Fast Li+ Transport via Silica Network-Driven Nanochannels in Ionomer-in-Framework for Lithium Metal Batteries

For the development of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs), a high-porous silica aerogel (SA)-reinforced single-Li⁺ conducting nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NPE) is prepared via two-step selective functionalization. The mesoporous SA is introduced as a mechanical framework for NPE as well as a channel for fast lithium cation migration. Two types of monomers containing weak-binding imide anions and Li⁺ cations are synthesized and used to prepare NPEs, where these monomers are grafted in SA to produce SA-based NPEs (SANPEs) as ionomer-in-framework. This hybrid SANPE exhibits high ionic conductivities (≈10⁻³ S cm⁻¹), high modulus (≈10⁵ Pa), high lithium transference number (0.84), and wide electrochemical window (>4.8 V). The resultant SANPE in the lithium symmetric cell possesses long-term cyclic stability without short-circuiting over 800 h under 0.2 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, the LiFePO₄|SANPE|Li solid-state batteries present a high discharge capacity of 167 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, good rate capability up to 1 C, wide operating temperatures (from −10 to 40 °C), and a stable cycling performance with 97% capacity retention and 100% coulombic efficiency after 75 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C. The SANPE demonstrates a new design principle for solid-state electrolytes, allowing for a perfect complex between inorganic silica and organic polymer, for high-energy-density LMBs.     

Freely Tailorable Yolk-Shell Encapsulation: Versatile Applications in Ultralow-k Dielectric,Drug Delivery Systems,and Catalysts

Herein, a facile, controllable, and versatile method is reported to prepare monodisperse yolk-shell and yolk-multishell silica nanoparticles (NPs) with mesoporous shells by a novel selective etching strategy. The mechanism of selective etching based on fluoride-silica chemistry is investigated in detail and thus provides a fundamentally novel principle for the fabrication of yolk-shell NPs. Specifically, this unprecedented and versatile synthesis strategy can be used to encapsulate essentially any silica-based, carbon-based, metal, metal oxide, or other possible NPs. Noteworthy is that most of the yolk-shell mesoporous silica (mSiO₂) NPs are prepared for the first time. To demonstrate the major structural and compositional advantages of the designed yolk-shell NPs, their applications in the fields of ultralow-dielectric constant (k) materials, drug delivery systems, and catalysts were explored. In detail, the lowest k value of the prepared yolk-shellordered mesoporous silica@mSiO₂/fluorinated polybenzoxazole composite films is 2.02; The obtained yolk-shell mSiO₂/C@mSiO₂/C NPs possess high hydrophilicity and pH-responsive sensitivity; The conversion of the catalytic reaction of the designed magnetic yolk-shell hollow Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/Au@mSiO₂ NPs at 20 min is 97% with a high conversion rate (92%) and recyclability even after 10 reuses. This innovative work lays a solid foundation for freely tailorable yolk-shell encapsulation and will greatly stimulate more efforts devoted to relevant research and development.     

(CoFe)Se2@NC超级电容器电极材料的制备及其电化学性能

金属-有机框架(MOF)衍生的过渡金属硒化物和多孔碳纳米复合材料具有巨大的储能优势,是应用于电化学储能的优良电极材料。采用共沉淀法制备CoFe类普鲁士蓝(CoFe-PBA)纳米立方,并通过静电组装在CoFe-PBA上包覆聚吡咯(PPy)得到CoFe-PBA@PPy;通过在400℃氮气中退火并硒化成功制备了氮掺杂的碳(NC)包覆(CoFe)Se₂的(CoFe)Se₂@NC纳米复合材料,并对其结构和形貌进行了表征。以(CoFe)Se₂@NC为电极制备了超级电容器,测试了其电化学性能,结果表明,在电流密度1 A/g时超级电容器的比电容达到1047.9 F/g,在电流密度5 A/g下1000次循环后具有良好的循环稳定性和96.55%的比电容保持率。由于其性能优越、无毒、成本低和易于制备,未来(CoFe)Se₂@NC纳米复合材料在超级电容器中具有非常大的应用潜力。     

An overview on microwave processing of material: A special emphasis on glass melting

Material processing adopting microwave heating has emerged as an alternative tool owing to faster processing, a cleaner environment, and several other advantages. This review provides a summary of recent reports of microwave synthesis of materials. This study reviews the use of microwave energy for application in several material processing technologies apart from food processing. A special emphasis has been made in the processing of glass adopting microwave energy. Melting of glass comprising SiO₂, P₂O₅, B₂O₃ as the main building block has been discussed. It has been revealed that silica, a microwave transparent material as reported earlier, can be heated under microwave heating directly. Microwave absorption of raw materials and different glass system has been discussed. Dielectric properties, particularly loss tangent or loss factor, are presented for some glass composition. Less evaporation of ingredient and low contamination from the crucible wall are noticed during glass melting using microwave heating. Enhanced iron redox ratio (Fe⁺²/∑Fe) in microwave processing may be considered an advantage in the preparation of heat absorbing filter glass. Small-scale glass melting using the microwave heating has a significant impact on energy and time saving. However, the challenges associated with the upscaling glass melting with microwave heating and future scope have been talked about.     

Experimental investigations in powder mixed electric discharge machining of Ti–35Nb–7Ta–5Zrβ-titanium alloy

The present research is the first type of study in which the application of powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) for the machining of β-phase titanium (β-Ti) alloy has been proposed. β-Ti alloys are new range of titanium alloys, which has a wide-spread application in dental, orthopedics, shape memory, and stents. The aim of the present study is to fabricate submicro- and nanoscale topography by PMEDM process to enhance the biocompatibility without affecting machining efficiency. The effect of Si powder concentration along with pulse current and duration on the surface and machining characteristics has been investigated. A significant decrease in surface crack density on the machined surface with 4 g/l Si powder concentration was observed. When β-Ti alloy was modified at 15 A pulse current, longer pulse interval with 8 g/l concentration of Si powder particles, the interconnected surface porosities with pore size 200–500 nm was observed. Moreover, at Si powder concentrations of 2 g/l and 4 g/l, the recast layer thickness is 8 µm and 2–3 µm, respectively. Elemental mapping analysis confirmed that PMEDM also generated carbides and oxides enriched surface, a favorable surface chemistry to enhance the biocompatibility of β-Ti alloy. Furthermore, PMEDM also enhances the machining performance by improving material removal rate and reducing tool wear rate.     

Simultaneous Imaging of Endogenous Survivin mRNA and On‐Demand Drug Release in Live Cells by Using a Mesoporous Silica Nanoquencher

The design of multifunctional drug delivery systems capable of simultaneous target detection, imaging, and therapeutics in live mammalian cells is critical for biomedical research. In this study, by using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) chemically modified with a small‐molecule dark quencher, followed by sequential drug encapsulation, MSN capping with a dye‐labeled antisense oligonucleotide, and bioorthogonal surface modification with cell‐penetrating poly(disulfide)s, the authors have successfully developed the first mesoporous silica nanoquencher (qMSN), characterized by high drug‐loading and endocytosis‐independent cell uptake, which is able to quantitatively image endogenous survivin mRNA and release the loaded drug in a manner that depends on the survivin expression level in tumor cells. The authors further show that this novel drug delivery system may be used to minimize potential cytotoxicity encountered by many existing small‐molecule drugs in cancer therapy.     

Mechanical property enhancement of aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube sheets and composites through press-drawing process

A solid-state drawing and winding process was done to create thin aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets from CNT arrays. However, waviness and poor packing of CNTs in the sheets are two main weaknesses restricting their reinforcing efficiency in composites. This report proposes a simple press-drawing technique to reduce wavy CNTs and to enhance dense packing of CNTs in the sheets. Non-pressed and pressed CNT/epoxy composites were developed using prepreg processing with a vacuum-assisted system. Effects of pressing on the mechanical properties of the aligned CNT sheets and CNT/epoxy composites were examined. Pressing with distributed loads of 147, 221, and 294 N/m showed a substantial increase in the tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the aligned CNT sheets and their composites. The CNT sheets under a press load of 221 N/m exhibited the best mechanical properties found in this study. With a press load of 221 N/m, the pressed CNT sheet and its composite, respectively, enhanced the tensile strength by 139.1 and 141.9%, and the elastic modulus by 489 and 77.6% when compared with non-pressed ones. The pressed CNT/epoxy composites achieved high tensile strength (526.2 MPa) and elastic modulus (100.2 GPa). Results show that press-drawing is an important step to produce superior CNT sheets for development of high-performance CNT composites.     

静电纺丝法制备超疏水氟硅改性纳米SiO_2/PET共混膜

利用1H,1H,2H,2H-全氟辛基三氯硅烷对SiO_2纳米粒子进行表面改性,制备得到氟硅改性SiO_2纳米粒子(M-SiO_2),并将其与聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯(PET)共混后溶于六氟异丙醇(HFIP)溶剂中进行静电纺丝。采用接触角测量仪、扫描电镜和X射线光电子能谱研究了M-SiO_2/PET电纺膜的疏水性能、表面形貌以及化学组成。结果表明,静电纺丝法制备的M-SiO_2/PET共混电纺膜对水的接触角可高达155.2°,并且对水的滞后角仅为3.4°,即具有超疏水性能。     

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/二氧化硅复合材料的热性能

聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/二氧化硅(PMMA/Si O_2)复合材料可以通过简便的单体浇铸、本体聚合方法制备,二氧化硅用硅烷偶联剂3-(异丁烯酰氧)丙基三甲氧基硅烷(γ-MPS)进行表面修饰,并用红外光谱表征其甲苯抽提后的组成。当加入量为11.76%时,PMMA/Si O_2复合材料的导热率达到0.23 W/(m·K),比基体PMMA提高了27.78%。用PMMA红外光谱的侧甲基弯曲振动峰(δCH3)与羰基(νC=O)的伸缩振动峰比值可以表示PMMA大分子的偶合终止与歧化终止的比例,随着二氧化硅含量的增加,歧化终止比例升高,从而使PMMA/Si O_2复合材料的热稳定性提高,与热重分析结果一致。