Number Of Pores Research Articles

An analytical solution model of oil–water dynamic imbibition considering dynamic contact angle effect and osmotic pressure at micro-nano scale

Spontaneous imbibition is one of the important mechanisms to enhance oil recovery during hydraulic fracturing process of shale reservoirs. The dynamic contact angle effect in imbibition kinetics of liquid–liquid system is complicated due to the large number of micro-nano pores in shale reservoir. Moreover, the content of clay minerals is high, the chemical osmosis effect is significant, and the impact of osmotic pressure on imbibition is not clear. In order to clarify the dynamic contact angle effect in imbibition kinetics and correctly understand the role of osmotic pressure in imbibition process. In this paper, based on the molecular kinetic theory (MKT), the dynamic contact angle effect is successfully coupled with imbibition kinetic equation, and a capillary pressure equation is developed. On the basis, considering the effects of osmotic pressure, external displacement pressure and boundary layer effect on imbibition, An analytical solution model of oil–water dynamic imbibition model is developed. The results shows that under the respective effects of capillary pressure and osmotic pressure, the imbibition velocity initially stabilizes before increasing over time; under the action of displacement pressure, the imbibition velocity increases with time. Imbibition velocity is directly proportional to interfacial tension and capillary radius, but inversely proportional to contact angle and oil viscosity. With the salt concentration difference increasing from 80 mol/m3 to 4710 mol/m3, the imbibition velocity increased by about 54 times. Compared with the membrane efficiency of 30 % and 5 %, the imbibition velocity is increased by 4.95 times. In this work, the dynamic contact angle effect in the imbibition kinetics of liquid–liquid system was accurately characterized, clarified the action mechanism of osmotic pressure, and provided theoretical support for enhancing oil recovery of shale reservoirs.

Laser‐Induced Formation of Fine Porous Graphitic Carbon for Eco‐Friendly Supercapacitors

An electric double‐layer capacitor (EDLC), which is one of the pivotal energy storage devices, provides rapid charge–discharge capabilities and an extended cycle life. Areal capacitance, a key indicator of EDLC performance, increases with the specific surface area of its electrodes. This study demonstrates a method for significantly increasing the specific surface area in the laser‐induced graphitization of biodegradable polymers by incorporating NaHCO3 into the composite sheet, generating not only microscale pores but also a large number of nanoscale fine pores. Furthermore, it shows that using these structures as EDLC electrodes leads to a substantial increase in areal capacitance. An increase in the number of fine pores formed in the structure and a corresponding rise in the areal capacitance of the fabricated EDLC are observed with the increase in the NaHCO3 weight ratio. Notably, the composite sheets are composed of natural‐derived, biodegradable materials, while NaHCO3 is known for its low corrosivity and biotoxicity. The proposed method thus offers a pathway for fabricating energy storage devices with minimal environmental impact, ensuring their eco‐friendly disposal post‐use.

Soil pore dynamics and infiltration characteristics as affected by cultivation duration for Mollisol in northeast China

Elucidating the effects of long-term cultivation on pore structure and infiltration characteristics is essential for understanding soil degradation mechanism and improving cropland sustainability. In this study, we evaluated a number of indicators regarding soil properties, pore structure, and water infiltration during long-term cultivation and the relationship of basic properties and pore structure with soil infiltration in northeast Mollisol region of China. The studied cropland involved four cultivation durations (20, 40, 60, and 100 years) and one forest (FR) as the control. X-ray computed tomography (CT) and mini disk infiltrometer were applied to assess the effects of long-term cultivation on soil pore structure and infiltration characteristics at soil depths of 0–100 cm. The pore properties including soil porosity (TP), pore number (PN), pore size distribution, mean shape factor (MSF), fractal dimension (FA), anisotropy (DA), and Euler number (EN), and infiltration properties including mean (IR), initial (IIR), stable infiltration rate (SIR), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were planned to be measured in this study. The results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) in cropland was significantly lower than that in FR, while bulk density (BD) and mean weight diameter (MWD) exhibited an opposite trend. Long-term cultivation altered the soil pore size and shape distribution, and decreased the macroporosity (>500 μm) and elongated porosity, which suggested that long-term cultivation results in a simpler pore network. FR took a longer time to reach a stable state in infiltration curve over time, while cropland had lower IR, IIR, SIR and Ks, indicating negative effects of cultivation on water infiltration. > 500 μm porosity and elongated porosity were positively correlated with infiltration characteristics (P<0.01). The infiltration parameters were mainly affected by soil pore properties (MSF, PN, and DA) and basic properties (SOC, MWD, and BD), highlighting the importance of pore morphology in the infiltration process. Our results provide new insights into the evolution of soil structure and properties and explanations for water infiltration dynamics under long-term cultivation from the microscale.

Investigation of porous surface on second mode in hypersonic boundary layer

The second mode is the main instability factor in hypersonic flow and shows the characteristics of acoustic disturbance. The stabilization effect of a porous surface on the second mode in a hypersonic boundary layer is studied according to the acoustic disturbance characteristics—including the flow characteristics of the porous surface, the effects of porous parameters, and the effect of mechanics—by direct numerical simulation. A rectangle is the basic structure of pores (slots) with a two-dimensional porous surface. The results show that the porosity (φ) and the number of pores (n) are the primary and secondary primary factors affecting the inhibition effect on the second mode by the porous surface. By influencing the amplitude and phase distribution of the pressure disturbance, the porous surface affects the wall normal transport between the mainstream and the porous surface in the near wall region, and it finally inhibits the growth of the second mode.

Heterogeneity properties and permeability of shale matrix at nano-scale and micron-scale

Heterogeneity of shale pores at nano-scale and micrometer-scale is of great significance to gas transport properties. In this study, the pore structure of shale samples from lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan basin is investigated by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and x-ray micro-computed tomography (Xμ-CT) technology. Based on fractal theory, the lacunarity is introduced to describe the clustering degree of pores in shale matrix, which can compensate for the limitations of fractal dimension. Combining lacunarity with fractal dimension allows for quantification of subtle differences in pore spatial distribution. For FE-SEM images at nano-scales, the fractal dimension changes in a “U” shape, while lacunarity changes in a “∩” shape. For Xμ-CT images at micrometer-scale, both the fractal dimension and lacunarity change in a logarithmic function. Lacunarity at both nano-scale and micrometer-scale linearly decreases with the increase in fractal dimension. By three-dimensional (3D) pore network modeling analysis, the structure properties of the connected pores, such as the number of pores and throats, pore diameter, pore volume, pore surface, throat length, and coordination number, are quantitatively calculated, and these structure parameters show strong heterogeneity. The average coordination number of the connected pores ranges in 2.92–4.36. This indicates that these pores in shale matrix have poor connectivity. The permeability varies from 0.06 to 0.17 μm2 in two-dimensional (2D) Xμ-CT images but from 3.20 to 34.99 μm2 in a 3D structure. The permeability in the 3D structure is about two order higher in magnitude than that in the 2D Xμ-CT images.

Corrosion Assessment of Arc Thermal Sprayed Al and its Alloy Coatings in Aggressive Environments: An Overview

Arc thermal sprayed coatings have a wide range of applications, including corrosion resistance, wear resistance, thermal barriers, and electromagnetic pulse protection. However, these coatings often suffer from significant defects and pore formation, which can reduce their overall effectiveness. This overview focuses on the corrosion resistance properties of Al and its alloys. Al coatings demonstrate good corrosion resistance in marine environments due to the formation of sparingly soluble corrosion products on the surface. When Zn is alloyed with Al, the initial corrosion resistance decreases due to an increased number of pores. However, over extended exposure, these coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistance as corrosion products fill the pores, providing barrier protection. Additionally, incorporating 5 wt.% Mg in Al coatings enhances bond adhesion and improves corrosion resistance in aggressive environments. To further reduce porosity and enhance corrosion resistance, the use of phosphate-based eco-friendly pore sealing agents is discussed. Optimizing the amount of phosphate during treatment is crucial, as it significantly reduces porosity and enhances corrosion resistance. Both insufficient and excessive amounts of phosphate can deteriorate the coating, while the optimal amount improves corrosion resistance over prolonged exposure to aggressive conditions.

Highly porous activated carbon derived from plant raw material as high-performance anode for aqueous sodium-ion supercapacitors

High power sodium energy generation devices, such as symmetric and hybrid supercapacitors, have great potential for cheap and green post-lithium applications. However, it is imperative to obtain porous structures with large surfaces and optimized pore size to enhance the electrode sorption property and to ensure fast electrochemical reactions. In this work, we investigated the influence of KOH carbon activation conditions on the morphology, porosity, and electrochemical parameters in aqueous sodium electrolytes. Our activated carbon had a maximum surface area of 1556 m2/g and a notably high mesopore content, this varying from 5 to 19 % of the total pore area. Electrochemical parameters are not only influenced by the total number of pores, but also by the optimal ratio of meso and micro pores. It is shown that in the case of sodium-based electrolytes, mesopores provide good electrode-electrolyte contact, and the capacity is mainly provided by micropores. High operating values of activated carbon in sodium aqueous electrolytes (specific capacity about 78 F/g, energy density 11 W*h/kg and power density 470 W/kg) indicates that the optimal electrode materials for a high-power device are activated carbon with a high content of mesopores obtained by the ratio of C and KOH as 1:4.

Efficacy of a Combination Treatment of Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy and Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor for Atrophic Acne Scars.

Atrophic acne scars (AAS) are disfiguring and permanent changes caused by inflammatory acne. Fractional carbon dioxide is a common ablative device used to treat this condition. However, issues such as unclear effectiveness, frequent treatments, and potential side effects exist. In recent years, recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has also been frequently reported for its application in the treatment of acne scars. To explore the potential synergistic effect of fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with rhEGF in AAS treatment. We enrolled 15 patients with AAS. They received fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment and were then randomly assigned to receive either rhEGF or a placebo on one side of the face. The procedure was repeated three times, and the results were evaluated using the échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) score and analyzed using the CBS camera system, 3D analysis (3DMD). Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) examination was also conducted. Both sides exhibited significant improvement in the appearance of the acne scars after treatment, as confirmed by the ECCA score, 3DMD data, and CBS texture score. On the rhEGF-treated side, the pore number and epidermal pigment area significantly improved as compared to the control side, whereas no significant differences were observed in the other data. Under RCM, a significant increase in epidermal thickness and appearance of reticular collagen fibers in the dermal layer after treatment was observed. Compared to the sole use of laser, the combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser and rhEGF does not significantly enhance scar therapeutic effects. However, it does shorten the recovery period after laser treatment and improves the pore appearance.

Evaluation of MSA mortar pore structure characteristics in water-saturated curing environment based on Talbot gradation theory

To investigate the impact of aggregate gradation on the pore structure of manufactured sand aggregate (MSA) mortar and its fractal characteristics under water-saturated curing conditions. The static pore structure characteristics of the pore structure of MSA mortar with 10 aggregate gradations were explored. The analysis is based on the Talbot gradation theory, the NMR technique, and fractal theory. The surface area and roughness of aggregate particles contribute to a reduction in the porosity of MSA mortar. The aggregate gradation is quantified using the Talbot index. The correlation characteristics and intrinsic relationships between Talbot index and different pore structure parameters, such as total porosity, pore gradation, pore fractal dimension and permeability of MSA mortar, are analyzed. Two pore division methods are employed to explore the interrelationships among pore types, fractal dimensions and Talbot index. Additionally, A correlation model between Talbot index and permeability is developed to investigate the intrinsic correlation of parameter variations from a microscopic perspective. It is found that aggregate gradation is optimal with a Talbot index of 0.4, leading to the highest number of micropores and the lowest number of larger pores, thereby enhancing resistance to seepage and dissolution. Furthermore, The contribution of pore size, content and type to permeability varies with different aggregate gradations. Overall, this study serves as a valuable guide for the design and durability evaluation of mortar concrete projects in water-saturated curing environments.

Effect of ultrasonic-hydraulic coupling cavitation pretreatment on carbon extraction from coal gasification coarse slag by flotation

Coal gasification coarse slag represents a type of low-value solid waste produced in coal gasification. This study investigated how the pretreatment of the pulp obtained from coal gasification coarse slag affects carbon extraction by flotation. Ultrasonic treatment can promote carbon ash separation. Flotation results revealed that at an ultrasonic action time of 15 min, the ultrasonic power was 90 W and the microbubble generator flow rate was 300 ml/min. Moreover, the best flotation effect was observed under these conditions. Compared with the results obtained for conventional flotation, the concentrate ash content decreased from 36.88 % to 25.51 % and the combustible substance recovery index increased from 79.84 % to 92.91 %. After coupled cavitation treatment, coal gasification coarse slag exhibited a reduced particle size, an increased specific surface area, a smooth and clean surface, a reduced number of surface inorganic elements, an increased number of pores and a remarkable carbon ash separation effect. This study can provide a reference for special methods such as ultrasonic-hydraulic coupling cavitation to strengthen the flotation of coal gasification coarse slag.

Unravelling the nexus between structure, texture, and acoustic traits of fried chicken nuggets

SummaryTexture is a multi‐parameter attribute and one of the prime quality attributes of fried products. This study explored the nexus between microstructure and texture of fried breaded chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets were deep‐fat fried (2, 4, 6, and 8 min) in canola oil at different frying temperature (170, 180, and 190 °C). Microstructure and texture of fried samples were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and acoustic‐mechanical texture analyser, respectively. Maximum force (Fmax), number of force peaks (NFP), area under force‐deformation plots (FA), sound pressure level (SPL), number of sound peaks (AUX), and area under amplitude‐time curves (SA) were used to describe the textural parameters. Microstructural indices (porosity, number of pores, average pore area, polydispersity index, and average shape factor) were estimated from the SEM images. Results revealed that, both the frying time and temperature were positively correlated with the mechanical (Fmax: 25–55 N, NFP: 05–74 N, FA: 6500–15 000 N.sec) and acoustic (SPL: 88–97 dB, AUX: 650–810 dB, SA: 380–405 dB.sec) parameters. Frying time and temperature significantly (P &lt; 0.05) impacted the formation of micropores in fried chicken nuggets. Crust microporosity showed strong positive correlations (r = 0.82) with the AUX value. The NFP, SPL, and SA of the fried nuggets were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) impacted by the crust microporosity. Crust porosity (10–30%), number of pores (8–400), average pore area (10–4000 μm2), polydispersity index (0.05–0.2), and average shape factor (0.8–1.1) of fried nuggets were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) influenced by both the frying time and temperature. Findings from this study would be useful in quality improvement and process monitoring including modelling of coated fried products.

A Strategic Synthesis of Orange Waste-Derived Porous Carbon via a Freeze-Drying Method: Morphological Characterization and Cytocompatibility Evaluation.

Porous carbon materials from food waste have gained growing interest worldwide for multiple applications due to their natural abundance and the sustainability of the raw materials and the cost-effective synthetic processing. Herein, orange waste-derived porous carbon (OWPC) was developed through a freeze-drying method to prevent the demolition of the original biomass structure and then was pyrolyzed to create a large number of micro, meso and macro pores. The novelty of this work lies in the fact of using the macro-channels of the orange waste in order to create a macroporous network via the freeze-drying method which remains after the pyrolysis steps and creates space for the development of different types of porous in the micro and meso scale in a controlled way. The results showed the successful preparation of a porous carbon material with a high specific surface area of 644 m2 g-1 without any physical or chemical activation. The material's cytocompatibility was also investigated against a fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3 cells). OWPC triggered a mild intracellular reactive oxygen species production without initiating apoptosis or severely affecting cell proliferation and survival. The combination of their physicochemical characteristics and high cytocompatibility renders them promising materials for further use in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Effects of heterotrophic Euglena gracilis powder on dough microstructure, rheological properties, texture, and nutritional composition of steamed bread

This study investigated the effects of incorporating different levels of Euglena gracilis microalgae powder (MP) on the dough properties, rheology, and quality attributes of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) for the first time. Moderate levels of MP (2%) reinforced the gluten network and improved protein structure, while higher levels (4–8%) adversely affected the gluten network and rheological properties. The addition of MP decreased the specific volume, pore number, and pore density of CSB, but increased pore size, hardness, and chewiness. It also imparted a yellow color to the CSB and slowed down moisture loss during storage. Notably, MP effectively increased the protein and lipid content of CSB, enhancing its nutritional value. The results suggest that optimizing the MP level is crucial to achieve nutritional enhancement while maintaining desirable texture and sensory attributes. An addition of 2% MP can strike a balance between nutrition and the overall quality of the final product.

Coupled nanopores for single-molecule detection.

Rapid sensing of molecules is increasingly important in many studies and applications, such as DNA sequencing and protein identification. Here, beyond atomically thin 2D nanopores, we conceptualize, simulate and experimentally demonstrate coupled, guiding and reusable bilayer nanopore platforms, enabling advanced ultrafast detection of unmodified molecules. The bottom layer can collimate and decelerate the molecule before it enters the sensing zone, and the top 2D pore (~2 nm) enables position sensing. We varied the number of pores in the bottom layer from one to nine while fixing one 2D pore in the top layer. When the number of pores in the bottom layer is reduced to one, sensing is performed by both layers, and distinct T- and W-shaped translocation signals indicate the precise position of molecules and are sensitive to fragment lengths. This is uniquely enabled by microsecond resolution capabilities and precision nanofabrication. Coupled nanopores represent configurable multifunctional systems with inter- and intralayer structures for improved electromechanical control and prolonged dwell times in a 2D sensing zone.

Investigation of water variation and surface crust of Polygonati Rhizoma extract during vacuum drying

In order to better understand the drying process, the water variation and surface crust of Polygonati Rhizoma extract during drying were investigated. Water variation investigation showed that the total water content decreased gradually over drying time, mainly attributed to the removal of most of the immobile and all of the free water; As drying progressed, the mobility of immobile water and free water increased, while the bound water increased; water in different status underwent mutual transformation. Surface crust investigation showed that the extract surface gradually shrunk and became roughness during drying; crust with a dark color circle appeared on the extract surface, and some cracks connected between pores were found; as drying progressed, the porosity, total pore number and pore volume increased, the number of pores for all volume distributions below 1 mm3, 1–2 mm3 and over 2 mm3 initially increased and then decreased.

Sulfur-doped pomegranate-like carbon microclusters designed via facile spray-drying process: A novel anode material for potassium-ion batteries

Recent research has demonstrated increasing inclination toward employing hollow carbons featuring nanoscale amorphous structures as anodes in potassium-ion batteries. However, these amorphous structures detrimentally impact the electrode’s electron and ion conductivities, leading to subpar rate performance. Additionally, integrating nanoparticles into electrodes typically yields an uneven distribution, owing to the propensity of nanomaterials to readily aggregate. To address these challenges, S-doped pomegranate-like carbon microclusters (S-PCMs) comprising S-doped primary hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were synthesized via spray drying. The effects of self-assembly and S doping on the morphological structure and potassium storage performance of the HCS materials were systematically investigated through comprehensive analyses. PCMs mitigated volume expansion and imparted high conductivity and charge/discharge rates owing to short potassium-ion diffusion distances, while the self-assembled nanospheres improved slurry flow properties. Additionally, sulfur doping increased the pore size, interlayer spacing, and number of defect sites in the carbon lattice, improving electron mobility. The resulting S-PCMs exhibited exceptional potassium storage properties, particularly cycling performance (224 mA h g−1 at the 1000th cycle). Furthermore, various electrochemical tests attributed S-PCM’s enhanced potassium storage performance to the numerous active sites and increased resistance to charge transfer, improving the potassium diffusion coefficient.

Porous Dielectric Structure and Response Speed of Moisture Sensors

Humidity sensors are typically made of alpha-alumina films as porous dielectric materials deposited through the anodic spark deposition (ASD) technique, a unique anodic oxidation method to deposit ceramic coatings on the exterior of metals. Close attention to the precise composition of electrolyte solution is crucial when mixing chemical compounds. Moreover, the ASD process, which happens during dielectric breakdown at the anode surface in an electrochemical cell, is clearly followed by visible sparking at the anode/electrolyte interface, leading to the formation of various ceramic coatings on metal substrates. Electrical breakdown happens over an anodized barrier layer, typically amorphous aluminum oxide, which has been produced on the metal anode. The local high temperature (>2000°C) produced by electrical sparks melts the amorphous aluminum oxide and converts it to alpha-aluminum oxide, forming the stable foundation for a reliable humidity sensor.In this study, we produced a variety number of small pores to investigate the response speed of moisture sensors. The ASD current can be adjusted to control the number of small pores. The smaller current gives a greater number of small pores. We focused on low-humidity sensors, often referred to as dew-point sensors. In fabrication of dew-point sensors, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to examine and determine the size of pores. Three different currents, 30 mA, 25 mA, and 10 mA, have been tried for comparative analysis of small pores existing within large pores. Two pores have been measured for current 10 mA, resulting in sizes of 47 nanometer (nm) and 71 nm, respectively. Similarly, three small pores for current 30 mA were measured with sizes of 32 nm, 42 nm, and 31 nm respectively. After the testing of low-humidity (dew-point) sensors, we found that the number of small pores does not significantly affect the response speed of the sensors.

Study on Spontaneous Combustion Characteristics and Microstructure of Bituminous Coal under Water Immersion.

The stagnant water above the coal seam flows into the goaf, causing the goaf coal to be soaked by water for a long time. Compared with dry raw coal, water-soaked coal has a stronger tendency for spontaneous combustion, which poses a serious threat to mining operators. To unravel the impact of water immersion on coal's self-heating properties, an investigation was conducted employing techniques such as simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption based on the BET theory, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The variations in the characteristic temperature, microphysical structure, and active functional groups of bituminous coal with water immersion degrees of 10, 30, 50, and 100% were studied, and the experimental results showed that (1) during the initial stage of coal self-ignition oxidation, moisture can cause a delay in the characteristic temperature points of bituminous coal. When the degree of water saturation in bituminous coal reaches 100%, both the critical temperature (T 1) and the cracking temperature (T 2) peak at 48.14 and 205.06 °C, respectively. However, after the water evaporation phase is complete, water soaking promotes the spontaneous combustion of bituminous coal. (2) The number of pores and fractures in bituminous coal is positively correlated with the amount of water soaked, with the average pore diameter increasing from 10.124 nm in raw coal to 15.547 nm in the A4 coal sample. Moreover, when the degree of water immersion reaches 100%, the proportion of mesopores and macropores increases to 38.89 and 19.95%, respectively. (3) Compared to untreated coal, the number of functional groups in water-soaked coal samples increases. With the increase in water immersion, the hydroxyl (-OH) content of raw coal and four kinds of bituminous coal with different degrees of immersion was 40.8, 41.3, 42, 43.9, and 42.9%, respectively, showing a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. When the degree of water immersion of bituminous coal is 50%, the natural tendency is the strongest. These findings contribute to elucidating the underlying mechanism of water immersion's impact on coal self-ignition, thereby holding significant implications for enhancing fire safety measures in mine working areas.

Wetting-induced collapse of loess: Tracing microstructural evolution

Loess is a silt-dominated, clastic yellow-to-yellowish brown aeolian sediment with high porosity and low density. The metastable microstructure of loess makes it highly susceptible to collapse, which plays a major role in landform evolution, geohazard development and engineering damages, particularly the widespread occurrences of settlement, deformation and cracking of civil engineering structures. Differing from the existing investigations based on pre- and post-collapse comparison, the present study is to report the microstructural changes during the collapse process and to determine how each microstructural constitutive element participates in this process. A series of laboratory tests was conducted on undisturbed loess specimens to simulate and capture snapshots of microstructure at five representative points during the entire collapse process. Results show that the loess microstructure becomes more homogeneous as the outstanding macropores are crushed into smaller (meso- and mini-pores) pores, the number of pores is dramatically increased, and the pore throats become narrower. The pore shapes have no obvious changes and remain elongated and rough-edged morphology from the point of view of statistic. Regarding solids, the pre-collapse unstable point-to-point contacts tend to transform into relatively stable edge (edge-edge or point-edge) type contacts, whilst coarse particles tend to reorient along the horizonal direction. XRD, SEM and EDS analysis indicates that these changes in the nature and distribution of pores and particles result from (1) the breakage and disintegration of moderately to highly weathered particles, (2) the disintegration of the matrix due to the swelling of clay minerals and the dissolution of calcium carbonates, (3) the consequential modifications of the microscopic forces which lead to slipping, rotation and therefore dislocation of particles, and (4) the collapse of mesoscale force chains along particles, reforming on smaller scales with larger numbers, shorter lengths and horizontal alignments.

Confined graphitization induced pore generation for designing novel potassium-ion battery carbon anode with large capacity and ultra-long cycle life

Carbon is one of the most superior anode materials for K-ion batteries but faces the challenges of low capacity and poor cycle stability. In general, the K+ storage capacity depends on the graphitized carbon layers and defective structure, while the cycle stability can be enhanced by constructing sufficient nanospace to alleviate the volume expansion during the potassiation/depotassiation process. However, the above structures are difficult to integrate into a single carbon material because graphitization often eliminates defects and pore structures. In this work, we find that ultrathin carbon sheets have a confined graphitization effect, which allows the carbon layer to orientationally arrange at a low heating-treatment temperature. More importantly, this orientational arrangement causes size shrinkage, inducing structural splitting on the faces of the carbon sheets and producing abundant defects and a large number of pores. Based on this, we obtain a novel carbon with highly graphitized, large-surface-area and defect-rich frameworks, which gives a K+ storage capacity of 358 mAh g−1, and after 4000 cycles, this carbon shows no obvious capacity degradation, with a capacity retention rate of nearly 100 %. Carbon anodes of K-ion batteries with such large capacity and long cycling life have rarely been achieved before.