Uncovering giant nanowheels for magnesium ion–based batteries

The giant wheel-shaped Na₁₅{[Mo₁₅₄O₄₆₂H₁₄(H₂O)₇₀]_0.5[Mo₁₅₂O₄₅₇H₁₄(H₂O)₆₈]_0.5}·ca. 400 H₂O (Mo₁₅₄) is one of the fascinating clusters with the open host framework, which is designed by simple metal-oxygen fragment–linked coordination modes. The generation of structural vacancies (here referred to as defects), the substitution of ligands, and incorporation of heterometallic centers in Mo₁₅₄ could offer several attractive possibilities to achieve good electrochemical performance such as high specific capacity and stability in multivalent batteries. Herein, we have introduced electronically rich giant nanowheel Mo₁₅₄ as a potential cathode material in magnesium-rechargeable batteries (MRBs). The experimental evidence indicates that the Mo₁₅₄ wheels offer a reversible capacity of ～150 mAh g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1 in MRBs, which was retained to about 55 mAh g^?1 after a long cycling life (>500 cycles). Typically, the divalent alkali metals (Mg²⁺) suffer from diffusion and insertion reactions in host materials; however, the stable and high rate performance against cycling with good Coulombic efficiency was achieved for Mo₁₅₄ electrodes. Thus, the work demonstrates that the complex inorganic clusters are promising cathode materials in multivalent ion batteries.     

An inorganic nano-sorbent based on nickel–aluminum–zirconium ternary-layered double hydroxide for solid-phase extraction of chloride ions

A well crystalline nickel?Caluminum?Czirconium ternary-layered double hydroxide was firstly synthesized and applied as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for the separation of trace levels of chloride ions from aqueous solutions. An indirect method was used for monitoring of the extracted chloride ions. For this purpose, the extracted chloride ions were passed through a reaction column containing silver chloranilate powder and the analyte was precipitated as silver chloride. The concentration of chloranilate ions released from the reaction column, which corresponds to the chloride ions concentration, was then determined spectrophotometrically at 530?nm. The effect of several parameters, such as pH, sample loading flow rate, elution conditions, amount of nano-sorbent, sample volume and effect of potential interfering ions on the recovery was investigated. In the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (3?s) and enrichment factor were 0.12 and 40???g?mL^?1, respectively. The calibration graph using the pre-concentration system was linear in the range of 0.25?C3.00???g?mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The validation of the presented method was checked by the analysis of two certified reference materials. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of chloride ions in waters, food and biological samples.     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic filter paper and foam for oil–water separation based on silica nanoparticles from sodium silicate

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - We demonstrate the synthesis of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles from sodium silicate and their application in separation of the oil–water mixture....     

Recent advances of layered double hydroxides–based bifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR and OER

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have attracted increasing attention for the sake of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies in recent years. The design of ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts is a challenging task in the promotion of highly efficient rechargeable metal-air batteries as well as regenerative fuel cells. Owing to the wide adaptability of different types and ratios of metals in the interlayer space as well as the adjustable interlayer distance, composite materials with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and their derivatives have recently been registered as electrode materials and catalysts supports for various electrochemical reactions. This study examines the recent development of bifunctional electrocatalysts based on LDHs for ORR/OER to expand the application of LDHs in the field of energy storage and conversion. Various bifunctional electrocatalysts associated with LDHs are discussed in detail to improve their performance. Finally, existing problems and future prospects for improving the performance of LDHs bifunctional electrocatalysts are proposed.     

A theoretical study on magnesium ion–selective two-photon fluorescent probe based on benzo [h] chromene derivatives

The geometrical structure, electronic structure, and one-photon absorption (OPA) properties of a series of magnesium ion (Mg²⁺)-selective fluorescent probes based on benzo [h] chromene derivatives have been theoretically studied by using density functional theory (DFT) method and Zerner’s intermediate neglect of differential overlap (ZINDO) methods. Their two-photon absorption (TPA) properties are also calculated by using the method of ZINDO/sum-over-states. Results show that all studied probe molecules exhibit large TPA cross-section (δ_max) in response to Mg²⁺ in 700- to 1,200-nm range. Furthermore, the δ_max can be greatly enhanced by introducing acceptor groups to the lateral side of benzo [h] chromene. And that probes with stronger acceptor group show larger δ_max and result in 70-fold enhancing when coordinate with Mg²⁺. Significantly, probe molecules with good cell permeability were also studied by replacing the hydrogen group with acetoxymethyl ester, but δ_max changed slightly. These results shed light into the design strategy of efficient TP fluorescent probes with large δ_max and good cell permeability for Mg²⁺ sensing in living systems.     

Sol–gel synthesis of sodium and lithium based materials

Sodium and lithium cobaltates are important materials for thermoelectric and battery applications due to their large thermoelectric power and ability to (de-) intercalate the alkali metal. For these applications, phase pure materials with controlled microstructure are required. We report on the sol?Cgel synthesis of sodium- and lithium-based materials by using acetate precursors. The produced Na_2/3CoO₂, Li(Ni_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3)O₂, and Li(Ni_1/2Co_1/2)O₂ powders are phase pure with grain sizes below 1???m. X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectral analyses show that the cation stoichiometry is preserved in the lithium-based compounds. Despite the low temperatures, the sodium content is reduced by 1/3 as compared to the initial value. Chemical phases of the investigated powders are formed in the sol?Cgel route at temperatures typically 100?C200?K lower than those used in the conventional solid-state synthesis of these materials. The suggested sol?Cgel synthesis is a low temperature process suited for production of phase pure and homogeneous materials with volatile cations.     

Experimental investigation of the formation of double phosphates in the LaPO4–NaF system

In the course of segregation smelting of rare-earth and rare metal raw materials with a fluxing agent (NaF), two immiscible melts form, one of which is a silicate melt and the other is a phosphate–salt melt. The silicate melt is enriched with Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and Nb₂O₅, and the phosphate–salt melt is dominated by P₂O₅, TR₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, and Y₂O₃, and also with Ca, Sr, and Ba oxides. Chemical reactions between lanthanum orthophosphate and sodium fluoride in the LaPO₄–NaF system were studied for developing a technology for processing the phosphate–salt (rare-earth metal) melt. It was found that a metathesis reaction gives double phosphate Na₃La[PO₄]₂ and binary fluoride NaLaF₄. The products of crystallization of melts in the LaPO₄–NaF system decompose in weak mineral acids unlike those in conventional technology for processing monazite raw material.     

A co-templated approach to hierarchically mesoporous–macroporous bioactive glasses (MMBG) scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration

In this paper, one kind of well-ordered hierarchical mesoporous–macroporous bioactive glasses (MMBG) scaffolds with large pore size of 60–120 μm and mesoporous phase in inner-wall has synthesized successfully. This method used stem core of corn as macroporous template and P123 as mesoporous template. The final samples have replicated the structure of the macroporous plant templates precisely. Since the aperture and pore structure of different plants are variable, it provides a possible way for the synthesis of materials with various aperture holes and pore structure. The organizational structure of final sample is benefit to transport and storage guest molecule, making these hierarchical porous materials have more superior performance and application in the field of macromolecules separation, bone tissue regeneration, and drug delivery, etc. The in vitro tests indicated hierarchical MMBG scaffolds have well capacity for inducing the HA growth. They have the potential to satisfy the demands of bone tissue engineering regeneration.     

A resonance light scattering sensor based on methylene blue–sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate for ultrasensitive detection of guanine base associated mutations

A resonance light scattering (RLS) sensor for guanine base associated mutations has been developed on the basis of the high selectivity of methylene blue (MB) for guanine bases in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). MB, when bound to SDBS, underwent a dramatic enhancement of its RLS intensity. However, the addition of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) caused the strong RLS intensity of MB-SDBS to decrease, and the RLS intensity of MB-SDBS-ssDNA was much lower than that of MB-SDBS-dsDNA. Consequently, it can be concluded that the binding abilities of MB-SDBS with ssDNA and dsDNA were different. Besides, the experimental results showed that MB-SDBS could bind specifically to oligonucleotides rich in guanine bases. Short DNA targets with sequences related to β-thalassaemia, thrombophilia and psoriasis, all of which are guanine base relevant mutations, were synthesized. It was found that MB-SDBS could recognize the single-base mismatches in the mutational DNA, followed by different RLS signal changes between MB-SDBS-normal DNA systems and MB-SDBS-mutational DNA systems. The ultrasensitive sensor allows simple, rapid, sensitive and selective detection of guanine base associated mutations, indicating its potential application in the medical field.     

Copper Catalysts based on carbon–carbon fiburous materials for ethanol dehydrogenation

The possibility of using new carbon–carbon composites as supports for a copper catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation was demonstrated. The composites, which represented carbon nanostructures (single-walled carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers) attached to the surface of carbon microfibers, were prepared by essentially different procedures. Copper catalysts deposited on these supports exhibited different activity in the ethanol conversion, which is associated with the distribution and size of copper particles.     

Aptasensor for adenosine triphosphate based on electrode–supported lipid bilayer membrane

We have developed an aptasensor for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) based on an electrode-supported lipid bilayer membrane. The assay is based on a conformational change that is induced after binding the target which modulates the electron transfer rate in the conductive path. The method is highly sensitive, stable, and repeatable. The detection limit for ATP is 50 nM, and the dynamic range extends to 3.2 μM, which covers the concentration range of ATP in cell lysates (from 0.1 to 1 μM). The method also holds promise in that it may be transferred to submicro- or nano-scale electrodes so to enable intracellular monitoring of ATP.

Self-oscillating gels based on novel catalyst for the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction

We report on the synthesis of new Ru(bpy)₂(phen) catalyst for the oscillatory Belousov–Zhabotinsky chemical reaction and on the preparation of novel Ru(bpy)₂(phen)-based self-oscillating gels. The synthesized gels exhibit high-amplitude autonomous mechanical oscillations when the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction proceeds inside these gels     

Synthesis and characterization of high-dimensional structure based on paradodecatungstate clusters and sodium–aminoacetic acid complex subunits

An organic–inorganic hybrid material based on paradodecatungstate building blocks and sodium–aminoacetic acid complex subunits,{Na₁₀(H₃N–CH₂–COO)₂[H₂W₁₂O₄₂]}·28H₂O (1), have been synthesized under mildly acidic conditions. This compound was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and UV–visible spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 11.879(2) Å, b = 12.706(2) Å, c = 13.067(2) Å, α = 74.11(3)°, β = 79.71(3)°, γ = 65.95(3)°, V = 1727.2(5) Å³, and Z = 1. The crystal structure consists of infinite 2D layers constructed from [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]^10? clusters and sodium–aminoacetic acid complexes; adjacent layers are further joined by the complex units and sodium cations to yield a three-dimensional network.     

A homopolymer based on double B←N bridged bipyridine as electron acceptor for all-polymer solar cells

A homopolymer based on double B ← N bridged bipyridine was reported as a novel polymer electron acceptor. The resulting all-polymer solar cells show power conversion efficiencies of 2.44%–3.04%.     

NiCo2O4 nanosheets supported on Ni foam for rechargeable nonaqueous sodium–air batteries

NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets supported on Ni foam were synthesized by a solvothermal method. A composite of NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets/Ni as a carbon-free and binder-free air cathode exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 1762 mAh g^− 1 with a low polarization of 0.96 V at 20 mA g^− 1 for sodium–air batteries. Na₂O₂ nanosheets were firstly observed as the discharged product in sodium–air battery. High electrocatalytic activity of NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets/Ni made it a promising air electrode for rechargeable sodium–air batteries.     

Multiplex sensor for detection of different metal ions based on on–off of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

In this study, a multiplex fluorescence sensor for successive detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions based on “on–off” of fluorescence of a single type of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) is described. Any of the Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can cause quenching fluorescence of Au NCs, which established a sensitive sensor for detection of these ions respectively. With the introduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the system of Au NCs and metal ions, a restoration of fluorescence may be found with the exception of Hg²⁺. A highly selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion is, thus, achieved by masking Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺. On the other hand, the masking of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ leads to the enhancement of fluorescence of Au NCs, which in turn provides an approach for successive determination of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ based on “on–off” of fluorescence of Au NCs. Moreover, this assay was applied to the successful detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in fish, a good linear relationship was found between these metal ions and the degree of quenched fluorescent intensity. The dynamic ranges of Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 1.96 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.01 × 10⁻⁹, 1.28 × 10⁻⁷–1.27 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M with high sensitivity (the limit of detection of Fe³⁺ 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, Cu²⁺ 1.9 × 10⁻⁸ M and Hg²⁺ 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). These results indicate that the assay is suitable for sensitive detection of these metal ions even under the coexistence, which can not only determine all three kinds of metal ions successively but also of detecting any or several kinds of metal ions.     

Hierarchical meso–macroporous bioglass for bone tissue engineering

A novel meso–macroporous bioglass has been synthesized based on a sol–gel technique. This method used mushroom stalk as macroporous template and EO₂₀PO₇₀EO₂₀ as the mesoporous template. The final sample has copied the macroporous structure of the plant template, precisely. Ibuprofen was used as the model drug, and the drug loading and release test indicated the loading amount of the sample could reach 33.59 wt% and the releasing amount closed 75 wt% after 48 h. The excellent biomineralization and bioactive are also confirmed in vitro tests. It takes only 4 h to induce the formation of hydroxyapatite. Notably, the biocompatibility assessment confirmed that the obtained materials presented good biocompatibility and the enhanced adherence of HeLa cells. The exquisite mesoporous structure of the sample would be propitious to storage and transport guest molecule, making the hierarchical porous materials have more distinctive performance and application on bone tissue regeneration and drug delivery, etc.     

Sulfur–carbon nano-composite as cathode for rechargeable lithium battery based on gel electrolyte

Sulfur–carbon nano-composite with elemental sulfur incorporated in porous carbon was prepared by thermal treatment of a mixture of sulfur and active carbon. The new material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET and scanning electron microscopy. The nano-composite, tested at room temperature as cathode in a nonaqueous lithium cell based on PVDF gel electrolyte, exhibited a reversible capacity of 440 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.3 mA cm⁻². The utilization of electrochemically active sulfur was about 90% assuming a complete reaction to the product of Li₂S during cycling.