Facile Synthesis Process Research Articles

Accelerated Ion-Electron Transport in Bi-Heterostructures Constructed Based on Ohmic Contacts for Efficient Bi-Directional Catalysis of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Although lithium-sulfur batteries have satisfactory theoretical specific capacity and energy density, they are difficult to further commercialize due to the shuttle effect of soluble polysulfides and slow sulfur oxidation kinetics. Based on this, in this work, the catalyst MXene-VS4-SnS2 (MVS), a dual heterostructured catalyst with ohmic contacts, is prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method and electrostatic self-adsorption for lithium-sulfur battery cathode materials. Experimental and theoretical results show that the ohmic contact induces spontaneous charge rearrangement, resulting in the formation of a fast charge transfer pathway at the MVS heterojunction interface, which helps to reduce the energy barrier for polysulfide reduction and Li2S oxidation during the discharge/charge process. In addition, the inherent sulfophilicity of VS4 and SnS2 promotes the conversion of S species, while the pleated MXene nanosheets not only provide a highly conductive network for the active sulfur but also retain a rich internal space to maintain the integrity of the cathode structure during the continuous cycling process. As a result, the MVS cathode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance even under high sulfur loading. The integration of excellent performance with a facile synthesis process provides a promising approach for designing highly efficient electrocatalysts suitable for the energy field.

A phase transition coordinated monoclinic Fe-based Prussian blue for high-performance sodium-ion battery cathode

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are ideal cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) owing to their cost-effectiveness, good low-temperature performance, and facile synthesis process. Nevertheless, their actual capacity and cycling stability limit practical application. Herein, a new chelating agent, sodium tartrate, is proposed to synthesize high-quality Fe-based Prussian blue (HQ-NFF) with enhanced Na content and a stable structure through chelation effect-assisted co-precipitation. The crystal structure of HQ-NFF undergoes a phase transition to a Na-rich monoclinic phase after full discharge, leading to improved capacity and cycling stability. The HQ-NFF cathode exhibits an ultra-high capacity of 160.8 mAh g−1 and a capacity of 146.1 mAh g−1 at 2 C, with a capacity retention of 75.3 % after 150 cycles. Moreover, a 3D-printed HQ-NFF cathode with an areal loading of 7.88 mg cm−2, delivers a high areal capacity of 0.969 mAh cm−2 and good rate capability.

Facile synthesis of NH2-MIL-53(Al)@BiOBr@CQDs ternary heterostructure photocatalyst for degradation of ciprofloxacin in water

The construction of ternary heterojunction photocatalysts can achieve multi-gradient transfer of charges and accurate control the position of photogenerated electrons which has received increasing attention. In this paper, NH2-MIL-53(Al)@BiOBr@CQDs-10 % (ABCQDs-10 %) was prepared via a facile hydrothermal and chemical synthesis processes. Three-dimensional serration of NH2-MIL-53(Al) as a platform for irregular BiOBr nanosheets, CQDs promote interfacial contact and act as electron transport channels between BiOBr and NH2-MIL-53(Al) and constitute Z-type heterojunctions with high redox properties. ABCQDs-10 % shows the best photocatalytic removal efficiency (94.24 %) of CIP, the reaction rate constants (0.045 min−1) were 1.2 and 64 times higher than BiOBr and NH2-MIL-53(Al), respectively. The excellent degradation performance is attributed to the construction of Z-type heterojunction of NH2-MIL-53(Al)@BiOBr@CQDs which improve electron-hole separation and transfer efficiency. The main active species was •O2-. The photocatalytic activity of ABCQDs-10 % had not obvious loss after cycle experiments and the crystal structure had no significant changes, means high stable photocatalytic activity.

In Situ Formation of an Artificial Lithium Oxalate-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphase on 3D Ni Host for Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries.

Li metal, with a high theoretical capacity, is considered the most promising anode for next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, the commercialization of the Li metal anode is limited owing to its high reactivity, significant volume expansion, continuous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer degradation caused by undesirable Li deposition, and uncontrollable dendrite growth. This study demonstrates the in situ construction of a Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer from NiC2O4 nanowires on three-dimensional Ni foam. The lithiophilic Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer provides a uniform distribution of the electrical field and sufficient nucleation and deposition sites for Li without dendrite formation. Consequently, the stable Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer successfully inhibits the formation of lithium dendrites, resulting in reversible Li stripping/plating behavior, maintained over an extended period of 5000 h with a deposition capacity of 1 mAh cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2. Additionally, a high cycling stability is observed in the full cell test with ∼70% capacity retention after 1300 cycles at 3 C. This approach offers a large-scale and facile synthesis process via the in situ precipitation growth of NiC2O4 followed by lithiation to form Li2C2O4. Furthermore, the significant stability of the Li2C2O4-enriched SEI layer aids the design of in situ-constructed SEI layers for highly stable Li metal batteries.

Magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Cu-doped cobalt ferrite

The Cu-doped cobalt ferrites CuxCo1-xFe2O4 (CCFO) were synthesized by a glycine-nitrate sol-gel auto-combustion method and investigated for structural, magnetic and magnetostrictive properties. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the formation of single cubic-spinel phase for all the as-prepared powders, followed by the sintered samples with grain sizes around 2.5 µm. The variation in stoichiometric composition can be used to tailor magnetic and magnetostrictive properties. Saturation magnetization MS decreases from 84.8 to 60.4 emu/g with increasing Cu content from x = 0.0 to x = 0.50, accompanied with a reduction in coercivity HC from 1.21 to 0.41 kOe. The introduction Cu into CFO is conductive to the decline in magnetocrystalline anisotropy, giving rise to an improvement in magnetostriction at low applied fields. An optimized composition in the CuxCo1-xFe2O4 ferrites is found to be around x = 0.30, achieving good magnetoelastic properties, i.e., a large saturation magnetostriction (–λS ∼ 240 ppm), a high strain sensitivity (–dλ/dH ∼ 1.44 nm/A), as well as a low magnetocrystalline anisotropy coefficient (K1 ∼ 3.7 × 106 erg/cm3). The excellent magnetoelastic properties and the combination in a facile synthesis process for sintered polycrystalline ferrites, suggest promising prospects in magnetostriction applications.

Enhancing photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in water through morphological manipulation of g-C3N4 photocatalysts: A comparative study of 1D, 2D, and 3D structures

In this research, the dimensional catalysts of pure g-C3N4 photocatalysts (1D, 2D, and 3D) were investigated for the reduction of the highly toxic/carcinogenic Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation. The catalysts underwent explanation through various surface analysis techniques. According to the BET data, the specific surface area of the 3D catalyst was 1.3 and 7 times higher than those of the 2D and 1D CN catalysts, respectively. The 3D catalyst demonstrated superior performance, achieving an efficiency greater than 99% within 60 min under visible light irradiation in the presence of EDTA due to the abundance of active sites. The study also delved into the influence of factors such as the amount of EDTA-hole scavenger, pH, catalyst dosage, and temperature on the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). Moreover, the 3D catalyst showed excellent reusability, maintaining an efficiency of more than 80% even after 10 cycles, and performed effectively in real water samples. The 3D CN catalyst, with its facile synthesis process, excellent visible light harvesting properties, high reduction efficiency that sustains over multiple cycles, and outstanding performance in real water samples, presents a significant advancement for practical applications in environmental remediation. This research contributes to a new understanding of developing efficient degradation methods for heavy metals in polluted water, highlighting the potential of 3D g-C3N4 catalysts in environmental cleanup efforts.

Wireless Alerts and Data Monitoring from BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS Composite Film-Based TENG Integrated Inhaler for Smart Healthcare Application.

In recent years, the implementation of energy-harvesting technology in medical equipment has attracted significant interest owing to its potential for self-powered and smart healthcare systems. Herein, the integration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed into an inhaler for energy-harvesting and smart inhalation monitoring. For this initially, barium sodium niobium oxide (Ba2NaNb5O15) microparticles (BNNO MPs) are synthesized via a facile solid-state synthesis process. The BNNO MPs with ferroelectricity and high dielectric constant are incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to make BNNO/PDMS composite films (CFs) for TENG fabrication. The fabricated TENG is operated in a contact-separation mode, and its electrical output performance is compared to establish the optimal BNNO MPs concentration. Furthermore, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), a conductive filler material, are used to enhance the electrical conductivity of the CFs, thereby improving the electrical output performance of the TENG. The robustness/durability of the proposed BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS CF-based TENG are investigated. The proposed TENG device is demonstrated to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motions via regular human activities and power portable electronics. The TENG is integrated into the inhaler casing to count the number of sprays remaining in the canister, send the notification to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and harvest energy.

Sensitization of Europium Oxide Nanoparticles Enhances Signal-to-Noise over Autofluorescence with Time-Gated Luminescence Detection.

Clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapeutics has been limited, and a lack of preclinical delivery characterization is partly to blame, limiting our understanding of the mechanisms of failure. The improvement of the preclinical delivery assessment requires nanoparticles with higher detectability. This work focused on the exploration of several aromatic carboxylic ligands (terephthalic acid, quinaldic acid, and kynurenic acid) for the sensitization of europium oxide nanoparticles with a long emission lifetime to overcome cellular autofluorescence, a key confounder of detection in luminescence-based bioimaging. A facile one-pot synthesis and ligand exchange process generated and sensitized ultrasmall Eu2O3 cores. As reflected in the emission spectra and lifetimes, ligand binding yielded unique coordination environments around Eu3+. Then, the efficacy of sensitization was tested against the autofluorescence provided by tissue lysate. Normal (simultaneous excite-read) measurements showed integrated signal improvements over autofluorescence of 2.2-, 3.9-, and 14.0-fold for EuTA, EuQA, and EuKA, respectively. In time-gated mode, the improvements over autofluorescence were more dramatic with fold differences of 75-, 89-, and 108-fold for EuTA, EuQA, and EuKA, respectively. The investigation of novel sensitizers expands the breadth of the field of sensitized lanthanide oxide nanoparticles, and the signal enhancement observed with sensitization and time-gating supports the utility of the generated samples for future bioimaging applications.

Visible Light Enhancement of Biocarbon Quantum-Dot-Decorated TiO2 for Naphthalene Removal.

In this study, carbon-quantum-dot (CQD)-decorated TiO2 was prepared using an ultrasonic doping method and applied in the photocatalytic degradation of naphthalene under sunlight irradiation. The CQDs were synthesized from a typical macroalgae via diluted sulfuric acid pretreatment and hydrothermal synthesis using an optimal design, i.e., 3 wt% and 200 °C, respectively. The CQD/TiO2 composite remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity. The degradation of naphthalene under a visible light environment indicated that there is a synergistic mechanism between the CQDs and TiO2, in which the generation of reactive oxygen species is significantly triggered; in addition, the N that originated from the macroalgae accelerated the photocatalytic efficiency. Kinetic analysis showed that the photocatalytic behavior of the CQD/TiO2 composite followed a pseudo-first-order equation. Consequently, our combined experimental approach not only provides a facile pretreatment process for bio-CQDs synthesis, but also delivers a suitable TiO2 photocatalyst for the visible environment along with critical insights into the development of harmful macroalgae resources.

Synthesis of Cu doped NiO for their antioxidant and photocatalytic properties: Green synthesis using Lycopodium Linn

Metal oxide nanoparticles produced by plant extracts are more stable and biocompatible in comparison with those produced by physical and chemical methods. This research focuses on the synthesis of pure and Cu doped NiO nanoparticles (NPs) using Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit (P.d) leaf extract and evaluation of their antioxidant and photocatalytic activities. The obtained Cu-doped NiONPs have been characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis), N2 adsorption-desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analyses in different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 %) of copper at an optimum temperature of 400 °C. The photocatalytic activity of prepared samples was studied by degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) and Methylene Blue (MB) dye aqueous solutions. Under UV radiation for 60 min. 5-Cu-NiO nanophotocatalyst showed degradation efficiency of 98.7 % (0.5 mol/L), high apparent constant (0.9871 min−1) and long term stability towards MB dye. In the antioxidant test, NiO NPs and Cu−NiO NPs prevented the oxidation of 50 % of the H2O2 molecules at a concentration of 363.96 and 350.29 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the enhancement of the antioxidant activity of the biosynthesized NiO NPs might be an effect of copper ions present in the particles. Facile and green synthesis process with the excellent degradation performance demonstrates that the Cu doped NiO NPs have a great potential for wastewater treatment applications.

MXene‐Cobalt Hybrid Electrodes for Electroactive Artificial Muscle

We present the synthesis of MXene‐Cobalt hybrid (MX‐Co) utilizing a molten salt approach, targeting the application in artificial muscle technology. Mxenes possess exceptional electronic conductivity and surface chemistry, making them ideal candidates for electrochemical applications. Cobalt, known for its ferromagnetic qualities, is a good match for MXenes and enhances artificial muscles’ mechanical performance. By circumventing hazardous HF acid, we demonstrate a facile and scalable synthesis process for MX‐Co hybrids. Their structural and electrochemical characteristics are revealed through characterization using cutting‐edge spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. When compared to typical PEDOT: PSS electrodes, electrochemical experiments show that MX‐Co electrodes have higher electroactive performance, with enhanced bending deformation under various input conditions. MX‐Co hybrids exhibit a specific capacitance of 77.34 F g–1, 1.6 times higher than PEDOT: PSS, and achieve a substantial enhancement of electrochemical bending displacement, up to 11.72 mm under a low input voltage of 1V, showcasing their potential for soft actuator applications.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A spiral-windable, free-standing, durable membrane constructed with ultralong hydrogel@MnO2 nanowires for oil/water separation under harsh environment

An ideal membrane for oil/water separation at industrial scale is expected to possess the combined merits of excellent separation performance, sound mechanical flexibility, and high durability under harsh environments. In response to these challenging requirements, we came up with a new concept to design the membrane constructed with ultralong hydrogel-functionalized MnO2 nanowires. The super-oleophobic nanowires form highly open and tight pore structures within the membrane, which endows its high permeation flux (2800 L h−1 m−2 bar−1), high oil/water separation efficiency (>99 %) and low fouling tendency for separating emulsified oil from water. Furthermore, the brittleness problem of MnO2 materials is collectively resolved due to the high aspect ratio and surface functionalization of the hydrogel-functionalized MnO2 nanowires. This results in the new membrane with extraordinary mechanical flexibility and potential for spiral-wound membrane modules, which are highly desired in industrial applications due to a lower footprint and lower capital cost. The new membrane also demonstrates high durability under harsh environments with non-neutral pH values or high salinities. Given its facile synthesis process and inexpensive materials, this spiral-windable and durable membrane with high separation performance has the great potential to be applied at industrial scale for oily wastewater treatment under harsh environments.

Efficient synthesis of high-purity carbon dots via self-polymerization driven bottom-up growth for high-selectivity sensing and high-efficiency separation

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted extensive interest due to their exceptional optical properties and facile synthesis processes. However, achieving high-efficiency synthesis of high-purity CDs with high yield remains an unresolved critical issue. Herein, we report a facile and versatile self-polymerization-driven bottom-up growth strategy for efficient fabrication of high-purity CDs. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, dopamine and its four analogues were used as the self-polymerizable precursors for self-driven synthesis of fluorescent CDs with high-purity. By employing a mixed-solvent system and rationally regulating periodate oxidation process, the highly controllable self-polymerization processes and efficient solvothermal-assisted production of polydopamine and polyphenols derived CDs were readily achieved. Further integrating high molecular weight membrane dialysis, we successfully obtained the highly purified polydopamine-derived CDs with high yield of 21.1 % and quantum yield of 3.6 %, confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, capillary electrophoresis and other types of high-resolution characterization techniques. The formation and luminescence mechanisms of the self-polymerized CDs were also elucidated through comparative analysis of their morphological features and elemental compositions. We also demonstrated the broad universality of this self-polymerization driven bottom-up strategy by utilizing by employing four other phenolic compounds, including l-dopa, gallic acid, catechol, and pyrogallol, as readily accessible precursors for high-yield synthesizing highly purified fluorescent CDs. Moreover, the enormous application potential of the high-purity CDs for high-selectivity sensing and high-efficiency electrochromatographic separation was thoroughly demonstrated.

K-ion preintercalated MnO2 nanorods as a high-rate cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

The integration of Zn/α-MnO2 in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) has emerged as a promising avenue owing to their eco-friendliness, facile manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, low flammability, and commendable electrochemical performance. However, the intrinsic limitation in the rate capability of α-MnO2 constitutes a significant impediment to its practical application. In this study, we introduce K-ion preintercalated nanorods (K-MnO2-NR) with a diameter of approximately 10 nm as a cathode material for ZIBs. The synthesis of K-MnO2-NR entails a facile one-step electrochemical participation method, whereby K-ion are electrochemically intercalated into the tunnel-structured α-MnO2. The incorporation of K-ion serves a dual purpose of enhancing the electrical conductivity of manganese oxides and stabilizing the tunnel structure. Consequently, K-MnO2-NR manifests exceptional rate capability, exhibiting a specific capacity of 222 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, coupled with outstanding cycling stability (with negligible capacity decay observed over 1450 cycles at 2 A g−1). The facile and scalable synthesis process underscores its potential for large-scale production and eventual commercialization in pouch cells for energy storage applications.

ZnO heterojunction photocatalysts prepared via facile green synthesis process attaining improved photocatalytic function for degradation of methylene blue dye

ZnO heterojunction photocatalysts prepared via facile green synthesis process attaining improved photocatalytic function for degradation of methylene blue dye

Non-isothermal kinetics of the organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone with metal-free α‑hydroxy acids: Eco-friendly and facile synthesis process

Metal-free and green α‑hydroxy acids (AHA) such as l-malic (MA), DL-mandelic acid (MDL), and citric acid (CA) were successfully and effectively utilized as an effective initiator for the solvent-free ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). The performance of AHAs in the polymerization of ε-CL was completely and powerfully investigated via the non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The proceed of ROP of ε-CL with AHAs could be real-time monitored by the obtained polymerization exotherms at different heating rates. The polymerization exotherms obtained from the ROP of ε-CL with CA occurred at a lower temperature range than MA, and MDA, respectively. From the kinetics study, the average activation energy (Ea) values for the ROP of ε-CL with CA (38.0 ± 1.8 kJ mol−1) were lower than MA (45.2 ± 3.6 kJ mol−1) and MDA (48.8 ± 6.2 kJ mol−1). Using the first-order model fitting, the values of pre-exponential factor (lnA0) for the ROP of ε-CL with CA, MA, and MDA were 7.0 ± 0.3, 8.5 ± 0.2, and 8.9 ± 0.3, respectively. The effectiveness of AHAs in the synthesis of PCL was clarified by conducting a larger-scale (4.0000 g) polymerization using conventional heating and microwave (MW) irradiation methods. From conventional heating, the green AHAs produced PCL with the number average molecular weight (Mn) and dispersity (Đ) values in the range of 5.18 × 103 - 1.43 × 104 g mol−1 and 1.14–2.02, respectively. The irradiation by MW could enhance the synthesis of PCL by reducing the synthesis time. By using the MW power of 450 W and irradiation time of 30 min, the PLC was obtained from the ROP of ε-CL with MA and MDA initiators, and the Mn of the obtained PCL from MW heating was 4.28 × 103 - 8.45 × 103 g mol−1. The mechanism for the ROP of ε-CL with all AHAs was proposed through the activated monomer mechanism.

Ultrasound-assisted facile and green preparation of Ag nanoparticle conductive ink for printing electronics

The development of low-cost, high-efficiency, and environment-friendly methods for the preparation of Ag nanoparticle (NP) conductive inks is key to promoting the application of such inks for printing flexible electronic components. This article presents an effective method for preparing a AgNP ink by reducing silver compounds in a polyol solution with ultrasonication. When the silver solution was ultrasonicated at 640 W, 21-nm AgNPs were readily produced within 5 min, and the particles grew considerably to 53 nm as the reaction was continued for 15 min. Thereafter, the NP size increased marginally with further increase in reaction time. When the reaction was conducted for a fixed duration of 15 min and the ultrasonic power was increased from 480 to 760 W, the AgNP size decreased from 63 to 48 nm. During ultrasonication, the bubble eruption in the solution generates large temperature and pressure gradients, inducing the rapid reduction of the Ag(I) to Ag(0). Printing experiments revealed that the synthesized AgNP ink has good inkjet printability. During the sintering of the printed film, the bridge connections between large particles increased and the interparticle voids decreased gradually, resulting in a decrease in film resistivity. A relatively low resistivity of 40×10−5 Ωcm was obtained when the flexible AgNP pattern was heated at 250 °C for 80 min. The facile synthesis process and the favorable conductive properties of the obtained ink render this preparation method promising for the low-cost production of flexible electronics.

Time dependence of SrVO3 thermionic electron emission properties

Single phase, polycrystalline perovskite oxide SrVO3, with its intrinsic low effective work function and facile synthesis process, is a promising thermionic electron emitter cathode candidate, in which previous works have shown evidence of an effective work function as low as 2.3 eV. In this work, we study the vacuum activation process of SrVO3 and find that it has promising emission stability over 15 days of continuous high temperature operation. We find that SrVO3 shows surface Sr and O segregation during its operation, which we hypothesize is needed to create a positive surface dipole, leading to a low effective work function. Emission repeatability from cyclic heating and cooling suggests the promising stability of the low effective work function surface, and additional observations of drift-free emission during 1 h of continuous emission testing at high temperature further demonstrate its excellent performance stability. This assessment of the emission stability over time and the interplay of evolving surface chemistry with emission behavior are necessary for understanding how best to prepare, process, and operate SrVO3 cathodes.

Facile synthesis process for preparing silicon carbide with unique honeycomb structure

AbstractThis study introduces a novel and versatile method for synthesizing honeycomb‐structured silicon carbide (SiC). The innovative approach utilizes a sucrose solution as the carbon source and nonporous silica spheres, which serve both as silicon precursors and templates, allowing for precise control over pore sizes. Notably, the process is characterized by its cost‐effectiveness, eco‐friendliness, and the utilization of milder conditions attributed to magnesiothermic reduction. The tunable pore sizes achieved through adjustments in the size of silica particles offer a versatile platform for customizing SiC materials to meet specific application requirements. Beyond its customizable nature, the method reduces the environmental footprint of SiC synthesis by utilizing eco‐friendly materials. Its combined attributes of accessibility, sustainability, and performance optimization underscore its potential for driving advancements in SiC‐based applications across various industrial and scientific domains.

Synthesis of MoS2@NdS heterostructures featuring augmented field emission performance

A molybdenum disulfide and neodymium sulfide (MoS2–NdS) heterostructure was successfully fabricated through a facile three-step synthesis process using the spin coating technique exhibiting remarkable field emission properties.