Evolution of the network structure and voltage loss of anode electrode with the polymeric dispersion in PEM water electrolyzer.

Exploring the intrinsic relationship between the network structure and the performance of catalyst layer (CL) by rational design its structure is of paramount importance for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. This study reveals the relative effect of polymeric dispersion evolution on oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance and cell voltage loss and linked to CL network structure. The results show that although the dispersed particle size of the ionomer and ink increases with increasing the solubility parameter (δ) difference between the mixed solvent and the ionomer, MeOH-cat (ink from MeOH aqueous solution) has the largest ionomer and ink particle size resulting in the poorest stability, but has comparable OER overpotential to that of IPA-cat (249 mV@10 mA cm), which has the smallest dispersed size.

Texture Analysis of Chinese Dried Noodles during Drying Based on Acoustic-Mechanical Detection Methods.

To better understand the textural transformation of Chinese dried noodles during the drying process, a convenient acoustic-force detection method was established. By comparing the breaking point, it was possible to determine the time-scale correlation between the force-displacement curves and acoustic spectrograms. The acoustic eigenvalues showed a consistent upward trend with the mechanical parameters during the drying process.

Construction of catalyst layer network structure for proton exchange membrane fuel cell derived from polymeric dispersion.

A rational design of the structure of catalyst layer (CL) is required for proton exchange membrane fuel cells to attain outstanding performance and excellent stability. It is crucial to have a profound comprehension of the correlations existing between the properties (catalyst ink), network structures of CL and proton exchange membrane fuel cells' performance for the rational design of the structure of CL. This study deeply investigates the effects of a series of alcohol solvents on the properties and network structure of CL.

Pt Atomic Layers with Tensile Strain and Rich Defects Boost Ethanol Electrooxidation.

Surface and strain engineering are two effective strategies to improve performance; however, synergetic controls of surface and strain effects remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst with defect-rich Pt atomic layers coating an ordered PtSn intermetallic core. Pt atomic layers enable the generation of 4.

Recent Progress of Two-Dimensional Materials for Ultrafast Photonics.

Owing to their extraordinary physical and chemical properties, two-dimensional (2D) materials have aroused extensive attention and have been widely used in photonic and optoelectronic devices, catalytic reactions, and biomedicine. In particular, 2D materials possess a unique bandgap structure and nonlinear optical properties, which can be used as saturable absorbers in ultrafast lasers. Here, we mainly review the top-down and bottom-up methods for preparing 2D materials, such as graphene, topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and MXenes.

MXenes: synthesis, incorporation, and applications in ultrafast lasers.

The rapid expansion of nanotechnology and material science prompts two-dimensional (2D) materials to be extensively used in biomedicine, optoelectronic devices, and ultrafast photonics. Owing to the broadband operation, ultrafast recovery time, and saturable absorption properties, 2D materials become the promising candidates for being saturable absorbers in ultrafast pulsed lasers. In recent years, the novel 2D MXene materials have occupied the forefront due to their superior optical and electronic, as well as mechanical and chemical properties.