In the ongoing pursuit toward a high-performance lithium-ion battery (LIB), an understanding of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is important to enhance the performance and lifetime of LIB. Despite many years of dedicated research on the study of the SEI layer, the well-known mosaic model of the SEI layer has not yet been fully established experimentally. Herein, we report a comprehensive experimental evidence of the formation and growth process of the mosaic structure of the SEI layer by using a specially designed cell. Sequential in situ and ex situ characterizations provide experimental evidence for the mosaic structure of the SEI layer. Our experimental characterizations open up a promising approach to investigate the electrode−electrolyte interface comprehensively in advanced battery systems.

Orthorhombic α‐MoO3 is a potential anode material for lithium‐ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity of 1100 mAh g−1 and excellent structural stability. However, its intrinsic poor electronic conductivity and high volume expansion during the charge–discharge process impede it from achieving a high practical capacity. A novel composite of α‐MoO3 nanobelts and single‐walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) is synthesized by a facile microwave hydrothermal technique and demonstrated as a high‐performance anode material for lithium‐ion batteries. The α‐MoO3/SWCNH composite displays superior electrochemical properties (654 mAh g−1 at 1 C), excellent rate capability (275 mAh g−1 at 5 C), and outstanding cycle life (capacity retention of >99% after 3000 cycles at 1 C) without any cracking of the electrode. The presence of SWCNHs in the composite enhances the electrochemical properties of α‐MoO3 by acting as a lithium storage material, electronic conductive medium, and buffer against pulverization.

Influences of ZnO sol-gel thin film characteristics on ZnO nanowire arrays prepared at low temperature using all solution-based processing Abstract. Hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires were performed using ZnO nanoparticles as a seed layer. The growth was found to depend strongly on the reaction duration. These nanowires detected H 2 S with faster response and recovery time of 13 and 78 s, respectively towards 20 ppm at 350 o C. The lowest detection limit was improved to 0.6 ppm upon annealing in O 2 flow of 50 sccm. The response time was further improved to just 6 s towards 20 ppm of H 2 S at 350 o C. The enhanced response characteristics have been attributed to the high surface area to volume ratio of nanowires. Photoluminescence (PL) studies showed increase in the green emission related to defect states in ZnO. This is also expected to contribute for the improved sensing characteristics.

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