Non-perturbative positive Lyapunov exponent of Schrödinger equations and its applications to skew-shift mapping

We first study the discrete Schrödinger equations with analytic potentials given by a class of transformations. It is shown that if the coupling number is large, then the Lyapunov exponent equals approximately to the logarithm of this coupling number. When the transformation becomes the skew-shift mapping, we prove that the Lyapunov exponent is weak Hölder continuous, and the spectrum satisfies Anderson Localization and contains large intervals. Moreover, all of these conclusions are non-perturbative.     

Achieving high-rate capacitance of multi-layer titanium carbide (MXene) by liquid-phase exfoliation through Li-intercalation

The stacks of multi-layer Ti₃C₂T_x and other types of MXene materials limit their electrochemical performance. Herein, we report a facile exfoliation technique to improve the exfoliation efficiency through Li-intercalation into Ti₃C₂T_x interlayers in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) with LiOH as intercalant. This de-intercalation method presented here not only effectively delaminates the stacked Ti₃C₂T_x multi-layers into separate few-layer MXene sheets, but also achieves high-rate supercapacitive performance of Ti₃C₂T_x electrode. The as-produced delaminated Ti₃C₂T_x shows highly improved electrochemical capacitive properties from 47 to 115 F g^− 1 at 200 mV s^− 1. Even at extremely high scan rate of 1000 mV s^− 1, a specific capacitance of 82 F g^− 1 is still obtained. The high-rate capability can be attributed to improved ions accessibility into the few-layer structures. This study offers a new and simple exfoliation pathway for MXenes materials to exploit their full potential in energy storage applications.     

混凝土轴拉加卸载随机损伤模型的建立与试验验证

为了分析及深入探讨混凝土在受拉加载及卸载情况下的力学特性,基于随机损伤本构关系提出了一种混凝土轴拉加卸载模型,推导出了混凝土加卸载的应力 应变关系表达式.为了印证理论表达式,进行了混凝土轴向拉伸及加卸载的试验研究,测得了混凝土的材料参数及其相应的轴拉加卸载应力-应变曲线.结合模型的计算结果,对混凝土的轴拉加卸载试验结果进行了对比分析,结果表明:混凝土轴拉加卸载模型能够预测混凝土的极限强度,同时能描述混凝土的强度软化、加载过程中的弹模折减及卸载后的塑性变形.     

Transition metal decorated bismuthene for ammonia synthesis: A density functional theory study

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) for the ammonia production under ambient conditions is regarded as a sustainable alternative to the industrial Haber–Bosch process. However, the electrocatalytic systems that efficiently catalyze nitrogen reduction remain elusive. In the work, the nitrogen reduction activity of the transition metal decorated bismuthene TM@Bis is fully investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. Our results demonstrate that W@Bis delivers the best efficiency, wherein the potential-determining step is located at the last protonation step of *NH₂ + H⁺ + e^– → *NH₃ via the distal mechanism with the limiting potential U_L of 0.26 V. Furthermore, the dopants of Re and Os are also promising candidates for experimental synthesis due to its good selectivity, in despite of the slightly higher U_L of NRR with the value of 0.55 V. However, the candidates of Ti, V, Nb and Mo delivered the relative lower U_L of 0.35, 0.37, 0.41 and 0.43 V might be suffered from the side hydrogen evolution reaction. More interestingly, a volcano curve is established between U_L and valence electrons of metal elements wherein W with 4 electrons in d band located at the summit. Such phenomenon originates from the underlying acceptance-back donation mechanism. Therefore, our work provides a fundament understanding for the material design for nitrogen reduction electrocatalysis.     

Enhanced water-induced effects enabled by alkali-stabilized Pd-OHx species for oxidation of benzyl alcohol

The water promotion effects, where water can provide a solution-mediated reaction pathway in various heterogeneous chemical catalysis, have been presented and attracted wide attention recently, yet, the rational design of catalysts with a certain ability of enhancing water-induced reaction process is full of challenges and difficulties. Here, we show that by incorporating alkali (Na, K) cations as an electronic and/or structural promoter into Pd/rGO-ZnCr₂O₄ (rGO, reduced graphene oxide), the obtained Pd(Na)/rGO-ZnCr₂O₄ as a representative example demonstrates an outstanding benzyl alcohol oxidation activity in the Pickering emulsion system in comparison to the alkali-free counterpart. The response experiments of water injection confirm the enhanced activity, and the Na-modified catalyst can further enhance the promotion effects of water on the reaction. The effects of alkali cations for Pd nanoparticles are identified and deciphered by a series of experimental characterizations (XPS, in situ CO-DRIFTS, and CO-TPR coupled with MS), showing that there is abundant −OH on the surface of the catalyst, which is stabilized by the formation of Pd−OH_x. The alkali-stabilized Pd−OH_x is helpful to enhance the water-induced reaction process. According to the results of in situ Raman as well as UV-vis absorption spectra, the Na-modulated Pd(Na)/rGO-ZnCr₂O₄ enables the beneficial characteristics for distorting the benzyl alcohol structure and enhancing the adsorption of benzyl alcohol. Further, the mechanism for enhanced water promotion effects is rationally proposed. The strategy of alkali cations-modified catalysts can provide a new direction to effectively enhance the chemical reaction involving small molecule water.     

Comparison of performance characterization of asphalt mastic prepared by foamed and unfoamed asphalt binders

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Applying foamed warm-mix asphalt in pavement has attracted great attention, but its effects on asphalt mastic are not clear. This research investigated...     

香港全风化花岗岩饱和直剪试验中的剪胀问题

通过对全风化花岗岩的慢剪试验,指出了在直剪试验中出现的两种垂直位移变化形式,其对土体的剪胀剪缩性质的 反映与三轴试验是一致的。剪胀的发生与土体的密实程度密切相关;随垂直压力的增大,剪胀发生所需剪应力也增大;剪应 力达到峰值所需要剪位移总是比剪胀发生时所需的剪位移大。