Ion Transport Kinetics Research Articles

Electric Field and Nanocontact Effects in Metal-Organic Framework/Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 Ionic Conductors for Fast Interfacial Lithium-Ion Transport Kinetics.

The slow ion transport kinetics inside or between the nanofillers in composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) lead to the formation of lithium dendrites for solid-state lithium batteries. To address the critical issues, CPEs (U@UNL) composed of a UIO-66@UIO-66-NH2 (U@UN) core-shell heterostructure and Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) filler is designed. Due to the different band structures of the U@UN heterostructure, a built-in electric field is constructed to promote the transfer kinetics of carriers. Besides, the introduction of LLZTO facilitates the formation of a close nanometer contact interface between U@UN and LLZTO, reducing interface impedance and accelerating the lithium-ion transfer rate. As a benefit from the built-in electric field and the nanometer contact interface, U@UNL exhibits a wide electrochemical window of 5.17 V, a large lithium-ion transference number of 0.76, and a high ionic conductivity of 3.50 × 10-3 S cm-1. Consequently, the U@UNL electrolyte possesses excellent interfacial stability against Li metal after 1200 h at 0.1 mA cm-2 and shows a high specific capacity of 160.2 and 152.6 mAh g-1 at 0.5 and 1 C, respectively. This work proposes a complete strategy for building high-performance solid-state lithium batteries by a built-in electric field and nanometer contact interface between U@UN and LLZTO.

Optimizing the crystal structure and electrochemical properties of Na4MnCr(PO4)3 by trace La doping

Na4MnCr(PO4)3, a manganese-based NASICON-type phosphate cathode material, is attracted considerable attention due to its high voltage and energy density. However, its practical application is hindered by poor electronic conductivity and inferior sodium ion diffusion kinetics. In this study, trace La3+ is utilized to optimize the lattice structure of Na4MnCr(PO4)3 due to its unique energy level structure. La3+ doping significantly enhances the local environment of the Mn-O bond and stabilizes the lattice structure by improving covalency, thereby mitigating Mn dissolution during charge–discharge cycles. Additionally, the large ionic radius of La3+ promotes the sodium ion transport kinetics by expanding the cell volume and facilitating rapid sodium storage. As a result, the optimal Na4MnCr0.995La0.005(PO4)3/C sample demonstrates an impressive initial discharge specific capacity of 124.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and superior cycling stability with a capacity retention of 70.2 % after 500 cycles at 5C. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations indicate that La3+ doping can enhance conductivity and reduce the energy barrier for sodium ion diffusion. This study presents an effective and cost-efficient doping strategy for modifying high-energy density NASICON-type phosphate cathode materials, showing promising potential in the field of sodium ion batteries.

Cu2-xSe@MXene (Ti3C2Tx) 2D layered heterostructure as an anode for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

With a notable focus on developing efficient sodium storage electrode materials, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been identified as a promising contender in the pursuit of high-performing substitutes for lithium-ion batteries. Among varying sodium storage anode materials for SIBs, nonstoichiometric Cu2-xSe exhibits significant promise. This material stands out due to its ultrahigh electrical conductivity and theoretical sodium storage capacity. However, the practical implementation of Cu2-xSe-based anodes in SIBs is significantly impeded by their sluggish electrochemical reaction kinetics and severe pulverization during the repeated charge–discharge cycles. In the current research, we introduce a novel and straightforward methodology for the synthesis of a heterostructured SIBs anode material (Cu2-xSe@Ti3C2Tx), by coupling Cu2-xSe nanoparticles with two-dimensional (2D) layered MXene (Ti3C2Tx). The 2D layered Ti3C2Tx can provide abundant fast Na+ transport pathways, which effectively promote the ion transport kinetics in the composite anode. Moreover, the pulverization of Cu2-xSe can be effectively mitigated due to the interlamellar spatial confinement of the 2D layered MXene matrix. Consequently, the electrochemical performances of the Cu2-xSe-based anode are significantly improved. Concretely, the Cu2-xSe@Ti3C2Tx anodes demonstrate remarkable rate performance (248mAh g−1 at 10.0 A/g), along with commendable cycling stability, exhibiting a capacity retention of 92 % at 5.0 A/g after 750 cycles. A comprehensive assessment of the Cu2-xSe@Ti3C2Tx anode has been conducted by assembling a full SIB alongside a Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode. This comprehensive study underscores the significant potential of Cu2-xSe-based composite materials, positioning it as a promising candidate for future advancements in SIB technology.

High-Power Battery Electrodes Fabricated by Acupuncture-Inspired Microneedle Processing.

Advancing battery electrode performance is essential for high-power applications. Traditional fabrication methods for porous electrodes, while effective, often face challenges of complexity, cost, and environmental impact. Inspired by acupuncture, here we introduce an eco-friendly and cost-effective microneedle process for fabricating lithium iron phosphate electrodes. This technique employs commercial cosmetic microneedle molds to create low-curvature holes on electrode surfaces, significantly enhancing electrolyte infiltration and ion transport kinetics. The punctured electrodes were prepared and characterized, with comparisons to pristine electrodes conducted using scanning electron microscopy, 3D metallurgical microscopy, and detailed electrochemical evaluations. Our results show that the microneedle-processed electrodes exhibit superior rate performance and diffusion properties. Simulations and experimental data reveal that the low-curvature holes reduce Li-ion concentration polarization and improve Li-ion transport within the electrode. This enhancement leads to higher specific capacities and better rate capabilities in the punctured electrodes. The findings highlight the potential of this innovative microneedle technique for large-scale production of high-performance electrodes, offering a promising avenue for the development of high-power-density batteries.

Kinetic investigation of the energy storage process in graphene fiber supercapacitors: Unraveling mechanisms, fabrications, property manipulation, and wearable applications

AbstractGraphene fiber supercapacitors (GFSCs) have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional features, including high power density, rapid charge/discharge rates, prolonged cycling durability, and versatile weaving capabilities. Nevertheless, inherent challenges in graphene fibers (GFs), particularly the restricted ion‐accessible specific surface area (SSA) and sluggish ion transport kinetics, hinder the achievement of optimal capacitance and rate performance. Despite existing reviews on GFSCs, a notable gap exists in thoroughly exploring the kinetics governing the energy storage process in GFSCs. This review aims to address this gap by thoroughly analyzing the energy storage mechanism, fabrication methodologies, property manipulation, and wearable applications of GFSCs. Through theoretical analysis of the energy storage process, specific parameters in advanced GF fabrication methodologies are carefully summarized, which can be used to modulate nano/micro‐structures, thereby enhancing energy storage kinetics. In particular, enhanced ion storage is realized by creating more ion‐accessible SSA and introducing extra‐capacitive components, while accelerated ion transport is achieved by shortening the transport channel length and improving the accessibility of electrolyte ions. Building on the established structure–property relationship, several critical strategies for constructing optimal surface and structure profiles of GF electrodes are summarized. Capitalizing on the exceptional flexibility and wearability of GFSCs, the review further underscores their potential as foundational elements for constructing multifunctional e‐textiles using conventional textile technologies. In conclusion, this review provides insights into current challenges and suggests potential research directions for GFSCs.

A three-in-one strategy of high-entropy, single-crystal, and biphasic approaches to design O3-type layered cathodes for sodium-ion batteries

O3-type layered oxides are promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, severe volume changes, irreversible phase transitions, and sluggish Na+ ion transport kinetics lead to structural collapse and severe capacity loss. Herein, a three-in-one strategy “high entropy, single crystal, and biphase” is proposed to design O3-type layered cathodes for SIBs, which achieves enhanced structural stability and Na+ transport kinetics by the combination effect of multimetal high-entropy, the single crystal, and Li substitution. The as-prepared high-entropy oxide (HEO) cathode, Na(Fe1/6Co1/6Ni1/6Mn1/6Ti1/6)Li1/6O2, exhibits a high reversible capacity of 140.3 mAh g−1, robust cycling stability, exceptional rate capability (86 mAh g−1 at rates of 15C), excellent air-stability, and water-resistance ability. In situ X-ray diffraction reveals that the HEO cathode has highly reversible phase transitions and small volume change (ΔV=3.28 %). Ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that reversible Ni2+/Ni4+, Fe3+/Fe3.6+, and Co3+/Co3.6+ redox couples provide charge compensation for the high-entropy cathode at 2.0∼4.2 V. Notably, the full-cell battery based on the high-entropy cathode and hard carbon anode delivers a specific capacity of 134.3 mAh g−1 and an energy density of 390.8 Wh kg−1. This work provides valuable insights into the design of novel high-performance high-entropy cathodes for SIBs, highlighting a promising avenue for advancing rechargeable battery technology.

Simultaneous Regulation of Organic and Inorganic Components in Interphase by Fiber Separator for High-stable Sodium Metal Batteries.

Uncontrollable side reactions at the metal interface have been identified as the root cause of the formation of a fragile solid electrolyte interphase, leading to irreversible sodium loss in sodium metal batteries. Here, we proposed an interface engineering strategy that employed a carboxyl functionalized cellulose separator to provide strong dipole moments and induce the cleavage of P-F bond to construct a SEI rich in NaF. In addition, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance technology confirmed that the separator with strong dipole moments prevented the reduction of organic solvents by attracting electrons, thereby inhibiting the formation of organic oligomers. SEI with high NaF content and few oligomers is smooth and robust, obviously decreasing the interface impedance of the Na anode. The symmetric Na||Na cells, equipped with the functionalized separator, efficiently operated for 1400 hours with a stable 72 mV overpotential at 0.25 mA cm-2, exhibiting low energy barrier and fast ion transport kinetics. The Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 cell also showed stable cycling performance, with the capacity remaining at 94.83% of the initial capacity after 1000 cycles at 1C. The proposed separator could control the formation and composition of SEI, paving the way for the development of long-life sodium metal batteries.

Promoting nitrogen-doped porous phosphorus spheres for high-rate lithium storage

Phosphorus anode has shown great potential for the high-rate and high-energy–density lithium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, it still suffers from possible electrode cracking, ion-transport restrictions, and active-particle decomposition resulting from repeated alloying/de-alloying. To address the aforementioned issues, a nitrogen-doped flower-like porous phosphorus (f-P) sphere has been developed. The abundant micro-mesopores facilitate ion diffusion and enhance the internal bonding strength of the electrode. Concurrently, the doped nitrogen promotes the generation of a favorable solid electrolyte interphase constructed by fast-ion-conductors. As a result, the f-P exhibits a high-rate capacity of 735mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 and maintains high Coulombic efficiencies over 900 cycles at 10 A g−1. Furthermore, coin full-cells comprising the f-P anode and lithium cobalt oxide cathode demonstrate stable operation at a high current density of 6 mA cm−2. The combination of a porous structure and doping strategy represents a viable approach for strengthening the durability of electrodes and optimizing the ion transport kinetics of advanced alloy anode materials.

Remarkable chemical adsorption and catalysis of 3D self-supporting Zn-doped NiCo2O4 nanowires for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries are one of the most potential next-generation energy storage systems with high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, the lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) dissolution and shuttle effect limit their commercial application. Herein, the Zn-doped NiCo2O4 nanowires grown on carbon cloth (ZNCOCC) are prepared by hydrothermal method and as sulfur host. ZNCO nanowires consisting of stacked nanoparticles and abundant mesopores were grown vertically on carbon fibers. The mesoporous structure of ZNCOCC provides more space to accommodate sulfur and its volume change during charging and discharging, is conducive to electrolyte infiltration and maintains strong adsorption of LiPSs to ensure fast ion transport kinetics. The ZNCOCC displays higher Co3+/Co2+ and Ni3+/Ni2+ ratio compared to NCOCC, and the high-valent metal cations can provide more unsaturated electron orbitals for S binding, causing high adsorption of LiPSs. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the Zn doping significantly reduces the band gap, improves the conductivity and increases the LiPSs adsorption energy of NCO. The ZNCOCC/Li2S8 displays a high specific capacity of 1184 mAh g−1 (0.1 C) and a low decay of 0.07 %/cycle after 500 cycles (2 C). This research reveals the rational design of a doped bimetal oxide nanostructure for the improvement of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Electrochemical and photoluminescence properties of Ce3+ doped copper aluminate nanoparticles

In this communication, for the first of its kind, CuAl2O4 doped with Ce3+ (1-9 mol %) are syn- thesized by solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as a reducing agent. The as-formed sample was calcined at 500° C for 3 hours, followed by characterization. The addition of dopants to the copper aluminate matrix didn't alter the crystal structure of the host matrix. Bragg reflec- tions confirm the formation of the cubic phase and also absence of other impurities. The surface morphology consists of nanorods arranged one above the other. The estimated crystallite size was found to decrease from 12 to 9 nm whereas, the direct energy band gap increases from 2.84 to 3.02 eV with an increase in dopant concentration. Under λex = 305 nm excitation, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra have a high intense peak at 553 nm along with a less intense peak at 472 nm. The peak at 553 nm can be attributed to the existence of oxygen vacancies which arise due to the transition of an electron from the 2D3/2→2F7/2 of Ce3+, however, the peak observed at 472 nm results from the transition of ionized oxygen vacancies (VO) to the valence band caused by the 2D3/2→2F5/2 transition. The CIE coordinates lie well within the green region with 5758 K aver- age CCT. Further, Cyclic voltammetry analysis was conducted to investigate oxidation and redox peaks, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provided insights into ion transport kinetics. Specific capacitance values ranging from 29 to 59 F/g were obtained for CuAl2O4:Ce(1-9 mol %) NPs. These findings suggest potential applications for the synthesized material in areas such as display technology as a green nano phosphor and energy storage materials.

High-entropy Na4Fe2.65(NiCrMgCoMn)0.027(PO4)2P2O7 cathode for high-rate sodium-ion batteries

Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) cathodes have received significant attention due to the promising theoretical capacity, high average working voltage, and low volume change, but usually suffer from poor rate performance and cycling stability due to their inferior electronic conductivity. Herein, we report a new high-entropy Na4Fe2.65(NiCrMgCoMn)0.027(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPPHE) as outstanding cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, by which Fe-defects are generated and electronic & ionic transport kinetics are enhanced. The as assembled NFPPHE//Na half-cell demonstrates an excellent rate performance of 57 mAh/g at 100C and a high-capacity retention of 80 % after 4000 cycles at 20C. In addition, the full cell assembled with hard carbon anode displays an energy density of 165 Wh/kg with 76 % capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.5C. These results demonstrate the feasibility of Fe-defect strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.

Organic-Inorganic Coupling Strategy: Clamp Effect to Capture Mg2+ for Aqueous Magnesium Ion Capacitor.

The rapid transport kinetics of divalent magnesium ions are crucial for achieving distinguished performance in aqueous magnesium-ion battery-based energy storage capacitors. However, the strong electrostatic interaction between Mg2+ with double charges and the host material significantly restricts Mg2+ diffusivity. In this study, a new composite material, EDA-Mn2O3, with double-energy storage mechanisms comprising an organic phase (ethylenediamine, EDA) and an inorganic phase (manganese sesquioxide) was successfully synthesized via an organic-inorganic coupling strategy. Inorganic-phase Mn2O3 serves as a scaffold structure, enabling the stable and reversible intercalation/deintercalation of magnesium ions. The organic phase EDA adsorbed onto the surface of Mn2O3 as an elastic matrix, works synergistically with Mn2O3, and utilizes bidentate chelating ligands to capture Mg2+. The robust coordination effect of terminal biprotonic amine in EDA enhances the structural diversity and specific capacity characteristics of the composite material, as further corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, ex-situ XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. As expected, an aqueous magnesium ion capacitor with EDA-Mn2O3 serving as the cathode can reach 110.17 Wh/kg. This study aimed to explore the practical application value of organic‒inorganic composite electrodes with double-energy storage mechanisms.

Interfacial Lattice Strain‐Induced Vacancy Evolution Facilitating Highly Reversible Dendrite‐Free Zinc Metal Anodes

AbstractInterfacial stress caused by semi‐coherent and incoherent interfaces during zinc (Zn) plating and its effect on subsequent Zn deposition are important considerations for designing electrode/electrolyte interfaces to improve the electrochemical performance of Zn anodes. Although some studies have paid attention to this issue, the influence of lattice strain induced by Zn ion diffusion in the interface coating on Zn deposition is infrequently discussed. Herein, a tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) interfacial is constructed, and the evolution of interfacial lattice oxygen to vacancy oxygen (OV) induced by lattice stress generated by Zn ion migration in the interface during Zn deposition is confirmed. The formed OV‐rich ITO interface exhibits strong affinity and a low Zn ion diffusion barrier, accelerating the Zn ion transport kinetics. Meanwhile, the interface layer can appropriately capture anions in the electrolyte and improve the corrosion resistance of the electrode through the electrostatic repulsion effect. As a result, the OV‐rich ITO‐decorated Zn anode achieves stable Zn plating/stripping for more than 4500 h and delivers a high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% after 1400 cycles at 1.0 mA cm−2. This work provides a new horizon for the rational construction of the interface layer to achieve a highly reversible dendrite‐free Zn metal anode.

Hierarchically decorated ZnO/CoOx nanoparticles on carbon fabric for high energy–density and flexible supercapacitors

Exploring the electrochemical performance of metal/metal oxide nanoparticle composites is vital for enhancing the charge storage capability of supercapacitors. Herein, electrodes coated with ZnO/CoOx are fabricated by soaking cotton fabric seeded with 2-methylimidiazole in an ethylene glycol–based solution containing Zn and Co salts. The use of cotton fabric can reduce textile industrial waste while achieving high capacitance and sustainable energy for wearable electronics. In addition, the three-dimensional network of conductive flexible carbon derived from cotton fabric facilitates rapid ion transport kinetics at interlayers. The concentrations of Zn and Co salts are varied to produce ZnO/CoOx samples and determine the optimal salt ratio for superior electrochemical performance. The optimal sample exhibits a capacitance of 1.95 F cm−2 at 5 mA cm−2 and an energy density of 725 μWh·cm−2 over a wide potential window of 1.6 V. The long-term stability test results of the symmetric cells indicate 94 % capacitance retention after 12,000 charge–discharge cycles, emphasizing the advantages of mixed metallic oxides with cellulose-derived carbon fabric for supercapacitor electrodes. This study offers valuable insights into the fabrication of high-performance, flexible, and binder-free supercapacitor electrodes as a scalable alternative for practical applications.

Ti3C2TX encapsulation of CTAB-functionalized polypyrrole nanospheres towards pseudocapacitive intensification in supercapacitors

The critical criteria for supercapacitor to power the increasingly prevalent portable electronic devices lies within its active material design that yields high specific capacitance without compromising rate performance. Herein, polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized into nanospheres (PPy NS) to improve bulk ion transport kinetics. However, numerous interfaces generated by nanospherical structure induce high nanocontact resistance, resulting in low specific capacitance. Thus, PPy NS were surface-functionalized with cationic surfactant n-Cetyl-n,n,n-trimethylammonium bromide to facilitate enwrapping by highly electrically conductive Ti3C2TX nanosheets via electrostatic self-assembly, where the Ti3C2TX shells serves as effective conductive pathways. Flake sizes of Ti3C2TX nanosheets were modulated via probe ultrasonication to maximize conformability to PPy NS, minimizing tortuosity of ion diffusion pathways and establishing ubiquitous heterostructure contact. This resulted in enhanced rate performance of 74 % capacitive retention during scan rate increase from 1 to 100 mV s−1 (pure PPy NS at 58 %). Furthermore, positively charged moieties imparted by surface-functionalization of PPy NS instigate electronic coupling with negatively charged surface terminations of Ti3C2TX nanosheets, facilitating rapid interfacial electron transfer. Through simultaneous dimensional and surface charge alignment, the nanocomposite achieved specific capacitance of 619.7 F g−1 at 5 A g−1 (∼37-fold enhancement over pure PPy NS), despite incorporation of low amounts of Ti3C2TX (9 wt%). This work highlights the potential of such material integration techniques in realizing capacitive intensification beyond incremental improvements as well as boosting rate performance, with methodical employment of minimal functional additive. It serves as a framework for future studies optimizing 2D-0D material nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications.

Regulating the zinc ion transport kinetics of Mn3O4 through copper doping towards high-capacity aqueous Zn-ion battery

High working voltage, large theoretical capacity and cheapness render Mn3O4 promising cathode candidate for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Unfortunately, poor electrochemical activity and bad structural stability lead to low capacity and unsatisfactory cycling performance. Herein, Mn3O4 material was fabricated through a facile precipitation reaction and divalent copper ions were introduced into the crystal framework, and ultra-small Cu-doped Mn3O4 nanocrystalline cathode materials with mixed valence states of Mn2+, Mn3+ and Mn4+ were obtained via post-calcination. The presence of Cu acts as structural stabilizer by partial substitution of Mn, as well as enhance the conductivity and reactivity of Mn3O4. Significantly, based on electrochemical investigations and ex-situ XPS characterization, a synergistic effect between copper and manganese was revealed in the Cu-doped Mn3O4, in which divalent Cu2+ can catalyze the transformation of Mn3+ and Mn4+ to divalent Mn2+, accompanied by the translation of Cu2+ to Cu0 and Cu+. Benefitting from the above advantages, the Mn3O4 cathode doped with moderate copper (abbreviated as CMO-2) delivers large discharge capacity of 352.9 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, which is significantly better than Mn3O4 (only 247.8 mAh g−1). In addition, CMO-2 holds 203.3 mAh g−1 discharge capacity after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1 with 98.6 % retention, and after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1, it still performs decent discharge capacity of 104.2 mAh g−1. This work provides new ideas and approaches for constructing manganese-based AZIBs with long lifespan and high capacity.

Laminating Layered Structures of 2D MXene and Graphene Oxide for High-Performance All-Solid-State Supercapacitors.

Graphene oxide (GO)-based all-solid-state supercapacitors (SCs) provide an important complement to liquid- and gel-electrolyte-based SCs in a variety of applications, including flexible electronics. Still, their mediocre capacitance and complex fabrication methods hold back the realization of their full potential. Here, a simple fabrication of all-solid-state SCs with layered GO as a solid electrolyte and MXene as electrodes is demonstrated. The resultant SCs show excellent energy storage capacitance comparable to other MXene-based SCs using liquid electrolytes. The outperformance is attributed to extra interlayer spacing expansion and improved ion transport kinetics thanks to a synergistic water-absorbing effect due to the hydrophilicity of both MXene and GO in combination, which interestingly satisfies the intrinsic surface-dominated pseudocapacitive behavior of MXene. The application of this SC in humidity sensing has also been demonstrated to be fast responsive. The findings describe in this work provide a means of improving the capacitance performance using GO as a solid electrolyte with MXene as the electrodes and exploit the potential application as electronic elements for smart devices.

[formula omitted] leaves mediated combustion synthesis of Tb[formula omitted] doped Zn2V2O7 nanoparticles: Color tunable photoluminescence and electrochemical studies for display and supercapacitor applications

A new series of Tb3+ doped Zn2V2O7 (ZV) nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentration from 1 to 9 mol% was synthesized by Menthaspicata leaves extract mediated solution combustion method. On Tb3+ doping, the diffraction pattern matches well with the monoclinic crystal structure with the C2/c(2/m) space group of ZV host matrix. The surface morphology tuned from irregular shaped NPs to hexagonal shaped NPs with variation in dopant concentration. The crystallite size estimated from Scherrer’s method matches well with the transmission electron microscopy analysis. The optical band gap determined from Tauc’s plot utilizing UV–Visible absorption was tuned from 3.061 to 3.035 eV with increase in dopant concentration. Under 266 nm excitation, the emission of Tb3+ ions from Tb3+-doped ZV NPs is observed, with the intensity of emission showing sensitivity to the concentration of Tb3+ ions. The optimal doping content is determined to be 7 mol %. The CIE coordinates clearly indicates the tuning of the emission color from green to blue region with increase in dopant concentration. The average color coordinated temperature was found to be 7895 K showing the cooler appearance. Further, cyclic voltammetry analysis offers valuable insights into redox reactions, electrode kinetics, and overall electrochemical behavior, while Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) provides information on ion transport kinetics. Galvanostatic Charge–Discharge (GCD) analysis revealed supercapacitance values ranging from 79.43 to 133.26 F/g at 10 mV/s with increasing dopant concentration. These findings underscore the potential of this material for use in energy storage and display technology applications.

In-Plane Mesoporous 3D Flower-Like Mo2Ti2C3Clx MXene Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries: From Structure to Performance.

MXenes are known for their exceptional electrical conductivity and surface functionality, gaining interest as promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries. However, conventional 2D multilayered MXenes often exhibit limited electrochemical applicability due to slow ion transport kinetics and low structural stability. Addressing these challenges, this study develops a 3D flower-type double transition metal MXene, Mo2Ti2C3Clx, with precisely engineered in-plane mesoporosity using HF-free Lewis acid-assisted molten salt method, coupled with intercalation and freeze-drying. The molar ratio of Lewis acid to eutectic salts is meticulously controlled to create the mesoporosity, which is preserved through freeze-drying. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations assess the impact of in-plane pore size on the structure and transport dynamics of electrolyte components. Density functional theory (DFT) shows that chlorine surface functional groups significantly reduce Li-ion diffusion barriers, thereby enhancing ion transport and battery performance. Electrochemical evaluations reveal that small-sized (2-5nm) mesoporous Mo2Ti2C3Clx achieves a specific capacity of 324 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 and maintains 97% capacity after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g-1, outperforming larger-pored (10nm) and non-porous variants. This research highlights a scalable strategy for designing mesoporous materials that optimize ion transport and structural stability, essential for advancing next-generation high-performance energy storage solutions.

Effect of Sm3+ concentration on reddish orange photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of copper aluminate nanoparticles for display and supercapacitor applications

In this report, a novel synthesis method for Sm3+-doped copper aluminate nanoparticles (1–9 mol %) is presented, utilizing Ocimumsanctum leaves extract as a reducing agent through the solution combustion method, followed by calcination at 600 °C for 3 h. The resulting cubic spinel structure, validated by Bragg reflections, demonstrates a decrease in crystallite size and a direct energy band gap correlated with increasing dopant concentration. The morphology exhibits irregularly shaped nanoparticles and hexagonal shaped nanoplates. On deconvolution, three peaks situated at 579, 590 and 600 nm. The emission peak observed at 579 and 590/600 nm can be attributed to transitions from excited level G5/24 to its lower lying levels, H5/26, H7/26 respectively, with noticeable concentration quenching at 7 mol %. CIE and CCT coordinates affirm the red emission of Sm3+ within the host lattice, suggesting potential applications in residential and hospital settings. Cyclic voltammetry analysis provides insights into redox reactions, electrode kinetics, and electrochemical behavior. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) elucidates ion transport kinetics, while Galvanostatic Charge–Discharge (GCD) analysis determines supercapacitance values ranging from 53.89 F/g with increasing dopant concentrations. This material exhibits promise for applications in energy storage and display technology.