Synchrotron Light Research Institute

Solid-state lithium batteries (SSLBs) offer improved safety and stability over conventional liquid-electrolyte systems but often suffer from sluggish ion transport and poor interfacial contact within the cathode. To address these limitations, we investigate the incorporation of nanosized Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 (nano-LLZTO) particles into a LiFePO4 cathode to enhance ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance. Finite element method simulations and experiments reveal that downsizing LLZTO from the microscale to the nanoscale substantially enhances Li+ flux uniformity and ionic conductivity (6.48 × 10-5 S cm-1 vs 1.03 × 10-5 S cm-1), forming more continuous ion-transport networks. The LiFePO4/nano-LLZTO cathode exhibits reduced polarization, higher Coulombic efficiency (99.6%), and superior high-rate capability compared with the microsized LLZTO counterpart, achieving 144 mAh g-1 at 1C. Cross-sectional analyses confirm that nano-LLZTO forms homogeneous interfacial coatings, improving ionic percolation and mitigating transport bottlenecks. In situ X-ray absorption near edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure analyses further confirm enhanced redox reversibility and structural stability of Fe sites. Consequently, the LiFePO4/nano-LLZTO composite cathode retains 95% of its initial capacity (154 mAh g-1) after 200 cycles at 0.2C and 25 °C. This work demonstrates that reducing LLZTO particle size effectively enhances the cathode ion-transport network and ionic conductivity, thereby improving the rate capability and cycling stability of LiFePO4-based SSLBs.

ABSTRACTFicus carica L. leaves represent an underutilized agricultural byproduct despite growing consumer interest in functional foods. Four fig leaf cultivars representing diverse geographic origins (BTM, Black Violet, Longue d'Aout, and Sultane) were compared to investigate drying temperature (50°C–80°C) effects on bioactivity through water extraction. The extract demonstrating superior antioxidant activity was subsequently evaluated for safety using cell‐based cytotoxicity testing. Bioactive profiling assessed total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with principal component analysis (PCA) accomplished cultivar discrimination. Cell‐based cytotoxicity testing via 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay evaluated safety on Caco‐2, HepG2, and THLE‐2 cells. Results identified 60°C as the optimal drying temperature across all cultivars (p < 0.05). Longue d'Aout demonstrated superior bioactivity: TPC = 53.8 mg GAE/g extract, DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) IC50 = 0.96 mg/mL. Higher temperatures (70°C–80°C) significantly reduced bioactivity. Conversely, ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) revealed cultivar‐specific temperature responses. FTIR‐PCA successfully discriminated cultivars with 96.8% accuracy (PC‐1: 85%, PC‐2: 7%). All extracts demonstrated excellent safety (IC50 = 7–15.3 mg/mL, safety factor 70–1530×). Selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells emerged: HepG2 (IC50 = 7 mg/mL) versus hepatocytes THLE‐2 (IC50 = 15.3 mg/mL), showing 2.18‐fold selectivity. FTIR achieved 96.8% discrimination accuracy for quality control. Water‐based extraction assessment confirmed excellent safety profiles in normal hepatocytes and selective cancer cell toxicity. Superior bioactivity and excellent safety profiles validate fig leaf extracts as safe functional food ingredients, warranting investigation into their potential anti‐cancer mechanisms.

Driven by environmental concerns and associated health risks, the chemical sensing of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives (PAH derivatives) has gained critical importance for monitoring organic pollutants.

In this work, we report the synthesis of aluminum-doped Na4–xVMn1–xAlx(PO4)3/C cathodes via a solid-state reaction and evaluate their structural and electrochemical performances for sodium-ion batteries. Structural analyses reveal that Al incorporation modifies both the long-range lattice and the local coordination of V and Mn sites. Electrochemical results show that although the specific capacity varies nonlinearly with Al content, moderate Al substitution yields smoother voltage profiles, reduced polarization, and markedly enhanced cycling stability, with doped electrodes retaining over 92% of their initial capacity after 500 cycles at 2C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further clarify that Al substitution distorts the MnO6 and VO6 octahedra and alters V–O and Mn–O bonding through modified cation–oxygen hybridization. The projected density of states (PDOS) and Bader charge analyses reveal pronounced charge redistribution around V atoms, accounting for the merged redox potentials and improved structural stability. Overall, electrochemically inactive Al3+ substitution effectively stabilizes the NASICON framework and mitigates phase transitions, offering atomic-level insights for the design of durable, high-performance sodium-ion batteries.