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[Display omitted] The development of efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water splitting is one of the most promising strategies to achieve the goal of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. Herein, Ru nanoclusters decorated MoSe 2 nanosheets supported on a Crepis tectorum fluff biomass-derived hollow carbon tube (Ru-MoSe 2 /CMT) are prepared as the HER catalysts in both alkaline and acidic conditions. The Ru modification induces the transformation of MoSe 2 from 2H phase to 1T phase. Benefiting from the strong water dissociation ability of Ru, Ru-MoSe 2 /CMT exhibits a low overpotential of 70 mV with a Tafel slope of 39 mV dec-1 in 1 M KOH. Furthermore, the assembled Ru-MoSe 2 /CMT || RuO 2 system with a low cell voltage of 1.54 V at 10 mA cm−2 exhibits outstanding overall water splitting performance superior to Pt/C || RuO 2 system. The Ru-MoSe 2 /CMT || RuO 2 system also achieves the excellent stability of up to 30 h in 1 M KOH. The synergy effect between Ru and MoSe 2 , as well as the improved electron transfer kinetics provided by the biomass-derived carbon substrate together contribute to the excellent HER activity of Ru-MoSe 2 /CMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] MoS 2 is regarded as an attractive anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its layered structure and high theoretical specific capacity. Its unsatisfied conductivity and the considerable volume change during the charge and discharge process, however, limits its rate performance and cycling stability. Herein, 3D tremella-like nitrogen-doped carbon encapsulated few-layer MoS 2 (MoS 2 @NC) hybrid is obtained via a unique strategy with simultaneously poly-dopamine carbonization, and molybdenum oxide specifies sulfurization. The three-dimensional porous nitrogen-doped carbon served both as a mechanical supporting structure for stabilization of few-layers MoS 2 and a good electron conductor. The MoS 2 @NC exhibits enhanced high rate performance with a specific capacity of 208.7 mAh g−1 at a current density of 10 A g−1 and stable cycling performance with a capacity retention rate of 85.7% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architecture of electrode materials plays an important role in achieving favorable electrochemical performance via providing fast electronic transport pathway and shorten lithium ion diffusion distance. Herein, ultrafine CoP nanoparticles were successfully embedded in carbon nanorod, which were grown on the biomass-derived carbon (BC). When applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, these CoP@C/BC displayed capable specific capacity, remarkable rate ability and outstanding long-term cycling performance. The capacity was governed by combination of diffusion-controlled and capacitive processes, according to quantitative kinetic analysis. The good electrochemical performance is attributed to hierarchical construction of nanosized CoP embedded in carbon nanorod and BC with high conductivity composite, which relieve the volume changing of CoP and provide large electrode/electrolyte interface. The present design of hierarchical architecture can be extended to other transition metal-based oxides, sulfide and phosphide electrode materials for high performance alkali metal ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]