Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Hollow CoSx Nanoarray Coupled with NiFe Layered Double Hydroxides as Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting.

For effective hydrogen production by water splitting, it is essential to develop earth-abundant, highly efficient, and durable electrocatalysts. Herein, the authors report a bifunctional electrocatalyst composed of hollow CoSx and Ni-Fe based layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) nanosheets for efficient overall water splitting (OWS). The optimized heterostructure is obtained by the electrodeposition of NiFe LDH nanosheets on metal-organic framework-derived hollow CoSx nanoarrays, which are supported on nickel foam (H-CoSx @NiFe LDH/NF). The unique structure of the hybrid material not only provides ample active sites, but also facilitates electrolyte penetration and gas release during the reactions. Additionally, the strong coupling and synergy between the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) active CoSx and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) active NiFe LDH gives rise to the excellent bifunctional properties. Consequently, H-CoSx @NiFe LDH/NF exhibits remarkable HER and OER activities with overpotentials of 95 and 250 mV, respectively at 10 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH. Even at 1.0 A cm-2 , the electrode requires small overpotentials of 375 mV (for HER) and 418 mV (for OER), respectively. An electrolyzer based on H-CoSx @NiFe LDH/NF demonstrates a low cell voltage of 1.98 V at a current density of 300 mA cm-2 and good durability for 100 h in OWS application.

Enteritis cystica profunda with lipoma in the second portion of the duodenum: a case report.

Enteritis cystica profunda (ECP), a rare and benign condition, is defined as the displacement of the glandular epithelium into the submucosa and more profound layers of the small intestinal wall leading to the formation of mucin-filled cystic spaces. ECP frequently occurs in the ileum or jejunum and is associated with diseases such as Crohn disease and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. ECP also develops in the absence of known pathology. ECP in the duodenum is very rare and mostly occurs without associated conditions. In this report, we present a rare case of ECP without an associated disease, in the second portion of the duodenum distal to the ampulla of Vater and coexisting with lipoma within the polypoid lesion.

Carbon-Coated Three-Dimensional MXene/Iron Selenide Ball with Core-Shell Structure for High-Performance Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Two-dimensional (2D) MXenes are promising as electrode materials for energy storage, owing to their high electronic conductivity and low diffusion barrier. Unfortunately, similar to most 2D materials, MXene nanosheets easily restack during the electrode preparation, which degrades the electrochemical performance of MXene-based materials. A novel synthetic strategy is proposed for converting MXene into restacking-inhibited three-dimensional (3D) balls coated with iron selenides and carbon. This strategy involves the preparation of Fe2O3@carbon/MXene microspheres via a facile ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and subsequent selenization process. Such 3D structuring effectively prevents interlayer restacking, increases the surface area, and accelerates ion transport, while maintaining the attractive properties of MXene. Furthermore, combining iron selenides and carbon with 3D MXene balls offers many more sites for ion storage and enhances the structural robustness of the composite balls. The resultant 3D structured microspheres exhibit a high reversible capacity of 410 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g-1 in potassium-ion batteries, corresponding to the capacity retention of 97% as calculated based on 100 cycles. Even at a high current density of 5.0 A g-1, the composite exhibits a discharge capacity of 169 mAh g-1.

Remote Control of Time-Regulated Stretching of Ligand-Presenting Nanocoils In Situ Regulates the Cyclic Adhesion and Differentiation of Stem Cells.

Native extracellular matrix (ECM) can exhibit cyclic nanoscale stretching and shrinking of ligands to regulate complex cell-material interactions. Designing materials that allow cyclic control of changes in intrinsic ligand-presenting nanostructures in situ can emulate ECM dynamicity to regulate cellular adhesion. Unprecedented remote control of rapid, cyclic, and mechanical stretching ("ON") and shrinking ("OFF") of cell-adhesive RGD ligand-presenting magnetic nanocoils on a material surface in five repeated cycles are reported, thereby independently increasing and decreasing ligand pitch in nanocoils, respectively, without modulating ligand-presenting surface area per nanocoil. It is demonstrated that cyclic switching "ON" (ligand nanostretching) facilitates time-regulated integrin ligation, focal adhesion, spreading, YAP/TAZ mechanosensing, and differentiation of viable stem cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging reveals magnetic switching "ON" (stretching) and "OFF" (shrinking) of the nanocoils inside animals. Versatile tuning of physical dimensions and elements of nanocoils by regulating electrodeposition conditions is also demonstrated. The study sheds novel insight into designing materials with connected ligand nanostructures that exhibit nanocoil-specific nano-spaced declustering, which is ineffective in nanowires, to facilitate cell adhesion. This unprecedented, independent, remote, and cytocompatible control of ligand nanopitch is promising for regulating the mechanosensing-mediated differentiation of stem cells in vivo.

Conversion Reaction Mechanism of Ultrafine Bimetallic Co-Fe Selenides Embedded in Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres and Their Excellent K-Ion Storage Performance.

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are considered as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to the abundance and affordability of potassium. However, the development of suitable electrode materials that can stably store large-sized K ions remains a challenge. This study proposes a facile impregnation method for synthesizing ultrafine cobalt-iron bimetallic selenides embedded in hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres (HMCSs) as superior anodes for KIBs. This involves loading metal precursors into HMCS templates using a repeated "drop and drying" process followed by selenization at various temperatures, facilitating not only the preparation of bimetallic selenide/carbon composites but also controlling their structures. HMCSs serve as structural skeletons, conductive templates, and vehicles to restrain the overgrowth of bimetallic selenide particles during thermal treatment. Various analysis strategies are employed to investigate the charge-discharge mechanism of the new bimetallic selenide anodes. This unique-structured composite exhibits a high discharge capacity (485 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 200 cycles) and enhanced rate capability (272 mA h g-1 at 2.0 A g-1 ) as a promising anode material for KIBs. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of various nanostructures, from hollow to frog egg-like structures, obtained by adjusting the selenization temperature, are compared.

MOF-Derived CoSe2@N-Doped Carbon Matrix Confined in Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres as High-Performance Anodes for Potassium-Ion Batteries.

In this work, a novel vacuum-assisted strategy is proposed to homogenously form Metal-organic frameworks within hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres (HMCSs) via a solid-state reaction. The method is applied to synthesize an ultrafine CoSe2 nanocrystal@N-doped carbon matrix confined within HMCSs (denoted as CoSe2@NC/HMCS) for use as advanced anodes in high-performance potassium-ion batteries (KIBs). The approach involves a solvent-free thermal treatment to form a Co-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) within the HMCS templates under vacuum conditions and the subsequent selenization. Thermal treatment under vacuum facilitates the infiltration of the cobalt precursor and organic linker into the HMCS and simultaneously transforms them into stable ZIF-67 particles without any solvents. During the subsequent selenization process, the "dual confinement system", composed of both the N-doped carbon matrix derived from the organic linker and the small-sized pores of HMCS, can effectively suppress the overgrowth of CoSe2 nanocrystals. Thus, the resulting uniquely structured composite exhibits a stable cycling performance (442 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 120 cycles) and excellent rate capability (263 mAh g-1 at 2.0 A g-1) as the anode material for KIBs.

Hierarchical Tubular-Structured MoSe2 Nanosheets/N-Doped Carbon Nanocomposite with Enhanced Sodium Storage Properties.

Intimately coupled carbon/molybdenum-based hierarchical nanostructures are promising anodes for high-performance sodium-ion batteries owing to the combined effects of the two components and their robust structural stability. Mo-polydopamine (PDA) complexes are appealing precursors for the preparation of various Mo-based nanostructures containing N-doped carbon (NC). A facile method for the fabrication of hierarchical tubular nanocomposites with intimately coupled MoSe2 and NC nanosheets has been developed, which involves the preparation of Mo-PDA hybrid nanotubes through a chemical route followed by two heat treatments. The strong coupling between Mo anions and the catechol groups in dopamine not only restricts the crystallite size but also inhibits agglomeration during selenization, resulting in few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets embedded in hierarchical NC substrates. The as-synthesized nanotube composites are constructed by assembling primary MoSe2 /NC nanosheets. This unique structure not only increases the number of active sites but also shortens the diffusion length of ions and enhances the electronic conductivity of electrode materials. The as-synthesized hierarchical MoSe2 /NC nanotubes deliver a high capacity of 429 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after the 150th cycle when used as anodes in sodium-ion batteries. Furthermore, at a high current density of 10 A g-1 , a high discharge capacity of 236 mAh g-1 is achieved.

MicroRNAs associated with microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma and their prognostic impacts in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

Although microvascular invasion (McVI) has prognostic value for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone hepatic resection, few studies have investigated the relationship between McVI and the aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). The present study identified the miRNAs that were selectively expressed in HCC with McVI and investigated their prognostic value. Clinical data and the miRNA expression profiles of 372 patients with HCC were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. miRNAs that were differentially expressed between patients with McVI and those without vascular invasion (VI) were identified and investigated as potential prognostic factors for HCC. The results demonstrated that McVI was a significant predictor of shortened recurrence-free survival (RFS). The 3 year RFS rate in patients with HCC accompanied by McVI was 28.2 and 49.3% in HCC without VI (P<0.001). miRNA-141/-582/-9 were upregulated, while miRNA-675 was downregulated in patients with McVI when compared with HCC patients without VI. Log2 fold-changes of miRNA-141/-582/-675/-9 were 0.80 [false discovery rate (FDR), 0.005], 0.55 (FDR, 0.045), -0.99 (FDR, 0.005) and 1.22 (FDR, <0.001), respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the overexpression of miR-141/-582/-9 was significantly associated with poor RFS and a poor overall survival. A text mining analysis revealed that these miRNAs were significantly associated with multifaceted hallmarks of cancer, including 'invasion and metastasis'. In conclusion, the overexpression of miRNA-141/-582/-9 was associated with McVI and a poor survival in patients undergoing hepatic resection for HCC.

Significantly different expression levels of microRNAs associated with vascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma and their prognostic significance after surgical resection.

BACKGROUND: Although gross vascular invasion (VI) has prognostic significance in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone hepatic resection, few studies have investigated the relationship between gross VI and aberrant expression of microribonucleic acids (miRNAs and miRs). Thus, the objective of this study was to identify miRNAs selectively expressed in HCC with gross VI and investigate their prognostic significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible two datasets (accession number: GSE20594 and GSE67140) were collected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information's (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to compare miRNAs expression between HCC with and without gross VI. Differentially expressed miRNAs were externally validated using expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Prognostic significance and predicted functions of selected miRNAs for HCC were also investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-five miRNAs were differentially expressed between HCC with and without gross VI in both datasets. Among them, three miRNAs were validated using TCGA database. miR-99a, miR-100, and miR-148a were downregulated to a greater extent in patients with HCC and gross VI than in those with HCC but no gross VI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed discriminatory power of these miRNAs in predicting gross VI. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that types of surgery, advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and low expression of miR-100-5p were independently associated with tumor recurrence. It also revealed that types of surgery, advanced TNM stage, low expression of miR-100-5p and miR-148a-3p were independent risk factors for overall survival (OS) after hepatic resection for HCC. A text mining analysis revealed that these miRNAs were linked to multifaceted hallmarks of cancer, including "invasion and metastasis." CONCLUSIONS: Low expressions of miR-100-5p and miR-148a-3p were associated with gross VI and poor survival of patients after hepatic resection for HCC.

Advances in the synthesis and design of nanostructured materials by aerosol spray processes for efficient energy storage.

The increasing demand for energy storage has motivated the search for highly efficient electrode materials for use in rechargeable batteries with enhanced energy density and longer cycle life. One of the most promising strategies for achieving improved battery performance is altering the architecture of nanostructured materials employed as electrode materials in the energy storage field. Among numerous synthetic methods suggested for the fabrication of nanostructured materials, aerosol spray techniques such as spray pyrolysis, spray drying, and flame spray pyrolysis are reliable, as they are facile, cost-effective, and continuous processes that enable the synthesis of nanostructured electrode materials with desired morphologies and compositions with controlled stoichiometry. The post-treatment of spray-processed powders enables the fabrication of oxide, sulfide, and selenide nanostructures hybridized with carbonaceous materials including amorphous carbon, reduced graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, etc. In this article, recent progress in the synthesis of nanostructured electrode materials by spray processes and their general formation mechanisms are discussed in detail. A brief introduction to the working principles of each spray process is given first, and synthetic strategies for the design of electrode materials for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, lithium-selenium, and lithium-oxygen batteries are discussed along with some examples. This analysis sheds light on the synthesis of nanostructured materials by spray processes and paves the way toward the design of other novel and advanced nanostructured materials for high performance electrodes in rechargeable batteries of the future.

Recent Advances in Aerosol-Assisted Spray Processes for the Design and Fabrication of Nanostructured Metal Chalcogenides for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Increasing demand for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), one of the most feasible alternatives to lithium ion batteries (LIBs), has resulted because of their high energy density, low cost, and excellent cycling stability. Consequently, the design and fabrication of suitable electrode materials that govern the overall performance of SIBs are important. Aerosol-assisted spray processes have gained recent prominence as feasible, scalable, and cost-effective methods for preparing electrode materials. Herein, recent advances in aerosol-assisted spray processes for the fabrication of nanostructured metal chalcogenides (e.g., metal sulfides, selenides, and tellurides) for SIBs, with a focus on improving the electrochemical performance of metal chalcogenides, are summarized. Finally, the improvements, limitations, and direction of future research into aerosol-assisted spray processes for the fabrication of various electrode materials are presented.

A Salt-Templated Strategy toward Hollow Iron Selenides-Graphitic Carbon Composite Microspheres with Interconnected Multicavities as High-Performance Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

In this work, a facile salt-templated approach is developed for the preparation of hollow FeSe2 /graphitic carbon composite microspheres as sodium-ion battery anodes; these are composed of interconnected multicavities and an enclosed surface in-plane embedded with uniform hollow FeSe2 nanoparticles. As the precursor, Fe2 O3 /carbon microspheres containing NaCl nanocrystals are obtained using one-pot ultrasonic spray pyrolysis in which inexpensive NaCl and dextrin are used as a porogen and carbon source, respectively, enabling mass production of the composites. During post-treatment, Fe2 O3 nanoparticles in the composites transform into hollow FeSe2 nanospheres via the Kirkendall effect. These rational structures provide numerous conductive channels to facilitate ion/electron transport and enhance the capacitive contribution. Moreover, the synergistic effect between the hollow cavities within FeSe2 and the outstanding mechanical strength of the porous carbon matrix can effectively accommodate the large volume changes during cycling. Correspondingly, the composite microsphere exhibits high discharge capacity of 510 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g-1 with capacity retention of 88% when calculated from the second cycle. Even at a high current density of 5.0 A g-1 , a high discharge capacity of 417 mA h g-1 can be achieved.

[Anisakiasis Induced Segmental Jejunum Obstruction].

Human anisakiasis is a disease caused by an infestation of the third stage larvae of family anisakidae. The ingested larvae invade the gastrointestinal wall, causing clinical symptoms that include abdomen pain, nausea, and vomiting. Although enteric anisakiasis is extremely rare, it can induce intestinal obstruction. We report a case in which emergency surgery was needed due to intestinal obstruction that coincided with symptoms related to anisakiasis, along with a brief literature review.

Three-dimensional porous microspheres comprising hollow Fe2O3 nanorods/CNT building blocks with superior electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries.

It is highly desirable to develop anode materials with rational architectures for lithium ion batteries to achieve high-performance electrochemical properties. In this study, three-dimensional porous composite microspheres comprising hollow Fe2O3 nanorods/carbon nanotube (CNT) building blocks are successfully constructed by direct deposition and further thermal transformation of beta-FeOOH nanorods on CNT porous microspheres. The CNT porous microsphere, which is prepared by a spray pyrolysis, provides ample sites for the direct growth of beta-FeOOH nanorods. During the further oxidation process, the beta-FeOOH nanorods are transformed into hollow Fe2O3 nanorods as a result of dehydroxylation and lattice shrinkage, resulting in the formation of hollow Fe2O3 nanorods/CNT porous microspheres. Such a hierarchical structure of composite microspheres not only facilitates electrolyte accessibility but also offers conductive networks for electrons during electrochemical reactions. Accordingly, the electrodes exhibit a high discharge capacity of 1307 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1; this is associated with an excellent capacity retention of 84%, which is calculated from the initial cycle. In addition, the composite delivers a discharge capacity of 703 mA h g-1 at a current density of 15 A g-1.

MOF-Templated N-Doped Carbon-Coated CoSe2 Nanorods Supported on Porous CNT Microspheres with Excellent Sodium-Ion Storage and Electrocatalytic Properties.

Three-dimensional (3D) porous microspheres composed of CoSe2@N-doped carbon nanorod-deposited carbon nanotube (CNT) building blocks (CoSe2@NC-NR/CNT) can be successfully synthesized using CNT/Co-based metal-organic framework (ZIF-67) porous microspheres as a precursor. This strategy involves the homogeneous coating of ZIF-67 polyhedrons onto porous CNT microspheres prepared by spray pyrolysis and further selenization of the composites under an Ar/H2 atmosphere. During the selenization process, the ZIF-67 polyhedrons on the CNT backbone are transformed into N-doped carbon-coated CoSe2 nanorods by a directional recrystallization process, resulting in a homogeneous deposition of CoSe2@NC nanorods on the porous CNT microspheres. Such a unique structure of CoSe2@NC-NR/CNT microspheres facilitates the transport of ions, electrons, and mass and provides a conductive pathway for electrons during electrochemical reactions. Correspondingly, the composite exhibits a superior dual functionality as both an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and an electrode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The CoSe2@NC-NR/CNT microspheres exhibit a small Tafel slope (49.8 mV dec-1) and a superior stability for HER. Furthermore, the composite delivers a high discharge capacity of 555 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g-1 and a good rate capability for SIBs.

Metal-Organic-Framework-Derived N-Doped Hierarchically Porous Carbon Polyhedrons Anchored on Crumpled Graphene Balls as Efficient Selenium Hosts for High-Performance Lithium-Selenium Batteries.

Developing carbon scaffolds showing rational pore structures as cathode hosts is essential for achieving superior electrochemical performances of lithium-selenium (Li-Se) batteries. Hierarchically porous N-doped carbon polyhedrons anchored on crumpled graphene balls (NPC/CGBs) are synthesized by carbonizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)/CGB composite precursor, producing an unprecedented effective host matrix for high-performance Li-Se batteries. Mesoporous CGBs obtained by one-pot spray pyrolysis are used as a highly conductive matrix for uniform polyhedral ZIF-8 growth. During carbonization, ZIF-8 polyhedrons on mesoporous CGBs are converted into N-doped carbon polyhedrons showing abundant micropores, forming a high-surface-area, high-pore-volume hierarchically porous NPC/CGB composite whose small unique pores effectively confine Se during melt diffusion, thereby providing conductive electron pathways. Thus, the integrated NPC/CGB-Se composite ensures high Se utilization originating from complete electrochemical reactions between Se and Li ions. The NPC/CGB-Se composite cathode exhibits high discharge capacities (998 and 462 mA h g-1 at the 1st and 1000th cycles, respectively, at a 0.5 C current density), good capacity retention (68%, calculated from the 3rd cycle), and excellent rate capability. A discharge capacity of 409 mA h g-1 is achieved even at an extremely high (15.0 C) current density.

Prognostic significance of microvascular invasion in tumor stage for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The presence of microvascular invasion (McVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been proposed as a cause of recurrence and poor survival, although this has not been officially emphasized in staging systems. Thus, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate the prognostic importance of McVI in tumor staging in patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC at our center from 1994 to 2012. Patients with HCC were classified into four groups based on the presence of McVI and extent of gross vascular invasion (VI). RESULTS: The 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates of 676 patients were 63.3 and 42.6%, respectively. There was no difference in tumor recurrence or survival rate between patients with HCC and McVI without gross VI and those with gross VI confined to segmental/sectional branches. Multivariate analysis revealed that the extent of VI based on the presence of McVI and gross VI was independently associated with tumor recurrence and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: McVI was revealed to be an important risk factor similar to gross VI confined to a segmental/sectional branch in patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection. This finding should be considered when estimating the stage for prognosis.

Conditional Survival Analysis Demonstrates that Recurrence Risk of Surgically Treated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Evolves with Time.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate long-term change in tumor recurrence risk in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatic resection. Recurrence probability over time was estimated by conditional survival (CS) analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Early-stage HCC patients with hepatic resection were selected for inclusion from our surgery database. Variables predictive of tumor recurrence were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. Five-year recurrence-free CS probability was calculated for all patients and for risk groups stratified by independent predictors. RESULTS: In this series of 436 patients, tumor size >5 cm, microvascular invasion, positive resection margin, liver cirrhosis, and a indocyanine green retention ratio at 15 min (ICG-R15) >20% were independently predictive of tumor recurrence. The estimated 5-year recurrence-free CS probability improved with each additional year of recurrence-free survival, and the improvement was significantly greater in the high-risk than in the low- or intermediate-risk groups. CONCLUSION: CS provides added value during follow-up of early-stage HCC patients treated by surgical resection.

Rational Design and Synthesis of Extremely Efficient Macroporous CoSe2 -CNT Composite Microspheres for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Uniquely structured CoSe2 -carbon nanotube (CNT) composite microspheres with optimized morphology for the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) are prepared by spray pyrolysis and subsequent selenization. The ultrafine CoSe2 nanocrystals uniformly decorate the entire macroporous CNT backbone in CoSe2 -CNT composite microspheres. The macroporous CNT backbone strongly improves the electrocatalytic activity of CoSe2 by improving the electrical conductivity and minimizing the growth of CoSe2 nanocrystals during the synthesis process. In addition, the macroporous structure resulting from the CNT backbone improves the electrocatalytic activity of the CoSe2 -CNT microspheres by increasing the removal rate of generated H2 and minimizing the polarization of the electrode during HER. The CoSe2 -CNT composite microspheres demonstrate excellent catalytic activity for HER in an acidic medium (10 mA cm-2 at an overpotential of ≈174 mV). The bare CoSe2 powders exhibit moderate HER activity, with an overpotential of 226 mV at 10 mA cm-2 . The Tafel slopes for the CoSe2 -CNT composite and bare CoSe2 powders are 37.8 and 58.9 mV dec-1 , respectively. The CoSe2 -CNT composite microspheres have a slightly larger Tafel slope than that of commercial carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles, which is 30.2 mV dec-1 .

MoSe2 Embedded CNT-Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Microsphere with Superior Sodium Ion Storage and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performances.

Highly porous MoSe2-reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotube (MoSe2-rGO-CNT) powders were prepared by a spray pyrolysis process. The synergistic effect of CNTs and rGO resulted in powders containing ultrafine MoSe2 nanocrystals with a minimal degree of stacking. The initial discharge capacities of MoSe2-rGO-CNT, MoSe2-CNT, MoSe2-rGO, and bare MoSe2 powders for sodium ion storage were 501.6, 459.7, 460.2, and 364.0 mA h g-1, respectively, at 1.0 A g-1. The MoSe2-rGO-CNT composite powders had superior cycling and rate performances compared with the MoSe2-CNT, MoSe2-rGO composite, and bare MoSe2 powders. The electrocatalytic activity of MoSe2-rGO-CNT in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was also compared with that of MoSe2-CNT, MoSe2-rGO, and bare MoSe2. MoSe2-rGO-CNT composite powders exhibited an overpotential of 0.24 V at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, which was less than that of MoSe2-CNT (0.26 V at 10 mA cm-2), MoSe2-rGO (0.32 V at 10 mA cm-2), and bare MoSe2 (0.33 V at 10 mA cm-2). Tafel slopes for the MoSe2-rGO-CNT, MoSe2-CNT, MoSe2-rGO, and bare MoSe2 powders were 53, 76, 86, and 115 mV dec-1, respectively. Because a large electrochemical surface area and ultrafine MoSe2 nanocrystals, the MoSe2-rGO-CNT composite possesses more active sites than the MoSe2-CNT, MoSe2-rGO composite, and bare MoSe2 powders with extensive stacking and large crystalline size, which provide greater catalytic HER activity.