Bamboo‐Like Hollow Tubes with MoS2/N‐Doped‐C Interfaces Boost Potassium‐Ion Storage

Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are new‐concept of low‐cost secondary batteries, but the sluggish kinetics and huge volume expansion during cycling, both rooted in the size of large K ions, lead to poor electrochemical behavior. Here, a bamboo‐like MoS₂/N‐doped‐C hollow tubes are presented with an expanded interlayer distance of 10 Å as a high‐capacity and stable anode material for KIBs. The bamboo‐like structure provides gaps along axial direction in addition to inner cylinder hollow space to mitigate the strains in both radial and vertical directions that ultimately leads to a high structural integrity for stable long‐term cycling. Apart from being a constituent of the interstratified structure the N‐doped‐C layers weave a cage to hold the potassiation products (polysulfide and the Mo nanoparticles) together, thereby effectively hindering the continuing growth of solid electrolyte interphase in the interior of particles. The density functional theory calculations prove that the MoS₂/N‐doped‐C atomic interface can provide an additional attraction toward potassium ion. As a result, it delivers a high capacity at a low current density (330 mAh g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1 after 50 cycles) and a high‐capacity retention at a high current density (151 mAh g^?1 at 500 mA g^?1 after 1000 cycles).     

Freestanding Metallic 1T MoS2 with Dual Ion Diffusion Paths as High Rate Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

This work studies for the first time the metallic 1T MoS₂ sandwich grown on graphene tube as a freestanding intercalation anode for promising sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Sodium is earth‐abundant and readily accessible. Compared to lithium, the main challenge of sodium‐ion batteries is its sluggish ion diffusion kinetic. The freestanding, porous, hollow structure of the electrode allows maximum electrolyte accessibility to benefit the transportation of Na⁺ ions. Meanwhile, the metallic MoS₂ provides excellent electron conductivity. The obtained 1T MoS₂ electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance: a high reversible capacity of 313 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 0.05 A g^?1 after 200 cycles and a high rate capability of 175 mAh g^?1 at 2 A g^?1. The underlying mechanism of high rate performance of 1T MoS₂ for SIBs is the high electrical conductivity and excellent ion accessibility. This study sheds light on using the 1T MoS₂ as a novel anode for SIBs.     

Designing 3D Biomorphic Nitrogen‐Doped MoSe2/Graphene Composites toward High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Capacitors

Potassium‐ion hybrid capacitors (KICs) reconciling the advantages of batteries and supercapacitors have stimulated growing attention for practical energy storage because of the high abundance and low cost of potassium sources. Nevertheless, daunting challenge remains for developing high‐performance potassium accommodation materials due to the large radius of potassium ions. Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) has recently been recognized as a promising anode material for potassium‐ion batteries, achieving high capacity and favorable cycling stability. However, KICs based on MoSe₂ are scarcely demonstrated by far. Herein, a diatomite‐templated synthetic strategy is devised to fabricate nitrogen‐doped MoSe₂/graphene (N‐MoSe₂/G) composites with favorable pseudocapacitive potassium storage targeting a superior anode material for KICs. Benefiting from the unique biomorphic structure, high electron/K‐ion conductivity, enriched active sites, and the conspicuous pseudocapacitive effect of N‐MoSe₂/G, thus‐derived KIC full‐cell manifests high energy/power densities (maximum 119 Wh kg^?1/7212 W kg^?1), outperforming those of recently reported KIC counterparts. Furthermore, the potassium storage mechanism of N‐MoSe₂/G composite is systematically explored with the aid of first‐principles calculations in combination of in situ X‐ray diffraction and ex situ Raman spectroscopy/transmission electron microscopy/X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Facile Spraying Synthesis and High‐Performance Sodium Storage of Mesoporous MoS2/C Microspheres

A facile one‐step spraying synthesis of MoS₂/C microspheres and their enhanced electrochemical performance as anode of sodium‐ion batteries is reported. An aerosol spraying pyrolysis without any template is employed to synthesize MoS₂/C microspheres, in which ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets (≈2 nm) with enlarged interlayers (≈0.64 nm) are homogeneously embedded in mesoporous carbon microspheres. The as‐synthesized mesoporous MoS₂/C microspheres with 31 wt% carbon have been applied as an anode material for sodium ion batteries, demonstrating long cycling stability (390 mAh g^?1 after 2500 cycles at 1.0 A g^?1) and high rate capability (312 mAh g^?1 at 10.0 A g^?1 and 244 mAh g^?1 at 20.0 A g^?1). The superior electrochemical performance is due to the uniform distribution of ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets in mesoporous carbon frameworks. This kind of structure not only effectively improves the electronic and ionic transport through MoS₂/C microspheres, but also minimizes the influence of pulverization and aggregation of MoS₂ nanosheets during repeated sodiation and desodiation.     

Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) Derived Electrodes with Robust and Fast Lithium Storage for Li‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Hybrid metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrate great promise as ideal electrode materials for energy‐related applications. Herein, a well‐organized interleaved composite of graphene‐like nanosheets embedded with MnO₂ nanoparticles (MnO₂@C‐NS) using a manganese‐based MOF and employed as a promising anode material for Li‐ion hybrid capacitor (LIHC) is engineered. This unique hybrid architecture shows intriguing electrochemical properties including high reversible specific capacity 1054 mAh g^?1 (close to the theoretical capacity of MnO₂, 1232 mAh g^?1) at 0.1 A g^?1 with remarkable rate capability and cyclic stability (90% over 1000 cycles). Such a remarkable performance may be assigned to the hierarchical porous ultrathin carbon nanosheets and tightly attached MnO₂ nanoparticles, which provide structural stability and low contact resistance during repetitive lithiation/delithiation processes. Moreover, a novel LIHC is assembled using a MnO₂@C‐NS anode and MOF derived ultrathin nanoporous carbon nanosheets (derived from other potassium‐based MOFs) cathode materials. The LIHC full‐cell delivers an ultrahigh specific energy of 166 Wh kg^?1 at 550 W kg^?1 and maintained to 49.2 Wh kg^?1 even at high specific power of 3.5 kW kg^?1 as well as long cycling stability (91% over 5000 cycles). This work opens new opportunities for designing advanced MOF derived electrodes for next‐generation energy storage devices.     

Densified Metallic MoS2/Graphene Enabling Fast Potassium‐Ion Storage with Superior Gravimetric and Volumetric Capacities

The potassium‐ion battery (PIB) is an attractive energy storage device that possesses the potential advantages of high energy density and low cost. Herein, a pure 1T‐MoS₂ is synthesized on graphene oxide and assembled into a hydrogel. The hydrogel is further tightened to a compact 1T‐MoS₂/graphene (CTMG) bulk by a densifying strategy of capillary tension. When employed as an anode for PIBs, the CTMG electrode can store K⁺ through reversible intercalation and conversion electrochemistry, accompanied with fast kinetics since the 1T‐MoS₂ induces a pseudocapacitive storage mechanism and the extraordinary K⁺ transportation ability. Consequently, the CTMG electrode delivers the high and reversible rate capacities of 511 and 327 mAh g^‐1 at 0.1 and 1 A g^‐1, respectively. Moreover, the compact architecture reduces the electrode thickness by ≈33% enabling a high volumetric capacity (512 mAh cm^‐3 at 0.1 A g^‐1 after 100 cycles), as well as holding a promising application in thick electrode.     

Ultrathin MoS2 Nanosheets@Metal Organic Framework‐Derived N‐Doped Carbon Nanowall Arrays as Sodium Ion Battery Anode with Superior Cycling Life and Rate Capability

This study reports the design and fabrication of ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets@metal organic framework‐derived N‐doped carbon nanowall array hybrids on flexible carbon cloth (CC@CN@MoS₂) as a free‐standing anode for high‐performance sodium ion batteries. When evaluated as an anode for sodium ion battery, the as‐fabricated CC@CN@MoS₂ electrode exhibits a high capacity (653.9 mA h g^?1 of the second cycle and 619.2 mA h g^?1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g^?1), excellent rate capability, and long cycling life stability (265 mA h g^?1 at 1 A g^?1 after 1000 cycles). The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unique 2D hybrid structures, in which the ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets with expanded interlayers can provide shortened ion diffusion paths and favorable Na⁺ insertion/extraction space, and the porous N‐doped carbon nanowall arrays on flexible carbon cloth are able to improve the conductivity and maintain the structural integrity. Moreover, the N‐doping‐induced defects also make them favorable for the effective storage of sodium ions, which enables the enhanced capacity and rate performance of MoS₂.     

Self‐Assembling of Conductive Interlayer‐Expanded WS2 Nanosheets into 3D Hollow Hierarchical Microflower Bud Hybrids for Fast and Stable Sodium Storage

Transition‐metal dichalcogenides have emerged as promising anodes of sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Their practical SIB application calls for an easy‐to‐handle synthetic technique capable of fabricating favorable properties with high conductivity and stable structure. Here, a solvothermal strategy is reported for bottom‐up self‐assembling of nanoflowers' building block, i.e., conductive interlayer‐expanded 2D WS₂ nanosheets thanks to in situ interlayer modification by nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix, into 3D hollow microflower bud‐like hybrids (H‐WS₂@NC). The 3D nano/microhierarchical hollow structures are constructed by conductive interlayer‐expanded WS₂ nanosheets' building blocks, providing abundant channels facilitating mass transport/electrons transfer, robust protection layer to avoid the direct contact between WS₂ nanosheets and electrolyte, sufficient inner space for accommodating volume variation, and decreased ions diffusion energy barrier for accelerating electrochemical kinetics, as revealed by density functional theory calculations. As such, the 3D H‐WS₂@NC hybrids exhibit quite attractive sodium storage performance with high reversible capacity, superior rate capability, and impressively long cycling life. The 3D H‐WS₂@NC is further verified as anode of sodium‐ion full cell pairing with Na₃V₂(PO4)₃/rGO cathode, delivering a stable reversible capacity of 296 mAh g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1 with high energy density of 128 Wh kg^?1_total at a power density of 386 W kg^?1_total.     

Electrochemical Mechanism Investigation of Cu2MoS4 Hollow Nanospheres for Fast and Stable Sodium Ion Storage

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to lithium ion batteries with advantages of cost effectiveness. Metal sulfides as emerging SIB anodes have relatively high electronic conductivity and high theoretical capacity, however, large volume change during electrochemical testing often leads to unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. Herein bimetallic sulfide Cu₂MoS₄ (CMS) with layered crystal structures are prepared with glucose addition (CMS1), resulting in the formation of hollow nanospheres that endow large interlayer spacing, benefitting the rate performance and cycling stability. The electrochemical mechanisms of CMS1 are investigated using ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, revealing the conversion‐based mechanism in carbonate electrolyte and intercalation‐based mechanism in ether‐electrolyte, thus allowing fast and reversible Na⁺ storage. With further introduction of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), CMS1–rGO composites are obtained, maintaining the hollow structure of CMS1. CMS1–rGO delivers excellent rate performance (258 mAh g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1 and 131.9 mAh g^?1 at 5000 mA g^?1) and notably enhanced cycling stability (95.6% after 2000 cycles). A full cell SIB is assembled by coupling CMS1–rGO with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃‐based cathode, delivering excellent cycling stability (75.5% after 500 cycles). The excellent rate performance and cycling stability emphasize the advantage of CMS1–rGO toward advanced SIB full cells assembly.     

Homogeneous Intercalation Chemistry and Ultralow Strain of 1T’’’ MoS2 for Stable Potassium Storage

Intercalation anodes usually exhibit better cyclability than conversion and alloying anodes for lithium or sodium storage due to the robust layered structure. However, for larger-sized potassium accommodation, these intercalation anodes usually undergo huge layer expansion and structural distortion, triggering severe capacity fading. Herein, the novel 1T’’’ MoS₂ is revealed the intercalation anode for stable K⁺ storage, in which metallic Mo─Mo bonds and puckered S layers accelerate the charge transfer and homogeneous K⁺ insertion. Moreover, the ultralow strain (3.5%) induced by the non-detachable potassium ions pillar sustains the layered structure. Consequently, 1T’’’ MoS₂ achieves a reversible capacity of 125 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2 C and keeps nearly 100% capacity retention at 1 C over 500 cycles. In situ characterizations and density functional theory simulations reveal the in-depth intercalation reaction accompanied by the MoS₂ phase transformation between 1T’’’ and 1T’ during cycling. Furthermore, a 1T’’’ MoS₂//MCMB K-dual ion battery displays a superior cycling lifespan with 98% capacity retention over 250 cycles. This study provides a new intercalation anode and contribute to the electrode design for stable potassium ion storage.     

An Ultrastable Nonaqueous Potassium‐Ion Hybrid Capacitor

Potassium‐ion hybrid capacitors (PIHCs) show great potential in large‐scale energy storage due to the advantages of electrochemical capacitors and potassium‐ion batteries. However, their development remains at the preliminary stage and is mainly limited by the kinetic imbalance between the two electrodes. Herein, an architecture of NbSe₂ nanosheets embedded in N, Se co‐doped carbon nanofibers (NbSe₂/NSeCNFs) as flexible, free‐standing, and binder‐free anodes for PIHCs is reported. The NbSe₂/NSeCNFs with hierarchically porous structure and N, Se co‐doping afford highly efficient channels for fast transportation of potassium ions and electrons during repeated cycling process. Furthermore, excellent electrochemical reversibility of the NbSe₂/NSeCNFs electrode is demonstrated through in situ XRD, in situ Raman, ex situ transmission electron microscopy and element mapping. Thus, PIHCs with the NbSe₂/NSeCNFs anode and active carbon cathode achieve a high energy of 145 W h kg^?1 at a current density of 50 mA g^?1, as well as an ultra‐long cycle life of over 10 000 cycles at a high current density of 2 A g^?1. These results indicate that the assembled PIHCs display great potential for applications in the field of ultra‐long cycling energy storage devices.     

Atomic Sulfur Covalently Engineered Interlayers of Ti3C2 MXene for Ultra‐Fast Sodium‐Ion Storage by Enhanced Pseudocapacitance

2D MXenes have been widely applied in the field of electrochemical energy storage owning to their high electrical conductivity and large redox‐active surface area. However, electrodes made from multilayered MXene with small interlayer spacing exhibit sluggish kinetics with low capacity for sodium‐ion storage. Herein, Ti₃C₂ MXene with expanded and engineered interlayer spacing for excellent storage capability is demonstrated. After cetyltrimethylammonium bromide pretreatment, S atoms are successfully intercalated into the interlayer of Ti₃C₂ to form a desirable interlayer‐expanded structure via Ti? S bonding, while pristine Ti₃C₂ is hardly to be intercalated. When the annealing temperature is 450 °C, the S atoms intercalated Ti₃C₂ (CT‐S@Ti₃C₂‐450) electrode delivers the improved Na‐ion capacity of 550 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1 (≈120 mAh g^?1 at 15 A g^?1, the best MXene‐based Na⁺‐storage rate performance reported so far), and excellent cycling stability over 5000 cycles at 10 A g^?1 by enhanced pseudocapacitance. The enhanced sodium‐ion storage capability has also been verified by theoretical calculations and kinetic analysis. Coupling the CT‐S@Ti₃C₂‐450 anode with commercial AC cathode, the assembled Na⁺ capacitor delivers high energy density (263.2 Wh kg^?1) under high power density (8240 W kg^?1), and outstanding cycling performance.     

In‐Plane Assembled Orthorhombic Nb2O5 Nanorod Films with High‐Rate Li+ Intercalation for High‐Performance Flexible Li‐Ion Capacitors

Organic hybrid supercapacitors that consist of a battery electrode and a capacitive electrode show greatly improved energy density, but their power density is generally limited by the poor rate capability of battery‐type electrodes. In addition, flexible organic hybrid supercapacitors are rarely reported. To address the above issues, herein an in‐plane assembled orthorhombic Nb₂O₅ nanorod film anode with high‐rate Li⁺ intercalation to develop a flexible Li‐ion hybrid capacitor (LIC) is reported. The binder‐/additive‐free film exhibits excellent rate capability (≈73% capacity retention with the rate increased from 0.5 to 20 C) and good cycling stability (>2500 times). Kinetic analyses reveal that the high rate performance is mainly attributed to the excellent in‐plane assembly of interconnected single‐crystalline Nb₂O₅ nanorods on the current collector, ensuring fast electron transport, facile Li‐ion migration in the porous film, and greatly reduced ion‐diffusion length. Using such a Nb₂O₅ film as anode and commercial activated carbon as cathode, a flexible LIC is designed. It delivers both high gravimetric and high volumetric energy/power densities (≈95.55 Wh kg^?1/5350.9 W kg^?1; 6.7 mW h cm^?3/374.63 mW cm^?3), surpassing previous typical Li‐intercalation electrode‐based LICs. Furthermore, this LIC device still keeps good electrochemical attributes even under serious bending states (30°–180°).     

A High‐Energy Lithium‐Ion Capacitor by Integration of a 3D Interconnected Titanium Carbide Nanoparticle Chain Anode with a Pyridine‐Derived Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Cathode

Lithium‐ion capacitors (LICs) are hybrid energy storage devices that have the potential to bridge the gap between conventional high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries and high‐power capacitors by combining their complementary features. The challenge for LICs has been to improve the energy storage at high charge?discharge rates by circumventing the discrepancy in kinetics between the intercalation anode and capacitive cathode. In this article, the rational design of new nanostructured LIC electrodes that both exhibit a dominating capacitive mechanism (both double layer and pseudocapacitive) with a diminished intercalation process, is reported. Specifically, the electrodes are a 3D interconnected TiC nanoparticle chain anode, synthesized by carbothermal conversion of graphene/TiO₂ hybrid aerogels, and a pyridine‐derived hierarchical porous nitrogen‐doped carbon (PHPNC) cathode. Electrochemical properties of both electrodes are thoroughly characterized which demonstrate their outstanding high‐rate capabilities. The fully assembled PHPNC//TiC LIC device delivers an energy density of 101.5 Wh kg^?1 and a power density of 67.5 kW kg^?1 (achieved at 23.4 Wh kg^?1), and a reasonably good cycle stability (≈82% retention after 5000 cycles) within the voltage range of 0.0?4.5 V.     

Fast Potassium Storage in Hierarchical Ca0.5Ti2(PO4)3@C Microspheres Enabling High‐Performance Potassium‐Ion Capacitors

Hybrid potassium‐ion capacitors (KICs) show great promise for large‐scale storage on the power grid because of cost advantages, the weaker Lewis acidity of K⁺ and low redox potential of K⁺/K. However, a huge challenge remains for designing high‐performance K⁺ storage materials since K⁺ ions are heavier and larger than Li⁺ and Na⁺. Herein, the synthesis of hierarchical Ca_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃@C microspheres by use of the electrospraying method is reported. Benefiting from the rich vacancies in the crystal structure and rational nanostructural design, the hybrid Ca_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃@C electrode delivers a high reversible capacity (239 mA h g^?1) and superior rate performance (63 mA h g^?1 at 5 A g^?1). Moreover, the KIC employing a Ca_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃@C anode and activated carbon cathode, affords a high energy/power density (80 W h kg^?1 and 5144 W kg^?1) in a potential window of 1.0–4.0 V, as well as a long lifespan of over 4000 cycles. In addition, in situ X‐ray diffraction is used to unravel the structural transition in Ca_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃, suggesting a two‐phase transition above 0.5 V during the initial discharge and solid solution processes during the subsequent K⁺ insertion/extraction. The present study demonstrates a low‐cost potassium‐based energy storage device with high energy/power densities and a long lifespan.     

Layered P2‐Type K0.65Fe0.5Mn0.5O2 Microspheres as Superior Cathode for High‐Energy Potassium‐Ion Batteries

Potassium‐ion batteries have been regarded as the potential alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to the low cost, earth abundance, and low potential of K (?2.936 vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)). However, the lack of low‐cost cathodes with high energy density and long cycle life always limits its application. In this work, high‐energy layered P2‐type hierarchical K_0.65Fe_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ (P2‐KFMO) microspheres, assembled by the primary nanoparticles, are fabricated via a modified solvent‐thermal method. Benefiting from the unique microspheres with primary nanoparticles, the K⁺ intercalation/deintercalation kinetics of P2‐KFMO is greatly enhanced with a stabilized cathodic electrolyte interphase on the cathode. The P2‐KFMO microsphere presents a highly reversible potassium storage capacity of 151 mAh g^?1 at 20 mA g^?1, fast rate capability of 103 mAh g^?1 at 100 mA g^?1, and long cycling stability with 78% capacity retention after 350 cycles. A full cell with P2‐KFMO microspheres as cathode and hard carbon as anode is constructed, which exhibits long‐term cycling stability (>80% of retention after 100 cycles). The present high‐performance P2‐KFMO microsphere cathode synthesized using earth‐abundant elements provides a new cost‐effective alternative to LIBs for large‐scale energy storage.     

Kinetics Enhanced Nitrogen‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Hollow Carbon Spheres Boosting Advanced Potassium‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Potassium‐ion hybrid capacitors (PIHCs) shrewdly combine a battery‐type anode and a capacitor‐type cathode, exhibiting an energy density close to that of potassium ion batteries and a comparable power density of supercapacitors. However, the rosy scenario is compromised by the sluggish kinetics in the PIHCs device. Herein, the kinetics enhanced nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous hollow carbon spheres (NHCS) are synthesized and successfully applied to PIHCs. As for the K half‐cell, NHCS anchored with sodium alginate delivers excellent electrochemical performance. Further evaluation shows that the binder can significantly affect the potassium storage performance of NHCS by adjusting the coatability and ionic conductivity of the NHCS anode. Moreover, kinetic analysis and density functional theory calculations reveal the origin of the superior electrochemical properties of NHCS. As expected, an advanced PIHC device is assembled with a NHCS anode and an activated NHCS cathode, demonstrating an exceptionally high energy/power density (114.2 Wh kg^?1 and 8203 W kg^?1), along with a long‐life capability. The successful construction of high‐performance PIHCs in this work opens a new avenue for the development and application of PIHCs in the future.     

Edge‐Enriched Ultrathin MoS2 Embedded Yolk‐Shell TiO2 with Boosted Charge Transfer for Superior Photocatalytic H2 Evolution

Exploring TiO₂‐photocatalysts for sunlight conversion has high demand in artificial photosynthesis. In this work, edge‐enriched ultrathin molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) flakes are uniformly embedded into the bulk of yolk‐shell TiO₂ as a cocatalyst to accelerate photogenerated‐electron transfer from the bulk to the surface of TiO₂. The as‐formed MoS₂/TiO₂ (0.14 wt%) hybrids exhibit a high hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 2443 µmol g^?1 h^?1, about 1000% and 470% of that of pristine TiO₂ (247 µmol g^?1 h^?1) and bulk MoS₂ decorated TiO₂ (513 µmol g^?1 h^?1). Such a greatly enhanced HER is attributed to the exposed catalytic edges of the ultrathin MoS₂ flakes with a robust chemical linkage (Ti? S bond), providing rapid charge transfer channels between TiO₂ and MoS₂. The catalytic stability is promoted by the antiaggregation of the highly dispersed MoS₂ flakes in the bulk of yolk‐shell TiO₂. The exponential fitted decay kinetics of time‐resolved photoluminescence (ns‐PL) spectra illustrates that embedding ultrathin MoS₂ flakes in TiO₂ effectively decreases the average lifetime of PL in the MoS₂/TiO₂ hybrids (τ_ave = 4.55 ns), faster than that of pristine TiO₂ (≈7.17 ns) and the bulk MoS₂/TiO₂ (≈6.13 ns), allowing a superior charge separation and charge trapping process for reducing water.     

Local Built‐In Electric Field Enabled in Carbon‐Doped Co3O4 Nanocrystals for Superior Lithium‐Ion Storage

In this work, a novel concept of introducing a local built‐in electric field to facilitate lithium‐ion transport and storage within interstitial carbon (C‐) doped nanoarchitectured Co₃O₄ electrodes for greatly improved lithium‐ion storage properties is demonstrated. The imbalanced charge distribution emerging from the C‐dopant can induce a local electric field, to greatly facilitate charge transfer. Via the mechanism of “surface locking” effect and in situ topotactic conversion, unique sub‐10 nm nanocrystal‐assembled Co₃O₄ hollow nanotubes (HNTs) are formed, exhibiting excellent structural stability. The resulting C‐doped Co₃O₄ HNT‐based electrodes demonstrate an excellent reversible capacity ≈950 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 0.5 A g^?1 and superior rate performance with ≈853 mA h g^?1 at 10 A g^?1.     

Optimization of Von Mises Stress Distribution in Mesoporous α‐Fe2O3/C Hollow Bowls Synergistically Boosts Gravimetric/Volumetric Capacity and High‐Rate Stability in Alkali‐Ion Batteries

Hollow structures are often used to relieve the intrinsic strain on metal oxide electrodes in alkali‐ion batteries. Nevertheless, one common drawback is that the large interior space leads to low volumetric energy density and inferior electric conductivity. Here, the von Mises stress distribution on a mesoporous hollow bowl (HB) is simulated via the finite element method, and the vital role of the porous HB structure on strain‐relaxation behavior is confirmed. Then, N‐doped‐C coated mesoporous α‐Fe₂O₃ HBs are designed and synthesized using a multistep soft/hard‐templating strategy. The material has several advantages: (i) there is space to accommodate strains without sacrificing volumetric energy density, unlike with hollow spheres; (ii) the mesoporous hollow structure shortens ion diffusion lengths and allows for high‐rate induced lithiation reactivation; and (iii) the N‐doped carbon nanolayer can enhance conductivity. As an anode in lithium‐ion batteries, the material exhibits a very high reversible capacity of 1452 mAh g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1, excellent cycling stability of 1600 cycles (964 mAh g^?1 at 2 A g^?1), and outstanding rate performance (609 mAh g^?1 at 8 A g^?1). Notably, the volumetric specific capacity of composite electrode is 42% greater than that of hollow spheres. When used in potassium‐ion batteries, the material also shows high capacity and cycle stability.