In situ observation of the electrochemical behavior of Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries in an environmental transmission electron microscope

Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries,a promising energy storage technology,not only provide ultrahigh discharge capacity but also capture CO_(2)and turn it into renewable energy.Their electrochemical reaction pathways'ambiguity,however,creates a hurdle for their practical application.This study used copper selenide(CuSe)nanosheets as the air cathode medium in an environmental transmission electron microscope to in situ study Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)(mix CO_(2)as well as O_(2)at a volume ratio of 1:1)and Li–O_(2)batteries as well as Li–CO_(2)batteries.Primary discharge reactions take place successively in the Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)–CuSe nanobattery:(I)4Li^(+)+O_(2)+4e^(−)→2Li_(2)O;(II)Li_(2)O+CO_(2)→Li_(2)CO_(3).The charge reaction proceeded via(III)2Li_(2)CO_(3)→4Li^(+)+2CO_(2)+O_(2)+4e^(−).However,Li–O_(2)and Li–CO_(2)nanobatteries showed poor cycling stability,suggesting the difficulty in the direct decomposition of the discharge product.The fluctuations of the Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery's electrochemistry were also shown to depend heavily on O_(2).The CuSe‐based Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery showed exceptional electrochemical performance.The Li^–CO_(2)/O_(2)battery offered a discharge capacity apex of 15,492 mAh g^(−1) and stable cycling 60 times at 100 mA g^(−1).Our research offers crucial insight into the electrochemical behavior of Li–CO_(2)/O_(2),Li–O_(2),and Li–CO_(2)nanobatteries,which may help the creation of high‐performance Li–CO_(2)/O_(2)batteries for energy storage applications.

Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energydispersive X-ray spectrometry for quick detection of sulfuroxidizing bacteria in environmental water samples

Detection of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria has largely been dependent on targeted gene sequencing technology or traditional cell cultivation, which usually takes from days to months to carry out. This clearly does not meet the requirements of analysis for time-sensitive samples and/or complicated environmental samples. Since energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS) can be used to simultaneously detect multiple elements in a sample, including sulfur, with minimal sample treatment, this technology was applied to detect sulfur-oxidizing bacteria using their high sulfur content within the cell. This article describes the application of scanning electron microscopy imaging coupled with EDS mapping for quick detection of sulfur oxidizers in contaminated environmental water samples, with minimal sample handling. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed the existence of dense granules within the bacterial cells, while EDS identified large amounts of sulfur within them. EDS mapping localized the sulfur to these granules. Subsequent 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacteria detected in our samples belonged to the genus Chromatium, which are sulfur oxidizers. Thus, EDS mapping made it possible to identify sulfur oxidizers in environmental samples based on localized sulfur within their cells, within a short time(within 24 h of sampling). This technique has wide ranging applications for detection of sulfur bacteria in environmental water samples.

Visualization of atomic scale reaction dynamics of supported nanocatalysts during oxidation and ammonia synthesis using in-situ environmental(scanning) transmission electron microscopy

Reaction dynamics in gases at operating temperatures at the atomic level are the basis of heterogeneous gas-solid catalyst reactions and are crucial to the catalyst function.Supported noble metal nanocatalysts such as platinum are of interest in fuel cells and as diesel oxidation catalysts for pollution control,and practical ruthenium nanocatalysts are explored for ammonia synthesis.Graphite and graphitic carbons are of interest as supports for the nanocatalysts.Despite considerable literature on the catalytic processes on graphite and graphitic supports,reaction dynamics of the nanocatalysts on the supports in different reactive gas environments and operating temperatures at the single atom level are not well understood.Here we present real time in-situ observations and analyses of reaction dynamics of Pt in oxidation,and practical Ru nanocatalysts in ammonia synthesis,on graphite and related supports under controlled reaction environments using a novel in-situ environmental(scanning) transmission electron microscope with single atom resolution.By recording snapshots of the reaction dynamics,the behaviour of the catalysts is imaged.The images reveal single metal atoms,clusters of a few atoms on the graphitic supports and the support function.These all play key roles in the mobility,sintering and growth of the catalysts.The experimental findings provide new structural insights into atomic scale reaction dynamics,morphology and stability of the nanocatalysts.

The mechanism of room-temperature oxidation of a HF-etched Ti3C2Tx MXene determined via environmental transmission electron microscopy and molecular dynamics

The oxidation chemistry of two-dimensional transition metal carbide MXenes has brought new research significance to their protection and application.However,the oxidation behavior and degradation mechanism of MXenes,in particular with time under oxygen conditions at room tem-perature,remain largely unexplored.Here,several experimental and theo-retical techniques are used to determine a very early stage of the oxidation mechanism of HF-etched Ti3C2Tx(a major member of MXenes and Tx=surface functional groups)in an oxygen environment at room temper-ature.Aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron micros-copy coupled with reactive molecular dynamics simulations show that the crystal plane-dependent oxidation rate of Ti3C2Tx and oxide expansion are attributed to differences in the coordination and charge of superficial Ti atoms,and the existence of the channels between neighboring MXene layers on the different crystal planes.The complementary x-ray photoelec-tron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy analyses indicate that the ana-tase and a tiny fraction of brookite TiO2 successively precipitate from the amorphous region of oxidized Ti3C2Tx,grow irregularly and transform to rutile TiO2.Our study reveals the early-stage structural evolution of MXenes in the presence of oxygen and facilitates further tailoring of the MXene per-formance employing oxidation strategy.

An enriched environment promotes synaptic plasticity and cognitive recovery after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Cerebral ischemia activates an endogenous repair program that induces plastic changes in neurons. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental enrichment on spatial learning and memory as well as on synaptic remodeling in a mouse model of chronic cerebral ischemia, produced by subjecting adult male C57 BL/6 mice to permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion. Three days postoperatively, mice were randomly assigned to the environmental enrichment and standard housing groups. Mice in the standard housing group were housed and fed a standard diet. Mice in the environmental enrichment group were housed in a cage with various toys and fed a standard diet. Then, 28 days postoperatively, spatial learning and memory were tested using the Morris water maze. The expression levels of growth-associated protein 43, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 in the hippocampus were analyzed by western blot assay. The number of synapses was evaluated by electron microscopy. In the water maze test, mice in the environmental enrichment group had a shorter escape latency, traveled markedly longer distances, spent more time in the correct quadrant(northeast zone), and had a higher frequency of crossings compared with the standard housing group. The expression levels of growth-associated protein 43, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 were substantially upregulated in the hippocampus in the environmental enrichment group compared with the standard housing group. Furthermore, electron microscopy revealed that environmental enrichment increased the number of synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region. Collectively, these findings suggest that environmental enrichment ameliorates the spatial learning and memory impairment induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Environmental enrichment in mice with cerebral ischemia likely promotes cognitive recovery by inducing plastic changes in synapses.

Oxidation behavior of cobalt nanoparticles studied by in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy

The dynamics of oxidation of cobalt nanoparticles were directly revealed by in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy.Firstly,cobalt nanoparticles were oxidized to polycrystalline cobalt monoxide,then to polycrystalline tricobalt tetroxide,in the presence of oxygen with a low partial pressure.Numerous cavities(or voids) were formed during the oxidation,owing to the Kirkendall effect.Analysis of the oxides growth suggested that the oxidation of cobalt nanoparticles followed a parabolic rate law,which was consistent with diffusion-limited kinetics.In situ transmission electron microscopy allowed potential atomic oxidation pathways to be considered.The outward diffusion of cobalt atoms inside the oxide layer controlled the oxidation,and formed the hollow structure.Irradiation by the electron beam,which destroyed the sealing effect of graphite layer coated on the cobalt surface and resulted in fast oxidation rate,played an important role in activating and promoting the oxidations.These findings further our understanding on the microscopic kinetics of metal nanocrystal oxidation and knowledge of energetic electrons promoting oxidation reaction.

Analysis of Vero cell growth behavior on microcarrier by means of environmental scanning electron microscopy

By using environmental scanning electron microscopy, the morphological changes of Vero cells attached to and grown on the microcarrier Cytodex-3 were observed, and their behavior of adhesion, spreading and proliferation was analyzed. The effect of exogenous fibronectin/ laminin on adhesion and spreading of MCC/Vero cell was studied. The images of ESEM showed that expansion of cell growth was directed toward vacancy space. The growth curve and cell concentration change during the whole culture process were obtained from the statistical counting method based on ESEM images and the crystal violet method. The growth rate of Vero cells increases with increasing the concentration of cell inoculation, that is, the specific growth rate increases quickly with increasing the concentration of cell inoculation. When serum concentration in medium #199 ranged from 5% to 10%, experimental results indicated that serum concentration is one of the important factors influencing cell growth, particularly in the cell adhesion and spreading stage.

Revealing the dynamics of the alloying and segregation of Pt-Co nanoparticles via in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy

Thermal treatment is a general and efficient way to synthesize intermetallic catalysts and may involve complicated physical processes.So far,the mechanisms leading to the size and composition heterogeneity,as well as the phase segregation behavior in Pt-Co nanoparticles(NPs)are still not well understood.Via in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy,the formation dynamics and segregation behaviors of Pt-Co alloyed NPs during the thermal treatment were investigated.It is found that Pt-Co NPs on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-67-derived nanocarbon(NC)are formed consecutively through both particle migration coalescence and the Ostwald ripening process.The existence of Pt NPs is found to affect the movement of Co NPs during their migration.With the help of theoretical calculations,the correlations between the composition and migration of the Pt and Co during the ripening process were uncovered.These complex alloying processes are revealed as key factors leading to the heterogeneity of the synthesized Pt-Co alloyed NPs.Under oxidation environment,the Pt-Co NPs become surface faceted gradually,which can be attributed to the oxygen facilitated relatively higher segregation rate of Co from the(111)surface.This work advances the fundamental understanding of design,synthesis,and durability of the Pt-based nanocatalysts.

Broadening environmental research in the era of accurate protein structure determination and predictions

The deep-learning protein structure prediction method AlphaFold2 has garnered enormous attention beyond the realm of structural biology,for its groundbreaking contribution to solving the"protein foiding problem"In this perspective,we explore the connection between protein structure studies and environmental research,delving into the potential for addressing specific environmental challenges.Proteins are promising for environmental applications because of the functional diversity endowed by their structural complexity.However,structural studies on proteins with environmental significance remain scarce.Here,we present the opportunity to study proteins by advancing experimental determination and deep-learning prediction methods.Specifically,the latest progress in environmental research via cryogenic electron microscopy is highlighted.It allows us to determine the structure of protein complexes in their native state within cells at molecular resolution,revealing environmentally-associated structural dynamics.With the remarkable advancements in computational power and experimental resolution,the study of protein structure and dynamics has reached unprecedented depth and accuracy.These advancements will undoubtedly accelerate the establishment of comprehensive environmental protein structural and functional databases.Tremendous opportunities for protein engineering exist to enable innovative solutions for environmental applications,such as the degradation of persistent contaminants,and the recovery of valuable metals as well as rare earth elements.

In-situ imaging the electrochemical reactions of Li-CO_(2) nanobatteries at high temperatures in an aberration corrected environmental transmission electron microscope

Rechargeable lithium-carbon dioxide(Li-CO_(2))batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical energy densities and capture of C0_(2).However,the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of rechargeable Lo-CO_(2) batteries,particularly the decomposition mechanisms of the discharge product Li_(2)CO_(3) are still unclear,impeding their practical applications.Exploring electrochemistry of Li_(2)CO_(3) is critical for improving the performance of Li-C0_(2) batteries.Herein,in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy(ETEM)technique was used to study electrochemistry of Li_(2)CO_(3) in Li-C0_(2) batteries during discharge and charge processes.During discharge,Li_(2)CO_(3) was nucleated and accumulated on the surface of the cathode media such as carbon nanotubes(CNTs)and Ag nanowires(Ag NWs),but it was hard to decompose during charging at room temperature.To promote the decomposition of Li2C03,the charge reactions were conducted at high temperatures,during which Li_(2)CO_(3) was decomposed to lithium with release of gases.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that the synergistic effect of temperature and biasing facilitates the decomposition of Li_(2)CO_(3).This study not only provides a fundamental understanding to the high temperature Li-C0_(2) nanobatteries,but also offers a valid technique,i.e.,discharging/charging at high temperatures,to improve the cyclability of Li-CO_(2) batteries for energy storage applications.

A Pioneering Approach to the Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Our research introduces a groundbreaking chemical reduction method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles, marking a significant advancement in the field. The nanoparticles were meticulously characterized using various techniques, including optical analysis, structural analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This thorough process instills confidence in the accuracy of our findings. The results unveiled that the silver nanoparticles had a diameter of less than 20 nm, a finding of great importance. The absorption spectrum decreased in the peak wavelength range (405 - 394 mm) with increasing concentrations of Ag nanoparticles in the range (1 - 5%). The XRD results indicated a cubic crystal structure for silver nanoparticles with the lattice constant (a = 4.0855 Å), and Miller indices were (111), (002), (002), and (113). The simulation on the XRD pattern showed a face center cubic phase with space group Fm-3m, providing valuable insights into the structure of the nanoparticles.

高等级生物安全实验室建筑工艺环境分析及设计要点

本文介绍了设有冷冻电镜的高等级生物安全实验室工艺平面设计,从冷冻电镜设备及生物安全防护的角度对工艺环境参数指标进行分析。针对工艺环境参数特点,从空气处理方案、室外计算参数取值、机组热湿处理调节方式、空气过滤措施、气流组织、消声减噪等方面提出了暖通空调系统设计要点。为设有冷冻电镜的高等级生物安全实验室建筑的设计建造提供技术参考。

环境扫描电镜对废水生物样品形态结构的表征研究

采用环境扫描电镜(ESEM)分析颗粒污泥和悬浮填料生物膜的微生物群落形态,并与扫描电镜(SEM)观察结果进行比较.结果表明,ESEM观察悬浮填料生物膜的适宜条件为样品台温度5℃,样品室汽压5.91×102Pa,相对湿度75%,加速电压15.00kV.观察颗粒污泥样品的适宜条件为样品台温度0℃,样品室汽压7.00×102Pa,相对湿度100%,加速电压10.00kV.表面存在的水滴凝聚和含水量高、结构脆弱的样品易因气压和入射电子束轰击收缩变形,是影响ESEM观察样品真实面貌的主要因素.悬浮填料生物膜的ESEM观察说明,相较于SEM,未经任何处理的载体生物膜样品在合适的ESEM条件下可得到的高放大倍数的清晰照片,能更真实的表征生物膜的微生物群落结构.含水量高、结构脆弱,承受能力差的颗粒污泥样品,则需要通过锇酸或者戊二醛等固定剂进行化学固定,降低ESEM的加速电压,并且尽量缩短观察时间,避免因气压和高速入射电子束的轰击而收缩变形,获得其原始形貌照片.

疏水缔合水溶性聚丙烯酰胺的溶液结构的研究

应用流变学方法及扫描电镜、环境扫描电镜手段对疏水缔合聚丙烯酰胺和传统的超高分子量部分的水解聚丙烯酰胺进行了对比研究。结果表明 ,在相同浓度的条件下 ,前者的增粘能力远大于后者。其原因在于前者通过疏水缔合作用在溶液中形成了三维网络状结构。在不同浓度和不同放大倍数的条件下观察到的溶液结构具有一定的自相似性 ,说明该疏水缔合水溶性聚合物的溶液结构具有一定的分形特性。

原子力显微镜在聚合物溶液结构研究中的应用

驱油用水溶性聚合物溶液的应用性能由其聚合物溶液的微观结构所决定,因此在驱油用聚合物合成及配方研究中迫切需要研究其溶液的微观结构。本文使用原子力显微镜(AFM)、环境扫描电镜(ESEM)和透射电镜(TEM)观察了水溶液中聚合物(HAWSP,AP-P4)的微观结构。研究发现常温常压下原子力显微镜观察到的聚合物网络结构图案清晰,边界分辨率高。透射电镜观察到的聚合物网络结构较模糊且网络结构有断裂现象。环境扫描电镜观测到的网络结构尺寸大小是AFM观测到的几倍甚至是十几倍。动态光散射(dynamic light scattering,DLS)结果证明AFM和TEM所观测到的聚合物结构最接近于真实结构。结果表明使用原子力显微镜在观察水溶性聚合物类样品时,能够较真实反映其微观结构。

不同处理技术对环境扫描电镜下细菌原始形态的影响

应用常规高真空扫描电镜观察生物样品必须经过干燥和导电处理,但无论是采用冷冻干燥还是临界点干燥,都存在着样品不同程度脱水失真的问题,很多生物材料如真菌菌丝和孢子、水生藻类、培养细胞、昆虫胚胎及幼虫等经处理后会产生较大的变形,无法观察到生物体的原始面貌。而通过改进细菌样品固定的前处理技术,利用环境扫描电镜(ESEM)可观察到细菌样品的自然原始形态。

光增白剂对甜菜夜蛾围食膜结构的作用与影响

应用环境扫描电镜和生化技术研究了甜菜夜蛾Spodopteraexigua正常围食膜和光增白剂M2R处理围食膜的形态、结构和组成。结果表明 :正常的围食膜表面光滑致密、无孔洞和缝隙 ;光增白剂处理的围食膜产生了孔缝。正常围食膜所含蛋白质的种类很多 ,经SDS PAGE测定至少有 17条多肽 ,分子量多在 97 4kD以下 ,围食膜蛋白质的含量约为 4 1 98% ,糖的含量约为 2 0 5 %。光增白剂可以解离大部分围食膜蛋白 ,液滴法喂食幼虫蓝色葡聚糖 2 0 0 0进一步证实了光增白剂能破坏围食膜的完整性。

生物样品的环境扫描电镜观察

用环境扫描电镜观察动物、植物、微生物等生物样品。通过对环境条件的比较 ,发现样品温度 4～ 6℃ ,样品室气压 6 93× 10 2 ～ 7 86× 10 2 Pa,相对湿度 85%是合适的环境条件 ,在这一条件下 ,多数生物样品既不发生表面凝聚水滴也不发生脱水 ,而且死后变化小 ,没有充放电现象 ,能获得满意的结果。

高压实高庙子膨润土的微观结构特征

采用水汽平衡法和渗析法吸力控制技术，借助压汞仪法（MIP）和环境扫描电镜法（ESEM）等试验手段，在自由和侧限状态下，试验研究了被确定为我国高放废物地质处置库首选缓冲材料的高庙子膨润土水化过程中的微观结构变化特征.结果表明，侧限条件与土中吸力对于高压实膨润土水化过程中的微观结构变化影响明显.在高吸力范围（3~309MPa）内，无论是处于侧限还是自由膨胀状态，高压实高庙子膨润土的含水量随控制吸力变化不大，且2种状态下数值基本一致；而当吸力低于3 MPa时，尤其是当吸力小于1 MPa时，处于不同状态下的土样中，含水量随吸力的变化特征出现了明显的差异.从微观上看，随着控制吸力的降低，自由膨胀状态下，大量的水进入了集合体间的孔隙（大孔隙）中，压实膨润土的体积膨胀主要来自于集合体间孔隙（大孔隙）的膨胀；侧限状态下，内部膨胀力逐渐积累，集合体间的孔隙（大孔隙）被压缩，较小孔隙的数量不断增加，压实膨润土中的孔隙大小趋于均一化.

复合胶凝材料水化过程的ESEM观察

利用环境扫描电镜(ESEM)和X射线衍射分析(XRD)研究了由硅酸盐水泥、粉煤灰和膨胀剂组成的复合胶凝材料的水化产物形貌和硬化浆体结构。复合胶凝材料水化初期有过渡产物钾石膏片状晶体生成,CSH凝胶为约1μm长的晶须,而钙矾石则以六方片状晶核形式存在。在粉煤灰颗粒表面有通过溶解-结晶机制生成的水化产物。在水化后期,CSH成为无特征形貌的致密浆体,其中分布有充分发育的棒状钙矾石晶体。粉煤灰颗粒由表面生成的水化产物与周围的浆体紧密结合成为一个整体。