Selection of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries

Flexible zinc–air batteries attract more attention due to their high energy density, safety, environmental protection, and low cost. However, the traditional aqueous electrolyte has the disadvantages of leakage and water evaporation, which cannot meet application demand of flexible zinc–air batteries. Hydrogels possessing good conductivity and mechanical properties become a candidate as the electrolytes of flexible zinc–air batteries. In this work, advances in aspects of conductivity, mechanical toughness, environmental adaptability, and interfacial compatibility of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries are investigated. First, the additives to improve conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes are summarized. Second, the measures to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogels are taken by way of structure optimization and composition modification. Third, the environmental adaptability of hydrogel electrolytes is listed in terms of temperature, humidity, and air composition. Fourth, the compatibility of electrolyte–electrode interface is discussed from physical properties of hydrogels. Finally, the prospect for development and application of hydrogels is put forward.     

硫化天然橡胶物理松弛时间的测量

硫化天然橡胶物理松弛时间的测量裘怿明刘从伟时锋傅政（青岛化工学院橡胶工程学院青岛２６６０４２）关键词硫化天然橡胶，应力松弛速率，数值计算方法，曲线拟合高分子热运动的特点之一是存在松弛现象，通常，人们描述高分子材料的松驰速度采用松驰时间τ［１］．实际...     

Membrane introduction mass spectrometry

An overview of membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) is presented and comparisons are made with other direct sample introduction techniques. Special attention is given to the unique advantages and the limitations of newer variants on the MIMS technique, including affinity MIMS, reverse-phase and trap MIMS. The salient features of the interfaces used in MIMS are summarized and the various membrane materials commonly used are delineated. The applicability of MIMS is illustrated via discussion of

1. (i) bioreactor monitoring (represented by yeast fermentation),

2. (ii) environmental monitoring (illustrated by analysis of contaminated ground water samples) and

3. (iii) on-line chemical reaction monitoring (exemplified by the photolysis of aryl esters).

The applicability of MIMS to the analysis of environmental samples, including complex mixtures in water, air and soil, is noted.     

Determination of anions in rainwater by capillary electrophoresis with conductivity detection

A routine method for the determination of chloride, nitrate and sulfate anions in rainwater by capillary electrophoresis was developed. The system uses an end-column non-suppressed conductivity detector. Linear calibration plots were generated from 0.050 to 20 mg/l, which is the range generally found in wet depositions. Accuracy and precision were evaluated by analyzing certified standards of simulated rainwater and environmental samples, or by comparing CE results with those obtained by IC, the reference technique for anion analysis in wet deposition. The reproducibility of the method was satisfactory except at the lower and upper limits of the analytical range. Sensitivity lay in the range of few μg/l.     

Screen-printed electrochemical hybridization biosensor for the detection of DNA sequences from the Escherichia coli pathogen

An electrochemical biosensor for the specific detection of short DNA sequences from the E. coli pathogen is described. This hybridization device relies on the immobilization of a 25-mer oligonucleotide probe, from the E. coli lacZ gene, onto a screen-printed carbon electrode. Chronopotentiometric detection of the Co(bpy)₃⁺³ indicator is used for monitoring the hybridization event. Numerous variables of the assay protocol, including those of the probe immobilization step, the hybridization event, and the indicator association/detection, are characterized and optimized. Hybridization times of 2- and 30-min are sufficient for detecting 300- and 50 ng/mL, respectively, of the E. coli DNA target. Applicability to analysis of untreated environmental water samples is illustrated. Such single-use electrochemical sensors hold great promise for decentralized environmental and food testing for the E. coli pathogen.     

Electroanalytical sensors for nonconducting media based on electrodes supported on perfluorinated ion-exchange membranes

Electroanalytical sensors, suitable for the analysis and monitoring of electroactive analytes present in gaseous phase or low-conductive liquid media, and based on electrodes in close contact with perfluorinated ion-exchange polymers are reviewed. The basic operative mechanism of these sensors, in which ion-exchange polymers act as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE's), is thoroughly discussed, while stressing the fundamental reasons why their behavior differs from that of conventional membrane electrodes. The procedures for preparing composite working electrodes by coating one side of ion-exchange membranes with stable porous films of conductive materials are described, along with the most common strategies followed to assemble this type of sensors. Useful examples of measurements in electrolyte-free media of inorganic and organic electroactive species of interest mainly for environmental analysis are given. Future prospects for the development of these sensors are also discussed.     

Transport and Fate of Organic Compounds in the Global Environment

The role of chemistry in our soon-to-be global industrial society requires a global perspective for the discussion of the uptake, transport, and conversion of chemical compounds in the environment. The fate of organic compounds in the volume flow of the atmosphere and hydrosphere can be categorized into transport pathways and adjustments of equilibria in the multiphase system atmosphere-oceans-land surface. The global volume flow in the atmosphere (wind, areas of high and low pressure) and in the hydrosphere (rivers, circulation of water in lakes, ocean currents) alone would account for the transport of organic compounds if they were stable and if all these compounds were molecularly distributed in these phases. However, this particular case is observed only for volatile chlorofluorocarbons and tetrachloromethane. For most organic compounds, complex adsorption/desorption processes on finely dispersed particle phases in the air and water as well as abiotic and biotic transformations determine the transport behavior. The global fate of a compound includes its accumulation as well as its decomposition in defined environmental compartments. Both phenomenon may have long-term consequences in the af-fected areas; this is indicated by the accumulation of polychlorobiphenyls and analogous compounds in marine mammals and deep-sea fauna, and is evident in the decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere. The accepted definition of the level of a risk, the product of the probability of an event and the potential amount of damage, takes on a new dimension when viewed from a global perspective-especially when one further connects the extent of the damage to the possible means of correction. It is the responsibility of scientists to point out the irreparable regional to global consequences directly and indirectly connected to the production of chemicals and to provide suggestions for prevention. Politicians can only react by applying their methods to limit the damage; however, they cannot generate any solutions based on science.     

Determination of fluorinated surfactants and their metabolites in sewage sludge samples by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry after pressurised liquid extraction and separation on fluorine-modified reversed-phase sorbents

An analytical method was elaborated for simultaneous extraction and determination of fluorinated anionic and non-ionic surfactants in sewage sludge. Surfactant compounds were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) after Soxhlet extraction, hot steam extraction and pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) using spiked sludge samples. PLE in a multiple-step procedure consisting of sequential use of ethyl acetate-dimethylformamide and methanol-phosphoric acid resulted in the most efficient extraction procedure. Quantitative analyses of the fluorinated anionic perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and the partly fluorinated non-ionic alkylpolyglycol ether (FAEO) surfactants were performed by selected ion monitoring LC-MS. Electrospray ionisation or atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in negative or positive mode was performed. Recoveries between 105 and 120% could be reached. No PFOS and non-ionic FAEO surfactants in concentrations higher than 6 or 10 mg kg(-1) dry matter were observed in real environmental samples. Therefore aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation was performed to investigate the fate of fluorinated surfactants reaching wastewaters. Biological wastewater treatment in laboratory scale under aerobic or anaerobic conditions led to an elimination by biodegradation.     

Determination of Naphthalenesulfonate Isomers in Industrial Effluents and River Water by Solid‐Phase Extraction and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis

This work presents a method to separate polar naphthalenesulfonate (NS) isomers by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with ultraviolet detection in industrial effluents and river water samples. The method involves extraction of samples by a polystyrene‐divinylbenzene copolymer (PS‐DVB) solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. The most effective CZE separation conditions were obtained in 20 mM borate buffer with 30% acetonitrile at pH 9.0 and 30 °C. The method proposed herein provides a high precision and sensitivity for NS isomers, to quantitation at ≤ 1.0 μg/L in 200 mL of the water samples. Recovery of the NS isomers in spiked water samples ranged from 73% to 87% while RSD ranging from 5.6 to 9.7%. The analysis of industrial effluents and river water samples was performed and naphthalene‐2‐sulfonate was found as a major pollutant. The difficulties in quantitating and identifying analytes in complex environmental samples can be resolved by using an internal standard response factor to calculate concentrations and relative migration times for peak confirmation.     

多方位做好实验辅助提升教学质量

以实验技术人员的视角,从不同实验环节出发,全面总结实验辅助工作,并提炼为实验辅助大三部曲和小三部曲。该方面的工作体系源于实验室开设的"化学生物学综合实验",反哺了实验室多门实验课程,取得了良好的效果,促进了实验教学质量的提升,同时也为环境育人创造了有利的条件。