Constructing electrode materials with fast ions and electrons transport channels is an effective solution to achieve high-power-density and longcycle potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Herein, completely opening radial pores in N/O dual-doped carbon nanospheres (RPCNSs) are constructed as anode for high-power PIBs. The RPCNS with hierarchical structure (micro/ meso/macropores and radial channels) and N/O dual-doping permits speedy ions and electrons transportation within the carbon nanospheres anode, achieving a reversible capacity of 346 mAh g −1 at 50 mA g −1 after 360 cycles and long-term cycling life over 2000 cycles without obvious capacity attenuation. The in situ Raman and kinetic analysis (in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic intermittent titration) suggest that the exquisitely designed pore structure and heterodoping enable highly reversible electrochemical reaction and fast de/ intercalation kinetics. Moreover, the full cells packaged with RPCNS anode can be fully charged in 10 s and exhibit the highest charge power density of 24 866 W kg −1 and longest cycling endurance of 5000 cycles in reported PIBs. The unique structural engineering provides a new way for high-power density potassium-ion storage devices.

Lithium sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted considerable interest as next‐generation high‐density energy storage devices. However, their practical application is limited by low capacity and rapid capacity fading at commerical‐level mass loadings, which is largely attributed to the inferior electron/ion conduction, as well as severe the shuttling effect of soluble polysulfide species. To address these issues, a three‐dimensional holey graphene/polyacrylonitrile sulfur (3DHG/PS) composite cathode is developed for high‐mass‐loading Li–S batteries. The unique architectural design with the 3D holey graphene framework ensures fast electron and ion transport within the thick electrode, and affords enough space for mitigating the volume expansion of the electrode. Moreover, in situ Raman results demonstrate that covalent sulfur within 3DHG/PS fundamentally avoids forming soluble lithium polysulfides, which effectively reduces the undesired shuttling effect. With these advantages, the 3DHG/PS cathode exhibits an ultra‐low capacity fading rate of 0.012% per cycle after continuous 1500 cycles, as well as high specific capacity and superior rate capability with a high mass loading of 15.2 mg cm–2, which offers a promising avenue to construct future Li–S batteries with superior performance at mass loadings that exceed commercial levels.

Potassium-ion hybrid capacitors (PIHCs) show great potential in largescale energy storage due to the advantages of electrochemical capacitors and potassium-ion batteries. However, their development remains at the preliminary stage and is mainly limited by the kinetic imbalance between the two electrodes. Herein, an architecture of NbSe 2 nanosheets embedded in N, Se co-doped carbon nanofibers (NbSe 2 /NSeCNFs) as flexible, free-standing, and binder-free anodes for PIHCs is reported. The NbSe 2 /NSeCNFs with hierarchically porous structure and N, Se co-doping afford highly efficient channels for fast transportation of potassium ions and electrons during repeated cycling process. Furthermore, excellent electrochemical reversibility of the NbSe 2 /NSeCNFs electrode is demonstrated through in situ XRD, in situ Raman, ex situ transmission electron microscopy and element mapping. Thus, PIHCs with the NbSe 2 /NSeCNFs anode and active carbon cathode achieve a high energy of 145 W h kg −1 at a current density of 50 mA g −1 , as well as an ultra-long cycle life of over 10 000 cycles at a high current density of 2 A g −1. These results indicate that the assembled PIHCs display great potential for applications in the field of ultra-long cycling energy storage devices.

Abstract:The present study investigated the effects and potential mechanism(s) of action of icariin on the reproductive functions of male rats. Adult rats were treated orally with icariin at doses of 0 (control), 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg body weight for 35 consecutive days. The results show that icariin had virtually no effect on the body weight or organ coefficients of the testes or epididymides. However, 100 mg/kg icariin significantly increased epididymal sperm counts. In addition, 50 and 100 mg/kg icariin significantly increased testosterone levels. Real-time PCR suggests icariin may be involved in testosterone production via mRNA expression regulation of genes such as peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). Furthermore, 100 mg/kg icariin treatment also affected follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and claudin-11 mRNA expression in Sertoli cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the testes; 50 and 100 mg/kg icariin treatment improved antioxidative capacity, while 200 mg/kg icariin treatment upregulated oxidative stress. These results collectively suggest that icariin within a certain dose range is beneficial to male reproductive functions; meanwhile, higher doses of icariin may damage reproductive functions by increasing oxidative stress in the testes.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries (RT-Na-S batteries) are attractive for large-scale energy storage applications owing to their high storage capacity as well as the rich abundance and low cost of the materials. Unfortunately, their practical application is hampered by severe challenges, such as low conductivity of sulfur and its reduced products, volume expansion, polysulfides shuttling effect and Na dendrite formation, which can lead to rapid capacity fading. The review discusses the Na-S-energy-storage chemistry, highlighting its promise, key challenges and potential strategies for large-scale energy storage systems. Specifically, we review the electrochemical principles and the current technical challenges of RT-Na-S batteries, and discuss the strategies to address these obstacles. In particular, we give a comprehensive review of recent progresses in cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, separators, and cell configurations, and provide a forward-looking perspective on strategies toward robust high energy density RT-Na-S batteries.