Excellent Performance of Few-Layer Borocarbonitrides as Anode Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Borocarbonitrides (BxCyNz) with a graphene-like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the BxCyNz materials, synthesized by using a simple solid-state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon-rich compound B0.15C0.73N0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05-1Ag(-1)). B0.15C0.73N0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710mAhg(-1) at 0.05Ag(-1). With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900mAhg(-1) at 0.05Ag(-1). It is believed that the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of BxCyNz and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the BxCyNz .

Variable field ion traps

This paper presents a technique to vary the electric field within a cylindrical ion trap (CIT) mass spectrometer while it is in operation. In this technique, the electrodes of the CIT are split into number of mini-electrodes and different voltages are applied to these split-electrodes to achieve the desired field. In our study we have investigated two geometries of the split-electrode CIT. In the first, we retain the flat endcap electrodes of the CIT but split the ring electrode into five mini-rings. In the second configuration, we split the ring electrode of the CIT into three mini-rings and also divide the endcaps into two mini-discs. By applying different potentials to the mini-rings and mini-discs of these geometries we have shown that the field within the trap can be optimized to desired values. In our study, two different types of fields were targeted. In the first, potentials were adjusted to obtain a linear electric field and, in the second, a controlled higher order even multipole field was obtained by adjusting the potential. We have shown that the different potentials required can be derived from a single RF generator by connecting appropriate capacitor terminations to split electrodes. The field within the trap can be modified by changing the values of the external capacitors. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

IS A DEEP ONE-CELL MERIDIONAL CIRCULATION ESSENTIAL FOR THE FLUX TRANSPORT SOLAR DYNAMO?

The solar activity cycle is successfully modeled by the flux transport dynamo, in which the meridional circulation of the Sun plays an important role. Most of the kinematic dynamo simulations assume a one-cell structure of the meridional circulation within the convection zone, with the equatorward return flow at its bottom. In view of the recent claims that the return flow occurs at a much shallower depth, we explore whether a meridional circulation with such a shallow return flow can still retain the attractive features of the flux transport dynamo (such as a proper butterfly diagram, the proper phase relation between the toroidal and poloidal fields). We consider additional cells of the meridional circulation below the shallow return flow-both the case of multiple cells radially stacked above one another and the case of more complicated cell patterns. As long as there is an equatorward flow in low latitudes at the bottom of the convection zone, we find that the solar behavior is approximately reproduced. However, if there is either no flow or a poleward flow at the bottom of the convection zone, then we cannot reproduce solar behavior. On making the turbulent diffusivity low, we still find periodic behavior, although the period of the cycle becomes unrealistically large. In addition, with a low diffusivity, we do not get the observed correlation between the polar field at the sunspot minimum and the strength of the next cycle, which is reproduced when diffusivity is high. On introducing radially downward pumping, we get a more reasonable period and more solar-like behavior even with low diffusivity.

Green ionothermal synthesis of hierarchical nanostructures of SnS2 and their Li-ion storage properties

Flower-like hierarchical architectures of layered SnS2 have been synthesized ionothermally for the first time, using a water soluble EMIM]BF4 ionic liquid (IL) as the solvent medium. At lower reaction temperatures, the hierarchical structures are formed of few-layered polycrystalline 2D nanosheet-petals composed of randomly oriented nanoparticles of SnS2. The supramolecular networks of the IL serve as templates on which the nanoparticles of SnS2 are glued together by combined effects of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, hydrophobic and imidazolium stacking interactions of the IL, giving rise to polycrystalline 2D nanosheet-petals. At higher reaction temperatures, single crystalline plate-like nanosheets with well-defined crystallographic facets are obtained due to rapid inter-particle diffusion across the IL. Efficient surface charge screening by the IL favors the aggregation of individual nanosheets to form hierarchical flower-like architectures of SnS2. The mechanistic aspects of the ionothermal bottom-up hierarchical assembly of SnS2 nanosheets are discussed in detail. Li-ion storage properties of the pristine SnS2 samples are examined and the electrochemical performance of the sample synthesized at higher temperatures is found to be comparable to that reported for pristine SnS2 samples in the literature.

Phase and Dimensionality of Tin Oxide at graphene nanosheet array and its Electrochemical performance as anode for Lithium Ion Battery

We incorporated tin oxide nanostructures into the graphene nanosheet matrix and observed that the phase of tin oxide varies with the morphology. The highest discharge capacity and coulumbic efficiency were obtained for SnO phase of nanoplates morphology. Platelet morphology of tin oxide shows more reversible capacity than the nanoparticle (SnO2 phase) tin oxide. The first discharge capacity obtained for SnO@GNS is 1393 and 950 mAh/g for SnO2@GNS electrode at a current density of 23 mu A/cm(2). A stable capacity of about 1022 and 715 mAh/g was achieved at a current rate of 23 mu A/cm(2) after 40 cycles for SnO@GNS and SnO2@GNS anodes, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Allosteric Transition Induced by Mg2+ Ion in a Transactivator Monitored by SERS

We demonstrate the utility of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to monitor conformational transitions in protein upon ligand binding. The changes in protein's secondary and tertiary structures were monitored using amide and aliphatic/aromatic side chain vibrations. Changes in these bands are suggestive of the stabilization of the secondary and tertiary structure of transcription activator protein C in the presence of Mg2+ ion, whereas the spectral fingerprint remained unaltered in the case of a mutant protein, defective in Mg2+ binding. The importance of the acidic residues in Mg2+ binding, which triggers an overall allosteric transition in the protein, is visualized in the molecular model. The present study thus opens up avenues toward the application of SERS as a potential tool for gaining structural insights into the changes occurring during conformational transitions in proteins.

Anomalous power law decay in solvation dynamics of DNA: a mode coupling theory analysis of ion contribution

Several time dependent fluorescence Stokes shift (TDFSS) experiments have reported a slow power law decay in the hydration dynamics of a DNA molecule. Such a power law has neither been observed in computer simulations nor in some other TDFSS experiments. Here we observe that a slow decay may originate from collective ion contribution because in experiments DNA is immersed in a buffer solution, and also from groove bound water and lastly from DNA dynamics itself. In this work we first express the solvation time correlation function in terms of dynamic structure factors of the solution. We use mode coupling theory to calculate analytically the time dependence of collective ionic contribution. A power law decay in seen to originate from an interplay between long-range probe-ion direct correlation function and ion-ion dynamic structure factor. Although the power law decay is reminiscent of Debye-Falkenhagen effect, yet solvation dynamics is dominated by ion atmosphere relaxation times at longer length scales (small wave number) than in electrolyte friction. We further discuss why this power law may not originate from water motions which have been computed by molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, we propose several experiments to check the prediction of the present theoretical work.

In-situ Stabilization of Tin Nanoparticles in Porous Carbon Matrix derived from Metal Organic Framework: High Capacity and High Rate Capability Anodes for Lithium-ion Batteries

It is a formidable challenge to arrange tin nanoparticles in a porous matrix for the achievement of high specific capacity and current rate capability anode for lithium-ion batteries. This article discusses a simple and novel synthesis of arranging tin nanoparticles with carbon in a porous configuration for application as anode in lithium-ion batteries. Direct carbonization of synthesized three-dimensional Sn-based MOF: K2Sn2(1,4-bdc)(3)](H2O) (1) (bdc = benzenedicarboxylate) resulted in stabilization of tin nanoparticles in a porous carbon matrix (abbreviated as Sn@C). Sn@C exhibited remarkably high electrochemical lithium stability (tested over 100 charge and discharge cycles) and high specific capacities over a wide range of operating currents (0.2-5 Ag-1). The novel synthesis strategy to obtain Sn@C from a single precursor as discussed herein provides an optimal combination of particle size and dispersion for buffering severe volume changes due to Li-Sn alloying reaction and provides fast pathways for lithium and electron transport.

A three-component protocol for the enantiodifferentiation of amines using triphenyl borate and BINOL: is it an ion pair or an amine-coordinated complex?

The structure of the borate complex responsible for the enantiodifferentiation of amines using a previously reported three-component protocol has been established. The choice between an ion pair and an amine-coordinated complex with the N atom of the amine coordinated to the B atom is favored for the former structure based on the DFT-calculated B-11 NMR chemical shifts. In contrast to expectations, the anisotropies of the quadrupolar B-11 nucleus for the two structures were calculated to be indistinguishable with regard to their effect on the linewidth of the NMR signal. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Syntheses and structural investigation of some alkali metal ion-mediated (LVO2-)-O-V (L2- = tridentate ONO ligands) species: DNA binding, photoinduced DNA cleavage and cytotoxic activities

Eight alkali metal ion-mediated dioxidovanadium(V), {(VO2L1-6)-O-V} A(H2O)n]proportional to, complexes for A = Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+, containing tridentate aroylhydrazonate ligands coordinating via ONO donor atoms, are described. All the synthesised ligands and the metal complexes were successfully characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy. X-ray crystallographic investigation of 3, 5-7 shows the presence of distorted NO4 coordination geometries for LVO2- in each case, and varying mu-oxido and/ or mu-aqua bridging with interesting variations correlated with the size of the alkali metal ions: with small Li+, no bridging-O is found but four ion aggregates are found with Na+, chains for K+ and finally, layers for Cs+. Two (5) or three-dimensional (3, 6 and 7) architectures are consolidated by hydrogen bonding. The dioxidovanadium(V) complexes were found to exhibit DNA binding activity due to their interaction with CT-DNA by the groove binding mode, with binding constants ranging from 10(3) to 10(4) M-1. Complexes 1-8 were also tested for DNA nuclease activity against pUC19 plasmid DNA which showed that 6 and 7 had the best DNA binding and photonuclease activity; these results support their good protein binding and cleavage activity with binding constants ranging from 104 to 105 M-1. Finally, the in vitro antiproliferative activity of all complexes was assayed against the HeLa cell line. Some of the complexes (2, 5, 6 and 7) show considerable activity compared to commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs. The variation in cytotoxicity of the complexes is influenced by the various functional groups attached to the aroylhydrazone derivative.

Impact of spray flux density and vacuum annealing on the transparent conducting properties of doubly doped (Sn plus F) zinc oxide films deposited using a simplified spray technique

In this investigation transparent conducting properties of as-deposited and annealed ZnO:Sn:F films deposited using different spray flux density by changing the solvent volume (10 mL, 20 mL ... 50 mL) of the starting solutions have been studied and reported. The structural analyses of the films indicate that all the films have hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with preferential orientation along (002) plane irrespective of the solvent volume and annealing treatment whereas, the overall crystalline quality of the films is found to be enhanced with the increase in solvent volume as well as with annealing. This observed enhancement is strongly supported by the optical and surface morphological results. From the measurements of electrical parameters, it is seen that, the annealed films exhibit better electrical properties compared to the as-deposited ones. Annealing has caused agglomeration of grains as confirmed by the surface morphological studies. Also, the annealing process has led to an improvement in the optical transparency as well as band gap. It is found from the analyses of the characteristics of the as- deposited and annealed films that the annealed film deposited from starting solution having solvent volume of 50 mL is optimal in all respects, as it possesses all the desirable characteristics including the quality factor (1.60 x 10(-4) (Omega/sq.)(-1)). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sodium-ion battery cathodes Na2FeP2O7 and Na2MnP2O7: diffusion behaviour for high rate performance

Na-ion batteries are currently the focus of significant research activity due to the relative abundance of sodium and its consequent cost advantages. Recently, the pyrophosphate family of cathodes has attracted considerable attention, particularly Li2FeP2O7 related to its high operating voltage and enhanced safety properties; in addition the sodium-based pyrophosphates Na2FeP2O7 and Na2MnP2O7 are also generating interest. Herein, we present defect chemistry and ion migration results, determined via atomistic simulation techniques, for Na2MP2O7 (where M = Fe, Mn) as well as findings for Li2FeP2O7 for direct comparison. Within the pyrophosphate framework the most favourable intrinsic defect type is found to be the antisite defect, in which alkali-cations (Na/Li) and M ions exchange positions. Low activation energies are found for long-range diffusion in all crystallographic directions in Na2MP2O7 suggesting three-dimensional (3D) Na-ion diffusion. In contrast Li2FeP2O7 supports 2D Li-ion diffusion. The 2D or 3D nature of the alkali-ion migration pathways within these pyrophosphate materials means that antisite defects are much less likely to impede their transport properties, and hence important for high rate performance.

Boron doped defective graphene as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries

Graphene with large surface area and robust structure has been proposed as a high storage capacity anode material for Li ion batteries. While the inertness of pristine graphene leads to better Li kinetics, poor adsorption leads to Li clustering, significantly affecting the performance of the battery. Here, we show the role of defects and doping in achieving enhanced adsorption without compromising on the high diffusivity of Li. Using first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we carry out a comprehensive study of diffusion kinetics of Li over the plane of the defective structures and calculate the change in the number of Li atoms in the vicinity of defects, with respect to pristine graphene. Our results show that the Li-C interaction, storage capacity and the energy barriers depend sensitively on the type of defects. The un-doped and boron doped mono-vacancy, doped di-vacancy up to two boron, one nitrogen doped di-vacancy, and Stone-Wales defects show low energy barriers that are comparable to pristine graphene. Furthermore, boron doping at mono-vacancy enhances the adsorption of Li. In particular, the two boron doped mono-vacancy graphene shows both a low energy barrier of 0.31 eV and better adsorption, and hence can be considered as a potential candidate for anode material.