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Abortion is uniquely connected to women's experiences yet women's attitudes towards legal abortion vary across the pro-choice/anti-abortion spectrum. Existing research has focused on sociodemographic characteristics to explain women's levels of abortion support. Here, we argue that abortion attitudes vary with women's perceptions of gender linked fate, or the extent to which some women see their fates as tied to other women. Drawing upon existing research showing that married white women report lower levels of gender linked fate than their non-married counterparts, we assess these relationships for abortion attitudes applying the 2012 American National Election Survey (n = 2,173). Using mediation analysis, we show that lower levels of gender linked fate among married white women (vs. non-married white women) explain their stronger opposition to abortion. As many state governments are increasingly legislating restricted access to legal abortion, understanding factors explaining opposition to legal abortion is urgently important.

© 2018 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim The development of high energy-density and low-cost energy storage devices requires new chemistry beyond the horizon of current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. Recently, sodium/oxygen (Na/O2) batteries have attracted great attention as one possible battery type among the new generation of rechargeable batteries. They convince with superior energy density, a relatively simple cell reaction, and abundance of sodium. Research on Na/O2 batteries has progressed quickly in recent years. However, a fundamental understanding underpinning the complex chemical/electrochemical side reactions is still insufficient, and many challenges remain unsolved for real practical applications. Herein, recent achievements and remaining issues for the development of rechargeable Na/O2 batteries are summarized. The discussion focuses on cell reaction mechanisms as well as cathode materials, sodium anodes, and electrolytes as key components of this type of battery. Furthermore, perspectives for future research and technological advances of Na/O2 batteries are outlined.

The development of anode materials remains a challenge to satisfy the requirements of sodium-ion storage for large-scale energy-storage applications, which is ascribed to the low kinetics of ionic/electron transfer of electrode materials. Here we show that the controlled anisotropic assembly of highly conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets to form a porous structure can enhance the sodium-ion storage kinetics. At high current densities of 1 and 10 A g-1, the porous Ti3C2Tx electrode delivered capacities of 166 and 124 mA h g-1, respectively. Even at an extremely high current density of 100 A g-1, a capacity of 24 mA h g-1 could be achieved. The porous Ti3C2Tx electrode also exhibited a long cycle life that can be extended to 1000 cycles with no capacity decay at a current density of 1 A g-1. This work demonstrates successful control of the Ti3C2Tx architecture to push electrochemical sodium-ion storage closer to large-scale applications and is expected to shed light on the rational utilization of the outstanding properties of MXenes by controlling their microscopic assembly.

The development of anode materials remains a challenge to satisfy the requirements of sodium-ion storage for large-scale energy-storage applications, which is ascribed to the low kinetics of ionic/electron transfer of electrode materials. Here we show that the controlled anisotropic assembly of highly conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets to form a porous structure can enhance the sodium-ion storage kinetics. At high current densities of 1 and 10 A g-1, the porous Ti3C2Tx electrode delivered capacities of 166 and 124 mA h g-1, respectively. Even at an extremely high current density of 100 A g-1, a capacity of 24 mA h g-1 could be achieved. The porous Ti3C2Tx electrode also exhibited a long cycle life that can be extended to 1000 cycles with no capacity decay at a current density of 1 A g-1. This work demonstrates successful control of the Ti3C2Tx architecture to push electrochemical sodium-ion storage closer to large-scale applications and is expected to shed light on the rational utilization of the outstanding properties of MXenes by controlling their microscopic assembly.

© 2018 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim The development of high energy-density and low-cost energy storage devices requires new chemistry beyond the horizon of current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. Recently, sodium/oxygen (Na/O2) batteries have attracted great attention as one possible battery type among the new generation of rechargeable batteries. They convince with superior energy density, a relatively simple cell reaction, and abundance of sodium. Research on Na/O2 batteries has progressed quickly in recent years. However, a fundamental understanding underpinning the complex chemical/electrochemical side reactions is still insufficient, and many challenges remain unsolved for real practical applications. Herein, recent achievements and remaining issues for the development of rechargeable Na/O2 batteries are summarized. The discussion focuses on cell reaction mechanisms as well as cathode materials, sodium anodes, and electrolytes as key components of this type of battery. Furthermore, perspectives for future research and technological advances of Na/O2 batteries are outlined.

© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim The development of sodium-ion batteries has been hindered so far by the large irreversible capacity of hard carbon anodes and other anode materials in the initial few cycles, as sodium ions coming from cathode materials is consumed in the formation of the solid–electrolyte interface (SEI) and irreversibly trapped in anodes. Herein, the successful synthesis of an environmentally benign and cost-effective sodium salt (Na2C4O4) is reported that could be applied as additive in cathodes to solve the irreversible-capacity issues of anodes in sodium-ion batteries. When added to Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode, the cathode delivered a highly stable capacity of 135 mAh g−1 and stable cycling performance. The water-stable Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode in combination with a water-soluble sacrificial salt eliminates the need for using any toxic solvents for laminate preparation, thus paving way for greener electrode fabrication techniques. A 100 % increase in capacity of sodium cells (full-cell configuration) has been observed when using the new sodium salt at a C-rate of 2C. Regardless of the electrode fabrication technique, this new salt finds use in both aqueous and non-aqueous cathode-fabrication techniques for sodium-ion batteries.

© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim The development of sodium-ion batteries has been hindered so far by the large irreversible capacity of hard carbon anodes and other anode materials in the initial few cycles, as sodium ions coming from cathode materials is consumed in the formation of the solid–electrolyte interface (SEI) and irreversibly trapped in anodes. Herein, the successful synthesis of an environmentally benign and cost-effective sodium salt (Na2C4O4) is reported that could be applied as additive in cathodes to solve the irreversible-capacity issues of anodes in sodium-ion batteries. When added to Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode, the cathode delivered a highly stable capacity of 135 mAh g−1 and stable cycling performance. The water-stable Na3(VO)2(PO4)2F cathode in combination with a water-soluble sacrificial salt eliminates the need for using any toxic solvents for laminate preparation, thus paving way for greener electrode fabrication techniques. A 100 % increase in capacity of sodium cells (full-cell configuration) has been observed when using the new sodium salt at a C-rate of 2C. Regardless of the electrode fabrication technique, this new salt finds use in both aqueous and non-aqueous cathode-fabrication techniques for sodium-ion batteries.

Contains fulltext : 191000.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Cellular therapies with CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) hold promise of efficacious treatment for the variety of autoimmune and allergic diseases as well as posttransplant complications. Nevertheless, current manufacturing of Tregs as a cellular medicinal product varies between different laboratories, which in turn hampers precise comparisons of the results between the studies performed. While the number of clinical trials testing Tregs is already substantial, it seems to be crucial to provide some standardized characteristics of Treg products in order to minimize the problem. We have previously developed reporting guidelines called minimum information about tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, which allows the comparison between different preparations of tolerance-inducing antigen-presenting cells. Having this experience, here we describe another minimum information about Tregs (MITREG). It is important to note that MITREG does not dictate how investigators should generate or characterize Tregs, but it does require investigators to report their Treg data in a consistent and transparent manner. We hope this will, therefore, be a useful tool facilitating standardized reporting on the manufacturing of Tregs, either for research purposes or for clinical application. This way MITREG might also be an important step toward more standardized and reproducible testing of the Tregs preparations in clinical applications.

Contains fulltext : 191000.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Cellular therapies with CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) hold promise of efficacious treatment for the variety of autoimmune and allergic diseases as well as posttransplant complications. Nevertheless, current manufacturing of Tregs as a cellular medicinal product varies between different laboratories, which in turn hampers precise comparisons of the results between the studies performed. While the number of clinical trials testing Tregs is already substantial, it seems to be crucial to provide some standardized characteristics of Treg products in order to minimize the problem. We have previously developed reporting guidelines called minimum information about tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, which allows the comparison between different preparations of tolerance-inducing antigen-presenting cells. Having this experience, here we describe another minimum information about Tregs (MITREG). It is important to note that MITREG does not dictate how investigators should generate or characterize Tregs, but it does require investigators to report their Treg data in a consistent and transparent manner. We hope this will, therefore, be a useful tool facilitating standardized reporting on the manufacturing of Tregs, either for research purposes or for clinical application. This way MITREG might also be an important step toward more standardized and reproducible testing of the Tregs preparations in clinical applications.

© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are an emerging technology, which can meet increasing demands for large-scale energy storage. One of the most promising cathode material candidates for sodium-ion batteries is Na3V2(PO4)3 due to its high capacity, thermal stability, and sodium (Na) Superionic Conductor 3D (NASICON)-type framework. In this work, the authors have significantly improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability of Na3V2(PO4)3 by introducing a 3D interconnected conductive network in the form of carbon fiber derived from ordinary paper towel. The free-standing Na3V2(PO4)3-carbon paper (Na3V2(PO4)3@CP) hybrid electrodes do not require a metallic current collector, polymeric binder, or conducting additives to function as a cathode material in an NIB system. The Na3V2(PO4)3@CP cathode demonstrates extraordinary long term cycling stability for 30 000 deep charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2. Such outstanding cycling stability can meet the stringent requirements for renewable energy storage.

Large over‐potentials owing to the sluggish kinetics of battery reactions have always been the drawbacks of Li−O2 batteries, which lead to short cycle life. Although redox mediators have been intensively investigated to overcome this issue, side‐reactions are generally induced by the solvated nature of redox mediators. Herein, we report an alternative method to achieve more efficient utilization of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in Li−O2 batteries. By coordinating TTF+ with LiCl during charging, an organic conductor TTF+Clx− precipitate covers Li2O2 to provide an additional electron‐transfer pathway on the surface, which can significantly reduce the charge over‐potential, improve the energy efficiency of Li−O2 batteries, and eliminate side‐reactions between the lithium metal anode and TTF+. When a porous graphene electrode is used, the Li−O2 battery combined with TTF and LiCl shows an outstanding performance and prolonged cycle life.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, have been considered as promising energy conversion and storage devices with applications ranging from small portable electronics, medium-sized power sources for electromobility, to large-scale grid energy storage systems. Wide implementations of these rechargeable batteries require the development of electrode materials that can provide higher storage capacities than current commercial battery systems. Within this greater context, this review will present recent progresses in the development of the 2D material as anode materials for battery applications represented by studies conducted on graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and MXenes. This review will also discuss remaining challenges and future perspectives of 2D materials in regards to a full utilization of their unique properties and interactions with other battery components.

© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Large over-potentials owing to the sluggish kinetics of battery reactions have always been the drawbacks of Li−O2 batteries, which lead to short cycle life. Although redox mediators have been intensively investigated to overcome this issue, side-reactions are generally induced by the solvated nature of redox mediators. Herein, we report an alternative method to achieve more efficient utilization of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in Li−O2 batteries. By coordinating TTF+ with LiCl during charging, an organic conductor TTF+Clx− precipitate covers Li2O2 to provide an additional electron-transfer pathway on the surface, which can significantly reduce the charge over-potential, improve the energy efficiency of Li−O2 batteries, and eliminate side-reactions between the lithium metal anode and TTF+. When a porous graphene electrode is used, the Li−O2 battery combined with TTF and LiCl shows an outstanding performance and prolonged cycle life.

© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanosheets were prepared from eucalyptus tree leaves by simply mixing the leaf powders with KHCO3 and subsequent carbonisation. Porous carbon nanosheets with a high specific surface area of 2133 m2g-1 were obtained and applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries. For supercapacitor applications, the porous carbon nanosheet electrode exhibited a supercapacitance of 372 Fg-1 at a current density of 500 mAg-1 in 1m H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte and excellent cycling stability over 15000 cycles. In organic electrolyte, the nanosheet electrode showed a specific capacitance of 71 Fg-1 at a current density of 2 Ag-1 and stable cycling performance. When applied as the anode material for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared porous carbon nanosheets also demonstrated a high specific capacity of 819 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, good rate capability, and stable cycling performance. The outstanding electrochemical performances for both supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries are derived from the large specific surface area, porous nanosheet structure and nitrogen doping effects. The strategy developed in this paper provides a novel route to utilise biomass-derived materials for low-cost energy storage systems.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Transformation of biomass wastes into sustainable low cost carbon materials is now a topic of great interest. Here, we describe porous carbon from biomass derived waste shrimp shells and its application in two different energy storage systems. The unique porous structure with the presence of heteroatoms (O, N) makes it promising material for both lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors. When applied as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared carbon showed a specific capacity as high as 1507 mA h g−1 and 1014 mA h g−1 at current densities of 0.1 A g−1 and 0.5 A g−1, respectively, good rate performance and superior cycling stability. The porous carbon-based supercapacitor also delivered a specific capacitance of 239 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The specific capacitance retention is 99.4% even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, indicating excellent cycling stability. The superior electrochemical performances for both lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors could be ascribed to the high specific surface area, porous structure and nitrogen doping effect.

© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim As a new family member of room-temperature aprotic metal–O2 batteries, Na–O2 batteries, are attracting growing attention because of their relatively high theoretical specific energy and particularly their uncompromised round-trip efficiency. Here, a hierarchical porous carbon sphere (PCS) electrode that has outstanding properties to realize Na–O2 batteries with excellent electrochemical performances is reported. The controlled porosity of the PCS electrode, with macropores formed between PCSs and nanopores inside each PCS, enables effective formation/decomposition of NaO2 by facilitating the electrolyte impregnation and oxygen diffusion to the inner part of the oxygen electrode. In addition, the discharge product of NaO2 is deposited on the surface of individual PCSs with an unusual conformal film-like morphology, which can be more easily decomposed than the commonly observed microsized NaO2 cubes in Na–O2 batteries. A combination of coulometry, X-ray diffraction, and in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry provides compelling evidence that the operation of the PCS-based Na–O2 battery is underpinned by the formation and decomposition of NaO2. This work demonstrates that employing nanostructured carbon materials to control the porosity, pore-size distribution of the oxygen electrodes, and the morphology of the discharged NaO2 is a promising strategy to develop high-performance Na–O2 batteries.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Transformation of biomass wastes into sustainable low cost carbon materials is now a topic of great interest. Here, we describe porous carbon from biomass derived waste shrimp shells and its application in two different energy storage systems. The unique porous structure with the presence of heteroatoms (O, N) makes it promising material for both lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors. When applied as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared carbon showed a specific capacity as high as 1507 mA h g−1 and 1014 mA h g−1 at current densities of 0.1 A g−1 and 0.5 A g−1, respectively, good rate performance and superior cycling stability. The porous carbon-based supercapacitor also delivered a specific capacitance of 239 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The specific capacitance retention is 99.4% even after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, indicating excellent cycling stability. The superior electrochemical performances for both lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors could be ascribed to the high specific surface area, porous structure and nitrogen doping effect.

© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, have been considered as promising energy conversion and storage devices with applications ranging from small portable electronics, medium-sized power sources for electromobility, to large-scale grid energy storage systems. Wide implementations of these rechargeable batteries require the development of electrode materials that can provide higher storage capacities than current commercial battery systems. Within this greater context, this review will present recent progresses in the development of the 2D material as anode materials for battery applications represented by studies conducted on graphene, molybdenum disulfide, and MXenes. This review will also discuss remaining challenges and future perspectives of 2D materials in regards to a full utilization of their unique properties and interactions with other battery components.

© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are an emerging technology, which can meet increasing demands for large-scale energy storage. One of the most promising cathode material candidates for sodium-ion batteries is Na3V2(PO4)3 due to its high capacity, thermal stability, and sodium (Na) Superionic Conductor 3D (NASICON)-type framework. In this work, the authors have significantly improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability of Na3V2(PO4)3 by introducing a 3D interconnected conductive network in the form of carbon fiber derived from ordinary paper towel. The free-standing Na3V2(PO4)3-carbon paper (Na3V2(PO4)3@CP) hybrid electrodes do not require a metallic current collector, polymeric binder, or conducting additives to function as a cathode material in an NIB system. The Na3V2(PO4)3@CP cathode demonstrates extraordinary long term cycling stability for 30 000 deep charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 2.5 mA cm−2. Such outstanding cycling stability can meet the stringent requirements for renewable energy storage.

© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Large over-potentials owing to the sluggish kinetics of battery reactions have always been the drawbacks of Li−O2 batteries, which lead to short cycle life. Although redox mediators have been intensively investigated to overcome this issue, side-reactions are generally induced by the solvated nature of redox mediators. Herein, we report an alternative method to achieve more efficient utilization of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in Li−O2 batteries. By coordinating TTF+ with LiCl during charging, an organic conductor TTF+Clx− precipitate covers Li2O2 to provide an additional electron-transfer pathway on the surface, which can significantly reduce the charge over-potential, improve the energy efficiency of Li−O2 batteries, and eliminate side-reactions between the lithium metal anode and TTF+. When a porous graphene electrode is used, the Li−O2 battery combined with TTF and LiCl shows an outstanding performance and prolonged cycle life.

© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim As a new family member of room-temperature aprotic metal–O2 batteries, Na–O2 batteries, are attracting growing attention because of their relatively high theoretical specific energy and particularly their uncompromised round-trip efficiency. Here, a hierarchical porous carbon sphere (PCS) electrode that has outstanding properties to realize Na–O2 batteries with excellent electrochemical performances is reported. The controlled porosity of the PCS electrode, with macropores formed between PCSs and nanopores inside each PCS, enables effective formation/decomposition of NaO2 by facilitating the electrolyte impregnation and oxygen diffusion to the inner part of the oxygen electrode. In addition, the discharge product of NaO2 is deposited on the surface of individual PCSs with an unusual conformal film-like morphology, which can be more easily decomposed than the commonly observed microsized NaO2 cubes in Na–O2 batteries. A combination of coulometry, X-ray diffraction, and in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry provides compelling evidence that the operation of the PCS-based Na–O2 battery is underpinned by the formation and decomposition of NaO2. This work demonstrates that employing nanostructured carbon materials to control the porosity, pore-size distribution of the oxygen electrodes, and the morphology of the discharged NaO2 is a promising strategy to develop high-performance Na–O2 batteries.

© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanosheets were prepared from eucalyptus tree leaves by simply mixing the leaf powders with KHCO3 and subsequent carbonisation. Porous carbon nanosheets with a high specific surface area of 2133 m2g-1 were obtained and applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries. For supercapacitor applications, the porous carbon nanosheet electrode exhibited a supercapacitance of 372 Fg-1 at a current density of 500 mAg-1 in 1m H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte and excellent cycling stability over 15000 cycles. In organic electrolyte, the nanosheet electrode showed a specific capacitance of 71 Fg-1 at a current density of 2 Ag-1 and stable cycling performance. When applied as the anode material for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared porous carbon nanosheets also demonstrated a high specific capacity of 819 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, good rate capability, and stable cycling performance. The outstanding electrochemical performances for both supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries are derived from the large specific surface area, porous nanosheet structure and nitrogen doping effects. The strategy developed in this paper provides a novel route to utilise biomass-derived materials for low-cost energy storage systems.

Large over‐potentials owing to the sluggish kinetics of battery reactions have always been the drawbacks of Li−O2 batteries, which lead to short cycle life. Although redox mediators have been intensively investigated to overcome this issue, side‐reactions are generally induced by the solvated nature of redox mediators. Herein, we report an alternative method to achieve more efficient utilization of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in Li−O2 batteries. By coordinating TTF+ with LiCl during charging, an organic conductor TTF+Clx− precipitate covers Li2O2 to provide an additional electron‐transfer pathway on the surface, which can significantly reduce the charge over‐potential, improve the energy efficiency of Li−O2 batteries, and eliminate side‐reactions between the lithium metal anode and TTF+. When a porous graphene electrode is used, the Li−O2 battery combined with TTF and LiCl shows an outstanding performance and prolonged cycle life.

© 2016 Lithium-oxygen (Li–O2) batteries have the highest theoretical energy density amongst all rechargeable batteries and have attracted significant attention. However, large over-potentials originating from sluggish reaction kinetics often lead to low round-trip energy efficiency and short cycle life. We report here a novel multi-functional gel co-polymer that efficiently enhances the discharge and charge performances in Li–O2 batteries by intimately connecting the liquid electrolyte and solid cathode nanoparticles. On one hand, the co-polymer material, poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (P(TMA-MMA)), functions as a binder during the fabrication of the cathode and forms a gel polymer membrane to retain liquid electrolyte and to increase ionic conductivity. On the other hand, the TMA units, containing N–O radical groups that catalyse Li2O2 formation and decomposition during charge and discharge cycles, are distributed throughout the polymer membrane. This allows more effective formation and decomposition of Li2O2 than surface bound catalytic units. The combination of gelable MMA and catalytic TMA moieties enhances the interface between liquid electrolyte and solid cathode by functioning as a medium both to transport Li+ (enhancing discharge process) and to carry electrons (reducing charge over-potential). Consequently, the optimized P(TMA-MMA) co-polymers provide exceptional electrochemical performance in Li–O2 batteries.

© 2016 Lithium-oxygen (Li–O2) batteries have the highest theoretical energy density amongst all rechargeable batteries and have attracted significant attention. However, large over-potentials originating from sluggish reaction kinetics often lead to low round-trip energy efficiency and short cycle life. We report here a novel multi-functional gel co-polymer that efficiently enhances the discharge and charge performances in Li–O2 batteries by intimately connecting the liquid electrolyte and solid cathode nanoparticles. On one hand, the co-polymer material, poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (P(TMA-MMA)), functions as a binder during the fabrication of the cathode and forms a gel polymer membrane to retain liquid electrolyte and to increase ionic conductivity. On the other hand, the TMA units, containing N–O radical groups that catalyse Li2O2 formation and decomposition during charge and discharge cycles, are distributed throughout the polymer membrane. This allows more effective formation and decomposition of Li2O2 than surface bound catalytic units. The combination of gelable MMA and catalytic TMA moieties enhances the interface between liquid electrolyte and solid cathode by functioning as a medium both to transport Li+ (enhancing discharge process) and to carry electrons (reducing charge over-potential). Consequently, the optimized P(TMA-MMA) co-polymers provide exceptional electrochemical performance in Li–O2 batteries.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016. In the search for high-performance electrodes for sodium-ion battery applications, there is a high demand for organic materials with satisfactory electrochemical performances, especially high rate capabilities. Herein, we report an organic based composite, sodium terephthalate@graphene (Na2TP@GE) hybrid synthesized via freeze-drying technique. This material shows an interconnected, multi-channelled monolith structure, which resulted in outstanding rate capability for sodium storage. This hybrid material demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 268.9 mA h g-1 and prolonged cyclability with capacity retention of 77.3% over 500 cycles.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016. In the search for high-performance electrodes for sodium-ion battery applications, there is a high demand for organic materials with satisfactory electrochemical performances, especially high rate capabilities. Herein, we report an organic based composite, sodium terephthalate@graphene (Na2TP@GE) hybrid synthesized via freeze-drying technique. This material shows an interconnected, multi-channelled monolith structure, which resulted in outstanding rate capability for sodium storage. This hybrid material demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 268.9 mA h g-1 and prolonged cyclability with capacity retention of 77.3% over 500 cycles.

© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA , Weinheim. A facile microwave method was employed to synthesize NiCo2O4 nanosheets as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fieldemission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller methods. Owing to the porous nanosheet structure, the NiCo2O4 electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity of 891 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, good rate capability and stable cycling performance. When used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, NiCo2O4 nanosheets demonstrated a specific capacitance of 400 Fg-1 at a current density of 20 Ag-1 and superior cycling stability over 5000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the thin porous structure of the nanosheets, which provides a high specific surface area to increase the electrode-electrolyte contact area and facilitate rapid ion transport.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry. Graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysis has been regarded as a promising technology for solar energy storage and conversion. In this review, we summarized recent developments of graphene-based photocatalysts, including preparation of graphene-based photocatalysts, typical key advances in the understanding of graphene functions for photocatalytic activity enhancement and methodologies to regulate the electron transfer efficiency in graphene-based composite photocatalysts, by which we hope to offer enriched information to harvest the utmost fascinating properties of graphene as a platform to construct efficient graphene-based composite photocatalysts for solar-to-energy conversion.

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Free-standing gel polymer electrolytes with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix plasticized with tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) were prepared and investigated. The as-prepared gel polymer electrolytes exhibited large operating window and acceptable ionic conductivity. When applied in lithium oxygen batteries, the gel polymer electrolyte could support a high initial discharge capacity of 2988 mAh g-1 when a carbon black electrode without catalyst was used as cathode. Furthermore, the battery with gel polymer electrolyte can last at least 50 cycles in the fixed capacity cycling, displaying an excellent stability. Detailed study reveals that the gelling process is essential for the cycling stability enhancement. With excellent electrochemical properties, the free-standing gel polymer electrolyte presented in this investigation has great application potentials in long-life lithium oxygen batteries.

© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA , Weinheim. A facile microwave method was employed to synthesize NiCo2O4 nanosheets as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fieldemission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller methods. Owing to the porous nanosheet structure, the NiCo2O4 electrodes exhibited a high reversible capacity of 891 mAhg-1 at a current density of 100 mAg-1, good rate capability and stable cycling performance. When used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, NiCo2O4 nanosheets demonstrated a specific capacitance of 400 Fg-1 at a current density of 20 Ag-1 and superior cycling stability over 5000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the thin porous structure of the nanosheets, which provides a high specific surface area to increase the electrode-electrolyte contact area and facilitate rapid ion transport.

© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. We hereby report carbon-coated LiFePO4 cathode materials prepared by industrial ball milling and a solid-state reaction with Li2CO3, NH4H2PO4, and FeC2O4⋅2H2O as starting materials. Soluble starch as the primary carbon source was investigated for its capability of generating a highly graphitic carbon coating, whilst sufficiently controlling the crystal growth of LiFePO4. XRD analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical testing revealed the significant impact of the amount of starch added to the pre-sintered precursor on phase purity, carbon quality, and electrochemical performance of the final LiFePO4/C composite. The optimum soluble starch content to achieve a highly sp2-coordinated carbon coating is 10wt%, which enabled our LiFePO4/C composite to achieve competitive reversible capacities as well as improved rate performance.

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Free-standing gel polymer electrolytes with poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrix plasticized with tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) were prepared and investigated. The as-prepared gel polymer electrolytes exhibited large operating window and acceptable ionic conductivity. When applied in lithium oxygen batteries, the gel polymer electrolyte could support a high initial discharge capacity of 2988 mAh g-1 when a carbon black electrode without catalyst was used as cathode. Furthermore, the battery with gel polymer electrolyte can last at least 50 cycles in the fixed capacity cycling, displaying an excellent stability. Detailed study reveals that the gelling process is essential for the cycling stability enhancement. With excellent electrochemical properties, the free-standing gel polymer electrolyte presented in this investigation has great application potentials in long-life lithium oxygen batteries.

© The Royal Society of Chemistry. Graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysis has been regarded as a promising technology for solar energy storage and conversion. In this review, we summarized recent developments of graphene-based photocatalysts, including preparation of graphene-based photocatalysts, typical key advances in the understanding of graphene functions for photocatalytic activity enhancement and methodologies to regulate the electron transfer efficiency in graphene-based composite photocatalysts, by which we hope to offer enriched information to harvest the utmost fascinating properties of graphene as a platform to construct efficient graphene-based composite photocatalysts for solar-to-energy conversion.

© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. We hereby report carbon-coated LiFePO4 cathode materials prepared by industrial ball milling and a solid-state reaction with Li2CO3, NH4H2PO4, and FeC2O4⋅2H2O as starting materials. Soluble starch as the primary carbon source was investigated for its capability of generating a highly graphitic carbon coating, whilst sufficiently controlling the crystal growth of LiFePO4. XRD analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical testing revealed the significant impact of the amount of starch added to the pre-sintered precursor on phase purity, carbon quality, and electrochemical performance of the final LiFePO4/C composite. The optimum soluble starch content to achieve a highly sp2-coordinated carbon coating is 10wt%, which enabled our LiFePO4/C composite to achieve competitive reversible capacities as well as improved rate performance.

© 2014 Elsevier B.V. Porous polymer membrane with a sandwich-like architecture has been prepared by coating poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropylene) (PVDF-HFP) porous membranes. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis identified that the PMMA/PVDF-HFP porous polymer membrane consists of the stacking of several porous layers with one layer of large pores in the middle of the membrane. This unique sandwich-like structure provides large porosity and good affinity towards a liquid organic electrolyte, leading to a high electrolyte uptake of 342wt%, excellent electrolyte retention, and enhanced tolerance towards high temperature and fire. The gel polymer electrolyte membrane achieved a high ionic conductivity of 1.31mScm-1 with similar activation energy as the conventional Celgard 2400 separator in liquid electrolyte. The porous polymer electrolyte membrane also has an outstanding thermal and electrochemical stability. When applied in lithium ion batteries with LiFePO4 cathode and lithium metal anode, the PMMA/PVDF-HFP electrolyte membrane demonstrated high discharge capacity, enhanced high rate capability, and extended cycle life. The PMMA/PVDF-HFP porous polymer membrane could be employed as an integrated separator and electrolyte for lithium ion batteries with high safety.

© 2014 Elsevier B.V. Porous polymer membrane with a sandwich-like architecture has been prepared by coating poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropylene) (PVDF-HFP) porous membranes. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis identified that the PMMA/PVDF-HFP porous polymer membrane consists of the stacking of several porous layers with one layer of large pores in the middle of the membrane. This unique sandwich-like structure provides large porosity and good affinity towards a liquid organic electrolyte, leading to a high electrolyte uptake of 342wt%, excellent electrolyte retention, and enhanced tolerance towards high temperature and fire. The gel polymer electrolyte membrane achieved a high ionic conductivity of 1.31mScm-1 with similar activation energy as the conventional Celgard 2400 separator in liquid electrolyte. The porous polymer electrolyte membrane also has an outstanding thermal and electrochemical stability. When applied in lithium ion batteries with LiFePO4 cathode and lithium metal anode, the PMMA/PVDF-HFP electrolyte membrane demonstrated high discharge capacity, enhanced high rate capability, and extended cycle life. The PMMA/PVDF-HFP porous polymer membrane could be employed as an integrated separator and electrolyte for lithium ion batteries with high safety.

Gamma-ray line emission from the radioactive decay of 26Al reflects nucleosynthesis in massive stars and supernovae. We use INTEGRAL 26Al measurements to characterize the distribution and characteristics of 26Al source regions throughout the Galaxy. We detect the 26Al line from the inner Galaxy at 28\sigma significance. The line appears narrow, and we constrain broadening in the source regions to <1.3 keV (2\sigma). Different sky distribution models do not significantly affect those large-scale results. The 26Al intensity for the inner Galaxy is derived as (2.9\pm 0.2)\times 10^{-4}ph\ cm^{-2} s^{-1} rad^{-1}, consistent with earlier results from COMPTEL and SPI data. This can be translated to an 26Al mass of 2.7\pm 0.7 solar mass in the Galaxy as a whole. The 26Al intensity is also confirmed to be somewhat brighter in the 4th than in the 1st quadrant (ratio 1.3\pm 0.2). 26Al spectra separately derived for regions along the Galactic plane show clear line centroid shifts, attributed largely to the Galaxy's large-scale rotation. The 26Al line toward the direction of the Aquila region (20deg < l < 40deg) appears somewhat broadened. Latitudinal variations of 26Al emission towards the inner Galaxy are studied, finding a latitudinal scale height of 130^{+120}_{-70} pc (1\sigma) for 26Al in the inner Galaxy and a hint of peculiar 26Al emission towards the region l<0deg, b>5deg., Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted for the publication in A&A

Gamma-ray line emission from the radioactive decay of 26Al reflects nucleosynthesis in massive stars and supernovae. We use INTEGRAL 26Al measurements to characterize the distribution and characteristics of 26Al source regions throughout the Galaxy. We detect the 26Al line from the inner Galaxy at 28\sigma significance. The line appears narrow, and we constrain broadening in the source regions to <1.3 keV (2\sigma). Different sky distribution models do not significantly affect those large-scale results. The 26Al intensity for the inner Galaxy is derived as (2.9\pm 0.2)\times 10^{-4}ph\ cm^{-2} s^{-1} rad^{-1}, consistent with earlier results from COMPTEL and SPI data. This can be translated to an 26Al mass of 2.7\pm 0.7 solar mass in the Galaxy as a whole. The 26Al intensity is also confirmed to be somewhat brighter in the 4th than in the 1st quadrant (ratio 1.3\pm 0.2). 26Al spectra separately derived for regions along the Galactic plane show clear line centroid shifts, attributed largely to the Galaxy's large-scale rotation. The 26Al line toward the direction of the Aquila region (20deg < l < 40deg) appears somewhat broadened. Latitudinal variations of 26Al emission towards the inner Galaxy are studied, finding a latitudinal scale height of 130^{+120}_{-70} pc (1\sigma) for 26Al in the inner Galaxy and a hint of peculiar 26Al emission towards the region l<0deg, b>5deg., Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted for the publication in A&A

Gamma-ray line emission from radioactive decay of 60Fe provides constraints on nucleosynthesis in massive stars and supernovae. The spectrometer SPI on board INTEGRAL has accumulated nearly three years of data on gamma-ray emission from the Galactic plane. We have analyzed these data with suitable instrumental-background models and sky distributions to produce high-resolution spectra of Galactic emission. We detect the gamma-ray lines from 60Fe decay at 1173 and 1333 keV, obtaining an improvement over our earlier measurement of both lines with now 4.9 sigma significance for the combination of the two lines. The average flux per line is (4.4 \pm 0.9) \times 10^{-5} ph cm^{-2} s^{-1} rad^{-1} for the inner Galaxy region. Deriving the Galactic 26Al gamma-ray line flux with using the same set of observations and analysis method, we determine the flux ratio of 60Fe/26Al gamma-rays as 0.148 \pm 0.06. The current theoretical predictions are still consistent with our result., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, A&A in press

Gamma-ray line emission from radioactive decay of 60Fe provides constraints on nucleosynthesis in massive stars and supernovae. The spectrometer SPI on board INTEGRAL has accumulated nearly three years of data on gamma-ray emission from the Galactic plane. We have analyzed these data with suitable instrumental-background models and sky distributions to produce high-resolution spectra of Galactic emission. We detect the gamma-ray lines from 60Fe decay at 1173 and 1333 keV, obtaining an improvement over our earlier measurement of both lines with now 4.9 sigma significance for the combination of the two lines. The average flux per line is (4.4 \pm 0.9) \times 10^{-5} ph cm^{-2} s^{-1} rad^{-1} for the inner Galaxy region. Deriving the Galactic 26Al gamma-ray line flux with using the same set of observations and analysis method, we determine the flux ratio of 60Fe/26Al gamma-rays as 0.148 \pm 0.06. The current theoretical predictions are still consistent with our result., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, A&A in press

Gamma-ray line emission from radioactive decay of 60Fe provides constraints on nucleosynthesis in massive stars and supernovae. The spectrometer SPI on board INTEGRAL has accumulated nearly three years of data on gamma-ray emission from the Galactic plane. We have analyzed these data with suitable instrumental-background models and sky distributions to produce high-resolution spectra of Galactic emission. We detect the gamma-ray lines from 60Fe decay at 1173 and 1333 keV, obtaining an improvement over our earlier measurement of both lines with now 4.9 sigma significance for the combination of the two lines. The average flux per line is (4.4 \pm 0.9) \times 10^{-5} ph cm^{-2} s^{-1} rad^{-1} for the inner Galaxy region. Deriving the Galactic 26Al gamma-ray line flux with using the same set of observations and analysis method, we determine the flux ratio of 60Fe/26Al gamma-rays as 0.148 \pm 0.06. The current theoretical predictions are still consistent with our result., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, A&A in press

We performed a spectroscopic study of the 1809 keV gamma-ray line from 26Al decay in the Galaxy using the SPI imaging spectrometer with its high-resolution Ge detector camera on the INTEGRAL observatory. We analyzed observations of the first two mission years, fitting spectra from all 7130 telescope pointings in narrow energy bins to models of instrumental background and the 26Al sky. Instrumental background is estimated from independent tracers of cosmic-ray activation. The shape of the 26Al signal is compared to the instrumental response to extract the width of the celestial line. We detect the 26Al line at \~16sigma significance. The line is broadened only slightly, if at all; we constrain the width to be below 2.8 keV (FWHM, 2 sigma). The average Doppler velocities of 26Al at the time of its decay in the interstellar medium (decay time~1.04 My) therefore are probably around 100 km/s, in agreement with expectations from Galactic rotation and interstellar turbulence. The flux and spatial distribution of the emission are found consistent with previous observations. The derived amount of 26Al in the Galaxy is 2.8 (+/-0.8) M_solar., Comment: 7 pages with 7 figures; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

We performed a spectroscopic study of the 1809 keV gamma-ray line from 26Al decay in the Galaxy using the SPI imaging spectrometer with its high-resolution Ge detector camera on the INTEGRAL observatory. We analyzed observations of the first two mission years, fitting spectra from all 7130 telescope pointings in narrow energy bins to models of instrumental background and the 26Al sky. Instrumental background is estimated from independent tracers of cosmic-ray activation. The shape of the 26Al signal is compared to the instrumental response to extract the width of the celestial line. We detect the 26Al line at \~16sigma significance. The line is broadened only slightly, if at all; we constrain the width to be below 2.8 keV (FWHM, 2 sigma). The average Doppler velocities of 26Al at the time of its decay in the interstellar medium (decay time~1.04 My) therefore are probably around 100 km/s, in agreement with expectations from Galactic rotation and interstellar turbulence. The flux and spatial distribution of the emission are found consistent with previous observations. The derived amount of 26Al in the Galaxy is 2.8 (+/-0.8) M_solar., Comment: 7 pages with 7 figures; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Al(26) radioactivity traces recent nucleosynthesis throughout the Galaxy, and is known to be produced in massive stars and novae. The map from its decay gamma-ray line suggests massive stars to dominate, but high-resolution line spectroscopy is expected to supplement imaging of Al(26) source regions and thus to help decide about the Al(26) injection process and interstellar environment, hence about the specific massive-star subgroup and phase which produces interstellar Al(26). The INTEGRAL Spectrometer SPI has observed Galactic Al(26) radioactivity in its 1809 keV gamma-ray line during its first inner-Galaxy survey. Instrumental background lines make analysis difficult; yet, a clear signal from the inner Galaxy agrees with expectations. In particular, SPI has constrained the line width to exclude previously-reported line broadenings corresponding to velocities >500 km/s. The signal-to-background ratio of percent implies that detector response and background modeling need to be fine-tuned to eventually enable line shape deconvolution in order to extract source location information along the line of sight., Comment: 6 pages; Proc. 5th INTEGRAL workshop, Munich, Feb. 2004

We present first results on the observation of 1809 keV gamma-ray line emission from the Cygnus X region with the SPI imaging spectrometer. Our analysis is based on data from the performance verification phase of the INTEGRAL instruments and comprises 1.3 Ms of exposure time. We observe a 1809 keV line flux of (7.3 +/- 0.9) x 10-5 ph cm-2 s-1 from a region delimited by galactic longitudes 73-93 deg and |b| < 7 deg at a significance level of 8 sigma. The 1809 keV line appears moderately broadened, with an intrinsic FWHM of 3.3 +/- 1.3 keV. Although this broadening is only marginal (at the 2 sigma level our data are compatible with an unbroadened line), it could reflect the 26Al ejecta kinematics., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the proceedings of the 5th INTEGRAL workshop (held in Munich, 2004)

The search for gamma-ray line emission from the radioactive decay of 60Fe figures among the prime scientific objectives of the INTEGRAL mission. 60Fe is believed to be primarily produced in core-collapse supernovae, although other sites, such as carbon deflagration supernovae or intermediate mass AGB stars have also been suggested. We present first results of our search for the 1173 and 1332 keV gamma-ray lines of 60Fe decay in the SPI data of the first mission year. So far we can only report upper flux limits whose levels are determined by systematic uncertainties in the treatment of the instrumental background. Once we understand the background uncertainties better, the SPI data should provide stringent constraints on 60Fe nucleosynthesis in our Galaxy., Comment: 5 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of the 5th INTEGRAL Workshop (Munich, Germany)

Al(26) radioactivity traces recent nucleosynthesis throughout the Galaxy, and is known to be produced in massive stars and novae. The map from its decay gamma-ray line suggests massive stars to dominate, but high-resolution line spectroscopy is expected to supplement imaging of Al(26) source regions and thus to help decide about the Al(26) injection process and interstellar environment, hence about the specific massive-star subgroup and phase which produces interstellar Al(26). The INTEGRAL Spectrometer SPI has observed Galactic Al(26) radioactivity in its 1809 keV gamma-ray line during its first inner-Galaxy survey. Instrumental background lines make analysis difficult; yet, a clear signal from the inner Galaxy agrees with expectations. In particular, SPI has constrained the line width to exclude previously-reported line broadenings corresponding to velocities >500 km/s. The signal-to-background ratio of percent implies that detector response and background modeling need to be fine-tuned to eventually enable line shape deconvolution in order to extract source location information along the line of sight., Comment: 6 pages; Proc. 5th INTEGRAL workshop, Munich, Feb. 2004