Tuning the mechanical properties and degradation properties of polydioxanone isothermal annealing

Polydioxanone (PPDO) is synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of p-dioxanone, using stannous octoate as the catalyst. The polarized optical micrograph (POM) shows thes pherulite growth rate of PPDO decreases with an increase in the isothermal crystallization temperature. PPDO is compression-molded into bars, and PPDO bars are subjected to isothermal annealing at a range of temperatures (Ta = 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 °C), and correspond to three different annealing times (ta = 1h, 2h, 3h). The effect on PPDO is investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With an increase in Ta and ta, the grain size and the degree of crystallinity also increase. Meanwhile, the tensile strength is significantly improved. The PPDO bars (90 °C, 2 h) reach the maximum crystallinity (57.21%) and the maximum tensile strength (41.1 MPa). Interestingly, the heat treatment process does not result in serious thermal degradation. It is observed that the hydrolytic degradation of the annealed PPDO is delayed to some extent. Thus, annealed PPDO might have potential applications, particularly in the fields of orthopedic fixation and tissue engineering.     

Nanosized carbon black as synergist in PP/POE-MA/IFR system for simultaneously improving thermal,electrical and mechanical properties

Nanosized carbon black (CB) was introduced into polypropylene/maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer/intumescent flame retardant (PP/POE-MA/IFR) system to investigate the effect of nanofiller as synergist on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites. With 5 mass% CB into PP/POE-MA/IFR system (POFC5), the T_max (corresponded to the temperature at the maximum mass loss rate) under air was increased by 122.4 °C; its limited oxygen index was as high as 31.4%; its vertical burning rating (UL-94) reached V0, and the peak value of heat release rate was decreased to only 19% of neat PP in cone calorimeter testing. Moreover, PP composites exhibited good electrical conductivity with more than 1.6 mass% CB, which is a low loading level to reach the critical percolation concentration. In addition, a good balance on stiffness and toughness of PP composites was achieved; especially, Young’s moduli and impact strength of POFC5 were increased to 1.26 and 2.5 times in comparison with that of neat PP, respectively. These results indicated that CB was an effective synergist in multi-component PP composites to simultaneously improve thermal, electrical and mechanical properties.

     

Heating performance enhancement for a road unit by using sectorial-finned pipe

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This study proposes a sectorial-finned pipe in the hydronic road heating system with a three-dimensional road model to enhance the road heating...     

Thermal performances of porous snow by a hydronic heating system at different weather conditions

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The snow on the road in the cold regions is easy to cause slippery conditions, which are dangerous for vehicles and people. To remove the slippery...     

Asymmetric Synthesis and Application of Chiral Spirosilabiindanes

Reported here is the development of a class of chiral spirosilabiindane scaffolds by Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric double hydrosilation, for the first time. Enantiopure SPSiOL (spirosilabiindane diol), a new type of chiral building block for the preparation of various chiral ligands and catalysts, was readily prepared on greater than 10 gram scale using this protocol. The potential of this new spirosilabiindane scaffold in asymmetric catalysis was preliminarily demonstrated by development of the corresponding monodentate phosphoramidite ligands (SPSiPhos), which were used in both a Rh‐catalyzed hydrogenation and a Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular carboamination.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Selective Cross‐Coupling of Ethylene Glycol and Methanol to Lactic Acid

An atom‐economic approach that has an unprecedented high selectivity for the synthesis of lactic acid (LA) based on a catalytic dehydrogenative cross‐coupling by using inexpensive bulk ethylene glycol and methanol is described. This method relies on the synthesis and utilization of a novel iridium catalyst bearing three N‐heterocyclic carbenes derived from 1,3‐dimethylbenzimidazolium salts, and exhibits outstanding activity in the production of LA [turnover frequency (TOF) up to 3660 h^?1] owing to an elegant metal–ligand cooperation.     

Building an Air Stable and Lithium Deposition Regulable Garnet Interface from Moderate‐Temperature Conversion Chemistry

Garnet‐type electrolytes suffer from unstable chemistry against air exposure, which generates contaminants on electrolyte surface and accounts for poor interfacial contact with the Li metal. Thermal treatment of the garnet at >700 °C could remove the surface contaminants, yet it regenerates the contaminants in the air, and aggravates the Li dendrite issue as more electron‐conducting defective sites are exposed. In a departure from the removal approach, here we report a new surface chemistry that converts the contaminants into a fluorinated interface at moderate temperature <180 °C. The modified interface shows a high electron tunneling barrier and a low energy barrier for Li⁺ surface diffusion, so that it enables dendrite‐proof Li plating/stripping at a high critical current density of 1.4 mA cm^?2. Moreover, the modified interface exhibits high chemical and electrochemical stability against air exposure, which prevents regeneration of contaminants and keeps high critical current density of 1.1 mA cm^?2. The new chemistry presents a practical solution for realization of high‐energy solid‐state Li metal batteries.     

Iridoid,phenylethanoid and flavonoid glycosides from Forsythia suspensa

Abstract

As part of our continuing efforts to explore bioactive compounds from natural resources, a new iridoid glycoside, adoxosidic acid-6′-oleuroperic ester (1), together with one known phenylethanoid glycoside (2) and two known flavonoid glycosides (3–4) were isolated from the fruit of Forsythia suspensa. The structure of the new compound (1) was elucidated through 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and HR-ESIMS. Interestingly, compound 1 was a monoterpene ester of one iridoid glycoside. Compounds 2–4 were identified as calceolarioside A (2), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (3), kampferol-3-O-robinobioside (4) on the basis of NMR spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with the data reported in the literature. The antiviral activity aganisist influenza A (H5N1) virus of compound 1 was studied as well.     

Full use of the liquid nature of the stationary phase: The development of elution‐extrusion counter current chromatography

Elution‐extrusion counter current chromatography extrudes the most solute retained in the column with the highest possible peak resolution. It can greatly improve the hydrophobic window. In recent years, elution‐extrusion counter current chromatography has received extensive attention in the separation of complex samples. This article first reviews the development and application of elution‐extrusion counter current chromatography, including its origin, mechanism, advantages and disadvantages, and some representative applications. At the same time, this review also shared our visions and ideas on how to improve the elution‐extrusion mode. This article aims to provide certain reference for the research of this technology.     

The Stabilization Effect of CO2 in Lithium–Oxygen/CO2 Batteries

The lithium (Li)–air battery has an ultrahigh theoretical specific energy, however, even in pure oxygen (O₂), the vulnerability of conventional organic electrolytes and carbon cathodes towards reaction intermediates, especially O₂^?, and corrosive oxidation and crack/pulverization of Li metal anode lead to poor cycling stability of the Li‐air battery. Even worse, the water and/or CO₂ in air bring parasitic reactions and safety issues. Therefore, applying such systems in open‐air environment is challenging. Herein, contrary to previous assertions, we have found that CO₂ can improve the stability of both anode and electrolyte, and a high‐performance rechargeable Li–O₂/CO₂ battery is developed. The CO₂ not only facilitates the in situ formation of a passivated protective Li₂CO₃ film on the Li anode, but also restrains side reactions involving electrolyte and cathode by capturing O₂^?. Moreover, the Pd/CNT catalyst in the cathode can extend the battery lifespan by effectively tuning the product morphology and catalyzing the decomposition of Li₂CO₃. The Li–O₂/CO₂ battery achieves a full discharge capacity of 6628 mAh g^?1 and a long life of 715 cycles, which is even better than those of pure Li–O₂ batteries.