Considering the promising electrochemical performance of the recently reported pyrophosphate family in lithium ion batteries as well as the increasing importance of sodium ion batteries (SIBs) for emerging large‐scale applications, here, the crystal structure, electrochemical properties, and thermal stability of Na2FeP2O7, the first example ever reported in the pyrophosphate family for SIBs, are investigated. Na2FeP2O7 maintains well‐defined channel structures (triclinic framework under the P1 space group) and exhibits a reversible capacity of ≈90 mAh g−1 with good cycling performance. Both quasi‐equilibrium measurements and first‐principles calculations consistently indicate that Na2FeP2O7 undergoes two kinds of reactions over the entire voltage range of 2.0–4.5 V (vs Na/Na+): a single‐phase reaction around 2.5 V and a series of two‐phase reactions in the voltage range of 3.0–3.25 V. Na2FeP2O7 shows excellent thermal stability up to 500 °C, even in the partially desodiated state (NaFeP2O7), which suggests its safe character, a property that is very critical for large‐scale battery applications.

Platinum (Pt) is widely used as battery electrodes, catalysts for chemicals, and catalysts for exhaust gas decomposition in industries. Increasing need and very limited supply of rare Pt is a serious problem in the world. Here, we propose new synthetic way for reducing the use of Pt in a catalytic system by increasing the surface area and modifying the Pt surface structure. Several types of mesoporous Pt films with different pore sizes ranging from 5 to 30 nm are prepared by electrochemical plating in aqueous surfactant solutions. The mesopore walls are composed of connected Pt nanoparticles with around 3 nm in diameter. The Pt atomic crystallinity is coherently extending across over several Pt nanoparticles, showing a large number of atomic steps, which can accelerate methanol oxidation reaction. As a result of a high surface area and unique Pt surface, our mesoporous Pt film exhibits high potentiality as a superior electrocatalyst.

Recent advances in the fabrication of quasicrystals in soft matter systems have increased the length scales for quasicrystals into the mesoscale range (20 to 500 ångströms). Thus far, dendritic liquid crystals, ABC-star polymers, colloids and inorganic nanoparticles have been reported to yield quasicrystals. These quasicrystals offer larger length scales than intermetallic quasicrystals (a few ångströms), thus potentially leading to optical applications through the realization of a complete photonic bandgap induced via multiple scattering of light waves in virtually all directions. However, the materials remain far from structurally ideal, in contrast to their intermetallic counterparts, and fine control over the structure through a self-organization process has yet to be attained. Here we use the well-established self-assembly of surfactant micelles to produce a new class of mesoporous silicas, which exhibit 12-fold (dodecagonal) symmetry in both electron diffraction and morphology. Each particle reveals, in the 12-fold cross-section, an analogue of dodecagonal quasicrystals in the centre surrounded by 12 fans of crystalline domains in the peripheral part. The quasicrystallinity has been verified by selected-area electron diffraction and quantitative phason strain analyses on transmission electron microscope images obtained from the central region. We argue that the structure forms through a non-equilibrium growth process, wherein the competition between different micellar configurations has a central role in tuning the structure. A simple theoretical model successfully reproduces the observed features and thus establishes a link between the formation process and the resulting structure.

Lithium-ion batteries, which have been widely used to power portable electronic devices, are on the verge of being applied to new automobile applications. To expand this emerging market, however, an electrode that combines fast charging capability, long-term cycle stability, and high energy density is needed. Herein, we report a novel layered lithium vanadium fluorophosphate, Li1.1Na0.4VPO4.8F0.7, as a promising positive electrode contender. This new material has two-dimensional lithium pathways and is capable of reversibly releasing and reinserting ~1.1 Li+ ions at an ideal 4 V (versus Li+/Li) to give a capacity of ~156 mAh g−1 (energy density of 624 Wh kg−1). Moreover, outstanding capacity retentions of 98% and 96% after 100 cycles were achieved at 60°C and room temperature, respectively. Unexpectedly high rate capability was delivered for both charge and discharge despite the large particle size (a few microns), which promises further enhancement of power density with proper nano-engineering.