Ambient Preparation of Benzoxazine-based Phenolic Resins Enables Long-term Sustainable Photosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide

Rational design of polymer structures at the molecular level promotes the iteration of high-performance photocatalyst for sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production from oxygen and water, which also lays the basis for revealing the reaction mechanism. Here we report a benzoxazine-based m-aminophenol-formaldehyde resin (APFac) polymerized at ambient conditions, exhibiting superior H₂O₂ yield and long-term stability to most polymeric photocatalysts. Benzoxazine structure was identified as the crucial photocatalytic active segment in APFac. Favorable adsorption of oxygen/intermediates on benzoxazine structure and commendable product selectivity accelerated the reaction kinetically in stepwise single-electron oxygen reduction reaction. The proposed benzoxazine-based phenolic resin provides the possibility of production in batches and industrial application, and sheds light on the de novo design and analysis of metal-free polymeric photocatalysts.     

A Janus Separator based on Cation Exchange Resin and Fe Nanoparticles-decorated Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes with Triply Synergistic Effects for High-areal Capacity Zn−I2 Batteries

Zn−I₂ batteries stand out in the family of aqueous Zn-metal batteries (AZMBs) due to their low-cost and immanent safety. However, Zn dendrite growth, polyiodide shuttle effect and sluggish I₂ redox kinetics result in dramatically capacity decay of Zn−I₂ batteries. Herein, a Janus separator composed of functional layers on anode/cathode sides is designed to resolve these issues simultaneously. The cathode layer of Fe nanoparticles-decorated single-wall carbon nanotubes can effectively anchor polyiodide and catalyze the redox kinetics of iodine species, while the anode layer of cation exchange resin rich in −SO₃⁻ groups is beneficial to attract Zn²⁺ ions and repel detrimental SO₄²⁻/polyiodide, improving the stability of cathode/anode interfaces synergistically. Consequently, the Janus separator endows outstanding cycling stability of symmetrical cells and high-areal-capacity Zn−I₂ batteries with a lifespan over 2500 h and a high-areal capacity of 3.6 mAh cm⁻².     

The “Fingerprint” of a freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. LX1: Visualizing the composition of its soluble algal products

The composition of soluble algal products was visualized by a fingerprint analytical method.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies on the adsorption behavior of Rhodamine B dye on Duolite C-20 resin

The adsorption behavior of Rhodamine B dye from aqueous solutions was investigated onto the cation-exchange resin, Duolite C-20 (hydrogen form). The effects of various experimental factors; sorbent amount, contact time, dye concentration and temperature, were studied by using the batch technique. Lagergren pseudo-first-order equation shows good applicability with high correlation coefficients for all ranges of initial dye concentrations and at different temperatures. This equation was used to describe the kinetics of the dye adsorption process. The adsorption constants were evaluated by using both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters were obtained and it was found that the adsorption of Rhodamine B dye onto Duolite C-20 resin was an endothermic and spontaneous process at the temperatures under investigation.     

Real-time in situ monitoring of manufacturing process and CFRP quality by relative resistance change measurement

In situ monitoring of resin flow, impregnation of carbon fiber fabrics, and curing during composite manufacturing are very important for determining the quality of composite parts. In conventional methods, sensors, such as optical fibers and strain gages, are bonded to or embedded in the composites for measuring the changes in mechanical and chemical properties. Although they can detect resin curing behavior and impregnation of carbon fibers, they may adversely affect the manufacturing process or structural integrity of the composites. In this study, carbon fiber itself was used as a sensor that minimizes the degradation of mechanical properties and increases the efficiency of monitoring the manufacturing process. The change in the electrical resistance of carbon fiber fabrics was monitored during the various manufacturing processes when the resin flowed through the carbon fiber fabric and curing progressed. The effectiveness of this monitoring method was confirmed, and it is expected to be applicable in monitoring the quality of the finished composite parts.     

Matrix effects on the multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric analysis of high-precision cadmium and zinc isotope ratios

Resin-derived contaminants added to samples during column chemistry are shown to cause matrix effects that lead to inaccuracy in multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement of small natural variations in Cd and Zn isotopic compositions. These matrix effects were evaluated by comparing pure Cd and Zn standards and standards doped with bulk column blank from the anion exchange chromatography procedure. Doped standards exhibit signal enhancements (Cd, Ag, Zn and Cu), instrumental mass bias changes and inaccurate isotopic compositions relative to undoped standards, all of which are attributed to the combined presence of resin-derived organics and inorganics. The matrix effect associated with the inorganic component of the column blanks was evaluated separately by doping standards with metals at the trace levels detected in the column blanks. Mass bias effects introduced by the inorganic column blank matrix are smaller than for the bulk column blank matrix but can still lead to significant changes in ion signal intensity, instrumental mass bias and isotopic ratios. Chemical treatment with refluxed HNO₃ or HClO₄/HNO₃ removes resin-derived organic components resulting in matrix effects similar in magnitude to those associated with the inorganic component of the column blank.Mass bias correction using combined external normalization-SSB does not correct for these matrix effects because the instrumental mass biases experienced by Cd and Zn are decoupled from those of Ag and Cu, respectively. Our results demonstrate that ion exchange chromatography and associated resin-derived contaminants can be a source of error in MC-ICP-MS measurement of heavy stable element isotopic compositions.     

Renewable resources based polymers: Synthesis and characterization of 2,5-diformylfuran-urea resin

Condensation of renewable resources based monomer 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and urea at 110 °C by melting a solid mixture gives a crystalline polymer resin in 90% yield. This resin was characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹H-¹H COSY NMR, IR, UV, TGA and DTA. The structural unit of this new material consists of one DFF molecule condensed with two urea molecules at the aldehyde group of DFF. A homologous resin was prepared by using 5,5′-oxydimethylenebis(2-furaldehyde) and urea in 84% yield via a similar procedure and characterized as well.     

A mechanistic study of Protein A chromatography resin lifetime

A mechanistic study into Protein A chromatographic resin lifetime limitations is presented. Binding and mass transport properties of two widely used agarose-based Protein A resins were studied to distinguish between the roles of resin fouling due to product/impurity build-up and ligand degradation as contributory factors towards the decline in binding capacity with use. Cycling studies were conducted with and without product loading on the columns to separate out the influence of resin fouling. Ligand degradation under the mildly alkaline conditions used for column regeneration was determined to be the primary cause for Protein A resin capacity decline with usage. The use of lower concentrations of caustic and the use of stabilizing excipients to protect the Protein A ligand during cleaning and sanitization were found to be useful techniques in maintaining column performance. The results presented in this paper provide a clearer understanding of the causative factors that limit Protein A chromatographic resin lifetime. It is anticipated that these findings will assist in the development of more robust and economical downstream manufacturing processes for monoclonal antibody and Fc fusion protein purification.     

Phenylethynyl-terminated Imide Oligomers Modified by Reactive Diluent for Resin Transfer Molding Application

To meet the processing requirements of resin transfer moulding(RTM)technology,reactive diluent containing m-phenylene moiety was synthesized to physically mixed with phenylethynyl terminated cooligoimides with well-designed molecular weights of 1500-2500 g/mol derived from 4,4’-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride(6 FDA),3,4’-oxydianiline(3,4’-ODA)and m-phenylenediamine(m-PDA).This blend shows low minimum melting viscosity(<1 Pa·s)and enlarged processing temperature window(260–361℃).FPI-R-1 stays below 1 Pa·s for2 h at 270℃.The relationship between the molecular weight of the blend and its melting stability was first explored.Blending oligoimides with lower molecular weights exhibit better melting stability.Upon curing at 380℃for 2 h,the thermosetting polyimide resin demonstrates superior heat resistance(T_g=420-426℃).     

红外光谱分析用于双酚A型环氧树脂的实验教学

通过红外光谱的实验教学,学生掌握了在高温和空气中氧的共同作用下,环氧树脂会发生一系列化学变化,从而发生老化甚至失效。通过特定官能团的跟踪分析,学生全面学习和掌握了环氧树脂从固化到老化红外光谱分析的全过程。