Fast‐Charging Phosphorus Anodes Enabled by Fluorinated Weakly Solvated Electrolytes for Stable and High‐Rate Lithium Storage
A universal weakly-solvated electrolyte design principle is established for phosphorus-based anodes through systematic evaluation. Based on this criterion, the fluorinated solvent of FEC emerges as the optimal co-solvent, effectively suppressing the dissolution of lithium polyphosphides while enhancing desolvation/charge-transfer kinetics and simultaneously fostering a stable inorganic-rich SEI layer. This rational strategy addresses critical interfacial challenges in high-performance phosphorus-based battery systems.
Abstract
hosphorus-based anodes hold promise for energy storage due to their high theoretical capacity and favorable lithiation potential. However, their practical application is hindered by sluggish reaction kinetics and irreversible capacity loss, primarily attributed to multiphase lithiation/delithiation reactions and the dissolution of lithium polyphosphide intermediates. Herein, a universal design principle of weakly solvated electrolytes (WSEs) tailored for phosphorus-based anodes is proposed. Combined with a high dielectric constant, and significant dipole moment, a fluorinated cosolvent is incorporated into a WSE to effectively suppress the dissolutions of lithium polyphosphides, enhance interfacial stability, and accelerate reaction kinetics. With this electrolyte, a phosphorus-based anode achieves a remarkable capacity of 2615.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 1C, maintaining 91.7% capacity retention over 1000 cycles. Even at a high rate of 4 C, it delivers 2210.7 mAh g⁻¹ with an exceptional retention of 96.7% after 1500 cycles. Furthermore, at 0 °C, the anode sustains a capacity of 2016.7 mAh g⁻¹, with 97% retention after 300 cycles at 1C. This study provides a novel electrolyte design strategy to regulate the solvation sheath, paving the way for high-rate, long-cycle phosphorus-based anodes suitable for fast-charging applications.
Enhanced redox kinetics for hydrogen peroxide photosynthesis in high-concentration by encapsulating porphyrin metal–organic frameworks with phenolic resin
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01295C, PaperHouwei He, Zhongliao Wang, Jinfeng Zhang, Shavkat Mamatkulov, Olim Ruzimuradov, Kai Dai, Jingxiang Low, Yue Li
Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production (PHP) represents a promising strategy for substituting the anthraquinone process, yet the sluggish redox kinetics causes strong oxidizing superoxide intermediate rapid accumulation, resulting in poor...
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Sodium/Potassium Poly(heptazine imide) with Electron Sink Effect for Hydrogen Peroxide Photosynthesis
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00652J, PaperXiao Fang, Bonan Li, Jiao Huang, Chunlian Hu, Xu Yang, Pengfei Feng, Xiaoyu Dong, Junhao Wu, Yuanyuan Li, Yong Ding
Artificial photosynthesis is a potential hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production strategy, but the poor charge separation and transfer limit the photocatalytic efficiency. Here, the sodium/potassium poly(heptazine imide) (NaK-PHI) photocatalyst with the...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry
A Surface-to-Interface Boronation Engineering Strategy Stabilizing the O/Mn Redox Chemistry of Lithium-Rich Manganese based Oxides towards High Energy-Density Cathodes
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE04857A, PaperMingzhe Yang, Tongle Chen, gongrui Wang, Xiaofeng Li, Yangyang Liu, Xuanxuan Ren, Ying Zhang, Lu Wu, Li Song, Juncai Sun, Zhong-Shuai Wu
Lithium-rich manganese-based oxides (LRMOs) are promising high-specific-energy cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) but face issues of voltage decay and poor cyclability rooted in ireversible O/Mn redox. Herein we present...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry
Self‐Assembled Monolayer Interface with Reconstructed Hydrogen‐Bond Network for Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction
This work proposes a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with reconstructed hydrogen-bond network to form an efficient three-phase interface that facilitates CO2 mass transport and maintained an ideal H+/e− transfer pathway. The optimized catalyst maintains a high current density of 502.5 mA cm−2 with over 85% C2+ Faradaic efficiency and operated very stably.
Abstract
CO2 electrolysis is a promising approach to reduce CO2 emissions while achieving high-value multi-carbon (C2+) products. Except for the key role of electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), Reaction microenvironment is another critical factor influencing catalytic performance for these catalysts. Herein, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is proposed with reconstructed hydrogen-bond network to form an efficient three-phase interface that admins mass transport and ion-electron transfer. This approach is realized by co-assembly of the fluorinated SAM (F-SAM) and siloxane on commercial Cu catalyst (Cu@F-Si composite catalyst). Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) and interfacial species analysis show that the F-SAM effectively facilitates CO2 mass transport, while the siloxane hydrogen bond network maintains an ideal H+/e− transfer pathway. Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, this strategy reveals the mechanism by which optimizing *H/*CO coverage enhances C2+ product selectivity. Ultimately, the Cu@F-Si catalyst maintains a high current density of 502.5 mA cm−2 with over 85% C2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) and operates stably for more than 100 h at ≈300 mA cm−2. This interface engineering strategy offers a promising solution for improving the efficiency of CO2RR, with broader applications in multiphase catalytic systems.
A Perspective on the Origin of High‐Entropy Solid Electrolytes
This perspective critically examines HE approaches in SEs, highlighting how compositional complexity induces system disorder and local-structure evolution to enhance stability and properties. While HE concepts are attractive, establishing rigorous structure-property relationships requires further investigation. The discussion aims to guide future research in this promising field by clarifying key challenges and opportunities in HE-based electrolyte design.
Abstract
As the key material for the all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), solid electrolytes (SEs) have attracted increasing attention. Recently, a novel design strategy−high-entropy (HE) approach is frequently reported to improve the ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance of SEs. However, the fundamental understandings on the HE working mechanism and applicability evaluation of HE concept are deficient, which would impede the sustainable development of a desirable strategy to enable high-performance SEs. In this contribution, the essence of HE-related approaches and their positive effects on SEs are evaluated. The reported HE strategy stems from complex compositional regulations. The derived structural stability and enhanced property are originally from the modulated system disorder and subtle local-structure evolutions, respectively. While HE ardently describes the increased entropy/disorder during the modification of prevailing SEs, rigorous experimental formulations, and direct correlations between the HE structures and desired properties are necessary to be established. This perspective would be a timely and critical overview for the HE approaches in the context of SEs, aiming to stimulate further discussion and exploration in this emerging research direction.
Interlayer Design for Halide Electrolytes in All‐Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries
Halide solid electrolytes, an emerging family of materials, encounter anodic stability challenges that limit their application. By synthesizing Li3YbCl6 and Li3LuCl6 and incorporating a Li6PI3 interlayer, this study achieves lithium-stable halide electrolytes with reduced interface resistance and enhanced critical current density. These advancements pave the way for safer, high-energy-density batteries for electric transportation.
Abstract
All-solid-state lithium-metal batteries (ASSLMBs) are promising for transportation electrification due to their superior safety and high energy density. Lithium halide electrolytes provide excellent processing flexibility, high ionic conductivity, and anodic stability (>4.1 V), making them highly compatible with high-voltage cathodes, surpassing sulfide electrolytes (<2.1 V). Nevertheless, halide electrolytes suffer from low cathodic stability and form an electronically conductive interphase with lithium, resulting in a critical current density (CCD) of nearly zero. Herein, Li3YbCl6 electrolytes are synthesized that are kinetically stable with lithium by forming an electronic insulating solid electrolyte interphase. Guided by critical overpotential criteria, a PI3 interlayer is designed that transforms into Li6PI3 upon contact with lithium, substantially reducing the interfacial resistance of Li3YbCl6 against lithium to 34 Ω and achieving a high critical overpotential of 114 mV. By substituting Yb with Lu, Li3LuCl6 electrolytes with Li6PI3 interlayers reach a CCD of 1.0 mA cm−2 at a capacity of 1.0 mAh cm−2, comparable to sulfide electrolytes but with higher oxidation stability. Additionally, Li6PI3 enables stable cycling of Li//Li cells with Li3LuCl6 electrolytes at 0.5 mA cm−2 for 400 cycles and maintains 86.5% capacity in Li//LiCoO2 cells after 220 cycles at 30 °C, paving the way for high-performance ASSLMBs.
Fri 09 May 14:00: Photonic Pseudomagnetism and Landau Levels
When electrons moving in a two-dimensional plane are subject to a perpendicular magnetic field they move in circles called cyclotron orbits as a result of the Lorentz force. Treated quantum mechanically, these orbits become quantized like the orbitals of an atom, forming highly degenerate states called Landau levels. In this talk, I will show how we made photons “feel” a magnetic field and thus form Landau levels in a photonic crystal, despite the fact that photons carry no charge and thus cannot experience the Lorentz force. This increases the strength of interaction between light and matter, which has implications in quantum optics and integrated photonics. Time permitting, I will discuss the related topic of how edge states in a “Chern insulator” photonic crystal can be used to slow down light in a photonic chip over a wide bandwidth.
- Speaker: Mikael Rechtsman, Penn State
- Friday 09 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Gaurav.
Fri 26 Sep 08:45: CamVet Clinial Research Grants
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Bruno Lopes, Jose Novo Matos, and Tom Kearns, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Friday 26 September 2025, 08:45-10:00
- Venue: LT2.
- Series: Friday Morning Seminars, Dept of Veterinary Medicine; organiser: Fiona Roby.
Mon 26 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Annalaura Rebucci, MPI Leipzig
- Monday 26 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: MR13.
- Series: Partial Differential Equations seminar; organiser: Amelie Justine Loher.
Mon 12 May 14:00: Superdiffusivity for a diffusion in a critically-correlated incompressible random drift
We consider an advection-diffusion (or “passive scalar”) equation with a divergence-free vector field, which is a stationary random field exhibiting “critical” correlations. Predictions from physicists in the 80s state that, almost surely, this equation should behave like a heat equation at large scales, but with a diffusivity that diverges as the square root of the log of the scale. In joint work with Ahmed Bou-Rabee and Tuomo Kuusi, we give a rigorous proof of this prediction using an iterative quantitative homogenization procedure, which is a way of formalizing a renormalization group argument. The idea is to consider a scale decomposition of the vector field, and coarse-grain the equation, scale-by-scale. The random swirls of the vector field at each scale enhance the effective diffusivity. As we zoom out, we obtain an ODE for the effective diffusivity as a function of the scale, allow us to deduce that it diverges at the predicted rate. Meanwhile, new coarse-graining arguments allow us to rigorously integrate out the smaller scales in the equation and prove the result.
- Speaker: Scott Armstrong, Sorbonne Université
- Monday 12 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: MR13.
- Series: Partial Differential Equations seminar; organiser: Amelie Justine Loher.
Thu 15 May 11:30: Vertical mixing and associated biogeochemical fluxes via radium isotopes
The coastal ocean is a highly dynamic and vital biogeochemical mediator between land and sea. Coastal waters frequently experience poor water quality derived from land-based anthropogenic pressure, which is often attributed to surface water sources, such as rivers. Subsurface sources (e.g., submarine groundwater discharge, benthic fluxes), however, often rival or exceed river contributions to coastal water and chemical budgets. Yet subsurface sources are understudied because they are challenging to quantify.
In this talk, I will first give a broad overview on quantifying subsurface flows using U-Th series geochemical tracers (radium, radon). Then I will present an ecosystem-scale study across the Baltic Sea, where we used 224Ra to quantify vertical mixing across a largely hypoxic deep water column. We collected radium and solute (e.g., dissolved silicate) bottom water profiles from 50 stations along a ~5000 km cruise track in the Baltic Sea. 224Ra-derived vertical mixing rates were on the order of 10-4 m2/s, well-within range of previous local-scale estimates based on modeling and sediment core incubations. Diffusive solute fluxes were also similar in magnitude to previous studies. Overall, this talk will highlight an innovative method for quantifying diffusive fluxes and contextualize findings in terms of broader biogeochemical significance.
- Speaker: Tristan McKenzie, Uni of Gothenberg
- Thursday 15 May 2025, 11:30-12:30
- Venue: Open Plan Area, Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows, Madingley Rise CB3 0EZ.
- Series: Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows (IEEF); organiser: Catherine Pearson.
Fri 16 May 12:00: Measuring Political Bias in Large Language Models
Large language models (LLMs) are helping millions of users to learn and write about a diversity of issues. In doing so, LLMs may expose users to new ideas and perspectives, or reinforce existing knowledge and user opinions. This creates concerns about political bias in LLMs, and how these biases might influence LLM users and society. In my talk, I will first discuss why measuring political biases in LLMs is difficult, and why most evidence so far should be approached with skepticism. Using the Political Compass Test as a case study, I will demonstrate critical issues of robustness and ecological validity when applying such tests to LLMs. Second, I will present our approach to building a more meaningful evaluation dataset called IssueBench, to measure biases in how LLMs write about political issues. I will describe the steps we took to make IssueBench realistic and robust. Then, I will outline our results from testing state-of-the-art LLMs with IssueBench, including clear evidence for issue bias, striking similarities in biases across models, and strong alignment with Democrat over Republican voter positions on a subset of issues. Bio: Paul is a postdoctoral researcher in the MilaNLP Lab at Bocconi University, working on evaluating and improving the alignment and safety of large language models, as well as measuring their societal impacts. For his recent work in this area, he won Outstanding Paper at ACL and Best Paper at NeurIPS D&B. Before coming to Milan, Paul completed his PhD at the University of Oxford, where he worked on LLMs for hate speech detection. During his PhD, Paul also co-founded Rewire, a start-up building AI for content moderation, which was acquired by another large online safety company in 2023.
- Speaker: Paul Röttger (Bocconi University)
- Friday 16 May 2025, 12:00-13:00
- Venue: Room FW26 with Hybrid Format. Here is the Zoom link for those that wish to join online: https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/4751389294?pwd=Z2ZOSDk0eG1wZldVWG1GVVhrTzFIZz09.
- Series: NLIP Seminar Series; organiser: Suchir Salhan.
Thu 19 Jun 17:00: Title to be confirmed
=== Hybrid talk ===
Join Zoom Meeting https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/89856091954?pwd=Bba77QB2KuTideTlH6PjAmbXLO8HbY.1
Meeting ID: 898 5609 1954 Passcode: ITPtalk
- Speaker: Jujian Zhang (Imperial College London) and Arnaud Mayeux (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
- Thursday 19 June 2025, 17:00-18:00
- Venue: MR14 Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
- Series: Formalisation of mathematics with interactive theorem provers ; organiser: Anand Rao Tadipatri.
Thu 15 May 17:00: Completeness Theorems for Variations of Higher-Order Logic
Mike Gordon’s Higher-Order Logic (HOL) is one of the most important logical foundations for interactive theorem proving. The standard semantics of HOL , due to Andrew Pitts, employs a downward closed universe of sets, and interprets HOL ’s Hilbert choice operator via a global choice function on the universe.
In this talk, I introduce a natural Henkin-style notion of general model corresponding to the standard models. By following the Henkin route of proving completeness, I discover an enrichment of HOL deduction that is sound and complete w.r.t. these general models. Variations of my proof also yield completeness results for weaker deduction systems located between standard and (fully) enriched HOL deduction, relative to less constrained models.
=== Hybrid talk ===
Join Zoom Meeting https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/89856091954?pwd=Bba77QB2KuTideTlH6PjAmbXLO8HbY.1
Meeting ID: 898 5609 1954 Passcode: ITPtalk
- Speaker: Andrei Popescu (University of Sheffield)
- Thursday 15 May 2025, 17:00-18:00
- Venue: MR14 Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
- Series: Formalisation of mathematics with interactive theorem provers ; organiser: Anand Rao Tadipatri.
Thu 08 May 17:00: Algebraic Geometry in Mathlib
Algebraic geometry is the study of systems of polynomial equations, and more broadly, the interplay between commutative algebra and geometry. It is a field with a rich history and a modern foundation, drawing heavily on ring theory, topology, and category theory. Over the years, mathlib, the Lean 4 library of formalized mathematics, has developed a sizable body of algebraic geometry. In this talk, I will present an overview of the current state of the library, highlighting key developments, challenges encountered along the way, and the solutions we have adopted.
=== Hybrid talk ===
Join Zoom Meeting https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/89856091954?pwd=Bba77QB2KuTideTlH6PjAmbXLO8HbY.1
Meeting ID: 898 5609 1954 Passcode: ITPtalk
- Speaker: Andrew Yang (Imperial College, London)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 17:00-18:00
- Venue: MR14 Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
- Series: Formalisation of mathematics with interactive theorem provers ; organiser: Anand Rao Tadipatri.
Wed 07 May 13:00: The myth of the naïve empiricist CANCELLED
Abstract not available
CANCELLED
- Speaker: Michael Bycroft (University of Warwick)
- Wednesday 07 May 2025, 13:00-14:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 2, Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
- Series: CamPoS (Cambridge Philosophy of Science) seminar; organiser: Miguel Ohnesorge.
Fri 13 Jun 15:30: Science advice under uncertainty
In this session, Amy Orben, the leader of the Digital Mental Health Group at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, will talk about her experience of having to support evidence-based policy in the area of teen mental health and social media. Her vision on how this could be improved was described in Orben, Amy, and J. Nathan Matias, ‘Fixing the science of digital technology harms’, Science 388, no. 6743 (2025): 152–155.
- Speaker: Amy Orben (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit)
- Friday 13 June 2025, 15:30-17:00
- Venue: Seminar Room 1, Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
- Series: Coffee with Scientists; organiser: Marta Halina.
Fri 30 May 14:30: The Culture Lab
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Helene Scott-Fordsmand (Clare Hall & HPS, Cambridge) and Anatolii Kozlov (Science & Technology Studies, UCL)
- Friday 30 May 2025, 14:30-16:00
- Venue: Seminar Room 1, Department of History and Philosophy of Science.
- Series: Coffee with Scientists; organiser: Marta Halina.
Fri 09 May 10:00: Build-a-Bear for quantum computer architectures
A decade ago, with the first multiqubit quantum computing devices, the prevailing opinion was that a clear winner would emerge amongst them. Today, not only is there no clear winner, but there are even more viable hardware platforms and models of quantum computation that they can execute than ever before. As we approach the tail end of the NISQ era, we are seeing the emergence of numerous fundamentally different proposals of fault-tolerant, full-stack quantum computer architectures. The biggest challenge that quantum computer science faces is to take these “silos”, and assemble the pieces as necessary to build robust, practically useful quantum computers.
In this talk, we will dive into what it takes to achieve the "Write Once, Run Anywhere" paradigm in quantum computer science. We will focus on three pillars of semantic equivalence for quantum programs: 1) reconciling representations of quantum information, 2) computational reasoning for dynamic quantum protocols, and 3) zooming in and out of different abstraction layers. We will discuss examples of each pillar through advancements in quantum graphical calculi, quantum error correction, and quantum computer architectures.- Speaker: Lia Yeh (Oxford)
- Friday 09 May 2025, 10:00-11:00
- Venue: Computer Laboratory, William Gates Building, Room FW26.
- Series: Quantum Computing Seminar; organiser: Tom Gur.