Analysis of aquatic‐phase natural organic matter by optimized LDI‐MS method

The composition and physiochemical properties of aquatic‐phase natural organic matter (NOM) are most important problems for both environmental studies and water industry. Laser desorption/ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry facilitated successful examinations of NOM, as humic and fulvic acids in NOM are readily ionized by the nitrogen laser. In this study, hydrophobic NOMs (HPO NOMs) from river, reservoir and waste water were characterized by this technique. The effect of analytical variables like concentration, solvent composition and laser energy was investigated. The exact masses of small molecular NOM moieties in the range of 200–1200 m/z were determined in reflectron mode. In addition, spectra of post‐source‐decay experiments in this range showed that some compounds from different natural NOMs had the same fragmental ions. In the large mass range of 1200–15 000 Da, macromolecules and their aggregates were found in HPO NOMs from natural waters. Highly humic HPO exhibited mass peaks larger than 8000 Da. On the other hand, the waste water and reservoir water mainly had relatively smaller molecules of about 2000 Da. The LDI‐MS measurements indicated that highly humic river waters were able to form large aggregates and membrane foulants, while the HPO NOMs from waste water and reservoir water were unlikely to form large aggregates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Switchable dielectric permittivity with temperature and Dc-bias in a semifluorinated azobenzene derivative

The thermodynamic, optical, structural, and dynamic properties of the semifluorinated (E)-1-(4-octylphenyl)-2-(4-(perfluorooctyl)phenyl)diazene (4) and the corresponding (E)-1,2-bis(4-octylphenyl)diazene (5) have been studied with differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dielectric spectroscopy. 4 combines the azobenzene properties with the fluorophobic effect and gives rise to a responsive material with a temperature and dc-bias-driven switchable dielectric permittivity within the narrower nematic phase. This is caused by the nematic potential that inevitably brings some fluorocarbon chains in proximity to the hydrocarbon chains from adjacent molecules. Frustration is alleviated by reducing the nematic-to-isotropic transition temperature and by increasing the crystalline-to-nematic transition temperature, thus limiting the stability of the nematic phase. Unlike the normal isotropic phase of compound 5, the isotropic phase of compound 4 contains dipoles with short-range orientation correlations. Optimizing the type of interactions may result in materials with applications as molecular switches and electrooptic devices.     

Spherulite growth rate and fold surface free energy of the form II mesophase in isotactic polybutene-1 and random butene-1/ethylene copolymers

The spherulite growth rate of isotactic polybutene-1 and random butene-1/ethylene copolymers has been measured in a wide range of temperatures between the glass transition and the melting temperature. The presence of ethylene co-units in the butene-1 chain leads to a distinct decrease of both the maximum spherulite growth rate and the temperature of fastest growth. The data were analyzed within the frame of the Hoffman–Lauritzen theory of crystallization to obtain form II mesophase surface free energies. The robust performed analysis revealed that the form II mesophase fold surface free energy in random copolymers of butene-1 with less than 5 mol% ethylene is 50–100 % higher than in the homopolymer. It is suggested that the increase of the fold surface free energy is related to the exclusion of ethylene chain defects from crystallization and their accumulation at the basal planes of the form II mesophase.     

Efficient electrochemical incineration of phenol on activated carbon fiber as a new type of particulates

The feasibility of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) used as a new type of particle electrodes in 3-dimensional (3D) electrode for the electrochemical degradation of phenol wastewater was investigated for the first time. The surface morphology, textual properties and electrochemical behaviors of ACF were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N₂-BET sorption and cyclic voltammograms (CVs), respectively. Compared with the commercialized granular activated carbon (GAC), ACF particle electrodes exhibited higher electrochemical oxidation performance on the mineralization of target pollutant. The identification of intermediates indicated most of oxidation products were adsorbed onto the ACFs. The detection of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in the reaction system suggested that the reaction mechanism was direct anodic oxidation of pollutant on ACFs if the cathode did not contact the ACFs. The operative parameters including initial concentration of substrate, applied current density and the initial aqueous pH have been scientifically studied in search of the optimum condition. Based upon the obtained results, the ACFs longevity was tested in solution at pH 2.0, revealing relatively high electrooxidation capacity and long catalyst lifetime of ACFs in acid solution.     

Two new cyano-bridged Cu(II)-Fe(II) complexes: Synthesis and crystal structures

Two new cyano-bridged Cu(II)-Fe(II) binuclear complexes, [Cu(L¹)Fe(CN)₅(NO)] (I) [L¹ = 1,3,6,8,11,14-hexaazatricyclo[12.2.1.1^8,11]octadecane and [Cu(L²)Fe(CN)₅(NO)] · 2H₂O (II) L² = 1,3,6,9,11,14-hexaazatricyclo[12.2.1.1^6,9]octadecane, have been assembled and structurally characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic crystalline system of space group P2₁/c, while complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic crystalline system of space group P2₁/n. These two complexes assume a binuclear structure in which the Fe²⁺ ion is in an octahedron environment and the Cu²⁺ ion is in a square-prism geometry environment.     

A novel ε-HNIW-based insensitive high explosive incorporated with reduced graphene oxide

A novel ε-HNIW-based explosive formula with low sensitive and high energy was developed by systematically researching the processes of recrystallization, granularity gradation, and coating of ε-HNIW and option of energetic deterrents. The grain size and morphology of HNIW crystals were modified by solvent/antisolvent recrystallization. The ε-HNIW particles were graded and coated by emulsion polymerization method with 551 glue. The binder reduced the mechanical sensitivity of ε-HNIW significantly and showed good compatibility with ε-HNIW, but also weakened the decomposition enthalpy. With the purpose of developing new energetic deterrents in insensitive high explosive formulations, novel carbon materials graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared and incorporated in plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. For comparison, the effects of conventional deterrent flake graphite were also involved. It turned out that the mechanical sensitivities of ε-HNIW/551 glue have all reduced to some extent with the incorporation of graphite, GO, and rGO. Flake graphite induced the PBX decompose earlier slightly and weaken the heat output. The addition of GO resulted in noticeable antedating decomposition of ε-HNIW/551 glue although remarkably increased the decomposition heat. The formula of ε-HNIW/551 glue/rGO provided a moderate growth in decomposition heat and best thermal stability. In slow cook-off tests, the formulas of ε-HNIW/551 glue and ε-HNIW/551 glue/rGO showed good thermal stability and might be qualified to apply safely under 200 °C. Comprehensively considering the mechanical sensitivity, thermals stability, energy performance, and practical application, ε-HNIW/551 glue/rGO is supposed to be an eligible insensitive high-energy PBX formula.     

Critical Evaluation of Adsorption–Desorption Hysteresis of Heavy Metal Ions from Carbon Nanotubes: Influence of Wall Number and Surface Functionalization

Single‐, double‐, and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, DWCNTs, and MWCNTs), and two oxidized MWCNTs with different oxygen contents (2.51 wt % and 3.5 wt %) were used to study the effect of the wall number and surface functionalization of CNTs on their adsorption capacity and adsorption–desorption hysteresis for heavy metal ions (Ni^II, Cd^II, and Pb^II). Metal ions adsorbed on CNTs could be desorbed by lowering the solution pH. Adsoprtion of heavy metal ions was not completely reversible when the supernatant was replaced with metal ion‐free electrolyte solution. With increasing wall number and amount of surface functional groups, CNTs had more surface defects and exhibited higher adsorption capacity and higher adsorption–desorption hysteresis index (HI) values. The coverage of heavy metal ions on the surface of CNTs, solution pH, and temperature affect the metal ion adsorption–desorption hysteresis. A possible shift in the adsorption mechanism from mainly irreversible to largely reversible processes may take place, as the amount of metal ions adsorbed on CNTs increases. Heavy metal ions may be irreversibly adsorbed on defect sites.