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.     

Liquid gallium columns sheathed with carbon: Bulk synthesis and manipulation

It is impossible to fabricate isolated gallium nanomaterials due to the low melting point of Ga (29.8 degrees C) and its high reactivity. We report the bulk synthesis of uniform liquid Ga columns encapsulated into carbon nanotubes through high-temperature chemical reaction between Ga and CH4. The diameter of filled Ga liquid columns is approximately 25 nm, and their length is up to several micrometers. The thickness of the carbon sheaths is approximately 6 nm. Simultaneous condensation of a Ga vapor and carbon clusters results in the generation of Ga-filled carbon nanotubes. A convergent 300 kV electron beam generated in a field emission high-resolution electron microscope is demonstrated to be a powerful tool for delicate manipulation of the liquid Ga nanocolumns: they can be gently joined, cut, and sealed within carbon nanotubes. The self-organization of a carbon sheath during the electron-beam irradiation is discussed. The electron-beam irradiation may also become a decent tool for Ga-filled carbon nanotube thermometer calibration.     

Electrochemical synthesis of gallium nanowires and macroporous structures in an ionic liquid

The electrochemical synthesis of gallium nanostructures in an ionic liquid is presented. Gallium nanowires and macroporous structures were synthesized by the template-assisted electrodeposition in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Py(1,4)]TFSA) containing GaCl(3) as the precursor. Track-etched polycarbonate membranes with an average pore diameter of 90 nm and a thickness of 21 μm were used as templates for the nanowire synthesis. Ga nanowires with a length of more than 4 μm and an average diameter corresponding to that of the template's pores were easily obtained by this method. Macroporous structures with an average pore diameter of 600 nm were obtained by the electrochemical deposition of Ga inside polystyrene colloidal crystal templates and the subsequent removal of the template by THF. The macroporous deposit showed a granular morphology with smallest grain sizes of about 40 nm and light reflections. The nanostructures of Ga were characterized by HR-SEM and EDX analysis.     

Synthesis of high-purity GaP nanowires using a vapor deposition method

High-purity gallium phosphide (GaP) nanowires were successfully synthesized on the nickel monoxide (NiO) or the cobalt monoxide (CoO) catalyzed alumina substrate by a simple vapor deposition method. To synthesize the high-purity GaP nanowires, the mixture source of gallium (Ga) and GaP powder was directly vaporized in the range of 850–1000 °C for 60 min under argon ambient. The diameter of GaP nanowires was about 38–105 nm and the length was up to several hundreds of micrometers. The GaP nanowires have a single-crystalline zinc blend structure and reveal the core-shell structure, which consists of the GaP core and the GaPO₄/Ga₂O₃ outer layers. We demonstrate that the mixture of Ga/GaP is an ideal source for the high-yield GaP nanowires.     

On the formation of the crystalline phases and nanostructure of silicon carbonitride layers grown on gallium arsenide substrates

The crystallization of thin silicon carbonitride layers obtained by chemical vapor deposition from silicon organic precursors on gallium arsenide substrates at 973 K in the presence of liquid gallium drops is studied. The layers grown by the vapor-liquid-solid method are studied by IR, Raman, and energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation in order to determine their chemical and phase composition, crystal structure, and surface morphology. Their morphology is supposed to be associated with the formation of nuclei in a gallium drop located at the surface of the gallium arsenide substrate.     

Molten gallium as a catalyst for the large-scale growth of highly aligned silica nanowires

The vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process is a fundamental mechanism for the growth of nanowires, in which a small size (5-100 nm in diameter), high melting point metal (such as gold and iron) catalyst particle directs the nanowire's growth direction and defines the diameter of the crystalline nanowire. In this article, we show that the large size (5-50 microm in diameter), low melting point gallium droplets can be used as an effective catalyst for the large-scale growth of highly aligned, closely packed silica nanowire bunches. Unlike any previously observed results using gold or iron as catalyst, the gallium-catalyzed VLS growth exhibits many amazing growth phenomena. The silica nanowires tend to grow batch by batch. For each batch, numerous nanowires simultaneously nucleate, grow at nearly the same rate and direction, and simultaneously stop growing. The force between the batches periodically lifts the gallium catalyst upward, forming two different kinds of products on a silicon wafer and alumina substrate. On the silicon wafer, carrot-shaped tubes whose walls are composed of highly aligned silica nanowires with diameters of 15-30 nm and length of 10-40 microm were obtained. On the alumina substrate, cometlike structures composed of highly oriented silica nanowires with diameters of 50-100 nm and length of 10-50 microm were formed. A growth model was proposed. The experimental results expand the VLS mechanism to a broader range.     

Stability of the gold/silica thin film interface: electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance studies

This article reports chemical stability studies of a gold film electrode coated with thin silicon oxide (SiOx) layers using electrochemical, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Silica films with different thicknesses (d = 6.4, 9.7, 14.5, and 18.5 nm) were deposited using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique (PECVD). For SiOx films with d >/= 18.5 nm, the electrochemical behavior is characteristic of a highly efficient barrier for a redox probe. SiOx films with thicknesses between 9.5 and 14.5 nm were found to be less efficient barriers for electron transfer. The Au/SiOx interface with 6.4 nm of SiOx, however, showed an enhanced steady-state current compared to that of the other films. The stability of this interface in solutions of different pH was investigated. Whereas a strongly basic solution led to a continuous dissolution of the SiOx interface, acidic treatment produced a more reticulated SiOx film and improved electrochemical behavior. The electrochemical results were corroborated by SPR measurements in real time and AFM studies.     

碳辅助CVD制备氧化硅纳米线及其光学性能

利用碳辅助CVD方法, 在1100~1140 ℃、常压、N2/H2气氛下, 以Fe-Al-O复合体系为催化剂, 在石英衬底上制备了大量非晶氧化硅纳米线. 该纳米线直径为20~200 nm, 长数百微米. 利用透射电镜、扫描电镜及电子能谱对氧化硅纳米线的形貌及组分进行了表征与分析; FTIR光谱显示了非晶氧化硅的3个特征峰(482, 806和1095 cm-1)和1132 cm-1无序氧化硅结构的强吸收峰. 氧化硅纳米线的光致发光光谱(PL)表明其具有较强的438 nm荧光峰.     

Combining convective/capillary deposition and AFM oxidation lithography for close-packed directed assembly of colloids

We combine convective/capillary deposition and oxidation lithography by atomic force microscopy to direct the close-packed assembly of colloids on SiOx patterns fabricated on silicon substrates previously functionalized with a hydrophobic monolayer of octadecyltrimethoxysilane. The efficiency of this original generic method, which is well adapted to integrate colloids into silicon devices, is demonstrated for 100 nm colloidal latex nanoparticles and Escherichia coli bacteria in aqueous suspensions. A three-step mechanism involving convective flow and capillary forces appears to be responsible for these close-packed assemblies of colloids onto SiOx patterns.     

Optical emission from C60-molecule-coupled Si nanocrystallites

Using C60 molecule as a kind of surface-passivated agent to modify the electronic structure of Si nanocrystallites in porous silicon, we disclose that this kind of C60/nanocrystalline Si coupling system can show a strong blue emission at approximately 460 nm when stored in air for more than one year. After a full characterization of the photoluminescence properties, we propose a luminescent center in the SiOx layer at the surface of a Si nanocrystallite. It is a pair consisting of an oxygen vacancy and an interstitial oxygen. The interstitial oxygen also forms a peroxy linkage with a neighboring lattice oxygen. Radiative recombination of carriers photogenerated from Si nanocrystallite cores in the luminescent centers results in the observed blue photoluminescence. Neutron irradiation experiments support our assignment of the blue emission mechanism. This work improves the understanding of the origin of blue emission from silicon/oxygen-related nanostructured materials.     

Evolution of the local structure in GaN:O thin films grown by ion‐assisted deposition with film thickness

Optical and optoelectronic properties of gallium nitride strongly depend on the synthesis procedure, which may be related to specific structural characteristics of GaN inherent to each preparation condition. Amorphous and nanocrystalline GaN films have been prepared by ion‐assisted deposition (IAD). The films prepared at 10^?5 Torr for <50 min have shown exploitable optoelectronic properties, in spite of the high concentration of oxygen of these films (up to 25 at.%). We study here the evolution of the local structure around Ga atoms as the deposition time increases. Five IAD GaN films of thickness ranging between 140 and 450 nm on silicon substrates were analysed by x‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) at the Ga K‐edge. The first and second shells of neighbouring atoms are clearly identified in the radial distribution functions at approximately 1.9 and 3.2 Å, respectively. In all of the films, Ga seems to be tetrahedrally coordinated to four nitrogen atoms, some of which may be substituted by oxygen. For deposition times <50 min, analysis of both x‐ray adsorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended x‐ray adsorption fine structure (EXAFS) regions indicates that the material is highly amorphous. Above this threshold, a peak corresponding to the first coordination sphere of Ga atoms becomes discernible and increases in intensity for longer deposition times, indicating that the second shell of atoms is now more ordered. The pseudo Debye–Waller factor of the Ga shell is used for monitoring the average degree of amorphization in an ～100 nm thick top layer, which seems to be related to the film oxygen content. The XAFS results are compatible with a layered distribution of crystallinity, as has been suggested previously for these films. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.