Jung‐Ki Park

Polydopamine-treated polyethylene (PE) separators for high-power lithium ion batteries are developed. A simple dipping process makes the PE surfaces hydrophilic and thus enhances the power capabilities remarkably compared to those of the control cases with bare PE separators. The original mechanical and thermal properties of the PE separators are preserved. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Conjugation of mussel-inspired catechol groups to various polymer backbones results in materials suitable as silicon anode binders. The unique wetness-resistant adhesion provided by the catechol groups allows the silicon nanoparticle electrodes to maintain their structure throughout the repeated volume expansion and shrinkage during lithiation cycling, thus facilitating substantially improved specific capacities and cycle lives of lithium-ion batteries.

An excellent cycle life (150 cycles with 80% retention) for lithium-metal anodes in lithium-ion batteries is achieved by employing mussel-inspired polydopamine-treated-polyethylene separators. This originates from the polydopamine coating, which enables a uniform ionic flux, as well as mussel-inspired catecholic adhesion of the separators onto the lithium surfaces. Additionally, the polydopamine coating improves the thermal-shrinkage properties of polyethylene separators.

This review demonstrates directional photofluidization lithography (DPL), which makes it possible to fabricate a generic and sophisticated micro/nanoarchitecture that would be difficult or impossible to attain with other methods. In particular, DPL differs from many of the existing micro/nanofabrication methods in that the post-treatment (i.e., photofluidization), after the preliminary fabrication process of the original micro/nanostructures, plays a pivotal role in the various micro/nanostructural evolutions including the deterministic reshaping of architectures, the reduction of structural roughness, and the dramatic enhancement of pattern resolution. Also, DPL techniques are directly compatible with a parallel and scalable micro/nanofabrication. Thus, DPL with such extraordinary advantages in micro/nanofabrication could provide compelling opportunities for basic micro/nanoscale science as well as for general technology applications.

A synergic combination of a soluble ­redox mediator and a protected Li metal ­electrode to prevent the self-discharge of the redox mediator is realized by ­exploiting a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl 1-oxyl (TEMPO) redox mediator and an Al2O3/PVdF-HFP composite ­protective layer (CPL). Stabilization of Li metal by simple CPL coating is effective at ­suppressing the chemical reduction of the oxidized TEMPO and opens up the possibility of sustainable redox mediation for robust cycling of Li–O2 batteries. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.