Biomimetic Aerogel for Moisture-Induced Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Electronic Skin

Moisture–electric generator (MEG)-based blue energy is widely studied. There is still a significant challenge in improving the power of the MEGs system and expanding its application in self-powered electronic skin. Inspired by the structure of ferns, a biomimetic moisture–electric aerogel is designed to collect energy. Polyvinyl alcohol dendritic colloids act as “roots” and “stems” to provide support and channels to transport water molecules. Meanwhile, “leaf-like” graphene oxide sheets generate electricity through direct interaction with water. Besides, based on the above biomimetic structure, this work further enhances the output performance of MEGs by increasing the specific surface area (120.4 m² g⁻¹) and introducing an ultra-high ion density gradient (from −35 to +37 mV). Meanwhile, due to the excellent water absorption, the MEGs show good salt resistance and cyclic stability. By constructing unique biomimetic structures, ultra-high ion density gradient, and regulating environmental conditions, a high-performance MEG is obtained, including ultra-high open-circuit voltage (1.9 V) and short-circuit current (82.5 µA), the industry-leading power density among MEGs with continuous output is reported in the literature (22.55 µW cm⁻²). Besides, the MEGs can accurately respond to environmental and pressure changes, showing its application potential in self-powered electronic skin.     

Light‐Activated,Multi‐Semiconductor Hybrid Microswimmers

Using a dynamic fabrication process, hybrid, photoactivated microswimmers made from two different semiconductors, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) are developed, where each material occupies a distinct portion of the multiconstituent particles. Structured light‐activated microswimmers made from only TiO₂ or Cu₂O are observed to be driven in hydrogen peroxide and water most vigorously under UV or blue light, respectively, whereas hybrid structures made from both of these materials exhibit wavelength‐dependent modes of motion due to the disparate responses of each photocatalyst. It is also found that the hybrid particles are activated in water alone, a behavior which is not observed in those made from a single semiconductor, and thus, the system may open up a new class of fuel‐free photoactive colloids that take advantage of semiconductor heterojunctions. The TiO₂/Cu₂O hybrid microswimmer presented here is but an example of a broader method for inducing different modes of motion in a single light‐activated particle, which is not limited to the specific geometries and materials presented in this study.     

天然土壤胶体对U(Ⅵ)迁移的影响

以石英砂为填充介质,采用动态柱实验方法研究了某中低放处置场地表土壤胶体对U(Ⅵ)在石英砂柱中迁移行为的影响,并结合静态批式实验探究了土壤胶体对U(Ⅵ)迁移的影响机制。结果表明,当U(Ⅵ)进样质量浓度从1.0 mg/L增大至5.0 mg/L时,U(Ⅵ)在石英砂柱中的穿透速率显著增大,且达到洗脱平衡时所需淋洗液的体积从250 PVs（孔隙体积）增大至400 PVs。与U(Ⅵ)相比,土壤胶体在石英砂柱内迁移较快,这可能是由于土壤胶体与石英砂之间相互作用较弱所致。土壤胶体与U(Ⅵ)共存体系中,U(Ⅵ)的迁移速率明显增大,而土壤胶体迁移速率无显著变化,表明共存体系中U(Ⅵ)的迁移行为主要受土壤胶体所控制。静态吸附实验表明,在石英砂-U(Ⅵ)二元体系中,pH≈6.0时石英砂对U(Ⅵ)的吸附率最大,而在胶体-石英砂-U(Ⅵ)三元体系中,U(Ⅵ)主要在土壤胶体表面发生吸附。本研究所用土壤中胶体的质量分数仅约占0.04%,但可吸附20%U(Ⅵ)（初始质量浓度为5.0 mg/L）;由此可见,土壤胶体可与U(Ⅵ)发生强的相互作用,进而对U(Ⅵ)在真实环境体系中的吸附、迁移和扩散等行为产生至关重要的影响。     

高支化含无机粒子的巯基硅氧烷溶胶的制备及结构表征

用溶胶-凝胶法制备了一种新型的多功能巯基硅氧烷溶胶,其结构用1H-NM R,FT-IR和M S进行了表征,巯基硅氧烷溶胶的无机粒子粒径大小与分布用小角度光散射仪(SALS)进行了测定。这种新型巯基硅氧烷溶胶能够提高改性亚麻籽油体系自由基聚合速率。     

Glass and Jamming Rheology in Soft Particles Made of PNIPAM and Polyacrylic Acid

The phase behaviour of soft colloids has attracted great attention due to the large variety of new phenomenologies emerging from their ability to pack at very high volume fractions. Here we report rheological measurements on interpenetrated polymer network microgels composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and polyacrylic acid (PAAc) at fixed PAAc content as a function of weight concentration. We found three different rheological regimes characteristic of three different states: a Newtonian shear-thinning fluid, an attractive glass characterized by a yield stress, and a jamming state. We discuss the possible molecular mechanisms driving the formation of these states.     

Toward a continuous synthesis of porous carbon xerogel beads

A continuous process for producing porous carbon xerogel beads has been developed. It consists in injecting a pre‐cured aqueous solution of resorcinol and formaldehyde on top of a column filled with hot oleic acid. The latter is pumped on the top of the column and fed at the bottom, generating an upward flow that can be adjusted to match the terminal velocity of the settling beads. Thus, the bead residence time in the column can be adjusted to match the gelation time, allowing the beads to solidify before reaching the bottom of the vessel. The obtained beads are subsequently dried and pyrolyzed. The developed experimental setup proved the continuous synthesis of porous carbon beads is possible. Nevertheless, the shaping process caused various texture changes of the porous carbon, which mainly yields macropores instead of micro and mesopores. This process also leads to the build‐up of a denser skin around the beads. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1049–1058, 2018     

Extraction of protein from skim natural rubber latex using PEG as a surfactant via low speed centrifugation and continuous flow

Protein extractions from skim natural rubber latex using 3 %w/v polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) via both low speed centrifugation and continuous flow were investigated. In centrifugal extraction, when the speed was 1000 rpm, the extractable protein (EP) content in serum increased with processing time from 5 to 30 min and when the time was fixed at 5 min, EP content increased with centrifugal speed. In addition, further washing deproteinized chips with 2 %w/v SDS solution could remove proteins with efficiencies corresponding to the efficiencies of protein removals in latex phase, implying the role of PEG in protein reduction in both steps. In continuous flow extraction, EP content increased with increasing Reynolds number or increasing mean residence time of the flow to a maximum and then dropped. The efficiencies of the centrifugal extraction and continuous flow extraction were 55.2 and 33.7%, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39900.     

Multiscale Nanoparticle Assembly: From Particulate Precise Manufacturing to Colloidal Processing

Nanoparticle assembly and colloidal processing are two techniques with the goal to fabricate materials and devices from preformed particles. While colloidal processing has become an integral part of ceramic processing, nanoparticle assembly is still mainly limited to academic interests. It typically starts with the precise synthesis of building blocks, which are generally not only considerably smaller than those used for colloidal processing, but also better defined in terms of size, shape, and size distribution. Their arrangement into 1D, 2D, and 3D architectures is performed with great accuracy well beyond what is achieved by colloidal processing. At the same time, the final assembly is not sintered such that the intrinsic, nanospecific properties of the initial building blocks are preserved or even lead to collective behavior. However, in contrast to colloidal processing the structures accessible by nanoparticle assembly are often limited to a small length scale. The review presents selected examples of nanoparticle assembly and colloidal processing with the goal to reveal the capabilities of these two techniques to fabricate novel materials from preformed building blocks, and also to demonstrate the immense opportunities that would arise if the two methods could be combined with each other.     

Fouling Control by Reduction of Submicron Particles in a BF‐MBR with an Integrated Flocculation Zone in the Membrane Reactor

Abstract

Submicron particles represent one of the major foulants in the biofilm membrane reactor BF‐MBR. Reduction of the amount of submicron particles (colloids) adjacent to the membrane is one measure in order to provide better fouling control in BF‐MBR systems. A submerged hollow fiber (Zenon Zeeweed) membrane reactor was redesigned by introducing a flocculation zone below the aeration device of the membrane module. This resulted in reduction of submicron particles around the membrane from 8.2% to 6.9%, expressed in differential number percentage. The size of the most abundant particle fraction consequently increased from 0.70 to 0.84 µm. Furthermore, the modified membrane reactor design provided longer operational cycles, >40% reduction of suspended solids around the membrane, and improved retentate/concentrate characteristics, i.e., dewaterability (CST), settleability (SVI/SSV) and filterability (TTF).     

Electrokinetic and antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO2/polyrhodanine core/shell hybrid nanostructures

The aim of this study was to fabricate needle like‐TiO₂/polyrhodanine nanostructures by polymerizing rhodanine monomer on the TiO₂ nanoparticles' surfaces and investigate their antibacterial activities. The structural, thermal, morphological, surface and electrical properties of non‐covalently functionalized nanoparticles were characterized by using FTIR, XPS, elemental analysis, TGA, XRD, SEM‐EDX, TEM, contact angle, and conductivity measurements. Characterization results confirmed the formation of needle like‐TiO₂/polyrhodanine (PRh) core/shell hybrid nanostructures. Alterations on the surface and electrokinetic properties of the materials were characterized by zeta (ζ)‐potential measurements with the presence of various salts and surfactants. The ζ‐potential of needle like‐TiO₂ was observed to increase from ?7.6 mV to +28.4 mV after forming a core/shell needle like‐TiO₂/PRh nanocomposite structure and with the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. Thereby colloidally more stable dispersions were formed. Antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO₂/PRh were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli by various methods and they showed good antibacterial activity. The highest killing efficiency was determined for needle like‐TiO₂/PRh against E. coli by colony‐counting method as 0.95. TEM experiments also showed the immobilizations of the nanoparticles on E. coli and revealed the interactions between E. coli and the nanoparticles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41554.