Sn-LiTiO/C as a promising cathode material with a large capacity and high rate performance for Mg-Li hybrid batteries.

The development prospects of conventional Li-ion batteries are limited by the paucity of Li resources. Mg-Li hybrid batteries (MLIBs) combine the advantages of Li-ion batteries and magnesium batteries. Li can migrate rapidly in the cathode materials, and the Mg anode has the advantage of being dendrite-free.

Economically viable co-production of methanol and sulfuric acid via direct methane oxidation.

The direct oxidation of methane to methanol has been spotlighted research for decades, but has never been commercialized. This study introduces cost-effective process for co-producing methanol and sulfuric acid through a direct oxidation of methane. In the initial phase, methane oxidation forms methyl bisulfate (CHOSOH), then transformed into methyl trifluoroacetate (CFCOCH) via esterification, and hydrolyzed into methanol.

Roll-to-plate 0.1-second shear-rolling process at elevated temperature for highly aligned nanopatterns.

The shear-rolling process is a promising directed self-assembly method that can produce high-quality sub-10 nm block copolymer line-space patterns cost-effectively and straightforwardly over a large area. This study presents a high temperature (280 °C) and rapid (~0.1 s) shear-rolling process that can achieve a high degree of orientation in a single process while effectively preventing film delamination, that can be applied to large-area continuous processes.

Effect of substituting donors on the hole mobility of hole transporting materials in perovskite solar cells: a DFT study.

Several hole-transporting materials (HTMs) have been designed by incorporating different types of π-conjugation group such as long chain aliphatic alkenes and condensed aromatic rings of benzene and thiophene and their derivatives on both sides between the planar core and donor of a reference HTM. Various electronic, optical, and dynamic properties have been calculated by using DFT, TDDFT, and Marcus theory. In this study, all the designed HTMs show a lower HOMO energy level and match well with the perovskite absorbers.

Integrating experimental and computational approaches for deep eutectic solvent-catalyzed glycolysis of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate.

To achieve a sustainable and circular economy, developing effective plastic recycling methods is essential. Despite advances in the chemical recycling of plastic waste, modern industries require highly efficient and sustainable solutions to address environmental problems. In this study, we propose an efficient glycolysis strategy for post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to produce bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) with high selectivity.

Anisotropic lens-shaped mesoporous carbon from interfacially perpendicular self-assembly for potassium-ion batteries.

Anisotropic lens-shaped nitrogen-doped carbon (Lens-NMC) with unidirectionally aligned mesopores was achieved perpendicular block copolymer self-assembly at the polymer interface. Lens-NMC is applied as a potassium-ion battery anode material as a next-generation battery system.

Waste to Energy: Steam explosion-based torrefaction process to produce solid biofuel for power generation utilizing various waste biomasses.

Currently, humankind is facing a serious environmental and climate crisis, which has accelerated the research on producing bioenergy from waste biomass as a carbon-neutral feedstock. In this study, the aim was to develop an upcycling strategy for waste biomass to solid-type biofuel conversion for power generation. Various types of waste biomass (i.

Chemical upcycling of PVC-containing plastic wastes by thermal degradation and catalysis in a chlorine-rich environment.

Chlorine (Cl)-containing chemicals, including hydrogen chloride, generated during thermal degradation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and corresponding mixture impede the chemical recycling of PVC-containing plastic wastes. While upgrading plastic-derived vapors, the presence of Cl-containing chemicals may deactivate the catalysts. Accordingly, herein, catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis vapor prepared from a mixture of PVC and polyolefins is performed using a fixed-bed reactor comprising zeolites.

Colloidal Synthesis of Ultrathin and Se-Rich VSe Nanobelts as High-Performance Anode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries.

In this study, the one-dimensional (1D) material VSe was successfully synthesized using a colloidal method with VO(acac) and Se powder as precursors in a 1-octadecene solvent. The obtained colloidally synthesized VSe (C-VSe) has an ultrathin nanobelt shape and a 4.5 times higher surface area compared with the bulk VSe, which is synthesized in a solid-state reaction as previously reported.

Various states of water species in an anion exchange membrane characterized by Raman spectroscopy under controlled temperature and humidity.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) hold the key to future mass commercialisation of fuel cell technology, even though currently, AEMFCs perform less optimally than proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Unlike PEMFCs, AEMFCs have demonstrated the capability to operate independently of Pt group metal-based catalysts. Water characterization inside the membrane is one factor that significantly influences the performance of AEMFCs.

Enhancing polyethylene terephthalate conversion through efficient microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent-catalyzed glycolysis.

Chemical recycling of plastics is a promising approach for effectively depolymerizing plastic waste into its constituent monomers, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable circular economy. Glycolysis, which converts polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into the monomer bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), has emerged as a cost-effective and commercially viable chemical recycling process. However, glycolysis requires long reaction times and high energy consumption, limiting its industrialization.

Structure-based functional analysis of a novel NADPH-producing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an industrial workhorse applied in the production of valuable biochemicals. In the process of bio-based chemical production, improving cofactor recycling and mitigating cofactor imbalance are considered major solutions for enhancing the production yield and efficiency. Although, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapDH), a glycolytic enzyme, can be a promising candidate for a sufficient NADPH cofactor supply, however, most microorganisms have only NAD-dependent GapDHs.

Utilizing Machine Learning and Diode Physics to Investigate the Effects of Stoichiometry on Photovoltaic Performance in Sequentially Processed Perovskite Solar Cells.

Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite solar cells are renowned for their extensive solution processability, although the production of uniformly crystalline perovskite films can necessitate intricate deposition methods. In our study, we harmonized Shockley diode-based numerical analysis with machine learning techniques to extract the device characteristics of perovskite solar cells and optimize their photovoltaic performance in light of the experimental variables. The application of the Shockley diode equation facilitated the extraction of photovoltaic parameters and the prediction of power conversion efficiencies, thus aiding the understanding of device physics and charge recombination.

Hierarchically Superstructured Anisotropic Carbon Particles by Multiscale Assembly Driven by Spinodal Decomposition.

Hierarchical superstructures have novel shape-dependent properties, but well-defined anisotropic carbon superstructures with controllable size, shape, and building block dimensionality have rarely been accomplished thus far. Here, a hierarchical assembly technique is presented that uses spinodal decomposition (SD) to synthesize anisotropic oblate particles of mesoporous carbon superstructure (o-MCS) with nanorod arrays by integrating block-copolymer (BCP) self-assembly and polymer-polymer interface behaviors in binary blends. The interaction of major and minor phases in binary polymer blends leads to the formation of an anisotropic oblate particle, and the BCP-rich phase enables ordered packing and unidirectional alignment of carbon nanorods.

Spinodal Decomposition-Driven Structural Hierarchy of Mesoporous Inorganic Materials for Energy Applications.

ConspectusMesoporous inorganic materials (MIMs) directed by block copolymers (BCPs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their high surface area, large pore volume, and tunable pore size. The structural hierarchy of inorganic materials with designed meso- and macrostructures combines the benefits of mesoporosity and tailored macrostructures in which macropores have increased ion/mass transfer and large capacity to carry guest material and have a macroscale particle morphology that permits close packing and a low surface energy. Existing methods for hierarchically structured MIMs require complicated multistep procedures including preparation of sacrificial macrotemplates (e.

Identifying the acidic or basic behavior of surface water: a QM/MM-MD study.

Controversies on the water surface were theoretically addressed with the help of large scale quantum mechanical molecular dynamics (QMMD) simulations on water surface model systems with and without excess hydroniums and hydroxides. It was revealed that the thermodynamic surface structures of these ions strongly depend on their location and dipole orientation. Fast hydronium diffusion by proton transfer establishes a wider kinetic depth distribution (∼6 Å) than that predicted by its thermodynamic affinity for the water surface, while slow hydroxide is shallowly trapped below the outermost molecular layer (3-4 Å).

Structure-Guided Protein Engineering of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase from for Dual NAD/NADP Cofactor Specificity.

Since the discovery of l-glutamate-producing , it has evolved to be an industrial workhorse. For biobased chemical production, suppling sufficient amounts of the NADPH cofactor is crucial. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a glycolytic enzyme that converts glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and produces NADH, is a major prospective solution for the cofactor imbalance issue.

Biotechnological Plastic Degradation and Valorization Using Systems Metabolic Engineering.

Various kinds of plastics have been developed over the past century, vastly improving the quality of life. However, the indiscriminate production and irresponsible management of plastics have led to the accumulation of plastic waste, emerging as a pressing environmental concern. To establish a clean and sustainable plastic economy, plastic recycling becomes imperative to mitigate resource depletion and replace non-eco-friendly processes, such as incineration.

A water-soluble conjugated polyelectrolyte for selective and sensitive detection of carcinogenic chromium(VI).

Environmental water pollution caused by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a threat to living beings due to its carcinogenic nature. Herein, we report the synthesis of a highly fluorescent water-soluble conjugated polyelectrolyte PPMI and its application as a fluorescence sensor to monitor traces of carcinogenic Cr(VI) ions in water. PPMI was synthesized the oxidative polymerization method followed by post-polymer functionalization.

Nanoscale Three-Dimensional Network Structure of a Mesoporous Particle Unveiled via Adaptive Multidistance Coherent X-ray Tomography.

Mesoporous nanoparticles provide rich platforms to devise functional materials by customizing the three-dimensional (3D) structures of nanopores. With the pore network as a key tuning parameter, the noninvasive and quantitative characterization of these 3D structures is crucial for the rational design of functional materials. This has prompted researchers to develop versatile nanoprobes with a high penetration power to inspect various specimens sized a few micrometers at nanoscale 3D resolutions.

Probing Cation Effects on *CO Intermediates from Electroreduction of CO through Operando Raman Spectroscopy.

Cations in an electrolyte modulate microenvironments near the catalyst surface and affect product distribution from an electrochemical CO reduction reaction, and thus, their interaction with intermediate states has been tried to be probed. Herein, we directly observed the cation effect on *CO intermediates on the Cu(OH)-derived catalyst in real time through operando surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy at high overpotentials (-1.0 V).

Aminosilanized Interface Promotes Electrochemically Stable Carbon Nitride Films with Fewer Trap States on FTO for (Photo)electrochemical Systems.

We have demonstrated the direct growth of a CN layer on a plasma-cleaned and aminosilanized F-doped SnO (FTO) electrode to study the CN|FTO interface that is critical for (photo)electrocatalytic systems. The (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was chosen as a bifunctional organosilane, with the amino end incorporating into CN and the silane end connecting to the hydroxylated FTO surface. Plasma cleaning and aminosilanization resulted in a highly hydrophilic surface, which leads to better contact of melted thiourea to the aminosilanized FTO (p-FTO) during CN polymer condensation, thus generating a thinner and more compact CN layer.

An Updated Review on Electrochemical Nanobiosensors for Neurotransmitter Detection.

Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds released by nerve cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, that play an essential role in the transmission of signals in living organisms, particularly in the central nervous system, and they also perform roles in realizing the function and maintaining the state of each organ in the body. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters can cause neurological disorders. This highlights the significance of precise neurotransmitter monitoring to allow early diagnosis and treatment.