Preparation and properties of short blade sodium ion batteries with Mg/Ti Co-Doped P2-type cathode materials

Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED) has become increasingly popular over the last two decades, challenging the limits of established single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. In particular, continuous-rotation and precession-assisted protocols have been established as important tools in the collection of electron diffraction data, and the data for most of the crystal structures solved by 3D ED nowadays are acquired with one of these two methods. This is particularly true for ceramic materials, where 3D ED allows deep insights into complex structure-property relationships. As ceramic syntheses tend to yield thick and highly crystalline particles, one issue in the refinement against electron diffraction data is the effect of coherent inelastic scattering. While dynamical refinement procedures allow the simulation of multiple scattering events, in general they ignore the inelastic contribution. This work aims to evaluate the impact of dynamical inelastic effects on the diffraction data of ceramics and how their overall quality depends on the measurement strategy used. This was done by comparing the structure models derived from the same crystals under similar experimental conditions of three ceramic compounds, namely NATP [Na1+xAlxTi2-x(PO4)3], LATP [Li2-xAlxTi2-x(PO3)4] and (Fe3Al2[SiO4]3), based on precession, continuous-rotation and stepwise static tilt data. The different methods allowed the detection of low-occupancy sites in the difference electrostatic potential maps corresponding to mobile sodium and lithium ions, paving the way for future studies on their migration behaviour in solid-state electrolytes.

Single-crystal layer-structured metal oxide cathode material for high-voltage sodium ion batteries

An inbuilt and unreactive Zr-Te framework enable durable, high-capacity CoTe2 anode for sodium ion storage

Structural insights into enhanced sodium–ion storage in biomass–derived hard carbon by oxidation–crosslinking

Electron-lattice dual regulation enables efficient and stable charge-ion transport in P2-Type Na0.67Fe0.33Mn0.67O2 as high performance cathode for sodium ion batteries

A 3D numerical study on the breakup and fragmentation of corium jet in liquid sodium pool following a severe accident in SFR

Numerical simulation study on the coupled heat transfer characteristics of liquid sodium and supercritical carbon dioxide

Competitive coordination chemistry in hybrid cation solvation structures for advanced sodium metal batteries

Integrated bulk-interface regulation via fluorinated interphase engineering and robust physically entangled polymer network for ultralong-cycling sodium metal batteries

In gas-involving (photo)electrochemical systems, nanoscale bubbles generate and enrich near the electrode-liquid interface, influencing interfacial transport and reactivity. However, it remains unclear how the solid-liquid interfacial microenvironment governs nanobubble evolution at the microscopic level. In this work, we perform deep potential molecular dynamics simulations with enhanced-sampling to investigate nucleation, dissolution, and detachment of nitrogen nanobubbles near the anatase (101)-water interface under neutral, acidic, and alkaline conditions. Our results show that the undercoordinated titanium and oxygen sites on the anatase (101) surface promote water dissociation, changing local ionic microenvironments. The resulting free hydroxide ions accumulate near the nanobubble surface, yielding a system-dependent negative zeta potential. The zeta potential of the nanobubble in the anatase-saline system is less negative than in other systems, due to the screening of locally paired sodium and chloride ions near the nanobubble surface. The dissolution barrier of nanobubbles shows a good linear positive correlation with the magnitude of zeta potential. This finding is further supported by the modeling with the Epstein-Plesset equation and the simulated bubble surface charge, as well as the experimental observations from nanoparticle tracking analysis and dynamic light scattering. The nucleation barriers are increased in systems with the anatase (101) surface compared to the anatase-free systems but are less sensitive to the acid-base strength. A significantly lower nucleation barrier in the anatase-saline system is attributed to the salting-out effect. The present study provides insights into nanobubble evolution near solid-liquid interfaces, with implications for bubble management in energy conversion systems.

ABSTRACT Ionic conductive hydrogels attract significant attention in flexible electronics due to their excellent ion transport and mechanical flexibility, but limited elasticity and poor fatigue resistance hinder practical applications. In this work, a highly tough and mechanically stable hydrogel is fabricated by incorporating cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and sodium caseinate (SC) into a polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel matrix. CNF serves as a nanoscale reinforcing component that enhances the structural strength, while SC forms micellar structures that act as dynamic energy dissipation centers. The synergistic effect of CNF and SC significantly enhances the toughness and structural stability of the hydrogel. The resulting PAM/CNF/SC hydrogel exhibits a tensile strength of 0.71 MPa, a fracture strain of 1840%, and a high toughness of 3866.6 kJ m −3 . Benefiting from the presence of sodium ions in SC, the hydrogel sensor shows excellent ionic conductivity and a rapid response time of 195 ms, enabling sensitive detection of human motions such as joint bending, swallowing, and laryngeal vibrations. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for developing high‐performance ionic hydrogels, offering strong potential for application in wearable and flexible electronic devices.

We report three cases of workers with Brugada syndrome (BrS) who were fitted with an active implantable medical device (AIMD) with a defibrillator effect. In these individuals, abnormalities in sodium ion channels are the cause of acute ventricular fibrillation attacks. While the fundamental role of ICD therapy in preventing fatal arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome is obvious, device-related complications cannot be ruled out, especially in younger, working-age patients, even in cases where thoracoscopic epicardial ablation was performed in addition to the ICD with a positive outcome. However, while it is obvious in these individuals, limiting or excluding excess exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) sources or other incompatibilities with the routine performance of certain tasks is necessary, based on necessary precautions. However, it appears difficult to diagnose Brugada syndrome or other channelopathies in subjects without device use and with an unresolved medical history, or to rule out the effect of exposure to (EMF) in those with unrecognized Brugada syndrome. The goal of this study is to clarify which specific measures could be adopted, whether they are sufficient in the most severe conditions, and whether precautionary procedures allow for continued work. Finally, it is also important to clarify a larger clinical study in the preventive phases.

Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress threatening global agricultural sustainability, making the utilization of saline-alkaline land critical for food security. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), an ancient crop adaptable to arid and marginal soils with a robust root system, serves as both a strategic reserve crop for harsh climates and a model plant for C4 functional genomics research. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying foxtail millet's salt tolerance remain poorly understood, limiting its genetic improvement. This study investigated the CAPE gene family and identified PROSiCAPE14 as a key salt-responsive gene, which is downregulated under salt stress. Both exogenous application of its encoded peptide and transgenic overexpression led to compromised growth under salt stress compared to wild-type plants. Under salt stress, overexpression lines exhibited significantly reduced plant height and root length along with elevated sodium ion accumulation compared to controls. Furthermore, DAB and NBT staining indicated a deeper coloration in the overexpression lines, suggesting higher reactive oxygen species accumulation. Subsequent yeast one-hybrid assays and dual-luciferase reporter assay further verified that the transcription factors SibHLH49 and SiMYBS1, which play important roles in salt stress response, can interact with the promoter of the PROSiCAPE14 gene, regulating its expression. This further supports the hypothesis that PROSiCAPE14 plays a significant role in the salt stress response of foxtail millet. This research provides a foundation for further investigation into the roles of CAPE genes in abiotic stress adaptation and other potential biological functions in foxtail millet.

Soil salinization is a major driver of global soil degradation and significantly affects agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represents a promising strategy for mitigating salt stress and reclaiming saline soils. This study investigated the mechanisms by which Bacillus paramycoides JYZ-SD5, a PGPR strain that promotes growth under salt stress, achieves this effect in Metasequoia glyptostroboides. We combined bacterial genome sequencing with transcriptomic analysis of M. glyptostroboides to identify key genes and pathways involved in this interaction. The JYZ-SD5 genome (5.83 Mb chromosome, five plasmids, 35.16% G+C content) encodes genes for the production of compatible solutes and exopolysaccharides (EPS), the regulation of ion (Na+, Cl-) transport, and the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Under salt stress, JYZ-SD5 produces high levels of EPS and compatible solutes (proline, betaine, trehalose), effectively sequestering sodium ions. The VOCs produced by JYZ-SD5 further alleviate salt stress in M. glyptostroboides, significantly improving seedling root development and biomass under 0.6% NaCl. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 76 genes that were differentially expressed following JYZ-SD5 inoculation under salt stress and were involved mainly in nutrient uptake, hormone regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, and osmotic regulation. Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed the activation of the ascorbic acid pathway and proline metabolism. These results offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which PGPR enhance salt tolerance in M. glyptostroboides and highlight the potential of B. paramycoides JYZ-SD5 as a bioinoculant for sustainable agriculture and the reclamation of saline soils.

Sodium-ion batteries are considered one of the most promising energy storage systems for large-scale energy storage and low-speed electric vehicles. However, developing suitable anode materials with a high capacity and stable cycling performance for sodium-ion batteries remains a challenge. In this work, we report a layered ternary GeBi4Te7 anode material, which can be synthesized by a facile high-energy ball milling method. Its structure consists of GeBi2Te4 and Bi2Te3 layers stacked periodically along the c-axis, providing spacious two-dimensional channels for the rapid insertion and extraction of sodium ions. Electrochemical test results demonstrate that the prepared GeBi4Te7 anode exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 449.4 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 96.4%. Moreover, the Na-reaction mechanism of GeBi4Te7 was investigated. The results indicate that GeBi4Te7 undergoes a multistep sodium ion storage process following the electrochemical sequence of its components. During the discharge, sodium ions inserted into the interlayer gaps of the layered structure first, and then Na2Te, NaBi, Na3Bi, and NaGe were generated sequentially. During the charging stage, GeBi4Te7 compounds can be regenerated after the sodium extraction. In addition, the GeBi4Te7 shows 90.8% capacity retention after 7400 cycles during the potential gap of 0-1.0 V. This research provides insights into exploring multimetal tellurides for applications in the field of energy storage.

ABSTRACT Sodium metal batteries are garnering increasing attention due to their high theoretical capacity and the abundance of sodium resources. However, their practical application is impeded by uncontrolled dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interphases. Herein, a robust interfacial engineering and confined architecture was fabricated via the electrostatic self‐assembly of SnO 2 quantum dots with graphene oxide, followed by a self‐propagating reduction reaction. The SnO 2 acts as highly active nucleation centers, guiding uniform Na nucleation, whereas 3D rGO frameworks provide an efficient electron‐transfer pathway, thereby facilitating effective regulation of Na deposition. Meanwhile, the formation of a strong interfacial Sn─O─C bond enhances electronic coupling and interfacial stability. Consequently, the SnO 2 ‐rGO‐2 electrode delivers outstanding long‐term cycling stability, operating stably for 9000 h at 2.0 mA cm −2 and 1.0 mAh cm −2 in symmetrical cells. The assembled Na@SnO 2 ‐rGO//Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 full cells demonstrate remarkable rate and cyclic performance, with negligible capacity decay over 1000 cycles at 5 A g −1 . Moreover, the exceptional flexibility of Na@SnO 2 ‐rGO‐2 enables stable operation under various bending conditions, highlighting its potential for wearable applications. Notably, it can be extended to potassium metal systems and endows the full‐cell configuration with long‐term stability. This work establishes a generalizable design paradigm for next‐generation high‐energy alkali metal anodes.

Iron-based mixed phosphate Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) is one of the most promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries due to its good rate capability and long lifespan, while its practical application is hindered by sluggish ionic/electronic kinetics and interfacial instability. Herein, we report a novel solid-source ammonium fluoride (NH4F) plasma-driven synergistic "Trinity" engineering strategy to realize simultaneous reconstruction of NFPP cathodes in bulk, interface, and surface architectures. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the coupling reactions between the NH4F plasma and NFPP lattice/surface trigger simultaneous bulk F-substitution and F/N interface doping as well as surface reconstruction. Specifically, the bulk F- substitution strengthens Fe─O bonding and widens Na+ channels. Concurrently, plasma-generated radicals promote the formation of F/N co-doped carbon network and NaF at the interface, while also promoting the development of a NaF-rich cathode electrolyte interphase at the surface via modulating the NFPP/electrolyte status. This trinity engineering establishes fast transport pathways and a stable cathode electrolyte interface, effectively minimizing charge transfer impedance while suppressing deleterious side reactions. Consequently, the optimized cell exhibits high capacity and superior high-rate cycling life with 95.5% retention after 6000 cycles at 30 C. The developed plasma-driven approach offers mechanistic insights for the synergistic optimization of polyanionic cathodes for advanced sodium ion storage.

The rapidly growing demand for lithium in energy storage technologies necessitates more efficient lithium extraction methods from salt lakes. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) has gained attention, as it addresses more than 50% lithium losses in traditional salt-pond-based processes. However, separating lithium ion from sodium ion or potassium ion remains challenging due to their similar charge and hydration radii. To overcome this, we developed a covalent organic framework-based ion trap membrane by embedding lithiophilic diketone molecules [2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA)] into subnanometer channels, enabling a "bind-jump" transport mechanism. HTTA sites selectively bind lithium ion, assist its partial dehydration (bind step), and promote hopping to adjacent HTTA sites (jump step). The optimized HTTA1-1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol-tris(4-aminophenyl)amine/polyacrylonitrile membrane exhibited high lithium ion/sodium ion selectivity (>320) and lithium ion permeance (~143 millimoles per square meter per hour) under electrodialysis, outperforming leading membranes. The membrane also showed stable performance over 10 cycles. This work demonstrates a scalable strategy combining thermodynamic and kinetic modulation for efficient lithium ion extraction from complex brines.

Sodium (Na) metal batteries are considered promising candidates for next-generation electrochemical energy storage because of their low costs and high energy densities. However, their development is hindered by a fundamental trade-off in electrolyte design: strong Na+ solvation enhances conductivity but aggravates undesirable anode degradation. Herein, we construct a swellable artificial polymer interphase rich in F─(Si─O─)n on the anode via a competitive coordination reaction involving fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), ethyl trifluoroacetate, and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. Employing in situ atomic force microscopy, in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra, we demonstrate that the interphase selectively attracts weakly solvating solvents while effectively excluding the highly polar tris(ethyl) phosphate (TEP) from the anode surface. This results in a gradient transition from a strong solvation configuration in the bulk electrolyte to a weak one at the interface, thereby enhancing the overall ionic conductivity, reducing the Na+ desolvation energy barrier, and improving interfacial stability. Consequently, Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 cells deliver stable long-term cycling, remarkable fast-charging performance, and operate over a wide temperature range. The practical applicability of this strategy is further validated by pouch-cell tests. This work paves the way for rational design of high-performance and safe sodium metal batteries through advanced interfacial chemistry.