Charge-clustering induced fast ion conduction in 2LiX-GaF: A strategy for electrolyte design.

2LiX-GaF (X = Cl, Br, I) electrolytes offer favorable features for solid-state batteries: mechanical pliability and high conductivities. However, understanding the origin of fast ion transport in 2LiX-GaF has been challenging. The ionic conductivity order of 2LiCl-GaF (3.

Protocol for the electrochemical polymerization of polyhydrocarbons from chlorinated methanes and an analysis of its polymerization reaction pathway.

The mass production of polyhydrocarbons (PHCs) is achieved through electrochemical polymerization and its synthetic pathway is investigated using a combination of electrochemical techniques, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Here, we present a protocol for the electrochemical polymerization of PHCs from chlorinated methanes and an analysis of its polymerization reaction pathway. We describe steps for large-scale synthesis and characterization of PHCs and studying electrochemical polymerization reactions using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques along with NMR and FTIR spectroscopy using isotope-labeled reactants.

Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayer of Cobalt Phthalocyanine as Ultralow Loading Single-Atom Catalyst for Highly Efficient HO Production.

The electrochemical production of HO via the two-electron oxygen-reduction reaction (2e ORR) has been actively studied using systems with atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) structures. However, the development of well-defined M-N-C structures that restrict the migration and agglomeration of single-metal sites remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayer of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) on monolayer graphene (LB CoPc/G) as a single-metal catalyst for the 2e ORR.

Curbing global solid waste emissions toward net-zero warming futures.

No global analysis has considered the warming that could be averted through improved solid waste management and how much that could contribute to meeting the Paris Agreement's 1.5° and 2°C pathway goals or the terms of the Global Methane Pledge. With our estimated global solid waste generation of 2.

Synthesis of Low-Cost and High-Performance Dual-Atom Doped Carbon-Based Materials with a Simple Green Route as Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising alternatives to replace lithium-ion batteries as future energy storage batteries because of their abundant sodium resources, low cost, and high charging efficiency. In order to match the high energy capacity and density, designing an atomically doped carbonous material as the anode is presently one of the important strategies to commercialize SIBs. In this work, we report the preparation of high-performance dual-atom-doped carbon (C) materials using low-cost corn starch and thiourea (CHNS) as the precursors.

Electrochemical Evolution of Ru-Based Polyoxometalates into Si,W-Codoped RuO for Acidic Overall Water Splitting.

Despite intensive studies over decades, the development of electrocatalysts for acidic water splitting still relies on platinum group metals, especially Pt and Ir, which are scarce, expensive, and poorly sustainable. Because such problems can be alleviated, Ru-based bifunctional catalysts such as rutile RuO have recently emerged. However, RuO has a relatively low activity for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and low stability for oxygen evolution reactions (OER) under acidic conditions.

Interference micro/nanolenses of salts for local modulation of Raman scattering.

Micro/nanolenses play a crucial role in optics and spectroscopy, but the effect of interference patterns within each lens has been largely unexplored. Herein, we investigate modulation of Raman scattering by the interference within a single micro/nanolens of a hygroscopic salt. Lenses having two different diameter () ranges, > 2 μm and ∼1 μm, are placed on a silicon substrate, followed by collection of a Raman intensity map of the silicon peak.

Nickel-iron doped on granular activated carbon for efficient immobilization in biohydrogen production.

Nickel-iron doped granular activated carbon (GAC-N) was used to enhance immobilization in biohydrogen production. The effect of the sludge ratio to GAC-N, ranged 1:0.5-4, was studied.

Investigation of Hole-Transfer Dynamics through Simple EL De-Convolution in Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells.

In conventional fullerene-based organic photovoltaics (OPVs), in which the excited electrons from the donor are transferred to the acceptor, the electron charge transfer state () that electrons pass through has a great influence on the device's performance. In a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) system based on a low bandgap non-fullerene acceptor (NFA), however, a hole charge transfer state () from the acceptor to the donor has a greater influence on the device's performance. The accurate determination of is essential for achieving further enhancement in the performance of non-fullerene organic solar cells.

Multi-Layered Triboelectric Nanogenerators with Controllable Multiple Spikes for Low-Power Artificial Synaptic Devices.

In the domains of wearable electronics, robotics, and the Internet of Things, there is a demand for devices with low power consumption and the capability of multiplex sensing, memory, and learning. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) offer remarkable versatility in this regard, particularly when integrated with synaptic transistors that mimic biological synapses. However, conventional TENGs, generating only two spikes per cycle, have limitations when used in synaptic devices requiring repetitive high-frequency gating signals to perform various synaptic plasticity functions.

Effect of graphene oxide nanoparticles on in vitro growth of Fragaria x ananassa (Cameron Highlands white Strawberry) and evaluation of genetic stability using DAMD and ISSR markers.

Graphene oxide (GO) is a novel nanomaterial with distinct physical properties and significant biological applications. The use of GO in plant tissue culture offers several new properties and potential applications. This research is vital due to the growing need for innovative techniques to promote plant growth, improve plant productivity and mitigate challenges posed by environmental stressors.

Real flue gas CO hydrogenation to formate by an enzymatic reactor using O- and CO-tolerant hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase.

It is challenging to capture carbon dioxide (CO), a major greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, due to its high chemical stability. One potential practical solution to eliminate CO is to convert CO into formate using hydrogen (H) (CO hydrogenation), which can be accomplished with inexpensive hydrogen from sustainable sources. While industrial flue gas could provide an adequate source of hydrogen, a suitable catalyst is needed that can tolerate other gas components, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O), potential inhibitors.

Platelet Membrane-Enclosed Bioorthogonal Catalysis for Combating Dental Caries.

Platelets have shown promise as a means to combat bacterial infections, fostering the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. However, several challenges persist, including cargo loading issues, limited efficacy against biofilms, and concerns regarding the impact of payloads on the platelet carriers. Here, human platelet membrane vesicles (h-PMVs) encapsulating supramolecular metal catalysts (SMCs) as "nanofactories" to convert prodrugs into antimicrobial compounds within close proximity to bacteria are introduced.

Holistic approach to waste mobil oil bioremediation: Valorizing waste through biosurfactant production for soil restoration.

The combustion of mobil oil leads to the emission of toxic compounds in the environment. In this study, the aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions present in a waste mobil oil collected from automobile market were comprehensively identified and their toxicity was evaluated using wheat grain. Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain IITR51 isolated and characterized previously could degrade 30-80% of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid culture.

Pseudomorphic Synthesis of Monodisperse Afterglow Carbon Dot-Doped SiO Microparticles for Photonic Crystals.

Synthesizing monodisperse afterglow microparticles (MPs) is crucial for creating photonic crystal (PC) platforms with multiple optical states for optoelectronics. However, achieving high uniformity in both size and morphology is challenging for inorganic afterglow MPs using conventional methods. In this contribution, a novel approach for the synthesis of carbon dot (CD)-doped SiO MPs with tunable afterglow properties and size distributions is reported.

Electrifying HO synthesis with g-CN-based single atom catalysts.

This article highlights the recent work of Zhang, Peng (, 2023, , 695, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NH00564F) on transition metal single atom embedded graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for the neutral electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide.

Isotype heterojunction: tuning the heptazine/triazine phase of crystalline nitrogen-rich CN towards multifunctional photocatalytic applications.

Photocatalytic technology has been well studied as a means to achieve sustainable energy generation through water splitting or chemical synthesis. Recently, a low C/N atomic ratio carbon nitride allotrope, CN, has been found to be highly prospective due to its excellent electronic properties and ample N-active sites compared to g-CN. Tangentially, crystalline g-CN has also been a prospective candidate due to its improved electron transport and extended π-conjugated system.

Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for enhanced production of 1,3-butanediol from glucose.

1,3-Butanediol (1,3-BDO) finds versatile applications in the cosmetic, chemical, and food industries. This study focuses on the metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli K12 to achieve efficient production of 1,3-BDO from glucose via acetoacetyl-CoA, 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and 3-hydroxybutyraldehyde. The accumulation of an intermediary metabolite (pyruvate) and a byproduct (3-hydroxybutyric acid) was reduced by disruption of the negative transcription factor (PdhR) for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) and employing an efficient alcohol dehydrogenase (YjgB), respectively.

Direct Electrochemical Functionalization of Graphene Grown on Cu Including the Reaction Rate Dependence on the Cu Facet Type.

We present an electrochemical method to functionalize single-crystal graphene grown on copper foils with a (111) surface orientation by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Graphene on Cu(111) is functionalized with 4-iodoaniline by applying a constant negative potential, and the degree of functionalization depends on the applied potential and reaction time. Our approach stands out from previous methods due to its transfer-free method, which enables more precise and efficient functionalization of single-crystal graphene.

Construction of prophage-free and highly-transformable Limosilactobacillus reuteri strains and their use for production of 1,3-propanediol.

The lactic acid bacterium Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) is a desirable host for the production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from glycerol when 1,3-PDO is used in the food or cosmetic industry. However, the production is hindered by strain instability, causing cell lysis, and difficult gene manipulation. This study reveals that the stability of L.

Octafluoronaphthalene as a thermal-annealing-free volatile solid additive enables high-performance organic solar cells.

A thermal annealing-free solid additive octafluoronaphthalene was developed for high-performance organic solar cells. In an additive-modified device, an impressive power conversion efficiency of 18.59% from 17.

Shape-Configurable MXene-Based Thermoacoustic Loudspeakers with Tunable Sound Directivity.

Film-type shape-configurable speakers with tunable sound directivity are in high demand for wearable electronics. Flexible, thin thermoacoustic (TA) loudspeakers-which are free from bulky vibrating diaphragms-show promise in this regard. However, configuring thin TA loudspeakers into arbitrary shapes is challenging because of their low sound pressure level (SPL) under mechanical deformations and low conformability to other surfaces.

Nanosheet Particles with Defect-Free Block Copolymer Structures Driven by Emulsions Containing Crystallizable Surfactants.

Highly anisotropic-shaped particles with well-ordered internal nanostructures have received significant attention due to their unique shape-dependent photonic, rheological, and electronic properties and packing structures. In this work, nanosheet particles with cylindrical block copolymer (BCP) arrays are achieved by utilizing collapsed emulsions as a scaffold for BCP self-assembly. Highly elongated structures with large surface areas are formed by employing crystallizable surfactants that significantly reduce the interfacial tension of BCP emulsions.

Near zero-strain silicon oxycarbide interphases for stable Li-ion batteries.

We investigate silicon oxycarbide nanotubes that incorporate Si, SiC, and silicon oxycarbide phases, which exhibit near zero-strain volume expansion, leading to reduced electrolyte decomposition. The composite effectively accommodates the formation of -LiSi, as validated by TEM analyses and electrochemical tests, thereby proposing a promising solution for Li-ion battery anodes.