A hybrid anode based on SnS nanosheets bonded with reduced graphene oxide (SnS NS/RGO) and synthesized with graphene oxide is formed through a facile solvothermal method. It is found that the 2D SnS nanosheets with few layers are well dispersed on the crumpled reduced graphene oxide surface. Electrochemical tests indicate that the SnS NS/RGO hybrid exhibits a very high reversible capacity (791 mA h g⁻¹) with excellent cycle stability and significantly enhanced rate capability. The factors contributing to the enhanced electrochemical performance of the hybrid anode can be ascribed to the chemically bonded interface between SnS NS and RGO, creating effective charge transportation with electron coupling in the novel two-dimensional composite nanostructure. This work provides insights into the structural design of SnS-based hybrid electrode materials, which will be important for the future development of high performance electrode materials.

A series of SnS nanocrystals with tunable morphology and sheet thickness have been prepared through a solvothermal method and by introducing selective additives to the solution. Such SnS nanocrystals exhibit hierarchical hollow structures of SnS nanoflowers assembled from nanosheets. The formation of the SnS hollow micro-flowers is based on an inside–out Ostwald ripening mechanism. By adjusting the additive and concentration, we can grow SnS nanosheets of about 14 nm thick, at which thickness the band gap of SnS can be expected to increase so as to give an opportunity to explore the structure-related novel properties and superior device performance. As one application for these SnS nanostructure, properties vs. morphology for lithium storage were investigated, and it is shown that the SnS porous spheres built with scale-like ultrathin nanosheets exhibited the best performance.

ZnS hollow nanospheres with porous shells were successfully fabricated by a simple one-pot template-free hydrothermal route with the assistance of trolamine. The hollow nanospheres with a mean diameter of about 220 nm and the pore size of the porous shell of about 3.2 nm exhibit large BET surface areas of 129.9 m² g⁻¹. The formation of ZnS hollow nanospheres was definitely driven by the well-known Ostwald ripening process. The morphology of the product could be controlled by adjusting the volume of trolamine in the ternary solution, which could influence the nucleation density and rate of the growing region during the initial stage of reaction. As synthesized, highly defective nanocrystalline ZnS exhibits a very strong defect-related green emission, which may pertain to the emission enhancement of the unique geometrical morphology of ZnS hollow nanospheres with a porous shell. The observed green PL emission of the wurtzite-type ZnS nanomaterials could provide an interesting application in the development of novel luminescent devices.

In an effort to improve the surface properties of electrical contact materials in terms of high friction coefficient and wear rate, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films containing different metal elements were prepared on stainless steel substrates using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. In the present study, the effect of current-carrying on DLC film, Cu-doped DLC film (Cu/DLC), and Ti-doped DLC film (Ti/DLC) is reported. The structure and mechanical properties of the films were characterized systematically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectra; these methods were also used to analyze the initial surface of the films. Moreover, the tribological behaviors of the films sliding against AISI 52100 steel with and without an electric current (1 A) applied were investigated using a tribometer with ball-on-disc configuration in an atmospheric environment. The results demonstrated that the friction coefficients of DLC and Cu/DLC under current-carrying condition were decreased, whereas Ti/DLC showed opposite experimental results. The wear rate of the films with a current was higher than that without a current. Therefore, this study is meaningful to understand the tribological behaviors of microelectromechanical systems.

Mono-dispersed, spherical and core/shell structure aluminum nanopowders (ANPs) were produced massively by high energy ion beam evaporation (HEIBE). And the number weighted average particle size of the ANPs is 98.9 nm, with an alumina shell (3–5 nm). Benefiting from the passivation treatment, the friction, impact and electrostatic spark sensitivity of the ANPs are almost equivalent to those of aluminum micro powders. The result of TG-DSC indicates the active aluminum content of ANPs is 87.14%, the enthalpy release value is 20.37 kJ/g, the specific heat release S₁/Δm₁* (392–611 °C) which determined the ability of energy release is 19.95 kJ/g. And the value of S₁/Δm₁* is the highest compared with ANPs produced by other physical methods. Besides, the ANPs perfectly compatible with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), 3 wt. % of ANPs were used in HTPB propellant replaced micron aluminum powders, and improved the burning rate in the 3–12 MPa pressure range and reduced the pressure exponential by more than 31% in the 3–16 MPa pressure range. The production technology of ANPs with excellent properties will greatly promote the application of ANPs in the field of energetic materials such as propellant, explosive and pyrotechnics.