Recent advances in covalent functionalization of carbon nanomaterials with polymers: Strategies and perspectives

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) have been proposed as promising nanofillers for polymer composites because of their high surface area, structural flexibility, good mechanical strength, and their unique thermal, optical, and electronic properties. However, the strong van der Waals interactions between individual nanoparticles have limited the manipulation of CNMs and restricted their use in many promising fields. The functionalization of CNMs has attracted great interest on synthesis of complex structures, and helped establish different facile, scalable, controllable and low-cost methods to graft well-defined polymers onto the surfaces of CNMs. This review highlights the advances made in recent years on the functionalization chemistry of carbon nanotubes and graphene with polymers by both the “grafting from” and “grafting to” techniques. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 622–631     

Numerical analysis of the meshless element-free Galerkin method for hyperbolic initial-boundary value problems

The meshless element-free Galerkin method is developed for numerical analysis of hyperbolic initial-boundary value problems. In this method, only scattered nodes are required in the domain. Computational formulae of the method are analyzed in detail. Error estimates and convergence are also derived theoretically and verified numerically. Numerical examples validate the performance and efficiency of the method.     

Optimal estimates on stabilized finite volume methods for the incompressible Navier–Stokes model in three dimensions

Optimal estimates on stabilized finite volume methods for the three dimensional Navier–Stokes model are investigated and developed in this paper. Based on the global existence theorem [23], we first prove the global bound for the velocity in the H¹‐norm in time of a solution for suitably small data, and uniqueness of a suitably small solution by contradiction. Then, a full set of estimates is then obtained by some classical Galerkin techniques based on the relationship between finite element methods and finite volume methods approximated by the lower order finite elements for the three dimensional Navier–Stokes model.     

Synthesis of the Precursor of K252a and Its Analogs

A practical and efficient asymmetric synthesis of the key precursor furanose 3 for the synthesis of K252a and CEP-701 has been achieved in nine steps with an overall yield of 12.8% from (R)-methyl β-hydroxytetradecanoate 5, an industrial intermediate for production of orlistat.      

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Atroposelective Synthesis of Biaryls by C−H Activation and Intermolecular Coupling with Sterically Hindered Alkynes

Reported herein is the atroposelective synthesis of biaryl NH isoquinolones by Rh^III‐catalyzed C?H activation of benzamides and intermolecular [4+2] annulation for a broad scope of 2‐substituted 1‐alkynylnaphthalenes, as well as sterically hindered, symmetric diarylacetylenes. The axial chirality is constructed based on dynamic kinetic transformation of the alkyne in redox‐neutral annulation with benzamides, with alkyne insertion being stereodetermining. The reaction accommodates both benzamides and heteroaryl carboxamides and proceeds in excellent regioselectivity (if applicable) and enantioselectivities (average 91.8 % ee). An enantiomerically and diastereomerically pure rhodacyclic complex was prepared and offers insight into enantiomeric control of the coupling system, wherein the steric interactions between the amide directing group and the alkyne substrate dictate both the regio‐ and enantioselectivity.     

Counterion‐Dictated Self‐Cleaning Behavior of Polycation Coating upon Water Action: Macroscopic Dissection of Hydration of Anions

The counterions of polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDADMA) coatings were altered by incubation in aqueous solutions of different electrolytes. Oil de‐wetting on the resulting polycationic surfaces upon water action exhibited a straightforward connection with the Jones–Dole viscosity B‐coefficient (Bη) sign of surface counteranions. Upon water action, surface counteranions with negative Bη render PDADMA coatings oil‐adhering, but those with positive Bη furnish PDADMA coatings with excellent self‐cleaning. The oil‐adhering PDADMA surfaces can become self‐cleaning upon water action in response to the Bη of surface counteranions sign‐switching with increasing water temperature. Courtesy of surface counter‐anions with Bη>0, self‐cleaning PDADMA coatings enable not only conversion of conventional meshes into self‐cleaning membranes for oil/water separation, but also regioselective maneuver of oil flow on polycationic surfaces according to the Bη sign of surface counteranions patterned atop.     

Recent Progress in Commercial and Novel Catalysts for Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Light Alkanes

Catalytic dehydrogenation of light alkanes can effectively produce olefins and hydrogen. Even though Pt and CrO_x‐based catalysts are widely applied in industry, research to improve the activity and stability of these catalysts continued. This review summarizes important achievements obtained in recent years, focusing on the development of supports, promoters and preparation methods of Pt and CrO_x‐based catalysts, which mainly aimed to improve the dispersion of the active species and to enhance coke resistance. Furthermore, the high cost of Pt‐based catalysts and environmental problems encountered with CrO_x‐based catalysts have spurred the development of alternative catalysts. The dehydrogenation performances and characteristics of promising alternative VO_x‐, modified Ni‐ and Sn‐based catalysts are also reviewed. Comparison with the catalytic reforming process of naphtha further probes the necessity of catalyst acidity in these two different processes. The choice of the dehydrogenation reactor is discussed, and future perspectives and research directions are indicated.     

锂硫电池正极材料研究进展

电动汽车行业的迅速发展,逐步提高了对二次电池容量的要求,因此急需发展新型高容量锂电池。锂硫电池具有高理论比容量(1675mAh/g)和高理论比能量(2600Wh/kg),使其能够实现锂离子电池3~5倍的能量密度。但是,正极长链多硫化物溶解引起的容量衰减快、循环寿命短等因素限制了锂硫电池的实用化进程。本文针对正极聚硫锂溶解问题,从正极材料表面包覆、表面吸附、表面催化的角度对近年来提高锂硫电池循环性能的正极材料研究思路和研究进展进行综述,最后对提高锂硫电池性能的发展趋势提出展望。     

纳秒光场下原子团簇产生高离化Kr离子的激光波长效应

利用不同波长和光强的纳秒激光,对Kr原子团簇进行了激光电离的飞行时间质谱研究,观察到Kr高价离子价态显著地依赖于激光波长,当分别用波长为1064,532,355和266 nm的激光照射Kr原子团簇时,可分辨的离子最高价态分别为+17,+11,+4和+2价;然而离子价态与激光功率密度的依赖关系并不明显。实验结果支持多光子电离-逆轫致吸收加热-电子碰撞电离三步电离模型,表明电子碰撞电离是高价离子产生的主要途径。