Construction and Theoretical Calculation of an Ultra-High-Performance LiVPO4F/C Cathode by B-Doped Pyrolytic Carbon from Poly(vinylidene Fluoride)

Boric acid templating synthesis of highly-dense yet ultramicroporous carbons for compact capacitive energy storage

Carbon-based supercapacitors have shown great promise for miniaturized electronics and electric vehicles, but are usually limited by their low volumetric performance, which is largely due to the inefficient utilization of carbon pores in charge storage. Herein, we develop a reliable and scalable boric acid templating technique to prepare boron and oxygen co-modified highly-dense yet ultramicroporous carbons (BUMCs). The carbons are featured with high density (up to 1.62 g cm-3), large specific surface area (up to 1050 m2 g-1), narrow pore distribution (0.4-0.6 nm) and exquisite pore surface functionalities (mainly -BC2O, -BCO2, and -COH groups). Consequently, the carbons show exceptionally compact capacitive energy storage. The optimal BUMC-0.5 delivers an outstanding volumetric capacitance of 431 F cm-3 and a high-rate capability in 1 M H2SO4. In particular, an ever-reported high volumetric energy density of 32.6 Wh L-1 can be harvested in an aqueous symmetric supercapacitor. Our results demonstrate that the -BC2O and -BCO2 groups on the ultramicropore walls can facilitate the internal SO42- ion transport, thus leading to an unprecedented high utilization efficiency of ultramicropores for charge storage. This work provides a new paradigm for construction and utilization of dense and ultramicroporous carbons for compact energy storage.

Catalytic Thermal Decomposition of NO2 by Iron(III) Nitrate Nonahydrate-Doped Poly(Vinylidene Difluoride)

The products of thermal decomposition of iron nitrate nonahydrate doped into poly(vinylidene difluoride) are examined using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Very little of the expected nitrogen dioxide product is observed, which is attributed to Fe³⁺ catalysis of the decomposition of NO₂. The active site of the catalysis is shown to be Fe(OH)₃ in the polymer matrix, which is, unexpectedly, reduced to Fe(OH)₂. Thermodynamic calculations show that the reduction of Fe³⁺ is exergonic at sufficiently high temperatures. A reaction sequence, including a catalytic cycle for decomposition of NO₂, is proposed that accounts for the observed reaction products. The role of the polymer matrix is proposed to inhibit transport of gas-phase products, which allows them to interact with Fe(OH)₃ doped in the polymer.

Insights into the sodium storage mechanism of Bi2Te3 nanosheets as superior anodes for sodium-ion batteries

Although bismuth-based anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted wide attention, their large volume variation hinders their actual applications, especially in Bi₂Te₃ systems. In this study, Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets (BT-Ns) are fabricated by a novel strategy via a solvent reductive reaction. The elements Bi and Te are spontaneously grown into ultrathin nanosheets because the hexagonal crystal of Bi₂Te₃ has a strong tendency to grow horizontally. The crystal structure of the BT-Ns is well developed and the thickness is about 1.42 nm, which can not only offer more active sites but also promote electrical conductivity and the diffusion of Na ions and electrons. It exhibits excellent rate and long-term cyclic performance, delivering 364.0 mA h g^-1 at 5 A g^-1 after 1200 cycles. The high rate and long-term cyclic performance of the Bi₂Te₃ anodes is attributed to the facile design of the 2D nanosheet structure, presenting an effective strategy to construct anodes for SIBs. The sodium storage mechanism of Bi₂Te₃ follows a three-step crystallographic phase change of Bi₂Te₃, discovered by an in situ X-ray diffraction analysis. The applicability of BT-N anodes in full cells via pairing with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathodes delivers excellent performance (energy density of 107.2 W h kg^-1) and satisfactory practical applied prospects.