Guang Li

A thermally conductive composite separator integrates positively functionalized boron nitride nanosheets with a gradient-structured aramid nanofiber framework to simultaneously regulate heat dissipation and ion transport.

A robust aramid nanofiber separator with gradient nanopore architecture (GANFM) serves as a thermally stable and electrochemically superior separator for lithium-ion batteries.

Solvent‐free manufacturing is crucial for fabricating high‐performance sulfide‐electrolyte‐based all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), with advantages including side reaction inhibition, less contamination, and practical scalability. However, the fabricated sulfide electrolytes commonly suffer from brittleness, limited ion transport, and unsatisfactory interfacial stability due to the uncontrolled dispersion of the sulfide particles within the polymer binder matrix. Herein, a “solid‐to‐liquid” phase transition strategy is reported to fabricate flexible Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSCl) electrolytes. The polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based binder (PLI) with phase‐transition characteristics fills the gap of LPSCl particles and tightly grafts on the particle surface via ion‐dipole interaction, bringing a thin and compact electrolyte membrane (80 µm). The simultaneously high Li‐ion conducting and electron insulating nature of PLI binder facilitates Li‐ion transport and ensures good interfacial stability between electrolyte and anode. Consequently, the sulfide electrolyte membrane exhibits high ionic conductivity (8.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹), enabling symmetric and full cells with 10 and 2.5 times longer cycling life compared with that of the cells with pristine LPSCl electrolyte, respectively. The demonstrated strategy is versatile and can be extended to ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) that also brings enhanced electrochemical performance. The thin sulfide electrolyte with high interfacial stability potentially facilitates dendrite‐free ASSLBs with high energy density.

To access the theoretically high energy density of sulfide‐based all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), a thin and robust sulfide electrolyte membrane is essential. Given the pivotal role of binder in preserving the structural integrity and interfacial stability of sulfide electrolytes upon cycling, it is desired to integrate binding capability, toughness, and stiffness into one binder, yet remains difficult. Herein, this challenge is addressed using a nanofiber‐reinforced strategy in the solvent‐free dry‐film process. A coaxial polyvinylidene poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) @ thermoplastic polyurethane (PVDF‐HFP@TPU) nanofiber binder is embedding into a Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSCl) matrix to obtain a sulfide thin‐layer (LPSCl‐P@T). During hot calendering of the sulfide‐binder mixture, the PVDF‐HFP shell layer melts and tightly binds LPSCl particles. The underlying TPU core layer, which maintains the fibrous structure, reinforces the structural stability of the membrane. Particularly, the fiber‐matrix connection is improved with the assistance of the molten PVDF‐HFP, collectively contributing to the effective dissipation of the mechanical stress. Controlled fusion of the core‐shell nanofiber also leads to enhanced interfacial anchoring of the cathode and electrolyte. The assembled cells with LPSCl‐P@T deliver stable cycling performances. The PVDF‐HFP@TPU nanofiber binder overcomes the long‐existing incompatible problems between binder toughness and stiffness, and shows promises in developing high‐performance sulfide‐based ASSLBs.

The application of composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) in solid-state lithium-metal batteries is limited by the unsatisfactory ionic conductivity underpinned by the low concentration of free lithium ions. Herein, we propose an interface design strategy where an amine silane linker is employed as a coupling agent to graft the Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) ceramic nanofibers to the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) polymer matrix to enhance their interaction. The hydrogen bonding between amino-functionalized LLZO (NH₂@LLZO) and PVDF-HFP not only effectively induces a uniform incorporation of high-content nanofibers (50 wt %) into the polymer matrix but also furnishes sufficient continuous surfaces to weaken the complexation between PVDF-HFP and Li-ion carriers. Additionally, introduction of the hydrogen bond and Lewis acid-base interplay strengthens the interfacial interactions between NH₂@LLZO and lithium salts that release more free lithium ions for efficient interfacial transport. The impact of the linker's structure on the dissociation capacity of lithium salts is systematically studied from the steric effect perspective, which affords insights into interface design. Conclusively, the composite solid electrolyte achieves a high ionic conductivity (5.8 × 10^-4 S cm^-1) by synergy of multiple transport channels at ceramic, polymer, and their interface, which effectively regulates the lithium deposition behavior in symmetric cells. The excellent compatibility of the electrolyte with both LiFePO₄ and LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathodes also results in a long lifetime and a high rate capability for full cells.

Flexible zinc–air batteries (FZABs) have shown great promise for wearable electronic devices owing to their high energy density, safety, and environmental benignity. However, the key quasi-solid electrolyte materials with high ionic conductivity, strong mechanical strength, and high Zn anode stability are still limited, posing great challenges to cell lifetime. Herein, cross-linked dual-network quasi-solid electrolytes composed of soft polyacrylamide (PAM) and rigid chitosan (CS) polymers functionalized with aluminum-based bentonite (BT) and potassium bromide (KBr) (PAM/CS-BT-KBr) are fabricated. Notably, the addition of KBr initiates a solid–liquid reaction with excellent kinetics and reversibility due to the formation of Zn–Br complexes, which effectively avoids passivation of ZnO and suppresses Zn dendrite growth. Additionally, the PAM/CS-BT-KBr shows both high tensile strength and toughness (710% stretchability and 210 kPa stress) due to the synergistic effect of BT, PAM and CS, which promotes covalent and hydrogen bonding interactions in the system. The electrolyte also exhibits ultrahigh ionic conductivity (110.5 mS cm⁻¹) with the existence of –OH groups and interconnected channels in BT, as well as a porous structure with high hydrophilicity. Building on these excellent material properties, FZABs are fabricated with high power density (153 mW cm⁻²) and long lifespan (150 h), as well as good flexibility, manifesting their great potential applications in wearable electronics.

The proliferation and differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro are the key properties of bone tissue engineering for biomaterials. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) coated porous carbon nanofibres (PCNFs) were prepared to load dexamethasone (DEX) and further improve the differentiation ability of the BMSCs. Various characterisations were applied to reveal the DEX loading efficacy and biocompatibility, especially the differentiation strength. The results showed that HA could be successfully coated on the PCNFs by pretreating the surface using PEG conjugation. With an increase of HA, the particle diameter increased and the DEX loading decreased. In vitro experiments proved higher cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium nodule secretion ability and the RUNX2 protein expression, indicating that the as-prepared was of great biocompatibility and optimised osteoconductivity, which was attributed to the componential imitation to natural bone and the accelerated BMSCs differentiation. Consequently, the novel DEX loaded and HA coated PCNFs can provide potential applications in bone tissue regeneration.