Revealing interfacial charge redistribution of homologous Ru-RuS_(2) heterostructure toward robust hydrogen oxidation reaction

Precisely tailoring the surface electronic structures of electrocatalysts for optimal hydrogen binding energy and hydroxide binding energy is vital to improve the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen oxidation reac-tion(HOR).Herein,we employ a partial desulfurization strategy to construct a homologous Ru-RuS_(2) heterostructure anchored on hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres(Ru-RuS_(2)@C).The disparate work functions of the heterostructure contribute to the spontaneous formation of a unique built-in electric field,accelerating charge transfer and boosting conductivity of electrocatalyst.Consequently,Ru-RuS_(2)@C exhibits robust HOR electrocatalytic activity,achieving an exchange current density and mass activity as high as 3.56 mA cm^(-2) and 2.13 mAμg_(Ru)^(-1),respectively.exceeding those of state-of-the-art Pt/C and most contemporary Ru-based HOR electrocatalysts.Surprisingly,Ru-RuS_(2)@C can tolerate 1000 ppm of cO that lacks in Pt/C.Comprehensive analysis reveals that the directional electron transfer across Ru-RuS_(2) heterointerface induces local charge redistribution in interfacial region,which optimizes and balances the adsorption energies of H and OH species,as well as lowers the energy barrier for water formation,thereby promoting theHoR performance.

Synthesis of spherical tremella-like Sb2O3 structures derived from metal-organic framworks and its lithium storage properties

A novel spherical tremella-like Sb2O3 was prepared by using metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)method under a mild liquid-phase reaction condition,and was further employed as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The effect of reaction temperature and time on morphologies of Sb2O3 was studied.The results from SEM and TEM demonstrate that the tremella-like Sb2O3 architecture are composed of numerous nanosheets with high specific surface area.When the tremella-like Sb2O3 was used as LIBs anode,the discharge and charge capacities can achieve 724 and 446 mA·h/g in the first cycle,respectively.Moreover,the electrode retains an impressive high capacity of 275 mA·h/g even after 50 cycles at 20 mA/g,indicating that the material is extremely promising for application in LIBs.

Diffusion dynamics in branched spherical structure

Diffusion on a spherical surface with trapping is a common phenomenon in cell biology and porous systems.In this paper,we study the diffusion dynamics in a branched spherical structure and explore the influence of the geometry of the structure on the diffusion process.The process is a spherical movement that occurs only for a fixed radius and is interspersed with a radial motion inward and outward the sphere.Two scenarios govern the transport process in the spherical cavity:free diffusion and diffusion under external velocity.The diffusion dynamics is described by using the concepts of probability density function(PDF)and mean square displacement(MSD)by Fokker–Planck equation in a spherical coordinate system.The effects of dead ends,sphere curvature,and velocity on PDF and MSD are analyzed numerically in detail.We find a transient non-Gaussian distribution and sub-diffusion regime governing the angular dynamics.The results show that the diffusion dynamics strengthens as the curvature of the spherical surface increases and an external force is exerted in the same direction of the motion.

Research on numerical welding experiment of a thick spherical shell structure

In this paper, in order to predict the residual deformation of thick spherical structure, a welding program is compiled in APDL language based on Ansys and a numerical welding experiment of a welding example is carried out. The temperature field of welding was simulated firstly, then a thermal-structure coupling analysis was carried out, and at last the residual stress and deformation after welding were got. After that, the numerical experiment result was compared with physical experiment one. The comparative analysis shows that the numerical simulation fits well with physical experiment. On the basis of that, a three-dimensional numerical experiment of a thick spherical shell structure was carried out to get the changing rule of stress and deformation of a thick spherical shell structure during welding. The research is of great value to the prediction of residual deformation and high precision machining.

Microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of atmospheric iron-containing single particles in Lhasa,Tibet

The Tibetan Plateau,known as the“Third Pole”,is currently in a state of perturbation caused by intensified human activity.In this study,56 samples were obtained at the five sampling sites in typical area of Lhasa city and their physical and chemical properties were investigated by TEM/EDS,STXM,and NEXAFS spectroscopy.After careful examination of 3387single particles,the results showed that Fe should be one of the most frequent metal elements.The Fe-containing single particles in irregular shape and micrometer size was about7.8%and might be mainly from local sources.Meanwhile,the Fe was located on the subsurface of single particles and might be existed in the form of iron oxide.Interestingly,the core-shell structure of iron-containing particles were about 38.8%and might be present as single-,dual-or triple-core shell structure and multi-core shell structure with the Fe/Si ratios of 17.5,10.5,2.9 and 1.2,respectively.Meanwhile,iron and manganese were found to coexist with identical distributions in the single particles,which might induce a synergistic effect between iron and manganese in catalytic oxidation.Finally,the solid spherical structure of Fe-containing particles without an external layer were about 53.4%.The elements of Fe and Mn were co-existed,and might be presented as iron oxide-manganese oxide-silica composite.Moreover,the ferrous and ferric forms of iron might be co-existed.Such information can be valuable in expanding our understanding of Fe-containing particles in the Tibetan Plateau atmosphere.

Low temperature molten salt synthesis of porous La_(1-x)Sr_xMn_(0.8)Fe_(0.2)O_3(0≤x≤0.6) microspheres with high catalytic activity for CO oxidation

A molten salt method was developed to prepare porous La1‐xSrxMn0.8Fe0.2O3 （0≤ x ≤ 0.6） micro‐spheres using hierarchical porous δ‐MnO2 microspheres as a template in eutectic NaNO3‐KNO3. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that single phase LaMn0.8Fe0.2O3 with good crystallinity was syn‐thesized at 450℃ after 4 h. Transmission electron microscope images exhibited that the LaMn0.8Fe0.2O3 sample obtained at 450？？ after 4 h possessed a porous spherical morphology com‐posed of aggregated nanocrystallites. Field emission scanning electron microscope images indicated that the growth of the porous LaMn0.8Fe0.2O3 microspheres has two stages. SEM pictures showed that a higher calcination temperature than 450？？ had an adverse effect on the formation of a po‐rous spherical structure. The LaMn0.8Fe0.2O3 sample obtained at 450？？ after 4 h displayed a high BET surface area of 55.73 m2/g with a pore size of 9.38 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested that Sr2＋ions entered the A sites and induced a decrease of the binding energy between Mn and O. The CO conversion with the La1‐xSrxMn0.8Fe0.2O3 （0≤x≤0.6） samples indicated that the La0.4Sr0.6Mn0.8Fe0.2O3 sample had the best catalytic activity and stability. Further analysis by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that Sr2＋doping altered the content of Mn4＋ions, oxygen vacancies and adsorbed oxygen species on the surface, which affected the catalytic performance for CO oxidation.

ANALYSIS OF SPHERICAL FUNCTION SPECTRAL STRUCTURE OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE 500 HPA MONTHLY MEAN HEIGHT

Study is undertaken of spherical function spectral structures of long-term mean and anomaly patterns of the Northern Hemisphere 500 hPa monthly mean geopotential height together with the seasonal and interannual variations investigated.Results show that they are marked by low dimensions and low orders,and the mean and anomaly fields can be described in terms of 20 and 50 spherical function components,respectively.

Vibration analysis of axisymmetric functionally graded viscothermoelastic spheres

The present study focuses on the analysis of free vibrations of axisymmetric functionally graded hollow spheres. The material is assumed to be graded in radial di- rection with a simple power law. Matrix Frrbenious method of extended power series is employed to derive the analytical solutions for displacement, temperature, and stresses. The dispersion relations for the existence of various types of pos- sible modes of vibrations in the considered hollow sphere are derived in a compact form. In order to explore the character- istics of vibrations, the secular equations are further solved by using fixed point iteration numerical technique with the help of MATLAB software. The numerical results have been presented graphically for polymethyl methecrylate materials in respect of natural frequencies, frequency shift, inverse quality factor, displacement, temperature change, and radial stress.

Wave Scattering by a Submerged Sphere in Three-Layer Fluid

Using linear water wave theory,three-dimensional problems concerning the interaction of waves with spherical structures in a fluid which contains a three-layer fluid consisting of a layer of finite depth bounded above by freshwater of finite depth with free surface and below by an infinite layer of water of greater density are considered.In such a situation timeharmonic waves with a given frequency can propagate with three wavenumbers.The sphere is submerged in either of the three layers.Each problem is reduced to an infinite system of linear equations by employing the method of multipoles and the system of equations is solved numerically by standard technique.The hydrodynamic forces(vertical and horizontal forces)are obtained and depicted graphically against the wavenumber.When the density ratio of the upper and middle layer is made to approximately one,curves for vertical and horizontal forces almost coincide with the corresponding curves for the case of a two-layer fluid with a free surface.This means that in the limit,the density ratio of the upper and middle layer goes to approximately one,the solution agrees with the solution for the case of a two-layer fluid with a free surface.

Preparation of hollow spherical covalent organic frameworks via Oswald ripening under ambient conditions for immobilizing enzymes with improved catalytic performance

The hollow spherical covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have a wide application prospect thanks to their special structures.However,the controllable synthesis of uniform and stable hollow COFs is still a challenge.We herein propose a self-templated method for the preparation of hollow COFs through the Ostwald ripening mechanism under ambient conditions,which avoids most disadvantages of the commonly used hard-templating and soft-templating methods.A detailed time-dependent study reveals that the COFs are transformed from initial spheres to hollow spheres because of the inside-out Ostwald ripening process.The obtained hollow spherical COFs have high crystallinity,specific surface area(2,036 m^(2)·g^(−1)),stability,and single-batch yield.Thanks to unique hollow structure,clear through holes,and hydrophobic pore environment of the hollow spherical COFs,the obtained immobilized lipase(BCL@H-COF-OMe)exhibits higher thermostability,polar organic solvent tolerance,and reusability.The BCL@H-COF-OMe also shows higher catalytic performance than the lipase immobilized on non-hollow COF and free lipase in the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols.This study provides a simple approach for the preparation of hollow spherical COFs,and will promote the valuable research of COFs in the field of biocatalysis.

Research progress on rolling superlubricity in solid lubricants

Superlubricity is an ideal lubrication state where friction nearly vanishes between contact interfaces. It has become one of the most important research topics and approaches owing to its significance in reducing energy consumption and preventing device failures. As an efficient and universal lubricating principle capable of achieving superlubricity, rolling lubrication has attracted widespread attention in recent years. In this review, the theoretical concept of rolling lubrication and the experimental research progress of spherical/scroll structures are summarized. The review focuses on the possibility of achieving rolling lubrication using spherical/scroll structures(such as spherical fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and formed and constructed spherical/scroll structures). The challenges in achieving rolling lubrication are summarized, and the possibility of molecular rolling lubrication,as well as its potential applications in superlubrication, are discussed.

Porous spherical NiO@NiMoO4@PPy nanoarchitectures as advanced electrochemical pseudocapacitor materials

In this work, a rational design and construction of porous spherical Ni O@NiMoO4 wrapped with PPy was reported for the application of high-performance supercapacitor(SC). The results show that the NiMoO4 modification changes the morphology of Ni O, and the hollow internal morphology combined with porous outer shell of Ni O@NiMoO4 and Ni O@NiMoO4@PPy hybrids shows an increased specific surface area(SSA), and then promotes the transfer of ions and electrons. The shell of NiMoO4 and PPy with high electronic conductivity decreases the charge-transfer reaction resistance of Ni O, and then improves the electrochemical kinetics of Ni O. At 20 Ag^-1, the initial capacitances of Ni O, NiMoO4, Ni O@NiMoO4 and Ni O@NiMoO4@PPy are 456.0, 803.2, 764.4 and 941.6 Fg^-1, respectively. After 10,000 cycles, the corresponding capacitances are 346.8, 510.8, 641.2 and 904.8 Fg^-1, respectively. Especially, the initial capacitance of Ni O@NiMoO4@PPy is 850.2 Fg^-1, and remains 655.2 Fg^-1 with a high retention of 77.1% at30 Ag^-1 even after 30,000 cycles. The calculation result based on density function theory shows that the much stronger Mo-O bonds are crucial for stabilizing the Ni O@NiMoO4 composite, resulting in a good cycling stability of these materials.

Tribological properties of spherical and mesoporous NiAl particles as ionic liquid additives

In this study,spherical and mesoporous NiAl particles(abbreviated as sNiAl and mNiAl)were introduced as lubricant additives into two alkyl-imidazolium ionic liquids(ILs)(l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate(LB104)and l-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate(LP104))to explore their tribological properties.The sNiAl and mNiAl particles were modified in-situ by anion and cation moieties of ILs through chemical interaction,thereby enhancing their dispersibility and stability in ILs.The mNiAl particles have better dispersibility than the sNiAl ones in ILs because of high specific surface area.LP104-modified sNiAl particles show better friction reduction and wear resistance,mainly relying on the synergy of the hybrid lubricant.These particles form a protective layer that prevents friction pairs from straight asperity contact and improves the tribological behaviors.

Enhanced strength and electrical conductivity of Al-0.3Ce alloy simultaneously with Ti(C,N)nanoparticle addition

Ti(C,N)nanoparticles were added to an Al-0.3 Ce alloy by ultrasonic treatment.Further annealing at 570℃for4 h afforded the ultimate tensile strength of 79 MPa and electrical conductivity of 64.0%IACS for the Al-0.3 Ce alloy with1.5 vol%Ti(C,N)addition.Both performance parameters were improved by 23.4%and 0.6%IACS,respectively,compared with those of casting refining pure aluminum(64 MPa and63.4%IACS).This could be explained by the following reasons.The addition of Ti(C,N)nanoparticles could significantly refine the grain of Al-0.3 Ce alloy.Notably,most of the coarse strip-shaped second phases distributed at the grain boundaries in Al-0.3 Ce were also transformed into spherical microparticles distributed in the grains,with micro-nano hierarchical structures comprising orientated nanosized strip phases with lengths of~400 nm and widths of~100 nm.Moreover,a fine micro-nano hierarchical spherical structure could be obtained after annealing at 570℃for 4 h.The numbers of micro-nano hierarchical spherical structures also increased due to the precipitation of pseudosolution Ce from the aluminum matrix during the annealing treatment.

Surfactant-free synthesis of metallic bismuth spheres by microwave-assisted solvothermal approach as a function of the power level

In the present work, the synthesis of micro- and nano-sized spheres of metallic bismuth by microwave-assisted solvothermal method is reported. The synthesis method was carried out at different power levels and at a unique frequency of microwave irradiation. The sphere sizes were controlled by the microwave power level and the concentration of dissolved precursor. Structural and morphological characterization was performed by SEM, HRTEM, EELS and XRD. The results demonstrated that rhombohedral zero valent Bi spheres were synthesized after microwave radiation at 600 and 1200 W. However, if the power level is decreased to 120 W, a monoclinic phase of Bi203 is obtained with a flake-like morphology. In comparison with a conventional hydrothermal process, the microwave-assisted solvothermal approach provides many advantages such as shorter reaction time, optimum manipulation of morphologies and provides a specific chemical phase and avoids the mixture of structural phases and morphologies which is essential for further applications such as drug delivery or functionalization with organic materials, thanks to its biocompatibility.