Self-assembled monolayer regulates lithium nucleation and growth for stable lithium metal anodes

Morphological Evolution of Carbon Quantum Dots to Carbon Nanoneedles and N/F Codoping as an Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Electrochemistry

“…CQDs offer a high degree of graphitic nature, thereby providing exceptional electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, all of which are critical factors in enhancing catalytic reactions and adsorption processes. ,− Moreover, CQDs bring diverse physicochemical properties, including good biocompatibility, distinctive optical characteristics, cost-effectiveness, superior electron-transfer ability, and, more importantly, plenty of surface functional groups, such as −OH, −COOH, and −NH 2 , which stimulate heteroatom doping of more active sites, hence setting them apart from conventional carbon materials. , Strategic engineering of CQDs can be tailored to specific morphologies and crystallographic alignments, yielding the creation of exceptionally active catalytic sites. , CQDs can be prepared using a variety of carbon-rich precursors and synthesis methods. , The choice of precursor and method can significantly influence the properties of the resulting CQDs. − Hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, microwave-assisted synthesis, pyrolysis, electrochemical synthesis, and laser ablation are some common methods for preparing CQDs. − Additionally, through meticulous investigation into the integration of heteroatoms within a CQD structure, researchers have revealed transformative structural modifications that hold significant potential for creating high-performance ORR catalysts . Introducing heteroatoms through doping induces structural defects, redistributes electronic charge density, and alters spin densities in the carbon lattice, profoundly impacting the morphology and electrochemical behavior. , This precise modulation of carbon materials, by incorporating elements like nitrogen (N), fluorine (F), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), or boron (B), enhances their efficacy in catalyzing ORR. − Studies on the structural investigations of CQDs with heteroatom doping remain unexplored, and it is worth exploring for electrochemical applications with more theoretical insight. , The careful selection of heteroatom types based on electronegativity differences and the synthesis steps introducing heteroatoms in CQDs plays a key factor in designing efficient ORR catalysts. ,− …”