Modeling and Performance Optimization of an Irreversible Two-Stage Combined Thermal Brownian Heat Engine

Based on finite time thermodynamics, an irreversible combined thermal Brownian heat engine model is established in this paper. The model consists of two thermal Brownian heat engines which are operating in tandem with thermal contact with three heat reservoirs. The rates of heat transfer are finite between the heat engine and the reservoir. Considering the heat leakage and the losses caused by kinetic energy change of particles, the formulas of steady current, power output and efficiency are derived. The power output and efficiency of combined heat engine are smaller than that of single heat engine operating between reservoirs with same temperatures. When the potential filed is free from external load, the effects of asymmetry of the potential, barrier height and heat leakage on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. When the potential field is free from external load, the effects of basic design parameters on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. The optimal power and efficiency are obtained by optimizing the barrier heights of two heat engines. The optimal working regions are obtained. There is optimal temperature ratio which maximize the overall power output or efficiency. When the potential filed is subjected to external load, effect of external load is analyzed. The steady current decreases versus external load; the power output and efficiency are monotonically increasing versus external load.     

Dehydration of Castor Oil over NaHSO4/MCM‐41 Catalyst Modified by n‐Dodecyltriethoxysilane

n‐Dodecyltriethoxysilane (DTEOS) modified NaHSO₄/MCM‐41 catalysts (silanized catalysts) were synthesized by different impregnation sequences and evaluated in the liquid‐phase dehydration of castor oil. The samples were evaluated by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption, SEM, TEM, FT‐IR spectroscopy, XPS, ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, NH₃‐TPD, and pyridine‐FT‐IR spectroscopy. The analyses demonstrated that silanization enhanced the hydrophobicity of the catalysts, and the impregnation sequence of silanized catalysts had a significant effect on the NaHSO₄ dispersion, surface area, acid distribution, and hydrophobicity of the silanized catalysts. The catalytic activity of the silanized catalysts was much higher than that of NaHSO₄/MCM‐41. Among the silanized catalysts, the catalyst prepared by simultaneous impregnation with DTEOS and NaHSO₄ showed the highest iodine value of 141.8 [g(I₂) per 100 g] and lowest hydroxyl value of 11.3 [mg(KOH) · g^–1].     

Site-selective Csp3-H aryloxylation of natural product Tanshinone IIA and its analogues

A novel catalyst-free Csp³-H aryloxylation approach allowing for rapid installation of a wide range of aryloxyl groups regioselectively at the C-4 position of Tanshinone IIA under simple and mild conditions was developed. This unique protocol exhibited atom-/step-economy, low cost, high efficiency and robust functional-group tolerance, which will greatly facilitate to diversify the A-ring of the bioactive natural product.     

A Potential Method Using Ge{iPrNC[N(SiMe3)2]NiPr}2, (Et3Si)2Te and Anhydrous Hydrazine for Germanium Tellurides

A germanium(II)‐guanidine derivative of formula Ge{iPrNC[N(SiMe₃)₂]NiPr}₂ ( 1 ) was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray diffraction method. Thermal property was also studied to identify its thermal stability and volatility. More importantly, compound 1 was synthesized to develop a new method for germanium tellurides, where anhydrous hydrazine was introduced to prompt the activity of germanium(II) guanidines (or derivatives) towards (Et₃Si)₂Te. Solution reaction of compound 1 , (Et₃Si)₂Te, and anhydrous hydrazine was investigated to pre‐identify the feasibility of this combination for ALD process. The EDS data of the black precipitate from this reaction verified the potential of this method to manufacture germanium tellurides.     

Lead-free Perovskite Materials (NH4)3Sb2IxBr9−x

A family of perovskite light absorbers (NH₄)₃Sb₂I_xBr_9−x (0≤x≤9) was prepared. These materials show good solubility in ethanol, a low-cost, hypotoxic, and environmentally friendly solvent. The light absorption of (NH₄)₃Sb₂I_xBr_9−x films can be tuned by adjusting I and Br content. The absorption onset for (NH₄)₃Sb₂I_xBr_9−x films changes from 558 nm to 453 nm as x changes from 9 to 0. (NH₄)₃Sb₂I₉ single crystals were prepared, exhibiting a hole mobility of 4.8 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and an electron mobility of 12.3 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. (NH₄)₃Sb₂I₉ solar cells gave an open-circuit voltage of 1.03 V and a power conversion efficiency of 0.51 %.     

Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid Using a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Platinum–Nickel Alloy Glassy Carbon Electrode

Platinum–nickel nanoparticles were synthesized by a reduction procedure. The Pt–Ni/C composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical analysis. The measurements show that the Pt–Ni/multiwalled carbon nanotubes provided higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of uric acid than Pt–Ni/carbon black. The sensor prepared from the characterized material provided a long linear dynamic range from 0.1 to 240.4?µM with a detection limit of 0.03?µM and a sensitivity of 41.21?µA?mM^?1?cm^?2. The reported modified electrode also provided excellent selectivity, good stability, and satisfactory reproducibility for the determination of uric acid.     

Review: Separation and Pharmacology of Chiral Compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicine

More than 60% commonly used pharmaceutical active ingredients are chiral compounds. Developing more effective and safe chiral compounds has become a focus in the pharmaceutical industry. Chiral compounds widely exist in traditional Chinese medicine and include alkaloids, flavonoids, volatile oils, and amino acids. The characterization of chiral compounds used in traditional Chinese medicine remains limited. Here, the characterization of chiral compounds commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine is reviewed focusing upon their separation and pharmacology.     

An isothermal strand displacement amplification strategy for nucleic acids using junction forming probes and colorimetric detection

The authors describe a method for DNA target recognition and signal amplification that is based on the target-induced formation of a three way junction. The subsequent assembly of two DNA probes releases the inhibitory strand and triggers a downstream strand displacement amplification. This causes the formation of a G-rich single sequence that binds to a hemin monomer with its peroxidase-mimicking properties. The resulting peroxidase (POx) activity is quantified by using H₂O₂ and TMB as the substrate. In the presence of an inhibitor, in contrast, the POx-like activity is strongly reduced. This forms the basis for a highly sensitive DNA assay. It has a 0.8 pM detection limit when operated at a wavelength of 450 nm and was applied to the isothermal determination of target DNA with high selectivity.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of the assay: Introduction of target results in the formation of a three way junction. The subsequent assembly of two probes releases the inhibitory strand and triggers a downstream strand displacement amplification, generating amount of G-rich single sequence which causes peroxidase-mimicking activity on binding to a hemin monomer.

     

Acid–base and coordination properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meso</Emphasis>-substituted porphyrins in nonaqueous solutions

Acid–base and coordination properties of alkyl and aryl meso-substituted porphyrins are studied spectrophotometrically in nonaqueous solutions. It is found that the nature of the substituent greatly affects the basicity of ligands for porphyrins characterized by a flat structure of macrocycle. The electronic effects of substituents have a much weaker influence on the kinetics of complexing. These effects could be due to the opposite orientation of some factors: an increase in the basicity and stability of the N–H bonds of porphyrin reaction centers. Dissociation constants pK _b of the cationic forms of meso-substituted derivatives of porphyrin are measured. The values of pK _b are in good agreement with classic concepts of the nature of substituents, particularly those indirectly included in the macrocycle through phenyl buffer rings.     

亚微米级Cu0/Fe3O4复合物多相催化过一硫酸盐降解有机污染物

过一硫酸盐催化活化技术因其可产生强氧化性活性氧化物种,可快速氧化降解并矿化有机污染物的优异性能而备受关注.本文成功制备了亚微米级Cu0/Fe3O4复合物,发现其能多相催化过一硫酸盐产生单线态氧降解有机污染物.首先,以CuCl2·2H2O,FeCl2·4H2O和FeCl3·6H2O为铜源和铁源,水合肼为还原剂,采用水热法在180oC反应24 h制备了亚微米级磁性Cu0/Fe3O4复合物.表征结果显示,所制材料为Cu0和Fe3O4的复合物,颗粒大小约为220 nm;单一相Cu0和Fe3O4晶体粒径分别为33.8和106.2 nm,而Cu0/Fe3O4复合物中Cu0和Fe3O4晶体粒径分别减为20.8和31.9 nm.这表明Cu0和Fe3O4复合降低了Cu0和Fe3O4晶体粒径,有利于Cu0和Fe3O4的分散.BET测试结果表明,Cu0/Fe3O4复合物比表面积为4.6 m2/g,与Cu0颗粒的(4.2 m2/g)相当,但远小于Fe3O4的(15.6 m2/g).制备的Cu0/Fe3O4复合物可有效催化过一硫酸盐产生单线态氧降解罗丹明B、亚甲基蓝、金橙II、苯酚和对氯酚.当Cu0/Fe3O4复合物的用量为0.1 g/L,过一硫酸盐浓度为0.5 mmol/L和初始pH为7时,Cu0/Fe3O4复合物可在30 min内完全降解20μmol/L的罗丹明B、亚甲基蓝、金橙II以及0.1 mmol/L的苯酚和对氯酚.对比试验显示,在相同条件下,Cu0和Fe3O4颗粒分别可以降解28%和20%的罗丹明B.这表明Cu0/Fe3O4复合物中的Cu0和Fe3O4晶体在催化过一硫酸盐降解污染物的反应中具有协同作用,这主要来源于Cu0/Fe3O4复合物中Cu0和Fe3O4的晶体粒径变小和更好的分散.采用分光光度法测定了降解反应液中铜和铁离子的溶出量.当Cu0/Fe3O4复合物的用量为0.1 g/L,过一硫酸盐浓度为0.5 mmol/L和初始pH为7时,反应60 min后,降解液中铜和铁离子的浓度分别为0.22和0.1 mg/L,仅占复合物中总铜和总铁量的1.1%和0.2%,表明Cu0/Fe3O4复合物具有较强的化学稳定性.所制Cu0/Fe3O4复合物具有超顺磁性,借助磁场实现快速分离回收,可循环利用五次,表明其优越的催化稳定性.通过加入乙醇和叠氮化钠,考察了Cu0/Fe3O4复合物催化活化过一硫酸盐体系中的活性氧化物种.发现100 mmol/L乙醇的加入对污染物的降解无明显影响,而加入同等量的叠氮化钠可完全抑制污染物的降解,表明Cu0/Fe3O4复合物催化活化过一硫酸盐产生的主要活性氧物种为单线态氧.采用电子顺磁共振谱进一步证实了单线态氧的生成.基于以上研究,Cu0/Fe3O4复合物催化活化过一硫酸盐的机理为Cu0/Fe3O4作为一个电子媒介加速过一硫酸盐和污染物之间的电子转移,从而导致污染物被快速降解.该反应机理不同于常见的金属催化过一硫酸盐产生硫酸根和羟自由基的反应机理.我们推测,电导性优良的Cu0在此催化反应中起着关键性作用.本催化方法可作为一种绿色的氧化技术用于环境污染物的氧化降解处理.