ZIF-derived mesoporous carbon materials prepared by activation via Na2SiO3 for supercapacitor

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) derived carbonaceous materials have a wide range of applications in the fields of energy storage, catalysis, adsorption and separation, etc. Especially, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is an excellent candidate to synthesize porous carbon due to the large surface area and high nitrogen content. However, the dominated microporous structure of ZIF-8-derived carbon significantly hinders ionic mass transfer, limiting the improvement of performance. Herein, MOF-derived mesoporous carbon was prepared using ZIF-8 as carbon precursor and cheap sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) as activator. The introduction of Na₂SiO₃ created rich mesoporous structure and increased specific surface area, as well as the effects of pyrolysis temperature and Na₂SiO₃ dosage on performance was also investigated. The obtained ZIF-derived porous carbon exhibits good electrochemical performance with specific capacitance of 263 F/g at 1 A/g and excellent cycle life (96.07% after 10,000 GCD cycles) in supercapacitor. The use of cheap Na₂SiO₃ activator provides a new orientation for the preparation of MOF-derived carbons with rich pores, high surface area, and facilitates the large-scale application of MOF-derived carbons.     

Electrospinning of Biomaterials for Vascular Regeneration

Cardiovascular diseases have been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world recently. With the growing aging population accompanied by chronic diseases, such as uremia and diabetes, there is an increasing clinical demand for vascular grafts with proper performance. Although some achievements have been made in the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts composed of natural and synthetic polymeric materials or decellularized vessels, clinical applications with a diameter of less than 6 mm are still principally derived from autografts, such as autologous saphenous veins. Many challenges remain in anti-thrombosis, rapid endothelialization, modulating the inflammatory response and inhibition of intimal hyperplasia and calcification. In the review, recent progress in the electrospinning of biodegradable polymers for vascular regeneration are summarized, especially from the view of biomechanical factors. Hybrid vascular grafts consisting of natural and synthetic polymers with multicomponent, di-or tri-layers are focused in order to provide novel experiences in biomaterials for applications in this field.     

Design and Construction of 3D Porous Na3V2(PO4)3/C as High Performance Cathode for Sodium Ion Batteries

An easy and delicate approach using cheap carbon source as conductive materials to construct 3D sequential porous structural Na3V2(PO4)3/C(NVP/C)with high performance for cathode materials of sodium ion battery is highly desired.In this paper,the NVP/C with 3D sequential porous structure is constructed by a delicate approach named as“cooking porridge”including evaporation and calcination stages.Especially,during evaporation,the viscosity of NVP/C precursor is optimized by controlling the adding quantity of citric acid,thus leading to a 3D sequential porous structure with a high specific surface area.Furthermore,the NVP/C with a 3D sequential porous structure enables the electrolyte to interior easily,providing more active sites for redox reaction and shortening the diffusion path of electron and sodium ion.Therefore,benefited from its unique structure,as cathode material of sodium ion batteries,the 3D sequential porous structural NVP/C exhibits high specific capacities(115.7,88.9 and 74.4 mA·h/g at current rates of 1,20 and 50 C,respectively)and excellent cycling stability(107.5 and 80.4 mA·h/g are remained at a current density of 1 C after 500 cycles and at a current density of 20 C after 2200 cycles,respectively).     

Conductive 2D Metal-organic Framework (Co,NiCo, Ni) Nanosheets for Enhanced Non-enzymatic Detection of Urea

2D metal-organic framework (MOF) has potential applications in electrocatalysis owing to fast mass transfer, charge transfer and large specific surface area. Here, we had prepared three conductive 2D MOF based on Ni, NiCo and Co in a simple and rapid way. The 2D nanostructure of MOF was confirmed by SEM and TEM. The chemical composition was studied by XRD, Raman and XPS spectrum. The electrochemical oxidation and detection was investigated through cyclic voltammetry and current-time method. Their sensing performance for urea was determined by varying oxidation potentials and metal sites. The non-enzymatic Ni-, NiCo- and Co-MOF sensors had good catalytic activity for urea. Compared with NiCo- and Co-MOF, Ni-MOF had a wider linear range (0.5–832.5 μM), high sensitivity (1960 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), low detection limit (0.471 μM), and fast response time. The sensors had well repeatability, reproducibility, and selectivity to specific interfering species. Furthermore, Ni- and NiCo-MOF modified electrode was also applied to detection of milk samples. The results showed that the recovery was satisfactory, which further confirmed the effectiveness of non-enzyme sensor. In general, the highly-sensitive 2D Ni- and NiCo-MOF modified electrode has great potential as nonenzymatic urea sensors for real samples detection in hydrogen energy, clinical diagnostics, and environmental protection, et al.     

The Effects of Hydrophobicity and Textural Properties on Hexamethyldisiloxane Adsorption in Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogels

To expand the applications of graphene-based materials to biogas purification, a series of reduced graphene oxide aerogels (rGOAs) were prepared from industrial grade graphene oxide using a simple hydrothermal method. The influences of the hydrothermal preparation temperature on the textural properties, hydrophobicity and physisorption behavior of the rGOAs were investigated using a range of physical and spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that the rGOAs had a macro-porous three-dimensional network structure. Raising the hydrothermal treatment temperature reduced the number of oxygen-containing groups, whereas the specific surface area (S_BET), micropore volume (V_micro) and water contact angle values of the rGOAs all increased. The dynamic adsorption properties of the rGOAs towards hexamethyldisiloxane (L2) increased with increasing hydrothermal treatment temperature and the breakthrough adsorption capacity showed a significant linear association with S_BET, V_micro and contact angle. There was a significant negative association between the breakthrough time and inlet concentration of L2, and the relationship could be reliably predicted with a simple empirical formula. L2 adsorption also increased with decreasing bed temperature. Saturated rGOAs were readily regenerated by a brief heat-treatment at 100 °C. This study has demonstrated the potential of novel rGOA for applications using adsorbents to remove siloxanes from biogas.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-(4-(substituted)-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) isobutyramides and their N-ethyl analogous as anticancer,anti-angiogenic & antioxidant agents: In vitro and in silico analysis

N-(4-(substituted)-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) isobutyramides and their N-ethyl analogues (flutamides) are versatile scaffolds with a wide spectrum of biological activities. A series of new N-(4-(substituted)-3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) isobutyramides (8a-t) and their N-ethyl analogous (9a-t) were synthesized and characterized. The inhibitory potential of the synthesized compounds on the viability of three human cancer cell lines HEP3BPN 11 (liver), MDA-MB 453 (breast), and HL 60 (leukemia) were assessed. Among all the compounds 8 L, 8q, 9n and 9p showed higher inhibitory activity on the viability of HL 60 than the standard methotrexate. These lead molecules were then tested for their potential to inhibit the activity of proangiogenic cytokines. The compound 9n showed significantly better inhibition against two cytokines viz. TNFα and Leptin as compared to the standard suramin, while 9p has activity comparable to suramin against IGF1, VEGF, FGFb, and Leptin. The 8q is found to be strong antiangiogenic agent against IGF1, VEGF and TGFβ; while 8 L has showed activity against TNFα, VEGF, and Leptin inhibition. Furthermore antioxidant potential of 8a–t and 9a-t compounds was screened using DPPH, OH and SOR radical scavenging activities. The OH radical scavenging activity of 8c and DPPH activities of 9n as well as 9o are significant as compared to respective standards ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. The 8c, 9p and 9 h have also exhibited potential antioxidant activity. Additionally, we present in silico molecular docking data to provide the structural rationale of observed TNFα inhibition against newly synthesized compounds. Overall, the synthesized flutamide derivatives have not only anticancer activity, but also possess dual inhibitory effect (anti-angiogenesis and antioxidant) and hence can act as a promising avenue to develop further anticancer agents.     

Standard enthalpies of formation of selected XYZ half-Heusler compounds

The standard enthalpies of formation of selected ternary half-Heusler type compositions XYZ (X = Au, Co, Fe, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru; Y = Hf, Mn, Ti, Zr; Z = Ga, Sn) were measured using high temperature direct reaction calorimetry. The measured standard enthalpies of formation (in kJ/mole of atoms) of the half-Heusler compounds (prototype MgAgAs, Pearson symbol cF12, space group F-43m) are, IrMnSn (−29.4 ± 1.8); NiTiSn (−52.6 ± 2.4); PtHfSn (−98.8 ± 3.4); PtMnSn (−55.8 ± 2.6); PtTiSn (−93.6 ± 3.3); PtZrSn (−104.9 ± 3.8); for the B2 compound (prototype CsCl, Pearson symbol cP2, space group Pm-3m), RuMnGa (−26.9 ± 1.7); for the C1 structured (prototype CaF₂, Pearson symbol cF12, space group Pm-3m) or the C1_b structured compound IrMnGa (−40.9 ± 1.7). Indicative standard enthalpies of formation of the following compounds were obtained, half-Heusler compounds AuMnSn, CoTiSn, IrZrSn, NiHfSn, NiZrSn, PdHfSn, PdZrSn, RhTiSn; Heusler compound (prototype Cu₂MnAl, Pearson symbol cF16, space group Fm-3m) RhMnSn; hexagonal compound (prototype BeZrSi, Pearson symbol hP6, space group P6₃/mmc) PtMnGa and another type of hexagonal compound (prototype RhHfSn, Pearson symbol hP18, space group P-62c) RhHfSn, IrZrsn, RhZrSn. Values were compared with ab initio calculations from AFLOW and OQMD. Lattice parameters of these compounds were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Selected alloys were further annealed to investigate phase transformations and phase relationships.     

Preparation and characterization of natural zeolite supported nano TiO2 photocatalysts by a modified electrostatic self‐assembly method

Natural zeolite supported nano TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by a modified electrostatic self‐assembly (ESA) method. First, γ‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane with sulfhydryl (―SH) functional groups was modified on the zeolite powders by using a ‘dry process’. Second, silane with ―SH functional groups was oxidized to sulfonate (―SO₃H) groups by using a hydrogen peroxide/glacial acetic acid mixed solution, and the surface of ―SO₃H silane–zeolite was electronegative charged due to the ionization of ―SO₃H. Third, the hydrolytic titanium polycation from TiCl₄ solution assembled onto the electronegative charged zeolite under electrostatic attraction in the reaction solutions. Finally, zeolite supported nano TiO₂ photocatalysts can be obtained after the above compounds calcined at certain temperature. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution. The results showed that ESA method effectively improved the composite efficiency of zeolite with TiO₂. The photocatalysts prepared by ESA method exhibited higher photocatalytic and recycling activities than that of traditional method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Catalytic Properties of a 2D Cobalt(Ⅱ) Coordination Polymer Based on Mixed Ligands

A new Co(II) metal-organic coordination polymer based on flexible bis(imidazole) and aromatic dicarboxylate co-ligands, namely [Co(bix)(nph)]n(H2nph = 3-nitrophthalic acid, bix = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, TG, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 9.3767(14), b = 10.1451(15), c = 12.1488(17), α = 102.6450(10), β = 108.856(2), γ = 98.807(2)°, V = 1035.3(3)3, Z = 2, C22H17 Co N5O6, Mr = 506.34, Dc = 1.624 g/cm3, μ = 0.882 mm-1 and F(000) = 518. In the complex, the nph2- ligands connect neighbouring cobalt atoms to form binuclear [Co(nph)]2 subunits, which are linked by pairs of bix ligands to form a 2D honeycomb-like(6,3) network. In addition, the compound is further extended into a 3D supramolecular architecture by π···π stacking interactions. Moreover, the luminescence and catalytic properties of the complex are investigated.