Investigation of Organic Matter Extraction from Moroccan Oil Shale

This study focuses on investigating the effect of various solvents on the supercritical extraction of organic matter from Moroccan oil shales, with the goal of determining the optimal operating conditions that result in a high yield of high-quality oil rich in aromatic compounds. The results of this study demonstrate that the extraction yield and quality of the extracted oil heavily depend on the chosen operating conditions for supercritical or subcritical extraction of organic matter from oil shale. Additionally, the study found that phenol can effectively degrade oil shale and enable extraction of nearly all the organic matter, even under mild conditions (T = 390˚C, P = 1.2 MPa, Time = 2.5 h. Furthermore, the oils obtained through this extraction process are of high quality, with a rich content of maltenes, and a higher concentration of aromatic compounds and lower levels of sulfur than those obtained using other solvents.

Investigation of Organic Matter Extraction from Moroccan Oil Shale

This study focuses on investigating the effect of various solvents on the supercritical extraction of organic matter from Moroccan oil shales, with the goal of determining the optimal operating conditions that result in a high yield of high-quality oil rich in aromatic compounds. The results of this study demonstrate that the extraction yield and quality of the extracted oil heavily depend on the chosen operating conditions for supercritical or subcritical extraction of organic matter from oil shale. Additionally, the study found that phenol can effectively degrade oil shale and enable extraction of nearly all the organic matter, even under mild conditions (T = 390˚C, P = 1.2 MPa, Time = 2.5 h. Furthermore, the oils obtained through this extraction process are of high quality, with a rich content of maltenes, and a higher concentration of aromatic compounds and lower levels of sulfur than those obtained using other solvents.

Effect of Graphene Nanoribbons (TexasPEG) on locomotor function recovery in a rat model of lumbar spinal cord transection

A sharply transected spinal cord has been shown to be fused under the accelerating influence of membrane fusogens such as polyethylene glycol （PEG） （GEMINI protocol）. Previous work provided evidence that this is in fact possible. Other fusogens might improve current results. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of PEGylated graphene nanoribons （PEG-GNR, and called ＂TexasPEG＂ when prepared as lwt% dispersion in PEG600） versus placebo （saline） on locomotor function recovery and cellular level in a rat model of spinal cord transection at lumbar segment 1 （L1） level. In vivo and in vitro experiments （n -- 10 per experiment） were designed. In the in vivo experiment, all rats were submitted to full spinal cord transection at L1 level. Five weeks later, behavioral assessment was performed using the Basso Beattie Bresnahan （BBB） locomotor rating scale. Immunohistochemical staining with neuron marker neurofilament 200 （NF200） antibody and astrocyt- ic scar marker glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） was also performed in the injured spinal cord. In the in vitro experiment, the effects of TexasPEG application for 72 hours on the neurite outgrowth of SH-SYSY cells were observed under the inverted microscope. Results of both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that TexasPEG reduces the formation of glial scars, promotes the regeneration of neurites, and thereby contributes to the recovery of locomotor function of a rat model of spinal cord transfection.

Dirac states from p_(x,y)orbitals in the buckled honeycomb structures:A tight-binding model and first-principles combined study

Dirac states composed of Px,y orbitals have been reported in many two-dimensional （2D） systems with honeycomb lattices recently. Their potential importance has aroused strong interest in a comprehensive understanding of such states. Here, we construct a four-band tight-binding model for the Px,y-orbital Dirac states considering both the nearest neighbor hopping interactions and the lattice-buckling effect. We find that Px,y-orbital Dirac states are accompanied with two addi- tional narrow bands that are flat in the limit of vanishing n bonding, which is in agreement with previous studies. Most importantly, we analytically obtain the linear dispersion relationship between energy and momentum vector near the Dirac cone. We find that the Fermi velocity is determined not only by the hopping through n bonding but also by the hopping through ~ bonding of Px,y orbitals, which is in contrast to the case of pz-orbital Dirac states. Consequently, Px,y-orbital Dirac states offer more flexible engineering, with the Fermi velocity being more sensitive to the changes of lattice constants and buckling angles, if strain is exerted. We further validate our tight-binding scheme by direct first-principles calcula- tions of model-materials including hydrogenated monolayer Bi and Sb honeycomb lattices. Our work provides a more in-depth understanding of Px,y-orbital Dirac states in honeycomb lattices, which is useful for the applications of this family of materials in nanoelectronics.

Click Reaction Functionalization of Hydroxylated Nanoparticles by Cyclic Azasilanes for Colloidal Stability in Oilfield Applications

The growing interest in functionalized nanoparticles and their implementation in oilfield applications (e.g., drilling fluids and enhanced oil recovery (EOR)) facilitate the ongoing efforts to improve their chemical functionalization performance in stabilization of water based or hydrocarbon based nanofluids. Cyclic azasilanes (CAS), substituted 1-aza-2-silacyclopentanes, possess a strained 5-member ring structure. Adjacent Si and N atoms in the ring provide opportunity for highly efficient covalent surface functionalization of hydroxylated nanoparticles through a catalyst-free and byproduct-free click reaction. In this work, hydroxylated silica, alumina, diamond, and carbon coated iron core-shell nanoparticles have been studied for monolayer CAS functionalization. Two cyclic azasilanes with different R groups at N atom, such as methyl (CAS-1) and aminoethyl (CAS-2), have been utilized to functionalize nanoparticles. All reactions were found to readily proceed under mild conditions (room temperature, ambient pressure) during 1 - 2 hours of sonication. CAS functionalized adducts of hydroxylated nanoparticles have been isolated and their microstructure, composition, solubility and thermal stability have been characterized. As a result, it has been demonstrated, for the first time, that covalent surface modification with cyclic azasilanes can be extended beyond the previously known porous silicon structures to hydroxylated silica, alumina and carbon nanoparticles. The developed methodology was also shown to provide access to the nanoparticles with the hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface functional groups needed to enable oilfield applications (e.g., EOR, tracers, drilling fluids) that require stable water based or hydrocarbon based colloidal systems.

Coupling metal-organic frameworks and wood-based carbon for water remediation

Fresh and clean water is highly demanded throughout the world.To effectively address the need,nanomaterials enabled nanotechnology has been explored as a means of more efficient,reliable,and environmentally friendly approach towards water treatment practices.One concern in adopting nanomaterials is how to retrieve them from water body to avoid secondary contamination.In this work,the earth abundant and sustainable wood,e.g.,basswood,was selected and carbonized into porous carbon as host skeleton,and metal-organic frameworks(MOFs),e.g.,MOF-199 with extremely high surface area,were grown throughout all channels in the porous basswood carbon.Targeting the traditional organic pollutant,methyl orange(MO),the combination of MOFs and basswood carbon(MOFs@carbon)demonstrates a remarkable adsorption capacity,which is 243%and 454%higher than basswood carbon and MOF-199,respectively.Such an outstanding adsorption performance originates from that the positively charged carbon pulls MO molecules close to carbon surface,leading to a high MO molecule concentration,and then the concentration gradient drives the MO molecules to be stored inside MOFs,functioning like pockets.These findings highlight the potential application of coupled MOFs and biomass carbon in addressing water remediation.

Temperature dependent Raman and photoluminescence of vertical WS2/MoS2 monolayer heterostructures

Heterostructures from two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides MX_2 have emerged as a hot topic in recent years due to their various fascinating properties. Here, we investigated the temperature dependent Raman and photoluminescence(PL) spectra in vertical stacked WS_2/MoS_2 monolayer heterostructures. Our result shows that both E_(2g)~1 and A_(1g) modes of WS_2 and MoS_2 vary linearly with temperature increasing from 300 to 642 K. The PL measurement also reveals strong temperature dependencies of the PL intensity and peak position. The activation energy of the thermal quenching of the PL emission has been found to be equal to 69.6 meV. The temperature dependence of the peak energy well follows the bandgap shrinkage of bulk semiconductor.

Microstructuring of carbon/tin quantum dots via a novel photolithography and pyrolysis-reduction process

A novel microfabrication process based on optimized photolithography combined with pyrolysis-reduction is proposed to fabricate interdigital porous carbon/tin quantum dots （C/Sn QDs） microelectrodes.C/Sn QDs active microelectrodes are also employed as current collectors of a micro-supercapacitor （MSC）.A uniform dispersion of Sn QDs （diameter of ～3 nm） in the carbon matrix is achieved using our facile and controllable microfabrication process.The as-fabricated C/Sn QDs MSC obtained by carbonization at 900 ℃ exhibits a higher areal specific capacitance （5.79 mF＆#183;cm-2） than that of the pyrolyzed carbonbased MSC （1.67 mF＆#183;cm-2） and desirable cycling stability （93.3% capacitance retention after 5,000 cyclic voltammetry cycles）.This novel microfabrication process is fully compatible with micromachining technologies,showing great potential for large-scale fine micropatterning of carbon-based composites for applications in micro/nano devices.

Large Rabi splitting obtained in Ag‐WS2 strong‐coupling heterostructure with optical microcavity at room temperature

Manipulation of light-matter interaction is critical in modern physics, especially in the strong coupling regime, where the generated half-light, half-matter bosonic quasiparticles as polaritons are important for fundamental quantum science and applications of optoelectronics and nonlinear optics. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are ideal platforms to investigate the strong coupling because of their huge exciton binding energy and large absorption coefficients. Further studies on strong exciton-plasmon coupling by combining TMDs with metallic nanostructures have generated broad interests in recent years. However, because of the huge plasmon radiative damping, the observation of strong coupling is significantly limited at room temperature. Here, we demonstrate that a large Rabi splitting (~300 meV) can be achieved at ambient conditions in the strong coupling regime by embedding Ag-WS2 heterostructure in an optical microcavity. The generated quasiparticle with part-plasmon, part-exciton and part-light is analyzed with Hopfield coefficients that are calculated by using three-coupled oscillator model. The resulted plasmon-exciton polaritonic hybrid states can efficiently enlarge the obtained Rabi splitting, which paves the way for the practical applications of polaritonic devices based on ultrathin materials.

Polycrystalline morphology and mechanical strength of nanotube fibers

Correlating mechanical performance with mesoscale structure is fundamental for the design and optimization of light and strong fibers(or any composites),most promising being those from carbon nanotubes.In all forms of nanotube fiber production strategies,due to tubes’mutual affinity,some degree of bundling into liquid crystal-like domains can be expected,causing heterogeneous load transfer within and outside these domains,and having a direct impact on the fiber strength.By employing large-scale coarse-grained simulations,we demonstrate that the strength s of nanotube fibers with characteristic domain size D scales as s~1/D,while the degree of longitudinal/axial disorder within the domains(akin to a smectic↔nematic phase transition)can substantially mitigate this dependence.

Characterization of tin（Ⅱ） sulfide defects/vacancies and correlation with their photocurrent

The presence of defects/vacancies in nanomaterials influences the electronic structure of materials, and thus, it is necessary to study the correlation between the optoelectronic properties of a nanomaterial and its defects/vacancies. Herein, we report a facile solvothermal route to synthesize three-dimensional （3D） SnS nanostructures formed by {131} faceted nanosheet assembly. The 3D SnS nanostructures were calcined at temperatures of 350, 400, and 450 ~C and used as counter electrodes, before their photocurrent properties were investigated. First principle computation revealed the photocurrent properties depend on the defect/vacancy concentration within the samples. It is very interesting that characterization with positron annihilation spectrometry confirmed that the density of defects/vacancies increased with the calcination temperature, and a maximum photocurrent was realized after treatment at 400 ℃. Further, the defect/vacancy density decreased when the calcination temperature reached 450℃ as the higher calcination temperature enlarged the mesopores and densified the pore walls, which led to a lower photocurrent value at 450℃ than at 400℃.

The modulating effect of N coordination on single-atom catalysts researched by Pt-N_(x)-C model through both experimental study and DFT simulation

N-doped carbon-based single-atom catalysts(NC-SACs) are widely researched in various electrochemical reactions due to high metal atom utilization and catalytic activity.The catalytic activity of NC-SACs originates from the coordinating structure between single metal site(M) and the doped nitrogen(N) in carbon matrix by forming M-N_(x)-C structure(1≤x≤4).The M-N4-C structure is widely considered to be the most stable and effective catalytic site.However,there is no in-depth research for the "x" modulation in Pt-Nx-C structure and the corresponding catalytic properties.Herein,atomically dispersed Pt on N-doped carbon(Pt-NC) with Pt-Nx-C structure(1≤x≤4),as a research model,is fabricated by a ZIF-8 template and applied to catalytic oxygen reduction.Different carbonization temperatures are used to control N loss,and then modulate the N coordination of Pt-Nx-C structure.The Pt-NC has the predictable low half-wave potential(E_(1/2)) of 0.72 V vs RHE compared to the Pt/C 20% of 0.81 V due to low Pt content.Remarkably,the Pt-NC shows a high onset potential(1.10 V vs RHE,determined for j=-0.1 mA cm^(2)) and a high current density of 5.2 mA cm^(-2),more positive and higher than that of Pt/C 20%(0.96 V) and 4.9 mA cm^(-2),respectively.As the structural characterization and DFT simulation confirmed,the reducing PtN coordination number induces low valence of Pt atoms and low free energy of oxygen reduction,which is responsible for the improved catalytic activity.Furthermore,the Pt-NC shows high mass activity(172 times higher than that of Pt/C 20%),better stability and methanol crossover resistance.

Thermodynamics of order and randomness in dopant distributions inferred from atomically resolved imaging

Exploration of structure-property relationships as a function of dopant concentration is commonly based on mean field theories for solid solutions.However,such theories that work well for semiconductors tend to fail in materials with strong correlations,either in electronic behavior or chemical segregation.In these cases,the details of atomic arrangements are generally not explored and analyzed.The knowledge of the generative physics and chemistry of the material can obviate this problem,since defect configuration libraries as stochastic representation of atomic level structures can be generated,or parameters of mesoscopic thermodynamic models can be derived.To obtain such information for improved predictions,we use data from atomically resolved microscopic images that visualize complex structural correlations within the system and translate them into statistical mechanical models of structure formation.Given the significant uncertainties about the microscopic aspects of the material’s processing history along with the limited number of available images,we combine model optimization techniques with the principles of statistical hypothesis testing.We demonstrate the approach on data from a series of atomically-resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy images of Mo_(x)Re_(1-x)S_(2) at varying ratios of Mo/Re stoichiometries,for which we propose an effective interaction model that is then used to generate atomic configurations and make testable predictions at a range of concentrations and formation temperatures.

High thermal conductivity of suspended few-layer hexagonal boron nitride sheets

推迟的很少层的热传导六角形的硼氮化物(h-BN ) 表试验性地用一个 noncontact micro-Raman 光谱学方法被调查。为单层(1L ) 的一阶的温度系数， bilayer (2L ) 并且九层(9L ) h-BN 表被测量是(当时， electrospinning 准备的 3.41 xide nanofibers 被期望减少了热电导率与体积样品相比。自从它包含复杂样品准备方法，热电导率正在质问的 nanofibers 的大小。在这个工作，我们在场对单个 nanofiber 的热电导率的大小合适的一个新奇方法。一 microelectro 机械(MEMS ) 设备被设计了并且制作了在单个 nanofiber 上执行热传导性大小。一个特殊 Si 模板被设计收集并且转单个 nanofibers 到 MEMS 设备名上吗？

Sandwich structured graphene-wrapped FeS-graphene nanoribbons with improved cycling stability for lithium ion batteries

Sandwich structured graphene-wrapped FeS-graphene nanoribbons （G@FeS-GNIKs） were developed. In this composite, FeS nanoparticles were sandwiched between graphene and graphene nanoribbons. When used as anodes in lithium ion batteries （L1Bs）, the G@FeS-GNR composite demonstrated an outstanding electrochemical performance. This composite showed high reversible capacity, good rate performance, and enhanced cycling stability owing to the synergy between the electrically conductive graphene, graphene nanoribbons, and FeS. The design concept developed here opens up a new avenue for constructing anodes with improved electrochemical stability for LIBs.

Scalable microfabrication of three-dimensional porous interconnected graphene scaffolds with carbon spheres for high-performance all carbon-based micro-supercapacitors

As one of the most important micro energy storage devices(MESDs),graphene-based micro-supercapacitors(G-MSCs)possess the advantages of excellent flexibility,long cycle life,affordability and high reliability.In most cases,constructing three-dimensional(3D)graphene networks is widely utilized to promote the permeation of electrolyte and enhance the utilization of active materials.In this work,conventional freeze-drying process is utilized in the fabrication of G-MSCs to constitute 3D interconnected networks micro-electrodes,and further by regulating the composition of inks,carbon spheres(CSs)at different mass loadings are introduced into the graphene scaffolds to further increase the active sites of the micro-electrodes.The fabricated all carbon-based MSC with the optimal mass loading of CSs(0.406 mg cm^(-2))exhibits a high specific areal capacitance of 17.01mF cm^(-2)at the scan rate of 10mV s^(-1)and a capacitance retention of 93.14%after 10000 cycles at the scan rate of 500 mV s^(-1).The proposed microfabrication process is facile and fully compatible with modern microtechnologies and will be highly suitable for large-scale production and integration.

Solvent-free microwave-assisted synthesis of tenorite nanoparticle-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Copper-decorated carbon nanotubes(CNTs) have important applications as precursors for ultraconductive copper wires. Tenorite-decorated CNTs(CuO-CNTs) are ideal candidates and are currently developed using laborious processes. For this reason, we have developed a facile and scalable method for the synthesis of CuO-CNTs from copper acetate. It was found that the optimal loading of copper acetate onto the CNTs was 23.1 wt% and that three 1-minute microwave treatments were sufficient for the decomposition of copper acetate to copper oxide. The loading of copper oxide onto the nanotubes was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The materials were characterised using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Carbon nanotube micropillars trigger guided growth of complex human neural stem cells networks

New strategies for spatially controlled growth of human neurons may provide viable solutions to treat and recover peripheral or spinal cord injuries.While topography cues are known to promote attachment and direct proliferation of many cell types,guided outgrowth of human neurites has been found difficult to achieve so far.Here,three-dimensional(3D)micropatterned carbon nanotube(CNT)templates are used to effectively direct human neurite stem cell growth.By exploiting the mechanical flexibility,electrically conductivity and texture of the 3D CNT micropillars,a perfect environment is created to achieve specific guidance of human neurites,which may lead to enhanced therapeutic effects within the injured spinal cord or peripheral nerves.It is found that the 3D CNT micropillars grant excellent anchoring for adjacent neurites to form seamless neuronal networks that can be grown to any arbitrary shape and size.Apart from clear practical relevance in regenerative medicine,these results using the CNT based templates on Si chips also can pave the road for new types of microelectrode arrays to study cell network electrophysiology.

Self-organization of various“phase-separated”nanostructures in a single chemical vapor deposition

Chemical vapor deposition(CVD)is one of the most versatile techniques for the controlled synthesis of functional nanomaterials.When multiple precursors are induced,the CVD process often gives rise to the growth of doped or alloy compounds.In this work,we demonstrate the self-assembly of a variety of‘phase-separated’functional nanostructures from a single CVD in the presence of various precursors.In specific,with silicon substrate and powder of Mn and SnTe as precursors,we achieved self-organized nanostructures including Si/SiOx core-shell nanowire heterostructures both with and without embedded manganese silicide particles,Mn11Si19 nanowires,and SnTe nanoplates.The Si/SiOx core-shell nanowires embedded with manganese silicide particles were grown along the<111>direction of the crystalline Si via an Au-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid process,in which the Si and Mn vapors were supplied from the heated silicon substrates and Mn powder,respectively.In contrast,direct vapor-solid deposition led to particle-free<110>-oriented Si/SiOx core-shell nanowires and<100>-oriented Mn11Si19 nanowires,a promising thermoelectric material.No Sn or Te impurities were detected in these nanostructures down to the experimental limit.Topological crystalline insulator SnTe nanoplates with dominant{100}and{111}facets were found to be free of Mn(and Si)impurities,although nanoparticles and nanowires containing Mn were found in the vicinity of the nanoplates.While multiple-channel transport was observed in the SnTe nanoplates,it may not be related to the topological surface states due to surface oxidation.Finally,we carried out thermodynamic analysis and density functional theory calculations to understand the‘phase-separation’phenomenon and further discuss general approaches to grow phase-pure samples when the precursors contain residual impurities.