Effect of the ZIF‐8 Distribution in Mixed‐Matrix Membranes Based on Matrimid® 5218‐PEG on CO2 Separation

In theory, the combination of inorganic materials and polymers may provide a synergistic performance for mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs); however, the filler dispersion into the MMMs is a crucial technical parameter for obtaining compelling MMMs. The effect of the filler distribution on the gas separation performance of the MMMs based on Matrimid®‐PEG 200 and ZIF‐8 nanoparticles is demonstrated. The MMMs were prepared by two different membrane preparation procedures, namely, the traditional method and non‐dried metal‐organic framework (MOF) method. In CO₂/CH₄ binary mixtures, the MMMs were tested under fixed conditions and characterized by various methods. Finally, regardless of the MMM preparation procedure, the incorporation of 30 wt % ZIF‐8 nanoparticles allowed to increase the CO₂ permeability in MMMs. The ZIF‐8 dispersion influenced significantly the separation factor.     

Pure and complex nanostructures using poly[bis(triiso‐propylsilylethynyl) benzodithiophene‐bis(decyltetradecyl‐thien) naphthobisthiadiazole], carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide for high‐performance polymer solar cells

Crystallization of poly[bis(triiso‐propylsilylethynyl) benzodithiophene‐bis(decyltetradecyl‐thien) naphthobisthiadiazole] (PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT) was investigated in supramolecules based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and their grafted derivatives. The principal peaks of PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT crystals were in the range 3.50°–3.75°. By grafting the surface of the carbonic materials, the assembling of polymer chains decreased because of hindrance of poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) (PDDT) grafts against π‐stacking. The diameters of CNT/polymer and CNT‐g‐PDDT/polymer supramolecules were 160 and 100 nm. The rGO/polymer supramolecules had the highest melting point (T_m = 282 °C) and fusion enthalpy (ΔH_m = 25.98 J g^?1), reflecting the largest crystallites and the most ordered constituents. Nano‐hybrids based on grafted rGO (276 °C and 28.26 J g^?1), CNT (275 °C and 27.32 J g^?1) and grafted CNT (268 °C and 22.17 J g^?1) were also analyzed. T_m and ΔH_m values were significantly less in corresponding melt‐grown systems. The nanostructures were incorporated in active layers of PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT:phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) solar cells to improve the photovoltaic features. The best results were detected for PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT:PC₇₁BM:rGO/polymer systems having J_sc = 13.11 mA cm^?2, fill factor 60% and V_oc = 0.71 V with an efficacy of 5.58%. On grafting the rGO and CNT, efficiency reductions were 12.01% (5.58%–4.91%) and 9.34% (4.07%–3.69%), respectively. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comb-shaped diblock copolystyrene for anion exchange membranes

To improve the properties of diblock copolystyrene-based anion exchange membranes (AEMs), a series of AEMs with comb-shaped quaternary ammonium (QA) architecture (QA-PS_m-b-PDVPPA_n-xC where x denotes the number of carbon atoms in different alkyl tail chains and has values of 1, 4, 8, and 10 and C denotes carbon) were designed and synthesized via subsequent quaternization reactions with three different alkyl halogens (methyl iodide and N-alkane bromines (CH₃[CH₂] _x-1Br where x = 4, 8, and 10). Compared with triblock analogues quaternized with methyl iodide in our previous research, QA-PS_m-b-PDVPPA_n-xC (x = 4, 8, and 10) AEMs are more flexible with the introduction of a long alkyl tail chain; this probably impedes crystallization of the rigid polystyrene-based main chain and induces sterically adjustable ionic association. An increase in the pendant alkyl tail chain length generally led to enhanced microphase separation of the obtained AEMs, and this was confirmed using small-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy. The highest conductivity (25.5 mS cm⁻¹) was observed for QA-PS₁₂₀-b-PDVPPA₈₀-10C (IEC = 1.94 meq g^–1) at 20 °C. Furthermore, the water uptake (<30%) and swelling ratio (<13.1%) of QA-PS_m-b-PDVPPA_n-xC AEMs are less than half of these corresponding values for their triblock counterparts. The QA-PS₁₂₀-b-PDVPPA₈₀-10C membrane retained a maximum stability that was as high as 86.8% of its initial conductivity after a 40-day test (10 M NaOH, 80 °C), and this was probably because of the steric shielding of the cationic domains that were surrounded by the longest alkyl tail chains. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47370.     

Fabrication of BSCF-based mixed ionic-electronic conducting membrane by electrophoretic deposition for oxygen separation application

Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF), which exhibits a high mixed oxide ionic-electronic conduction, was used for the fabrication of an oxygen separation membrane. An asymmetric structure, which was a thin and dense BSCF membrane layer supported on a porous BSCF substrate, was fabricated by the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD). Porous BSCF supports were prepared by the uniaxial pressing method using a powder mixture with BSCF and starch as the pore-forming agent (0–50 wt.%). The sintering behaviors of the porous support and the thin layer were separately characterized by dilatometry to determine the co-fired temperature at which cracking did not occur. A crack-free and thin dense membrane layer, which had about a 15 μm thickness and >95% relative density, was obtained after optimizing the processes of EPD and sintering. The dense/porous interface was well-bonded and the oxygen permeation flux was 2.5 ml (STP) min⁻¹ cm^-2 at 850 °C.     

Cu2O nanowires based p-n homojunction photocathode for improved current density and hydrogen generation through solar-water splitting

Hydrogen generation through solar-water splitting is expected to address the global energy crisis by providing a source for a safer and sustainable alternative fuel. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of Cu₂O nanowires and show that the magnetic field could influence the nanowires’ distribution and alignment. Orientation of nanowires was observed to become more inclined towards the magnetic field lines as the values of full-width at half maximum decreased from 140° to 46.2° with the increase in the field strength. Crystallographic, morphological, optoelectronic, and photoelectrochemical properties of the constructed p-n homojunction were analyzed by using different characterization techniques. A high built-in potential of +0.93 V vs. RHE was observed for a 50 nm layer of n-Cu₂O over p-Cu₂O nanowires that resulted in a significantly high photocurrent density of −7.42 mA/cm². The stability in the photoelectrochemical medium was maintained for 14 h, generating 20 mmol/cm² of H₂.     

Cross-linked anion exchange membranes with flexible,long-chain,bis-imidazolium cation cross-linker

Herein, poly (phenylene) oxide (PPO)-based cross-linked anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with flexible, long-chain, bis-imidazolium cation cross-linkers are designed and synthesized. Although the cross-linked membranes possess high ion exchange capacity (IEC) values of up to 3.51–3.94 meq g⁻¹, they have a low swelling degree and good mechanical strength because of their cross-linked structure. Though the membranes with the longest flexible bis-imidazolium cation cross-linker (BMImH-PPO) possess the lowest IEC among these PPO-based AEMs, they show the highest conductivity (24.10 mS cm⁻¹ at 20 °C) and highest power density (325.7 mW cm⁻² at 60 °C) because of the wide hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation in the membranes that promote the construction of ion transport channels, as confirmed by atom force microscope (AFM) images and the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses. Furthermore, the BMImH-PPO samples exhibit good chemical stability (10% and 6% decrease in IEC and conductivity, respectively, in 2 M KOH at 80 °C for 480 h, and a 22% decrease in weight in Fenton's reagent at 60 °C for 120 h), making such cross-linked AEMs potentially applicable in alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells.     

Forging furnace with thermochemical waste-heat recuperation by natural gas reforming: Fuel saving and heat balance

This paper considers thermochemical recuperation (TCR) of waste-heat using natural gas reforming by steam and combustion products. Combustion products contain steam (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ballast nitrogen (N₂). Because endothermic chemical reactions take place, methane steam-dry reforming creates new synthetic fuel that contains valuable combustion components: hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and unreformed methane (CH₄). There are several advantages to performing TCR in the industrial furnaces: high energy efficiency, high regeneration rate (rate of waste-heat recovery), and low emission of greenhouse gases (CO₂, NO_x). As will be shown, the use of TCR is significantly increasing the efficiency of industrial furnaces – it has been observed that TCR is capable of reducing fuel consumption by nearly 25%. Additionally, increased energy efficiency has a beneficial effect on the environment as it leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.     

Opportunities and Challenges in Tunneling Nanotubes Research: How Far from Clinical Application?

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are recognized long membrane nanotubes connecting distance cells. In the last decade, growing evidence has shown that these subcellular structures mediate the specific transfer of cellular materials, pathogens, and electrical signals between cells. As intercellular bridges, they play a unique role in embryonic development, collective cell migration, injured cell recovery, cancer treatment resistance, and pathogen propagation. Although TNTs have been considered as potential drug targets for treatment, there is still a long way to go to translate the research findings into clinical practice. Herein, we emphasize the heterogeneous nature of TNTs by systemically summarizing the current knowledge on their morphology, structure, and biogenesis in different types of cells. Furthermore, we address the communication efficiency and biological outcomes of TNT-dependent transport related to diseases. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of TNTs as an exciting therapeutic approach by focusing on the development of efficient and safe drugs targeting TNTs.     

一种提升AutoForm分析效率的方法

介绍提高AutoForm软件分析效率的两种途径,分别是:针对每个零件制作各自的设置模板文件,通过引用模板文件,减少操作步骤,可节约分析时间15 min,同时将分析文件的存储空间减小到原来的45%左右;针对每个零件建立模面控制线数据库,通过引用控制线数据库,将拉延模面的建立的效率提高了20%,进而提高了整体分析效率。     

Highly efficient full-fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes with exciplex cohosts

Full-fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs) with low cost and high efficiency are imperious demands for commercial process in flat panel display and lighting products. We fabricated a series of FOLEDs employing C545T and DCJTB as doped dyes and different exciplex blends as cohosts. The results proved that reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) efficiency of exciplex cohost has a significant effect on the device performance. Devices with TAPC:PIM-TRZ as cohost which possessed the highest RISC efficiency showed the best results. The green FOLEDs exhibited the maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) approaching to 20%, the red FOLEDs exhibited EQEs over 10% and all the EQE roll-offs are less than 10% at 1000 cd m⁻², which are among the best reported results so far, suggesting these exciplex cohosts are promising for FOLEDs.