Rational material design of Li-excess metal oxides with disordered rock salt structure

This review article summarizes recent research development on a new class of electrode materials with a cation-disordered rock salt structure for energy storage applications. Historically, oxide-based electrode materials with the disordered rock salt structure are regarded as “electrochemically inactive.” However, recent experimental and theoretical research reveals that many oxides with the disordered rock salt structure can be utilized as high-capacity electrode materials, which deliver a much larger reversible capacity compared with traditional and cation ordered layered materials used for practical battery applications. For these emerging electrode materials, higher energy density is achieved relying on anionic and/or cationic redox as multi-electron reactions. Moreover, this anionic/cationic redox for Li-excess materials with the rock salt structure is effectively activated for nano-sized materials. These new trends for the material design on high-capacity electrode materials are highlighted and the future direction to design Li/Na insertion materials for energy storage applications is outlooked.     

A way to halogenfree,flame-retardant laminates for electronic applications

Due to legal specifications and standards flame retardant polymers are used as insulating materials for electrical cable and wire, as casing and constructive materials in electrical engineering, as encapsulation materials for electronic components and in laminates for printed circuit boards. The most effective way to achieve flame retardancy is by using halogenated organic materials. Because of ecological reasons a major trend is the development of halogenfree non-corrosive flame retardant polymer materials. On the laminate side Siemens R&D developed a way to halogenfree laminates meeting the UL 94V-O specification.     

Preparation of calibration materials for microanalysis of Ti minerals by direct fusion of synthetic and natural materials: experience with LA-ICP-MS analysis of some important minor and trace elements in ilmenite and rutile

Calibration materials for microanalysis of Ti minerals have been prepared by direct fusion of synthetic and natural materials by resistance heating in high-purity graphite electrodes. Synthetic materials were FeTiO3 and TiO2 reagents doped with minor and trace elements; CRMs for ilmenite, rutile, and a Ti-rich magnetite were used as natural materials. Problems occurred during fusion of Fe2O3-rich materials, because at atmospheric pressure Fe2O3 decomposes into Fe3O4 and O2 at 1462 degrees C. An alternative fusion technique under pressure was tested, but the resulting materials were characterized by extensive segregation and development of separate phases. Fe2O3-rich materials were therefore fused below this temperature, resulting in a form of sintering, without conversion of the materials into amorphous glasses. The fused materials were studied by optical microscopy and EPMA, and tested as calibration materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, equipped with laser ablation for sample introduction (LA-ICP-MS). It was demonstrated that calibration curves based on materials of rutile composition, within normal analytical uncertainty, generally coincide with calibration curves based on materials of ilmenite composition. It is, therefore, concluded that LA-ICP-MS analysis of Ti minerals can with advantage be based exclusively on calibration materials prepared for rutile, thereby avoiding the special fusion problems related to oxide mixtures of ilmenite composition. It is documented that sintered materials were in good overall agreement with homogeneous glass materials, an observation that indicates that in other situations also sintered mineral concentrates might be a useful alternative for instrument calibration, e.g. as alternative to pressed powders.     

Production of reference materials for the detection and size determination of silica nanoparticles in tomato soup

A set of four reference materials for the detection and quantification of silica nanoparticles (NPs) in food was produced as a proof of principle exercise. Neat silica suspensions were ampouled, tested for homogeneity and stability, and characterized for total silica content as well as particle diameter by dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy (EM), gas-phase electrophoretic molecular mobility analysis (GEMMA), and field-flow fractionation coupled with an inductively coupled mass spectrometer (FFF-ICPMS). Tomato soup was prepared from ingredients free of engineered nanoparticles and was spiked at two concentration levels with the silica NP suspension. Homogeneity of these materials was found sufficient to act as reference materials and the materials are sufficiently stable to allow long-term storage and distribution at ambient temperature, providing proof of principle of the feasibility of producing liquid food reference materials for the detection of nanoparticles. The spiked soups were characterized for particle diameter by EM and FFF-ICPMS (one material only), as well as for the total silica content. Although questions regarding the trueness of the results from EM and FFF-ICPMS procedures remain, the data obtained indicate that even assigning values should eventually be feasible. The materials can therefore be regarded as the first step towards certified reference materials for silica nanoparticles in a food matrix.     

Revisiting ceramics for medical applications

The most significant demand for biomaterials has emerged as a consequence of the need to provide clinical treatment to a large number of patients. The search for potential solutions produces a large demand for materials suitable for bone repair or replacement. Calcium phosphates, bio-glasses, bio-glass ceramics and ordered silica mesoporous materials, among other types of materials, will be reviewed and studied from the point of view of their potential applications as replacement materials in bone repair and regeneration, as potential substrates in tissue engineering, and also as drug delivery systems. An overview on the present achievements, but also on the "missing links" will be presented.     

Design of electroceramic materials using artificial neural networks and multiobjective evolutionary algorithms

We describe the computational design of electroceramic materials with optimal permittivity for application as electronic components. Given the difficulty of large-scale manufacture and characterization of these materials, including the theoretical prediction of their materials properties by conventional means, our approach is based on a recently established database containing composition and property information for a wide range of ceramic compounds. The electroceramic materials composition-function relationship is encapsulated by an artificial neural network which is used as one of the objectives in a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm. Evolutionary algorithms are stochastic optimization techniques which we employ to search for optimal materials based on chemical composition. The other objectives optimized include the reliability of the neural network prediction and the overall electrostatic charge of the material. The evolutionary algorithm searches for materials which simultaneously have high relative permittivity, minimum overall charge, and good prediction reliability. We find that we are able to predict a range of new electroceramic materials with varying degrees of reliability. In some cases the materials are similar to those contained in the database; in others, completely new materials are predicted.     

A novel Mo-based oxide β-SnMoO_4 as anode for lithium ion battery

Recently,the development of new electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)has received intensive attention.As an important family of inorganic materials,mixed Mo-based transition metal oxides system is focused as anode materials.In the present work,a simple route has been adopted for the synthesis of layered-flake-likeβ-SnMo04 Nano-assemblies,which have been explored as potential anode materials for the first time in lithium-ion battery(LIB).Overall,the current reports on metal molybdate as anode materials are still rarely.As the anode material for LIBs,it was observed that the fabricated anode is capable of delivering a steady state capacity of almost 400 mAh/g up to 300 cycles under the influence of200 mA/g current density.Further,the anode material is suitable for use as a rated capacity anode because of its high current density tolerance.The present study can be further extended for the generation of a wide variety of other novel materials for multidisciplinary energy related applications.     

Biomass-based green chemistry: sustainable solutions for modern economies

Abstract

Biomass and renewable raw materials are the basis and driver for an even greater alignment of industry to the principles of green chemistry and sustainability. Nature provides a remarkably wide range of renewable raw materials with varying properties and differing chemical compositions. Renewable raw materials are therefore especially interesting as alternatives to fossil resources for energy generation and as starting materials for industrial chemistry. Since various forms of biomass are also essential for human nutrition and animal feed, their use as feedstocks for other purposes must be balanced. Ideally, the biomass remaining after the nutritious components are removed can serve as a feedstock. Examples of applications that use biomass as starting materials include adhesives, textile and leather, cosmetics, cleaning agents, coatings, paints, printing inks, crop protection, lubricants and dietary supplements.     

Playing with organic radicals as building blocks for functional molecular materials

The literature has shown numerous contributions on the synthesis and physicochemical properties of persistent organic radicals but there are a lesser number of reports about their use as building blocks for obtaining molecular magnetic materials exhibiting an additional and useful physical property or function. These materials show promise for applications in spintronics as well as bistable memory devices and sensing materials. This critical review provides an up-to-date survey to this new generation of multifunctional magnetic materials. For this, a detailed revision of the most common families of persistent organic radicals-nitroxide, triphenylmethyl, verdazyl, phenalenyl, and dithiadiazolyl-so far reported will be presented, classified into three different sections: materials with magnetic, conducting and optical properties. An additional section reporting switchable materials based on these radicals is presented (257 references).     

金属有机骨架衍生材料在样品前处理中的应用研究进展

样品前处理技术在复杂样品的整个分析过程中起着至关重要的作用,其不仅可以提高痕量目标物在样品中的浓度,而且能有效消除样品基质对分析的干扰.对于样品前处理技术而言,吸附剂是其最为核心部分.因此开发高效、稳定的新型吸附剂已成为前处理技术领域的研究热点.近年来,由金属有机骨架(metal-organic frame-works...     

Soft nanotechnology with soft nanoparticles

The last decade of research in the physical sciences has seen a dramatic increase in the study of nanoscale materials. Today, "nanoscience" has emerged as a multidisciplinary effort, wherein obtaining a fundamental understanding of the optical, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties of nanostructures promises to deliver the next generation of functional materials for a wide range of applications. While this range of efforts is extremely broad, much of the work has focused on "hard" materials, such as Buckyballs, carbon nanotubes, metals, semiconductors, and organic or inorganic dielectrics. Meanwhile, the soft materials of current interest typically include conducting or emissive polymers for "plastic electronics" applications. Despite the continued interest in these established areas of nanoscience, new classes of soft nanomaterials are being developed from more traditional polymeric constructs. Specifically, nanostructured hydrogels are emerging as a promising group of materials for multiple biotechnology applications as the need for advanced materials in the post-genomic era grows. This review will present some of the recent advances in the marriage between water-swellable networks and nanoscience.     

Nanostructured Carbonaceous Materials from Molecular Precursors

Nanostructured carbonaceous materials, that is, carbon materials with a feature size on the nanometer scale and, in some cases, functionalized surfaces, already play an important role in a wide range of emerging fields, such as the search for novel energy sources, efficient energy storage, sustainable chemical technology, as well as organic electronic materials. Furthermore, such materials might offer solutions to the challenges associated with the on‐going depletion of nonrenewable energy resources or climate change, and they may promote further breakthroughs in the field of microelectronics. However, novel methods for their preparation will be required that afford functional carbon materials with controlled surface chemistry, mesoscopic morphology, and microstructure. A highly promising approach for the synthesis of such materials is based on the use of well‐defined molecular precursors.     

微生物燃料电池电极材料研究进展

微生物燃料电池以微生物为催化剂将化学能直接转化成电能,可用于废水处理并产生电能,是一种极具应用前景的生物电化学技术. 本文综述了近年来微生物燃料电池电极材料的制备、功能修饰及表面构建等的研究进展,着重介绍了炭基纳米材料的微结构与成分对微生物燃料电池性能的影响,并分析了微生物燃料电池电极材料现存的主要问题,以期不久的将来微生物燃料电池能付之实用.     

From molecular chemistry to hybrid nanomaterials. Design and functionalization

This tutorial review reports upon the organisation and functionalization of two families of hybrid organic-inorganic materials. We attempted to show in both cases the best ways permitting the organisation of materials in terms of properties at the nanometric scale. The first family concerns mesoporous hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared in the presence of a structure-directing agent. We describe the functionalization of the channel pores of ordered mesoporous silica, that of the silica framework, as well as the functionalization of both of them simultaneously. This family is currently one of the best supports for exploring polyfunctional materials, which can provide a route to interactive materials. The second family concerns lamellar hybrid organic-inorganic materials which is a new class of nanostructured materials. These materials were first obtained by self-assembly, as a result of van der Waals interactions of bridged organosilica precursors containing long alkylene chains during the sol-gel process, without any structure directing agent. This methodology has been extended to functional materials. It is also shown that such materials can be obtained from monosilylated precursors.     

Enhancing the flame-retardant performance of wood-based materials using carbon-based materials

We sought to improve the flame-retardant performance of wood-based materials through the development of a coating material using carbon-based materials. The coating materials were applied to the surfaces of wood-based materials used for interior materials and furniture. We measured fire characteristics of the coated wood-based materials using a cone calorimeter. The coating materials were prepared by the mixing of carbon materials, such as natural graphite, expandable graphite, and exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, in water-based coating materials. TG analysis revealed that water-based coating materials/carbon material-blended composites had good thermal durability in the working temperature ranges. The flame-retardant performance was confirmed through cone calorimeter experiments, and the result of the experiment satisfied the standard for flame-retardant performance in ISO 5600-1.     

Recent developments in the field of environmental reference materials at the JRC Ispra

The production of reference materials for environmental analysis started in the Joint Research Centre at Ispra/Italy in 1972 with the objective of later certification by the BCR, but for obvious budget reasons only a fraction of the total production achieved at Ispra ever reached certification level, although all materials were produced according to the severe quality requirements requested for certified reference materials. Therefore, the materials not destinated to certification are in growing demand as inter-laboratory test materials and as laboratory reference materials, for internal quality control, e.g., by control charts. The history of reference material production within the Joint Research Centre is briefly reviewed and the latest additions described. New developments such as micro-scale reference materials intended for analytical methods requiring sample intakes at milligram or sub-milligram level and therefor not finding supply on the reference material market, and "wet" environmental reference materials, which meet more precisely the "real-world" environmental analysis conditions, are presented and the state-of-the-art discussed.     

Liquid crystal templating of nanomaterials with nature's toolbox

Naturally occurring biomolecules are sustainable and green precursors for the development of new materials. Within this family of natural materials, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have emerged as one of the most promising materials because of their outstanding physico-chemical properties and the possibility to produce them in large quantities. One key trait of CNCs is their ability to self-assemble into a chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase. In this review, we discuss how templating can be used to transfer the three-dimensional structure of liquid crystalline CNC phases onto solid materials. This is followed by examples that illustrate the fascinating properties and potential applications that arise from the resulting nanostructured materials such as sensing and catalysis. We then summarize efforts to use the liquid crystalline phase of a selection of other biopolymers for templating. While nanocrystalline chitin, having very similar properties to CNCs, has been successfully employed to make a variety of new materials, efforts to template liquid crystal phases of other biomolecules have been met with limited success. However, we discuss virus nanoparticles and collagen as examples to highlight further possibilities for materials research.     

衍生多孔碳材料在固相微萃取中的应用研究进展

固相微萃取是一种集采样、萃取、富集和进样于一体的样品前处理技术,其萃取效果与涂层材料密切相关。多孔碳材料具有比表面积大、多孔结构可控、活性位点多和化学稳定性好等优点,广泛应用于电池、超级电容器、催化、吸附和分离等领域,也是一种热门的用作固相微萃取探针的涂层材料。衍生多孔碳材料因种类丰富、可设计性强被广泛研究,研究主要集中在对衍生多孔碳材料的结构优化方面。但是衍生多孔碳材料在固相微萃取中的应用还存在如下问题:(1)共价有机框架衍生多孔碳材料的制备已取得较大进展,但将其应用于固相微萃取领域的研究仍较少;(2)有待进一步明确制备出的衍生多孔碳材料用作固相微萃取涂层表现出优异提取能力的机理;(3)有待进一步深入研究将衍生多孔碳材料用作固相微萃取涂层以实现对不同物理化学性质污染物的广谱高灵敏度分析。文章综述了近3年衍生多孔碳材料在固相微萃取中的应用研究,并展望了未来衍生多孔碳材料在固相微萃取中的研究前景。引用文献共56篇,主要来源于Elsevier。     

Swelling, functionalization, and structural changes of the nanoporous layered silicates AMH-3 and MCM-22

Nanoporous layered silicate materials contain 2D-planar sheets of nanoscopic thickness and ordered porous structure. In comparison to porous 3D-framework materials such as zeolites, they have advantages such as significantly increased surface area and decreased diffusion limitations because the layers can potentially be exfoliated or intercalated into polymers to form nanocomposite materials. These properties are particularly interesting for applications as materials for enhancing molecular selectivity and throughput in composite membranes. In this report, the swelling and surface modification chemistry of two attractive nanoporous layered silicate materials, AMH-3 and MCM-22, were studied. We first describe a method, using long-chain diamines instead of monoamines, for swelling of AMH-3 while preserving its pore structure to a greater extent during the swelling process. Then, we describe a stepwise functionalization method for functionalizing the layer surfaces of AMH-3 and MCM-22 via silane condensation reactions. The covalently attached hydrocarbon chain molecules increased the hydrophobicity of AMH-3 and MCM-22 layer surfaces and therefore allow the possibility of effectively dispersing these materials in polymer matrices for thin film/membrane applications.     

超支化共轭聚合物的合成、性质及在光电器件中的应用研究进展

简述超支化共轭聚合物光电活性材料研究进展,设计、合成了多种具有3-D立体结构的超支化共轭聚合物,研究了它们的结构与性能的关系及其在器件上的应用.实验结果表明,这种聚合物具有良好的溶解性,可成膜性和高的发光效率.可应用于发光二极管(LED),发光电化学池(LEC),光伏打电池等器件.这类化合物不仅可以作为发光材料,还可以通过修饰得到具有分子或离子识别、信息存储性能的特殊功能材料.