Reduced Graphene Oxide–Ag3PO4 Heterostructure: A Direct Z‐Scheme Photocatalyst for Augmented Photoreactivity and Stability

A visible light driven, direct Z‐scheme reduced graphene oxide–Ag₃PO₄ (RGO–Ag₃PO₄) heterostructure was synthesized by means of a simple one‐pot photoreduction route by varying the amount of RGO under visible light illumination. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and growth of Ag₃PO₄ took place simultaneously. The effect of the amount of RGO on the textural properties and photocatalytic activity of the heterostructure was investigated under visible light illumination. Furthermore, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed 97.1 % mineralization of organic dyes over RGO–Ag₃PO₄ in just five minutes under visible‐light illumination. The use of different quenchers in the photomineralization suggested the presence of hydroxyl radicals ( ^. OH), superoxide radicals ( ^. O₂^?), and holes (h⁺), which play a significant role in the mineralization of organic dyes. In addition to that, clean hydrogen fuel generation was also observed with excellent reusability. The 4 RGO–Ag₃PO₄ heterostructure has a high H₂ evolution rate of 3690 μmol h^?1 g^?1, which is 6.15 times higher than that of RGO.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by thiourea–chromium(VI) redox system

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by Cr(VI)–thiourea and Cr(VI)–ethylene thiourea have been studied at 35, 40, and 45°C in nitrogen. The rates of polymerization and of disappearance of Cr(VI) were measured. Chromic acid alone did not initiate the polymerization under deaerated and undeaerated conditions. On the basis of the experimental observation of the dependence of the rate of polymerization R_p, the rate of Cr(VI) disappearance, –R_m, etc., on various variables, a suitable kinetic scheme was proposed and various rate and energy parameters were evaluated.     

Thermal behavior of flax and jute reinforced in matrix acrylic composite

Natural fabric such as flax and jute was considered in biaxial plain reinforcement in matrix of acrylic resin, and the composite is prepared in hand layup techniques. Fabric mass fraction of 7% was used in the matrix of composite. The samples were treated at r.t and 60 °C for the final fabrication. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to support the microstructure effect of composite in terms of thermal change. Thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis and residual compositional analysis with FTIR were carried out for the composite and matrix samples. The mechanical and viscoelastic properties, as well as the influence of frequency and fibers types, were evaluated, in flexural mode, by means of dynamical mechanical analysis. Glass transition (T _g) and initial decomposition (T _i) temperatures increase with incorporation of fibers into the matrix. While T _i of flax and jute composite was similar, T _g in case of flax improves than jute fabric-reinforced composite. This type of composites can be used in the automotive sector, in exterior and exterior components.     

Substituent effects in the reaction between benzaldehydes and polyacrylonitrile radicals

The effects of substituents on the reaction of benzaldehydes with polyacrylonitrile radicals have been studied in terms of the multiparameter equations based on Swain and Lupton's Field and Resonance (F and R) components with the unique positional weighting factors f and r developed by Williams and Norrington. From the nature of the reaction constants, a polar transition state has been postulated.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile. Kinetics of the reaction initiated by the vanadium(V)/thioglycollic acid redox system

The polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the vanadium(V)-thioglycollic acid redox system has been investigated in aqueous sulphuric acid under nitrogen over the range 30–45°. The polymerization is second order in monomer and first order in thioglycollic acid (TGA). The rate of vanadium(V) disappearance is proportional to (TGA) and [V(V)]. The effects of FeCl₃, CuSO₄ and acetic acid on the polymerization have been investigated. The proposed reaction scheme involves initiation by an organic free radical, produced by the interaction of V(V) with TGA and termination by V(V). Various rate parameters have been evaluated.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile: Kinetics of the reaction initiated by the Fe2+/BrO3− redox system

The aqueous polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the bromate—ferrous redox system in aqueous sulfuric acid was studied under nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization increased with increasing concentration of ferrous in the range of 0.25-1 × 10^?2M. The percentage of conversion increased with increasing concentration of the catalyst, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M there was a decreasing trend in the rate of polymerization. The rate varied linearly with [monomer]. The initial rate of polymerization as well as the maximum conversion increased within the range of 1–2.5 × 10^?3M KBrO₃, but beyond 2.5 × 10^?3M the rate of polymerization decreased. The initial rate and limiting conversion increased with increasing polymerization temperature in the range 30–40°C; beyond 40°C they decreased. The effect of certain neutral salts, water-miscible solvents, complexing agents, and copper sulfate concentration on the rate of polymerization was investigated.     

Cobalt–iron decorated tellurium nanotubes for high energy density supercapacitor

We report the synthesis of cobalt-iron (Co–Fe) decorated tellurium nanotubes (Te NTs) using semiconductive Te NTs as a sacrificial template, following a wet chemical method. The interplay of Co and Fe precursor concentrations incorporated with Te NT, residual hydrazine hydrate, and the negative surface charge of Te NT plays a significant role in obtaining various bimetallic telluride structures. The one-dimensional (1-D) structure of Co–Fe decorated Te NTs with Te NTs in the backbone provides superior conductivity and exhibits high electrochemical performance with battery type electrode behavior. A negative surface charge value of ?18.9 mV for Te NTs is obtained due to the presence of an anionic surfactant as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) forms a bilayer on Te NTs. To tune the energy density performance, the Co–Fe decorated Te NTs electrode is combined with the electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) type electrode activated carbon (AC). The asymmetric assembly shows an excellent specific capacitance of 179.2 F/g (48.7 mAh/g) at a current density of 0.9 A/g in 4 M KOH electrolyte. More importantly, it exhibits a maximum energy density of 62.1 Wh/kg at a power density of 1,138.2 W/kg under a potential window of 1.58 V. This potential finding shows the significant applicability of Te NTs as a template for the synthesis of bimetallic tellurides with unique morphologies. The synergistic effect from multiple metals and anisotropic morphology is beneficial for energy storage applications.     

Gold nanorods grown on microgels leading to hexagonal nanostructures

Hexagonal patterns of gold nanorods were made by assembling gold nanorod-coated poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) microgels. The required population of nanorods on the microgels was achieved by attaching nanoparticle seeds on the latter and growing them to nanorods. The various materials prepared were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Similar experiments with nanoparticle-coated or prefabricated nanorod-coated microgels did not give such hexagonal patterns. We suggest that the interlocking of nanorods leads to these regular structures. This is the first report of a solution phase method for assembling nanorods into a hexagonal pattern.     

Can Li Atoms Anchored on Boron- and Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Catalyze Dinitrogen Molecules to Ammonia? A DFT Study

The most successful electrochemical conversion of ammonia from dinitrogen molecule reported to date is through a Li mediated mechanism. In the framework of the above fact and that Li anchored graphene is an experimentally feasible system, the present work is a computational experiment to identify the potential of Li anchored graphene as a catalyst for N₂ to NH₃ conversion as a function of (a) minimum number of Li atoms needed for anchoring on graphene sheets and (b) the role of chemical modification of graphene surfaces. The studies bring forth an understanding that Li anchored graphene sheets are potential catalysts for ammonia conversion with preferential adsorption of N₂ through end-on configuration on Li atoms anchored on doped and pristine graphene surfaces. This mode of adsorption being characteristic of Nitrogen Reduction Reaction (NRR) through enzymatic pathway, examination of the same followed by analysis of electronic properties demonstrates that tri-Li atoms (Tri Atom Catalysts, TACs) are more efficient as catalysts for NRR as compared to two Li atoms (Di Atom Catalysts, DACs). Either way, the rate determining step was found to be *NH₂→*NH₃ step (mixed pathway) with ΔG_max=1.02 eV and *NH₂−*NH₃→*NH₂ step (enzymatic pathway) with ΔG_max=1.11 eV for 1B doped TAC and DAC on graphene sheet, respectively. Consequently, this work identifies the viability of Li anchored graphene based 2-D sheets as hetero-atom catalyst for NRR.