Suppression of Structural Heterogeneity in High-Entropy Intermetallics for Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Waste Plastics.

The key to fully realizing the potential of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) lies in balancing their inherent local chemical disordering with the long-range ordering required for electrochemical applications. Herein, we synthesized a distinctive L1-(PtIr)(FeMoBi) high-entropy intermetallics (HEIs) exhibiting nanoscale long-range order and atomic scale short-range disorder via a lattice compensation strategy to mitigate the entropy reduction tendency. The (PtIr)(FeMoBi) catalyst exhibited remarkable activity and selectivity of glycollic acid (GA) production via electrocatalytic waste polymer-derived ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR).

Integrating few-atom layer metal on high-entropy alloys to catalyze nitrate reduction in tandem.

While high-entropy alloy (HEA) catalysts seem to have the potential to break linear scaling relationships (LSRs) due to their structural complexity, the weighted averaging of properties among multiple principal components actually makes it challenging to diverge from the symmetry dependencies imposed by the LSRs. Herein, we develop a 'surface entropy reduction' method to induce the exsolution of a component with weak affinity for others, resulting in the formation of few-atom-layer metal (FL-M) on the surface of HEAs. These exsolved FL-M surpass the confines of the original configurational space of conventional HEAs, and collaborate with the HEA substrate, serving as geometrically separated active sites for multiple intermediates in a complex reaction.

On-surface synthesis and characterization of anti-aromatic cyclo[12]carbon and cyclo[20]carbon.

Cyclo[n]carbons have recently attracted significant attention owing to their geometric and electronic structures remaining largely unexplored in the condensed phase. In this work, we focus on two anti-aromatic cyclocarbons, namely C and C. By designing two fully halogenated molecular precursors both including 4-numbered rings, we further extend the on-surface retro-Bergman ring-opening reaction, and successfully produce C and C.

Fabrication of Swellable Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Polymers for CO-Assisted Hydration of Propylene Epoxide.

Swelling is a very common phenomenon in organic substances. However, the swelling behaviors of inorganic substances had rarely been reported. In this study, a new type of swellable organic-inorganic hybrid polymer (PIL@CHT) was designed and successfully synthesized through free-radical copolymerization of polymerizable phosphonium ionic liquid monomer and vinyl-functionalized hydrotalcite (CHT).

Synthesis of Triblock Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers with Well-Defined Structure and Its Dispersing Performance in β-Hemihydrate Gypsum.

In this work, a novel ABA-type triblock polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCEs) with well defined molecular structures were designed and synthesized, firstly, by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, to explore the structure-property relationship PCEs in the β-hemihydrate gypsum (β-HH) system. Three PCEs with the same molecular weight and different structure were obtained by changing the feed ratio of the RAFT agent, initiator, and monomer. The effect of the chemical structure of PCEs on their dispersing property and water reduction capacity were assessed in gypsum by measuring the flowability of pastes and the adsorption ability of PCEs on gypsum.

Interlaminar Shear Characteristics of Typical Polyurethane Mixture Pavement.

Polyurethane (PU) can be used as a road material binder, and its mechanical properties, durability, temperature stability, and other road performance metrics are good. However, the interlayer bonding between PU mixtures and asphalt mixtures is poor. The influence of the pavement structure, interlayer treatment scheme, load, and environmental factors on the interlayer shear characteristics of PU mixture composite pavement is analysed.

Hybrid Lithographic Arbitrary Patterning of TiO Nanorod Arrays.

In this work, we report a hybrid lithographic method that combines the top-down soft lithography and the bottom-up hydrothermal approach for growing single-crystalline TiO nanorod arrays with arbitrary patterns. The arbitrary patterns of TiO seeds were obtained through the microcontact printing of the TiO seed precursor onto Si substrates using prepatterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as stamps, followed by a baking process. Afterward, TiO nanorod arrays were selectively grown on patterned TiO seeds through conventional hydrothermal methods.

Unraveling the electronegativity-dominated intermediate adsorption on high-entropy alloy electrocatalysts.

High-entropy alloys have received considerable attention in the field of catalysis due to their exceptional properties. However, few studies hitherto focus on the origin of their outstanding performance and the accurate identification of active centers. Herein, we report a conceptual and experimental approach to overcome the limitations of single-element catalysts by designing a FeCoNiXRu (X: Cu, Cr, and Mn) High-entropy alloys system with various active sites that have different adsorption capacities for multiple intermediates.

Effects of Valence States of Working Cations on the Electrochemical Performance of Sodium Vanadate.

Supercapacitors have received much attention as large-scale energy storage devices for high power density and ultralong cycling life. In this work, sodium vanadate NaVO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanocables with deficient bridge oxygen at the interface (denoted Vo-PNVO) have been tailored for supercapacitors through the polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and studied using three different electrolytes. Experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that all Na, Zn, and Al ions appear as hydrates in aqueous solutions but insert into the crystal structure as Na ions and Zn-HO and Al-HO hydrates, respectively.

Synthesis, Characterizations and Applications of Fluoroazaphosphatranes.

Haloazaphosphatranes are the halogenated parents of proazaphosphatranes, also known as Verkade's superbase. While the synthesis of iodo-, bromo- and chloroazaphosphatranes was reported more than thirty years ago by J. G.

Reaction Mechanism of CO and Styrene Oxide Catalyzed by Ionic Liquids: A Combined DFT Calculation and Experimental Study.

Bioactive compound 3-aryl-2-oxazolidinone could be synthesized by a green method mixing carbon dioxide, aniline, and ethylene oxide. Our group previously proposed a parallel mechanism for this conversion catalyzed by ionic liquids. Recently, a new study on a similar reaction system of styrene oxide, carbon dioxide, and aniline under the catalysis of KPO gave a different serial mechanism.

A Concentration Gradients Tunable Generator with Adjustable Position of the Acoustically Oscillating Bubbles.

It is essential to control concentration gradients at specific locations for many biochemical experiments. This paper proposes a tunable concentration gradient generator actuated by acoustically oscillating bubbles trapped in the bubble channels using a controllable position based on the gas permeability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The gradient generator consists of a glass substrate, a PDMS chip, and a piezoelectric transducer.

Synthesis of Metal Oxide/Carbon Nanofibers via Biostructure Confinement as High-Capacity Anode Materials.

For applications in energy storage and conversion, many metal oxide (MO)/C composite fibers have been synthesized using cellulose as the template. However, MO particles in carbon fibers usually experience anomalous growth to a size of >200 nm, which is detrimental to the overall performance of the composite. In this paper, we report the successful development of a generic approach to synthesize a fiber composite with highly dispersed MO nanoparticles (10-80 nm) via simple swelling, nitrogen doping, and carbonization of the cellulose microfibril.

In situ interfacial engineering of nickel tungsten carbide Janus structures for highly efficient overall water splitting.

Regulating chemical bonds to balance the adsorption and disassociation of water molecules on catalyst surfaces is crucial for overall water splitting in alkaline solution. Here we report a facile strategy for designing NiWC-WC Janus structures with abundant Ni-W metallic bonds on surfaces through interfacial engineering. Inserting Ni atoms into the WC crystals in reaction progress generates a new NiWC phase, making the inert W atoms in WC be active sites in NiWC for overall water splitting.

Thermal conductivity of VO nanowires and their contact thermal conductance.

Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)-based composites show outstanding performances as cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries. However, their inferior thermal conductivity restricts the heat dissipation through the cathode electrode. In this study, we measured the thermal conductivity of V2O5 nanowires using the thermal bridge method and found that their thermal conductivity is 3.

Recent Advances in MEMS-Based Microthrusters.

With the development of micro/nano satellites and formation flying, more advanced spatial propulsion technology is required. In this paper, a review of microthrusters developments that based on micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology adopted in microthrusters is summarized. The microthrusters in previous research are classified and summarized according to the types of propellants and the working principles they utilized.

Low-Electronegativity Vanadium Substitution in Cobalt Carbide Induced Enhanced Electron Transfer for Efficient Overall Water Splitting.

Developing highly efficient electrocatalysts while revealing the active site and reaction mechanism is essential for electrocatalytic water splitting. To overcome the number and location limitations of defects in the electrocatalyst induced by conventional transition-metal atom (e.g.

Mechanistic Studies of CO Cycloaddition Reaction Catalyzed by Amine-Functionalized Ionic Liquids.

The homogeneous cycloaddition reaction of CO and epichlorohydrin catalyzed by amine-functionalized ionic liquid (AFIL) to yield cyclic carbonate is reported in this study. The AFIL has the dual function of ionic liquid and organic base. The experimental study indicates that AFIL can efficiently catalyze the conversion of CO and epichlorohydrin to the product 3-chloro-1,2-propylene.

Decreasing Ion-Diffusion Barrier Enables Superior Na-Ion Storage by Synergizing Hierarchical Architecture and Lattice Distortion.

Compared with nanosized materials, the long-pathway isolation of the interior part from the electrolyte for bulk electrode materials may result in high ionic diffusion barrier, leading to the poor rate behavior. Either the modification of lattice or the construction of a porous structure is generally effective to decrease the ion-diffusion barrier; however, achieving these multiscaled modulations simultaneously via a facile approach is still a challenge. Herein, we manipulate a bifunctional dopant to prepare micron-sized NaV(PO) with extraordinary synergy of hierarchical architecture and lattice distortion.

Interface Engineering V O Nanofibers for High-Energy and Durable Supercapacitors.

A local electric field is induced to engineer the interface of vanadium pentoxide nanofibers (V O -NF) to manipulate the charge transport behavior and obtain high-energy and durable supercapacitors. The interface of V O -NF is modified with oxygen vacancies (Vö) in a one-step polymerization process of polyaniline (PANI). In the charge storage process, the local electric field deriving from the lopsided charge distribution around Vö will provide Coulombic forces to promote the charge transport in the resultant Vö-V O /PANI nanocable electrode.

Tailoring Energy and Power Density through Controlling the Concentration of Oxygen Vacancies in VO/PEDOT Nanocable-Based Supercapacitors.

Oxygen vacancies (Vö) play a crucial role in energy storage materials. Oxygen-vacancy-enriched vanadium pentoxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (Vö-VO/PEDOT) nanocables were prepared through the one-pot oxidative polymerization of PEDOT. PEDOT is used to create tunable concentrations of Vö in the surface layer of VO, which has been confirmed by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements.

[Qualitative analysis of compositions of anthraquinone series working solution by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry].

A method for the qualitative analysis of compositions of anthraquinone working solution (WS)/hydrogenated working solution (HWS) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was developed. The composition of ethylanthraquinone (eAQ) WS/HWS was identified by GC-MS. Then the samples of amylanthraquinone (AAQ) WS/HWS were analyzed by GC-MS.

Swelling Poly(ionic liquid) Supported by Three-Dimensional Wire Mesh for Oil/Water Separation.

A kind of oil/water separation membrane, combining poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) and three-dimensional (3D) wire mesh, was designed and prepared via one-step photopolymerization of an ionic liquid monomer 1,8-triethylene glycoldiyl-3,3'-divinylimidazolium dibromide ([DVIm-(EG)]Br) with acrylic acid in the mesh. The composite membrane (PIL@Mesh) had the advantages of anti-oil-adhesion property and high mechanical strength simultaneously. The morphology of PIL@Mesh characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Cryo-SEM demonstrated that PIL swelled in water to construct microscale 3D networks.

Cross-linked poly(ionic liquid) as precursors for nitrogen-doped porous carbons.

A soluble and easily dispersive cross-linked poly(ionic liquid), copolymer of 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide ([VBIM][Br]) and divinylbenzene (DVB), was used as a precursor for nitrogen doped porous carbons (NPCs) with SiO (from tetraethyl orthosilicate) as a template. The NPCs were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The specific surface area and porosity of NPCs depended on the carbonization temperature, the SiO/[VBIM][Br] ratio and the precursors.

First-principles study of VPOO as a cathode material for rechargeable Mg batteries.

The electrochemical properties of VPO4O as a cathode for Mg batteries were studied by performing first principles calculations. Mg insertion features a plateau at about 2.8 V up to Mg0.