Remarkable MnO structure-dependent HO promoting effect in HCHO oxidation at room temperature.

HO is often critical in determining the activity and stability of metal oxide catalysts for HCHO oxidation; however, synthesis of metal oxide catalysts with super resistance to HO remains a challenging. Herein, we synthesized Akhtenskite-type MnO catalyst with Mn-O-Mn stretching along MnO octahedra layers, which promotes the utilization of the associatively adsorbed HO. The activity and stability of formaldehyde oxidation at room temperature enhanced in humid air.

Towards improving the biocompatibility of prosthetic eyes.

Prosthetic eyes are currently manufactured using Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) which is not an ideal material because it is hydrophobic. While significant research has investigated the benefits of hydrophilic materials for contact lenses, no such research has been carried out on hydrophilic materials for prosthetic eyes until now. In this study, different derivatives of Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) monomer and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer were grafted to PMMA using copolymerisation.

Highly Curved Nanostructure-Coated Co, N-Doped Carbon Materials for Oxygen Electrocatalysis.

Nitrogen-doped graphene could catalyze the electrochemical reduction and evolution of oxygen, but unfortunately suffers from sluggish catalytic kinetics. Herein, for the first time, we report an onion-like carbon coated Co, N-doped carbon (OLC/Co-N-C) material, which possesses multilayers of highly curved nanostructures that form mesoporous architectures. These unique nanospheres are produced when surfactant micelles are introduced to synthesis precursors.

Photoreduction of inorganic carbon(+IV) by elemental sulfur: Implications for prebiotic synthesis in terrestrial hot springs.

Terrestrial hydrothermal systems have been proposed as alternative birthplaces for early life but lacked reasonable scenarios for the supply of biomolecules. Here, we show that elemental sulfur (S), as the dominant mineral in terrestrial hot springs, can reduce carbon dioxide (CO) into formic acid (HCOOH) under ultraviolet (UV) light below 280 nm. The semiconducting S is indicated to have a direct bandgap of 4.

Blue-Phosphorescent Pt(II) Complexes of Tetradentate Pyridyl-Carbolinyl Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, Photophysics, and Electroluminescence.

Blue phosphorescent tetradentate pyridyl-carbolinyl Pt(II) complexes, Pt(ppzOclpy-Me), Pt(ppzOclpy-Pr), and Pt(ppzOclpy-mesi), were purposefully synthesized and investigated with their photophysical and luminescent properties. The complexes, incorporating with carbolinyl moieties, have twisted planar structure. X-ray crystallography revealed that the intraligand N···H-C hydrogen bond reversely turned the twisty pyridyl moiety back into the chelating plane.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Charge-Transport Properties of Halogenated Dibenzo[,]perylenes.

In designing organic semiconductors for organic devices, halogenation is a very popular strategy for tuning the electronic properties and packing arrangement in the solid state. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of halogenated dibenzo[,]perylene (DBP) with triethylsilyl (TES)-ethynyl substituents at the 8- and 16-positions (TES-DBP). The resulting compounds are characterized by optical, electrochemical, crystallographic, and computational studies to clarify the effect of halogenation on the optoelectronic properties and charge-carrier transport.

Stereocomplexed electrospun nanofibers containing poly (lactic acid) modified quaternized chitosan for wound healing.

Skin damage, especially the extensive full-thickness wound, is seriously affecting people's daily life and health. Meanwhile, wound healing is always challenged by bacterial infection. In this study, for the purpose of developing a disinfectant wound dressing, we designed a novel multi-functional nanofiber mats via electrospinning combining chitosan derivations and stereocomplex crystallite (SC).

Solution-Processable Csp-Annulated Hosts for High-Efficiency Deep Red Phosphorescent OLEDs.

In this report, a solution-processable cohost system incorporating ,'-di(naphtalene-1-yl)-,'-diphenylbenzidine (NPB) and Csp-annulated phenylquinoline derivatives, including spiro[indeno[1,2-]quinoline-11,8'-indolo[3,2,1-de]acridine] (IAIQ), 10-phenyl-10H-spiro[acridine-9,11'-indeno[1,2-]quinoline] (PAIQ) and 3,3'-(11H-indeno[1,2-]quinoline-11,11-diyl)bis(-phenyl--(m-tolyl)aniline) (m-TPA-DPIQ), is developed for highly efficient saturated red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). IAIQ, PAIQ, and m-TPA-DPIQ, designed with the increase of molecular flexibility, are systematically investigated. Solution-processable devices based on the efficient phosphorescent emitter bis[2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)isoquinolinato](2,8-dimethyl-4,6-nonanedionato)Iridium [Ir(mpiq)divm] are successfully fabricated, and give electroluminescent peaks at 634-636 nm with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.

Formation and Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from Homo-PP and Co-PP Resins during Manufacturing Process and Accelerated Photoaging Degradation.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polypropylene (PP) seriously restricts the application of PP in an automotive field. Herein, the traceability of VOCs from PP resins during manufacturing process and accelerated photoaging degradation was clarified on basis of an accurate characterization method of key VOCs. The influence of PP structures on changing the accelerated photoaging degradation on the VOCs was systematic.

Using Epoxidized Solution Polymerized Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (ESSBRs) as Coupling Agents to Modify Silica without Volatile Organic Compounds.

Rubber used in tire is usually strengthened by nanofiller, and the most popular nanofiller for tire tread rubber is nano silica, which can not only strengthen rubber but also lower the tire rolling resistance to reduce fuel consumption. However, silica particles are difficult to disperse in the rubber matrix because of the abundant silicon hydroxyl on their surface. Silane coupling agents are always used to modify silica and improve their dispersion, but a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted during the manufacturing of the nanosilica/rubber composites because of the condensation reaction between silane coupling agents and silicon hydroxyl on the surface of silica.

The NH Group Induced Formation of 3D α-Co(OH) Curly Nanosheet Aggregates as Efficient Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts.

Recently, the curly structure attracts researchers' attention due to the strain effect, electronic effect, and improved surface area, which exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity. However, the synthesis of metastable curved structures is very difficult. Herein, a simple room temperature coprecipitation method is proposed to synthesize 3D cobalt (Co) hydroxide (α-Co(OH) ) electrocatalysts that consist of curly 2D nanosheets.

Catalysts confined inside CNTs derived from 2D metal-organic frameworks for electrolysis.

Two-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets have attracted considerable research interest as electrocatalysts, and thermal annealing is important to boost their conductivity. The effect of annealing atmosphere on the electrochemical performance of 2D MOFs and their catalytic center structure have been investigated. The Co-MOF/H2 synthesized by annealing of 2D MOF under a H2 atmosphere has shown a significantly enhanced catalytic activity compared with those annealed under an Ar atmosphere (Co-MOF/Ar).

Chemical Recycling of Plastics by Microwave-Assisted High-Temperature Pyrolysis.

Use of plastics faces much criticism because of its shocking and increasing impact on the environment. But banning plastic will not help the environment. Only appropriate recycling of plastic waste can give satisfying solution.

Comparison of the Foamability of Linear and Long-Chain Branched Polypropylene-The Legend of Strain-Hardening as a Requirement for Good Foamability.

Polypropylene (PP) is an outstanding material for polymeric foams due to its favorable mechanical and chemical properties. However, its low melt strength and fast crystallization result in unfavorable foaming properties. Long-chain branching of PP is regarded as a game changer in foaming due to the introduction of strain hardening, which stabilizes the foam morphology.

Carbon-Supported Raney Nickel Catalyst for Acetone Hydrogenation with High Selectivity.

Catalysts with high selectivity play key roles in green chemistry. In this work, a granularRaney Ni catalyst using carbon as support (Raney Ni/C) was developed by mixing phenolic resinwith Ni-Al alloy, conducting carbonization at high temperature, and leaching with alkaline liquor.The as-prepared Raney Ni/C catalyst is suitable for use in fix-bed reactors.

Platinum-copper single atom alloy catalysts with high performance towards glycerol hydrogenolysis.

Selective hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived glycerol to propanediol is an important reaction to produce high value-added chemicals but remains a big challenge. Herein we report a PtCu single atom alloy (SAA) catalyst with single Pt atom dispersed on Cu nanoclusters, which exhibits dramatically boosted catalytic performance (yield: 98.8%) towards glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propanediol.

Advances in Artificial Layers for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes.

Lithium (Li) metal is considered as the most promising anode material for rechargeable high-energy batteries. Nevertheless, the practical implement of Li anodes is significantly hindered by the growth of Li dendrites, which can cause severe safety issues. To inhibit the formation of Li dendrites, coating an artificial layer on the Li metal anode has been shown to be a facile and effective approach.

Preparation of Lotus Root-Type Monolithic-Activated Carbons with an Hierarchical Pore Structure from Rice Husks and Their Adsorption of Vitamin B12.

Activated carbon is widely used in many fields because of its well-developed pore structure. Especially in hemoperfusion, activated carbon beads derived from macroporous resin spheres are the predominant adsorbents in hemoditoxifiers. In comparison, biomass-activated carbon attracts more extensive attention on account of its renewability and environmental protection.

An Interfacial Layer Based on Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity to Suppress Dendrite Growth on Li Metal Anodes.

The performance and safety of lithium (Li) metal batteries can be compromised owing to the formation of Li dendrites. Here, the use of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) is reported as a feasible and robust interfacial layer that inhibits dendrite growth. The PIM demonstrates excellent film-forming ability, electrochemical stability, strong adhesion to a copper metal electrode, and outstanding mechanical flexibility so that it relieves the stress of structural changes produced by reversible lithiation.

Ultra-thin Co-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide Hollow Nanocubes for Efficient Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation.

Hierarchical hollow nanocubes based on ultra-thin CoFe-layered double hydroxide (CoFe-LDH) nanosheets have been prepared. The obtained CoFe-LDH hollow nanocubes could effectively catalyze water oxidation at a low overpotential of 270 mV @ 10 mA cm , low Tafel slope of 58.3 mV dec and show a long-term stability in alkali.

Fabrication of PP hollow fiber membrane TIPS using environmentally friendly diluents and its CO degassing performance.

CO removal is an essential water purification process in many fields, such as petrochemical production and thermal power generation. It is challenging to remove low concentrations of CO from RO effluent water. The core component of the membrane degassing technique is a high-performance hydrophobic microporous membrane.

Studies on chain shuttling polymerization reaction of nonbridged half-titanocene and bis(phenoxy-imine) Zr binary catalyst system.

In this contribution, olefin block copolymers were produced via chain shuttling polymerization (CSP), using a new combination of catalysts and a chain shuttling agent (CSA) diethylzinc (ZnEt). The binary catalyst system included nonbridged half-titanocene catalyst, Cp*TiCl(O-2,6-PrCH) (Cat ) and bis(phenoxy-imine) zirconium, { -1-[C(H)=NCH]-2-O-3-Bu-CH}ZrCl (Cat ), as well as co-catalyst methylaluminoxane (MAO). In contrast to dual-catalyst system in the absence of CSA, the blocky structure was obtained in the presence of CSA and rationalized from rheological studies.

Metal-organic frameworks for aquatic arsenic removal.

Effective remediation of arsenic contaminated water remains a critical task from the environmental perspective, owing to the harmful effects of arsenic on human health and the environment. Recently, highly porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with excellent chemical stability and abundant functional groups represent a significant new addition to the area of capturing aquatic arsenic pollutants. This review focuses on the development of MOF-based materials for the efficient removal of toxic arsenic species from aqueous solutions.

Support morphology-dependent alloying behaviour and interfacial effects of bimetallic Ni-Cu/CeO catalysts.

The impregnation method is commonly employed to prepare supported multi-metallic catalysts but it is often difficult to achieve homogeneous and stable alloy structures. In this work, we revealed the dependence of alloying behavior on the support morphology by fabricating Ni-Cu over different shaped CeO. Specifically, nanocube ceria favoured the formation of monometallic Cu and Ni-rich phases whereas polycrystalline and nanorod ceria induced the formation of a mixture of Cu-rich alloys with monometallic Ni.

Ammonium Polyphosphate Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide and Zinc Borate as Highly Efficient Flame Retardant Nanofillers for Polypropylene.

We found in our previous study that layered double hydroxides (LDHs) which undergo aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment (AMOST) can tune the hydrophobicity surface of LDHs to be hydrophobic, and then the solvent mixing method can be used to prepare polymer/LDH nanocomposites. However, flame retardant property is not very high if LDHs are only used. In this present work, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) intercalated LDHs and zinc borate (ZB) was incorporated into a polypropylene (PP) matrix using the solvent mixing method.