Molecular dynamics simulation study of graphene synthesis by rotating arc plasma.

The rotating arc plasma method, based on its unique characteristics, provides a simple, efficient, and catalyst-free approach for graphene material synthesis. This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to theoretically investigate the detailed growth process of graphene at the atomic scale using plasma. During the growth process, different radicals serve as dissociation precursors within the plasma.

Preparation and Characterization of Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline/Polydopamine Nanocomposites towards Long-Term Anticorrosive Performance of Epoxy Coatings.

To address the challenging issues of metal materials corrosion in industries, which has caused huge economic losses and security threats to many facilities in marine environments, functional polymer coatings have been widely used and regarded as one of the simplest and most effective methods to prevent such an undesirable event. In this study, a new type of coating filler consisting of graphene oxide/polyaniline/polydopamine (GO-PANI-PDA) nanocomposites has been successfully synthesized. The morphology, structure, composition, and corrosion resistance performance of the GO-PANI-PDA (GPP) nanocomposites were investigated via a series of characterization methods.

Continuous preparation of a nontoxic magnetic fluid as a dual-mode contrast agent for MRI.

Ultrasmall nanoparticle contrast agents provide dual-mode MRI. However, the application of ultrasmall nanoparticle contrast agents is limited by low manufacturing outputs and cumbersome preparation processes. Herein, we report a novel continuous-flow coprecipitation method for the preparation of the FeO nanoparticles magnetic fluid (CFCPFe) coated with ultrasmall cysteine-terminated polymethacrylic acid (Cys-PMAA).

Polyacrylic acid and β-cyclodextrin polymer cross-linking binders to enhance capacity performance of silicon/carbon composite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries.

Binders play a key role in maintaining the integrity of high-capacity silicon anodes, which otherwise experience serious capacity decay during cycling caused by huge volume variation of the silicon. With an aim to developing a highly efficient polymeric binder to mitigate this capacity decay, we present a novel binder synthesized from polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polymerized β-cyclodextrin (β-CDp) for Si anodes for the lithium-ion batteries. This PAA-β-CDp binder has a 3D network structure, which provides strong adhesion between the active material and the current collector.

Enhanced activity towards polyacrylates and poly(vinyl acetate) by site-directed mutagenesis of Humicola insolens cutinase.

Previous studies on the hydrolysis of polyacrylates by cutinase have found that cutinase from Humicola insolens can fulfill the requirement for a thermostable cutinase in the treatment of stickies from papermaking, but it has poor hydrolysis ability. To further improve its ability to hydrolyze the polymers in papermaking, we analyzed the structure of cutinase from H. insolens, and constructed three mutants L66A, I169A, and L66A/I169A to reduce the steric hindrance of the substrate binding region.

Pyrolytic preparation and modification of carbon black recovered from waste tyres.

The medium temperature pyrolysis process using a fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure was utilised to recover carbon black from motorcycle and automobile tyres. Experimental results have shown that the ash and volatile contents of several recovered carbon blacks are high, the elongation at break of the vulcanised natural rubber filled with recovered carbon blacks from motorcycle tyres is better than that from motorcycle tyres and standard carbon black 7#, while the other mechanical properties are worse. In order to improve the reinforcing effect of recovered carbon blacks, the modification of recovered carbon black was performed by high-energy electron bombardment and non-oxidising acid.

High-level expression of Humicola insolens cutinase in Pichia pastoris without carbon starvation and its use in cotton fabric bioscouring.

Huimcola insolens cutinase (HiC) was heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. To avoid a carbon starvation step, fermentation was conducted using combinations of sorbitol with glycerol and methanol in the cell growth and induction phases, respectively. The cutinase productivity (27.

Plasma Exfoliated Graphene: Preparation via Rapid, Mild Thermal Reduction of Graphene Oxide and Application in Lithium Batteries.

A simple, novel approach is proposed for the preparation of plasma-exfoliated graphene (PEGN) by reducing graphene oxide (GO) through a dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment in a H₂ atmosphere. The surface chemistry, microstructures, and crystallinity of the prepared samples were characterized via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectrometry to determine the formation mechanism of the PEGN. The results demonstrated that the prepared PEGN had only a few layers in its structure and that most of the functional groups containing oxygen on the GO surface were removed.

Short-chain aliphatic ester synthesis using Thermobifida fusca cutinase.

Short-chain aliphatic esters are commonly used as fruit flavorings in the food industry. In this study, Thermobifida fusca (T. fusca) cutinase was used for the synthesis of aliphatic esters, and the maximum yield of ethyl caproate reached 99.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan poly(acrylic acid) magnetic microspheres.

Spherical microparticles, capable of responding to magnetic fields, were prepared by encapsulating dextran-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles into chitosan poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) microspheres template. The obtained magnetic microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results showed that the microspheres were formed and demonstrated magnetic behavior in an applied magnetic field.

Influence of manure types and pyrolysis conditions on the oxidation behavior of manure char.

Livestock manure can be quickly converted into valuable products (H(2), syn-gas and char) by low temperature gasification. Manure char combustion offers energy for the gasification reactions. In the paper, the influence of manure type and pyrolysis conditions on manure char reactivity is addressed.