Heterostructure engineering of ultrathin SnS2/Ti3C2Tx nanosheets for high-performance potassium-ion batteries

Layered metal sulfides are considered as promising candidates for potassium ion batteries (KIBs) owing to the unique interlayer passages for ion diffusion. However, the insufficient electronic conductivity, inevitable volume expansion, and sulfur loss hinder the promotion of K-ion storage performance. Herein, few-layered Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets were selected as the multi-functional substrate for cooperating few-layered SnS₂ nanosheets, constructing SnS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x hetero-structural nanosheets (HNs) with the thickness as thin as about 5 nm. In this configuration, the formed Ti-S bonds provide robust interaction between SnS₂ and Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets, which hinders the agglomeration of SnS₂ and the restack of Ti₃C₂T_x, endowing the hybrid material with robust nanostructure. Thus, the shortcomings of the SnS₂ anode are muchly relieved. In this way, the as-prepared SnS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x HNs electrode delivers reversible capacities of 462.1 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1 and 166.1 mAh g^-1 at 2.0 A g^-1, respectively, and a capacity of 85.5 mAh g^-1 is remained even after 460 cycles at 2.0 A g^-1. These results are superior to those of the counterpart electrode, confirming aggressive promotion of K-ion storage performance of SnS₂ anode brought by the cooperation of Ti₃C₂T_x, and presenting a reliable strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of sulfide anodes.

In2S3 nanoparticles coupled to In-MOF nanorods: The structural and electronic modulation for synergetic photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

Enhancing photocatalytic performance via electronic modulation have attracted much attention for synergetic photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutant. In this study, a new hetero-structured system is raised, which comprises In₂S₃ coupled to In-MOF and operates as an efficient photocatalyst for RhB degradation. The formation of hetero-structure and occurred electron modulation of In₂S₃/In-MOF hybrid was confirmed by relevant characterizations. Surprisingly, the In₂S₃/In-MOF hybrid represented enhanced photocatalytic ability over In-MOF. The photocatalysis of Rhodamine B in presence of In₂S₃/In-MOF hybrid has achieved 92.2 % degradation.

Construct interesting CuS/TiO2 architectures for effective removal of Cr(VI) in simulated wastewater via the strong synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic process

Most of the reduction processes for Cr (VI) removal tend to be available only at the acidic condition and the capable extent of pH is limited. Here, we developed a facile strategy for constructing CuS/TiO₂ architectures via a facile precipitation process. The as-prepared urchin-like CuS microspheres possessed hierarchical/large porous structure and unique electrical structure, which provided a strong ability to capture the Cr(VI) ions in water. Once CuS microspheres were combined with TiO₂ crystals (P25), a surprised high removal efficiency for Cr(VI) was obtained. With optimal molar ratio of CuS:TiO₂ (0.72:1), 4.4 and 1.3 times in Cr(VI) removal rate were obtained with respect to pure TiO₂ and CuS. The high removal efficiency was induced by the distinct synergistic role of strong adsorption and photocatalytic reduction originated from unique electrical structure in CuS/TiO₂ hetero-structure. Moreover, these novel CuS/TiO₂ architectures possess promising application for Cr⁶⁺ effluents remediation in a wide range of pH and with co-existing anions and cations.