One-step accurate synthesis of shell controllable CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> hollow microspheres as high-performance electrode materials in supercapacitor

Multi-shelled CoFe₂O₄ hollow microspheres with a tunable number of layers (1–4) were successfully synthesized via a facile one-step method using cyclodextrin as a template, followed by calcination. The structural features, including the shell number and shell porosity, were controlled by adjusting the synthesis parameters to produce hollow spheres with excellent capacity and durability. This is a straightforward and general strategy for fabricating metal oxide or bimetallic metal oxide hollow microspheres with a tunable number of shells.

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Facile growth of homogeneous Ni(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript> coating on carbon nanosheets for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor applications

The growth of a Ni(OH)₂ coating on conductive carbon substrates is an efficient way to address issues related to their poor conductivity in electrochemical capacitor applications. However, the direct growth of nickel hydroxide coatings on a carbon substrate is challenging, because the surfaces of these systems are not compatible and a preoxidation treatment of the conductive carbon substrate is usually required. Herein, we present a facile preoxidation-free approach to fabricate a uniform Ni(OH)₂ coating on carbon nanosheets (CNs) by an ion-exchange reaction to achieve the in situ transformation of a MgO/C composite to a Ni(OH)₂/C one. The obtained Ni(OH)₂/CNs hybrids possess nanosheet morphology, a large surface area (278 m²/g), and homogeneous elemental distributions. When employed as supercapacitors in a three-electrode configuration, the Ni(OH)₂/CNs hybrid achieves a large capacitance of 2,218 F/g at a current density of 1.0 A/g. Moreover, asymmetric supercapacitors fabricated with the Ni(OH)₂/CNs hybrid exhibit superior supercapacitive performances, with a large capacity of 198 F/g, and high energy density of 56.7 Wh/kg at a power density of 4.0 kW/kg. They show excellent cycling stability with 93% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles, making the Ni(OH)₂/CNs hybrid a promising candidate for practical applications in supercapacitor devices.

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Nanowires assembled from MnCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@C nanoparticles for water splitting and all-solid-state supercapacitor

The rational design of earth-abundant catalysts with excellent water splitting activities is important to obtain clean fuels for sustainable energy devices. In this study, mixed transition metal oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogendoped carbon (denoted as AB₂O₄@NC) were developed using a one-pot protocol, wherein a metal–organic complex was adopted as the precursor. As a proof of concept, MnCo₂O₄@NC was used as an electrocatalyst for water oxidation, and demonstrated an outstanding electrocatalytic activity with low overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm^?1 (η ₁₀ = 287 mV), small Tafel slope (55 mV·dec^?1), and high stability (96% retention after 20 h). The excellent electrochemical performance benefited from the synergistic effects of the MnCo₂O₄ nanoparticles and nitrogen-doped carbon, as well as the assembled mesoporous nanowire structure. Finally, a highly stable all-solid-state supercapacitor based on MnCo₂O₄@NC was demonstrated (1.5% decay after 10,000 cycles).

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TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanosheets with exposed {001} facets for photocatalytic applications

TiO₂ nanosheets with highly reactive {001} facets ({001}-TiO₂) have attracted great attention in the fields of science and technology because of their unique properties. In recent years, many efforts have been made to synthesize {001}-TiO₂ and to explore their applications in photocatalysis. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in preparing {001}-TiO₂ using different techniques such as hydrothermal, solvothermal, alcohothermal, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and sol gel-based techniques. Furthermore, the enhanced efficiency of {001}-TiO₂ by modification of carbon materials, surface deposition of transition metals, and non-metal doping is reviewed. Then, the applications of {001}-TiO₂-based photocatalysts in the degradation of organic dyes, hydrogen evolution, carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, bacterial disinfection, and dye-sensitized solar cells are summarized. We believe this entire review on TiO₂ nanosheets with {001} facets can further inspire researchers in associated fields.

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Synthesis and crystal structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)(CO(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The complex [UO₂(OH)(CO(NH₂)₂)₃]₂(ClO₄)₂ (I) was synthesized. A single crystal X-ray diffraction study showed that compound I crystallizes in the triclinic system with the unit cell parameters a = 7.1410(2), b = 10.1097(2), c = 11.0240(4) Å, α = 104.648(1)°, β = 103.088(1)°, γ = 108.549(1)°, space group \(P\bar 1\), Z = 1, R = 0.0193. The uranium-containing structural units of the crystals are binuclear groups [UO₂(OH)· (CO(NH₂)₂)₃] ₂ ²⁺ belonging to crystal-chemical group AM²M ₃ ¹ [A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , M² = OH^?, M¹ = CO(NH₂)₂] of uranyl complexes. The crystal-chemical analysis of nonvalent interactions using the method of molecular Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra was performed, and the IR spectra of crystals of I were analyzed.     

Low-loss,high-purity (TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.25</Subscript> glass

By melting a mixture of high-purity oxides in a platinum crucible under flowing purified oxygen, we have prepared (TeO₂)_0.75(WO₃)_0.25 glass with a total content of 3d transition metals (Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, Cr, and V) within 0.4 ppm by weight, a concentration of scattering centers larger than 300 nm in size below 10² cm⁻³, and an absorption coefficient for OH groups (λ ∼ 3 μm) of 0.008 cm⁻¹. The absorption loss in the glass has been determined to be 115 dB/km at λ = 1.06 μm, 86 dB/km at λ = 1.56 μm, and 100 dB/km at λ = 1.97 μm. From reported specific absorptions of impurities in fluorozirconate glasses and the impurity composition of the glass studied here, the absorption loss at λ ∼ 2 μm has been estimated at ≤100 dB/km. The glass has been drawn into a glass-polymer fiber, and the optical loss spectrum of the fiber has been measured.     

Photoluminescence and raman spectra of (Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>(Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.05</Subscript> crystals

We have measured the photoluminescence and Raman spectra of (Ga₂S₃)_0.95(Sm₂O₃)_0.05 crystals and identified the mechanism of the energy transfer from the host to the rare-earth ion and the vibrational modes of the constituent atoms.     

Phonons in mixed superionic fluorites (BaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>(LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript>

In recent years, the fluorite-structured solid solutions with the general formula, (MF₂)_1-x(RF₃)_x (M = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb and R is a rare-earth element or Y), have been the subject of numerous experimental studies focussed on their superionic properties. The overall cubic crystal symmetry (space group Fm3m) is conserved up to x ≶ x_max, where x_max ⊁ 0.4-0.5 depending on M and R. The zone centre phonons and phonon dispersion along three symmetry directions of the mixed superionic compound (BaF₂)_1-x(LaF₃)_x have been investigated by applying de Launey angular force model for x ≶ x_max. The calculated results are compared and explained with available experimental results.     

Crystal structure of a complex of Pu(VI) nitrate with triphenylphosphine oxide, [PuO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OP(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Single crystals of [PuO₂(NO₃)₂(TPPO)₂] (TPPO = OPPh₃) isostructural to the related compounds of uranyl and neptunyl were isolated, and the structure of this complex was determined. Contrary to the complexes [AnO₂(TPPO)₄](ClO₄)₂ studied previously, the interatomic distances and volumes of coordination polyhedra of An in these compounds somewhat decrease in the series U-Np-Pu. This difference was attributed to a change in the number of TPPO ligands in the compounds and weakening of their interaction with oxygen atoms of the AnO ₂ ²⁺ groups in passing from [AnO₂(TPPO)₂](ClO₄)₂ to [AnO₂(No₃)₂(TPPO)₂].     

Specific absorption coefficient of chromium in (TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.80</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.20</Subscript> glass

We have prepared (TeO₂)_0.80(MoO₃)_0.20 glass samples containing 0.01 to 0.11 wt % chromium and determined their optical transmission in the range from 450 to 2800 nm. The glasses have been shown to have a strong absorption band centered at 660 nm. From the attenuation coefficient as a function of Cr³⁺ concentration in the glasses, we have evaluated their specific absorption coefficient, which has been shown to be 190 ± 2 cm^–1/wt % at the maximum of the absorption band.     

Hierarchical MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> intercalated clay hybrid nanosheets with enhanced catalytic activity

Emerging hierarchical MoSR/pillared-montmorillonite (MoS2/PMMT) hybrid nanosheets were successfully prepared through facile in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of MoS2 within the interlayer of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide PMMT,and their catalytic performance was evaluated by the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) using NaBH4 as a reductant.Microstructure and morphology characterization indicated that MoS2/PMMT exhibited hybrid-stacked layered structures with an interlayer spacing of 1.29 nm,and the MoS2 nanosheets were intercalated within the montmorillonite (MMT) layers,with most of the edges exposed to the outside.The catalytic activity and stability of MoS2/PMMT were both enhanced by the MMT.With the MoS2/PMMT as the catalyst,the apparent reaction rate constant of the 4-NP reduction was 0.723 min-1 and was maintained at ～0.679 min-1 after five reaction cycles.The structural evolution of MoS2/PMMT and the possible catalysis mechanism for the reduction reaction of 4-NP were investigated.The as-prepared MoS2/PMMT hybrid nanosheets are promising candidates for catalytic application in the water-treatment and biomedical fields.The strategy developed in this study can provide insights for designing hybrid nanosheets with diverse heterogeneous two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials.     

Liquid-phase epitaxy of NdAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Yb-doped YAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Epitaxial layers of NaAl₃(BO₃)₄ (NAB) and YAl₃(BO₃)₄〈Yb〉 (YAB〈Yb〉) containing up to 10 at % Yb have been grown by liquid-phase epitaxy on YAB substrates. Their growth kinetics have been studied at relative supersaturations of the high-temperature solution from 2 × 10^?2 to 16 × 10^?2. The ytterbium concentration in YAB〈Yb〉 has been shown to vary little during the epitaxial process. Near the edges of the substrate, the surface morphology of the layers is complicated by vicinals, which have a spiral form in the case of YAB〈Yb〉. On \(\{ 10\overline 1 1\} \) YAB substrates, homogeneous single-crystal NAB films have been grown.     

Photocurrent and Optical Transmission Spectra of Sn- and Pb-Doped (As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>(As<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.7</Subscript> Glass Films

The photocurrent and optical transmission spectra of thin (As₂S₃)_0.3(As₂Se₃)_0.7 glass films doped with Sn and Pb are reported. The strongest photoresponse is offered by the films doped with 0.010– 0.015 at % Sn or Pb. Low doping levels are shown to have a significant effect on the peak-response wavelength and band gap of the films.     

High-temperature crystal chemistry of Na<Subscript>6</Subscript>(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>O(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Thermal deformations of Na₆(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄ were studied by high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group Р\(\bar 1\), a = 7.636(7), b = 8.163(6), c = 8.746(4) Å, α = 72.32(9)°, β = 79.36(4)°, γ = 65.79(5)°, V = 472.74(4) ų. It is stable in the temperature interval 20–700°С. The thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) are α₁₁ = 25.5 × 10^–6, α₂₂ = 7.8 × 10^–6, and α₃₃ = 1.1 × 10^–6 (°C)^–1. The orientation of the TEC pattern relative to the crystallographic axes is a₃₃^Z = 45°, a₃₃^X = 122°, a₂₂^Z = 59°, and a₂₂^X = 66°. The anisotropy of the thermal expansion is due to specific features of the crystal structure of the compound.     

Bingham viscosity and yield stress of molten (TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.78</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.22</Subscript> glass

The flow of molten (TeO₂)_0.78(WO₂)_0.22 glass in a circular-cylindrical channel has been studied at temperatures from 390 to 430°C. The variation of the measured volumetric flow rate with the gas pressure over the melt attests to non-Newtonian flow behavior. The flow rates calculated in the pseudoplastic model were used to determine the yield stress and plastic (Bingham) viscosity of the melt.     

Synthesis and structure of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NCS)

The compound (NH₄)₃[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]₂(NCS) (I) was synthesized and examined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the rhombic system with the unit cell parameters a = 11.5546(4), b = 18.5548(7), c = 6.7222(3) Å, V = 1441.19(10) ų, space group P2₁2₁2, Z = 2, R = 0.0345. The uranium-containing structural units of crystals of I are isolated mononuclear groups [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]^? belonging to crystal-chemical group AB ₃ ⁰¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B⁰¹ = CH₃COO^?) of uranyl complexes. The specific features of packing of the uranium-containing complexes in the crystal structure are considered.     

An efficientfficient,controllable and facile two-step synthesis strategy: Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@RGO composites with various Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles and their supercapacitance properties

An efficient,controllable,and facile two-step synthetic strategy to prepare graphene-based nanocomposites is proposed.A series of Fe3O4-decorated reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4@RGO) nanocomposites incorporating Fe3O4 nanocrystals of various sizes were prepared by an ethanothermal method using graphene oxide (GO) and monodisperse Fe3O4 nanocrystals with diameters ranging from 4 to 10 nm.The morphologies and microstructures of the as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction,Raman spectroscopy,nitrogen adsorption measurements,and transmission electron microscopy.The results show that GO can be reduced to graphene during the ethanothermal process,and that the Fe3O4 nanocrystals are well dispersed on the graphene sheets generated in the process.The analysis of the electrochemical properties of the Fe3O4@RGO materials shows that nanocomposites prepared with Fe3O4 nanocrystals of different sizes exhibit different electrochemical performances.Among all samples,Fe3O4@RGO prepared with Fe3O4 nanocrystals of 6 nm diameter possessed the highest specific capacitance of 481 F/g at 1 A/g,highlighting the excellent capability of this material.This work illustrates a promising route to develop graphene-based nanocomposite materials with a wide range of potential applications.     

Synthesis and crystal structure CoNi<Subscript>2</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new metal orthoborate compound, cobalt dinickel orthoborate, CoNi₂(BO₃)₂ has been successfully synthesized for the first time. The title compound was synthesized by thermally-induced solid-state chemical reaction at 900°C between the initial reagents of Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and H₃BO₃ which were mixed with the mol ratio of 1: 2: 2 respectively. The obtained product was structurally characterized by X-ray powder diffraction technique. It has been found that the CoNi₂(BO₃)₂ crystallizes in the kotoite type and isostructural with the compounds having the chemical formula M₃(BO₃)₂ where M—Mg, Co and Ni. The synthesized compound belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system with the refined unit cell parameters of a = 5.419(9) Å, b = 8.352(0) Å, c = 4.478(8) Å and Z = 2. The space group was determined as Pnmn. Further characterizations by FTIR, elemental analysis and thermal analysis were also performed.     

Phase transitions of the NASICON-type mixed phosphates LiM<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> (M = Ti,Zr) and LiInNb(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The structural phase transitions of LiTi₂(PO₄)₃, LiInNb(PO₄)₃, and LiZr₂(PO₄)₃ have been studied by X-ray diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, ⁷Li NMR spectroscopy, and calorimetry. The results indicate that, as the temperature is raised, the lithium ions in the structure of LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ and LiInNb(PO₄)₃ redistribute between the M1 and M2 sites. The thermal expansion coefficients along the crystallographic axes of LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ and LiInNb(PO₄)₃ are estimated.     

Crystal structure of [CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>][(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of a previously unknown compound [CH₃NH₃][(UO₂)(H₂AsO₄)₃] was solved by direct methods and refined to R ₁ = 0.038 for 3041 reflections with |F _hkl | >-4σ |F _hkl |. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c, a = 8.980(1), b = 21.767(2), c = 7.867(1) Å, β = 115.919(5)°, V = 1383.1(3) ų, Z = 4. In the structure of the compound, pentagonal bipyramids of uranyl ions, sharing bridging atoms with tetrahedral [H₂AsO₄]^? anions, form strongly corrugated layered complexes [(UO₂)(H₂AsO₄)₃]^? arranged parallel to the (100) plane. The protonated methylamine molecules [CH₃NH₃]⁺ form unidimensional tapelike packings parallel to the c axis and linked by hydrophilic-hydro-phobic interactions. The topology of the layered uranyl arsenate complex [(UO₂)(H₂AsO₄)₃]^? is unusual for uranyl compounds and was not observed previously. A specific feature of this topology is the presence of monodentate arsenate “branches” arranged within the layer.