Zeitschriftenaufsätze

A technical methodology of fabrication of hierarchically scaled multitude graphene nanogratings with varying pitches ranging from the micrometer down to sub 40 nm scale combined with sub 10 nm step heights on 4H and 6H semi-insulating SiC for length scale measurements is proposed. The nanogratings were fabricated using electron-beam lithography combined with dry etching of graphene, incorporating a standard semiconductor processing technology. A scientific evaluation of critical dimension, etching step heights, and surface characterization of graphene nanograting on both polytypes were compared and evaluated.

With the decreasing abundance of lithium and the increasing cost of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), exploring alternative metal-ion batteries has been a hotspot in the energy storage research area. Among next-generation batteries, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have been considered as competitive alternatives to LIBs due to the earth abundance of sodium and potassium. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived carbon materials with high porosity, unique architectures, and abundant heteroatoms have been demonstrated as promising anode materials in SIBs and PIBs with high capacity and long cycling stability due to the adsorption energy storage mechanism. In this review, we highlight the advantages of carbon materials derived from MOFs as anode materials in SIBs and PIBs. In addition, the typical works and recent achievements are also introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for further developing MOFs-derived carbon anode materials for SIBs and PIBs are also discussed.

Binder- and conducting additive-free Si-O-C composite layers are deposited electrochemically under potentiostatic conditions from sulfolane-based organic electrolyte. Quartz crystal microbalance with damping monitoring is used for evaluation of the layer growth and its physical properties. The sodiation-desodiation performance of the material is afterward explored in Na-ion electrolyte. In terms of specific capacity, rate capability, and long-term electrochemical stability, the experiments confirm the advantages of applying the electrochemically formed Si-O-C structure as anode for Na-ion batteries. The material displays high (722 mAh g^-1) initial reversible capacity at j = 70 mA g^-1 and preserves stable long-term capacity of 540 mAh g^-1 for at least 400 galvanostatic cycles, measured at j = 150 mA g^-1. The observed high performance can be attributed to its improved mechanical stability and accelerated Na-ion transport in the porous anode structure. The origin of the material electroactivity is revealed based on X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis of pristine (as deposited), sodiated, and desodiated Si-O-C layers. The evaluation of the spectroscopic data indicates reversible activity of the material due to the complex contribution of carbon and silicon redox centers.

Carbon nanomaterials have become a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) due to their abundant resources, low cost, and excellent conductivity. However, among carbon materials, the sluggish reaction kinetics and inferior cycle life severely restrict their commercial development as KIBs anodes. It is still a huge challenge to develop carbon materials with various structural advantages and ideal electrochemical properties. Therefore, it is imperative to find a carbon material with heteroatom doping and suitable nanostructure to achieve excellent electrochemical performance. Benefiting from a Na2SO4 template-assisted method and KOH activation process, the KOH activated nitrogen and oxygen co-doped tubular carbon (KNOCTC) material with a porous structure exhibits an impressive reversible capacity of 343 mAh g^-1 at 50 mA g^-1 and an improved cyclability of 137 mAh g^-1 at 2 A g^-1 after 3000 cycles with almost no capacity decay. The kinetic analysis indicates that the storage mechanism in KNOCTC is attributed to the pseudocapacitive process during cycling. Furthermore, the new synthesis route of KNOCTC provides a new opportunity to explore carbon-based potassium storage anode materials with high capacity and cycling performance.

Well-defined nanostructuring over size, shape, spatial configuration, and multi-combination is a feasible concept to reach unique properties of nanostructure arrays, while satisfying such broad and stringent requirements with conventional techniques is challenging. Here, we report designable anodic aluminium oxide templates to address this challenge by achieving well-defined pore features within templates in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane shape, size, spatial configuration, and pore combination. The structural designability of template pores arises from designing of unequal aluminium anodization rates at different anodization voltages, and further relies on a systematic blueprint guiding pore diversification. Starting from the designable templates, we realize a series of nanostructures that inherit equal structural controllability relative to their template counterparts. Proof-of-concept applications based on such nanostructures demonstrate boosted performance. In light of the broad selectivity and high controllability, designable templates will provide a useful platform for well-defined nanostructuring.