Volume 11, (2019)

• Direct Patterning of Carbon Nanotube via Stamp Contact Printing Process for Stretchable and Sensitive Sensing devices

  Binghao Liang1, Zian Zhang1, Wenjun Chen1, Dongwei Lu1, Leilei Yang1, Rongliang Yang1, Hai Zhu2, Zikang Tang3, Xuchun Gui1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 92
  First Online: 23 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0323-8

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    Schematic of the fabricating process and as-prepared samples of CNT films by stamp method. a Schematic illustration of the fabricating process. b Photograph of the CNT seal and stone seal. c Photograph of the CNT block. d SEM image of CNT block. e SEM image of the CNT film on Ecoflex substrate. f Transferred CNT film with an “S” pattern
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    Characterization of the electrical properties of CNT films. The sheet resistance of the transferred CNT films a at different stamp pressure, b at different stamp number of times. c The change of sheet resistance of the CNT film after ultrasonic washing at different time. Electric stability of CNT film d during 1,000 cycles stretching under strain of 50%, e during 1,000 cycles under bending (180 degrees), f during 1,000 cycles twisting (90 degrees)
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    Sensing properties of CNT-based strain sensors. a Relative resistance response of CNT-based strain sensors versus applied strain. b Gauge factor of CNT-based strain sensors versus applied strain. c Relative resistance change verse applied strain over 5,000 cycles. d Relative resistance change verse applied strain with increasing maximum strain from 10% to 70%. e Hysteresis curves of the stretch/release cycles under different maximum applied strain. f Comparison on gauge factor (GF) and maximum strain between our strain sensors and the recently reported strain sensors, which constructed by different conductive materials, including MXene [50], Silk fiber [17], Cu Nanowires (NWs) mesh [47], Au NWs [46], Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) [9], SWCNT/hydrogel [45], graphene woven microfabrics [49], graphene-gold mesh [48], Ag Nanoparticles (NPs)/Ag NWs [51], and PEDOT:PSS [52]
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    Transferred CNT films with different patterns and their electromechanical properties. a Optical camera images of wavy CNT strip with different wavenumbers. b Transferred CNT film with different mesh structures. c The different pattern of CNT network including an interdigital electrode, characters and strips with different line width. d The resistance of CNT strips with different line width. e Electromechanical properties of the strain sensor with different wave number pattern. f Electromechanical properties of the strain sensor with different direction mesh pattern
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    Several applications of CNT-based strain sensor. a Resistance response of finger motion. b Resistance response of wrist motion. c Monitoring the movement of a robot knee. d The pulse signal of a volunteer. e Detection of human breath though a mask. f Resistance response of tiny change of air pressure. g Monitoring the human voice with the word “Carbon”. h Monitoring the human voice with the word “Nanotube”. i Monitoring the human voice with the word “Graphene”

• Optimizing the Performance of CsPbI3-based Perovskite Solar Cells via Doping a ZnO Electron Transport Layer Coupled with Interface Engineering

  Man Yue1, #, Jie Su1, #, *, Peng Zhao1, Zhenhua Lin1, Jincheng Zhang1, Jingjing Chang1, *, Yue Hao1	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 91
  First Online: 18 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0320-y

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    Schematic device structure of the CsPbI3-based PSCs with a ZnO single-layer and b TiO2 (PCBM)/ZnO bilayer ETL
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    a, d Device parameters as functions of the perovskite thickness for a CsPbI3-based PSC with a single-layer ZnO ETL. b EQE spectra and c net carrier generation rate for CsPbI3-based PSCs with a single-layer ZnO ETL under different perovskite thickness conditions
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    Quasi Fermi level with different perovskite layer thicknesses
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    Device parameters as a function of the thickness of ZnO for the CsPbI3-based PSC with a single-layer ZnO ETL
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    a Short circuit current density (Jsc) and net carrier generation rate (N), b J - V curves, c fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE), and d energy band diagrams coupled with open circuit voltage Voc of CsPbI3-based PSCs at different doping concentrations
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    Device parameters as functions of a, b the thickness of the PCBM layer for a PSC with a PCBM/ZnO bilayer ETL and c, d the thickness of the TiO2 layer for a PSC with TiO2/ZnO bilayer ETL
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    a J – V characteristics of PSCs with a ZnO single-layer ETL, PCBM/ZnO bilayer ETL, TiO2/ZnO bilayer ETL under a simulated AM 1.5 G illumination of 100 mW cm-2, in which the doping concentration of the ZnO layer is 1020 cm-3. b EQE spectra of devices based on a 200-nm perovskite layer with different ETLs. c Energy band diagrams of the device with a PCBM/ZnO bilayer. d DOS of the CsPbI3/ZnO and CsPbI3/TiO2/ZnO interfaces under different electronic fields. The optimized structures of e CsPbI3/ZnO and f CsPbI3/TiO2/ZnO interfaces are shown.
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    a J – V characteristics of PSCs with a ZnO single-layer ETL, PCBM/ZnO bilayer ETL, TiO2/ZnO bilayer ETL at a doping concentration for the ZnO layer of 1022 cm-3. b Device parameters of PSCs with PCBM/ZnO bilayer ETLs and TiO2/ZnO bilayer ETLs optimized by a doping concentration of approximately 1022 cm-3 in the ZnO layer coupled with the reported device performances of the CsPbI3-based PSCs

• Recent Progress on Zinc-Ion Rechargeable Batteries

  Wangwang Xu1, Ying Wang1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 90
  First Online: 17 October 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0322-9

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    Schematic illustration of the transformation process of γ-MnO2 cathode with Zn2+ ion insertion.
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    a Schematic of aqueous ZIBs based on Zn0.25V2O5 cathode. Due to the water molecules between the V2O5 layers, the interlayer space expands. b The related HRTEM image of the Zn0.25V2O5·nH2O nanobelts. c Schematics showing the co-intercalation of water molecules accompanying Zn2+ in/out of the interlayer space of V2O5 layers during charging and discharging process.
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    a Schematic illustration of Zn2+ intercalation/de-intercalation in VO2 crystals. b HR-TEM and SEM images of RGO-VO2; Schematic view of the pathways for electron transportation in different samples (RGO-VO2 and VO2-super P). c Electrochemical performance of RGO-VO2 composite film, including charge/discharge profiles, rate capability, and long-term cycling test at 4 A g-1.
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    a SEM image of V6O13∙nH2O (insert: the corresponding atomic structure). b Rate capabilities of V6O13∙nH2O and V6O13 electrodes. c Long-term cycling performances of V6O13∙nH2O and V6O13 cathodes at 5 A g-1.
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    a Schematic view of single-nanowire ZIB, b the transport property, c the CV curves tested at different scan rates ranging from 50 to 500 mV s-1, d the specific capacitances at different scan rates. e The SAED pattern, the inset shows the TEM image and f HRTEM image of Na0.33V2O5 electrode after 100 cycles.
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    The comprehensive electrochemical performance for LiV2(PO4)3. a Comparison of LiV2(PO4)3 cathode with other researched cathode materials for ZIBs. b Gravimetric (Wh kg-1) and volumetric (Wh L-1) energy densities for different battery systems. c The spider chart for the itemized comparison of Zn/LiV2(PO4)3 cell with other commercial systems.
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    a Schematic of formation of MoO2/Mo2N composite materials during the electrochemical activation process. b The capacity during the electrochemical activation cycling process. c The Nyquist plots at different cycling times.
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    Specific capacity versus discharge potential of various cathode materials for ZIBs
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    a Schematic showing the flexible quasi-solid-state Zn-MnO2@PEDOT batteries. b HRTEM images of MnO2@PEDOT sample. c Schematic illustration of the structure of the solid-state ZIB and d the hammering test. e Schematic illustration of the structure of the wire battery, inset showing the charging-discharging curves corresponding to the wire batteries bending at different angles. f Galvanostatic discharge curves of Zn-MnO2 batteries bending at different curvatures.
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    a Schematic diagram of a quasi-solid-state Zn/NVO battery, b LED array with 52 bulbs powered by two quasi-solid-state Zn/NVO battery under bending condition, c cycling performance under various bending states at 0.5 A g-1 of the flexible quasi-solid-state Zn/NVO battery. d Cycling performance of soft-packaged and cable-type quasi-solid-state batteries under various bending states at 0.5 A g-1. e A wrist strap powered by two soft-packaged quasi-solid-state batteries in series, f an LED array powered by two cable-type quasi-solid-state batteries in series.
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    a Comparisons of the adhesion force of the PAM-gel and AF-gel at -20 °C. b Bending test of the PAM-battery and AF-battery at -20 °C. c Charge-discharge profile of the AF-battery under bending test at 0.2 A g-1. d PAM-battery and AF-battery holding an ice block, the AF-battery can still power an electrical watch at -20 °C. e Cycling test of the AF-battery under various heavy loads at -20 °C. f Hammering tests of the PAM-battery and AF-battery after one day of cooling at -20 °C. g Discharge curves and h cycling test of the AF-battery under hammering tests. i Capacity retention of the AF-battery washing in an ice bath.
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    Schematic illustration of the zinc metal anode with stable coating layer. a Plating and stripping of zinc ions lead to unstable surface. Side reaction during coutinuous cycling can lead to passivation and dendrite growth. b A thin coating layer leads to a stable deposition/stripping process, hindering dendrite growth and byproduct formation. Schematic of morphological changes about c the formation of ZnO passivation layer on Zn anode during charging and discharging. d GO on Zn surface can supress the formation of ZnO passivation and slow down the dissolution of Zn metal.

• Towards Flexible and Wearable Embroidered Supercapacitors from Cobalt Phosphides Decorated Conductive Fibers

  Jianfeng Wen1, Bingang Xu1,*, Jinyun Zhou1	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 89
  First Online: 17 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0321-x

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    a The schematic diagram of a cone of the conductive silver-plated nylon yarns and a piece of the cotton fabric. b The diagram of the computer-aided programming. c The diagram of the conductive SE. d The real photos of the SE products
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    a SEM images of the overview of the SE single finger. b A single fiber of the original SPNYs. c The damaged fiber surface of the SPNYs. d A single fiber of the Ni NTAs. e The microspheres of the CoP@Ni NTAs@SE. f-g The EDS mapping of Co and P. h SEAD pattern. i TEM image of CoP. j The XRD curves of the SE , Ni NTAs@SE, and CoP@Ni NTAs@SE
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    a-c The schematic diagram of the fabrication CoP@Ni NTAs@SE. d Overview of the CoP@Ni NTAs@SE. e The real images of the SE, Ni NTAs@SE and CoP@Ni NTAs@SE
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    CV curves of a the electrodes with nikel layers electrodeposited at different voltages, b phosphides fabricated by different Ni/Co ratios, c CoP fabricated on Ni NTAs@SE at different voltages, d different CoP mass loadings on Ni NTAs@SE at a scanning voltage rate of 20 mV s-1
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    a CV curves of a CoP@Ni NTAs@SE based SC at different low scanning voltage rates. b CV curves at different high scanning voltage rates. c GCD curves of a CoP@Ni NTAs@SE based SC at different areal current densities. d The area and gravimetric capacitances at different current densities. e GCD curves of SC bended for different times at 1.2 mA cm-2. f Cyclic stability within 5,000 times at different current densities. g The Nyquist plots of the CoP@Ni NTAs@SE SC. h Ragone plot of the CoP@Ni NTAs@SE SC
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    a Real photos of two and four embroidery SCs connected in series. b, c CV and GCD curves of two SCs connected in series at a voltage scanning rate of 100 mV s-1 and current density of 2.4 mA cm-2. d The display of embroidering the “PolyU” monogramed SC on the lab gown. e The electrochemical measurement on the “PolyU” SC. f CV and GCD curve of the “PolyU” SC

• CNT/High Mass Loading MnO2/Graphene-grafted Carbon Cloth Electrodes for High-energy Asymmetric Supercapacitors

  Lulu Lyu1, Kwang-dong Seong1, Jong Min Kim1, Wang Zhang2, Xuanzhen Jin1, Dae Kyom Kim1, Youngmoo Jeon1, Jeongmin Kang1,a Yuanzhe Piao1, 3, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 88
  First Online: 17 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0316-7

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    Schematic illustration of the preparation procedure of the CNT/MnO2/GCC electrode
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    a SEM image of GCC. b Nitrogen adsorption isotherms of GCC and ECC. c Low-, and d high-resolution SEM images of CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrodes
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    a TEM image, b HRTEM image, and c EDX elemental mapping of the CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrode. d XRD spectra, and e Raman spectra of GCC and CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrodes. f XPS spectrum of Mn 2p peak of the CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrode
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    a CV curves at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1 within a potential window from 0 to 1 V, b GCD curves at a current density of 1 mA cm-2, and c areal capacitances at different current densities from 1 to 30 mA cm-2 of GCC, CNT/MnO2-25/ECC, and CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrodes. d Nyquist plots of CNT/MnO2-25/ECC and CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrodes. Insert: the fitted equivalent circuit. Rs, Rct, W, and Cdl denote as equivalent series resistance, charge transfer resistance, Warburg diffusion impedance, and electrochemical double-layer capacitance, respectively. e Capacitive contribution (grey region) to the total charge storage at 1 mV s-1, and f Capacitive (red) and diffusion-controlled (green) contribution versus scan rates of the CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrode. g Capacitance comparison of the CNT/MnO2-25/GCC electrode with previous reports. MnO2/carbon fiber paper, MnO2/CNT/carbon tape, MnO2/CNT film, MnO2/anodic aluminum oxide (AAO), MnO2/Ni nanorod array, MnO2/Ni foil, MnO2/CC. h The schematic illustration of the CNT/MnO2-25/GCC structure
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    The electrochemical performance of the quasi-solid-state flexible ASC. a Schematic illustration of the assembled ASC. b CV curves of the cathode and anode at 5 mV s-1. c CV curves at various voltage windows at 5 mV s-1. d CV curves at different scan rates from 5 to 80 mV s-1. e CV curves and capacitance retentions at different bending angles. f GCD profiles at different current densities from 2 to 15 mA cm-2. g Areal and volumetric capacitances at different current densities. h Cycling stability at 15 mA cm-2 upon 10000 cycles. Insets: five LEDs and a temperature/humidity indicator powered by the ASC device.
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    Ragone plots about volumetric energy density and power density of this ASC and other devices with high mass loading of active materials from previous reports. MnOx//graphene, Fe2O3//Fe2O3, graphene//MnO2//activated carbon (AC), polypyrrole(Ppy)/MnO2//AC, MnOx//VOx, MnO2//WO3, MnO2//activated carbon cloth (ACC), MnO2//Fe2O3, MnO2//Ppy, and NiOx//FeOx

• Augmenting Intrinsic Fenton-like Activities of MOF-derived Catalysts via N-Molecules Assisted Self‐catalyzed Carbonization

  Chengdong Yang1, Mi Zhou1, Chao He2, Yun Gao1, Shuang Li3, Xin Fan1, Yi Lin1, *, Fei Cheng1, Puxin Zhu1, *, Chong Cheng2, 4	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 87
  First Online: 17 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0319-4

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    Illustrated formation procedures for the iron(III)-2-aminoterephthalic frameworks (MIL-88B-NH2, MIL = Materials from the Lavoisier Institute) and the resulted CNTs-Fe decorated carbon hybrids (MIL/CNT-Fe), and the corresponding schematic image of Fenton-like reactions towards the organic pollutants
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    SEM images of a MIL-88B-NH2, b MIL-Fe-800, c MIL/CNT-Fe-700, d MIL/CNT-Fe-800, and e MIL/CNT-Fe-900. f SAED patterns for MIL/CNT-Fe-800 (marked in i by red circle and stated by "SAED"). g TEM images of MIL/CNT-Fe-800. h HRTEM images of MIL/CNT-Fe-800. i TEM image of single CNT-Fe structure for MIL/CNT-Fe-800. j EDX mapping of MIL/CNT-Fe-800
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    a PXRD analysis of different samples. b Raman spectra of different samples. c N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms of catalysts. d The pore size distributions of MIL/CNT-Fe-800 and MIL-Fe-800 calculated from the adsorption branch of the isotherms by the quenched solid density functional theory (QSDFT) model for spherical pore type. High-resolution e C 1s, f Fe 2p, h N 1s, XPS spectra of MIL/CNT-Fe-800. High-resolution g Fe 2p and i N 1s XPS spectra of MIL-Fe-800
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    a EPR measurements with/without MIL/CNT-Fe-800. b Degradation curves of BPA in different reaction systems. c Degradation rates (%) of BPA with different catalysts in 40 min. d The reaction rate constants of BPA degradation in different reaction systems. e Recycling experiments for BPA degradation using MIL/CNT-Fe-800. f Contrast experiment at solution with different pH values for BPA degradation using MIL/CNT-Fe-800. Reaction conditions: [BPA]=20 mg L-1, [PMS]=0.2 g L-1, catalyst= 0.1 g L-1, T=298 K, initial pH =6
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    a The degradation of MB in different reaction systems. b Degradation rates (%) of MB with different catalysts in 40 min. c Kinetic linear fitting for the removal of MB, d The degradation of TC in different reaction systems. e Degradation rate (%) of TC with different catalysts in 15 min. f Contrast experiment of different pH for TC degradation using MIL/CNT-Fe-800. Reaction conditions: [MB or TC] = 20 mg L-1, [PMS] = 0.2 g L-1, catalyst = 0.1 g L-1, T =298 K, initial pH = 6
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    a SEM image of O-MIL/CNT-Fe-800. b SEM image of O-MIL-Fe-800. c Contrast experiment of iron oxide for BPA degradation. d Degradation rate (%) of BPA with different catalysts in 40 min

• Wet-chemical Synthesis and Application of Semiconductor Nanomaterial-based Epitaxial Heterostructures

  Junze Chen1, Qinglang Ma1, Xue-Jun Wu2, Liuxiao Li1, Jiawei Liu1, Hua Zhang1, 3, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 86
  First Online: 15 October 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0317-6

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    Schematic illustration of epitaxial heterostructures based on a 0D seeds/templates, b 1D seeds/templates, and c 2D seeds/templates
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    a Schematic illustrations of dot-in-rod and dot-in-tetrapod structures obtained from wurtzite and zinc blende seeds, respectively. b Absorption spectrum and TEM image of 4.4 nm CdSe NCs with wurtzite lattice. c TEM image of CdSe-CdS dot-in-nanorod structures. d High-resolution TEM image of a CdSe-CdS dot-in-nanorod grown from a 4.4 nm w-CdSe seed. Scale bar, 5 nm. e High-angle annular dark field (HAADF) image of a CdSe-CdS dot-in-rod and corresponding elemental profiles for Cd, S, and Se obtained by recording energy dispersion spectroscopy signal intensities along the line shown in yellow in HAADF image. f Absorption spectrum and TEM image of 4.0 nm CdSe nanocrystals with zinc blende lattice. g TEM images of CdSe/CdS tetrapods grown from 4.0 nm zb-CdSe seeds. h TEM image of a CdSe/CdS tetrapod grown from 4 nm zb-CdSe seed. i HRTEM image of a tetrapod fragment showing the interface between {111} planes of zb-CdSe seed and {001} planes of w-CdS arms.
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    a Schematic illustration of the cation exchange transformation of Cu1.8S NCs into sandwich-like heterostructures with ZnS caps. b-f TEM images show the composition change from the initial Cu1.8S NCs b into ZnS f with a thin layer of Cu1.8S. The Cu1.8S disk thickness (t) is indicated. g Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) image of a single partially exchanged hexagonal Cu2Se NC. Two PbSe stripes in the middle of the NC were observed. h TEM image of partially exchanged CdS QD consisting of a heterostructure of CdS and PbS. i TEM image of partially exchanged CdSe QD.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis of 1D linear structure and 1D striped structure by partial cation exchange. b Color-composite energy-filtered TEM image of CdS-Cu2S nanorods. The orange regions correspond to the Cd energy-filtered mapping, and the blue regions correspond to the Cu mapping. c HRTEM image of a CdS-Cu2S nanorod. d, e TEM images of transformed CdS-Ag2S superlattices. Inset in e: Histogram of Ag2S segment spacing.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis of Cu2-xS-MoX2 (X=S or Se) epitaxial heterostructure. b TEM image of a Cu2-xS-MoSe2 heterostructure. The circles indicate the Cu1.94S (component i) and Cu2S (component ii). The red arrows indicate the MoSe2 (component iii). Inset: HRTEM image of Cu2-xS-MoSe2 taken in the square in b. c HAADF-STEM and d annular bright field STEM images of a Cu2-xS-MoSe2 heterostructure taken at the same area. e Schematic illustration of the crystal structure of Cu2-xS-MoSe2 heterostructure.
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    a TEM image of Pd NCs grown on an MoS2 nanosheet. b Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern of Pd-MoS2 epitaxial heterostructures with the electron beam perpendicular to the basal plane of the MoS2 nanosheet. c HRTEM image of Pd NCs on MoS2, showing distinguishable lattice fringes of Pd and MoS2. Inset: photograph of the Pd-MoS2 solution. d TEM image of Pt NCs grown on an MoS2 nanosheet. e SAED pattern of Pt-MoS2 epitaxial heterostructures with the electron beam perpendicular to the basal plane of the MoS2 nanosheet. f HRTEM image of Pt NCs on MoS2 showing distinguishable lattice fringes of Pt and MoS2. g TEM image and schematic illustration of lateral 2D heterostructures consisting of Bi2Se3 nanoplates and CdS NCs. h HRTEM image of the Bi2Se3-CdS interface, viewed along the [001] axes. i TEM image and schematic illustration of basal Bi2Se3-CdS heterostructures.
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    a Schematic illustration of type A nanostructure. TEM images of CdS-type A nanostructure lying flat b and standing c on the TEM grids. d Schematic illustration of type B nanostructure. e Dark-field STEM image of CdS-type B nanostructures. f Dark-field STEM image of a typical CdS-type B nanostructure standing on the TEM grid. Two bright strips, indicated by black arrows, can be clearly observed in the nanostructures. g Schematic illustration of type C nanostructure. h, i Dark-field STEM images of CdS-type C nanostructures.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis of core@shell and core-crown structures from 2D seeds. b HAADF image of annealed CdSe@CdS core@shell nanoplates with very smooth surfaces. c High-resolution HAADF image of a CdSe@CdS core@shell nanoplate on the side exhibiting the core@shell structure and five Cd planes of the initial CdSe nanoplate. d TEM image of CdSe-CdS core-crown heterostructures. e HAADF-STEM image and f color-coded STEM EDS map of CdSe-CdS core-crown heterostructures. The red, green, and blue colors represent to S, Se, and Cd, respectively.
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    a Photograph of PL of core@shell QDs with different compositions. In this photograph, QD solutions are excited by a UV lamp with emission centered at a wavelength of 365 nm. b PL spectra of CdSe@ZnS and PbS@CdS core@shell QDs showing the possibility for narrowband emission across the visible and near-IR wavelength regions. Inset: schematic illustration of a core@shell QD.
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    a Schematic illustration of the multicomponent heterostructure and energy band diagram of a Pt-tipped CdS rod with an embedded CdSe seed. b The Pt tip is clearly seen in the HRTEM and HAADF STEM images. TEM images of Pt-tipped seeded rods withthe lengths of c 27 nm and d 70 nm on average. e Relative quantum efficiency for hydrogen production, obtained from Pt-tipped unseeded CdS rods (yellow), and five different samples of Pt-tipped seeded rods with seed diameters of 3.1 (red) or 2.3 nm (green). f TEM image of a CdS-MoS2 heterostructure. g HAADF-STEM and h ABF-STEM images of the tip area of a CdS-MoS2 heterostructure. The red triangles indicate the position of MoS2 NSs. i Comparison of H2 production activities using CdS NWs and CdS-MoS2 heterostructures with different loading amount of MoS2 NSs as catalysts.

• Correction to: Fluorescent Silicon Nanorods‑Based Nanotheranostic Agents for Multimodal Imaging‑Guided Photothermal Therapy

  Mingyue Cui1, Sangmo Liu1, Bin Song1, Daoxia Guo1, Jinhua Wang1, Guyue Hu1, Yuanyuan Su1,*, Yao He1,*	Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 85
  First Online: 15 October 2019 (Correction)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0318-5

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    Assessment of the biocompatibility, targeted imaging, and photothermal effect in vitro. a Cytotoxicity of PEG-Au@SiNRs. b LSCM images of CT-26 and 4T1 cells after incubation with RGD-Au@SiNRs (blocking with free peptides or not) or Au@SiNRs for 2 h at 37 °C. Scale bars, 25 μm. c Cell viability of CT-26 cells, which were first incubated with RGD-Au@SiNRs or Au@SiNRs for 4 h and then irradiated by an 808-nm laser (0.8 W cm−2) for 5 min as mean ± SD (n = 3). Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01
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    Tumor-targeted multimodal imaging in vivo. a Schematic illustration of the active targeting of RGD-Au@SiNRs. b PA imaging and c the corresponding PA signal intensity of tumor regions of CT-26 tumor-bearing mice untreated and treated with RGD-Au@SiNRs, Au@SiNRs, or PBS for 12 and 24 h. d Infrared thermal mapping images, and e corresponding temperature change of tumor regions of CT-26 tumor-bearing mice irradiated with an 808-nm laser (0.8 W cm−2) for different times (0–8 min, time interval: 30 s) at 24 h post-administration with RGD-Au@SiNRs, Au@SiNRs, or PBS. f LSCM images of tumor sections at 24 h post-injection of PBS, Au@SiNRs, or RGD-Au@SiNRs. Scale bars, 100 μm, and g corresponding quantitative analysis of the fluorescence intensity. h The bio-distribution of RGD-Au@SiNRs and Au@SiNRs measured by ICP-OES at 24 h post-administration. Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01; (***) means p < 0.001
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    Photothermal therapy and safety assessment. a Photographs of representative mice before and after the treatment with different agents and NIR irradiation. b Growth curves of tumor volumes of mice groups with NIR irradiation. c Weight of the excised tumors from the PTT-treated mice. d Survival curves of PTT-treated mice. e Serum biochemistry data including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels of control and RGD-Au@SiNRs-treated healthy mice. f Complete blood counts: hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, blood platelets, red blood cells, blood levels of white blood cells, and platelets of control and RGD-Au@SiNRs-treated healthy mice. g H&E staining of various organ tissues harvested from tumor-bearing mice at the end of treatment. Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01; (***) means p < 0.001

• Theoretical and Experimental Sets of Choice Anode/Cathode Architectonics for High-performance Full-scale LIB Built-up Models

  H. Khalifa1,  S.A. El-Safty1, *,  A. Reda1,  M.A. Shenashen1,  M.M. Selim2, A. Elmarakbi3, H.A. Metawa4	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 84
  First Online: 10 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0315-8

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    Fabrication of the 18650 cylindrical design of a Li-rechargeable battery LIB using power hierarchy built-up sets of negative FRTO@C anode// positive VST@C cathode electrodes for a long-term lithiation/delithiation cycling process (a–c) for electric vehicles (LIB-EVs). The 3D superstructures of the anode/cathode electrodes of the closely-packed flower agave rosettes (FRTO) and in vertical-star-tower (VST) building blocks configured in the full-scale LIBs (c). The super structure morphology and chemical composition of the anode/cathode hierarchy play an important role in the LIB full cell design and cycling process (a, b) for next generation electric vehicles (LIB-EVs)
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    a–c 3D super-scalable model, FE-SEM micrographs, and electrostatic potential energy maps (ESP-EM) of the super structural VST hierarchy with different building blocks. a-1-to-a-4 Top-view, 3D modeling projection of modulate superstructural, vertical star tower building and hierarchal configuration VST-vii and VST-iii of a block/stacked tower with mesh mosaic, hexagonal prism, and cuboid structures (a-1, VST-vii), and with pyramidal apex surfaces (a-2, VST-iii); however, the 3D modulate super-star-structure VST-i (a-3 and a-4) represented the top- and side-view of VST-i with open-end vestibule corridors, triangular pyramid grooves, multiple blocks in the upward direction, V-cave vacancies, and overall multi-orientation components oriented from the vertical spindle/central axis to 3D directions. (c-left, c-right) The electrostatic potential and electron maps (ESP-EM), and (+ve or –ve range) isosurface potential density and charge distribution of modulate crystal structures projected along the top- and central-zone edge and parallel to the c-axis orientation of superstructured surfaces of blocked/condensed VST-vii axes, and the open-axes of vestibule corridors of VST-i
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    Low and high-resolution FE-SEM images, STEM-EDS pattern, and elemental mapping of heterogeneous composite superstructures of LiFePO4@C (cathode, a–i) and TiO2@C (anode, j–k) that are designated in vertical-star-tower (VST) building blocks and in closely-packed flower agave rosettes (FRTO). a, b FE-SEM and STEM-EDS images of VST-(i)@C and (d1-2) VST-(ii)@C superpower hierarchy surfaces. (e–i) High-resolution FE-SEM of the (E)VST-(iii)@C, (F)VST-(iv)@C, (G)VST-(v)@C, (H)VST-(vi)@C, and (i-1 and i-2)VST-(vii)@C power hierarchies with complex and stacked/condensed super structures blocks featured. (j-1 and j-2) FE-SEM images, (k) Top view, bright field STEM image, and EDS-elemental mapping of (FRTO@C) anode morphology that was designated in the flower agave rosettes hierarchy with closely-packed solitary succulents, feathery prickly spines, and dendritic fleshy needle-ended branches
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    a, c XRD patterns of the VST-(i) cathode and FRTO anode hierarchy. b, d Crystal orientation VST cathode with orthorhombic-[-12-1]-LFPO and the FRTO anode with rutile [011]-TiO2 structures. e, g Top-view, low magnification HR-TEM micrographs of the VST-(i)@C cathode and FRTO@C anode. f, h High magnification HR-TEM micrographs of the VST-(i)@C cathode and FRTO@C anode oriented along [-12-1] and [011] planes, inserts of f and h are selected area electron diffraction patterns. i N2 adsorption−desorption isotherms of the structured materials featured a meso-cage accommodating space vacancy, (insert) surface parameters of surface areas in m2 g-1, and j pore size distribution curves, including pore diameters (dp/nm) for (VST-(i)@C, VST-(ii)@C, VST-(iii)@C, VST-(iv)@C, VST-(v)@C, VST-(vi)@C, and VST-(vii))@C cathode structures
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    a-c Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) associated with a comprehensive investigation of the electrochemical performance of the power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchy designated in the half-cell LIB model (2032 coin-type half-cell tests with a Li counter electrode). a CV curves of different VST-(i)@C, VST-(ii)@C, VST-(iii)@C, VST-(iv)@C, VST-(v)@C, VST-(vi)@C, and VST-(vii)@C cathodes. b CV curves of the VST-(i)@C cathode at different cycle numbers that varied from 1–100 cycles at 0.1 mV s-1 in a half-cell LIB and at different sweep rates (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mV s-1) c All electrochemical measurements for the half-cell VST-(i)@C cathodes were operated within a voltage range of 2.0–4.3 V at room temperature. d Temperature dependence comparison of electrical conductivity for different structures of power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchy
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    a Charge-discharge voltage profiles of first cycle-current rate 0.1 C-half-cell of the power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchy designated in the half-cell LIB model (2032 coin-type half-cell tests with a Li counter electrode). b The VST-(i)@C hierarchy designated in the half-cell LIB model at the first cycle comparison between half-cells at different current rates varying from 0.1 to 20 C. c First discharge capacity of all power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchies designated in the half-cell LIB model at a current rate of 0.1 C. d Cycling performance (stability) for all power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchies designated in the half-cell LIB model at a rate of 0.1 C for 100 cycles. e The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) result of the power cathode VST-(i-vii)@C hierarchy designated in half-cell LIB models; the inset of c is the equivalent circuit agreement with the impedance results of the EIS. f enlargement of the semicircle part of e. g Rate capability performance over a range of 2.0–4.3 V among all tested LFPO@C cathodes of different structures at various current rates from 0.1 to 20 C. All electrochemical measurements were operated within a voltage range of 2.0– 4.3 V at room temperature
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    a Charge–discharge voltage-capacity profiles of VST-(i)@C//FRTO@C full-scale LIBs at different current rates 0.1, 1, 5, 10, and 20 C. b Behavior of the specific discharge capacity versus current C rates varying from 0.1 to 20 C for a full-cell VST-(i)@C//FRTO@C LIB. c Performance and behavior of the rate capability for a powerful-in-built super-hierarchal full-scale VST-(i)@C (cathode)//FRTO@C(anode) at various current rates from 0.1 to 20 C. d enlargement of the selected part of c for rate capability performance results of the VST-(i)@C//FRTO@C full cell. All electrochemical measurements were operated within the voltage range of 0.8–3.5 V at room temperature
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    a Long term cycling performance (stability) and Coulombic efficiency for a scalable full-cell VST-(i)@C//FRTO@C hierarchy at a rate of 1 C up to 2000 cycles and in the voltage range 0.8–3.5 V at room temperature. b, c 3D modeling projects of multi-directional along the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal axes of the super hierarchical nano-architectures of VST@C cathode and FRTO@C anode electrodes. The retention of configuration in 3D-planes and modulate crystal structure surfaces (bottom) on the cathode and anode were evident. In-plane-view projections of surface crystal modules recorded in a direction parallel to the upper atomic surfaces cathode/anode electrodes were investigated by DFT calculations after the multiple lithiation/delithiation (discharging/charging) cycling process.
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    FE-SEM images with low- and high-magnifications of the LiFePO4 non-controlled structure (half-cell cathode) (a), super hierarchally-shaped VST cathode (b), and the uniformly-ordered FRTO@C anode (c) after long-term cycling at 1 C. The red dashed lines highlight the morphological changes via agglomeration or delocalization of the cathode/anode samples. EDS elemental mapping after 1000 cycles of the VST(i)@C cathode (d) and FRTO@C anode (e) in a full-scale model (b(3), and c(3))

• Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Gold@Polydopamine Nanoreactors with Multi-Compartment Structure under NIR Irradiation

  Shilin Mei1, Zdravko Kochovski1, Rafael Roa2, Sasa Gu3, Xiaohui Xu1, Hongtao Yu1, Joachim Dzubiella4, 5, Matthias Ballauff1, 6, Yan Lu1, 7, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 83
  First Online: 10 October 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0314-9

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    Synthesis procedure of the Au@PDA nanoreactors. (1) Selective swelling of PS-b-P2VP particles into porous particles. (2) In situ growth of gold nanoparticles on the porous PS-b-P2VP templates through UV irradiation; (3) Deposition of PDA layer onto the porous templates; (4) Removal of the PS-b-P2VP templates by dissolving in THF
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    TEM images of a PS-b-P2VP particle with ordered microphase-separation structure, the dark dots presents the I2-stained P2VP domains, b porous PS-b-P2VP particles derived from selective swelling, c Au@PS-b-P2VP particle, d Au @PS-b-P2VP@PDA particle, and e Au@PDA particle with multi-compartment structure after removal of the PS-b-P2VP template
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    a, b SEM and c TEM images of the PDA porous particles. d, e SEM and f TEM images of the Au@PDA particles. Insets are the enlarged parts of the particles
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    TEM images of the Au@PDA porous particles with different thicknesses of the PDA layer by adjusting the reaction time from 5 h, 7~8 nm (a, d) to 7 h, 10~12 nm (b, e),and 11 h, 14~16 nm (c, f)
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    TEM analysis of the PS-b-P2VP templates: a normal TEM image and b selected XY slices through the tomographic reconstruction of an individual PS-b-P2VP porous particle. The highlighted green slice in b corresponds to the central slice d. c-e 3D particle surface renderings with and without interior views, using a cutting plane through the central XY slice (PS-b-P2VP shown in green)
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    TEM analysis of the Au@PDA particles: a normal TEM image and b selected XY slices through the tomographic reconstruction of two adjacent Au@PDA particles. c-i 3D surface renderings of the particles (PDA shown in blue and Au shown in yellow): c surface view (d1, d2) subregion including cut away view to highlight the interior distribution of gold nanoparticles in PDA (d3, d4) rotated view of d1, d2 respectively. e as c but with semitransparent PDA layer to show internal structure. f, g as e but components of PDA and Au are shown separately. h as c but with a cutting plane through the central XY slice of PDA. i1, i2 magnified views of selected marked regions in h
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    a, b Fit of the concentration of 4-nitrophenol as the function of time by the theoretical model. The concentration of 4-nitrophenol was normalized to the respective starting concentration cNip,0. The experimental data have been taken from reactions at 20 °C (data points with error bars). The solid lines refer to the fits by the kinetic model. c, d Kinetic constants ka and kb derived from fitting results. The dash lines indicate the average values
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    a Schematic diagram of phothothermal conversion of the Au@PDA particles. b The photothermal response of the PDA porous particles in aqueous solution (0.2 mg mL-1) for 500 s with a NIR laser (808 nm, 2 W cm-2) and then the laser was shut off. c Linear time data versus -lnθ obtained from the cooling period of b. d Temperature changes of pure water and various concentrations of Au@PDA particles dispersions under irradiation with IR light (808 nm, 3 W cm-2). e Temperature dependence on the irradiation power with constant particle concentration (0.1 mg mL-1). f Comparison of the photothermal effects of Au@PDA and Au@P2VP particles with 0.1 mg mL-1 at 3 W cm-2
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    a UV-Vis spectra of the reduction of 4-nitrophenol using Au@PDA particles as nanoreactors without NIR irradiation at RT, b without NIR irradiation at 39.3 °C and under NIR irradiation at 3 W cm-2 for 15 min. c Conversions of the three reactions. d Au@PDA particles after used in catalytic reactions under NIR irradiation

• Drug Nanorod-Mediated Intracellular Delivery of microRNA-101 for Self-sensitization via Autophagy Inhibition

  Xiaofei Xin1, Xiaoqing Du1, Qingqing Xiao1, Helena S. Azevedo2, Wei He1, *, Lifang Yin1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 82
  First Online: 25 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0310-0

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    Design and proposed an active mechanism of autophagy inhibition and self-sensitization. (1) Preparation of HA-coated miR-101/PNs complexes (HA-PNplex): miR-101 is condensed on the PNs, followed by HA coating. (2) HA-PNplex is administered via intravenous injection (i.v.), accumulate in the tumor site, and (3) enter cancer cells through CD44-receptor-mediated caveolar endocytosis. (4) HA-PNplex release miR-101 and PTX, with miR-101 suppressing the autophagy (5) and, in turn, sensitizing the cancer cells (6) to the anti-tumor carriers, PNs
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    Preparation and characterization. Size distributions of a PNs and c PNplex. b Gel electrophoresis of PNplex with different mass ratios of stabilizer (CLG)/miR-101. d Particle size, PDI and zeta potential () of HA-PNplex with different mass ratios of CLG/miR-101/HA. e Size distribution and f TEM image of HA-PNplex from the optimized formulation
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    Intracellular delivery of miR-101 and in vitro inhibition of autophagic flux. a miR-101 expression in MCF-7 cells with PTX concentration of 10 μg mL-1 or a miR-101 at concentration of 100 nM after 24 h incubation at 37 °C as determined using PCR assay (n = 3, #P < 0.001 and **P < 0.01). b–h In vitro inhibition of autophagic flux. b CLSM images showing the autophagy flux in mRFP/EGFP-MCF-7 cells with PTX concentration of 10 μg mL-1 or a miR-101 at concentration of 100 nM after 24 h incubation at 37 °C. The green fluorescence is negatively correlated with the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. The yellow fluorescence indicates the absent fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. c Quantitative mRFP/EGFP ratio determined by flow cytometry (n = 3, *P < 0.05). d LC3II and e p62 mRNA expression level in MCF-7 cells assessed using PCR assay (n = 3, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and #P < 0.001). f LC3I, LC3II and p62 expression level in MCF-7 cells determined using the WB assay. Quantitative analysis of g LC3II/LC3I ratio and h p62 based on WB assay (n = 3, #P < 0.001 and *P < 0.05). The internal control for normalizing protein expression was GADPH. Formulations: 1, saline; 2, CLG; 3, naked miR-101; 4, PEI; 5, PEI/miR-101 complexes (PEIplex); 6, Taxol; 7, PNs; 8, PNplex; 9, HA-PNplex; 10, BFA+PNplex; 11, BFA+ HA-PNplex
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    In vitro apoptosis. Percentage of cell apoptosis in MCF-7 cells induced by diverse formulations after 48 h incubation at a fixed PTX concentration of 10 μg mL-1 or miR-101 at 100 nM at 37 °C as determined by flow cytometry (n = 3, **P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and #P < 0.001)
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    Antitumor efficiency. Different formulations (0.2 mL) were injected into MCF-7 tumor-bearing nude Balb/C mice via tail vein every 3 days at a PTX dose of 10 mg kg-1 and miR-101 dose of 1 mg kg-1, according to the animal’s body weight. On day 16 at the end of the experiment, the tumor tissues were collected for further examination. a Representative images of the tumors collected from mice at the end of the experiment. b Tumor growth curves (n = 6, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and #P < 0.001). c Tumor weight after treatment with the various formulations (n = 6, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and #P < 0.001). Quantitative analysis of d cell proliferation and e apoptosis (n = 3, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01)
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    In vivo miR-101 expression and inhibition of autophagy flux. a miR-101 expression level in tumor was determined by PCR assay (n = 3, **P < 0.01 and #P < 0.001). The tumors were collected from mice on day 16 at the end of the experiment. b–h In vivo inhibition of autophagy flux. At the end of the experiment for antitumor efficiency, the tumor tissues were isolated. b LC3II and c p62 mRNA expression level in tumor determined by PCR assay (n = 3, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01). d LC3I, LC3II and p62 expression level in tumor determined using the WB assay. Formulations: 1, saline; 2, CLG; 3, naked miR-101; 4, PEI; 5, PEI/plex; 6, Taxol; 7, PNs; 8, PNplex; 9, HA-PNplex. The internal control for normalizing protein expression was GADPH. Quantitative analysis of e LC3II/I ratio and f p62 in tumor (n = 3, **P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05). The immunohistochemistry quantification of g LC3II and h p62 in the tumors (n = 3, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and #P < 0.001)

• Plate-to-layer Bi2MoO6/MXene Heterostructure as High Performance Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

  Peng Zhang1, Danjun Wang1, 2, Qizhen Zhu1, *, Ning Sun1, Feng Fu2, *, Bin Xu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 81
  First Online: 25 September 2019 (Communication)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0312-y

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    Schematic diagram for the simple electrostatic self-assembly of positive-charged Bi2MoO6 nanoplates on the negative-charged MXene nanosheets
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    SEM images of a MXene nanosheets, b Bi2MoO6 nanoplates, c, d Bi2MoO6/MXene-50%, e, f Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%, and g, h Bi2MoO6/MXene-10%
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    TEM images of a, b Bi2MoO6/MXene-50%, c, d Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%, and e, f Bi2MoO6/MXene-10%. g STEM and corresponding element (Bi, Mo, Ti, and C) mapping images of the Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%
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    Characterization of Bi2MoO6/MXene heterostructures: a, b XRD patterns, c Raman speatra of the Bi2MoO6/MXene heterostructures. High-resolution of d Bi 4f, e Mo 3d, f O 1s, and g Ti 2p XPS spectrum of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%
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    Electrochemical performance of the Bi2MoO6/MXene electrodes: a CV curves of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30% for the first three cycles at 0.1 mV s-1; b charge/discharge profiles of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30% at 100 mA g-1 at different cycles; c cycling performance of Bi2MoO6/MXene-50%, Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%, Bi2MoO6/MXene-10%, and pristine Bi2MoO6 electrodes at 100 mA g-1 for 200 cycles; d charge/discharge profiles of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30% at different current rates; e comparison of rate capabilities of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30% at various current rates from 50 to 2000 mA g-1; f long-term cycling performance of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30% in 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1
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    Electrochemical kinetic analysis of Li storage behavior of Bi2MoO6/MXene-30%. a GITT profiles (current pulse at 100 mA g-1 for 30 min followed by 1 h relaxation); b diffusion coefficients calculated from GITT profiles according to overpotential; c CV curves at various scan rates from 0.2 to 3 mV s-1 in the voltage range of 0.01-3 V (vs. Li+/Li); d log(i)-log(v) curves; e CV profile measured at 1 mV s-1 with shaded area displaying the pseudocapacitive contribution; f normalized proportions of capacitive and diffusion-controlled contribution at various scan rates

• Boosting Sodium Storage of Fe1-xS/MoS2 Composite via Heterointerface Engineering

  Song Chen1, 2, Shaozhuan Huang2, Junping Hu2, Shuang Fan1, 2, Yang Shang2, Mei Er Pam2, Xiaoxia Li2, Ye Wang4, Tingting Xu4, Yumeng Shi1, 3, *, Hui Ying Yang2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 80
  First Online: 23 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0311-z

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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis process for Fe1-xS/MoS2 nanocomposite. b XRD pattern and c high-resolution XPS spectra (Fe 2p, Mo 3d, and S 2p) of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. d SEM, e TEM and f HRTEM images of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. (g) Element mappings of the Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite
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    a CV curves of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode for the first five cycles. b Galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode at 100 mA g-1. c Cycling performance at 100 mA g-1. d Rate capability at various current densities. e Galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode at various current densities. f The comparison of the rate capability with other iron sulfide-based anode materials previously reported [9, 12-14, 38, 55, 56]. g Long-term cycling performance at 1.0 A g-1
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    Kinetic analysis of sodium storage behavior for Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. a Linear relationship between log (i) and log (v). b Capacitive and diffusion-controlled contribution at 1.0 mV s-1. c Normalized contribution ratio of capacitive capacities at different scan rates. d In situ EIS spectra evolution at different charge/discharge potentials. e First charge/discharge profile at 100 mA g-1 with labeled points for EIS. f EIS spectra after different cycles. g GITT curve. h The corresponding Na+ diffusion coefficient at different discharge/charge state of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite and pure Fe1-xS electrodes
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    a Contour plots of in situ XRD results and b selected diffraction patterns of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode during the first sodiation/desodiation process
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    a Schematic illustration of Fe1-xS/MoS2 interface. b The diffusion barrier profiles of Na on Fe1-xS surface and Fe1-xS/MoS2 interface. c Proposed schematic atomistic models of the illustrated reaction mechanism for Fe1-xS/MoS2 heterostructure during the sodiation and desodiation process

• 2D MXenes as Co-catalysts in Photocatalysis: Synthetic Methods

  Yuliang Sun1, 2, Xing Meng1, 2, 3, *, Yohan Dall’Agnese4, Chunxiang Dall’Agnese1, Shengnan Duan1, 2, Yu Gao1, 2, Gang Chen1, 2, Xiao-Feng Wang1, 2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 79
  First Online: 21 September 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0309-6

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    a The rapid expansion of 2D MXenes materials and b the most widely used methods to synthesize MXenes
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    Schematic showing charge separation between MXene co-catalyst and a photocatalyst taken from a Ye et al. b Ran et al. c, d Peng et al.
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    TEM images of photocatalysts combined with a MXene by mechanical mixing taken from a An et al. b Xie et al. c Ye et al. d Liu et al.
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    Hydrogen production of different samples taken from a An et al. b Sun et al. c Photo-degradation of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) over different samples from Xie et al. d Rates of evolution of CO and CH4 over different samples from Ye et al. e Ciprofloxacin degradation from Liu et al.
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    Photocatalytic composites based on MXene in combination with g-C3N4 formed by in situ decoration. a-c TEM images, d XRD patterns, e hydrogen production, and f mechanism for PEC reduction of CO2 from Shao et al. (a, d); (b, e); and (c, f)
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    Photocatalysts based on in situ decoration of MXenes. SEM images from a Gao et al. b Ran et al. c TEM images from Cao et al. d Hydrogen production from Wang et al. e Degradation of methyl orange (MO) from Wang et al.
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    In situ oxidized MXenes by hydrothermal method for photocatalysis. SEM images taken from a Peng et al. b Peng et al. c TEM image from Jia et al. d Charge-transfer in Cu/TiO2@Ti3C2(OH)x from Peng et al.
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    Photocatalysts containing in situ-oxidized MXenes formed by calcination. SEM images from a Lu et al.; b Yuan et al. c Gaseous products of CO2 reduction from Low et al. d TEM image from Su et al.
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    MXene-derived photocatalysts synthesized by other in situ oxidation methods. a Mechanisms of degradation over mp-MXene/TiO2-x from Cheng et al. b TEM image from Li et al. c Raman spectra and d TGA from Sun et al.
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    Schematic of the working mechanism of MXenes applied in photocatalysis

• Construction of Electrocatalytic and Heat-Resistance Self-Supporting Electrodes for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

  Xuemei Zhang1, +, Yunhong Wei1, +, Boya Wang2, Mei Wang2, Yun Zhang2, *, Qian Wang 2, Hao Wu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 78
  First Online: 18 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0313-x

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    a1-a4 Schematic illustration of the synthesis process for CTNF@CoS2-CNA; Digital photographs: b1 MF, b2 CTNF, b3 CTNF@Co-CNA, and b4 CTNF@CoS2-CNA; SEM images of (c1, d1) MF, (c2, d2) CTNF, (c3, d3) CTNF@Co-CNA, and (c4, d4) CTNF@CoS2-CNA
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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of CTNF, CTNF@Co-CNA, and CTNF@CoS2-CNA; c XPS survey spectra of CTNF@CoS2-CNA; High-resolution XPS spectra at d N 1s, e Co 2p, and f S 2p regions of CTNF@CoS2-CNA composite
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    a TEM images and b-c High-resolution TEM images of CTNF@CoS2-CNA; d the sketch map and e, h the corresponding SEM images of sulfur-loading process; f, g Elemental mapping of C, N, Co, and S elements collected from the marked area in f of CTNF@CoS2-CNA; i, j Elemental mapping of C, N, Co, and S elements collected from the marked area in i of CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S
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    a CV curve of CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S electrode; b The galvanostatic charge/discharge profile of three electrodes at 0.1 C; c Nyquist plots of three fresh cells; Electrochemical performance comparison of three electrodes at room temperature: d rate and e cycling performance at 1 C; f Rate performance of CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S electrode with different sulfur content; Electrochemical performance comparison of three electrodes at high temperature: g rate and h cycling performance at 1C; i Rate performance of CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S electrode with different sulfur content
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    Electrocatalytic effects of electrode materials verified from the CV profiles: (a, c, e) differential CV curves and (b, d, f) CV curves of CTNF/S, CTNF@Co-CNA/S, and CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S electrodes. The corresponding onset potentials of redox peaks are provided in (b, d, f). The baseline potentials and baseline current densities in (a, c, e) are defined as the values before the redox peaks, where the variation on current density is the smallest, namely dI/dV = 0
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    Schematic illustration of adsorption effects associated with “physical block and chemical absorption” for polysulfides based on CTNF, CTNF@Co-CNA, and CTNF@CoS2-CNA hybrids
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    a Digital photographs of CTNF/S, CTNF@Co-CNA/S, and CTNF@CoS2-CNA/S cells after cycling at 1 C; b UV–Vis absorption spectra of various Li2S8 solutions; the insets show the optical photographs of Li2S8 solutions before and after 12 h contact with the NCF, CTNF, CTNF@Co-CNA and CTNF@CoS2-CNA materials, respectively; c Beaker cell tests of three cathodes

• A Review on Deterministic Lateral Displacement for Particle Separation and Detection

  Thoriq Salafi1, 2, Yi Zhang2, Yong Zhang1, 2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 77
  First Online: 17 September 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0308-7

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    a Overview of the working range of passive microfluidics techniques. DLD mostly operates at a low Reynolds number and has high dynamic size separation range compared to other passive techniques. b A summary of DLD applications for particle separation and detection
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    Fundamental of DLD. a Deterministic lateral displacement principle: small particles whose size are less than the critical diameter move in a zig-zag direction, while large particles travel in bumping mode. b The parallelogram array layout design and c the rotated square array with the design parameters on each of the DLD unit cell. (DL, DD): center to center pillar distance in the lateral and downstream direction, N: array period, : the angle of the tilted array relative to the flow direction
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    Unified DLD separation model. a The recurrence map of the particle trajectories generated from 10 DLD unit cells along the array with D0 = 40 nm, DL = DD = 400 nm and Np = 10 shows that the particle position at the end of the period is not the same as the initial position. The arrow represents the particle trajectory direction, the green line is the direct transition, the red line is the zig-zag transition on the veering streamlines (I), and blue line depict the particle enters the adjacent DLD cell unit. b The superimposed particle trajectories from 10 DLD cells, which show the beginning and the ending positions of particles in each DLD cell. c Three different displacement modes of bump, altered zig-zag, and zig-zag from the unified DLD model.
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    DLD device layout designs for binary and multiple separations. a Simple single array design, b condenser array design, c mirrored array design, d condenser and sorter array design, e chirped array design, and f cascade array design
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    Geometry-induced effects on critical diameter. a Various DLD pillar shape designs. b The effect of the optimized pillar structure on the velocity flow profile that changes the DLD critical diameter. c Comparison of the anisotropic permeability values for the parallelogram and the rotated square array. d The deviation of the green beads displacement trajectory at the enabler region due to the anisotropic permeability of the parallelogram array.
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    a The sidewall effect on the particle separation: the regions without the side pillar induce the zig-zag transition, while the sidewall regions with the side pillars induce the displacement mode trajectory. b The variation of the critical diameter with the pillar row number shows a periodic critical diameter value trend with the highest peak of Dc1 and lowest peak of Dc2. c The value of Dc1/G and Dc2/G at different positions along the channel width in an array with N=22 for 10 pillar columns, and d 100 pillar columns.
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    Modulation of the critical diameter using fluidic forces. a The modulation of critical diameters with viscoelastic fluids at a low fluid flow rate (left) and high flow rate (right). b The effect of high Reynolds numbers on the development of microvortices. c The tuning of the critical diameter using different Reynolds number flows.
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    a The motion probability for small particles, indicated by the shaded region, is controlled by diffusion. An ideal position of a non-diffusive particle is indicated by the solid black trajectory straight line. b Large particles have more dominated by the lateral displacement and are slightly affected by diffusion. c Illustration of the effective obstacle concept. The blue area is the actual obstacle size and the dark grey area represents the effective obstacle, which is the actual side of the particle. d Chromatographic separation of particles with eight characteristic sizes in DLD under transient condition.
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    a Surface electrostatic ionic interactions in a charged wall. b The proposed model of electrostatic double layer force in DLD that modulates the apparent diameter of the particle. c The electrostatic force enhances the particle lateral displacement at low ionic buffer strength, while the electrostatic charge is shielded at a high ionic concentration buffer.
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    The modulation of the critical diameter with external forces. a Tuning of critical diameter using elastomeric stretching to increase the gap size and change the critical diameter. b Active tuning of the critical diameter using dielectrophoresis force. c Centrifugal-driven DLD for modulation of forcing angles. d Gravity-driven DLD for modulation of forcing angles.
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    Applications of size-based DLD separation. a The design of the microfluidic DLD mirrored array for automated leukocyte processing. b The two-stages DLD arrange based on both the size and asymmetry for CTC clusters separation. c The on-chip microfluidic DLD for chemical treatment and washing. d The condenser array in a nano-DLD shows the zig-zag, intermediate, and bumping modes for different nanoparticle diameters and gap sizes.
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    Applications of morphology-based DLD separation. a The separation of red blood cells and rod-shaped bacteria in I-shaped DLD. b The separation of red blood cells and trypanosomes based on the shape with the use of different device depths in a series configuration. c The separation of bacterial pathogens based on the different bacterial chain lengths.
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    Applications of deformability-based separation. a The influence of shear rates on the effective radius of RBCs separation in DLD. b The simulation study with different capillary numbers and stiffness of red blood cells. c The effect of glutaraldehyde on RBC stiffness and the separation in DLD. d The application of high flow rate to induce the deformation on MG-63 cells that leads to the zig-zag trajectory in DLD (red arrow, from the left to the right).
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    The simplification of DLD setups for particle separation. a The use of a simple disposable syringe-based pump to drive the fluid in microfluidic DLD.b The application of paper pump to drive the particle separation in an open DLD channel. c A portable smartphone-based platform for moving beads detection in microfluidic DLD.

• Rational Construction of Hierarchically Porous Fe-Co/N-doped Carbon/rGO Composites for Broadband Microwave Absorption

  Shanshan Wang1, Yingchun Xu1, Ruru Fu1, Huanhuan Zhu1, Qingze Jiao1, 2, Tongying Feng2, Caihong Feng1, Daxin Shi1, Hansheng Li1, Yun Zhao1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 76
  First Online: 13 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0307-8

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    Schematic drawings illustrating fabrication process of hierarchically porous Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    FESEM images of a Co/NC, b Fe-Co/NC, c, d Fe-Co/NC/rGO, and e, f HRTEM images of the Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    XRD patterns of a Co/NC, b Fe-Co/NC, and c Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    Raman spectra of Co/NC, Fe-Co/NC, and Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    XPS spectra of Fe-Co/NC/rGO of a survey scan, b C 1s, c N 1s, d Co 2p, and e Fe 2p
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    The pore size distribution plots and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms of a Co/NC, b Fe-Co/NC, and c Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    Magnetic hysteresis loops for a Fe-Co/NC/rGO, b Co/NC, and c Fe-Co/NC
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    a Permittivity real part ε^', b permittivity imaginary part ε^″, c dielectric loss tangent tanδe, d permeability real part μ^', e permeability imaginary part μ^″, and f magnetic loss tangent tanδm of Co/NC, Fe-Co/NC and Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    The calculated 2D/3D reflection loss of Co/NC (a, a2), Fe-Co/NC (b, b2), Fe-Co/NC/rGO (c, c2) and contour maps of the reflection loss of Co/NC (a1), Fe-Co/NC (b1), and Fe-Co/NC/rGO (c1) with the mass filling ratio of 25 wt%
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    Reflection loss (a1-c1), simulation of the matching thickness (t_m) under n=1 (a2-c2), the modulus of the normalized characteristic impedance matching (Z=|Zin/Z0|) (a3-c3) for Co/NC (a), Fe-Co/NC (b), and Fe-Co/NC/rGO (c)
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    a Attenuation constant and b Plots of μ^'' 〖(μ')〗^(-2) f^(-1) of Co/NC, Fe-Co/NC, and Fe-Co/NC/rGO
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    Schematic diagram of microwave absorption mechanism of Fe-Co/NC/rGO

• Super-strong and Intrinsically Fluorescent Silkworm Silk from Carbon Nanodots Feeding

  Suna Fan1, Xiaoting Zheng1, Qi Zhan1, Huihui Zhang1, Huili Shao1, Jiexin Wang2, Chengbo Cao3, 4 ,*, Meifang Zhu1, Dan Wang2, *, Yaopeng Zhang1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 75
  First Online: 11 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0303-z

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    Preparation of multi-functional silk from silkworms fed CNDs. a-d Photographs of mature larvae fed different diets, corresponding cocoons and degummed silks. e Weight of silkworm larvae of the fifth instar from first to seventh day. f PL spectra of degummed silks measured using an excitation wavelength of 370 nm
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    Influence of CNDs additives on the intrinsic fluorescent intensity of silk. a Schematic of silkworm fed a CNDs modified diet and the corresponding silk gland and silk fiber. b-e Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of degummed silks (measured with an excitation wavelength of 405 nm). Scale bar represents 50 μm. b’-e’ Ultraviolet (UV) pictures of silk glands of mature larvae measured under a UV lamp. b, b’ Control, c, c’ CNDs-0.75%, d, d’ CNDs-1%, e, e’ CNDs-1.25%. PL spectra of f CNDs, g posterior and h middle silk glands with an excitation wavelength of 370 nm
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    Crystalline structure and proposed reinforcing mechanism of multi-functional silk from silkworms fed CNDs. a-c FTIR spectra (a), content of secondary structures (b) obtained based on the amide I band in FTIR spectra, and 2D-WAXD patterns (c) of degummed silks. d Schematic diagram illustrating reinforcing mechanism of silks by incorporation of CNDs
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    Growth and proliferation of Schwann cells (SCs) on multi-functional silks. a SCs cultured on silk scaffolds, constructed by wrapping silk around a hollow plastic frame. b OD value of SCs cultured on different substrates (coverslips, control and CNDs-1.25 silk scaffolds) after 2, 4, 6 days. c-d’ SEM images (c, d) and LSCM images (c’, d’) of SCs after culturing for 4 days on control (c, c’) and CNDs-1.25 silk scaffolds (d, d’)

• Inorganic Nanozyme with Combined Self-Oxygenation/Degradable Capabilities for Sensitized Cancer Immunochemotherapy

  Jie Wang1, Lan Fang1, Ping Li1, Lang Ma2, 3, Weidan Na1, Chong Cheng2, 3, *, Yueqing Gu1, Dawei Deng1, 4, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 74
  First Online: 09 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0305-x

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    a Schematic illustration of the proposed roles of CDSDM NRs in tumor hypoxia relief. b The proposed mechanism and reaction pathways include the relief of hypoxia-induced immunosuppression (red dashed arrows), the DOX-mediated chemotherapy and immune activation (blue dotted arrows), and the synergistic actions between them and the CTLA-4 blockade (green arrows)
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    a Schematic illustration of the preparation of CDSDM NRs. For the control groups, the CaO2@SiO2/DOX-MnO2 is named as CSDM NRs; after completely hydrolyzing CaO2 core in the CDSDM NRs, the hollow nanoparticle is named as hDSDM NPs. b Representative TEM image and c elemental mapping of CDSDM NRs. d UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra of CDSDM NRs. Insets are photographs of CDSDM NRs taken under (left) room light or (right) 365 nm light irradiation. e Zeta Potential of MnO2 nanodots, CaO2/DOX@SiO2/DOX NPs and CDSDM NRs
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    a Schematic illustration of the processes of oxygen generation, DOX release and decomposition of NRs. b The measurement of oxygen release process of CDSDM NRs, shown as the ratio of fluorescence intensity of Ru(dpp)3Cl2 (an oxygen indicator) after incubated with NRs for different durations (I) to that before incubation (I0). c TEM images of the decomposition process of CDSDM NRs after incubated in pH 5.5 PBS for different durations. d Representative CLSM images of B16F10 cells from hypoxia cultivation after co-incubated with (i) PBS, (ii) hDSDM NPs, (iii) CDSD (without MnO2 nanodots) NPs and (iv) CDSDM NRs for 4 h. Hypoxia level was detected using Hypoxyprobe. e DOX release from CDSDM NRs and CSDM NRs in PBS of different pH values
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    a In vivo fluorescence monitoring of the distribution of CDSDM NRs in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice at scheduled time points post intravenous injection, and ex vivo fluorescence of major organs and tumor 8 h post injection. b Fluorescence imaging of tumor tissue sections after receiving different treatments, in which signals include DOX fluorescence, hypoxyprobe (hypoxia indicator) and DAPI. c Flow cytometric analysis of the intratumoral HIF-1α level after different treatments. d Western blot results of the expressions of CD39 and CD73 on intratumoral T lymphocytes after 2 d of the indicated treatments. e Concentrations of extracellular adenosine in tumor tissue after 2 d of the indicated treatments. *P<0.05, ***P<0.001 versus the last group
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    a Illustration of adaptive administration of CDSDM NRs and CSDM NRs. b Relative tumor volumes and c body weights of B16F10 tumor-bearing mice received with different treatments during the treatment period. d Survival rate of mice in each group during and after treatment. Serum levels of e IFN-γ and (f) TNF-α detected after 8 d of different treatments. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 versus Group 5
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    a Flow cytometry plots showing the percentages of intratumoral Treg (gated on CD25+ T cells) populations from mice after 4 d of the indicated treatments. b Immunofluorescence results of the co-staining of HIF-1α and CD8 to deep (>2 mm from the surface) tumor tissues from mice received 4 d of the indicated treatments. (c) Flow cytometry plots showing the percentages of CD80+CD86+ matured DCs (gated on CD11c+ DCs) from the axillary lymph nodes of mice after 4 d of the indicated treatments

• Fluorescent Silicon Nanorods-Based Nanotheranostic Agents for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy

  Mingyue Cui1, Sangmo Liu1, Bin Song1, Daoxia Guo1, Jinhua Wang1, Guyue Hu1, Yuanyuan Su1, *, Yao He1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 73
  First Online: 09 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0306-9

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    Schematic illustration of the synthetic procedure and characterization of Au@SiNRs. a The scheme of the fabrication of RGD-PEG-Au@SiNRs, including microwave synthesis of SiNRs, in situ growth of AuNPs on SiNRs, and surface modification of PEG and c(RGDyC). b TEM and HRTEM images of as-fabricated SiNRs and Au@SiNRs. c EDX spectra of Au@SiNRs (above) and SiNRs (below). d XPS spectra of the as-prepared Au@SiNRs (blue one) and SiNRs (black one). e Au 4f XPS spectra in AuNPs and Au@SiNRs
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    Photophysical properties of Au@SiNRs. a Photoluminescence spectra (λex = 360 nm) and insert photographs of Au@SiNRs, SiNRs, and AuNPs from left to right. b UV-vis-NIR absorbance spectra of Au@SiNRs (300 μg mL-1), SiNRs (300 μg mL-1), and AuNPs (0.01 M). c Heating curves of Au@SiNRs solutions with different concentrations and SiNRs aqueous suspension (400 μg mL-1) at 1.2 W cm-2 for 600 s. d Infrared thermal images of Au@SiNRs suspensions (300 μg mL-1) irradiated with 808 nm laser at a variety of power densities for 0-10 min. e Heating-cooling curves of Au@SiNRs (300 μg mL-1), SiNRs (300 μg mL-1), and AuNPs (0.01 M). f The 5-cycle photothermal profiles of Au@SiNRs (300 μg mL-1). g PA imaging of Au@SiNRs with different concentrations
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    Assessment of the biocompatibility, targeted imaging, and photothermal effect in vitro. a Cytotoxicity of PEG-Au@SiNRs. b LSCM images of CT-26 and 4T1 cells after incubation with RGD-Au@SiNRs (blocking with free peptides or not) or Au@SiNRs for 2 h at 37 °C. Scale bars, 25 μm. c Cell viability of CT-26 cells, which were first incubated with RGD-Au@SiNRs or Au@SiNRs for 4 h and then irradiated by an 808-nm laser (0.8 W cm-2) for 5 min as mean ± SD (n = 3). Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01
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    Tumor-targeted multimodal imaging in vivo. a Schematic illustration of the active targeting of RGD-Au@SiNRs. b PA imaging and c the corresponding PA signal intensity of tumor regions of CT-26 tumor-bearing mice untreated and treated with RGD-Au@SiNRs, Au@SiNRs, or PBS for 12 and 24 h. d Infrared thermal mapping images and e corresponding temperature change of tumor regions of CT-26 tumor-bearing mice irradiated with an 808-nm (0.8 W cm-2) for different times (0 ~ 8 min, time interval: 30 s) at 24-h post-administration with RGD-Au@SiNRs, Au@SiNRs, or PBS. f LSCM images of tumor sections at 24 h post-injection of PBS, Au@SiNRs, or RGD-Au@SiNRs. Scale bars, 100 μm, and g corresponding quantitative analysis of the fluorescence intensity. h The bio-distribution of RGD-Au@SiNRs and Au@SiNRs measured by ICP-OES at 24 h post-administration. Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01; (***) means p < 0.001
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    Photothermal therapy and safety assessment. a Photos of representative mice before and after the treatment with different agents and NIR irradiation. b Growth curves of tumor volumes of mice groups with NIR irradiation. c Weight of the excised tumors from the PTT-treated mice. d Survival curves of PTT-treated mice. e Serum biochemistry data including alkaline phosphataseanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels of control and RGD-Au@SiNRs treated healthy mice. f Complete blood counts: hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, blood platele, red blood cells, blood levels of white blood cells, and platelets of control and RGD-Au@SiNRs treated healthy mice. g H&E staining of various organ tissues harvested from tumor-bearing mice at the end of treatment. Asterisk (**) indicates p < 0.01; (***) means p < 0.001

• Ultrathin and Flexible CNTs/MXene/Cellulose Nanofibrils Composite Paper for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding in X-Band

  Wentao Cao1,2, Chang Ma2, Shuo Tan1, Mingguo Ma2, *, Pengbo Wan3, *, Feng Chen1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 72
  First Online: 07 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0304-y

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    a Schematic illustrating the fabrication of CMC GS composite paper. b Digital image, c XPS spectra, and d TEM image of Ti3C2 MXene. e Digital image, and f, g TEM images of CNTs. h Digital image, i FTIR spectra, and j TEM image of CNFs. k-m Digital images of the as-prepared CMC GS composite paper
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    a XPS survey spectrum of the pure Ti3C2 paper and Ti3C2-CNTs composite paper. b XRD patterns of the Ti3C2-CNTs composite paper with different Ti3C2 content. c, d N2 sorption/desorption isotherms and pore size distribution curves of pure Ti3C2 paper and Ti3C2-CNTs composite paper. e Top-view, and f cross-sectional SEM images of pure Ti3C2 paper. g Top-view, and h cross-sectional SEM images of Ti3C2-CNTs composite paper. i Cross-sectional SEM and EDS mapping images of CMC GS composite paper
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    a Tensile stress-strain curves of the pure Ti3C2 MXene, CMC mixture, and CMC GS composite paper b SEM image and the corresponding EDS map of the fracture surface of CMC GS composite paper. c Schematic illustration of the crack-propagation mode of CMC GS composite paper. d, e Electrical resistance variation of CMC GS composite paper with bending test
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    a Digital images of single-layered CNFs, CM-5, CM-10, and CM-15. b Electrical conductivity, and c EMI SE of single-layered CNFs, CM-5, CM-10, and CM-15 in the X-band region. d Comparison of SETotal, SEA, and SER of single-layered CNFs, CM-5, CM-10, and CM-15 at the frequency of 8.2 GHz
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    a The EMI SE of composite paper with different sandwich structure in the X-band. b Comparison of SETotal, SEA, and SER of composite paper with different sandwich structure. c The EMI SE of CM-CNFs-CM composite paper with various CNFs content in the X-band. The d EMI SE, e R, and f A of evenly distributed CM composite paper and two-layered CM composite paper with different gradient structures in the X-band
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    a The EMI SE of randomly mixed CMC paper and CMC GS composite paper in the X-band. b The A of CMC GS composite paper with different gradient structures. c Proposed EMI shielding mechanism of the CMC GS composite paper. d Comparison of the specific EMI shielding effectiveness as a function of thickness. The numbers inside d are sample numbers listed in Table S2

• Graphene Nanostructure-based Tactile Sensors for Electronic Skin Applications

  Pei Miao1, 2, †, Jian Wang1, †, Congcong Zhang1, †,*, Mingyuan Sun1, Shanshan Cheng3, *, Hong Liu1, 4, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 71
  First Online: 04 September 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0302-0

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    Typical capacitance-type tactile sensors with graphene as electrodes. a Schematic diagram of the fabrication processes for different conformal graphene electrodes and SEM images of three kinds of graphene films derived from PMMA-based, ultraviolet-curable adhesive-mediated, and microconformal transfer methods. b Illustration of a capacitive pressure sensor based on MGrE, a schematic diagram of the sensing mechanisms and grasping with the proposed pressure sensor.
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    Typical crosstalk-free, multipoint recognition of flexible, and transparent capacitive graphene-based tactile sensors. a Schematic illustration of the sensor array composed of graphene-patterned top and bottom PET layers, PDMS insulator, and SU-8 spacers. b Schematic illustration of the 3 × 3 tactile cell array and the finite element analysis result for deflection of the top layer under 8 kPa applied to the center of cell-O. c Schematic diagram illustrating the concept of a graphene-based capacitive sensor. The sensor consists of three layers. The top and bottom layers are composed of patterned graphene electrodes on a PET film substrate. d Optical images of stretchable devices mounted on a palm for remote controlling the toy car. Inset of each image shows relative capacitance changes for spread (left) and grip (right) statuses of the hand.
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    Versatile graphene and its derivatives are used to fabricate multifunctional capacitance-type tactile sensors. a Schematic diagram showing the four pixels (2×2) of the multimodal E-skin sensor, which were capable of mapping three individual stimuli including humidity, temperature and pressure. b Black-and-white maps of the calculated sensitivities of the three sensors during the finger pressing event (top), and a 2D color map of the distributions of the corresponding temperatures (blue), humidity (red), and pressures (green). c Schematic of the loading–unloading cycle for the pressure sensor with GO foam as a dielectric material. d Transient response to the placement and removal of several ultrasmall weights in the GO foam-based sensor. Inset: a petal on the sensor. e The pressure response to the strawberry. Insert: Bird’s eye view of the strawberry standing on the sensor arrays.
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    Typical 1D graphene architectures used for piezoresistive pressure sensors. a Photograph of a graphene fiber with a PDMS support. b SEM image of the cross-sectional view of a graphene/PDMS hollow tubing after Ni removal. c FESEM image of the randomly stacked electrospun nanofibers. d Schematic showing the pressure response measurement of the sensor in bending and response curves when bent to a radius of 180 µm for different substrate thicknesses. e Tested pressure response of the device in the bent state and the response of the device fabricated on a 1.4-µm-thick PET substrate for bending radii from 15 mm to 80 µm for different normal forces. f Photograph of an integrated sensor array attached to the surface of a soft balloon, to which a pressure was applied by a pinching motion (top panel). Measured pressure data distribution under complex bending, showing no pressure signal from deformation, such as wrinkling (bottom panel).
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    2D graphene films obtained by CVD used for piezoresistive pressure sensors. a Schematic illustration of the fabrication procedure of a tactile sensor composed of 2D graphene films and a PET substrate. b Optical photograph of an ultrathin, transparent and flexible tactile sensor. Inset: The geometric dimension of the sensor. c Sensitivity of the device to longitudinal displacement at different axial distances of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm.
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    Modification and microstructure of CVD 2D graphene can further improve sensing performance of the devices. a Schematic representation of the plasma surface modification of a graphene sheet by NH3/Ar plasma. Nitrogen atoms are expected to substitute the carbon atoms in the form of pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, and graphitic-N configurations. b Relative change in resistance upon applied tensile strain for the fabricated sensors using the untreated graphene and plasma-treated graphene sheet. c An optical image of the boundary between the single-layer graphene channel and the graphene flake thin-film electrode. Inset: Optical image of the entire device. d The resistance changes with tensile strain from 0 to 20%. The gauge factor is estimated at 42.2 for x-directional strain and 71.4 for y-directional strain with a rough linear fit. Insets show the schematics of force and measurement directions.
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    2D graphene films obtained by a solution fabrication process and used for piezoresistive pressure sensors. a The generated and enlarged scaled cracks under minor strain (left). The magnified SEM image of generated and enlarged scaled cracks under minor strain (right). b The strain sensor can meet the demands of subtle, large and complex human motion monitoring.
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    Schematic of the fabrication procedures of a 3D graphene material with a sponge as a template. a Preparation route for RGO/PU (or PVC) sponges and their multidimensional sensor applications. b The fabrication procedures of the flexible tactile sensor array using PU as a template.
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    The mechanism and application of 3D graphene materials with sponges as template-based tactile sensors. a SEM images of the MWCNT/RGO@PU-5C sponges with nanogaps, microcracks and fractured skeletons (The top panel). Schematic of the MWNT-RGO flake-wrapped PU foam with the magnified image of its individual skeleton at three stages, without pressure, at low pressure, and at high pressure (The bottom panel). b Real-time response of the MWNT-RGO@PU piezoresistive sensor for various small-scale motion monitoring applications was studied using the throat while pronouncing different words.
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    Typical paradigms for 3D graphene materials with paper as the template used for tactile sensing. a Tissue paper with RGO. b SEM photo of the tissue paper sensor at high magnification. c Applications for various intense motion detections.
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    3D graphene materials with other polymer porous materials as templates used for tactile sensing. a Photograph of both electrodes on a brachioradialis muscle and on biceps brachii muscle for electromyogram measurement. b Experimental setup of the tuning fork vibration test and a schematic of the test circuit for the graphene film/PDMS sensor. c Photo of the piezoelectric ceramic transducer test.
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    3D graphene materials with metal porous materials as templates used for tactile sensing. a Schematic process for fabricating pressure and strain sensors with the graphene porous network structure. b Signal variations in relative resistance corresponding to different walking/bending states and wrist blood pressure.
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    Typical 3D graphene structures via surfactant-assisted self-assembly used for tactile sensors. a Schematic illustration of the fabrication process of 3D microporous polystyrene/graphene aerogels. b Illustrations of the preparation of a sparkling graphene block. c Photograph of a sparkling graphene block bent to 180° (left) and real-time images from a high-speed camera showing that the sparkling graphene block can rapidly bounce a steel ball. d The as-fabricated tactile sensor as a promising candidate for wearable devices.
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    A novel method to obtain 3D graphene structures by using high-internal-phase emulsion (HIPE) as a template. a Schematic illustration of the procedure for fabricating the RGO@PolyHIPE foams via HIPE polymerization, optical microscopy images, and SEM images of the foam. b Relative change in the sensor’s current and pressure curves. The inset shows the relative current change in a small pressure range below 140 Pa (left). Comparison of the detection limit of minimum pressure and the responsive pressure range between the sensor described in the current work and previously reported sensors (right).
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    Bioinspired hierarchical graphene structures as active layers for pressure detection. a SEM image of hierarchically structured graphene/PDMS array. Inset is a magnified image of an individual structure. Platinum sputtering was omitted prior to the SEM imaging; a clear SEM image implies that the sample surface was fully covered with conducting graphene. b Photographs (insets) and optical micrographs of the RGO coating on PDMS after exposure to a high temperature. c Picture of a human hand and partial enlargement (inset), and the schematic diagram of sandwich ultrasensitive pressure sensors based on the skin-like wrinkle film (top panel). SEM images showing the morphology of a skin-like wrinkle film (bottom panel). d Schematic illustration showing the structure of the 3D graphene film containing a continuous graphene film and closely packed concentric hexagonal graphene nanoribbon rings. Picture of a fingertip and its fingerprint. In addition, SEM image of a 3D graphene film on a SiO2/Si substrate.
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    Microstructures inspired from animal and plant organs provide interesting ideas for the preparation of active materials for graphene-based tactile sensors. a Comparison of the surface topographies between a Shar-Pei dog’s skin and RGO crumples by using Canny edge detection. b Continuum surgical robots with the as-fabricated pressure sensor for the collision-aware the transoral robotic surgery procedure.
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    Graphene combined with inorganic functional materials to enhance the sensing performance of piezoresistive devices. a SEM images at different magnifications of a graphene-amorphous carbon hierarchical foam and graphene foam. b Five ultralight graphene-amorphous carbon hierarchical foam pieces with sizes of 20 × 20 × 3 mm3 stacked on the corolla of dandelion, and different simulated stress dispersion statuses of graphene foam and graphene-amorphous carbon hierarchical foam tube walls under the same line load.
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    Typical paradigms concerning graphene combined with polymers to enhance the sensing performance of piezoresistive devices. a Schematic illustration of the mechanism for the formation of PVDF fibers coated by RGO nanosheets, followed by electrostatic interactions. b Top view of the metal letters “C”, “A”, “S” positioned over the pressure sensor array and the current map of pressure distributions. c Photograph of the device loaded on two wrists for testing blood pressure through near-surface arteries. d The multifunctional E-skins attached on a hand, wrist and throat to monitor biosignals.
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    A representative graphene/polymer tactile sensor obtained by taking advantage of the amphiphilicity of GO. a Schematic of the fabrication of a flexible piezoresistive sensor. b Various practical applications, including a biomonitoring capability, loading tiny objects, and monitoring various human movement behaviors.
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    A representative graphene tactile sensors based on FET devices. a Schematic images of pressure-sensitive graphene FETs with air-dielectric layers before and after folding. The air-dielectric layer is placed between the graphene channel and the gate electrode, as illustrated in the schematic image (inset). b Schematic illustrations for the pressure-sensing mechanism using an air-dielectric graphene FET. c Integration of a graphene/MoS2 device with a smartphone to acquire and transfer the electronic data of human motion by Bluetooth communication.
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    High-performance sensing devices by combining a FET with a triboelectric nanogenerator. a Schematic diagram of the graphene tribotronic device. b Characterization of the graphene tribotronic touch sensor. c Energy band diagram of the tribotronic GFET device in contact with poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and Cu.

• A New Free-standing Aqueous Zinc-ion Capacitor Based on MnO2-CNTs Cathode and MXene Anode

  Siliang Wang1, 2, Qiang Wang1, 2, Wei Zeng1, 2, *, Min Wang1, 2, Limin Ruan1, 2, Yanan Ma3, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 70
  First Online: 26 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0301-1

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    Schematic diagram of the ZIC and fabrication procedure of the free-standing electrodes. a Schematic diagram of the ZIC: MnO2-CNTs serves as the cathode, MXene serves as the anode, 2 M ZnSO4 and 0.1 M MnSO4 serves as the electrolyte. b Fabrication procedure of the free-standing MnO2-CNTs cathode and MXene anode
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    Characterization of the MnO2-CNTs battery-type cathode and MXene capacitor-type anode. a SEM image, b HRTEM image, and c XRD pattern of the MnO2 NWs. d TEM image of the MXene nanosheets, inset is the corresponding SAED. e Elemental mapping images of the MXene nanosheets. f XRD patterns of MAX and MXene. SEM images of g MnO2-CNTs and h MXene electrodes, insets are the corresponding cross-sectional SEM images, respectively. i Photographs of the free-standing MnO2-CNTs and MXene electrodes
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    Electrochemical performance of the MnO2-CNTs and MXene electrodes. a GCD curves with various current densities of the optimum MnO2-CNTs electrode. b Specific capacitance vs. current density of the MnO2-CNTs electrodes with various CNTs to MnO2 weight ratios. c CV curves with various scan rates of the optimum MnO2-CNTs electrode. d log (i) vs. log (v) plots of the current response at the voltages of 1.695 V and 1.252 V. e CV curves of the MXene electrodes (various mass loadings) and MnO2-CNTs cathode at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1. f, g CV curves with various scan rates, h GCD curves with various current densities and i specific capacitance vs. current density of the MXene anode
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    Electrochemical performance of the ZIC in the aqueous liquid electrolyte. a, b CV curves with various scan rates, c GCD curves with various current densities, d specific capacitance vs. scan rate, e energy and power density plot, f Nyquist plot (inset is a fitted circuit diagram), g GCD curves of the first and last 10 cycles and h cycle life and Coulombic efficiency of the ZIC
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    Electrochemical performance and flexibility of the ZIC in the aqueous gel electrolyte. a, b CV curves, c GCD curves and d energy and power density plot (inset shows a LED drove brightly by a single ZIC) of the ZIC. e GCD curves of a single ZIC (A, B) and ZICs connected in series and in parallel. f Schematic diagram of the flexible display of the ZIC. g CV curves at a scan rate of 10 mV s-1, h GCD curves at a current density of 0.415 A g-1 and i Nyquist plot of the ZIC bent from 0° to 150°

• Ultra-high Mass-loading Cathode for Aqueous Zinc-ion Battery Based on Graphene-wrapped Aluminum Vanadate Nanobelts

  Wenyu Zhang1, Shuquan Liang1, 2, *, Guozhao Fang1, Yongqiang Yang1, Jiang Zhou1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 69
  First Online: 26 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0300-2

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    a XRD pattern, b SEM image, c TEM image, d HRTEM images with SAED pattern and TEM-EDS element mappings, and e high-resolution XPS spectra with Al and V elements of HAVO@G
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    a CV curves at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1 for HAVO@G; b Cycling performances at a current density of 2 A g-1 of HAVO and HAVO@G; c Galvanostatic charge-discharge curve at 1 A g-1 for HAVO@G; d Rate capability at 1–10 A g-1 of HAVO@G; e Cycling performance at 2 A g-1 of HAVO@G with high areal loading
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    a CV curves at 0.1–1.2 mV s-1 for HAVO@G; b log(i) vs. log(v) plots at specific peak currents ina; c CV curve with the calculated pseudocapacitive fraction shown by the shaded area at 1 mV s-1, and d bar chart showing the percent of calculated pseudocapacitive contribution at 0.1–1.2 mV s-1
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    Charge-discharge curves in the galvanostatic intermittence titration techniques (GITT) measurements (above) and corresponding Zn2+ diffusion coefficient at different discharge/charge state (below) of HAVO@G
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    a Ex-situ XRD patterns and corresponding GCD curves at 0.1 A g-1, b-d High-resolution XPS spectra of Zn 2p, V 2p, and Al 2p in pristine, fully discharged, and charged states, e TEM images, HRTEM images with SEAD patterns, and TEM-EDX element mapping images in fully discharged (above) and charged (below) states of HAVO@G. ZOHVO represents Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O

• Single NIR Laser-Activated Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cascaded Photothermal and Oxygen-Independent Photodynamic Therapy

  Xiaomin Li1, Yang Liu1, Fei Fu2, Mingbo Cheng1, Yutong Liu1, Licheng Yu1, Wei Wang1, Yeda Wan2, Zhi Yuan1, 3, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 68
  First Online: 19 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0298-5

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    Schematic illustration of Bi2Se3@AIPH as single 808 nm laser-activated nanoparticles for tumor therapy: a synthetic route and release process of Bi2Se3@AIPH; b Theranostic process for CT and thermal imaging-guided cascaded photothermal, oxygen-independent photodynamic therapies along with immune response
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    The characterization of Bi2Se3@AIPH and measurements of photothermal and free radical properties. a TEM images, b DSC curve and c UV-Vis spectrum of Bi2Se3@AIPH. d Representative photothermal images of Bi2Se3@AIPH solution at the concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg mL-1 (1 W cm-2, 5 min). e Corresponding temperature change evaluation at various concentrations. n=3 f Cycle stability of Bi2Se3@AIPH (0.2 mg mL-1 Bi2Se3@AIPH solution as the representative). g. Thermo-responsive release profiles of AIPH from Bi2Se3@AIPH NPs, and the ‘‘on’’ switch represents the NPs are irradiated for 5 min (1 W cm-2) by 808 nm laser, and the ‘‘off’’ means the irradiation stops. Except the irradiation, the NPs solution was placed in the environment of 37 °C. h Absorbance of ABTS+• generated from the reaction of ABTS and Bi2Se3@AIPH under 0-5 min irradiation (1 W cm-2, 5 min). i ESR spectrum of 50 mM POBN in 0.1 mg mL-1 Bi2Se3@AIPH with or without irradiation at normoxic and hypoxic atmosphere
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    In vitro photothermal and free radial effect. a Thermal images of HepG2 cell culture medium in 96-well plate: (1), (2), (5), and (6) were added with Bi2Se3@AIPH, while (3) and (4) were added with culture medium, the area in the red dotted frame was treated with 5 min exposure to 808 nm laser. b Characterization of intracellular free radical and its oxidation products after exposure to 808 nm laser by DCFH-DA assay and c the corresponding quantitative fluorescence intensity. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to the one treated with Bi2Se3@ZnPc at the same condition. d Percentage of GSH amount in HepG2 cells treated with Bi2Se3@AIPH (in normoxic and hypoxic atmosphere). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to the one in the control cells. n=4
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    The evaluation of biocompatibility and cytotoxicity. a Hemolytic percentages of red blood cells incubated with Bi2Se3@AIPH NPs at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, and 640 µg mL-1 for 2 h. Inset: Hemolysis photograph after centrifugation. b Relative MDA percentage after treatment with PBS, AIPH, Bi2Se3, and Bi2Se3@AIPH. c Cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells treated with PBS, AIPH, Bi2Se3, and Bi2Se3@AIPH in normoxic and hypoxic atmosphere. d Apoptosis images and gray value analysis of HepG2 cells treated with PBS, AIPH, Bi2Se3, and Bi2Se3@AIPH in normoxic and hypoxic atmosphere. The irradiation to HepG2 cells was all conducted by the 808 nm laser (1 W cm-2, 5 min). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared to the one in the control cells. n=4
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    In vitro and in vivo CT imaging. a The in vitro CT imaging pictures and b quantitive HU values of Bi2Se3@AIPH and iohexol at the concentrations of 1, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg mL-1. c The 2D sectional imaging and 3D reconstruction pictures before and after the injection of Bi2Se3@AIPH and iohexol
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    a In vivo photothermal images and b the corresponding temperature change of mice after the injection of PBS, AIPH, Bi2Se3 and Bi2Se3@AIPH under 808 nm laser irradiation (1 W cm-2, 5 min). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01
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    a Fluorescence imaging photographs of the mice with and without 808 nm irradiation. Inset: the corresponding tumor. b Quantitative average radiant efficiency in the tumor in vivo. c Quantitative average radiant efficiency in the ex-vivo tumor. Both mice were injected with Bi2Se3@AIPH. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01
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    a The relative tumor volume changes in 14 days. b Photographs of the excised tumors after 14 days of treatment. c The TNF-α and d IFN-γ level change during the treatment measured every three days. The vaccination of H22 tumor cells marked as 0 day and the treatment starts at day 9. e Images of tumor sections by H&E staining. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01

• Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Encased Bimetallic Selenide for High-Performance Water Electrolysis

  Junhui Cao1, Kexin Wang1, Jiayi Chen1, Chaojun Lei1, Bin Yang1, Zhongjian Li1, Lecheng Lei1, Yang Hou1, 2, 3, *, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov4	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 67
  First Online: 08 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0299-4

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    a Synthetic scheme of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC hybrid and b simulation of 2-MIm evaporation and diffusion process
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    a, b FESEM images of EG/CoNi-LDH and EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC; c, d TEM and HRTEM images of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC; e SAED pattern of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC; f EDX and elemental mapping of analyzed elements: C, N, Co, Ni, and Se
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    a XRD pattern of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC; b-f high-resolution XPS spectra of Co 2p, Ni 2p, N 1s, C 1s, and Se 3d in EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC
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    a Polarization curves, b overpotential plots at 10 mA cm-2, c Tafel slopes, d EIS spectra of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC, EG/(Co, Ni)Se2, EG/CoSe-NC, EG/Ni3Se2, and Ir/C; e polarization curves of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC before and after CV cycles scanning; inset: chronoamperometric E-t plot at 20 mA cm-2; f Cdl plots of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC, EG/(Co, Ni)Se2, EG/CoSe-NC, and EG/Ni3Se2
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    a Raman spectrum of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC; b in-situ electrochemical Raman spectra of EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC, potential ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 V; c high-resolution XPS spectrum of Co 2p in EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC after OER; d high-resolution XPS spectrum of Ni 2p in EG/(Co, Ni)Se2-NC after OER test

• Rational Design of Layered SnS2 on Ultralight Graphene Fiber Fabrics as Binder-Free Anodes for Enhanced Practical Capacity of Sodium-Ion Batteries

  Zongling Ren1, Jie Wen1, Wei Liu1, Xiaoping Jiang1, Yanheng Dong3, Xiaolong Guo1, Qiannan Zhao1, Guipeng Ji1, Ronghua Wang3, Ning Hu1, Baihua Qu2, *, Chaohe Xu1, 4, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 66
  First Online: 03 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0297-6

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    a Schematic illustration of the preparation process of the SnS2@rGF fabrics. b, c Photo images of the SnS2@rGF fabrics
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    a-c Low and high resolution SEM images, d TEM image, e HRTEM image, and f EDX mapping results of the SnS2@rGF fabrics
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    a Wide-angle XRD patterns of the SnO2@rGF and SnS2@rGF fabrics; b Raman spectra of the GOF and SnS2@rGF. c-f XPS spectra of the SnS2@rGF fabrics: c survey, d C 1s region, e S 2p region, and f Sn 3d narrow scan spectra
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    a Cyclic Voltammograms, b the 2nd discharge/charge curves at different current rates and c the rate performances of the SnS2@rGF electrode. d Rate capability of the SnS2@rGF anodes with cycles. e Long-term cycle performance of the SnS2@rGF electrode at a current rate of 0.5 A g-1. f Comparison of the estimated weight percentage of SnS2 in electrodes using different current collectors, including the commonly employed CF cloth (CeTech, WOS1002), Al foil (18 μm in thickness), Cu foil (9 μm in thickness) and our rGF fabrics

• Electrostatic Self-Assembly of 0D-2D SnO2 Quantum Dots/Ti3C2Tx MXene Hybrids as Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

  Huan Liu1, #, Xin Zhang2, #, Yifan Zhu2, Bin Cao2, Qizhen Zhu2, Peng Zhang2, Bin Xu2,*, Feng Wu1, Renjie Chen1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 65
  First Online: 02 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0296-7

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    Schematic illustration for the preparation of 0D-2D SnO2 QDs/MXene hybrids
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    a SEM image, b TEM image and c HRTEM image of 0D-2D SnO2 QDs/MXene hybrid; d SAED patterns of SnO2 QDs; e STEM image and corresponding elemental mapping images of Ti, C, Sn, and O
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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of MXene, SnO2, and SnO2 QDs/MXene hybrid; XPS spectra of c MXene for high-resolution C 1s, d Ti 1s and e SnO2 QDs/MXene-52 for high-resolution C 1s, f Ti 1s
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    Electrochemical performances as anode in LIBs. a, b CV curves of SnO2 QDs/MXene at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1 in 0.01-2.5 V; c, d charge/discharge curves of SnO2 QDs/MXene at 50 mA g-1
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    a Cycle stability and b rate performance of all the samples as LIB electrodes; c comparison of rate capacity between the SnO2 QDs/MXene-52 and other MXene-based electrode materials reported for LIBs; d Nyquist plots of the SnO2 QDs/MXene-52 and the pure SnO2 electrodes; e energy-storage mechanism the 0D-2D SnO2 QDs/MXene hybrids

• Atomic Layer Deposition Assisted Construction of Binder-Free Ni@N-Doped Carbon Nanospheres Films as Advanced Host for Sulfur Cathode

  Jun Liu1, *, Aixiang Wei1, 2, Guoxiang Pan3, Qinqin Xiong4, Fang Chen5, Shenghui Shen6, Xinhui Xia6, 7, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 64
  First Online: 02 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0295-8

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    a Schematic fabrication process of Ni@N-CNSs films. SEM images of b, c N-CNSs and d-e Ni@N-CNSs films
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    a, b TEM-HRTEM images and c EDS elemental mapping images of N-CNSs films. d-e TEM-HRTEM images and f EDS elemental mapping images of Ni@N-CNSs
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    Phase and composition characterization. a XRD patterns; b Raman spectra; XPS test: c C 1s spectra; d N 1s spectra; e Ni 2p spectra and f O 1s spectra of N-CNSs and Ni@N-CNSs electrodes
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    a Schematic fabrication process of Ni@N-CNSs/S electrode. b, c SEM images of Ni@N-CNSs/S electrode. d XRD patterns and e S 2p XPS spectra of N-CNSs/S and Ni@N-CNSs/S electrodes
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    a, b TEM images and c EDS elemental mapping images of Ni@N-CNSs/S
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    Electrochemical characterization of N-CNSs/S and Ni@N-CNSs/S electrodes. a CV curves at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1 at the second cycle. b Nyquist plots. c Rate capability with a sulfur loading of 2.5 mg cm-2. d Discharge/charge profiles at 0.1 C. e Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency at 0.1 C
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    DFT calculations on adsorption energies between NiO, pure carbon, and pyridinic N-doped carbon with Li2S6

• Flexible Conductive Anodes Based on 3D Hierarchical Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO Network for Sodium-Ion Batteries

  Linqu Luo1, Jianjun Song1, *, Longfei Song1, Hongchao Zhang1, Yicheng Bi2, Lei Liu3, Longwei Yin4, Fengyun Wang1, *, Guoxiu Wang5, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 63
  First Online: 01 August 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0294-9

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    Schematic illustration of the formation process of Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO flexible electrodes
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    Morphology and Microstructure characterizations of Sn/N-CNFs and Sn/NS CNFs@rGO. a, b SEM images of Sn/N-CNF; c TEM and d HRTEM images of Sn/N CNFs. e Low-magnification and f high-magnification SEM images of Sn/NS CNFs@rGO. g TEM and h HRTEM images of Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO. i Dark-field image of the Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO and the corresponding EDS elemental mapping of C, N, Sn and S, illustrating homogeneous distribution of C, N, Sn, and S atoms along the nanofiber body
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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of Sn/N-CNFs, Sn/NS-CNFs, Sn/N CNFs@rGO, and Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO. High resolution XPS spectra of c Sn 3d, d C 1s, e N 1s, and f S 2p
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    a Cyclic voltammograms for the first three cycles of a Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO electrode at a scanning rate of 0.2 mV s-1. b The first three galvanostatic discharge/charge voltage profiles of a Sn/NS CNFs@rGO electrode at 100 mA g-1. c Cycling performance of Sn/N CNFs, Sn/NS-CNFs, Sn/N-CNFs@rGO, and Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO electrodes at a current density of 100 mA g-1 in the voltage range of 0.01-2.0 V vs Na+/Na. d Rate capabilities of the Sn/N CNFs, Sn/NS-CNFs, Sn/N-CNFs@rGO, and Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO electrodes at various current densities. e Galvanostatic discharge-charge profiles of the Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO at different rates. f Comparison of the specific capacities of various Sn-based anode materials at different current densities. g Long-term cycling performance of a Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO electrode at 1000 mA g-1, and the corresponding Coulombic efficiency
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    a CV profiles of Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO at various scan rate. b Plots of (log i) versus (log υ). c Capacitive contribution in the CV curve (shaded region) of Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO obtained at 4 mV s-1. d Capacitive contribution in the CV profiles obtained at various scan rates
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    a, b Ex situ SEM and c, d ex situ TEM images of a Sn/NS-CNFs@rGO electrode after discharging/charging at 3 A g-1 for 1000 cycles, and the insets are digital photos of flexibles Sn/NS CNFs@rGO electrodes after discharging/charging at 3 A g-1 for 1000 cycles. e Schematic illustration of the enhanced sodium-ion and electron transportation mechanisms of Sn/NS CNFs@rGO

Volume 10, Issue 4 (2018)

• Mesoporous SiO2 Nanoparticles: A Unique Platform Enabling Sensitive Detection of Rare Earth Ions with Smartphone Camera

  Xinyan Dai1, †, Kowsalya D. Rasamani1, †, Feng Hu1, Yugang Sun1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 55
  First Online: 06 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0208-2

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    Schematic illustration of the major steps of the protocol for sensitive detection of Eu3+ ions from diluted solutions relying on the synergy of “concentration effect” and “antenna effect”
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    a TEM image and b size distribution histogram of the synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)
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    EDX elemental mapping images of a overlaid Si, O and Eu elements, b Si, c O, and d Eu for SiO2/Eu(III)/phen nanoparticles. The scale bars represent 250 nm. The red circles in (b-d) highlight the same nanoparticle.
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    a A digital photo of various solution samples under an UV lamp with a wavelength of 302 nm. Each sample represents 400 uL ethanolic solution (or dispersion) of the corresponding nanoparticles confined in PDMS pockets. The samples in the top row are 1 mM EuCl3 solution and SiO2/Eu (III) nanoparticle dispersion with Eu3+ ions adsorbed from 1 mM EuCl3 solution. The bottom row shows the SiO2/Eu(III)/phen nanoparticle dispersions Eu3+ ions adsorbed from EuCl3 solutions with concentrations from 100 nM to 1 mM (from left to right). b Quantized red emission intensities of various samples shown in a

• Bi Nanoparticles Anchored in N-Doped Porous Carbon as Anode of High Energy Density Lithium Ion Battery

  Yaotang Zhong1, Bin Li1, Shumin Li1, Shuyuan Xu1, Zhenghui Pan1, Qiming Huang1, 2, Lidan Xing1, 2, Chunsheng Wang3,*, Weishan Li1, 2,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 56
  First Online: 10 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0209-1

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    Lithium storage performances of various metals in comparison to graphite
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    Schematic illustration of the formation process of Bi@NC
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    a XRD pattern, b FTIR spectrum, and c, d SEM images of ZIF-8 precursors
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    a XRD pattern, b SEM, c TEM, and d HRTEM and SAED images of Zn@NC
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    a XRD pattern, b SEM, c TEM, HRTEM, and d SAED images of Bi@NC
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    a Cyclic voltammograms and b charge-discharge curves of Bi@NC; comparisons of c cyclic stability, d coulombic efficiency, and e rate capabilities of Bi@NC, Bi@C, and bare Bi
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    CV characteristics of a Bi@NC, b Bi@C and c bare Biat scanning rates ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 mV s-1. d Linear relations of anodic peak currents (ip) vs. the square roots of scanning rate (υ)
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    XRD patterns revealing a structural and chemical evolution and b corresponding mechanism of the Bi@NC electrode

• Hybrid Field-Effect Transistors and Photodetectors Based on Organic Semiconductor and CsPbI3 Perovskite Nanorods Bilayer Structure

  Yantao Chen2, Xiaohan Wu2, Yingli Chu2, Jiachen Zhou2, Bilei Zhou2, Jia Huang1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 57
  First Online: 28 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0210-8

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    a TEM image, b HRTEM image, and c XRD patterns of CsPbI3 nanorods. d AFM image of the CsPbI3 nanorod film. The inset image presents a height profile of the film surface. e UV–Vis absorption spectra of CsPbI3 nanorods, C8BTBT, and C8BTBT/CsPbI3 nanorod films. f Energy level diagrams of C8BTBT and CsPbI3 nanorods
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    a Schematic diagram of the C8BTBT/CsPbI3 nanorod based phototransistor. ID–VD transistor characteristics of the hybrid phototransistor under a fixed illumination power intensity: b in the dark state and c under a white-light illumination of 10 mW cm-2. d Transfer characteristics (VD = -30 V) under different illumination power densities. e Photocurrent as a function of the illumination power density for different gate voltages
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    a Shift of the threshold voltage of the hybrid phototransistor as a function of the illumination power density. b Schematic of the photo generated carrier transport in the hybrid phototransistor under illumination
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    a Responsivity of the hybrid phototransistor as a function of the gate voltage for different illumination power densities. b Illumination power density dependence of the responsivity at VG = -60 V, VD = -30 V. c Iphoto/Idark ratio as a function of the gate voltage for different illumination power densities. d Illumination-power-density dependence of the Iphoto/Idark ratio at VG = -60 V, VD = -30 V. e Photo-switching characteristics of the hybrid phototransistor under an alternating dark and light illumination (0.5 mW cm-2) at VG = -30 V, VD = -30 V. f Transfer curves of the fresh hybrid phototransistor and device stored at an atmospheric environment (average temperature of 0 °C and average relative humidity of 50%) for one month

• Controllable Vapor Growth of Large-Area Aligned CdSxSe1-x Nanowires for Visible Range Integratable Photodetectors

  Muhammad Shoaib1, Xiaoxia Wang1, Xuehong Zhang1, Qinglin Zhang1, Anlian Pan1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 58
  First Online: 03 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0211-7

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    Growth schematic for the in-plane directional CdSxSe1−x NWs. a M-plane sapphire substrate surface before annealing. b M-plane substrate surface with V-shape grooves after high temperature annealing. c-d VLS growth of NWS along the pre-defined Au catalyst patterns
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    Morphology characterization of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a SEM images of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs along the pre-defined photolithography line-patterned Au catalyst. b High-magnification SEM images of the as-grown samples, showing strong horizontal alignment of the NWs along the substrate. c SEM images of the CdSxSe1-x NWs grown along the pre-defined catalytic nanoparticles by EBL. d AFM images of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs, inset shows the size profile of the NW of the dashed line marked position in d.
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    Optical properties of the in-plane directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a Tunable PL spectra of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs with the emission wavelength shifts from 510 nm (pure CdS) to 710 nm (pure CdSe). b Composition-dependent bandgap energy and the corresponding emission wavelength of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs. c The schematic diagram of the CdSxSe1-x NW waveguide and the corresponding real-color images of single CdS, CdS0.8Se0.2, CdS0.24Se0.76, and CdSe NWs, respectively
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    I-V curves of the in-plane directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a Schematic diagram of the typical PD. b-e Representative I-V characteristics of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x (x = 1, 0.8. 0.24, 0) directional NW PDs under dark and light illumination with different power intensities (laser wavelength: 405 nm) at room temperature; Insets show the corresponding SEM images of the as-fabricated PDs. f Light intensity dependent photocurrent values for the CdSxSe1-x NW PDs
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    Photodetection properties of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a The responsivity of the CdSxSe1-x nanowire PDs. b Plot of quantum efficiency of the CdSxSe1-x PDs. c Time-resolved response of the device under light intensity 49.03 mW cm-2 at a voltage of 1 V. d On/off photocurrent response and corresponding enlarged portions of the rise in response and reset process of CdS0.8Se0.2 nanowires under excitation of 405 nm with a power intensity of 9.69 mW cm-2

• Highly Reversible Li–Se Batteries with Ultra-Lightweight N,S-Codoped Graphene Blocking Layer

  Xingxing Gu1,*, Lingbao Xin2, Yang Li3, Fan Dong1, Min Fu1, Yanglong Hou4,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 59
  First Online: 13 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0213-5

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    N,S-G membrane as an interlayer for trapping polyselenides
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    a XRD patterns of GO and N,S-G; b Raman spectra of GO and N,S-G
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    a XPS spectrum of N,S-G and high-resolution b C 1s, c N 1s, and d S 2p spectra
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    TEM images of a GO, b N,S-G; SEM images of N,S-G membrane in c top view and d side view and e the free-standing N,S-G membrane
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    CV curves of the first three cycles for Li–Se batteries a with and b without N,S-G interlayer at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1; galvanostatic charge/discharge voltage profiles of Li–Se batteries c with and d without N,S-G interlayer at 1 C between 1.5 and 3.0 V
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    a Rate performance of Li–Se cells with and without N,S-G interlayer; b long-term cycling performance of Li–Se cells with and without N,S-G interlayer
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    a Digital photographs of polyselenide adsorption by N,S-G interlayers; high-resolution b Se 3d and c S 2p XPS spectra of N,S-G interlayer after 500 discharge cycles
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    Z as a function of ω−1/2 in the low-frequency region

• Enhanced Performance of a Monolayer MoS2/WSe2 Het-erojunction as a Photoelectrochemical Cathode

  Jingwei Xiao1, Yu Zhang1, *, Huanjun Chen1, Ningsheng Xu1, Shaozhi Deng1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 60
  First Online: 13 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0212-6

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    Schematic of a the MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction and b PEC device and measurement
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    a Optical image of monolayer MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (dashed in white triangle). The white dots marked in the optical image are the spots where the spectra are accumulated (scale bar is 30 m). b AFM scanning showing thickness of surface of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction and line scan profile (scale bar is 4 m). c, d Raman intensity map of the WSe2 E2g1 mode (green) and MoS2 E2g1 mode (red) in heterostructure, corresponding to black dashed square area in Fig. 2a (scale bar is 5 m). e, f Raman and PL spectra of monolayer MoS2 (black line), WSe2 (green line) and MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red line)
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    a PEC current density vs. voltage (J-V) curves of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red), monolayer WSe2 (green), and monolayer MoS2 (black) under the same white light illumination condi-tions. b Current response curves for the three samples under 1 V external bias with illumina-tion an interval of 10 s. c PEC currents of monolayer MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red dots) and WSe2 (green dots) at different wavelengths. d IPCE of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red dots line) and WSe2 (green dots line)
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    Absorption spectra of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red curve), monolayer WSe2 (green curve) and monolayer MoS2 (black curve)
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    a Energy band position of monolayer MoS2 and WSe2 compared with redox potentials for water splitting. b MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction formed a type II band alignment. When illumi-nated, photo-generated electrons are transferred from valence band to conduction band and the built-in electric field helps to separate excitons

• Visualizing Photodynamic Therapy in Transgenic Zebrafish Using Organic Nanoparticles with Aggregation-Induced Emission

  Purnima Naresh Manghnani1, Wenbo Wu1, Shidang Xu1, Fang Hu1, Cathleen Teh2, Bin Liu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 61
  First Online: 26 January 2018 (Communication)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0214-4

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    Nanoprecipitation of AIE photosensitizer PPDCT with DSPE-mPEG2000
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    a UV-Visible absorption (solid line) and photoluminescence (PL, dashed line) spectra of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs.b Number size distribution of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs. c TEM image of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs. d Absorbance decay of 64 µM ABDA in the presence of PPDCT NPs over 10 min of 0.15 W cm-2 white light
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    a Confocal image of HepG2 cells incubated with PPDCT NPs. b Cellular internalization of PPDCT NPs confirmed using flow cytometry. c MTT viability assay of HepG2 cells treated with PPDCT NPs and 0.15 W cm-2 white light (WL 0, 45, and 90 J cm-2). d Whole zebrafish embryo soaking viability for treatment with different PPDCT NP concentrations
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    a Confocal image of fli:EGFP zebrafish larva injected intravenously with 0.8 mg mL-1 PPDCT NPs. b Uptake and breakdown of NPs over time span of 96 h in the liver and caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT) of fli:EGFP zebrafish liver. c Confocal image of EGFP:krasV12 zebrafish larva injected intravenously with 0.8 mg mL-1 PPDCT NPs. d Uptake and breakdown of NPs over time span of 96 h in the liver and CHT of EGFP:krasV12zebrafish liver. Confocal λex = 488 nm, Green fluorescent protein λem = 509 nm, PPDCT λem = 660 nm
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    Change in liver tumor volume for control group: a without injection or illumination (-/-), and b with injection and without illumination (-/+)c without injection and with illumination (+/-). Change in liver tumor volume for group injected with NPs on 7 dpf and treated: d with 135 J cm-2 of illumination 9 dpf, and e with 270 J cm-2 of illumination of 9 dpf. f Graph depicting the percentage of tumor volume change on 10 dpf relative to the volume on 9 dpf before light treatment for all 5 groups, n = 14; Confocal λex = 488 nm, Green fluorescent protein λem = 509 nm, PPDCT λem = 660 nm
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    Changes in normalized tumor volume of larvae subjected to different days of light illumination; 0 dpi depicts 7 dpf larvae immediately after intravenous injection. 0 Day Therapy (0 DT) refers to WL illumination on 0 dpi. n= 7

• MoS2 Nanosheets Arrays Rooted on Hollow rGO Spheres as Bifunctional Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst and Supercapacitor Electrode

  Shizheng Zheng1, Lijun Zheng1, Zhengyou Zhu1, Jian Chen1, Jianli Kang2, Zhulin Huang3, Dachi Yang1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 62
  First Online: 18 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0215-3

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    Schematic illustration of the synthetic process of h-rGO@MoS2
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    The SEM and TEM images of a the SiO2 sphere templates, b SiO2@GO, and c SiO2@GO@MoS2. d SEM images of the h-rGO@MoS2 spheres. e EDS elemental mapping results of the h-rGO@MoS2 spheres. C arises from rGO, Mo and S arises from MoS2. f TEM image of h-rGO@MoS2, and g the HRTEM image of the white area in (f) showing several sheets of MoS2
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    a XRD spectra of h-rGO, pristine MoS2, and h-rGO@MoS2. b N2 adsorption–desorption curves of h-rGO, pristine MoS2, and h-rGO@MoS2. The corresponding specific surface areas are given in the top left corner. c Raman spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 measured with 532 nm excitation. d Survey spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2. e, f The high-resolution Mo 3d and S 2p XPS spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2
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    a Polarization curves of bare GC, h-rGO, pristine MoS2, h-rGO@MoS2, and commercial 20% Pt/C in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte at 5 mV s−1, and b the corresponding Tafel plots of electrocatalysts in (a). c EIS plots of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 from 10-2 to 105 Hz. d The electrochemical double-layer capacitances of h-rGO@MoS2 ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 V at various scan rates (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mV s-1) in 0.5 M H2SO4. e The capacitive current at 0.20 V as a function of scan rate for pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. f Polarization curves of the h-rGO@MoS2 electrocatalysts initially and after 1000 and 2000 cycles in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte
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    a CV curves of h-rGO@MoS2 electrode at various sweep rates (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mV s-1) in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. b Galvanostatic curves of h-rGO@MoS2 at various current densities (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 A g-1). c Capacitance retention property of h-rGO@MoS2 and MoS2 at sweep rates from 5 to 200 mV s-1. d Cycle stability and capacitance retention of the h-rGO@MoS2 electrode tested at a scan rate of 100 mV s-1; the inset shows the CV curves for the 1st, 500th, 1000th, 2000th, and 3000th cycles

• A Novel Hierarchical Porous 3D Structured Vanadium Nitride/Carbon Membranes for High-performance Supercapacitor Negative Electrodes

  Yage Wu1, Yunlong Yang1, Xiaoning Zhao1, Yongtao Tan1, Ying Liu1, Zhen Wang1, Fen Ran1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 63
  First Online: 28 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0217-1

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    Schematic representation of the fabrication strategy for the VN/C (I)
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    SEM images of the VN/C (I): a-c cross-sectional views and d surface view. e, f TEM images of the VN/C (I). g, h N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and pore size distribution of the VN/C (I)
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    a HRTEM image, b XRD pattern, c selected-area electron diffraction, and d TEM elemental mapping images of the VN/C (I)
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    X-ray photoelectron spectra of the VN/C (I)
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    a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d the specific capacitances of the VN/C (I) and VN/C (II) at different current densities (scan rate=10 mV s-1 in 6.0 M KOH aqueous solution)
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    a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d cycling performance at 2.0 A g-1 of the VN/C (I)
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    The electrochemical performance of the prepared hybrid device in 6.0 M KOH: a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d specific capacitances of the device at different current densities. e Ragone plots compared with previously reported VN/C-based supercapacitors. f Cycling performance of VN/C (I) at 1.0 A g-1

• Metal-Organic Framework-Based Sensors for Environmental Contaminant Sensing

  Xian Fang1, 2, †, Boyang Zong1, 2, †, Shun Mao1, 2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 64
  First Online: 24 June 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0218-0

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    a Working principle of NH2-MIL-53-based sensor for ClO- sensing. b Fluorescence emission spectra of NH2-MIL-53(Al)-based sensor toward various concentrations of ClO-: 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 μM from top to bottom. Inset shows corresponding photos of NH2-MIL-53(Al) nanoplates in absence (left) and presence of 10 μM (middle) and 20 μM (right) ClO- under 365 nm UV light. Reprinted with permission from [57]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society
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    Sensing mechanism of Hg2+-responsive disassembly of Ru-MOFs and release of guest material of Ru(bpy)32+. Reprinted with permission from [60]. Copyright (2015) American Chemical Society
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    a Post-synthetic modification of UiO-bpy with Eu3+. b Emission profiles and c bar diagram depicting relative intensity ratios (IL/IEu), after addition of VOCs. d Two-dimensional map displaying relative emission intensities and quantum yields of various VOC encapsulated phases. Reprinted with permission from [63]. Copyright (2016) Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a Schematic of sensing strategy. b Amperometric i-t curves of different nanomaterials: (1) Fe-MOFs, (2) Fe-MOFs/AuNPs, (3) Fe-MOFs/PtNPs, (4) Fe-MOFs/PdNPs, and (5) Fe-MOFs/PdPt NPs. c CV characterization of electrodes at various stages of modification: (1) bare GCE, (2) rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (3) streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (4) substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (5) BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (6) catalytic strand/BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, and (7) Pb2+/catalytic strand/BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE. Reprinted with permission from [76]. Copyright (2018) Elsevier
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    Schematic and detection strategy of electrochemical sensor based on MOF Cu3(BTC)2 and CS/rGO for DBIs detection. Reprinted with permission from [80]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society
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    a Schematic of MOF-based SERS platform and b SERS spectra of Rhodamine 6G on Au NP/MIL-101 substrate (blue lines), Au colloids substrate (red line), and MIL-101 (black line). Reprinted with permission from [89]. Copyright (2014) American Chemical Society
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    a Schematic illustration of FET sensor with source and drain electrodes, channel material, gate oxide, and gate electrode. b Sensor current change after gas adsorption and desorption. Reprinted with permission from [97]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a Schematic of acetone sensing mechanism with Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. b Temperature-dependent acetone sensing characteristics to 5 ppm in temperature range of 150–300 ºC. c Dynamic acetone sensing responses in concentration range of 0.4–5 ppm at 250 ºC of ZnCo2O4 powders, ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres, ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres, and Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. d Selective acetone detection characteristics of Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. e Dynamic resistance transition properties of samples toward 5 ppm acetone at 250 ºC. Reprinted with permission from [103]. Copyright (2017) Macmillan Publishers Limited
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    a Schematic illustration of anisotropic synthesis of Au@ZnO@ZIF-8. b Dynamic response of Au@ZnO@ZIF-8 to HCHO with concentrations from 0.25 to 100 ppm. c Plots of sensor responses to HCHO concentration of three samples: (I) pristine Au@ZnO, (II) synthetic Au@ZnO@ZIF-8, and (III) completed Au@ZnO@ZIF-8. Inset shows TEM images of samples. Reprinted with permission from [104]. Copyright (2017) Springer
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    a Preparation of ZnO@ZIF-8 core-shell nanorod films. b Temperature-dependent response curves of ZnO nanorod and ZnO@ZIF-8 sensors to 50 ppm H2. c, d Dynamic response curves of two sensors to different H2 concentrations at 250 ℃. e Concentration-dependent H2 response curves of two sensors at 250 ℃. Reprinted with permission from [110]. Copyright (2017) John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• In Vivo Tumor-Targeted Dual-Modality PET/Optical Imaging with a Yolk/Shell Structured Silica Nanosystem

  Sixiang Shi1, #, Feng Chen2, #, Shreya Goel1, Stephen A. Graves3, Haiming Luo2, Charles P. Theuer4, Jonathan W. Engle3, Weibo Cai1, 2, 3, 5, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 65
  First Online: 14 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0216-2

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    A schematic illustration of the synthesis and functionalization of QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem
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    a The schemes and TEM images of QD@dSiO2@MSN and QD@HMSN NPs. b The scheme and flow cytometry analysis of QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem in HUVECs (CD105 positive)
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    Serial coronal PET images of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice at different time points post-injection of 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group), 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group), or 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 after a pre-injected blocking dose of TRC105 (blocking group). Tumors are indicated by arrowheads
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    a-c Time-activity curves of the liver, 4T1 tumor, blood, and muscle upon intravenous injection of 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group), 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group), or 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 after a pre-injected blocking dose of TRC105 (blocking group). d Comparison of the 4T1 tumor uptake in the three groups. e Biodistribution studies in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice at 24 h post-injection of the three groups of NPs. All data represent 4 mice per group (*P< 0.05)
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    a A schematic illustration of DOX loading in QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem. b The drug release rates of QD@HMSN NPs at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 at different incubation time points. c Fluorescence imaging of QD705 (Ex: 605, Em: 700 nm) and DOX (Ex: 500, Em: 580 nm) from both NOTA-QD@HMSN(DOX)-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group) and NOTA-QD@HMSN(DOX)-PEG (non-targeted group) in 4T1 tumor and other organs
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    Histological analysis of various tissue slices for CD31 (red, with anti-mouse CD31 primary antibody) and NPs (green, FITC-conjugated QD@HMSN NPs) from both FITC-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group) and FITC-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group). Scale bar: 100 μm

• Recent Progress on Two-Dimensional Nanoflake Ensembles for Energy Storage Applications

  Huicong Xia1, Qun Xu1, Jianan Zhang1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 66
  First Online: 28 July 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0219-z

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    Schematic illustration of 3D architecture-based 2D nanoflake ensembles
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    3D architectures based on 2D carbon nanoflake ensembles for supercapacitors. a Overall fabrication of 3D carbon superstructures. b SEM images of carbon materials with various hierarchical structures, derived from polyimide. c Galvanostatic charge-discharge curves at various current densities, and d cycling performance at a current density of 10 A g−1, indicating excellent cycling stability of N-doped porous carbons. Reproduced with permission [56]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MnO2 nanoflake ensembles for supercapacitors. a Schematic illustration of the process for synthesis of MnO2@ ordered mesoporous carbon nanorods. b SEM and c TEM images of MnO2@ ordered mesoporous carbon nanorods. d Charge/discharge curves of asymmetric supercapacitor device at different current densities. e Capacitance retention as a function of cycle number at a current density of 2 A g−1. f Ragone plots of the present asymmetric supercapacitor devices and other reported MnO2-based asymmetric supercapacitor devices. Reproduced with permission [69]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflakes and 3D skeleton ensembles for supercapacitors. a Schematic illustration of morphological evolution from Mn3O4 nanowall arrays to Na0.5MnO2 nanowall arrays through electrochemical oxidation. b FESEM images of Na0.5MnO2 nanowall arrays. c Ragone plots for Na0.5MnO2//Fe3O4@C ASC and asymmetric supercapacitors reported in the literature. d Charge/discharge curves for Na0.5MnO2//Fe3O4@C asymmetric supercapacitors between 0 and 2.6 V at different current densities. Reproduced with permission [70]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. e SEM images showing the surface morphologies of nickel foam@rGO/Ag/Ni3S2 composite. Reproduced with permission [71]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. f Specific capacitance of MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-1, MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-3, and MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-6 electrodes as a function of current density. g Corresponding cycling test at the same current density of 5 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [72]. Copyright ©2016, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflake self-assemblies for LIBs. SEM images of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI (a, b) and MoS2/C (d, e) nanoflowers. Photographs of two types of Chinese roses (c, f). g Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI and MoS2/C nanoflowers measured in the voltage range of 0.005−3.0 V at a current density of 100 mA g−1. h Rate capability of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI and MoS2/C nanoflowers between 0.005 and 3 V at different current densities. Reproduced with permission [89]. Copyright ©2014, American Chemical Society
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2 nanoflakes on 1D SWCNT skeleton for LIBs. a SEM image and b TEM image of the hybrids, revealing MoSe2 nanoflakes anchored intimately on the surface of a SWCNT bundle. c Corresponding HRTEM image showing enlarged interlayer distance of 10.0 Å. d Rate performance of 1T-MoSe2/SWCNTs hybrids. e Schematic illustration showing the electrochemical process in 1T-MoSe2/SWCNT electrode. Reproduced with permission [100]. Copyright ©2017, American Chemical Society
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    3D architectures based on 1D TiO2 nanotubes@carbon layer@2D MoS2 nanoflakes for LIBs. a SEM and b TEM images of annealed TiO2@NC@MoS2 nanotubes. c HRTEM image of MoS2 nanoflakes. d Rate performance at various current densities. e Cycling performance of TiO2@NC@MoS2, NC@MoS2, MoS2, and TiO2@NC at a current density of 1.0 A g−1 and the corresponding coulombic efficiency of TiO2@NC@MoS2. Reproduced with permission [102]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes for LIBs. a SEM and b TEM image of 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes. c HRTEM image of the MoS2 nanoflakes in 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes. d Rate performance of MoS2 nanoflakes, 3D Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes, and 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 electrodes at various current rates. e Long-life cycling performance of 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflake electrode at 5 C for 1000 cycles. Reproduced with permission [103]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D nanoflake arrays on 3D skeleton ensembles for LIBs. a, b FESEM images of layered-LiCoO2 nanoflake arrays. c TEM image of a single Co3O4 nanoflake. d TEM image of a single layered-LiCoO2 nanoflake. e Rate performance of LiCoO2//Li4Ti5O12 full cell. f Cycle performance of LiCoO2//Li4Ti5O12 full cell (inset photograph shows the full cell device lighting a LED). Reproduced with permission [104]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays on carbon cloth substrate ensembles for LIBs. a Schematic diagram of the process for fabrication of porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays. b SEM image of porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays. c SEM image of porous SnO2 nanoflake arrays. d Rate performance of porous SnO2-δ/C, SnO2-δ/C, porous SnO2, and SnO2 nanoflake array electrodes. e Cycle performance of porous SnO2-δ/C, SnO2-δ/C, porous SnO2, and SnO2 nanoflake array electrodes. Reproduced with permission [105]. Copyright ©2018, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D VS2 nanoflake self-assemblies for SIBs. a Schematic illustration of reversible Na+ ion storage in VS2 nanoflake assemblies. b SEM images and c TEM images of VS2 nanoflake assemblies. d Rate capability from 100 to 2000 mA g−1 and corresponding coulombic efficiency. e Cycling stability and corresponding coulombic efficiency at 100 mAh g−1 and 1000 mA g−1. Reproduced with permission [128]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2 nanoflakes on 1D vertical graphene skeleton for SIBs. a Schematic illustration of synthesis of sandwiched VG/MoSe2/N-C core/shell arrays. b SEM and c TEM images of VG/MoSe2 arrays. d Rate capability and e cycling stability of VG/MoSe2/N-C electrodes at 1 and 2 A g−1, respectively. Reproduced with permission [132]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D ultrathin SnS nanoflakes on 1D carbon nanotube skeleton for SIBs. a FESEM and b TEM images of hierarchical SnS@C nanotubes. c HRTEM image of carbon-coated ultrathin SnS nanoflakes. d Rate performance of SnS@C nanotubes and microflowers. e Cycling performance of SnS@C nanotubes and microflowers at 0.2 A g−1, and coulombic efficiency of SnS@C nanotubes during cycling. Reproduced with permission [133]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoS2/rGO nanoflakes for SIBs. a, b TEM images, c HRTEM image of the MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon sphere composite. d Rate capability of MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon spheres, MoS2/hollow carbon spheres, MoS2-rGO, and bare MoS2. e Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon spheres for 1000 cycles at the current density of 2 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [106]. Copyright ©2018, American Chemical Society.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2/graphene nanoflakes for SIBs. a Strategy for fabrication of ordered 2D superstructure. b, c SEM images of as-prepared MoSe2/G. d TEM and e HRTEM images of as-prepared MoSe2/G. f CV curves of MoSe2/G superstructure at different scan rates from 0.2 to 1.0 mV s−1. g Cycling performance and corresponding coulombic efficiency of MoSe2/G superstructures at a current density of 3.2 A g−1 for 1500 cycles. Reproduced with permission [129]. Copyright ©2018, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflakes on 3D skeleton ensembles for SIBs. a High-magnification image of 1T-MoS2 on the internal surface of the tube. b Rate performance of the MoS2-graphene electrode. c Specific capacity and coulombic efficiency versus cycle number at a current density of 50 mA g−1. Reproduced with permission [135]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. d, e SEM images of the as-prepared freestanding MoS2@C. f High-magnification TEM image of MoS2@C. g Rate-performance of MoS2@C-CMC electrode. h Cycling performance and corresponding coulombic efficiency of MoS2@C-CMC paper electrode at 80 mA g−1 and cycling performance of CMC-coated carbon paper electrode. Reproduced with permission [130]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    2D nanoflake ensemble-based materials for KIBs. a SEM, b TEM, and c XRD pattern of ultrathin layered VSe2 nanoflakes. d Rate capabilities of VSe2 nanoflakes. e Cycling stability and coulombic efficiency of VSe2 nanoflake electrode at 0.2 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [149]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. f SEM, g TEM, and h HRTEM images of MoS2@rGO composite. i Schematic illustration showing paths for K-ion diffusion and electron conduction in MoS2@rGO composites. j Rate performance of MoS2@rGO, MoS2 particle, and pure rGO. Reproduced with permission [150]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    2D nanoflake ensemble-based materials for ZIBs. a SEM images of P-NiCo2O4-x nanoflakes grown on a carbon cloth substrate. b Variation in the redox peak currents with the square root of the scan rate for P-NiCo2O4-x electrodes, and discharge curves for P-NiCo2O4-x electrode at various current densities. c Specific capacities of NiCo2O4 and P-NiCo2O4-x electrodes at various current densities. Reproduced with permission [167]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Characterization of layered VS2: d SEM, e HR-TEM image, and f XRD pattern. g Schematic illustration of the mechanism of operation of Zn/VS2 batteries. h Rate capability. i Long-term cyclic properties at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [168]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• Layered Trichalcogenidophosphate: A New Catalyst Family for Water Splitting

  Cheng-Feng Du1, 2, Qinghua Liang2, Raksha Dangol2, Jin Zhao2, Hao Ren2, Srinivasan Madhavi2, Qingyu Yan2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 67
  First Online: 9 August 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0220-6

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    Crystal structures of a MoS2, b MIIPQ3 (MII = Zn, Cd, Mg; X = S, Se), and c Ag0.5MIII0.5PQ3 (MIII = Sc, In; Q = S, Se). Bonds between metal atoms and Q atoms are not shown in b and c [49]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2014), AIP Publishing.
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    a Band-edge positions of MPQ3 single layer. The energy scale is indicated by either the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) (right Y-axis) or the vacuum level (left Y-axis) in electron volts as a reference. The redox potentials (green dashed line) for water splitting are shown for comparison [49]. Copyright (2001), Macmillan Publishers Ltd. b Location of VBM and CBM, calculated with HSE06 functional, for MPS3 and MPSe3 single layers. The redox potentials for water splitting at pH = 0 (orange dashed lines) and pH = 7 (cyan dashed lines) are shown for comparison [55]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2016), Wiley-VCH, GmbH & Co. KGaA.
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    a Structure and side-view of the charge density difference of MnPSe3/MoS2 heterostructures with different stacking models V1−V5. The isosurface value is 0.15 e nm−3. Yellow (blue) regions represent the net charge gain (loss). b Total and partial DOS of V1, V2, and V4 configurations. Fermi level is indicated by the vertical shadow-line and set to zero [56]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
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    a AFM images and corresponding height analysis of FePS3 quantum sheets. b UV/vis/NIR diffuse reflectance absorption spectra and estimated bandgap potential (inset) of synthesized FePS3 bulk (1.60 eV) and quantum sheets (2.18 eV). c Plots of hydrogen production through direct photocatalytic water splitting of the FePS3 bulk and quantum sheets in 100 mL deionized water with 10% TEOA as sacrificial agent. d Cycling measurements of hydrogen gas evolution with FePS3 quantum sheets [63]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2018), Wiley-VCH, GmbH & Co. KGaA.
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    Electrochemical properties of as-prepared Ni1−xCoxPS3 and Ni1−xFexPS3 nanosheets for the HER in 1 M KOH. a J–V curves after iR correction for application of NiPS3 and various Ni1−xCoxPS3 samples in the HER, in comparison to the commercial Pt/C catalyst; b Tafel plots for the data presented in a [72]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), Royal Society of Chemistry. c J−V curves after iR correction for application of FePS3, NiPS3, and various Ni1−xFexPS3 samples in the HER, in comparison to 20 wt% Pt/C commercial catalyst; d Tafel plots for the data presented in c [73]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), American Chemical Society.
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    a Calculated total DOS for NiPS3 and Fe-doped NiPS3. b Projected DOS for Ni and Fe obtained from DFT + U calculations for Fe-doped NiPS3. Optimized structures of c NiPS3 and d Fe-doped NiPS3 for calculating the free energies of adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates on their surfaces by DFT calculations. The inset in b is the enlarged projected DOS near the Fermi level [80]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2018), Elsevier Ltd.

• Recent Advances in Synthesis and Properties of Hybrid Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaics

  Vidyasagar C. C.1, 2, *, Blanca M. Muñoz Flores1, Víctor M. Jiménez Pérez1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 68
  First Online: 15 August 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0221-5

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    a Simulated crystal structure of CH3NH3BX3 obtained from the diffraction pattern and b electron–hole diffusion diagram in the material
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    Classifications of photovoltaics corresponding to inorganic, organic, and hybrid perovskites
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    Working principle of dye-sensitized solar cells
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    Stepwise progress in perovskite solar cells demonstrating the remarkably sharp rise in photovoltaic performance over the past eight years
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    Yearwise progress in perovskite solar cell research published by various journals (data collected from Web of Science)
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    XRD patterns of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite ultrafine nanoparticles: a after sonication in isopropanol for 10, 20, and 30 min (the peak assigned to unreacted PbI3 is marked) and b after 20 min sonication in water. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    Plots of three consecutive measurements of DLS with Zeta Potential which is performed in isopropanol suspensions of the CH3NH3PbI perovskite at 20 min sonication. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    a Excitation spectrum and b emission spectrum of CH3NH3PbI3 nanoparticles. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    XRD pattern of perovskite films treated by 160-W microwave irradiation for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min and annealed at 100 °C for 10 min. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    As-prepared perovskite material powder treated by microwave irradiation for a 0 min, b 1 min, c 2 min at 800 W and the PbI2-CH3NH3I adduct powders treated by microwave irradiation for d 0 min and e 2 min and the PbI2-CH3NH3I powders added with f diethyl ether, g DMF, and h DMSO treated by microwave irradiation for 2 min at 800 W. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Time dependency of average grain size. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    XRD patterns of as-prepared material: a simulated MAPbI3, b as-ground MAPbI3, c PbI2, d MAI. Reproduced with permission Ref. [29]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    UV–Vis absorption (green peak) and PL (blue) spectra of as-ground MAPbI3 measured at ambient temperature: fluorescence decay excitation measured at the 3.05 eV (inset view). Reproduced with permission Ref. [29]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    XRD patterns of a CH3NH3I, b PbI2, c ball milling 10 min, d ball milling 45 min, e CH3NH3PbI3/Al2O3, and f CH3NH3PbI3 by solution crystallization process. Reproduced with permission Ref. [135]. Copyright © 2016 Springer Science Business Media New York
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    The consumption of lead can be significantly reduced by means of deposition and wasting throughout the experiment
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    Schematic view of the CH3NH3PbI3 with ethyl cellulose
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    Roll-to-roll fabrication of perovskite photovoltaic sheets
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    Normalized I–V parameter of nonencapsulation, partial encapsulation, and complete encapsulation perovskites. Reproduced with permission Ref. [195]. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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    Top view of the uncoated Au perovskite cell a cell with PEI layer, b degradation of perovskite in the form of nanopinholes with PEI layer, and c degradation of cell randomly all over without PEI layer and corresponding SEM images. Reproduced with permission Ref. [196]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    Thickness-dependent time-resolved PL data illustrate PL decay curve of CH3NH3PbI3 films dipped at different concentration of PbI2 upon excitation at 517 nm — the solid line corresponds to the results that are stretched exponentially. Reproduced with permission Ref. [203].
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    SEM images of CH3NH3PbI3 films of different PbI2 concentrations: a 0.3 M, b 0.5 M, c 0.8 M, and d 1.1 M. Reproduced with permission Ref. [203].
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    SEM images of FASnI3 perovskite film fabricated using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent a without nonsolvent dripping and b with nonsolvent dripping; SEM images of FASnI3 perovskite film fabricated using mixed solvent of DMF and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with nonsolvent dripping c absence of pyrazine and d presence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    XRD patterns of FASnI3 films a with and without pyrazine deposited on FTO glass, b with and without presence of SnF2 (10 mol%), c in the absence of SnF2 annealed at 60 and 170°C, and d PCE of the FASnI3 and the amount of SnF2 added in the absence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    a J–V curve and b external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum and integrated Jsc for the optimized FASnI3 PSC; c recombination time constant of FASnI3 PSCs as a function of the open-circuit voltage and d relationship between PCE of the FASnI3 PSC and the amount of added SnF2 in the presence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Plot of the thickness-dependent short-circuit current density Jsc of different perovskites. Reproduced with permission Ref. [236]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Cross sectional image of as-proposed low-cost model for water-soluble perovskite solar cells

• Nanostructured Ternary Metal Tungstate-based Photocatalysts for Environmental Purification and Solar Water Splitting: A Review

  Jun Ke2, M. Adnan Younis1, Yan Kong1, Hongru Zhou2, Jie Liu3, *, Lecheng Lei1, Yang Hou1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 69
  First Online: 2 September 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0222-4

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    Schematic overview of the band positions of representative semiconductors
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    Illustration of unit cells of scheelite and wolframite. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [57]. Copyright 2014 Elsevier
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    Colors of different MWO4 materials. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [51]. Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society
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    Relationship between band-gap energy of MWO4 and the radii of metal cations
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    Models of band structures and calculated density of states for tetragonal (a, b) and monoclinic (c, d) CdWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [83]. Copyright 2011 Elsevier
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    a Crystal structures, b density of states, and c UV-Vis absorption spectra of -SnWO4 and -SnWO4. d Photocatalytic activity of -SnWO4 and -SnWO4 in RhB degradation. e H2 evolution. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [88]. Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society
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    a Distribution of energy level and b chronoamperometry curves of CuWO4 and WO3. c Polarization curve of CuWO4 photoanode under AM1.5G irradiation. d Illustration of the physical model of charge carrier transfer in CuWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [102]. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society
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    a Formation mechanism of m-CdWO4 and t-CdWO4 and the b relationship between different crystal phases of CdWO4 and used solvents. c Photocatalytic H2 evolution of m-CdWO4 and t-CdWO4 under visible light irradiation. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [86]. Copyright 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a-c FESEM images of CdWO4 microspheres. d Photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of MO in the presence of different photocatalysts. e Photocatalytic mechanism for CdWO4 microspheres. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [107]. Copyright 2014 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a, b FESEM images of FeWO4 microspheres. c Photocatalytic performance of FeWO4 microspheres for the degradation of RhB. d Schematic illustration of photocatalysis mechanism for FeWO4 microspheres. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [112]. Copyright 2016 Elsevier
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    a, b FESEM images of faceted β-SnWO4 microcrystals. c, d FESEM images and photocatalytic activities for the degradation of MB over faceted β-SnWO4 microcrystals, bulk β-SnWO4, and β-SnWO4 nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [117]. Copyright 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a TEM image and b photodegradation efficiency of Ag NPs/α-SnWO4 under visible-light irradiation. c Transient photocurrent response for different samples. d Illustration of photocatalytic mechanism of Ag NPs/α-SnWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [130]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier.
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    a Geometric structures for the Fi-ZnWO4. Spin density (top) and total charge density (bottom) for Fi-ZnWO4. c Photocurrent density of the synthesized samples under UV-light irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation of RhB over different samples under UV light irradiation. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [140]. Copyright 2010 American Chemical Society
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    a, b TEM and HRTEM images of a CdS/MnWO4 heterojunction. c Photocatalytic degradation of MB over CdS/MnWO4 with different CdS contents. d Schematic photocatalytic mechanism of CdS/MnWO4 heterojunction. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [155]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier
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    a Schematic diagram describing the formation of MnWO4 nanoplates. b-c FESEM images of the MnWO4 nanoplates and MnWO4 nanoplates on TiO2 film. d Photodegradation efficiency of different samples heated at 850 °C for different times. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [162]. Copyright 2016 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a TEM image, b UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra, and c photocatalytic degradation curves of CdWO4/C3N4. d Mechanism of photocatalytic reaction on the CdWO4/C3N4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [197]. Copyright 2015 Elsevier

• Beyond Graphene Anode Materials for Emerging Metal Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

  Santanu Mukherjee1, #, *, Zhongkan Ren1, #, Gurpreet Singh1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 70
  First Online: 12 September 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0224-2

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    Spider graph representation of critical parameters of the different electrochemical energy storage systems. Data for the figure has been obtained from Ref. [12].
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    Statistical analysis of the application of beyond graphene 2D materials: a, b, c Pie chart analysis showing the weight of the various applications of TMDs, MXene and phosphorene, respectively. Electrochemical energy storage occupies an important role in the application regimes of each of the 2-D materials, which is indicative of the current trend of their applications in batteries and supercapacitors
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    Schematic representation of structure and atomic arrangement of the layered “beyond-graphene” materials which are the focus of the present work: a, e, i Top view of the ball and stick atomic models of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. b, f, j Side view of the atomic models showing the layered structure of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. SEM images showing the characteristic layered structure of c, g, k SEM images showing the characteristic layered structure of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. d, h, i HRTEM image demonstrating the arrangement of the atoms in the lattice for phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively [24, 62-71]. Permission allowed by copyright owners
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    Schematic representation of various “top-down” fabrication techniques for large-scale synthesis of electrode materials: a Liquid exfoliation where the sheets are sheared off by sonicating the bulk material in a liquid medium. b Mechanical exfoliation, whereby a tensile force (possibly produced by Scotch tape) can peel off the constituent layers c Intercalant assisted exfoliation where a metal ion (usually Li+) is used to intercalate into the bulk precursor in a liquid media coupled with ultrasonication, which shears the sheets apart and d Selective etching, in which an etchant (usually strong acids e.g. HF) is used to remove one or more constituent atoms and result in the formation of sheets.
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of TMD (MoS2) as an electrode material in SIB: a, b HRTEM images of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets obtained after treatment with a superacid. c Selected area diffraction pattern for the MoS2 nanosheet imaged in Fig. b. d, e SEM images of the top and cross-sectional view of the 60 MoS2 sample (60 wt% MoS2-40 wt% rGO), respectively. e TEM image of SAED pattern (in the inset) of the same 60 MoS2 sample. g Graphical representation of the total interaction potential (VT), repulsion (VDLVO) and attraction energy (VvdW) versus greater sheet separation. h Represents the Raman spectra of the MoS2 samples, in bulk (black) and after exfoliation (red) by acid treatment. i XRD spectra of the bulk (black) and exfoliated MoS2 (red) sample, indicating the peak shift and the broadening of the consequent increase in the interlayer distance of the exfoliated sample. j XRD pattern of pristine MoS2-rGO (60 MoS2) electrode (blue) and the same after one discharge cycle (black). Considerable peak broadening is observed due to sodiation. k First discharge graph of the 60 MoS2 electrode, also showing the formation of nanocrsytallites along the process from the TEM images and SAED patterns in the inset. l 1st (black) and 2nd cycle (red) gcd curves for the 60 MoS2 sample. m Differential capacity curves for the first two cycles demonstrating the redox voltages. n Charging capacity and Coulombic efficiency values for the different composite and bare rGO sample performed at a current density of 25 mA g-1. o Charge capacity, coulombic efficiency and rate capability of 60 MoS2 sample [83]. Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society. Scale bar for d and e is 10 μm and for f is 100 nm
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of TMD (MoSe2) as a supercapacitor electrode: a, b TEM images of MoSe2 nanosheets at low magnification. c HRTEM image of the MoSe2 sheets with the FFT pattern demonstrated in the inset. d XRD spectra of the few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets showing the characteristic peaks. e Characteristic Raman spectra of the few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets where the A1g and E12g vibration modes are clearly visible. f CV of the few-layered MoSe2 sample in 0.5 M H2SO4 with scan rates varying from 2 to 125 mV s-1. g Corresponding specific capacitance values at the given scan rates. h First cycle GCD curves at different current rates, of the few-layered MoSe2 sample. i Specific capacitance values for the corresponding current rates. j Specific capacitance retention of the few-layered MoSe2 sample, being run for 10,000 cycles at a current rate of 5 A g-1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte [129]. Copyright 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of MXene as electrode material in KIB: a, b, c SEM images of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase, Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets (MNSs) obtained by etching the precursor MAX phase with 40% HF solution and KOH treated Ti3C2 MNSs (a-Ti3C2), respectively. d XRD spectra stack of Ti3AlC2, Ti3C2 and a-Ti3C2. e SEM image of Ti3C2 MXene nanoribbons (MNRs) at low magnification. f Corresponding image at high magnification g TEM image of MNRs h XPS spectra of Ti3AlC2, Ti3C2 and a-Ti3C2 showing the free C and K peaks. i, j and k HRTEM images of the Ti3C2 MNRs at different positions (‘A’ and ‘B’) and varying thicknesses (8, 16, and 22 nm). l XPS spectra of the 3 samples showing the O 1s peak. m, n, o, p, q Elemental mapping of Ti, C, K, O and F regions of the a-Ti3C2 sample, respectively. r CV of the a-Ti3C2 MNRs for KIB collected at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1. s GCD curves of the sample obtained at different given current rates. t Rate capability of the a-Ti3C2 sample. u Cycling performance at 200 mA g-1 and coulombic efficiency for the a-Ti3C2 sample [145]. Copyright 2018 Elsevier
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of MXene (N-doped Ti3C2Tx) as a supercapacitor electrode: SEM images of a Parent MAX phase Ti3AlC2. b Ti3C2Tx obtained after etching the MAX phase with HF. c N doped Ti3C2Tx synthesized at 200 °C (N-Ti3C2Tx-200 °C). d N-Ti3C2Tx-300 °C. e N-Ti3C2Tx-500 °C. f N-Ti3C2Tx-700 °C. g XRD spectra stack of the parent MAX phase (Ti3AlC2) and the non-doped and various N doped Ti3C2Tx MXenes. h, i, j, k XPS spectra of N-Ti3C2Tx-200 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-300 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-500 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-700 °C samples, respectively. l CV curves of the non-doped and doped MXenes in 1 M H2SO4 at 1 mV s-1 scan rate. m Specific capacitance of the MXenes corresponding to the scan rates in i and n CV curves of the non-doped and doped MXenes in 1 M MgSO4 at 1 mV s-1 scan rate. o Specific capacitance of the MXenes corresponding to the scan rates in n [150]. Copyright 2018 Elsevier
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of phosphorene electrode material in SIB: a Schematic showing the movement of Na+ ion between phosphorene layers. b Energetics dictated transport of Na+ ions in the interstices of phosphorene lattice. c, f HRTEM images along the [001] direction of few-layer phosphorene and single-layer phosphorene, respectively, with FFTs shown in the inset of each. d, g Atomic scale High angle annular dark field image (HAADF) along the [001] direction of few-layer phosphorene and single-layer phosphorene, respectively, with atomic orientations in inset (in yellow). e, h HAADF of few-layer phosphorene along the [100] and [010] directions, respectively, with the corresponding atomic orientations in the inset (in yellow). i, j TEM image and schematic of the contact interface of Na+ ion normal to the [100] direction and along the [100] direction, respectively. The SAED patterns of the few-layered phosphorene are shown in the inset of both. k CV of the first three cycles of the phosphorene electrode for the half-cell at a scan rate of 0.005 mV s-1. l GCD profiles of the 1st, 2nd and 30th cycle for the phosphorene electrode in the half cell. m Capacity retention and coulombic efficiency of the phosphorene electrode running at a current density of 100 mA g-1. n Rate capability of the phosphorene anode [163]. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of phosphorene as a supercapacitor electrode: a TEM image of phosphorene thin film b HRTEM image of the phosphorene thin film. c HRTEM micrograph of the phosphorene thin film with atomic positions and lattice parameters. d AFM image of the phosphorene thin film. e SEM image of the cross-section of the phosphorene thin film with EDX spectra of the selected region. f XPS spectra of phosphorene thin film. g, h CV at varying scan rates of P/G anode and G anode, respectively. i XRD spectra stack of the phosphorene (orange), graphene (red) and P/G composite electrode (blue). j Aerial capacitances of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. k Volumetric capacitances of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. l Ragone plots of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. m GCD curves of the P/G (blue) and G (red) samples at a current density of 0.3 A cm-3. n Complex part of the impedance spectra of P/G (blue) and the G (red) samples. o Stability performance of the P/G sample over 2000 cycles with the inset pictures showing the flat and bending orientations. p CV curves of the P/G composite micro-supercapacitor. q CV curves of the P/G composite on PET substrate [174]. Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society

• Nitrogen-Doped TiO2-C Composite Nanofibers with High-Capacity and Long-Cycle Life as Anode Materials for Sodium-ion Batteries

  Su Nie1, Li Liu1, 2, *, Junfang Liu1, Jianjun Xie1, Yue Zhang1，Jing Xia1，Hanxiao Yan1, Yiting Yuan1, Xianyou Wang1	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 71
  First Online: 20 September 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0225-1

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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2-C NFs. c N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and d the corresponding pore size distributions of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2-C NFs
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    SEM images of a TiO2-C NFs and b TiO2/N-C NFs. TEM images of c TiO2-C NFs and d TiO2/N-C NFs. e TEM elemental mapping images of C, N, Ti, and O in TiO2/N-C NFs. f HRTEM image of TiO2/N-C NFs with lattice spacing (the inset shows statistical tables of the interplanar crystal spacing)
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    a Cycling performance of the TiO2/N-C NF and TiO2-C NF electrodes under a current density of 1 A g-1. b Continuous discharge and charge curves of TiO2/N-C NF electrode under a current density of 1A g-1. c Rate capability of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2/C NFs. d Charge–discharge curves of TiO2/N-C NFs at 0.05–5 A g-1 in the range of 0.01–2.5 V. e Long-term cycle performance of TiO2/N-C NFs under a high current density of 5 A g-1
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    Comparison of rate capability of TiO2/N-C NFs with that of previously reported TiO2-based composites with various morphologies
  • 
    a XPS wide scan spectra of TiO2-C NFs and TiO2/N-C NFs. High-resolution b C 1s and c Ti 2p XPS spectra of TiO2-C NFs and TiO2/N-C NFs. d High-resolution N 1s spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs. e EDS spectrum of TiO2/N-C NFs
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    N 1s fine spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs with a 0.05 g, b 0.1 g, and c 0.2 g of added urea. d Histogram of ratio of different N species in various TiO2/N-C NF samples. e Schematic of structural binding conditions of nitrogen
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    CV curves of a the TiO2/N-C NF electrode and b the TiO2-C NF electrode at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1. c CV plots of TiO2/N-C NFs at various sweep rates from 0.1 to 10 mV s-1. d Relationship between the peak currents and scan rates in logarithmic scale. e Diagram of capacitive contribution to the total capacity of TiO2/N-C NFs at different scan rates. f CV curve of TiO2/N-C NFs (black curve) and capacitive contribution measured at 10 mV s-1 (red shaded region)
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    a Nyquist plots of TiO2/N-C NF and TiO2-C NF

• Biogreen Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Biotechnology and Nanomedicine Applications

  Kok Ken Chan1 , Stephanie Hui Kit Yap1 , Ken-Tye Yong1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 72
  First Online: 17 October 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0223-3

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    Aqueous solution of passivated CDs. a Excited at 400 nm and imaged through bandpass filters as indicated, and b excited at the indicated wavelength [15].
  • 
    Example of a laser ablation technique experimental setup [18].
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    Schematic illustration of CQD generation via electrochemical oxidation of a graphite electrode in alkaline alcohols. The color change of the dispersion during room temperature storage is due to oxygenation of the surface species [21].
  • 
    a TEM images, b size distribution, and c, d AFM image and profile of CDs [78]. Copyright  2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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    PL emission of CDs excited from 330 to 600 nm in 30 nm increments [73].
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    PL spectra of CDs prepared from p-phenylenediamine dispersed in different solvents. CDs dispersed in a tetrachloromethane, b toluene, c chloroform, d acetone, e dimethyl formamide, f ethanol, and g water, and h absorption spectra of the CDs in different solvents [76].
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    PL emission peak blue-shifting as the concentration was reduced from 3.0 to 0.03 g L-1 [77].
  • 
    Photographs of a CdTe film and a CD epoxy resin film under UV illumination taken at different time intervals [88].
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    aPhotographs of CQDs with increasing particle dimensions under (left) white and (right) UV light, b PL spectrum of CQDs with emission from blue to red, c relationship between the CQD particle size and PL properties, and d relationship between the HOMO–LUMO bandgap and the size of the graphite fragments [90].
  • 
    a CD samples with increasing surface oxidation (from left to right) imaged under 365 nm UV light irradiation, and b model for the tunable PL of CDs with the increasing level of oxidation (from left to right) [93].
  • 
    a Absorption spectra of CD2, CD3, and CD4; and PL spectra of b CD2, c CD3, and d CD4. The inset image corresponds to CDs under 365 nm UV light illumination [94].
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    Schematic representation of the emission properties of three photoactive species obtained from heat treatment of a citric acid and ethanolamine mixture. During heating, the organic fluorophores (blue groups) are consumed to build up the carbogenic core (black sphere) so that the PL component that corresponds to the carbogenic core (black bars) increases at the expense of the component from the organic fluorophores [95].
  • 
    Basic principles of the FRET process. A donor fluorophore (D) is excited and the energy is transferred in a distance and orientation-dependent manner (r/Ro) to an acceptor molecule (A). The energy transfer occurs through non-radiative dipole–dipole coupling (E). The acceptor, if a fluorescent molecule, will emit fluorescence but at a lower energy and longer wavelength [267].
  • 
    Requisites for IFE: a the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation spectrum, b the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer emission spectrum, and c the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation and emission spectra [110].
  • 
    Preparation of CDs by hydrothermal treatment of CA and urea and sensing based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement effects [132].
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    a Visual detection of Cu2+ ions using filter papers printed with dual-colored CDs, and visual detection of Cu2+ in btap water and c lake water. All images were taken under 365 nm illumination [147].
  • 
    Schematic illustration of the preparation of dual-emission CDs and their application as ratiometric sensors for Hg2+ [165].
  • 
    Schematic design of a microfluidic chip for peroxynitrous-acid-induced CL analysis [199].
  • 
    Schematic illustration of the detection of pathogenic bacteria with a CD-based nanoprobes and b conventional methods [230].
  • 
    Schematic illustration of N, S-co-doped CDs for the detection of ascorbic acid in fruit [254].
  • 
    Schematic illustration of the proposed CQD-based “off–on” sensor for 6-TG [258].

• Tunable 3D Nanofiber Architecture of Polycaprolactone by Divergence Electrospinning for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications

  George Z. Tan1, Yingge Zhou1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 73
  First Online: 25 October 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0226-0

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    a Divergence electrospinning configuration. b The divergent electric field between the spinneret and the collector
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    a 3D nanofiber scaffold obtained by the double-bevel collector. Scale bar represents 20 mm. Fluorescent nanofibers at the b top section and c bottom section of the scaffold
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    3D nanofiber scaffolds formed in the a 45°-collector and c 60°-collector. SEM pictures of the nanofibers at the b top of the 45°-collector and d 60°-collector. White scale bar = 10 mm and red scale bar = 10 µm. (Color figure online)
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    Violin boxplots for nanofiber diameter (nm) distribution in the two collectors
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    a The coordinate system of the scaffold. b An illustration of different areas of a scaffold. The width of the two peripheral areas is 5 cm. The width of the central area is 10 cm. Fiber density gradients in the c 45°-collector and d 60°-collector
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    a A histogram of fiber orientation at 7.7 mm from the bottom of the peripheral area in the 45°-collector. b A histogram of fiber orientation at 4.4 mm from the bottom of the central area in the 60°-collector. Fiber alignment gradients in the c 45°-collector and d 60°-collector
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    a A pentahedral and b tetrahedral scaffold fabricated by specially designed collectors. c A columnar scaffold with a hollow structure and d a cylindrical scaffold. Scale bar = 10 mm. e–h The fiber alignment histograms for scaffolds 7a–7d, respectively
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    A mesh-structure scaffold fabricated by the four-bevel collector
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    a EDS and spectrum for top region in collector, b Element gradient plot for collector, c EDS and spectrum for top region in collector, d Element gradient plot for collector (Collectors: width = 20 mm, height = 10 mm, angle = 45°). Color bar represents the ratio of nitrogen to carbon. (Color figure online)
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    a A cell-seeded nanofiber scaffold in culture medium. Fluorescence images of fibroblasts from the b top and c side view of the scaffold. Scale bar = 200 μm. Blue: nucleus; green: cytoplasm. d Average percentage reduction of alamar Blue dye after day 1 and 7. (Color figure online)

• Indocyanine Green-Conjugated Magnetic Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Synchronous Photothermal/Photodynamic Tumor Therapy

  Peng Xue1,2, Ruihao Yang1,2, Lihong Sun1,2, Qian Li1,2, Lei Zhang3, Zhigang Xu1,2, Yuejun Kang1,2	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 74
  First Online: 25 October 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0227-z

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    Schematic of the procedure for FPPI NP synthesis and the combination PDT/PTT cancer treatment. Magnetic FPPI NPs accumulate in the tumor region under a local magnetic field, which produces hyperthermia and toxic ROS activated by NIR light irradiation
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    Characterizations of physicochemical properties: a high-resolution TEM image of FPPI NPs obtained by electrostatically conjugating ICG onto the surface of magnetic PB NPs (scale bar: 50 nm); b hydrodynamic size distribution of FPPI NPs in aqueous suspension measured by the DLS method; c zeta potentials of the intermediate and final products; d photographs of Fe3O4 NPs, free ICG, Fe3O4@PB NPs, Fe3O4@PB/PEI NPs, and FPPI NPs (from left to right) dispersed in aqueous condition; e XRD patterns of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, and FPPI NPs; f Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs dispersed in aqueous solution; g Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of FPPI NP dispersions with different concentrations; h hydrodynamic size variation of FPPI NPs dispersed in 1 × PBS, DMEM, or 10% FBS over 7 days; i FT-IR spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs in the solid state
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    Magnetic and photothermal properties of FPPI NPs: a accumulation of FPPI NPs toward a permanent magnet placed against the side wall of a cuvette containing the FPPI NP dispersion (1 mg mL−1); b comparison of the magnetization response of Fe3O4 and FPPI NPs at 25 °C using a vibrating sample magnetometer; c temperature change in various solutions (200 µg mL−1) over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; d temperature elevation in FPPI NP aqueous dispersions with various concentrations over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; e change in temperature of FPPI NP dispersion under repeated laser irradiation over four consecutive heating–cooling cycles (10 min of irradiation for each cycle); f infrared thermal images of cuvettes containing the FPPI NP dispersion to show the temperature change over time under different NP concentrations (NIR laser wavelength: 808 nm; laser power: 2 W cm−2)
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    a Microscopic analysis of HeLa cells treated with free ICG or FPPI NPs (at the same equivalent ICG concentration) for 2 h and 4 h (scale bars: 100 µm; excitation wavelength: 633 nm). Untreated cells served as the blank control. b LIVE/DEAD assays after various treatment combinations, where laser irradiation spots are denoted by dashed circular areas (scale bars: 500 µm). Viable cells and dead cells were stained with green and red fluorescence, respectively. c HeLa cell viability after treatment with free ICG, FPP NPs, or FPPI NPs subjected to laser irradiation (“L”) or magnetic field (“M”) where applicable. d Impact of FPPI NPs on HUVEC viability after 24 h under various NP concentrations measured by MTT assays. e Change in UV–Vis absorbance spectra of FPPI NPs containing DPBF under NIR laser irradiation for 1 ~ 10 min
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    Detection of intracellular ROS using DCFH-DA probes (FITC channel) after HeLa cells were treated with free ICG and FPPI NPs (at an equivalent ICG concentration of 6 µg mL−1) for 4 h and subjected to NIR irradiation (“L”) for 10 min where applicable (scale bars: 50 µm)
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    Change in mitochondrial membrane potential of HeLa cells after treatment with ICG or FPPI NPs (at an equivalent ICG concentration of 6 µg mL−1) for 4 h and NIR laser irradiation (“L”) for 10 min where applicable. After standard JC-1 staining for 30 min, the apoptosis status was determined by fluorescence images captured via the Cy3 channel for JC-1 aggregates and FITC channel for JC-1 monomers (scale bars: 50 µm)
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    a Changes in mouse body shell temperature under NIR laser irradiation over 10 min measured by infrared imaging at 24 h post-injection; b local peak temperature elevation in the tumor region during laser irradiation corresponding to a; c change in tumor volume over time in each group after laser-activated treatment; d photographs of the excised tumors in different groups at day 14 post-injection; e variation of mouse body weight over time in each group after various treatments
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    Histological analyses of the excised tumors at day 14 post-injection by a H&E staining and b TUNEL assays (scale bars: 100 µm); c histological analysis of major organs by H&E staining at day 14 post-injection (scale bars: 200 µm). “L” and “M” denote laser irradiation and magnetic guidance, respectively

• Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Under Alkaline Conditions

  Jumeng Wei1,2, Min Zhou2, Anchun Long2, Yanming Xue3, Hanbin Liao4,5, Chao Wei4,5, Zhichuan J. Xu4,5,6,7	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 75
  First Online: 7 November 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0229-x

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    Schematic pathways for hydrogen evolution reaction under acidic and alkaline conditions
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    a STM image (60 nm × 60 nm) and CV trace of the Pt/Ni(OH)2 surface. b Comparison of HER activities of Ni(OH)2-modified Pt electrode and control samples in 0.1 M KOH. c Schematic representation of water dissociation, formation of M–Had intermediates, and subsequent recombination of two Had atoms to form H2 (magenta arrow), as well as OH− desorption from the Ni(OH)2 domains (red arrows) followed by adsorption of another water molecule on the same site (blue arrows). Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [15]. Copyright 2011, American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Color figure online)
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    a Schematic of synthesis of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2. b, c TEM images of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2; scale bars in b and c are 100 and 5 nm, respectively. HER activity of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2, Pt NPs/SL–Ni(OH)2, pure Pt NWs, and commercial Pt/C (20 wt% Pt) in 1 M d and 0.1 M KOH e at room temperature. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [35]. Copyright 2015, Nature Publishing Group
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    TEM images and EDS elemental mapping of Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x NPs a, b before cycling and c, d after 1000 electrochemical cycles. The scale bar is 5 nm. e Schematic diagram of the alkaline HER reaction process on the surface of core/shell Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x nanoparticles after electrochemical cycling. f iR-corrected linear sweep voltammogram (LSV) curves. g Turnover frequencies (TOFs) of Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x NPs and catalysts in the benchmark literature: Pd/C, Pd-CNx, Ni-MoS2, and CoP. h HER activity versus FeOx(OH)2−2x coverage [40]. Copyright 2017, Wiley–VCH
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    a ECSA-normalized polarization curves (symbols) of bare MoS2 and MoS2/NiCo-LDH composite catalysts in 1 M KOH solution with the best fits (lines) using the dual-pathway kinetic model. The fitted standard activation free energies are presented in units of meV. b Free energy diagram of the dominant Volmer–Heyrovsky pathway for HER in alkaline electrolyte for bare MoS2 (blue) and MoS2/NiCo-LDH composite (red) catalysts. c Schematic illustration of the HER at MoS2/LDH interface in alkaline environment. Synergistic chemisorption of H (on MoS2) and OH (on LDH) for enhancing the water dissociation step. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [44]. Copyright 2017, Cell Press. (Color figure online)
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    a Free energies of H2O adsorption, H adsorption, and H2 evolution on α- or β-Ni(OH)2/Pt electrode; for clarity, the adsorbed H atoms for the H2O molecules in the top site on the Pt surfaces are colored green. b Adsorption free energy diagram for the Volmer and Heyrovsky steps. c LDOS of the α- or β-Ni(OH)2/Pt electrode. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [53]. Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society. (Color figure online)
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    a High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) image of Ni3N@CQDs, b O K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of Ni3N@CQDs, commercial NiO and the CQDs treated in NH3 at 370 °C, c linear scan voltammetry (LSV) polarization curves of Ni3N@CQDs in comparison with those of platinum (Pt) electrode, pristine Ni3N, CQDs, and glassy carbon (GC) electrode in a 1 M KOH aqueous solution. Comparison of HER Volmer reaction step and the resultant binding energies on carbon-coated Ni3N(110) d and pristine Ni3N(110) e surfaces. N, Ni, C, O, and H atoms are indicated by blue, gray, brown, red, and cyan, respectively. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [54]. Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society. (Color figure online)

• A Self-Powered Breath Analyzer Based on PANI/PVDF Piezo-Gas-Sensing Arrays for Potential Diagnostics Application

  Yongming Fu1,2, Haoxuan He3, Tianming Zhao3, Yitong Dai3, Wuxiao Han3, Jie Ma2, Lili Xing1,3, Yan Zhang1, Xinyu Xue1,3	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 76
  First Online: 12 November 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0228-y

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    Structure and fabrication of the device. a Proposed concept. b Photographs of un-rolled PANI/PVDF film and as-fabricated bellows. c Fabrication process of the device. d SEM image of PANI/PVDF. e High-magnification SEM image of PANI/PVDF interface. f SEM image of PVDF film. g Lumped parameter equivalent circuit model of the device. h A few cycles of the output current
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    Characterization of the PANI/PVDF. a–e SEM images of PANI(SS), PANI(SDS), PANI(SO), PANI(CA), and PANI(NA), respectively. f EDS spectra of the five PANI derivatives. g Raman spectra of the five PANI derivatives. h XRD pattern of PVDF film. i FTIR spectrum of PVDF film
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    Performances of PANI(SS) sensing unit. a–e The output current of PANI(SS) in response to acetone, CO, ethanol, CH4, and NOx with concentrations ranging from 0 to 600 ppm. f The relationship between the response and gas concentration
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    Sensing performances of the five sensing units. The output current of a PANI(SDS) unit under different ethanol concentrations. b PANI(SO) unit under different CO concentrations. c PANI(CA) unit under different NOx concentrations. d PANI(NA) unit under different CH4 concentrations. e The relationship of the four units between the output current and special gas marker concentration. f The response of the five sensing units to 600 ppm gases
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    Response/recovery processes of the sensing units. a PANI(SS) for acetone. b PANI(SDS) for ethanol. c PANI(SO) for CO. d PANI(CA) for NOx. e PANI(NA) for CH4
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    Sensing performances of the five units under different gas flow rates. a The output current of PANI(SS) unit under airflow rates in the range of 0–12 m s−1. b The output current of five sensing units under airflow rates in the range of 4–9 m s−1. c The output current of five sensing units in response to 600 ppm special gas marker under gas flow rate in the range of 4–9 m s−1. d The relationship of the five sensing units between responses and gas flow rates
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    Humidity influence on ethanol response in the PANI(SDS) sensing unit. a The output current of the PANI(SDS) sensing unit under airflow and 600 ppm ethanol gas flow in different humidity conditions (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% RH). b The relationship between output current and relative humidity in airflow and 600 ppm ethanol gas flow. c The relationship between response and relative humidity
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    Working principle of the device. a The original state of polarized PVDF. b Measuring the output current in air atmosphere. c Measuring the output current in gas marker atmosphere

• Review of Water-Assisted Crystallization for TiO2 Nanotubes

  Xiaoyi Wang1, Dainan Zhang1, Quanjun Xiang1, Zhiyong Zhong1, Yulong Liao1,2	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 77
  First Online: 15 November 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0230-4

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    Brief description of the overall contents
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    Schematic illustration of the crystallization process in water
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    a Digital photographs showing the appearance change of a TiO2 NT/Ti film before and after the treatment. b XRD patterns demonstrating the phase transformation before (black line) and after (red line) the water soaking for the TiO2 NT/Ti film. c Schematic showing the nucleation of anatase from amorphous TiO2 induced by water [40].
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    XRD patterns of anodic TiO2 NT array films crystallized in a water, b ethanol, and c ethylene glycol at 90 °C for 20 h. d Digital photographs of the treatment system at 90 °C with treatment duration rising from 0 to 20 h. e Magnified digital photograph of the 20-h sample. f Selected area diffraction pattern of the precipitated TiO2 nanoparticles, indicating the anatase phase of the precipitated nanoparticles [52]. g Schematic diagram of the dissolution-recrystallization-precipitation mechanism.
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    a Flowchart for the low-temperature crystallization of amorphous TiO2 nanotubular arrays by solid–gas reaction. In a Teflon-lined stainless autoclave, the as-anodized amorphous TiO2 nanotubes fabricated by anodization reacted with water vapor to yield anatase phase. Morphology images of TiO2 nanotubular arrays prepared by anodizing Ti foil at 20 V for 20 min in 0.5 wt% HF solution, followed by b hydrothermal solid–gas crystallization and c hydrothermal solid–liquid crystallization at 160 °C for 4 h [54].
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    a XRD patterns of the as-hydrothermal samples after annealing at 450 °C for 3 h in air (lines 1, 2, 3 represent the 0.05 M, 0.2 M, and 0.5 M Zn (Ac)2 solutions). SEM images of the samples hydrothermally treated with Zn(Ac)2 solutions with different concentrations at 200 °C for 6 h: b 0.05 M and c 0.5 M. d SEM image of anatase TNTs after hydrothermal treatment in 0.2 M Zn (Ac)2 at 200 °C for 6 h [67]. e Schematic illustration of the reaction processes in the presence of anatase or amorphous TNTs.
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    a Schematic diagram showing the fabrication of crystalline TNTs by immersing the as-anodized sample in the solution of ammonia. b Low-resolution XPS spectra of as-anodized TNAs and ammonia-treated TNAs (10 h). The inset shows the corresponding N 1s core-level XPS spectra with high resolution. c The corresponding normalized Ti 2p core-level XPS spectra with high resolution together with their difference spectrum (‘ammonia-treated TNAs’ minus ‘as-anodized TNAs’). d I–V characteristics of the as-anodized TNAs and ammonia-treated TNTs annealed for 5, 8, 10, and 15 h, respectively. The inset: a simplified sketch of the two-point measurement arrangement [78].
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    a Schematic illustration of the crystallization process at room temperature: first step: electrochemical anodization; second step: pulsed crystallization. b The mechanism of the superfast room temperature crystallization of TNTs. c XRD patterns of the as-anodized and pulsed-crystallized TNTs [82].
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    SEM characterization of the morphological evolution as a function of water soaking time: a as-anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays, b intermediate double-walled TiO2 nanotube arrays obtained by water soaking for 15–25 h, c intermediate wire-in-tube TiO2 nanoarchitecture formed by water soaking for 25–72 h, and d mesoporous TiO2 nanowire arrays obtained by a long-term water soaking (> 72 h). e Scheme illustrating the morphology transformation of the as-anodized TiO2 nanotubes upon water soaking. The red arrows denote the direction along which the dissolution–precipitation of TiO6 octahedra proceeds [40].
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    SEM, HRTEM and SAED images of the a as-anodized TNTs, b after water soaking for 1 day, and c after water soaking for 3 days [83]
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    a Schematic illustration of the fabrication stages of the nanoparticle decorated TiO2 NT array photoanode: (A) untreated TiO2 NT array on FTO substrate (UT-NT), (B) ALD amorphous TiO2 thin layer coated on the TiO2 NT array (AT-NT), (C) cross-sectional view of (B), (D) AT-NT electrode post-water treated for 1 day (WT1-NT), and (E) AT-NT electrode water treated for 2 days (WT2-NT). b TEM image of the sample after water treatment. c The corresponding HRTEM lattice images of the circled portions in b. d Incident photoconversion efficiency spectra of DSSCs using untreated and water-treated TiO2 NT array photoanodes. SEM images of e as-anodized TNTs, f after being immersed in water at 90 °C for 8 h, and g after being immersed in ammonia solution (the concentration of Volammonia/Volwater = 1:1) at 90 °C for 8 h [45, 75].
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    a UV–Vis absorption spectra of the TiO2 NT-powders after different heat treatment duration times at 92 °C. The inset shows the corresponding estimated bandgap. b The absorption spectra of water immersed TNTs and ammonia solution immersed TNTs with different concentrations. The inset shows the corresponding estimated bandgap, A/DI = Volammonia/Volwater. c Schematic of the band structure of pure TNTs and nitrogen-doped TNTs prepared by immersing the as-anodized sample in ammonia solution [39, 55].
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    a Schematic illustration of the reaction process for degrading pollutants by TiO2 under irradiation. b Photocatalytic degradation kinetics of the MO (methyl orange) aqueous solution and c the degradation rate constant by using the TiO2 NT-powders obtained by water immersion with different treatment duration times at 92 °C (the inset of b shows the MO degradation processing with the TiO2 NT-powders after hot water treatment at 92 °C for 35 h as photocatalyst, and S-450 refers to the sample sintered at 450 °C for 3 h) [39].
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    Schematic illustration of the configuration of DSSCs based on TNTs [125].
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    Typical TEM images of the TNTs for a as-anodized and b after HSGM (hydrothermal solid–gas method) treatment with 120 μL water put into a 50 mL Teflon autoclave. c Cyclic voltammograms of the TNTAs without HSGM treatment and TNTAs treated by HSGM under different vapor pressures at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. d Galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) curves of the HSGM-treated TNTAs at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2. HSGM-120, 180, 240, 1000 represent the different water content in the Teflon autoclave, which leads to the different vapor pressures [53].
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    a Schematic illustration of the water-assisted crystallization process for preparing porous anatase TiO2 nanospheres from sol–gel derived amorphous particles. b TEM images of the original amorphous TiO2 spheres. c TEM images of the samples after immersing in water at 75 °C for 30 min. d XRD patterns of products obtained by immersing in water at 75 °C for different time periods. e The change of surface area as a function of heating time period for samples treated at different temperatures. f Schematic illustration of the water-assisted crystallization strategy for conversion of amorphous TiO2 layer to mesoporous crystalline shells. Typical TEM images of the samples at different preparation steps: g SiO2@TiO2 core–shell structures prepared by sol–gel coating and h mesoporous TiO2 hollow nanostructures after removing SiO2 cores [141, 142].
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    SEM images of the TiO2 nanofibers treated with water steam at different temperatures of a, b 150 °C; c, d 350 °C; and e, f 550 °C. g XRD patterns of the samples heat-treated at different temperatures in water steam. h, i HRTEM and SAED images of the water steam-treated TiO2 nanofibers prepared at 550 °C. j Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms of the samples heat-treated at different temperatures in water steam [152].
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    SEM images of the as-anodized SnO2 samples a before and b after soaking in water for 2 h at room temperature and c after soaking in water for 2 h at 60 °C. The insets are the photographs showing the appearance of the corresponding SnO2 samples. d Schematic illustration showing the transformation from amorphous to rutile SnO2 assisted by water soaking. TEM images of the SnO2 samples e as-anodized and f after water soaking at 60 °C for 2 h; the insets show the corresponding SAED patterns. g Long-term stability profiles and Coulombic efficiency of the water-crystallized SnO2 at 0.3 C for 500 cycles [159].

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• Bio-Derived Hierarchical Multicore–Shell Fe2N-Nanoparticle-Impregnated N-Doped Carbon Nanofiber Bundles: A Host Material for Lithium-/Potassium-Ion Storage

  Hongjun Jiang1, +, Ling Huang1, +, Yunhong Wei1, Boya Wang1, Hao Wu1, *, Yun Zhang1, * Huakun Liu2, Shixue Dou2	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 56
  First Online: 15 July 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0290-0

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    a Schematic of the structure of the native SCFs and synthesis strategy for Fe2N@N-CFBs. FESEM images of b, c natural SCFs and d, e Fe2N@N-CFBs. f–i TEM images of Fe2N@N-CFBs at different magnifications. j, k HRTEM images and l–o HAADF-STEM image and corresponding element maps of Fe2N@N-CFBs
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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of Fe2N@N-CFBs, N-CFBs, and Fe2N-FBs. c Mössbauer spectrum of Fe2N@N-CFBs at room temperature. The inset shows the crystal structure of the orthorhombic Fe2N. d–f HR XP spectra of the Fe 2p, N 1s, and C 1s peaks of Fe2N@N-CFBs. g Photographs of SCFs, SCFs@Mn+, and MxNy@N-CFBs (M = Co, Ti, Cr)
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    FESEM images of a, d Co4N@N-CFBs, b, e TiN@N-CFBs, and c, f CrN@N-CFBs prepared using SCFs as templates and g–i corresponding XRD patterns
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    Lithium-ion storage properties of Fe2N@N-CFBs. a CV curves and b discharge–charge voltage profiles of Fe2N@N-CFBs for the first three cycles. c Cycling performances and d rate capacities of Fe2N@N-CFBs, N-CFBs, and Fe2N-FBs. e Repeated rate and cycling tests and f long-term cycling performance of Fe2N@N-CFBs
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    a Initial discharge/charge curves of Fe2N@N-CFBs at 50 mA g-1 in the voltage range of 0.01−3.0 V. b–d TEM, HRTEM, and SAED images of the Fe2N@N-CFBs electrode recorded in the fresh b1–3, discharged c1–3, and charged d1–3 states
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    Potassium-ion storage properties of Fe2N@N-CFBs. a CV curves and b discharge–charge profiles at 25 mA g-1 for Fe2N@N-CFBs in the first three cycles. c Rate capabilities of the Fe2N@N-CFBs and Fe2N-FBs electrodes at varied current density. The presented capacities are discharge capacities. d Cycling performances of the Fe2N@N-CFBs and Fe2N-FBs electrodes for 100 cycles at 200 mA g-1
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    Schematic of the different structural evolutions of the Fe2N@N-CFBs (top panel) and Fe2N-FBs (bottom panel) electrode materials during the electrochemical lithium/potassium storage reaction. The light-yellow layer coating on the surface represents the SEI film

• Lightweight and High-Performance Microwave Absorber Based on Two-Dimensional WS2–Reduced Graphene Oxide Heterostructures

  Deqing Zhang1, 5, †, Tingting Liu1, †, Junye Cheng2, *, Qi Cao3, Guangping Zheng4, Shuang Liang1, Hao Wang2, *, Mao-Sheng Cao5, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 38
  First Online: 9 May 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0270-4

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    a XRD patterns of WS2 and WS2–rGO. b Raman spectrum of WS2–rGO. TEM images of c WS2, d rGO, e WS2–rGO. f HRTEM image of WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets and the corresponding SAED patterns (inset)
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    Typical XPS spectra of as-synthesized WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets: a XPS wide scan (survey), High-resolution narrow scan on b W, c S, and d C regions in spectra of WS2–rGO
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    a ε´-curves, and b ε´´-curves of the as-synthesized WS2 and WS2–rGO. Complex permeability profiles of c pure WS2, and d WS2–rGO
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    μ''(μ')-2f-1 values of WS2 and WS2–rGO at various frequencies
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    a, c, e Reflection loss profiles and b, d, f corresponding 2D maps of pure rGO (a, b), pure WS2 nanosheets (c, d), and WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet powder (e, f). The illustrations in panels a, c, and e represent different preparation processes for pure rGO, pure WS2, and the WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets, respectively
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    Synergistic mechanisms responsible for the superior microwave absorption properties of the proposed WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbent: a Dipole polarization. b Interfacial polarization. c Electron hopping. d Multiple scattering of incident microwave
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    Calculated delta value maps of a rGO, b WS2, and c WS2–rGO
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    a, c Reflection loss profiles and b, d 3D maps of RL of pristine WS2 microwave absorbent at thickness of 2.0–3.0 mm (a, b) and WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbent at thickness of 2.0–3.0 mm (c, d). The insets in panels a and e show the RL curves of the pristine WS2 and the WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbents at a thickness of 1.7 mm

• Novel Insights into Energy Storage Mechanism of Aqueous Rechargeable Zn/MnO2 Batteries with Participation of Mn2+

  Yongfeng Huang1, 2, #, Jian Mou1, #, Wenbao Liu1, 2, Xianli Wang1, Liubing Dong1, *, Feiyu Kang 1, 2, *, Chengjun Xu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 49
  First Online: 06 June 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0278-9

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    a XRD pattern, b SEM image, c STEM and d HRSTEM images of the synthesized MnO2 nanorods
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    Electrochemical behaviors of the prepared cathodes: a CV curves in 50 mL 2 M ZnSO4 solution (1st to 5th cycles); b CV (1st to 5th cycles) and c GCD curves in 50 mL 2 M ZnSO4 + 0.5 M MnSO4 solution; d Constant voltage discharge at various voltages (1.4, 1.2, and 1.1 V) and Local magnification diagram (the inset)
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    The results of the cathode which is constant current discharged to 1.4 V and then constant voltage discharged at 1.4 V in 2 M ZnSO4 + 0.5 M MnSO4 electrolyte for 2 h: a XRD pattern and locally enlarged image (the inset); b SEM image of the surface of the cathode. Another cathode which is constant current discharged to 1.0 V: c XRD pattern; d SEM image of the surface of the cathode; e Phase evolution of cathode during the 1st discharge process
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    TEM, HRTEM image, and TEM-EDS spectrum of the sample constant current discharge to 1.0 V: a TEM image b TEM-EDS spectrum result of region A and B marked in a. c, d HRTEM image of region A and B marked in Fig. 4a, respectively. e, f FFT of the region marked by a yellow dash in c and d, respectively
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    The first charge process: a XRD pattern of the fully charged cathode in the 1st charge process; b Charging curves of α-MnO2 electrodes after discharge to 1 V in different cases; c Constant Voltage test; d HRTEM image and analysis result. e Phase evolution of cathode during the 1st charge process
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    The MnO2 cathode after 100 charge/discharge cycles in 2 M ZnSO4 + 0.5 M MnSO4 electrolyte: a XRD patterns; b-d HRTEM images; e Phase evolution of cathode during the repeated charge/discharge processes after the 1st charge/discharge cycle
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    a Zn-Mn-O diagram and b E-pH diagram of Zn-Mn-H2O system

• Boosting Sodium Storage of Fe1-xS/MoS2 Composite via Heterointerface Engineering

  Song Chen1, 2, Shaozhuan Huang2, Junping Hu2, Shuang Fan1, 2, Yang Shang2, Mei Er Pam2, Xiaoxia Li2, Ye Wang4, Tingting Xu4, Yumeng Shi1, 3, *, Hui Ying Yang2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 80
  First Online: 23 September 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0311-z

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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis process for Fe1-xS/MoS2 nanocomposite. b XRD pattern and c high-resolution XPS spectra (Fe 2p, Mo 3d, and S 2p) of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. d SEM, e TEM and f HRTEM images of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. (g) Element mappings of the Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite
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    a CV curves of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode for the first five cycles. b Galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode at 100 mA g-1. c Cycling performance at 100 mA g-1. d Rate capability at various current densities. e Galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode at various current densities. f The comparison of the rate capability with other iron sulfide-based anode materials previously reported [9, 12-14, 38, 55, 56]. g Long-term cycling performance at 1.0 A g-1
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    Kinetic analysis of sodium storage behavior for Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite. a Linear relationship between log (i) and log (v). b Capacitive and diffusion-controlled contribution at 1.0 mV s-1. c Normalized contribution ratio of capacitive capacities at different scan rates. d In situ EIS spectra evolution at different charge/discharge potentials. e First charge/discharge profile at 100 mA g-1 with labeled points for EIS. f EIS spectra after different cycles. g GITT curve. h The corresponding Na+ diffusion coefficient at different discharge/charge state of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite and pure Fe1-xS electrodes
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    a Contour plots of in situ XRD results and b selected diffraction patterns of Fe1-xS/MoS2 composite electrode during the first sodiation/desodiation process
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    a Schematic illustration of Fe1-xS/MoS2 interface. b The diffusion barrier profiles of Na on Fe1-xS surface and Fe1-xS/MoS2 interface. c Proposed schematic atomistic models of the illustrated reaction mechanism for Fe1-xS/MoS2 heterostructure during the sodiation and desodiation process

• Battery Separators Functionalized with Hollow, Edge-Rich MoS2/C Microspheres for the Uniform Deposition of Li2S in High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

  Nan Zheng1, Guangyu Jiang1, Xiao Chen1, Jiayi Mao1, Nan Jiang1, Yongsheng Li1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 43
  First Online: 24 May 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0275-z

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    Schematic illustration of the synthesis and application of the Edg-MoS2/C@PP separators in Li-S batteries. a Schematic of polysulfides entrapped in the Li-S battery using the Edg-MoS2/C@PP separator. b Schematic of Li2S deposition in the Edg-MoS2/C@PP and PP cells. c Synthesis of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs and schematic of the edge and terrace sites of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs
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    Characterization of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs and Edg-MoS2/C@PP separators. TEM images a at low and b high magnifications, and SEM images c at low and d high magnifications of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs. Top-down SEM images of e the pristine PP separator and f Edg-MoS2/C@PP separator. g Low and h high magnification cross-sectional SEM images of the Edg-MoS2/C@PP separator. i Optical photographs of Edg-MoS2/C@PP separator. j Contact angle between electrolyte and PP separator (top), electrolyte and Edg-MoS2/C@PP separator (bottom). k XRD pattern, l Raman spectrum of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs
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    Electrochemical performances of the CNT/S cathodes with the Edg-MoS2/C@PP and PP separators. a Cyclic voltammogram profiles of the Edg-MoS2/C@PP, CN@PP, and PP cells at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1. b Rate capabilities and c corresponding galvanostatic discharge–charge profiles at 0.2C and 2.0C (1C = 1675 mA g−1) of the Edg-MoS2/C@PP, CN@PP, and PP cells. Cycling performances of d the Edg-MoS2/C@PP cells at 0.2C, e the Edg-MoS2/C@PP, CN@PP, and PP cells at 1.0C, f the Edg-MoS2/C@PP cells at 5.0C. The sulfur loadings of the CNT/S cathodes in (a–f) are 1.7 mg cm-2. Cycling performance of the Edg-MoS2/C@PP cells g at 0.2C with a high sulfur loading of 3.5 mg cm-2, h at 0.5C with sulfur loadings of 1.7, 3.5, and 6.1 mg cm-2, respectively. The weight of the interlayers in all cells is 0.34 mg cm-2.
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    Investigation of the mechanism of interaction between the Edg-MoS2/C HMs and sulfur species during the redox reactions of the Li-S cells. a Visual adsorption tests of Li2S6 by pristine Edg-MoS2/C HMs and CN. b CV curves of symmetric dummy cells employing Edg-MoS2/C HMs and CN electrodes at a high scan rate of 2000 mV s−1. c CV curves of the Edg-MoS2/C HMs symmetric cells at different scan rates. d The Mo 3d, S 2s, and e S 2p spectrum of the Edg-MoS2/C functionalized separator before and after the first 100% discharge at 0.05C.
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    SEM images of Li2S and S deposition in the redox reactions of the Li-S cells. a SEM images of the pristine CNT/S-1.7 cathode. b SEM images of Li2S deposited on the CNT/S-1.7 cathode in the PP coin cell after the first 100% discharge at 0.05C. SEM images of c Li2S deposition on the CNT/S-1.7 cathode (c) and the separator (d) in the CN@PP coin cell after the first 100% discharge at 0.05C. SEM images of Li2S deposition onto the CNT/S-1.7 cathode (e) and the separator (f) in the Edg-MoS2/C@PP coin cell after the first 100% discharge at 0.05C. SEM images of the CNT/S-1.7 cathode (g) and the separator (h) in the Edg-MoS2/C@PP coin cell after the first 100% charge at 0.05C.

• Applications of MxSey (M = Fe, Co, Ni) and their Composites in Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

  Huijie Zhou1, Xiaxia Li1, Yan Li1, Mingbo Zheng1, Huan Pang1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 40
  First Online: 15 May 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0272-2

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    a Research trends of transition metal selenides in electrochemical energy storage (batteries, SCs) and conversion (electrocatalysis) from 2006 to 2018. b Use of transition metal selenides in various types of batteries (LIBs, SIBs, and other batteries)
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    a Schematic diagram of the synthesis of Co@CNF and CoSe2@CNF. b Schematic diagram of CoSe@CNF formation process. c SEM image of Co@CNFs. d SEM image of CoSe2@CNFs. e TEM image of CoSe2@CNFs. f, g Images showing annealing of a ZIF-67 nm cube and Se powder for 2 h and synthetic CoSe2/CNF FESEM under a nitrogen atmosphere at 350 ℃. h Rate performance at different current densities. i The electrochemical performance of CoSe@CNF and CoSe2@CNF electrodes before and after cycling in the Nyquist diagram. j Discharge and charge voltage curves at a current density of 0.2 A g−1.
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    a SEM images of rGO/CoSe2 composite. b Cycling performance of rGO/CoSe2 composite. c TEM image of porous Cu-doped CoSe2. d Capacitances at current densities varying from 0.1 to 5.0 A g-1.
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    a Schematic diagram of the morphology evolution of nickel grown in situ on foamed nickel. b SEM image of NiO–NiSe electrode after initially discharging to 0.01 V. c Schematic diagram of the morphology evolution of nickel crystal grown in situ on foamed nickel with a reaction time of 16 h. d Schematic diagram of the morphology evolution of nickel crystal grown in situ on foamed nickel with a reaction time of 20 h. e SEM image of NiO–NiSe electrode after initially charging to 3.0 V. f At a current density of 20 mA g−1, the initial discharge and charge and discharge curves of the NiO–NiSe electrode in the voltage range of 0.1–3.0 V were 30. g Cycling performance of NiO–NiSe thin film electrode for the initial 50 cycles.
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    a Schematic of α-FeSe reveals the crystal structure of the layered structure. b SEM image of the sample. c The first four consecutive CVs of the α-FeSe@C composite have a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1. d Cycle performance of the composite at a current density of 40 mA g−1.
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    a Formation mechanism of CoSex–rGO composite powder by one-pot spray pyrolysis process. b Electrochemical properties of the bare CoSex and CoS