Hunting Sodium Dendrites in NASICON-Based Solid-State Electrolytes

NASICON- (Na superionic conductor-) based solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are believed to be attracting candidates for solid-state sodium batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and prospectively reliable stability. However, the poor interface compatibility and the formation of Na dendrites inhibit their practical application. Herein, we directly observed the propagation of Na dendrites through NASICON-based Na3.1Zr2Si2.1P0.9O12 SSE for the first time. Moreover, a fluorinated amorphous carbon (FAC) interfacial layer on the ceramic surface was simply developed by in situ carbonization of PVDF to improve the compatibility between Na metal and SSEs. Surprisingly, Na dendrites were effectively suppressed due to the formation of NaF in the interface when molten Na metal contacts with the FAC layer. Benefiting from the optimized interface, both the Na||Na symmetric cells and Na3V2(PO4)3||Na solid-state sodium batteries deliver remarkably electrochemical stability. These results offer benign reference to the maturation of NASICON-based solid-state sodium batteries.

In-situ carbonization of ZIF-67 to fabricate magnetically Co/N-mC with high adsorption capacity toward water remediation

Co and N co-modified mesoporous carbon composites (Co/N-mC) have been simply prepared at low cost from the carbonization of ZIF-67 wherein not only providing surface N-modification for promoting the adsorption behavior of acidic dyes, but also constructing a magnetic property for convenient separation. Co/N-mC composite presented the adsorption ability of MO (178 mg g−1) > RhB (141 mg g−1) (T = 25 °C, pH = 7.0, C0 = 20 mg L−1) because of its spacious porous structure (BET: 250.8 m2 g−1; pore size: 3.9 nm) and functional basic character (pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N). Compared with basic dyes (RhB), mesoporous C doped with N improves the adsorption of acid dyes (MO). In addition, the magnetic properties introduced in the Co/N-mC make it easier to separate after adsorption and regeneration by an external magnetic field.

The synthesis of highly active carbon dot-coated gold nanoparticles via the room-temperature in situ carbonization of organic ligands for 4-nitrophenol reduction

Due to the serious pollution issue caused by 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), it is of great importance to design effective catalysts for its reduction.