Solution Research Articles

Supercapacitive behaviors of N/S co-doped biomass porous carbon-based supercapacitors in “water-in-salt” electrolyte

The design of carbon electrode materials and electrolytes is distinct significance for improving the energy density of supercapacitors. Herein, N/S co-doped biomass porous carbon materials based on sustainable resource were prepared by in-situ expansion, heteroatom doping, and subsequent KOH activation strategy by using camellia seed shell as carbon source and ammonium persulfate as dopant and expander. The as-prepared N/S co-doped biomass porous carbon (N/S-CSAC-650) possesses the characteristics of high specific surface area, large pore volume, and suitable heteroatom content. The N/S-CSAC-650 electrode achieves a high specific capacitance of 335.9 F g−1 in the 3 M KOH electrolyte at 0.5 A g−1. The constructed symmetric supercapacitor demonstrates excellent cyclic stability and shows a high retention rate of 98.4 % after 30,000 charge and discharge processes at 2 A g−1. Especially, the energy density of supercapacitors is usually constrained by the narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW) of dilute aqueous solution (1.23 V), in order to effectively widen the ESW of water, herein the “water-in-salt” (WIS) electrolyte strategy is put forward and the ESW of water was extended to 2.94 V by using a 25 M KAc WIS electrolyte. The operating voltage window of the symmetric supercapacitor assembled by 25 M KAc WIS electrolyte and N/S-CSAC-650 electrodes can reach 2.0 V, and a high energy density of 48.86 Wh kg−1 is realized.

Mean-field homogenization of liquid metal elastomer composites: comparative study and exact dilute solution of core–shell inclusion

Liquid metal-elastomer composites (LMECs) have gathered significant attention for their potential applications in various functional stretchable devices, with inclusion sizes ranging from micrometers to nanometers. These composites exhibit exceptional properties, such as high electric permittivity and thermal conductivity, surpassing those of the elastomer matrix, thus enabling a broader range of applications without compromising the material's stretchability. To investigate the diverse effective elastic and functional properties of LMECs, micromechanics-based homogenization method based on Eshelby's inclusion solution are invaluable. However, the extreme contrast in elastic constants among the phases in LMECs, particularly for nanosized inclusions where a considerable amount of stiff metal oxide forms around the inclusions, can lead to critical failure in predicting effective properties if inadequate homogenization approach is employed. In this study, we present multiple mean-field homogenization approaches applicable to LMECs with core-shell morphology, namely: (i) multi-phase, (ii) sequential, (iii) pseudo-grain, and (iv) direct approaches. We compare the accuracy of the models concerning effective elastic, thermal, and dielectric properties, evaluated against numerical homogenization results and compared with reported experimental data. Specifically, we highlight homogenization scheme utilizing exact field solutions of dilute core-shell inclusion, emphasizing the importance of accurately capturing the field in the micromechanics of LMECs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that widely utilized interphase model could not properly resolve the core-shell morphology and thus should be avoided. This comprehensive assessment provides critical insights into the proper homogenization strategies for designing advanced LMECs with precise prediction of effective properties.

Evaluating potential phytotoxicity of erythritol solution, a novel control method for Drosophila suzukii, in blueberry, cherry, and wild Himalayan blackberry

Drosophila suzukii, commonly referred to as spotted-wing drosophila, is a recent pest of small and stone fruits across the United States. While its control is commonly achieved through broad-spectrum pesticides, these chemicals are often harmful to beneficial insects. A new candidate for control is erythritol, a non-nutritive sugar alcohol with insecticidal properties. Erythritol solutions with a sucrose (E:S) or sucralose (E:Sul) phagostimulant reduce larval infestation and deter oviposition when applied to fruits pre-harvest, but lead to spotting and other damage to sprayed plant leaves. Our objectives were to determine the extent and physiological impacts of the damage in several plant systems and assess the role of individual components in potential phytotoxicity. In the first year, bulk or lab-grade erythritol were combined with a sucrose or sucralose phagostimulant to evaluate the effects of the solutions and a water control on visible damage, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content, and osmolality in blueberry, cherry, and blackberry leaves. When bulk erythritol did not have discernible impacts, second year trials evaluated solutions of lab-grade erythritol with a phagostimulant and solutions of individual chemicals on leaf damage and physiological factors. Solutions of E:S and E:Sul caused the greatest visible damage, but damage was highly variable between years, treatments, and plant systems. There were no consistent plant physiological effects associated with any formulation. These results suggest that while visible leaf damage may be a dose-dependent effect of erythritol solutions, the lack of associated physiological impacts make it a viable candidate for further testing.

Metal-free ring-opening polymerization for the synthesis of biocompatible star-shaped block copolymers with controllable architecture

Star-shaped block copolymers (SBCs) have sparked interest as efficient cargo carriers due to their high loading capacity, decreased burst effects through sustained release, and maintained stability in dilute aqueous solution. Despite these advantages, the practical usage of SBCs is hindered by their challenging synthesis processes that often utilize metal-based catalysts at high temperatures. Herein we report the tailored synthesis of 3-, 4-, and 6-arm polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol), PCL-b-PEG, SBCs using diphenyl phosphate as a friendlier, more sustainable non-metallic catalyst. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirms the molecular architecture of SBCs and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is used to elucidate trends in molar mass when the number of arms within the SBCs is tuned, while dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies provide insights into aggregation behavior. Critical aggregation concentration (CAC) values, as measured by fluorescence spectroscopy, demonstrated that the 4-arm and 6-arm SBCs have greater stability than the 3-arm SBC. Biocompatibility assessment indicated minimal cytotoxicity of the nanoaggregates, even at high concentration, making these PCL-b-PEG SBCs potentially safe and sustainable vehicles for biomedical release applications.

Research on the removal efficiency and membrane fouling analysis of nanofiltration membranes under the combined pollution of emerging contaminants

Based on the research background of five emerging contaminants (ECs)— sulfadiazine (SD), sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), malathion, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and bisphenol A (BPA)—which can be detected in trace amounts in a river basin in southern China, a spiking experiment was conducted to effectively address the potential impact risks of these contaminants. The experiment aimed to investigate the removal efficiency and membrane fouling of nanofiltration membranes (NF) under the combined pollution of these ECs. The experimental results show that under the combined pollution of these ECs, the NF exhibits good removal efficiency for all five ECs, with removal rates of approximately 83 ± 2 %, 84 ± 3 %, 76 ± 3 %, 73 ± 6 %, and 80 ± 5 % for SD, SMZ, malathion, HCB, and BPA, respectively. Additionally, NF also has high efficiency in removing other pollutants, with removal rates for chromaticity, CODMn, and total hardness at 80 ± 2 %, 60 ± 3 %, and 62 ± 2 %, respectively, and over 80 % of fluorescent substances were removed. Analysis of the key operating indicators of the NF under the combined pollution of ECs revealed that the membrane flux decreased slightly faster compared to without the combined pollution of ECs, and both the membrane fouling index and membrane resistance increased to a certain extent. Furthermore, the analysis of the NF chemical cleaning solutions showed that these ECs can be detected in both alkaline and acid cleaning solutions. Analysis of membrane dissection on NF revealed that severe cake layer contamination formed on the membrane surface both under and without the combined pollution of ECs, the presence of ECs is worse than the absence of ECs.

Study on the groove geometry of pad in water dissolution polishing of soft brittle materials based on trajectory analysis

During the water dissolution polishing process of soft brittle materials, the pad's groove geometry plays a significant role in determining the performance. This not only affects the flow of the slurry but also directly impacts the overall distribution of the water core on the pad surface, thereby influencing the polishing effect. A trajectory model of the water core on the workpiece surface was established through kinematic analysis and the characteristics and effects of the pad's groove geometry in circular, radial, composite, and grid were studied combined with the trajectory analysis. The coefficient of variation and power spectral density were established to evaluate the trajectory uniformity. The trajectory density distribution was quantitatively analyzed to obtain a better understanding of the material removal uniformity. The simulation and experiment results indicated that the existence of groove geometry will greatly affect the flow of slurry and the surface quality. The grid groove had a better distribution of water core, which means better material removal. There exists a tradeoff between the number of grooves and their spacing. These insights offer a fresh perspective and serve as a valuable reference for further research and analysis into the groove characteristics of pads.

The importance of initial extension rate on elasto-capillary thinning of dilute polymer solutions

This work focuses on inferring the molecular state of the polymer chain required to induce stress relaxation and the accurate measure of the polymer’s longest relaxation time in uniaxial stretching of dilute polymer solutions. This work is facilitated by the discovery that constant velocity applied at early times leads to initial constant extension rate before reaching the Rayleigh–Plateau instability. Such constant rate experiments are used to correlate initial stretching kinematics with the thinning dynamics in the final thinning regime. We show that there is a minimum initial strain-rate required to induce rate independent elastic effects, and measure the longest relaxation time of the material. Below the minimum extension rate, insufficient stretching of the chain is observed before capillary instability, such that the polymer stress is comparable to the capillary stress at long times and stress relaxation is not achieved. Above the minimum strain-rate, the chain reaches a critical stretch before instability, such that during the unstable filament thinning the polymer stress is significantly larger than the capillary stress and rate-independent stress relaxation is observed. Using a single relaxation mode FENE model, we show that the minimum strain rate leads to a required initial stretch of the chain before reaching the Rayleigh–Plateau limit. These results indicate that the chain conformation before entering the Rayleigh Instability Regime, and the stretching induced during the instability, determines the elastic behavior of the filament. Lastly, this work introduces a characteristic dimensionless group, called the stretchability factor, that can be used to quantitatively compare different materials based on the overall material deformation/kinematic behavior, not just the relaxation time. Overall, these results demonstrate a useful methodology to study the stretching of dilute solutions using a constant velocity stretching scheme.

Application of Response Surface Methodology for concentration of fluorosilicic acid by extraction technique with benzyl alcohol as extractant

As a kind of alternative of natural fluorinated minerals and raw material for producing anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, fluorosilicic acid has attracted more and more attention. In order to raise its utilization rate, dilute fluorosilicic acid solution coming from chemical enterprises needs to be concentrated. The extraction technology with benzyl alcohol as extraction agent was used to concentrating fluorosilicic acid aqueous solution. In order to determine the optimizing operation conditions of the extracting process, single - factor experiments were carried out to confirm the significant affecting factors and their operating range. Then the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was conducted to accomplish regression of a nonlinear quadratic polynomial model to the experimental data and statistical analysis. Based on these studies, the optimal technical parameters of extracting process are acquired by optimization of the model using the Design-Expert 13 software. The statistical analysis for the fitting response surface quadratic equation model indicated that the model was reliable and accurate with very low p-values (<0.0001), the predicted values with the model equation had remarkable consistency in experimental data. By a great number of optimizations carried out with the Design Expert 13 software based on the fitting model equation, the optimal extractive processing conditions for concentrating fluorosilicic acid aqueous solution were obtained: the phase ratio 7, the extraction time 120.11 min and the extraction temperature 39.70 °C. The optimal concentration of fluorosilicic acid is 26.68 %. In order to increase the concentration of fluorosilicic acid, three-stage cross-current extraction for dilute fluorosilicic acid solution was carried out at the optimizing extracting conditions, 17.43 wt% fluorosilicic acid solution can be concentrated up to 37.46 wt%. The extractant-benzyl alcohol can be recovered with vacuum distillation and recovery rate reached up to 98 %.

Meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals with Mechanochemistry

Chemistry traditionally relies on reactions in solution, but this method is increasingly problematic due to the scale of chemical processes and their economic and environmental impact. Handling residual chemical waste, including solvents, incurs significant costs and environmental pressure. Conversely, novel chemical approaches are needed to address pressing societal issues such as climate change, energy scarcity, food insecurity, and waste pollution. Mechanochemistry, a sustainable chemistry discipline that uses mechanical action to induce chemical reactivity without bulk solvents, is a hot topic in academic research on sustainable and green chemistry. Given its fundamentally different working principles from solution chemistry, mechanochemistry offers more efficient chemical processes and the opportunity to design new chemical reactions. Mechanochemistry has a profound impact on many urgent issues facing our society and it is now necessary to use mechanochemistry to address them. This Minireview aims to provide a guide for using mechanochemistry to meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby contributing to a prosperous society. Detailed analysis shows that mechanochemistry connects with most UN SDGs and offers more cost‐efficiency than other approaches together with a superior environmental performance.

Meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals with Mechanochemistry.

Chemistry traditionally relies on reactions in solution, but this method is increasingly problematic due to the scale of chemical processes and their economic and environmental impact. Handling residual chemical waste, including solvents, incurs significant costs and environmental pressure. Conversely, novel chemical approaches are needed to address pressing societal issues such as climate change, energy scarcity, food insecurity, and waste pollution. Mechanochemistry, a sustainable chemistry discipline that uses mechanical action to induce chemical reactivity without bulk solvents, is a hot topic in academic research on sustainable and green chemistry. Given its fundamentally different working principles from solution chemistry, mechanochemistry offers more efficient chemical processes and the opportunity to design new chemical reactions. Mechanochemistry has a profound impact on many urgent issues facing our society and it is now necessary to use mechanochemistry to address them. This Minireview aims to provide a guide for using mechanochemistry to meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby contributing to a prosperous society. Detailed analysis shows that mechanochemistry connects with most UN SDGs and offers more cost-efficiency than other approaches together with a superior environmental performance.

Ultrasound-promoted synthesis of polysubstituted imidazole-linked benzoxazole derivatives and the investigation of their optical properties

A rapid and efficient synthesis of novel hybrid imidazole-benzoxazole derivatives is described under ultrasound irradiation. These reactions were carried out through a cyclization reaction of polysubstituted imidazole-based o-aminophenols and various benzoic acids in polyphosphoric acid. The starting o-amiophenols were synthesized from corresponding o-nitrophenols using Fe powder in EtOH and acetic acid. o-Nitrophenol derivatives were synthesized from related phenols by employing HNO3 in acetic acid. Structures of the newly obtained products were confirmed by spectral and analytical data. The optical properties of the products were investigated via UV–Vis absorption and fluorescent emission spectroscopy in dilute ethanol solution.

Systematic investigation on bastnaesite flotation in the presence of dissolved calcium ions using organic acids as chelating agents

This study systematically investigated the potential of organic acids as Ca2+ ions chelating agents in bastnaesite flotation. Naturally, bastnaesite is associated with calcium-bearing gangue minerals, such as calcite (CaCO3) and fluorite (CaF2). The flotation beneficiation of bastnaesite in the presence of calcium-bearing minerals (e.g., calcite) is exceptionally complex due to the release of Ca2+ ions into the flotation pulp which changes the solution chemistry and bastnaesite surface properties. This study seeks to address the challenge of dissolved Ca2+ ions on bastnaesite flotation using organic acids, namely lactic, succinic, and citric acids. Systematic micro-flotation experiments were followed by electro-kinetic tests, solution chemistry studies, and XPS characterization. The results of this study showed that the elevated concentration of Ca2+ ions dramatically decreased bastnaesite flotation recovery values. However, organic acids formed soluble chelates with Ca2+ ions, effectively eliminating the detrimental impact of dissolved Ca2+ ions on bastnaesite flotation.

Evaluation of the Impact of Infusion Set Design on the Particulate Load Induced by Vancomycin-Piperacillin/Tazobactam Incompatibility.

Drug incompatibilities are among the most common medication errors in intensive care units. A precipitate can form and block the catheter or cause an adverse event in the patient. Intensive care units have implemented various strategies for limiting the occurrence of these incompatibilities, which have already been studied in vitro under standardized conditions. The objective of the present in vitro study was to continue these assessments by determining the impact of the infusion line geometry and the drugs' position in the infusion set-up on the prevention of vancomycin-piperacillin/tazobactam incompatibility. Infusion lines with a different common volume, a multilumen medical infusion device, a dilute vancomycin solution, and separate infusions of incompatible drugs were evaluated separately. The infusion line outlet was connected to a dynamic particle counter. Reducing the common volume, using multilumen medical devices, or spacing out the two incompatible drugs on the infusion line did not prevent the occurrence of a significant particulate load. Only dilution of the vancomycin solution was associated with a significantly lower particulate load and the absence of drug incompatibility. Our results show that under specific conditions, it is possible to reduce particulate contamination considerably.

Solvation free energy in governing equations for DNA hybridization, protein-ligand binding, and protein folding.

This work examines the thermodynamics of model biomolecular interactions using a governing equation that accounts for the participation of bulk water in the equilibria. In the first example, the binding affinities of two DNA duplexes, one of nine and one of 10 base pairs in length, are measured and characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) as a function of concentration. The results indicate that the change in solvation free energy that accompanies duplex formation (ΔGS) is large and unfavorable. The duplex with the larger number of G:C pairings yields the largest change in solvation free energy, ΔGS = +460 kcal·mol-1per base pair at 25 °C. A van't Hoff analysis of the data is complicated by the varying degree of intramolecular base stacking within each DNA strand as a function of temperature. A modeling study reveals how the solvation free energy alters the output of a typical ITC experiment and leads to a good, though misleading, fit to the classical equilibrium equation. The same thermodynamic framework is applied to a model protein-ligand interaction, the binding of ribonuclease A with the nucleotide inhibitor 3'-UMP, and to a conformational equilibrium, the change in tertiary structure of α-lactalbumin in molar guanidinium chloride solutions. The ribonuclease study yields a value of ΔGS = +160 kcal·mol-1, whereas the folding equilibrium yields ΔGS ≈ 0, an apparent characteristic of hydrophobic interactions. These examples provide insight on the role of solvation energy in binding equilibria and suggest a pivot in the fundamental application of thermodynamics to solution chemistry.

Chemical Solutions for Seed Dormancy: A Comprehensive Review on Strategy to Combat Pre-harvest Sprouting in Mung Bean

The mung bean, or Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is a significant grain legume with enormous global economic value. Kharif is the most significant of the three seasons and during this time pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a major issue that results in significant production losses. Due to PHS, yield losses in green gram have been estimated to be between 60 and 70 per cent. Chemical treatments that induce seed dormancy may prevent premature germination and enable a timely harvest. This study covers the effectiveness of inducing dormancy in mung bean plants with various chemicals at critical developmental stages before harvest. Treatment with various chemicals like maleic hydrazide, sodium azide and plant growth regulators (abscisic acid, ethylene, gibberellins) following chemical administration at pre-arranged intervals, physiological parameters such as seed moisture content, germination rates and antioxidant enzyme activities can be considered to prevent PHS. Mitigating pre-harvest sprouting losses and increasing mung bean output can be achieved by optimising dormancy induction by prudent chemical use. To increase mung bean output, PHS-tolerant cultivars must be developed due to the significant losses incurred by PHS. This review discusses various aspects, including how different traits affect pre-harvest sprouting.

Conformation‐Confined Organic Butterfly‐Molecule with High Photoluminescence Efficiency, Deep‐Blue Amplified Spontaneous Emission, and Unique Piezochromic Luminescence

Organic fluorophores with tunable π‐conjugated paths have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse properties and promising applications. Herein, we present a tailored butterfly like molecule, 2,2’‐(2,5‐bis (2,2‐diphenylvinyl)‐1,4‐phenylene)dinaphtha‐lene (BDVPN), which exhibits diverse photophysical features in its two polymorphs. The BP phase crystal, with its “aligned wings” conformation, possesses emissive characteristics that are nearly identical to those in dilute solutions. In contrast, the BN phase crystal, which adopts an “orthogonal wings” conformation, exhibits an unusual hypsochromic‐shifted emission compared to its dilute solution counterparts. This intriguing hypsochromic‐shifted emission originates from the reduction in the effective conjugated length of the molecular skeleton. Notably, BN phase crystals also exhibit exceptional optical performance, featuring high‐efficiency emission (76.6%), low‐loss optical waveguides (0.571 dB mm‐1), deep‐blue amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM: 6.4 nm), and a unique 200 nm bathochromic shift of piezochromic luminescence.

Conformation-Confined Organic Butterfly-Molecule with High Photoluminescence Efficiency, Deep-Blue Amplified Spontaneous Emission, and Unique Piezochromic Luminescence.

Organic fluorophores with tunable π-conjugated paths have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse properties and promising applications. Herein, we present a tailored butterfly like molecule, 2,2'-(2,5-bis (2,2-diphenylvinyl)-1,4-phenylene)dinaphtha-lene (BDVPN), which exhibits diverse photophysical features in its two polymorphs. The BP phase crystal, with its "aligned wings" conformation, possesses emissive characteristics that are nearly identical to those in dilute solutions. In contrast, the BN phase crystal, which adopts an "orthogonal wings" conformation, exhibits an unusual hypsochromic-shifted emission compared to its dilute solution counterparts. This intriguing hypsochromic-shifted emission originates from the reduction in the effective conjugated length of the molecular skeleton. Notably, BN phase crystals also exhibit exceptional optical performance, featuring high-efficiency emission (76.6%), low-loss optical waveguides (0.571 dB mm-1), deep-blue amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with a narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM: 6.4 nm), and a unique 200 nm bathochromic shift of piezochromic luminescence.

Effect of Adeno-Associated Virus-Transfected Mesenchymal Stem Cells Containing Agents On Bone Formation in Extended İnter-Premaxillary Suture in Rats

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the histomorphometric effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected with Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) and containing bone morphogenic protein 7 (Bmp7) or osteoprotegerin (OPG) on bone formation after injection into inter-premaxillary suture in rats with Bmp7 or OPG alone. Materials and methods: In 4 groups (each group n:9), different chemical solutions, namely AAV-Bmp7, AAV-OPG and AAV-Bmp7-OPG and AAV-EGF (control group) were injected into the interpremaxillary suture of rats. Bone volumes (BV), soft tissue volume (STV) and total bone volumes (TBV) of 10 μm serial selection with hemotoxylin and eosin staining were calculated according to the Cavalieri principle. Each point in the region of interest was 1000μm3. Results: The BV for AAV-Bmp7, AAV-OPG, AAV-Bmp7-OPG and AAV-EGF were 46.98±1.50 mm3, 49.40±4.72 mm3, 42.58±2.89 mm3 and 38.82±0.76 mm3, respectively. The STV was 11.53±0.99, 13.31±1.88, 8.00±4.43 and 9.57±1.90 mm3 for Bmp7, OPG, AAV-Bmp7-OPG and AAV-EGF, respectively. TBV was 58.34±2.28 mm3, 63.83±5.17 mm3, 53.74±3.34 mm3 and 48.13±1.54 mm3 for AAV-Bmp7, AAV-OPG, AAV-Bmp7-OPG and AAV-EGF, respectively. The comparison between BV, STV, TBV for AAV-OPG showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.001) compared to AAV-Bmp7 or AAV-Bmp7-OPG and AAV-EGF. Conclusion: During tooth movement and bone remodeling, the ratio of soft and bone tissues is maintained by OPG. Although Bmp7 is not as effective as OPG in bone remodeling, both can reduce the retention time and the risk of recurrence.

Multi-color emission composites of white carbon dots and dyes through inner filter effect

A series of multi-color carbon dot composites were obtained by transforming white carbon dots (WCDs) into three primary colors using the dyes' inner filter effect (IFE). WCDs were combined with three distinct dyes (methyl red, bromocresol green, and methylene blue), and three fluorescence colors (red, yellow, and blue) were obtained. The colors of the emitting light excited by the same UV light were similar to the colors of the respective dyes, and have a large Stokes shift. The presence of the IFE between WCDs and dyes was proved through a variety of methods, the analysis of the relationship between the UV of dyes and fluorescence spectra of WCDs, the excitation-emission matrix, as well as the comparison PL decay profiles of WCDs before and after dye addition. The Stern-Volmer quenching constant KSV exhibited no temperature dependence during the IFE process with increasing concentrations of dyes. The UV spectra of the mixture of WCDs and dyes were simply the sum of two individual components, which implies that there is no chemical interaction between WCDs and dyes. Since methyl red and bromocresol green are acid-base indicators, the fluorescence color of the carbon dot composite also changed continuously during the dilute NaOH solution titration process. In furtherment, distributing the binary system of “WCDs + dye” within poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), three colors fluorescent composite films of “WCDs / Dye / PVA” were produced successfully.

High Performance and Selective Sequestration of Cd(II) from Water by Layered Thiophosphate.

The extensive use of toxic cadmium (Cd) in energy conversion and industrial applications ranging from solar cells and battery appliances to paints and pigments contaminates water bodies. However, the upper limit of Cd contamination in drinking water is to be only 3 ppb by the WHO and 5 ppb by the USA-EPA, which underscores the need for cost-effective, efficient, and ppb level capture of Cd from contaminated water. Leveraging the selectivity due to Lewis's hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory, we have achieved swift and highly selective capture of Cd(II) ions from aqueous mediums using layered potassium manganese thiophosphate (K-MnPS3). K-MnPS3 effectively removes Cd(II) ions from extremely dilute aqueous solutions (ppb levels), achieving a maximum sorption capacity of 405.43 mg/g and a removal rate exceeding 97% within 20 min. Even in the presence of competing ions such as Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Pb2+, K-MnPS3 remains selective. Additionally, it operates efficiently across a wide pH range (1.78-11.19) with a high distribution coefficient (∼104 mL/g). Breakthrough experiments using a 1 wt % K-MnPS3 and 99 wt % sand column showed complete breakthrough of Cd(II) after 62 h, leading K-MnPS3 as a promising candidate for Cd(II) removal from industrial effluents.