Search

Variations in configurational entropy greatly influence the electrochemical behavior of materials; those featuring expanded surface areas, numerous active sites, and accelerated reaction kinetics are highly valued for their superior electrocatalytic properties. In this study, a Berthollide compound is introduced, designated as Cu3Sb0.93Bi0.06Sn0.01S2Se2 (C(ABT)(SSe)). This material, cations, and anions co‐doped Cu3SbS4 (CAS), exhibit significantly enhanced storage performance in potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). The introduction of foreign elements improved conductivity, while dual‐site conversion and alloying elements enhanced ion diffusion, charge transfer, and electrode kinetics. Regulating configurational entropy created more active sites for Sb. Using high‐capacity Sb and S as primary components, material's configurational entropy is precisely adjusted through active element doping, forming a non‐stoichiometric structure with thermodynamically stable defect active sites. The synergistic effect of trivalent active metals, particularly high‐valence Sb5+, demonstrated superior electrochemical performance compared to materials with unregulated entropy values. Compared to CAS, with the increase in configurational entropy to 0.975 R, the K+ diffusion energy is reduced by 40% and increasing electronic conductivity by 2.6 times, boosting high rate performance (10 A g−1), and showing 49.5% higher capacity after 700 cycles. This novel entropy regulation strategy offers new insights into the design of multi‐element configurational entropy PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium metal batteries (PMBs) are promising for next‐generation energy storage. However, the high reactivity of the anode causes instability in the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), resulting in Volmer‐Weber (V‐W) type deposition. To achieve uniform Frank‐van der Merwe (F‐M) type deposition, high entropy alloy nanoparticles are designed (HEA NPs) with equimolar ratios of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Ni to enhance the substrate‐K metal interface. HEA NPs enhance the K affinity of the N‐doped nanocarbon fiber substrate (N‐PCNF) and maximize ion and electron transport efficiency. The dendrite‐free horizontal growth of K metal confirmed through Operando X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). Consequently, the asymmetric cell exhibits ultra‐long cycling stability of 2350 hours at a high current density of 8 mA cm−2. The full cell composed of molten K diffusion into HEA NPs decorated N‐PCNF anode with perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride cathode (HEA‐N‐PCNF‐K||PTCDA) delivers an energy density of 331 W h kg−1 and remains stable over 2000 cycles. This study offers a promising pathway for innovative PMBs designs with broad application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We integrate ferroelectric principles into two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials to enhance both charge and potassium ion (K+) transport at the electrode interface. CuInP2S6 (CIPS) has a distinct room-temperature ferroelectric field effect due to the unique ordering of Cu and In ions in the CIPS lattice, which disrupts its centrosymmetry and causes significant spontaneous polarization. Its natural dipole moment creates a persistent polarizing electric field, facilitating fast carrier transfer from the material's bulk to its surface, boosting ionic conductivity under high electric fields. Utilizing the synergistic effects, layered CIPS coupled with graphene (CIPS@G) exhibits high specific capacity, superior long cycling stability and outstanding rate performance. The CIPS@G composite in a potassium-ion battery (PIB) offers a reversible capacity of 565 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1, robust stability over 1000 cycles, and high rate performance (10 A g−1), and a cycle life exceeding 400 cycles was also achieved when assembled in a full battery. In hybrid capacitors, CIPS@G stands out with superior rate performance up to 2.0 A g−1 and high energy density (40 W h kg−1) at 2.0 A g−1, surpassing other PIB phosphide and sulfide anodes reported to date. These results show that high-rate nanochannels between 2D CIPS nanosheets and graphene, paired with CIPS's ferroelectric polarization, improve electronic conductivity, support K+ diffusion, relieve CIPS aggregation, and buffer volume changes. The study on enhancing K+ performance in 2D materials through the integration of ferroelectric field principles holds promise for pioneering advancements in electrochemical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the relationship between green packaging design and green purchase intention from the perspective of consumers by conducting a bootstrapped mediation effects analysis and a multiple mediation analysis with 513 users of a brand in China that has green packaging. The results revealed that green packaging design had a strong positive impact on green purchase intention, and this relationship was mediated by perceived environmental friendliness, green brand equity, green brand attitudes, and green brand relationships. In addition, green packaging design influenced green purchase intention through the paths from environmental friendliness to green brand equity, and from green brand attitudes to green brand relationships. The findings of this study offer guidelines for green marketing efforts. By adopting green packaging designs and promoting environmental friendliness, companies can enhance their green brand equity, which can, in turn, positively influence consumers' green purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep disorders are associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Limited studies have focused on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and its impact on jaw functions in TMD patients. Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to identify the impact of EDS on pain and jaw function in TMD patients. Methods: A total of 338 TMD patients (50 males and 288 females) was included. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to classify patients into EDS group (score ≥ 10) and non‐EDS group (score < 10). The Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 8‐item (JFLS‐8) was used to assess the severity of jaw dysfunction. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7‐item (GAD‐7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9‐item (PHQ‐9). All included patients were diagnosed with pain‐related TMD (PT), intra‐articular TMD (IT) or combined TMD (CT). Results: Compared with non‐EDS patients, EDS patients exhibited more severe jaw dysfunction, greater pain intensity and higher PHQ‐9 scores (p <.05). Multivariate analyses showed that EDS (B = 3.69), female gender (B = 3.69), and elevated GAD‐7 score (B = 0.73) were significantly associated with an increased score on the JFLS‐8 (p <.05). Moreover, bivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between EDS and PT (OR = 2.70, p =.007). Conclusion: The presence of EDS was more closely related to PT, but the causal relationship between them needs to be further confirmed. More concern and intervention to alleviate poor sleep quality might be highlighted during the treatment of TMD, especially PT subtype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]