Potassium-ion storage behavior of microstructure-engineered hard carbons

A distinctive solid-solution potassium-ion intercalation behavior of disordered graphitic carbon materials was observed.

The Role of ZnO as a Dopant and an Intergranular Phase in the Electrical Properties of Ca0.6Sr0.4TiO3 Ceramics

ZnO was introduced into Ca0.6Sr0.4TiO3 ceramics as a dopant and an intergrangular phase in this research, followed by detailed structure characterization, energy storage performance analysis, and electrical behavior studies. The results revealed that the existence of ZnO as a dopant led to the decrease of conduction activation energy and the deterioration of energy storage behavior, while appropriate introduction of ZnO as an intergranular phase resulted in the increase of conduction activation energy and the optimization of energy storage performance. Additionally, the inverse relation between interfacial polarization and energy storage performance was observed in this study. Finally, an increased energy storage density of 1.16 J/cm3 was achieved in 1 mol% ZnO-added Ca0.6Sr0.4TiO3 ceramics.

Embryo position of Castanopsis sclerophylla (Fagaceae) seeds with recalcitrant storage behavior differs from Quercus genus, but response to desiccation shows no difference

In many -but not all- recalcitrant Quercus seeds, water loss during drying only occurs through the scar. Consequently, the embryo axis sitting on the opposite side of the scar is well protected from desiccation. However, whether such a mechanism is common throughout Fagaceae species is unexplored. Similarly, little is known about the desiccation response of other Fagaceae genera. Germination and desiccation tolerance of Castanopsis sclerophylla (Fagaceae) were studied by drying the seeds with silica gel. Fresh seeds had a moisture content (MC) of 36% and germinated to 92.5% when incubated at 15/20°C. Drying seeds to 22.5 and 20.7% MC decreased germination to 27 and 5%, respectively; indicating that seeds are recalcitrant. X-ray computed tomography and photomicrographs showed that the embryo axis of C. sclerophylla is located just below the scar. Regardless of drying occurring either through only scar or the whole pericarp, embryo drying was deemed unavoidable. Nevertheless, germination percentage during drying showed exceptional similarities with the other Fagaceae species.