Efficient synthesis of branched poly(acrylic acid) derivatives via postpolymerization modification

The utility of pentafluorophenyl esters for the selective introduction of functional units and branch points in well-defined poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) derivatives is demonstrated using a combination of controlled radical polymerization and postpolymerization modification. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer enables the synthesis of well-defined copolymers—poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate-co-tert-butyl acrylate)—with the active ester repeat units serving as attachment points for reaction with primary amines, specifically tris(2-(t-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl)methyl amine (Behera's amine). Deprotection using trifluoroacetic acid removes both the backbone and side chain t-butyl esters to give a series of branched PAA derivatives containing novel tricarboxylic acid side chains that are well suited to complexation and multidentate interactions. Surprisingly, the active ester homopolymer is shown to have the highest reactivity with Behera's amine when compared to copolymers with lower incorporation of pentafluorophenyl esters, suggesting an intriguing interplay of neighboring group effects and steric interactions. The ability to tune the efficiency of postpolymerization modification gives a library of PAA derivatives.     

Carbon-Based Materials as Lithium Hosts for Lithium Batteries

Lithium (Li) metal has attracted significant attention in areas that range from basic research to various commercial applications due to its high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g⁻¹) and low electrochemical potential (−3.04 vs. standard hydrogen electrode). However, dendrites often form on the surfaces of Li metal anodes during cycling and thus lead to battery failure and, in some cases, raise safety concerns. To overcome this problem, a variety of approaches that vary the electrolyte, membrane, and/or anode have been proposed. Among these efforts, the use of three-dimensional frameworks as Li hosts, which can homogenize and minimize the current density at the anode surface, is an effective approach to suppress the formation of Li dendrites. Herein, we describe the development of using carbon-based materials as Li hosts. While these materials can be fabricated into a variety of porous structures, they have a number of intrinsic advantages including low costs, high specific surface areas, high electrical conductivities, and wide electrochemical stabilities. After briefly summarizing the formation mechanisms of Li dendrites, various methods for controlling structural and surface chemistry will be described for different types of carbon-based materials from the viewpoint of improving their performance as Li hosts. Finally, we provide perspective on the future development of Li host materials needed to meet the requirements for their use in flexible and wearable devices and other contemporary energy storage techniques.     

EicC对撞光学设计

EicC是中国科学院近代物理研究所计划建造的中国电子-离子对撞机装置,该对撞机质心能位于20 GeV附近,是研究海夸克的最佳能量窗口,同时还可研究胶子和价夸克。EicC对撞粒子为高极化率质子和电子束团,质子环pRing采用八字环设计方案,可以更好地保持极化质子束团极化率,电子环eRing采用跑道形环设计方案,可以更好地利用隧道空间。该装置电子束流能量中心值为3.5 GeV,电子束RMS发射度为水平方向60 nm·rad,垂直方向60 nm·rad,对撞点b函数为水平方向0.4 m,垂直方向0.12 m;质子束流能量中心值20 GeV,质子束RMS发射度为水平方向300 nm·rad,垂直方向180 nm·rad,对撞点b函数为水平方向0.08 m,垂直方向0.04 m,设计亮度2×1033 cm–2s–1。EicC采用双对撞区非对称光学设计,通过对EicC不同色品补偿方案的研究,最终确定了弧区加短直线节共同补偿的色品补偿方案;通过研究对撞点处b函数以及对撞点间相移对动力学孔径的影响,最终得到pRing动力学孔径大于8 s(s为束团RMS尺寸)、eRing动力学孔径大于20 s,满足大于束团尺寸6 s的要求。     

“Self-repairing” nanoshell for cell protection

Self-repair is nature''s way of protecting living organisms. However, most single cells are inherently less capable of self-repairing, which greatly limits their wide applications. Here, we present a self-assembly approach to create a nanoshell around the cell surface using nanoporous biohybrid aggregates. The biohybrid shells present self-repairing behaviour, resulting in high activity and extended viability of the encapsulated cells (eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells) in harsh micro-environments, such as under UV radiation, natural toxin invasion, high-light radiation and abrupt pH-value changes. Furthermore, an interaction mechanism is proposed and studied, which is successful to guide design and synthesis of self-repairing biohybrid shells using different bioactive molecules.     

Two-Dimensional Germanium Sulfide Nanosheets as an Ultra-Stable and High Capacity Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) at present still suffer from low rate capability and poor cycle life during fast ion insertion/extraction processes. Searching for high-capacity and stable anode materials is still an ongoing challenge. Herein, a facile strategy for the synthesis of ultrathin GeS₂ nanosheets with the thickness of 1.1 nm is reported. When used as anodes for LIBs, the two-dimensional (2D) structure can effectively increase the electrode/electrolyte interface area, facilitate the ion transport, and buffer the volume expansion. Benefiting from these merits, the as-synthesized GeS₂ nanosheets deliver high specific capacity (1335 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.15 A g⁻¹), extraordinary rate performance (337 mAh g⁻¹ at 15 A g⁻¹) and stable cycling performance (974 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹). Importantly, our fabricated Li-ion full cells manifest an impressive specific capacity of 577 mAh g⁻¹ after 50 cycles at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and a high energy density of 361 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 346 W kg⁻¹. Furthermore, the electrochemical reaction mechanism is investigated by the means of ex-situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. These results suggest that GeS₂ can use to be an alternative anode material and encourage more efforts to develop other high-performance LIBs anodes.     

Enzymatic Extraction of Bioactive and Self‐Assembling Wool Keratin for Biomedical Applications

Keratin is widely recognized as a high‐quality renewable protein resource for biomedical applications. Despite their extensive existence, keratin resources such as feathers, wool, and hair exhibit high stability and mechanical properties because of their high disulfide bond content. Consequently, keratin extraction is challenging and its application is greatly hindered. In this work, a biological extraction strategy is proposed for the preparation of bioactive keratin and the fabrication of self‐assembled keratin hydrogels (KHs). Based on moderate and controlled hydrolysis by keratinase, keratin with a high molecular weight of approximately 45 and 28 kDa that retain its intrinsic bioactivities is obtained. The keratin products show excellent ability to promote cell growth and migration and are conferred with significant antioxidant ability because of their intrinsically high cysteine content. In addition, without the presence of any cross‐linking agent, the extracted keratin can self‐assemble into injectable hydrogels. The KHs exhibit a porous network structure and 3D culture ability, showing potential in promoting wound healing. This enzyme‐driven keratin extraction strategy opens up a new approach for the preparation of keratin that can self‐assemble into injectable hydrogels for biomedical engineering.     

Low-temperature combustion synthesis of CuCr2O4 spinel powder for spectrally selective paints

CuCr₂O₄ spinel powder with high quality black hue, investigated as solar-absorbing pigment for spectrally selective paint, was synthesized by an environmental friendly sol–gel combustion process using citric acid as the fuel and metal nitrates as oxidizers. Single-phase CuCr₂O₄ spinel crystals were obtained after heat treatment of the as-burnt powder at a low temperature (600 °C) and the average crystallite size of the CuCr₂O₄ powders increased with the calcining temperature. Morphological analysis of powders calcined at various temperatures was done by field emission scanning electron microscopy. CuCr₂O₄ powder calcined at 700 °C was chosen as pigment to fabricate thickness sensitive spectrally selective paint coatings by simple spray-coating technique. For the sake of comparison, the as-burnt powder composed of mixed metal oxides (i.e., CuO and Cr₂O₃) was also used as pigment. The results reveal that the spinel CuCr₂O₄ based paint coatings exhibit much higher spectral selectivity (α _s = 0.88–0.91, ε ₁₀₀ = 0.27–0.35) which is depending on the coating thicknesses than that of coatings using as-burnt powder as pigment (α _s = 0.83–0.88, ε ₁₀₀ = 0.60–0.66). The CuCr₂O₄-based paint coatings showed no visible degradation after 600 h of condensation test and the performance criterion value is 0.04, indicating that the coatings have excellent long term stability.     

不同磁路下微型ECR中和器电子引出的模拟研究

电子回旋共振(ECR)中和器是微型ECR离子推力器的重要组成部分,其引出的电子用于中和ECR离子源的离子束流,避免了航天器表面电荷堆积,并且电子引出性能对推力器的整体性能起着重要作用.为了分析影响微型ECR中和器电子引出的因素,本文建立了二维轴对称PIC/MCC计算模型,通过数值模拟研究不同磁路结构对中和器的电子引出,及不同腔体长度对壁面电流损失的影响.计算结果表明, ECR区位置和引出孔附近磁场构型对中和器的电子引出性能至关重要.当ECR区位于天线上游,电子在迁移扩散中易损失,并且电子跨过引出孔前电势阱所需的能量更高.如果更多磁力线平行通过引出孔,中和器引出相同电子电流所需电压较小.当ECR区被天线切割或位于下游时,电子更易沿磁力线迁移到引出孔附近,从而降低了收集板电压.研究了同一磁路结构下不同腔体长度对电子引出的影响,发现增加腔体长度,使得更多平行轴线的磁力线通过引出孔从而避免电子损失在引出板表面,增加了引出电子电流.研究结果有助于设计合理的中和器磁路和腔体尺寸.