Formation of a Surficial Bifunctional Nanolayer on Nb2O5 for Ultrastable Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Battery

Safe and long cycle life electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries are significantly important to meet the increasing demands of rechargeable batteries. Niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅) is one of the highly promising candidates for stable electrodes due to its safety and minimal volume expansion. Nevertheless, pulverization and low conductivity of Nb₂O₅ have remained as inherent challenges for its practical use as viable electrodes. A highly facile method is proposed to improve the overall cycle retention of Nb₂O₅ microparticles by ammonia (NH₃) gas‐driven nitridation. After nitridation, an ultrathin surficial layer (2 nm) is formed on the Nb₂O₅, acting as a bifunctional nanolayer that allows facile lithium (Li)‐ion transport (10–100 times higher Li diffusivity compared with pristine Nb₂O₅ microparticles) and further prevents the pulverization of Nb₂O₅. With the subsequent decoration of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), the low electric conductivity of nitridated Nb₂O₅ is also significantly improved. Cycle retention is greatly improved for nitridated Nb₂O₅ (96.7%) compared with Nb₂O₅ (64.7%) for 500 cycles. Ag‐decorated, nitridated Nb₂O₅ microparticles and nitridated Nb₂O₅ microparticles exhibit ultrastable cycling for 3000 cycles at high current density (3000 mA g^?1), which highlights the importance of the surficial nanolayer in improving overall electrochemical performances, in addition to conductive NPs.     

Caging Nb2O5 Nanowires in PECVD‐Derived Graphene Capsules toward Bendable Sodium‐Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors

Sodium‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (Na‐HSCs) by virtue of synergizing the merits of batteries and supercapacitors have attracted considerable attention for high‐energy and high‐power energy‐storage applications. Orthorhombic Nb₂O₅ (T‐Nb₂O₅) has recently been recognized as a promising anode material for Na‐HSCs due to its typical pseudocapacitive feature, but it suffers from intrinsically low electrical conductivity. Reasonably high electrochemical performance of T‐Nb₂O₅‐based electrodes could merely be gained to date when sufficient carbon content was introduced. In addition, flexible Na‐HSC devices have scarcely been demonstrated by far. Herein, an in situ encapsulation strategy is devised to directly grow ultrathin graphene shells over T‐Nb₂O₅ nanowires (denoted as Gr‐Nb₂O₅ composites) by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition, targeting a highly conductive anode material for Na‐HSCs. The few‐layered graphene capsules with ample topological defects would enable facile electron and Na⁺ ion transport, guaranteeing rapid pseudocapacitive processes at the Nb₂O₅/electrolyte interface. The Na‐HSC full‐cell comprising a Gr‐Nb₂O₅ anode and an activated carbon cathode delivers high energy/power densities (112.9 Wh kg^?1/80.1 W kg^?1 and 62.2 Wh kg^?1/5330 W kg^?1), outperforming those of recently reported Na‐HSC counterparts. Proof‐of‐concept Na‐HSC devices with favorable mechanical robustness manifest stable electrochemical performances under different bending conditions and after various bending–release cycles.     

Microstructures and high temperature oxidation resistance of alloys from Nb–Cr–Si system

Oxidation behavior of Nb–30Si–(10,20)Cr alloys have been evaluated in air from 700 to 1400 °C by heating for 24 h and furnace cooling them. The lower weight gain per unit area has been observed for 20Cr alloy at 1200, 1300, and 1400 °C. Pesting has been observed at lower temperatures (700, 800, 900 °C). Analysis indicates that the powder formation at 900, 100, 1100 °C may be associated with β form of Nb₂O₅ (base centered monoclinic form). However the m-monoclinic form of Nb₂O₅ evolves at temperatures above 900 °C while o-orthorhombic Nb₂O₅ forms at below this temperature. The phases in the alloys have been calculated using the Pandat^TM software program at different temperatures using calculated Nb–Cr–Si phase diagrams.     

Nb2O5/RGO Nanocomposite Modified Separators with Robust Polysulfide Traps and Catalytic Centers for Boosting Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have shown great potential for application in high‐density energy storage systems. However, the performance of LSBs is hindered by the shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Herein, heterostructual Nb₂O₅ nanocrystals/reduced graphene oxide (Nb₂O₅/RGO) composites are introduced into LSBs through separator modification for boosting the electrochemical performance. The Nb₂O₅/RGO heterostructures are designed as chemical trappers and conversion accelerators of LiPSs. Originating from the strong chemical interactions between Nb₂O₅ and LiPSs as well as the superior catalytic nature of Nb₂O₅, the Nb₂O₅/RGO nanocomposite possesses high trapping efficiency and efficient electrocatalytic activity to long‐chain LiPSs. The effective regulation of LiPSs conversion enables the LSBs enhanced redox kinetics and suppressed shuttle effect. Moreover, the Nb₂O₅/RGO nanocomposite has abundant sulfophilic sites and defective interfaces, which are beneficial for the nucleation and growth of Li₂S, as evidenced by analysis of the cycled separators. As a result, LSBs with the Nb₂O₅/RGO‐modified separators exhibit excellent rate capability (816 mAh g^?1 at 3 A g^?1) and cyclic performance (628 mAh g^?1 after 500 cycles). Remarkably, high specific capacity and stable cycling performance are demonstrated even at an elevated temperature of 50 °C or with higher sulfur loadings.     

T‐Nb2O5/C Nanofibers Prepared through Electrospinning with Prolonged Cycle Durability for High‐Rate Sodium–Ion Batteries Induced by Pseudocapacitance

Homogeneous ultrasmall T‐Nb₂O₅ nanocrystallites encapsulated in 1D carbon nanofibers (T‐Nb₂O₅/CNFs) are prepared through electrospinning followed by subsequent pyrolysis treatment. In a Na half‐cell configuration, the obtained T‐Nb₂O₅/CNFs with the merits of unique microstructures and inherent pseudocapacitance, deliver a stable capacity of 150 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ over 5000 cycles. Even at an ultrahigh charge–discharge rate of 8 A g⁻¹, a high reversible capacity of 97 mAh g⁻¹ is still achieved. By means of kinetic analysis, it is demonstrated that the larger ratio of surface Faradaic reactions of Nb₂O₅ at high rates is the major factor to achieve excellent rate performance. The prolonged cycle durability and excellent rate performance endows T‐Nb₂O₅/CNFs with potentials as anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.     

Mesopore‐Induced Ultrafast Na+‐Storage in T‐Nb2O5/Carbon Nanofiber Films toward Flexible High‐Power Na‐Ion Capacitors

Hybrid Na‐ion capacitors (NICs) are receiving considerable interest because they combine the merits of both batteries and supercapacitors and because of the low‐cost of sodium resources. However, further large‐scale deployment of NICs is impeded by the sluggish diffusion of Na⁺ in the anode. To achieve rapid redox kinetics, herein the controlled fabrication of mesoporous orthorhombic‐Nb₂O₅ (T‐Nb₂O₅)/carbon nanofiber (CNF) networks is demonstrated via in situ SiO₂‐etching. The as‐obtained mesoporous T‐Nb₂O₅ (m‐Nb₂O₅)/CNF membranes are mechanically flexible without using any additives, binders, or current collectors. The in situ formed mesopores can efficiently increase Na⁺‐storage performances of the m‐Nb₂O₅/CNF electrode, such as excellent rate capability (up to 150 C) and outstanding cyclability (94% retention after 10 000 cycles at 100 C). A flexible NIC device based on the m‐Nb₂O₅/CNF anode and the graphene framework (GF)/mesoporous carbon nanofiber (mCNF) cathode, is further constructed, and delivers an ultrahigh power density of 60 kW kg^?1 at 55 Wh kg^?1 (based on the total weight of m‐Nb₂O₅/CNF and GF/mCNF). More importantly, owing to the free‐standing flexible electrode configuration, the m‐Nb₂O₅/CNF//GF/mCNF NIC exhibits high volumetric energy and power densities (11.2 mWh cm^?3, 5.4 W cm^?3) based on the full device, which holds great promise in a wide variety of flexible electronics.     

Effects of Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> doping on the microstructure and the dielectric temperature characteristics of barium titanate ceramics

In this work, the effects of Nb₂O₅ addition on the dielectric properties and phase formation of BaTiO₃ were investigated. A core–shell structure was formed for Nb-doped BaTiO₃ resulted from a low diffusivity of Nb⁵⁺ ions into BaTiO₃ when grain growth was inhibited. In the case of 0.3–4.8 mol% Nb₂O₅ additions, two dielectric constant peaks were observed. The Curie dielectric peak was determined by the ferroelectric-paraelectric transition of grain core, whereas the secondary broad peak at lower temperature was due to strong chemical inhomogeneity in Nb-doped BaTiO₃ ceramics. The dielectric constant peak at Curie temperature was markedly depressed with the addition of Nb₂O₅. On the other hand, the secondary dielectric constant peak was enhanced when sintered above 1280 °C for higher Nb₂O₅ concentrations (≥1.2 mol%). The Curie temperature was shifted to higher temperatures, whereas the transition temperature corresponding to the secondary peak moved to lower temperatures as increasing the amount of Nb₂O₅ more than 1.2 mol%. The decrease of this lower transition temperature was assumed to be closely related with the secondary phase formation when Nb concentration greater than 1.2 mol%. From XRD analyses, a large amount of secondary phases was observed when Nb₂O₅ amount exceeded 1.2 mol%. The coefficients of thermal expansion of Nb-doped BaTiO₃ were increased with increasing Nb₂O₅ contents, resulting in large internal stress between cores and shells. Therefore, the shift of Curie temperature to higher temperatures was attributed to internal stress resulting from the formation of a core–shell structure and a large amount of secondary phase grains.     

Sintering behaviour of Nb–16Si–25Ti–8Hf–2Cr–2Al alloy powder fabricated by a hydrogenation–dehydrogenation method

The present study investigated the sintering behaviour of Nb–16Si–25Ti–8Hf–2Cr–2Al alloy powders. The alloy powders were produced using ahydrogenation–dehydrogenation method and featured an irregular morphology. Powders sintered at 1500°C and 1600°C exhibited pores in their microstructures, while powders sintered at 1700°C for 4?h were fully densified and poreless. The cast ingot and powders were composed of three phases: Nb_ss, Nb₅Si₃, and Nb₃Si. However, the Nb₃Si phase was not observed, while HfO₂ oxides formed in the sintered compact. The hafnium and oxygen reacted to form an HfO₂ oxide during the high-temperature sintering process. From the result of the thermodynamic calculation, Hf oxide formed after sintering because Hf has the highest driving force for oxidation among the elements constituting the alloy.     

2D Perovskite Sr2Nb3O10 for High-Performance UV Photodetectors

2D perovskites, due to their unique properties and reduced dimension, are promising candidates for future optoelectronic devices. However, the development of stable and nontoxic 2D wide-bandgap perovskites remains a challenge. 2D all-inorganic perovskite Sr₂Nb₃O₁₀ (SNO) nanosheets with thicknesses down to 1.8 nm are synthesized by liquid exfoliation, and for the first time, UV photodetectors (PDs) based on individual few-layer SNO sheets are investigated. The SNO sheet-based PDs exhibit excellent UV detecting performance (narrowband responsivity = 1214 A W⁻¹, external quantum efficiency = 5.6 × 10⁵%, detectivity = 1.4 × 10¹⁴ Jones @270 nm, 1 V bias), and fast response speed (t_rise ≈ 0.4 ms, t_decay ≈ 40 ms), outperforming most reported individual 2D sheet-based UV PDs. Furthermore, the carrier transport properties of SNO and the performance of SNO-based phototransistors are successfully controlled by gate voltage. More intriguingly, the photodetecting performance and carrier transport properties of SNO sheets are dependent on their thickness. In addition, flexible and transparent PDs with high mechanical stability are easily fabricated based on SNO nanosheet film. This work sheds light on the development of high-performance optoelectronics based on low-dimensional wide-bandgap perovskites in the future.     

The Effect of Excess Aluminum on the Composition and Microstructure of Nb-Al Alloys Produced by Aluminothermic Reduction of Nb2O5

Intermetallic aluminides including those phases of the Nb-Al system are of interest for high-temperature structural applications. Through aluminothermic reduction (ATR) of Nb₂O₅ different alloys of the Nb-Al system can be produced by varying the amount of aluminum (excess aluminum) in the thermit charge. In this work, various Nb-Al alloys were produced by varying Nb₂O₅ and Al powder blends. The resulting alloys were characterized by chemical analysis (Al, O, and C), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The aluminum content of the alloys increased linearly from 14.5 to 50.4 at% as the excess Al was varied from 10 up to 60% over the stoichiometric amount to reduce the Nb₂O₅. The carbon content was lower than 300 wt-ppm. The oxygen content decreases with increasing excess Al, reaching 1300 wt-ppm for the alloy produced with 60% excess Al. The inclusion content (Al₂O₃) decreases significantly as the excess Al is increased. The following metallic phases were identified in the alloys: Nb_ss (niobium solid solution) and Nb₃Al (alloy produced with 10% excess Al); Nb₃Al (alloys produced with 15 and 20% excess Al); Nb₃Al, Nb₂Al, and NbAl₃ (alloy produced with 30% excess Al); and Nb₂Al and NbAl₃ (alloys produced with 40, 50, and 60% excess Al).     

Structure and microwave dielectric properties of Ba3Ti4−x (Fe1/2Nb1/2) x Nb4O21 solid solutions

Ba₃Ti_4−x (Fe_1/2Nb_1/2) _x Nb₄O₂₁ (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) ceramics with the substitution of (Fe_1/2Nb_1/2) for Ti were investigated. The modified Ba₃Ti₄Nb₄O₂₁ dielectric ceramics prepared via the solid state reaction route exhibited single hexagonal structure. The dielectric constant and the quality factor of Ba₃Ti_4−x (Fe_1/2Nb_1/2) _x Nb₄O₂₁ (0 ≤ x ≤ 4) ceramics decreased with an increase of x. Improved temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency of samples was obtained by the substitution of (Fe_1/2Nb_1/2) for Ti. Optimal microwave dielectric properties of ε _r = 50, Q × f = 5200 GHz, and τ _f = 10 ppm/°C in Ba₃Ti₂(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)₂Nb₄O₂₁ were obtained, which indicated its potential for microwave application.     

Polarization-Independent Second Harmonic Generation in 2D Van Der Waals Kagome Nb3SeI7 Crystals

Second harmonic generation (SHG) of 2D crystals has been of great interest due to its advantages of phase-matching and easy integration into nanophotonic devices. However, the polarization-dependence character of the SHG signal makes it highly troublesome but necessary to match the laser polarization orientation relative to the crystal, thus achieving the maximum polarized SHG intensity. Here, it is demonstrated a polarization-independent SHG, for the first time, in the van der Waals Nb₃SeI₇ crystals with a breathing Kagome lattice. The Nb₃ triangular clusters and Janus-structure of each Nb₃SeI₇ layer are confirmed by the STEM. Nb₃SeI₇ flake shows a strong SHG response due to its noncentrosymmetric crystal structure. More interestingly, the SHG signals of Nb₃SeI₇ are independent of the polarization of the excitation light owing to the in-plane isotropic arrangement of nonlinear active units. This work provides the first layered nonlinear optical crystal with the polarization-independent SHG effect, providing new possibilities for nonlinear optics.     

Mechanochemical synthesis, phase composition, and properties of Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-based ferroelectric ceramics

Pb-containing relaxor ferroelectric ceramics are prepared by mechanochemical ceramic processing. Mechanochemical reactions in binary and ternary mixtures of the PbO-ZnO-Nb₂O₅ system are studied by x-ray diffraction. Disordered compounds with the columbite, changbaiite, and pyrochlore structures are prepared. The perovskite and pyrochlore phases in 0.9Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ + 0.1ABO₃ morphotropic phase boundary materials are shown to be in mechanochemical equilibrium. Among the ABO₃ additives studied, BaMnO₃ is the most effective for stabilizing the perovskite structure. The mechanochemical synthesis path has a strong effect on the phase composition of the resulting material. Conventional synthesis through a columbite phase leads to the predominant formation of a pyrochlore phase. Firing conditions also have a profound effect on the phase composition of the ceramics, but the disordered perovskite phase retains cubic symmetry.     

Intercalating Ti2Nb14O39 Anode Materials for Fast‐Charging,High‐Capacity and Safe Lithium–Ion Batteries

Ti–Nb–O binary oxide materials represent a family of promising intercalating anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. In additional to their excellent capacities (388–402 mAh g^–1), these materials show excellent safety characteristics, such as an operating potential above the lithium plating voltage and minimal volume change. Herein, this study reports a new member in the Ti–Nb–O family, Ti₂Nb₁₄O₃₉, as an advanced anode material. Ti₂Nb₁₄O₃₉ porous spheres (Ti₂Nb₁₄O₃₉‐S) exhibit a defective shear ReO₃ crystal structure with a large unit cell volume and a large amount of cation vacancies (0.85% vs all cation sites). These morphological and structural characteristics allow for short electron/Li⁺‐ion transport length and fast Li⁺‐ion diffusivity. Consequently, the Ti₂Nb₁₄O₃₉‐S material delivers significant pseudocapacitive behavior and excellent electrochemical performances, including high reversible capacity (326 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 C), high first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency (87.5%), safe working potential (1.67 V vs Li/Li⁺), outstanding rate capability (223 mAh g^–1 at 40 C) and durable cycling stability (only 0.032% capacity loss per cycle over 200 cycles at 10 C). These impressive results clearly demonstrate that Ti₂Nb₁₄O₃₉‐S can be a promising anode material for fast‐charging, high capacity, safe and stable lithium‐ion batteries.     

Microstructure and electrical properties of Nb2O5 doped titanium dioxide

The present work attempts to investigate the sintering characteristics, grain boundary morphology and electric conductivity of Nb₂O₅ doped TiO₂ semiconductor ceramics. X-ray diffraction results showed evidence of a second phase beside the rutile TiO₂ when Nb₂O₅ exceeds 0.7 mol%. SEM images showed that Nb₂O₅ doping can lowers the sintering temperature of TiO₂, although not significantly. Lattice images of the grain boundary morphology obtained by high resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed defects introduced from the doping. Grain boundaries vary from amorphous to a faceted structure. Finally, electrical conductivity measurements showed that the grain boundary resistance is greatly reduced at high temperature.     

Influence of Nb2O5 doped amount on the property of BCTZ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics doped with Li2CO3

Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Ti_0.9Zr_0.1O₃ (BCTZ) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics doped with Nb₂O₅ (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 wt%) and Li₂CO₃ (0.6 wt%) were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. Influence of Nb₂O₅ doping amount on the piezoelectric property, dielectric property, phase composition and microstructure of prepared BCTZ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics doped with Li₂CO₃ were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and other analytical methods. The results showed that the sintered temperature decreased greatly when the BCTZ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were co-doped with Nb₂O₅ and Li₂CO₃; a pure perovskite structure of BCTZ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics co-doped with Nb₂O₅ and Li₂CO₃ sintered at 1,020 °C could be also obtained. The grain size decreased when Nb₂O₅ doping amount increased. The piezoelectric constant (d₃₃), the planar electromechanical coupling factor (k_p), the relative dielectric constant (ε_r) of BCTZ ceramics doped with Li₂CO₃ increased firstly and then decreased, the dielectric loss (tanδ) decreased firstly and then increased when Nb₂O₅ doping amount increased, indicating that Nb₂O₅ was “soft” additive. When Nb₂O₅ doping amount (z) was 0.7 wt% and Li₂CO₃ doping amount was 0.6 wt%, the BCTZ ceramics sintered at 1,020 °C possessed the best piezoelectric property and dielectric property, which d₃₃ was 238 pC/N, k_p was 29.33 %, ε_r was 4,691, tanδ was 2.07 %.     

Low-temperature fabrication of BaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics by reaction controlled sintering

Reaction controlled sintering was applied to the fabrication of BaBi₂Nb₂O₉ (BBN) ceramics at lower temperature. A powder mixture of BaCO₃ and Nb₂O₅ was heated at 600 °C in a 1st step calcination to produce a binary precursor of BaNb₂O₆. The pre-heated powder was then mixed with a fixed amount of Bi₂O₃, which was subsequently pressed into a disk pellet. After a powder compact of the mixture was subjected to heating at 950 °C for 4 h, a BBN bulk sample with a relative density of 92% was successfully obtained. The low-temperature fabrication of dense BBN ceramics could be attributed to the inhibited formation of an intermediate phase of Ba₅ Nb₄O₁₅ and the production of submicron powder with an appropriate reactivity during a 1st step calcination.     

Synthesis and properties of homogeneously doped Nb2O5〈Dy〉 and a LiNbO3〈Dy〉growth charge

We have studied conditions for the synthesis of niobium pentoxide and a lithium niobate growth charge doped with dysprosium, which was added to niobium hydroxide obtained through extraction processing of rare-metal-containing raw materials. The phase composition of Nb₂O₅〈Dy〉 precursors was determined by X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in combination with a laser ablation sampling system, we examined the Dy dopant profile in Nb₂O₅ powder samples and the LiNbO₃ growth charge. The Nb₂O₅ precursors and the growth charge synthesized using them were shown to be chemically uniform in composition. The present results are of importance for the growth of defect-free lithium niobate single crystals of optical quality, highly uniform in composition, with a predetermined doping level.     

Microwave dielectric properties and compatibility with silver of low-fired Ba2Ti3Nb4O18 ceramics with BaCu(B2O5) addition

The effects of BaCu(B₂O₅) (BCB) additions on the sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties of Ba₂Ti₃Nb₄O₁₈ ceramic have been investigated. The addition of BCB can lower the sintering temperature of Ba₂Ti₃Nb₄O₁₈ ceramic from 1,250 to 900 °C and induce no obvious degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Typically, the 5 wt% BCB added Ba₂Ti₃Nb₄O₁₈ ceramic sintered at 900 °C for 2 h exhibited good microwave dielectric properties of Q × f = 17,600 GHz, ε _r = 38.2 and τ _f  = 7 ppm/°C. The dielectric ceramic demonstrated stability against the reaction with the Ag electrode, which suggests that the ceramics could be applied in multilayer microwave devices requiring low sintering temperatures.     

Phase equilibria in the RuO2−Bi2O3−CdO−Nb2O5 system

Interactions between the conductive phase in thick-film resistor materials (RuO₂ and Bi₂Ru₂O₇) and TCR modifiers (CdO and Nb₂O₅) were studied. Phase equilibria in the RuO₂−Bi₂O₃−CdO, RuO₂−Bi₂O₃−Nb₂O₅ and RuO₂−CdO−Nb₂O₅ systems were examined. The lines in the systems were established. The existence of a solid solution of composition Bi _2−x Cd _x Ru₂O _7−x/2 was confirmed.