Superior Iodine Uptake Capacity Enabled by an Open Metal-Sulfide Framework Composed of Three Types of Active Sites

Efficient adsorption of gaseous radioiodine is pivotal for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and the long-termradiation safety of the ecological system.However,state-of-the-art adsorbents(e.g.metal-organic frameworks and covalent-organic frameworks)currently under exploration suffer severely from limited adsorption capacity,especially under a real-world scenariowith extremely lowradioiodine concentration and elevated temperature.This mostly originates from the relatively weak sorption driving forces mainly determinedby the iodine-adsorbent interaction consistingof noncovalent interactionswith a small fraction of strong chemical bonding.Here,we document the discovery of an open metal-sulfide framework((NH_(4))_(2)(Sn_(3)S_(7)),donated as SCU-SnS)constructed by three different types of active sites as a superior iodine adsorbent.Benefiting from the ability of iodine for pre-enrichment into the framework by charge-balancing NH_(4)^(+)through N-H···I interaction,the efficient reduction of I^(2)affording I^(-)by S^(2-),and extremely high binding affinity between Sn_(4)^(+)and I^(-),SCU-SnS exhibit a record-breaking iodine adsorption capacity(2.12 g/g)under dynamic breakthrough conditions and the highest static capacity(6.12 g/g)among all reported inorganic adsorbents,both at 348 K.Its facile synthesis and low cost endow SCU-SnS with powerful application potential for the nuclear industry.

THE DIFFUSION, MELT AND ACCUMULATION OF METAL-SULFIDE OF CHONDRITE AT HIGH TEMPERATURE AND UNDER HIGH PRESSURE

Based on the results of melting experiments on the whole rock of chondrite, the differentiation mechanism of the core, the mantle and the crust of the early Earth was discussed in Ref. [1]. In order to investigate the geochemical behaviour of metal-sulfide in the melting-process of the original Earth matter and the formation of the core, further melting experiments were carried out on metal-rich phase of Jilin chondrite under high pressure.

The interface of SiO_2/ZnS films studied by high resolution X-ray photoluminescence

Sharp interfaces in optoelectronic devices are key for proper band alignment. Despite its benefits as buffer layer, ZnS deposited via atomic layer deposition(ALD) renders intermixed interfaces to its substrate, which can be detrimental for device performance. Here, we are attempting to elucidate the chemical species deriving from this metal-oxide to metal-sulfide transition studying ultrathin film ZnS on SiO_2 using high resolution X-ray photoluminescence spectroscopy(XPS).Regarding the S 2p spectra after a deposition of only three cycles of ZnS, we discover the many different chemical species in which S is present. These include intermediate oxides such as SO_4^(2-).These species become more obvious as we tilt the sample in the XPS chamber to shallower angles.Comparing the Si 2p and S 2p high resolution peaks in the depth profile, one can clearly uncover the confinement of SO_4^(2-) to the interface of the underlying substrate. This may indicate that SiO_2/ZnS interfaces contain interfacial sulphates that likely alter the electronic configuration of this interface.

Pd-dispersed CuS hetero-nanoplates for selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene

We have exploited a new and distinctive combination method that ＂disperses＂ elemental Pd into CuS nanoplates. Pd was successfully dispersed by means of the concomitant transformation of CuS into an amorphous sulfide, which formed an intimate metal-sulfide contact via cation exchange and underwent a subsequent reduction. A series of such Pd-dispersed CuS hetero-nanoplates were synthesized with tailored proportions and compositions. By efficient utilization of noble metal atoms and stable anchored active sites, the optimal catalytic performance for the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene, a probe reaction, was achieved with high selectivity, activity, and stability. We believe that the synthetic strategy described in our study is a feasible means of developing effective metal-sulfide catalysts for organic reactions.