore structures remain unclear. In particular, the correlation between framework thickness (distance between pores) or macroporosity and the diffusion of gaseous reactants to achieve a high catalytic performance has not been extensively discussed. Here, the interconnected pore structure was successfully controlled by adjusting the precursor components (i.e., template particle concentration) via a template-assisted spray process. A cross-sectional image analysis was conducted to comprehensively examine the internal structure and porous properties (framework thickness and macroporosity) of the porous TWC particles. In addition, we propose mathematical equations to predict the framework thickness and macroporosity, as well as determine the critical conditions that caused the formation of interconnected pores and broken structures in the porous TWC particles. The evaluation of CO oxidation performance revealed that porous TWC particles with an interconnected pore structure, thin framework, and high macroporosity exhibited a high catalytic performance owing to the effective diffusion and utilization of their internal parts. The study findings provide valuable insights into the design of porous TWC particles with interconnected pore structures to enhance exhaust gas emission control in real-world applications.

Carving Metal-Organic-Framework Glass Based Solid-State Electrolyte Via a Top-Down Strategy for Lithium-Metal Battery.

Traditional polymer solid electrolytes (PSEs) suffer from low Li conductivity, poor kinetics and safety concerns. Here, we present a novel porous MOF glass gelled polymer electrolyte (PMG-GPE) prepared via a top-down strategy, which features a unique three-dimensional interconnected graded-aperture structure for efficient ion transport. Comprehensive analyses, including time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), Solid-state 7Li magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR), Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, and electrochemical tests, quantify the pore structures, revealing their relationship with ion conductivity that increases and then decreases as macropore proportion rises. The introduced dispersed macropores (17% fraction) can serve as bridges, connecting adjacent transport units to accelerate ion transport. Taking advantage of the cross-linked ion-conductive pathsconstructed by hierarchical pore structure, the PMG-GPE achieves a high ionic conductivity of 1.9 mS cm-1. Additionally, the robust mechanical properties of PMG-GPE effectively suppress dendrite growth and penetration, outperforming crystal MOF-based electrolytes. The prepared Li symmetric batteries with PMG-GPE demonstrate a high critical current density of 5.1 mA cm-2 (two times higher than crystal MOF-electrolytes) and stable cycling for over 6000 hours without short circuits. Furthermore, a Li/PMG-GPE/LFP half-cell exhibits exceptional capacity retention of 83.12% after 1400 cycles.

Hydroxyapatite Chitosan Gradient Pore Scaffold Activates Oxidative Phosphorylation Pathway to Induce Bone Formation.

In this study, we prepared a porous gradient scaffold with hydroxyapatite microtubules (HAMT) and chitosan (CHS) and investigated osteogenesis induced by these scaffolds. The arrangement of wax balls in the mold can control the size and distribution of the pores of the scaffold, and form an interconnected gradient pore structure. The scaffolds were systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo for biocompatibility, biological activity, and regulatory mechanisms. The porosity of the four scaffolds was more than 80%. The 50% and 70% HAMT-CHS scaffolds formed an excellent gradient pore structure, with interconnected pores. Furthermore, the 70% HAMT-CHS scaffold showed better anti-compressive deformation ability. In vitro experiments indicated that the scaffolds had good biocompatibility, promoted the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins, and activated the oxidative phosphorylation pathway to promote bone regeneration. Eight weeks after implanting the HAMT-CHS scaffold in rat skull defects, new bone formation was observed in vivo by micro-computed tomographic (CT) staining. The obtained data were statistically analyzed, and the p-value < 0.05 was statistically significant. HAMT-CHS scaffolds can accelerate osteogenesis in bone defects, potentially through the activation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. These results highlight the potential therapeutic application of HAMT-CHS scaffolds.

Zinc-doped hydroxyapatite loaded chitosan gelatin nanocomposite scaffolds as a promising platform for bone regeneration

The advancement in the arena of bone tissue engineering persuades us to develop novel nanocomposite scaffolds in order to improve antibacterial, osteogenic, and angiogenic properties that show resemblance to natural bone extracellular matrix. Here, we focused on the development of novel zinc-doped hydroxyapatite (ZnHAP) nanoparticles (1, 2 and 3 wt%; size: 50-60 nm) incorporated chitosan-gelatin (CG) nanocomposite scaffold, with an interconnected porous structure. The addition of ZnHAP nanoparticles decreases the pore size (∼30 µm) of the CG scaffolds. It was observed that with the increase in the concentration of ZnHAP nanoparticles (3 wt%) in CG scaffolds, the swelling ratio (1760% ± 2.0%), porosity (71% ± 0.98%) and degradation rate (35%) decreased, whereas mechanical property (1 MPa) increased, which was better as compared to control (CG) samples. Similarly, the high deposition of apatite crystals especially CG-ZnHAP3nanocomposite scaffold revealed the excellent osteoconductive potential among all other scaffolds. MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells seeded with CG-ZnHAP nanocomposite scaffolds depicted better cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation to osteogenic lineages. Finally, the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay revealed better angiogenesis of ZnHAP nanoparticles (3 wt%) loaded CG scaffolds supporting vascularization after 7th day incubation in the CAM area. Overall, the results showed that the CG-ZnHAP3nanocomposite scaffold could be a potential candidate for bone defect repair.

High-strength elastomer separator for high-current-density-charging lithium metal batteries

Utilizing lithium metal as an anode in batteries has been expected to replace conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, the mechanical properties and electrochemical performance of current separators do not meet the requirements for practical applications of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Here, we report an elastomer separator with an interconnected structure of plastic-crystal-embedded and garnet-conductor-regulated thermoplastic polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-r-butylene)-b-polystyrene elastomer integrated with the polyethylene matrix. The 14-micron-thick elastomer separators show a combination of excellent elongation of ∼115.2% and sufficiently high tensile strength of ∼56 MPa. The elastomer separators accommodate volume changes and block dendrites for high-current-density cycling of LMBs. As a demonstration, the elastomer separators enable stable operation of LMBs under stringent conditions, a practical high loading of 18 mg cm−2 LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode at an extremely high charging/discharging current density of 1.8 mA cm−2, delivering a high reversible capacity of 164 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 88% after 140 cycles.

Ion Networks in Water-based Li-ion Battery Electrolytes.

ConspectusWater-in-salt electrolytes (WiSEs) are promising electrolytes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), offering critical advantages like nonflammability and improved safety. These electrolytes have extremely high salt concentrations and exhibit unique solvation structures and transport mechanisms dominated by the formation of ion networks and aggregates. These ion networks are central to the performance of WiSEs, govern the transport properties and stability of the electrolyte, deviating from conventional dilute aqueous or organic electrolytes.The availability of free water molecules is significantly reduced in WiSEs, leading to a shift in the solvation environment. Lithium ions (Li+) typically travel with their solvation shells in dilute solutions and form stronger interactions with anions, resulting in the formation of complex ion aggregates. Despite the high viscosity of WiSEs, they exhibit surprisingly high ionic conductivity attributed to the decoupling of viscosity and ionic mobility. Instead of moving through free water, Li+ ions are transported along the pathways formed by the ion networks, minimizing direct solvent interaction and enhancing mobility.Advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as infrared IR pump-probe (IR-PP) and two-dimensional IR (2D-IR) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have illuminated the critical role of these ion networks in facilitating transport. These studies have shown that even at extreme salt concentrations, some water molecules retain properties similar to bulk water, essential for fast ion movement. In WiSEs, bulk-like water molecules form transient hydrogen-bond networks that serve as conduits for Li+ ions, while anion-bound water molecules play a less active role in transport due to their slower dynamics.As the salt concentration increases, the structure of WiSEs becomes more dominated by 3D ion networks. MD simulations reveal that these networks, stabilized by chaotropic anions such as bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI-), disrupt the hydrogen-bonding network of water and provide a stable, interconnected structure that supports the movement of Li+ ions. The formation of these extensive ion networks is critical for maintaining ionic mobility and the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte.The shift from traditional vehicular transport mechanisms to structural diffusion is a hallmark of WiSEs. Li+ ions no longer move with their solvation shells but hop between coordination sites within the ion network. This structural diffusion mechanism enables high ionic mobility despite the reduced presence of water and the increased viscosity of the solution. In conclusion, the formation of ion networks and aggregates in WiSEs not only stabilizes the electrolyte but also drives an unconventional ion transport mechanism. By understanding and controlling these aggregates, WiSEs offer a pathway toward safer, high-performance electrolytes for LIBs and other aqueous energy storage technologies.

Leveraging the nanotopography of filamentous fungal chitin-glucan nano/microfibrous spheres (FNS) coated with collagen (type I) for scaffolded fibroblast spheroids in regenerative medicine.

Numerous naturally occurring biological structures have inspired the development of innovative biomaterials for a wide range of applications. Notably, the nanotopographical architectures found in natural materials have been leveraged in biomaterial design to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation and improve tissue regeneration for biomedical applications. In this study, we fabricated three-dimensional (3D) chitin-glucan micro/nanofibrous fungal-based spheres coated with collagen (type I) to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment. These collagen-coated fungal nano/microfibrous spheres (C-FNS) were utilized to construct 3D scaffolded spheroids of human fibroblasts through suspension culture for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The particle sizes of C-FNS ranged from 1.4 to 3.25 µm (average: 2.27 ± 0.38 µm), with a porosity of 81.17 %. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed that C-FNS comprised continuous chitin-glucan fibers with an average diameter of 363 ± 61 nm (range: 203-512 nm), exhibiting a highly interconnected structure. The reduced arithmetic average roughness (Ra) and root mean square roughness (Rq) values of C-FNS compared to uncoated FNS suggested that collagen coating reduced surface roughness, resulting in a smoother surface that enhanced hydrophilicity, crucial for mammalian cell adhesion and spheroid formation. Moreover, the in vitro cytocompatibility of C-FNS with fibroblasts was evaluated using a resazurin-based PrestoBlue assay, which demonstrated a time-dependent increase in the metabolic activity of C-FNS/fibroblast spheroids during suspension culture for up to 14 days. FE-SEM images of C-FNS/fibroblast spheroids further revealed enhanced adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts on the nano/microfibrous mycelial architecture, accompanied by the secretion of ECM components and formation of multilayered cell sheets over the 14-day culture period. Similarly, an assessment of the hemocompatibility of C-FNS with erythrocytes revealed the non-hemolytic properties of the biomaterial. Overall, the interaction between collagen-coated fungal chitin-glucan nano/microfibrous structures and mammalian cells holds significant potential for the development of novel, sustainable biomaterials with tailored properties for a myriad of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug screening, and wound healing.

A dual thermo/pH-sensitive hydrogel as 5-Fluorouracil carrier for breast cancer treatment.

Intelligent hydrogels are promising in constructing scaffolds for the controlled delivery of drugs. Here, a dual thermo- and pH-responsive hydrogel called PCG [poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-itaconic acid)/chitosan/glycerophosphate (PNI/CS/GP)] was established as the carrier of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. The PCG hydrogel was fabricated by blending synthesized [poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-itaconic acid), pNIAAm-co-IA, PNI] with CS in the presence of GP as a crosslinking agent. The interaction between PCG hydrogel compositions was characterized by Fourier transforms infrared, NMR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The PCG hydrogel presented an interconnected and porous structure with similar pore size, rapid swelling/deswelling rate in response to both temperature and pH change, and biocompatibility, upon which it was proposed as a great drug carrier. 5-FU had a dual thermo- and pH-responsive controlled release behavior from the PCG hydrogel and displayed an accelerated release rate in an acidic pH environment than in a neutral pH condition. The application of 5-FU-loaded PCG hydrogel exhibited a more promoted anticancer activity than 5-FU against the growth of TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The outcomes suggested that the PCG hydrogel could be an excellent platform for local drug-delivery systems in the clinical therapy of TNBC.

Surface and Interfacial Engineering for Multifunctional Nanocarbon Materials.

Multifunctional materials are accelerating the development of soft electronics with integrated capabilities including wearable physical sensing, efficient thermal management, and high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding. With outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, nanocarbon materials offer ample opportunities for designing multifunctional devices with broad applications. Surface and interfacial engineering have emerged as an effective approach to modulate interconnected structures, which may have tunable and synergistic effects for the precise control over mechanical, transport, and electromagnetic properties. This review presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances empowering the development of multifunctional nanocarbon materials via surface and interfacial engineering in the context of surface and interfacial engineering techniques, structural evolution, multifunctional properties, and their wide applications. Special emphasis is placed on identifying the critical correlations between interfacial structures across nanoscales, microscales, and macroscales and multifunctional properties. The challenges currently faced by the multifunctional nanocarbon materials are examined, and potential opportunities for applications are also revealed. We anticipate that this comprehensive review will promote the further development of soft electronics and trigger ideas for the interfacial design of nanocarbon materials in multidisciplinary applications.

From a sustainable natural rubber sponge to an activation-free sulfur-rich biocarbon sponge as a potential electrode material for a supercapacitor

A natural rubber sponge (NRP) was prepared by varying the carbon black, blowing agent, and sulfur contents and subsequently used as a precursor for biocarbon sponge (BC) production. The experiments and the machine learning approach used an adaptive multi-input, fuzzy-rules, emulated network (MiRREN) to optimize the NRP formulation to achieve the best BC properties. Based on the results, adding carbon black stabilized the shape of the BC samples after carbonization. The BC samples had an interconnected pore structure and oxygen and sulfur functionalities. The standard isotherm of the sample without carbon black was type IV, which was transformed to type II after adding carbon black, with a wide range in the pore size distribution. The addition of carbon black improved the electrical conductivity from 1.13 S cm−1 to a maximum value of 12.78 S cm−1. At 0.25 A/g, the samples’ specific capacitance was enhanced to 152.7 and 137.9F/g using certain conditions with carbon black. The sample with 50, 6, and 20 phr of carbon black, blowing agent, and sulfur contents, respectively, had the best cyclic performance (113.7 %) at 10,000 cycles of testing, verifying the excellent cyclic durability due to the surface functionalities and the addition of the carbon black, as well as the developed interconnected pore structure. Based on the results of the machine learning study, the pore volume and specific capacitance were likely correlated with the blowing agent content rather than the sulfur content. The optimum formulation of NRP for achieving the best specific capacitance levels at all the applied current densities was 7.02 phr of blowing agent and 20.2 phr of sulfur content.

Dicyandiamide assisted highly interconnected hierarchal pore structures in coal tar pitch-derived carbon towards high-performance Zn-ion hybrid capacitor

Dicyandiamide assisted highly interconnected hierarchal pore structures in coal tar pitch-derived carbon towards high-performance Zn-ion hybrid capacitor

Preparation of hexanitrostilbene/aluminum microspheres with interconnected multi-cavity structure for enhanced safety and combustion performance

Preparation of hexanitrostilbene/aluminum microspheres with interconnected multi-cavity structure for enhanced safety and combustion performance

Heat-resistant PMIA separator with highly interconnected pore structure for thermally stable and high energy lithium-ion batteries

Heat-resistant PMIA separator with highly interconnected pore structure for thermally stable and high energy lithium-ion batteries

Pitch-derived Multifunctional Carbon and Bimetallic Sulfide Composite Electrodes for Aqueous Energy Storage

With the rapid development of society, people's requirements for the ecological environment have become increasingly stringent. Coal tar pitch is a by-product of coal processing, which has low value and serious pollution. Under the circumstance, coal tar pitch-derived carbon materials (CTPC) was successfully prepared with the interconnected three-dimensional porous structure, and then NiCo2S4/CTPC composite materials were obtained. CTPC exhibits high conductivity (15.59 S m-1), large specific surface area (614.9 m2 g-1), and rich porous structure of connected carbon nanosheets. Among composite materials with different CTPC contents, the NiCo2S4/CTPC material exhibits the highest specific capacities under the same conditions. Notably, the capacity of NiCo2S4/CTPC is up to 689.6F·g-1 at 1A·g-1. The assembled asymmetrical supercapacitor (NiCo2S4/CTPC//CTPC) exhibits a long cyclic stability of 4000 cycles at 4A·g-1. When the power density is 3616.44Wkg-1, the energy density is as high as 22Whkg-1. Meanwhile, NiCo2S4/CTPC was used as cathode material to assemble an alkaline battery (NiCo2S4/CTPC//Bi2O3) and then its electrochemical properties were systematically analyzed.