Low Electrical Conductivity Research Articles

Enhancing zT in Organic Thermoelectric Materials through Nanoscale Local Control Crystallization.

Organic thermoelectric materials are promising for wearable heating and cooling devices, as well as near-room-temperature energy generation, due to their nontoxicity, abundance, low cost, and flexibility. However, their primary challenge preventing widespread use is their reduced figure of merit (zT) caused by low electrical conductivity. This study presents a method to enhance the thermoelectric performance of solution-processable organic materials through confined crystallization using the lithographically controlled wetting (LCW) technique. Using PEDOT as a benchmark, we demonstrate that controlled crystallization at the nanoscale improves electrical conductivity by optimizing chain packing and grain morphology. Structural characterizations reveal the formation of a highly compact PEDOT arrangement, achieved through a combination of confined crystallization and DMSO post-treatment, leading to a 4-fold increase in the power factor compared to spin-coated films. This approach also reduces the thermal conductivity dependence on electrical conductivity, improving the zT by up to 260%. The LCW technique, compatible with large-area and flexible substrates, offers a simple, green, and low-cost method to boost the performance of organic thermoelectrics, advancing the potential for sustainable energy solutions and advanced organic electronic devices.

Effect of Synthesis Temperature on Performance of Phenazine-Based Cathode for Sodium Dual-Ion Batteries.

Organic materials have attracted much attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to their ecological sustainability, abundant resources and structural designability. However, low electrical conductivity and severe agglomeration of organic materials lead to poor discharge capacity and reaction kinetics in batteries. Herein, the morphology of the phenazine-based organic polymer poly(5,10-diphenylphenazine) (PDPPZ) was modified by varying the synthesis temperature. PDPPZ-165 °C with an exceptional porous structure provides abundant reaction channels for rapid charge transfer and diffusion that improves the reaction kinetics in sodium dual-ion batteries. Therefore, PDPPZ-165 °C cathode possesses excellent rapid charge-discharge capability delivering a specific capacity of 119.2 mAh g-1 at 40 C. Furthermore, a high specific capacity of 124.7 mAh g-1 can be provided even at a high loading of 16 mg cm-2 at 0.5 C with a capacity retention of 86.4 % after 500 cycles. This work could afford new insights for optimizing the performance of organic cathode materials in sodium dual-ion batteries.

Evaluation of Soil Texture, EC, pH and Primary Macro Elements in Five Mango Orchard Soils of Kotri, Sindh, Pakistan

Analysis of soil is a very important practice for evaluating the nutrient status and ultimately establishing the fertilizer application program for soil health, fruit quality and production. The aim of present study was to assess the soil texture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and primary macronutrients such as N, P, K at 0-15 and 15-30cm depths from five orchards such as Aijaz farm (Orchard 1), Zardari farm (Orchard 2), Shahnawaz farm (Orchard 3), Ismail farm (Orchard 4), and Malik Azad farm (Orchard 5) of Kotri, Sindh Pakistan. The results indicated that most of the soils were sandy clay loam in textural class. The maximum electrical conductivity was found 0.65 dS m-1 in orchard 5, whereas the lowest electrical conductivity was found as 0.42 dS m-1 in orchard 1 at 15-30cm. All the orchards were found alkaline in nature at both 0-15 and 15-30cm depths. The total N content was found 80% low and 20% adequate at 0-15cm depth and 100% orchards were found low in total N content in soil at 15-30cm depth as compared with standard values. The AB-DTPA-P content in orchards were found 60% marginal and 40% adequate at 0-15cm depth, whereas 20% low, 40% marginal and 40% adequate were found at 15-30cm depth. AB-DTPA-K (mg kg-1) was found 20% low and 80% marginal at 0-15 and 15-30cm depths. Future studies should focus on assessing the soil biological properties, plant analysis, soil interaction mechanism, amended with press mud compost, farmyard manure, biochar, modified biochar, nano-material, minerals and low-cost additives.

Hydrosilane‐Functionalized [2.2]Paracyclophane for Plasma‐Etch‐Resistant and Post‐Modifiable Poly(Para‐Xylylene)

AbstractPoly(para‐xylylene)s (PPXs), or so‐called parylenes, have become a well‐established polymer class in the conformal coating industry. Due to their transparent nature, low electrical conductivity, and high biocompatibility, they are ideal candidates for coating medical devices and other delicate electronics. However, the crosslinking of PPXs to enhance their durability is still challenging today. Expensive setups need to be used to obtain crosslinked PPXs. Furthermore, the possibility of functionalization post‐polymerization is limited. In this work, we present the synthesis of a hydrosilane functionalized [2.2]paracyclophane, which is used to obtain the corresponding hydrosilane functionalized poly(para‐xylylene) (PPX‐SiH). Through the formation of siloxane bonds during the low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition (LP‐CVD), which increases internal bonding, PPX‐SiH is obtained as a flexible and durable polymer film. The siloxane formation during the LP‐CVD is investigated through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, mechanistic insights into the formation of siloxane bonds are given through quantum chemical calculation. The Si‐H bonds in the polymer allow for oxidation to form bridging siloxane moieties which enhances stretchability while also increasing the resistance to organic solvents. Through the passivation of the surface during oxygen plasma treatment, PPX‐SiH becomes practically plasma‐etch‐resistant.

Facet dependent ultralow thermal conductivity of zinc oxide coated silver fabric for thermoelectric devices

The conversion efficiency of a thermoelectric power generator depends on the dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) of the constituent thermoelectric materials, which is mainly determined by their Seebeck coefficient as well as the electrical and thermal conductivity. ZnO holds promise for thermoelectric applications, yet its use is currently limited by low electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. Herein, we demonstrate how thermal conductivity of ZnO can be significantly reduced by intelligently combining it with a cellulose-based Ag fabric using a one-step hydrothermal method, and how different ratios of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (ZNH) to hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) can be used to fine-tune the thermoelectric performance of the resulting composite. We show that as-prepared samples have a composite structure of Ag, Zn and O without any other impurity phases. We propose that the facet dependent crystal growth orientation, from the c-axis in (101) planes to the a-axis in (100) plane, amplify phonon scattering within the material, impeding effective heat transfer and thereby lowering overall thermal conductivity to 0.046 W/mK at room temperature for composites with a 1:1 ZNH to HMT ratio.

Nanotechnology in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Addressing the Challenges in Battery Cycle Life and Safety

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their high energy density and affordable material prices, are a viable alternative to ordinary lithium-ion batteries, especially for electric cars. Their actual application is limited by challenges such as substantial volume expansion, low electrical conductivity, and the polysulfide shuttle effect, despite their advantages. This research investigates how incorporating nanomaterials into Li-S battery cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes might improve battery performance and analyzes the potential of nanotechnology to address these problems. The application of metal oxides, graphene oxide, and carbon nanofibers to improve the stability and conductivity of sulfur cathodes is covered. Additionally, it examines anode protection strategies using nanocoating and protective layers to inhibit dendrite growth and improve safety. The incorporation of nanoparticles in electrolytes to improve ionic conductivity and reduce side reactions is also analyzed. Despite the progress, challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect and volume changes remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research to develop commercially viable Li-S batteries with higher capacity, longer lifespan, and improved safety.

PEG600 induced krill oil-based nanoemulsion system: ternary phase behaviour and cytotoxicity assessment

BackgroundEndogenous substances of krill oil (KO) are lipophilic in nature and have clinical significance viz. DHA/EPA, phospholipids and astaxanthin. To improve the nanodispersibility of endogenous substances of KO, a self-nanoemulsifying system (SNE) was developed.ResultsTernary phase behaviour of KO was explored in ethanol (ET); propylene glycol, (PG); and PEG600 using Tween80 and Tween20 as surfactants. PEG600 induced the self-nanoemulsification of KO and yielded one phase region (OPR); dilution lines (KO/Smix fraction containing PEG600) traversed across OPR, produced a fully dilutable nanoemulsion system. PEG600-based nanoformulations (NFs) of KO underwent phase transformation via percolation behaviour in nanostructure domains (86–207 nm). PEG600 induced ternary phase behaviour of KO as revealed from rheological data (higher eta values), refractive index (nonlinear) and conductivity (bimodal) patterns. Induced phase transformation could be an interaction between aqueous phase and KO/Tween20 in PEG600 environment; generating highly viscous domains of low electrical conductivity. NFs offered antioxidant activity over corresponding coarse systems (p < 0.01) as measured using DPPH method. Optimized NFs (F4 and F6) inhibited the growth of skin cancer cell line (A431) in the range of 100–500 × dilutions.ConclusionPhase behaviour of KO was induced by PEG600, transforming the dilution pattern via generation of one phase region; however, ethanol and propylene glycol as co-solvents did not. PEG600-based NFs of KO possessed antioxidant as well as cytotoxic to skin cancer cell lines (A431).

In Situ Construction of Hierarchical Nickel-Cobalt Hydroxides Derived from Metal-Organic Frameworks for High-Performance Nickel-Zinc Batteries.

Rechargeable nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) batteries hold great promise for large-scale applications due to their relatively high voltage, cost-efficient zinc anode, and good safety. However, the commonly used cathode materials are susceptible to overcharging and experience irreversible capacity degradation, primarily as a result of low electrical conductivity and substantial limitations in volume-constrained proton diffusion. Here, we present a robust methodology for synthesizing hierarchical nickel-cobalt (Ni-Co) hydroxides characterized by hollow interiors and interconnected nanosheet shells with the help of in situ formed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The templating effect of the MOF induced the hierarchical structure, while the chemical etching of MOFs by Ni2+ ions resulted in a hollow structure, thereby enhancing the surface area. Theoretical calculations suggested that incorporation of cobalt reduces the band gap, thereby improving electronic conductivity, and lowered the deprotonation energy, which mitigated overcharge issues. These advantages conferred improved specific capacity, rate capability, and cyclic stability to the Ni-Co hydroxide. The Ni-Zn cell delivered specific energy values of 338 Wh kg-1 at 1.62 kW kg-1 and 142 Wh kg-1 at 29.89 kW kg-1. Our investigations undercoreed the critical role of MOFs as intermediates in the preparation of multi-component hydroxide and the construction of hiearchical structures to achieve superior performance.

2D hollow leaf shaped mesoporous carbon derived from ZIF-L for efficient capacitive deionization

Electrochemical treatment of saline or brackish water by capacitive deionization (CDI) is a novel resource-saving solution to ensure the availability of freshwater resources in the environment. MOF (metal–organic framework) derived carbon as a novel carbonaceous material in CDI has received considerable research attention. Among them, ZIF-L-derived carbon (ZC) suffers from problems such as self-aggregation, poor mesoporous structure, and low electrical conductivity, which lead to poor CDI performance. In this paper, a strategy of ZIF-L coated with polydopamine (PDA) is proposed to solve the above problems. When the amount of PDA was 0.5 g, ZIF-L@PDA0.5-derived carbon composite (ZPC0.5) is obtained for efficient capacitive deionization. The ZPC0.5 composite not only maintains the 2D leaf shaped structure consistent with ZIF-L, exposing more active sites, but also has an elevated mesopore occupancy ratio to promote solution diffusion. Meanwhile, the interaction between PDA and ZIF-L makes the ZPC0.5 have a cavity structure, which improves the mass transfer capacity. The resulting ZPC0.5 composite has a specific capacitance (165.8F g−1) that is 3.86 times higher than that of ZC (42.9F g−1). Consequently, in 1.2 V, 500 mg/L NaCl solution, the symmetric CDI cell ZPC0.5//ZPC0.5 exhibits an excellent desalination capacity (29.6 mg/g), which is 2.69 times that of the ZC//ZC.

An insight into synergistic effect of polyaniline and noble metal (Ag) on vanadium pentoxide nanorods for enhanced energe storage performance

The widespread applications of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) are limited because of its low electrical conductivity and restricted ion diffusion coefficient. To address these constraints, the present study includes a straightforward and effective approach for fabricating polyaniline based silver-decorated vanadium pentoxide (Ag-V2O5/PANi) as an electrode material. The structural and morphological investigation of prepared electrode materials were made by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy respectively. In comparison to pure Ag-V2O5, the Ag-V2O5/PANi composite demonstrated enhanced performance in various aspects. Specifically, the Ag-V2O5/PANi showed a higher specific capacitance (628 Fg−1) when subjected to a current density (1 Ag−1) in KOH electrolyte. Additionally, it has an energy density of 153 Whkg−1. Furthermore, the Ag-V2O5/PANi composite exhibited superior stability even after undergoing 3000 charge to discharge cycles. Exceptional capabilities shown can be ascribed to synergistic interaction between PANi and Ag-V2O5. The remarkable outcomes obtained from these electrode materials have the potential to foster novel prospects in high-energy-density storage systems.

Lightning Damage Evaluation in Carbon Fiber Composite Polymer Structure

While metallic aircraft structures are largely unaffected by lightning strikes, not the same statement could be made about carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) ones. CFRPs have low electrical conductivity and high anisotropy, and for this reason they are covered with metallic meshes, generally of aluminium or copper, to redistribute the electrical charge when the plane encounters lightning events. During these phenomena, electrical discharges could lead to physical damage, called direct effects, such as: ablation, erosion, explosion, structural weakening and degradation. Although relatively rare, when aircraft is affected by lightning strikes, structural inspections are necessary to determine the need and magnitude of repairs. Since the extent of lighting strike damage on laminated composite is difficult to determine and quantify visually, other non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques must be used. In this work, we complement established techniques, such as pulse-echo ultrasonics, X-ray radiography, eddy currents, and thermography with a novel investigative approach, based on planar capacitive sensing and imaging. This has the advantage of being non-contact, and requiring only single-side access to the part. The technique’s capabilities to detect dielectric changes and breakages in conductive layers make it an ideal candidate for the investigation of CFRP aircraft structure for lightning effects. The outcomes of capacitive imaging inspections on laboratory introduced lightning damage on CFRP panels are discussed along the advantages and disadvantages of the technique compared to more established ones.

The detrimental effect of rainforest conversion to rubber plantations on soil dissolved organic carbon and C: N stoichiometry, mediated by altered soil biogeochemistry

Rainforest conversion into rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations (RP) alters global carbon cycling and contributes to climate change. However, the impact of this widespread tropical land use change on various elements of the carbon cycle is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of rainforest conversion into RP on soil-dissolved organic carbon (DOC), one of the most mobile organic matter (OM) in the terrestrial ecosystem that causes the transformation and migration of C. We also explored the underlying edaphic factors regulating soil DOC changes. Our study sites were rubber monoculture, mixed-rubber plantations (H. brasiliensis, Ficus langkokensis, and Actinodaphne henryi), and a reference rainforest. We found that soil DOC concentration was 150-200% higher in RP than in rainforests, with an unchanged pattern across the seasons (dry and rainy) and plantation type. These results were concomitant with degradation in main soil properties, markedly including lower pH, electrical conductivity, SOC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP), following the RP establishment and explicitly having a significant negative correlation with DOC. Our fitted structure equation model (SEM) highlights that RP caused accelerated DOC production and a higher DOC/DN ratio by decreasing SOC (38.5%) and nutrients (TN and TP). Further, the SEM revealed a significant negative correlation between microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) and the DOC/DN ratio, implying limited microbial degradation of DOC under RP. This is further supported by our findings of 81.1% lower MBC per unit DOC and 37.1% lower MBN per unit DN under RP compared to rainforests, indicating poor transformation of DOC to microbial biomass under RP. Collectively, our findings suggest that RP with high nutrient demands and altered soil properties lead to increased leaching of DOC due to its limited utilization by microbes. These findings underscore the importance of robust and sustainable soil management (such as optimizing plant density and legume intercropping) in RP to improve soil health and minimize DOC leaching and its potential environmental consequences.

Faradically Dominant Pseudocapacitive Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets Decorated with Strontium Tungstate Nanospheres for Supercapattery Device and Hydrogen Evaluation Reaction

Transition metal oxides are promising for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hybrid energy storage due to their excellent redox properties, inherent electrochemical activity, and abundant electroactive sites. A significant challenge limiting their broader application is their intrinsic low electrical conductivity and reduced electrochemical stability. For hybrid energy storage devices and HER, a highly electrochemical active material is designed from 2D graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (g-C3N4) networks anchored with strontium tungstate nanospheres (SrWO4/g-C3N4). The excellent performance observed can be attributed to several factors: multiple electro-active sites, well-defined electronic structures, and interaction between SrWO4 nanosphere on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets surface. The supercapattery device exhibited superior energy density (65.4 W h/kg) and power density (1240.5 W/kg) in comparison. In addition, the theoretical technique was utilized to provide a detailed analysis of the experimental findings. In addition, the SrWO4/g-C3N4 material demonstrates a low overpotential of 129 mV at -10 mA/cm2, along with Tafel slope values of 67 mV/dec for the HER, and it exhibits excellent cyclic stability. This study presents an advanced method for designing SrWO4/g-C3N4-based supercapacitors and HER platforms with nanoscale structures and optimized interface arrangements.

High-Valence Co Stabilized by In-Situ Growth of ZIF-67 on NiCo-LDH for Enhanced Performance in Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the electro-catalysis of heterogeneous structures is limited by the problems of low electrical conductivity and poor mechanical strength due to the complex synthesis process, although their high specific surface area and controllable structure. In this study, a method involving metal precipitation and ligand reaction is used during the electrochemical corrosion of hydroxides/oxy-hydroxides to obtain ZIF-67 in situ. The in situ growth technology not only effectively addresses the bonding strength and material conductivity challenges in the heterostructure between MOFs and the substrate but also enhances the catalyst's surface area and activity. Additionally, the exposure and protection of Co4+ by ZIF-67 contribute to the electrocatalyst's performance, demonstrating a low overpotential (η100) of 293mV, a Tafel slope of 25.8mV dec-1, and a charge transfer resistance of 3.9 Ω, with long-term robustness proven in continuous stability test exceeding 75000 s under the superhigh current density of 500mA cm-2. This work on binder-free in situ growth of MOFs not only provides relevant theoretical insights and experimental experience for cost-effective and controllable production of MOF-based catalysts but also offers ideas for the development of future electrocatalysts by exploring the exposure and protection of active site using MOFs materials.

Nanocellulose/metal-organic frameworks composites for advanced energy storage of electrodes and separators

Nanocellulose is widely utilized in various fields due to its high surface area, excellent mechanical strength, and environmental friendliness. However, nanocellulose is an insulating material with typically low electrical conductivity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are appealing because of their huge specific surface areas, highly flexible pore size and porosity, diverse topological structure, changeable surface chemistry, and good chemical and thermal strength. The high porosity and surface area, good electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, and flexibility of nanocellulose/MOF composites (NC/MOFs) make it a promising material for energy storage. This paper provides a review of the synthesis and application of NC/MOFs for energy storage of electrodes and separators. It presents the physical and chemical properties of nanocellulose and MOF. Particularly, two preparation strategies for NC/MOFs, the in-situ synthesis method and the ex-situ blending method, are introduced. Then the applications of NC/MOFs in energy storage of electrodes and separators are delivered, including supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and others. Finally, the challenges and prospects of NC/MOFs for energy storage are addressed.

Strong Lewis Electron-Pair Bonding in Vanadium Oxide for Ultra-fast and Long-term Stable Zn-ion Storage

Vanadium-based oxides typically show low electrical conductivity, high repulsion for Zn2+, and severe structure collapse problems, resulting in unsatisfied cathode performance for aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we propose an advanced structural optimization strategy to address the above issues by constructing strong Lewis electron-pair bonding in vanadium oxide through initial doping Ca and a subsequent in-situ electrochemical activation process. We prepared the precursor of Ca-doped and amorphous carbon-encapsulated V2O3 material (Ca0.17V2O3-x@C) and verified a phase transition into a layered V2O5-typed cathode during the activation process. Importantly, we find the initial-doped Ca and generated abundant oxygen vacancy defects are well restored in the phase-transformed crystal lattice. We reveal that band and bond structures of the phase-transformed cathode are optimized, exhibiting an improved electrical conductivity, optimal Zn2+ binding energy, ultra-low Zn-ion transport barrier, and considerably strong bonds of Ca-O and V-O, thereby realizing enhanced reaction kinetics and stability. The Ca0.17V2O3-x@C exhibits surprisingly high-rate performance (233 mAh g–1 at 40 A g–1) and excellent cycling stability (10,000 cycles with 82% retention at 20 A g–1). This work offers a novel and simple band and bond structure engineering strategy for preparing high-performance phase transformation typed vanadium oxide cathodes for AZIBs.

Cinética de secagem e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de jiló

ABSTRACT The drying process is paramount for maintaining seed quality, where the temperature during this process directly influences germination and vigor, especially for vegetable species harvested with high moisture content. This research aimed to determine and model the drying curves of S. aethiopicum (cultivar Tinguá-verde-claro) seeds at temperatures of 35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC, as well as to evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds after drying. A completely randomized design was used, with four drying temperatures (35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC) and four replicates. Nine mathematical models were fitted using the non-linear regression analysis by the Gauss-Newton method, and the goodness of fit was assessed based on the magnitude of the coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square test (χ2), relative mean error (P), and estimated mean error (SE). Seed quality was evaluated by germination test (G), electrical conductivity (EC), and accelerated aging (AA). The Modified Midilli model best represents the drying curves of S. aethiopicum seeds at the studied temperatures. Seeds with higher germination and vigor, meaning lower electrical conductivity values and higher germination rates after accelerated aging, are achieved through drying at 35 and 38 ºC.

Boron-Intercalation Engineering toward Defected 1T Phase-Rich MoBxS2-x-Supported IrOx Clusters for Acidic OER.

The construction of supported Ir-based catalysts can effectively reduce the amount of Ir and generate a synergistic effect that enhances the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and stability, making it one of the effective solutions for optimizing acidic OER catalysts. However, most reported metal oxide supports suffer from poor acid resistance and low electrical conductivity, which are critical for the OER process. Herein, we synthesized a nanosheet-like defected 1T phase-rich MoBxS2-x via a molten salt calcination process, during which the 1T phase was formed, and B was intercalated into MoS2 to protect the 1T phase structure during annealing procedure. After the wet refluxing process, IrOx clusters were uniformly deposited on the surface of MoBxS2-x to form IrOx@MoBxS2-x, which exhibited an overpotential of 168 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with an Ir loading amount of 25.8 wt %. By comparing the OER performance of IrOx@MoBxS2-x, IrOx@MoS2(Calcinated), and IrOx@MoS2, it is demonstrated that calcination and B intercalation of MoS2 can significantly increase acidic OER performance. This work digs into the application of 1T-MoS2 as an OER catalyst support, providing strategies for the phase and morphology control of 1T-MoS2.

Lithium Doping Enhances the Aqueous Zinc Ion Storage Performance of V3O7 ⋅ H2O Nanorods

AbstractAqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) offer significant advantages, including high safety, environmental protection and abundant zinc sources. V‐based layer‐like oxides are promising candidates as cathode materials for ZIBs; however, they face challenges such as low electrical conductivity, poor cycling stability, and limited Zn2+ storage capacity. In this study, Li‐V3O7 ⋅ H2O electrode materials were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The doping of lithium ions has led to a significant expansion of the interlayer spacing within the electrode structure, which enhances ion mobility and improves ion transport speed as well as charge‐discharge rates. Additionally, the increased spacing allows for the accommodation of more zinc ions, resulting in greater specific capacity and energy storage. More importantly, this modification reduces structural strain, minimizes the dissolution of vanadium‐based materials, and maintains electrode integrity over multiple cycles, thereby improving cycling stability. Consequently, the properties of V3O7 ⋅ H2O electrodes were substantially enhanced through lithium‐ion doping. The Li‐V3O7 ⋅ H2O cathode has a specific capacity of 411.8 mAh g−1 at low current and maintains 83 % of its capacity at 4.0 A g−1 for 4800 cycles, indicating a noteworthy improvement over pristine V3O7 ⋅ H2O. Exhibiting outstanding conductivity, discharge capacity, and cycling stability, it holds immense promise for future high‐performance energy storage.

Influence of highly dispersed phase of titanium carbide on physical and mechanical properties of alloys AM4.5Kd and AK10M2N

Dispersion-strengthened composite materials belong to the group of promising structural materials characterized by a diverse combination of properties. The work presents examples of the creation and heat treatment of composite materials based on aluminum alloys, strengthened by a dispersed phase of titanium carbide, and characterized by high hardness, elastic modulus and good wettability by the melt. The most accessible, inexpensive and effective way to obtain them is self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS).The work shows the possibility of obtaining new aluminum matrix composite materials based on industrial aluminum alloys AM4.5Kd and AK10M2N by reinforcing them with 10 wt.% highly dispersed titanium carbide or AM4.5Kd–5.95 vol.% TiC and AK10M2N–5.78 vol.% TiC. The reinforcing phase is formed in alloy melts using the technology of SHS from the initial elemental components—titanium powder and carbon black. Using the obtained samples, an assessment was made of the uniformity of the ceramic phase distribution over the volume of the matrix alloys, which amounted to 0.15 and 0.12 for the samples AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC, respectively, which constitutes a high degree of uniformity.An assessment was made of physical properties such as porosity, density, electrical conductivity, as well as the coefficient of thermal linear expansion. Analysis of the data allows us to say that the final composite materials AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC have a slightly higher density (↑~4%) than the matrix alloys, due to the presence of a ceramic phase, low porosity values (~1%), lower TCLE (↓~6%) than matrix alloys and low electrical conductivity (~25% IACS). This article also presents data on the values of the mechanical properties of composite materials AM4.5Kd–10%TiC and AK10M2N–10%TiC. It has been shown that reinforcement with a ceramic phase contributes to a significant increase in hardness by 15 and 42 HB, as well as higher values of the compressive yield strength by 31 and 17 MPa, respectively, while maintaining a high level of relative deformation. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the developed composite materials can be recommended for products used under conditions of elevated temperatures and significant wear.