Kinetics and Mechanism of Catalytic Reduction of U(VI) with Hydrazine on Platinum Catalysts in Nitric Acid Media

The kinetics of U(IV) produced by hydrazine reduction of U(VI) with platinum as a catalyst in nitric acid media was studied to reveal the reaction mechanism and optimize the reaction process. Electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to determine the influence of nitric acid oxidation. The effects of nitric acid, hydrazine, U(VI) concentration, catalyst dosage and temperature on the reaction rate were also studied. In addition, the simulation of the reaction process was performed using density functional theory. The results show that the influence of oxidation on the main reaction is limited when the concentration of nitric acid is below 0.5 mol/L. The reaction kinetics equation below the concentration of 0.5 mol/L is found as: -dc(UO₂²⁺)/dt)=kc^0.5323(UO₂²⁺)c^0.2074(N₂H₅⁺)c^-0.2009(H⁺). When the temperature is 50 ℃, and the solid/liquid ratio r is 0.0667 g/mL, the reaction kinetics constant is k=0.00199 (mol/L)^0.4712/min. Between 20 ℃ and 80 ℃, the reaction rate gradually increases with the increase of temperature, and changes from chemically controlled to diffusion-controlled. The simulations of density functional theory give further insight into the influence of various factors on the reaction process, with which the reaction mechanisms are determined according to the reaction kinetics and the simulation results.     

多相固体催化剂用于甘油氧化制乳酸研究进展

随着新的全球气候协议下的中国双碳行动计划的实施, 开发和利用可再生生物质资源显得极为重要. 甘油作为生物柴油在生产过程中的主要副产物, 将其催化转化成各种高附加值衍生物受到广泛关注, 其中甘油选择性氧化为乳酸具有巨大的应用前景. 近年来, 采用固体催化剂催化氧化甘油制乳酸成为国内外学者研究的热点. 我们综述了固体催化剂用于甘油催化转化制备乳酸的研究现状, 对甘油催化转化为乳酸的反应途径做了分析, 并讨论了影响催化剂活性的因素, 对当前所存在的问题提出建议, 也对未来相关催化剂制备发展进行了展望.     

Strategies in boosting photosensitization for biomedical applications

Science China Chemistry -     

Developing the Low-Temperature Oxidation Mechanism of Cyclopentane: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

At present, the reactivity of cyclic alkanes is estimated by comparison with acyclic hydrocarbons. Due to the difference in the structure of cycloalkanes and acycloalkanes, the thermodynamic data obtained by analogy are not applicable. In this study, a molecular beam sampling vacuum ultraviolet photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MB-VUV-PI-TOFMS) was applied to study the low-temperature oxidation of cyclopentane (CPT) at a total pressure range from 1–3 atm and low-temperature range between 500 and 800 K. Low-temperature reaction products including cyclic olefins, cyclic ethers, and highly oxygenated intermediates (e. g., ketohydroperoxide KHP, keto-dihydroperoxide KDHP, olefinic hydroperoxides OHP and ketone structure products) were observed. Further investigation of the oxidation of CPT – electronic structure calculations – were carried out at the UCCSD(T)-F12a/aug-cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-31+ G(d,p) level to explore the reactivity of O₂ molecules adding sequentially to cyclopentyl radicals. Experimental and theoretical observations showed that the dominant product channel in the reaction of CPT radicals with O₂ is HO₂ elimination yielding cyclopentene. The pathways of second and third O₂ addition – the dissociation of hydroperoxide – were further confirmed. The results of this study will develop the low-temperature oxidation mechanism of CPT, which can be used for future research on accurately simulating the combustion process of CPT.     

Improved Reversible Zinc Storage Achieved in a Constitutionally Crystalline-Stable Mn(VO3)2 Nanobelts Cathode

Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are potential for grid-scale applications owing to their safety, low price, and available sources. The development of ZIBs cathode with high specific capacity, wide operating voltage window and stable cyclability is urgently needed in next-generation commercial batteries. Herein, we report a structurally crystalline-stable Mn(VO₃)₂ nanobelts cathode for ZIBs prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized Mn(VO₃)₂ exhibited high specific capacity of 350 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹, and maintained a capacity retention of 92 % after 10,000 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹. It also showed good rate performance and obtained a reversible capacity of up to 200 mAh g⁻¹ after 600 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹ under −20 °C. The electrochemical tests suggest that Mn(VO₃)₂ nanobelts impart fast Zn²⁺ ions migration, and the introduction of manganese atoms help make the structures more indestructible, leading to a good rate performance and prolonged cycle lifespan.     

Topical application of zein-silk sericin nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for improved therapy of dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by leukocyte migration into the skin dermis and typically driven by excessive chemokine production at the site of inflammation. Conventional topical formulations such as gels, creams, and ointments are insufficient for this treatment because of low penetration of drug molecules into the targeted skin tissues. Herein, using a simple, green, sustainable strategy, we have developed novel primary zein nanoparticles embedded in curcumin (Cur) and coated with silk sericin (ZHSCs) for the topical delivery of Cur to penetrate into the dermis and exercise anti-dermatitis effects on the lesion with minimal side-effects. Transdermal delivery experiments and porcine skin fluorescence imaging indicated that ZHSCs facilitate the penetration of Cur across the epidermis layer of skin to reach deep-seated sites. Notably, ZHSCs = 1:0.25 (zein-to-silk sericin mass ratios of 1:0.25) markedly elevated the skin permeability and cumulative turnover of Cur transferred, which were provided a greater than a 3.8-fold increase relative to free Cur. The special nanoparticles of ZHS = 1:0.25 possessed the deepest localization depth and experience a transition of the particle structure and core-shell separation after penetrating into the dermis of skin. In a cell model of dermatitis induced by tumor necrosis factor α/interferon γ co-stimulation, compared with free Cur, Cur-loaded ZHS nanoparticles down-regulated the generation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes through suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 and hence exerted an anti-dermatitis effect. This strategy may provide new avenues and direction for the demanding issues of valid topical delivery systems.     

The metallic C6S monolayer with high specific capacity for K-ion batteries

K-ion batteries (KIBs) attract considerable attention due to the abundance of K, high-working voltages, and chemical similarity with Li, enabling the utilization of mature Li-ion technology. However, shortage of high-performance anode materials is a critical obstacle for the development of KIBs. Through first-principles swarm-intelligence structural search, we identify a potential anode material, the C₆S monolayer, which provides not only a remarkably high specific capacity of 1546 mAh/g but also a low diffusion barrier of 0.11 eV and a low open-circuit voltage of 0.21 V. Inherent metallicity originates from delocalized π electrons.     

微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定拟黑多刺蚁中11种微量元素

为准确定量拟黑多刺蚁体内的微量元素,采用微波消解法,以HNO_(3)-H_(2)O_(2)混合酸为消解体系对样品进行前处理,选择合适的同位素,以^(103)Rh为内标测定^(52)Cr、^(55)Mn、^(60)Ni、^(63)Cu、^(66)Zn、^(75)As、^(78)Se、^(88)Sr和^(114)Cd,以^(185)Re为内标测定^(202)Hg和^(208)Pb,建立了电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定拟黑多刺蚁中11种微量元素的方法。实验发现,以HNO_(3)-H_(2)O_(2)为消解体系,样品消解完全;采用KED模式消除质谱干扰,以内标法校正基体效应;通过绘制校准曲线及测定流程空白,各元素校准曲线的相关系数均大于0.999,方法检出限为0.0005~0.011 mg/kg,方法定量限为0.0016~0.033 mg/kg。对拟黑多刺蚁实际样品进行测定,各元素的相对标准偏差(RSD,n=9)在1.2%~5.5%,加标回收率为91.2%~107%;经过实验室间比对实验,相对偏差为-3.15%~2.74%;测定六个不同产地的拟黑多刺蚁样品,结果显示不同产地样品除Cd外,其他10种微量元素的含量均存在较大差异。测定结果稳定可靠,能满足拟黑多刺蚁中11种微量金属元素含量的分析检测要求。     

Analysis of the Thermal Decomposition Path of SF6 on the Surface of Cu and its Oxides

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - Accurately grasping the decomposition path of SF6 on the surface of typical metals and metal oxides is the key to reveal the decomposition mechanism of...     

Benzyl alcohol oxidation and hydrogen generation over MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite photocatalyst

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Owing to the simultaneous utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes, coupling light-driven hydrogen (H2) evolution reaction (HER) and biomass-derived...