High-power lithium-ion batteries place high demands on the fast charging ability of electrode materials, while for the current graphite anode, it suffers from anisotropic and sluggish Li+ transport due to its small interlayer spacing. In addition, the large polarization at low lithiation potential at a high rate leads to Li+ deposition and side reactions of Li with the electrolyte. In this work, α-Al2O3 nanodots incorporated into aggregates of thin-layer graphite have been developed by facile high-energy ball milling of graphite and layer-structured pseudo-boehmite. By optimization, the ball-milled graphite/Al2O3 (BG/Al2O3) manifests a high reversible capacity of 344 mAh g–1 higher than the 98.7 mAh g–1 of graphite after 500 cycles at 1 A g–1 (∼2.7C) and 200 mAh g–1 higher than the 59.6 mAh g–1 of raw graphite at 3 A g–1 after 500 cycles. The wrinkled edges and expanded interlayer spacing generated by high-energy ball milling optimize the Li+ transport and accelerate reaction kinetics, contributing high pseudocapacitance and enabling fast charging ability. The α-Al2O3 nanodots can decrease the side reactions between the electrolyte and graphite electrode, contributing high cyclic stability. This study lays a foundation for the one-step mechanical force chemistry method to prepare highly stable fast-charging graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

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Low-emissivity (low-e) glass has garnered considerable attention for implementation in energy-saving windows, which can effectively decrease the energy consumption of buildings. However, the traditional vacuum-coating technology of low-e films greatly enhances the cost of energy-saving windows, and the influence of the vacuum-coating parameters on the optical characteristics of low-e films necessitates a complex optimization process. Herein, we prepared Ag NWs with controllable diameters using the polyol method, and the alignment of the Ag NW film coating on glass substrates was regulated by the shear force of the liquid flow generated through magnetic stirring. After optimization, the low-εMIR windows based on aligned Ag NW (60 nm) coatings showed an optical transmittance of 84.4% and a low εMIR of 0.3, which were superior to those of commercial low-εMIR glass (T: 65.6%; εMIR: 0.4). The simplicity and low cost of aligned Ag NW coatings for low-e glass open up a new avenue for reducing energy consumption in existing windows.

NASICON-type Li[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text](PO4)3 (LATP) solid electrolyte features low cost of raw materials, high stability against O2/H2O, high ionic conductivity and high compatibility with cathode. Despite these merits, the direct contact of Li with LATP would trigger the reduction of Ti[Formula: see text] into Ti[Formula: see text], and thereupon decrease ion conductivity and enhance electron conductivity, thus limiting its application. In this work, the garnet Li[Formula: see text]La3Zr[Formula: see text]Ta[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] (LLZTO) particles were chosen to disperse in NASICON-type Li[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text](PO4)3 matrix in order to strengthen stability against Li metal. During sintering, the matrix/particle reaction occurs, where LLZTO reacts with LATP, inducing the formation of LaPO4 particles. By optimization of LLZTO content, an enhanced ionic conductivity of 1.03 × 10[Formula: see text]S cm[Formula: see text] can be harvested. Moreover, introducing LLZTO particles into LATP matrix can slow down the degradation of the electrolyte to a certain extent and provide better interfacial stability of symmetrical battery than pure LATP solid electrolyte.

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