Hybrid micro−mesoporous graphitic carbon spheres (M-MGCSs) featuring ordered mesoporous graphene-like cores and uniform microporous carbon shells are designed by transformation of self-assembled Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle supraparticles and are used as an efficient, dual spatially confined sulfur reservoir for lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Such rationally designed M-MGCSs synergistically combine the merits of micro-and mesoporous carbons when used as the sulfur host in Li−S batteries: the core having interconnected spherical mesopores of 9.0 nm provides sufficient space for loading S 8 molecules, while the shell having micropores of 0.6 nm can entrap only small S 2−4 molecules, which are converted into electrolyte-insoluble polysulfides during discharge, minimizing the outward diffusion of long-chain polysulfides from the core. These advantageous structural features, combined with the highly graphitic nature and mesoscale spherical morphology of M-MGCSs, enable Li−S cathodes with greatly improved performance even at high sulfur areal loadings.

Searching for new electrode materials with high capacities and excellent rate performance is crucial for the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Silicon carbide (SiC), which is traditionally considered to be electrochemically inert toward lithiation, has recently been demonstrated to be a potential high-performance anode material upon activation by surface graphitization. Despite the great potential, it remains a grand challenge to synthesize SiC nanostructures with precisely controlled morphologies and surface properties, due to the rather high reaction temperatures (>1200 °C) typically required for SiC crystallization. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel type of SiC nanostructures in which bowl-like, ultrathin SiC nanoshells were encapsulated in hollow graphitic carbon spheres (designated as SiC@HGSs), which exhibited unexpectedly high electrochemical performance when used as LIB anodes. SiC@HGSs retained a stable capacity of 1345 mAh g −1 at a current density of 0.6 A g −1 after 600 cycles and 742 mAh g −1 at 3 A g −1 after 1000 cycles. Even at a high current density of 6 A g −1 , SiC@HGSs could still deliver a capacity of ∼400 mAh g −1 . The superior high-rate performance is attributable to the unique architecture and exceptional structural durability of SiC@HGSs.

Two asymmetric three-dimensional (3D) holetransporting materials (HTMs) containing a triphenylethylene core and peripheral diphenylamine/triphenylamine moieties are first synthesized and successfully used in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Both HTMs are obtained from facile preparation procedures and simple purification techniques. The X-ray diffraction, aggregation-induced emission properties, absorption and emission spectra, electrochemical properties, thermal stability, density functional theory calculations, hole mobility, scanning electronic microscopy, atomic force microscopy, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence, water contact angles, and photovoltaic parameters of the PSCs are compared. The highest power conversion efficiency increases from 12.57% (CJ-02) to 18.56% (CJ-01), rivaling that obtained from the state-of-the-art 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) (18.69%). Further, the lab synthetic cost of CJ-01 is only about 15.5% of the price of commercial spiro-OMeTAD, and the concentration of CJ-01 solution for device fabrication is less than half of the concentration of spiro-OMeTAD solution (30.0 vs 72.3 mg mL −1 ). These results demonstrate that the propeller-shaped compounds with a highly twisted conformation are readily available and promising alternative HTMs for PSCs. Moreover, an applicable strategy to design new HTMs with 3D structure for achieving highly efficient PSCs is proposed.

No abstract

No abstract

Multicomponent therapeutic platforms have been proposed to minimize dosage of each drug and reduce toxicity, leading to achieving a synergistic effect and maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

No abstract

No abstract