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AbstractThis work introduces a facile approach for preparation of binary nanocomposite thin film electrodes for lithium‐ion batteries with excellent storage capability, high rate performance, and good electrochemical stability. The Li4Ti5O12‐TiO2 film electrodes are prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering deposition using a Li4Ti5O12 and TiO2 powder mixture target as sputtering source in an argon atmosphere. The Li4Ti5O12–TiO2 electrode yields good electrochemical performance in terms of high capacity (295 mAh g−1) at a current density of 0.1 C, good cycling stability (≈5 % capacity loss after 100 cycles at 0.1 C), and excellent rate capability (158 mAh g−1 at a current density of 5 C). The factors contributing to the excellent electrochemical performance are related to the binary nanocomposite structure. The results suggest that the Li4Ti5O12–TiO2 nanocomposite thin film can be used as an anode material for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.

AbstractThis manuscript focuses on how to improve the electronic conductivity and lithium‐ion diffusivity of Li4Ti5O12 thin films, which present a serious constraint to the development of the solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries. Given this understanding, we have found that creating amorphous structural features and hierarchical channels of thin films form a very simple yet effective approach to solve the problem. The unique structural features and high electrical conductivity of the as‐prepared thin films result in high capacity (283.5 mAh g−1 at 10 μA cm−2) and good cyclic stability (≈3 % capacity loss after 100 cycles at 10 μA cm−2). These important findings could open up new opportunities for Li4Ti5O12 in constructing high‐performance binder‐free energy storage devices.

Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) are promising energy-storage devices.

Abstract Density functional theory was used to study the interfacial interactions between clay and polymer in polymer/clay nanocomposites, with a focus on nylon 6 matrix. The binding energy and the distance between nylon 6 and clay surface were predicted. The effect of the isomorphic substitution in clay octahedral and tetrahedral layer on the strength of the interfacial interactions was also examined. The interaction strength between nylon 6 and clay surface was found to increase with the degree of isomorphic substitution. And the magnitude of the binding forces, reflected from the calculated binding energies, was found to be higher when the substitution took place in tetrahedral layer (e.g., Al 3+ for Si 4+ ). No covalent bonds were observed between nylon 6 and the clay, which means that the chemical structures of the clay and nylon 6 are unchanged during the mixing process.

AbstractReview: CFD: computational fluid dynamics; 175 refs.