Modulating Hydroxyl-Rich Interfaces on Nickel–Copper Double Hydroxide Nanotyres to Pre-activate Alkaline Ammonia Oxidation Reactivity

The surface hydroxyl groups of Ni_xCu_1−x(OH)₂ play a crucial role in governing their conversion efficiency into Ni_xCu_1−xO_x(OH)_2−x during the electro-chemical pre-activation process, thus affecting the integral ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) reactivity. Herein, the rational design of hierarchical porous NiCu double hydroxide nanotyres (NiCu DHTs) was reported for the first time by considering hydroxyl-rich interfaces to promote pre-activation efficiency and intrinsic structural superiority (i.e., annulus, porosity) to accelerate AOR kinetics. A systematic investigation of the structure–function relationship was conducted by manipulating a series of NiCu DHs with tunable intercalations and morphologies. Remarkably, the NiCu DHTs exhibit superior AOR activity (onset potential of 1.31 V with 7.52 mA cm⁻² at 1.5 V) and high ammonia sensitivity (detection limit of 9 μm ), manifesting one of the best non-noble metal AOR electrocatalysts and electro-analytical electrodetectors. This work deepens the understanding of the crucial role of surface hydroxyl groups on determining the catalytic performance in alkaline medium.     

Solvatochromic Behavior of Chiral Mesoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Applications for Sensing Small Molecules and Separating Cationic Dyes

Two anionic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with 1D mesoporous tubes ( 1 ) and chiral mesoporous cages ( 2 ) have been rationally constructed by means of a predesigned size‐extended hexatopic ligand, namely, 5,5′,5′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tris‐ (azanediyl)triisophthalate (TATAT). Charge neutrality is achieved by protonated dimethylamine cations. Notably, the two MOFs can be used to separate large molecules based on ionic selectivity rather than the size‐exclusion effect so far reported in the literature. Owing to the imino triazine backbone and carboxyl groups of the hexatopic ligand, which provide important host–guest interactions, rare solvatochromic phenomena of 1 and 2 are observed on incorporating acetone and ethanol guests. Furthermore, guest‐dependent luminescence properties of compound 2 were investigated, and the results show that luminescence intensity is significantly enhanced in toluene and benzene, while quenching effects are observed in acetone and ethanol. Thus, compound 2 may be a potential material for luminescent probes.     

FRACTURE ASSESSMENT OF AN INTERFACE CRACK BETWEEN TWO DISSIMILAR MAGNETOELECTROELASTIC MATERIALS UNDER HEAT FLOW AND MAGNETOELECTROMECHANICAL LOADINGS

A magnetoelectrically permeable interface crack between two semi-infinite magnetoelectroelastic planes under the action of a heat flow and remote magnetoelectromechanical loadings is considered, where the assumption of frictionless contact between two dissimilar halfplanes is adopted. Not only the solutions of the interface crack problem are presented in an explicit form, but also the general condition for the transition from a perfect thermal contact of two magnetoelectroelastic bodies to their separation is given.     

Synthesis and computational oxidation mechanism study of novel organosoluble aramids with high modulus by low‐temperature solution polycondensation

A series of highly organosoluble polyamides with high modulus having propeller‐shaped triarylamine were synthesized using aromatic diacid chlorides by low‐temperature solution polycondensation. The polyamide films had strong, tough, flexible, and amorphous properties. These polymers revealed electrochromic characteristics both in the visible range and near‐infrared (NIR) region, with a color change from pale yellowish at its neutral state to green and blue at its oxidized state at applied potentials ranging from 0.00 to 1.35 V. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the polymer films cast onto an indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass substrate exhibited two reversible redox couples at potentials of 0.80–0.87 V and 1.19–1.25 V, respectively, vs. Ag/Ag⁺ in acetonitrile solution. From the combination of the experimental and computational study, we proposed an oxidation mechanism based on molecular orbital (MO) theory, which well explains the CV experimental result. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010