Fluoride Product Inhibition: New Insight into the Degradation of Nerve Agents by Zr-MOFs.

Zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have shown remarkable efficacy in catalytically degrading neurotoxic agents in recent years. However, the catalytic activity of Zr-MOFs can be inhibited due to the binding of phosphate degradation products to the Zr nodes. Here, we reported the inhibition effect of a nonphosphate substance, fluoride, which can deactivate Zr-MOF nodes for the degradation of GD and VX and simulate DEPPT.

Interfacial Modification for High-Efficient Reversible Protonic Ceramic Cell with a Spin-Coated BaZrCeYO Electrolyte Thin Film.

Slurry spin coating is an effective approach for the fabrication of protonic ceramic electrolyte thin films. However, weak adhesion between the electrode and spin-coated electrolyte layers in electrochemical cells due to the low sinterability of the proton-conducting perovskite materials usually lead to a high interfacial resistance and thus a low performance. Herein, we report a method to improve the interfacial connection and boost the performance of protonic ceramic cells based on a BaZrCeYO (BZCY) electrolyte.

Asymmetric Triple-Functional Janus Membrane for Blood Oxygenation.

The oxygenation membrane, a core material of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), is facing challenges in balancing anti-plasma leakage, gas exchange efficiency, and hemocompatibility. Here, inspired by the asymmetric structural features of alveolus pulmonalis, a novel triple-functional membrane for blood oxygenation with a Janus architecture is proposed, which is composed of a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer to prevent plasma leakage, an ultrathin polyamide layer to enhance gas exchange efficiency with a CO :O permeance ratio of ≈10.7, and a hydrophilic polyzwitterionic layer to improve the hemocompatibility.

A High-Performance N-Selective MXene Membrane with Double Selectivity Mechanism for N/CH Separation.

Membrane-based separation process for unconventional natural gas purification (mainly N/CH separation) has attracted more attention due to its considerable economic benefits. However, the majority of separation membranes at this stage, particularly N-selective membranes, achieve the desired separation target by mainly relying on the diffusivity-selectivity mechanism. To overcome the limitation of a single mechanism, 2D lamellar MXene membranes with a double selectivity mechanism are prepared to enhance N permeance and N/CH selectivity via introducing unsaturated metal sites into MXene, which can form specific interactions with N molecules and enhance N permeation.

Enhanced Anti-Biofouling Properties of BWRO Membranes via the Deposition of Poly (Catechol/Polyamine) and Ag Nanoparticles.

The surface modification of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes to improve their anti-biofouling properties is gaining increased attention. Here, we modified the polyamide brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) membrane via the biomimetic co-deposition of catechol (CA)/tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and in situ growth of Ag nanoparticles. Ag ions were reduced into Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) without extraneous reducing agents.

Study on the Treatment of Refined Sugar Wastewater by Electrodialysis Coupled with Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket and Membrane Bioreactor.

In this paper, refined sugar wastewater (RSW) is treated by electrodialysis (ED) coupled with an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and membrane bioreactor (MBR). The salt in RSW was first removed by ED, and then the remaining organic components in RSW were degraded by a combined UASB and MBR system. In the batch operation of ED, the RSW was desalinated to a certain level (conductivity < 6 mS·cm) at different dilute to concentrated stream volume ratios (V/V).

Solid oxide fuel cell with a spin-coated yttria stabilized zirconia/gadolinia doped ceria bi-layer electrolyte.

A thin yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) bi-layer membrane is fabricated through the slurry spin coating technique and used as an electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell with LaSrCoFeO as the cathode. The viscosity of the YSZ slurry is controlled by adding ethanol in the terpineol solvent, which shows a negligible effect on the thickness but a remarkable influence on the porosity of the YSZ film. The thickness of the YSZ layer increases with the YSZ content in the slurry.

Catalytic conversion of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin into cycloalkanes over a gamma-alumina supported nickel molybdenum alloy catalyst.

The efficient depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin are achieved in cyclohexane solvents over a gamma-alumina supported nickel molybdenum alloy catalyst in a single step. Under initial 3 MPa hydrogen at 320 °C, the highest overall cycloalkane yield of 104.4 mg/g enzymatic hydrolysis lignin with 44.

Study on The Concentration of Acrylic Acid and Acetic Acid by Reverse Osmosis.

In the production of acrylic acid, the concentration of acrylic acid solution from the adsorption tower was low, which would lead to significant energy consumption in the distillation process to purify acrylic acid, along with the production of a large amount of wastewater. Reverse osmosis (RO) was proposed to concentrate the acrylic acid aqueous solution taken from a specific tray in the absorption tower. The effects of operating conditions on the permeate flux and acid retention were studied with two commercial RO membranes (SWC5 and SWC6).

A-Site Ordered Double Perovskite with in Situ Exsolved Core-Shell Nanoparticles as Anode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

A highly active anode material for solid oxide fuel cells resistant to carbon deposition is developed. Co-Fe co-doped LaBaMnO with a cubic-hexagonal heterogeneous stucture is synthesized through the Pechini method. An A-site ordered double perovskite with CoFe alloy-oxide core-shell nanoparticles on its surface is formed after reduction.

Highly selective conversion of guaiacol to -butylphenols in supercritical ethanol over a HWO catalyst.

The conversion of guaiacol is examined at 300 °C in supercritical ethanol over a HWO catalyst. Guaiacol is consumed completely, meanwhile, 16.7% aromatic ethers and 80.

Hydrophilic and antimicrobial core-shell nanoparticles containing guanidine groups for ultrafiltration membrane modification.

Physical blending is a common technique to improve the water flux and antifouling performance of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. In the present work, a novel hydrophilic and antimicrobial core-shell nanoparticle was synthesized through the chemical grafting of poly(guanidine-hexamethylenediamine-PEI) (poly(GHPEI)) on the surface of silica nanoparticles (SNP). The synthesized core-shell nanoparticles, poly(GHPEI) functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNP@PG), were incorporated into polyethersulfone (PES) to fabricate hybrid UF membranes by a phase inversion process.

A systematic study of the co-solvent effect for an all-organic redox flow battery.

Benzophenone and 1,4-di--butyl-2,5-dimethoxybenzene are used as the anode and cathode active species respectively in an all-organic redox-flow battery. A number of organics as the co-solvents are applied in the electrolyte to improve the electrochemical performance of it. For all kinds of the mixed solvents, a lower content of acetonitrile leads to a higher solubility to 1,4-di--butyl-2,5-dimethoxybenzene and a lower conductivity.

Near- and supercritical ethanol treatment of biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae.

Biocrude produced from algae by hydrothermal liquefaction was treated with near- and supercritical ethanol and ethanol-water mixtures at 210-290°C for 0.5-4h. Longer reaction times and higher temperatures better promoted esterification reactions.

Catalytic conversion of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to biofuels in supercritical alcohols over zeolites.

Microalgae have been considered as the feedstock for the third generation biofuels production, given its high lipid content and fast productivity. Herein, a catalytic approach for microalgae liquefaction to biocrude is examined in a temperature range of 250-300°C in methanol and ethanol over zeolites. Higher biocrude yield was achieved in ethanol and at lower temperatures, while better quality biocrude with higher light biocrude ratio and lower average molecular weight (Mw) was favored in methanol and at higher temperatures.

Facet-selective charge carrier transport, deactivation mechanism and stabilization of a Cu2O photo-electro-catalyst.

A facet-dependent photo-deactivation mechanism of Cu2O was verified and reported, which is caused by the facet-dependent charge carrier transport. During irradiation, the {100} and {110} crystal facets are selectively corroded by the photo-generated holes, while the {111} facets are comparatively stable.

Templating Sol-Gel Hematite Films with Sacrificial Copper Oxide: Enhancing Photoanode Performance with Nanostructure and Oxygen Vacancies.

Nanostructuring hematite films is a critical step for enhancing photoelectrochemical performance by circumventing the intrinsic limitations on minority carrier transport. Herein, we present a novel sol-gel approach that affords nanostructured hematite films by including CuO as sacrificial templating agent. First, by annealing in air at 450 °C a film comprising an intimate mixture of CuO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles is obtained.

Selective catalytic conversion of guaiacol to phenols over a molybdenum carbide catalyst.

An activated carbon supported α-molybdenum carbide catalyst (α-MoC1-x/AC) showed remarkable activity in the selective deoxygenation of guaiacol to substituted mono-phenols in low carbon number alcohol solvents. Combined selectivities of up to 85% for phenol and alkylphenols were obtained at 340 °C for α-MoC1-x/AC at 87% conversion in supercritical ethanol. The reaction occurs via consecutive demethylation followed by a dehydroxylation route instead of a direct demethoxygenation pathway.

Alumina supported molybdenum catalyst for lignin valorization: Effect of reduction temperature.

Alumina supported molybdenum catalysts were prepared with an impregnation method. The activity of the catalyst in the ethanolysis of Kraft lignin to C6-C11 molecules, i.e.

Catalytic ethanolysis of Kraft lignin into high-value small-molecular chemicals over a nanostructured α-molybdenum carbide catalyst.

We report the complete ethanolysis of Kraft lignin over an α-MoC1-x /AC catalyst in pure ethanol at 280 °C to give high-value chemicals of low molecular weight with a maximum overall yield of the 25 most abundant liquid products (LP25) of 1.64 g per gram of lignin. The LP25 products consisted of C6 -C10 esters, alcohols, arenes, phenols, and benzyl alcohols with an overall heating value of 36.