In-situ PECVD-enabled graphene-V₂O₃ hybrid host for lithium–sulfur batteries

Song, Yingze,Zhao, Wen,Wei, Nan,Zhang, Li,Ding, Feng,Liu, Zhongfan,Sun, Jingyu Elsevier 2018 Nano energy Vol.53 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been regarded as promising candidates for current energy-storage technologies due to their remarkable advantages in energy density and theoretical capacity. However, one of the daunting challenges remained for advanced Li–S systems thus far deals with the synchronous suppression of polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle and acceleration of redox kinetics. Herein, a cooperative interface bridging adsorptive V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> and conductive graphene is constructed <I>in-situ</I> by virtue of direct plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), resulting in the design of a novel V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>-graphene hybrid host to synergize the LiPS entrapment and conversion. The redox kinetics and electrochemical performances of thus-derived cathodes were accordingly enhanced owing to the smooth adsorption-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs even at a sulfur mass loading of 3.7 mg cm<SUP>–2</SUP>. Such interfacial engineering offers us a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the comprehensive regulation of LiPS anchoring ability, electrical conductivity and ion diffusive capability in hybrid hosts on suppressing the LiPS shuttle and propelling the redox kinetics. Our devised PECVD route might pave a new route toward the facial and economic design of hetero-phased multi-functional hosts for high-performance Li–S systems.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Graphene-V<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> hybrid host was designed <I>in-situ</I> based on PECVD route. </LI> <LI> Thus-derived cathode showed a low capacity decay of merely 0.046% per cycle at 2 C after 1000 cycles. </LI> <LI> Cathodes with a relatively high sulfur mass loading (3.7 mg cm<SUP>–2</SUP>) were fabricated. </LI> <LI> The smooth adsorption-diffusion-conversion of polysulfides was thoroughly probed <I>via</I> experimental studies and DFT simulations. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Synchronous immobilization and conversion of polysulfides on a VO₂-VN binary host targeting high sulfur load Li-S batteries

Song, Yingze,Zhao, Wen,Kong, Long,Zhang, Li,Zhu, Xingyu,Shao, Yuanlong,Ding, Feng,Zhang, Qiang,Sun, Jingyu,Liu, Zhongfan The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Vol.11 No.9

<P>Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are deemed as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems. However, their practical application is hindered by existing drawbacks such as poor cycling life and low Coulombic efficiency due to the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). We herein present an <I>in situ</I> constructed VO2-VN binary host which combines the merits of ultrafast anchoring (VO2) with electronic conducting (VN) to accomplish smooth immobilization-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs. Such synchronous advantages have effectively alleviated the polysulfide shuttling, promoted the redox kinetics, and hence improved the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries. As a result, the sulfur cathode based on the VO2-VN/graphene host exhibited an impressive rate capability with ∼1105 and 935 mA h g<SUP>−1</SUP> at 1C and 2C, respectively, and maintained long-term cyclability with a low capacity decay of 0.06% per cycle within 800 cycles at 2C. More remarkably, favorable cyclic stability can be attained with a high sulfur loading (13.2 mg cm<SUP>−2</SUP>). Even at an elevated temperature (50 °C), the cathodes still delivered superior rate capacity. Our work emphasizes the importance of immobilization-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs toward the rational design of high-load and long-life Li-S batteries.</P>

Vanadium Dioxide-Graphene Composite with Ultrafast Anchoring Behavior of Polysulfides for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Song, Yingze,Zhao, Wen,Zhu, Xingyu,Zhang, Li,Li, Qiucheng,Ding, Feng,Liu, Zhongfan,Sun, Jingyu American Chemical Society 2018 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.10 No.18

<P>The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery has been deemed as one of the most promising energy-storage systems owing to its high energy density, low cost, and environmental benignancy. However, the capacity decay and kinetic sluggishness stemming from polysulfide shuttle effects have by far posed a great challenge to practical performance. We herein demonstrate the employment of low-cost, wet-chemistry-derived VO<SUB>2</SUB> nanobelts as the effective host additives for the graphene-based sulfur cathode. The VO<SUB>2</SUB> nanobelts displayed an ultrafast anchoring behavior of polysulfides, managing to completely decolor the polysulfide solution in 50 s. Such a fast and strong anchoring ability of VO<SUB>2</SUB> was further investigated and verified by experimental and theoretical investigations. Benefitting from the synergistic effect exerted by VO<SUB>2</SUB> in terms of chemical confinement and catalytic conversion of polysulfides, the Li-S batteries incorporating VO<SUB>2</SUB> and graphene manifested excellent cycling and rate performances. Notably, the batteries delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1405 mAh g<SUP>-1</SUP> when cycling at 0.2 C, showed an advanced rate performance of ∼830 mAh g<SUP>-1</SUP> at 2 C, and maintained a stable cycling performance at high current densities of 1, 2, and 5 C over 200 cycles, paving a practical route toward cost-effective and environmentally benign cathode design for high-energy Li-S batteries.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

CO2 Adsorption on the B12N12 Nanocage Encapsulated with Alkali Metals: A Density Functional Study

Haiyan Zhu,Qiyan Zhang,Qinfu Zhao,He Zhao,Yifan Feng,Bingbing Suo,Huixian Han,Qi Song,Yawei Li,Wenli Zou,Haiyan Zhu 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2019 NANO Vol.14 No.3

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to study the capacity of the B12N12 nanocage encapsulated with alkali metals (Li, Na, K) for the CO2 adsorption and activation. It is found that after encapsulating alkali metals, the alkali metal atoms are closer to one side of clusters instead of exactly lying at the center, and a considerable charge transfers from the inner alkali metal atoms to the B12N12 cage. Besides, the HOMO–LUMO gap (HLG) values of Li@B12N12, Na@B12N12 and K@B12N12 are decreased to about 6 eV, being much smaller than that of the pristine B12N12. Although the geometry structure parameters and the energy differences of M06-2X are slightly different from the ones of ωB97X-D, some identical results of two kinds of functional can be obtained. CO2 can be adsorbed chemically and physically on majority bonds of all the clusters, except for some bonds with large change in bond length and bond indices. The encapsulation of alkali-metal atoms may enhance the physical and chemical adsorption of CO2 on the surface of the clusters, in which Na@B12N12 and K@B12N12 are the most powerful physical and chemical adsorbent for CO2, respectively.

A novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide providing heterologous protection in mice

Feng Wen,Ji-Hong Ma,Hai Yu,Fu-Ru Yang,Meng Huang,Yan-Jun Zhou,Ze-Jun Li,Xiu-Hui Wang,Guo-Xin Li,Yi-Feng Jiang,Wu Tong,Guangzhi Tong 대한수의학회 2016 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.17 No.1

Swine influenza viruses (SwIVs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs, resulting in a significant economic burden. Moreover, pigs have been considered to be a possible mixing vessel in which novel strains loom. Here, we developed and evaluated a novel M2e-multiple antigenic peptide (M2e-MAP) as a supplemental antigen for inactivated H3N2 vaccine to provide cross-protection against two main subtypes of SwIVs, H1N1 and H3N2. The novel tetra-branched MAP was constructed by fusing four copies of M2e to one copy of foreign T helper cell epitopes. A high-yield reassortant H3N2 virus was generated by plasmid based reverse genetics. The efficacy of the novel H3N2 inactivated vaccines with or without M2e-MAP supplementation was evaluated in a mouse model. M2e-MAP conjugated vaccine induced strong antibody responses in mice. Complete protection against the heterologous swine H1N1 virus was observed in mice vaccinated with M2e-MAP combined vaccine. Moreover, this novel peptide confers protection against lethal challenge of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). Taken together, our results suggest the combined immunization of reassortant inactivated H3N2 vaccine and the novel M2e-MAP provided cross-protection against swine and human viruses and may serve as a promising approach for influenza vaccine development.

Steel Bridge Construction of Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge

Wen-bo Gao,Quan-ke Su,Jin-wen Zhang,Hong-bing Xie,Feng Wen,Fang Li,Ji-zhu Liu 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.5

The 55-km-long Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) is the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge, connecting Hong Kong with Zhuhai and Macao at the mouth of the Pearl River Estuary in China, comprising 22.9-km-long steel bridges. HZMB is the leading steel bridge in China, with top-level manufacturing and installation technology. This paper outlines the steel bridge construction experiences of HZMB to provide comparisons for the construction of other long sea-crossing steel bridges at home or abroad. The main considerations of construction constraints, scheme selection, structural and aesthetic design of HZMB are presented, and the following points related to new strategies in the steel bridge construction of HZMB are elaborated: (1) construction quality assurance, (2) automatic manufacturing technology, (3) large segment off shore installation, (4) eco-friendly paint (content limitation of volatile organic compounds) and new multifunctional inspection gantry, and (5) Guss Mastic Asphalt steel deck pavement system. The successful implementation of those strategies shows that the steel bridge construction of HZMB promotes improvement in the overall construction and management level of the Chinese bridge industry. The advanced experience of HZMB has opened up broad prospects for the design and construction of off shore bridge engineering in China.

Oral administration of Schisandra chinensis extract suppresses Dnmt1 expression in Kunming mice ovaries

Wen-yong Li,Feng-Rui Wu,Deng-kun Li,Mi-mi Su,Yong Liu,Biao Ding,Rong Wang 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.12

The plant Schisandra chinensis contains a phytoestrogens, a type of naturally occurring estrogens which have multiple functions in a number of biological processes. To investigate the correlation between phytoestrogens and epigenetic modification, especially the effect of phytoestrogens on DNA methylation, sexually healthy female mice were used as an animal model in the present study. Briefly, the total RNA and protein were isolated from the ovary of mice after 7-day oral administration of Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE), while distilled water was given to the animals in the control group. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and enzyme activity assays were performed to examine the effect of the extract of S. chinensis on Dnmt1 transcription and activity. A promoter assay was further conducted in MCF cells (ER positive) to explore also the influence of SCE on Dnmt1 transcriptional activity. The results revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of mouse Dnmt1 were both significantly downregulated in the treated group. The transcription of Dnmt1 was suppressed by SCE and in the E2-added group also. Meanwhile the numbers of oocytes at different stages were increased in the treated group when compared by histological analyses with those in the control group. Taken together, the results indicated that, similarly to the action of estrogen, phytoestrogens affected Dnmt1 transcription in mammals, regulating the related gene expression and cell differentiation. The findings of our examination provided also basic data and understanding for the correlation between phytoestrogens and epigenetic modification.

Chaotic dynamic characteristics of pressure fluctuation signals in hydro-turbine

Wen-Tao Su,Xiao-Bin Li,Chao-Feng Lan,Shi An,Jiansheng Wang,Feng-Chen Li 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.11

The pressure fluctuation characteristics in a Francis hydro-turbine running at partial flow conditions were studied based on the chaotic dynamic methods. Firstly, the experimental data of pressure fluctuations in the draft tube at various flow conditions was de-noised using lifting wavelet transformation, then, for the de-noised signals, their spectrum distribution on the frequency domain, the energy variation and the energy partition accounting for the total energy was calculated. Hereby, for the flow conditions ranging from no cavitation to severe cavitation, the chaos dynamic features of fluctuation signals were analyzed, including the temporal-frequency distribution, phase trajectory, Lyapunov exponent and Poincaré map etc. It is revealed that, the main energy of pressure fluctuations in the draft tube locates at low-frequency region. As the cavitation grows, the amplitude of power spectrum at frequency domain becomes larger. For all the flow conditions, all the maximal Lyapunov exponents are larger than zero, and they increase with the cavitation level. Therefore, it is believed that there indeed exist the chaotic attractors in the pressure fluctuation signals for a hydro-turbine.

Reconfigurable DDP-type transmitter coil for electric vehicle wireless charging under misaligned conditions

Wen, Feng,Li, Qiang,Li, Rui,Liu, Ling,Wang, Tao,Liu, Li,Wu, Tao,Li, Yuxiao The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2020 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.20 No.1

This paper presents a new type of a transmitter coil for wireless power transfer (WPT) to assist in the achievement of a constant output power and in the reduction of magnetic field leakage under misaligned electric vehicle (EV) wireless-charging conditions. The proposed DDP coil is an improvement upon the conventional DD coil and can be adaptively reconfigured depending on the misalignment of different sizes or types of receiver coils. The reconfigurable resonant circuit is designed to compensate various coil structures and to maintain a high-energy efficiency. The reconfiguration strategy is presented by studying the characteristics of the magnetic field and mutual inductance of the coils. A precise human anatomic model and a full-scale Tesla EV model are built to evaluate the magnetic field leakage and human exposure to the WPT system. Simulation results show that the power transfer efficiency (PTE) reaches 99.16% and that the maximum electric field induced in humans is -1.11 dBV/m, while the transfer power is 6.6 kW with a 12 cm lateral offset on both the x-axis and y-axis. The effectiveness of the proposed type of transmitter coil is verified through simulation and experimental results.

Bradyrhizobium spp. and Sinorhizobium fredii are Predominant in Root Nodules of Vigna angularis, a Native Legume Crop in the Subtropical Region of China

Li Li Han,En Tao Wang,Yang Li Lu,Yong Fa Zhang,Xin Hua Sui,Wen Feng Chen,Wen Xin Chen 한국미생물학회 2009 The journal of microbiology Vol.47 No.3

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) is an important legume crop native to China, but its rhizobia have not been well characterized. In the present study, a total of 60 rhizobial strains isolated from eight provinces of China were analyzed with amplified 16S rRNA gene RFLP, IGS-RFLP, and sequencing analyses of 16S rRNA, atpD, recA, and nodC genes. These strains were identified as genomic species within Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, and Ochrobactrum. The most abundant groups were Bradyrhizobium species and Sinorhizobium fredii. Diverse nodC genes were found in these strains, which were mainly co-evolved with the housekeeping genes, but a possible lateral transfer of nodC from Sinorhizobium to Rhizobium was found. Analyses of the genomic and symbiotic gene backgrounds showed that adzuki bean shared the same rhizobial gene pool with soybean (legume native to China) and the exotic Vigna species. All of these data demonstrated that nodule formation is the interaction of rhizobia, host plants, and environment characters.