Minimally destructive laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of brass assisted by a low-power atmospheric pressure plasma jet.

Minimizing sample damage is crucial in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for applications involving valuable samples and elemental mapping. In this study, we introduced a low-power atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) to reduce sample damage by obtaining LIBS signals at significantly lower laser fluences. The proposed technique, APPJ-assisted LIBS (APPJ-LIBS), utilized an argon APPJ to provide seed electrons and enhance the excitation.

Long-term repeatability improvement using beam intensity distribution for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The relatively low measurement repeatability has long been considered as a major obstacle to the widespread use and commercialization of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Although many efforts have been made to improve the signal repeatability in the short term, how to improve the long-term signal repeatability is critical in practical applications and has rarely been studied. Moreover, the mechanisms behind the degradation of long-term repeatability are not fully revealed.

Activated carbon as effective cathode material in iron-free Electro-Fenton process: Integrated HO electrogeneration, activation, and pollutants adsorption.

Major challenges for effective implementation of the Electro-Fenton (EF) water treatment process are that conventional efficient cathodes are relatively expensive, and HO activation by Fe may cause secondary pollution. Herein, we propose a low-cost activated carbon/stainless steel mesh (ACSS) composite cathode, where the SS mesh distributes the current and the AC simultaneously supports HO electrogeneration, HO activation, and organic compounds (OCs) adsorption. The oxygen-containing groups on the AC function as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) sites for HO electrogeneration; while the porous configuration supply sufficient reactive surface area for ORR.

"Floating" cathode for efficient HO electrogeneration applied to degradation of ibuprofen as a model pollutant.

The performance of the Electro-Fenton (EF) process for contaminant degradation depends on the rate of HO production at the cathode via 2-electron dissolved O reduction. However, the low solubility of O (≈1×10 mol dm) limits HO production. Herein, a novel and practical strategy that enables the synergistic utilization of O from the bulk electrolyte and ambient air for efficient HO production is proposed.

Green electrochemical modification of RVC foam electrode and improved HO electrogeneration by applying pulsed current for pollutant removal.

The performance of cathode on HO electrogeneration is a critical factor that limits the practical application of electro-Fenton (EF) process. Herein, we report a simple but effective electrochemical modification of reticulated vitreous carbon foam (RVC foam) electrode for enhanced HO electrogeneration. Cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectrum were used to characterize the modified electrode.