Crystallographic study of interaction between adspecies on metal surfaces

The interaction among adsorbed atoms and molecules (adspecies) on metal surfaces plays a decisive role in catalytic reactions. Such interaction may cause structural changes of the local adsorption geometry which, together with spectroscopic and energetic data, may afford useful physical and chemical insights into the basic mechanisms of surface processes. When the adsorption geometry of a single adspecies is considered as a function of coverage, a deeper understanding of the nature of the adsorbate-substrate bonding can be obtained. Depending on the adsorbate coverage, the magnitude of adsorbate-induced relaxations and reconstructions vary widely. Occasionally, chemisorption systems transform gradually into adsorbate-substrate compounds, such as oxides, nitrides, hydrides, and sulfides. For the case of adsorption of different adspecies, coadsorption, structural data can make a vital contribution to our understanding of reaction intermediates, the promotion effect in heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, and the formation of ultra-thin compound films.     

Surface chemical analysis of raw cotton fibres and associated materials

The surface chemical composition of raw unscoured cotton was successfully investigated by the surface analytical techniques X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The presence of non-cellulosic material at the fibre surface was established and determined to be a complex mixture of fatty acids, alcohols, alkanes, esters and glycerides. The effect of scouring and bleaching was to reduce the surface concentration of these materials but even after aqueous processing some non-cellulosic material residue was still detected at the fibre surface.     

Structure and reactivity of GaAs surfaces

First the analytical tools, preparation methods and surface crystallography of clean GaAs surfaces are briefly reviewed. Besides the usual methods of cleaving, ion bombardment and annealing, molecular beam epitaxy is mainly used as a growth method under UHV conditions, and has brought a manifold of differently reconstructed structures on the same crystallographic surface, depending on the exact experimental conditions during growth. Quantitative analysis of the surface composition by AES gives the result that these structures differ only in the amount of As in the topmost layer. From the combination of theoretical LEED analysis, UPS results and arguments considering the different physicochemical nature of Ga and As atoms, rehybridisation of the surface atomic bonds emerges as the driving force for reconstruction: the surface Ga atoms try to assume a trivalent planarsp² and the As atoms a trivalentp³ configuration with three mutually perpendicularp-bonds. The better this rehybridised configuration can be achieved, the better is the chemical stability of the respective structure. The sticking coefficient for oxygen, although generally low, thus varies between ～10^-4 and <10^-9, depending on the crystallographic surface and, on the same surface, on the degree of surface bond saturation given by the respective structure. However, it emerges that, at least on As-depleted polar surfaces, adsorption proceeds via a mechanism of removal of Ga atoms during exposure and adsorption on the defect sites created in this way. The existence of such a complicated mechanism is consistent with the difficulties arising with the preparation of thick stoichiometric oxide layers, the preparation methods and properties of which are reviewed briefly in the last section.     

Multiscale analysis of water uptake and erosion in biodegradable polyarylates

The role of hydration in degradation and erosion of materials, especially biomaterials used in scaffolds and implants, was investigated by studying the distribution of water at length scales from 0.1 nm to 0.1 mm using Raman spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), Raman confocal imaging, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The measurements were demonstrated using l-tyrosine derived polyarylates. Bound- and free- water were characterized using their respective signatures in the Raman spectra. In the presence of deuterium oxide (D₂O), H-D exchange occurred at the amide carbonyl but was not detected at the ester carbonyl. Water appeared to be present in the polymer even in regions where there was little evidence for NH to ND exchange. SANS showed that water is not uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The distribution of water can be described as mass fractals in polymers with low water content (∼5 wt%), and surface fractals in polymers with larger water content (15-60 wt%). These fluctuations in the density of water distribution are presumed to be the precursors of the ∼20 μm water pockets seen by Raman confocal imaging, and also give rise to the 10-50 μm porous network seen in SEM. The surfaces of these polymers appeared to resist erosion while the core of the films continued to erode to form a porous structure. This could be due to differences in either the density of the polymer or the solvent environment in the bulk vs. the surface, or a combination of these two factors. There was no correlation between the rate of degradation and the amount of water uptake in these polymers, and this suggests that it is the bound water and not the total amount of water that contributes to hydrolytic degradation.     

液态金属催化剂:二维材料的点金石

由于石墨烯等二维材料具有独特的结构与优异的性能,其在众多新型电子器件的构建中具有重要的应用前景。然而,其可控生长仍然存在诸多挑战性的问题,这也是制约这类明星材料真正迈向应用的瓶颈所在。化学气相沉积法(CVD)是目前可控制备高质量石墨烯最有效的方法,其中催化基底的设计尤为重要,这将直接决定CVD最为核心的两个过程:催化和传质。相较于改变催化剂的化学组成,近年来我们发现改变催化剂的物态——由固态到液态,对石墨烯等二维材料的CVD过程有质的改变和提升。与固态基底相比,液态基底具有更松散的原子排列、更剧烈的原子迁移,使得液面平滑而各向同性,液相可流动且可包埋异质原子。这使得液态金属在催化石墨烯等二维材料及其异质结生长时表现出很多独特的行为,比如层数严格自限制、超快的生长速度、晶粒拼接平滑等。更重要的是,基底的液态特性给二维材料的自组装和转移带来了突破,实乃二维材料的点金石。本文将梳理液态金属催化剂上二维材料的生长、组装与转移行为,这些关键技术的突破将为二维材料迈向真正应用奠定坚实的基础。     

Electrodeposited conductive polymers for controlled drug release: polypyrrole

Over the last 40 years, electrically conductive polymers have become well established as important electrode materials. Polyanilines, polythiophenes and polypyrroles have received particular attention due to their ease of synthesis, chemical stability, mechanical robustness and the ability to tailor their properties. Electrochemical synthesis of these materials as films have proved to be a robust and simple way to realise surface layers with controlled thickness, electrical conductivity and ion transport. In the last decade, the biomedical compatibility of electrodeposited polymers has become recognised; in particular, polypyrroles have been studied extensively and can provide an effective route to pharmaceutical drug release. The factors controlling the electrodeposition of this polymer from practical electrolytes are considered in this review including electrolyte composition and operating conditions such as the temperature and electrode potential. Voltammetry and current-time behaviour are seen to be effective techniques for film characterisation during and after their formation. The degree of take-up and the rate of drug release depend greatly on the structure, composition and oxidation state of the polymer film. Specialised aspects are considered, including galvanic cells with a Mg anode, use of catalytic nanomotors or implantable biofuel cells for a self-powered drug delivery system and nanoporous surfaces and nanostructures. Following a survey of polymer and drug types, progress in this field is summarised and aspects requiring further research are highlighted.     

Interfacial phenomena in the oxidation and high temperature corrosion of metals and alloys

Metallic materials for application at high temperatures must form a slowly growing, dense oxide scale for their own protection. Up to about 1000°C, chromia-forming, at higher temperatures, alumina-forming Fe, Ni or Co based materials are used. In the present paper it is demonstrated how intact homogeneous scales on materials can be studied by AES sputter profiling and SNMS, but the main objective is to show phenomena at surfaces and interfaces which occur in complex atmospheres. In complex atmospheres, the formation of a protective scale is aggravated if several aggressive components of the gas atmosphere attack the free metal surface. This was demonstrated by AES for oxidizing and chlorinating atmospheres, in which chlorides and oxides grow simultaneously on the free metal surface. The chlorides are overgrown after some minutes by the stable oxide, but the formation of a dense, protective oxide scale is prevented. Similar effects have been observed by AES in oxidizing and nitriding atmospheres and also in oxidizing and sulfidizing atmospheres. The structure and the composition of the interface oxide/metal is decisive for the adherence of oxide scales. Stresses in the oxide scale can initiate detachment, diffusion processes in the alloy can lead to formation of voids and cavities beneath the oxide layer; both processes are favoured by segregation of sulfur from the alloy to the nascent metal surface as was shown by AES. For the investigation of the interface, this has to be laid bare by in-situ bending of the sample; this causes physical removal of the oxide scale. In addition to the surface of the oxide and the interface oxide/metal, grain boundaries of the alloys are also of interest; at these grain boundaries, dissolved non-metal atoms such as C, O, N, S ... can penetrate into the alloy. The grain boundaries can be analyzed by AES if the samples are fractured inside the UHV system. It can be shown, for example, that oxygen can penetrate into the grain boundaries of the intermetallic compounds NbAl₃ and NiAl; this oxygen penetration leads to grain boundary oxidation or even disintegration of the material into fine oxidized metal particles. These examples should demonstrate that the application of surface analytical methods, especially of AES, can provide valuable information for improved understanding and control of the high temperature corrosion of metallic materials.     

Adsorption of carboxymethyl cellulose on polymer surfaces: evidence of a specific interaction with cellulose

The adsorption of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), one of the most important cellulose derivatives, is crucial for many scientific investigations and industrial applications. Especially for surface modifications and functionalization of materials, the polymer is of interest. The adsorption properties of CMC are dependent not only on the solutions state, which can be influenced by the pH, temperature, and electrolyte concentration, but also on the chemical composition of the adsorbents. We therefore performed basic investigation studies on the interaction of CMC with a variety of polymer films. Thin films of cellulose, cellulose acetate, deacetylated cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, and cyclo olefin polymer were therefore prepared on sensors of a QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalance) and on silicon substrates. The films were characterized with respect to the thickness, wettability, and chemical composition. Subsequently, the interaction and deposition of CMC in a range of pH values without additional electrolyte were measured with the QCM-D method. A comparison of the QCM-D results showed that CMC is favorably deposited on pure cellulose films and deacetylated cellulose acetate at low pH values. Other hydrophilic surfaces such as silicon dioxide or polyvinyl alcohol coated surfaces did not adsorb CMC to a significant extent. Atomic force microcopy confirmed that the morphology of the adsorbed CMC layers differed depending on the substrate. On hydrophobic polymer films, CMC was deposited in the form of larger particles in lower amounts whereas hydrophilic cellulose substrates were to a high extent uniformly covered by adsorbed CMC. The chemical similarity of the CMC backbone seems to favor the irreversible adsorption of CMC when the molecule is almost uncharged at low pH values. A selectivity of the cellulose CMC interaction can therefore be assumed. All CMC treated polymer films exhibited an increased hydrophilicity, which confirmed their modification with the functional molecule.     

聚阴离子型钠离子电池正极材料的研究进展

作为钠离子电池正极材料的体系之一,聚阴离子型化合物具有成本低廉和安全性高的优点,适合于大规模固定式储能系统。实时平衡电网电力供需水平对正极材料的倍率性能提出了更高的要求,而聚阴离子材料虽然存在离子扩散通道,但缺乏电子传输路径,导致其动力学性能不佳。为了挖掘影响聚阴离子型正极动力学性能的因素,本文以结构为基础,对影响聚阴离子正极离子扩散行为的本征原因作了阐述,再从表面修饰和形态设计入手,对目前研究较多的改善电极表面及界面处离子和电子扩散的策略作了总结与点评,然后从材料的分级结构回归到鲜见报导的元素掺杂和取代,从本质上提出优化动力学性能的方案,并展望了进一步提高正极材料倍率性能的方向。本文可为高倍率的聚阴离子型正极材料及其他材料的开发提供基本理论和实践依据。     

Ca掺杂的CeO2模型催化剂的形貌和电子结构及其与CO2分子的相互作用

利用扫描隧道显微镜、X射线光电子能谱和同步辐射光电子能谱研究了CeO₂(111),部分还原的CeO_2-x(111) (0＜x＜0.5)以及Ca掺杂的CeO₂模型催化剂的形貌、电子结构以及它们与CO₂分子间的相互作用。CeO₂(111)和部分还原的CeO_2-x(111)薄膜外延生长于Cu(111)单晶表面。不同Ca掺杂的CeO₂薄膜是通过在CeO₂(111)薄膜表面室温物理沉积金属Ca及随后真空退火到不同温度而得到的。不同的制备过程导致样品具有不同的表面组成,化学态和结构。CO₂吸附到CeO₂和部分还原的CeO_2-x表面后导致表面羧酸盐的形成。此外,相比于CeO₂表面,羧酸盐物种更易在部分还原的CeO_2-x表面生成,而且更加稳定。而在Ca掺杂的氧化铈薄膜表面,Ca²⁺离子的存在有利于CO₂的吸附,且探测到碳酸盐物种的形成。     

聚合物接枝Janus纳米片形变的耗散粒子动力学研究

由于在检测、药物输运、分子马达等领域具有广阔的应用前景,二维柔性响应Janus材料受到了广泛的关注。但遗憾的是,这些二维材料的响应形变的分子机理仍不明确。基于此,我们采用介观尺度的耗散粒子动力学模拟方法系统研究了Janus纳米片两侧接枝不同长度和不同溶剂相容性的高分子链对Janus纳米片形变的影响。我们发现由于构象熵和混合焓的共同作用,通过对接枝链长度和溶剂相容性的调整,Janus纳米片可以形成如反相包覆、信封装包覆和碗状等新奇的结构。我们的理论结果首次提供了对二维柔性Janus材料可控形变的基本认识,并预报了设计合成新型Janus纳米器件在药物和生物医学领域的潜在应用。     

酶凝干酪素物理凝胶化过程的有限元模拟

以酶凝干酪素的凝胶化过程为对象,利用有限元方法数值分析了在凝胶化过程中温度场的空间分布和时间演变规律.在此基础上,基于一阶的凝胶化动力学方程,数值模拟了凝胶体系的复剪切模量场,进而分析了材料配方、体系尺寸与冷却方案对复剪切模量场的影响规律.模拟结果表明,由于热阻的差异,体系表面的冷却速率大于内部,表面首先发生凝胶化;而由于预凝胶化阶段的平均冷却速率决定了无穷复剪切模量的值,最终体系内部的复剪切模量超过表面的.     

ZnO纳米棒阵列到纳米管结构的自转化机制及其在相变封装材料中的应用

In the emerging field of nanoscience, tubular structures have been attracting remarkable interest due to their well-defined geometry, high specific area, and exceptional physical and chemical properties. Among them, oriented ZnO tubular arrays are regarded as promising candidates for various applications such as optoelectronics, solar cells, sensors, field emission, piezoelectrics, and catalysis. Although template-directed and selective dissolution synthesizing strategies are commonly used to prepare ZnO nanotubes, repeatability and large scale preparation are still challenging. In this study, ZnO nanotube arrays were controllably prepared by tuning the hydrothermal parameters, without the use of any additives. The mechanism underlying the self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes was comprehensively studied based on the surface energy theory. It has been proved that the metastable top surface of the ZnO nanorods dissolves preferentially to reach a stable state during the hydrothermal growth. The specific surface energy of different crystal faces of ZnO nanorods was calculated using molecular dynamics simulation. The top surface of the ZnO nanorod, the Zn-terminated [0001] face, demonstrated much higher surface free energy than did the lateral faces, which indicated that the self-dissolution of top face (002) is energetically favorable. The self-conversion behavior of ZnO nanorod arrays with different diameters was specifically investigated by adjusting the initial precursor concentration, density of the crystal seed layers, and growth time. The dissolution-crystallization equilibrium concentration, determined by crystal surface energy, was found to be a key factor for the formation of the tubular structure. Notably, the critical equilibrium conditions for the self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes, including zinc ion concentration and pH, have been identified by studying parameters corresponding to the dissolution-crystallization equilibrium for the metastable top surface of the ZnO nanorods. The preparation of the ZnO nanotube arrays was successfully accelerated and simplified via two-step procedure: (1) preparation of ZnO nanorod arrays and (2) self-conversion of ZnO nanorods to nanotubes. The preparation method based on the self-conversion mechanism from rods to tubes for polar oxides is simpler and more easily controllable as compared to the reported methods involving variety of additives. Because of the advantages of adaptability to a wide range of substrates, excellent conducting properties, and filling ability, the prepared ZnO nanotube array films were used in encapsulating phase-change materials. The encapsulated phase-change material exhibited excellent heat storage/release properties and heat conductivities. This indicates the potential application of precision devices for temperature control.     

智能聚合物基材料富集磷酸化肽和糖肽的研究进展

翻译后修饰是蛋白质组学研究的前沿和重点,它不仅调节着蛋白质的折叠、状态、活性、定位以及蛋白质间的相互作用,也能帮助科学家更全面地了解生物体的生命过程,为疾病的预测、诊断和治疗提供更加强大的支撑和依据。翻译后修饰产物(例如磷酸化肽和糖肽)丰度很低,且存在着强烈的背景干扰,很难直接用质谱进行分析,因此迫切需要开发高效的富集材料和技术来选择性富集翻译后修饰产物。近年来,智能聚合物基材料通过外部物理、化学或生物刺激可逆地改变其结构和功能,实现对磷酸化肽和糖肽高度可控的吸附和脱附,进而衍生开发出一系列新颖的富集方法,极大地吸引研究者们的兴趣。一方面,智能聚合物基材料的响应变化包括材料疏水性的增加或减少、形状和形貌的改变、表面电荷的重新分布以及亲和配体的暴露或隐藏等特性。这些特性使得目标物和智能聚合物基材料之间的亲和力可以通过简单改变外部条件(如温度、pH值、溶剂极性和生物分子等)实现更可控和更智能的精细调节。另一方面,智能聚合物基材料为集成功能模块提供了便捷的可扩展平台,例如特定的识别组件,显著提高了目标物质的分离选择性。智能聚合物基材料在分离方面展现出巨大的潜力,这为蛋白质翻译后修饰产物的分析和研究带来了希望。围绕上述主题,该文依据Web of Science近20年来近50篇代表性文献,概述了智能聚合物基材料在磷酸化肽和糖肽分离及富集中的发展方向。     

锂离子电池氧化亚硅负极结构优化和界面改性研究进展

氧化亚硅(SiO)作为锂离子电池负极材料,具有较高的理论比容量(~2043 mAh·g^-1)以及合适的脱锂电位(< 0.5 V),且原料储量丰富、制备成本较低、对环境友好,被认为是下一代高能量密度锂离子电池负极极具潜力的候选材料。然而,SiO在脱/嵌锂过程中存在着较严重的体积效应(~200%),易导致材料颗粒粉化、脱落,严重影响了SiO负极电极的界面稳定性和电化学性能。近年来,人们围绕SiO负极结构优化和界面改性开展了大量工作。本文先从SiO负极材料的结构特点出发,阐述了该材料面临的主要瓶颈问题;继而从SiO的结构优化、SiO/碳复合和SiO/金属复合等三方面,系统总结了迄今已有的SiO负极结构设计和界面调控策略,并分别对其方法特点、电化学性能以及二者间关联规律进行了比较和归纳,最后对SiO负极材料结构和界面改性的未来发展方向进行了展望。     

硼烯化学合成进展与展望

硼烯是由硼原子构成的单原子层厚的二维材料,具有丰富的化学和物理性质。本文集中介绍近年来硼烯在合成方面的理论与实验研究进展,重点分析基底、生长温度、生长前驱物等因素对硼成核选择性的影响,探讨能够促进硼烯成核的潜在方法。进一步将分析硼烯生长机制及理论研究方法,以此展望通过在基底上化学气相沉积合成硼烯的可能途径。本文旨在促进大面积、高质量硼烯样品的制备以推动硼烯的实际应用。     

Incorporations of gold,silver and carbon nanomaterials to kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose: Development of antibacterial leather-like materials

Bacterial cellulose (BC), derived from kombucha scoby have extraordinary organoleptic properties suitable for development of leather-like materials. An improvement in physical and mechanical property is desirable for the practical applications. This work deals with the treatment of BC by incorporations of three different nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles (AuNP), silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and graphene oxide (GO). Achieving combined benefits via synergic interactions of different nanomaterials is the major objective herein. While graphene oxide can influence some of the parameters related to mechanical properties, silver nanomaterials can offer antibacterial characteristics. Gold nano materials can bridge the BC/silver/graphene oxide as well as provide the desirable aesthetic colour. Different physical chemical and mechanical characteristics were studied in detail. For example, changes in morphology by imaging fiber network were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Fibre properties were studied by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Elemental composition was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and Raman analysis. The improvement of hydrophobicity was studied by Contact angle meter. Thermal analysis was performed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A Picture was provided in ESI to show the modified material's leather-like appearances.