Boosting CO_(2)photoreduction by synergistic optimization of multiple processes through metal vacancy engineering

The photoreduction of greenhouse gas CO_(2)using photocatalytic technologies not only benefits en-vironmental remediation but also facilitates the production of raw materials for chemicals.Howev-er,the efficiency of CO_(2)photoreduction remains generally low due to the challenging activation of CO_(2)and the limited light absorption and separation of charge.Defect engineering of catalysts rep-resents a pivotal strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity for CO_(2),with most research on met-al oxide catalysts focusing on the creation of anionic vacancies.The exploration of metal vacancies and their effects,however,is still underexplored.In this study,we prepared an In2O3 catalyst with indium vacancies(VIn)through defect engineering for CO_(2)photoreduction.Experimental and theo-retical calculations results demonstrate that VIn not only facilitate light absorption and charge sepa-ration in the catalyst but also enhance CO_(2)adsorption and reduce the energy barrier for the for-mation of the key intermediate*COOH during CO_(2)reduction.Through metal vacancy engineering,the activity of the catalyst was 7.4 times,reaching an outstanding rate of 841.32μmol g(-1)h^(-1).This work unveils the mechanism of metal vacancies in CO_(2)photoreduction and provides theoretical guidance for the development of novel CO_(2)photoreduction catalysts.

Preparation of TiC powders by carbothermal reduction method in vacuum

The preparation of fine TiC powders by carbothermal reduction of TiO2 in vacuum was investigated by XRD,SEM,XRF and laser particle sizer.Thermodynamic analysis indicates that it is easy to prepare TiC in vacuum and the formation sequence of products are Ti4O7（Magneli phase）,Ti3O5,Ti2O3,TiCxO1-x and TiC with the increase of reaction temperature.Experimental results demonstrate that TiC powders with single phase are obtained with molar ratio of TiO2 to C ranging from 1：3.2 to 1：6 at 1 550 ℃ for 4 h when the system pressure is 50 Pa,and TiC1.0 is gained when the molar ratio of TiO2 to C is 1：4 and 1：5.In addition,fine TiC1.0 powders（D50 equals 3.04 μm） with single phase and low impurities are obtained when the molar ratio of TiO2 to C is 1：4.SEM observation shows that uniform shape,low agglomeration,and loose structure are observed on the surface of block product.

Temporal-Spatial Distribution of Vegetation in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau During the Past 12 ka BP

Comprehensive studies on the basis of pollen records from lake cores at 30 sites in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau have been used to reconstruct temporal-spatial distributions of Holocene vegetations. Before the, Holocene (prior to 12.0 ka BP) desert steppe vegetation was developed from the, east to the west in the most parts of the Plateau, with a few exceptions in the extreme southeastern appeared. During the early Holocene ( 12.0 - 9.0 ka BP) deciduous broad-leaved forest/conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest were distributed in the east of Plateau (104degrees - 98degrees E). Meadows or shrub, meadow appeared in the middle of tire Plateau (98degrees - 92degrees E). Farther west to about 80degrees E, a steppe landscape was present. During the middle Holocene (9.0 - 3.2 ka BP), the palaeovegetations were sequentially conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest and sclerophyllous broad-leaved forest (104degrees - 98degrees E) - conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest (98degrees - 94degrees E) - shrub meadow (94degrees - 92degrees E) - steppe (92degrees - 80degrees E). During the late Holocene (after 3.2 ka BP), the palaeovegetations were sequentially sclerophyllous broad-leaved forest - conifer and broad-leaved deciduous mixed forest - meadow - steppe - desert from east to west of the Plateau.

Effect of preparation routes on activity of Ag-MnO_x/C as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media

The effect of preparation routes on the physical characteristics and activity of the Ag-MnOx/C composites toward the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） in alkaline media were studied by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, energy-dispersion spectroscopy （EDS） as well as scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and electrochemical techniques. The results show that more Ag and Mn species present on the surface of the Ag-MnOx/C composite prepared by two-step route （Ag-MnOx/C-2） compared to the one prepared by one-step route （Ag-MnOx/C-1）, which contributes to its superior activity toward the ORR. The higher electron transfer number involved in the ORR can be observed on the Ag-MnOx/C-2 composite and its specific mass kinetic current at -0.6 V （vs Hg/HgO） is 46 mA/μg, which is 23 times that on the Ag/C. The peak power density of zinc-air battery with the Ag-MnOx/C-2 air electrode reaches up to 117 mW/cm^2.

Preparation of metal zinc from hemimorphite by vacuum carbothermic reduction with CaF_2 as catalyst

Zn reduction was investigated by the vacuum carbothermic reduction of hemimorphite with or without CaF2 as catalyst.Results indicate that CaF2 can catalyze the carbothermic reduction of zinc silicate,decrease the reaction temperature and time.The lower the reaction temperature and the more the amount of CaF2,the better the catalytic effect.The optimal process condition is obtained as follows：the addition of about 10% CaF2,the reaction temperature of 1373 K,the molar ratio of C to ZnTotal of 2.5,the pressure of system lower than 20 kPa,the reaction time of about 40 min.Under the optimal process condition,the zinc reduction rate is about 93% from hemimorphite.

ZERO-CURRENT AND ZERO-VOLTAGE SWITCHING PWM BOOST FULL-BRIDGE CON VERTER

This paper proposes a zer o current and zero voltage switching (ZCZVS) PWM Boost full bridge (FB) conve rter. With series inductors, the leading switches can realize zero current swit ching (ZCS) in a wide load range using the energy of the output capacitor. Ma king use of parasitic capacitors of the lagging switches and parallel auxiliary i nductance with the primary winding of the transformer, the lagging switches can realize zero voltage switching (ZVS) under any load. Compared with the ZCS PWM Boost FB converter, the new converter has no current duty cycle loss. Operat ional principle and parameter design are analyzed. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.

Assembly fabrication of linkers on glass surface and their effect on DNA synthesis and hybridization

Linkers were assembled on a glass surface based on the hydrolysis and condensation of 3-glycidoxy￣propyltrimethoxysilane (GPS). After the assembly of GPS, four approaches were tried to open the ending epoxide group of GPS or to further elongate the linkers. The effect of these approaches on DNA in situ synthesis and hybridization was investigated. For the spacing of the synthesis initiation sites, the wettability of the support and the length of the linking group that attaches the initiation site to the surface have direct influences on the yield of coupling reactions and the subsequent hybridization events. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and mean contact angles of deionized water of the above slides were measured to assess the linker's characteristics in each procedure. It was proved that the glass slides were successfully modified and became excellent supports for the oligonucleotides synthesis. In addition, it proved best for the in situ oligonucleotides synthesis that a glass slide was in turn treated with ethylenediamine, glutaradehyde, ethanolamine and sodium borohydride solution at ambient temperature after silanized with GPS.

On Weighted Tent Space

In this paper, we introduce the A, weights into the tent space, many important results in the tent space are generalized. Also, new relations between the A, weights and Carleson measures are obtained.

Multipliers on Weighted Hardy Spaces over Locally Compact Vilenkin Groups

This paper is devoted to study the atomic decomposition of the weighted Hardy space on Vilenkin groups and a weighted Hp multiplier theorem.

A mesoporous Fe/N/CORR catalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Fe/N/C is a promising non-platinum catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR）. Even so, mass transfer remains a challenge in the application of Fe/N/C to proton exchange membrane fuel cells, due to the high catalyst loadings required. In the present work, mesoporous Fe/N/C was syn- thesized through heat treatment of K]600 carbon black coated with poly-2-aminobenzimidazole and FeC13. The as-prepared Fe/N/C possesses a unique hollow-shell structure that contains a buffer zone allowing both water formation and vaporization, and also facilitates the mass transfer of gas- eous oxygen. This catalyst generated an oxygen reduction reaction activiW of 9.21 A/g in conjunc- tion with a peak power density of 0.71 W/cm2.

Structural and Magnetic Property of Ion Irradiated TiO2 Single Crystals

Ferromagnetism is induced in pure TiO2 single crystals by oxygen ion irradiation. The ferro- magnetism is observed up to room temperature and is with weak temperature dependence. By combining X-ray diffraction, Rutherford backseattering/channelling, Raman scattering, and electron-spin resonance spectroscopy, supperconducting quantum interference device, displacement per atom, we measured tile lattice damage accumulation with increasing flu- ences. A defect complex, i.e., Ti3＋ on the substitutional accoiflpanied by oxygen vacancies, has been identified in the irradiated Ti02. This kind of defect complex results in a local （TiO6-x） stretching Raman mode. We elucidate that Ti3＋ with one unpaired 3d electron provide the local magnetic moments.

Spatial Variability of Soil Organic Carbon Under Maize Monoculture in the Song-Nen Plain, Northeast China

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and its relationship with landscape attributes are important for evaluating current regional, continental, and global carbon stores. Data of SOC in surface soils (0–20 cm) of four main soils, Cambisol, Arenosol, Phaeozem, and Chernozem, were collected at 451 locations in Nongan County under maize monoculture in the Song-Nen Plain, Northeast China. The spatial characteristics of soil organic carbon were studied, using geographic information systems (GIS) and geostatistics. Effects of other soil physical and chemical properties, elevation, slope, and soil type on SOC were explored. SOC concentrations followed a normal distribution, with an arithmetic mean of 14.91 g kg-1 . The experimental variogram of SOC was fitted with a spherical model. There were significant correlations between soil organic carbon and bulk density (r =-0.374**), pH (r = 0.549**), total nitrogen (r = 0.781**), extractable phosphorus (r =-0.109*), exchangeable potassium (r = 0.565**), and cation exchange capacity (r = 0.313**). Generally, lower SOC concentrations were significantly associated with high elevation (r =-0.429**). Soil organic carbon was significantly negatively correlated with slope gradient (r =-0.195**). Samples of the Cambisol statistically had the highest SOC concentrations, and samples of the Arenosol had the lowest SOC value.

Temporal-Spatial Variability of Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in a Rehabilitating Ecosystem

In global change research, changes of soil organic carbon (SOC) reservoirs intropical and subtropical regions are still unknown. The temporal-spatial variability of SOC stockswas determined in a basin of over 579 km^2 in subtropical China from 1981to 2002. ArcGIS8.l softwarewas utilized for spatial analysis of semivariance, ordinary kriging (OK), and probability kriging(PK). Grid and hierarchical approaches were employed for the sampling scenario in 2002 with 106Global Position System (GPS) established spots sampled. Bulk topsoil samples (0—30 cm) werecollected at three random sites on each spot. The SOC content for 1981 came from the SOC map of theSecond National Soil Survey. Geostatistical results of the nugget to sill ratio (0.215-0.640)in therehabilitating ecosystem indicated a moderate spatial dependence for SOC on this large scale. Therange of SOC changed from 2.04 km in 1981 to 7.15 km in 2002. The mean topsoil SOC increased by 4.6%from 10.63 g kg^(-1) (1981) to 11.12 g kg^(-1)(2002). However, during this 21-year period 25.2% ofthe total basin area experienced a decrease in SOC. Also, the probability kriging results showedthat the geometric mean probabilities of SOC <= 6.0 g kg^(-1), <= 11.0 g kg^(-1) and > 15.0 gkg^(-1) were 0.188, 0.534 and 0.378, respectively in 2002, comparing to 0.234, 0.416 and 0.234 inthat order in 1981, respectively. The SOC storage in the topsoil increased by 17.0% during this timewith the main increase occurring in forests and cultivated land,which amounted to 82.5% and 17.0%of the total increase, respectively.

Response of Biomass Spatial Pattern of Alpine Vegetation to Climate Change in Permafrost Region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

Alpine ecosystems in permafrost region are extremely sensitive to climate changes.To determine spatial pattern variations in alpine meadow and alpine steppe biomass dynamics in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,calibrated with historical datasets of above-ground biomass production within the permafrost region's two main ecosystems,an ecosystem-biomass model was developed by employing empirical spatialdistribution models of the study region's precipitation,air temperature and soil temperature.This model was then successfully used to simulate the spatio-temporal variations in annual alpine ecosystem biomass production under climate change.For a 0.44°C decade-1 rise in air temperature,the model predicted that the biomasses of alpine meadow and alpine steppe remained roughly the same if annual precipitation increased by 8 mm per decade-1,but the biomasses were decreased by 2.7% and 2.4%,respectively if precipitation was constant.For a 2.2°C decade-1 rise in air temperature coupled with a 12 mm decade-1 rise in precipitation,the model predicted that the biomass of alpine meadow was unchanged or slightly increased,while that of alpine steppe was increased by 5.2%.However,in the absence of any rise in precipitation,the model predicted 6.8% and 4.6% declines in alpine meadow and alpine steppe biomasses,respectively.The response of alpine steppe biomass to the rising air temperatures and precipitation was significantly lesser and greater,respectively than that of alpine meadow biomass.A better understanding of the difference in alpine ecosystem biomass production under climate change is greatly significant with respect to the influence of climate change on the carbon and water cycles in the permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Effects of Elevated Air Temperatures on Soil Thermal and Hydrologic Processes in the Active Layer in an Alpine Meadow Ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In this study,effects of elevated air temperatures on thermal and hydrologic process of the shallow soil in the active layer were investigated. Open-top chambers(OTCs)were utilized to increase air temperatures 1-2℃ in OTC-1 and 3-5℃ in OTC-2 in the alpine meadow ecosystem on the Qinghai- Tibetan Plateau.Results show that the annual air temperatures under OTC-1 and OTC-2 were 1.21℃ and 3.62℃ higher than the Control,respectively.The entirely-frozen period of shallow soil in the active layer was shortened and the fully thawed period was prolonged with temperature increase.The maximum penetration depth and duration of the negative isotherm during the entirely-frozen period decreased, and soil freezing was retarded in the local scope of the soil profile when temperature increased.Meanwhile, the positive isotherm during the fully-thawed period increased,and the soil thawing was accelerated.Soil moisture under different manipulations decreased with the temperature increase at the same depth. During the early freezing period and the early fully- thawed period,the maximum soil moisture under the Control manipulation was at 0.2 m deep,whereas under OTC-1 and OTC-2 manipulations,the maximum soil moisture were at 0.4-0.5 m deep. These results indicate that elevated temperatures led to a decrease of the moisture in the surface soil.The coupled relationship between soil temperature and moisture was significantly affected by the temperature increase.During the freezing and thawing processes, the soil temperature and moisture under different manipulations fit the regression model given by the equationθV=a/{1+exp[b(TS+c)]}+d.

Carbothermal reduction-chlorination-disproportionation of alumina in vacuum

The carbothermal reduction-chlorination-disproportionation of alumina in vacuum was investigated by XRD and thermodynamic analysis. The experiments on alumina and graphite at 1643-1843 K in vacuum were carried out. The results demonstrate that AlCl3（g） reacts with Al2O（g） or Al（g） generated from the carbothermal reduction of alumina to form AlCl（g）, and the AlCl（g） disproportionates to aluminum and AlCl3（g） at a lower temperature and the reaction rate of AlCl（g） reaches 90% at 980 K and 100 Pa. The aluminum can absorb CO to catalyze its disproportionation to C and CO2, and react backward with CO to form Al4C3, Al2O3, C and CO2, resulting in the aluminum product containing C, Al4C3 and Al2O3. The impurities in the aluminum product decrease as the AlCl（g） disproportionation temperature decreases. AlCl3 condenses at a temperature approximated to the room temperature.

Modulating the microenvironment structure of single Zn atom:ZnN_(4)P/C active site for boosted oxygen reduction reaction

The electronic structure of catalytic active sites can be influenced by modulating the coordination bonding of the central single metal atom,but it is difficult to achieve.Herein,we reported the single Zn-atom incorporated dual doped P,N carbon framework(Zn-N_(4)P/C)for ORR via engineering the surrounding coordination environment of active centers.The Zn-N_(4)P/C catalyst exhibited comparable ORR activity(E_(1/2)=0.86 V)and significantly better ORR stability than that of Pt/C catalyst.It also shows respectable performance in terms of maximum peak power density(249.6 mW cm^(-2)),specific capacitance(779 mAh g^(-1)),and charge-discharge cycling stability for 150 hours in Zn-air battery.The high catalytic activity is attributed to the uniform active sites,tunable electronic/geometric configuration,optimized intrinsic activity,and faster mass transfer during ORR-pathway.Further,theoretical results exposed that the Zn-N_(4)P configuration is more electrochemically active as compared to Zn-N_(4) structure for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Regional Characteristics and Causes of Haze Events in Northeast China

Northeast China experiences severe atmospheric pollution, with an increasing occurrence of heavy haze episodes. However, the underlying forces driving haze formation during different seasons are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the spatio-temporal characteristics and causes of haze events in Northeast China by combining a range of data sources(i.e., ground monitoring, satellite-based products, and meteorological products). It was found that the ‘Shenyang-Changchun-Harbin(SCH)'city belt was the most polluted area in the region on an annual scale. The spatial distribution of air quality index(AQI) values had a clear seasonality, with the worst pollution occurring in winter, an approximately oval-shaped polluted area around western Jilin Province in spring, and the best air quality occurring in summer and most of the autumn. The three periods that typically experienced intense haze events were Period I from mid-October to mid-November(i.e., late autumn and early winter), Period II from late-December to February(i.e., the coldest time in winter), and Period III from April to mid-May(i.e., spring). During Period I, strong PM_(2.5) emissions from seasonal crop residue burning and coal burning for winter heating were the dominant reasons for the occurrence of extreme haze events(AQI > 300). Period II had frequent heavy haze events(200 < AQI < 300) in the coldest months of January and February, which were due to high PM_(2.5) emissions from coal burning and vehicle fuel consumption, a lower atmospheric boundary layer, and stagnant atmospheric conditions. Haze events in Period III, with high PM_(10) concentrations, were primarily caused by the regional transportation of windblown dust from degraded grassland in central Inner Mongolia and bare soil in western Jilin Province. Local agricultural tilling could also release PM_(10) and enhance the levels of windblown dust from tilled soil. Better control of coal burning, fuel consumption, and crop residue burning in winter and autumn is urgently needed to address the haze problem in Northeast China.

Fruit shape detection by level set

A novel approach for fruit shape detection in RGB space was proposed,which was based on fast level set and Chan-Vese model named as Modified Chan-Vese model(MCV) . This new algorithm is fast and suitable for fruit sorting because it does not need re-initializing. MCV has three advantages compared to the traditional methods. First,it provides a unified frame-work for detecting fruit shape boundary,and does not need any preprocessing even though the raw image is noisy or blurred. Second,if the fruit has different colors at the edges,it can detect perfect boundary. Third,it processed directly in color space without any transformations that may lose much information. The proposed method has been applied to fruit shape detection with promising result.

La-doped TiO_(2) nanorods toward boosted electrocatalytic N_(2)-to-NH_(3)conversion at ambient conditions

Electrochemical N_(2) reduction provides a green and sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch technology for NH_(3 )synthesis.However,the extreme inertness of N_(2) molecules is a formidable challenge,which requires the development of an active electrocatalyst to drive the N_(2) reduction reaction(NRR)for NH_(3) production at ambient conditions.Herein,we demonstrate the development of La-doped TiO_(2) nanorods as an efficient NRR electrocatalyst for ambient NH3 synthesis.The optimized La-TiO_(2) catalyst offers a large NH_(3) yield of 23.06 pg h1 mgcat 1 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 14.54%at-0.70 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M L1CIO_(4),outperforming most La-and Ti-based catalysts reported before.Significantly,it also demonstrates high electrochemical stability and its activity decay is negligible after 48 h test.The mechanism is further revealed by density functional theory calculations.