Efficient catalytic sulfur conversion in aqueous zinc-sulfur batteries mediated by iodide-coupled ether groups.

A novel aqueous electrolyte incorporating tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (G4) and trace amounts of ZnI (HSG-I) is presented to enhance the sulfur conversion reversibility. G4 improves kinetics, stabilizes the interfaces, and enables uniform zinc deposition. Crucially, G4's ether groups coordinate I, mediating reversible I/I transformation to ensure efficient sulfur redox chemistry.

Evolution of the microstructure of amorphous polyethylene under friction-induced plastic flows: A reactive molecular investigation.

The plastic flow of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) at a frictional interface, which is critical to the wear behavior, was investigated by reactive molecular dynamics simulations. The UHMWPE substrate was found to experience various deformations during the friction process. First, some polyethylene (PE) chains could detach from the substrate because of their rapid movement.