Au/TiO2 nanotube catalysts prepared by combining sol–gel method with hydrothermal treatment and their catalytic properties for CO oxidation

A new preparation method for Au/TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) by combing sol–gel with hydrothermal treatment technique was developed. The TiO₂ NTs calcined at 300 °C were nearly uniform, and the gold particles were distributed homogeneously. The possible formation mechanism was suggested. The 5 % Au/TiO₂ NTs calcined at 300 °C had the best catalytic activity for CO oxidation, and their conversion of CO remained at 100 % during 60 h on stream. This preparation method could improve the thermal stability of Au/TiO₂ nanotube catalysts.     

苏丹红猝灭吖啶染料荧光的动力学研究

在体积分数95%乙醇介质中,吖啶黄、吖啶橙的荧光发射波长与苏丹红染料的吸收波长十分接近。实验数据表明,随着苏丹红I~IV用量的增加,溶液中吖啶黄、吖啶橙荧光发射强度明显降低,其荧光猝灭程度与苏丹红用量成正比。动力学研究表明苏丹红I,II与吖啶黄或吖啶橙之间可形成非共价复合物,从而发生静态荧光猝灭;而苏丹红III,IV猝灭吖啶黄或吖啶橙则表现为一种复杂的动力学特点,可能同时存在静态荧光猝灭与动态猝灭。     

羟基磷灰石/聚乙烯醇/壳聚糖水凝胶在模拟体液中的力学性能

从仿生学角度出发,将自制的人工角膜支架材料羟基磷灰石/聚乙烯醇/壳聚糖(n-HA/PVA/CS)浸泡在模拟体液中,对材料的含水率及力学性能进行了测试,并利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射仪、电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪及热重分析仪研究了材料在模拟体液中的形貌、晶体结构、元素组成及热稳定性.结果表明,在模拟体液中,n-HA/PVA/CS复合水凝胶的含水率为80%~86%,具有较高的拉伸强度,能承受正常眼压,且热稳定性较好.在浸泡后期,n-HA/CS/PVA复合材料对Ca2+的吸附和释放达到动态平衡;而其表面含有微量的纳米羟基磷灰石沉积,有利于纤维细胞的长入.     

Constructing a Super-Saturated Electrolyte Front Surface for Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (RAZB) have been re-evaluated because of the superiority in addressing safety and cost concerns. Nonetheless, the limited lifespan arising from dendritic electrodeposition of metallic Zn hinders their further development. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF) was constructed as front surface layer to maintain a super-saturated electrolyte layer on the Zn anode. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the highly coordinated ion complexes migrating through the MOF channels were different from the solvation structure in bulk electrolyte. Benefiting from the unique super-saturated front surface, symmetric Zn cells survived up to 3000 hours at 0.5 mA cm⁻², near 55-times that of bare Zn anodes. Moreover, aqueous MnO₂–Zn batteries delivered a reversible capacity of 180.3 mAh g⁻¹ and maintained a high capacity retention of 88.9 % after 600 cycles with MnO₂ mass loading up to 4.2 mg cm⁻².     

Molten-Salt-Assisted Synthesis of Bismuth Nanosheets for Long-term Continuous Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to Formate

Two-dimensional (2D) monometallic pnictogens (antimony or Sb, and bismuth or Bi) nanosheets demonstrate potential in a variety of fields, including quantum devices, catalysis, biomedicine and energy, because of their unique physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties. However, the development of general and high-efficiency preparative routes toward high-quality pnictogen nanosheets is challenging. A general method involving a molten-salt-assisted aluminothermic reduction process is reported for the synthesis of Sb and Bi nanosheets in high yields (>90 %). Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction was investigated on the Bi nanosheets, and high catalytic selectively to formate was demonstrated with a considerable current density at a low overpotential and an impressive stability. Bi nanosheets continuously convert CO₂ into formate in a flow cell operating for one month, with a yield rate of 787.5 mmol cm⁻² h⁻¹. Theoretical results suggest that the edge sites of Bi are far more active than the terrace sites.     

Metal–Organic Framework Membrane Nanopores as Biomimetic Photoresponsive Ion Channels and Photodriven Ion Pumps

Biological ion channels and ion pumps with sub-nanometer sizes modulate ion transport in response to external stimuli. Realizing such functions with sub-nanometer solid-state nanopores has been an important topic with wide practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a biomimetic photoresponsive ion channel and photodriven ion pump using a porphyrin-based metal–organic framework membrane with pore sizes comparable to hydrated ions. We show that the molecular-size pores enable precise and robust optoelectronic ion transport modulation in a broad range of concentrations, unparalleled with conventional solid-state nanopores. Upon decoration with platinum nanoparticles to form a Schottky barrier photodiode, photovoltage across the membrane is generated with “uphill” ion transport from low concentration to high concentration. These results may spark applications in energy conversion, ion sieving, and artificial photosynthesis.     

Single-Carbon-Fiber-Powered Microsensor for In Vivo Neurochemical Sensing with High Neuronal Compatibility

The development of new principles and techniques with high neuronal compatibility for quantitatively monitoring the dynamics of neurochemicals is essential for deciphering brain chemistry and function but remains a great challenge. We herein report a neuron-compatible method for in vivo neurochemical sensing by powering a single carbon fiber through spontaneous bipolar electrochemistry as a new sensing platform. By using ascorbic acid as a model target to prove the concept, we found that the single-carbon-fiber-powered microsensor exhibited a good response, high stability and, more importantly, excellent neuronal compatibility. The microsensor was also highly compatible with electrophysiological recording, thus enabling the synchronous recording of both chemical and electrical signals. The sensing principle could be developed for in vivo monitoring of various neurochemicals in the future by rationally designing and tuning the electrochemical reactions at the two poles of the carbon fiber.     

SO_4~(2-)功能化处理对Fe_2O_3催化剂上氨选择性催化还原NO_x性能的促进机理研究

采用沉淀法制备了Fe(OH)_3和Fe_2O_3。通过硫酸化处理得到SO_4~(2-)/Fe(OH)_3和SO_4~(2-)/Fe_2O_3两种催化剂,并将其应用于氨选择性催化还原NO_x(NH_3-SCR)反应,研究了SO_4~(2-)功能化处理对Fe_2O_3催化剂上NH_3-SCR脱硝性能的促进机理。结果表明,与纯的Fe_2O_3相比,硫酸化处理得到的催化剂上SCR活性得到显著提升;其中,SO_4~(2-)/Fe(OH)_3表现出更加优异的催化性能,在250-450℃时NO_x转化率高于80%,且具有优异的稳定性和抗H_2O+SO_2性能。XRD、Raman、TG、FT-IR、H_2-TPR、NH_3-TPD和in situ DRIFTS等表征结果显示,硫酸功能化处理能抑制Fe_2O_3的晶粒生长,同时SO_4~(2-)与Fe~(3+)结合形成硫酸盐复合物,提高了催化剂表面酸性位点的数量和酸强度,抑制了Fe_2O_3上的氨氧化反应,从而提高了其脱硝催化性能。     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long-term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT-66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT-66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

高碳铬铁在氢氧化钠水溶液中电化学氧化过程

铬铁电化学氧化法是一种新的制备铬酸钠的方法,然而高碳铬铁在NaOH水溶液中的电化学氧化过程尚不明确。 采用循环伏安法(CV)、稳态极化法(LSV)等电化学测试方法对金属铬、高碳铬铁在NaOH水溶液中的电化学氧化过程进行研究,通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、能量散射谱(EDS)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)对高碳铬铁电解后固相产物表征,判断固相产物的组成。 结果表明,高碳铬铁不同于金属铬的电氧化过程,它在NaOH溶液中通过Cr(0)→Cr(Ⅵ)的电氧化方式生成铬酸钠,中间产物Cr(OH)₃和Fe(0)发生电化学反应生成稳定的FeCr₂O₄。 随着NaOH浓度的增加,电势较低时,受高碳铬铁中Fe(0)的影响,高碳铬铁容易在NaOH水溶液中发生钝化;当电势足够正时,钝化膜溶解,生成铬酸钠、氢氧化铁和亚铬酸亚铁,同时,阳极表面有氧气析出。 高碳铬铁电化学氧化制备铬酸钠的适宜条件:碱浓度≥2 mol/L,阳极电势≥1.6 V(vs.SCE)。