The development of hollow multishelled structure: from the innovation of synthetic method to the discovery of new characteristics

Abstract

Hollow multishelled structure (HoMS) is one of the most promising multifunctional structures. The high complexity of its structure makes the general and controllable synthesis of HoMS rather challenging. By integration of multidisciplinary knowledge, a great achievement in HoMSs has been obtained in the past decade. Especially, the developed sequential templating approach has significantly boomed the progress of HoMS in composition and structure diversity and application area. The implementation of the temporal-spatial ordering in HoMS makes it indispensable in solving the key scientific problems in energy conversion, catalysis and drug delivery areas. Further development in HoMSs with novel intricate structures will bring new understandings. In this review, we systematically introduce the development history of HoMSs, summarize the inspiration inherited from the previous research on hollow structures, and discuss the milestones in the development of HoMSs, with a focus on the sequential templating approach for HoMS fabrication, attractive temporal-spatial ordering property and dynamic smart behavior for advanced applications. We hope to reveal the inherent relationship between the precise synthesis of HoMS and its highly tunable compositional and structural characteristics, and point out its future direction to boost HoMS area further.

Synthesis of heterostructured dual metal sulfides by a high-temperature mixing hydrothermal method as an ultra-high rate anode for Li-ion batteries

“…As the major rechargeable battery in the energy-storage field, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been extensively utilized for luggable electronics, smart grids, and aerospace engineering because of their environmental friendliness, superior cycling durability and high energy density. [1][2][3][4][5] However, the low specific capacity of a commercially available graphite anode is approximately 372 mA h g −1 , which can hardly meet the development requirements of high-performance LIBs. 6 Therefore, anode materials with superior rate capability and cycling durability are important for next-generation LIBs.…”

Hierarchical Tantalum Oxide Composite for Efficient Solar-Driven Water Purification

“…In this work, α-Ta 2 O 5 /C yolk–shell (α-Ta 2 O 5 /C YS) with a sub-micrometer structure was successfully synthesized by using a hydrothermal calcination process. − Because of the disordered atomic arrangement and unique hierarchical hollow structures, the amorphous Ta 2 O 5 /C YS exhibited a higher heat concentration and enhanced capillary diffusion properties, with the highest evaporation rate of up to 3.54 kg m –2 h –1 and 91% solar-heat conversion efficiency. Furthermore, it maintained good stability for up to 15 days without a decrease in activity.…”

Progress and Perspectives of Hollow Multishelled Structures

“…[ 3‐5 ] Impressively, mass could transport through a HoMS in a temporal‐spatial sequence, that's HoMS possesses unique temporal‐spatial ordering characteristics (Figure 1). [ 1,6 ] What's more, HoMS could mimic the key characteristics of living biological cells, such as to evolve, or to metabolize, that's performing dynamic smart behaviors. Due to these favorable properties, HoMS has been widely explored in various application areas, showing great promise as candidates for energy storage, electromagnetic wave absorption, catalysis, sensor, drug delivery, and so on.…”