Graphene sheet-encased silica/sulfur composite cathode for improved cyclability of lithium-sulfur batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The “shuttle effect” of polysulfides is a serious issue, resulting in a decrease in the life-cycle of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. To...     

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia Using Tiara-like Phenylethanethiolated Nickel Cluster

The fixing of N₂ to NH₃ is challenging due to the inertness of the N≡N bond. Commercially, ammonia production depends on the energy-consuming Haber-Bosch (H−B) process, which emits CO₂ while using fossil fuels as the sources of hydrogen and energy. An alternative method for NH₃ production is the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) process as it is powered by renewable energy sources. Here, we report a tiara-like nickel-thiolate cluster, [Ni₆(PET)₁₂] (where, PET=2-phenylethanethiol)] as an efficient electro-catalyst for the electrochemical NRR at ambient conditions. Ammonia (NH₃: 16.2±0.8 μg h⁻¹ cm⁻²) was the only nitrogenous product over the potential of −2.3 V vs. F_c⁺/F_c with a Faradaic efficiency of 25%±1.7. Based on theoretical calculations, NRR by [Ni₆(PET)₁₂] proceeds through both the distal and alternating pathways with an onset potential of −1.84 V vs. RHE (i.e., −2.46 V vs. F_c⁺/F_c) which corroborates with the experimental findings.     

Antibacterial behaviour of quaternized poly(vinyl chloride)-g-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) graft copolymers

Amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) main chains and poly(4-vinyl pyridine)(P4VP) side chains were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP) using direct initiation of chlorine atoms. The successful synthesis of PVC-g-P4 VP graft copolymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H-NMR). Transmission electron microscope(TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering(SAXS) analysis showed that PVC-g-P4 VP exhibited microphase-separated, ordered structure with 37.6 nm of domain spacing, which was not observed in neat PVC. For antibacterial applications, the tertiary nitrogen atoms of PVC-gP4 VP was quaternized using 1-bromohexane, as confirmed by FTIR measurements. Bacteria including Escherichia coli(E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus), Bacillus cereus(B. cereus), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa) were completely killed in 24 h on the quaternized PVC-g-P4VP(46% grafting) surface, indicating its excellent antibacterial behavior while it showed to be cytotoxic to mammalian cell.     

Plasmonic photoelectrochemical reactions on noble metal electrodes of nanostructures

Plasmonic noble metal nanostructures have been targeted due to their strong surface plasmon resonance at photoelectrochemical interfaces. Recently, it has been concluded that, the plasmonic noble metal nanostructures on photoexcitation permit the transfer of effective hot carriers (hot electron/hole pair) to nearby adsorbed molecules where, the transformed hot carriers can efficiently decrease the activation barrier of a reaction. In this review, our recent achievements in the plasmon-mediated chemical reactions of organic molecules such as para-aminothiophenol, substituted para-aminothiophenol and para-nitrothiophenol at nanostructures modified noble metal electrodes using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical methods, and theoretical calculations will be discussed.     

A glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene oxide decorated silver phosphate nanodentrites for amperometric determination of dissolved hydrazine

The authors describe an electrochemical approach for the preparation of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with graphene oxide and silver nanodentrites (AgNDs). The coating was obtained by using an aqueous solution containing silver nitrate, phosphate and ammonia. The phosphate anions act as a scaffold for the improved deposition of AgNDs. The effects of deposition potential and time and concentration of electrolyte on the formation of the AgNDs were optimized. The modified GCE displays good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of dissolved hydrazine. The electron transfer coefficient and diffusion coefficient are 0.60 and 4.64 × 10^?5 cm² s^?1 respectively. The electrode exhibits a linear response over the 100 nM to 670 μM hydrazine concentration range and a detection limit (LOD) of 33 nM. The sensitivity of the modified electrode is 2077 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 at a typical working voltage of 0.1 V (vs Ag/AgCl). This LOD is much lower than that of the allowable concentration of hydrazine in drinking water as defined by the US EPA and the WHO.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of the 2-step fabrication of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanodendrites (AgND) for use in a hydrazine sensor. First, Ag₃PO₄ is formed by adding AgNO₃ and phosphate. Secondly, the formed Ag₃PO₄ is converted to a colorless complex by adding ammonia and by electrolytic growth of AgND on the GO/GCE.

     

Effect of Substituents and Dopants on the Structure–Property Relationship of Poly(Aniline)—A Comparative Study

Effects of substituents and dopants on the structure–property relationships of poly(aniline) (PANI)-type homopolymers are analyzed. The gravimetric method was used for the estimation of rate of polymerization (R_p). FTIR spectroscopy was used for the calculation of relative intensities (RI) of benzenoid (RI_[B/CH]), quinonoid (RI_[Q/CH]), and their internal conversion (RI_[B/Q]). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterized the thermal stability of PANIs. A standard four probe method was employed for the conductivity measurements. The results are analyzed and critically compared.     

Choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents for the lignocellulose nanofibril production from Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica)

Cellulose - Lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) were produced from the biomass of Mongolian oak for the first time using deep eutectic solvent pretreatment and mechanical defibrillation. Three...