Porous Zn–Sn–O nanocubes with a uniform size were synthesized through a facile aqueous solution route combined with subsequent thermal treatment. The chemical composition, morphology, and microstructure of Zn–Sn–O nanocubes, which have significant effects on the lithium storage performances, were easily tuned by adjusting the calcination temperature in preparation processes of ZnSn(OH)6solid nanocubes. Further studies revealed that porous Zn–Sn–O nanocubes prepared at 600 °C exhibited a good rate capability and a high reversible capacity of 700 m Ah g^(-1)at a current density of 200 m Ag^(-1)after 50 cycles, which may be a great potential as anode materials in Lithium-ion batteries.
As an ionic conductive functional layer of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells(ITSOFC), samarium-doped ceria(SDC)–Li Na SO4nano-composites were synthesized by a sol–gel method and their properties were investigated. It was found that the content of Li Na SO4 strongly affected the crystal phase, defect concentration, and conductivity of the composites. When the content of Li Na SO4 was 20 wt%, the highest conductivity of the composite was found to be, respectively, 0.22, 0.26, and 0.35 S cm-1at temperatures of 550, 600, and 700 °C, which are much higher than those of SDC. The peak power density of the single cell using this composite as an interlayer was improved to, respectively, 0.23, 0.39, and 0.88 W cm-2at 500, 600, and 700 °C comparing with that of the SDC-based cell. Further, the SDC–Li Na SO4(20 wt%)-based cell also displayed better thermal stability according to the performance measurements at 560 °C for 50 h. These results reveal that SDC–Li Na SO4 composite may be a potential good candidate as interlayer for ITSOFC due to its high ionic conductivity and thermal stability.
Co Fe2O4-graphene nanosheets(Co Fe2O4-GNSs) were synthesized through an ultrasonic method, and their electrochemical performances as Li-ion battery electrode were improved by annealing processes. The nanocomposites obtained at 350 °C maintained a high specific capacity of 1,257 m Ah g-1even after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g-1. Furthermore,the obtained materials also have better rate capability, and it can be maintained to 696, 495, 308, and 254 m Ah g-1at 1, 2,5, and 10 A g-1, respectively. The enhancements realized in the reversible capacity and cyclic stability can be attributed to the good improvement in the electrical conductivity achieved by annealing at appropriate temperature, and the electrochemical nature of Co Fe2O4 and GNSs during discharge–charge processes.
