Vertically aligned γ-AlOOH nanosheets on Al foils as flexible and reusable substrates for NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> adsorption

Vertically aligned γ-AlOOH nanosheets (NSs) have been successfully fabricated on flexible Al foils via a solvothermal route without morphology-directing agents. Three different reaction temperature (25, 80, and 120 ?C) and time (30 min, 45 min, and 24 h) are discussed for the growth period, which efficiently tune the density and size of the γ-AlOOH NSs. Meanwhile, the growth speed of the nanosheets confirms that dominant growth stage is seen in the initial 45 min. Furthermore, the interlayer of the γ-AlOOH NSs displays an average height of 140 nm and superhydrophilicity. By dynamic adsorption, the assynthesized γ-AlOOH NSs exhibit an outstanding NH₃ adsorption capacity of up to 146 mg/g and stably excellent regeneration for 5 cycles. The mechanism of NH₃ adsorption on the in-plane of the γ-AlOOH NSs is explained by the Lewis acid/base theory. The H-bond interactions among the NH₃ molecules and the edge groups (-OH) further improve the capture ability of the nanosheets.     

Sulfur-Containing Bent N-Heteroacenes

A series of novel sulfur-containing bent N-heteroacenes were constructed and characterized by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. By introducing sulfur-containing groups (thio, sulfinyl, and sulfonyl) into bent azaacenes, their electronic delocalization was improved and frontier energy levels were modulated. The target products displayed tunable optical and electronic properties through altering the valence of sulfur and fused length of the azaacenes. For the first time, typical products were utilized as organic field effect transistor materials, affording promising results.     

Iodine-Promoted Domino Oxidative Cyclization for the One-Pot Synthesis of Novel Fused Four-Ring Quinoxaline Fluorophores by sp3 C−H Functionalization

A method for the synthesis of novel fused four-ring quinoxaline skeleton has been described by an I₂ promoted sp³ C−H functionalization between 1,2,3,3-tetramethyl-3H-indolium iodides and 1,2-diamines. This transformation proceeds smoothly under metal- and peroxide-free conditions through a sequential iodination, oxidation, annulation and rearrangement. Moreover, 8,9-dichloro-5,12,12-trimethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-5,12-dihydroquinolino[2,3-b]quinoxaline showed good photophysical properties and was used in live cell imaging, indicating the potential value of this skeleton as a fluorophore in probes.     

Mechanistic Insights into the Synthesis of Fully Condensed Polyhedral Octaphenylsilsesquioxane

A comprehensive study on the efficient one‐pot synthesis of polyhedral octaphenylsilsesquioxane (OPS) is reported via the hydrolytic condensation of phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS) in the presence of basic catalyst to investigate the specific synthesis mechanism. The synthetic reactions are monitored with real time infrared (RTIR) spectroscopy. Then RTIR coupled with ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) are used to monitor the reactions and identify the intermediary species during the reaction. The rapid hydrolysis of PTMS is detected by RTIR. Contrary to previous reports, the ladder‐like structured species are identified as intermediates during the reaction process. It is suggested that formation of caged T₈ OPS is realized through the chain break and rearrangement of the ladder‐like phenyltrimethoxysilanes. Accordingly, a scheme from hydrolysis of the PTMS to formation of the OPS is provided.     

Charge Transport through Peptides in Single‐Molecule Electrical Measurements

Charge transport across the peptide chains is one of the vital processes in the biological systems, so understanding their charge transport properties is an indispensable prerequisite to explain the complex biochemical phenomenon. Here, we review the charge transport mechanism, the influence of the special groups and the experimental conditions on the charge transport through the peptide backbone by employing the single‐molecule electrical measurements. Besides, we further review the recent progresses in charge transport properties of supramolecular interaction among the adjacent peptide chains. Finally, we discuss some experimental and theoretical contradictions existing in the charge transport through peptides and provide new inspiration for the future development of the bioelectronics at the single‐molecule scale.     

Elevated temperature directional recrystallization of high-purity nickel

Electron backscattered diffraction has been used to characterise the three different kinds of boundaries that occur in grains that are generated by secondary recrystallization during directional annealing of high-purity nickel. Boundaries between columnar grains (CC boundaries) can be twin boundaries, low-angle boundaries or high-angle grain boundaries. The frequency of low-angle CC boundaries dropped from 25% to 0% while the frequency of the high-angle CC boundaries increased from 19% to 67% when the annealing temperature was increased from 1000°C to 1200°C. The misorientation angles of boundaries between columnar grains and small equiaxed grains ahead of them (CE boundaries) was random at 1200°C but had a 40° rotation relationship about ?111? at 1000°C. It was found out that the character of the CC boundaries is determined by relative mobility of the CE boundaries, which is determined by the processing temperature rather than the energy of the CC boundaries themselves. The character of the island grain boundaries sometimes found with columnar grains was not affected by the annealing temperature or the drawing velocity.     

Consistency check on the fundamental and alternative flux operators in loop quantum gravity

There are different constructions of the flux of triad in loop quantum gravity, namely the fundamental and alternative flux operators. In parallel to the consistency check on the two versions of operator by the algebraic calculus in the literature, we check their consistency by the graphical calculus. Our calculation based on the original Brink graphical method is obviously simpler than the algebraic calculation. It turns out that our consistency check fixes the regulating factor κreg of the Ashtekar-Lewandowski volume operator as1/2, which corrects its previous value in the literature.     

Prediction of the cross-sections of isotopes produced in deuteron-induced spallation of long-lived fission products

The spallation cross-section data for the long-lived fission products(LLFPs) are scarce but required for the design of accelerator driven systems. In this paper, the isospin dependent quantum molecular dynamics model and the statistical code GEMINI are applied to simulate deuteron-induced spallation in the energy region of GeV/nucleon. By comparing the calculations with the experimental data, the applicability of the model is verified. The model is then applied to simulate the spallation of 90 Sr, 93 Zr, 107 Pd, and 137 Cs induced by deuterons at 200, 500 and 1000 MeV/nucleon. The cross-sections of isotopes, the cross-sections of long-lived nuclei, and the reaction energy are presented.Using the above observables, the feasibility of LLFP transmutation by spallation is discussed.