Understanding Synergistic Catalysis on Cu-Se Dual Atom Sites via Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The construction and understanding of synergy in well-defined dual-atom active sites is an available avenue to promote multistep tandem catalytic reactions. Herein, we construct a dual-hetero-atom catalyst that comprises adjacent Cu-N₄ and Se-C₃ active sites for efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy coupled with theoretical calculations provide in-depth insights into this dual-atom synergy mechanism for ORR under realistic device operation conditions. The heteroatom Se modulator can efficiently polarize the charge distribution around symmetrical Cu-N₄ moieties, and serve as synergistic site to facilitate the second oxygen reduction step simultaneously, in which the key OOH*-(Cu₁-N₄) transforms to O*-(Se₁-C₂) intermediate on the dual-atom sites. Therefore, this designed catalyst achieves satisfied alkaline ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.905 V vs. RHE and a maximum power density of 206.5 mW cm⁻² in Zn-air battery.     

A Designed TiO2/Carbon Nanocomposite as a High‐Efficiency Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode and Photocatalyst

Herein, a peapod‐like TiO₂/carbon nanocomposite has successfully been synthesized by a rational method for the first time. The novel nanostructure exhibits a distinct feature of TiO₂ nanoparticles encapsulated inside and the carbon fiber coating outside. In the synthetic process, H₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes serve as precursors and templates, and glucose molecules act as the green carbon source. With the alliciency of hydrogen bonding between H₂Ti₃O₇ and glucose, a thin polymer layer is hydrothermally assembled and subsequently converted into carbon fibers through calcinations under an inert atmosphere. Meanwhile, the precursors of H₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes are transformed into the TiO₂ nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon fibers. The achieved unique nanocomposites can be used as excellent anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and photocatalytic reagents in the degradation of rhodamine B. Due to the synergistic effect derived from TiO₂ nanoparticles and carbon fibers, the obtained peapod‐like TiO₂/carbon cannot only deliver a high specific capacity of 160 mAh g^?1 over 500 cycles in LIBs, but also perform a much faster photodegradation rate than bare TiO₂ and P25. Furthermore, owing to the low cost, environmental friendliness as well as abundant source, this novel TiO₂/carbon nanocomposite will have a great potential to be extended to other application fields, such as specific catalysis, gas sensing, and photovoltaics.     

Preparation,Bioactivities and Applications in Food Industry of Chitosan-Based Maillard Products: A Review

Chitosan, a biopolymer possessing numerous interesting bioactivities and excellent technological properties, has received great attention from scientists in different fields including the food industry, pharmacy, medicine, and environmental fields. A series of recent studies have reported exciting results about improvement of the properties of chitosan using the Maillard reaction. However, there is a lack of a systemic review about the preparation, bioactivities and applications in food industry of chitosan-based Maillard reaction products (CMRPs). The presence of free amino groups in chitosan allows it to acquire some stronger or new functional properties via the Maillard reaction. The present review aims to focus on the current research status of synthesis, optimization and structural identification of CMRPs. The applications of CMRPs in the food industry are also discussed according to their biological and technological properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and inducing conformational changes of allergens in food. Some promising directions for future research are proposed in this review, aiming to provide theoretical guidance for the further development of chitosan and its derivatives.     

Promotion Effect of Gold on Mo/ZSM-5 Catalyst for the Catalytic Cracking of Light Diesel Oil to Increase Propylene Production

Kinetics and Catalysis - Using a modified deposition-precipitation method, a series of Au–Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts with different Au loadings were prepared. The XRD, nitrogen adsorption-desorption,...     

Study on the nanoscale current of ZnO film by photoassisted peak force tunnel atomic force: A novel technique for UV detection

ZnO film-based ultraviolet (UV) detector was fabricated by photoassisted peak force tunnel atomic force (PFTUNA) on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) substrate. The PFTUNA current in dark and in UV light was ~0.1 and 2.0 nA, respectively. The UV sensitivity (photocurrent/dark current) is more than 20. The response time and the recovery time are ~0.12 and 0.32 s, respectively. The UV sensing mechanism is that the holes will transport to the ZnO surface to capture the adsorbed oxygen ions to weaken the depletion layer under UV illumination. The PFTUNA current between the tip and the ZnO film is consistent with the Richardson–Schottky (RS) thermionic emission model.     

Z-scheme CuFe2O4–TiO2 nanocomposite microspheres for the photodegradation of methylene blue

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The design and synthesis of effective photocatalysts for photodegradation of persistent organic pollutants is of significant importance. Novel CuFe2O4...     

Characterization and Bioavailability of Vitamin C Nanoliposomes Prepared by Film Evaporation-Dynamic High Pressure Microfluidization

Vitamin C nanoliposomes were prepared by combining a conventional method (film evaporation) with dynamic high pressure microfluidization. Their physicochemical characterizations (antioxidant activity, particle size, entrapment efficiency, morphology, in vitro drug release, and storage stability) and skin permeation behavior were investigated. The results showed that vitamin C nanoliposomes, having equivalent DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capacity of pure vitamin C solution without loss of their biological activity, exhibited better storage stability at 37°C for 24 hours and at 4°C for 60 days, a more excellent sustained drug release as well as higher skin penetration rate than vitamin C liposomes.