Exploring innovative synthetic solutions for advanced polymer-based electrochromic energy storage devices:Phenoxazine as a promising chromophore

The current investigation offers an innovative synthetic solution regarding electrochromic(EC)and energy storage applications by exploring phenoxazine(POZ)moiety.Subsequently,three POZ-based polymers(polyimide,polyazomethine,and polyamide)were synthesized to ascertain the superior performer.The polyamide exhibited remarkable attributes,including high redox stability during 500 repetitive CVs,optical contrast of 61.98%,rapid response times of 1.02 and 1.38 s for coloring and bleaching,EC efficiency of 280 cm^(2)C^(-1).and decays of the optical density and EC efficiency of only 12.18%and 6.23%after 1000 cycles.Then,the energy storage performance of polyamide PA was tested,for which the following parameters were obtained:74.7 F g^(-1)(CV,scan rate of 10 mV s^(-1))and 118 F g^(-1)(GCD,charging current of 0.1 A g^(-1)).Then,the polyamide was tested in EES devices,which yielded the following EC parameters:an optical contrast of 62.15%,response times of 9.24 and 5.01 s for coloring and bleaching,EC efficiency of 178 cm^(2)C^(-1),and moderate decays of 20.25%and 23.24%for the optical density and EC efficiency after 500 cycles.The energy storage performance included a capacitance of 106 F g^(-1)(CV,scan rate of 0.1 mV s^(-1))and 9.23 F g^(-1)(GCD,charging current of 0.1 A g^(-1)),capacitance decay of 11.9%after500 cycles,and 1.7 V retention after 2 h.Also,two EES devices connected in series powered a 3 V LED for almost 30 s.

Physicochemical properties and structure of fluid at nano-/micro-interface:Progress in simulation and experimental study

In modern chemical engineering processes, the involvement of solid/fluid interface is the most important component of process intensification techniques, such as confined membrane separation and catalysis. In the review, we summarized the research progress of the latest theoretical and experimental works to elucidate the contribution of interface to the fluid properties and structures at nano-and micro-scale. We mainly focused on water, alcohol aqueous solution, and ionic liquids, because they are classical systems in interfacial science and/or widely involved in the industrialization process. Surface-induced fluids were observed in all reviewed systems and played a critical role in physicochemical properties and structures of outside fluid. It can even be regarded as a new interface, when the adsorption layer has a strong interaction with the solid surface. Finally, we proposed a perspective on scientific challenges in the modern chemical engineering processes and outlined future prospects.

Effect of dimethyl carbonate on the behavior of water confined in carbon nanotube

The dehydration of water by dimethyl carbonate(DMC)is of great significance for its application in electrochemistry and oil industry.With the rapid development of nanomaterial,one-dimensional(e.g.carbon nanotube(CNT))and two-dimensional(e.g.lamellar graphene)materials have been widely used for molecular sieving.In this work,the molecular behavior of dimethyl carbonate/water mixture confined in CNT with varying diameters was studied based on molecular dynamics simulation.Due to different van der Waals interactions for the components in the mixtures with the solid surface,DMC molecules are preferentially adsorbed on the inner surface of the pore wall and formed an adsorption layer.Comparing with the pure water molecules confined in CNT,the adsorption DMC layer shows notable effect on the local compositions and microstructures of water molecules under nanoconfinement,which may result in different water mobility.Our analysis shows that the surface-induced DMC molecules can destroy the hydrogen bonding network of water molecules and result in an uniform and dispersed distribution of water molecules in the tube.These clear molecular understandings can be useful in material design for membrane separation.

Upon the Delivery Properties of a Polymeric System Based on Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Prepared with Protective Colloids

A comparative study related to the preparation of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) through radical polymerization process in the presence of three different protective colloid substances, respectively poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), β-cyclodextrin, or poly(aspartic acid) (PAS), is presented. The dependence of the thermal behavior of the polymers as well as their morphological aspect, on the protective colloids used in synthesis was evidenced by polymers characterization. It is also demonstrated that the swelling capacity is dependent on the protective colloid variant present during the pHEMA preparation. This behavior induces as well interdependence on the ability to load bioactive compounds onto the polymeric matrices. The distribution of the indomethacin (INN), as model drug, into the pHEMA network was put into evidence by near infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI), a non-destructive technique and with its correspondingly statistical analysis.

纳米纤维素基柔性导电薄膜的构筑及其在柔性电子器件中的应用研究进展

纳米纤维素(NC)因具有高比表面积、优异的力学性能、出色的热稳定性和可生物降解性,是柔性储能设备电极材料的理想候选者。在柔性电子器件的应用中,通常将NC与导电材料结合以提高其导电性。本文从NC的结构特点出发,综述了NC基导电薄膜的形成及其在柔性电子器件的应用,总结分析了NC基导电薄膜在实际应用中存在的问题和挑战,并对其未来的研究方向进行展望。

Beneficial use of mussel shell as a bioadditive for TPU green composites by the valorization of an aqueous waste

Scientific studies have focused on environmentally friendly solutions as effective as the reuse of crop products owing to plastic-waste problems in recent years.This issue is the main driving force for upcoming academic research attempts in waste valorization-related studies.Herein,we integrated an aqua-waste,mussel shell(MS),as a bioadditive form into green thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU)green composites.Tuning of the MS surface was performed to achieve strong adhesion between composite phases.The surface functionalities of MS powders were evaluated via infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)images.Composite samples were prepared by melt-compounding followed by injection molding techniques.It was confirmed by morphological analysis that relatively better adhesion between the phases was achieved for composites involving surface-modified MS compared to unmodified MS.Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of surface-modified MS-filled composites were found to be higher than those of unmodified MS,whereas the elongation at break shifted to lower values with MS inclusions.The shore hardness of TPU was remarkably improved after being incorporated with silane-treated MS(AS-MS).Stearic acid-treated MS(ST-MS)additions resulted in an enhancement in the thermal stability of the composites.Thermo-mechanical analysis showed that the storage moduli of composites were higher than those of unfilled TPU.ST-MS additions led to an increase in the characteristic glass transition temperature of TPU.Melt flow index(MFI)of neat TPU was highly improved after MS loading regardless of modification type.According to the wear test,surface modification of MS displayed a positive effect on the wear resistance of TPU.As the water absorption data of the composites were evaluated,the TPU/AS-MS composite yielded the lowest water absorption.The silane layer on MS inclusion promoted water repellency of composites due to the hydrophobicity of silane.The results of the biodegradation investigation demonstrated that adding unmodified and/or modified MS to the TPU matrix increased the biodegradation rate.The test results at the end of a 7-week period of biodegradation with a soft-rot fungus implied that the composite materials were more biodegradable than pure TPU.Silane modification of MS exhibited better performance in terms of the characterized properties of TPU-based composites.

Ionic liquids for CO_(2) electrochemical reduction

Electrochemical reduction of CO_(2) is a novel research field towards a CO_(2)-neutral global economy and combating fast accelerating and disastrous climate changes while finding new solutions to store renewable energy in value-added chemicals and fuels.Ionic liquids(ILs),as medium and catalysts(or supporting part of catalysts)have been given wide attention in the electrochemical CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2) RR)due to their unique advantages in lowering overpotential and improving the product selectivity,as well as their designable and tunable properties.In this review,we have summarized the recent progress of CO_(2) electro-reduction in IL-based electrolytes to produce higher-value chemicals.We then have highlighted the unique enhancing effect of ILs on CO_(2) RR as templates,precursors,and surface functional moieties of electrocatalytic materials.Finally,computational chemistry tools utilized to understand how the ILs facilitate the CO_(2) RR or to propose the reaction mechanisms,generated intermediates and products have been discussed.

含液晶成分的掺杂共聚物和胆甾醇基棕榈酸盐(或酯)掺合物(英文)

Physical blends containing macromolecular compounds and low molecular weight liquid crystals (LCs) have important applications. LCs are used as reinforcements for amorphous polymers or in display devices. The addition of LCs to amorphous polymers determines improvements in the mechanical properties of polymeric composites. Due to their mechanical anisotropy, which results from molecular alignment, the LC molecules may orient themselves in the shear field of a processing operation. Upon cooling, this orientation may impart to the composites some improvements in the mechanical properties similar with that found with fibrous reinforcements, but with the advantage that the additive acts also as a plasticizer. The glass transition temperature and the viscosity of the blend are lower than those of the starting polymer.

Circulating microparticles and micro RNAs as players in atherosclerosis

Microparticles(MPs) are extracellular membrane vesicles released from normal, apoptotic and pathological cells following a process of detachment from cells of origin. MPs are typically defined by their size, exposure of phosphatidylserine, the expression of surface antigens, proteins and genetic material, originating from their donor cells, and as important vehicles of intercellular communication across numerous biological processes. MPs contain the major source of systemic RNA including micro RNA(mi RNA) of which aberrant expression appears to be associated with stage and progression of atherosclerosis. The involvement and influence of mi RNA during the onset and progression of atherosclerotic disease have generated a lot of inter-est in assessing the feasibility of therapeutic regulation of mi RNAs to manipulate them with a special focus on cardiovascular disease. We speculate on the future de velopments of MPs which contain mi RNA as new thera peutic targets for proliferative vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Structural characteristics and the label-free detection of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)pseudorotaxane at single molecule level

A multi-technique approach to prove the preparation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)pseudorotaxanes(PEDOT∙CB7-PPs)is reported.Molecular docking simulation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI MS)validate the complexation ability of the CB7 molecule towards 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene(EDOT),which leads to the EDOT∙CB7 inclusion complex.Oxidative polymerization of EDOT∙CB7 enabled the synthesis of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs.The water-soluble part of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs was selected,freeze-dried,and chemically characterized.Furthermore,dynamic light scattering(DLS)has been used to study the particle size and z-potential(ZP-ζ)of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs.The ZP-ζvalue(35 mV)evidenced that the PEDOT∙CB7-PPs formed stable water dispersion.By combining the emerging nanopore resistive pulse sensing technique(Np-RPS)and computational modeling,we identified strong interactions of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs with the aerolysin(Ael)nanopore.PEDOT∙CB7-PPs behave as positive charged species,and thus trans negative bias promotes its interactions with the Ael nanopore.The computational modeling results are fully consistent with the Np-RPS detection,which also reveals strong interactions between PEDOT∙CB7-PPs and the Ael nanopore.With this study,we hope to provide new insights and a better understanding of the interactions between supramolecular complexes based on CB7 and biological entities,which is instrumental for future applications in the field of nanobiotechnology.

Preparation of elastomeric nanocomposites using nanocellulose and recycled alum sludge for flexible dielectric materials

Flexible dielectric materials with environmental-friendly,low-cost and high-energy density characteristics are in increasing demand as the world steps into the new Industrial 4.0 era.In this work,an elastomeric nanocomposite was developed by incor­porating two components:cellulose nanofibrils(CNFs)and recycled alum sludge,as the reinforcement phase and to improve the dielectric properties,in a bio-elastomer matrix.CNF and alum sludge were produced by processing waste materials that would otherwise be disposed to landfills.A biodegradable elastomer polydimethylsiloxane was used as the matrix and the nanocompos­ites were processed by casting the materials in Petri dishes.Nanocellulose extraction and heat treatment of alum sludge were con­ducted and characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy(SEM),thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetric(TGA/DTG)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)analysis.When preparing the nanocomposite samples,various amount of alum sludge was added to examine their impact on the mechanical,thermal and electrical properties.Results have shown that it could be a sustainable practice of reusing such wastes in preparing flexible,lightweight and miniature dielectric materials that can be used for energy storage applications.

Emerging strategies and developments in oxygen reduction reaction using high-performance platinum-based electrocatalysts

The global practical implementation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs)heavily relies on the advancement of highly effective platinum(Pt)-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).To achieve high ORR performance,electrocatalysts with highly accessible reactive surfaces are needed to promote the uncovering of active positions for easy mass transportation.In this critical review,we introduce different approaches for the emerging development of effective ORR electrocatalysts,which offer high activity and durability.The strategies,including morphological engineering,geometric configuration modification via supporting materials,alloys regulation,core-shell,and confinement engineering of single atom electrocatalysts(SAEs),are discussed in line with the goals and requirements of ORR performance enhancement.We review the ongoing development of Pt electrocatalysts based on the syntheses,nanoarchitecture,electrochemical performances,and stability.We eventually explore the obstacles and research directions on further developing more effective electrocatalysts.