Synthesis,characterization and adsorption studies of h-BN crystal for efficient removal of Cd2+ from aqueous solution

In the present study, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was synthesized from boric acid and melamine by thermal annealing method in a nitrogen atmosphere. The pure h-BN was used as an efficient sorbent for the uptake of Cd²⁺ ions from the solution phase. The kinetics and sorption studies of metal ions onto the h-BN were carried out in batch adsorption experiments at different temperature, time, pH, sorbent dosage, and concentration of metal ions. The optimum pH for the removal of the Cd²⁺ ions was found to be pH 7. The effect of temperature showed that the process of Cd²⁺ sorption remained endothermic in the range of 298 K–328 K. The Lagergren's first and Ho's second kinetic models were tested to interpret the adsorption kinetic data, however the present data was explained well by Ho's model for kinetics. The thermodynamic perameters ΔG, ΔS and ΔH were determined using the available adsorption data at different temperatures. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized product were also characterized before and after adsorption by different analytical techniques like FT-IR, TGA, XRD and Point of Zero Charge (PZC). The morphology of the surface was analyzed with the help of Scanning Electron Microscopy. The h-BN proved to be an efficient adsorbent for the uptake of the Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous media.     

The kinetics of copper corrosion in nitric acid

The strategy for the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste in Canada involves sealing it in a copper-coated steel container and burying it in a deep geologic repository. During the early emplacement period, the container could be exposed to warm humid air, which could result in the condensation of nitric acid, produced by the radiolysis of the humid air, on the copper surface. Previous studies have suggested that both nitrate and oxygen reduction will drive copper corrosion, with the nitrate reduction kinetics being dependent on the concentration of soluble copper(I) produced by the anodic dissolution of copper in the reaction with oxygen. This study focused on determining the kinetics of nitrate and oxygen reduction and elucidating the synergistic relationship between the two processes. This was investigated using corrosion potential and polarization measurements in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxygen reduction was shown to be the dominant cathodic reaction with the oxidation of copper(I) to copper(II) by nitrate, promoting the catalytic cycle involving the reaction of copper(II) with copper to reproduce copper(I).     

Er3+-Yb3+ ions doped fluoro-aluminosilicate glass-ceramics as a temperature-sensing material

The transparent Er³⁺-Yb³⁺-doped fluoro-aluminosilicate glass-ceramic (GC) was prepared by melt-quenching. The crystal phase, morphology, and up-conversion (UC) luminescence of as-produced GC were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence spectrophotometry, respectively. The results show that BaYF₅ nanocrystals were uniformly distributed in the glass matrix of the as-produced GC. When the as-produced GC was subjected to heat treatment, the crystallinity was increased, but the crystal identity remains unchanged. Such heat-treatment doubled the intensity of the UC luminescence, and this enhancement was ascribed to the increased incorporation of both Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions into the lower phonon energy environment of BaYF₅ nanocrystals. Furthermore, the heat-treated GC was stable against further crystallization, and consequently its UC luminescence was stable at the application temperature. The heat-treated GC was found to possess an outstanding temperature-sensing capability.     

Simulations of NBI fast ion loss in the presence of toroidal field ripple on EAST

NBI fast ion losses in the presence of the toroidal field ripple on EAST have been investigated by using the orbit code GYCAVA and the NBI code TGCO. The ripple effect was included in the upgraded version of the GYCAVA code. It is found that loss regions of NBI fast ions are mainly on the low field side near the edge in the presence of ripple. For co-current NBIs, the synergy effect of ripple and Coulomb collision on fast ion losses is dominant, and fast trapped ions located on the low field side are easily lost. The ripple well loss and the ripple stochastic loss of fast ions have been identified from the heat loads of co-current NBI fast ions. The ripple stochastic loss and the collisioninduced loss are much larger than the ripple well loss. Heat loads of lost fast ions are mainly localized on the right side of the radio frequency wave antennas from the inside view toward the first wall. For counter-current NBIs, the first orbit loss due to the magnetic drift is the dominant loss channel. In addition, fast ion loss fraction with ripple and collision for each NBI linearly increases with the effective charge number, which is related to the pitch angle scattering effect.     

磁性硅铁载铜吸附Hg0动力学机制及密度泛函研究

采用粉末冶金法将纳米单质铜(Cu⁰)、硅铁(FeSi)、四氧化三铁硅涂层(Fe₃O₄@SiO₂)混合煅烧并制备出新型磁性硅铁载铜吸附剂MagFeSi-Cu⁰。实验研究不同烟气温度下MagFeSi-Cu⁰的汞吸附能力基础上,结合颗粒内扩散模型、准二阶动力学模型、Elovich模型及Bangham模型分析了MagFeSi-Cu⁰吸附Hg⁰过程的主要控制步骤。在此基础上,依据密度泛函理论(DFT)研究了不同反应温度下FeSi表面Cu⁰原子与Hg⁰原子的汞齐作用机制。研究结果表明,Bangham模型的拟合值与MagFeSi-Cu⁰汞吸附实验值拟合度最高,MagFeSi-Cu⁰表面痕量Hg⁰吸附由汞的外扩散和表面铜汞齐吸附共同控制;通过密度泛函计算,发现Cu⁰颗粒表面Cu-Hg齐吸附能为-0.534 eV,当烟气温度从80℃上升至200℃时,Hg⁰原子与单质Cu原子的吸附自由能从-22.47 kJ/mol下降至-13.96 kJ/mol,这些结果为深入了解Hg⁰在Cu(111)表面的反应机理提供了理论基础。     

Leucokinin and Associated Neuropeptides Regulate Multiple Aspects of Physiology and Behavior in Drosophila

Leucokinins (LKs) constitute a family of neuropeptides identified in numerous insects and many other invertebrates. LKs act on G-protein-coupled receptors that display only distant relations to other known receptors. In adult Drosophila, 26 neurons/neurosecretory cells of three main types express LK. The four brain interneurons are of two types, and these are implicated in several important functions in the fly’s behavior and physiology, including feeding, sleep–metabolism interactions, state-dependent memory formation, as well as modulation of gustatory sensitivity and nociception. The 22 neurosecretory cells (abdominal LK neurons, ABLKs) of the abdominal neuromeres co-express LK and a diuretic hormone (DH44), and together, these regulate water and ion homeostasis and associated stress as well as food intake. In Drosophila larvae, LK neurons modulate locomotion, escape responses and aspects of ecdysis behavior. A set of lateral neurosecretory cells, ALKs (anterior LK neurons), in the brain express LK in larvae, but inconsistently so in adults. These ALKs co-express three other neuropeptides and regulate water and ion homeostasis, feeding, and drinking, but the specific role of LK is not yet known. This review summarizes Drosophila data on embryonic lineages of LK neurons, functional roles of individual LK neuron types, interactions with other peptidergic systems, and orchestrating functions of LK.     

Hollow multi-nanochannel carbon nanofiber/MoS2 nanoflower composites as binder-free lithium-ion battery anodes with high capacity and ultralong-cycle life at large current density

The electrode materials with high pseudocapacitance can enhance the rate capability and cycling stabil-ity of lithium-ion storage devices.Herein,we fabricated MoS2 nanoflowers with ultra-large interlayer spacing on N-doped hollow multi-nanochannel carbon nanofibers(F2-MoS2/NHMCFs)as freestanding binder-free anodes for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The ultra-large interlayer spacing(0.78～1.11 nm)of MoS2 nanoflowers can not only reduce the internal resistance,but also increase accessible active sur-face area,which ensures the fast Li+intercalation and deintercalation.The NHMCFs with hollow and multi-nanochannel structure can accommodate the large internal strain and volume change during lithi-ation/delithiation process,it is beneficial to improving the cycling stability of LIBs.Benefiting from the above combined structure merits,the F2-MoS2/NHMCFs electrodes deliver a high rate capability 832 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1 and ultralong cycling stability with 99.29 and 91.60％capacity retention at 10 A g-1 after 1000 and 2000 cycles,respectively.It is one of the largest capacities and best cycling stability at 10 A g-1 ever reported to date,indicating the freestanding F2-MoS2/NHMCFs electrodes have potential applications in high power density LIBs.     

Recycling spent lead acid batteries into aqueous zinc-ion battery material with ultra-flat voltage platforms

The harmless disposal of lead paste in the spent lead-acid batteries (LABs) remains an enormous challenge in traditional pyrometallurgical recycling. Here, we introduced a hydrometallurgical method for the recycling of the spent LABs’ waste to obtain the β-PbO as a novel zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) active material. The obtained β-PbO exhibits ultra-flat charge/discharge voltage platforms (0.21 mV/(mAh g^?1)) and stable specific capacity. During the charge/discharge, the β-PbO spontaneously triggers the formation of (ZnSO₄)[Zn(OH)₂]₃·5H₂O (ZHS) micro-sheets as a surface passivation layer. Moreover, the ex-situ X-ray spectra reveal that the reversible phase transformation occurs between PbSO₄ and Pb with the assistance of ZHS by adjusting the PH value on the electrode-electrolyte interface. The synergistic two-phase-reaction mechanism generates ultra-flat voltage platforms upon the charge/discharge. This “energy-saving and environment-friendly” recycling route eliminates the major source of emission of pollution particulates/gases compared to the traditional pyrometallurgical recycling, while at the same time replacing energy-consuming and environmentally detrimental processes of synthesis of current ZIBs cathodes.