The emergence of "water-in-salt" carbon-based supercapacitors presents great potential for further improving the energy density, owing to the extended electrochemical stability window. However, not only low conductivity and high viscosity hinder the superior rate performance, but also the high cost of salts limits their commercialization. Here, we report a low-cost concentrated sodium nitrate electrolyte for high-performance and ultra-stable supercapacitors, based on good electrochemical stability, high conductivity, and low viscosity. In the wide operation voltage range of 0-2.1 V, the constructed symmetric supercapacitor based on commercial active carbon exhibits a high specific capacitance of 32.68 F g À 1 at 1 A g À 1 . Moreover, superior rate capability (83 % capacitance retention from 1 to 20 A g À 1 ) and excellent cycle stability (90 % capacitance retention after 9000 cycles) are also demonstrated. Consequently, this electrolyte system could be the most attractive candidate for promising carbon-based supercapacitors to further improve the energy density.[a] Prof.

Two novel Salen‐DPCPs metal complexes (Salen‐DPCP‐1 and Salen‐DPCP‐2), containing both Salen‐Schiff base (Salen), phenyl phosphate structures (DPCP) and nickel component, were prepared to reduce fire hazards of epoxy resin (EP). The results showed that 5 wt % addition of Salen‐DPCP‐1 brought a higher flame‐retardant efficiency to the EP, where the V‐0 rating in UL‐94 burning test and 31.5% of limiting oxygen index (LOI) were achieved. Meanwhile, total heat release, total smoke production, and total CO yield dramatically decreased by 28.1, 23.6, and 21.4%. In addition, these results basically reappeared when Salen‐DPCP‐2 were introduced into EP to obtain Salen‐DPCP‐2/EP composites. Chemical structure and morphology characterization of the carbon residue confirmed that Salen‐DPCPs improved the catalytic charring ability and the noncombustible gas releasing ability by the Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy technology. Therefore, it is an efficient strategy to develop novel Salen composites modified by flame‐retardant groups to improve the fire rating of polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48734.

Self‐lubricating microcapsules containing methyl silicone oil as core materials, were prepared with poly(melamine‐formaldehyde) as shell material by in situ polymerization method. Combining with synergistic effect of the short carbon fibers (SCFs) which were systematically treated by liquid‐phase oxidation and chemical grafting, they were simultaneously adopted as reinforcing additives to improve the tribological and mechanical properties of polyurethane materials. The tribological behaviors and mechanical properties of the polyurethane composites have been investigated by a block‐on‐ring wear tester and electronic universal testing machine, respectively. The results indicate that the friction coefficient and wear rate of polyurethane composites without SCFs significantly decreased with increased self‐lubricating microcapsule concentration from 2.5 to 10 wt % due to the release of methyl silicone oil; meanwhile, the polyurethane composites filled with 10 wt % microcapsule and 15 wt % SCFs not only exhibited the lowest friction and wear behaviors, but also improved mechanical strength and thermal stability of polyurethane composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45331.

An efficient phosphorous flame retardant rich in aromatic rings was synthesized and introduced into epoxy resin. The flame retardant properties of the resultant composites were studied, and the results were compared with those of 5 wt% tris(bis(4‐((diphenoxyphosphoryl)oxy)phenyl)methyl) benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (DHPP‐OH‐BAC), 10 wt% DHPP‐OH‐BAC and 15 wt.% DHPP‐OH‐BAC samples. The results showed that the 15% DHPP‐OH‐BAC sample had the best flame retardancy effect, a limiting oxygen index of 33.6%, and UL‐94 V‐0 level. A cone calorimeter experiment showed that the addition of flame retardant can significantly reduce the amount of smoke and heat. Macroscopic digital photographs, scanning electron micrographs and thermogravimetric analysis results further revealed that DHPP‐OH‐BAC can exhibit high char yields. The flame retardancy mechanism of DHPP‐OH‐BAC was preliminarily shown by pyrolysis‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The test results show that a high‐efficiency phosphorous flame retardant rich in aromatic rings was successfully developed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E406–E413, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers

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