Processing Of Precursor Research Articles

A Catalyst-Like System Enables Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

High-quality perovskite films are essential for achieving high performance of optoelectronic devices; However, solution-processed perovskite films are known to suffer from compositional and structural inhomogeneity due to lack of systematic control over the kinetics during the formation. Here, the microscopic homogeneity of perovskite films is successfully enhanced by modulating the conversion reaction kinetics using a catalyst-like system generated by a foaming agent. The chemical and structural evolution during this catalytic conversion is revealed by a multimodal synchrotron toolkit with spatial resolutions spanning many length scales. Combining these insights with computational investigations, a cyclic conversion pathway model is developed that yields exceptional perovskite homogeneity due to enhanced conversion, having a power conversion efficiency of 24.51% for photovoltaic devices. This work establishes a systematic link between processing of precursor and homogeneity of the perovskite films.

Synthesis of π-conjugated polycyclic compounds by late-stage extrusion of chalcogen fragments.

The "precursor approach" has proved particularly valuable for the preparation of insoluble and unstable π-conjugated polycyclic compounds (π-CPCs), which cannot be synthesized via in-solution organic chemistry, for their improved processing, as well as for their electronic investigation both at the material and single-molecule scales. This method relies on the synthesis and processing of soluble and stable direct precursors of the target π-CPCs, followed by their final conversion in situ, triggered by thermal activation, photoirradiation or redox control. Beside well-established reactions involving the elimination of carbon-based small molecules, i.e., retro-Diels-Alder and decarbonylation processes, the late-stage extrusion of chalcogen fragments has emerged as a highly promising synthetic tool to access a wider variety of π-conjugated polycyclic structures and thus to expand the potentialities of the "precursor approach" for further improvements of molecular materials' performances. This review gives an overview of synthetic strategies towards π-CPCs involving the ultimate elimination of chalcogen fragments upon thermal activation, photoirradiation and electron exchange.

In Situ Construction of Morphologically Different Hydroxyapatite-Mineralized Structures on a Three-Dimensional Bionic Chitin Scaffold.

Slow healing at the tendon-bone interface is a prominent factor in the failure of tendon repair surgeries. The development of functional biomaterials with 3D gradient structures is urgently needed to improve tendon-bone integration. The crystalline form of hydroxyapatite (HAP) has a crucial impact on cell behavior, which directly influences protein adsorption, such as bone morphogenetic protein 2, the adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation with cells. This work aimed to generate gradient mineral structures in situ by stabilizing calcium and phosphate ions using a polymer-induced liquid precursor process. To regulate the crystalline growth of HAP at the interface of β-chitin, this work made use of the surface properties of the organic matrix found in cuttlefish bone. These techniques allowed us to prepare an organic-inorganic composite gradient scaffold comprising plate-like HAP mineralized in situ on the surface of the scaffold and fibrous HAP in the scaffold's interior. Organic-inorganic composite gradient materials are anticipated for use in tendon-bone healing produced via the in situ construction of gradient-distributed HAP mineralization layers having varying crystalline morphologies on chitin scaffolds that possess a three-dimensional bionic structure.

Effect in variation of the cationic precursor temperature on the electrical and crystalline properties of MnS growth by SILAR

The crystallographic, optical, and electrical properties of manganese sulfide thin films depend on the control of the temperature precursors in the synthesis process, as shown by the results of this work. MnS thin films were deposited on glass substrates using the SILAR method and over an additional layer of CdS synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) to acquire a p-n heterojunction. SILAR is an inexpensive method performed with a homemade robot in this case. Temperature in the solution precursors varied from 20 to 80 °C in four experiments. The morphology and structure of MnS and FTO/CdS/MnS thin films were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD); the results indicate that materials showed a polycrystalline behavior, a diffraction peak of α- MnS cubic phase was observed with lattice constants values, ranging from 4.74 to 4.75 Å.Additionally, Raman spectroscopy showed a signal corresponding to the transversal optical phonons of MnS at a wavenumber near 300 cm−1. UV–vis spectroscopy showed optical bandgap values of 3.94, 4.0, 4.09, and 4.26 eV for thin films obtained at 20°, 40°, 60°, and 80 °C.respectively. Results indicated 80 °C as an optimal cationic precursor process temperature, achieving optical transmittance T% and good film quality according to SEM and GIXRD for the synthetization of MnS. The current–voltage (I–V) characterization in the heterojunction showed a characteristic diode curve with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 300 mV under illumination, which indicated that the manganese sulfide behaves as p-type material contributing with positive charge carriers, while CdS behaves as n-type material.

Ubiquitin Carboxyl-Terminal Hydrolase L1 and Its Role in Parkinson's Disease.

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), also known as Parkinson's disease protein 5, is a highly expressed protein in the brain. It plays an important role in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), where it acts as a deubiquitinase (DUB) enzyme. Being the smallest member of the UCH family of DUBs, it catalyzes the reaction of ubiquitin precursor processing and the cleavage of ubiquitinated protein remnants, thus maintaining the level of ubiquitin monomers in the brain cells. UCHL1 mutants, containing amino acid substitutions, influence catalytic activity and its aggregability. Some of them protect cells and transgenic mice in toxin-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) models. Studies of putative protein partners of UCHL1 revealed about sixty individual proteins located in all major compartments of the cell: nucleus, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. These include proteins related to the development of PD, such as alpha-synuclein, amyloid-beta precursor protein, ubiquitin-protein ligase parkin, and heat shock proteins. In the context of the catalytic paradigm, the importance of these interactions is not clear. However, there is increasing understanding that UCHL1 exhibits various effects in a catalytically independent manner through protein-protein interactions. Since this protein represents up to 5% of the soluble protein in the brain, PD-related changes in its structure will have profound effects on the proteomes/interactomes in which it is involved. Growing evidence is accumulating that the role of UCHL1 in PD is obviously determined by a balance of canonic catalytic activity and numerous activity-independent protein-protein interactions, which still need better characterization.

Ischemia-Reperfusion Programming of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Genes-A New Perspective on Brain Neurodegeneration after Cardiac Arrest.

The article presents the latest data on pathological changes after cerebral ischemia caused by cardiac arrest. The data include amyloid accumulation, tau protein modification, neurodegenerative and cognitive changes, and gene and protein changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. We present the latest data on the dysregulation of genes related to the metabolism of the amyloid protein precursor, tau protein, autophagy, mitophagy, apoptosis, and amyloid and tau protein transport genes. We report that neuronal death after cerebral ischemia due to cardiac arrest may be dependent and independent of caspase. Moreover, neuronal death dependent on amyloid and modified tau protein has been demonstrated. Finally, the results clearly indicate that changes in the expression of the presented genes play an important role in acute and secondary brain damage and the development of post-ischemic brain neurodegeneration with the Alzheimer's disease phenotype. The data indicate that the above genes may be a potential therapeutic target for brain therapy after ischemia due to cardiac arrest. Overall, the studies show that the genes studied represent attractive targets for the development of new therapies to minimize ischemic brain injury and neurological dysfunction. Additionally, amyloid-related genes expression and tau protein gene modification after cerebral ischemia due to cardiac arrest are useful in identifying ischemic mechanisms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Cardiac arrest illustrates the progressive, time- and area-specific development of neuropathology in the brain with the expression of genes responsible for the processing of amyloid protein precursor and the occurrence of tau protein and symptoms of dementia such as those occurring in patients with Alzheimer's disease. By carefully examining the common genetic processes involved in these two diseases, these data may help unravel phenomena associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration after cerebral ischemia and may lead future research on Alzheimer's disease or cerebral ischemia in new directions.

Coupling ultrafine TiO2 within pyridinic-N enriched porous carbon towards high-rate and long-life sodium ion capacitors

Coupling TiO2 within N-doped porous carbon (NPC) is essential for enhancing its Na+ storage performance. However, the role of different N configurations in NPC in improving the electrochemical performance of TiO2 is currently unknown.In this study, melamine is deliberately incorporated as a pore-forming agent in the self-assembly process of metal organic framework precursors (NH2-MIL-125(Ti)). This intentional inclusion of melamine leads to the one-pot and in-situ formation of highly active edge-N, which is vital for the development of TiO2/NPC with exceptional reactivity. Electrochemical performance characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicate that the interaction between TiO2 and pyridinic-N enriched NPC can effectively narrow the bandgap of TiO2/NPC, thereby significantly improving electron/ion transfer. Additionally, the abundant mesoporous channels, high N content and oxygen vacancies also contribute to the fast reaction kinetics of TiO2/NPC. As a result, the optimized TiO2/NPC-M, with high proportion of pyridinic-N (44.1 %) and abundant mesoporous channels (97.8 %), delivers high specific capacity of 282.1 mA h−1 at 0.05 A g−1, superior rate capability of 177.3 mA h−1 at 10 A g−1, and prominent capacity retention of 89.3 % over 5000 cycles even under ultrahigh 10 A g−1. Furthermore, the TiO2/NPC-M//AC sodium ion capacitors (SIC) device achieves a high energy density of 136.7 Wh kg−1 at 200 W kg−1. This research not only offers fresh perspectives on the production of high-performance TiO2-based anodes, but also paves the way for customizing other active materials for energy storage and beyond.

A Visible Light Cross-Linked Underwater Hydrogel Adhesive with Biodegradation and Hemostatic Ability.

Hydrogel adhesives with integrated functionalities are still required to match their ever-expanding practical applications in the field of tissue repair and regeneration. A simple and effective safety strategy is reported, involving an in situ injectable polymer precursor and visible light-induced cross-linking. This strategy enables the preparation of a hydrogel adhesive in a physiological environment, offering wet adhesion to tissue surfaces, molecular flexibility, biodegradability, biocompatibility, efficient hemostatic performance, and the ability to facilitate liver injury repair. The proposed one-step preparation process of this polymer precursor involves the mixing of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), poly(thioctic acid) [P(TA)], poly(acrylic acid)/amorphous calcium phosphate (PAAc/ACP, PA) and FDA-approved photoinitiator solution, and a subsequent visible light irradiation after in situ injection into target tissues that resulted in a chemically-physically cross-linked hybrid hydrogel adhesive. Such a combined strategy shows promise for medical scenarios, such as uncontrollable post-traumatic bleeding.

Ultrasonic treatment duration: A nuanced parameter in synthesis affecting structural properties and ORR performance of KOH-activated carbon

In this study, we investigate the effects of the duration of ultrasonic treatment during the impregnation process of a carbon precursor with an aqueous alkaline solution on the structural and electrochemical properties of KOH-activated carbon materials. Our findings using polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-derived carbon materials reveal that extended ultrasonic treatment leads to a more consistent distribution of the activating agent, promoting more uniform surface activation. This leads to notable shifts in the material's structure and surface chemistry, thereby influencing its functionality as an electrode material in supercapacitors and its electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Our results indicate a 6 % difference in the specific surface area and an 8 wt% rise in oxygen content when comparing samples without ultrasonic treatment to those treated for 10 min. Moreover, the specific capacitance increases from 133.9 to 163.5 F g−1, and the ORR activity ascends from 1.88 to 2.23 mA cm−2. This research highlights the potential of ultrasonic treatment duration as a variable to fine-tune the structure and properties of porous carbon materials, emphasizing its scientific and technological significance in the production of stable porous carbon materials.

MicroRNA750-3p Targets Processing of Precursor 7 to Suppress Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus Propagation in Vector Laodelphax striatellus.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs, which, as members of the RNA interference pathway, play a pivotal role in antiviral infection. Almost 80% of plant viruses are transmitted by insect vectors; however, little is known about the interaction of the miRNAs of insect vectors with plant viruses. Here, we took rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), a devastating virus to rice production in eastern Asia, and the small brown planthopper, (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) as a model to investigate the role of microRNA750-3p (miR750-3p) in regulating viral transmission. Our results showed that Ls-miR750-3p was downregulated in RBSDV-infected SBPH and predominately expressed in the midgut of SBPH. Injection with miR750-3p agomir significantly reduced viral accumulation, and the injection with the miR750-3p inhibitor, antagomir-750-3p, dramatically promoted the viral accumulation in SBPH, as detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The processing of precursor 7 (POP7), a subunit of RNase P and RNase MRP, was screened, identified, and verified using a dual luciferase reporter assay as one target of miR750-3p. Knockdown of POP7 notably increased RBSDV viral propagation in SBPH and then increased the viral transmission rate by SBPH. Taken together, our data indicate that miR750-3p targets POP7 to suppress RBSDV infection in its insect vector. These results enriched the role of POP7 in modulating virus infection in host insects and shared new insight into the function of miRNAs in plant virus and insect vector interaction.

Bright and stable near-infrared lead-free perovskite light-emitting diodes

Long-wavelength near-infrared light-emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) with peak emission wavelengths beyond 900 nm are of critical importance for various applications including night vision, biomedical imaging, sensing and optical communications. However, the low radiance and poor operational stability of state-of-the-art long-wavelength NIR LEDs based on soft materials remain the most critical factors limiting their practical applications. Here we develop NIR LEDs emitting beyond 900 nm with improved performance through the rational manipulation of p doping in all-inorganic tin perovskites (CsSnI3) by retarding and controlling the crystallization process of perovskite precursors in tin-rich conditions. The resulting NIR LEDs exhibit a peak emission wavelength at 948 nm, high radiance of 226 W sr−1 m−2 and long operational half-lifetime of 39.5 h at a high constant current density of 100 mA cm−2. Our demonstration of efficient and stable NIR LEDs operating at high current densities may also open up new opportunities towards electrically pumped lasers.

Small but mighty: Peptides regulating abiotic stress responses in plants.

Throughout evolution, plants have developed strategies to confront and alleviate the detrimental impacts of abiotic stresses on their growth and development. The combat strategies involve intricate molecular networks and a spectrum of early and late stress-responsive pathways. Plant peptides, consisting of fewer than 100 amino acid residues, are at the forefront of these responses, serving as pivotal signalling molecules. These peptides, with roles similar to phytohormones, intricately regulate plant growth, development and facilitate essential cell-to-cell communications. Numerous studies underscore the significant role of these small peptides in coordinating diverse signalling events triggered by environmental challenges. Originating from the proteolytic processing of larger protein precursors or directly translated from small open reading frames, includingmicroRNA (miRNA) encoded peptides from primary miRNA, these peptides exert their biological functions through binding with membrane-embedded receptor-like kinases. This interaction initiates downstream cellular signalling cascades, often involving major phytohormones or reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanisms. Despite these advances, the precise modes of action for numerous other small peptides remain to be fully elucidated. In this review, we delve into the dynamics of stress physiology, mainly focusing on the roles of major small signalling peptides, shedding light on their significance in the face of changing environmental conditions.

IL-1 Receptor Dynamics in Immune Cells: Orchestrating Immune Precision and Balance.

IL-1, a pleiotropic cytokine with profound effects on various cell types, particularly immune cells, plays a pivotal role in immune responses. The proinflammatory nature of IL-1 necessitates stringent control mechanisms of IL-1-mediated signaling at multiple levels, encompassing transcriptional and translational regulation, precursor processing, as well as the involvement of a receptor accessory protein, a decoy receptor, and a receptor antagonist. In T-cell immunity, IL-1 signaling is crucial during both the priming and effector phases of immune reactions. The fine-tuning of IL-1 signaling hinges upon two distinct receptor types; the functional IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) 1 and the decoy IL-1R2, accompanied by ancillary molecules such as the IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1R3) and IL-1R antagonist. IL-1R1 signaling by IL-1β is critical for the differentiation, expansion, and survival of Th17 cells, essential for defense against extracellular bacteria or fungi, yet implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Recent investigations emphasize the physiological importance of IL-1R2 expression, particularly in its capacity to modulate IL-1-dependent responses within Tregs. The precise regulation of IL-1R signaling is indispensable for orchestrating appropriate immune responses, as unchecked IL-1 signaling has been implicated in inflammatory disorders, including Th17-mediated autoimmunity. This review provides a thorough exploration of the IL-1R signaling complex and its pivotal roles in immune regulation. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements elucidating the mechanisms governing the expression of IL-1R1 and IL-1R2, underscoring their contributions to fine-tuning IL-1 signaling. Finally, the review briefly touches upon therapeutic strategies targeting IL-1R signaling, with potential clinical applications.

Monitoring mitochondrial precursor processing and presequence peptide degradation.

The maturation of mitochondrial presequence precursor proteins after their import into the organelle is a complex process that requires the interaction of several mitochondrial proteases. Precursor processing by the mitochondrial presequence proteases is directly coupled to the proteolytic turnover of the cleaved targeting signal by mitochondrial presequence peptidases. Dysfunction of these enzymes is associated with a variety of human diseases, including neurological disorders, cardiomyopathies and renal diseases. In this chapter, we describe experimental approaches to study the activity of the major mitochondrial presequence protease (MPP) and of the presequence peptidases. In vitro assays and soluble mitochondrial extracts allow the assessment and experimental manipulation of peptidase and protease activity using immunoblotting, fluorescence measurements and autoradiography as readouts. In particular, the assays allow manipulation at multiple levels including in vivo, in organello or in soluble extracts/in vitro. Purification of the yeast heterodimeric MPP allows in vitro reconstitution of the initial presequence processing step using radiolabeled precursors as substrates. Application of soluble mitochondrial extracts enables direct assessment of MPP processing and presequence peptide turnover which can be easily manipulated and is uncoupled from protein translocation across the mitochondrial membranes. The techniques presented in this chapter allow in-depth analysis of precursor processing and presequence turnover as well as direct assessment of the impact of patient mutations on the activity of the presequence processing machinery.

Intrafibrillar mineralization of type I collagen with calcium carbonate and strontium carbonate induced by polyelectrolyte-cation complexes.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), possessing excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity and superior biodegradability, may serve as an alternative to hydroxyapatite (HAp), the natural inorganic component of bone and dentin. Intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen with CaCO3 was achieved through the polymer-induced liquid precursor (PILP) process for at least 2 days. This study aims to propose a novel pathway for rapid intrafibrillar mineralization with CaCO3 by sequential application of the carbonate-bicarbonate buffer and polyaspartic acid (pAsp)-Ca suspension. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, atomic force microscopy/Kelvin probe force microscopy (AFM/KPFM), and three-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (3D STORM) demonstrated that the carbonate-bicarbonate buffer significantly decreased the surface potential of collagen and CO32-/HCO3- ions could attach to collagen fibrils via hydrogen bonds. The electropositive pAsp-Ca complexes and free Ca2+ ions are attracted to and interact with CO32-/HCO3- ions through electrostatic attractions to form amorphous calcium carbonate that crystallizes gradually. Moreover, like CaCO3, strontium carbonate (SrCO3) can deposit inside the collagen fibrils through this pathway. The CaCO3-mineralized collagen gels exhibited better biocompatibility and cell proliferation ability than SrCO3. This study provides a feasible strategy for rapid collagen mineralization with CaCO3 and SrCO3, as well as elucidating the tissue engineering of CaCO3-based biomineralized materials.

Influence of atmospheric oxidation capacity on atmospheric particulate matters concentration in Lanzhou

The atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) reflects the removal rate of atmospheric pollutants, and this index is typically characterized by the oxidant concentration or total reaction rate. The AOC plays a crucial role in the formation of atmospheric particulate matters and serves as an important indicator for studying changes in the concentration. In this study, we analyse the characteristics of atmospheric oxidants in Lanzhou based on data in the year of 2020 and 2021 retrieved from the Atmospheric Comprehensive Observation Station in Lanzhou. Empirical equations are applied to estimate the impact of atmospheric oxidative properties secondary generation concentrations of atmospheric particulate matters with different particle sizes. The results indicate that the annual average values of Ox were 146 μg/m3 in 2020 and 139 μg/m3 in 2021. The AOC was the highest in summer and lowest in winter. The correlation coefficient between O3 and Ox was significantly higher than that between NO2 and Ox, suggesting that O3 exerted a greater impact on the AOC in Lanzhou. A low AOC (MDA8 O3 ≤ 100 μg/m3) promoted the oxidation process of VOCs and other precursors, leading to the generation of secondary aerosols and subsequent formation of secondary particles. There were negative correlations between Ox and atmospheric particulate matters, secondary inorganic components, sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) and nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR), indicating that excessively high levels of Ox could inhibit the conversion rate of SO2 and NO2 into their respective forms to a certain extent.

A Review on Preparation Techniques of Charge Transport Layer for Organic and Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells

The fascinating behavior of charge transport layer in organic and inorganic perovskite solar cells has piqued the interest of designers of semiconductor SnO2 nanoparticles (PSC). The goal of this research is to look at several techniques for manufacturing SnO2 films for use as charge transport layers in PSC. To comprehend the link between the attribute of nanostructured SnO2 films and the efficiency of solar cells, special attention is devoted to the production and properties of the SnO2 thin films. The spin-coating deposition of SnO2 nano fluids generated via surface modification of nano-colloids composed of SnO2 has been one of the key techniques for obtaining SnO2 layers. It has also been reported that preparing SnO2 nanoparticles using Tin (IV) salts results in a high-quality SnO2 film. Light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of about 25.5% has been claimed in many PSC papers [1]. One benefit of adopting SnO2 materials is that they have substantially greater conductivity than TiO2. This work also discusses the production of SnO2 nanoparticles, a different method of generating SnO2 charge transport materials that may be accomplished by the process of freeze-drying precursors known as Tin (IV). SnO2 crystal formation may be regulated at temperatures as low as 700C.

MiR-889-3p Facilitates the Browning Process of White Adipocyte Precursors by Targeting the SON Gene.

It is well-established that beige/brown adipose tissue can dissipate stored energy through thermogenesis; hence, the browning of white adipocytes (WAT) has garnered significant interest in contemporary research. Our preceding investigations have identified a marked downregulation of miR-889-3p concurrent with the natural maturation of brown adipose tissue. However, the specific role and underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-889-3p in the browning process of white adipose tissue warrant further elucidation. In this research, we initially delved into the potential role of miR-889-3p in preadipocyte growth via flow cytometry and CCK-8 assay, revealing that miR-889-3p can stimulate preadipocyte growth. To validate the potential contribution of miR-889-3p in the browning process of white adipose tissue, we established an in vitro rabbit white adipocyte browning induction, which exhibited a significant upregulation of miR-889-3p during the browning process. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis indicated that miR-889-3p overexpression significantly amplified the mRNA levels of UCP1, PRDM16, and CIDEA, as well as UCP1 protein levels. Furthermore, miR-889-3p overexpression fostered intracellular triglyceride accumulation. Conversely, the downregulation of miR-889-3p hindered the browning of rabbit preadipocytes. Subsequently, based on target gene prediction and luciferase reporter gene determination, we demonstrated that miR-889-3p directly targets the 3'-UTR region of SON. Lastly, we observed that inhibiting SON could facilitate the browning of rabbit preadipocytes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miR-889-3p facilitates the browning process of white adipocyte precursors by specifically targeting the SON gene.

Synthesis and Ionic Conductivity of Complex Phosphates Li1 + xTi1.8 – xFexGe0.2(PO4)3 with NASICON Structure

Phosphates Li1 + xTi1.8 – xFexGe0.2(PO4)3 (x = 0.1–0.3) with the NASICON structure have been prepared and studied for the first time. It has been shown that co-doping with germanium and iron leads to significant increase in the ionic conductivity of the prepared materials at low degrees of titanium substitution. The influence of the synthesis method (solid-state and sol-gel) and conditions of precursor processing on the ionic conductivity of the materials has been studied. Optimum conditions for the mechanical processing of precursors have been found to obtain ceramics with the highest conductivity. Li1.2Ti1.6Fe0.2Ge0.2(PO4)3 prepared by the solid-state method exhibits the highest ionic conductivity at room temperature (1.7 × 10–4 S/cm) among all samples.

Functionalized, bio-derived carbon-aerogel/Li4Ti5O12 composites as anode materials for Li-ion batteries

In this work we investigate the electrochemical behavior of bio-derived carbon-aerogel/Li4Ti5O12 composites (CAG/LTO) in Li-ion half cells. The studied CAG/LTO samples were successfully prepared through the gelatinization process of potato starch precursor with pristine LTO material, followed by controlled pyrolysis in an inert gas atmosphere. The obtained composites were examined by elemental analysis (EA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-adsorption/desorption (N2-sorption), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), galvanostatic charge/discharge tests (GCDT), extensive cycling (LT-GCDT) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) methods. The results show, that carbon aerogel compressive matrix significantly improved the electrical conductivity of LTO anode material and was effective only in its composite form. The best electrochemical parameters and overall performance was achieved by 16% CAG/LTO composite. After extensive cycling (1016 charge/discharge cycles under 5 C), its discharge capacity was equal to 209 mAh/g, achieving the capacity retention of 106%.