Nanoarchitecture factors of solid electrolyte interphase formation via 3D nano-rheology microscopy and surface force-distance spectroscopy.

The solid electrolyte interphase in rechargeable Li-ion batteries, its dynamics and, significantly, its nanoscale structure and composition, hold clues to high-performing and safe energy storage. Unfortunately, knowledge of solid electrolyte interphase formation is limited due to the lack of in situ nano-characterization tools for probing solid-liquid interfaces. Here, we link electrochemical atomic force microscopy, three-dimensional nano-rheology microscopy and surface force-distance spectroscopy, to study, in situ and operando, the dynamic formation of the solid electrolyte interphase starting from a few 0.1 nm thick electrical double layer to the full three-dimensional nanostructured solid electrolyte interphase on the typical graphite basal and edge planes in a Li-ion battery negative electrode. By probing the arrangement of solvent molecules and ions within the electric double layer and quantifying the three-dimensional mechanical property distribution of organic and inorganic components in the as-formed solid electrolyte interphase layer, we reveal the nanoarchitecture factors and atomistic picture of initial solid electrolyte interphase formation on graphite-based negative electrodes in strongly and weakly solvating electrolytes.

Synthesis, characterisation, and feasibility studies on the use of vanadium tellurate(vi) as a cathode material for aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have drawn enormous attention in stationary applications due to their high safety and low cost. However, the search for new positive electrode materials with satisfactory electrochemical performance for practical applications remains a challenge. In this work, we report a comprehensive study on the use of the vanadium tellurate (NH4)4{(VO2)2[Te2O8(OH)2]}·2H2O, which is tested for the first time as a cathode material in AZIBs.

Photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition as a tool to study a solid-state structural transformation.

The solid-state structural transformation of the hydrogen-bonded 1D coordination polymer [Cd(bpe)(CH(3)COO)(2)(H(2)O)](n), to a ladder-type structure is evident from a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction forming 100% rctt-cyclobutane isomer.

Stacking of double bonds for photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reactions in the solid state.

trans-1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe), containing a C=C bond, has been extensively studied for solid-state photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reactions, in discrete molecular and metal complexes, hydrogen bonded and coordination polymeric structures. The challenges in orienting a pair or more of bpe molecules in the solid-state using crystal engineering principles, and their photochemical behaviour and implications, based on Schmidt's postulates, are discussed.

Mechanochemical reactions of coordination polymers by grinding with KBr.

Grinding of a one-dimensional (1-D) ladder coordination polymer (CP), [Zn(µ-CH(3)CO(2))(CF(3)CO(2))bpe] (1), and a hydrogen-bonded 1-D CP, [Cd(CH(3)CO(2))(2)bpe(H(2)O)] (2), with KBr resulted in the exchange of carboxylate by bromide ions and the formation of 1-D zigzag and 2-D CPs respectively.