Aligned Co3O4–CoOOH heterostructure nanosheet arrays grown on carbon paper with oxygen vacancies for enhanced and robust oxygen evolution

Developing efficient and stable non-noble metal oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for sustainable overall water-splitting is extremely desirable but still a great challenge. Herein, we developed a facile strategy to fabricate Co₃O₄–CoOOH heterostructure nanosheet arrays with oxygen vacancies grown on carbon paper (Co₃O₄–CoOOH/CP). Benefiting from the unique 3D architecture, large surface area, synergistic effects between Co₃O₄, CoOOH and oxygen vacancies, the obtained self-supporting Co₃O₄–CoOOH/CP presents excellent electrocatalytic OER activity (low overpotentials of 245 and 390 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm⁻²) and robust long-term stability in alkaline condition. The present strategy provides the opportunities for the future rational design and discovery of high-performance non-noble metal based electrocatalysts for advanced water oxidation and beyond.     

Synthesis,characterization, and visible-light photocatalytic activity of transition metals doped ZTO nanoparticles

Transition metals doping has been proved to be a feasible way for tuning the physical properties on the surface and bulk of nanomaterials and also for the good performance in decontamination of emerging pollutants. In this context, doped samples of zinc tin oxide or zinc stannate nanoparticles (ZTO NPs) by several transition metals were synthesized in order to enhance the optical absorbance with the aims of reducing the band gap and therefore ameliorated their photocatalytic activity. They were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The XRD patterns and the microscopic observations showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of about 30 nm and highly pure ZTO phase with an inverse spinel structure. The Raman spectra were dominated by bands relatives to the F2g (2) and A1g symmetries modes of inverse spinel structure. The band gap Eg is estimated to be 3.75 eV for the undoped sample, and 3.67, 3.64, 3.78 and 3.21 eV, for 2% Fe, 2% Mg, 2% Gd, and 2% Mn doped ZTO samples, respectively.Furthermore, the undoped ZTO NPs have the intrinsic problem of recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. We have shown that the reduction of the band gap and oxygen vacancies resulting from the doping effect could be a useful tool for trapping and avoid the recombination of electrons coming from photosensitized rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Owing to the structural advantages and low band gap, 2% Mn doped ZTO NPs, with the kinetic rate constants k of 0.024 min⁻¹, show enhanced performance for the elimination of RhB in aqueous solution compared to undoped and other doped ZTO NPs.     

Carbon-based TiO2-x heterostructure nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of dye molecules

Application of brown titanium dioxide (TiO_2-x) and its modified composite forms in the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants in the environment is a promising way to provide solutions for environmental redemption. Herein, we report the synthesis of effective and stable TiO_2-x nanoparticles with g-C₃N₄, RGO, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a simple hydrothermal method. Among all the as-synthesized samples, excellent photocatalytic degradation activity was observed for RGO-TiO_2-x nanocomposite with high rate constants of 0.075 min^?1_, 0.083 min^?1 and 0.093 min^?1 for methylene blue, rhodamine-B, and rosebengal dyes under UV–Visible light irradiation, respectively. The altered bandgap (1.8 eV) and the large surface area of RGO-TiO_2-x nanocomposite impacts on both absorption of visible light and efficiency of photogenerated charge electron (e^?)/hole (h⁺) pair separation. This resulted in enhanced photocatalytic property of carbon-based TiO_2-x nanocomposites. A systematic study on the influence of different carbon nanostructures on the photocatalytic activity of brown TiO_2-x is carried out.     

Investigation on external stimuli engendered magnetic ordering in polycrystalline CaCu3Ti4O12 quadruple perovskite

The consequences of high energy mechanical milling, microwave-assisted heating and rapid thermal cooling on magnetic ordering in polycrystalline CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ cubic perovskite have been investigated by means of X-ray powder diffractometry (300?K), dc magnetization in field – cooled and zero – field cooled modes (H = 100?Oe and 1000?Oe, T?=?5–300?K) (M – T curves) and M – H loop characteristics (T?=?5?K and 300?K, H_max = 70?kOe). The M – T curves of unmilled and 16?h milled samples show pure antiferromagnetic and weak ferromagnetic ordering, respectively, 1?h and 6?h milled samples demonstrate the coexistence of both the phases while microwave-assisted and quenched samples exhibit classic antiferromagnetic transition and a low temperature paramagnetic–like contribution with different weights, well supported by the M – H loop characteristics. The observed transformations in the magnetic ordering are attributed to the ball-milling induced stress which curtails hybridization of empty Ti-3d orbitals with Cu-3d and O-2p orbitals and secondary phase formation. Oxygen vacancies associated with bound magnetic polarons originate ferromagnetism in the milled samples while unpaired electrons inhabited at the empty sites are the cause of paramagnetic centers. The low-temperature Curie – tail in M – T curve for quenched and microwave assisted samples is attributed to Ti³⁺ cations.     

PMN-PT陶瓷中的氧缺位及其消除

研究了组成中Pb含量的变化对组成为Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3的铌镁酸铅-钛酸铅(PMN-PT)陶瓷压电性能的影响,发现化学计量比组成(x=1)的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷经常出现压电性能的大幅度退化现象,而A位适量缺Pb能稳定地获得高性能的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷。XPS元素价态分析的结果表明,化学计量比的Pbx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3陶瓷中含有较多的氧缺位,氧缺位的产生源于MgNb2O6(MN)合成过程中的气氛差异,A位适量缺Pb能有效地消除这种氧缺位而稳定地获得正常的压电性能,其机理被认为是氧缺位与铅缺位的复合。     

Using bald eagles to indicate the health of the Great Lakes' environment

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of the most studied birds of North America, and a great amount of natural life‐history information, including the response of various stressors on the eagles' ability to reproduce, are well known. In Michigan, the eagle has been chosen to track the trends of bioaccumulative compounds of concern across watersheds in the state. The state has been divided into major watersheds, and 20% of these are surveyed each year. A control area in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park, is also sampled annually. We report here on the methods used, the preliminary results of the 1999 field season, and how differences in mercury concentrations varied over a 10‐year period. Mercury in feathers of nestling eagles declined over time only in Lakes Michigan and Huron, but have not decreased among other subpopulations in Michigan. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 4,4′‐DDE in blood plasma from nestling eagles have declined over time for most subpopulations; however, they remain greater for breeding areas associated with the Great Lakes' food web. Sea eagles of the genus Haliaeetus are a good sentinel species to track trends in bioaccumulative compounds in aquatic systems.     

Single and matrix HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors

The recent researches and technological developments of middle and long wavelength infrared HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors are presented. Structure, topology, design and performance of HgCdTe photodiodes, silicon readout electronics, Focal Plane Arrays both staring and time delay and integration types, thermal imagers are discussed. Negative differential conductance, bistability and high frequency oscillations under background infrared radiation in HgCdTe photodiodes are reported.     

核磁共振谱的岩石孔喉结构分析

刘堂宴 ,王绍民 ,傅容珊 ,周明顺 ,李艳华 ,罗曼 .核磁共振谱的岩石孔喉结构分析 .石油地球物理勘探 ,2 0 0 3,38(3) :32 8～ 333岩心核磁共振 T2 谱和压汞分析数据均在一定程度上反映了岩石的孔喉结构 ,理论分析表明 ,这两组数据具有相关性。应用岩心核磁共振 T2 谱研究岩石孔喉结构 ,关键是确定 T2 与 Pc的转换系数。但以前的方法在 T2与 Pc 的转换过程中 ,需要涉及某些岩石特性参数 ,实用中有一定困难。本文直接利用岩心核磁共振 T2 谱和压汞分析数据之间的相关性 ,客观地确定 T2 与 Pc之间的转换系数 ,避免了确定岩石特性参数的困难。应用本文方法 ,对 6块岩心的多种核磁共振分析数据进行了对比分析 ,做出了 NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,简称NMR) T2 毛管力曲线和孔喉半径分布 ,并将这些结果与压汞分析的结果进行了对比。结果表明 ,岩心 NMR T2谱在实用性和评价精度上均略显优势 ;至少是在饱含油的条件下 ,岩心的 NMR T2 谱可以用于研究孔喉结构分布 ,油气的弛豫特性作为影响背景值存在 ,对于评价结果没有明显的影响 ;在全部 6块岩心中 ,T2 与 Pc 的转换系数位于 2 5 0 0～ 4 0 0 0μs· MPa之间。     

示波极谱滴定法测定工业氯化钙主要成份

在氯化铵-氨水(pH=11)支持电解质中用微银汞膜电极进行试验,锰、铁不干扰测定,用EDTA滴定氯化钙获得令人满意的结果。对三种样品进行分析,变异系数为0.08％—0.11％。该法快速准确,适用于氯化钙主要成份的测定。