Control of pore environment in highly porous carbon materials for C2H6/C2H4 separation with exceptional ethane uptake

Adsorptive separation of C₂H₆ from C₂H₄ by adsorbents is an energy-efficient and promising method to boost the polymer grades C₂H₄ production. However, that C₂H₆ and C₂H₄ display very similar physical properties, making their separation extremely challenging. In this work, by regulating the pore environment in a family of chitosan-based carbon materials (C-CTS-1, C-CTS-2, C-CTS-4, and C-CTS-6)- we target ultrahigh C₂H₆ uptake and C₂H₆/C₂H₄ separation, which exceeds most benchmark carbon materials. Explicitly, the C₂H₆ uptake of C-CTS-2 (166 cm³/g at 100 kPa and 298 K) has the second-highest adsorption capacity among all the porous materials. In addition, C-CTS-2 gives C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivity of 1.75 toward a 1:15 mixture of C₂H₆/C₂H₄. Notably, the adsorption enthalpies for C₂H₆ in C-CTS-2 are low (21.3 kJ/mol), which will facilitate regeneration in mild conditions. Furthermore, C₂H₆/C₂H₄ separation performance was confirmed by binary breakthrough experiments. Under different ethane/ethylene ratios, C-CTS-X extracts a low ethane concentration from an ethane/ethylene mixture and produces high-purity C₂H₄ in one step. Spectroscopic measurement and diffraction analysis provide critical insight into the adsorption/separation mechanism. The nitrogen functional groups on the surface play a vital role in improving C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivity, and the adsorption capacities depend on the pore size and micropore volume. Moreover, these robust porous materials exhibit outstanding stability (up to 800 °C) and can be easily prepared on a large scale (kg) at a low cost (～$26 per kg), which is very significant for potential industrial applications.     

Facile preparation of MgAl2O4/CeO2/Mn3O4 heterojunction photocatalyst and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Novel Mn₃O₄-promoted double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was constructed by one-step synthesis method and two-step synthesis method. The X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical and photoluminescence demonstrated that the MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized by the two-step synthesis method comprehends a high crystallinity, charge carrier migration and separation efficiency, and relatively low optical absorption coefficient. The MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalysts were efficiently used as simulated sunlight-driven n-n and p-n double junction photocatalyst for the simultaneous degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The continuous double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunctions strengthened the function of single n-n or p-n junction and guided the charge carrier migration and separation direction; thus, the oxidation and reduction reactions occur at the active site of spatial separation and prevent the recombination of electrons and holes. The results suggest that the continuous double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunctions are very promising candidate material for enhancing the photocatalytic activity in the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye.     

Water-annealing regulated protein-based magnetic nanofiber materials: tuning silk structure and properties to enhance cell response under magnetic fields

In this study, flexible silk fibroin protein and biocompatible barium hexaferrite (BaM) nanoparticles were combined and electrospun into nanofibers, and their physical properties could be tuned through the mixing ratios and a water annealing process. Structural analysis indicates that the protein structure of the materials is fully controllable by the annealing process. The mechanical properties of the electrospun composites can be significantly improved by annealing, while the magnetic properties of barium hexaferrite are maintained in the composite. Notably, in the absence of a magnetic field, cell growth increased slightly with increasing BaM content. Application of an external magnetic field during in vitro cell biocompatibility study of the materials demonstrated significantly larger cell growth. We propose a mechanism to explain the effects of water annealing and magnetic field on cell growth. This study indicates that these composite electrospun fibers may be widely used in the biomedical field for controllable cell response through applying different external magnetic fields.     

Synthesis and characterization of amino-terminated phosphorous polyborosiloxane and its effect on flame retardancy of polymethacrylimide

In this study, a novel flame retardant, that is, amino-terminated phosphorous polyborosiloxane (N-PBSi), was synthesized via a two-step polymerization reaction. The product's chemical structure was characterized firstly by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was proved that the prepared N-PBSi was indeed amino terminated and contained multiple flame-retardant elements including P, B, and Si. Besides, based on the variation of its FTIR spectra from room temperature to 700 °C and the subsequent thermogravimetric results, there also showed that the resultant N-PBSi had desirable thermal stability. This is a prerequisite for preparing flame-retardant polymethacrylimide (PMI) as PMI synthesis requires a high temperature treatment process up to 160 °C. On this basis, the condition for N-PBSi synthesis was then optimized to obtain flame retardants with better quality and higher yield. According to the experiments, the reactant ratio and reaction time were recommended to be 1:1.33:3 and 6 h, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of N-PBSi further, the flame retardancy of PMI with N-PBSi grafted was then investigated. The UL-94 rating and limiting oxygen index value of the PMI with 15 wt.% of N-PBSi incorporated were tested to be V-0 and 27%, respectively, indicative of greatly enhanced flame-retardant properties. In addition, the flame-retardant mechanism of N-PBSi on PMI was also discussed. Given all of these, the prepared N-PBSi as a reactive and effective flame retardant was promising for PMI.     

Surface modification of PBO fibers with 2,2-Bis (3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane in supercritical carbon dioxide for enhancing interfacial strength

PBO fiber is one of the most promising reinforcements in resin matrix composite because of its excellent mechanical properties. However, the inert and smooth surfaces make it the poor interface adhesion with resin matrix, which seriously limits the application in composites. In this article, we report a method to modify the surface of PBO fibers with 2,2-Bis (3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane（BisAPAF）in supercritical CO₂ to enhance interfacial properties. Chemical structures, surface elemental composition and functional groups, and surface morphology were characterized by FT-IR spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The mechanical properties of the samples were tested by a tensile tester. Static contact angle and microdebonding tests were used to characterize the wetting ability and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the fiber and epoxy resin. The results showed that the BisAPAF could be solved in scCO₂ and introduced more groups, –NH₂, –OH, and –CF₃ on the fiber surface, resulting in the mechanical properties and the wettability of PBO fiber slightly improved. Moreover, the fiber surface roughness was also increased obviously. The IFSS between the modified PBO fiber and epoxy resin increased from 8.18 MPa to 31.4 MPa when the treating pressure was 14 MPa. In general, the method to modify PBO fibers surface using BisAPAF in scCO₂ can effectively improve their interfacial properties.     

SiOx encapsulated FeSi2–Si eutectic nanoparticles as durable anode of lithium-ion batteries

Low-cost and high-efficiency production of silicon-based material is the key to improve the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we propose a novel structure of FeSi₂–Si eutectic nanoparticles protected by the SiO_x shell. FeSi₂, as a buffer phase can improve the electrochemical stability of the electrode. A SiO_x shell is formed on the surface of the nanoparticles through the passivation process. SiO_x encapsulated FeSi₂–Si eutectic nanoparticles exhibit excellent capacity of 674.9 mAh/g after 500 charge/discharge cycles. The capacity retention rate is above 90% after the stabilization process. This work provides a new nanomaterial design for high performance silicon-based anode materials of lithium-ion batteries.     

Selection of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries

Flexible zinc–air batteries attract more attention due to their high energy density, safety, environmental protection, and low cost. However, the traditional aqueous electrolyte has the disadvantages of leakage and water evaporation, which cannot meet application demand of flexible zinc–air batteries. Hydrogels possessing good conductivity and mechanical properties become a candidate as the electrolytes of flexible zinc–air batteries. In this work, advances in aspects of conductivity, mechanical toughness, environmental adaptability, and interfacial compatibility of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries are investigated. First, the additives to improve conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes are summarized. Second, the measures to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogels are taken by way of structure optimization and composition modification. Third, the environmental adaptability of hydrogel electrolytes is listed in terms of temperature, humidity, and air composition. Fourth, the compatibility of electrolyte–electrode interface is discussed from physical properties of hydrogels. Finally, the prospect for development and application of hydrogels is put forward.     

An insight into the electrocatalytic properties of porous La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ electrodes towards oxygen reduction reaction

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The electrocatalytic properties of porous La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ electrodes towards oxygen reduction reaction were investigated as a function...     

Two New 3D Metal-Organic Frameworks Constructed by Polycarboxylate and N-Donor Ligands: Crystal Structure,Photocatalytic Performances,and DFT Calculation

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - Two new metal-organic frameworks, [Zn(Bdc)(Bip)?H2O] (I) and {[Cd2(Btc)2(H2O)2](H2Bib)· 6H2O} (II) (H2Bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid,...     

Copper Nanoparticles In鄄Situ Anchored on Nitrogen鄄Doped Carbon for High鄄Efficiency Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst北大核心CSCD

Compared with noble metal platinum (Pt)-based catalysts, inexpensive non-noble metal electrocatalysts have attracted extensive attention for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, chitosan as a kind of biomass resource rich in nitrogen and carbon was used to prepare nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) and N-C in-situ anchored by copper nanoparticles (Cu/N-C). The as-obtained N-C and Cu/N-C nanoparticles were successfully used as non-noble eletrocatalysts tested for ORR. Compared with the N-C, the Cu/N-C showed the high surface area of 607.3 m2窑g-1 with the mean pore size of 2.5 nm and the pore volume of 0.40 cm3窑g-1. The most positive Gibbs free energy change was the rate determining step for ORR process with the 4e mechanism, where the value of the Cu (111)/N-C(-0.39 eV) was lower than that of the N-C(-0.26 eV). The Cu/N-C exhibited superior onset and half-wave potentials (0.96 V and 0.84 V, respectively) in alkaline media (0.1 mol窑L-1 KOH), all of which are much better than those measured for N-C and commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, the Cu/N-C showed superior methanol crossover avoidance and oxygen reduction stability. © 2021 Authors. All rights reserved.