Hierarchical, mesoporous CuCo 2 O 4 nanograss has been synthesized on copper foam using a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal approach followed by a post-annealing treatment. The electrodes made from the novel nanoarchitecture exhibit multi-functional electrochemical performance. They deliver an excellent specific capacitance of 796 F g -1 at a current density of 2 A g -1 in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution and a long-term cyclic stability of 94.7% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles.When applied to electro-catalytic oxidation of methanol, the current density of the CuCo 2 O 4 /Cu foam electrode in 1 M KOH mixed with 0.5 M methanol is maintained up to 27.6 A g -1 . The superior electrochemical performances are mainly due to the unique one dimensional porous acicular architecture with very large surface area and 2 porosity grown on highly conductive Cu substrate, offering faster ion/electron transfer, an improved reactivity and an enhanced structural stability. The fabrication strategy presented here is simple, cost-effective and scalable, which can open new avenues for large-scale applications of the novel materials in energy storage.Fig. 5 (a, b) Low-magnification and high-magnification TEM images of an acicular CuCo 2 O 4 nanograss leaf; (c) corresponding SAED pattern; and (d) energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum of the elements Co, Cu and O.

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A Ni3S2 nanotube array has been synthesized on Ni foam using a template-free hydrothermal method. The Ni foam acts as both the reactant and support. The resulting architecture as an electrode for lithium ion batteries benefits from the unique morphology and exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with high capacity, long cycle life and superior rate capability.

ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes, as electrodes for supercapacitors, are grown on a cellular nickel foam using a cost-effective hydrothermal procedure. The mesoporous ZnCo2O4 nanoflakes have large electroactive surface areas with strong adhesion to the Ni foam, allowing fast ion and electron transport. The nanoarchitecture electrodes deliver an excellent specific capacitance of 1220 F g(-1) at a current density of 2 A g(-1) in a 2 M KOH aqueous solution and a long-term cyclic stability of 94.2% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The fabrication strategy is facile, cost-effective, and can offer great promise for large-scale supercapacitor applications.

Despite their potential application in lithium-ion battery electrodes, one apparent disadvantage for SnO 2based materials is that the electrodes sufferlow coulombic efficiency especially for the initial cycle, which originates from the irreversible conversion of SnO 2 to Sn, the formation of solid electrolyte interphase and the other possible side reactions. Here we design a novel nanofiber structure in which SnO 2 nanoparticles are well separated and confined by inner porous carbon framework and then hooped by outer carbon shell. The resultant SnO 2 /voids@C nanofibers electrode displays not only a high reversible capacity of 986mAh g-1 at 200 mA g-1 after 200 cycles, but also a high initial coulombic efficiency of 73.5%.It has been shown that such a rational design can efficiently reduce the side reactions and promote the reversible conversion of Sn to SnO 2 for both half and full cells.

Nanosized β-SiC powder was prepared by combustion synthesis on a large scale, which was carried out in a N 2 atmosphere with silicon powder and carbon black as the reactants. Mechanical activation played an important role in enhancing the reactivity of the reactants, and a higher ball/charge weight ratio and a prolonged activation time were favorable for complete reaction. PTFE was added as a reaction promoter, which remarkably reduced the minimum activation time required for successful combustion synthesis. On the basis of experimental results and thermodynamical calculation, it is proposed that combustion synthesis of SiC in N 2 includes two steps: (1) Si reacts with N 2 to form Si 3 N 4 , generating a lot of heat energy; (2) at higher temperatures the initially formed Si 3 N 4 decomposes, and released Si reacts with carbon to produce SiC.

Our data demonstrate that HS activates mTORC1 signaling cascades and thereby produces fast-onset antidepressant effect. The study provides a profound insight into HS or its donors as potent preventive and therapeutic agents for intervention of depression. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 472-488.

Self‐assemble monolayer (SAM) has been proven to be an effective interfacial layer to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) SAM is used as an interlayer between the SnO2 electron‐transporting layer (ETL) and the perovskite film to modify fully air‐processed PSCs. In the devices prepared by the two‐step method, this MPTMS SAM interlayer can slow down the crystal growth of perovskite and smooth the surface of the SnO2 ETL, which could induce a high‐quality perovskite absorber. In contrast, it can passivate the SnO2/perovskite interface to enhance the extraction efficiency of photogenerated electrons and restrain carrier recombination. As a result, with suitable MPTMS SAM modification, the average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the fully air‐processed PSCs is significantly improved from 16.62% to 18.75%, and the best device achieved a champion PCE over 20%. Moreover, the modified PSCs exhibit a good stability in ambient air. This research shows that the interface modification of MPTMS SAM is a feasible method for high‐performance PSCs.