Low Agglomeration Research Articles

Land Use Conflicts Identification and Multi‐Scenario Simulation in Mountain Cities, Southwest China: A Coupled Structural and Functional Perspective

ABSTRACTLand use conflicts (LUCs) arise during land use change, causing an uncoordinated spatial structure of the land and negatively affecting the synergistic development of multifunctionality, especially in mountain cities. Previous studies have focused on identifying and measuring land use structural conflicts (LUSC), with less attention paid to land use functional conflicts (LUFC), and a lack of simulation for future multi‐scenarios. Thus, taking Chongqing as an example, based on the perspective of LUSC–LUFC coupling, this study constructed a comprehensive conflict index to identify and assess LUCs, then applied the PLUS model to predict LUCs under three development scenarios in 2030. This study found that (1) there was a significant positive spatial association between LUSC and LUFC, with high–high agglomeration types in areas of severe LUCs and low–low agglomeration types in areas of light LUCs. (2) During 2000–2020, the LUCs in Chongqing displayed a trend of upward and then downward from 2000 to 2020, with significant agglomeration in their spatial pattern. (3) Two typical areas of LUCs intensification were identified, namely the topographic transition zone located in the Daba and Wuling mountains and the urban–rural interface in the Chongqing metropolitan area. (4) In 2030, the LUCs in Chongqing manifest an overall mitigation in the ecological protection (EP) scenario, while displaying an intensification in the natural development (ND) and economic development (ED) scenarios. Based on the types of spatial interaction between LUSC and LUFC, land use optimization strategies were formulated. The findings will provide scientific references for sustainable land use management decisions in Chongqing and other mountainous cities.

Design of high-capacity composite anode for next generation lithium-ion batteries

Ga is in primary focus for high-capacity anodes of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Ga-based anode can form Li2Ga with Li at room temperature. Again, decoupling of Li and Ga is easy compared to other high-capacity materials like Si. Low melting temperature, volume changes, and particle agglomeration of Ga-based electrodes in lithiation and delithiation processes are serious challenges toward its commercialization. To overcome these obstacles, we propose a new composite using Mn-doped GaFeP engineered on N-rGO. Three Mn doping ratios (1, 5, and 10 %) were studied for optimization of electrochemical performance. We observed that the 5 % Mn-doped GaFeP/N-rGO delivered an impressive reversible capacity of 1099.9 mAh/g after 200 cycles at 0.3 A/g. Its retention rate capacity (97.6 %) was higher than those of other electrodes. Furthermore, an excellent rate performance and substantial long-term stability of 671.9 mAh/g was achieved at 1.5 A/g after 850 cycles. The reaction mechanism of the high-performance composite electrode is expounded. We hope our study provides new insights and guidelines to the development of Mn-doped Ga-based electrodes with high capacities, minimal volume change, and long cycle stabilities for next-generation LIBs.

Does the Innovative City Pilot Policy Improve Urban Resilience? Evidence from China

The assessment of the relationship between the innovative city pilot policy (ICPP) and urban resilience is crucial for enhancing cities’ ability to foresee, endure, and recover from various disruptive events. Despite the widespread implementation of the ICPP in China, it remains uncertain if this strategy will contribute to the development of urban resilience. Starting with data collected from 245 prefecture-level cities in China from 2004 to 2020, this paper initially evaluates the causal effect of the policy intervention using the difference-in-differences (DID) model and the propensity score matching-difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method. A multi-dimensional urban resilience measurement index and a mediating effect model were constructed. The empirical results show that (1) the ICPP has a significant effect on urban resilience, which remains in force after a series of robustness tests, such as a placebo test and difference-in-differences machine learning (DML) approach; (2) regional R&D investment, technological talent attraction, green innovation capability enhancement, and information infrastructure development are identified as the mediating variable for the ICPP’s impact on urban resilience dimensions; and (3) heterogeneity study results show that the ICPP has a significantly greater impact on medium-sized cities, attributed to their capacity to enhance the resilience of cities with more growing space. Furthermore, cities with lower economic agglomeration saw a greater increase in urban resilience due to the ICPP. Accordingly, it is recommended to prioritize the allocation of innovative resources to non-coastal regions, cities with low economic agglomeration, and medium-sized cities. This study provides crucial recommendations for the enlargement of the ICPP’s scale and coordinated progress of China’s urban resilience.

Effect of Synthesis Temperature on Performance of Phenazine-Based Cathode for Sodium Dual-Ion Batteries.

Organic materials have attracted much attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to their ecological sustainability, abundant resources and structural designability. However, low electrical conductivity and severe agglomeration of organic materials lead to poor discharge capacity and reaction kinetics in batteries. Herein, the morphology of the phenazine-based organic polymer poly(5,10-diphenylphenazine) (PDPPZ) was modified by varying the synthesis temperature. PDPPZ-165 °C with an exceptional porous structure provides abundant reaction channels for rapid charge transfer and diffusion that improves the reaction kinetics in sodium dual-ion batteries. Therefore, PDPPZ-165 °C cathode possesses excellent rapid charge-discharge capability delivering a specific capacity of 119.2 mAh g-1 at 40 C. Furthermore, a high specific capacity of 124.7 mAh g-1 can be provided even at a high loading of 16 mg cm-2 at 0.5 C with a capacity retention of 86.4 % after 500 cycles. This work could afford new insights for optimizing the performance of organic cathode materials in sodium dual-ion batteries.

Digital finance, capital-biased and labor-biased technical progress: Important grips for mitigating carbon emission inequality

As an innovative financial model in the era of the digital economy, digital finance, with its inclusive characteristics, provides effective financial support for the realization of the carbon peak and carbon neutrality. To realize the “double carbon” goal, it is necessary not only to control the total amount and intensity of carbon emissions but also to consider the coordination and fairness of carbon emission reduction between regions. The existing literature has discussed the carbon reduction effect of digital finance, but few studies have focused on the impact and mechanism of digital finance on regional carbon emission inequality. On the basis of data from 287 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper empirically examines the effect of digital finance on carbon emission inequality via a fixed effects model and convergence model. Digital finance not only reduces the Theil index of carbon emissions but also promotes the convergence of carbon emissions, which mitigates regional carbon emission inequality. The mechanism test shows that digital finance reduces the level of regional carbon emission inequality by promoting capital- and labor-biased technical progress in high-carbon emission regions. Heterogeneity analysis proves that digital finance can better exert its inhibitory effect on carbon emission inequality in regions with low financial agglomeration levels, weak industrial bases and small digital business scales. Further analysis indicates that digital finance can effectively reduce carbon emission inequality between regions, but the effect on carbon emission inequality within regions is not significant. The above findings provide a realistic reference for the formulation of differentiated digital finance policies to support carbon emission reduction.

Development of silver dichromate-geopolymer composite: An innovative catalyst for simultaneous desulfurization and denitrogenation for cleaner petroleum fuel

Rising global energy demands necessitate cleaner fuel technologies due to stringent environmental regulations. Emerging techniques like oxidative desulfurization and denitrogenation offer advantages over traditional hydrotreatment by selectively oxidizing sulfur and nitrogen compounds without damaging hydrocarbon structures. This research employs nano-crystalline silver dichromate-geopolymer composite catalysts prepared by direct precipitation, sonochemical, surfactant-assisted and surfactant assisted sonochemical routes for oxidizing sulfur and nitrogen compounds in fuel oil. Surfactant assisted preparation aided in generating catalysts with controlled size, while sonochemical synthesis facilitated uniform dispersion of the particles. The uniform dispersion, controlled particle size, and low agglomeration along with unclogged pores aided the sonochemically prepared catalyst in demonstrating superior catalytic performance over other counterparts in individual sulfur oxidation tests. In contrast, due to the high rate of oxidation and high affinity to occupy active sites, the catalyst prepared by surfactant assisted sonochemical route performed better than its sonochemical counterpart in individual nitrogen compound oxidation tests. The prepared catalysts were thoroughly characterized by different analytical characterization techniques. Single component oxidation resulted in 80.86 and 98.94% conversion of sulfur and nitrogen, while simultaneous oxidation resulted in 58.41% sulfur oxidation and 95.69% nitrogen conversion. Due to the cavitation effect, efficient mixing and a high local temperature and pressure created due to the introduction of ultrasound, the conversion rose to 88.02 and 98.02% for sulfur and nitrogen, respectively. Post oxidation, the oxidation products were removed by extraction, leading to 100% removal of nitrogen and 85% removal of sulfur. The proposed mechanism suggested the oxidation of both the compounds to occur through the formation of active Cr(VI)-peroxo species.

Analysis of Spatiotemporal Disparities and Spatial Spillover Effect of a Low-Carbon Economy in Chinese Provinces Under Green Technology Innovation

This research, set against the backdrop of rapid global advancements in green technology innovation and aligned with China’s sustainable development strategy, conducts an in-depth analysis of the spatiotemporal disparities and spatial spillover effect of a low-carbon economy in Chinese provinces. Following empirical analysis and data testing, the study draws the following conclusions: (1) China’s low-carbon economy is subject to significant regional differences. Over time, the development level has improved annually, with the number of provinces above the middle level of low-carbon economy rising from 11 in 2010 to 22 in 2022. However, regional differences persist. The eastern region has shown the most significant progress, while the central area encountered its initial challenges first, and the development of the western area has unfolded in a more segmented manner. (2) In this paper, the low-carbon economy in China shows notable characteristics of spatiotemporal agglomeration, with the number of high–high agglomeration provinces rising from four in 2010 to seven in 2022, an increase of 78% year-on-year. The number of provinces and provinces in the low–low agglomeration mode increased from two in 2010 to six in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 200%. (3) China’s low-carbon economy demonstrates notable spatiotemporal evolution. The development process tends to remain stable during transitions, with a high likelihood of sustaining the current state while gradually advancing, avoiding abrupt changes across levels. (4) Innovations in green technology exert a positive influence on the advancement of the low-carbon economy, with a clear spatial spillover effect. In light of these findings, the research offers targeted recommendations for society, enterprises, and government stakeholders.

Knowledge Spillovers and Integrated Circuit Innovation Ecosystem Resilience: Evidence from China

A resilient innovation ecosystem is an important guarantee for enhancing industrial competitiveness. Knowledge spillover is the key driving force to enhance system resilience. Firstly, we use the MEREC-CoCoSo method to calculate the resilience level of the integrated circuit (IC) innovation ecosystem and analyze the evolution trajectory of the resilience before and after the emergence of the “stuck-neck” problem. Secondly, based on the panel data of 30 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper analyzes the mechanism of the impact of intra-regional knowledge spillovers on the resilience of IC innovation ecosystems using the fixed-effect model and analyzes the spatial effect of inter-regional knowledge spillovers on the resilience of innovation ecosystems using the spatial Durbin model under the human capital matrix. Finally, we analyze the regulating role of contractual and relational governance mechanisms and try to open the “black box” of governance. The result shows the following: (1) The polarization of innovative ecosystem resilience of integrated circuits is gradually increasing, with strong spatial agglomeration, high–high agglomeration, low–low agglomeration, and low–high dispersion, and there is an obvious “matthew effect” and “siphon effect”. (2) Both intra- and inter-regional knowledge spillovers contribute significantly to the resilience of IC innovation ecosystems. The contractual governance mechanism can effectively enhance the impact of knowledge spillovers on the resilience of innovation ecosystems in the region, and the relational governance mechanism has a positive impact on the resilience of innovation ecosystems in neighboring regions. (3) Heterogeneity results show that knowledge spillovers within the Pan-PRD region have a significant positive impact on innovation ecosystem resilience. Knowledge spillovers between regions with low innovation capacity have a double effect on innovation ecosystem resilience, and knowledge spillovers between regions with “talent highlands” have a facilitating effect on innovation ecosystem resilience. Accordingly, policy recommendations are put forward to open up channels for innovation knowledge spillover, realize effective allocation of innovation resources, and optimize the system of innovation talents.

Cement modified and copper oxide enriched ferric sludge as oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion

This study focuses on enhancing the performance of water treatment sludge as an oxygen carrier (OC) for chemical looping combustion (CLC) of municipal solid waste (MSW) syngas. High aluminate cement was introduced to augment the OC’s mechanical strength, concurrently preventing inter-particulate agglomeration, resulting in a commendable and low agglomeration rate of 3.44% after 50 cycles. The inclusion of CuO proves to be instrumental in boosting the OC’s reactivity, mitigating the loss of active components due to the addition of cement support. Notably, FSCuO10 (Ferric sludge with 10% CuO addition) demonstrates over 92% CO efficiency throughout 50 cycles, affirming the success of the dual modification of FS. The investigation also delves into comprehending the reduction process, agglomeration pathways, and the impact of varied CuO percentages has on OC performance. Extensive characterizations were conducted to elucidate OC transformations and their consequential effects on reactivity, physical characteristics, and overall performance. A noteworthy observation includes the outward migration of iron and copper during CLC, contributing to the stabilization of reactivity. In summary, the modifications implemented on FS, yield an improved OC for CLC purposes, maintaining its novelty and cost-effectiveness. The novelty stems from the interactions between CuO and FS, leading to improved reactivity and stability, as well as the extended CLC, which demonstrates the longevity of the OCs. This research contributes to the circularity of waste-derived products by effectively repurposing water treatment sludge and improving sustainable waste management practices.

Resilience evaluation and spatio-temporal evolution analysis of China's science and technology financial ecosystem

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the resilience of science and technology (sci-tech) financial ecosystem. It constructs an evaluation system from four dimensions: resistance, adaptability, recovery and innovation. The data are from 29 provinces in China from 2010 to 2020. It is evaluated using entropy weights–TOPSIS and dynamic evaluation model. The spatial evolution law is revealed by spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results show that: (1) The overall resilience level of sci-tech financial ecosystem is not high. Its evolution and development are generally in a relatively stable state. It has significant regional heterogeneity, showing a distribution pattern of ‘high east and low west’. (2) It has significant spatial positive correlation. The structure of the sci-tech financial ecosystem in the eastern region is highly complex, most provinces are in high–high agglomeration area. Provinces in other regions are mainly in low–low agglomeration area. Only a few provinces have experienced changes in the spatial distribution. (3) The dynamic value in the eastern region shows polarisation characteristics. Although the static value of resilience in the central and western regions is low, the dynamic evaluation value in some provinces in the central and western regions is high. The subsequent growth momentum of resilience in the north-eastern region is insufficient.

Hydrothermal synthesis of SnO2/MoO3-x/rGO ternary nanocomposites as a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries

The theoretical specific capacity of tin dioxide (SnO2) as a lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anode material is up to 1494 mAh·g−1, far exceeding that of graphite. However, the low conductivity, volume expansion, crushing failure and particles agglomeration during charge/discharge cycles limit its application in LIBs. In this work, the SnO2/MoO3-x/rGO composite material was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method, with SnO2 and amorphous MoO3-x tightly and uniformly anchored at the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The results of structural characterization and electrochemical performance evaluation show that amorphous MoO3-x can increase the reactive active sites, inhibit Sn particles aggregation, and promote the reversible reaction of SnO2. rGO effectively improves the electrical conductivity of the composite and buffers the volume change of Li-Sn alloying/dealloying during cycles. In addition, due to introduction of MoO3-x and rGO a stable SEI film can be formed at the material's surface to improve the cycle stability. SnO2/MoO3-x/rGO exhibits excellent rate performance and cycle performance. When the rGO content is 10.9 wt%, the reversible capacity of the composite reach 813 mAh·g−1 after 800 cycles at current density of 1.0 A·g−1, and 450.6 mAh·g−1 after 1000 cycles at current density of 5.0 A·g−1, with the capacity retention rate of 96.9%.

Optimisation of Mo doping to form NiCoMo ternary sulphides for high performance charge storage.

Multi-component synergy and the rational design of structures are effective methods for preparing electrode materials for high-performance energy storage devices. Transition metal-based hydroxides offer advantages such as a large specific surface area, large interlayer spacing, multiple redox states, and high theoretical capacity, making them commonly used as positive materials for supercapacitors. However, challenges like low conductivity and severe agglomeration limit their practical application. This study focuses on the preparation of Ni, Co, and Mo ternary transition metal hydroxides by incorporating the Mo element to optimize their structure. Furthermore, sulfide ions were utilized in an ion exchange process to replace hydroxides, resulting in the formation of NiCoMo ternary sulfide electrode materials. By adjusting the amount of Mo added, a spherical nanoneedle-shaped N2C1MS0.2-2 electrode material was successfully synthesized. This electrode exhibited a specific capacity of 2094 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled with activated carbon as the negative electrode and N2C1MS0.2-2 as the positive electrode, which had an energy density of 46.2 W h kg-1 at a power density of 800 W kg-1, a capacity retention of 89.7% and a coulombic efficiency of 97.8% after 10 000 cycles. This study provides a reference for the design and preparation of ternary sulphide electrode materials.

Spatio-Temporal Differentiation of Non-Grain Production of Cropland and Its Influencing Factors: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

Food security is important to guarantee national security and people’s livelihoods, but the increasingly serious problem of non-grain production (NGP) on croplands has exacerbated the risk of food security and directly affected the sustainable development of the national economy and society. This study adopted 130 cities (states) in the Yangtze River Economic Belt as the research units and used ArcGIS10.8, GeoDA1.22, and Origin2022 software and spatial autocorrelation, standard deviational ellipse, and GeoDetector methods to conduct analyses. This study explored the spatial evolution patterns and factors influencing cropland NGP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The results show, firstly, that the NGP rate of cropland in the Yangtze River Economic Belt increased from 35.85% in 2006 to 38.62% in 2022. The number of cities (states) with mild and moderate NGP decreased, while the number of cities (states) with severe NGP increased significantly. Secondly, the spatial distribution of the rate of cropland NGP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt had a strong positive correlation, with “high–high agglomeration” tending to be dispersed, “low–low agglomeration” tending to be concentrated, and the overall trajectory of the center of gravity migrating from the northeast to the southwest. Thirdly, the single-factor detection found that the per capita food possession, slope, elevation, and average annual precipitation had strong explanatory power regarding the spatial difference in cropland NGP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the interaction of any two influencing factors showed nonlinear enhancement. The results of this study can help to precisely identify the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of cropland NGP in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which is of great significance for supporting the country in controlling the risk of NGP cultivation, promoting the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and guaranteeing food security.

Dye-sensitized sepiolite clay as natural scaffolds for visible light driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Natural clay minerals are increasingly used as superior support materials for various photocatalysts due to their excellent adsorption capacity, negative surface charge, suitable thermal/chemical stability, large specific surface area, and strong surface reactivity, resulting in low agglomeration and suppression of charge recombination. However, they are still insufficient for photocatalysis due to their low efficiency. Therefore, sensitization of clay minerals with dyes to improve the efficiency and specificity of catalysts is considered a promising route for photocatalytic applications. In this work, the effect of dye sensitization on visible light-driven photocatalytic water splitting of microfibrous sepiolite scaffolds as natural photocatalyst supports was investigated for the first time by using various xanthene dyes (eosin Y, rhodamine B and eryhtrosine B (ErB)) and triethanolamine as photosensitizers and sacrificial agents, respectively, in the absence and presence of platinum as a co-catalyst. The clay/dye system was characterized using various techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-rays. Sep/ErB photocatalysts produced the highest amount of hydrogen among the other Sep/dye scaffold systems because they act as an effective matrix by preventing nanoparticle aggregation and promoting electron transfer due to their excellent crystal structures and physicochemical properties.

The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Manufacturing Energy Intensity: Micro Evidence from High-Speed Railway in China

This paper examines the potential of infrastructure improvements, particularly the operation of High-speed railway (HSR), to enhance the energy efficiency of firms. By regarding the operation of the China’s HSR as an exogenous shock, this paper relies on a difference-in-differences estimation to isolate the causal effect of the infrastructure improvement on manufacturing firms’ energy intensity. This paper finds that the operation of HSR has improved the manufacturing firms’ energy intensity through the catalyzing the proliferation of advanced management techniques, and this effect gradually decreases with the increase in distance between the firm and the HSR station. Moreover, HSR indirectly decreases energy intensity by fostering technological innovation, decreasing debt financing costs, and extending debt financing magnitude. The study also uncovers heterogeneous effects of HSR connectivity on manufacturing firms’ energy intensity, which are more pronounced in smaller cities and industries characterized by high concentration and low agglomeration. Furthermore, the impact of HSR connectivity on reducing energy intensity is more substantial in state-owned and larger firms compared to non-state-owned and smaller firms. JEL Classification: Q43, O13, R41, L60

Research on heritage characteristics based on railway architectural heritage database in Jinzhou section of the Peking–Mukden Railway

This research interprets the background of Jinzhou section of the Peking–Mukden Railway, and puts forward 65 heritages as cases based on the scope definition and investigation. After the data collection, processing, and visualization, the database composed of 9 sub-databases, with B/S architecture mode, is constructed based on SQL server platform. The ArcGIS tool is used to analyze the distribution of the heritages, including spatial distribution characteristics, spatial agglomeration, and spatial equilibrium. “Image and model information database” and “text attribute information database” is used to analyze the architectural ontology features. The conclusions are drawn as follows: 1) The integral distribution has the characteristics of “cohesion”, while the 5 medium types of heritages show obvious and different directions. 2) The overall pattern of spatial agglomeration is characterized by high cohesion with a single high agglomeration point as the core. The low agglomeration area shows a point-line-point pattern. 3) The integral heritages and three main types of buildings differ in distribution, and the equilibrium is low. The architectural ontology analysis shows that the image information can be used as the basis for ontology characteristics analysis, architectural form and style judgment, and architectural functional space analysis.

The spatiotemporal evolution and impact of green land use efficiency in resource-based cities in the yellow river basin under the background of sustainable development

Introduction: With the rapid advancement of industrialization and urbanization in the Yellow River Basin, the number of resource-based cities is constantly increasing, leading to an imbalance in land use structure and the gradual worsening of adverse effects such as damage to the ecological environment. Hence, improving the efficiency of green land use in resource-based cities has extremely crucial ecological and practical meaning for sustainable development.Methods: This study comprehensively considers interdisciplinary theories such as ecology and management, and combines the actual situation of resource-based cities in the Yellow River Basin to construct a new type of urban field green utilization efficiency assessment index system. To promote the coordinated development of different dimensions, the corresponding spatiotemporal evolution process and related influencing factors were also analyzed. Results and discussion: The research results indicate that the overall spatial evolution of the Yellow River Basin has active correlation. During the period from 2006 to 2022, the number of high value agglomeration cities in upstream resource-based cities increased by nearly 25%; Nearly 3% of resourcecities exhibit low-value heterogeneity, while the number of resource cities with low value agglomeration has decreased to 0. In addition, population density and scientific education expenditure level are key factors affecting the ratio of green land use in resource-based cities, while the impact of economic indicators is gradually decreasing. In summary, the assessment indicator system for urban land green utilization ratio proposed in the study is more comprehensive, and the spatial distribution results of influencing factors can provide a solid data foundation for decision-makers.

High-Performance Aluminum Fuels Induced by Monolayer Self-Assembly of Nano-Sized Energetic Fluoride Vesicles on the Surface.

Surface modification is frequently used to solve the problems of low combustion properties and agglomeration for aluminum-based fuels. However, due to the intrinsic incompatibility between the aluminum powder and the organic modifiers, the surface coating is usually uneven and disordered, which significantly deteriorates the uniformity and performances of the Al-based fuels. Herein, a new approach of monolayer nano-vesicular self-assembly is proposed to prepare high-performance Al fuels. Triblock copolymer G-F-G is produced by glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and 2,2'-(2,2,3,3,4,5,5-Octafluorohexane-1,6-diyl) bis (oxirane) (fluoride) ring-open addition reaction. By utilizing G-F-G vesicular self-assembly in a special solvent, the nano-sized vesicles are firmly adhered to the surface of Al powder through the long-range attraction between the fluorine segments and Al. Meanwhile, the electrostatic repulsion between vesicles ensures an extremely thin coating thickness (≈15nm), maintaining the monolayer coating structure. Nice ignition, combustion, anti-agglomeration, and water-proof properties of Al@G-F-G(DMF) are achieved, which are superior among the existing Al-based fuels. The derived Al-based fuel has excellent comprehensive properties, which can not only inspire the development of new-generation energetic materials but also provide facile but exquisite strategies for exquisite surface nanostructure construction via ordered self-assembly for many other applications.

Innovative dispersion techniques of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) through mechanical stirring and ultrasonication: Impact on morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have attracted tremendous interest due to their unique properties and bonding capabilities. This study focuses on the effect of GNP dispersion on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior of GNP/epoxy nanocomposites. This study aims to understand how the dispersion of GNPs affects the properties of epoxy nanocomposite and to identify the best dispersion approach for improving mechanical performance. A solvent mixing technique that includes mechanical stirring and ultrasonication was used for producing the nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the interaction between GNPs and the epoxy matrix. The measurements of density and moisture content were used to confirm that GNPs were successfully incorporated into the nanocomposite. The findings showed that GNPs are successfully dispersed in the epoxy matrix by combining mechanical stirring and ultrasonication in a single step, producing well-dispersed nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. Particularly, the nanocomposites at a low GNP loading of 0.1 wt%, demonstrate superior mechanical strength, as shown by increased tensile properties, including improved Young's modulus (1.86 GPa), strength (57.31 MPa), and elongation at break (4.98). The nanocomposite with 0.25 wt% GNP loading performs better, according to the viscoelastic analysis and flexural properties (113.18 MPa). Except for the nanocomposite with a 0.5 wt% GNP loading, which has a higher thermal breakdown temperature, the thermal characteristics do not significantly alter. The effective dispersion of GNPs in the epoxy matrix and low agglomeration is confirmed by the morphological characterization. The findings help with filler selection and identifying the best dispersion approach, which improves mechanical performance. The effective integration of GNPs and their interaction with the epoxy matrix provides the doorway for additional investigation and the development of sophisticated nanocomposites. In fields like aerospace, automotive, and electronics where higher mechanical performance and functionality are required, GNPs' improved mechanical properties and successful dispersion present exciting potential.

Effect of preparation of iron-based oxygen carriers on its agglomeration behavior with application to biomass chemical looping gasification

Iron-based oxygen carrier (OC) plays a crucial role in biomass chemical looping gasification (BCLG) to produce high quality syngas. However, a significant challenge during BCLG is the OC deactivation due to agglomeration, which is an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, the agglomeration behavior of iron-based OC preparation during the application for BCLG was obtained under the investigation of different preparation methods, carriers and ratios of active metal to carrier. The results revealed that preparation method affected the dispersion, crystal structure and stability of OC, thereby affecting the agglomeration. Among four preparation methods, the OC prepared by co-precipitation method achieved a 58.57 % lower agglomeration degree and 38.38 % smaller particle size than that of mechanical mixing method. Moreover, the carrier played a role in structural support and lattice oxygen transport, affecting crystalline structure and the agglomeration. Among four carriers, the OC prepared with Al2O3 carrier exhibited 36.18 % lower agglomeration degree and 25.15 % smaller particle size than that of CeO2 carrier. In addition, higher Fe content would weaken the metal-carrier interaction and reduce the structural stability of OC, causing serious agglomeration. With the decrease of Al:Fe molar ratio, the average particle size and agglomeration degree of spent OC increased by 43.56 % and 78.26 %, respectively. With the increase of cycles, the average particle size and agglomeration degree of spent OC increased gradually, while the reaction performance decreased obviously.