Boron-Doped TiCT MXene for Effective and Durable High-Current-Density Ammonia Synthesis.

Ammonia (NH) synthesis via the nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) offers a competitive strategy for nitrogen cycling and carbon neutrality; however, this is hindered by the poor NORR performance under high current density. Herein, it is shown that boron-doped TiCT MXene nanosheets can highly efficiently catalyze the conversion of NORR-to-NH at ambient conditions, showing a maximal NH Faradic efficiency of 91% with a peak yield rate of 26.2 mgh mg , and robust durability over ten consecutive cycles, all of them are comparable to the best-reported results and exceed those of pristine TiCT MXene.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and consequent radiological hazard in different brands of commercialized bottled mineral water produced in China.

As one of the drinking water quality parameters, natural radioactivity parameters are recommended to prevent a potential health threat to the public. In this study, the gross-α and gross-β activity concentrations in 15 different brands of commercial bottled mineral water consumed in China were analyzed to evaluate the quality and corresponding health impact on the population. The activity concentrations of gross-α and gross-β in different samples varied from 4.

Hybrid Fullerene-Based Electron Transport Layers Improving the Thermal Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells.

The structure-dependent thermal stability of fullerene electron transport layers (ETLs) and its impact on device stability have been underrated for years. Based on cocrystallographic understanding, herein, we develop a thermally stable ETL comprising a hybrid layer of [6,6]-phenyl-C-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and [6,6]-phenyl-C-propylbenzene (PCPB). By tuning the weight ratios of PCBM and PCPB to influence the noncovalent intermolecular interactions and packing of fullerene derivatives, we obtained a champion device based on the 20PCPB (20 wt % addition of PCPB into the mixture of PCBM/PCPB) ETL and excellent thermal stability of 500 h under 85 °C thermal aging in a N atmosphere in the dark.

Elucidating the restructuring-induced highly active bimetallic Pt-Co/KL catalyst for the aromatization of n-heptane.

A bimetallic Pt-Co/KL catalyst was fabricated via the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method and demonstrated to be highly active and stable for the aromatization of n-heptane at a low temperature (420 °C), which is due to the restructured Pt-Co clusters providing unique catalytic sites and the enhanced electron-donating properties of the catalyst.

Enhancing Performance and Uniformity of Perovskite Solar Cells via a Solution-Processed C Interlayer for Interface Engineering.

Although some kinds of semiconductor metal oxides (SMOs) have been applied as electron selective layers (ESLs) for planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs), electron transfer is still limited by low electron mobility and defect film formation of SMO ESLs fabricated via low-temperature solution process. Herein, the C interlayer between TiO and (HC(NH)PbI)(CHNHPbCl) is prepared by spin-coating and low-temperature annealing for planar n-i-p PSCs. The resultant TiO/C ESL shows good surface morphology, efficient electron extraction, and facilitation of high-quality perovskite film formation, which can be attributed to the suitable nanosize and the superior electronic property of C molecules.

Free-Standing Thin Webs of Activated Carbon Nanofibers by Electrospinning for Rechargeable Li-O2 Batteries.

Free-standing activated carbon nanofibers (ACNF) were prepared through electrospinning combining with CO2 activation and then used for nonaqueous Li-O2 battery cathodes. As-prepared ACNF based cathode was loosely packed with carbon nanofibers complicatedly overlapped. Owing to some micrometer-sized pores between individual nanofibers, relatively high permeability of O2 across the cathode becomes feasible.

Lithium Sulfur Primary Battery with Super High Energy Density: Based on the Cauliflower-like Structured C/S Cathode.

The lithium-sulfur primary batteries, as seldom reported in the previous literatures, were developed in this work. In order to maximize its practical energy density, a novel cauliflower-like hierarchical porous C/S cathode was designed, for facilitating the lithium-ions transport and sulfur accommodation. This kind of cathode could release about 1300 mAh g(-1) (S) capacity at sulfur loading of 6 ~ 14 mg cm(-2), and showed excellent shelf stability during a month test at room temperature.

Carbon-Free CoO Mesoporous Nanowire Array Cathode for High-Performance Aprotic Li-O2 Batteries.

Although various kinds of catalysts have been developed for aprotic Li-O2 battery application, the carbon-based cathodes are still vulnerable to attacks from the discharge intermediates or products, as well as the accompanying electrolyte decomposition. To ameliorate this problem, the free-standing and carbon-free CoO nanowire array cathode was purposely designed for Li-O2 batteries. The single CoO nanowire formed as a special mesoporous structure, owing even comparable specific surface area and pore volume to the typical Super-P carbon particles.

Transfer of Ephedra genomic DNA to yeasts by ion implantation.

The genomic DNA from Ephedra glauca was randomly transferred to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula anomala by argon and nitrogen ion implantation. Through repeated subculturing and using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis to quantify the concentrations of the secondary metabolites, l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, 12 recombinant strains of genetically stable yeast were obtained, each using glucose as a carbon source, NaNO3 as a nitrogen source and producing l-ephedrine and/or d-pseudoephedrine. After culturing in liquid medium for 72 h, extracellular l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine concentrations of 18.