High Conversion Rate Research Articles

Unveiling Ru(bpy)3 2+-Encapsulated Zeolite Y as Photocatalyst: Harnessing Photocatalytic Singlet Oxygen Generation for Mustard Gas Simulant Detoxification.

This study explores the encapsulation of Ru(bpy)3 2+ within Zeolite Y (ZY) to improve photocatalytic singlet oxygen generation for the degradation of a mustard gas simulant, namely 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES). Mustard gas simulants are known to disrupt several biological processes; thus, their effective degradation is essential. Zeolite Y, with its hierarchical structure and adjustable Si/Al ratios, is an ideal host for Ru(bpy)3 2+, significantly improving its photocatalytic efficiency and stability. It is demonstrated through XRD and spectroscopic analyses that encapsulated Ru(bpy)3 2+ maintains its structural and photophysical properties, which are essential for generating singlet oxygen. Ru(bpy)3(1.0) loaded ZY(15) (where 1.0 and 15 represent the encapsulated amount of Ru(bpy)3 2+ and Si/Al ratio, respectively) outperforms other investigated photocatalytic systems in the oxidation of CEES, demonstrating high conversion rates and selectivity toward nontoxic sulfoxide products. Immobilization of Ru(bpy)3 2+-encapsulated zeolite Y onto cotton fabric results in effective degradation of CEES. The experimental results, validated by theoretical calculations, indicate an improved oxygen affinity and accessibility in zeolites with higher Si/Al ratios. This study advances the design of photocatalytic materials for environmental and defense applications, providing sustainable solutions for hazardous chemical degradation.

Improved activity and significant O2 resistance of Cs doped Co3O4 catalyst for N2O decomposition

Csx-Co3O4 catalysts with excellent low temperature activity and oxygen resistance for N2O decomposition were prepared using a citric acid complexation method. The mechanism of Cs doping on Co3O4 was systematically investigated by characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman, N2 adsorption, HR-TEM, XPS, H2-TPR, O2-TPD, and combined with DFT calculation methods. The results indicated that the presence of Cs inhibited the growth of Co3O4 grains and increased the specific surface area. Cs doping significantly increased the number of exposed oxygen vacancies, which tended to form around CoO4 (Co2+) tetrahedral sites replaced by Cs, following the trend Evac(1 1 1) <Evac(1 1 0) <Evac(1 0 0). Furthermore, the interaction between Cs and Co enhanced the electron donating ability of Co, promoted the reduction of Co3+ to Co2+ and weakened the Co-O bond. Among all the samples, the one with a Cs/Co molar ratio of 0.1 exhibited the highest activity. At 275 °C, the Rs of Cs0.1-Co3O4 was 39.5 times that of pure Co3O4. More importantly, Cs0.1-Co3O4 exhibited excellent oxygen resistance, achieving a high N2O conversion rate of 94 % under conditions of 300 °C and 20 % O2.

Poor Outcomes of Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty in Injection Drug Users: A Retrospective Study.

This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes of Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (GRA) in injection drug users with septic hip arthritis. Patients who underwent primary GRA for septic hip arthritis secondary to injection drug use at two academic trauma centers from 2015 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, surgical details, and follow-up outcomes, including patient-reported outcome measures, were collected and analyzed. The cohort included 15 patients, with a mean age of 44 ± 11 years and a mean follow-up period of 25 ± 20 months. Among the 15 patients, overall mortality was 27%, and only 4 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) following GRA. Infection resolution rates were significantly higher in patients who received an antibiotic spacer (75% vs. 0%, p = 0.048). GRA in injection drug users is associated with high mortality and low conversion rates to THA. The use of an antibiotic spacer during GRA significantly improves infection resolution rates. Larger studies are required to determine the optimal management strategies for this patient population.

Environmental impacts of lithium supply chains from Australia to China

Abstract Lithium (Li) has been widely recognized as an essential metal for clean technologies. However, the environmental impacts and emission reduction pathways of the lithium supply chain haven’t been clearly investigated, especially between Australia and China, where most lithium ore are mined and produced. This study analyzed and compared the environmental and human health implications of six key cross-border Li supply chains from Australia to China through material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methods. Key findings include: (1) approximately 30% of total Li extraction is lost in the beneficiation stage due to low recovery rates; (2) the Cattlin-Yaan routes exhibit superior environmental and human health performances than other routes attributed to lower diesel consumption, reduced electricity use, and a high chemical conversion rate; (3) the Wodgina production routes have a higher carbon footprint mainly due to low ore grade and significant diesel consumption; (4) the dominant environmental implications in the supply chain are associated with refining battery-grade lithium carbonate, driven by energy use (electricity, coal and natural gas), sulfuric acid, soda ash, and sodium hydroxide. In addition, lithium carbonate refining has the highest water consumption. Overall, the analysis highlights opportunities to improve environmental performance, advance data-poor environmental assessments, and provide insights into sustainable Li extraction.&amp;#xD;

Electrocatalytic Conversion of CH4 to High Value-Added Liquid Fuel over Binary Metal Oxide Tandem Catalysts

As the main component (> 85%) of combustible ice and shale gas, methane (CH4), plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect.(1) Although CH4 was widely used to synthesize high value-added Cx oxygenates via indirect industrial reforming with high-energy consumption. The accurate control of oxidation degree in CH4 conversion remains a great challenge.(2) Therefore, it is difficult to achieve high conversion rate and high selectivity at the same time. The convenience and reliability of the control of reaction potential, as one of the advantages of electrocatalysis technology, can effectively address the above problems.(1, 3) Electrochemical technologies of CH4-to-Cx oxygenates are regarded as one of the most attractive pathways to produce bulk industrial liquid fuels.(4) Especially in the premise of clean energy as an energy source, the electrochemical conversion of methane demonstrates very advantageous market potential. In this work, we prepared a ZrO2 modified FeOx binary metal oxides tandem catalyst to accelerate partial oxidation of CH4 under ambient condition. With CO3 2- as an oxidant, ZrO2@FeOx tandem catalyst shows remarkable CH4 conversion performance with large current density gap (13.65 mA cm-2) and long-term electrochemical stability (negligible attenuation (8 %) after 48 hours) in three-electrodes cell. In addition, in a flow reactor, ZrO2@FeOx-based electrode also exhibits a highly stable operating lifespan over 72 hours at a large current density 50 mA cm-2 and achieve a feasible CH4-liqid fuel conversion with high total faradaic efficiency.References F. Liu, Y. Yan, G. Chen and D. Wang, Green Chemistry, 26, 655 (2024).S. Yuan, Y. Li, J. Peng, Y. M. Questell-Santiago, K. Akkiraju, L. Giordano, D. J. Zheng, S. Bagi, Y. Román-Leshkov and Y. Shao-Horn, Advanced Energy Materials, 10, 2002154 (2020).M. R. A. Kishore, S. Lee and J. S. Yoo, Adv Sci (Weinh), 10, e2301912 (2023).L. Fu, R. Zhang, J. Yang, J. Shi, H. Y. Jiang and J. Tang, Advanced Energy Materials, 13 (2023).

Combined alkali-photocatalytic stimulation enables click microbial domestication for boosted ammonia nitrogen removal

Microbe-driven ammonia nitrogen removal plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle and wastewater treatment. However, the rational methods and mechanisms for boosting nitrogen conversion through microbial domestication are still limited. Herein, a combined alkali-photocatalytic stimulation strategy was developed to activate the Halomonas shizuishanensis DWK9 for efficient ammonia nitrogen removal. The strain DWK9 selected from saline-alkaline soil in Northwestern China possessed strong resistance to stress of saline-alkaline environment and free radicals, and was abundant in nitrogen conversion genes, thus is an ideal model for advanced microbial domestication. Bacterial in the combined alkali-photocatalytic stimulation group achieved a high ammonia nitrogen conversion rate of 67.5 %, 10 times outperforming the non-stimulated and single alkali/photocatalytic stimulation control groups. Morphology analysis revealed that the bacteria in the alkali-photocatalytic stimulated group formed a favorable structure for bioelectric transfer. Remarkably, the domesticated bacteria demonstrated improved electrochemical properties, including increased current capacity and lower overpotentials and impedance. Prokaryotic transcription genetic analysis together with qPCR analysis showed upregulation of denitrification-related metabolic pathway genes. A novel FAD dependent and NAD(P)H independent energy mode has been proposed. The universality and effectiveness of the as-developed combined alkali-photocatalytic microbial domestication strategy were further validated through indicator fish survival experiments. This work provides unprecedented degrees of freedom for the exploration of rational microbial engineering for optimized and controllable biogeochemical conversion.

The catalytic activity of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and post-synthetic modified MOF towards depolymerisation of polycarbonate

Chemical recycling of polycarbonate (PC) recovers valuable chemicals like monomers but often requires catalysts for mild reaction conditions and high conversion rates. This study explores the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts for PC methanolysis. We investigated the catalytic activity of amine-containing MOFs, specifically ZIF-8, MAF-6, and UiO-66-NH2, which have basic active sites favouring PC depolymerisation. MOFs were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. We examined the effects of temperature, catalyst content, and time on PC recycling efficiency and also conducted post-synthetic modification (PSM) of MOF-5 to assess its catalytic performance in PC depolymerisation. Methanolysis yielded bisphenol A (BPA) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), with conversion rates confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). MOF catalysts significantly enhanced conversion rates compared to reactions without catalysts, with ZIF-8 and MAF-6 achieving nearly 100% PC conversion. PSM of MOF-5 with ethylenediamine (ED) led to increased PC conversion. Additionally, the MOF-based catalysts were recovered and reused for up to three cycles.

Assessing cotton flooding disasters accompanied by high temperatures: A case study in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China

Due to climate change, flooding disasters accompanied by high temperatures (FL-HT) are becoming increasingly common during cotton growing seasons, severely restricting cotton production. However, the characteristics and impacts of cotton FL-HT have rarely been investigated at the regional scale. In this work, based on existing field FL-HT research, we employed daily air temperatures and an agrometeorological indicator called the standardized antecedent precipitation evapotranspiration index to establish a novel approach to characterize FL-HT events during different cotton growth stages in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (MLRYR) during 1961–2020. Additionally, the influence of accompanying high temperatures (AHT) on the yield-reducing effect of cotton flooding was examined. The results demonstrated that more than half of the cotton FL-HT events were submonthly events, which were efficiently captured by our approach. Over the past six decades, the temporal trends of the cotton FL-HT frequency, the AHT intensity, and the conversion rate (from flooding to FL-HT) were upward at 83.0 % of the sites within the MLRYR, and up to 36 sites exhibited significant (p<0.05) increasing trends. In the most recent decade (the 2010s), the historic highs of the indicators were detected, as demonstrated by the most frequent FL-HT events (780 counts), the most intensive AHT, and the highest conversion rate (20.9 %). During the flowering and boll-filling stage, all the indicators were much greater than those during the other stages; the conversion rate reached 42.2 %, and the FL-HT frequency accounted for 63.0 % of the total FL-HT frequency over the whole growth period. Spatially, 43 % of cotton FL-HT events occurred in the southeastern MLRYR, which was identified as the region most affected by cotton FL-HT. The gravity centers of the cotton FL-HT indicators in different decades exhibited a northward-moving trend. Finally, according to the correlations between flooding intensity and cotton climatic yield, the yield-reducing effect of flooding was much stronger in the years with greater AHT (6 districts had significant correlations) than in the years with less AHT (only 2 districts had significant correlations), verifying the strengthening effect of AHT in cotton in response to flooding. In summary, this work provides new insights into monitoring cotton flooding-HT disasters and reducing flooding risk under climate change.

Electrocatalytic Glycerol Upgrading into Glyceric Acid on Ni3Sn Intermetallic Compound.

Electrochemical glycerol oxidation features an attractive approach of converting bulk chemicals into high-value products such as glyceric acid. Nonetheless, to date, the major product selectivity has mostly been limited as low-value C1 products such as formate, CO, and CO2, due to the fast cleavage of carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds during electro-oxidation. Herein, the study develops an atomically ordered Ni3Sn intermetallic compound catalyst, in which Sn atoms with low carbon-binding and high oxygen-binding capability allow to tune the adsorption of glycerol oxidation intermediates from multi-valent carbon binding to mono-valent carbon binding, as well as enhance *OH binding and subsequent nucleophilic attack. The Ni3Sn electrocatalyst exhibits one of the highest glycerol-to-glyceric acid performances, including a high glycerol conversion rate (1199µmol h-1) and glyceric acid selectivity (62 ± 3%), a long electrochemical stability of > 150 h, and the capability of direct conversion of crude glycerol (85% purity) into glyceric acid. The work features the rational design of highly ordered catalytic sites for tailoring intermediate binding and reaction pathways, thereby facilitating the efficient production of high-value chemical products.

Hip Arthroscopy Versus Physical Therapy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Acetabular Labral Tears in Patients Older Than 40 Years: 24-Month Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The indications for hip arthroscopy in patients aged ≥40 years remain controversial, as observational studies have suggested that advanced age portends poor functional outcomes, poor durability of improvement, and high rates of conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Purpose: To compare hip arthroscopy versus nonoperative management for symptomatic labral tears in patients aged ≥40 years with limited radiographic osteoarthritis. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: This single-surgeon, parallel randomized controlled trial included patients aged ≥40 years with limited osteoarthritis (Tönnis grades 0-2) who were randomized 1:1 to arthroscopic surgery with postoperative physical therapy (SPT) or physical therapy alone (PTA). Patients who received PTA and achieved unsatisfactory improvement were permitted to cross over to SPT after completing ≥14 weeks of physical therapy (CO). The primary outcomes were the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 score and modified Harris Hip Score at 24 months after surgery, and secondary outcomes included other patient-reported outcome measures and the visual analog scale for pain. The primary analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed-effects models. Sensitivity analyses included modified as-treated and treatment-failure analyses. Results: A total of 97 patients were included, with 52 (53.6%) patients in the SPT group and 45 (46.4%) patients in the PTA group. Of the patients who underwent PTA, 32 (71.1%) patients crossed over to arthroscopy at a mean of 5.10 months (SD, 3.3 months) after physical therapy initiation. In both intention-to-treat and modified as-treated analyses, the SPT group displayed superior mean patient-reported outcome measure and pain scores across the study period for nearly all metrics relative to the PTA group. In the treatment-failure analysis, the SPT and CO groups showed greater improvement across all metrics compared with PTA; however, post hoc analyses revealed no significant differences in improvement between the SPT and CO groups. No significant differences were observed between groups in rates of total hip arthroplasty conversion. Conclusion: In patients ≥40 years of age with limited osteoarthritis, hip arthroscopy with postoperative physical therapy led to better outcomes than PTA at a 24-month follow-up. However, additional preoperative physical therapy did not compromise surgical outcomes and allowed some patients to avoid surgery. When surgery is indicated, age ≥40 years should not be considered an independent contraindication to arthroscopic acetabular labral repair. Registration: NCT03909178 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

IMMOBILISATION OF COPPER (I) OXIDE/ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES ON THE GAS DIFFUSION LAYER FOR CO2 REDUCTION REACTION APPLICATION

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂RR) represents a promising strategy for CO₂ mitigation, requiring highly efficient catalysts integrated into electrochemical devices to achieve high conversion rates and energy efficiencies for desired products. Establishing a gas diffusion electrode is crucial for practical applications of CO₂ electrochemical reduction reactions (CO₂RR). This study uses the air-spraying method to immobilise nano-catalysts onto a gas diffusion layer (GDL) with exceptional homogeneity. A composite of copper(I) oxide (Cu₂O) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in a 4:1 ratio was deposited onto the GDL. Surface morphology analysis revealed the successful immobilisation of cubic Cu₂O and hexagonal wurtzite ZnO with a uniform distribution, indicating potential improvements in CO₂RR performance. Contact angle measurements were conducted to assess surface hydrophobicity, comparing pristine GDL with Cu₂O/ZnO-based GDL. Although the contact angle on the surface of the Cu₂O/ZnO-based GDL slightly reduced from 143.69° to 134.82°, it maintained its hydrophobic nature. This reduction is attributed to Nafion, a binder in the catalyst ink mixture. The sustained high contact angle is crucial for the CO₂ reduction reaction process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) diffractograms of Cu₂O/ZnO-based GDL were compared with reference Cu₂O, ZnO, and bare GDL. The presence of all essential peaks confirms the successful immobilisation. The air-spraying technique effectively achieved a favourable distribution of active metals.

Effect of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences on customer engagement and purchase behavior in retail stores

This review paper explores the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies on customer engagement and purchasing behavior in retail settings. As immersive technologies continue to evolve, AR and VR are increasingly employed to enhance the shopping experience, offering interactive and personalized engagements that traditional retail cannot match. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent literature, the paper highlights how AR applications, such as virtual try-ons and interactive product displays, significantly enhance customer engagement by providing novel and enriched shopping experiences. Similarly, VR facilitates virtual store visits and immersive product interactions, leading to higher levels of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. The paper discusses key metrics for evaluating engagement and purchase behavior changes, including increased dwell time, higher conversion rates, and enhanced customer satisfaction. Additionally, the review identifies challenges, such as technological integration and user adaptation, which may impede the full potential of AR and VR in retail. The findings underscore the transformative potential of AR and VR in reshaping the retail landscape by bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping environments, thus driving more informed purchasing decisions and fostering deeper customer connections. Future research directions are suggested to address the limitations and further investigate the long-term impacts of these technologies on consumer behavior.

Fabrication of Pd NCs@GO(Fe3O4) as a magnetically separable and reusable catalyst for catalytic conversion of three types of pollutants from water resources

In recent years, organic contaminants have become so detrimental to both the environment and human health that it is imperative to remove them from water. In this study, Magnetic Pd NCs@GO(Fe3O4) composite microspheres were successfully synthesized, which graphene oxide (GO) was encapsulated with Fe3O4 microspheres serving as the core, and subsequently, palladium nanocubes were deposited in situ onto the GO layer. The samples were thoroughly characterized using XRD, TEM, EDS, FT-IR, Raman, XPS, UV-Vis, VSM, DLS NMR and Zeta techniques. At room temperature, the presence of KBH4 effectively reduced 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), and Congo red (CR). Specifically, 4-NP was fully reduced in three minutes with a TOF of up to 464 min⁻¹; 4-NA was completely reduced in seven minutes, achieving a TOF of up to 280 min⁻¹; And CR was fully reduced in eight minutes, yielding a high TOF of 74.86 min⁻¹. Furthermore, the magnetic Pd NCs@GO(Fe3O4) composite microsphere catalyst demonstrated excellent recovery and high conversion rates after five consecutive cycles, maintaining a minimum value of over 90 %. The reaction rate constants for the catalysts were found to be K4-NP = 1.12 min⁻¹, K4-NA = 0.606 min⁻¹, and KCR = 0.394 min⁻¹, respectively. The underlying catalytic mechanism was also discussed. Overall, this study presents a rapid and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing magnetic noble metal nanocatalysts for the efficient reduction of Congo red (CR), 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP).

Enhanced catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol using bimetallic MOFs: a one-pot synthesis approach

ABSTRACT Several organic pollutants can harm the environment and human health. A typical environmentally toxic contaminant, 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP), may cause serious health issues. Therefore, catalytic reduction (hydrogenation) of 4-nitrophenol into less toxic 4-aminophenol (4-AP) is mostly preferred. A three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic framework of Ni-MOF-74 is mostly used which contains maximum unsaturated metal sites and the catalytic activity is enhanced due to partial exchange at the node position in MOF. In order to study the catalytic hydrogenation/reduction of organic dye, 4-nitrophenol as a model reaction, a bimetallic MOF, FeNi-MOF-74 was prepared by partially substituting Ni with Fe metal. The catalyst was synthesised using a one-pot solvothermal technique, and 4-nitrophenol was then reduced catalytically in aqueous media. For the reduction of nitrophenol, the FeNi-MOF-74 catalyst surpassed Ni-MOF (9.3 × 10−3 s−1) and Fe-MOF (5.4 × 10−3 s−1) with a lower reduction time and a higher rate constant; (1.6 × 10−2 s−1). The high conversion rate and economical induction time are attributed to the bimetallic synergistic effect.

Synthesis of New Isoxazolidine Derivatives Utilizing the Functionality of N-Carbonylpyrazol-Linked Isoxazolidines.

Using Ni(II) as the catalyst, electron-deficient 3,5-dimethylacryloylpyrazole olefin was reacted with C,N-diarylnitrones alone for 10 min to prepare novel five-member heterocyclic products, 4-3,5-dimethylacryloylpyrazole isoxazolidines with 100% regioselectivity and up to 99% yield. And then, taking these cycloadducts as substrates, six kinds of derivatization reactions, like ring-opening, nucleophilic substitution, addition-elimination and reduction, were studied. Experimental results showed that all kinds of transformations could obtain the target products at a high conversion rate under mild conditions, a finding which provided the basic methods for organic synthesis methodology research based on an isoxazolidine skeleton.

Production of syngas at lower temperatures through microwave-enhanced dry reforming of methane

This study presents a novel microwave-assisted dry reforming of methane (MW-DRM) method, significantly enhancing syngas (H2+CO) production at a lower temperature of 400 °C. Compared to conventional heating dry reforming of methane (CH-DRM) processes, MW-DRM achieves higher conversion rates of CH4 (84.6%) and CO2 (85.7%) at a lower temperature of 500 °C, significantly reducing energy consumption. The CsRu/CeO2 catalyst exhibited excellent stability under microwave heating, maintaining high conversion rates and selectivity for 8 h. Detailed characterization using XRD, BET surface analysis, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and CO chemisorption revealed insights into the structural changes of the catalyst, highlighting the selective impact of microwave heating on the catalyst structure. This study provides a promising approach for sustainable and cost-effective syngas and hydrogen production, aligning with greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Efficient C(sp3)-H Bond Oxidation on Perovskite Quantum Dots Based on Ce-Oxygen Affinity.

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have shown attractive prospects in the field of visible photocatalysis, especially in the synthesis of high value-added chemicals. However, under aerobic conditions, the stable operation of QD catalysts has been limited by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoexcitation, especially superoxide species O2⋅-. Here, we propose a strategy of Ce3+ doping in perovskite QDs to guide superoxide species for photocatalytic oxidation reactions. In C(sp3)-H bond oxidation of hydrocarbons, superoxide species were rapidly generated and efficiently utilized on the surface of perovskite QDs, which achieves the stable operation of the catalytic system and obtains a high product conversion rate (15.3 mmol/g/h for benzaldehydes). The mechanism studies show that the strong Ce-oxygen affinity accelerates the relaxation process of photoinduced exciton transfer to superoxide species and inhibits the radiative recombination pathway. This work provides a new idea of utilizing oxygen species on perovskite surface and broadens the design strategy of high-performance QD photocatalysts.

Efficient C(sp3)−H Bond Oxidation on Perovskite Quantum Dots Based on Ce‐Oxygen Affinity

AbstractPerovskite quantum dots (QDs) have shown attractive prospects in the field of visible photocatalysis, especially in the synthesis of high value‐added chemicals. However, under aerobic conditions, the stable operation of QD catalysts has been limited by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by photoexcitation, especially superoxide species O2⋅−. Here, we propose a strategy of Ce3+ doping in perovskite QDs to guide superoxide species for photocatalytic oxidation reactions. In C(sp3)−H bond oxidation of hydrocarbons, superoxide species were rapidly generated and efficiently utilized on the surface of perovskite QDs, which achieves the stable operation of the catalytic system and obtains a high product conversion rate (15.3 mmol/g/h for benzaldehydes). The mechanism studies show that the strong Ce‐oxygen affinity accelerates the relaxation process of photoinduced exciton transfer to superoxide species and inhibits the radiative recombination pathway. This work provides a new idea of utilizing oxygen species on perovskite surface and broadens the design strategy of high‐performance QD photocatalysts.

Rapidly reversible superwettability on textured metallic surfaces

Reversible superwettability on non-coated metallic surfaces has a broad range of engineering applications, yet achieving a rapid reverse of superwettability is still technically challenging on different metals. Here we show that rapid transition between superhydrophobicity (SHB) /hydrophobicity (HB) and superhydrophilicity (SHL) within tens of minutes can be achieved on femtosecond laser-treated Al surfaces with the assistance of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and direct-current (DC) sputtering, overcoming traditional challenges posed by Al₂O3 in wettability conversion. The extremely high wettability conversion rate on Al surfaces was found to be related to the formation of textured amorphous metal oxides, whose relative content of oxygen vacancies (OVs) can be more easily changed. In the process of wettability change, there is a linear correlation between the metal surface potential and the cosine value of the contact angle. Our findings provide a versatile approach for designing metal surfaces with rapidly reversible superwettability, enabling various applications such as oil–water separations and the controlled release of hydrophilic drugs.

Rim Driven Thruster as Innovative Propulsion Element for Dual Phase Flows in Plug Flow Reactors

The purpose of this work was to test a new setup to pump water with entrained air for application in gas fermentation. A mixed flow, where gas is contained in a liquid to be pumped, rapidly reduces the efficiency of a conventional pump, due to the compressibility of the gas. It is not always possible to degas the fluid, for instance in gas fermentation, which is preferably carried out in tubular reactors (loop fermenters) to achieve a high conversion rate of the gaseous feedstocks. Method: In this work, a rim-driven thruster (RDT) was tested in a lab-scale, cold flow model of a loop reactor with 5–30% (by volume) of gas fraction (air) in the liquid (water) as alternative propulsion element (6 m total pipe length, ambient temperature and pressure). As a result, it was found that the RDT, in connection with a guiding vane providing swirling motion to the two-phase fluid, could pump a mixed flow with up to 25.7% of gas content (by volume) at atmospheric pressure and 25 °C and 0.5 to 2 m/s flow speed. In conclusion, an RDT is advantageous over a classic propulsion element like a centrifugal pump or axial flow pump for transporting liquids with entrained gases. This article describes the potential of rim-driven thrusters, as known from marine propulsion, in biotechnology, the chemical industry, and beyond, to handle multiphase flows.