Revealing the Na storage behavior of graphite anodes in low-concentration imidazole-based electrolytes.

The thermodynamic instability of Na+-intercalated compounds is an important factor limiting the application of graphite anodes in sodium-ion batteries. Although solvent co-intercalation is recognized as a simple and effective strategy, the challenge lies in the lack of durable electrolytes. Herein, we successfully apply low-concentration imidazole-based electrolytes to graphite anodes for sodium-ion batteries. Specifically, low concentrations ensure high ionic conductivity while saving on costs. Methylimidazole molecules can be co-intercalated with Na+, and a small amount of unreleased solvated Na+ serves the dual purpose of providing support to the graphite layer and preventing peeling off. The interphase formed in imidazole is more uniform and dense compared with that in ether electrolytes, which reduces side reactions and the risk of internal short circuits. The obtained battery demonstrates a long cycle life of 1800 cycles with a capacity retention of 84.6%. This success extends to other imidazole-based solvents such as 1-propylimidazole and 1-butylimidazole.

A Durable and High-Voltage Mn-Graphite Dual-Ion Battery Using Mn-Based Hybrid Electrolytes.

Rechargeable Mn-metal batteries (MMBs) can attract considerable attention because Mn has the intrinsic merits including high energy density (976 mAh g-1 ), high air stability, and low toxicity. However, the application of Mn in rechargeable batteries is limited by the lack of proper cathodes for reversible Mn2+ intercalation/de-intercalation, thus leading to low working voltage (<1.8 V) and poor cycling stability (≤200 cycles). Herein, a high-voltage and durable MMB with graphite as the cathode is successfully constructed using a LiPF6 -Mn(TFSI)2 hybrid electrolyte, which shows a high discharge voltage of 2.34 V and long-term stability of up to 1000 cycles. Mn(TFSI)2 can reduce the plating/stripping overpotential of Mn ions, while LiPF6 can efficiently improve the conductivity of the electrolyte. Electrochemical in-situ characterization implies the dual-anions intercalation/de-intercalation at the cathode and Mn2+ plating/stripping reaction at the anode. Theoretical calculations unveil the top site of graphite is the energetically favorable for anions intercalation and TFSI- shows the low migration barrier. This work paves an avenue for designing high-performance rechargeable MMBs towards electricity storage.

Discovery of novel potent PI3K/mTOR dual-target inhibitors based on scaffold hopping: Design, synthesis, and antiproliferative activity.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the most common dysregulated signaling cascade responses in human cancers, playing a crucial role in cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Therefore, the development of anticancer drugs targeting the PI3K and mTOR pathways has become a research hotspot in cancer treatment. In this study, the PI3K selective inhibitor GDC-0941 was selected as a lead compound, and 28 thiophenyl-triazine derivatives with aromatic urea structures were synthesized based on scaffold hopping, serving as a novel class of PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors. The most promising compound Y-2 was obtained through antiproliferative activity evaluation, kinase inhibition, and toxicity assays. The results showed that Y-2 demonstrated potential inhibitory effects on both PI3K kinase and mTOR kinase, with IC50 values of 171.4 and 10.2 nM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of Y-2 on mTOR kinase was 52 times greater than that of the positive drug GDC-0941. Subsequently, the antitumor activity of Y-2 was verified through pharmacological experiments such as AO staining, cell apoptosis, scratch assays, and cell colony formation. The antitumor mechanism of Y-2 was further investigated through JC-1 experiments, real-time quantitative PCR, and Western blot analysis. Based on the above experiments, Y-2 can be identified as a potent PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor for cancer treatment.

Bimetallic Bi-Sn microspheres as high initial coulombic efficiency and long lifespan anodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Anode materials with a high initial coulombic efficiency and a long lifespan are highly desirable for sodium-ion batteries. Here, bimetallic µ-BiSn microspheres well combine the high capacity of Sn and the good stability of Bi together, exhibiting superior electrochemical performance, such as a high initial Coulombic efficiency (90.6%), a good cycling stability (541 mA h g-1 after 3000 cycles at 2 A g-1) and an excellent rate capability (393 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1).

Mesocarbon Microbeads Boost the Electrochemical Performances of LiFePO4 ||Li4 Ti5 O12 through Anion Intercalation.

Li-ion batteries with LiFePO4 cathode and Li4 Ti5 O12 anode show promise for storing renewable energy. However, their low output voltage results in a low energy density. In contrast, dual-ion batteries with graphite cathode and Li4 Ti5 O12 anode can achieve a high output voltage of >3.0 V. In this study, mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB)@LiFePO4 ||Li4 Ti5 O12 dual-ion batteries are developed to address these issues. In the cathode, MCMB improves the conductivity of LiFePO4 and increases the output voltage by the intercalation of anions in the cell voltage range of 2.1-3.5 V. Moreover, the LiFePO4 shell sustains the structural integrity of MCMB and generates in situ a cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) with rich LiF. Owing to these unique compositional and structural features, MCMB@LiFePO4 ||Li4 Ti5 O12 manifests much better electrochemical performance than LiFePO4 ||Li4 Ti5 O12 and MCMB||Li4 Ti5 O12 . It sustains 89.6 % of the initial capacity after 1200 cycles at 0.2 A g-1 and achieves a specific energy up to 128 Wh kg-1 at 179 W kg-1 .