MoS(2), because of its layered structure and high theoretical capacity, has been regarded as a potential candidate for electrode materials in lithium secondary batteries. But it suffers from the poor cycling stability and low rate capability. Here, hierarchical hollow nanoparticles of MoS(2) nanosheets with an increased interlayer distance are synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction at a low temperature. The formation of hierarchical hollow nanoparticles is based on the intermediate, K(2)NaMoO(3)F(3), as a self-sacrificed template. These hollow nanoparticles exhibit a reversible capacity of 902 mA h g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1) after 80 cycles, much higher than the solid counterpart. At a current density of 1000 mA g(-1), the reversible capacity of the hierarchical hollow nanoparticles could be still maintained at 780 mAh g(-1). The enhanced lithium storage performances of the hierarchical hollow nanoparticles in reversible capacities, cycling stability and rate performances can be attributed to their hierarchical surface, hollow structure feature and increased layer distance of S-Mo-S. Hierarchical hollow nanoparticles as an ensemble of these features, could be applied to other electrode materials for the superior electrochemical performance.

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Hierarchical nanocomposites rationally designed in component and structure, are highly desirable for the development of lithium‐ion batteries, because they can take full advantages of different components and various structures to achieve superior electrochemical properties. Here, the branched nanocomposite with β‐MnO2 nanorods as the back‐bone and porous α‐Fe2O3 nanorods as the branches are synthesized by a high‐temperature annealing of FeOOH epitaxially grown on the β‐MnO2 nanorods. Since the β‐MnO2 nanorods grow along the four‐fold axis, the as‐produced branches of FeOOH and α‐Fe2O3 are aligned on their side in a nearly four‐fold symmetry. This synthetic process for the branched nanorods built by β‐MnO2/α‐Fe2O3 is characterized. The branched nanorods of β‐MnO2/α‐Fe2O3 present an excellent lithium‐storage performance. They exhibit a reversible specific capacity of 1028 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1000 mA g−1 up to 200 cycles, much higher than the building blocks alone. Even at 4000 mA g−1, the reversible capacity of the branched nanorods could be kept at 881 mAh g−1. The outstanding performances of the branched nanorods are attributed to the synergistic effect of different components and the hierarchical structure of the composite. The disclosure of the correlation between the electrochemical properties and the structure/component of the nanocomposites, would greatly benefit the rational design of the high‐performance nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries, in the future.

N-carbon-encapsulated MnO coaxial nanorods are prepared using polypyrrole-coated MnOOH coaxial nanorods as a template and precursor. The excellent performance of coaxial nanorods is attributed to the synergistic effect of one-dimensional structure and the N-doped carbon coating.

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Ternary blend all-polymer solar cells open a new avenue for accelerating improvement in the efficiency of non-fullerene thin-film organic photovoltaics.

New Y type chromophores were synthesized and the hyperpolarizability can be effectively translated into large electro-optic coefficients in poled polymers.