The electrochemical stability window of the electrolyte solution limits the energy content of non-aqueous lithium metal batteries. In particular, although electrolytes comprising fluorinated solvents show good oxidation stability against high-voltage positive electrode active materials such as LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ (NCM811), the ionic conductivity is adversely affected and, thus, the battery cycling performance at high current rates and low temperatures. To address these issues, here we report the design and synthesis of a monofluoride ether as an electrolyte solvent with Li-F and Li-O tridentate coordination chemistries. The monofluoro substituent (-CH₂F) in the solvent molecule, differently from the difluoro (-CHF₂) and trifluoro (-CF₃) counterparts, improves the electrolyte ionic conductivity without narrowing the oxidation stability. Indeed, the electrolyte solution with the monofluoride ether solvent demonstrates good compatibility with positive and negative electrodes in a wide range of temperatures (i.e., from −60 °C to +60 °C) and at high charge/discharge rates (e.g., at 17.5 mA cm⁻²). Using this electrolyte solution, we assemble and test a 320 mAh Li||NCM811 multi-layer pouch cell, which delivers a specific energy of 426 Wh kg⁻¹ (based on the weight of the entire cell) and capacity retention of 80% after 200 cycles at 0.8/8 mA cm⁻² charge/discharge rate and 30 °C.

A facile and versatile strategy was developed for the preparation of self-healing hydrogels containing double networks of both physically and chemically cross-linked polymers. The autonomous self-healing of the hydrogel was achieved through the dynamic bonding of physical cross-linking and the migration of ferric ions.

Here is reported the fabrication of a highly porous and hydrophobic melamine sponge based composite (MF-ZIF-8 sponge) with effective catalysis via the simple surface growth of ZIF-8 onto the strut surface of melamine sponge under the condition of the presence of polydopamine possessing a strong adhesive ability through noncovalent adsorption and covalent reaction. The successful integration of melamine sponge and ZIF-8 into one composite was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. Combining the advantages of both materials, MF-ZIF-8 sponge with a high porosity, high hydrophobicity and low density showed excellent oil/water separation performance as its mass-based oil absorption capacity could reach up to 3800 wt%, which is much higher than that of pure ZIF-8. Besides its more effective catalysis compared to the corresponding pure ZIF-8 in a Knoevenagel reaction, since MF-ZIF-8 sponge can be easily separated from the organic liquid reaction mixture it is a potential candidate for the catalysis of various organic reactions.