Carbon dots/Bi_2WO_6 composite with compensatory photo-electronic effect for overall water photo-splitting at normal pressure

Overall water photo-splitting is a prospective ideal pathway to produce ultra-clean H_2 energy by semiconductors.However,the band structure of many semiconductors cannot satisfy the requirement of H_2 and O_2 production at the same time.Herein,we illustrate that carbon dots(CDs)/Bi_2 WO_6 photocatalyst with compensatory photo-electronic effect has enhanced activity for overall water photo-splitting without any sacrificial agent.In this complex photocatalytic system,the photo-potential provided by CDs makes the CDs/Bi_2 WO6(C-BWO) composite could satisfy the band structure conditions for overall water photo-splitting.The C-BWO composite(3 wt% CDs content) exhibits optimized hydrogen evolution(oxygen evolution) of 0.28 μmol/h(0.12 μmol/h) with an approximate 2:1(H_2:O_2) stoichiometry at normal pressure.We further employed the in-situ transient photovoltage(TPV) technique to study the photoelectron extraction and the interface charge transfer kinetics of this composite catalyst.     

Electrical conductivity,optical properties and mechanical stability of 3, 4, 9, 10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhidride based organic semiconductor

The 3, 4, 9, 10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) doped polymer films were prepared with Polypyrrole (PPy) and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers by solution-casting. The change in structure and chemical composition of samples was identified by XRD and FTIR respectively. The UV–visible spectroscopy demonstrates the optical characteristics and band gap properties of sample. The homogeneous morphology of sample for higher wt% of PTCDA was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrate the decrease in melting temperature (T_m) and degree of crystallinity (χ_c%) of polymeric organic semiconductor. The mechanical property demonstrates the high tensile strength and improved plasticity nature. Impedance spectroscopy was evaluated to determine the conductivity response of polymeric organic semiconductor. The highest DC conductivity (2.08×10⁻³ S/m) was obtained for 10 wt% of PTCDA at 140 °C. The decrease in activation energy (E_a) represents the non-Debye process and was evaluated from the slope of ln σ_dc vs. 10³/T plot.     

Aluminum hypophosphite in combination with expandable graphite as a novel flame retardant system for rigid polyurethane foams

The main aim of this work was to investigate the synergistic effect of expandable graphite (EG) and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) on the flame retardancy of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). A series of flame retardant RPUF containing EG and AHP were prepared by one‐shot and free‐rise method. The flame retardant, thermal degradation, and combustion properties of RPUF hybrids were characterized through limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, vertical burning (UL‐94) test, thermogravimetric analysis and microscale combustion calorimeter. The LOI and UL‐94 results showed that the RPUF sample with 10 wt% EG and 5 wt% AHP passed UL‐94 V‐0 rating and reached a relatively high LOI value of 28.5%, which is superior over other EG/AHP ratios in RPUF at the equivalent filler loading. Microscale combustion calorimeter results revealed that the incorporation of EG and AHP into RPUF reduced the peak heat release rate and total heat release, thus decrease the fire risk of RPUF significantly. Incorporation of EG and AHP improved the thermal stability of RPUF as observed from the thermogravimetric analysis results and also enhanced the thermal resistance of char layer at high temperature from scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, it could be seen from thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry spectra that the addition of EG and AHP significantly decreased the combustible gaseous products such as hydrocarbons and ethers. Finally, the synergistic mechanism in flame retardancy was discussed and speculated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of ethyl cellulose microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate on flame retardancy,mechanical and thermal properties of flame retardant poly(butylene succinate) composites

Ethyl cellulose, a widely used bio-degradable shell material, microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MAPP) was added to the bio-degradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) to improve its flame retardancy, compatibility, and thermal stability. The MAPP was well characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The SEM results indicate the improved dispersion of MAPP into PBS matrix and the formation of the strong interfacial adhesion between MAPP and PBS than APP. With the incorporation of MAPP and char-forming agent into PBS, the limiting oxygen index of the composite was increased to 35.5 %, and the sample can pass the UL-94 V-0 rating, while the un-microencapsulated counterpart cannot reach the rating. The cone calorimeter test showed that the peak heat release rate was decreased by 46.7 % and the burning time was also prolonged compared to the pure PBS. The increased melt flow index and rheology test indicated the increase of viscosity and the improvement of anti-dripping properties. Moreover, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of MAPP composite were also obviously enhanced after the microencapsulation by mechanical, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis, and TG analysis.     

Pumping through Porous Hydrophobic/Oleophilic Materials: An Alternative Technology for Oil Spill Remediation

Recently, porous hydrophobic/oleophilic materials (PHOMs) have been shown to be the most promising candidates for cleaning up oil spills; however, due to their limited absorption capacity, a large quantity of PHOMs would be consumed in oil spill remediation, causing serious economic problems. In addition, the complicated and time‐consuming process of oil recovery from these sorbents is also an obstacle to their practical application. To solve the above problems, we apply external pumping on PHOMs to realize the continuous collection of oil spills in situ from the water surface with high speed and efficiency. Based on this novel design, oil/water separation and oil collection can be simultaneously achieved in the remediation of oil spills, and the oil sorption capacity is no longer limited to the volume and weight of the sorption material. This novel external pumping technique may bring PHOMs a step closer to practical application in oil spill remediation.     

Metal‐Free Oxidative Radical Addition of Carbonyl Compounds to α,α‐Diaryl Allylic Alcohols: Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Ketones

A metal‐free direct alkylation of simple carbonyl compounds (ketones, esters, and amides) with α,α‐diaryl allylic alcohols is described. The protocol provides facile access to highly functionalized dicarbonyl ketones by a radical addition/1,2‐aryl migration cascade. The regioselectivity of the reaction was precisely controlled by the nature of the carbonyl compound.     

多糖凝胶的孔径和化学结构对单壁碳纳米管流动性和选择性分离的影响

基于凝胶柱色谱分离技术研究了单分散的单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)在不同化学结构多孔多糖凝胶中的流动特性以及对金属型(m-)/半导体型(s-)SWCNTs分离的影响.通过比较SWCNTs在一系列不同孔径的葡聚糖Sephacryl凝胶中的流动行为,发现减小孔径尺寸能够增强s-SWCNTs与凝胶之间的吸附作用力,使大直径的m-SWCNTs快速地流过凝胶颗粒,而选择性地保留了小直径的s-SWCNTs.进一步发现多糖凝胶化学结构比孔径尺寸在SWCNTs的m/s分离中起着更重要的作用.当基于葡聚糖结构的Sephacryl凝胶中的氨基结构被琼脂糖结构所取代时,如Superdex 200和Sepharose 2B凝胶会增强它们与SWCNTs之间的作用力,使SWCNTs的保留时间延长,降低了s-SWCNTs的选择性和纯度.此外,即使拥有与Sephacryl S100类似的孔径范围,当Sephacryl凝胶中的氨基被疏水环氧丙烷基团取代时,葡聚糖凝胶Sephadex G100与SWCNTs的作用力很弱,导致所有SWCNTs快速流动,无法实现SWCNTs的m/s分离.因而,我们认为凝胶孔径和化学结构共同影响并调控了SWCNTs的m/s分离的选择性、纯度以及分离效率.     

Improving the Alkaline Stability of Imidazolium Cations by Substitution

Imidazolium cations are promising candidates for preparing anion‐exchange membranes because of their good alkaline stability. Substitution of imidazolium cations is an efficient way to improve their alkaline stability. By combining density functional theory calculations with experimental results, it is found that the LUMO energy correlates with the alkaline stability of imidazolium cations. The results indicate that alkyl groups are the most suitable substituents for the N3 position of imidazolium cations, and the LUMO energies of alkyl‐substituted imidazolium cations depend on the electron‐donating effect and the hyperconjugation effect. Comparing 1,2‐dimethylimidazolium cations (1,2‐DMIm⁺) and 1,3‐dimethylimidazolium cations (1,3‐DMIm⁺) with the same substituents reveals that the hyperconjugation effect is more significant in influencing the LUMO energy of 1,3‐DMIms. This investigation reveals that LUMO energy is a helpful aid in predicting the alkaline stability of imidazolium cations.     

质子导体固体氧化物燃料电池的Ba_2Co_9O_(14)阴极材料

Ba2Co9O14(BCO)是一种新型的电子-氧离子混合导体,在氧离子导体的固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFC)中,其作为阴极材料的应用可能性已经得到证实,本工作探索BCO在质子导体SOFC中的应用可能性。采用固相反应法制备BCO粉体,研究BCO与质子导体电解质BZCY(Ba Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ)之间的化学相容性,分析BCO-BZCY复合阴极在BZCY电解质上的电化学性能。当复合阴极中BCO的质量含量为70%时,阴极性能最佳,界面阻抗活化能为1.26 e V。以BCO-BZCY为阴极,Ni-BZCY为阳极,BZCY为电解质的阳极支撑型单电池,700℃时,单电池的极化阻抗为0.15Ω·cm2,最大功率密度为400 m W·cm-2。     

具有聚集诱导发光特性的咔唑衍生物的合成及其理化性质研究

以咔唑、亚芴基肼等为原料,通过suzuki反应合成了2个新型咔唑衍生物:N-乙基-3,6-双(亚芴基肼基-5-亚甲基-2-噻吩)咔唑(S1)和N-(亚芴基肼基-4-亚甲基苯基)-3,6-双(亚芴基肼基-5-亚甲基-2-噻吩)咔唑(S2)。用FTIR、1HNMR、元素分析对S1和S2的结构进行表征,并考察其紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱、电化学行为和热稳定性。结果表明:S1和S2薄膜的最大发射波长分别在637和649nm处,均发射红色荧光,且S1和S2均具有良好的聚集诱导发光(AIE)特性;S1和S2的HOMO能级分别是-5.26和-5.29e V,与正电极(ITO)的功函数(-4.8 e V)相匹配,可有效降低空穴注入能垒,有利于空穴的传输;S1和S2的热分解温度分别是351和360℃,均具有良好的热稳定性。