Miniaturized electrochemical sensors and their point-of-care applications

Most of the current analytical methods depend largely on laboratory-based analytical techniques that require expensive and bullky equipment,potentially incur costly testing,and involve lengthy detection processes.With increasing requirements for point-of-care testing(POCT),more attention has been paid to miniaturized analytical devices.Miniaturized electrochemical(MEC)sensors,including different material-based MEC sensors(such as DNA-,paper-,and screen electrode-based),have been in strong demand in analytical science due to their easy operation,portability,high sensitivity,as well as their short analysis time.They have been applied for the detection of trace amounts of target through measuring changes in electrochemical signal,such as current,voltage,potential,or impedance,due to the oxidation/reduction of chemical/biological molecules with the help of electrodes and electrochemical units.MEC sensors present great potential for the detection of targets including small organic molecules,metal ions,and biomolecules.In recent years,MEC sensors have been broadly applied to POCT in various fields,including health care,food safety,and environmental monitoring,owing to the excellent advantages of electrochemical(EC)technologies.This review summarized the state-of-the-art advancements on various types of MEC sensors and their applications in POCT.Furthermore,the future perspectives,opportunities,and challenges in this field are also discussed.     

Machine Learning towards Screening Solid-state Lithium Ion Conductors

Machine learning is an emerging method to discover new materials with specific characteristics.An unsupervised machine learning research is highlighted to discover new potential lithium ionic conductors by screening and clustering lithium compounds,providing inspirations for the development of solid-state electrolytes and practical batteries.     

Surface defect-rich ceria quantum dots anchored on sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes with enhanced charge separation for solar hydrogen production

Designing defect-engineered semiconductor heterojunctions can effectively promote the charge carrier separation.Herein,novel ceria(CeO2) quantum dots(QDs) decorated sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes(SCN NTs) were synthesized via a thermal polycondensation coupled in situ depositionprecipitation method without use of template or surfactant.The structure and morphology studies indicate that ultrafine CeO2 QDs are well distributed inside and outside of SCN NTs offering highly dispersed active sites and a large contact interface between two components.This leads to the promoted formation of rich Ce³⁺ ion and oxygen vacancies as confirmed by XPS.The photocatalytic performance can be facilely modulated by the content of CeO2 QDs introduced in SCN matrix while bare CeO2 does not show activity of hydrogen production.The optimal catalyst with 10% of CeO2 loading yields a hydrogen evolution rate of 2923.8 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible light,remarkably higher than that of bare SCN and their physical mixtures.Further studies reveal that the abundant surface defects and the created 0 D/1 D junctions play a critical role in improving the separation and transfer of charge carriers,leading to superior solar hydrogen production and good stability.     

Superfast and solvent-free core-shell assembly of sulfur/carbon active particles by hail-inspired nanostorm technology for high-energy-density Li-S batteries

The demand on low-carbon emission fabrication technologies for energy storage materials is increasing dramatically with the global interest on carbon neutrality.As a promising active material for metal-sulfur batteries,sulfur is of great interest due to its high-energy-density and abundance.However,there is a lack of industry-friendly and low-carbon fabrication strategies for high-performance sulfur-based active particles,which,however,is in critical need by their practical success.Herein,based on a hail-inspired sulfur nano-storm(HSN)technology developed in our lab,we report an energy-saving,solvent-free strategy for producing core-shell sulfur/carbon electrode particles(CNT@AC-S)in minutes.The fabrication of the CNT@AC-S electrode particles only involves low-cost sulfur blocks,commercial carbon nanotubes(CNT)and activated carbon(AC)micro-particles with high specific surface area.Based on the above core-shell CNT@AC-S particles,sulfur cathode with a high sulfur-loading of 9.2 mg cm^-2 delivers a stable area capacity of 6.6 mAh cm^-2 over 100 cycles.Furthermore,even for sulfur cathode with a super-high sulfur content(72 wt%over the whole electrode),it still delivers a high area capacity of 9 mAh cm^-2 over50 cycles in a quasi-lean electrolyte condition.In a nutshell,this study brings a green and industryfriendly fabrication strategy for cost-effective production of rationally designed S-rich electrode particles.     

Unraveling the stabilization mechanism of solid electrolyte interface on ZnSe by rGO in sodium ion battery

Transition metal selenides have been widely studied as anode materials of sodium ion batteries(SIBs),however,the investigation of solid-electrolyte-interface(SEI)on these materials,which is critical to the electrochemical performance of SIBs,remains at its infancy.Here in this paper,ZnSe@C nanoparticles were prepared from ZIF-8 and the SEI layers on these electrodes with and without reduced graphene oxide(rGO)layers were examined in details by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies at varied charged/discharged states.It is observed that fast and complicated electrolyte decomposition reactions on ZnSe@C leads to quite thick SEI film and intercalation of solvated sodium ions through such thick SEI film results in slow ion diffusion kinetics and unstable electrode structure.However,the presence of rGO could efficiently suppress the decomposition of electrolyte,thus thin and stable SEI film was formed.ZnSe@C electrodes wrapped by rGO demonstrates enhanced interfacial charge transfer kinetics and high electrochemical performance,a capacity retention of 96.4%,after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g.This study might offer a simple avenue for the designing high performance anode materials through manipulation of SEI film.     

CXN天然沸石的研究2: 吸附性质

采用N~2,NH~3,CO~2,乙烯,丙烯,水,甲醇,乙醇,丙醇等作为吸附剂,研究了由我国CXN天然沸石改性制得的H-STI和Na-STI沸石的吸附性质,H-STI和Na-STI沸石的BET表面积及微孔孔体积约为420m^2/g和0.20m^3/g。根据NH~3和CO~2在H-STI沸石上的吸附等温线计算得到它们的吸附热分别为44.8和26.5kJ/mol。乙烯,丙烯,甲醇,乙醇,丙醇等在Na-STI沸石上的吸附等温线表明该沸石对有机分子的吸附具有链长选择性。在低分压下水相对于甲醇的吸附量表明沸石具有一定的疏水性质。     

常温常湿条件下Au/MeO~x催化剂上CO氧化性能

利用共沉淀法制备了Au/MeO~x催化剂(Me=Al,Co,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Zn)。在常温常湿条件下,考察了不同氧化物负载的金基催化剂的CO氧化性能。结果表明,氧化物种类对催化剂的活性和稳定性均有较大的影响。Cu,Mn,Cr等氧化物负载的金基催化剂的活性较差,而Zn,Fe,Co,Ni,Al等金属氧化物负载的金基催化剂可将CO完全氧化,又具有一定的稳定性,在相同反应条件下,CO完全转化时的稳定性顺序为Au/ZnO>Au/α-Fe~2O~3>Au/Co~3O~4>Au/γ-Al~2O~3≈Au/NiO。还发现水对Au/MnO~x催化剂的活性和稳定性有负作用,而对180℃焙烧制备的Au/ZnO-180催化剂的活性和稳定性均有明显的湿度增强作用。     

Boost oxygen reduction reaction performance by tuning the active sites in Fe-N-P-C catalysts

Cost-effective atomically dispersed Fe-N-P-C complex catalysts are promising to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and replace Pt catalysts in fuel cells and metal-air batteries.However,it remains a challenge to increase the number of atomically dispersed active sites on these catalysts.Here we report a highly efficient impregnation-pyrolysis method to prepare effective ORR electrocatalysts with large amount of atomically dispersed Fe active sites from biomass.Two types of active catalyst centers were identified,namely atomically dispersed Fe sites and Fe_xP particles.The ORR rate of the atomically dispersed Fe sites is three orders of magnitude higher than it of Fe_xP particles.A linear correlation between the amount of the atomically dispersed Fe and the ORR activity was obtained,revealing the major contribution of the atomically dispersed Fe to the ORR activity.The number of atomically dispersed Fe increases as the Fe loading increased and reaching the maximum at 1.86 wt%Fe,resulting in the maximum ORR rate.Optimized Fe-N-P-C complex catalyst was used as the cathode catalyst in a homemade Zn-air battery and good performance of an energy density of 771 Wh kgZn^-1,a power density of 92.9 m W cm^-2 at 137 m A cm^-2 and an excellent durability were exhibited.     

Regulation of carbon distribution to construct high-sulfur-content cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur(Li-S)battery is regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems due to the ultra-high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg^-1.To address the insulation nature of sulfur,nanocarbon composition is essential to afford acceptable cycling capacity but inevitably sacrifices the actual energy density under working conditions.Therefore,rational structural design of the carbon/sulfur composite cathode is of great significance to realize satisfactory electrochemical performances with limited carbon content.Herein,the cathode carbon distribution is rationally regulated to construct high-sulfur-content and high-performance Li-S batteries.Concretely,a double-layer carbon(DLC)cathode is prepared by fabricating a surface carbon layer on the carbon/sulfur composite.The surface carbon layer not only provides more electrochemically active surfaces,but also blocks the polysulfide shuttle.Consequently,the DLC configuration with an increased sulfur content by nearly 10 wt%renders an initial areal capacity of 3.40 mAh cm^-2 and capacity retention of 83.8%during 50 cycles,which is about two times than that of the low-sulfur-content cathode.The strategy of carbon distribution regulation affords an effective pathway to construct advanced high-sulfur-content cathodes for practical high-energy-density Li-S batteries.     

Confined Ni-In intermetallic alloy nanocatalyst with excellent coking resistance for methane dry reforming

Carbon dioxide and methane are two main greenhouse gases which are contributed to serious global warming.Fortunately,dry reforming of methane(DRM),a very important reaction developed decades ago,can convert these two major greenhouse gases into value-added syngas or hydrogen.The main problem retarding its industrialization is the seriously coking formation upon the nickel-based catalysts.Herein,a series of confined indium-nickel(In-Ni)intermetallic alloy nanocatalysts(In_xNi@SiO₂)have been prepared and displayed superior coking resistance for DRM reaction.The sample containing 0.5 wt.%of In loading(In_0.5Ni@SiO₂)shows the best balance of carbon deposition resistance and DRM reactivity even after 430 h long term stability test.The boosted carbon resistance can be ascribed to the confinement of core–shell structure and to the transfer of electrons from Indium to Nickel in In-Ni intermetallic alloys due to the smaller electronegativity of In.Both the silica shell and the increase of electron cloud density on metallic Ni can weaken the ability of Ni to activate C–H bond and decrease the deep cracking process of methane.The reaction over the confined InNi intermetallic alloy nanocatalyst was conformed to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood(L-H)mechanism revealed by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(in-situ DRIFTS).This work provides a guidance to design high performance coking resistance catalysts for methane dry reforming to efficiently utilize these two main greenhouse gases.     

高分子化学理论课与实验课的融合教学模式探索*

以“乙酸乙烯酯的乳液聚合”理论课和实验课为例,探索了将高分子化学理论和实验课程进行融合的创新教学模式。将理论教学和实验教学进行互动和融合的整体安排,克服了传统教学中理论课和实验课相互分离、缺乏相互支撑的缺点。在融合教学模式中,理论课和实验课实行团队协同教学;在同一个实验中设置必修内容和扩展性内容,更好地培养学有余力的学生;将理论课和实验课进行综合考核;对比了实验课前置、实验课居中和实验课后置教学方式,其中实验课居中的融合教学适合于大部分学生,有助于提高学生学习质量。     

药学类专业基础课程有机化学教学现状的调查分析与对策

为了确保有机化学课程的教学改革具有科学性和针对性,本课程组对西安交通大学药学和制药专业85名学生进行了问卷调查。通过对调查结果的统计和分析,课程组认为:有机化学的教学改革应从教师、学生和课程3个方面统一进行有针对性的调整和变化,才能实现学生从"被动"到"主动"学习方式的转变。     

在《高分子化学》课程中开展互动式教学的实践与探索

通过在"高分子化学"课程中开展师生互动式教学,探讨了运用互联网网站、网上论坛和学生上讲台作学术报告等方式对提高学生学习积极性、促进专业课程教学改革、提高教学质量的作用.介绍了所采用的具体做法,并就互动式教学的开展总结了个人的体会.     

现代分析化学课程教学改革与实践

Modern analytical chemistry is the important professional course for graduate students of analytical chemistry and the related majors. It is the continuation and promotion of knowledge of analytical chemistry course and the key course to improve the scientific research ability of students. The course includes modern separation science, modern electroanalytical chemistry, modern photoanalytical chemistry and advanced analytical chemistry. It is an important guarantee for improving teaching quality to carry out teaching reform of modern analytical chemistry. In the paper, starting from the construction of teaching team, the modern analytical chemistry course group including four courses was set up for the first time. The course contents are reorganized. The teaching methods are optimized and coordinated. The courses are constructed collectively, including reforming the teaching mode and teaching method, editing textbook appropriately and setting up website with a variety of teaching materials. Therefore, the teaching quality can be guaranteed and the disciplinary fundamentals for research work of students can be strengthened.     

基于SPOC理念的波谱化学翻转课堂教学设计

The SPOC course of spectroscopic methods in organic chemistry explored a combination of online and offline hybrid teaching methods based on the Chinese University MOOC network (https://www.icourse163.org/). Based on the characteristics of students at normal universities, the course was designed by improving teaching methods, designing course processes and contents, improving the contents of online video course, experiencing lessons and learning processes, and analyzing actual teaching results. The course aims to explore SPOC teaching rules, carry out teaching reforms, and provide more in-depth, meaningful, and effective teaching methods.     

能源与环境系统工程专业工程化学课程的教学改革与实践

工程化学课程是本校非化学化工专业(能源与环境系统工程专业)的一门学科基础课程。该课程的目的是锻炼学生的化学思维能力,通过学习工程应用中的化学理论,提高学生运用化学知识解决实际问题的能力。本文阐述了本校工程化学课程的教学理念和授课情况,对教学内容和方法进行了深入的改革与实践,详细介绍了课程建设、课堂教学、课下反馈与评价、科研相辅、教学工作的反思与总结,进一步阐述了教学环节的教育探索与实践总结,使工程化学课程的教学质量得到了提高。     

研究生全校公选课“表面物理化学”分类教学改革与实践

为满足学术型和应用型研究生以及交叉学科研究生培养的需要,对我校研究生全校公选课“表面物理化学”进行了教学改革和实践。建立了满足研究生分类培养的课程内容体系,基于不同类型研究生的学习需求和本科基础来组织实施教学和考核,教学中注重教学与科研相结合、理论与实践相统一,使课程适应两类研究生和交叉学科研究生人才培养的需要。。     

提升教学魅力,打造一门好课——《材料表面与界面》教学改革探索

《材料表面与界面》为高分子材料与工程专业复合材料方向的限选课。本课程对于学生奠定学科基础、培养学生对复合材料方向的兴趣具有重要的先导作用。笔者以"提升教学魅力,打造一门好课"为改革目标,充分贯彻了"教学内容是教学魅力的根本,教学方法与教学手段是将教学内容高效转化为教学魅力的催化剂"这一指导思想,从教学内容与教学方式两方面进行改革。从教学反馈看,这些改革措施能够改善教学效果,提高学生学习效率,得到了学生的认可。     

“讲一练二考三”模式建设面向实际应用的计算化学课程

将"讲一练二考三"的新型教学理念应用于大学化学的教学是一种有意义的尝试。本文结合计算化学课程的特点和本人的教学实践,从课程建设思路、教学内容、教学方式、练习方式和考试方式等几个方面阐述了采用"讲一练二考三"模式建设面向实际应用的计算化学课程的一些经验和方法,探讨了计算化学课程授课内容和教学方法的改革。     

OBE教学理念下波谱分析课程教学改革的思考与实践

波谱分析作为应用化学专业的一门专业基础课,在学生毕业论文环节中起着重要的作用。基于成果导向教育(OBE)的教育理念,以我院应用化学专业学生在毕业论文环节的实际解谱需要为出发点,通过合理安排教学内容、改进课堂教学方式和建立有效的评价体系,对波谱分析课程进行初步改革探索,注重培养学生解析谱图的能力,提高课程的实用性。