Ligand-induced changes in the electrocatalytic activity of atomically precise Au nanoclusters.

Atomically precise gold nanoclusters have shown great promise as model electrocatalysts in pivotal electrocatalytic processes such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CORR). Although the influence of ligands on the electronic properties of these nanoclusters is well acknowledged, the ligand effects on their electrocatalytic performances have been rarely explored. Herein, using [Au(SR)] nanoclusters as a prototype model, we demonstrated the importance of ligand hydrophilicity hydrophobicity in modulating the interface dynamics and electrocatalytic performance.

Sustainable superhydrophobic lignin-based polyurethane foam: an innovative solution for oil pollutant adsorption.

Green, efficient treatment of crude oil spills and oil pollutants is a global challenge, with adsorption technology favored for its efficiency and low environmental impact. The development of an environmentally friendly adsorbent with high hydrophobicity, excellent adsorption performance, and degradability is crucial to overcoming the limitations of petroleum-based adsorbents. Here, a lignin-based polyurethane foam (LPUF) with superhydrophobic and photothermal oil-absorbing properties was fabricated by incorporating octadecyltrimethoxysilane into the foam system.

Challenges and opportunities in engineering next-generation 3D microelectronic devices: improved performance and higher integration density.

In recent years, nanotechnology and materials science have evolved and matured, making it increasingly easier to design and fabricate next-generation 3D microelectronics. The process has changed drastically from traditional 2D microelectronics, resulting in improved performance, higher integration density, and new functionalities. As applications become more complex and power-intensive, this technology can address the demands of high-performance computing, advanced sensors, and cutting-edge communication systems wearable, flexible devices, To manufacture higher-density microelectronics, recent advances in the fabrication of such 3D devices are discussed.

A Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Based on Triphenylamine for Photocatalytic Silane Hydroxylation.

Employing hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) as mild photocatalysts for organic conversions is still considerably challenging. In this work, we synthesized a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF-16) and achieved the photocatalytic oxidation of silanes to generate silanols. Considering the constraints imposed by the framework structure, a significant improvement in the efficacy of singlet oxygen (O) generation is observed.

Rational synthesis of 3D coral-like ZnCoO nanoclusters with abundant oxygen vacancies for high-performance supercapacitors.

Transition metal oxides with high theoretical capacitance are regarded as desired electrode materials for supercapacitors, however, the poor conductivity and sluggish charge transfer kinetics constrain their electrochemical performance. The three-dimensional (3D) coral-like ZnCoO nanomaterials with abundant oxygen vacancies were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and chemical reduction approach. The introduced oxygen vacancies can provide more active sites and lower the energy barrier, thereby facilitating the kinetics of surface reactions.

Enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties of SiCN(Ni)/BN ceramics by generated Ni and NiSi.

In this paper, the SiCN(Ni)/BN ceramic with excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance was successfully prepared. The Ni and NiSi were formed by the introduction of nickel acetylacetonate (NA), which effectively improved the impedance matching performance of SiCN(Ni)/BN ceramics. The EMW absorption properties of the SiCN(Ni)/BN ceramics showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase in content of NA.

Switchover from singlet oxygen to superoxide radical through a photoinduced two-step sequential energy transfer process.

The competitive nature of type II photosensitizers in the transfer of excitation energy for the generation of singlet oxygen (O) presents significant challenges in the design of type I photosensitizers to produce the superoxide anion radical (O). In this study, we present an efficient method for the direct transformation of type II photosensitizers into type I photosensitizers through the implementation of an artificial light-harvesting system (ALHSs) involving a two-step sequential energy transfer process. The designed supramolecular complex (DNPY-SBE-β-CD) not only has the ability to generate O as type II photosensitizers, but also demonstrates remarkable fluorescence properties in aqueous solution, which renders it an efficient energy donor for the development of type I photosensitizers ALHSs, thereby enabling the efficient generation of O.

Construction of Z-scheme AgCl/BiOCl heterojunction with oxygen vacancies for improved pollutant degradation and bacterial inactivation.

A facile Z-scheme AgCl/BiOCl heterojunction photocatalyst with oxygen vacancies was fabricated by a water-bath method. The structural, morphological, optical and electronic properties of as-synthesized samples were systematically characterized. The oxygen vacancies were confirmed by EPR, which could optimize the band-gap of the AgCl/BiOCl heterojunction and improve the photo-induced electron transfer.

Mo-doping heterojunction: interfacial engineering in an efficient electrocatalyst for superior simulated seawater hydrogen evolution.

Exploring economical, efficient, and stable electrocatalysts for the seawater hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly desirable but is challenging. In this study, a Mo cation doped NiSe/MoSe heterostructural electrocatalyst, Mo-NiSe/MoSe, was successfully prepared by simultaneously doping Mo cations into the NiSe lattice (Mo-NiSe) and growing atomic MoSe nanosheets epitaxially at the edge of the Mo-NiSe. Such an Mo-NiSe/MoSe catalyst requires only 110 mV to drive current densities of 10 mA cm in alkaline simulated seawater, and shows almost no obvious degradation after 80 h at 20 mA cm.

Achieving efficient almost CO-free hydrogen production from methanol steam reforming on Cu modified α-MoC.

Methanol, serving as a hydrogen carrier, is utilized for hydrogen production through steam reforming, a promising technology for on-vehicle hydrogen applications. Despite the impressive performance of noble-metal catalysts in hydrogen generation, the development of highly efficient non-noble-metal heterogeneous catalysts remains a formidable challenge. In our investigation, we systematically controlled the influence of the MoC phase on the dispersion of active copper metal to enhance the catalytic performance of methanol steam reforming (MSR).

Hierarchical porous carbon aerogels as a versatile electrode material for high-stability supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors (SCs), as new energy storage devices with low cost and high performance, urgently require an electrode material with good pore structure and developed graphitization. Herein, we report a 3D hierarchical porous structured carbon aerogel (CA) obtained dissolving-gelling and a subsequent carbonizing process. The gelling process was realized by using different types of anti-solvents.

Fabrication of a PCN/BiOBr 2D hybrid with improved photocatalytic performance of 2,4-dichorophenol degradation.

Photocatalysis has received much attention as an environmentally friendly route to manage the emerging organic pollution problems. Herein, BiOBr nanosheets have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and then PCN/BiOBr hybrids are designed a facile wet chemical method. The as-prepared PCN/BiOBr hybrids are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Facile synthesis of morphology-controlled hybrid structure of ZnCoO nanosheets and nanowires for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors.

Controllable synthesis of electrode materials with desirable morphology and size is of significant importance and challenging for high-performance supercapacitors. Herein, we propose an efficient hydrothermal approach to controllable synthesis of hierarchical porous three-dimensional (3D) ZnCoO composite films directly on Ni foam substrates. The composite films consisted of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets array anchored with one-dimensional (1D) nanowires.

The influence of UHMWPE with varying morphologies on the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of HDPE.

The current study aims to examine how the morphology of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles impacts the kinetics of non-isothermal crystallization in high-density polyethylene (HDPE). To prepare blends of HDPE and UHMWPE, melt blending is utilized. High-temperature melting and subsequent shearing are used to cause the morphological changes in UHMWPE particles.

Exploring the nutritional and sensory potential of karonda fruit: Physicochemical properties, jam production, and quality evaluation.

Karonda is an indigenous berry fruit known for its unique sour taste and high nutritional value. The lack of awareness portrays the fruit as undervalued and neglected, despite its vast nutritional benefits. The study aimed to explore the physicochemical properties of fresh and dried karonda fruit and its application in formulating a jam product.

Influence of the physical properties of the layered oxyselenides BiYOCuSe through Ni doping.

We have synthesized a series of Ni-doped layered oxyselenides BiYOCuNiSe (0 ≤ ≤ 0.4). The crystal structure and physical properties were studied through X-ray diffraction, and electric and thermo transport measurements.

Fluorinated saccharide-derived hard carbon as a cathode material of lithium primary batteries: effect of the polymerization degree of the starting saccharide.

Fluorinated hard carbon materials have been considered to be a good candidate of cathode materials of Li/CF batteries. However, the effect of the precursor structure of the hard carbon on the structure and electrochemical performance of fluorinated carbon cathode materials has yet to be fully studied. In this paper, a series of fluorinated hard carbon (FHC) materials are prepared by gas phase fluorination using saccharides with different degrees of polymerization as a carbon source, and their structure and electrochemical properties are studied.

Application of functional metal anionic Lewis acid ionic liquids in the alkylation of chlorobenzene/SOCl.

4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfoxide is the main raw material for the manufacture of polysulfone, polyether sulfone and other engineering plastics. It is also an intermediate for medicines, dyes and pesticides, which has been widely utilized in engineering plastics, fine chemicals and other fields. The alkylation of chlorobenzene with thionyl chloride can give 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfoxide as a product using Lewis acidic ionic liquids.

Production of aromatic hydrocarbons from lignin derivatives by catalytic cracking over a SiO-AlO catalyst.

Catalytic cracking of phenolic compounds to aromatic hydrocarbons is vital to the utilization of lignin. In this work, pristine amorphous SiO-AlO was used as a catalyst to produce aromatic hydrocarbons from lignin-derived phenolics by catalytic cracking using methanol as the solvent. These catalysts were characterized by various techniques (XRD, NH-TPD, Py-IR, ) and evaluated on a fixed bed reactor using guaiacol as a model compound.

High-performance electromagnetic wave absorption in cobalt sulfide flower-like nanospheres.

A heterophase cobalt sulfide absorbing material with petal-like surface structure was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The cobalt sulfide sample with the optimal microwave absorption capacity was achieved through regulating the reaction temperature. By regulating the reaction temperature to 200 °C, the optimal reflection loss was -48.

Recurrent neural network (RNN) model accelerates the development of antibacterial metronidazole derivatives.

Metronidazole is a specific drug against trichomonas and anaerobic bacteria, and is widely used in the clinic. However, extensive clinical application is often accompanied by extensive side effects, so it is still of great significance to develop metronidazole derivatives with a new skeleton. Compared with other traditional receptor-based drug design methods, the computational model based on a neural network has higher accuracy and reliability.

Chemical looping steam reforming of glycerol for hydrogen production over NiO-FeO/AlO oxygen carriers.

Fe-based oxygen carriers (OCs) are widely used in chemical looping steam reforming (CLSR) due to excellent resistance to carbon buildup, low toxicity, and high activity. In this study, a type of nano NiO-FeO/AlO Fe-based OC that can easily be reduced by fuels and re-oxidized by air was developed for use in glycerol CLSR. It was synthesized by co-precipitation and impregnation.

Ultrasonic treatment of polysaccharide enhances antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in a mouse D-galactose-induced aging model.

Utilization of the biological macromolecule polysaccharide (DOP) as a functional ingredient is limited by its high intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight. The goal of the present study was to improve rheological properties of DOP by ultrasonic treatment. Such a treatment resulted in the degradation of DOP and consequent reduction of rheological properties.