Operando Studies of Bismuth Nanoparticles Embedded in N, O-Doped Porous Carbon for High-Performance Potassium-Ion Hybrid Capacitor.

A highly viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for stationary electrochemical energy-storage systems is the potassium dual-ion hybrid capacitor (PIHC), especially toward fast-charging capability. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics of negative electrode materials seriously impedes their practical implementation. In this paper, a new negative electrode Bi@RPC (Nano-bismuth confined in nitrogen- and oxygen-doped carbon with rationally designed pores, evidenced by advanced characterization) is developed, leading to a remarkable electrochemical performance. PIHCs building with the active carbon YP50F positive electrode result in a high operation voltage (0.1-4 V), and remarkably well-retained energy density at a high-power density (11107 W kg-1 at 98 Wh kg-1 ). After 5000 cycles the proposed PHICs still show a superior capacity retention of 92.6%. Moreover, a reversible mechanism of "absorption-alloying" of the Bi@RPC nanocomposite is revealed by operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. With the synergistic potassium ions storage mechanism arising from the presence of well-structured pores and nano-sized bismuth, the Bi@RPC electrode exhibits an astonishingly rapid kinetics and high energy density. The results demonstrate that PIHCs with Bi@RPC-based negative electrode is the promising option for simultaneously high-capacity and fast-charging energy storage devices.

Magnetic Non-Spherical Particles Inducing Vortices in Microchannel for Effective Mixing.

Mixing in microfluidic channels is dominated by diffusion owing to the absence of chaotic flow. However, high-efficiency microscale mixing over short distances is desired for the development of lab-on-chip systems. Here, enhanced mixing in microchannels achieved using magnetic nonspherical particles (MNSPs), is reported. Benefiting from the nonspherical shape of the MNSPs, secondary vortices exhibiting cyclical characteristics appear in microchannels when the MNSPs rotate under an external magnetic field. Increasing the rotation rate enlarges the secondary vortices, expanding the mixing zone and enhancing the mixing, resulting in a mixing efficiency exceeding 0.9 at Re of 0.069-0.69. Complementary micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) for flow field analysis clarifies the mixing mechanism. In addition, a chaotic vortex area is generated in the presence of two MNSPs, which shortens the distance required for achieving an appropriate mixing efficiency. This study demonstrates the potential of employing MNSPs as efficient mixers in lab-on-chip devices.

Droplet drinking in constrictions.

Droplets generated through microfluidics serve as a common platform for assembling artificial cells, which are feasibly tailored using microfluidic methodology. The ability of natural cells to undergo shape changes, such as phagocytosis, is a typical characteristic that researchers aim to mimic in artificial cells. However, simulating the deformation behavior of natural cells within droplets is exceptionally challenging. Here, this study reports a pinocytosis-like phenomenon observed in droplets, termed "droplet drinking". When droplets traverse a capillary with constrictions, the shear force from the continuous-phase fluid induces relative motion within the droplets, creating concave regions at the rear. These regions facilitate engulfing of the continuous-phase fluid, resulting in the formation of multiple emulsions. This behavior is influenced by the capillary number, and the size of the ingested droplets is governed by the interfacial tension between the two phases. The production of multicore or multi-shell emulsions can be easily accomplished by making slight adjustments to the constrictions. Furthermore, this method demonstrates the integration of reactants into pre-existing droplets, facilitating biochemical reactions. This study presents a convenient approach for generating complex emulsions and an innovative strategy for studying deformation behavior in droplet-based artificial cells.

Effect of Mo2C Addition on the Tribological Behavior of Ti(C,N)-Based Cermets.

Due to the excellent properties of Ti (C,N)-based ceramics, such as high hardness, excellent wear resistance, exceptional thermal deformation resistance, and sound chemical stability, they have been widely used in cutting tools or molds. Thus, revealing their tribological behavior against hard materials is of great significance. Some studies have reported the tribological behavior of Ti(C,N)-based cermets and hard cermets, but so far, the effects of Mo2C additions on the frictional properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets are still unclear. In this study, Ti(C,N)-10WC-1Cr3C2-5Co-10Ni-x Mo2C cermets (x = 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt.%) were sintered using a vacuum hot-pressing furnace. Furthermore, the core-rim morphologies of the sintered samples were observed in SEM images. Then, the wear resistance of the cermets was studied against a Si3N4 ball at a 50 N load using the fretting wear test. Finally, the wear mechanism was characterized using a combination of SEM, EDS and XPS. The experimental results indicated that the wear mechanisms of the cermets were mainly abrasive wear, adhesive wear, and the formation of an oxide film. As the content of Mo2C increased from 4 wt.% to 12 wt.%, the friction coefficient and wear volume had a variation law of first decreasing and then decreasing, and reached minimum values at 6 wt.% and 12 wt.%, and the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate were 0.49 and 0.9 × 10-6 mm3/Nm, respectively. The 6 wt.% Mo2C greatly improved the hardness and fracture toughness of the cermet, while the 12 wt.% Mo2C promoted the formation of an oxide film and protected the friction surface. The cermet with 6 wt.% Mo2C is recommended because it has comprehensive advantages in terms of its mechanical properties, tribological properties, and cost.