Rui Ling

A Simple One-Pot Strategy for Synthesizing Ultrafine SnS2 Nanoparticle/Graphene Composites as Anodes for Lithium/Sodium-Ion Batteries

SnS2 /graphene composites have attracted extensive attention in energy storage owing to their excellent electrochemical performance. However, most of the previous methods to synthesize SnS2 /graphene composites require long times, high temperatures, or high pressures, which are obstacles for practical low-cost production. A simple one-pot strategy to prepare SnS2 /graphene composites has been developed, which is not time-consuming (1 h) and requires moderate temperature (75 °C) in atmosphere. Through this method, ultrafine SnS2 nanoparticles anchored on graphene nanosheets are prepared and exhibit excellent electrochemical performance for both lithium and sodium storage. Specifically, as anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the SnS2 /graphene electrode delivers a high capacity of 1480 mAh g-1 after 50 cycles at 0.2 A g-1 . Even at 10 A g-1 , the SnS2 /graphene electrode can achieve a capacity of 666 mAh g-1 . A constructed full lithium-ion cell exhibits a capacity of 957 mAh g-1 after 50 cycles at 1 A g-1 . This simple one-pot strategy may pave the way for large-scale production and practical application of SnS2 /graphene composites in energy storage.

Synthesis and characterization of magnesium phytic acid/apatite composite coating on AZ31 Mg alloy by microwave assisted treatment

To improve the corrosion resistance and bioactivity of AZ31 magnesium alloy, a crack-free magnesium phytic acid/apatite composite coating was synthesized on AZ31 substrate via chemical conversion deposition and followed a rapid microwave assisted treatment. The influences of pH values of the microwave solution on the morphology, composition and corrosion resistance properties of the composite coating were investigated. An apatite coating with bilayer structure was completely covered the magnesium phytic acid conversion coating after microwave radiation in the solution of pH 6.5, which reached the thickness of ~7.0 μm. During the electrochemical and immersion tests in simulated body fluid (SBF), the samples with composite coating exhibited a remarkably improved corrosion resistance, slower degradation rate and rapid inducing of Ca-P apatite deposition, suggesting that the composite coating could provide a long-time protection for substrates and promote the bioactivity of AZ31 magnesium alloys. Moreover, after 5 days of incubation, the composite coating showed non-cytotoxicity, good osteoblast adhesion and proliferation.

Preparation of Phytic Acid/Silane Hybrid Coating on Magnesium Alloy and Its Corrosion Resistance in Simulated Body Fluid

In order to decrease the corrosion rate and improve the bioactivity of magnesium alloy, phytic acid/saline hybrid coatings were synthesized on AZ31 magnesium alloys by sol–gel dip-coating method. It was found that the mole ratio of phytic acid to γ-APS had a great influence on coating morphology and the corresponding corrosion resistance of the coated magnesium alloys. When the mole ratio of phytic acid to γ-APS was 1:1, the obtained hybrid coating was integral and without cracks, which was ascribed to the strong chelate capability of phytic acid and Si-O-Si network derived from silane. Electrochemical test result indicated that the corrosion resistance of the coated magnesium alloy was about 27 times larger than that of the naked counterpart. In parallel, immersion test showed that the phytic acid/silane hybrid coating could induce CaP-mineralized product deposition, which offered another protection for magnesium alloy.