Saturate Acts as Both a "Lubricant" and an "Activator" during the Conversion Process of Mesophase in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Slurry Oil.

Saturate (Sa), the lightest component in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) slurry oil, exhibits a poorly understood influence on the formation and development of mesophase, thereby constraining the production of premium-quality mesophase pitch. To address this issue, Sa is isolated from FCC slurry oil, and its concentration is modulated to investigate its impact on the formation and development of mesophase. The results indicate that Sa contains a high concentration of long alkane side chains and naphthenic structures, which render it an effective "lubricant" and "activator" within the reaction system.

Preparation of Mesophase Pitch with Fine-Flow Texture from Ethylene Tar/Naphthalene by Catalytic Synthesis for High-Thermal-Conductivity Carbon Fibers.

Mesophase pitch is usually prepared by radical polymerization or catalytic polymerization from coal tar, petroleum, and aromatic compounds, and the catalytic synthesis of mesophase pitch from pure aromatic compounds is more controllable in the preparation of high-quality mesophase pitch. However, the corrosive and highly toxic nature of the catalyst has limited the further development of this method. In this study, mesophase pitch was synthetized using ethylene tar and naphthalene as raw materials and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as a catalyst.

Ratiometric luminescence detection of HO in food samples using a terbium coordination polymer sensitized with 3-carboxyphenylboronic acid.

A ratiometric luminescent probe was fabricated using adenosine monophosphate (AMP) as a bridging ligand and 3-carboxyphenylboronic acid (3-CPBA) as the sensitizer and functional ligand that allowed the probe to recognize hydrogen peroxide (HO). The probe was labeled AMP-Tb/3-CPBA. Adding HO caused the nonluminescent 3-CPBA to be converted into 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, which strongly luminesces at 401 nm.

Thermal Interface Engineering in a 3D-Structured Carbon Framework for a Phase-Change Composite with High Thermal Conductivity.

Phase-change materials (PCMs) are promising thermal storage medium for thermal management due to their efficient thermal energy harvesting capabilities. However, the low thermal conductivity (TC) and poor shape stability of PCMs have hindered their practical applications. Construction of an interconnected three-dimensional (3D) heat-conductive structure is an effective way to build phonon conduits and provide PCM confinement.

Robust Micro-Sized and Defect-Rich Carbon-Carbon Composites as Advanced Anodes for Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Pitch-derived carbon (PC) anode features the merits of low-cost, rich edge-defect sites, and tunable crystallization degree for potassium ion batteries (PIBs). However, gaining the PC anode with both rich edge-defect sites and robust structure remains challenging. Herein, micro-sized and robust PC/expanded-graphite (EG) composites (EGC) with rich edge-defect sites are massively synthesized via melting impregnation and confined pyrolysis.

Novel Structural Design and Adsorption/Insertion Coordinating Quasi-Metallic Na Storage Mechanism toward High-performance Hard Carbon Anode Derived from Carboxymethyl Cellulose.

Hard Carbon have become the most promising anode candidates for sodium-ion batteries, but the poor rate performance and cycle life remain key issues. In this work, N-doped hard carbon with abundant defects and expanded interlayer spacing is constructed by using carboxymethyl cellulose sodium as precursor with the assistance of graphitic carbon nitride. The formation of N-doped nanosheet structure is realized by the CN• or CC• radicals generated through the conversion of nitrile intermediates in the pyrolysis process.

Engineering CSFe Bond Confinement Effect to Stabilize Metallic-Phase Sulfide for High Power Density Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Metallic-phase iron sulfide (e.g., Fe S ) is a promising candidate for high power density sodium storage anode due to the inherent metal electronic conductivity and unhindered sodium-ion diffusion kinetics.

Detecting phosphate using lysine-sensitized terbium coordination polymer nanoparticles as ratiometric luminescence probes.

Probes for detecting phosphate ions (Pi) are required for environmental monitoring and to protect human health. Here, novel ratiometric luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) were successfully prepared and used to selectively and sensitively detect Pi. The nanoparticles were prepared from adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and Tb, and lysine (Lys) was used as a sensitizer (through the antenna effect) to switch on Tb luminescence at 488 and 544 nm while Lys luminescence at 375 nm was quenched because of energy transfer from Lys to Tb.

Boron-Catalyzed Graphitization Carbon Layer Enabling LiMn Fe PO Cathode Superior Kinetics and Li-Storage Properties.

The poor electrode kinetics and low conductivity of the LiMn Fe PO cathode seriously impede its practical application. Here, an effective strategy of boron-catalyzed graphitization carbon coating layer is proposed to stabilize the nanostructure and improve the kinetic properties and Li-storage capability of LiMn Fe PO nanocrystals for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The graphite-like BC is derived from B-catalyzed graphitization coating layers, which can not only effectively maintain the dynamic stability of the LiMn Fe PO nanostructure during cycling, but also plays an important role in enhancing the conductivity and Li migration kinetics of LiMn Fe PO @B-C.

Multi-scale hybrid spherical graphite composites: a light weight thermal interface material with high thermal conductivity and simple processing technology.

In consideration of low density and high intrinsic thermal conductivity, spherical graphite powders can act as promising fillers for light weight thermal interface materials. Herein, spherical artificial graphite derived composites exhibit a similar thermal conductivity and significantly reduced bulk density compared with traditional AlO-derived composites. Further, based on the particle packing theory, an innovatively optimized calculation method has been proposed by introducing the quadratic programming method into the traditional calculation method to acquire the optimum formulation of multi-scale spherical graphite particles.

Dual-emission fluorescence detection of histidine using carbon dots and calcein/Ni complexes.

Histidine (His) is a natural amino acid that plays very important roles in biota. However, the low concentrations of His in biological fluids and the similar structures and properties of other amino acids mean it is difficult to selectively determine His concentrations in biological fluids with a high degree of sensitivity. A novel ratiometric fluorescence probe for detecting His in aqueous solutions is described here.

Ratiometric fluorescence nanoprobe based on carbon dots and terephthalic acid for determining Fe in environmental samples.

A ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe using carbon dots (CDs) and involving oxidation of terephthalic acid (TPA) induced by hydroxyl radicals (·OH) was developed for sensitively and selectively determining Fe ions. When Fe ions are added to the TPA@CDs/HO system, ·OH produced through the Fenton reaction oxidizes the non-fluorescent TPA to give 2-hydroxyl terephthalic acid, which fluoresces at 423 nm when excited at 286 nm. The ·OH and Fe produced quench CD fluorescence at 326 nm.

Synergistic Effect, Structural and Morphology Evolution, and Doping Mechanism of Spherical Br-Doped Na V (PO ) F /C toward Enhanced Sodium Storage.

Na V (PO ) F has attracted wide attention due to its high voltage platform, and stable crystal structure. However, its application is limited by the low electronic conductivity and the ease formation of impurity. In this paper, the spherical Br-doped Na V (PO ) F /C is successfully obtained by a one-step spray drying technology.

Insights into the sodium storage mechanism of BiTe nanosheets as superior anodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Although bismuth-based anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted wide attention, their large volume variation hinders their actual applications, especially in BiTe systems. In this study, BiTe nanosheets (BT-Ns) are fabricated by a novel strategy a solvent reductive reaction. The elements Bi and Te are spontaneously grown into ultrathin nanosheets because the hexagonal crystal of BiTe has a strong tendency to grow horizontally.

Graphene-Based Composite Membrane Prepared from Solid Carbon Source Catalyzed by Ni Nanoparticles.

Emerging as a light, flexible and highly thermally conductive material, graphene-based membranes have attracted extensive attention in thermal management field. However, the preparation of high-quality graphene-based membranes usually involves complex processes and thermal annealing at ultra-high temperature, which limits their large-scale application in thermal management field. In our study, reduced graphene oxide-Ni-hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (RGO-Ni-HPMC) composite membrane was prepared from catalytic pyrolysis of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with Ni nanoparticles to generate multilayer graphene and form phonon transport channels between adjacent graphene layers.

Ratiometric fluorescence and smartphone dual-mode detection of glutathione using carbon dots coupled with Ag-triggered oxidation of o-phenylenediamine.

Developing ratiometric fluorescence and smartphone dual-mode bioanalysis methods is important but challenging. A ratiometric fluorescence method for determining glutathione (GSH) using carbon dots (CDs) and Ag-triggered o-phenylenediamine (OPD) oxidation is described here. Agoxidizes OPD to give 2,3-diaminophenazine (oxOPD), which effectively quenches CD fluorescence at 436 nm through the inner filter effect and causes a new emission peak at 561 nm.

An AlCl coordinating interlayer spacing in microcrystalline graphite facilitates ultra-stable and high-performance sodium storage.

Metal chloride-intercalated graphite intercalation compounds (MC-GICs) show a perfect sandwich structure with high electronic conductivity and chemical stability, but there are few applications for MC-GICs in anode materials of sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we selected a splendid host microcrystalline graphite (MG) to synthesize an AlCl3 intercalated MG intercalation compound (AlCl3-MGIC) anode material and demonstrated that it is suitable for SIBs via electrolyte optimization. The AlCl3-MGIC electrode is primarily compared in four electrolytes.

Sensitive detection of picric acid in an aqueous solution using fluorescent nonconjugated polymer dots as fluorescent probes.

Nonconjugated polymer dots (NPDs) were successfully used as fluorescent probes to selectively and sensitively detect picric acid (PA). The NPDs were prepared from polyethylenimine and 1,4-phthalaldehyde under mild conditions and had excitation and emission maxima of 351 and 474 nm, respectively. Fluorescence of the NPDs was efficiently quenched by PA through the inner filter effect because of the overlapping PA absorption band and NPD excitation spectrum.

Construction and Theoretical Calculation of an Ultra-High-Performance LiVPOF/C Cathode by B-Doped Pyrolytic Carbon from Poly(vinylidene Fluoride).

B-doped pyrolytic carbon from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was used to enhance the performance of a LiVPOF/C cathode, which is much cheaper than carbon nanotubes and graphene. The carbon layer in LVPF/C-B becomes more and more regular compared with the undoped sample. The electronic conductivity, diffusion coefficient, and rate and cycle performance of the B-doped cathode are greatly improved.

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential and Depositional Setting of Eocene Oil-Prone Coaly Source Rocks in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin.

The Xihu Sag in the East China Sea Shelf Basin is a focus for hydrocarbon exploration and development. Hydrocarbons in the Xihu Sag are believed to have mainly originated from coals in the Paleogene Pinghu Formation (shortened as Pinghu coal). In this study, the hydrocarbon generation potential, origin of organic matter, and depositional setting of the Pinghu coal were analyzed by means of optical microscopic analysis, bulk organic geochemistry, and molecular geochemistry analysis.

"Turn-on" fluorometric probe for α-glucosidase activity using red fluorescent carbon dots and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine.

A turn-on method for determining α-glucosidase activity is described using a chemical redox strategy in which the fluorescence of red fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) is modulated. The red fluorescent CDs were prepared using a solvothermal method with p-phenylenediamine and sodium citrate. The excitation and emission maxima of the CDs were 490 and 618 nm, respectively.

Boosting the Potassium-Ion Storage Performance in Soft Carbon Anodes by the Synergistic Effect of Optimized Molten Salt Medium and N/S Dual-Doping.

Soft carbon is attracting tremendous attention as a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) because of its graphitizable structure and adjustable interlayer distance. Herein, nitrogen/sulfur dual-doped porous soft carbon nanosheets (NSC) have been prepared with coal tar pitch as carbon precursors in an appropriate molten salt medium. The molten salt medium and N/S dual-doping are responsible for the formation of nanosheet-like morphology, abundant microporous channels with a high surface area of 436 m g, expanded interlamellar spacing of 0.

Preparation of nonconjugated fluorescent polymer nanoparticles for use as a fluorescent probe for detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

Water-soluble nonconjugated fluorescent polymer nanoparticles (NFPNs) were prepared from branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and citric acid through an amide condensation reaction in the aqueous phase. The NFPNs were characterized using a transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The NFPN fluorescence (with excitation/emission peaks at 360/450 nm) was quenched by 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) at trace concentrations through the inner filter effect and the formation of self-assembled non-fluorescent Meisenheimer complexes of TNP on the NFPN surfaces through acid-base interactions.

Ablation Behavior of the SiC-Coated Three-Dimensional Highly Thermal Conductive Mesophase-Pitch-Based Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Carbon Matrix Composite under Plasma Flame.

This study is focused on a novel high-thermal-conductive C/C composite used in heat-redistribution thermal protection systems. The 3D mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber (CF) preform was prepared using CF in the X (Y) direction and polyacrylonitrile carbon fiber (CF) in the Z direction. After the preform was densified by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP), the 3D high-thermal-conductive C/C (C/C) composite was obtained.

A turn-on fluorescent sulfide probe prepared from carbon dots and MnO nanosheets.

A turn-on fluorescent sulfide probe was prepared from carbon dots (CDs; synthesized using an environmentally friendly method) and MnO nanosheets. In this composite probe, the fluorescence of the CDs (with excitation/emission peaks at 330/430 nm) is quenched by the MnO nanosheets through an inner filter effect. Introducing sulfide causes the MnO nanosheets to be disintegrated through a redox reaction between sulfide and MnO.