Highly stable γ-NiOOH/ZnCdS photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution

It is extremely desirable to develop high hydrogen evolution activity and stable visible-light-driven photocatalysts. The sluggish oxidation process and holes accumulation are the main obstacles to high catalysis activity and photo-stability. An efficient γ-NiOOH/ZnCdS photocatalyst was prepared by in-situ hydrothermal method. The γ-NiOOH nanosheets distribute on ZnCdS nanospheres surface and accelerate holes transfer. The hydrogen evolution rate is up to 48.60 mmol g^?1 h^?1 under visible-light illumination (λ = 400–780 nm), about 10.8 times of pure ZnCdS (4.50 mmol g^?1 h^?1) and 1.8 times of general β-NiOOH modified ZnCdS (27.40 mmol g^?1 h^?1). And apparent quantum yield of γ-NiOOH/ZCS-100 is up to 18.23% (400 nm). The carrier lifetime extends from 5.50 ns (ZnCdS) to 6.10 ns (γ-NiOOH/ZCS), examined by steady photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence. Moreover, the γ-NiOOH/ZCS photocatalyst has exhibited excellent photo-stability even after one-year of storage. The γ-NiOOH nanosheets can be an excellent co-catalyst on accelerating both holes transfer and oxidation process for high photo-stability and photo-activity.     

Borage Oil Enhances Lamellar Body Content and Alters Fatty Acid Composition of Epidermal Ceramides in Essential Fatty Acid-Deficient Guinea Pigs

Borage oil [BO: 40.9% linoleic acid (LNA) and 24.0% γ-linolenic acid (GLA)] reverses disrupted epidermal lipid barrier in essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). We determined the effects of BO on lamellar body (LB) content and LNA and GLA incorporation into epidermal ceramide 1 (CER1) and epidermal ceramide 2 (CER2), major barrier lipids. EFAD was induced in guinea pigs by a diet of 6% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) for 10 weeks (group HCO) or 8 weeks followed by 6% BO for 2 weeks (group HCO + BO). LB content and LNA and GLA incorporation into CER1 were higher in group HCO + BO than in group HCO. Small but significant levels of LNA, GLA, and their C20-metabolized fatty acids [dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (ARA)] were incorporated into CER2, where ARA was detected at a level lower than LNA, but DGLA incorporation exceeded that for GLA in group HCO + BO. Dietary BO enhanced LB content and differential incorporation of GLA into CER1 and DGLA into CER2.     

Interactions between dislocations and twins in deformed titanium aluminide crystals

Using scanning, transmission electron microscopy and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, we have studied the interactions between dislocations and twins in impact deformed polysynthetic twinned TiAl crystal. The 1/3?<?1$\overline{1}\overline{1}$] and 1/6?<?211] step dislocations on coherent twin boundaries reveal the interactions of glissile 1/2?<?101> dislocations with the coherent twin boundaries. An abnormal stacking fault was found adjacent to the coherent twin boundary. It has the same stacking sequence but different atom species in the [$\overline{1}$10] direction with an additional displacement of 1/4[$\overline{1}$10] in two neighboring {111} layers, and is likely induced by the slip of a 1/12[112] (i.e. 1/4[$\overline{1}$10] + 1/6[2$\overline{1}$1]) dislocation.     

Wear mechanism of a novel AlSiMgAl2O4Al2O3 composite used in the low vessel of an RH secondary refining furnace

A novel AlSiMgAl₂O₄Al₂O₃ composite brick was prepared and evaluated in the low vessel of an RH (the initials of Ruhrstahl and Hereaeus) secondary refining furnace; it was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that after use, the AlSiMgAl₂O₄Al₂O₃ composite has a functional gradient with an erosion zone–reinforced zone–original zone phase distribution, in which the phases in the erosion zone (0–1.8?cm) are a Mg-hercynite spinel solid solution, α-Al₂O₃, and minor amount of Al₃Fe₅O₁₂. Furthermore, the phases in the reinforced zone (1.8–5.0?cm) are γ-AlON, 21RSiAlON, SiC, Mg_0.388Al_2.408O₄, and α-Al₂O₃; i.e., the Al and Si in the composite are completely converted into non-oxide reinforced phases. Finally, the phases in the original zone (>5.0?cm) show no change. The reaction mechanism is as follows. During operation, a Mg-hercynite spinel solid solution is formed in the erosion zone due to a reaction between MgAl₂O₄ and FeO from a refinery operation. Therefore, the slag erosion of the material is improved. The Al and Si metals undergo active oxidation, and 21RSiAlON flakes are subsequently formed from the products of the metastable Al₂O(g), SiO(g), and N₂(g) in the ambient. The γ-AlON is formed by a carbothermal reduction nitridation of the α-Al₂O₃ and residual active carbon from the resin binder. The 21RSiAlON and γ-AlON reinforce the composite brick and improve its high temperature performance accordingly. Its service life is 110% that of the magnesia-chrome bricks used in the same period. The reaction model was also established.     

双态组织高Nb-TiAl合金的缺口敏感性

通过对圆棒状缺口试样和无缺口光滑试样进行单向拉伸试验,研究了双态组织高Nb-TiAl合金的缺口敏感性。研究表明,缺口根半径R≥0. 5 mm的U型试样和缺口角度60°、R≥1 mm的V型试样的抗拉强度RmN都大于光滑试样的抗拉强度Rm,缺口敏感度NSR均大于1,合金对缺口不敏感。当缺口类型相同时,缺口敏感性随缺口根半径R的减小而增大; V型缺口敏感性大于U型缺口;对于V型缺口试样,当R=0. 5 mm时,其NSR在0. 98～1. 03之间,RmN在Rm附近波动,易出现缺口敏感。     

热等静压处理对K439B高温合金显微组织的影响

对K439B合金进行了1165 ℃/150 MPa,4 h热等静压处理,采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对比研究了铸态和热等静压态K439B合金的显微组织。结果表明:铸态K439B合金存在0.25%的显微疏松,热等静压后显微疏松基本消除(0.013%)。与铸态相比,经过热等静压处理后合金中的γ/γ′共晶组织体积分数和尺寸减小,各元素分布更加均匀,凝固偏析系数均更接近1。铸态K439B合金枝晶干处γ′相尺寸和体积分数分别是116.9 nm和17.8%,枝晶间部位γ′相尺寸和体积分数分别为244.4 nm和24.9%。热等静压后合金枝晶干部位的γ′相尺寸及体积分数分别为148.0 nm和17.5%,枝晶间部位γ′相尺寸和体积分数分别为159.1 nm和22.8%。热等静压处理使合金枝晶干、枝晶间部位的γ′相尺寸、体积分数和形貌接近,同时γ′相分布变得均匀。     

Thiazolidinediones: An In–Depth Study of Their Synthesis and Application to Medicinal Chemistry in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

2,4-Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is a privileged and highly utilised scaffold for the development of pharmaceutically active compounds. This sulfur-containing heterocycle is a versatile pharmacophore that confers a diverse range of pharmacological activities. TZD has been shown to exhibit biological action towards a vast range of targets interesting to medicinal chemists. In this review, we attempt to provide insight into both the historical conventional and the use of novel methodologies to synthesise the TZD core framework. Further to this, synthetic procedures utilised to substitute the TZD molecule at the activated methylene C₅ and N₃ position are reviewed. Finally, research into developing clinical agents, which act as modulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and aldose reductase 2 (ALR2), are discussed. These are the three most targeted receptors for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM).