Facile Preparation of WO3−x Dots with Remarkably Low Toxicity and Uncompromised Activity as Co‐reactants for Clinical Diagnosis by Electrochemiluminescence

The exceptional nature of WO_3?x dots has inspired widespread interest, but it is still a significant challenge to synthesize high‐quality WO_3?x dots without using unstable reactants, expensive equipment, and complex synthetic processes. Herein, the synthesis of ligand‐free WO_3?x dots is reported that are highly dispersible and rich in oxygen vacancies by a simple but straightforward exfoliation of bulk WS₂ and a mild follow‐up chemical conversion. Surprisingly, the WO_3?x dots emerged as co‐reactants for the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ with a comparable ECL efficiency to the well‐known Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/tripropylamine (TPrA) system. Moreover, compared to TPrA, whose toxicity remains a critical issue of concern, the WO_3?x dots were ca. 300‐fold less toxic. The potency of WO_3?x dots was further explored in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with the most competitive limit of detection so far.     

Composition‐Tunable Antiperovskite CuxIn1−xNNi3 as Superior Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

A group of newly reported antiperovskite nitrides Cu_xIn_1?xNNi₃ (0≤x≤1) with tunable composition are employed as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Cu_0.4In_0.6NNi₃ shows the highest intrinsic performance among all developed catalysts with an overpotential of merely 42 mV at 10 mA cm_geo^?2. Stability tests at a high current density of 100 mA cm_geo^?2 show its super‐stable performance with only 7 mV increase in overpotential after more than 60 hours of measurement, surpassing commercial Pt/C (increase of 170 mV). By partial substitution, the derived antiperovskite nitride achieves a smaller kinetic barrier of water dissociation compared to the unsubstituted InNNi₃ and CuNNi₃, revealed by first‐principle calculations. It is found that the partially substituted Cu_xIn_1?xNNi₃ possesses a thermal neutral and desirable Gibbs free energy of hydrogen for HER, ascribed to the tailoring of the energy of d‐band center arose by the A‐site (A=Cu or In) substitution and a resulting optimization of adsorbate interactions.     

Hierarchical β‐Mo2C Nanotubes Organized by Ultrathin Nanosheets as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Production

Production of hydrogen by electrochemical water splitting has been hindered by the high cost of precious metal catalysts, such as Pt, for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, novel hierarchical β‐Mo₂C nanotubes constructed from porous nanosheets have been fabricated and investigated as a high‐performance and low‐cost electrocatalyst for HER. An unusual template‐engaged strategy has been utilized to controllably synthesize Mo‐polydopamine nanotubes, which are further converted into hierarchical β‐Mo₂C nanotubes by direct carburization at high temperature. Benefitting from several structural advantages including ultrafine primary nanocrystallites, large exposed surface, fast charge transfer, and unique tubular structure, the as‐prepared hierarchical β‐Mo₂C nanotubes exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance for HER with small overpotential in both acidic and basic conditions, as well as remarkable stability.     

Sind die ‚Lehrbuch-Anionen’︁ O2−, [CO3]2− und [SO4]2− Fiktionen?

Are the ‘Textbook Anions’ O^2?, [CO₃]^2?, and [SO₄]^2? Fictitious? Experimental second electron affinities are still unknown for the title anions. It will be shown by means of quantum chemical ab initio calculations that these dianions are unstable with respect to spontaneous ionization. They all must be designated as non-existent.     

Self-Assembled Two-Dimensional NiO/CeO2 Heterostructure Rich in Oxygen Vacancies as Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Evolution

The development of high-efficiency bifunctional electrocatalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline surroundings is essential and challenging for the large-scale generation of clean hydrogen. Herein, a novel self-assembled two-dimensional (2 D) NiO/CeO₂ heterostructure (HS) consisting of NiO and CeO₂ nanocrystals is prepared through a facile two-step approach, and utilized as an enhanced bifunctional electrocatalyst for the HER and OER under alkaline conditions. It is concluded that this 2 D NiO/CeO₂ HS, rich in oxygen vacancies, demonstrates attractive electrocatalytic properties for both the HER and OER in 1 m KOH, including low onset overpotential (η₁), η₁₀ and Tafel slope, excellent durability, as well as large active surface area. Therefore, the self-assembled 2 D NiO/CeO₂ HS is believed to be an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst toward the HER and OER.     

An Efficient,Visible‐Light‐Driven,Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst NiS/ZnxCd1−xS Nanocrystal Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production using sustainable sunlight is a promising alternative to industrial hydrogen production. However, the scarcity of highly active, recyclable, inexpensive photocatalysts impedes the development of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) schemes. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐template strategy was developed to prepare non‐noble metal co‐catalyst/solid solution heterojunction NiS/Zn_xCd_1?xS with superior photocatalytic HER activity. By adjusting the doping metal concentration in MOFs, the chemical compositions and band gaps of the heterojunctions can be fine‐tuned, and the light absorption capacity and photocatalytic activity were further optimized. NiS/Zn_0.5Cd_0.5S exhibits an optimal HER rate of 16.78 mmol g^?1 h^?1 and high stability and recyclability under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). Detailed characterizations and in‐depth DFT calculations reveal the relationship between the heterojunction and photocatalytic activity and confirm the importance of NiS in accelerating the water dissociation kinetics, which is a crucial factor for photocatalytic HER.     

One‐Step Synthesis of β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Graphene/Ag Nanocomposite and Its Application in Sensitive Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol

β‐Cyclodextrin functionalized graphene/Ag nanocomposite (β‐CD/GN/Ag) was prepared via a one‐step microwave treatment of a mixture of graphene oxide and AgNO₃. β‐CD/GN/Ag was employed as an enhanced element for the sensitive determination of 4‐nitrophenol. A wide linear response to 4‐nitrophenol in the concentration ranges of 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?7 mol/L, and 1.0×10^?7–1.5×10^?3 mol/L was achieved, with a low detection limit of 8.9×10^?10 mol/L (S/N=3). The mechanism and the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of the 4‐nitrophenol reduction were discussed according to the rotating disk electrode experiments. Furthermore, the sensing platform has been applied to the determination of 4‐nitrophenol in real samples.     

Electrochemical Oxidative C−H/N−H Coupling between γ‐Lactams and Anilines

A mild method for the direct C?H/N?H coupling between γ‐lactams and anilines through electrochemical oxidation has been developed. The protocol proceeded smoothly without metal catalysts at room temperature to afford γ‐substituted γ‐lactams in good yields. It has been revealed that the quasi‐divided cell which provided high current density on the anode was crucial for this reaction.     

Porous Molybdenum Phosphide Nano‐Octahedrons Derived from Confined Phosphorization in UIO‐66 for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Herein, a series of porous nano‐structured carbocatalysts have been fused and decorated by Mo‐based composites, such as Mo₂C, MoN, and MoP, to form a hybrid structures. Using the open porosity derived from the pyrolysis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the highly dispersive MoO₂ small nanoparticles can be deposited in porous carbon by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Undergoing different treatments of carbonization, nitridation, and phosphorization, the Mo₂C‐, MoN‐, and MoP‐decorated carbocatalysts can be selectively prepared with un‐changed morphology. Among these Mo‐based composites, the MoP@Porous carbon (MoP@PC) composites exhibited remarkable catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ aqueous solution versus MoO₂@PC, Mo₂C@PC, and MoN@PC. This study gives a promising family of multifunctional lab‐on‐a‐particle architectures which shed light on energy conversion and fuel‐cell catalysis.     

Single‐Shell Carbon‐Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles: Synthesis and High Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts is a valuable approach for clean and renewable energy systems. Here, single‐shell carbon‐encapsulated iron nanoparticles (SCEINs) decorated on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are introduced as a novel highly active and durable non‐noble‐metal catalyst for the HER. This catalyst exhibits catalytic properties superior to previously studied nonprecious materials and comparable to those of platinum. The SCEIN/SWNT is synthesized by a novel fast and low‐cost aerosol chemical vapor deposition method in a one‐step synthesis. In SCEINs the single carbon layer does not prevent desired access of the reactants to the vicinity of the iron nanoparticles but protects the active metallic core from oxidation. This finding opens new avenues for utilizing active transition metals such as iron in a wide range of applications.     

Nickel,Cobalt and Palladium Catalysed C−H Functionalization of Un‐Activated C(sp3)−H Bond

This review represents nickel, cobalt and palladium catalyzed C?H activation of sp³ carbon, with special emphasis on methyl C?H activation. The importance of directing group assistance and effect of ligand on β‐ or γ‐ C(sp³)?H activation is summarized in this review. The mechanistic study for Ni, Co and Pd catalyzed sp³ C?H bond functionalization also discussed in detail.     

A Redox‐anchoring Approach to Well‐dispersed MoCx/C Nanocomposite for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Here we report a redox‐anchoring strategy for synthesizing a non‐noble metal carbide (MoC_x) nanocomposite electrocatalyst for water electrolysis in acidic media, using glucose and ammonium heptamolybdate as carbon and Mo precursors, respectively, without the need of gaseous carbon sources such as CH₄. Specifically, the aldehyde groups of glucose are capable of reducing Mo⁶⁺ to Mo⁴⁺ (MoO₂), and thus molybdenum species can be well anchored by a redox reaction onto a carbon matrix to prevent the aggregation of MoC_x nanoparticles during the following carbonization process. The morphology and chemical composition of the electrocatalysts were well characterized by BSE‐SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS. The obtained MoC_x−2 sample showed a reasonably high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and excellent stability in an acidic electrolyte, and its overpotential required for a current density output of 20 mA cm⁻² is as low as 193 mV. Such a prominent performance is ascribed to the excellent dispersity and nano‐size, and the large reactive surface area of MoC_x particles. This work may open a new way to the design and fabrication of other non‐noble metal carbide nanocatalysts for various electrochemical applications.     

Porous Molybdenum‐Based Hybrid Catalysts for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

We have synthesized a porous Mo‐based composite obtained from a polyoxometalate‐based metal–organic framework and graphene oxide (POMOFs/GO) using a simple one‐pot method. The MoO₂@PC‐RGO hybrid material derived from the POMOFs/GO composite is prepared at a relatively low carbonization temperature, which presents a superior activity for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media owing to the synergistic effects among highly dispersive MoO₂ particles, phosphorus‐doped porous carbon, and RGO substrates. MoO₂@PC‐RGO exhibits a very positive onset potential close to that of 20 % Pt/C, low Tafel slope of 41 mV dec^?1, high exchange current density of 4.8×10^?4 A cm^?2, and remarkable long‐term cycle stability. It is one of the best high‐performance catalysts among the reported nonprecious metal catalysts for HER to date.     

Three‐Dimensional Graphene Networks with Abundant Sharp Edge Sites for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

To achieve sustainable production of hydrogen (H₂) through water splitting, establishing efficient and earth‐abundant electrocatalysts is of great necessity. Morphology engineering of graphene is now shown to modulate the electronic structure of carbon skeleton and in turn endow it with excellent ability of proton reduction. Three‐dimensional (3D) graphene networks with a high density of sharp edge sites are synthesized. Electrocatalytic measurements indicate that the obtained 3D graphene networks can electrocatalyze H₂ evolution with an extremely low onset potential of about 18 mV in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ solution, together with good stability. A combination of control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) investigations indicates that the exceptional H₂ evolution performance is attributed to the abundant sharp edge sites of the advanced frameworks, which are responsible for promoting the adsorption and reduction of protons.     

Large‐Area,Free‐Standing,Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Polymer Single‐Layer Sheets for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The rational construction of covalent or noncovalent organic two‐dimensional nanosheets is a fascinating target because of their promising applications in electronics, membrane technology, catalysis, sensing, and energy technologies. Herein, a large‐area (square millimeters) and free‐standing 2D supramolecular polymer (2DSP) single‐layer sheet (0.7–0.9 nm in thickness), comprising triphenylene‐fused nickel bis(dithiolene) complexes has been readily prepared by using the Langmuir–Blodgett method. Such 2DSPs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities for hydrogen generation from water with a Tafel slope of 80.5 mV decade^?1 and an overpotential of 333 mV at 10 mA cm^?2, which are superior to that of recently reported carbon nanotube supported molecular catalysts and heteroatom‐doped graphene catalysts. This work is promising for the development of novel free‐standing organic 2D materials for energy technologies.     

Chemical Stability,Ionic Conductivity of BaCe0.9−xZrxSm0.10O3−α and Its Application to Ammonia Synthesis at Atmospheric Pressure

Dense ceramic samples BaCe_0.9?xZr_xSm_0.10O_3?α (x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.30) were obtained by heat‐treating the precursors prepared from a coprecipitation route. The phase structure, chemical stability and conduction behaviors of the ceramic samples have been investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction and alternating current impedance spectroscopy methods. All the ceramic samples displayed a single phase of orthorhombic perovskite. The samples with x≧0.20 were relatively stable after exposed to the flowing mixed gases: CO₂ +H₂O+N₂ at 873 K for 12 h. Among the samples tested, the sample with x=0.20 exhibited both adequate conductivity and better chemical stability. The contribution of different charged species for x=0.20 sample to the conduction in wet hydrogen atmosphere was investigated by means of gas concentration cells. It was found that the sample of x=0.20 was almost a pure ionic conductor, and the ionic conduction was contributed mainly by proton and partially by oxide ion in wet hydrogen atmosphere at 773–1073 K. The ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure in an electrolytic cell based on the sample of x=0.20 was successfully conducted and the peak ammonia formation rate achieved 2.67×10^?9 mol·s^?1·cm^?2 with direct current of 0.80 mA at 773 K.     

集成二维层状CdS/WO3S型异质结及金属化Ti3C2MXene基欧姆结高效光催化产氢

开发低成本的半导体光催化剂以实现可见光下高效、持久的光催化分解水产氢是一个非常具有挑战性的课题.近年来,具有高产氢活性的CdS光催化剂引起了人们的研究兴趣.但是光生电子-空穴对快速复合、反应活性位点不足以及严重的光腐蚀等问题,严重地制约了CdS在光催化领域的实际应用.构建S型异质结和负载助催化剂被认为是促进光生电子空穴分离和加速产氢动力学的有效策略.本文通过在低成本的WO₃和Ti₃C₂MXene(MX)纳米片上生长CdS纳米片,设计并构建了具有二维耦合界面的2D/2D/2D层状异质结光催化剂,以实现高效的可见光光催化分解水产氢.首先通过水热煅烧和刻蚀的方法分别制备了WO₃和MX纳米片,然后以乙酸镉和硫脲为原料在乙二胺溶剂中通过水热法合成了MX-CdS/WO₃层状异质结光催化剂.在可见光下,以乳酸为牺牲剂测试了光催化剂的产氢活性且经过4次连续的循环反应,MX-CdS/WO₃体系展现出良好的活性及稳定性.在可见光的照射下,MX-CdS/WO₃层状异质结光催化剂最高的可见光光催化分解水产氢速率达到了27.5 mmol/g/h,是纯CdS纳米片的11倍.与此同时,在450 nm的光照下,表观量子效率达到了12.0%.为了深入探讨其高效产氢机理,通过X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱、原子力显微镜、透射电镜、高分辨电子显微镜等对MX-CdS/WO₃体系的组成和结构进行分析.结果表明,实验成功地合成了CdS,WO₃和MX三种纳米片及其复合材料.通过紫外-可见漫反射光谱研究了样品材料的光吸收能力.通过表面光电压、稳态及瞬态荧光光谱等研究了材料的电荷载流子复合和转移行为,发现MX-CdS/WO₃的光生电子空穴对相比与纯CdS或者二元复合材料具有更高的分离效率.UPS和ESR等表征结果说明,材料内部电场的方向和在光照条件下光生载流子的迁移方向,从而证实了S型异质结和欧姆结的成功构建.综上,在MX-CdS/WO₃光催化剂体系中,S型异质结形成较强的界面电场能够有效促进CdS纳米片与WO₃纳米片之间光生电子-空穴对的分离.同时,二维Ti₃C₂MXene纳米片作为辅助催化剂,通过与CdS/WO₃纳米片构建欧姆结,进而提供大量的电子转移途径和更多的析氢反应活性位点,使得CdS光催化剂的光催化活性和稳定性得到了很大的提升.通过构建S型内建电场、欧姆结和2D/2D界面可以协同提高CdS纳米片的光催化性能,从而加速光生电子在异质结中的分离和利用.本文所采用基于S型异质结与欧姆结基助催化剂之间的耦合策略可以作为一种通用策略扩展到其它传统半导体光催化剂的改性中,从而推进高效光催化产氢材料的有效合成.     

Aqueous Synthesis of Ultrathin Platinum/Non‐Noble Metal Alloy Nanowires for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Activity

Although aqueous synthesis of nanocrystals is advantageous in terms of the cost, convenience, environmental friendliness, and surface cleanness of the product, nanocrystals of Pt and non‐noble metal alloys are difficult to obtain with controlled morphology and composition from this synthesis owing to a huge gap between the reduction potentials of respective metal salts. This huge gap could now be remedied by introducing a sulfite into the aqueous synthesis, which is believed to resemble an electroless plating mechanism, giving rise to a colloid of Pt‐M (M=Ni, Co, Fe) alloy nanowires with an ultrasmall thickness (ca. 2.6 nm) in a high yield. The sulfite also leads to the formation of surface M?S bonds and thus atomic‐level Pt/M–S(OH) interfaces for greatly boosted hydrogen evolution kinetics under alkaline conditions. An activity of 75.3 mA cm^?2 has been achieved with 3 μg of Pt in 1 m KOH at an overpotential of 70 mV, which is superior to previously reported catalysts.     

3D Porous Carbon Framework Stabilized Ultra‐Uniform Nano γ‐Fe2O3: A Useful Catalyst System

We present a novel strategy for the scalable fabrication of γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF, a three‐dimensional porous carbon framework (PCF) anchored ultra‐uniform and ultra‐stable γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanocatalyst. The γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF nanocomposites were facilely prepared with the following route: condensation of iron(III) acetylacetonate with acetylacetonate at room temperature to form the polymer precursor (PPr), which was carbonized subsequently at 800 °C. The homogeneous aldol condensation offered an ultra‐uniform distribution of iron, so that the γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) were uniformly distributed in the 3D carbon architecture with the average size of approximate 20 nm. The Fe₂O₃ NPs were capped with carbon, so that the iron oxide maintained its γ‐phase instead of the more stable α‐phase. The nanocomposite was an excellent catalyst for the reduction of nitroarene; it gave >99 % conversion and 100 % selectivity for the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines at 100 °C. The fabrication of the γ‐Fe₂O₃@3DPCF nanocatalyst represents a green and scalable method for the synthesis of novel carbon‐based metal oxide nanostructures.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Realstruktur von La2CeTaO6Cl3 und dessen thermischem Abbauprodukt La2CeCe TaO6Cl3−x

High Resolution Electron Microscopy Investigations of La₂CeTaO₆Cl₃ and its Thermal Decomposition Product La₂Ce Ce TaO₆Cl_3?x The thermal decomposition of the hexagonal La₂CeTaO₆Cl₃ led to a mixed-valent product La₂CeCe TaO₆Cl_3?x with a complicated monoclinic structure. The detailed inspection shows two subunits A and B, which form the monoclinic unit cell by a ABAB sequence. The subunit A is almost identical to the hexagonal cell of the starting material while subunit B has additional Ln- and Cl-positions. For this reason, the main structure features of the monoclinic compound and the starting material are related, which is clearly seen in the electron microscopy investigations. As might be expected from the relationship between the subunits A and B one can observe defects in the monoclinic compound arising from the various possibilities of combining these building elements. We also found structure defects in the hexagonal starting material, which are caused by the presence of the subunit B.