Rapid qualitative profiling and quantitative analysis of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex and seven flavonoids by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry

Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex is the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim., which has been used as a folk medicine plant in China and India. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry method was developed to clarify and quantify the chemical profiling of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex rapidly. A total of 113 compounds were characterized. Among them, seven flavonoids were simultaneously quantified in 15 min, including myricetin, myricetrin, taxifolin, kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, and naringenin. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and the limits of detection and quantification. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.9990) within test ranges. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 2.16%. Accuracy validation showed that the recovery was between 95.6 and 101.3% with relative standard deviation values below 2.85%. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the contents of seven flavones in Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex from seven sources and the contents of these places were calculated respectively. This method provides a theoretical basis for further developing the medicinal value of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex.     

Sample preparation,instrumental analysis,and natural distribution of complex organic pollutants in the wastewater from unconventional gas production

Large amounts of flowback and produced water (FPW) have been generated from hydraulic fracturing process for the production of unconventional gas such as shale gas. Complex organic pollutants are abundantly present in FPW with revealed toxicity to aquatic organisms and these contaminants may transfer into surrounding aquatic environment. Characterization and determination of complicated organic pollutants in FPW remains a challenge due to its complex composition and high salinity matrix. This review article covers the progress of recent 5 years regarding the sample preparation and instrumental analysis methods and thus summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods for critical analysis of organic contaminants in FPW samples. Furthermore, the natural distribution of detected organic compounds and their transformation were reviewed and discussed to enhance the understanding of spatial and temporal behaviors of these organic pollutants in natural environment, paving the way for future development of pollution control policies and strategies. Enlightened by the studies of FPW contamination in the US, the investigations of FPW contamination in China continued to grow due to rapidly growing production of shale gas in China and resulted pollution.     

以磷化铁为添加剂沿(111)面生长磷掺杂金刚石大单晶

掺杂是调控金刚石性能的一种重要手段。本文采用温度梯度法,在5.6 GPa、1 312 ℃的条件下,选用Fe₃P作为磷源进行磷掺杂金刚石大单晶的合成。金刚石样品的显微光学照片表明,随着Fe₃P添加比例的增加,金刚石晶体的颜色逐渐变深,包裹体数量逐渐增加,晶形由板状转变为塔状直至骸晶。金刚石晶形的变化表明Fe₃P的添加使生长金刚石的V形区向右偏移,这是Fe₃P改变触媒特性的缘故。红外光谱分析表明,Fe₃P的添加使金刚石晶体中氮含量上升,这说明磷的进入诱使氮原子更容易进入金刚石晶格中。激光拉曼光谱测试表明,随着Fe₃P添加比例的增加,所合成的掺磷金刚石的拉曼峰位变化不大,其半峰全宽(FWHM)值变大,这说明磷的进入使得金刚石晶格畸变增加。XPS测试结果显示,随着Fe₃P添加比例的增加,金刚石晶体中磷相对碳的原子百分含量也会增加,这意味着添加Fe₃P所合成的金刚石晶体中有磷存在。     

Terahertz generation in quantum cascade structures by two-color deriving fields: An approach to reach inversion population via optical pumping

In this paper, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) design is proposed based on GaAs/AlGaAs material system, which simultaneously operates at three widely separated wavelengths (${\lambda }_1=11.1\mu m,{\lambda }_2=14.1\mu m$ and ${\lambda }_{THz}=60\mu m$). In the design, all the wavelength radiations are achieved by the engineering of the electronic spectrum via the quantum-well widths and the applied electric field in a single active region within a same waveguide. The mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths are obtained by adoption a dual-upper-state active region, and the proposed design aims to use both the mid-IR radiations as the coherent deriving fields to populate the upper THz lasing state to aid the THz-laser population inversion via optical pumping instead of direct electrical injection. A detailed analysis of electronic transport in the structure is carried out using a multi-level rate-equation model. The results show that the proposed structure offers an alternative approach to room temperature THz generation in QCLs.     

A general framework for describing photofission observables of actinides at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV

A reasonable prediction of photofission observables plays a paramount role in understanding the photofission process and guiding various photofission-induced applications, such as short-lived isotope production, nuclear waste disposal, and nuclear safeguards. However, the available experimental data for photofission observables are limited, and the existing models and programs have mainly been developed for neutron-induced fission processes. In this study, a general framework is proposed for characterizing the photofission observables of actinides, including the mass yield distributions (MYD) and isobaric charge distributions (ICD) of fission fragments and the multiplicity and energy distributions of prompt neutrons (n_p) and prompt γ rays (γ_p). The framework encompasses various systematic neutron models and empirical models considering the Bohr hypothesis and does not rely on the experimental data as input. These models are then validated individually against experimental data at an average excitation energy below 30 MeV, which shows the reliability and robustness of the general framework. Finally, we employ this framework to predict the characteristics of photofission fragments and the emissions of prompt particles for typical actinides including ²³²Th, ^{235, 238}U and ²⁴⁰Pu. It is found that the ²³⁸U(γ, f) reaction is more suitable for producing neutron-rich nuclei compared to the ²³²Th(γ, f) reaction. In addition, the average multiplicity number of both n_p and γ_p increases with the average excitation energy.     

Evolution of electrical conductivity and semiconductor to metal transition of iron oxides at extreme conditions

Iron oxides are widely found as ores in Earth's crust and are also important constituents of its interiors. Their polymorphism, composition changes, and electronic structures play essential roles in controlling the structure and geodynamic properties of the solid Earth. While all-natural occurring iron oxides are semiconductors or insulators at ambient pressure, they start to metalize under pressure. Here in this work, we review the electronic conductivity and metallization of iron oxides under high-pressure conditions found in Earth's lower mantle. We summarize that the metallization of iron oxides is generally controlled by the pressure-induced bandgap closure near the Fermi level. After metallization, they possess much higher electrical and thermal conductivity, which will facilitate the thermal convection, support a more stable and thicker D^{$\prime\prime$} layer, and formulate Earth's magnetic field, all of which will constrain the large-scale dynamos of the mantle and core.     

1,3,5-三(羧基甲氧基)苯镍配位聚合物的合成、晶体结构及性质研究

采用溶剂热法,1,3,5-三(羧基甲氧基)苯为定向配体和乙酸镍反应构筑了一个新型的金属配位聚合物[Ni(TB)₂(H₂O)₂]_n·2H₂O,其中H₃TB=1,3,5-三(羧基甲氧基)苯,通过元素分析、IR及X射线单晶衍射对配合物结构进行表征,并研究其荧光性质、热稳定性及Hirshfeld表面作用力。单晶结构分析表明,该配合物属于三斜晶系,空间群$P \overline{1}$,配合物中心离子Ni(Ⅱ)分别与来自两个水分子上的氧原子及四个不同1,3,5-三(羧基甲氧基)苯配体的羧酸氧原子配位,形成六配位的NiO₆八面体构型,并通过与1,3,5-三(羧基甲氧基)苯配体的氧原子配位不断延伸形成具有孔洞结构的一维链状构型。配合物具有良好的荧光性能和热稳定性。Hirshfeld表面作用分析表明配合物分子中O…H/H…O作用占主导且占比为39.0%,而H…H的作用力占比为25.9%,O…O的作用力占比为13.6%。