Sandwich-like Catalyst–Carbon–Catalyst Trilayer Structure as a Compact 2D Host for Highly Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Herein, we propose the construction of a sandwich-structured host filled with continuous 2D catalysis–conduction interfaces. This MoN-C-MoN trilayer architecture causes the strong conformal adsorption of S/Li₂S_x and its high-efficiency conversion on the two-sided nitride polar surfaces, which are supplied with high-flux electron transfer from the buried carbon interlayer. The 3D self-assembly of these 2D sandwich structures further reinforces the interconnection of conductive and catalytic networks. The maximized exposure of adsorptive/catalytic planes endows the MoN-C@S electrode with excellent cycling stability and high rate performance even under high S loading and low host surface area. The high conductivity of this trilayer texture does not compromise the capacity retention after the S content is increased. Such a job-synergistic mode between catalytic and conductive functions guarantees the homogeneous deposition of S/Li₂S_x, and avoids thick and devitalized accumulation (electrode passivation) even after high-rate and long-term cycling.     

A post curing strategy toward the feasible covalent adaptable networks in polyacrylate latex films

The implementation of covalent adaptable networks (CANs) in general resin system is becoming attractive. In this work, we propose a simple post-curing strategy based on the core-shell structured acrylate latex for the achievement on both the improved general performance and the CANs characteristics in latex films. The building to the CANs was relied on the introduction of 4,4′-diaminophenyl disulfide as the curing agent, which cured the acetoacetoxy decorated shell polymer through the ketoamine reaction. The metathesis reaction of aromatic disulfides in the crosslinking segments enabled the thermally induced dynamic behavior of the network as revealed in the stress relaxation tests by comparison with other diamine crosslinking agents without the incorporation of disulfide. The synergism of the dynamic crosslinking of the shell polymer and static crosslinking in the core polymer contributed to the improved mechanical strength (15 MPa, strain% = 250%) and the suppressed water adsorption (~1% in 24 h of soaking) of the latex film, which exhibited above 90% of recovery in both strength and strain from a cut-off film damage within 1 h at 80°C. Moreover, the cured latex film could be recycled, and 75% of the mechanical performance was regained after three fragmentation-hot-pressing cycles. These, in addition with the feasible and environmental friendly characteristics, suggest a sustainable paradigm toward the smart thermosetting latex polymers.     

A Promising MoO_x-based Catalyst for n-Heptane Isomerization

The increasing demand for higher-octane gasoline and the regulations limiting the amount of aromatics in the fuel motivate the interest in catalytic isomerization of n-alkanes. In the last ten years, transition metal oxides or oxycarbides based on molybdenum or tungstate have attracted much attention due to their high activity and isomerization selectivity compared to the conventional bifunctional supported platinum catalyst and high resistance to sulphur and nitrogen catalyst poisons1-5. Ma…     

Sorption Behaviour of Molybdenum on Different Antimonates Ion Exchangers

Various antimonate compounds are well known as important inorganic ion exchangers, since they resist radiation and chemical degradation and also exhibit selectivities towards different cations. Ceric, silicon, titanium and ferric antimonates were prepared as inorganic ion exchangers. Characterization of these materials has been described using different techniques, including thermal analysis, surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction and IR-spectroscopy. In batch distribution experiments the influence of HNO₃ molarity and Mo concentration for Mo sorption on different matrices is described in terms of their retention capacities and distribution coefficients.The selectivities of these exchangers towards molybdenum are in the order: CeSb > SiSb > FeSb > TiSb.     

1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic study of oxidation of D,L‐cystine and 3,3′‐dithiobis(propionic acid) with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution

The oxidation of symmetrical disulfides [D ,L ‐cystine ( 1 ) and 3,3′‐dithiobis(propionic acid) ( 2 )] with hydrogen peroxide in D₂O–NaOH solution (pH 10–11) was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Assignments of the proton and carbon NMR signals of starting materials ( 1 and 2 ) and products of oxidation are based on conventional 1D NMR methods (DEPT, selective spin decoupling). Formation of C—S bond cleavage products or, in case of 2 , partially oxidized intermediates was not detected. The accelerating effect of Cu²⁺ cations, but not Fe³⁺ cations, on the oxidation rate of 1 in basic medium was demonstrated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetic Studies of Electrochemical Oxidation of 1,3-Benzenedithiol

The electrochemical oxidation of 1, 3-benzenedithiol was investigated in a 0. 100 mol/L tetrabutylammonium perchlorate/acetonitrile electrolyte. The electrochemical techniques used were potential sweep, bulk electrolysis, rotating disc and the potential step method. The combination of the techniques yielded the number of electrons transferred per molecule, the reaction order, the transfer coefficient, the diffusion coefficient and concentration of dithiol anions, the standard heterogeneous rate constant as well as the formal potential and equilibrium constant of the preceeding dissociation reaction. This paper also illustrates the methods for studying the electrode kinetics of reactions which (a) involve a chemical reaction preceeding the electron-transfer process, (b) have insoluble polymer products, and (c) are totally irreversible.     

Synthesis of cyclic mono- and bis-disulfides and their selective conversion to mono- and bis-thiosulfinates

Twelve-membered ring pseudopeptidic cyclic disulfides have been prepared by iodine oxidation of the parent dithiols. However, oxidation of N,N′-(1,2-phenylene)bis(2-mercapto-2-methylpropanamide) afforded a 25/75 mixture of cyclic mono- and bis-disulfides that were separated by selective precipitation in CHCl₃. The cyclic bis-disulfide was selectively prepared by iodine oxidation of the Ni complex of this dithiol and crystallized. Its crystal structure was solved by X-ray diffraction. All these cyclic mono- or bis-disulfides were selectively converted to cyclic mono- and bis-thiosulfinates upon stoichiometric oxidation with dimethyldioxirane at low temperature. ¹H NMR of the cyclic bis-thiosulfinate revealed the presence of four isomers, two couples of stereoisomers, as expected from the insertion of two oxygen atoms in this compound, one on each disulfide bond. The two couples of cis/trans isomers were separated by preparative TLC and identified after alkaline cleavage of the two S(O)-S bonds and metalation with Ni(II). As HO⁻ attack is selective for the sulfinyl sulfur, the nature of the Ni complexes obtained is a signature of each couple of stereoisomers.     

Novel radical‐responsive MRI contrast agent based on paramagnetic liposomes

A novel, radical responsive MRI contrast agent based on a gadolinium chelate conjugated to a liposome through a disulfide linker was synthesized, with the aim of pursuing the in vivo mapping of radicals. The liposome was prepared by incorporating a thiol‐activated phospholipid, which was subsequently reacted with a gadolinium chelate containing a free thiol group. The long reorientational motion of the supramolecular adduct endows the paramagnetic agent with a relaxivity significantly higher than that of the free complex. The disulfide bond represents a radical‐sensitive moiety and a large decrease in contrast efficacy (T₁ relaxivity) is shown upon its cleavage. A preliminary assessment of the system was made by means of in vitro gamma‐irradiation and thiol–disulfide bond exchange with dithiothreitol. Both methods showed a clear dose‐dependent decrease in T₁‐relaxivity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvothermal Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide Hollow Spheres Modified by Cyanex 301 in Water–Ethanol Medium

Hollow spherical molybdenum disulfide has been successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using Cyanex 301 as sulfur source and modification agent. The hollow spheres are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis. The influences of reaction conditions are also discussed while a mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of the peculiar morphology.