Single-Atom Zinc Sites with Synergetic Multiple Coordination Shells for Electrochemical H2O2 Production

Precise manipulation of the coordination environment of single-atom catalysts (SACs), particularly the simultaneous engineering of multiple coordination shells, is crucial to maximize their catalytic performance but remains challenging. Herein, we present a general two-step strategy to fabricate a series of hollow carbon-based SACs featuring asymmetric Zn−N₂O₂ moieties simultaneously modulated with S atoms in higher coordination shells of Zn centers (n≥2; designated as Zn−N₂O₂−S). Systematic analyses demonstrate that the synergetic effects between the N₂O₂ species in the first coordination shell and the S atoms in higher coordination shells lead to robust discrete Zn sites with the optimal electronic structure for selective O₂ reduction to H₂O₂. Remarkably, the Zn−N₂O₂ moiety with S atoms in the second coordination shell possesses a nearly ideal Gibbs free energy for the key OOH* intermediate, which favors the formation and desorption of OOH* on Zn sites for H₂O₂ generation. Consequently, the Zn−N₂O₂−S SAC exhibits impressive electrochemical H₂O₂ production performance with high selectivity of 96 %. Even at a high current density of 80 mA cm⁻² in the flow cell, it shows a high H₂O₂ production rate of 6.924 mol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ with an average Faradaic efficiency of 93.1 %, and excellent durability over 65 h.     

Braided Fiber Current Collectors for High-Energy-Density Fiber Lithium-Ion Batteries

Fiber lithium-ion batteries represent a promising power strategy for the rising wearable electronics. However, most fiber current collectors are solid with vastly increased weights of inactive materials and sluggish charge transport, thus resulting in low energy densities which have hindered the development of fiber lithium-ion batteries in the past decade. Here, a braided fiber current collector with multiple channels was prepared by multi-axial winding method to not only increase the mass fraction of active materials, but also to promote ion transport along fiber electrodes. In comparison to typical solid copper wires, the braided fiber current collector hosted 139 % graphite with only 1/3 mass. The fiber graphite anode with braided current collector delivered high specific capacity of 170 mAh g⁻¹ based on the overall electrode weight, which was 2 times higher than that of its counterpart solid copper wire. The resulting fiber battery showed high energy density of 62 Wh kg⁻¹.     

Constructing Intrapenetrated Hierarchical Zeolites with Highly Complete Framework via Protozeolite Seeding

Creation of intrapenetrated mesopores with open highway from external surface into the interior of zeolite crystals are highly desirable that can significantly improve the molecular transport and active sites accessibility of microporous zeolites to afford enhanced catalytic properties. Here, different from traditional zeolite-seeded methods that generally produced isolated mesopores in zeolites, nanosized amorphous protozeolites with embryo structure of zeolites were used as seeds for the construction of single-crystalline hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites with intrapenetrated mesopores (mesopore volume of 0.51 cm³ g⁻¹) and highly complete framework. In this strategy, in contrast to the conventional synthesis, only a small amount of organic structure directing agents and a low crystallization temperature were adopted to promise the protozeolites as the dominant growth directing sites to induce crystallization. The protozeolite nanoseeds provided abundant nucleation sites for surrounding precursors to be crystallized, followed by oriented coalescence of crystallites resulting in the formation of intrapenetrated mesopores. The as-prepared hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites exhibited ultra-long lifetime of 443.9 hours and a high propylene selectivity of 47.92 % at a WHSV of 2 h⁻¹ in the methanol-to-propylene reaction. This work provides a facile protozeolite-seeded strategy for the synthesis of intrapenetrated hierarchical zeolites that are highly effective for catalytic applications.     

Heteroleptic Square Planar Cobalt(I/II) Complexes

Reduction of the cobalt(II) chloride complex, Ph₂B(^tBuIm)₂Co(THF)Cl ( 1 ) in the presence of ^tBuN≡C affords the diamagnetic, square planar cobalt(I) complex Ph₂B(^tBuIm)₂Co(C≡N^tBu)₂ ( 2 ). This is a rare example of a 16-electron cobalt(I) complex that is structurally related to square planar noble metal complexes. Accordingly, the electronic structure of 2 , as calculated by DFT, reveals that the HOMO is largely d_z² in character. Complex 2 is readily oxidized to its cobalt(II) congener [Ph₂B(^tBuIm)₂Co(C=N^tBu)₂]BPh₄ ( 3 -BPh₄), whose EPR spectral parameters are characteristic of low-spin d⁷ with an unpaired electron in an orbital of d_z² parentage. This is also consistent with the results of DFT calculations. Despite its 16-electron configuration and the d_z² parentage of the HOMO, the only tractable reactions of 2 involve one electron oxidation to afford 3 .     

Monitoring the Light-induced Isomerisation of the Prototypical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons C10H8+ through Ion-Molecule Reactions

Structural rearrangements in ions are essential for understanding the composition and evolution of energetic and chemically active environments. This study explores the interconversion routes for simple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely naphthalene and azulene radical cations (C₁₀H₈⁺), by combining mass spectrometry and vacuum ultraviolet tunable synchrotron radiation through the chemical monitoring technique. Products of ion-molecule reactions are used to probe C₁₀H₈⁺ structures that are formed as a function of their internal energies. Isomerisation from azulene radical cation towards naphthalene radical cation in a timescale faster than 80 μs was monitored, whereas no reverse isomerisation was observed in the same time window. When energising C₁₀H₈⁺ with more than 6 eV, the reactivity of C₁₀H₈⁺ unveils the formation of a new isomeric group with a contrasted reactivity compared with naphthalene and azulene cations. We tentatively assigned these structures to phenylvinylacetylene cations.     

Tricyanated Ferrocenes; Isolation,structure, electrochemistry and DFT calculations

1,2,3- Tricyanoferrocene and 1,3-dibromo-2,4,5-tricyanoferrocene have been synthesized via metallation and usage of dimethylmalononitrile (DMMN) as cyanating agent. They are the first compounds where three nitrile functions could be introduced into the ferrocene sceleton. Further studies on the electrophilic cyanation of lithiated haloferrocenes [Fe(C₅H_mX_4-mLi)(C₅H₅)] (X=Cl, Br; m=0–3) show the formation of complex mixtures of cyano-halo-ferrocenes [Fe{C₅H_mX_5-m-n(CN)_n}(C₅H₅)] (m=0–3, n=0–3) most likely induced by “halogen-dance” reactions. The molecular and crystal structures of [Fe{C₅H₂(CN)₃}(C₅H₅)] and [Fe(C₅Cl₄CN)(C₅H₅)] are discussed. Cyclic voltametric studies of both tricyanoferrocenes show irreversible oxidations at very high potentials (E_onset≈845 mV and 945 mV, respectively, vs FcH/FcH⁺).     

The Universal Super Cation-Conductivity in Multiple-cation Mixed Chloride Solid-State Electrolytes

As exciting candidates for next-generation energy storage, all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) are highly dependent on advanced solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). Here, using cost-effective LaCl₃ and CeCl₃ lattice (UCl₃-type structure) as the host and further combined with a multiple-cation mixed strategy, we report a series of UCl₃-type SSEs with high room-temperature ionic conductivities over 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ and good compatibility with high-voltage oxide cathodes. The intrinsic large-size hexagonal one-dimensional channels and highly disordered amorphous phase induced by multi-metal cation species are believed to trigger fast multiple ionic conductions of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cu⁺, and Ag⁺. The UCl₃-type SSEs enable a stable prototype ASSLB capable of over 3000 cycles and high reversibility at −30 °C. Further exploration of the brand-new multiple-cation mixed chlorides is likely to lead to the development of advanced halide SSEs suitable for ASSLBs with high energy density.     

Prediction of stable BC3N2 monolayer from first-principles calculations: Stoichiometry,crystal structure,electronic and adsorption properties

In this paper, a novel BC₃N₂ monolayer has been found with a graphene-like structure using the developed particle swarm optimization algorithm in combination with ab initio calculations. The predicted structure meets the thermodynamical, dynamical, and mechanical stability requirements. Interestingly, the BC₃N₂ plane shows a metallic character. Importantly, BC₃N₂ has an in-plane stiffness comparable to that of graphene. We have also investigated the adsorption characteristics of CO₂ on pristine monolayer and Mo functionalized monolayer using density functional theory. Subsequently, electronic structures of the interacting systems (CO₂ molecule and substrates) have been preliminarily explored. The results show that Mo/BC₃N₂ has a stronger adsorption capacity towards CO₂ comparing with the pristine one, which can provide a reference for the further study of the CO₂ reduction mechanism on the transition metal-functionalized surface as well as the new catalyst’s design.     

金团簇二十面体结构融合过程中其催化活性的演变

近年来,由有机配体保护的原子精确金属团簇在合成方面已取得了重要进展,其独特的原子结构对一些化学反应产生独特的催化效果.原子精确的团簇催化剂明显不同于纳米颗粒催化剂和单原子催化剂,是一种关联均相和多相的、原子数目确定、尺寸均一、结构精确的新型催化剂.从原子尺度上精确构筑团簇催化剂,探究亚纳米尺度的微观结构对催化性能的影响,为常规催化剂所未能解决的关键科学问题提供解决的机会,为在分子尺度上揭示催化作用机制以及准确关联催化剂结构与催化性能提供新的研究体系,具有重要的科学研究意义.本文设计和使用了三种结构精确的金团簇催化剂,即Au25(PPh3)10(SC2H4Ph)5Cl2,Au38(SC2H4Ph)24和Au25(SC2H4Ph)18,分别由二十面体结构的Au13单元通过中心顶点融合、面融合、体相融合形成的(简写为Auvf、Auff和Aubf),详细研究了这三个金团簇催化剂在二十面体Au13单元的结构融合过程中,其催化活性的演变规律.在催化吡咯烷与O2反应制备γ-丁内酰胺反应中,金团簇催化剂的催化活性顺序为Aubf>Auff>Auvf,表明这三个金团簇中Au13单元的结构随着点、面、体的融合,其催化活性随之增加.同时研究发现,对于同一个Au团簇催化剂,其表面硫醇配体的烷基链越短,其催化活性越高,这主要是由于短链硫醇分子的空间位阻较小,吡咯烷分子更容易进入催化剂的金表面,接触到活性位点,进行催化反应.实验表明,三个团簇金原子均带正电荷,正价金物种可能是催化吡咯烷与O2反应的催化活化物种.研究发现,Aubf团簇表面的活性位数目高于Auff和Auvf团簇的,因此Aubf的催化活性最高;同时,团簇表面配体的烷基链越短,其表面活性位数目也越多,这也进一步解释了表面硫醇配体的烷基链越短,其相应的金团簇催化剂的催化活性越高的原因.吡咯烷与O2在金团簇上反应的可能路径为O2在Au活性位上裂解的O原子和吡咯烷β-H转移至Au活性位的β-H反应脱水后形成亚胺,亚胺经过水解进一步氧化得到产物.这项研究将为在原子层次上调变金属团簇催化剂的结构进而改变其催化性能提供新的思路,对精准设计和构筑高效催化剂具有一定的科学指导意义.     

Comparison of the Structural Evolution of β Polypropylene during the Sequential and Simultaneous Biaxial Stretching Process

In this work, the lamellar structural evolution and microvoids variations of β polypropylene(β-PP) during the processing of two different stretching methods, sequential biaxial stretching and simultaneous biaxial stretching, were investigated in detail. It was found that different stretching methods led to significantly different lamellae deformation modes, and the microporous membranes obtained from the simultaneous biaxial stretching exhibited better mechanical properties. For the sequential biaxial stretching, abundant coarse fibers originated from the tight accumulation of the lamellae parallel to the longitudinal stretching direction, whereas the lamellae perpendicular to the stretching direction were easily deformed and separated. Those coarse fibers were difficult to be separated to form micropores during the subsequent transverse stretching process, resulting in a poor micropores distribution. However, for the simultaneous biaxial stretching, the β crystal had the same deformation mode, that is, the lamellae distributed in different directions were all destroyed, forming abundant microvoids and little coarse fibers.