Revealing the Effect of Surface Composition on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Supported Pt-Fe Alloy Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation Performance

The designs of efficient and inexpensive Pt-based catalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are essential to boost the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells. Here, the highly catalytic performance PtFe alloys supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorating nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) have been successfully prepared via co-engineering of the surface composition and electronic structure. The Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst with moderate Fe³⁺ feeding content (0.86 mA/mg_Pt) exhibits 2.26-fold enhancement in MOR mass activity compared to pristine Pt/C catalyst (0.38 mA/mg_Pt). Furthermore, the CO oxidation initial potential of Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst is lower relative to Pt/C catalyst (0.71 V and 0.80 V). Benefited from the optimal surface compositions, the anti-corrosion ability of MWCNT, strong electron interaction between PtFe alloys and MWCNTs and the N-doped carbon (NC) layer, the Pt₁Fe₃@NC/MWCNTs catalyst presents an improved MOR performance and anti-CO poisoning ability. This study would open up new perspective for designing efficient electrocatalysts for the DMFCs field.     

Facile fabrication of oxygen-doped carbon nitride with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation of methyl mercaptan

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Element doping has demonstrated an effective strategy for enhancing photocatalytic performance of carbon nitride (CN). Herein, we reported that oxygen-doped CN...     

Developing Flexible Quinacridone-Derivatives-Based Photothermal Evaporaters for Solar Steam and Thermoelectric Power Generation

Solar-driven interfacial vaporization by localizing solar-thermal energy conversion to the air−water interface has attracted tremendous attention. In the process of converting solar energy into heat energy, photothermal materials play an essential role. Herein, a flexible solar-thermal material di-cyan substituted 5,12-dibutylquinacridone (DCN−4CQA)@Paper was developed by coating photothermal quinacridone derivatives on the cellulose paper. The DCN−4CQA@Paper combines desired chemical and physical properties, broadband light-absorbing, and shape-conforming abilities that render efficient photothermic vaporization. Notably, synergetic coupling of solar-steam and solar-electricity technologies by integrating DCN−4CQA@Paper and the thermoelectric devices is realized without trade-offs, highlighting the practical consideration toward more impactful solar heat exploitation. Such solar distillation and low-grade heat-to-electricity generation functions can provide potential opportunities for fresh water and electricity supply in off-grid or remote areas.     

Emerging Trends in Fluorescence Bioimaging of Divalent Metal Cations Using Small-Molecule Indicators

Visualization of cation dynamics inside a living system represent a major breakthrough at the crossroad of chemistry and cellular physiology. Since the inception of BAPTA-based cellular calcium indicators in the 1980s, generations of chemical and genetically encoded ion indicators spanning the visible spectrum have been developed. In this article, we bring up three emerging concepts in this field: 1. red-shifting cation indicators towards far-red and near-infrared (NIR) channels; 2. directing the indicators to various subcellular localizations; 3. lowering the phototoxicity of indicators for long term recording. These initiatives collectively echo the advocate of 4D cellular physiology, where biological processes within living systems can be panoramically unveiled under 3D, long-term, and multi-channel imaging with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. This outlook poses exciting challenges and opportunities for chemists to upgrade the toolkit of fluorescent indicators as key enablers for a new era of imageomics.     

Excellent UV-absorbing cotton fabric with high durability and hydrophobicity based on surface-initiated ATRP of polymerizable organic UV-absorber

Cellulose - Ultraviolet (UV) protective cotton fabric is a convenient and reliable way to protect human body from sunlight. Herein, a polymerizable UV-absorber,...     

Geometrically nonlinear dynamic analysis of the stiffened perovskite solar cell subjected to biaxial velocity impacts

Nonlinear Dynamics - The perovskite solar cell (PSC) is one of the most promising photovoltaic candidates along with the highly increasing demand for green electricity. One of the main concerns...     

Bidirectional and Unidirectional Negative Differential Thermal Resistance Effect in a Modified Lorentz Gas Model

Recently,the negative differential thermal resistance effect was discovered in a homojunction made of a negative thermal expansion material,which is very promising for realizing macroscopic thermal transistors.Similar to the Monte Carlo phonon simulation to deal with grain boundaries,we introduce positive temperature-dependent interface thermal resistance in the modified Lorentz gas model and find negative differential thermal resistance effect.In the homojunction,we reproduce a pair of equivalent negative differential thermal resistance effects in different temperature gradient directions.In the heterojunction,we realize the unidirectional negative differential thermal resistance effect,and it is accompanied by the super thermal rectification effect.Using this new way to achieve high-performance thermal devices is a new direction,and will provide extensive reference and guidance for designing thermal devices.     

单元教学设计过程中的“教学问题链”设计——以上海科学技术出版社《物理·必修》(第三册)静电场单元为例

根据教育部颁布的《普通高中物理课程标准(2017年版)》,在上海市物理教育教学基地(上海高校“立德树人”人文社会科学重点研究基地)的大力支持下,由上海市教育委员会组织编写的上海高中物理非统编教材进行了正式使用前的试教试用活动,此教材是在上海高中物理“二期课改”教材的基础上全面改写而成的.单元教学设计已成为当前教学设计的焦点问题,以《物理·必修》(第三册)静电场单元为例,详细阐述了“教学问题链”的设计理念,希望与广大一线教师交流试教试用的心得与反思,推动新课改课堂转型.