Deforming lanthanum trihydride for superionic conduction

Light-driven ammonia synthesis under mild conditions using lithium hydride

Photon-driven chemical processes are usually mediated by oxides, nitrides and sulfides whose photo-conversion efficiency is limited by charge carrier recombination. Here we show that lithium hydride undergoes photolysis upon ultraviolet illumination to yield long-lived photon-generated electrons residing in hydrogen vacancies, known as F centres. We demonstrate that photon-driven dehydrogenation and dark rehydrogenation over lithium hydride can be fulfilled reversibly at room temperature, which is about 600 K lower than the corresponding thermal process. As light-driven F centre generation could provide an alternative approach to charge carrier separation to favour chemical transformations that are kinetically or thermodynamically challenging, we show that light-activated lithium hydride cleaves the N≡N triple bond to form a N-H bond under mild conditions. Co-feeding a N2/H2 mixture with low H2 partial pressure leads to photocatalytic ammonia formation at near ambient conditions. This work provides insights into the development of advanced materials and processes for light harvesting and conversion.

Urchin-like Ce(HCOO)3 Synthesized by a Microwave-Assisted Method and Its Application in an Asymmetric Supercapacitor

In this work, a series of urchin-like Ce(HCOO)3 nanoclusters were synthesized via a facile and scalable microwave-assisted method by varying the irradiation time, and the structure-property relationship was investigated. The optimization of the reaction time was performed based on structural characterizations and electrochemical performances, and the Ce(HCOO)3-210 s sample shows a specific capacitance as high as 132 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. This is due to the optimal mesoporous hierarchical structure and crystallinity that are beneficial to its conductivity, offering abundant Ce3+/Ce4+ active sites and facilitating the transportation of electrolyte ions. Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor based on Ce(HCOO)3//AC was fabricated, which delivers a maximum energy density of 14.78 Wh kg-1 and a considerably high power density of 15,168 W kg-1. After 10,000 continuous charge-discharge cycles at 3 A g-1, the ASC device retains 81.3% of its initial specific capacitance. The excellent comprehensive electrochemical performance of this urchin-like Ce(HCOO)3 offers significant promise for practical supercapacitor applications.

Bismuth and Chlorine Dual-Doped Perovskite Chloride as a Phase-Structure-Stable and Moisture-Resistant Solid Electrolyte for Chloride Ion Batteries

Perovskite chloride, an anion conductor, is a promising candidate to be a solid electrolyte for high-energy and sustainable chloride ion batteries (CIB). However, it suffers from poor structural stability at low temperature and in ambient conditions, which leads to its transformation from an ionic conductor to an insulator. Herein, a bismuth and chlorine dual doping strategy is developed to stabilize the cubic structure of CsSnCl3 in harsh environments. The as-prepared dual-doped CsSn0.9 Bi0.1 Cl3.1 material with an optimized composition maintains its cubic structure at the extremely low temperature of 213 K for 10 days and at 40% relative humidity for 50 days, while the undoped cubic material deteriorates and transforms to a monoclinic phase under these conditions in less than 1 day. Consequently, the dual doping achieves efficient chloride ion conduction that is superior to single bismuth doping due to the introduction of interstitial chlorine facilitating chloride ion transport. Importantly, the practicality of the as-prepared solid electrolyte is demonstrated in different symmetric solid cells and by various CIBs using the organic electrode couple, a multivalent metal chloride cathode, or a new high-voltage metal oxychloride cathode.