Design of novel pentagonal 2D transitional-metal sulphide monolayers for hydrogen evolution reaction

Due to the unique properties and diverse applications, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been widely investigated in these years. In this work, a group of new pentagonal 2D transitional-metal sulphide monolayers (MS, M = Fe, Mn, and V) are designed based on density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations. We show that all three monolayer structures are thermally, dynamically and mechanically stable. We find that FeS, MnS and VS are metallic, and FeS and MnS are also magnetic, in which the magnetic moments are contributed by the Fe and Mn atoms, respectively. We further find that these MS monolayers show high activities for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) as the calculated Gibbs free energies are close to zero electron volt (eV), especially for FeS and VS. Our findings broaden the family of noble-metal-free two-dimensional materials, and also help to develop low cost commercial HER catalysts.     

Toughening and ablation mechanism of Si3N4 short fiber toughened ZrB2-based ceramics

ZrB₂-based ceramics with Si₃N₄ short fiber (ZSN) were prepared by wet-spinning extrusion and hot pressing. The toughness of ZSN was 5.6 MPa·m^1/2, which was 20% higher than that of monolithic ceramic (4.7 MPa·m^1/2). The ablation performance of ZSN was evaluated by air discharge plasma ablation platform with a heat flux of 8.04 MW/m² for 120 s. The mass and linear ablation rates of ZSN were − 0.19 mg/s and − 0.25 µm/s, respectively. The specimens of ZSN remained intact while monolithic ceramics exhibited destructive fracture. The better ablation performance of ZSN is attributed to the addition of Si₃N₄ short fiber which increased the fracture toughness, reduced the elastic modulus, and improved the thermal conductivity at high temperature.     

Prospecting the biofuel potential of new microalgae isolates

The continued search and urgent need for renewable fuel sources have necessitated the exploration of microalgae to identify relevant species for making biofuels. The aim of the study was bioprospecting and screening native microalgae strains from freshwater habitats of the Almaty region, Kazakhstan, to assess the potential for producing biofuel. The studied strains demonstrated simultaneous biomass productivity, lipid productivity, suitable fatty acid composition, and biodiesel properties. The sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer partial region and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) led to the identification of five microalgae: Monoraphidium griffithii ZBD-01, Nephrochlamys subsolitaria ZBD-02, Ankistrodesmus falcatus ZBD-03, Parachlorella kessleri ZBD-04, and Desmodesmus pannonicus ZBD-05. P. kessleri had the highest biomass production (1.42 ± 0.08 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹), lipid productivity (29 ± 1.2 g L⁻¹day⁻¹), and C₁₆–C₁₈ fatty acid contents (90%), followed by A. falcatus and M. griffithi. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the dominant fatty acids in these strains were palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids. The calculated biodiesel properties of P. kessleri and A. falcatus based on fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profiles showed relatively good fuel properties (cetane numbers - 48 and 50; iodine and saponification values - 83.4 and 103.6 g I₂/100 g oil, 260.8 and 199.5 mg KOH g⁻¹), which correlate well with. Our results suggest that P. kessleri and A. falcatus are promising strains for biodiesel production due to their high lipid productivity, fatty acid profile with relatively high content of oleic acid, and suitable biodiesel properties. The isolated native species of microalgae from natural freshwater bodies of the Almaty region present opportunities for further exploitation for the sustainable production of biomass and biodiesel.