Zinc-based flow batteries have gained widespread attention and are considered to be one of the most promising large-scale energy storage devices for increasing the utilization of intermittently sustainable energy. However, the formation of zinc dendrites at anodes has seriously depressed their cycling life, security, coulombic efficiency, and charging capacity. Inhibition of zinc dendrites is thus the bottleneck to further improving the performance of zinc-based flow batteries, but it remains a major challenge. Considering recent developments, this mini review analyzes the formation mechanism and growth process of zinc dendrites and presents and summarizes the strategies for preventing zinc dendrites by regulating the interfaces between anodes and electrolytes. Four typical strategies, namely electrolyte modification, anode engineering, electric field regulation, and ion transfer control, are comprehensively highlighted. Finally, remaining challenges and promising directions are outlined and anticipated for zinc dendrites in zinc-based flow batteries.

Hierarchical SAPO-11 molecular sieves with tunable acidity fabricated by a facile dry-gel conversion approach show excellent performance in hydroisomerization of n-dodecane.

Enhancing the critical temperature (TC) is important not only to the practical applications but also to the theories of superconductivity. MgB2 is a type II superconductor with a TC of 39 K, which is very close to the McMillan limit. Improving the TC of MgB2 is challenging but significant. Inspired by the metamaterial structure, we designed a smart meta-superconductor that consists of MgB2 microparticles and Y2O3:Eu 3+ nanorods. In the local electric field, Y2O3:Eu 3+ nanorods will generate electroluminescence (EL) that can excite MgB2 particles, thereby improving the TC by strengthening the electron-phonon interaction. Each MgB2-based superconductor doped with one of the four dopants of different EL intensities was prepared by an exsitu process. The results showed that the addition of Y2O3:Eu 3+ brings about an impurity effect that decreases the TC and an EL exciting effect that increases the TC. Apart from the EL intensity, the micro-morphology and degree of dispersion of the dopants also affected the TC. This smart meta-superconductor provides a new method for increasing TC.

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The synthesis of hierarchical nanosized zeolite materials without growth modifiers and mesoporogens remains a substantial challenge. Herein, we report a general synthetic approach to produce hierarchical nanosized single‐crystal aluminophosphate molecular sieves by preparing highly homogeneous and concentrated precursors and heating at elevated temperatures. Accordingly, aluminophosphate zeotypes of LTA (8‐rings), AEL (10‐rings), AFI (12‐rings), and ‐CLO (20‐rings) topologies, ranging from small to extra‐large pores, were synthesized. These materials show exceptional properties, including small crystallites (30–150 nm), good monodispersity, abundant mesopores, and excellent thermal stability. A time‐dependent study revealed a non‐classical crystallization pathway by particle attachment. This work opens a new avenue for the development of hierarchical nanosized zeolite materials and understanding their crystallization mechanism.

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Design, synthesis and application of a fluorescent probe with a novel near-infrared fluorophore for in vivo imaging of alkaline phosphatase.