Activated nitrogen-doped carbons from polyvinyl chloride for high-performance electrochemical capacitors

Activated nitrogen-doped carbons (ANCs) were prepared by carbonization/activation approach using aminated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as precursor. ANCs exhibit larger porosities and higher specific surface areas than those of their nitrogen-free counterparts for the same KOH/carbon ratio. The specific surface area of ANC-1 is up to 1,398 m² g^?1 even at a low KOH/carbon ratio of 1:1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy investigation of the nitrogen-enriched resin precursor indicates the efficient dehydrochlorination of PVC by ethylenediamine at a low temperature. The nitrogen content and the population of nitrogen functionalities strongly depend on the KOH/carbon ratios and decrease drastically after KOH activation as seen from the elemental and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The surface concentration of N-6 and N-Q almost disappears and the dominant nitrogen groups become N-5 after KOH activation. The highest specific capacitance of ANCs is up to 345 F g^?1 at a current density of 50 mA g^?1 in 6 M KOH electrolyte. ANCs also exhibit a good capacitive behavior at a high scan rate of 200 mV s^?1 and an excellent cyclability with a capacitance retention ratio as high as ～93 % at a current density of 2,000 mA g^?1 for 5,000 cycles.     

Large Hexagonal Bi‐ and Trilayer Graphene Single Crystals with Varied Interlayer Rotations

Bi‐ and trilayer graphene have attracted intensive interest due to their rich electronic and optical properties, which are dependent on interlayer rotations. However, the synthesis of high‐quality large‐size bi‐ and trilayer graphene single crystals still remains a challenge. Here, the synthesis of 100 μm pyramid‐like hexagonal bi‐ and trilayer graphene single‐crystal domains on Cu foils using chemical vapor deposition is reported. The as‐produced graphene domains show almost exclusively either 0° or 30° interlayer rotations. Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy were used to demonstrate that bilayer graphene domains with 0° interlayer stacking angles were Bernal stacked. Based on first‐principle calculations, it is proposed that rotations originate from the graphene nucleation at the Cu step, which explains the origin of the interlayer rotations and agrees well with the experimental observations.     

Effect of Cu content on structure,hydrogen storage properties and electrode performance of LaNi4.1-x Co0.6Mn0.3Cu x alloys

The effect of Cu content on structure, hydrogen storage, and electrochemical properties of LaNi_4.1-x Co_0.6Mn_0.3Cu _x alloys has been investigated. For sample, A, B, C, and D are used to represent alloys (x?=?0, 0.15, 0.3, and 0.45), respectively. The results indicate that the four alloys are all single-phase alloy with LaNi₅ phase of CaCu₅ hexagonal structure, the hydrogen storage capacities of the alloy are about 1.49 wt% (A), 1.48 wt% (B), 1.43 wt% (C), and 1.25 wt% (D) at 303 K. With the increase of Cu content (x) from A to D, hydrogen desorption plateau pressure and pressure hysteresis decrease. Alloy electrode A shows better activation property and higher capacity (334.44 mAh/g). The addition of Cu improves the cyclic stability of the alloy electrodes when x?=?0?~?0.45. However, their self-discharge properties and high-rate dischargeability (HRD) decrease with the increase of x. Further, electrochemical kinetics and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis show that the reaction of alloy electrode is controlled by charge transfer step, and the adding of Cu benefits the electrode properties in alkaline solution.     

Azobenzene‐Functionalized Metal–Organic Polyhedra for the Optically Responsive Capture and Release of Guest Molecules

Stimuli‐responsive metal–organic polyhedra (srMOPs) functionalized with azobenzene showed UV‐irradiation‐induced isomerization from the insoluble trans‐srMOP to the soluble cis‐srMOP, whereas irradiation with blue light reversed this process. Guest molecules were trapped and released upon cis‐to‐trans and trans‐to‐cis isomerization of the srMOPs, respectively. This study provides a new direction in the ever‐diversifying field of MOPs, while laying the groundwork for a new class of optically responsive materials.     

Hexafluoroantimonic Acid Catalysis: Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition of Aziridines with Two Alkynes

A practical method for the synthesis of azepine derivatives, a typical seven‐membered heterocyclic ring system, was developed and involves the use of hexafluoroantimonic acid to catalyze a formal [3+2+2] cycloaddition of aziridines with two alkynes. This method was applicable to two of the same or different terminal alkynes for the [3+2+2] cycloaddition with unactivated aziridines, and furnished the corresponding azepine derivatives in good yields with good levels of chemo‐ and regioselectivity. The mechanism was also discussed according to the results of the in situ HRMS and ¹H NMR analysis.     

Synthesis of Chiral Exocyclic Amines by Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aromatic Quinolin‐3‐amines

Asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic quinolin‐3‐amines was successfully developed with up to 94 % enantiomeric excess (ee). Introduction of the phthaloyl moiety to the amino group is crucial to eliminate the inhibition effect caused by the substrate and product, to activate the aromatic ring, and to improve the diastereoselectivity. This new methodology provides direct and facile access to chiral exocyclic amines. Notably, this report is the first on the highly enantioselective hydrogenation of aromatic amines.     

Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Mandelic Acid Esters by N,N′‐Dioxide–Scandium‐Complex‐Catalyzed Enantiomer‐Selective Acylation

A simple and efficient acylative kinetic resolution of racemic mandelic acid esters was accomplished with a chiral N,N’‐dioxide–scandium(III) complex under mild and base‐free reaction conditions. A variety of mandelic acid esters performed well in the reaction, obtaining both acylated products (up to 49% yield, 97% ee) and recovered substrates (up to 49% yield, 95% ee) in high enantioselectivities with perfect selectivity factors (up to 247). The enantioselective recognition and catalytic models were also proposed for the catalytic KR reaction.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ag8(Ge1−x,Snx)(S6−y,Sey) Colloidal Nanocrystals

A facile colloidal approach to synthesize Ag₈(Ge_1?x,Sn_x)(S_6?y,Se_y) nanocrystals (NCs) in a highly controlled way across the entire compositional ranges (0≤x≤1, 0≤y≤6) has been developed. The NCs exhibit a uniform size distribution, highly crystalline structure, over 1 g scalable synthesis, and tunable band gaps in the range of 0.88–1.45 eV by varying their chemical compositions. The Ag₈GeS₆ NCs with a band gap of approximately 1.45 eV were employed as a model light harvester to assess their applicability in solar cells by a full solution‐processing device, yielding an efficiency of 0.28 % under AM1.5 illumination, demonstrating their application potential in solar energy utilization.     

A Selective Release System Based on Dual‐Drug‐Loaded Mesoporous Silica for Nanoparticle‐Assisted Combination Therapy

A selective release system was demonstrated with a dual‐cargo loaded MSNs. When stimulated by different signals (UV or H⁺), this system could selectively release different kinds of cargoes individually. Furthermore, this system has been used to provide a combination of chemotherapy and biotherapy for cancer treatment. This controlled release system could be an important step in the development of more effective and sophisticated nanomedicine and nanodevices, due to the possibility of selective release of a complex multi‐drug.     

Luminescent Mechanochromic Porous Coordination Polymers

Three 2D luminescent isomeric porous coordination polymers are synthesized and characterized. Their luminescence properties can be modified by grinding and they can act as mechanochromic materials and their properties are probably related to the weak interactions of cuprophilicity and π–π interactions.