BowtieArene: A Dual Macrocycle Exhibiting Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence

Although highly useful in supramolecular chemistry, pillararenes lack a fluorophore in their skeleton. Here we present BowtieArene, a novel fluorescent dual macrocycle, featuring a central tetraphenylethylene-derived fluorophore and two pillar-like, pentagon-shaped cavities which are comparable to pillar[5]arene. This concisely prepared, figure-of-eight molecule exhibits vapor absorption and host–guest capabilities, as well as intriguing switchable fluorescence. The fluorochromism of BowtieArene can be triggered by multiple external stimuli including solvent, vapor, and mechanical force, with excellent reversibility and stability. Experimental and theoretical evidence indicate that the fluorochromism should be closely related to molecular packing.     

基于Matlab GUI的微观化学反应过程可视化设计

Based on the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method and Matlab GUI technology, we developed a program code for visualizing the collision process of the elementary chemical reactions of the a + bc type. The general methodology of QCT, abstraction of dynamical properties of molecular collisions and the making of Graphical User Interface are introduced. The running results of an application to the reaction F + HCl→HF + Cl is also presented. The results showed that this program could vividly demonstrate the behavior and final state of the atom-diatom collision process in animated form. Students can interact with internal MATLAB code through graphical user interface, observe the reactive behavior and final results in real-time from multiple angles, which helps students to understand the complex reaction mechanism and deepen their perceptual impression of the chemical process at a microscopic atomic/molecular level.     

埋藏哈密翼龙化石的雅丹风化的光谱分析——以大海道2号水源地雅丹为例

新疆哈密地区翼龙化石具有极高的科学研究价值。哈密翼龙动物群主要埋藏在早白垩世湖相地层形成的雅丹中，富集在风暴沉积层。化石一旦暴露地表，就会发生不同程度的自然风化破碎，尤其是见水或受潮后风化更为严重。哈密大海道2号水源地附近的雅丹底部由于地下水和间歇性地表水的作用，发生了严重的盐碱析出导致的强烈风化现象，造成雅丹下部剥落侵蚀和上层雅丹重力坍塌，从下到上不同地层的风化程度差异较大，底部地层的风化最为剧烈。对大海道雅丹地层剖面取样，利用多种分析方法确定每一层的岩性和可溶盐种类，从微观上揭示雅丹风化的机理。偏光显微观察和X射线衍射（XRD）结果显示每一层都含有石英、长石、方解石和粘土矿物，矿物组成无较大差异，但粘土含量差别较大。精确的可溶盐种类鉴别方法，包括离子色谱（IC）确定出样品中可溶盐离子含量及种类，拉曼光谱（Raman）和傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）鉴别出样品中的硝酸盐和硫酸盐，扫描电子显微镜能谱仪（SEM-EDS）鉴别出氯盐、硝酸盐和硫酸盐。结果显示雅丹各风化层中最底层可溶盐主要是NaCl和Na₂SO₄，第二层是NaCl和CaCl₂，第三层是NaCl，盐种类/含量的差别是此处雅丹从下到上发生不同风化现象的重要原因。结合大海道雅丹所处的气候地理环境（极干旱高盐碱地区、水源地附近），探讨水盐活动规律并关联风化表现，分析该处雅丹风化原因，内因是每层沉积岩的岩性不同，外因是水和盐（NaCl，Na₂SO₄，CaCl₂）的共同作用下，强烈的水盐活动造成了埋藏有哈密翼龙化石的雅丹严重化学风化。这一风化机理也可很好地解释哈密翼龙化石及其围岩层受潮后的强烈风化破碎现象。     

Identifying intentions in forum posts with cross-domain data

Journal of Heuristics - In this paper, we present a method to identify forum posts expressing user intentions in online discussion forums. The results of this task, for example buying intentions,...     

A Robust Metal-Organic Framework with Scalable Synthesis and Optimal Adsorption and Desorption for Energy-Efficient Ethylene Purification

Adsorptive separation is an energy-efficient alternative, but its advancement has been hindered by the challenge of industrially potential adsorbents development. Herein, a novel ultra-microporous metal-organic framework ZU-901 is designed that satisfies the basic criteria raised by ethylene/ethane (C₂H₄/C₂H₆) pressure swing adsorption (PSA). ZU-901 exhibits an “S” shaped C₂H₄ curve with high sorbent selection parameter (65) and could be mildly regenerated. Through green aqueous-phase synthesis, ZU-901 is easily scalable with 99 % yield, and it is stable in water, acid, basic solutions and cycling breakthrough experiments. Polymer-grade C₂H₄ (99.51 %) could be obtained via a simulating two-bed PSA process, and the corresponding energy consumption is only 1/10 of that of simulating cryogenic distillation. Our work has demonstrated the great potential of pore engineering in designing porous materials with desired adsorption and desorption behavior to implement an efficient PSA process.     

Comprehensive H2O Molecules Regulation via Deep Eutectic Solvents for Ultra-Stable Zinc Metal Anode

The corrosion, parasitic reactions, and aggravated dendrite growth severely restrict development of aqueous Zn metal batteries. Here, we report a novel strategy to break the hydrogen bond network between water molecules and construct the Zn(TFSI)₂-sulfolane-H₂O deep eutectic solvents. This strategy cuts off the transfer of protons/hydroxides and inhibits the activity of H₂O, as reflected in a much lower freezing point (<−80 °C), a significantly larger electrochemical stable window (>3 V), and suppressed evaporative water from electrolytes. Stable Zn plating/stripping for over 9600 h was obtained. Based on experimental characterizations and theoretical simulations, it has been proved that sulfolane can effectively regulate solvation shell and simultaneously build the multifunctional Zn-electrolyte interface. Moreover, the multi-layer homemade modular cell and 1.32 Ah pouch cell further confirm its prospect for practical application.     

Suppressing Universal Cathode Crossover in High-Energy Lithium Metal Batteries via a Versatile Interlayer Design**

The universal cathode crossover such as chemical and oxygen has been significantly overlooked in lithium metal batteries using high-energy cathodes which leads to severe capacity degradation and raises serious safety concerns. Herein, a versatile and thin (≈25 μm) interlayer composed of multifunctional active sites was developed to simultaneously regulate the Li deposition process and suppress the cathode crossover. The as-induced dual-gradient solid-electrolyte interphase combined with abundant lithiophilic sites enable stable Li stripping/plating process even under high current density of 10 mA cm⁻². Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray experiments revealed that N-rich framework and CoZn dual active sites can effectively mitigate the undesired cathode crossover, hence significantly minimizing Li corrosion. Therefore, assembled lithium metal cells using various high-energy cathode materials including LiNi_0.7Mn_0.2Co_0.1O₂, Li_1.2Co_0.1Mn_0.55Ni_0.15O₂, and sulfur demonstrate significantly improved cycling stability with high cathode loading.     

Pulsed Electrocatalysis Enabling High Overall Nitrogen Fixation Performance for Atomically Dispersed Fe on TiO2

Atomically dispersed Fe was designed on TiO₂ and explored as a Janus electrocatalyst for both nitrogen oxidation reaction (NOR) and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) in a two-electrode system. Pulsed electrochemical catalysis (PE) was firstly involved to inhibit the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Excitingly, an unanticipated yield of 7055.81 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹_cat. and 12 868.33 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹_cat. were obtained for NOR and NRR at 3.5 V, respectively, 44.94 times and 7.8 times increase in FE than the conventional constant voltage electrocatalytic method. Experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the single-atom Fe could stabilize the oxygen vacancy, lower the energy barrier for the vital rupture of N≡N, and result in enhanced N₂ fixation performance. More importantly, PE could effectively enhance the N₂ supply by reducing competitive O₂ and H₂ agglomeration, inhibit the electrocatalytic by-product formation for longstanding *OOH and *H intermediates, and promote the non-electrocatalytic process of N₂ activation.