Au core-PtAu alloy shell nanowires for formic acid electrolysis

Inefficient electrocatalysts and high-power consumption are two thorny problems for electrochemical hydrogen(H2)production from acidic water electrolysis.Herein we report the one-pot precise synthesis of ultrafine Au core-Pt Au alloy shell nanowires(Au@PtxAu UFNWs).Among them,Au@Pt_0.077 Au UFNWs exhibit the best performance for formic acid oxidation reaction(FAOR)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),which only require applied potentials of 0.29 V and-22.6 m V to achieve a current density of 10 m A cm^-2,respectively.The corresponding formic acid electrolyzer realizes the electrochemical H2 production at a voltage of only 0.51 V with 10 m A cm^-2 current density.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the Au-riched Pt Au alloy structure can facilitates the direct oxidation pathway of FAOR and consequently elevates the FAOR activity of Au@Pt_0.077 Au UFNWs.This work provides meaningful insights into the electrochemical H₂ production from both the construction of advanced bifunctional electrocatalysts and the replacement of OER.     

Layered Ag-graphene films synthesized by Gamma ray irradiation for stable lithium metal anodes in carbonate-based electrolytes

Lithium metal batteries are considered as high energy density battery systems with very promising prospects and have bee n widely studied.However,The uncon trollable plating/strippi ng behavior,infinite volume change and den drites formation of lithium metal anode restrict the applicati on.The unc on trolled n ucleati on of lithium caused by the non uniform multi-physical field distributions,can lead to the undesirable lithium deposition.Herein,a graphene composite uniformly loaded with Ag nano-particles(Ag NPs)is prepared through a facile Gamma ray irradiation method and assembled into self-supported film with layered structure(Ag-rGO film).Whe n such film is used as a lithium metal an ode host,the uncontrolled deposition is converted into a highly nucleation-induced process.On one hand,the Ag NPs distributed between the in terlayers of graphe ne can preferentially induce lithium nu cleati on and en able uniform deposition morphology of lithium between interlayers.On the other hand,the stable layered graphene structure can accommodate volume change,stabilize the interface between anode and electrolyte and inhibit dendrites formation.Therefore,the layered Ag-rGO film as anode host can reach a high Coulombic efficiency over 93.3% for 200 cycle(786 h)at a current density of 1 mA cm^-2 for 2 mAh cm^-2 in carbonate-based electrolyte.This work proposes a facile Gamma ray irradiation method to prepare metal/3D-skeleton structure as lithium anode host and demonstrates the potential to regulate the lithium metal deposition behaviors via manipulating the distribution of lithiophilic metal(e.g.Ag)in 3D frameworks.This may offer a practicable thinking for the subsequent design of the lithium metal anode.     

中国纤维素乙醇技术的研究进展

中国面临着严重的能源短缺和环境污染问题,中国政府正在局部几个省份内政策性鼓励燃料乙醇生产和使用.尽管当前主要是用玉米和谷物作为生产乙醇的原料,然而中国具有大量潜在的低成本的纤维素生物质原料,可以极大地扩大乙醇的产量,降低原料成本.近20年来,由于技术的革命性进步,已使得纤维素乙醇的生产成本从4美元/加仑以上,降低至约1.2-1.5美元/加仑.其中,每吨生物质约44美元.因此,目前乙醇掺汽油具有十分强的市场竞争力.已有几个公司正在建造首批商业纤维素乙醇工厂,虽然这些刚起步的小型设施在合理利用和管理上风险较小,但规模经济需要较大型工厂.尽管配送生物质原料的成本会随需求的增加而增加,但在乙醇生产基础上的生物精炼技术的发展,尤其是化工产品和动力的协同生产,将会使全过程的经济可行性大大提高.进一步深入的基础研究,将解决低成本下实现纤维素的完全利用,以确保在无政策性补贴的前提下,真正使纤维素乙醇成为具有市场竞争力的低成本纯液体燃料.     

Binary ligand strategy toward interweaved encapsulation-nanotubes structured electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Hierarchically porous architecture of ir on-nitroge n-carb on(Fe-N-C)for oxyge n reducti on reaction(ORR)is highly desired towards efficient mass transfer in the fuel cell device manner.Herein,we reported a binary ligand strategy to prepare zeolitic imidazolate frameworks(ZIFs)-derived precursors,wherein the addition of secondary ligand endows precursors with the capabilities to transform into porously interweaved encapsulation-nanotubes structured composites after calcination.The optimal catalyst,i.e.,termed as Fe₆-M/C-3,exhibits excellent durability with 88.8%current retention after 50,000 seconds in 0.1 M HClO₄solution by virtue of nanoparticles-encapsulation features,which is more positive than the benchmark commercial 20 wt%Pt/C catalyst.Moreover,a promising maximum power density of Fe₆-M/C-3 as cathode catalyst was also dem on strated in proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)measurements.Therefore,this binary ligand approach to the fabrication of hierarchically porous structures would also have significant implications for various other electrochemical reactions.     

Molten salt as ultrastrong polar solvent enables the most straightforward pyrolysis towards highly efficient and stable single-atom electrocatalyst

Currently,pyrolysis as the most widely used method still has some key issues not well resolved for synthesis of carbon-supported single-atom catalysts(C-SACs),e.g.,the sintering of metal atoms at high temperature as well as the high cost and complicated preparations of precursors.In this report,molten salts are demonstrated to be marvellous medium for preparation of C-SACs by pyrolysis of small molecular precursors(ionic liquid).The ultrastrong polarity on one hand establishes robust interaction with precursor and enables better carbonization,resulting in largely enhanced yield.On the other hand,the aggregation of metal atoms is effectively refrained while no nanoparticle or cluster is formed.By this strategy,a C-SAC with atomically dispersed Fe-N₄ sites and a high specific area over 2000 m² g^-1 is obtained,which illustrates high ORR activity in both acid and alkaline media.Moreover,this SAC exhibits superior methanol tolerance and stability after acid soaking at 85℃ for 48 h.It is believed that the molten-salts-assisted pyrolysis can be developed into a routine strategy as it not only can largely simply the synthesis of C-SACs,but also can be extended to prepare other types of SACs.     

镧对Mg-Si合金中Mg2Si相变质的影响

研究了Mg-5Si合金中La的添加对初生Mg2Si相变质的影响。结果表明,适量的La能够有效地变质初生Mg2Si相。基于本文的研究,在添加约0.5%La时,获得了最佳的变质效果,此时,初生Mg2Si相的尺寸减小到25μm以下,其形态从粗大的树枝形状变为多面体形状。然而,当La增加到0.8%或者更高时,初生Mg2Si相又生长为粗大的树枝形态。而且,在凝固过程中发现形成了一些LaSi2化合物,这些化合物的数量随着La的增加而呈现逐渐增加的趋势。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定天然水体中19种元素

建立STD/KED模式-电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）法同时测定天然水体中铍、硼、钛、钒、铬、锰、钴、镍、铜、锌、钼、镉、锑、钡、铊、铅、铁、砷和硒19种元素的分析方法。仪器调谐校准后,样品在线加入锂、钪、铑、铋校准溶液校正,以标准曲线内标法定量分析。标准曲线相关系数均大于0.999,样品加标回收率为92.6%～103.6%,质控样品测定值相对标准偏差为0.20%～2.6%(n=6),方法检出限为0.01～0.70μg/L。该方法灵敏度高,操作简便,节省人力,能满足天然水体中19种元素的同时检测需要。     

电解质-非电解质混合溶液活度系数的关联及溶解的推算 II:NH3-NaCl-Na2SO4-H2O体系的液固平衡热力学

由于在研究的体系中, Na2SO4是非对称电解质, 且能生成水合盐, 故推导了由非对称型电解质与非电解质所构成的混合溶液的各组分的活度系数关联通式, 并在此基础上讨论了水合盐液固平衡的计算方法.     

黄花棘豆化学成分的研究II:两种三萜皂苷的结构

从黄花棘豆的总皂苷中分离出两个新皂苷1和2.经光谱分析及化学方法确证,1为3-O-[α-L-鼠李吡喃糖基(1→2)-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基(1→4)-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖醛酸基]-黄豆醇B;2为3-O-[α-L-鼠李吡喃糖基(1→2)-α-L-阿拉伯吡喃糖基(1→4)-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖醛酸基]-黄豆醇B.     

二氧化钛纳米管的研究进展

二氧化钛纳米管由于其新奇的光电、催化、气敏等性能引起了广泛的关注,在太阳能电池、光催化、环境净化、气体传感器等领域有潜在的应用价值.本文概述了近年来在制备方法、反应机理和组成、晶型和形貌及掺杂和应用方面的进展,并讨论了今后可能的研究发展方向.     

基于碳纳米材料的神经电极技术

As a powerful tool for monitoring and modulating neural activities, implantable neural electrodes constitute the basis for a wide range of applications, including fundamental studies of brain circuits and functions, treatment of various neurological diseases, and realization of brain-machine interfaces. However, conventional neural electrodes have the issue of mechanical mismatch with soft neural tissues, which can result in tissue inflammation and gliosis, thus causing degradation of function over chronic implantation. Furthermore, implantable neural electrodes, especially depth electrodes, can only carry out limited data sampling within predefined anatomical regions, making it challenging to perform large-area brain mapping. With excellent electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties, carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been used as materials of implantable neural electrodes in recent years. Electrodes made from graphene and CNT fibers exhibit low electrochemical impedance, benefiting from the porous microstructure of the fibers. This enables a much smaller size of neural electrode. Together with the low Young's modulus of the fibers, this small size results in very soft electrodes. Soft neural electrodes made from graphene and CNT fibers show a much-reduced inflammatory response and enable stable chronic in vivo action potential recording for 4-5 months. Combining different modalities of neural interfacing, including electrophysiological measurement, optical imaging/stimulation, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), could leverage the spatial and temporal resolution advantages of different techniques, thus providing new insights into how neural circuits process information. Transparent neural electrode arrays made from graphene or CNTs enable simultaneous calcium imaging through the transparent electrodes, from which concurrent electrical recording is taken, thus providing complementary cellular information in addition to high-temporal-resolution electrical recording. Transparent neural electrodes from carbon-based nanomaterials can record well-defined neuronal response signals with negligible light-induced artifacts from cortical surfaces under optogenetic stimulation. Graphene and CNT-based materials were used to fabricate MRI-compatible neural electrodes with negligible artifacts under high field MRI. Simultaneous deep brain stimulation (DBS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with graphene fiber electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in Parkinsonian rats revealed robust blood oxygenation level dependent responses along the basal ganglia-thalamocortical network in a frequency-dependent manner, with responses from some regions not previously detectable. This review introduces the recent development and application of neural electrode technologies based on graphene and CNTs. We also discuss biological safety issues and challenges faced by neural electrodes made from carbon nanomaterials. The use of carbon-based nanomaterials for the fabrication of various soft and multi-modality compatible neural electrodes will provide a powerful platform for both fundamental and translational neuroscience research.     

改进的人工神经网络在传感器阵列信号处理中的应用

本文提出传感器阵列信号处理的人工神经网络模型，以Cu^ 2/Ca^ 2系统为研究对象．尝试了神经网络方法的效果。其最大相对误差不超过5．％，最大相对预测误差不超过2．4％，结果表明，该方法性能良好，在各种传感器阵列的信号处理方面有广泛的应用前景。     

植入式光电极器件发展

Optogenetics transforms specific types of neurons through genetic engineering to achieve the cell membrane expression of photosensitive channel protein. When a specific wavelength of light irradiates the photosensitive channel protein, the cell is either excited or inhibited. Optogenetics provides a precise and fast method to control the activity of individual neurons for neuroscience research, which has gained increasing attention as a means of neural regulation. To realize the photogenetic regulation of neurons, light should be introduced into the brain safely and efficiently. Thus, specialized photoelectric devices are needed. Optrode plays a significant role in the application of optogenetics tools, which is the technical basis for the application of optogenetics. Optrode is a kind of implantable neural interface device. It can introduce light into the brain to regulate neural activity and record the changes of neural electrical signals under the control of lights. As the research of optogenetic technology continues, More and more optrodes are being developed and applied in the study of neuroscience and diseases, such as neural circuit, cognition and memory, epilepsy, and sensory function damage. The combination of optrode with optogenetic technologies provides various developmental modes in terms of material selection, device structure, light supply method, and integrated ways. The difficulty in fabricating optrodes lies in performing light stimulation and electrical signal recording without causing the immune rejection of the test animal and affecting its normal physiological activities simultaneously. In this study, based on structural characteristics and manufacturing process, optrodes are classified into two categories: waveguide-based and micro-light emitting diode-based. Subsequently, based on manufacturing process and light supply method, waveguide-based optrodes are further divided into optical fiber-optrode, optical waveguide-optrode based on MENS technology, and LD/LED waveguide-optrode. Similarly, micro-light emitting diode-based optrodes are divided into hard μLED optrode and soft μLED optrode. The advantages and disadvantages of different types of optrodes, as well as the evolution direction, are reviewed and summarized. Additionally, problems with existing optrodes, such as signal quality, biocompatibility, and device reliability, are discussed. Further, the ideal form of the device is presented as possessing the following characteristics: μLED and recording electrode integrated on flexible substrate, small size, high spatial resolution, high biocompatibility, wireless energy supply, wireless data transmission, etc. As optrode technologies are continuously updated, in the application of optogenetic technologies, research on brain neural circuit and functional structure will be better studied, and various nerve diseases will be gradually tamed.     

微纳电极阵列检测丘脑底核电刺激引起的纹状体神经元活动变化

丘脑底核(STN)深部脑刺激(DBS)已成为帕金森病的重要外科治疗手段,然而其确切的作用机理尚不明确.本研究采用微机电系统(MEMS)技术制备了一种16通道植入式微电极阵列(MEA),在MEA表面修饰了铂黑-还原氧化石墨烯-Nafion膜(Pt/RGO/Nafion)纳米材料,用于同步检测麻醉大鼠脑内纹状体神经元在STN电刺激前后多巴胺(DA)含量和动作电位(Spike)发放变化.STN-DBS结果表明,电刺激20 s后,DA含量开始升高,最高达1.72 μmol/L,较高浓度状态保持约50 s后回落至正常水平.与此同时, 检测到在DA上升阶段中间神经元Spike发放活动增强,在保持高于DA正常浓度水平阶段,中等多棘神经元(MSNs)放电频率增加.本研究制备的微电极阵列传感器能够实现脑内多巴胺和电生理的原位实时检测,有望成为神经信息检测的有力工具.     

Screen-printed multienzyme arrays for use in amperometric batch and flow systems

Screen-printing technology for electrode fabrication enables construction of amperometric devices suitable for combination of several enzyme electrodes. To develop a biosensor array for characterisation of wastewaters, tyrosinase and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or cholinesterase-modified electrodes were combined on the same array. The behaviour of the tyrosinase-modified electrode in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (required co-substrate for the HRP-modified electrode) and acetylthiocholine chloride (required co-substrate for cholinesterase) was studied. Performance of bi-enzyme biosensor arrays in the batch mode and in the flow-injection system are discussed.     

传感器阵列信号处理的人工神经网络方法

本文提出传感器阵列信号处理的人工神经网络方法,并以K~+/Ca~(2+)/NO_3~-/Cl~-阵列系统为对象,尝试了该方法的效果。结果表明,其拟合最大相对误差不超过7.4％,预测最大相对误差不超过6.9％。可见,其性能良好,可望成为各种传感器阵列信号处理的有用工具。     

导电高分子在神经界面电极中的应用

神经界面电极作为人体和外部器件间信息融合的媒介, 为人们进一步探究神经系统高级功能的机制提供了有效工具. 传统的神经电极多以金属和半导体材料为主, 这两类材料因具有惰性材料的特性及优越的 导电性能而成为早期神经电极的主要制备材料, 但由于其刚性过大和光滑表面导致的机械失配及与生物组织间过高的电化学阻抗限制了神经电极的进一步发展. 导电高分子作为一种有机导电材料, 同时具备柔软性 (杨氏模量约在0.01~10 GPa)和导电性(高掺杂度的导电高分子的电导率在金属范围, 10⁰~10⁵ S/cm)的特征, 是制备神经电极的有效材料. 近年来, 人们利用导电高分子材料对传统电极材料进行改性甚至替代, 以提高电极比表面积、 减小界面阻抗, 并提高电极检测的灵敏性; 同时减小电极与组织间的应变失配, 减少炎症反应, 并进一步在导电高分子中引入功能性生物大分子, 减少生物组织对电极的排异反应, 增加电极在体内长期植入的稳定性. 本文讨论和总结了导电高分子材料在神经电极中的应用, 分别对导电高分子作为涂层修饰神经电极、 全导电高分子材料神经电极及导电高分子复合材料神经电极等展开讨论, 分析了导电高分子在神经界面电极中的应用前景及存在的问题, 以期对神经界面电极在脑科学和生物电子医疗等前沿领域的进一步发展提供参考.     

Ultra Compact Nanoporous Platinum Coating Improves Neural Recording

Neural electrodes are key tools for achieving a successful brain-computer interface and the electrodes should be small to minimize damage to neural tissue and obtain good spatial selectivity such as single unit recording. Here we show conventional platinum/tungsten neural probes can be coated with nanoporous Pt. Thanks to nanoporous Pt with the extremely small and uniform pores, L₂-ePt, the electrode impedance could be reduced by more than 2 orders of magnitude while the apparent area was almost the same. L₂-ePt coating enhanced neuronal recording of local field potential in monkeys, leading to facilitating implanted electrical devices in the nervous system.     

A three-dimensional flexible microprobe array for neural recording assembled through electrostatic actuation

We designed, fabricated and tested a novel three-dimensional flexible microprobe to record neural signals of a lateral giant nerve fiber of the escape circuit of an American crayfish. An electrostatic actuation folded planar probes into three-dimensional neural probes with arbitrary orientations for neuroscientific applications. A batch assembly based on electrostatic forces simplified the fabrication and was non-toxic. A novel fabrication for these three-dimensional flexible probes used SU-8 and Parylene technology. The mechanical strength of the neural probe was great enough to penetrate into a bio-gel. A flexible probe both decreased the micromotion and alleviated tissue encapsulation of the implant caused by chronic inflammation of tissue when an animal breathes or moves. The cortex consisted of six horizontal layers, and the neurons of the cortex were arranged in vertical structures; the three-dimensional microelectrode arrays were suitable to investigate the cooperative activity for neurons in horizontal separate layers and in vertical cortical columns. With this flexible probe we recorded neural signals of a lateral giant cell from an American crayfish. The response amplitude of action potentials was about 343 μV during 1 ms period; the average recorded data had a ratio of signal to noise as great as 30.22 ± 3.58 dB. The improved performance of this electrode made feasible the separation of neural signals according to their distinct shapes. The cytotoxicity indicated a satisfactory biocompatibility and non-toxicity of the flexible device fabricated in this work.     

3D‐printed Metal Electrodes for Heavy Metals Detection by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Heavy metals, being one of the most toxic and hazardous pollutants in natural water, are of great public health concern. Much effort is still being devoted to the optimization of the electroanalytical methods and devices, particularly for the development of novel electrode materials in order to enhance selectivity and sensitivity for the analysis of heavy metals. The ability of 3D‐printing to fabricate objects with unique structures and functions enables infinite possibilities for the creation of custom‐made electrochemical devices. Here, stainless steel 3D‐printed electrodes (3D‐steel) have been tested for individual and simultaneous square wave anodic stripping analysis of Pb and Cd in aqueous solution. Electrodeposition methods have also been employed to modify the steel electrode surface by coating with a thin gold film (3D−Au) or a bismuth film (3D−Bi) to enhance the analytical performance. All 3D‐printed electrodes (3D‐steel, 3D−Au and 3D−Bi) have been tested against a conventionally employed glassy carbon electrode (GC) for comparison. The surface modified electrodes (3D−Au and 3D−Bi) outperformed the GC electrode demonstrating higher sensitivity over the studied concentration ranges of 50–300 and 50–500 ppb for Pb and Cd, respectively. Owing to the bismuth property of binary alloys formation with heavy metals, 3D−Bi electrode displayed well‐defined, reproducible signals with relatively low detection limits of 3.53 and 9.35 ppb for Pb and Cd, respectively. The voltammetric behaviour of 3D−Bi electrode in simultaneous detection of Pb and Cd, as well as in individual detection of Pb in tap water was also monitored. Overall, 3D‐printed electrodes exhibited promising qualities for further investigation on a more customizable electrode design.