Treatment Response With Potassium-competitive Acid Blockers Based on Clinical Phenotypes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is typically managed based on the clinical phenotype. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) in patients with various clinical GERD phenotypes. Methods: Core databases were searched for studies comparing PCABs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in clinical GERD phenotypes of erosive reflux disease (ERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), PPI-resistant GERD and night-time heartburn. Additional analysis was performed based on disease severity and drug dosage, and pooled efficacy was calculated. Results: In 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the initial treatment of ERD, the risk ratio for healing with PCABs versus PPIs was 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04-1.13) at 2 weeks and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00-1.07) at 8 weeks, respectively. PCABs exhibited a significant increase in both initial and sustained healing of ERD compared to PPIs in RCTs, driven particularly in severe ERD (Los Angeles grade C/D). In 3 NERD RCTs, PCAB was superior to placebo in proportion of days without heartburn. Observational studies on PPI-resistant symptomatic GERD reported symptom frequency improvement in 86.3% of patients, while 90.7% showed improvement in PPIresistant ERD across 5 observational studies. Two RCTs for night-time heartburn had different endpoints, limiting meta-analysis. Pronounced hypergastrinemia was observed in patients treated with PCABs. Conclusions: Compared to PPIs, PCABs have superior efficacy and faster therapeutic effect in the initial and maintenance therapy of ERD, particularly severe ERD. While PCABs may be an alternative treatment option in NERD and PPI-resistant GERD, findings were inconclusive in patients with night-time heartburn.

Important Role of Ion Flux Regulated by Separators in Lithium Metal Batteries.

Polyolefin separators are the most common separators used in rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion batteries. However, the influence of different polyolefin separators on the performance of Li metal batteries (LMBs) has not been well studied. By performing particle injection simulations on the reconstructed three-dimensional pores of different polyethylene separators, it is revealed that the pore structure of the separator has a significant impact on the ion flux distribution, the Li deposition behavior, and consequently, the cycle life of LMBs. It is also discovered that the homogeneity factor of Li-ion toward Li metal electrode is positively correlated to the longevity and reproducibility of LMBs. This work not only emphasizes the importance of the pore structure of polyolefin separators but also provides an economic and effective method to screen favorable separators for LMBs.

Facile Dual-Protection Layer and Advanced Electrolyte Enhancing Performances of Cobalt-free/Nickel-rich Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Despite cobalt (Co)-free/nickel (Ni)-rich layered oxides being considered as one of the promising cathode materials due to their high specific capacity, their highly reactive surface still hinders practical application. Herein, a polyimide/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PI/PVP, denoted as PP) coating layer is demonstrated as dual protection for the LiNi0.96Mg0.02Ti0.02O2 (NMT) cathode material to suppress surface contamination against moist air and to prevent unwanted interfacial side reactions during cycling. The PP-coated NMT (PP@NMT) preserves a relatively clean surface with the bare generation of lithium residues, structural degradation, and gas evolution even after exposure to air with ∼30% humidity for 2 weeks compared to the bare NMT. In addition, the exposed PP@NMT significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of graphite||NMT cells by preventing byproducts and structural distortion. Moreover, the exposed PP@NMT achieves a high capacity retention of 86.7% after 500 cycles using an advanced localized high-concentration electrolyte. This work demonstrates promising protection of Co-free/Ni-rich layered cathodes for their practical usage even after exposure to moist air.

A Micrometer-Sized Silicon/Carbon Composite Anode Synthesized by Impregnation of Petroleum Pitch in Nanoporous Silicon.

Porous silicon (Si)/carbon nanocomposites have been extensively explored as a promising anode material for high-energy lithium (Li)-ion batteries (LIBs). However, shrinking of the pores and sintering of Si in the nanoporous structure during fabrication often diminishes the full benefits of nanoporous Si. Herein, a scalable method is reported to preserve the porous Si nanostructure by impregnating petroleum pitch inside of porous Si before high-temperature treatment. The resulting micrometer-sized Si/C composite maintains a desired porosity to accommodate large volume change and high conductivity to facilitate charge transfer. It also forms a stable surface coating that limits the penetration of electrolyte into nanoporous Si and minimizes the side reaction between electrolyte and Si during cycling and storage. A Si-based anode with 80% of pitch-derived carbon/nanoporous Si enables very stable cycling of a Si||Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 (NMC532) battery (80% capacity retention after 450 cycles). It also leads to low swelling in both particle and electrode levels required for the next generation of high-energy LIBs. The process also can be used to preserve the porous structure of other nanoporous materials that need to be treated at high temperatures.

Lithium Dendrite Suppression with a Silica Nanoparticle-Dispersed Colloidal Electrolyte.

Developing a safe and long-lasting lithium (Li) metal battery is crucial for high-energy applications. However, its poor cycling stability due to Li dendrite formation and excessive Li pulverization is the major hurdle for its practical applications. Here, we present a silica (SiO2) nanoparticle-dispersed colloidal electrolyte (NDCE) and its design principle for suppressing Li dendrite formation. SiO2 nanoclusters in the NDCE play roles in enhancing the Li+ transference number and increasing the Li+ diffusivity in the vicinity of the Li-plating substrate. The NDCE enables less-dendritic Li plating by manipulating the nucleation-growth mode and extending Sand's time. Moreover, SiO2 can interplay with the electrolyte components at the Li-metal surface, enriching fluorinated compounds in the solid electrolyte interface layer. The initial control of the Li plating morphology and SEI structure by the NDCE leads to a more uniform and denser Li deposition upon subsequent cycling, resulting in threefold enhancement of the cycle life. The efficacy of the NDCEs has been further demonstrated by the practical battery design, featuring a commercial-level cathode and thin Li-metal (40 µm) anode.

Correction: Highly lithium-ion conductive battery separators from thermally rearranged polybenzoxazole.

Correction for 'Highly lithium-ion conductive battery separators from thermally rearranged polybenzoxazole' by Moon Joo Lee et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 2068-2071.

Highly lithium-ion conductive battery separators from thermally rearranged polybenzoxazole.

High power density lithium ion battery (HLIB) separators were fabricated for the first time from thermally rearranged poly(benzoxazole-co-imide) (TR-PBOI) nanofibrous membranes coated with TR-PBOI nanoparticles, which show distinct thermal and dimensional stabilities as well as excellent cycle retention and rate capability.

One-pot template-free synthesis of monodisperse hollow hydrogel microspheres and their resulting properties.

Monodisperse poly(methacrylic acid/ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) (MAA/EGDMA) hollow microcapsules, which exhibit pH-responsive behavior, are prepared by diffusion of cationic surfactants and hydrophobic interaction. During the association of the negatively charged hydrogel microspheres and an oppositely charged surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTA(+)B), the hydrophobic polymer-surfactant complexes that form are separated from the internal water; consequently, a hollow structure can be formed. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, UV spectro-scopy and zeta potential are employed to study the formation of the hollow structure during the diffusion of the cationic surfactant. The controlled release behavior of methylene blue as a model drug from the as-prepared poly(MAA/EGDMA) microcapsules with a hollow structure is investigated under different pH conditions. The hollow structure can be retained, even during repetitive pH changes.

Monodisperse conducting colloidal dipoles with symmetric dimer structure for enhancing electrorheology properties.

This study introduces an electrorheological (ER) approach that allows us to obtain remarkably enhanced ER properties by using monodisperse colloidal dimer particles. Two sets of colloidal particles, which are spheres and symmetric dimers, were synthesized employing the seeded polymerization technique. The aspect ratio of dimer particles was ~1.43. Then, the surface of the particles was coated with polyaniline by using the chemically oxidative polymerization method. After preparation of the particle suspensions having the same particle volume and concentration, their ER behavior was investigated with changing the electric field strength. At the same experimental condition, both shear stress and shear yield stress of the dimer particle suspension remarkably increased, compared with those of the spherical particle suspension. This attributes to the fact that the shape anisotropy of suspending particles effectively led to increase in the dipole moment under the electric field, thus resulting in formation of a well-structured colloidal chains between the electrodes.