Well-dispersed tin nanoparticles encapsulated in amorphous carbon tubes as high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries.

Tin/carbon (Sn/C) nanocomposite is considered as a promising anode material for high-performance Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, since the carbon matrix is always derived from high-temperature carbonization of polymers and Sn has a low melting point (232 °C), the Sn nanoparticles in the Sn/C tend to be heavily aggregated during the carbonization process. It is thus challenging to synthesize well-dispersed Sn nanoparticles in a carbon matrix. Here, we report a facile templating method to encapsulate uniform well-dispersed Sn nanoparticles in amorphous carbon tube (Sn@aCT). The electrode fabricated with the hierarchical Sn@aCT exhibits excellent cycle performance. A stable specific capacity of 870 mAh g-1 after 350 cycles and a Li-ion diffusion coefficient as high as [Formula: see text] are obtained. Meanwhile, the intermediate structure of SnO2@aCT and a carbon-coated Sn yolk-shell nanostructure (Sn@C-YS) are investigated for comparison. The results further manifest the advantage of the architecture of the Sn@aCT. Our strategy provides a feasible way to optimize Sn/C nanocomposite as a high-performance anode material for LIBs.

Large-size and high performance visible-light photodetectors based on two-dimensional hybrid materials SnS/RGO.

We report a facile solvothermal method to synthesize two-dimensional hybrid materials consisting of layered SnS nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide (SnS/RGO). Large-size photodetectors with a channel length/width = 2 mm/7 mm are fabricated on Si/SiO2 substrates, showing an excellent photoresponsivity of 0.18 A W-1 under visible-light illumination with a detectivity of 4.18 × 1010 Jones, as well as fast rise and decay times (τ rise = τ decay = 0.4 s). SnS/RGO hybrids are therefore promising candidates for potential applications in optoelectronics and low cost, high performance, and reliable photodetectors.

Preparation of mono-dispersed, high energy release, core/shell structure Al nanopowders and their application in HTPB propellant as combustion enhancers.

Mono-dispersed, spherical and core/shell structure aluminum nanopowders (ANPs) were produced massively by high energy ion beam evaporation (HEIBE). And the number weighted average particle size of the ANPs is 98.9 nm, with an alumina shell (3-5 nm). Benefiting from the passivation treatment, the friction, impact and electrostatic spark sensitivity of the ANPs are almost equivalent to those of aluminum micro powders. The result of TG-DSC indicates the active aluminum content of ANPs is 87.14%, the enthalpy release value is 20.37 kJ/g, the specific heat release S 1/Δm 1* (392-611 °C) which determined the ability of energy release is 19.95 kJ/g. And the value of S 1/Δm 1* is the highest compared with ANPs produced by other physical methods. Besides, the ANPs perfectly compatible with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), 3 wt. % of ANPs were used in HTPB propellant replaced micron aluminum powders, and improved the burning rate in the 3-12 MPa pressure range and reduced the pressure exponential by more than 31% in the 3-16 MPa pressure range. The production technology of ANPs with excellent properties will greatly promote the application of ANPs in the field of energetic materials such as propellant, explosive and pyrotechnics.