Tips and Tricks for the Surface Engineering of Well-Ordered Morphologically Driven Silver-Based Nanomaterials

Particularly-shaped silver nanostructures are successfully applied in many scientific fields, such as nanotechnology, catalysis, (nano)engineering, optoelectronics, and sensing. In recent years, the production of shape-controlled silver-based nanostructures and the knowledge around this topic has grown significantly. Hence, on the basis of the most recent results reported in the literature, a critical analysis around the driving forces behind the synthesis of such nanostructures are proposed herein, pointing out the important role of surface-regulating agents in driving crystalline growth by favoring (or opposing) development along specific directions. Additionally, growth mechanisms of the different morphologies considered here are discussed in depth, and critical points highlighted.     

三缺位硅钨酸盐纳米材料的调控形貌的合成及功能化

以三缺位Keggin型硅钨酸盐为前驱体,采用化学沉淀法成功合成出2例新型纳米材料M_3SiW_9(M=Cu.,Co.)。其中,Cu_3SiW_9表现为新颖的纳米晶须形貌,Co_3SiW_9表现为尺寸均一的球形纳米颗粒。经过一系列控制实验证明,通过掺杂不同类型的金属离子可以调控M_3SiW_9的形貌。我们对产生该现象的机理进行了合理推测。此外,使用荧光素钠作为掺杂剂可使Cu_3SiW_9纳米晶须具有优良的光致发光性能,测试表明,多酸并未淬灭荧光素钠的发光,复合材料在510 nm具有明显的发射波长。最后,我们对Cu_3SiW_9纳米晶须负载CdS量子点后的光催化产氢性质进行了研究。结果表明,当Cu_3SiW_9与CdS的质量比为1∶1时,复合材料的产氢效率约为纯CdS量子点的10倍。这也证实多金属氧酸盐的存在可以有效抑制CdS量子点光生电子与空穴的复合,从而大幅提高其光解水产氢的效率。     

Nanorattles or Yolk–Shell Nanoparticles—What Are They,How Are They Made,and What Are They Good For?

The development of nanotechnology has led to the design of cutting‐edge nanomaterials with increasing levels of complexity. Although “traditional” solid, uniform nanoparticles are still the most frequently reported structures, new generations of nanoparticles have been constantly emerging over the last several decades. The outcome of this nano‐art extends beyond nanomaterials with alternative compositions and/or morphologies. The current state‐of‐the‐art allows for the design of nanostructures composed of different building blocks that exhibit diverse properties. Furthermore, those properties can be a reflection of either individual features, which are characteristic of a particular building block alone, and/or synergistic effects resulting from interactions between building blocks. Therefore, the unique structures as well as the outstanding properties of nanorattles have attracted increasing attention for possible biomedical and industrial applications. Although these nanoparticles resemble core–shell particles, they have a distinctive feature, which is a presence of a void that provides a homogenous environment for the encapsulated core. In this Review, we give a comprehensive insight into the fabrication of nanorattles. A special emphasis is put on the choice of building blocks as well as the choice of preparation method, because those two aspects further influence properties and thus possible future applications, which will also be discussed.     

Chemical versus Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Nano‐onion/Polypyrrole Composites for Supercapacitor Electrodes

The development of high‐surface‐area carbon electrodes with a defined pore size distribution and the incorporation of pseudo‐active materials to optimize the overall capacitance and conductivity without destroying the stability are at present important research areas. Composite electrodes of carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) and polypyrrole (Ppy) were fabricated to improve the specific capacitance of a supercapacitor. The carbon nanostructures were uniformly coated with Ppy by chemical polymerization or by electrochemical potentiostatic deposition to form homogenous composites or bilayers. The materials were characterized by transmission‐ and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermogravimetric analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, piezoelectric microgravimetry, and cyclic voltammetry. The composites show higher mechanical and electrochemical stabilities, with high specific capacitances of up to about 800 F g^?1 for the CNOs/SDS/Ppy composites (chemical synthesis) and about 1300 F g^?1 for the CNOs/Ppy bilayer (electrochemical deposition).     

The green synthesis of exceptional braided,helical carbon nanotubes and nanospiral platelets made directly from CO2

Helical carbon nanotubes currently cost ~15,000–19,000 USD/kg commercially and are ~10–15 times the price of straight carbon nanotubes of similar dimensions. They have not previously been made from the greenhouse gas CO₂ nor had new variants of the helical morphology been demonstrated. In this study, a novel, inexpensive electrosynthesis of these helical nanocarbon materials from CO₂ is presented. This material may be produced by molten carbon growth conditions that (1) maximize torsional stresses, such as those that may occur during rapid, nucleated carbon reduction, (2) enhance defects that cause formation of heptagonal, rather than the conventional hexagonal building blocks of graphene cylindrical walls, and (3) uniformly control those enhanced defects to repeatedly induce a uniform spiral conformation. These conditions are achieved with at least two of the following experimental conditions: (i) high electrolysis current density, (ii) sp³ defect-inducing agents, such as added oxide, and (iii) controlled concentration of iron added to the electrolyte or cathode. Here, it is shown with SEM, TEM, EDX, XRF, and Raman spectroscopy that a molten controlled electrolyte carbonate synthesis to induce defect formation, and a high rate of electrolysis (0.6 A/cm²) leads to a high yield of helical nanotubes, helical nanofibers, or helical nanoplatelet carbon morphologies.     

On the mechanism of microporous carbon supercapacitors

Microporous carbon shows the highest supercapacitor performance among other carbon nanomaterials, and thus, is considered as the most promising candidate for the fabrication of high-performance supercapacitors. However, it has puzzled the researchers as micropores do not have enough space for the formation of the so-called double layer. Several models have been proposed to explain the mechanism of energy storage by microporous supercapacitors. The most common one is that the micropores are initially filled by both anions and cations, and charging/discharging is via ion-exchange through these single row-filled micropores. Although this theory has been supported by several computational calculations, it is discussed here that this model is in disagreement with the experimental facts commonly accepted in the literature.     

Quantum dots as a promising agent to combat COVID-19

Approximately every 100 years, as witnessed in the last two centuries, we are facing an influenza pandemic, necessitating the need to combat a novel virus strain. As a result of the new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 [SARS-CoV-2] outbreak in January 2020, many clinical studies are being carried out with the aim of combating or eradicating the disease altogether. However, so far, developing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) detection kits or vaccines has remained elusive. In this regard, the development of antiviral nanomaterials by surface engineering with enhanced specificity might prove valuable to combat this novel virus. Quantum dots (QDs) are multifaceted agents with the ability to fight against/inhibit the activity of COVID-19 virus. This article exclusively discusses the potential role of QDs as biosensors and antiviral agents for attenuation of viral infection.     

Improved Interfacial Bonding Strength and Reliability of Functionalized Graphene Oxide for Cement Reinforcement Applications

Poor bonding strength between nanomaterials and cement composites inevitably lead to the failure of reinforcement. Herein, a novel functionalization method for the fabrication of functionalized graphene oxide (FGO), which is capable of forming highly reliable covalent bonds with cement hydration products, and therefore, suitable for use as an efficient reinforcing agent for cement composites, is discussed. The bonding strength between cement and aggregates was improved more than 21 times with the reinforcement of FGO. The fabricated FGO also demonstrated many important features, including high reliability in cement pastes, good dispersibility, and efficient structural refinement of cement hydration products. With the incorporation of FGO, cement mortar samples demonstrated up to 40 % increased early and ultimate strength. Such results make the fast demolding and manufacture of light constructions become highly possible, and show strong advantages on improving productivity, saving cost, and reducing CO₂ emissions in practical applications.     

Nanomaterials in Cerebrovascular Disease Diagnose and Treatment

Cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the most serious diseases with high mortality and disability rates. The prevalent diagnosis and treatment methods of CVDs include imaging and interventional therapy. With the development of nanotechnology, large numbers of nanomaterials have been applied to the diagnosis and treatment of CVDs, mainly including carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, fullerenes, and dendrimers. In this review, the applications of nanomaterials in the field of diagnosis and treatment of CVDs, mainly including drug target delivery, imaging, therapy, endovascular treatment, and angiogenesis, are summarized. The applications of nanomaterials in the field of CVD are almost in the laboratory, and more effort is needed for clinical translation. The aim of this review is to provide useful information for future research and equipment development.     

高中化学创新实验课程的设计与实施*

将学生所学的化学理论知识与生活实际和学科最前沿的研究热点相结合,开发并实施了 “氢氧化镁纳米材料的制备及其在处理重金属废水中的应用” 创新实验课程。该课程通过文献调研、方案设计、实验操作、结果与讨论以及论文撰写等环节,激发学生的创新潜能,系统培养学生的创新综合素质和责任意识,这有助于更好地达成化学学科核心素养。