The Al3+ ion doped Li1-3xAlxMnPO4/C cathode materials are prepared by a two-step synthetic method, the co-precipitation combined with hydrothermal routine, and the doping effects on phase structure, surface morphology and electrochemical properties are studied. XRD patterns confirm that some tiny AlPO4 impurity generates in the synthesized Al3+ ion doped Li3PO4 precursors, after the hydrothermal process a single olivine-type phase Li1-3xAlxMnPO4/C samples are prepared without impurity phase. SEM results show that the concentration of Al3+ ion has some impacts on particle diameter, the porosity and agglomeration degree of the primary particles of Al3+ ion doped Li3PO4 precursors and LiMnPO4/C samples. Among all the samples, Li0.7Al0.1MnPO4/C sample delivers the maximum discharge capacity of 147.8 mAh/g (0.05 C) and 135.7 mAh/g (1 C) for the first cycle. At 0.05 C, the capacity loss is kept at 9.9% after 200 cycles. The analysis indicate that the electrochemical performance of LiMnPO4/C cathodes have been improved by doping a certain amount of aluminium ions.

The development of automated segmentation and quantitative characterization of microtextured regions (MTRs) from the complex heterogeneous microstructures is urgently needed, since MTRs have been proven to be the critical issue that dominates the dwell-fatigue performance of aerospace components. In addition, MTRs in Ti alloys have similarities to microstructures encountered in other materials, including minerals and biomaterials. Meanwhile, machine learning (ML) offers new opportunities. This paper addresses segmentation and quantitative characterization of MTRs, where an ML approach, the Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) coupled with density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering algorithms, was employed in order to process the orientation data acquired via EBSD in the Matlab environment. Pixels with orientation information acquired through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) are divided and colored into several “classes” (MTRs) within the defined c-axis misorientations (i.e., 25°, 20°, 15°, 10°, and 5°), the precision and efficacy of which are verified by the morphology and pole figure of the segmented MTR. An appropriate range of c-axis misorientations for MTR segmentation was derived, i.e., 15~20°. The contribution of this innovative technique is compared with previous studies. At the same time, the MTRs were statistically characterized in the global region.

High-performance nanofiltration (NF) membranes prepared by interfacial polymerization (IP) are ideal choice for solving water scarcity. In this study, 7,7′-dihydroxy-2,2′-binaphthol (7,7′–OH-BINOL) with rigidly-contorted structure was used as a co-monomer with piperazine (PIP), leading to NF membranes with lower selective layer thickness and enhanced microporosity, thus facilitated the water molecules transportation. The incorporation of 7,7′–OH-BINOL could regulate the interface diffusion rate of PIP and afforded the polyesteramide selective layer with a special bowl-shaped crater surface morphology. The PIP/BINOL-TMC nanofiltration membrane with the optimal phenol/amine ratio presented water permeability of up to 17.01 L m-2 h−1 bar−1, which was more than two times that of the pristine NF membrane (i.e. PIP-TMC). Meanwhile, it displayed comparable Na2SO4 rejection (∼98%) and excellent mono-/divalent salt selectivity (SNaCl/Na2SO4 = 44). In addition, long-term operation and pressure resistance test results demonstrated that the tailored membrane had good operational stability. In conclusion, this work provides a feasible way to overcome the perm-selectivity trade-off effect of NF membrane and potentially could be used to solve the water scarcity problem.

AbstractFunctionalization of polyolefins has been a challenging but promising issue since their invention, with the promise of retaining inherent properties and overcoming the low reactivity and poor compatibility. Organosilicons are widely used for polymer modification to improve thermal stability, hydrophobicity, compatibility, and permeability. Since the advent of alkoxysilane‐grafted polyethylene in 1960s, organosilicon‐functionalized polyolefins (Si‐PO) have been extensively prepared, investigated, and developed. The structure of Si‐PO is designable due to the flexible chemistry of organosilicons; crosslinked, long chain branched, and star‐shaped polyolefins are available after the introduction of alkoxysilanes, chlorosilanes, hyrdosilanes, or alkylsilanes into polyolefins, and generally these polymers are more compatible to fillers than commercial polyolefins due to stronger interaction. In addition, functionalization of polyolefins with stable organosilicon components such as polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxane can improve thermostability, hydrophobicity, gas permeability, and aging resistance; such polyolefins are usually grafted or block polymers. In this review, Si‐PO is classified according to the functional organosilicon component, namely alkoxysilane, chlorosilane, hydrosilane, alkylsilane, polysiloxane, and polysilsesquioxane; their preparations are discussed minutely and summarized with manifold examples. Silicon‐containing structures impart the unique properties of organosilicons to polyolefins; applications of Si‐PO as compatibilizers, processing aids, battery separators, and separating membranes have been widely reported and are discussed here.

The instant synthesis of ultrafine, clean surface Ru nanoparticle (NP) catalysts embedded on a porous MgO support was achieved by instant micro-arc oxidation (IMAO). The high temperature from the micro-arc discharge facilitates the rapid decomposition of the catalyst precursor RuCl3 into homogeneous nanoparticles, while the fast quenching process ensures instantaneous encapsulation of the formed NPs by the MgO support. The obtained Ru/MgO catalyst exhibited attractive catalytic behaviour for sodium borohydride and ammonia borane hydrolysis, with activities of 100,917 mL min−1·g−1 and 2336 mol min−1·mol−1, respectively. Moreover, this catalyst exhibited an excellent sintering resistance in high-temperature environment that was well retained after 40 cycles, indicating superior recyclability. This work provides a novel pathway for the direct and rapid synthesis of high-quality nanocatalyst and can be generalized to prepare other supported metal nanocatalyst (e.g. Pd/MgO).

Fluxametamide is a completely novel and the first isoxazoline insecticide used to control agricultural pests and has high insecticidal properties. To expand its usage in the paddy field, its potential toxicological effects on fish are necessary to make clear. In this study, the acute toxicity, bioconcentration and elimination of fluxametamide to zebrafish Danio rerio, and the action mode of it on the heteromeric Drα1β2Sγ2 and Drα1β2S GABA receptor was respectively determined by HPLC and two-electrode voltage clamp technique.Fluxametamide exhibited high toxicity to D. rerio, whereas slightly inhibited the GABA-stimulated current of Drα1β2Sγ2 or Drα1β2S. It showed high bioconcentration level in D. rerio at 0.0314 mg L−1 and 0.157 mg L−1, with bioconcentration factors at steady state of 1491.55 and 2875.28, respectively. The concentration of fluxametamide in D. rerio rapidly decreased from 47.84 ± 0.12 to 9.77 ± 1.13 mg kg−1 in 0.0314 mg L−1 or from 393.19 ± 0.46 to 46.93 ± 2.88 mg kg−1 in 0.157 mg L−1 within 10 days, and steadily kept at a low level after 18 days.In conclusion, fluxametamide has highly acute toxicity to D. rerio, and might induce high bioconcentration in a short time. As we know, this is the first report to provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the potential risk of fluxametamide on fish, and guidance for the application of fluxametamide.

In this study, nanoporous C was prepared from the roots, stems and leaves of liquorice and modified via element doping. Then, the nitrogen and sulfur co-doped liquorice carbon (N, S-LC) and functional multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) were dispersed using an ultrasonic dispersion technology, and a binary nanocomposite was prepared. N, S-LC plays a key role in the formation and electrochemical efficiency of binary nanocomposites, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that the binary complexes formed by the hybridisation of N, S-LC and f-MWCNTs can improve the electron transfer ability of an electrode. The electrochemical behaviour of Licochalcone A (LicA) and Liquiritin (LQ) on GCE modified by N, S-LC/f-MWCNTs binary nanocomposite was investigated via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The interpeak potential difference between LicA and LQ were 0.48 V. The calibration curves for LicA and LQ were obtained in the range of 0.4–70.0 μM and 0.1–150.0 μM, respectively, and the detection limits are 33 and 25 nM (S/N=3), respectively. The modified electrode has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of LicA and LQ in licorice with satisfactory recoveries as confirmed by HPLC method.

ABSTRACT Nine new C3-symmetric 2,7,12-tris(decanoxy)-3,8,13-tris(alkoxy)truxene discogens were synthesized, and all exhibited only one three-dimensionally ordered hexagonal columnar mesophase with a wide mesogenic temperature range, as characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffractometry. Crucially, as the length of the alkoxy chain increased, the melting points first increased and then decreased, and, at the same time, the temperatures of the clearing point decreased gradually. In addition, these compounds were found to be highly thermally stable, having decomposition temperatures occurring well above 350°C, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The self-assembly behaviors in solution were studied using variable-concentration 1H-NMR, revealing that the truxenes self-aggregated in solution via the π–π facial interactions of the polycyclic aromatic units, and scanning tunneling microscopy results revealed that one of the discotic liquid crystal compounds periodically assembled in a hexagonal geometry at the liquid–solid interface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.

In IN100 superalloys, Zr element was found to distribute along the interfacial boundaries between eutectic pools and the matrix in the form of Ni11Zr9 intermetallic compound, using time-of-flight secondary-ion-mass-spectrometry. Zr addition could effectively decrease the solidus temperature of IN100 alloys, affecting the solidification zone, which also promotes the formation of γ-γ' eutectics and influences the morphology of carbides.

The key to the design of dusty flue gas heat exchangers is to enhance heat transfer and solve the fouling problem. In this paper, a honeycomb 4H-type finned tube heat exchanger (FTHE) was proposed. A three-dimensional numerical investigation was conducted on heat transfer and flow friction characteristics of honeycomb 4H-type FTHEs. Firstly, the flow field and temperature of H-type FTHEs with inline and honeycomb arrangements were analyze. Then, the effect of different structural parameters (oblique tube pitch, fin height, slit width, fin pitch and fin thickness) and Re number were analyzed. Finally, the predicted correlations of Nu number and Eu number of honeycomb 4H-type FTHEs were obtained based on the multiple regression method and 105 sets of numerical data. The results show that the thermal-hydraulic performance of honeycomb 4H-type FTHEs is superior to that of aligned single H-type FTHEs. Through parametric analysis, it is found that Nu number is only negatively correlated with oblique tube pitch, and Eu number is negatively correlated only with fin pitch and slit width. Besides, the average error of correlations of Nu number and Eu number is less than 3%, which provides practical guidance for efficient recovery of industrial waste heat.