Solar-driven CO_(2) conversion to methane and methanol using different nanostructured Cu_(2)O-based catalysts modified with Au nanoparticles

This work describes the use of TiO_(2)nanotubes-based electrodes(TNT)modified with Cu_(2)O nanostructures and gold nanoparticles for the photoelectroreduction of CO_(2)to produce value-added compounds.A thin layer of polydopamine was used as both an adherent agent and an electron transfer mediator,due to itsπ-conjugated electron system.The highest production yield was achieved using a TNT@PDA/Nc/Au40%electrode,with Faradaic efficiencies of 47.4%(110.5μM cm^(-2))and 27.8%(50.4μM cm^(-2))for methanol and methane,respectively.The performance of the photoelectrodes was shown to be Cu_(2)O facet-dependent,with cubic structures leading to greater conversion of CO_(2)to methanol(43%)and methane(27%),compared to the octahedral morphology,while a higher percentage of metallic gold on the nanostructured Cu_(2)O surface was mainly important for CH4production.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations supported these findings,attributing the superior photoelectrocatalytic performance of the TNT@PDA/Nc/Au40%electrode for CH4generation to the formation of an OCH3intermediate bonded to Au atoms.Studies using isotope-labeling and analysis by gas chromatograph-mass(GC-MS)demonstrated that13CO_(2)was the source for photoelectrocatalytic generation of13CH3OH and13CH313CH2OH.

Accelerating the Screening of Modified MA_(2)Z_(4) Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Deep Learning-Based Local Geometric Analysis

Machine learning(ML)integrated with density functional theory(DFT)calculations have recently been used to accelerate the design and discovery of single-atom catalysts(SACs)by establishing deep structure–activity relationships.The traditional ML models are always difficult to identify the structural differences among the single-atom systems with different modification methods,leading to the limitation of the potential application range.Aiming to the structural properties of several typical two-dimensional MA_(2)Z_(4)-based single-atom systems(bare MA_(2)Z_(4) and metal single-atom doped/supported MA_(2)Z_(4)),an improved crystal graph convolutional neural network(CGCNN)classification model was employed,instead of the traditional machine learning regression model,to address the challenge of incompatibility in the studied systems.The CGCNN model was optimized using crystal graph representation in which the geometric configuration was divided into active layer,surface layer,and bulk layer(ASB-GCNN).Through ML and DFT calculations,five potential single-atom hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)catalysts were screened from chemical space of 600 MA_(2)Z_(4)-based materials,especially V_(1)/HfSn_(2)N_(4)(S)with high stability and activity(Δ_(GH*)is 0.06 eV).Further projected density of states(pDOS)analysis in combination with the wave function analysis of the SAC-H bond revealed that the SAC-dz^(2)orbital coincided with the H-s orbital around the energy level of−2.50 eV,and orbital analysis confirmed the formation ofσbonds.This study provides an efficient multistep screening design framework of metal single-atom catalyst for HER systems with similar two-dimensional supports but different geometric configurations.

Effect of ZrC Modified Graphite on Structure and Properties of Low-carbon Al_(2)O_(3)-C Refractories

To address the issues of reduced performance and shortened lifespan during the low-carbonizating process of Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories,nano-crystalline ZrC modified graphite was prepared using Zr powder and flake graphite as raw materials,with NaCl and NaF mixed salt serving as the medium.The flake graphite was gradually replaced by ZrC modified graphite in the preparation of Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories,and its impact on the material’s structure and properties was investigated.The results indicate that,compared to samples with only flake graphite,the introduction of 1 mass%to 5 mass%nano-crystalline ZrC modified graphite can significantly enhance the mechanical performance of low-carbon Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories.When 5 mass%ZrC modified graphite is added,the mechanical properties of the samples are optimal,with the cold modulus of rupture and elastic modulus reaching 22.5 MPa and 65.0 GPa,respectively.

Hot corrosion of modified Ti_3Al-based alloy coated with thin Na_2SO_4 film at 910 and 950℃ in air

The hot corrosion behaviour of a modified Ti3Al-based alloy under thin Na2SO4deposit film was investigated at910and950°C in air.The corrosion product was identified by XRD and its morphologies on the surface and cross-section were observed bySEM.The alloy suffered from considerable hot corrosion attack.The mass gain versus time curves obtained by TGA exhibited tworegions of different kinetics.The whole corroded layer consisted of loose and porous mixture oxides of TiO2,Nb2O5and Al2O3.Numerous small nodules of corrosion product were observed.An illustrative schematic was established to describe the formationprocess of such nodules.It seemed that the refractory oxides played a significantly important role in determining the development ofhot corrosion attack.

Enhanced catalytic performance for direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas over a La_2O_3 modified Cu-ZrO_2/γ-Al_2O_3 hybrid catalyst

A series of hybrid catalysts were made by physically mixing Cu-ZrO2 and γ-A12O3, for former it was modified with different loadings of La2O3 prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, N2O-adsorption, EXAFS, H2-TPR, NH3-TPD techniques and evaluated in the synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas. The results show that La2O3 promoted catalysts displayed a significantly better catalytic performance compared with Cu-ZrO2#y-A12O3 catalyst in CO conversion and DME selectivity, and the optimum catalytic activity was obtained when the content of La2O3 was 12 wt%. The characterizations reveal that high copper dispersion, facile reducibility of copper particles and appropriate amount of acidic sites are responsible for the superior catalytic performance.

Effect of Calcination Temperature on La-Modified Al2O3 Catalysts for Vapor Phase Hydrofluorination of Acetylene to Vinyl Fluoride

A La-modified Al2O3 catalyst was prepared with deposition-precipitation method. The effect of calcination temperature on the reactivity for vapor phase hydrofluorination of acetylene to vinyl fluoride. The catalysts calcined at different temperatures were characterized using NH3-TPD, pyridine-FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and Raman techniques. It was found that the calcination process could not only change the structure of these catalysts but also modify the amount of surface acidity on the catalysts. The catalyst calcined at 400 ℃ exhibited the highest conversion of acetylene （94.6%） and highest selectivity to vinyl fluoride （83.4%） and lower coke deposition selectivity （0.72%）. The highest activity was related to the largest amount of surface acidity on the catalyst, and the coke deposition was also related to the total amount of surface acidic sites.

Synthesis of Ca_2ZnSi_2O_7:Eu phosphor by a modified solid-state reaction and its luminescent properties

This paper reports the detailed preparation and phosphorescence properties of Eu2+-activated Ca2ZnSi2O7 phosphors by a modified solid-state reaction.Phase-pure crystalline Ca2ZnSi2O7 is obtained at 600℃,a much lower temperature than by conventional solid-state reaction and the preparation process of Ca2ZnSi2O7 is simple.The obtained phosphors showed three emission peaks at 480,580 and 620 nm,respectively.Auxiliary activator R3+(R=Dy,Nd,Tm) would enhance their luminescent properties.

Preparation and oxidation resistance of B_2O_3-coated boron-modified carbon foams

To improve the oxidation resistance of boron-modified carbon foams, the B2O3 coating was prepared on boron-modified carbon foams by low-cost slurry method. The microstructures and phase compositions of the coated carbon foams were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Oxidation resistances of uncoated and coated boron-modified carbon foams were investigated at 873 K in air. The results showed that as-received B2O3 coating could protect boron-modified carbon foams from oxidation at 873 K. B2O3-coated carbon foam doped with 7% B2O3 （mass fraction） （BO-7） had better oxidation resistance, exhibiting mass loss of 17.40% after oxidation at 873 K for 120 min. The melting glass layer formed on the surface of BO-7 could prevent oxygen from diffusing into boron-modified carbon foams substrate during oxidation to some extent.

Exploring the impact of Nafion modifier on electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction over Cu catalyst

Nafion as a universal polymer ionomer was widely applied for nanocatalysts electrode preparation.However,the effect of Nafion on electrocatalytic performance was often overlooked,especially for CO_(2)electrolysis.Herein,the key roles of Nafion for CO_(2)RR were systematically studied on Cu nanoparticles(NPs)electrocatalyst.We found that Nafion modifier not only inhibit hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)by decreasing the accessibility of H_(2)O from electrolyte to Cu NPs,and increase the CO_(2)concentration at electrocatalyst interface for enhancing the CO_(2)mass transfer process,but also activate CO_(2)molecule by Lewis acid-base interaction between Nafion and CO_(2)to accelerate the formation of^(*)CO,which favor of C–C coupling for boosting C_(2)product generation.Owing to these features,the HER selectivity was suppressed from 40.6%to 16.8%on optimal Cu@Nafion electrode at-1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),and as high as 73.5%faradaic efficiencies(FEs)of C_(2)products were achieved at the same applied potential,which was 2.6 times higher than that on bare Cu electrode(~28.3%).In addition,Nafion also contributed to the long-term stability by hinder Cu NPs morphology reconstruction.Thus,this work provides insights into the impact of Nafion on electrocatalytic CO_(2)RR performance.

Weakly Polarized Organic Cation-Modified Hydrated Vanadium Oxides for High-Energy Efficiency Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Vanadium oxides,par-ticularly hydrated forms like V_(2)O_(5)·nH_(2)O(VOH),stand out as promising cathode candidates for aqueous zinc ion batteries due to their adjustable layered structure,unique electronic characteristics,and high theoretical capacities.However,challenges such as vanadium dissolution,sluggish Zn^(2+)diffusion kinetics,and low operating voltage still hinder their direct application.In this study,we present a novel vanadium oxide([C_(6)H_(6)N(CH_(3))_(3)]_(1.08)V_(8)O_(20)·0.06H_(2)O,TMPA-VOH),developed by pre-inserting trimethylphenylammonium(TMPA+)cations into VOH.The incorporation of weakly polarized organic cations capitalizes on both ionic pre-intercalation and molecular pre-intercalation effects,resulting in a phase and morphology transition,an expansion of the interlayer distance,extrusion of weakly bonded interlayer water,and a substantial increase in V^(4+)content.These modifications synergistically reduce the electrostatic interactions between Zn^(2+)and the V-O lattice,enhancing structural stability and reaction kinetics during cycling.As a result,TMPA-VOH achieves an elevated open circuit voltage and operation voltage,exhibits a large specific capacity(451 mAh g^(-1)at 0.1 A g^(-1))coupled with high energy efficiency(89%),the significantly-reduced battery polarization,and outstanding rate capability and cycling stability.The concept introduced in this study holds great promise for the development of high-performance oxide-based energy storage materials.

Catalytic Oxidation of Dimethyl Ether to Dimethoxymethane over Cs Modified H_3PW_(12)O_(40)/SiO_2 Catalysts

The attractive utilization route for one-step catalytic oxidation of dimethyl ether to dimethoxymethane was successfully carried out over the H3PW12O40（40%）/SiO2 catalyst, modified by Cs, K, Ni, and V. The Cs modification of H3PW12O40（40%）/SiO2 gave the most promising result of 20% dimethyl ether conversion and 34.8% dimethoxymethane selectivity. Dimethoxymethane could be synthe- sized via methoxy groups decomposed from dimethyl ether through the synergistic effect between the acid sites and the redox sites of Cs modified H3PW12O40（40%）/SiO2.

Preparation of the Ag_2O_2-PbO_2 Modified Electrode and Its Application towards Escherichia coli Fast Counting in Water

A novel nano crystalline Ag2O2-PbO2 film chemically modified electrode (CME) was prepared and the CME was characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and atomic force microscope (AFM). By chronoamperometry, the nano Ag2O2-PbO2 CME was used as bioelectro- chemical sensor to determine the population of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in water. Compared with conventional methods, it is found that the technique we used is fast and convenient in counting E. coli.

Calculation of circulation in the South China Sea during summer of 2000 by the modified inverse method

On the basis of hydrographic data obtained in August 2000 cruise, the circulation in the South China Sea (SCS) is computed by the modified inverse method in combination with SSH data from TOPEX/ERS-2 analysis. For study of the dynamical mechanism, which causes the pattern of summer circulation in the SCS, the diagnostic model (Yuan et al. 1982. Acta Oceanologica Sinica,4(1):1-11; Yuan and Su. 1992. Numerical Computation of Physical Oceanography.474-542) is used to simulate numerically the summer circulation in the SCS. The following results have been obtained. (1) The central and southwestern SCSs are dominated mainly by anticy-clonic circulation systems. They are mainly as follows. 1) There is strong anticyclonic eddy southeast of Vietnam (W1). Its horizontal scale is about 300 km, and it extends vertically from the surface to the about 1 000 m level. 2) There are a warm eddy W2 southeast of Zhongsha Islands and the anticyclonic circulation system W3 west off the Luzon Island. 3) There is a stronger cyclonic eddy C1 between the anticyclonic eddies W1 and W2.4) A strong northward coastal jet is present near the coast of Vietnam, and separates from the coast of Vietnam at about 12° N to the northeast.(2)The northern SCS is dominated mainly by a cyclonic circulation system. There is a cyclonic circulation system near and north of Section N2. (3) The southeastern SCS is dominated mainly by the cyclonic circulation system. (4) Comparing the results of circulation in the SCS during the summer of 2000 with those during the summer of 1998, it is found that they agree qualitatively, but there is the some difference between them in quantity.This shows that the circulation in the SCS has obviously seasonal feature. (5) The dynamical mechanism which products the basic pattern of summer circulation is because the following two reasons: 1) the joint effect of the baroclinity and relief (JEBAR) is essential dynamical cause; and 2) it is next important dynamical cause that the interaction between the wind stress and bottom topography under the southerly monsoon. (6) Comparing the hydrographic structure and distribution of stream functions with the SSH data from TOPEX/ERS-2 analysis in the SCS during August of 2000, they agree qualitatively.

Modified (2+1)-dimensional displacement shallow water wave system and its approximate similarity solutions

Recently, a new （2＋1）-dimensional shallow water wave system, the （2＋1）-dlmenslonal displacement shallow water wave system （2DDSWWS）, was constructed by applying the variational principle of the analytic mechanics in the Lagrange coordinates. The disadvantage is that fluid viscidity is not considered in the 2DDSWWS, which is the same as the famous Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation and Korteweg-de Vries equation. Applying dimensional analysis, we modify the 2DDSWWS and add the term related to the fluid viscidity to the 2DDSWWS. The approximate similarity solutions of the modified 2DDSWWS （M2DDSWWS） is studied and four similarity solutions are obtained. For the perfect fluids, the coefficient of kinematic viscosity is zero, then the M2DDSWWS will degenerate to the 2DDSWWS.

Preparation of Calcium Cross-linked Nano-Fe3O4 Modified Zeolite Microspheres for Cu^2+ Adsorption from Wastewater

Artificial zeolite was modified by nano-Fe3O4 for development of functional adsorbents.Subsequently,adsorbents such as calcium cross-linked nano-Fe3O4 microspheres (Ca-MS),calcium cross-linked nano-Fe3O4 modified zeolite microspheres (Ca-MZS) and iron cross-linked nano-Fe3O4 modified zeolite microspheres (Fe-MZS) were prepared and compared for their adsorption performance.The effects of adsorbent dosage,solution pH,initial concentration and ion content on the removal of Cu^2+ from wastewater are investigated,and the adsorption kinetics and isotherms for the adsorbent materials were analyzed.The experimental results indicate that for the initial concentration of Cu^2+ of 30 mg/L,the adsorption is noted to be most stable.The optimal initial pH for adsorbing Cu^2+ is observed to be 5.5.At an optimal dosage of Ca-MZS of 900 mg/L,the adsorption capacity is measured to be 28.25 mg/g,along with the removal rate of 72.49%.The addition of Na+ and K+ affects the adsorption of Cu^2+.For the Na^+ and K^+ concentration of 0.2 mmol/L,the Cu^2+ removal rate by Ca-MZS drops to 11.94% and 22.12%,respectively.As compared with the adsorbents such as Natural Zeolite (NZ),Ca-MS and Fe-MZS,Ca-MZS demonstrates the best removal effect in solution,where the removal rate reaches 84.27%,with the maximum adsorption capacity of 28.09 mg/g.The Cu^2+ adsorption kinetics of Ca-MZS is observed to follow the Elovich kinetic model,with the adsorption isotherm data fitting the Freundlich isotherm model by using the non-linear method.

Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Captopril Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Nano-TiO_2/Ferrocene Carboxylic Acid

A carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with ferrocene carboxylic acid (FcCA) and TiO2 nanoparticles was constructed by incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles and ferrocene carboxylic acid into the carbon paste matrix. The electrochemical behavior of captopril (CAP) at the surface of the modified electrode was investigated using electroanalytical methods. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of CAP in aqueous solutions at physiological pH values. Cyclic voltammetric curves showed that the oxidation of CAP at the surface of the modified electrode reduced its overpotential by more than 290 mV. The modified electrode was used for detecting captopril using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. A calibration curve in the range of 0.03 to 2400 μmol/L was obtained that had a detection limit of 0.0096 μmol/L (3?) under the optimized conditions. The modified electrode was successfully used for the determination of captopril in pharmaceutical and biological samples.

Nonlocal symmetry and exact solutions of the(2+1)-dimensional modified Bogoyavlenskii–Schiff equation

In this paper,the truncated Painlev′e analysis,nonlocal symmetry,Bcklund transformation of the（2＋1）-dimensional modified Bogoyavlenskii–Schiff equation are presented.Then the nonlocal symmetry is localized to the corresponding nonlocal group by the prolonged system.In addition,the（2＋1）-dimensional modified Bogoyavlenskii–Schiff is proved consistent Riccati expansion（CRE） solvable.As a result,the soliton–cnoidal wave interaction solutions of the equation are explicitly given,which are difficult to find by other traditional methods.Moreover figures are given out to show the properties of the explicit analytic interaction solutions.

Electrochemical determination of vitamin C in the presence of uric acid by a novel TiO_2 nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode

The electrochemical behavior of vitamin C（ascorbic acid or AA） is investigated on the surface of a carbon-paste electrode modified with TiO2 nanoparticles and 2,2＇-（1,2 butanediylbis（nitriloethylidyne））-bis-hydroquinone（BBNBH）.The prepared modified electrode showed an efficient catalytic role in the electrochemical oxidation of AA,leading to remarkable decrease in oxidation overpotential and enhancement of the kinetics of the electrode reaction.This modified electrode exhibits well-separated oxidation peaks for AA and uric acid（UA）.The modified electrode is successfully applied for the accurate determination of AA in pharmaceutical preparations.

Direct Synthesis of Al_2O_3-modified Li(Ni_(0.5)Co_(0.2)Mn_(0.3))O_2 Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

To improve the cyclic stability at high temperature and thermal stability, the spherical Al2O3-modified Li（Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3）O2 was synthesized by a modified co-precipitation method, and the physical and electrochemical properties were studied. The TEM images showed that Li（Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3）O2 was modified successfully with nano-Al2O3. The discharge capacity retention of Al2O3-modified Li（Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3）O2 maintained about 99% after 200 cycles at high temperature（55 ℃）, while that of the bare one was only 86%. Also, unlike bare Li（Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3）O2, the Al2O3-modified material cathode exhibited good thermal stability.

Synthesis of modified D401 chelating resin and its adsorption properties for Pb^(2+)

A novel chelating resin with sulfonic group was synthesized by chemical modification of D401 resin with sulphonation reaction and characterized by FT-IR spectrometry. The adsorption properties of the novel chelating resin for Pb2+ were studied by batch adsorption, and the adsorption process was analyzed from thermodynamics and kinetics aspects. The adsorption mechanism of Pb2+ on the modified D401 chelating resin was discussed by FT-IR spectrometry. Experimental results show that in the Pb2+ concentration range of 200-400 mg/L, the adsorption capacities of the modified D401 chelating resin for Pb2+ increase by 77%-129%, and Langmuir isothermal adsorption model is more suitable for the equilibrium adsorption data. Adsorption is an endothermic process that runs spontaneously. Kinetic analysis shows that the adsorption rate is mainly governed by liquid film diffusion. The best pH value under adsorption condition is 4-5. The saturated resin can be regenerated by 3 mol/L nitric acid, and the adsorption capacity remains stable after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. The maximal static saturated adsorption capacity of the resin is 206 mg/g at 333 K in the Pb2+ concentration range of 200-400 mg/L. The modified D401 chelating resin is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Pb2+ from its single-metal ion solution.