This study develops a tunable 3D nanostructured conductive gel framework as both binder and conductive framework for lithium ion batteries. A 3D nanostructured gel framework with continuous electron ...pathways can provide hierarchical pores for ion transport and form uniform coatings on each active particle against aggregation. The hybrid gel electrodes based on a polypyrrole gel framework and Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a model system in this study demonstrate the best rate performance, the highest achieved mass ratio of active materials, and the highest achieved specific capacities when considering total electrode mass, compared to current literature. This 3D nanostructured gel‐based framework represents a powerful platform for various electrochemically active materials to enable the next‐generation high‐energy batteries.
A tunable 3D nanostructured gel framework with continuous electron pathways can provide hierarchical pores for ion transport and form uniform coatings on each active particle against aggregation. The hybrid gel electrodes based on a polypyrrole gel framework and Fe3O4 nanoparticles demonstrate one of the best rate performances and the highest achieved specific capacities when considering total electrode mass.
The large-voltage hysteresis remains one of the biggest barriers to optimizing Li/Na-ion cathodes using lattice anionic redox reaction, despite their very high energy density and relative low cost. ...Very recently, a layered sodium cathode Na2Mn3O7 (or Na4/7Mn6/7□1/7O2, □ is vacancy) was reported to have reversible lattice oxygen redox with much suppressed voltage hysteresis. However, the structural and electronic structural origin of this small-voltage hysteresis has not been well understood. In this article, through systematic studies using ex situ/in situ electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction, we demonstrate that the exceptional small-voltage hysteresis (<50 mV) between charge and discharge curves is rooted in the well-maintained oxygen stacking sequence in the absence of irreversible gliding of oxygen layers and cation migration from the transition-metal layers. In addition, we further identify that the 4.2 V charge/discharge plateau is associated with a zero-strain (de)intercalation process of Na+ ions from distorted octahedral sites, while the 4.5 V plateau is linked to a reversible shrink/expansion process of the manganese-site vacancy during (de)intercalation of Na+ ions at distorted prismatic sites. It is expected that these findings will inspire further exploration of new cathode materials that can achieve both high energy density and efficiency by using lattice anionic redox.
Spinel transition metal oxides (TMOs) have emerged as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. It has been shown that reducing their particle size to nanoscale dimensions benefits overall ...electrochemical performance. Here, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy to probe the lithiation behavior of spinel ZnFe
O
as a function of particle size. We have found that ZnFe
O
undergoes an intercalation-to-conversion reaction sequence, with the initial intercalation process being size dependent. Larger ZnFe
O
particles (40 nm) follow a two-phase intercalation reaction. In contrast, a solid-solution transformation dominates the early stages of discharge when the particle size is about 6-9 nm. Using a thermodynamic analysis, we find that the size-dependent kinetics originate from the interfacial energy between the two phases. Furthermore, the conversion reaction in both large and small particles favors {111} planes and follows a core-shell reaction mode. These results elucidate the intrinsic mechanism that permits fast reaction kinetics in smaller nanoparticles.
The potential of adverse events (AEs) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD) has been reported. To avoid the occurrence of AEs, it is ...important to recognize high-risk population for prevention in advance. The data of 261 patients with TBAD who received TEVAR between June 2017 and June 2021 at our medical center were retrospectively reviewed. After the implementation of exclusion criteria, 172 patients were finally included, and after 2.8 years (range from 1 day to 5.8 years) of follow up, they were divided into AEs (n = 41) and non-AEs (n = 131) groups. We identified the predictors of AEs, and a prediction model was constructed to calculate the specific risk of postoperative AEs at 1, 2, and 3 years, and to stratify patients into high-risk (n = 78) and low-risk (n = 94) group. The prediction model included seven predictors: Age > 75 years, Lower extremity malperfusion (LEM), NT-proBNP > 330 pg/ml, None distal tear, the ratio between the diameter of the ascending aorta and descending aorta (A/D ratio) > 1.2, the ratio of the area of the false lumen to the total aorta (FL ratio) > 64%, and acute TEVAR, which exhibited excellent predictive accuracy performance and discriminatory ability with C statistic of 82.3% (95% CI 77.3-89.2%). The prediction model was contributed to identify high-risk patients of postoperative AEs, which may serve to achievement of personalized treatment and follow-up plans for patients.
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a disease with complex etiology. Currently, IPAH treatment is limited, and patients’ prognosis is poor. This study aimed to explore new ...therapeutic targets in IPAH through bioinformatics. Two data sets (GSE113439 and GSE130391) meeting the requirements were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and analyzed by NetworkAnalyst platform. By enriching Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), we examined the function of DEGs. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify central genes using the CytoNCA plug-in. Finally, four central genes, ASPM, CENPE, NCAPG, and TOP2A, were screened out. We selected NCAPG for protein-level verification. We established an animal model of PAH and found that the expression of NCAPG was significantly increased in the lung tissue of PAH rats. In vitro experiments showed that the expression of NCAPG was significantly increased in proliferative pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). When NCAPG of PASMCs was knocked down, the cell proliferation was inhibited, which suggested that NCAPG was related to the proliferation of PASMCs. Therefore, these results may provide new therapeutic targets for IPAH.
Although several principles have been recognized to fabricate a nominal “better” binder, there continues to be a lack of a rational design and synthesis approach that would meet the robust criteria ...required for silicon (Si) anodes. Herein, we report a synthetic polymer binder, i.e., catechol-functionalized chitosan cross-linked by glutaraldehyde (CS-CG+GA), that serves dual functionalities: (a) wetness-resistant adhesion capability via catechol grafting and (b) mechanical robustness via in situ formation of a three-dimensional (3D) network. A SiNP-based anode with a designed functional polymer network (CS-CG10%+6%GA) exhibits a capacity retention of 91.5% after 100 cycles (2144 ± 14 mAh/g). Properties that are traditionally considered to be advantageous, including stronger adhesion strength and higher mechanical robustness, do not always improve the binder performance. A clear relationship between these properties and ultimate electrochemical performance is established by assessing the rheological behavior, mechanical property, adhesion force, peel stress, morphology evolution, and semiquantitative evaluation. This study provides a clear path for the rational design of high-performance functional polymer binders for not only Si-based electrodes but also other types of alloy and conversion-based electrodes.
Abstract
Reversible lattice oxygen redox reactions offer the potential to enhance energy density and lower battery cathode costs. However, their widespread adoption faces obstacles like substantial ...voltage hysteresis and poor stability. The current research addresses these challenges by achieving a non-hysteresis, long-term stable oxygen redox reaction in the P3-type Na
2/3
Cu
1/3
Mn
2/3
O
2
. Here we show this is accomplished by forming spin singlet states during charge and discharge. Detailed analysis, including in-situ X-ray diffraction, shows highly reversible structural changes during cycling. In addition, local CuO
6
Jahn-Teller distortions persist throughout, with dynamic Cu-O bond length variations. In-situ hard X-ray absorption and ex-situ soft X-ray absorption study, along with density function theory calculations, reveal two distinct charge compensation mechanisms at approximately 3.66 V and 3.99 V plateaus. Notably, we observe a Zhang-Rice-like singlet state during 3.99 V charging, offering an alternative charge compensation mechanism to stabilize the active oxygen redox reaction.
Advances in liquid-phase exfoliation and surfactant-directed anisotropic growth of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets have enabled their rapid development. However, it remains challenging to develop ...assembly strategies that lead to the construction of 2D nanomaterials with well-defined geometry and functional nanoarchitectures that are tailored to specific applications. Here we report a facile self-assembly method leading to the controlled synthesis of 2D transition metal oxide (TMO) nanosheets containing a high density of holes. We utilize graphene oxide sheets as a sacrificial template and Pluronic copolymers as surfactants. By using ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanoparticles as a model material, we demonstrate that by tuning the molecular weight of the Pluronic copolymers we can incorporate the ZFO particles and tune the size of the holes in the sheets. The resulting 2D ZFO nanosheets offer synergistic characteristics including increased electrochemically active surface areas, shortened ion diffusion paths, and strong inherent mechanical properties, leading to enhanced lithium-ion storage properties. Postcycling characterization confirms that the samples maintain structural integrity after electrochemical cycling. Our findings demonstrate that this template-assisted self-assembly method is a useful bottom-up route for controlled synthesis of 2D nanoarchitectures, and these holey 2D nanoarchitectures are promising for improving the electrochemical performance of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
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•Wheat alkylresorcinols (ARs) improve HFD-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis.•ARs ameliorate HFD-induced insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.•ARs improve PA-induced glucose ...metabolism disorder by AKT/GLUT4 signaling pathway.•ARs modulate glucolipids metabolism through AMPK signaling pathway.
Wheat alkylresorcinols (ARs) are phenolic lipids present in the bran part of whole grain wheat, which have been proven to improve obesity and atherosclerosis. However, the effects of ARs on hepatic steatosis and their possible mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, ARs intervention significantly attenuated high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Meanwhile, RNA-seq and western-blot analysis in liver tissues among different treatment groups detected significant changes in pathways related to glycolipid metabolism, especially AMPK signaling pathway and transmission. Moreover, ARs treatment dose-dependently improved glucolipid metabolism through AMPK activation and GLUT4 translocation in PA-treated AML12 mouse hepatocytes model. However, the protective effect of ARs was reversed after pretreatment with AMPK inhibitor. Taken together, ARs can be used as a dietary functional ingredient to ameliorate glycolipid metabolic disorders.
The rate-limiting step in lithiation/delithiation of solid-state cathode materials is not well understood. Phase-transformation reaction rate, lithium ion diffusion coefficient, and lithium ion ...concentration have all been shown to affect the discharge and charge performance. All three parameters are affected by the crystal structure and crystallinity of the cathode. In this paper, lithium trivanadate (LiV3O8) is selected as a representative cathode for all solid-state thin-film batteries because of its glass ceramic properties at different annealing temperatures, where the crystallinity and preferred orientation vary. The intermediate temperature-treated thin films outperform both the amorphous and the most crystalline thin films. By correlating the cell polarization with both the diffusion coefficient and the lithium ion concentration at different states of charge, we gain insights into the electrochemical performance of the glass ceramic LiV3O8 cathode.
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