Conductive Polymer-Based Interlayers in Restraining the Polysulfide Shuttle of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage devices due to the advantages of high theoretical specific capacity, abundant resources and being environmentally friendly. However, the severe shuttle effect of polysulfides causes the low utilization of active substances and rapid capacity fading, thus seriously limiting their practical application. The introduction of conductive polymer-based interlayers between cathodes and separators is considered to be an effective method to solve this problem because they can largely confine, anchor and convert the soluble polysulfides. In this review, the recent progress of conductive polymer-based interlayers used in LSBs is summarized, including free-standing conductive polymer-based interlayers, conductive polymer-based interlayer modified separators and conductive polymer-based interlayer modified sulfur electrodes. Furthermore, some suggestions on rational design and preparation of conductive polymer-based interlayers are put forward to highlight the future development of LSBs.

Performance and application of new inorganic retarding sealing material suitable for multi-scale fractures.

Gas extraction is an important way to solve coal mine gas in China. At present, the development of new and more efficient gas sealing materials is an urgent problem in China's coal mining industry. In order to improve the gas extraction efficiency and promote the development and utilization of coalbed methane, we developed a new inorganic slow setting material which used bentonite as main material. We added two kinds of organic modified materials and two kinds of inorganic modified materials to optimize the sealing performance, and analyzed the viscosity, sealing and particle size changes after modification. The rheological properties and diffusion properties of sealing materials was studied. Meanwhile, field experiments were carried out to verify that it has more efficient sealing performance than traditional cement materials and could improves the efficiency of gas drainage and reduces mine gas disaster accidents.

Carbon confined GeO2 hollow spheres for stable rechargeable Na ion batteries.

Germanium (Ge) based nanomaterials are regarded as promising high-capacity anode materials for Na ion batteries, but suffer fast capacity fading problems caused by the alloying/de-alloying reactions of Na-Ge. Herein, we report a new method for preparing highly dispersed GeO2 by using molecular-level ionic liquids (ILs) as carbon sources. In the obtained GeO2@C composite material, GeO2 exhibits hollow spherical morphology and is uniformly distributed in the carbon matrix. The as-prepared GeO2@C exhibits improved Na ion storage performances including high reversible capacity (577 mA h g-1 at 0.1C), rate property (270 mA h g-1 at 3C), and high capacity retention (82.3% after 500 cycles). The improved electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique nanostructure of GeO2@C, the synergistic effect between GeO2 hollow spheres and the carbon matrix ensures the anode material effectively alleviates the volume expansion and the particle agglomeration problems.

A Versatile Luminescent Ga-Organic Framework with Multi-Emission Centers as a Blue LED and Fluorescent Probe for Low-Temperature Detection and Selective Fe3+ Sensing.

The development and utilization of 3p-block based MOFs as fluorescent materials has attracted significant attention in recent years. Herein, we have successfully constructed a versatile luminescent Ga-MOF (SNNU-63) with a 3d10 configuration and a large ligand twist configuration. Interestingly, the as-synthesized Ga-MOF exhibits excellent luminescence property and a good material for blue light-emitting diode (LED). At 80 K, this Ga-MOF shows multi-emission centers at 381, 462, and 494 nm. As a ratiometric thermometer, this Ga-MOF exhibits an excellent temperature sensing property with high relative sensitivity (Sm = 2.60 % K-1 at 110 K). The fluorescence intensity ratio I381/I494 shows a very good fit for the Boltzmann results (80-240 K). Moreover, the luminescent Ga-MOF exhibits an excellent selective detection of Fe3+ over other metal ions in aqueous an medium, and the limit of detection (LOD) towards Fe3+ ions is calculated to be 1.227 × 10-4 M. This work presents a versatile luminescent Ga-MOF material as a blue LED and fluorescent probe for low-temperature and selective Fe3+ sensing.

Interfacial Evolution of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase and Lithium Deposition in Graphdiyne-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries.

All-carbon graphdiyne (GDY)-based materials have attracted extensive attention owing to their extraordinary structures and outstanding performance in electrochemical energy storage. Straightforward insights into the interfacial evolution at GDY electrode/electrolyte interface could crucially enrich the fundamental comprehensions and inspire targeted regulations. Herein, in situ optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy monitoring of the GDY and N-doped GDY electrodes reveal the interplay between the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and Li deposition. The growth and continuous accumulation of the flocculent-like SEI is directly tracked at the surface of GDY electrode. Moreover, the nanoparticle-shaped SEI homogeneously propagates at the interface when N configurations are involved, providing a critical clue for the N-doping effects of stabilizing interfaces and homogenizing Li deposition. This work probes into the dynamic evolution and structure-reactivity correlation in detail, creating effective strategies for GDY-based materials optimization in lithium-ion batteries.

[Study on nasal nitric oxide concentrations of 50 healthy individuals in Dalian].

Objective:To measure the normal value of nasal nitric oxide（nNO） concentration of 50 healthy adults in Dalian. By investigating the changing trend of nitric oxide accumulation concentration in the nasal cavity when changing the duration of nasal non-ventilation under quiet state, to provide ideas for the noninvasive detection of the concentration of nitric oxide in the sinus and the patency of the sinus ostium. Methods:①The left and right nNO concentrations（LnNO, RnNO） of 50 healthy subjects in Dalian were measured by Sunvou-CA2122（Wuxi）, and the LnNO10, LnNO20, and LnNO30 were measured through the left nasal cavity when the the time of nasal non ventilation was set for 10 s, 20 s, 30 s respectively. Ten subjects with good cooperation extended the time of nasal non ventilation to 50 s, and the measured nNO value was denoted as LnNO50. ②Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 19.0, and differences between two sides of nNO were analyzed by t-test, and the trend of changes in concentration of NO accumulation in the nasal cavity when changing the duration of nasal nonventilation was investigated by One-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results:①The mean LnNO concentration in 50 healthy subjects was （383.32±126.35） ×10⁻9, the mean RnNO concentration was （395.26±124.32） ×10⁻9, and there was no significant difference between the two side（P>0.05）, and the mean nNO was （389.29±124.85） ×10⁻9. ②The mean nNO concentration measured at 10, 20, and 30 seconds nasal nonventilation were （984.54±477.69） ×10⁻9 for LnNO10, （1527.32±717.25） ×10⁻9 for LnNO20, （2183.26±946.21） ×10⁻9 for LnNO30, and（3083.00±1905.62） ×10⁻9 for LnNO50 measured at prolonging nasal nonventilation time to 50 seconds for ten of these subjects; The difference in the presence of increased nNO concentrations measured after prolonged nasal nonventilation was statistically significant（P<0.01）. Conclusion:①The values of nNO of 50 healthy individuals in Dalian were（389.29±124.85） ×10⁻9. ②In healthy individuals, nNO can be measured unilaterally instead of bilaterally. ③In quiet condition, the duration of nasal nonventilation was prolonged for a certain period of time, and the nNO concentration showed a gradually increasing trend. It is expected to provide ideas for noninvasive detection of NO concentration in nasal sinuses and patency of nasal sinuses.

Effects of extraction methods on physicochemical properties and hypoglycemic activities of polysaccharides from coarse green tea.

Coarse tea is made of mature tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) shoots and is generally discarded as a worthless crop product, but has been proved an excellent material for the treatment of diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the extraction techniques WE (water extraction), UAE (ultrasound-assisted extraction), MAE (microwave-assisted extraction), and EE (enzyme extraction) on the physicochemical properties and antidiabetic activities of polysaccharides from coarse tea (CTPSs). The results showed that all four CTPSs had homogeneity in the monosaccharide types and similar IR (Infrared spectroscopy) characteristic absorption peaks, but differed in monosaccharide proportion and molecular weight distribution. Compared with the other three extraction techniques, CCTPS extracted by EE had the lowest protein content, the highest total sugar content of 71.83% and a polysaccharide yield of 4.52%. In addition, EE-CTPS had the best hypoglycemic activity that was better than ordinary green tea polysaccharides, the α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of EE-CTPS were highest in the range of 2-10 mg/mL compared with the other three CTPSs, which may be related to its smaller molecular weight and porous structure. The results suggested that the EE method was a good way to extract polysaccharides from coarse tea for food and pharmaceutical production.

Nitriding-Interface-Regulated Lithium Plating Enables Flame-Retardant Electrolytes for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries.

Safety concerns are impeding the applications of lithium metal batteries. Flame-retardant electrolytes, such as organic phosphates electrolytes (OPEs), could intrinsically eliminate fire hazards and improve battery safety. However, OPEs show poor compatibility with Li metal though the exact reason has yet to be identified. Here, the lithium plating process in OPEs and Li/OPEs interface chemistry were investigated through ex situ and in situ techniques, and the cause for this incompatibility was revealed to be the highly resistive and inhomogeneous interfaces. Further, a nitriding interface strategy was proposed to ameliorate this issue and a Li metal anode with an improved Li cycling stability (300 h) and dendrite-free morphology is achieved. Meanwhile, the full batteries coupled with nickel-rich cathodes, such as LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 , show excellent cycling stability and outstanding safety (passed the nail penetration test). This successful nitriding-interface strategy paves a new way to handle the incompatibility between electrode and electrolyte.