Effects of bubble size and approach velocity on bubble–particle interaction – a theoretical study

A theoretical analysis of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) approach–retract dynamic interaction between an air bubble and a hydrophilic silica plane was carried out based on the well-established Stokes–Reynolds–Young–Laplace model. An air bubble with different radii attached to the end of a cantilever approached the silica surface with different approach velocities in a 10^?3?M KCl solution. Results showed that with increasing approach velocity (0.1, 1, and 10?µm/s), the repulsive force, flattened area of the film, and hydrodynamic suction force between the 100-µm bubble and the silica plane increased. The film continued thinning at the initial stages of bubble retraction because of the attractive hydrodynamic pressure. When the bubble size decreased, the influence of hydrodynamic pressure was less evident. The final film thickness before bubble retraction was similar to the theoretical equilibrium thickness when the Laplace pressure was equal to the disjoining pressure.     

Specific detection and effective inhibition of a single bacterial species <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> using peptide mineralized Au cluster probes

Increasingly serious microbial infections call for the development of new simpler methods for the precise diagnosis and specific inhibition of such pathogens. In this work, a peptide mineralized Au cluster probe was applied as a new simplified strategy to both recognize and inhibit a single bacteria species of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) simultaneously. The probes are composed of peptides and Au clusters. Moreover, the peptides specifically target S. aureus cells and the Au clusters provide fluorescent imaging and have an antibacterial effect. These new probes enable the simultaneous specific detection and effective destruction S. aureus cells in situ.     

Synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbonaceous materials and their highly efficient capture of uranium from solutions

An extremely effortless method was applied for successful synthesis of mesoporous carbonaceous materials(MCMs) using well-ordered mesoporous silica as template. Various characterizations(scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), Brunner-Emmet-Teller(BET) and Zeta potential) confirmed that MCMs had large surface area, uniform pore size distribution, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. The batch techniques were employed to study U(VI) adsorption on MCMs under a wide range of experiment conditions. The adsorption kinetics of U(VI) onto MCMs were well-fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a chemisorption process. The excellent adsorption capacity of MCMs calculated from the Langmuir model was 293.95 mg g~(-1) at pH 4.0. The FT-IR and XPS analyses further evidenced that the binding of U(VI) onto MCMs was ascribed to the plentiful adsorption sites(–OH and –COOH groups) in the internal mesoporous structure, which could efficiently trap guest U(VI) ions. The results presented herein revealed that MCMs were ideal adsorbents in the efficient elimination of uranium or other lanthanides/actinides from aqueous solutions, which would play an important role in environmental pollution management application.     

Mechanism of Phosphine‐Catalyzed Allene Coupling Reactions: Advances in Theoretical Investigations

Organocatalysis has emerged as an effective strategy for chemical synthesis. Within this area, phosphine‐catalyzed coupling reactions have attracted considerable attention because of their versatility and wide range of applications in the construction of new C?C bonds. Recently, various experimental studies on the phosphine‐catalyzed coupling reaction of allenes have been reported, and mechanistic and computational studies have also progressed considerably. As a nucleophile, phosphine can react with an allene to form a zwitterionic phosphoniopropenide intermediate. After stepwise cycloaddition and proton transfer, the phosphine catalyst can be regenerated by C?P bond cleavage. Alternatively, the zwitterionic phosphoniopropenide intermediate could also be protonated by a Brønsted acid to generate a phosphonium intermediate, which can be used to construct new C?C bonds by electrophilic addition. In this review, we have summarized details of mechanistic studies of phosphine‐catalyzed allene coupling reactions that follow these two reaction modes. In addition to detailing the reaction pathway, the regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of the phosphine‐catalyzed allene coupling reaction are also discussed in this review.     

Plasmonic Hotspots in Air: An Omnidirectional Three‐Dimensional Platform for Stand‐Off In‐Air SERS Sensing of Airborne Species

Molecular‐level airborne sensing is critical for early prevention of disasters, diseases, and terrorism. Currently, most 2D surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates used for air sensing have only one functional surface and exhibit poor SERS‐active depth. “Aerosolized plasmonic colloidosomes” (APCs) are introduced as airborne plasmonic hotspots for direct in‐air SERS measurements. APCs function as a macroscale 3D and omnidirectional plasmonic cloud that receives laser irradiation and emits signals in all directions. Importantly, it brings about an effective plasmonic hotspot in a length scale of approximately 2.3 cm, which affords 100‐fold higher tolerance to laser misalignment along the z‐axis compared with 2D SERS substrates. APCs exhibit an extraordinary omnidirectional property and demonstrate consistent SERS performance that is independent of the laser and analyte introductory pathway. Furthermore, the first in‐air SERS detection is demonstrated in stand‐off conditions at a distance of 200 cm, highlighting the applicability of 3D omnidirectional plasmonic clouds for remote airborne sensing in threatening or inaccessible areas.     

Synthesis of Higher Alcohols via Syngas on Cu/Zn/Si Catalysts. Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Content

Cu/Zn/Si catalysts with different polyethylene glycol (PEG) content were prepared by a complete liquid-phase method, and characterized by XRD, H₂-TPR, N₂-adsorption, and XPS. The influence of PEG content on the higher alcohols synthesis from syngas was investigated. The results showed that addition of PEG can influence the texture and surface properties of the catalysts, and therefore affect their activity and product distribution. With an increase in PEG content, BET surface area, Cu crystallite size and surface active ingredient content of the catalysts first increased and then decreased, the CO conversion had similar variation tendency. However, the pore volume and pore diameter of the catalyst increased, and the binding energy of the active component and the content of Cu₂O decreased, which resulted in higher catalyst selectivity towards higher alcohols. The highest C²⁺OH selectivity in total alcohols was 60.6 wt %.     

Dynamic Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence by Photoactivation

Smart materials with ultralong phosphorescence are rarely investigated and reported. Herein we report on a series of molecules with unique dynamic ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) features, enabled by manipulating intermolecular interactions through UV light irradiation. Our experimental data reveal that prolonged irradiation of single‐component organic phosphors of PCzT, BCzT, and FCzT under ambient conditions can activate UOP with emission lifetimes spanning from 1.8 to 1330 ms. These phosphors can also be deactivated back to their original states with short‐lived phosphorescence by UV irradiation for 3 h at room temperature or through thermal treatment. Additionally, the dynamic UOP was applied successfully for a visual anti‐counterfeiting application. These findings may provide unique insight into dynamic molecular motion for optical processing and expand the scope of smart‐response materials for broader applications.     

Triatomic Vibrational Energies

The generator coordinate approximation theory isformally applied to H ₃ ⁺ . Asecular equation with an eigenvector ofthree dimensions and matrix elements ofsix dimensions results. Numerical solutions of this equation are thevibrational energy levels ofH ₃ ⁺ .     

High-quality hydrogen from the catalyzed decomposition of formic acid by Pd-Au/C and Pd-Ag/C

Pd-Au/C and Pd-Ag/C were found to have a unique characteristic of evolving high-quality hydrogen dramatically and steadily from the catalyzed decomposition of liquid formic acid at convenient temperature, and further this was improved by the addition of CeO(2)(H(2)O)(x).