Catalytically altering the redox pathway of sulfur in propylene carbonate electrolyte using dual-nitrogen/oxygen-containing carbon

Carbonate electrolytes are one of the most desirable electrolytes for high-energy lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs)because of their successful implementation in commercial Li-ion batteries.The low-polysulfide-solubility feature of some carbonate solvents also makes them very promising for overcoming the shuttle effects of LSBs.However,regular sulfur electrodes experience undesired electrochemical mechanisms in carbonate electrolytes due to side reactions.In this study,we report a catalytic redox mechanism of sulfur in propylene carbonate(PC)electrolyte based on a compari-son study.The catalytic mechanism is characterized by the interactions between polysulfides and dual N/O functional groups on the host carbon,which largely prevents side reactions between polysulfides and the carbonate electrolyte.Such a mechanism coupled with the low-polysulfide-solubility feature leads to stable cycling of LSBs in PC electrolyte.Favorable dual N/O functional groups are identified via a density functional theory study.This work provides an alternative route for enabling LSBs in carbonate electrolytes.

Behavior of titanium dioxide in alumina carbothermic reduction-chlorination process in vacuum

Behaviors of TiO2 in the alumina carbothermic reduction and chlorination process in vacuum at different temperatures were investigated experimentally by means of XRD,SEM and EDS.In the preparation of materials,the molar ratio of Al2O3 to C was 1：4,and 10% TiO2 and excess AlCl3 were added.The results show that TiC is produced by C and TiO2 after TiO2 transforms from anatase into rutile gradually.In the temperature range of 1 763？1 783 K,the compounds of Ti and Al are not found in slags and condensate.The purity of aluminum reaches 98.35%,and TiO2 does not participate in alumina carbothermic reduction process and chlorination process in vacuum.

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.

Co_3O_4 nanoparticles assembled on polypyrrole/graphene oxide for electrochemical reduction of oxygen in alkaline media

The development of highly efficient catalysts for cathodes remains an important objective of fuel cell research. Here, we report Co3O4 nanoparticles assembled on a polypyrrole/graphene oxide electrocatalyst （Co3O4/Ppy/GO） as an efficient catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） in alkaline media. The catalyst was prepared via the hydrothermal reaction of Co2＋ ions with Ppy-modified GO. The GO, Ppy/GO, and Co3O4/Ppy/GO were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The incorporation of Ppy into GO nanosheets resulted in the formation of a nitrogen-modified GO po-rous structure, which acted as an efficient electron-transport network for the ORR. With further anchoring of Co3O4 on Ppy/GO, the as-prepared Co3O4/Ppy/GO exhibited excellent ORR activity and followed a four-electron route mechanism for the ORR in alkaline solution. An onset potential of -0.10 V vs. a saturated calomel electrode and a diffusion limiting current density of 2.30 mA/cm^2 were achieved for the Co3O4/Ppy/GO catalyst heated at 800 ℃; these values are comparable to those for noble-metal-based Pt/C catalysts. Our work demonstrates that Co3O4/Ppy/GO is highly active for the ORR. Notably, the Ppy coupling effects between Co3O4 and GO provide a new route for the preparation of efficient non-precious electrocatalysts with hierarchical porous structures for fuel cell applications.

Recent developments in copper-based, non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

The high cost of Pt-based catalysts and the sluggish dynamics of the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） severely hinder the rapid development of fuel cells, Therefore, the search for inexpensive, non-noble metal catalysts to substitute Pt-based catalysts has become a critical issue in the ORR research field, As an earth-abundant element, the use of Cu to catalyze the ORR has been explored with the ultimate target of finding a replacement for Pt-based catalysts in fuel cells. This review mainly focuses on recent research progress with Cu-based ORR catalysts and aims to aid readers＇ understanding of the status of development in this field. The review begins with a general update on the state of knowledge pertaining to ORR, This is followed by an overview of recent research based on Cu nanomaterial catalysts, which comprises Cu complexes, compounds, and other structures. Charting the development of Cu-based ORR catalysts shows that designing Cu-based materials to mimic active enzymes is an effective approach for ORR catalysis. By collecting recent developments in the field, we hope that this review will promote further development of Cu-based ORR catalysts and their application in fuel cells.

Methanol Tolerant Non-noble Metal Co-C-N Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Using Urea as Nitrogen Source

A non-noble metal oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） catalyst labeled as Co-C-N（800） was synthesized by heat-treating a mixture of urea, cobalt chloride and acetylene black for 2 h at 800 ℃ in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that a metallic β-Co is generated after the heat-treating process. The results from cyclic voltammograms show that the obtained Co-C-N（800） catalyst has good ORR catalytic activity in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution. The catalyst is also good at methanol tolerance and stability in the acidic solution.

Mechano-chemical sulfidization of zinc oxide by grinding with sulfur and reductive additives

A novel process for sulfidation of ZnO by co-grinding with sulfur and reductive additives （P, Fe, A1, and Mg） was developed. The sulfidation extent of ZnO with the addition of P, Fe, A1 or Mg can reach 85.2%, 81.6%, 96.7% and 92.6% after grinding for 4, 6, 1 and 1 h, respectively. Based on the chemical phase composition analysis and morphological characteristics of sulfidized products by XRD, SEM and TEM, a possible reaction mechanism, mechanically induced self-propagating reaction （MSR）, was proposed to explain the sulfidization reaction. In addition, the floatability of sulfidized products was investigated for the recovery of metal sulfide and ZnS can be concentrated with a high concentration ratio and concentrate grade. By using the sulfidizing process, it is expected that the recovery of zinc from the wastes or purification of heavy-metal-containing hazardous residues is technically feasible.

一种新型α-二亚胺钠化合物（英文）

碱金属钠与异丙基α-二亚胺在乙二醇二甲醚溶液中通过发生氧化还原反应生成异丙基α-二亚胺钠金属有机化合物[Na(DME)L](L=[(2,6-i Pr_2C_6H_3)NC(Me)]_2).利用X射线单晶衍射分析了该化合物的晶体结构,其晶体结构是一个含有-1价阴离子自由基配体的1∶1[Na L]结构单元.利用电子顺磁共振(EPR)手段对该化合物的电子结构进行了研究.

Hydrothermal synthesis of titanium-supported nanoporous palladium-copper electrocatalysts for formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction

Nanoporous Pd and binary Pd-Cu particles were prepared by a hydrothermal method using ethylene glycol as a reduction agent and they were directly immobilized on Ti substrates named as Ti-supported Pd-based catalysts. Their electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） in alkaline media was examined by voltammetric techniques. Among the as-prepared catalysts, nanoPdslCu19/Ti catalyst presents the highest current density of 39.8 mA/cm2 at -0.5 V or 66.4 mA/cm2 at -0.3 V for formic acid oxidation. The onset potential of ORR on the nanoPdslCU19/Ti catalyst presents an about 70 mV positive shift compared to that on the nanoPd/Ti, and the current density of ORR at -0.3 V is 2.12 mA/cm2, which is 3.7 times larger than that on the nanoPd/Ti.

Ni-catalyzed direct carboxylation of unactivated alkyl electrophiles with carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a cheap, abundant and renewable C1 building block. Over the last two decades, considerable re- search efforts have been devoted to developing new reactions for the efficient incorporation of carbon dioxide into a broad range of compounds for the production of value-added materi- als [1]. Notably, these efforts have culminated in the develop- ment of several transition-metal-catalyzed methods capable of providing access to numerous synthetically important carbox- ylic acids and derivatives using carbon dioxide as a carboxyla- tive reagent [2].

Preparation of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst to Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Influence of Protective Gas Flowing on Its Activity

A non-precious metal catalyst MnHMTA/C to oxygen reduction reaction was prepared by py- rolyzing a precursor from manganese chloride, hexamethylenetetramine and acetylene black in nitrogen gas atmosphere. The effect of heat treatment temperature and flowing of nitrogen gas were investigated. A catalyst with the highest activity can be obtained at 700 ℃. Mn（Ⅱ） ion was changed to MnO in heat treatment, which improved the catalytic activity of the catalyst. Hexamethylenetetramine takes part in the formation of active site of the catalyst as its decomposed gases. The flowing of protective gas takes the decomposed gases out of the tube furnace and brings negative effect on the catalytic activity of the MnHMTA/C catalyst.

Co_3O_4 supported on N,P-doped carbon as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions

Noble metals, such as platinum, ruthenium and iridium‐group metals, are often used as oxygen reduction or evolution reaction （ORR/OER） electrocatalysts. To reduce the cost and provide an application of bifunctional catalysis, in this work, cobalt oxide supported on nitrogen and phospho‐rus co‐doped carbon （Co3O4/NPC） was fabricated and examined as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for OER and ORR. To prepare Co3O4/NPC, NPC was pyrolyzed from melamine and phytic acid support‐ed on carbon, followed by the solvothermal synthesis of Co3O4 on NPC. Linear sweep voltammetry was used to evaluate the activity for OER and ORR. For OER, Co3O4/NPC showed an onset potential of 0.54 V （versus the saturated calomel electrode） and a current density of 21.95 mA/cm2 at 0.80 V, which was better than both Co3O4/C and NPC. The high activity of Co3O4/NPC was attributed to a synergistic effect of the N, P co‐dopants and Co3O4. For ORR, Co3O4/NPC exhibited an activity close to commercial Pt/C in terms of the diffusion limited current density （–4.49 vs–4.76 mA/cm2 at–0.80 V）, and Co3O4 played the key role for the catalysis. Chronoamperometry （current versus time） was used to evaluate the stability, which showed that Co3O4/NPC maintained 46%current after the chronoamperometry test for OER and 95% current for ORR. Overall, Co3O4/NPC exhibited high activity and improved stability for both OER and ORR.

电解质溶液问题巧解一点通

电解质溶液问题是重要的基础理论之一,与物质结构理论、化学平衡理论有着密切的联系,并且与化学实验、化学计算互相渗透,对理解及应用能力的要求较高.本章所分析的虽是普通水溶液中的一系列问题。

提高高中化学课堂教学有效性之我见

一、利用开学第一课,培养学习兴趣上好新学年的第一节化学课非常重要,根据多年的高中化学教学经验,我总结出几点认识:一是自我介绍,使学生喜欢教师,喜欢化学,对老师有信心,对自己有信心,对学好化学有信心!二是用化学魔术展示化学神奇,激发好奇心。三是介绍化学发展史,让学生认识到化学是人类进步的关键。四是了解化学与我们的生活息息相关。五是对学生进行学法指导。

Preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoblocks with high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution

The oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） is traditionally performed using noble‐metals catalysts, e.g. Pt. However, these metal‐based catalysts have the drawbacks of high costs, low selectivity, poor stabili‐ties, and detrimental environmental effects. Here, we describe metal‐free nitrogen‐doped carbon nanoblocks （NCNBs） with high nitrogen contents （4.11%）, which have good electrocatalytic proper‐ties for ORRs. This material was fabricated using a scalable, one‐step process involving the pyrolysis of tris（hydroxymethyl）aminomethane （Tris） at 800℃. Rotating ring disk electrode measurements show that the NCNBs give a high electrocatalytic performance and have good stability in ORRs. The onset potential of the catalyst for the ORR is-0.05 V （vs Ag/AgCl）, the ORR reduction peak potential is-0.20 V （vs Ag/AgCl）, and the electron transfer number is 3.4. The NCNBs showed pronounced electrocatalytic activity, improved long‐term stability, and better tolerance of the methanol crosso‐ver effect compared with a commercial 20 wt%Pt/C catalyst. The composition and structure of, and nitrogen species in, the NCNBs were investigated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The pyroly‐sis of Tris at high temperature increases the number of active nitrogen sites, especially pyridinic nitrogen, which creates a net positive charge on adjacent carbon atoms, and the high positive charge promotes oxygen adsorption and reduction. The results show that NCNBs prepared by pyrolysis of Tris as nitrogen and carbon sources are a promising ORR catalyst for fuel cells.

Influence of phosphoric anions on oxygen reduction reaction activity of platinum, and strategies to inhibit phosphoric anion adsorption

Nation-membrane-based proton exchange fuel cells （PEMFCs） typically operate at below 100 ℃. However, H3PO4-doped polybenzimidazole （PBI）-based PEMFCs can operate at 100-200 ℃. This is advantageous because of accelerated reaction rates and enhanced tolerance to poisons such as CO and S02, which can arise from reformed gas or the atmosphere. However, the strong adsorption of phosphoric anions on the Pt surface dramatically decreases the electrocatalytic activity. This study exploits the ＂third-body effect＂, in which a small amount of organic molecules are pre-adsorbed on the Pt surface to inhibit the adsorption of phosphoric anions. Pre-adsorbate species inhibit the ad- sorption of phosphoric anions, but can also partially occlude active sites. Thus, the optimum pre-adsorbate coverage is studied by correlating the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） activity of Pt with pre-adsorbate coverage on the Pt surface. The influence of the pre-adsorbate molecule length is investigated using the organic amines, butylamine, octylamine, and dodecylamine, in both 0.1 mol/L HCI04 and 0.1 mol/L H3P04. Such amines readily bond to the Pt surface. In aqueous HCI04 electrolyte, the ORR activity of Pt decreases monotonically with increasing pre-adsorbate coverage. In aqueous H3P04 electrolyte, the ORR activity of Pt initially increases and then decreases with in- creasing pre-adsorbate coverage. The maximum ORR activity in H3P04 occurs at a pre-adsorbate coverage of around 20%. The effect of molecular length of the pre-adsorbate is negligible, but its coverage strongly affects the degree to which phosphoric anion adsorption is inhibited. Butylamine adsorbs to Pt at partial active sites, which decreases the electrochemically active surface area. Ad- sorbed butylamine may also modify the electronic structure of the Pt surface. The ORR activity in the phosphoric acid electrolyte remains relatively low, even when using the pre-adsorbate modified Pt/C catalysts. Further development of the catalyst and electrolyte is required before the commercialization of H3PO4-PBl-based PEMFCs can be realized.

Gene expression alteration during redox-dependent enhancement of arsenic cytotoxicity by emodin in HeLa cells

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) could enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to arsenic trioxide(As2O3)–induced apoptosis via generation of ROS, but the molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, wecarried out cDNA microarray-based global transcription profiling of HeLa cells in response to As2O3/emodin cotreatment,comparing with As2O3–only treatment. The results showed that the expression of a number of genes was substantiallyaltered at two time points. These genes are involved in different aspects of cell function. In addition to redox regulationand apoptosis, ROS affect genes encoding proteins associated with cell signaling, organelle functions, cell cycle,cytoskeleton, etc. These data suggest that based on the cytotoxicity of As2O3, emodin mobilize every genomic resourcethrough which the As2O3–induced apoptosis is facilitated.

Endurance exercise and gut microbiota:A review

Background: The physiological and biochemical demands of intense exercise elicit both muscle-based and systemic responses. The main adaptations to endurance exercise include the correction of electrolyte imbalance, a decrease in glycogen storage and the increase of oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, muscle damage, and systemic inflammatory response. Adaptations to exercise might be influenced by the gut microbiota, which plays an important role in the production, storage, and expenditure of energy obtained from the diet as well as in inflammation,redox reactions, and hydration status.Methods: A systematic and comprehensive search of electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Scopus, Clinical Trials.gov, Science Direct,Springer Link, and EMBASE was done. The search process was completed using the keywords: "endurance", "exercise", "immune response","microbiota", "nutrition", and "probiotics".Results: Reviewed literature supports the hypothesis that intestinal microbiota might be able to provide a measureable, effective marker of an athlete's immune function and that microbial composition analysis might also be sensitive enough to detect exercise-induced stress and metabolic disorders. The review also supports the hypothesis that modifying the microbiota through the use of probiotics could be an important therapeutic tool to improve athletes' overall general health, performance, and energy availability while controlling inflammation and redox levels.Conclusion: The present review provides a comprehensive overview of how gut microbiota may have a key role in controlling the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses as well as improving metabolism and energy expenditure during intense exercise.

Recent progress in production and usage of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has attracted increasing interest as an environmentally benign and green oxidant that can also be used as a solar fuel in fuel cells.This review focuses on recent progress in production of hydrogen peroxide by solar-light-driven oxidation of water by dioxygen and its usage as a green oxidant and fuel.The photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide is made possible by combining the e^(-)and 4e-oxidation of water with the e^(-)reduction of dioxygen using solar energy.The catalytic control of the selectivity of the e^(-)vs.4e-oxidation of water is discussed together with the selectivity of the e^(-)vs.4e-reduction of dioxygen.The combination of the photocatalytic e^(-)oxidation of water and the e^(-)reduction of dioxygen provides the best efficiency because both processes afford hydrogen peroxide.The solar-light-driven hydrogen peroxide production by oxidation of water and by reduction of dioxygen is combined with the catalytic oxidation of substrates with hydrogen peroxides,in which dioxygen is used as the greenest oxidant.

A highly efficient flower-like cobalt catalyst for electroreduction of carbon dioxide

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into fuel has been regarded as a promising approach to achieve the global carbon cycle.Herein,we report an efficient cobalt catalyst with a unique flower-like morphology synthesized by a green and facile hydrothermal method,in which n-butylamine is used as the capping agent.The resultant catalyst shows superior electrocatalytic activity toward CO2 electroreduction,which is highly selective for generating formate with a Faraday efficiency of 63.4%.Electrochemical analysis reveals that the oxide on the surface is essential for the electrocatalysis of the CO2 reduction reaction.Cyclic voltammograms further suggest that this catalyst is highly active for the oxidation of reduced product,and can thus be seen as a bifunctional catalyst.