Preparation of oil-water separation network based on the novel strategies of SiO2 ceramic micro-nano structure and PDMS modification

In this study, we adopted the novel strategies of the soot template method to construct SiO₂ ceramic micro-nano structure surface and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modification to reduce the surface energy. We fabricated a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic NS-PDMS oil–water separation screen by depositing coarse nano-SiO₂ ceramic on the surface of 100-mesh stainless-steel screen used as a substrate under the soot template method, which reduced the surface energy with PDMS. The fabricated NS-PDMS screen exhibited excellent superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. In particular, the superhydrophobic properties were stably maintained under various harsh conditions. Overall, the screen manifested self-cleaning ability for various water-containing stains, for example, coffee, milk, beer, and soy sauce. The mechanically damaged screen surface still retained its high roughness, and re-modification with PDMS could recover the superhydrophobic surface and oil–water separation performance. This suggests the re-use potential of the damaged NS-PDMS screen, which is vital for cost reduction and resource recycling. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature, because the fabricated NS-PDMS screen is superhydrophobic, superoleophilic, resistant toward several water-based solutions, chemically and mechanically stable under certain conditions, and can be reused with modification and repair after damage. Therefore, this screen can be broadly used as an oil–water separator.     

Studies on the Effect of Physico‐Chemical Soot Properties and Feed Gas Composition on the Kinetics of Soot Oxidation on Fe2O3 Catalyst

Three commercial carbon black samples as well as self‐made C₃H₆ soot were investigated for their reactivity in the oxidation on an α‐Fe₂O₃ catalyst. These studies were performed by temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) using a packed bed. For reference purposes, TPO studies in the absence of the catalyst were made as well. The carbon black samples were characterized towards the content of C, H, N and O as well as higher heating value, specific surface area, moisture and volatile matter and were deemed to be suitable model substances for diesel soot of different maturity. The correlation of these physico‐chemical properties with the kinetics in catalytic TPO indicated that the soot oxidation on Fe₂O₃ is significantly affected by the initial number of surface oxygen compounds of the soot. The decomposition of these surface species causes the formation of active carbon sites, which are supposed to accelerate the soot oxidation.     

Spinodal clustering induced dewetting and non-monotonic stabilization of polymer blend films at high nanofiller concentrations

We examine the effects of high fullerene nanoparticle (f-NP) concentrations, ?_f-NP ∼ (10–20) mass% on polystyrene (PS)/polybutadiene (PB) blend thin film stability. Dewetting of the polymer blend around spinodally clustered f-NPs in this high concentration limit leads to a spinodal like dewetting morphology. This is in contrast to our previously observed results on the stabilization effects of f-NPs on PS/PB blend thin films in the intermediate f-NP concentration range of 7–10 mass%, wherein, after saturating the polymer–blend interface, the NPs stabilize the film by segregating to the blend–substrate interface. We determine three regimes of polymer blend film stability as a function of filler concentration: a) ?_f-NP < 7 mass% where preferential segregation of the f-NPs to the polymer–polymer interface leads to macroscopic dewetting, b) ?_f-NP ∼ (7–10) mass% where PS/PB blend films exhibit complete film stability, and c) ?_f-NP ∼ (11–20) mass%, where spinodal clustering of the f-NPs gives rise to polymer–NP phase exclusion and subsequent dewetting.     

Growth of all-carbon horizontally aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes nucleated from fullerene-based structures

All-carbon single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were successfully synthesized, nucleated using a fullerene derivative. A systematic investigation into the initial preparation of C₆₀ fullerenes as growth nucleators for the SWCNTs was conducted. Enhancement in the yield of the produced SWCNT has been achieved with exploring different dispersing media for the fullerenes, the period, and environment of the initial thermal treatment of the fullerenes in addition to the use of different fullerene-based structures. The systematic studies significantly advance our understanding of the growth of the all-carbon catalyst-free single-walled carbon nanotubes. Field-effect transistors were fabricated using the catalyst-free SWCNT and then electrically characterized, showing current capacity as high as the well-studied catalyst-assisted nanotubes.     

推进剂火焰烟尘对CARS测温精确度的影响

采用透过率(激光透过率、可见光透过率)表征推进剂火焰烟尘的量,以理论计算温度作为CARS(Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectrometry)测温的相对标准温度,并将测得的CARS温度与热电偶温度进行了对比。通过研究CARS温度和理论计算温度的差值与透过率的相关性得到烟尘对CARS测温的影响规律：CARS测温的偏差随着推进剂火焰中烟尘量的增加而增大;推进剂火焰烟尘对CARS测温精度的影响规律基本呈线性关系。     

Self-assembly of C60 containing poly(methyl methacrylate) in ethyl acetate/decalin mixtures solvent

[60]Fullerene (C₆₀) was mono-substituted with well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-C₆₀) using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. The self-assembly behaviors of PMMA-b-C₆₀ in ethyl acetate (EA) and decalin mixtures were studied using laser light scattering (LLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Homogeneous solutions of PMMA-b-C₆₀ can be obtained in the solvent mixtures containing more than 40 wt% EA, where the molar ratio of decalin to EA is close to 1. For each solvent mixture, unimers coexist with micelles and large aggregates. The sizes of PMMA-b-C₆₀ micelles and aggregates are independent of polymer concentration, confirming that they are produced via the closed association mechanism. For the various solvent mixtures, the weight-averaged molecular weights, M_w of the PMMA-b-C₆₀ aggregates range from 4.1×10⁷ to 12.5×10⁷ g/mol. The hydrodynamic radii of the large aggregate, R_h, vary from 90 to 136 nm, while the z-averaged radii of gyration, R_g, range from 210 to 311 nm. The R_g/R_h value for each solvent mixture is ∼2.3, which is independent of decalin contents in the mixed solvents. The morphological study using the transmission electron microscope suggests that the large aggregates are composed of porous large compound micelles (LCM) in solution.     

Synthesis of carbon nitrides with graphite-like or onion-like lamellar structures via a solvent-free route at low temperatures

Carbon nitrides with graphite-like or onion-like lamellar structures were synthesized at low temperatures by the reactions of cyanuric chloride (C₃N₃Cl₃) with NaNH₂, K, or NaN₃. The synthesized samples were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis (from C-N combustion), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution electron microscopy. The synthesized carbon nitride with a graphite-like lamellar structure was obtained and observed for the first time. The formation mechanism of the carbon nitride was discussed.     

Self-assembled monolayers of C60-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide-C60 triad on indium tin oxide surface

Indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes modified chemically with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of C₆₀-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide-C₆₀ triad have been designed for the first time to act as an efficient light-to-current converter in molecular devices. The monolayers were characterized using UV-Vis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Photoelectrochemical measurement of the SAMs of C₆₀-Perylenetetracarboxylic diimide-C₆₀/ITO indicated prompt, steady, and reproducible photocurrent generation when irradiated by white light.     

Solvated structure of C60 nanowhiskers

This work characterizes the structure of C₆₀ nanowhiskers prepared by the liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method in the C₆₀-saturated m-xylene and isopropyl alcohol system. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurement show that the C₆₀ nanowhiskers had a hexagonal structure with cell dimensions a = 2.407 nm and c = 1.018 nm which is different from pristine C₆₀. The structure of the C₆₀ nanowhiskers in solution is different from that of the solvated structure reported for the C₆₀ nanotubes but similar to that reported for the C₆₀ bulk crystal solvated with m-xylene. X-ray diffraction analysis also showed a shift to fcc structure after solvent evaporation. The C₆₀ nanowhiskers prepared using toluene as solvent also showed a similar solvated structure, and a more rapid structural change into fcc upon drying was again observed.     

Fluorination of pressure-polymerized C60 phases

The reactivity of O-, T- and R-phases of the high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) polymerized C₆₀ towards gaseous fluorine in the temperature range of 50-250 °C was investigated. The reaction products were characterized by FTIR, powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDX, and VTP-EIMS to determine the bulk stoichiometries, bonding patterns, phase compositions, crystalline structures and thermal decomposition behavior of the fluorinated polymers. At 1 h isothermal treatment duration, fluorinated products with various bulk stoichiometries were obtained from different polymer phases with the R-phase showing the highest fluorine uptake. At 250 °C, all C₆₀ polymers showed partial decomposition to unfluorinated C₆₀ monomer under fluorine atmosphere. At 200 °C, the fluorination of R-phase yielded a pure fluoropolymer most likely having a {C₆₀F_x}_n (x = 36-44) composition. The same fluoropolymer was presumably obtained from O- and T-phases in lower yields. The linear chain structure was suggested for this new fluorocarbon polymer in agreement with the molecular mechanics modeling calculations.