4-Methyl-5-vinyl thiazole modified Ni-MOF/g-CN/CdS composites for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution without precious metal cocatalysts.

The construction of heterojunction systems is an effective way to efficiently generate hydrogen by water photolysis. In this work, Ni-MOF (trimesic acid, (BTC)) and g-CN (denoted as CN) were combined, and then Ni-MOF/CN was modified by 4-Methyl-5-vinyl thiazole (denoted as MVTh). Finally, CdS was loaded on the surface of Ni-MOF/CN/MVTh to prepare the photocatalyst Ni-MOF/g-CN/MVTh/CdS (denoted as Ni/CN/M/Cd) with a triangular closed-loop path heterojunction for the first time.

Comment on "Cryoforged nanotwinned titanium with ultrahigh strength and ductility".

We analyze the results of Zhao . (Reports, 17 September 2021, p. 1363) with a focus on the mechanical properties and microstructural evolution.

Application of a novel biomimetic double-ligand zirconium-based metal organic framework in environmental restoration and energy conversion.

The development of visible-light response photocatalysts with a high catalytic performance and long-term cyclic stability is of great significance in the field of energy and environmental protection. Inspired by photosynthesis, a novel three-dimensional coral zirconium-based metal organic framework (MOF) was synthesized using a double-ligand strategy. The optimal sample, Zr-TCPP-bpydc (2:1), (the ratio of tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin to 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid is 2:1) shows an excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, and the effects of the amount of photocatalyst, pH and concentration on the degradation rate were investigated under the optimum conditions.

Flower-Like Dual-Defective Z-Scheme Heterojunction g-CN/ZnInS High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Degradation of Mixed Pollutants.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) with a porous nano-structure, nitrogen vacancies, and oxygen-doping was prepared by the calcination method. Then, it was combined with ZnInS nanosheets containing zinc vacancies to construct a three-dimensional (3D) flower-like Z-scheme heterojunction (pCN-N/ZIS-Z), which was used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the degradation of mixed pollutants. The constructed Z-scheme heterojunction improved the efficiency of photogenerated charges separation and migration, and the large surface area and porous characteristics provided more active sites.

Dynamic self-strengthening of a bio-nanostructured armor - conch shell.

Bio-nanowire structured armors - conch shells, which are often collected as art pieces, possess a special function - an unusual resilience against high speed predatory attacks. Under high-strain-rate compression (strain rate ~10 s) conch shells highlight significantly high fracture strength vis-à-vis under quasi-static loading (strain rate ≤ 10/s). The dynamic fracture strength reaches a strikingly high value of 600 MPa, 67% enhancement with reference to that of quasi-static loading with the fracture strength 360 MPa.

Atomistic Origin of Deformation Twinning in Biomineral Aragonite.

Deformation twinning rarely occurs in mineral materials which typically show brittle fracture. Surprisingly, it has recently been observed in the biomineral aragonite phase in nacre under high rate impact loading. In this Letter, the twinning tendency and the competition between fracture and deformation twinning were revealed by first principles calculations.

Design and fabrication of a metastable β-type titanium alloy with ultralow elastic modulus and high strength.

Titanium and its alloys have become the most attractive implant materials due to their high corrosion resistance, excellent biocompatibility and relatively low elastic modulus. However, the current Ti materials used for implant applications exhibit much higher Young's modulus (50 ~ 120 GPa) than human bone (~30 GPa). This large mismatch in the elastic modulus between implant and human bone can lead to so-called "stress shielding effect" and eventual implant failure.

Uncovering high-strain rate protection mechanism in nacre.

Under high-strain-rate compression (strain rate approximately 10(3) s(-1)), nacre (mother-of-pearl) exhibits surprisingly high fracture strength vis-à-vis under quasi-static loading (strain rate 10(-3) s(-1)). Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism responsible for such sharply different behaviors in these two loading modes remains completely unknown. Here we report a new deformation mechanism, adopted by nacre, the best-ever natural armor material, to protect itself against predatory penetrating impacts.

High Plasticity and Substantial Deformation in Nanocrystalline NiFe Alloys Under Dynamic Loading.

A nanocrystalline (NC) NiFe alloy is presented, in which both highly improved plasticity and strength are achieved by the dynamic-loading-induced deformation mechanisms of de-twinning (that is, reduction of twin density) and significant grain coarsening. This work highlights potential ingenious avenues to exploit the superior behavior of NC materials under extreme conditions.