Computational exploration and screening of novel Janus MA2Z4 (M = Sc−Zn,Y−Ag,Hf−Au; A=Si,Ge; Z=N,P) monolayers and potential application as a photocatalyst

By high-throughput calculations, 13 thermally and environmentally stable Janus MA₂Z₄ monolayers were screened from 104 types of candidates. The 13 stable monolayers have very high charge carrier concentrations (×10¹⁵ cm⁻²), which are better than those of the well-known graphene and TaS₂. Because of their excellent conductivity, the 6 monolayers with band gaps less than 0.5 eV are identified as potential electrode materials for hydrogen evolution reaction applications. For potential applications as photoelectric or photocatalytic materials, bandgaps (E_g-HSE) higher than 0.5 eV remained, which resulted in 7 potential candidates. Based on optical absorption analysis in the visible-light range, H-HfSiGeP₄ and H-MoSiGeP₄ have higher absorption ability and optical conductivity, which is quite impressive for optoelectronic, solar cell device, and photocatalysis applications. Additionally, the transmittance coefficient of Janus MA₂Z₄ monolayers is approximately 70%−80% in the visible-light range, which implies that these monolayers show good light transmittance. For potential applications as photocatalysts, the redox potential and charge effective mass analysis indicate that H-HfSiGeP₄, H-MoSiGeP₄, T-ScSiGeN₄, and T-ZrSiGeN₄ are suitable photocatalysts for CO₂ reduction reactions. Using high-throughput identification, 13 types of new and stable Janus MA₂Z₄ monolayers were explored, and the basic properties and potential applications were investigated, which can reduce the time for experiments and provide basic data for the material genome initiative.     

Catalytic Emulsion Based on Janus Nanosheets for Ultra-Deep Desulfurization

Catalytic Janus nanosheets were synthesized by using an anion-exchange reaction between heteropolyacids (HPAs) and the modified ionic-liquid (IL) moieties of Janus nanosheets. Their morphology and surface properties were characterized by using SEM, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Because of their inherent Janus structure, the nanosheets exhibited good amphipathic character with ILs and oil to form a stable ILs-in-oil emulsion. Therefore, these Janus nanosheets can be used as both emulsifiers and catalysts to perform emulsive desulfurization. During this process, sulfur-containing compounds at the interface could be easily oxidized and efficiently removed from a model oil. Application of this Janus emulsion brings an efficient, useful, and green procedure to the desulfurization process. Compared with the desulfurization catalyzed by using HPAs in a conventional two-phase system, the sulfur removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT) achieved in a Janus emulsion system was improved from 68 to 97 % within 1.5 h. Moreover, this emulsion system could be demulsified easily by simple centrifugation to recover both the nanosheets and the ILs. Owing to the good structural stability of the Janus nanosheets, the sulfur removal efficiency of DBT could still reach 99.9 % after the catalytic nanosheets had been recycled at least six times.     

光响应Janus粒子体系的构建与应用

Janus粒子通常由两种或两种以上不同物理或化学性质的部分组成,其结构的不对称性导致了粒子形貌和性质具有不对称性。与“静态”Janus粒子相比,具有刺激响应性的“动态”Janus粒子能够与环境发生相互作用,在外界刺激下表达特殊功能。光响应Janus粒子是一类可以在光刺激下发生特定响应的Janus粒子,其两侧不同的组成不仅可以结合多种类型的光响应性,也能与其他类型的刺激响应进行配合,从而实现对特定体系的精确调控。由于光能易于调节的特性,光响应Janus粒子可以与无机纳米团簇或有机官能团产生特定反应,具有光热效应、色彩调节、光动力治疗等独特特性。它们还可以应用于药物递送、生物传感与成像、微纳米马达和光致发光等领域,为解决生物医学和光学器件相关的问题提供了新的方法。本文主要介绍光响应Janus粒子近期发展的制备方法,并着重阐述其独特调控机理以及其在生物医药、发光材料等领域的突出应用,最后对目前该领域的发展前景做出展望。     

Asymmetric Polymer Particles with Anisotropic Curvatures by Annealing Polystyrene Microspheres on Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films

Anisotropic polymer particles such as Janus particles have attracted significant attention in recent years because of their unique properties and unusual self‐assembly behavior. Most anisotropic polymer particles synthesized so far, however, only have different chemical regions compartmentalized on the particles. It remains a great challenge to fabricate anisotropic polymer particles with different shapes within a single particle. A novel approach is developed to prepare anisotropic polymer particles that contain two hemispheres with different curvatures by annealing polystyrene microspheres on poly(vinyl alcohol) films. During the annealing process, the polymer microspheres gradually sink into the polymer films and transform to asymmetric polymer particles, driven by the surface and interfacial tensions of the polymers. Selective removal techniques are also used to confirm the morphologies of the asymmetric particles.

     

Synthesis of nano/microstructures at fluid interfaces

The generation of novel multifunctional materials with hierarchical ordering is a major focus of current materials science and engineering. For such endeavors, fluid interfaces, such as air-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces, offer ideal platforms where nanoparticles or colloidal particles can accumulate and self-assemble. Different assembly processes and reactions have been performed at fluid interfaces to generate hierarchical structures, including two-dimensional crystalline films, colloidosomes, raspberry-like core-shell structures, and Janus particles, which lead to broad applications in drug delivery and controlled release, nanoelectronics, sensors, food supplements, and cosmetics.