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Highlights: [•] Synthesis ZnO thin film by simple method. [•] It can detect a minimum 50ppm NH3. [•] Its operation temperature can lower to 150°C. [•] Change the oxygen conc. to detect the NH3, and try to explain its mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urchin-like CuO microstructures were formed using simple, template-free, one-step thermal oxidation of Cu solid microspheres in an air atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 350 to 500 °C. The urchin-like CuO microstructure consists of crystalline CuO nanowires grown radially on the surface of the sphere, a shell layer of CuO a few micrometers in thickness, and a hollow core. Study of the formation mechanism revealed that during oxidation, the nanowires grow from the surface, and the diameter, length, and population density of the nanowires increase with the oxidation time. For a sample formed at 450 °C for a dwell time of 24 h, the average diameter, length, and population density of the nanowires were 44.0 nm, 11.5 μm, and 25 nanowires/μm 2 , respectively. The novel urchin-like structure and high aspect ratio of the nanowires elicit unique properties. Study of the magnetic properties revealed that the urchin-like CuO is a semihard magnetic material with a coercive force of 135 Oe. Studies on the field-emission characteristics of the material demonstrated that an urchin-like emitter had a low turn-on field of 2.94 V/μm, a high field enhancement factor of 3715, a high luminance of 11,080 cd/m 2 , an excellent emission uniformity of over 3.5 × 3.5 cm 2 , and high emission stability during a 50-h test at a current density of 100 μA/cm 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries (ARZIB) are promising candidates for next-generation batteries because of their high safety, low cost, and relatively high capacity. In this study, we developed hydrated and potassium-doped manganese dioxide (MO) nanowires mixed with carbon nanotubes (CNT) on a graphene substrate (hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene) for ARZIB. A simple polyol process using poly(ethyl glycol), KMnO 4 , CNT, and graphene was utilized to fabricate hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene. MnO 2 nanowires with diameters of 15–25 nm possess a high specific capacity with a short diffusion path. The intercalated K ions and hydrates in the layered MnO 2 nanowires maintained the MO structure during the charge and discharge processes, whereas carbon nanomaterials (CNT and graphene) enhanced the conductivity of the material. Consequently, hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene demonstrated good ARZIB performance. A high capacity of 359.8 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1, and at a high current density of 3.0 A g–1, a capacity of 129 mAh g–1 with 77% retention after 1000 cycles, were achieved. • Hydrated and potassium-doped MnO 2 mixed with CNT on graphene substrate is synthesized. • Polyol process was conducted with PEG, KMnO 4 , CNT and graphene. • MnO 2 has a high capacity, intercalated K and H 2 O keep the structure of MnO 2 and CNT/graphene provide conductivity. • The hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene delivers high specific capacities of 359.8 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1 and 129 mAh g–1 at 3.0 A g–1 with 77% retention. • The performance of ZIB reaches a high energy density of 410.36 Wh kg–1 at 109.93 W kg–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for high performance lithium-ion battery (LIB) due to its high theoretical specific capacity. However, the low electrical conductivity and the severe volume change during charging and discharging process result in poor cyclic performance. In this study, a low cost, high-purity silicon powder from the sawing waste in photovoltaic industry was used as the active material. Pitch from petroleum residue was used as carbon source to provide a good conductive pathway and prevent the drastic volume changes of Si. The pitch-based silicon-carbon composites with a porous structure were fabricated by electrospraying technique followed by a sequence of thermal processes. The results of the charge/discharge showed that the 100th charge capacity of 1515 mAh/g at 0.2 C with the retention of 73.95% while the 200th charge capacity of 929 mAh/g at 0.5 C with the retention of 70.61% (Pitch-Si-0.5) can be obtained. On the other hand, the sample with medium content of Si showed charge capacity of 522 mAh/g at 0.5 C with the extremely high retention of 94.99% after 200 cycles. The rate capability indicated that the soft carbon derived from pitch provided a good rate capability because of its amorphous structure. We demonstrated that industrial wastes can form a superior anode material for LIB application. • Spherical silicon-carbon composite was formed as an anode material for LIB. • Silicon was from the waste of the photovoltaic industry and the source of the carbon is petroleum pitch. • The composite demonstrated an excellent capacity and stability (1515 mAh/g at 0.2C, 73.95% retention at 200th cycle). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]