α-MnSe crystallites through solvothermal reaction in ethylenediamine

α-MnSe crystallites were prepared by solvothermal reaction in ethylenediamine at 190 °C. X-ray diffraction gave the α-MnSe phase of product, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the valence state of Mn²⁺ and Se²⁻. The flaky morphology was found by the transmission electron microscope images. The optimal synthetic conditions were explored by using other nitrogen-containing solvents, and lowering the reaction temperature.     

Interfacially reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin composites by chemically grafting multiwall carbon nanotubes onto carbon fibers

Both silane and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grafted successfully onto carbon fibers (CFs) to enhance the interfacial strength of CFs reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites. The microstructure, interfacial properties, impact toughness and heat resistance of CFs before and after modification were investigated. Experimental results revealed that CNTs were grafted uniformly onto CFs using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) as the bridging agent. The wettability and surface energy of the obtained hybrid fiber (CF-APS-CNT) were increased obviously in comparison with those of the untreated-CF. The CF-APS-CNT composites showed simultaneously remarkable enhancement in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact toughness. Moreover, the interfacial reinforcing and toughening mechanisms were also discussed. In addition, Thermogravimetric analysis and thermal oxygen aging experiments indicated a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability and heat oxidation resistance of composites by the introduction of APS and CNTs. We believe the facile and effective method may provide a novel interface design strategy for developing multifunctional fibers.     

Ni1−xCoxSe2?C/ZnIn2S4 Hybrid Nanocages with Strong 2D/2D Hetero-Interface Interaction Enable Efficient H2-Releasing Photocatalysis

Designing a semiconductor-based heterostructure photocatalyst for achieving the efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs is highly important for enhancing H₂ releasing photocatalysis. Here, a new class of Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂–C/ZnIn₂S₄ hierarchical nanocages with abundant and compact ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets/Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂^ C nanosheets 2D/2D hetero–interfaces, is designed and synthesized. The constructed heterostructure photocatalyst exposes rich hetero-junctions, supplying the broad and short transfer paths for charge carriers. The close contacts of these two kinds of nanosheets induce a strong interaction between ZnIn₂S₄ and Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C, improving the separation and transfer of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. As a consequence, the distinctive Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C/ZnIn₂S₄ hierarchical nanocages without using additional noble-metal cocatalysts, display remarkable H₂-relaesing photocatalytic activity with a rate of 5.10 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light irradiation, which is 6.2 and 30 times higher than those of fresh ZnIn₂S₄ nanosheets and bare Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C nanocages, respectively. Spectroscopic characterizations and theory calculations reveal that the strong interaction between ZnIn₂S₄ and Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C 2D/2D hetero-interfaces can powerfully promote the separation of photo-generated charge carriers and the electrons transfer from ZnIn₂S₄ to Ni_1−xCo_xSe₂ C.     

Studies on waterline corrosion processes and corrosion product characteristics of carbon steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution

The waterline corrosion behaviors of carbon steel partially immersed in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution were investigated using the wire beam electrode technique, and the effects of corrosion products on the processes of waterline corrosion were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the initial stage and development stage of waterline corrosion were mainly controlled by the concentration and diffusion of dissolved oxygen, respectively, and the deceleration stage of waterline corrosion was mainly affected by corrosion products. The main component of the yellow corrosion products was γ-FeOOH, and γ-FeOOH that exhibited a high reduction reactivity could be involved in the cathodic reaction. The black corrosion products were mainly composed of Fe₃O₄ with strong thermodynamic stability and the processes of dissolved oxygen diffusion and ion transports were obviously affected due to the continuous accumulation of Fe₃O₄ on the surface of the electrodes. Polarity reversals were observed on the single electrodes below the waterline, but the reasons for the phenomena were different from each other.     

Constructing 3D honeycomb-like CoMn2O4 nanoarchitecture on nitrogen-doped graphene coating Ni foam as flexible battery-type electrodes for advanced supercapattery

Reasonable structural design is significant to enable the performance in advanced energy storage devices. Herein, a 3D honeycomb-like CoMn₂O₄ nanoarchitecture (CMO) on nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) coating Ni foam (denoted as Ni/NG/CMO) flexible battery-type electrode was prepared by a facile two-step hydrothermal strategy. The honeycomb-like CoMn₂O₄ arrays not only provide abundant active sites but can also be closely combined with the Ni foam/NG substrate, which enables high reversible capacity and good cycle stability during the long cycles. Benefiting from the compositional features and 3D honeycomb-like nanoarchitecture, the Ni/NG/CMO composite electrode displays improved electrochemical performance with remarkable specific capacity of 527.0C g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, outstanding rate capability (338.6C g⁻¹ even at 20 A g⁻¹). In addition, a flexible binder-free supercapattery device has been assembled with Ni/NG/CMO as positive electrode and 3D Ni/NG as negative electrode. Such a supercapattery delivers a high energy density of 44.1 Wh·kg⁻¹ at 992.6 W kg⁻¹, 20.3 Wh·kg⁻¹ at 12430.0 W kg⁻¹ as well as excellent cycling durability. The 3D honeycomb-like Ni/NG/CMO could be considered as an advanced flexible battery-type material for high capacity and energy density fields.     

Transition metal atom doped C2N as catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction: A density functional theory study

The catalytic mechanism and activity of transition metal atom doped C₂N (M-C₂N, M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are investigated in detail by density functional theory method. All the screened M-C₂N are thermodynamically stable based on the binding energy calculations. The adsorption energy results indicate that the adsorption strength of O₂ and ORR intermediates are decreased in the order of Fe-C₂N ˃ Co-C₂N ˃ Ni-C₂N ˃ Cu-C₂N, in which the adsorption energy values on Cu-C₂N are most close to those on the Pt(111). Based on the relative energy diagram of ORR, the energetically favorable pathway on Fe-C₂N and Co-C₂N is direct 4e⁻ mechanism, in which the O–O bond is directly dissociated after the second electron transfer. While for Ni-C₂N and Cu-C₂N, the most favorable pathway is indirect 4e⁻ mechanism, in which the H₂O₂ is formed as the intermediate product. For all studied M-C₂N, the Ni-C₂N and Cu-C₂N hold better catalytic activity, which could attribute to the contribution of metal atom and part of its activated nitrogen atoms.     

Iron‐mediated activators generated by electron transfer for atom‐transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using ionic liquid as ligand and Fe(0) wire as reducing agent

1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) as a typical ionic liquid (IL) effectively acted as ligand for the control of iron‐mediated activators generated by electron transfer for atom‐transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a limited amount of oxygen, using FeCl₃.6H₂O as the catalyst and Fe(0) wire as the reducing agent. The polymers obtained with BMIMPF₆ had controlled molecular weights and low M_w/M_n values (<1.40). Moreover, a well‐defined final product PMMA without additional processing was easily obtained and the reducing agent (iron wire) could be recycled and reused effectively just by washing three times with solvents.     

Experimental design for optimization of 4-nitrophenol reduction by green synthesized CeO2/g-C3N4/Ag catalyst using response surface methodology

In this study, the enhancement of catalytic activity of ceria when modified with co-catalysts such as graphitic carbon nitride and silver was established. The material was synthesized using phytogenic combustion method, a green alternative to the traditional preparative routes. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, XPS and TEM techniques. The synergistic effect of the composite CeO₂/g-C₃N₄/Ag was tested for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. The reaction was carried out at room temperature without any light source or external stirring. The individual and combined effects of four parameters, viz., concentration of 4-NP, amount of catalyst, amount of NaBH₄ and time for the reduction of reduction 4-NP were investigated using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM). This statistical model was used to optimize the reaction conditions for maximum reduction of 4-NP. The optimum conditions for the reduction reaction are found to be 0.01 mmol/L 4-NP, 15 mg catalyst, 20 mg NaBH₄ and 13.7 min time interval.     

Supervised deep hashing for image content security

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Due to the fast growth of image data on the web, it is necessary to ensure the content security of uploaded images. One of the fundamental problems behind this...