The metallic phase MoS₂ (1T-MoS₂) supported metal-nanocatalyst is an appealing material system for accelerating the redox kinetics of non-aqueous Li | |O₂ batteries. However, the drawbacks associated with the surface orbital steric effect and the internal electron coupling results in a detrimental effect for the stability of 1T-MoS₂, especially for the interface charge transfer. This makes it difficult to incorporate guest metal nanoparticles without compromising the 1 T phase support. To circumvent these issues, here we propose a p-block element (In-O) doping strategy to stabilize the 1 T phase MoS₂ by moderating the surface orbital steric effect and strengthening the internal chemical bonding, and thus for the epitaxial Ru nanocatalyst graft on the stabilized 1T-MoS₂ for Li | |O₂ batteries. The experimental and theoretical analyzes indicate that the In-O-MoS₂@Ru enhances the O₂ dissociation and facilitates the adsorption of LiO₂ intermediates. This effect promotes the growth of weakly crystalline Li₂O₂ films during oxygen reduction reaction, which can be more easily decomposed during the oxygen evolution reaction, thereby enhancing the bifunctional-catalytic kinetics. When employed at the positive electrode for non-aqueous Li | |O₂ batteries, In-O-MoS₂@Ru shows an overpotential of 0.37 V and a cycling life of 284 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹ with a final discharge specific capacity of 1000 mAh g⁻¹ at 25 °C.

Temperature is a critical parameter that can significantly influence the outcome of the redox reactions. However, determining the temperature-dependent properties of redox couples is often time-consuming and susceptible to inconsistencies. In this work, we present a temperature-controlled electrochemical station capable of acquiring electrochemical measurements under preprogrammed conditions to extract key thermodynamic parameters. We demonstrate the functionality of this system using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to determine the activation energies of the [Fe­(CN)₆]^3–/^4– redox couple and the hydrogen evolution reaction on platinum and gold electrodes. Additionally, we illustrate automated cyclic voltammetry data acquisition for [Fe­(CN)₆]^3–/^4–, [Ru­(NH₃)₆]²⁺/³⁺, benzoquinone, and anthraquinone. By analyzing the temperature-dependent shifts in E _1/2, we calculated the entropy changes and thermogalvanic coefficients of these systems. Furthermore, we examined the entropy variations of ferricyanide in mixed aqueous–organic electrolytes, highlighting the role of solvation reconfiguration. The versatility of this setup offers a robust and efficient platform for the rapid characterization of temperature-dependent redox properties, with implications for energy conversion and sensing applications.

Spectroscopy is an integral part of chemical research, and the operation of any spectroscopic instrument is critical in chemical education. This study presents a low-cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) style spectrophotometer system that can be adapted for UV-Vis, fluorimetry, and atomic emission applications. The DIY system is constructed with commonly available hardware and 3D-printed parts, totaling less than $50. Python code is also provided to process the color spectrum image into intensity vs. wavelength data, similar to any commercial-level instrument. The functionality of the DIY spectrometer is demonstrated with the absorption of KMnO₄, fluorescence of fluorescein, and atomic emission of LiCl, NaCl, BaCl₂, and SrCl₂. All the collected spectra show accurate results compared to a commercial instrument or existing literature. The goal of this project is to provide a hands-on platform for undergraduate students to see and modify the individual components of a spectrophotometer, which will enhance their understanding of the underlying principles.