Photochemical solution-phase reactions have been widely applied for the syntheses of nanocrystals. In particular, tuning of the nucleation and growth of solids has been a major area of focus. Here we demonstrate a facile approach to generate atomically dispersed platinum via photochemical reduction of frozen chloroplatinic acid solution using ultraviolet light. Using this iced-photochemical reduction, the aggregation of atoms is prevented, and single atoms are successfully stabilized. The platinum atoms are deposited on various substrates, including mesoporous carbon, graphene, carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and zinc oxide nanowires. The atomically dispersed platinum on mesoporous carbon exhibits efficient catalytic activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction, with an overpotential of only 65 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 and long-time durability (>10 h), superior to state-of-the-art platinum/carbon. This iced-photochemical reduction may be extended to other single atoms, for example gold and silver, as demonstrated in this study.

Batteries have been widely applied in many high-power applications, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles, where a suitable battery management system (BMS) is vital in ensuring safe and reliable operation of batteries. This paper aims to give a brief review on several key technologies of BMS, including battery modelling, state estimation and battery charging. First, popular battery types used in EVs are surveyed, followed by the introduction of key technologies used in BMS. Various battery models, including the electric model, thermal model and coupled electro-thermal model are reviewed. Then, battery state estimations for the state of charge, state of health and internal temperature are comprehensively surveyed. Finally, several key and traditional battery charging approaches with associated optimization methods are discussed.

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A donor-acceptor-type fluorophore containing a twisted diphenylacrylonitrile and triphenylamine has been developed by using the Suzuki reaction. The system indicates typical intramolecular charge-transfer properties. Upon mechanical grinding or hydrostatic pressure, the fluorophore reveals a multicolored fluorescence switching. Interestingly, a fluorescence color transition from green to red was clearly observed, and the change of photoluminescent (PL) wavelength gets close to 111 nm. The mechanisms of high-contrast mechanochromic behavior are fully investigated by techniques including powder XRD, PL lifetime, high-pressure PL lifetime, and Raman spectra analysis. The tremendous PL wavelength shift is attributed to gradual transition of excited states from the local excited state to the charge-transfer state.

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Elements doping has been used to improve the electrochemical performances of O3-type layered transition metal oxide cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. However, their roles and the improvement mechanism have not been clearly understood. Herein, the effects of Mg substitution for Mn on the structure and electrochemical performances of NaMnNiFeMgO have been comprehensively investigated and some new insights into the roles of Mg in improving the rate capability and cycling stability have been presented. (1) The substitution of Mg for Mn enlarges the interlayer spacing, which not only enhances Na diffusion and the rate capability but also alleviates the lattice strains induced by Na intercalation/deintercalation. (2) The substitution of Mg by Mn also shrinks TM-O bond and TMO slabs, which enhances the layered structure stability. (3) The Mg substitution also mitigates the structure distortion or volume change of the crystal lattices and suppresses the irreversible phase transitions. (4) The substitution of low-valence Mg for Mn reduces Mn and minimizes Jahn-Teller effect, which also further alleviates the irreversible phase transformations and improves the layered structure stability. This study not only unveils the roles of Mg but also presents some insights into designing the cathode materials with both high rate capability and high cycling stability through the lattice structure regulation.

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