Characterizing large-scale weak interlayer shear zones using conditional random field theory

The shear behavior of large-scale weak intercalation shear zones(WISZs)often governs the stability of foundations,rock slopes,and underground structures.However,due to their wide distribution,undulating morphology,complex fabrics,and varying degrees of contact states,characterizing the shear behavior of natural and complex large-scale WISZs precisely is challenging.This study proposes an analytical method to address this issue,based on geological fieldwork and relevant experimental results.The analytical method utilizes the random field theory and Kriging interpolation technique to simplify the spatial uncertainties of the structural and fabric features for WISZs into the spatial correlation and variability of their mechanical parameters.The Kriging conditional random field of the friction angle of WISZs is embedded in the discrete element software 3DEC,enabling activation analysis of WISZ C2 in the underground caverns of the Baihetan hydropower station.The results indicate that the activation scope of WISZ C2 induced by the excavation of underground caverns is approximately 0.5e1 times the main powerhouse span,showing local activation.Furthermore,the overall safety factor of WISZ C2 follows a normal distribution with an average value of 3.697.

Chalcogen-dependent catalytic properties of RuX2 (X = S/Se/Te) nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofibers for hydrogen evolution in acidic and alkaline media

Transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs),with the general formula MX_(2)(M=Mo/W/Fe/Co/Ni,etc.;X=S/Se/Te),have attracted extensive research interests for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).Compared with numerous studies on noble-metal-free TMDs,the chalcogen-dependent HER catalytic properties of noble-metal-based TMDs are lack of sufficient research attention.Herein,a facile electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy is proposed to synthesize ruthenium dichalcogenides(RuX_(2),X=S/Se/Te)nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofibers(CNFs).Benefiting from the identical nanofibrous morphology and exposed crystal planes of RuX_(2)(111),the catalytic activities of RuX_(2)@CNFs samples were investigated and compared in a fair and direct manner.Detailed electrochemical measurements coupled with density functional theory calculations were carried out to probe their intrinsic HER catalytic activities,resulting in the catalytic activity order of RuS_(2)@CNFs>RuSe_(2)@CNFs>RuTe_(2)@CNFs in acidic media and that of RuS_(2)@CNFs>RuTe_(2)@CNFs>RuSe_(2)@CNFs in alkaline media.The superior catalytic performance of RuS_(2)@CNFs mainly stems from the relative lower HER energy barriers and thereby the higher intrinsic catalytic activity of RuS_(2)(111),leading to ultralow overpotentials of 44 and 9 mV at 10 mA·cm^(-2) in acidic and alkaline media,respectively.RuSe_(2)(111)is endowed with the more optimized Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption(ΔGH*)than RuTe_(2)(111),but RuTe_(2)(111)shows enhanced catalytic property for H_(2)O dissociation and OH-desorption than RuSe_(2)(111),therefore,resulting in the altered catalytic activity sequences for RuSe_(2) and RuTe_(2) in acidic and alkaline media.

Construction of mechanically robust superamphiphobic surfaces on fiber using large particles

Superamphiphobic surfaces have attracted the attention of researchers because of their broad application prospects.Currently,superamphiphobicity is primarily achieved by minimizing the solid-liquid contact area.Over the past few decades,researchers have primarily focused on using physical deposition methods to construct superamphiphobic surfaces using fine-sized nanoparticles(<100 nm).However,porous hollow SiO_(2)particles(PH-SiO_(2)),which aretypically large spheres,have a highly hierarchical structure and can provide lower solid-liquid contact fractions than those provided byfine-sized particles.In this study,we used PH-SiO_(2)as building blocks and combined them with poly(dimethylsiloxane)to construct a mechanically robust coating on fiber by spray-coating.After chemical vapordeposition treatment,the coating exhibited excellent superamphiphobicity and could repel various liquids,covering a wide rangeof surfacetensions(27.4-72.0mN-m^(-1)).