Preparation Process Research Articles

Spatial Memory of Notable Hurricane Tracks and Their Geophysical Hazards

Previous research has shown that people use a benchmark hurricane as part of their preparation and evacuation decision-making process. While hurricanes are a common occurrence along the Gulf Coast, research on personal memories of past storms is lacking. Particularly, how well do people remember the track and geophysical hazards (wind speed, storm surge, and total rainfall) of past storms? The accurate or inaccurate recollection and perception of previous storm details can influence personal responses to future storms, such as the decision to evacuate or take other life-saving actions. Survey responses of residents in Alabama and Mississippi were studied to determine if people were accurately able to recall a notable storm’s name when seeing an image of the storm’s track. Those who were able to identify the storm by its track were also asked if they could remember the storm’s maximum reported rainfall, maximum sustained winds, and storm surge at landfall. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the levels of accurate recall for different storms, with Hurricanes Katrina and Michael having the most correct responses. Regardless of the storm, most people struggled to remember geophysical hazards. The results of this study are important as they can inform broadcast meteorologists and emergency managers on forecast elements of the storm to better emphasize in future communication in comparison to the actual values from historical benchmark storms.

The Effect of the Number of Precursor Spin-Coating on the Properties of Sb<sub>2</sub>(S,Se)<sub>3</sub> Thin Film

Preparing of Sb2S3 precursor by sol gel method and the post selenization is a simple and low-cost method for preparing Sb2(S, Se)3. In the preparation process of this method, the number of spin-coating of Sb2S3 precursor determines the film thickness, structure, and S/Se ratio. In this work, the effects of different spin-coating times (1 to 5) on the structure, optical and electrical properties of the film were studied. The results showed that when the number of spin-coating increased from 1 to 5, the thickness of the film increased from 0.24 μm to 1.17 μm. When spin-coating twice, the strongest diffraction peak of the film changed from (120) to (230); as the spin-coating frequency continued to increase, the film gradually exhibited Sb2S3 characteristics, accompanied by a small amount of Sb2O3 impurities. In addition, excessive spin-coating cycles can cause large voids to appear on the surface of the film. From the UV-visible spectrum, it can be seen that as the thickness of the film increases, the light absorption also gradually improve, and the band gap increases from 1.34 eV to 1.66 eV. The Mott-Schottky test showed that the prepared thin films were all P-type semiconductor. When spin-coated twice, the carrier concentration of the thin film reached 5.8×1015cm-3.

Repeated lyophilization: A neo-method for urine-based reference materials preparation

In urine drug testing, a cut-off value is often imposed to determine whether the sample is negative or positive. A matrix containing a reference substance helps counteract the adverse effects of the urine matrix across different laboratories to improve the consistency of final results. However, as a biological matrix, urine is prone to corruption and other problems that make it difficult to use as a reference sample. In this study, morphine, nitrazepam, lorazepam, buprenorphine, zolpidem, midazolam, diazepam, and clozapine commonly used in clinical practice were selected as target analytes, and the preparation process was further optimized to repeated lyophilization, in order to obtain more effective, stable, and accurate urine matrix reference materials (mRMs). The appropriate urine density (1.010–1.017 kg/m3) for preparing lyophilized samples was investigated through density determination. Conducting repeated lyophilizations resulted in a denser powder with reduced susceptibility to collapse and improved the quality of lyophilized urine samples. Lyophilized urine mRMs could be stored at room temperature for one month or under refrigeration conditions (4 ℃) for six months.

Forming performance and environmental impact of bamboo fiber reinforced polypropylene composites based on injection molding process for automobiles

AbstractTo explore the potential application of plant fiber reinforced composites for automotive component applications, this study prepared bamboo fiber (BF)/nano‐talc/polypropylene (PP) composites based on the injection molding process, comprehensively evaluated the effect of reinforcement materials on the forming properties of composites, including thermal performance, mechanical properties, water absorption, etc. Furthermore, taking a certain automotive injection molded interior part as the object, a life‐cycle assessment from production to the gate was conducted based on the real energy and material consumption during the composite preparation process. The results indicate that adding BF and talc powder increased the thermal stability, density, hardness, viscosity, and crystallinity of the composites while reducing the water contact angle on the surface. Surface‐modified BF and PP showed good compatibility. Talc powder exhibited good dispersibility in PP, and the synergistic effect of BF and talc powder effectively enhanced the composite performance. The tensile, flexural, and impact strength of the composites were improved by 40.64%, 51.48%, and 66.51%, respectively, compared with pure PP. The modulus of the composite increased nearly 2 times compared with pure PP. Additionally, the composite demonstrated good friction and wear properties. The environmental impact of the BF composite manufacturing process was significantly higher than that of pure PP. The substantial consumption of electricity, chemicals, and water resources in the extraction and modification processes of BF were the main factors. The findings of this study contribute to achieving green, high‐performance BF composite manufacturing and the expansion of its applications.Highlights Composites have a higher environmental impact compared to PP. BF and talc can synergistically enhance the performance of composites. BF shows good compatibility with PP. Composites exhibit good friction and wear characteristics.

Preparation, Evaluation, and Bioinformatics Study of Hyaluronic Acid-Modified Ginsenoside Rb1 Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Treating Cardiovascular Diseases

(1) Objective: To optimize the preparation process of hyaluronic acid-modified ginsenoside Rb1 self-assembled nanoparticles (HA@GRb1@CS NPs), characterize and evaluate them in vitro, and investigate the mechanism of action of HA@GRb1@CS NPs in treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. (2) Methods: The optimal preparation process was screened through Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. Physical characterization of HA@GRb1@CS NPs was conducted using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Stability experiments, in vitro drug release studies, and lyophilisate selection were performed to evaluate the in vitro performance of HA@GRb1@CS NPs. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of HA@GRb1@CS NPs were assessed using H9c2 and RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were employed to explore the mechanism of action of HA@GRb1@CS NPs in the treatment of CVDs associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. (3) Results: The optimal preparation process for HA@GRb1@CS NPs was achieved with a CS concentration of 2 mg/mL, a TPP concentration of 2.3 mg/mL, and a CS to TPP mass concentration ratio of 1.5:1, resulting in a particle size of 126.4 nm, a zeta potential of 36.8 mV, and a PDI of 0.243. Characterization studies confirmed successful encapsulation of the drug within the carrier, indicating successful preparation of HA@GRb1@CS NPs. In vitro evaluations demonstrated that HA@GRb1@CS NPs exhibited sustained-release effects, leading to reduced MDA (Malondialdehyde) content and increased SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) content in oxidatively damaged H9c2 cells. Furthermore, it showed enhanced DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS+ [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] free radical scavenging rates and inhibited the release of inflammatory factors NO (Nitric Oxide) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) from RAW264.7 cells. (4) Conclusions: The HA@GRb1@CS NPs prepared in this study exhibit favorable properties with stable quality and significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities. The mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects on CVDs may involve targeting STAT3, JUN, EGFR, CASP3, and other pathways regulating cell apoptosis, autophagy, anti-lipid, and arterial sclerosis signaling pathways.

Exploring the Influence of Food Culture Attributes on Visitor Satisfaction and Motivations at Food Festivals

This study examines the impact of food culture aspects such as taste, display, and preparation process on visitor satisfaction and motivation during food festivals. Data from 150 participants were analyzed utilizing SPSS 25 for data analysis. The study uses Spearman's Rank Correlation, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Chi-Square testing to investigate how these characteristics influence festival experiences. Significant positive correlations were found using Spearman's Rank Correlation, taste had a strong correlation with visitor satisfaction (ρ = 0.65,p = 0.01) and motivation (ρ = 0.60,p = 0.02), while display also had a moderately positive correlation with both (ρ = 0.55,p = 0.05) satisfaction and motivation (ρ = 0.50,p = 0.04). The association for the preparation process, however, was not statistically significant and was much weaker. It was established that CFA had high dependability with estimates of 0.78 for taste, 0.85 for display, and 0.80 for the preparation procedure, all of which met high CR and AVE values. The relationships between aspects of food culture and visitor outcomes were evaluated using the Chi-Square Test. Taste was found to have significant correlations with motivation (χ² = 10.45, p = 0.05) and satisfaction. While the display was only significantly connected with satisfaction (χ² = 7.89, p = 0.10), the preparation process was strongly associated with satisfaction (χ² = 12.34, p = 0.03). These results emphasize how important taste is to improving visitor experiences and show how particular characteristics of food cultures can affect festivalgoers' motivation and level of satisfaction. The study found that taste has a substantial impact on both satisfaction and motivation, emphasizing its importance for good event planning and increased attendee involvement.

Study on the surface performance strengthening of AlCrN coated cemented carbide by micro-texture laser preparation process

The combined application of coating and surface texture technology on the material surface can enhance its performance. However, the two procedure and their joint mechanism have not been fully revealed. Therefore, this paper takes the micro-textured coated cemented carbide as the research object, and focuses on the influence of preparation procedure and process parameters on surface characteristics and friction behavior. The results show that compared with the coating textured (XT) sample, the textured coating (XW) sample has more advantages in micro-hardness, microstructure and wear degree. The Rockwell hardness of the XT sample is better. Compared with the single coating sample, the coating micro-hardness of the XW sample is increased by 10 %, the Rockwell hardness is reduced by 2 %, the average grain size is reduced by 7.9 %, and the friction force is reduced by 6.2 %. Additionally, within a certain range, the increase of Al content will increase the sample hardness, reduce friction, and inhibit the Cr content and the growth of CrN phase grains. Complete process parameter optimization based on the ideal solution.

3D‐Shape Recoverable Hydrogel with Highly Efficient Water Transport for Solar Water Desalination

AbstractPorous hydrogels have been developed to be highly efficient interfacial solar vapor generation materials for obtaining affordable freshwater supplies. However, realizing hydrogel materials with portability, adequate water supply, and durable mechanical properties remains challenging. Herein, a scalable and portable hydrogel with 3D‐shaped recovery, highly efficient water transport, and robust mechanical stability is reported, which is prepared by foaming polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and modification of phosphotungstic acid (PTA). Due to the interconnected porous structure and highly permeable polymer network, the PVA/PTA‐PH hydrogel has good repetitive compressibility and rapid shape recovery when in contact with water. Combined with light‐absorbing nanoparticles, the PVA/PTA‐PH hydrogel presents an impressive solar evaporation rate of 3.876 kg m−2 h−1 and a photothermal conversion efficiency of ≈94% under 1‐sun irradiation. With 3D‐shape recovery and highly efficient water transport, the compressed hydrogel can be quickly unfolded without human intervention and restored to five times the original size for the working state. The good portability, excellent seawater desalination performance, and simple preparation process are anticipated to make the PVA‐/PTA‐PH hydrogel a promising material to continuously and conveniently produce pure water from seawater.

A red-emitting phosphor Na3AlF6:Mn4+: Green synthesis, optical characteristics, thermal stability and application in high-performance warm WLED

Mn4+-doped fluoride red phosphors have been widely used in warm WLEDs, but the preparation of such phosphor requires the use of a large amount of HF as a fluorine source and an acidic environment. How to reduce the excessive use of highly toxic HF in the preparation process and achieve green synthesis has become a hot research topic. Therefore, a simple green synthesis strategy is proposed in this work to synthesize a series of red-emitting phosphors Na3AlF6:Mn4+. The highly toxic HF solution is replaced by using a low toxicity reaction system (HCl/HNO3 + NH4F), which reduces the direct use of HF. X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer and scanning electron microscope are employed to determine the crystal structure, composition and morphology of all samples. Optical properties are characterized using excitation spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime curves. The calculation results indicate that the red-light has low correlated color temperature and the excellent color purity, and Na3AlF6 host can provide a strong crystal field environment for Mn4+. In addition, different aluminum sources and Mn4+ doping concentrations are used to explore the optimal preparation condition. The mechanisms of concentration quenching and thermal quenching have also been systematically explored. The stabilities of red-light emission intensity and color are investigated under the high temperature. The integral PL intensity at 423 K is 47 % of the initial value at 298 K. The activation energy, the chromaticity shift and the chromaticity coordinate variation are also systematically calculated. More importantly, a high-performance warm WLED with low correlated color temperature (CCT = 3296 K) and high color rendering index (Ra = 94.7) is achieved by using Na3AlF6:Mn4+ as a red-emitting material. Not only that, the warm WLED exhibits strong output stability under high driving current. The discovery of this work provides a comprehensive understanding for the rational design of high-performance Mn4+-activated fluoride red phosphors via a simple green synthesis strategy.

Choosing a Vita Site Model: Traditional Face-To-Face versus Alternative Virtual Models

Since the early 1970s, the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (hereafter, VITA) programs have provided free income tax return preparation and filing assistance for eligible taxpayers in various underserved communities. In 2020, COVID-19 presented VITA Site Coordinators with the unique challenge of either shutting down completely or finding ways to remain open amid a global pandemic. Many of those that remained open found themselves forced to rely upon virtual methods to accomplish at least some of the steps in the return preparation process, prompting heightened concerns over taxpayer identity verification and securitization of taxpayers’ personal information. Post-COVID beginning in 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to ensure consistent operation of all sites regardless of the site model being used, began requiring VITA Site Coordinators to document and receive approval for their planned methodologies by December 31 of the year preceding each filing season. The process is more burdensome for those sites using any remote methodologies and could partially explain why the number of VITA sites, VITA volunteers, and returns processed at VITA sites have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This paper is intended to help VITA Site Coordinators better understand the different models they might use and make a sound choice based on that understanding to motivate greater participation in the VITA program.

Challenges of conducting qualitative social work research with older adults

ABSTRACT This study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive design to explore the challenges encountered by researchers who have conducted social work research with older adults using qualitative research methods. Within the scope of the research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 researchers who have conducted qualitative social work research on older adults. Following the thematic analysis of the data obtained, three themes were identified: challenges encountered in the preparation process, challenges related to the researcher, and challenges related to old age. The research findings suggest that researchers may encounter various challenges when conducting qualitative social work research with older adults, despite the fact that a prior educational background in social work provides an advantage. It is anticipated that the visibility of qualitative research experiences with older individuals will contribute to the design of studies that are responsive to the general characteristics of the old age period and the problems and requirements of this period.

Synthesis and optimization of GO/TiO2@n-octadecane microcapsules for thermal management of smartphone charging

To reduce the charging temperature of smartphones effectively, the GO/TiO2@n-octadecane microcapsules were prepared in this study. Various testing methods were used to analyze the thermal performance of microcapsules. To achieve maximum enthalpy of phase change, various preparation conditions for the preparation process were optimized. The GO was doped into the optimized microencapsulated phase change materials for further analysis. Moreover, the GO/TiO2@n-octadecane microcapsules were used for the thermal management of smartphone charging. GO was attached to the surface of microcapsules, enhancing the thermal conductivity. Microcapsules were physically encapsulated without any chemical reactions. The enthalpies of microcapsules decreased with the proportion of GO, while the thermal conductivity increased. The prepared GO/TiO2@n-octadecane microcapsules had excellent thermal cycling stability and fire resistance. The GO could reduce the mass loss of microcapsules in high temperatures. Microencapsulated phase change materials containing 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 3 wt% GO had an excellent ability to reduce the charging temperature of smartphones, which could reduce the peak charging temperature of smartphones by 2.9, 3.1, 2.7, and 2.5 ℃, respectively. Microcapsules containing 1 wt% GO had a large enthalpy of phase transition and high thermal conductivity, which could most effectively reduce the peak charging temperature of the smartphone. Therefore, microcapsules with 1 wt% GO were the optimal microcapsules for the thermal management of smartphone charging.

Reflections of Doctoral Students' Creative Thinking Skills on Their Dissertation Preparation Process

The importance attached to graduate education is increasing to meet the demands of preparing qualified manpower. Training researchers aims to build the skill sets of mastering scientific research and critical thinking, being an expert in a field while generating and grasping knowledge. Additionally, creative thinking skills are highly valued in producing original and authentic studies. In this respect, dissertations (for PhD) are reported to include more of these skill sets compared to the theses (for MSc). This research aims to examine how creative thinking skills of doctoral students are reflected in their dissertation preparation process. This case study investigates these processes experienced by five doctoral students who are in the stage of dissertation proposal submission. With a semi-structured interview, their reflection on their use of creative thinking skills in dissertation processes are comprehensively analyzed. It is concluded that these students utilize various strategies to produce original work by integrating creative thinking skills such as fluency, flexibility, elaboration, combinational and exploratory creativity to their dissertation processes. At the same time, personal, environmental, financial, and implementation related challenges that would adversely affect their creative thinking skills are reported along with the approaches of their advisors towards the originality and limitations of dissertations.

Application of zwitterionic ionic liquid-based capsule phase microextraction for the HPLC-UV determination of doxycycline in human urine samples

Herein, we describe the utilization of an ionic liquid (IL)/Carbowax 20 M−functionalized sol–gel sorbent for the capsule phase microextraction of doxycycline in authentic human urine samples. This green sample preparation method combines stirring and filtration in a single, standalone sample preparation device, streamlining the sample preparation process. Additionally, it provides rapid extraction kinetics and high extraction efficiency. The experimental conditions (i.e. sorbent type, sample pH and volume, extraction time, ionic strength, elution solvent, and volume) affecting the extraction efficiency of the analyte were studied and optimized. The method was linear in the range of 0.1 – 5.0 μg/mL with a coefficient of determination higher than 0.995. The achieved LOD was found to be 0.02 μg/mL while the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.1 μg/mL. The IL/Carbowax 20 M−functionalized microextraction capsules were reusable at least 30 times for urine samples. The relative recoveries (% RR) ranged between 93.4 – 115.9 % while the precision (expressed as % RSD) was better than 8.1 % in all cases. The robustness of the microextraction procedure and the instrumental HPLC method were separately investigated using Plackett-Burman experimental designs. The analytical protocol demonstrated cost-effectiveness, ease of handling, and speed, leading to increased sample throughput. The green character of the developed method was evaluated using the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI). Finally, the method’s applicability was demonstrated by analyzing authentic human urine samples after oral administration of a doxycycline-containing pharmaceutical formulation.

Highly selective removal of thallous ions from wastewater using Prussian Blue biochar composite

Thallium, a highly toxic pollutant, shows greater toxicity to human than other common heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and its effective removal from wastewater gains great attention. The main restriction for the Tl+ removal is the interference of a high concentration of co-existing ions in wastewater. Therefore, the goal of the current work was to synthesis adsorbent with high selectivity for the Tl+ removal. Herein, the pore size sieving strategy was proposed and Prussian blue-impregnated biochar (BC@PB) particles was synthesized. More than 95% Tl+ can be removed even the concentrations of the coexistence ions (Na+, Cd2+, and Zn2+) 1,000 higher than the initial concentration of Tl+ (500 μg/L). BC@PB also showed large adsorption capacity (9365 μg/g) and more than 99% Tl+ (initial concentration, 500 μg/L) were removed in just 1 min. The BC@PB had excellent and stable Tl+ removal ability (> 99%) over a range of pH from 3 to 9, which covered the pH range of common thallium-containing wastewater. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation confirmed that not only hydrated volume but also the hydration free energy of ions, which governed the energy barrier for ions entering into narrow channels of BC@PB, played essential roles on the selectivity removal of Tl+. Overall, due to its high selectivity, high adsorption capacity and easy preparation process, the synthesized BC@PB particles based on the pore sizing sieving strategy, can be a promising candidate for the removal of thallium from wastewater.

Calcium-mediated zoledronate loading onto carbon nanohorns.

Previously, we showed that the anti-osteoclast effect of zoledronate (ZOL), a type of bisphosphonate, is enhanced when it is used as a nanocomposite comprising ZOL, an "oxidized single-walled carbon nanohorn (OxCNH) with a spherical shape" and calcium phosphate (CaP). This nanocomposite, termed OxCNH-CaP-ZOL, is a potential therapeutic agent for patients with bone fragility associated with metastatic bone cancer. Because OxCNH-CaP-ZOL contains by-products that comprise CaP-ZOL nanocomposites, the aim of this study was to prepare more sophisticated nanocomposites lacking such by-products; it was achieved by reducing the availability of calcium and phosphate ions during the preparation process. In this new nanocomposite, ZOL loading onto OxCNH was mediated by Ca, and therefore it is referred to as OxCNH-Ca-ZOL. Because the amount of ZOL in OxCNH-Ca-ZOL was about half that in OxCNH-CaP-ZOL and murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) took up less OxCNH-Ca-ZOL than OxCNH-CaP-ZOL, the amount of ZOL inside RAW264.7 cells exposed to OxCNH-Ca-ZOL was less than that inside cells exposed to OxCNH-CaP-ZOL. Despite this drawback, OxCNH-Ca-ZOL had suppressive effects similar to OxCNH-CaP-ZOL on the viability of RAW264.7 cells. The reason for these phenomena is not clear; however, it could be due to the differences in the ZOL release rate between OxCNH-Ca-ZOL and OxCNH-CaP-ZOL. In addition, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into osteoclasts was suppressed by co-administration of RANKL with OxCNH-Ca-ZOL as effectively as with OxCNH-CaP-ZOL, and indeed, their effects were greater than those of free ZOL.

Stability-enhanced (Cu-, Zn-)MOFs via (Cu, Zn)S composite strategy: A promising approach for oil-water separation

The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of oil-water separation is developing rapidly, but the challenges of poor water stability, poor scalability and durability still limit its practical application. In this study, two environmentally friendly and non-toxic superhydrophobic (Cu, Zn)S/(Cu-, Zn-)MOFs@stearic acid (CuS/Cu-MOFs@SA and ZnS/Zn-MOFs@SA) coatings were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method combined with dip coating method, with a water contact angle (WCA) of >165°. Through the synergistic effect with stearic acid (SA), the (Cu-, Zn-)MOFs coating composited with CuS and ZnS exhibits excellent durability in extreme environments. This synergistic effect significantly improves the mechanical stability and durability of the coating, allowing it to maintain a WCA of >155° after friction, kneading, tape stripping and ultrasonic treatment. However, CuS/Cu-MOFs@SA coating is significantly superior to ZnS/Zn-MOFs@SA coating in terms of chemical stability (acid-base-salt environment) and self-cleaning ability due to the different ligands used in the preparation process and the formation of particle structure. Significantly improved its durability and reliability in oil-water separation. The separation efficiency of the coating is as high as 98.7 %, and it remains above 97.8 % after 12 times of repeated use. This study provides a new strategy and important reference for the development of superhydrophobic MOFs coatings and oil-water separation materials with high stability, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Free‐Standing Si@C/CNFs Prepared by Simple Electrospinning as a Stable Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractThe development of free‐standing and foldable electrodes with excellent electrochemical performance is paramount for flexible electronic devices. However, the silicon‐based free‐standing anodes lack a straightforward preparation process. Herein, we successfully designed a hierarchical Si@C/CNFs composite material by combining hydrothermal and electrospinning techniques, in which the carbon‐coated silicon (Si@C) is served as the primary nanostructure and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) from electrospinning are maintained as the network matrix, resulting in a free‐standing anode. Owing to the amorphous carbon coating on Si nanoparticles and the formation of a 3D network structure of CNFs, which tightly encases the primary Si@C nanostructure, the Si@C/CNFs electrode demonstrates exceptional conductivity and flexibility. This dual carbon‐layer structure further enhances kinetics and mitigates the volume expansion of Si nanoparticles. The Si@C/CNFs electrode exhibits a high specific capacity (1573 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), exceptional rate capability, and excellent cycling stability (78.5 % capacity retention after 100 cycles). Thus, Si@C/CNFs can be a promising material for the anode electrode in flexible lithium‐ion batteries.

Cocatalyst Embedded Ce-BDC-CeO2 S-Scheme Heterojunction Hollowed-Out Octahedrons With Rich Defects for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction.

Constructing heterojunction photocatalysts with optimized architecture and components is an effective strategy for enhancing CO2 photoreduction by promoting photogenerated carrier separation, visible light absorption, and CO2 adsorption. Herein, defect-rich photocatalysts (Ni2P@Ce-BDC-CeO2 HOOs) with S-scheme heterojunction and hollowed-out octahedral architecture are prepared by decomposing Ce-BDC octahedrons embedded with Ni2P nanoparticles and subsequent lactic acid etching for CO2 photoreduction. The hollowed-out octahedral architecture with multistage pores (micropores, mesopores, and macropores) and oxygen vacancy defects are simultaneously produced during the preparation process. The S-scheme heterojunction boosts the quick transfer and separation of photoinduced charges. The formed hollowed-out multi-stage pore structure is favorable for the adsorption and diffusion of CO2 molecules and gaseous products. As expected, the optimized photocatalyst exhibits excellent performance, producing CO with a yield of 61.6µmolh-1g-1, which is four times higher than that of the original Ce-BDC octahedrons. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning Kelvin probe, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy characterizations confirm the S-schematic charge-transfer route. The key intermediate species during the CO2 photoreduction process are detected by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to support the proposed mechanism for CO2 photoreduction. This work presents a synthetic strategy for excellent catalysts with potential prospects in photocatalytic applications.

Study on the performance of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt

In order to reduce the waste of resources and the pollution of ecological environment caused by the large amount of waste crop straw accumulation or incineration, and to realize the high-value utilization of waste straw resources, this paper adopts the mechanical crushing method, acid and alkali solution treatment method to prepare the groundnut seedling straw fibers, and compares and analyzes the micro-morphology and chemical composition and thermal stability of the groundnut seedling straw fibers prepared by the physical method, the NaOH solution method, and the HCL solution method, through the scanning electron microscope, infrared spectroscope and the thermogravimetric analysis test; secondly, the optimal blending range of the groundnut seedling straw fibers is preferred. Secondly, the optimal dosage range of ground melon vine straw fiber was selected, the preparation process of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt was proposed, five different dosages of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt were prepared, and the basic properties, viscosity and temperature characteristics, and storage stability of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt were analyzed; and then, a dynamic shear rheometer was used. Dynamic Shear Rheometer and Bending Beam Rheometer tests were used to study the high and low temperature rheological properties and resistance to permanent deformation of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt, and the optimal dosage of groundnut seedling straw fibers was determined; finally, through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy tests, the chemical components of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt were clarified, and the chemical components of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt were revealed to be the most important. The toughening mechanism of ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt was revealed. The results showed that the chemical alkali treatment method was the best preparation process for groundnut straw fiber, and the process flow was to use NaOH solution with a mass fraction of 3 % to treat the ground melon vine straw fiber for 50 min at a temperature of 60 °C; compared with the matrix asphalt, the needle penetration and elongation of the ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt decreased with the increase of the blending amount, and the softening point, the equivalent softening point, and the temperature sensitivity of the asphalt increased. Sensitivity enhancement, softening point difference in line with the specification requirements, but the ductility in the low dosage improved; with the increase in the dosage of ground melon vine straw fiber, ground melon vine straw fiber modified asphalt rutting factor, creep modulus, 0.4 %–1 % dosage of the creep rate and creep recovery rate increased, while 1.3 %–1.6 % dosage of the creep rate and the amount of unrecoverable creep flexibility decreased The results show that 0.4 %–1.6 % dosage of melaleuca alternifolia straw fiber modified asphalt high temperature performance and resistance to permanent deformation performance, and 0.4 %–1 % dosage of melaleuca alternifolia straw fiber low temperature performance has also been improved, the overall consideration, to determine the optimal dosage of melaleuca alternifolia straw fiber 1 %; melaleuca alternifolia straw fibers (NaOH) and the asphalt combined with the production of new functional groups, and melaleuca alternifolia straw fibers with each other. Lap cross to form a fiber skeleton grid structure, can play a role in the entire material to transfer stress and crack resistance, asphalt to play the role of enhanced toughening effect.