Investigation on electro-catalytic oxidation properties of carbon nanotube–Ce-modified PbO2 electrode and its application for degradation of m-nitrophenol

In this work a carbon nanotube–Ce-modified PbO₂ (CNT–Ce–PbO₂) electrode was prepared by electrodeposition method, and compared with pure PbO₂, Ce–PbO₂, and CNT–PbO₂ electrodes. The direct and indirect oxidation capacities of prepared electrodes in electro-catalytic oxidation processes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and hydroxyl radical production tests, respectively. The electro-catalytic activity of electrodes was examined by electro-catalytic oxidation of a model pollutant of m-nitrophenol (m-NP). Besides, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also employed to identify the products resulting from the electro-catalytic oxidation of m-NP and the degradation mechanism of m-NP was proposed. Results show that the CNT–Ce–PbO₂ anode has higher direct and indirect oxidation capacities than pure PbO₂, Ce–PbO₂, and CNT–PbO₂ anodes. In the electro-catalytic oxidation of m-NP, the m-NP can be oxidized and degraded at all anodes, and the oxidation reactions of m-NP follow first-order kinetics. m-NP and TOC removal efficiencies are about 0.987 and 0.622 after electrolysis of 120 min and a maximum first-order rate constant of 0.036 min⁻¹ is achieved at the CNT–Ce–PbO₂ anode, which are obviously higher than those of the other three kinds of anodes.     

Carbon Nanotube‐phenolic Resin Composite Electrode Fabricated by Far Infrared‐assisted Crosslinking for Enhanced Amperometric Detection

The composite of carbon nanotube (CNT) and phenolic resin was prepared in a piece of fused silica capillary based on the far infrared‐assisted crosslinking of phenolic novolac resin in the presence of CNTs and hexamethylenetetramine for electrochemical sensing. The surface morphology and structure of the prepared materials were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that CNTs in the composite was adhered by the crosslinked phenolic resin to form an electrically conductive network. Many broken ends of CNTs appeared on the surface of the composite electrode in the form of a nanoelectrode array. The novel electrode was employed in the amperometric detection of synephrine and hesperidin in Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium in combination with capillary zone electrophoresis. The novel CNT‐based electrode owned the advantages of high sensitivity, low fabrication expense and excellent electrocatalytic performances, indicating great promise for the electrochemical detection in other analysis systems.     

Pt Nanoparticle‐modified Carbon Fiber Microelectrode for Selective Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide

We report a simple approach to the production of carbon fiber‐based amperometric microbiosensors for selective detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which was achieved by electrometallization of carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMs) by electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles. The Pt‐carbon hybrid sensing interface provided a sensitivity of 7711±587 μA ? mM^?1 ? cm^?2, a detection limit of 0.53±0.16 μM (S/N=3), a linear range of 0.8 μM–8.6 mM, and a response time of <2 sec. The morphologies of the Pt nanoparticle‐modified CFMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. To achieve selectivity, permseletive layers, polyphenylenediamine (PPD) and Nafion, were deposited resulting in exclusion of the anionic and cationic interferents, ascorbic acid and dopamine, respectively, at their physiologically relevant concentrations. The resultant sensors displayed a sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide of 1381±72 μA ? mM^?1 ? cm^?2, and a detection limit of 0.86±0.19 μM (S/N=3). This simple and rapid metallization method converts carbon fiber microelectrodes, which are readily accessible, to microscale Pt electrodes in 2 min, providing a platform for oxidase‐based amperometric biosensors with improved spatial resolution over more commonly used platinum electrode array microprobes.     

基于碳量子点和罗丹明B的新型比率荧光试纸片检测水中Hg(Ⅱ)

水环境中Hg(Ⅱ)的污染对生态环境和人类健康危害极大，目前Hg(Ⅱ)的检测主要有原子光谱/质谱和电化学等方法，但存在检测仪器昂贵、操作繁琐及前处理复杂等缺点，难以在日常水环境中微量Hg(Ⅱ)现场检测的应用。因此，建立一种灵敏、准确、快捷和经济的水中Hg(Ⅱ)检测方法具有重要意义。试纸法是将普通的化学反应从玻璃仪器转移到试纸上进行的一种快速检测方法，利用试剂与目标物之间产生的化学反应，通过颜色的变化可对目标物进行定性或半定量检测，具有操作简便、快速等优点。碳量子点是一类粒径小于10 nm的碳基纳米材料，具有优异的荧光性能、较低的毒性和较高的化学稳定性。利用Hg(Ⅱ)对碳量子点的荧光具有灵敏和高效的猝灭作用，构建了一种双色比率荧光试纸片用于快速检测水中微量Hg(Ⅱ)的含量。其中，采用氮掺杂水溶性碳量子点（NCDs）作为荧光响应信号、罗丹明B（RhB）作为荧光内标信号，在单一波长（355 nm）激发下产生位于440和580 nm的双色荧光发射峰。当体系加入不同浓度Hg(Ⅱ)后，NCDs表面官能团与Hg(Ⅱ)之间的静电作用和金属配位协同作用使荧光发生猝灭，而RhB的荧光信号保持不变，利用440和580 nm双色荧光信号或其强度的比值（F₄₄₀/F₅₈₀），可实现对微量Hg(Ⅱ)的快速检测。实验对检测条件进行了优化，结果表明在HAc-NaAc缓冲液浓度为1 mmol·L-1、pH为7的条件下，F₄₄₀/F₅₈₀值与Hg(Ⅱ)浓度（0～3 μmol·L-1）呈现良好的线性关系，线性方程为F₄₄₀/F₅₈₀=-0.785 2ｃ_Hg(Ⅱ)+3.103 8，相关系数r＞0.99，以3倍标准偏差计算的检出限为2.7 nmol·L-1(n=9)。对湖水与自来水中Hg(Ⅱ)进行加标回收实验，其加标回收率在91.9%～117.9%之间，说明该方法灵敏、准确，能用于水中Hg(Ⅱ)的检测。同时，将NCDs和RhB浸渍于尼龙片上构建了双色比率荧光检测试纸片，在紫外灯（365nm）照射下可观测到试纸发射淡蓝紫色荧光。而随着Hg(Ⅱ)浓度的增加，荧光颜色从淡蓝紫色到橙色发生变化，每次检测时间只需3分钟，裸眼可检出Hg(Ⅱ)浓度低至10 nmol·L-1，实现了对水中微量Hg(Ⅱ)的灵敏、快速检测。此外，该方法对Hg(Ⅱ)的检测表现出良好的特异性。因此，基于碳量子点和罗丹明B构建的双色比率荧光试纸片具有携带方便、操作简单，以及灵敏和快速等优点，为水中微量Hg(Ⅱ)的快速检测提供了新的方法和思路。     

Melamium Thiocyanate Melam,a Melamium Salt with Disordered Anion Sites

Melamium salts are a group of ionic carbon nitride type compounds that has been investigated only scarcely. We herein present a novel representative of this group. A melamium thiocyanate melam (1:1) adduct was synthesized from dicyandiamide and ammonium thiocyanate in sealed glass ampoules. The structure of the adduct was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Melamium thiocyanate melam crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14) with lattice parameters of a = 3.6041(11), b = 28.532(7), c = 10.937(4) Å, β = 99.051(14)°, and Z = 4. While the melamium ions form 2D extended hydrogen bridged networks, the thiocyanate ions are disordered and no distinct structural sites could be assigned to the respective atoms. Instead, continuous columns of electron density located in channels in the porous structure were identified as potential space for anion locations. The compound was further characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and solid‐state MAS‐NMR spectroscopy of the nuclei ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N. Rietveld refinement of powder samples was performed for phase analysis. Furthermore, DSC‐TG was used to investigate the thermal behavior of the compound.     

From Heptazines to Triazines – On the Formation of Poly(triazine imide)

Poly(triazine imide), a 2D extended carbon nitride network compound that is obtained from ionothermal synthesis in LiCl/KCl or LiBr/KBr salt melt has been known for over a decade. We now have investigated the formation process of this material starting from various triazine‐ and heptazine‐based precursors as well as the differences between ionothermal and conventional synthesis via thermal condensation. Independent of chosen starting material, melem (triamino‐s‐heptazine) is initially formed from the starting material as the imminent precursor to poly(triazine imide). We elucidate the impact of various different carbon nitride precursor compounds on the formation process, propose a mechanism for the back reaction of heptazines to triazines, and rationalize the occurring processes.     

碳纤维复合材料的激光清洗等离子体光谱在线检测研究

近年来碳纤维复合材料（CFRP）由于性能优异，受到工业领域广泛关注。采用激光清洗技术预处理碳纤维复合材料表面的污染物和环氧树脂等杂质，有利于改善碳纤维复合材料表面性能，提高碳纤维复合材料胶接界面的结合强度。在线检测激光清洗过程，实时判断碳纤维复合材料的表面清洗质量，是保证激光清洗效果的关键环节，也是激光清洗装置自动化、集成化的核心技术。激光诱导等离子体光谱技术可以快速分析材料表面元素变化，实现在线检测激光清洗表面状态，在激光清洗领域有很广的应用前景。采用Nd∶YAG高能量脉冲激光器产生的1 064 nm激光在空气环境中诱导产生等离子体，利用改进型光栅光谱仪(ME5000)获取等离子体光谱，在线检测激光清洗碳纤维复合材料。研究外界空气环境对等离子体光谱检测结果的影响，发现350~700 nm波段的元素谱线可用于碳纤维复合材料表面物质成分分析；采用电子扫描显微镜观测的激光清洗表面形貌和X射线电子能谱仪测得的元素变化共同表征等离子体光谱检测的有效性，通过采集不同激光能量以及不同作用次数的等离子体光谱图，获得碳纤维复合材料表层树脂物质通过激光单次清洗干净的阈值，研究激光清洗质量与激光诱导等离子体谱线成分及其强度变化的关系。结果表明：在获取的激光诱导等离子体光谱中，光谱图中谱线波长在393.3 nm的S(Ⅱ)和589.5 nm的S(Ⅱ)谱线可有效在线表征碳纤维复合材料表面清洗质量；激光单次去除干净表面环氧树脂的阈值为10.68 mJ；低激光能量时需要清洗多次可以去除干净表面树脂；高激光能量时清洗单次可使表面树脂去除干净，多次清洗易造成基体损伤。实验结果为激光清洗碳纤维复合材料的智能集成化应用提供工艺依据和技术支持。     

CO2 Conversion with Alcohols and Amines into Carbonates,Ureas, and Carbamates over CeO2 Catalyst in the Presence and Absence of 2‐Cyanopyridine

Recent progress on the CeO₂ catalyzed synthesis of organic carbonates, ureas, and carbamates from CO₂+alcohols, CO₂+amines, and CO₂+alcohols+amines, respectively, is reviewed. The reactions of CO₂ with alcohols and amines are reversible ones and the degree of the equilibrium limitation of the synthesis reactions is strongly dependent on the properties of alcohols and amines as the substrates. When the equilibrium limitation of the reaction is serious, the equilibrium conversion of the substrate and the yield of the target product is very low, therefore, the shift of the equilibrium reaction to the product side by the removal of H₂O is essential in order to get the target product in high yield. One of the effective method of the H₂O removal from the related reaction systems is the combination with the hydration of 2‐cyanopyridine to 2‐picolinamide, which is also catalyzed by CeO₂.     

First principles investigations of Fe,Co, Ni in model honeycomb carbon networks

The behaviors of ferromagnetic transition metals of the first period: Fe, Co and Ni are examined within density functional theory calculations in two dimensional carbon extended networks using model structure LiC₆. Around geometry optimized structures, the energy-volume equations of states considering non magnetic and spin polarized configurations established ferromagnetic ground states with magnetizations –reduced with respect to the metals’– of 2 μ_B for FeC₆ and 1 μ_B for CoC₆ while no magnetic solution could be identified for NiC₆. In the D_6h point group of the P6/mmm space group l_m decomposition of the d states results with increasing energy into doublet state E_1g with d(x²-y²) and d(xy); singlet state A_1g d(z²) and doublet state E_2g d(xz) and d(yz) lying on E_F and responsible of the onset of magnetic moments. This was mirrored via molecular orbital approach with a construct of Fe embedded between two extended carbon networks thus validating the model structure proposed for TC₆ compounds. The 100% polarization in one spin channel allows proposing potential uses in spintronics applications.     

Sonochemical conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons: The Sabatier reaction at ambient conditions

In this study, we investigated an alternative method for the chemical CO₂ reduction reaction in which power ultrasound (488 kHz ultrasonic plate transducer) was applied to CO₂-saturated (up to 3%) pure water, NaCl and synthetic seawater solutions. Under ultrasonic conditions, the converted CO₂ products were found to be mainly CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ including large amount of CO which was subsequently converted into CH₄. We have found that introducing molecular H₂ plays a crucial role in the CO₂ conversion process and that increasing hydrogen concentration increased the yields of hydrocarbons. However, it was observed that at higher hydrogen concentrations, the overall conversion decreased since hydrogen, a diatomic gas, is known to decrease cavitational activity in liquids. It was also found that 1.0 M NaCl solutions saturated with 2% CO₂ + 98% H₂ led to maximum hydrocarbon yields (close to 5%) and increasing the salt concentrations further decreased the yield of hydrocarbons due to the combined physical and chemical effects of ultrasound. It was shown that CO₂ present in a synthetic industrial flue gas (86.74% N₂, 13% CO₂, 0.2% O₂ and 600 ppm of CO) could be converted into hydrocarbons through this method by diluting the flue gas with hydrogen. Moreover, it was observed that in addition to pure water, synthetic seawater can also be used as an ultrasonicating media for the sonochemical process where the presence of NaCl improves the yields of hydrocarbons by ca. 40%. We have also shown that by using low frequency high-power ultrasound in the absence of catalysts, it is possible to carry out the conversion process at ambient conditions i.e., at room temperature and pressure. We are postulating that each cavitation bubble formed during ultrasonication act as a “micro-reactor” where the so-called Sabatier reaction -$C{O}_2+4H_2\stackrel{\mathit{Ultrasonication}}{\to }C{H}_4+2H_{2}O$ - takes place upon collapse of the bubble. We are naming this novel approach as the “Islam-Pollet-Hihn process”.