Configuring single-layer MXene nanosheet onto natural wood fiber via C-Ti-C covalent bonds for high-stability Li-S batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs)are considered promising candidates for next-generation battery technologies owing to their outstanding theoretical energy density and cost-effectiveness.However,the low conductivity and polysulfide shuttling effect of S cathodes severely hamper the practical performance of LSBs.Herein,in situ-generated single layer MXene nanosheet/hierarchical porous carbonized wood fiber(MX/PCWF)composites are prepared via a nonhazardous eutectic activation strategy coupled with pyrolysis-induced gas diffusion.The unique architecture,wherein single layer MXene nanosheets are constructed on carbonized wood fiber walls,ensures rapid polysulfide conversion and continuous electron transfer for redox reactions.The C-Ti-C bonds formed between MXene and PCWF can considerably expedite the conversion of polysulfides,effectively suppressing the shuttle effect.An impressive capacity of 1301.1 m A h g^(-1)at 0.5 C accompanied by remarkable stability is attained with the MX/PCWF host,as evidenced by the capacity maintenance of 722.6 m A h g^(-1)after 500 cycles.Notably,the MX/PCWF/S cathode can still deliver a high capacity of 886.8 m A h g^(-1)at a high S loading of 5.6 mg cm^(-2).The construction of two-dimensional MXenes on natural wood fiber walls offers a competitive edge over S-based cathode materials and demonstrates a novel strategy for developing high-performance batteries.

Design method of extractant for liquid-liquid extraction based on elements and chemical bonds

In the petrochemical industry process, the relative volatility between the components to be separated is close to one or the azeotrope that systems are difficult to separate. Liquid-liquid extraction is a common and effective separation method, and selecting an extraction agent is the key to extraction technology research. In this paper, a design method of extractants based on elements and chemical bonds was proposed. A knowledge-based molecular design method was adopted to pre-select elements and chemical bond groups. The molecules were automatically synthesized according to specific combination rules to avoid the problem of “combination explosion” of molecules. The target properties of the extractant were set, and the extractant meeting the requirements was selected by predicting the correlation physical properties of the generated molecules. Based on the separation performance of the extractant in liquid-liquid extraction and the relative importance of each index, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation membership function was established, the analytic hierarchy process determined the mass ratio of each index, and the consistency test results were passed. The results of case study based on quantum chemical analysis demonstrated that effective determination of extractants for the analysis of benzene-cyclohexane systems. The results unanimously prove that the method has important theoretical significance and application value.

Modulating Co-Co bonds average length in Co_(0.85)Se_(1-x)S_(x) to enhance conversion reaction for potassium storage

While alloying transition metal chalcogenides(TMCs)with other chalcogen elements can effectively improve their conductivity and electrochemical properties,the optimal alloying content is still uncertain.In this study,we study the influence of dopant concentration on the chemical bonds in TMC and reveal the associated stepwise conversion reaction mechanism for potassium ion storage.According to density function theory calculations,appropriate S-doping in Co0.85Se(Co_(0.85)Se_(1-x)S_(x))can reduce the average length of Co-Co bonds because of the electronegativity variation,which is thermodynamically favourable to the phase transition reactions.The optimal Se/S ratio(x=0.12)for the conductivity has been obtained from experimental results.When assembled as an anode in potassium-ion batteries(PIBs),the sample with optimized Se/S ratio exhibits extraordinary electrochemical performance.The rate performance(229.2 mA h g^(-1)at 10 A g^(-1))is superior to the state-of-the-art results.When assembled with Prussian blue(PB)as a cathode,the pouch cell exhibits excellent performance,demonstrating its great potential for applications.Moreover,the stepwise K+storage mechanism caused by the coexistence of S and Se is revealed by in-situ X-ray diffraction and ex-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques.Hence,this work not only provides an effective strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of transition metal chalcogenides but also reveals the underlying mechanism for the construction of advanced electrode materials.

The Role of Green Bonds in Sustainability Efforts

Although green bonds are a relatively new innovation in the financial world,they are changing the way financial institutions address the growing issue of sustainability.They offer companies an alternative method for financing their socially responsible activities and raising capital for environmentally friendly projects.The various applications of green bonds in financial markets,such as financing the transition to low-carbon economy and decelerating the depletion of natural landscapes,are important in combating humanitarian crisis such as climate change.To be able to finance projects that mitigate the effects of climate change,it is vital to focus not only on developed countries,but also on underdeveloped and developing countries.The uncertain fate of the planet brought about by climate change can be made far less foreboding if large corporations and industries persist in their commitment to transitioning to more sustainable practices.Green bonds are an essential part of this commitment,and their full impact on climate change mitigation has yet to be realized.

Pricing the Extreme Mortality Bonds Based on the Double Exponential Jump Diffusion Model

Extreme mortality bonds(EMBs),which can transfer the extreme mortality risks confronted by life insurance companies into the capital market,refer to the bonds whose nominal values or coupons are associated with mortality index.This paper first provides the expected value of mortality index based on the double exponential jump diffusion(DEJD)model under the risk-neutral measure;then derives the pricing models of the EMBs with principal reimbursement non-cumulative and cumulative threshold respectively;finally simulates the bond prices and conducts a parameter sensitivity analysis.This paper finds that the jump and direction characteristics of mortality index have significant impacts on the accuracy of the EMB pricing.

Mineral cleavage nature and surface energy: Anisotropic surface broken bonds consideration

The population of surface broken bonds of some typical sulfide, oxide and salt-type minerals which may belong to cubic, tetragonal, hexagonal, or orthorhombic system, were calculated. In terms of the calculation results, the cleavage natures of these minerals were analyzed, and the relationship between surface broken bonds density and surface energy was also established. The results show that the surface broken bonds properties could be used to predict the cleavage nature of most of minerals, and the predicted cleavage planes agree well with those reported in previous literature. Moreover, this work explored a rule that, surface broken bonds density is directly related to surface energy with determination coefficient（R2） of over 0.8, indicating that the former is a dominant factor to determine the latter. Therefore, anisotropic surface broken bonds density can be used to predict the stability of mineral surface and the reactivity of surface atoms.

Interfacial coordination bonds accelerate charge separation for unprecedented hydrogen evolution over S-scheme heterojunction

Inspired by natural photosynthesis,fabricating high-performance S-scheme heterojunction is regarded as a successful tactic to address energy and environmental issues.Herein,NH_(2)-MIL-125(Ti)/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S/NiS(NMT/ZCS/NiS)S-scheme heterojunction with interfacial coordination bonds is successfully synthesized through in-situ solvothermal strategy.Notably,the optimal NMT/ZCS/NiS S-scheme heterojunction exhibits comparable photocatalytic H_(2)evolution(PHE)rate of about 14876.7μmol h^(−1)g^(−1)with apparent quantum yield of 24.2%at 420 nm,which is significantly higher than that of recently reported MOFs-based photocatalysts.The interfacial coordination bonds(Zn–N,Cd–N,and Ni–N bonds)accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges,and the NiS as cocatalyst can provide more catalytically active sites,which synergistically improve the photocatalytic performance.Moreover,theoretical calculation results display that the construction of NMT/ZCS/NiS S-scheme heterojunction also optimize the binding energy of active site-adsorbed hydrogen atoms to enable fast adsorption and desorption.Photoassisted Kelvin probe force microscopy,in-situ irradiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy,and theoretical calculations provide sufficient evidence of the S-scheme charge migration mechanism.This work offers unique viewpoints for simultaneously accelerating the charge dynamics and optimizing the binding strength between the active sites and hydrogen adsorbates over S-scheme heterojunction.

Genetic Analysis of Two Novel GPI Variants Disrupting H Bonds and Localization Characteristics of 55 Gene Variants Associated with Glucose-6-phosphate Isomerase Deficiency

Objective:Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase(GPI)deficiency is a rare hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia caused by GPI gene variants.This disorder exhibits wide heterogeneity in its clinical manifestations and molecular characteristics,often posing challenges for precise diagnoses using conventional methods.To this end,this study aimed to identify the novel variants responsible for GPI deficiency in a Chinese family.Methods:The clinical manifestations of the patient were summarized and analyzed for GPI deficiency phenotype diagnosis.Novel compound heterozygous variants of the GPI gene,c.174C>A(p.Asn58Lys)and c.1538G>T(p.Trp513Leu),were identified using whole-exome and Sanger sequencing.The AlphaFold program and Chimera software were used to analyze the effects of compound heterozygous variants on GPI structure.Results:By characterizing 53 GPI missense/nonsense variants from previous literature and two novel missense variants identified in this study,we found that most variants were located in exons 3,4,12,and 18,with a few localized in exons 8,9,and 14.This study identified novel compound heterozygous variants associated with GPI deficiency.These pathogenic variants disrupt hydrogen bonds formed by highly conserved GPI amino acids.Conclusion:Early family-based sequencing analyses,especially for patients with congenital anemia,can help increase diagnostic accuracy for GPI deficiency,improve child healthcare,and enable genetic counseling.

Reconstruction of broken Si–O–Si bonds in iron ore tailings (IOTs) in concrete

This paper reports a study on the reconstruction of broken Si O Si bonds in iron ore tailings (IOTs) in concrete. Limestone and IOTs were used to investigate the influence of different types of coarse aggregates on the compressive strengths of concrete samples. The dif- ferences in interfacial transition zones (ITZs) between aggregate and paste were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ener- gy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) were used to study microscopic changes in limestone and IOTs powders in a simple alkaline environment that simulated cement. The results show that the compressive strengths of IOTs concrete or paste are higher than those of limestone concrete or paste under identical conditions. The Ca/Si atom ratios in the ITZs of IOTs con- crete samples are lower than those of limestone concrete;the diffraction peak of the calcium silicate phase at 2θ = 29.5°, as well as the bands of Si O bonds shifting to lower wavenumbers, indicates reconstruction of the broken Si-O-Si bonds on the surfaces of IOTs with Ca(OH)2.

Effect of Surface Dangling Bonds and Molecular Passivation on Doped GaAs Nanowires

We have investigated the effect of surface dangling bonds and molecular passivation on the doping of GaAs nanowires by first-principles calculations. Results show that the positively charged surface dangling bond on Ga atom is the most stable defect for both ultrathin and large size GaAs nanowires. It can form the trap centers of holes and then prefer to capture the holes from p-type doping. Thus it could obviously reduce the efficiency of the p-type doping. We also found that the NO2 molecule is electronegative enough to capture the unpaired electrons of surface dangling bonds, which is an ideal passivation material for the Zn-doped GaAs nanowires.

Diffusive-stochastic-viscoelastic model on specific adhesion of viscoelastic solids via molecular bonds

A diffusive-stochastic-viscoelastic model is proposed for the specific adhesion of viscoelastic solids via stochastically formed molecular bonds. In this model, we assumed that molecular level behaviours, including the diffusion of mobile adhesion molecules and stochastic reaction between adhesion molecules and binding sites, obey the Markovian stochastic processes, while mesoscopic deformations of the viscoelastic media are governed by continuum mechanics. Through Monte Carlo simulations of this model, we systematically investigated how the competition between time scales of molecular diffusion, reaction, and deformation creep of the solids may influence the lifetime and dynamic strength of the adhesion. We revealed that there exists an optimal characteristic time of molecule diffusion corresponding to the longest lifetime and largest adhesion strength, which is in good agreement with experimental observed characteristic time scales of molecular diffusion in cell membranes. In addition, we identified that the media viscosity can significantly increase the lifetime and dynamic strength, since the deformation creep and stress relaxation can effectively reduce the concentration of interfacial stress and increases the rebinding probability of molecular bonds.

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two 3D Zinc(II) Compounds Involving Coordination and Hydrogen Bonds

Two zinc（Ⅱ） compounds, [Zn（L）（H2O）2]n 1 and [Zn（4,4＇-bpy）（H2O）4]（L） 2 （H2L = trans,trans-1,3 butadiene 1,4-dicarboxylic acid）, were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group C2/c with a=15.4970（16）, b = 5.4976（6）, c = 10.7113（12） A, β=96.298（6）°, C6H8O6Zn, Mr = 241.50, V = 907.06（17） A^3, Z = 4, D, = 1.768 g/cm^3, F（000） = 488,μ = 2.703 mm^-1, S = 1.060, the final R = 0.0256 and wR = 0.0660 for 968 observed reflections with Ⅰ 〉 2σ（Ⅰ）. Compound 2 crystallizes in triclinic, space group P1^- with a = 6.915（2）, b = 7.166（2）, c = 10.363（3） A, α = 73.250（4）, β = 84.429（4）, γ = 61.605（3）°, C16H2ON2O8Zn, Mr = 433.70, V = 432.1 （2） A^3, Z = 1, D, = 1.667 g/cm^3, F（000） = 224 and μ= 1.471 mm^-1, S = 1.118, the final R = 0.0486 and wR = 0.1077 for 1352 observed reflections with Ⅰ〉 2σ（Ⅰ）. Upon using the assembly strategy of combination of coordination polymer chains with intermolecular hydrogen bonds, three-dimensional frameworks of complexes 1 and 2 were formed.

Estimating heat capacities of liquid organic compounds based on elements and chemical bonds contribution

Molecular property depends on the property, the number of the elements, and the interaction between elements(such as chemical bonds). Based on the above-mentioned idea, two methods to estimate the isobaric heat capacity of liquids organic compounds were developed. Ten elements groups and 32 chemical bond groups were defined by considering the structure of organic compounds. The group contribution values and correlation parameters were regressed by the ridge regression method with the experiment data of 1137 compounds. The heat capacity can be calculated by summating the contributions of the elements and chemical bond groups. The two methods were compared with existing group contribution methods, such as Chickos, Zabransky-Ruzicka, and Zdenka Kolska. The results show that those new estimation methods' overall average relative deviations were 5.81% and 5.71%, which were lower than the other three methods. Those methods were more straightforward in compound splitting.Those new methods can be used to estimate the liquid heat capacity of silicon-containing compounds,which the other three methods cannot estimate. The new methods are more accessible, broader, and more accurate. Therefore, this research has important scientific significance and vast application prospects.

C-H…O Hydrogen Bonds and π…π Interaction and the Crystal and Molecular Structures of 3-Nitro-benzylideneaniline-methyl-2’

The title compound (C14H12N2O2, Mr = 240.26) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/a with a = 7.394(1), b = 21.334(3), c = 7.423(1) ? b = 89.82(1)? V = 1170.8(3) ?, Z = 4, Dc = 1.363 g/cm3, m(MoKa) = 0.93 cm-1 and F(000) = 504.00. The final R and wR are 0.0440 and 0.1370 for 2153 observed reflections (I > 2s(I)), respectively. The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 52.9 and that between the NO2 group and its attached ring is 3.0. In the crystal, molecules are stacked along [100] through p…p interactions. The CH…O hydrogen bond (3.403 ? 120.4? laterally connects the stacks along [010] to form networks (001) which are further anti- parallelly connected by CH…O (3.382 ? 142.9) and p…p interactions extending along [001]. Also presented here is a brief study on the CH…O hydrogen bonds in nitro-substituted benzyl-ideneanilines which can be classified into five types, namely, )5(12R, )4(21R, )8(22R, )6(12R and )7(22R, with the first three occurring more often.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Three-dimensional Manganese(Ⅱ)Complex Constructed via Covalent and Hydrogen Bonds

The assembly of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2bdc), 4,4?bipyridine (4,4?bipy), trimethyltin chloride and MnBr24H2O in hydrothermal conditions gave rise to a hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional complex {[Mn(4,4?bipy)4H2O](bdc)}n which has been characterized by single- crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2/n with a = 7.0001(2), b = 11.5540(3), c = 11.4192(1) ? = 101.754(2)? V = 904.21(4) 3, Z = 2, C18H20MnN2O8, Mr = 447.30, Dc = 1.643 g/cm3, F(000) = 462 and m(MoK? = 0.783 mm-1. The final R and wR are 0.0499 and 0.1301, respectively for 1335 observed reflections with I ≥ 2(I). The Mn (Ⅱ) is six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry. 4,4?Bipyridine in a m-bridge mode links [Mn(H2O)4]2+ into a linear cation chain. bdc acts as a counter anion and links the linear chains into a three-dimensional structure through hydrogen bonds.

Ni-catalyzed carbon–carbon bonds cleavage of mixed polyolefin plastics waste

The inert carbon–carbon(C–C) bonds cleavage is a main bottleneck in the chemical upcycling of recalcitrant polyolefin plastics waste. Here we develop an efficient strategy to catalyze the complete cleavage of C–C bonds in mixed polyolefin plastics over non-noble metal catalysts under mild conditions. The nickelbased catalyst involving Ni_(2)Al_(3) phase enables the direct transformation of mixed polyolefin plastics into natural gas, and the gas carbon yield reaches up to 89.6%. Reaction pathway investigation reveals that natural gas comes from the stepwise catalytic cleavage of C–C bonds in polypropylene, and the catalyst prefers catalytic cleavage of terminal C–C bond in the side-chain with the low energy barrier.Additionally, our developed approach is evaluated by the technical economic analysis for an economically competitive production process.

Price distortions and municipal bonds premiums:evidence from Switzerland

This study examines the pricing of municipal bonds before and after a currency shock in Switzerland.Two approaches are used to decompose the municipal to treasuries bond spreads into liquidity,maturity,and default risk premiums.The first approach is the model of the cross-sectional instrumental variables,and the second approach is the model of the instrumental variables with panel data.This study examines the composition of spreads for both approaches,in three scenarios:before,throughout,and after the currency shock.The study performed Durbin-Wu-Hausman tests for each decisive model to verify endogeneity issues,including the Lagrangian Multiplier test,the Cragg-Donald Wald F statistic to confirm the relationship of instrumental and endogenous variables,and the structural break test(Bai-Perron test)to determine the existence of structural breaks in bond distortions.This study finds that the currency price distortions of the Swiss franc in January 2015 made long-run changes in the composition of the municipal bond spreads.This research contributes to the understanding of municipal bond pricing by showing that default risk accounts for a large portion of the municipal bond spread,while maturity risk plays a lesser role.According to our empirical findings,unexpected large currency price shocks may have long-term implications on the municipal bond spreads.

Portfolio optimization of credit risky bonds: a semi-Markov process approach

This article presents a semi-Markov process based approach to optimally select a portfolio consisting of credit risky bonds.The criteria to optimize the credit portfolio is based on l_(∞)-norm risk measure and the proposed optimization model is formulated as a linear programming problem.The input parameters to the optimization model are rate of returns of bonds which are obtained using credit ratings assuming that credit ratings of bonds follow a semi-Markov process.Modeling credit ratings by semi-Markov processes has several advantages over Markov chain models,i.e.,it addresses the ageing effect present in the credit rating dynamics.The transition probability matrices generated by semi-Markov process and initial credit ratings are used to generate rate of returns of bonds.The empirical performance of the proposed model is analyzed using the real data.Further,comparison of the proposed approach with the Markov chain approach is performed by obtaining the efficient frontiers for the two models.

The Pricing of Convertible Bonds with a Call Provision

This paper deals with the pricing of convertible bond with call provision based on the traditional B-S formula. By applying the principle of no arbitrage, the partial differential equation for the bond is established with identified boundary conditions, which solution results in the closed form of the pricing formula.

Inverse Halogen Bonds Interactions Involving Br Atom in the Electronic Deficiency Systems of CH3＋… Br-Y （Y--H, CCH, CN, NC）

Inverse halogen bonds interactions involving Br in the electronic deficiency systems of CH3＋...Br-Y （Y=H, CCH, CN, NC） have been investigated by B3LYP/6- 311＋＋G（d, p） and MP2/6-311＋＋G（d, p） methods. The calculated interaction energies with basis set super-position error correction of the four IXBs complexes are 218.87, 219.48, 159.18, and 143.05kJ/mol （MP2/6-311＋＋G（d, p））, respectively. The relative stabilities of the four complexes increased in the order： CH3＋ … BrCN〈CH3＋…- BrNC〈CH3＋… BrH≈CH3＋ …BrCCH. Natural bond orbital theory analysis and the chemical shifts calculation of the related atoms revealed that the charges flow from Br-Y to CH3e. Here, the Br of Br-Y acts as both a halogen bond donor and an electron donor. Therefore, compared with conventional halogen bonds, the IXBs complexes formed between Br-Y and CH3＋. Atoms-in-molecules theory has been used to investigate the topological properties of the critical points of the four IXBs structures which have more covalent content.