Current trends in structural development and modification strategies for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) towards photocatalytic H2 production: A review

Photocatalytic H₂ generation using semiconductor photocatalysts is considered as a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for solar to energy conversion; however, the present photocatalysts have been recognized to depict low efficiency. Currently, porous coordination polymers known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constituting flexible and modifiable porous structure and having excess active sites are considered to be appropriate for photocatalytic H₂ production. This review highlights current progress in structural development of MOF materials along with modification strategies for enhanced photoactivity. Initially, the review discusses the photocatalytic H₂ production mechanism with the concepts of thermodynamics and mass transfer with particular focus on MOFs. Elaboration of the structural categories of MOFs into Type I, Type II, Type III and classification of MOFs for H₂ generation into transition metal based, post-transition metal based, noble-metal based and hetero-metal based has been systematically discussed. The review also critically deliberate various modification approaches of band engineering, improvement of charge separation, efficient irradiation utilization and overall efficiency of MOFs including metal modification, heterojunction formation, Z-scheme formation, by introducing electron mediator, and dye based composites. Also, the MOF synthesized derivatives for photocatalytic H₂ generation are elaborated. Finally, future perspectives of MOFs for H₂ generation and approaches for efficiency improvement have been suggested.     

A strategic roadmap for large-scale green hydrogen demonstration and commercialisation in China: A review and survey analysis

Hydrogen is gaining increased attention from industries and policymakers in China. However, most of the current demonstration projects in the country have relied on conventional energy sources, including industrial byproduct hydrogen and grey hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. Moreover, strategies and policy frameworks leading to a shift to green or low-carbon hydrogen have neither been explored in-depth nor been identified clearly in the context of China. This study aims at bridging such gaps. Roadmapping techniques enhanced by the Delphi method and SWOT analysis are used to survey hydrogen energy experts from government bodies, industries, and academia to achieve basic agreement on strategically enabling large-scale green hydrogen demonstrations followed by commercialisation in China. The outcome of two rounds of surveys showed that experts' opinions converged on a strategic roadmap with three stages of development. The corresponding policies needed in each stage are evaluated and selected to form a systemic framework.     

A PV installation framework concerning electricity variable rates

This paper assesses building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation parameters based on the profit generated by a photovoltaic system. It takes into consideration a home building case study and it investigates its monthly energy demand based on a specific location and a typical occupancy. The capability of a photovoltaic (PV) system to generate more profit occurs when solar intensity is maximum while the electric energy price is at its highest rate. The paper traces a framework that encompasses different aspects such as energy demand, energy price, and solar intensity. This framework identifies profit alternatives according to different installation parameters. A tool that predicts a PV installation hourly electric energy production is developed. The profit generated is simulated for home buildings located in Beirut (Lebanon) and Xihua (China), both at 33.8° latitude north. The paper highlights a new approach for BIPV installations, taking into account weather conditions, energy demand, and electric energy utility rates.     

Platinum nanoparticles decorated on graphitic carbon nitride-ZIF-67 composite support: An electrocatalyst for the oxidation of butanol in fuel cell applications

In the present study, we report an eco-friendly and simple route to design and synthesize novel nanocomposite catalyst based on platinum nanoparticles anchored on binary support of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and cobalt-metal-organic framework (ZIF-67). For this purpose, ZIF-67 was prepared by precipitation method and g-C₃N₄ was prepared through thermal polymerization method. Later, ZIF-67 and g-C₃N₄ were hybridized through sonication to get homogeneous g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocomposite support material. Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were uniformly deposited on g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 by an electrochemical method. The as-developed nanocatalyst was characterized by morphological, structural and electrochemical techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of PtNPs@g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocatalyst towards butanol oxidation was evaluated via CV, CA, LSV and EIS in an alkaline medium. Results revealed that the proposed catalyst showed greatly enhanced electrooxidation of butanol in terms of high magnificent current density, lower oxidation potential, excellent long-term stability, large surface area, low charge transfer resistance and less toxic ability. Enhanced catalytic performance of the proposed catalyst could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocomposite and PtNPs. The PtNPs@g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 catalyst holds promising potential applications to be used as an anodic electrocatalyst for the development of high-performance alkaline fuel cells.     

The concept of smartness in cyber–physical systems and connection to urban environment

The next-generation systems are expected to be largely cyber–physical systems (CPSs) that autonomously control physical processes, through sensors and actuators typically in real-time feedback and cooperative control loops distributed among physical and cyber environments. The rapid technological advancements enhance the smartness of these CPSs, pushing their boundaries of performance and efficiency by embedding new information and communication technologies. However, to what extent CPSs should be smarter so that they do not compromise safety and security of safety critical systems? is an open research question. Towards this goal, the purpose of this study is to establish a grounded theory to analyse what makes these systems smart? and eventually, how to find a balance between smartness and safety risks? In this precinct, this article aims to develop a conceptual framework, define the dimensions and derive the characteristics that make CPSs smart. The proposed approach combines an automated informetric and systematic analysis of literature pertinent to the topic of smartness across anthropology, science, engineering and technology. The analysis of a case study building and the discussions presented herein support the connection between the existing understanding of CPSs and smartness offered by the building design approach in urban environment.     

用于发光温度传感的金属有机框架材料

金属有机框架(Metal organic frameworks,MOFs)由于其显著的结构多样性和可调的发光性能,为制备不同种类的发光传感器提供了良好契机。近年来,利用发光MOFs探测温度传感技术受到了人们的广泛关注。结合对发光测温的描述后,总结了发光型MOF温度计的最新研究进展,重点介绍了双发射型MOF在温度传感领域中的广泛应用。     

Enhanced photoreactivity of MOFs by intercalating interlayer bands via simultaneous ?NCO and ?SCu modification

Herein, we propose a novel method to enhance the photoreactivity of an MOF catalyst by grafting isocyanate bonds ( NCO) and sulfhydryl-complexed copper ( SCu) onto ZIF-8 (NIF-SCu). The grafting process intercalated interlayer bands between the conduction and valence bands of ZIF-8, thereby providing a “ladder” for facile electron transition. The extreme improvement in the photoreactivity of NIF-SCu could be attributed to the enhancement in light responses in the range of 350–450 nm by  NCO groups and the widening of the visible light range of the MOF by  SCu groups. The formation of staggered energy levels in NIF-SCu could also narrow the band gap, lower the resistance, and facilitate the transfer of photogenerated carriers, thereby generating electrons with strong reduction potential in the  SCu conduction band. This study provides a new strategy for improving or even endowing the photoactivity of environmental functional materials with wide bandgaps.     

Mímir: An open-source semantic search framework for interactive information seeking and discovery

Semantic search is gradually establishing itself as the next generation search paradigm, which meets better a wider range of information needs, as compared to traditional full-text search. At the same time, however, expanding search towards document structure and external, formal knowledge sources (e.g. LOD resources) remains challenging, especially with respect to efficiency, usability, and scalability.This paper introduces Mímir—an open-source framework for integrated semantic search over text, document structure, linguistic annotations, and formal semantic knowledge. Mímir supports complex structural queries, as well as basic keyword search.Exploratory search and sense-making are supported through information visualisation interfaces, such as co-occurrence matrices and term clouds. There is also an interactive retrieval interface, where users can save, refine, and analyse the results of a semantic search over time. The more well-studied precision-oriented information seeking searches are also well supported.The generic and extensible nature of the Mímir platform is demonstrated through three different, real-world applications, one of which required indexing and search over tens of millions of documents and fifty to hundred times as many semantic annotations. Scaling up to over 150 million documents was also accomplished, via index federation and cloud-based deployment.