Visible-light degradation of azo dyes by imine-linked covalent organic frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)are nanoporous crystalline polymers with densely conjugated structures.This work discovers that imine-linked COFs exhibit remarkable photodegradation efficiency to azo dyes dissolved in water.Visible light generates different types of radicals from COFs,and superoxide radicals break N=N bonds in dye molecules,resulting in 100%degradation of azo dyes within 1 h.In contrast,these dyes cannot be degraded by conventionally used photocatalysts,for example,TiO2.Importantly,the COF photocatalysts can be recovered from the dye solutions and re-used to degrade azo dyes for multiple times without loss of degradation efficiency.This work provides an efficient strategy to degrade synthetic dyes,and we expect that COFs with designable structures may use as new photocatalysts for other important applications.

Atomic layer deposition of TiO_(2) on carbon-nanotubes membrane for capacitive deionization removal of chromium from water

Chromium(Cr)is a common heavy metal that has severe impacts on the ecosystem and human health.Capacitive deionization(CDI)is an environment-friendly and energy-efficient electrochemical purification technology to remove Cr from polluted water.The performance of CDI systems relies primarily on the properties of electrodes.Carbon-nanotubes(CNTs)membranes are promising candidates in creating advanced CDI electrodes and processes.However,the low electrosorption capacity and high hydrophobicity of CNTs greatly impede their applications in water systems.In this study,we employ atomic layer deposition(ALD)to deposit TiO_(2) nanoparticulates on CNTs membranes for preparing electrodes with hydrophilicity.The TiO_(2)-deposited CNTs membranes display preferable electrosorption performance and reusability in CDI processes after only 20 ALD cycles deposition.The total Cr and Cr(VI)removal efficiencies are significantly improved to 92.1%and 93.3%,respectively.This work demonstrates that ALD is a highly controllable and simple method to produce advanced CDI electrodes,and broadens the application of metal oxide/carbon composites in the electrochemical processes.

Enhanced performances of polypropylene membranes by molecular layer deposition of polyimide

Molecular layer deposition(MLD) for the deposition of polyimide(PI) at low temperature of 110 °C has been firstly introduced into the field of membrane separation. With the optimized MLD deposition parameters, such low deposition temperature has successfully expanded the application of MLD for the surface modification of polymeric materials. Globular PI particulates grow on both the free surfaces as well as the pore walls of the polypropylene(PP) membranes as isolated islands during progressive precursor exposures. The PI-deposited PP membranes exhibit synergistically improved performances in various aspects. Evidently improved surface hydrophilicity and permeation performance(30%) have been achieved via the MLD deposition of polyimide films. The overall separation efficiency maintained higher than 85% even after 250 cycles of MLD deposition. More importantly, the thermal stability has been improved and the integrity of the porous structure for PI-deposited PP membranes has been well preserved even after harsh treatment, which ensures its potential application in industries.

Atomic layer deposition of Al_2O_3 on porous polypropylene hollow fibers for enhanced membrane performances

Porous polypropylene hollow fiber(PPHF) membranes are widely used in liquid purification. However, the hydrophobicity of polypropylene(PP) has limited its applications in water treatment. Herein, we demonstrate that, for the first time, atomic layer deposition(ALD) is an effective strategy to conveniently upgrade the filtration performances of PPHF membranes. The chemical and morphological changes of the deposited PPHF membranes are characterized by spectral, compositional, microscopic characterizations and protein adsorption measurements. Al_2O_3 is distributed along the cross section of the PP hollow fibers, with decreasing concentration from the outer surface to the inner surface. The pore size of the outer surface can be easily turned by altering the ALD cycles. Interestingly, the hollow fibers become much more ductile after deposition as their elongation at break is increased more than six times after deposition with 100 cycles. The deposited membranes show simultaneously enhanced water permeance and retention after deposition with moderate ALD cycle numbers.For instance, after 50 ALD cycles a 17% increase in water permeance and one-fold increase in BSA rejection are observed. Moreover, the PP membranes exhibit improved fouling-resistance after ALD deposition.

应对环境变化的多功能湿地设计——三峡库区汉丰湖芙蓉坝湖湾湿地生态系统建设

汉丰湖是一处因三峡水库蓄水造成的季节性水位消涨而形成的城市内湖,面临着水环境污染、水生生物物种消失或濒危、土地利用格局改变等问题。本文以汉丰湖芙蓉坝湖湾湿地生态系统建设为例,探讨如何借鉴中国传统农耕时代与治水、利水、善水相关的生态智慧,运用动态景观设计、多功能景观设计、环湖圈层设计和协同进化及互利共生等理念,打造能够适应环境变化的多功能消落带湿地。