Journal of Materials Chemistry AMaterials for energy and sustainability
www.rsc.org/MaterialsAThe Royal Society of Chemistry is the world's leading chemistry community. Through our high impact journals and publications weconnect the world with the chemical sciences and invest the profits back into the chemistry community.
Layered transition metal dichalcogenides forelectrochemical energy generation and storage
Martin Pumera,* Zdenek Sofer and Adriano Ambrosi
Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)(MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, WSe2, etc.) are a chemically diverseclass of compounds having remarkable electrochemicalproperties.
hemistry 2014
COMMUNICATIONS
8988
Highly efficient and stable organic sensitizers withduplex starburst triphenylamine and carbazoledonors for liquid and quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells
A starburst organic sensitizer (see picture) has been designedand synthesized, which shows extremely high overallconversion efficiencies of 10.03% in liquid DSSCs and 8.05%in quasi-solid-state DSSCs.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A (print: ISSN 2050-7488; electronic: ISSN 2050-7496) is published 48 times a year by The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, UK CB4 0WF.
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Journal of Materials Chemistry Awww.rsc.org/materialsAJournal of Materials Chemistry A is a weekly journal in the materials field. The journal is interdisciplinary, publishing work of international significance on all aspects of materials chemistry related to energy and sustainability. Articles cover the fabrication, properties and applications of materials.
California, Santa Barbara, USAGoutam De, CSIR-Central Glass
and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, India
Mohamed Eddaoudi, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Yan Li, Peking University, China Zhiqun Lin, Georgia Institute of
Technology, USA
David Lou, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Christine Luscombe, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Frank Osterloh, University of California, Davis, USA
Shizhang Qiao, University of Adelaide, Australia
Stephen Skinner, Imperial College London, UK
Magdalena Titirici, Queen Mary University of London, UK
Advisory board
J.-S. Chen,Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
G. Cooke, WestCHEM, University of Glasgow, UK
X. Feng, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany
A. Fuertes, ICMAB-CSIC, SpainY. H. Hu, Michigan Technological
University, USAJ. Huang, Northwestern University,
USAT. Ishihara, Kyushu University, JapanS. Islam, University of Bath, UK
H. Kageyama, Kyoto University, JapanJ. Lin, East China University of
Science and Technology, ChinaB. Lotsch, Max Planck Institute for
Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
M. Maaza, iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences, South Africa
A. K. Nandi, IACS, IndiaL. Nazar, University of Waterloo,
Canada
M. Niederberger, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
N. Ravishankar, Indian Institute of Science, India
Y. Shimakawa, Kyoto University, Japan
C-Y. Su, Sun Yat-Sen University, ChinaH. Teng, National Cheng Kung
University, Chinese TaipeiV. Thangadurai, University of Calgary,
CanadaX.S. Zhao, University of Queensland,
Australia
Information for authors
Full details on how to submit material for publication in Journal of Materials Chemistry A are given in the Instructions for Authors (available from http://www.rsc.org/authors). Submissions should be made via the journal’s homepage: http://www.rsc.org/materialsA.
Submissions: The journal welcomes submissions of manuscripts for publication as Full Papers, Communications, Feature Articles, Highlights and Applications. Full Papers and Communications should describe original work of high quality and impact which must highlight the novel properties or applications (or potential properties/applications) of the materials studied.
Colour figures are reproduced free of charge. Additional details are available from the Editorial Office or http://www.rsc.org/authors. Authors may reproduce/republish portions of their published contribution without seeking permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry, provided that any such republication is accompanied by an acknowledgement in the form: (Original Citation)–Reproduced by permission of The Royal Society of Chemistry
PolyTCAQ in organic batteries: enhanced capacity atconstant cell potential using two-electron-redox-reactions
Bernhard Haupler, Rene Burges, Tobias Janoschka,Thomas Jahnert, Andreas Wild and Ulrich S. Schubert*
The application of polymers bearing tetracyano-9,10-anthraquinonedimethane (TCAQ) units as electrode materialsin organic batteries enables one narrow charge dischargeplateau due to the one two-electron-redox-reaction of theTCAQ core.
9002
A novel damage-tolerant superhydrophobic andsuperoleophilic material
Xia Zhang,* Yonggang Guo, Hengzhen Chen,Wenzhong Zhu and Pingyu Zhang
A novel damage-tolerant bulk material withsuperhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties isfabricated by a facile method.
9007
Efficient dye-sensitized solar cells employing highlyenvironmentally-friendly ubiquinone 10 basedI2-free electrolyte inspired by photosynthesis
A highly environmentally-friendly ubiquinone 10 (UQ10)based I2-free electrolyte, which is inspired by photosynthesis,is employed in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) under100 mW cm�2 (AM 1.5G) illumination.
Improving the energy density of quasi-solid-stateelectric double-layer capacitors by introducingredox additives into gel polymer electrolytes
Le-Qing Fan,* Ji Zhong, Ji-Huai Wu,* Jian-Ming Linand Yun-Fang Huang
A redox-active gel polymer electrolyte was prepared byintroducing KI/VOSO4 redox additives into a PVA–H2SO4 gelelectrolyte to produce a quasi-solid-state electric double-layer capacitor with a high energy density of 25.4 W h kg�1.
p-Conjugation-directed highly selective adsorptionof benzene over cyclohexane
Cai-Xia Ren, Li-Xuan Cai, Cheng Chen, Bin Tan,Ya-Jun Zhang and Jie Zhang*
Crystalline materials with large tailor-made channels,demonstrating adjustment of p-conjugation overa framework skeleton to allow target recognition of benzeneover cyclohexane.
9020
9025
Novel approach for a high-energy-density Li–airbattery: tri-dimensional growth of Li2O2 crystalstailored by electrolyte Li+ ion concentrations
Yang Liu, Liumin Suo, Huan Lin, Wenchao Yang,Yanqun Fang, Xianjun Liu, Deyu Wang,* Yong-Sheng Hu,*Weiqiang Han and Liquan Chen
Electrolyte concentration significantly influences thedischarge capacity of Li–air batteries, providing a newapproach to further improve their performance.
An aqueous electrolyte rechargeable Li-ion/polysulfide battery
Rezan Demir-Cakan,* Mathieu Morcrette,Jean-Bernard Leriche and Jean-Marie Tarascon
In spite of great research efforts on Li–S batteries in aproticorganic electrolytes, there have been very few studiesshowing the potential application of this system in aqueouselectrolyte. Herein, we explore this option and report ona cheaper and safer new aqueous system couplinga well-known cathode material in Li-ion batteries (i.e.LiMn2O4) with a dissolved polysulfide anode.
Design of CuO–TiO2 heterostructure nanofibers andtheir sensing performance
Jianan Deng, Lili Wang, Zheng Lou and Tong Zhang*
Novel CuO nanocube-functionalized TiO2 heterostructurenanofibers were fabricated by a simple two-stepmethod, andexhibited excellent sensing response and selectivity.
Facile synthesis of PbTiO3 truncated octahedra viasolid-state reaction and their application inlow-temperature CO oxidation by loading Ptnanoparticles
Simin Yin, Yihan Zhu, Zhaohui Ren,* Chunying Chao,Xiang Li, Xiao Wei, Ge Shen, Yu Han and Gaorong Han*
Pt nanoparticles have been investigated to preferentiallynucleate on the {111} facets of PbTiO3 truncated octahedra,exhibiting a remarkable low-temperature catalytic activitytowards CO oxidation with a 100% conversion at �50 �C.
PAPERS
9040
Highly efficient reusable catalyst based on siliconnanowire arrays decorated with coppernanoparticles
Xiaoling Yang, Hua Zhong, Yihua Zhu,* Hongliang Jiang,Jianhua Shen, Jianfei Huang and Chunzhong Li
Non-noble metal copper nanoparticles decorated on siliconnanowire arrays nanocomposites show excellent catalyticperformance for reduction of 4-nitrophenol and otherorganic dyes with NaBH4.
9048
The role of solvent vapor annealing in highly efficientair-processed small molecule solar cells
Kuan Sun,* Zeyun Xiao, Eric Hanssen, Michael F. G. Klein,Henk H. Dam, Marina Pfaff, Dagmar Gerthsen,Wallace W. H. Wong* and David J. Jones*
We demonstrate highly-efficient, solution-processed smallmolecule solar cells with the best power conversionefficiency (PCE) of more than 5%.
Oxide ion and proton transport in Gd-doped bariumcerate: a combined first-principles and kinetic MonteCarlo study
Jessica Hermet, Marc Torrent, François Bottin,Guilhem Dezanneau and Gregory Geneste*
Oxide ion and proton transport properties in the fuel cellelectrolyte Gd-doped BaCeO3 are investigated byfirst-principles density-functional calculations andkinetic Monte Carlo simulations.
9079
The role of the Ti surface roughness in theself-ordering of TiO2 nanotubes: a detailed studyof the growth mechanism
A. Apolinario, C. T. Sousa, J. Ventura, J. D. Costa,D. C. Leitao, J. M. Moreira, J. B. Sousa, L. Andrade,A. M. Mendes and J. P. Araujo*
Investigation of the effect of Ti surface roughness on theformation, organization, hexagonal arrangement and lengthof TiO2 NTs.
Low-loading cobalt coupled with nitrogen-dopedporous graphene as excellent electrocatalyst foroxygen reduction reaction
Bo Zheng, Jiong Wang, Feng-Bin Wang*and Xing-Hua Xia*
A facile method to synthesize nanocomposites of cobaltloaded nitrogen doped graphene, acting as a highly activenon-precious metal catalyst for the oxygen reductionreaction, was developed.
9085
Macroporous metal–organic frameworkmicroparticles with improved liquid phase separation
Adham Ahmed, Nicola Hodgson, Michael Barrow,Rob Clowes, Craig M. Robertson, Alexander Steiner,Paul McKeown, Darren Bradshaw, Peter Myersand Haifei Zhang*
Macroporous HKUST-1 crystalline particles are prepared bysolvothermal modification and exhibit improved liquidchromatographic separation.
Efficient carrier transport in halide perovskites:theoretical perspectives
M. H. Du*
Density functional calculations of electronic structure,dielectric properties, and defect properties of CH3NH3PbI3explain the exceptionally good transport properties inCH3NH3PbI3 (a very promising solar cell material).
To develop a kind of high performance gel polymerelectrolyte, a polyimide (PI) matrix-enhanced cross-linked gelseparator is designed and fabricated by a simple dip-coatingand heat treatment method.
9150
Stretchable all-solid-state supercapacitor with wavyshaped polyaniline/graphene electrode
Yizhu Xie, Yan Liu, Yuda Zhao, Yuen Hong Tsang, ShuPing Lau, Haitao Huang and Yang Chai*
Wavy shaped PANI/graphene electrodes enable stretchableall-solid-state supercapacitors to maintain highelectrochemical capacitance and mechanical strengthsimutaneously.
Synthesis of hydrogenated TiO2–reduced-grapheneoxide nanocomposites and their application in highrate lithium ion batteries
Jie Wang, Laifa Shen, Ping Nie, Guiyin Xu, Bing Ding,Shan Fang, Hui Dou and Xiaogang Zhang*
Hydrogenated TiO2–RGO nanocomposites have beensynthesized via a facile one-pot hydrogenation, which exhibitsuperior rate capability and outstanding capacity retention.
Graphene nanosheets supporting Ru nanoparticleswith controlled nanoarchitectures forma high-performance catalyst for COx-free hydrogenproduction from ammonia
Gang Li, Hiroki Nagasawa, Masakoto Kanezashi,Tomohisa Yoshioka and Toshinori Tsuru*
Support-dependent and structure-sensitive Ru supported bygraphene showed an easily controllable nanoarchitecture,yielding drastically improved catalytic performance forammonia decomposition.
9193
9200
Preparation of porous carbon with high dispersion ofRu nanoparticles by sol–gel method and itsapplication in hydrogen storage
Yuanzhen Chen and Yongning Liu*
Nano-Ru/porous carbon composites were prepared byRu/aerogels which were made through a reaction ofresorcinol, formaldehyde and RuCl3$3H2O.
9208
A solvothermal strategy: one-step in situ synthesis ofself-assembled 3D graphene-based composites withenhanced lithium storage capacity
Jingjing Ma, Jiulin Wang, Yu-Shi He,* Xiao-Zhen Liao,Jun Chen, Jia-Zhao Wang, Tao Yuan and Zi-Feng Ma
A facile and controllable solvothermal strategy has beendeveloped to synthesize three-dimensional graphene-basedmonoliths for Li-ion batteries.
Interfacing a heteropolytungstate complex andgelatin through a coacervation process: design ofbionanocomposite films as novel electrocatalysts
Basma Khadro, Imane Baroudi, Anne-Marie Goncalves,Bruno Berini, Bruce Pegot, Farid Nouar, Thi Ngoc Ha Le,François Ribot, Christel Gervais, Florent Carn,Emmanuel Cadot, Christine Mousty,Corine Simonnet-Jegat and Nathalie Steunou*
Novel modified electrodes exhibit excellent electrocatalyticperformance for nitrite detection.
The incorporation of MWCNTs into GO gel electrolytes canincrease the photovoltaic efficiency of DSCs.
9236
Facile preparation of hierarchical Nb2O5
microspheres with photocatalytic activities andelectrochemical properties
Sheng-qi Guo, Xiao Zhang, Zhen Zhou,* Guan-dao Gao*and Lu Liu*
Hierarchical flower-like Nb2O5 microspheres have beenprepared via a facile hydrothermal approach without anyadditives.
9244
Improved dehydrogenation performance of LiBH4 byconfinement into porous TiO2 micro-tubes
Huiqiao Liu, Lifang Jiao,* Yanping Zhao, Kangzhe Cao,Yongchang Liu, Yijing Wang and Huatang Yuan
Porous TiO2 micro-tubes were fabricated by a solvothermalmethod, and the effect of TiO2 micro-tubes on the hydrogendesorption properties of LiBH4 was systematicallyinvestigated.
Jin-Wook Lee, Taek-Yong Lee, Pil J. Yoo, Michael Gratzel,Subodh Mhaisalkar and Nam-Gyu Park*
A perovskite solar cell based on rutile TiO2 film was preparedand its photovoltaic performance was compared to ananatase TiO2-based perovskite solar cell.
9272
Fabrication of hybrid polymer/metal organicframework membranes: mixed matrix membranesversus in situ growth
James Campbell, Gyorgy Szekely, R. P. Davies,D. Christopher Braddock and Andrew G. Livingston*
Hybrid polymer/metal organic framework (MOF) membraneshave been prepared using either a mixed matrix membrane(MMM) or in situ growth (ISG) approach and were evaluatedfor application in organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN).
Porous LiMn2O4 cubes architectured with single-crystalline nanoparticles and exhibiting excellentcyclic stability and rate capability as the cathode ofa lithium ion battery
H. B. Lin, J. N. Hu, H. B. Rong, Y. M. Zhang, S. W. Mai,L. D. Xing, M. Q. Xu, X. P. Li* and W. S. Li*
Porous LiMn2O4 cubes with single-crystalline nanoparticleswere synthesized and applied as cathode material ina lithium-ion battery, exhibiting excellent cyclic stability.
9280
Sulfur-rich polymeric materials with semi-interpenetrating network structure as a novellithium–sulfur cathode
Zhenjie Sun, Min Xiao,* Shuanjin Wang, Dongmei Han,Shuqin Song, Guohua Chen and Yuezhong Meng*
Novel polymeric materials with a very high content of sulfurwere successfully synthesized via a facile copolymerization ofelemental sulfur with 1,3-diethynylbenzene (DEB).
Synthesis of TiO2 with controllable ratio of anataseto rutile
Zhigang Xiong, Hao Wu, Luhong Zhang, Yi Guand X. S. Zhao*
TiO2 with controllable ratios of anatase to rutile phase weresynthesized in one-pot redox reactions between TiCl3 andgraphene oxide.
9298
Nanometer-scale interface engineering boosts thethermoelectric performance of n-typeTi0.4Hf0.6Ni1+zSn0.975Sb0.025 alloys
Pranati Sahoo, Yuanfeng Liu and Pierre F. P. Poudeu*
The generation of nanometer-scale interfaces inTi0.4Hf0.6Ni1+zSb0.975Sn0.025 composites induces significantreduction in their thermal conductivity leading toimproved ZT.
9306
Flexible and stable lithium ion batteries based onthree-dimensional aligned carbon nanotube/siliconhybrid electrodes
Silicon has been incorporated into three-dimensional alignedcarbon nanotube scaffolds to produce novel anodes forflexible lithium ion batteries with high electrochemicalperformance and stability.
Carbon flow electrodes for continuous operation ofcapacitive deionization and capacitive mixing energygeneration
S. Porada, D. Weingarth, H. V. M. Hamelers, M. Bryjak,V. Presser* and P. M. Biesheuvel
This study reports on a step towards second generationcapacitive technologies where the potential of continuousoperation of capacitive deionization and energy harvestingdevices is enabled by application of carbon flow electrodes.
9331
Preparing LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanoplates with superiorproperties in lithium-ion batteries using bimetal–organic coordination-polymers as precursors
Shifeng Yang, Jian Chen,* Yingjia Liu and Baolian Yi
Using bimetal–organic coordination-polymers as precursorsand subsequent solid-state reaction with lithium salts,Li2CO3-coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 nanoplates with superior ratecapability and cycling stability have been synthesized, andprovide a promising cathode candidate for lithium-ionbatteries.
The effect of electronic structure changes in NaInO2
and NaIn0.9Fe0.1O2 on the photoreduction ofmethylene blue
Jonathan W. Lekse,* Barry J. Haycock, James P. Lewis,Douglas R. Kauffman and Christopher Matranga
Substitution into delafossite oxides is one promising methodfor the generation of improved catalysts for photochemicalreactions such as the degradation of dyes and organicpollutants.
9338
Coal based activated carbon nanofibers prepared byelectrospinning
Hongyang Zhao, Luxiang Wang, Dianzeng Jia,* Wei Xia,Jun Li and Zaiping Guo
Porous carbon nanofibers were prepared by electrospinningusing coal as the rawmaterial. The activated carbon fiber matis a promising candidate for the electrode of supercapacitors.
Beta-manganese dioxide nanoflowers self-assembled by ultrathin nanoplates with enhancedsupercapacitive performance
Li-Li Yu,* Jun-Jie Zhu and Jing-Tai Zhao*
Hierarchical porous b-MnO2 nanoflowers with high specificsurface area and narrow pore size distributions exhibit greatlyenhanced electrochemical supercapacitive performance.
9361
The effects of Ta2O5–ZnO films as cathodic bufferlayers in inverted polymer solar cells
Jo-Lin Lan, Sheng-Jye Cherng, Yi-Hsun Yang,Qifeng Zhang, Selvam Subramaniyan, Fumio S. Ohuchi,Samson A. Jenekhe and Guozhong Cao*
Ta2O5–ZnO composite films with varied composition werefabricated by sol–gel processing and applied as cathodicbuffer layers (CBLs) for inverted polymer solar cells, anddemonstrated enhanced power conversion efficiency withexcellent stability.
9371
Synthesis of BiVO4 nanoflake array films forphotoelectrochemical water oxidation
Huichao He, Sean P. Berglund, Alexander J. E. Rettie,William D. Chemelewski, Peng Xiao, Yunhuai Zhang*and C. Buddie Mullins*
Synthesis of BiVO4 nanoflake array films forphotoelectrochemical water oxidation.
Toward the enhanced photoactivity andphotostability of ZnO nanospheres via intimatesurface coating with reduced graphene oxide
Bo Weng, Min-Quan Yang, Nan Zhang and Yi-Jun Xu*
The uniform ZnO nanospheres are densely and intimatelycoated with graphene nanosheets, which exhibit significantlyenhanced photoactivity and photostability.
9400
A novel superhydrophobic hybrid nanocompositematerial prepared by surface-initiated AGET ATRPand its anti-icing properties
The authors demonstrate an aqueous solution-processedCs2CO3 thin film with an adjustable work function via MoO3
and/or Na2WO4 doping.
Limiting factors for photochemical chargeseparation in BiVO4/Co3O4, a highly activephotocatalyst for water oxidation in sunlight
Jiarui Wang and Frank E. Osterloh*
The high activity of BiVO4/Co3O4 was attributed to theelectrocatalytic properties of the Co3O4 cocatalyst and to theformation of a heterojunction at the BiVO4–Co3O4 interface.
