Application of polyamide 56 nanofiber membrane loaded with coffee grounds carbon dots in Fe detection.

One novel nanofiber membrane was fabricated which could detect Fe with the help of either fluorescence spectrometer or smartphone. Coffee grounds carbon dots (CCDs) were prepared by the solvent-thermal method, followed by the fabrication of CCDs/polyamide 56 (PA56) composite nanofiber membrane through electrospinning process. The 4 % CCDs/PA56 composite nanofiber membrane (FNM4) maintained good fluorescence performance (λ = 554 nm, λ = 470 nm) even after 5-runs quenching-recovery cycles.

Ultrasensitive airflow sensor prepared by electrostatic flocking for sound recognition and motion monitoring.

Recently, airflow sensors have attracted great attention due to their unique characteristics. However, the preparation of high-performance airflow sensors extraordinarily simple, controllable and cost-effective methods remains a great challenge. Herein, inspired by the fluff system of the spider, an ultrasensitive fluffy-like airflow sensor with carbon fibers (CFs) uniformly and firmly planted on the surface of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibrous substrate has been easily fabricated using electrostatic flocking technology.

Construction of a ratiometric phosgene probe by chromophore formation from auxochrome.

A new fluorescent probe for ratiometric detection of phosgene is reported. This probe was constructed with classic 1,8-naphthalimide and 2-(2-aminophenyl)benzimidazole by Ullmann coupling reaction. After exposure to phosgene, yellow fluorescence weakened while blue fluorescence enhanced significantly.

Fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with excellent shape memory and ultraviolet-shielding behavior the introduction of tea polyphenols.

Shape-memory hydrogels are expected to be used not only in an ordinary environment, but also in some special environments, such as under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Developing novel shape-memory polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tea polyphenol (TP) hydrogels with UV shielding performance is realistically important in application fields. Herein, we designed functional PVA/TP hydrogels with excellent UV-shielding ability and improved the shape memory on hot water stimuli.

Cone-shaped titanate immobilized on polyacrylonitrile nanofibers: hierarchical architecture for effective photocatalytic activity.

A new photocatalytic composite material, based on flexible functional polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (denoted as f-PAN NF), was developed by depositing composite layers of α-TiO and cone-shaped titanate (HTiO·3HO) successively. The α-TiO coated on f-PAN NF as a seed accelerated the nucleation of titanate. Cone-shaped titanate deposited on α-TiO@f-PAN NF tightly at 35 °C with the assistance of cyanuric acid via Ostwald ripening.

Polystyrene-heterojunction semiconductor composite spheres prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis process: a recyclable photocatalyst under visible light irradiation for removing organic dyes from aqueous solution.

A composite photocatalyst, with a BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction supported on carboxyl polystyrene spheres, was prepared using a two step hydrothermal reaction method. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the polystyrene microspheres were covered with smaller-sized BiOI microspheres, while nano-sized TiO2 particles were deposited on the surface of the flower-like BiOI microspheres.

Fluorine-Free Superhydrophobic Coatings with pH-induced Wettability Transition for Controllable Oil-Water Separation.

We present a simple, environmentally friendly approach to fabricating superhydrophobic coatings with pH-induced wettability transition. The coatings are prepared from a mixture of silica nanoparticles and decanoic acid-modified TiO2. When the coating is applied on cotton fabric, the fabric turns superhydrophobic in air but superoleophilic in neutral aqueous environment.

Preparation and luminescence properties of La6MoO12:Eu3+/PVA nanofibers by Pechini/electrospinning process.

The 20% concentration Eu3+-based red-emitting phosphor, nano-sized La6MoO12:Eu3+ was prepared by the Pechini method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL), and decay curves were used to characterize the resulting samples. The phosphor can be efficiently excited by near UV light and exhibits an intense red luminescence corresponding to the electric dipole transition 5D0 --> 7F2 at 615 nm.