Magnetically separable and reusable rGO/FeO nanocomposites for the selective liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene to 1,2-cyclohexane diol.

A series of magnetically separable rGO/FeO nanocomposites with various amounts of graphene oxide were successfully prepared by a simple ultrasonication assisted precipitation combined with a solvothermal method and their catalytic activity was evaluated for the selective liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene using hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant. The prepared materials were characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, BET/BJH, XPS and VSM analysis. The presence of well crystallized FeO as the active iron species was seen in the crystal studies of the nanocomposites.

Electrochemical fabrication of FeS films with high catalytic activity for oxygen evolution.

Electrochemical decomposition of water to produce oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) through an anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and a cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising green method for sustainable energy supply. Here, we demonstrate that cauliflower-like S-doped iron microsphere films are materials that can efficiently decompose water as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. FeS films are prepared by a simple one-step electrodeposition method and directly grow on copper foam from a deep eutectic solvent, ethaline (mixture of choline chloride and ethylene glycol), as a durable and highly efficient catalyst for the OER in 1.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of BiS polycrystals through an electroless nickel plating process.

BiS is an eco-friendly alternative compound for thermoelectric devices. However, the low electrical conductivity of the pristine BiS hinders the improvement of its value, which further restricts its application in the field of thermoelectricity. In this work, we report the first attempt to optimize the thermoelectric properties of BiS by electroless nickel plating.

Identification of anti-inflammatory components of raw and steamed root by analyses of spectrum-effect relationship.

To identify bioactive components of (PN) roots in raw and steamed forms, chemometrics analyses including bivariate correlation analysis and partial least squares regression were used to establish the relationships between the chromatograms and anti-inflammatory effect of PN samples. The chemical fingerprints of PN were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the TNF-α and IL-6 inhibiting test.

[Effects of fresh-cut on drying rate and quality of Panax notoginseng].

To study the effects of fresh-cut drying methods on the appearance and internal components of Panax notoginseng, and explore the feasibility of fresh-cut drying methods of P. notoginseng, so as to provide more effective processing methods for the production of P. notoginseng slices and Chinese patent medicines.

Effects of pH on the biodegradation characteristics of thermophilic micro-aerobic digestion for sludge stabilization.

For a thermophilic micro-aerobic digestion (TMAD) system, the pH is closely related to the production of short-chain fatty acids and ammonia release. Batch experiments at different pH values were carried out to elucidate the effects of pH on the biodegradation characteristics of TMAD processes. A digester at pH 9.

Simultaneous capture of methyl orange and chromium(vi) from complex wastewater using polyethylenimine cation decorated magnetic carbon nanotubes as a recyclable adsorbent.

Most recently, the continuous deterioration of the aquatic environment triggered by both heavy metals and synthetic organic dyes has imparted serious threats to the ecosphere and drinking water safety. However, it is still extremely challenging to treat complex wastewater containing these two classes of pollutants a one-step method owing to the significant differences in their physicochemical properties. In the current work, versatile magnetic MWCNTs decorated with PEI (denoted as MWCNTs@FeO/PEI) was fabricated by a facile, rapid and reproducible strategy and applied to as a robust adsorbent for simultaneously removing methyl orange (MO) and Cr(vi) from aqueous solutions.

Microstructure and hydrogen storage kinetics of MgRE (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm) binary alloys.

The present work reports the fabrication of MgRE (RE = Pr, Sm, Nd) alloys by a vacuum induction furnace. The phase analysis, structure characterization and microstructure observation of MgRE alloys were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). There exhibits a multiphase microstructure in the as-cast MgRE (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm) alloys from the comprehensive analysis made from XRD and SEM, which are containing the major phase (REMg) and several secondary phases (REMg and REMg).

Improved electrical transport properties of polycrystalline La(CaSr)MnO ceramics by AgO doping.

Polycrystalline La(CaSr)MnO:mol%Ag (LCSMO:Ag , = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.

A first-principles calculation of structural, mechanical, thermodynamic and electronic properties of binary Ni-Y compounds.

The intermetallic compounds between rare earth (RE) elements and transition metal elements have been comprehensively researched due to their appealing magnetic, electronic, optical and thermal properties, in which Ni-Y alloys are one kind of important system. In this work, a systematic investigation concerned with structures, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of NiY, NiY, NiY, NiY, NiY, NiY, NiY and NiY in Ni-Y systems is implemented by means of first-principles calculations. NiY has the lowest formation enthalpy within -0.

Novel pH-responsive and self-assembled nanoparticles based on polysaccharide: preparation and characterization.

In this investigation, innovative pH-sensitive and amphiphilic nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by grafting histidine (His, pH sensitive molecule) and stearic acid (SA, hydrophobic segment) onto the polysaccharides of (BSP). The His-SA-BSP was able to self-assemble into NPs with pH sensitivity. The acidic conditions could trigger the imidazole ionization and reverse the surface charge, while the electrostatic repulsion wrecked the structure and drove the NPs to a swollen state, as revealed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and critical micelle concentration (CMC) analyses.

Luminescence characteristics of rare-earth-doped barium hexafluorogermanate BaGeF nanowires: fast subnanosecond decay time and high sensitivity in HO detection.

Fluorides are promising host materials for optical applications. This paper reports the photoluminescent (PL) and cathodoluminescent (CL) characteristics of barium hexafluorogermanate BaGeF nanowires codoped with Ce, Tb and Sm rare earth ions, produced by a solvothermal route. The synthesized BaGeF nanowires exhibit uniform morphology and size distribution.

Positive effect of RORγt on the prognosis of thyroid papillary carcinoma patients combined with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Objectives: To investigate the positive effect of Th17 cells on the prognosis of patients with PTC and HT.

Methods: The expression of nuclear specific marker RORγt of Th17 cells in fresh and paraffin thyroid tissues and serum specimens were analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the formation rates of Th17 cells (CD3CD8IL-17A/CD3CD8%) at different time points after co-culture of thyroid papillary carcinoma cell line (TPC-1 and K1) and umbilical cord blood initial T lymphocytes.

Characterization and adsorption properties of cross-linked yeast/β-cyclodextrin polymers for Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) adsorption.

In this study, a crosslinked yeast/β-cyclodextrin polymer (Y-β-CDP), for use as an effective adsorbent for removal Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) ions from aqueous solution, has been innovatively prepared by grafting β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) onto the surface of baker's yeast (BY) and thiomalic acid as a crosslinker. Several characterization techniques, such as SEM equipped with an EDS analyzer, FTIR, XRD, and XPS were employed characterize the Y-β-CDP. The impact of various operating parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of metal ions, contact time and solution temperature, as well as adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics were systematically investigated.

Preparation and properties of Pb/Sn/Al laminated composite anode for zinc electrowinning.

The use of Pb/Sn/Al composite anode materials has been limited due to the thermodynamic immiscibility between Pb and Al sheets during the welding process. Thus, herein, Sn has been added between Pb and Al sheets to fabricate a Pb/Sn/Al laminated composite vacuum hot-pressing welding (at a temperature of 230 °C for 12 h under 0.5 MPa).

Arsenic removal from water/wastewater using layered double hydroxide derived adsorbents, a critical review.

Arsenic pollution has become a worldwide environmental concern. Dangerous arsenic concentrations in natural waters threaten the health of millions of people, and this has received significant attention. Among the various technologies that have been developed for arsenic removal from water, the use of adsorption technology is considered to be a prevailing method, because the adsorption approach usually has high removal efficiency and the advantage of convenience of handling.

Investigation of the reaction pathway for synthesizing methyl mercaptan (CHSH) from HS-containing syngas over K-Mo-type materials.

The reaction pathway for synthesizing methyl mercaptan (CHSH) using HS-containing syngas (CO/HS/H) as the reactant gas over SBA-15 supported K-Mo-based catalysts prepared by different impregnation sequences was investigated. The issue of the route to produce CHSH from CO/HS/H has been debated for a long time. In light of designed kinetic experiments together with thermodynamics analyses, the corresponding reaction pathways in synthesizing CHSH over K-Mo/SBA-15 were proposed.

Correction: Ascorbic acid/Fe composites as an effective persulfate activator for improving the degradation of rhodamine B.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C8RA01506F.].

The dissociations of visual processing of "hole" and "no-hole" stimuli: An functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Introduction: "Where to begin" is a fundamental question of vision. A "Global-first" topological approach proposed that the first step in object representation was to extract topological properties, especially whether the object had a hole or not. Numerous psychophysical studies found that the hole (closure) could be rapidly recognized by visual system as a primitive property.

Borophene as a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries with high capacity and high rate capability using DFT.

Two-dimensional boron synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition method is an atomically thin layer of boron with both light weight and metallicity. To investigate the potential of borophene as an anode material in sodium-ion batteries, first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. The calculated results reveal that after introducing vacancy defects, the special puckered structure becomes relatively flat and the metallic nature of the defective borophene is enhanced, while the defects in borophene can weaken sodium adsorption.

One-step fabrication of carbonaceous solid acid derived from lignosulfonate for the synthesis of biobased furan derivatives.

An eco-friendly and low-cost lignosulfonate-based acidic carbonaceous catalyst (LS-SOH) was effectively fabricated using the sulfite pulping by-product of sodium lignosulfonate as a precursor by facile one-step simultaneous carbonization and sulfonation, and employed for the synthesis of promising biofuel furan derivatives from biorenewable feedstocks. The catalyst preparation conditions significantly affected the preparation and properties of LS-SOH. A relatively high catalyst preparation yield (40.

Ascorbic acid/Fe composites as an effective persulfate activator for improving the degradation of rhodamine B.

An ascorbic acid/Fe composite (HA/Fe)-activated persulfate (PS) process was provided for rhodamine B (RhB) removal. Experimental results demonstrated that the HA/Fe-PS system exhibits a rapid and continuous oxidation of organic contaminants, and shows great advantages over the conventional Fe-PS system by significantly improving removal efficiency. This HA induced dramatic enhancement for RhB degradation could be attributed to both the reduction and chelating ability of HA.

Rapid removal of Pb from aqueous solution by phosphate-modified baker's yeast.

Phosphate-modified baker's yeast (PMBY) was prepared, and used as a novel bio-sorbent for the adsorption of Pb from aqueous solution. The influencing factors, absorption isotherms, kinetics, and mechanism were investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization and elemental analysis of PMBY showed that phosphate groups were successfully grafted onto the surface of yeast.

Research into the reaction process and the effect of reaction conditions on the simultaneous removal of HS, COS and CS at low temperature.

In this work, tobacco stem active carbon (TSAC) catalysts loaded on to CuO and FeO were prepared by a sol-gel method and used for the simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide (HS), carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS). The influences of the operating conditions such as reaction temperature, relative humidity (RH), O concentration, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) were discussed. DRIFTS results showed that the deactivation was attributed to the generation of S and sulfates.

Systematic studies on Yb Bi VO:Tm solid solutions: experiments and DFT calculations on up-conversion photoluminescence properties.

Compound solid solutions have attracted intensive attention due to their adjustable structure, electronic structure, and optical properties. Despite tremendous advances in compound solid solution preparations, combining a rare metal compound and a bismuth compound with the same crystal phase by forming a compound solid solution is still challenging but fascinating. For example, RE Bi VO with a zircon-type structure exhibits tunable band gaps and photoluminescence performance with varying RE compositions.