Room-Temperature Assembled MXene-Based Aerogels for High Mass-Loading Sodium-Ion Storage

Low-temperature assembly of MXene nanosheets into three-dimensional(3D) robust aerogels addresses the crucial stability concern of the nano-building blocks during the fabrication process,which is of key importance for transforming the fascinating properties at the nanoscale into the macroscopic scale for practical applications.Herein,suitable cross-linking agents(amino-propyltriethoxysilane,Mn^(2+),Fe^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Co^(2+)) as interfacial mediators to engineer the interlayer interactions are reported to realize the graphene oxide(GO)-assisted assembly of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) MXene aerogel at room temperature.This elaborate aerogel construction not only suppresses the oxidation degradation of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) but also generates porous aerogels with a high Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) content(87 wt%) and robustness,thereby guaranteeing the functional accessibility of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) nanosheets and operational reliability as integrated functional materials.In combination with a further sulfur modification,the Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x) aerogel electrode shows promising electrochemical performances as the freestanding anode for sodium-ion storage.Even at an ultrahigh loading mass of 12.3 mg cm^(-2),a pronounced areal capacity of 1.26 mAh cm^(-2) at a current density of 0.1 A g^(-1) has been achieved,which is of practical significance.This work conceptually suggests a new way to exert the utmost surface functionalities of MXenes in 3D monolithic form and can be an inspiring scaffold to promote the application of MXenes in different areas.

Study on Pinus elliottii Plantations in Pengchang Forest Farm of Jingmen City

[Objectives]This study was conducted to improve the ecological and economic benefits of Pinus elliottii plantations in Pengchang Forest Farm, Jingmen City. [Methods] P. elliottii plantations in Pengchang Forest Farm in Jingmen City were selected as the research object, and the appearance and quantitative characteristics of P. elliottii community were studied and analyzed by a sampling method. [Results] Phanerophytes were the most in the P. elliottii community, accounting for 50%. In the community, except P. elliottii, the importance values of native plants were higher. The order of species diversity of P. elliottii community in Pengchang Forest Farm was herb layer, tree layer and shrub layer. The stress resistance of the community was weak, and strong intraspecific competition existed in P. elliottii. It is recommended to thin P. elliottii trees with insufficient lighting, poor growth potential and severely damaged tree body, and interplant Phoebe zhennan after thinning the P. elliottii plantations, so as to create a coniferous and broad-leaved evergreen mixed forest. [Conclusions] This study provides scientific support for thinning, tending, and forest management of P. elliottii plantations.

Problems and Countermeasures of International Trade Financing of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in China

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the foundation of China's national economy,and they are important forces to promote economic and social development.They play an irreplaceable role in promoting scientific and technological progress,increasing social employment,expanding foreign trade,and other aspects in which they have become an important part of China's socialist market economy.Based on the research background of international trade financing,this paper analyzes the problems existing in the international trade fmancing of small and medium-sized enterprises in China to put forward countermeasures and suggestions,hoping to help these small and medium-sized enterprises solve the financing problem so as to achieve a healthy development in the international trade market environment.

LDHs derived nanoparticle-stacked metal nitride as interlayer for long-life lithium sulfur batteries

Shuttle effect is one of the most serious disadvantages in lithium-sulfur battery which results in poor cycle performance and hinders the commercialization of Li-S battery.To reduce the dissolution of polysulfides into the electrolyte and prolong the cycling stability,nanoparticle-stacked metal nitride derived from layered double hydroxides(LDHs)as an interlayer was inserted between sulfur cathode and separator to confine polysulfides by physical and chemical interactions.Meanwhile,the surface of metal nitride will form an oxide passivation layer.The passivation layer possesses hydrophilic metal-O group and provides a polar surface for strong binding with polysulfide.What’s more,the nanoparticlesstacked structure could immerge and retain electrolyte well,which could enhance the ability of promoting the electron exchange rate.The sulfur electrode with nanoparticle-stacked metal nitride interlayer has an excellent cycle performance owing to the interactions between metal nitride and polysulfides.The battery delivered an initial capacity of 764.6 m Ahg^(-1) and still possesses a capacity of 477.5 mAhg^(-1) with the retention of 62.4% after 800 cycles.

Effect of non-solvent additives on the morphology,pore structure, and direct contact membrane distillation performance of PVDF-CTFE hydrophobic membranes

Four common types of additives for polymer membrane preparation including organic macromolecule and micromolecule additives, inorganic salts and acids, and the strong non-solvent H2 O were used to prepare poly（vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene）（PVDF-CTFE） hydrophobic flat-sheet membranes. Membrane properties including morphology, porosity, hydrophobicity, pore size and pore distribution were investigated, and the permeability was evaluated via direct contact membrane distillation（DCMD） of 3.5 g/L Na Cl solution in a DCMD configuration. Both inorganic and organic micromolecule additives were found to slightly influence membrane hydrophobicity. Polyethylene glycol（PEG）,organic acids, Li Cl, Mg Cl2, and Li Cl/H2 O mixtures were proved to be effective additives to PVDF-CTFE membranes due to their pore-controlling effects and the capacity to improve the properties and performance of the resultant membranes. The occurrence of a pre-gelation process showed that when organic and inorganic micromolecules were added to PVDF-CTFE solution, the resultant membranes presented a high interconnectivity structure. The membrane prepared with dibutyl phthalate（DBP） showed a nonporous surface and symmetrical cross-section. When H2 O and Li Cl/H2 O mixtures were also used as additives, they were beneficial for solid–liquid demixing, especially when Li Cl/H2 O mixed additives were used. The membrane prepared with 5% Li Cl ＋ 2% H2 O achieved a flux of24.53 kg/（m2·hr） with 99.98% salt rejection. This study is expected to offer a reference not only for PVDF-CTFE membrane preparation but also for other polymer membranes.

Robust and easily retrievable Pd/Ti3C2Tx■graphene hydrogels for efficient catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds

Ti3C2Tx has been emerging as an attractive platform to prepare composite catalysts,and their assembly into integrated catalytic mate rials repre sents a key step forward toward practical applications.Howeve r,the swelling behavior of Ti3C2Tx leads to significant structure change,which challenges the stability of Ti3C2Tx-based integrated functional materials for catalytic applications.Here we report a facile synthesis of Pd/Ti3C2Tx■graphene hydrogels in which Pd/Ti3C2Tx are spatially encapsulated in the 3 D porous graphene framework.The porous interconnected structure not only affords efficient mass transfer and desirable functional accessibility to catalytic active sites,but also effectively buffers the swelling behavior of Ti3C2Tx.When applied for catalytic hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds,the mechanically robust Pd/Ti3C2Tx■graphene hydrogels exhibit efficient activities,easy separability,and good cyclability.This work is expected to promote the application of Ti3C2Tx-based functional materials for practical applications involving interactions with salt solutions,such as supercapacitors,catalysis,and water purification.