Synergistic Effect Of Carbon Research Articles

Synergistic effects of carbon and nitrogen vacancies in carbon nitride for photocatalytic H2 production and tetracycline oxidation

Carbon nitride exhibits mediocre activity in photocatalytic environmental remediation and energy conversion due to its limited light absorption and sluggish charge transfer. Most studies have focused on structural engineering with either a single carbon or nitrogen defect, and insufficient attention has been paid to the effects of various defects within the bulk structure of carbon nitride on its photocatalytic activity. In this study, we prepared CN via thermal polymerization using different precursors, including melamine, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, 5-aminotetrazole, and a mixture of these compounds to explore the synergistic effects of carbon/nitrogen vacancies. All samples exhibited both carbon and nitrogen defects, which were correlated with the energy band gaps and sub-energy band levels, as well as photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution and tetracycline degradation. Among these samples, melamine-derived CN exhibited the fewest carbon/nitrogen defects and showed an apparent quantum yield of 7.6 % under light irradiation (λ = 420 nm) for photocatalytic H2 evolution. This sample was also used for tetracycline degradation and exhibited high activity and recyclability. A Pt-loaded melamine-derived CN sample was fabricated in a plate reactor for photocatalytic H2 evolution under sunlight. H2 evolution was correlated with sunlight intensity, revealing that our reactor holds promise for the potential large-scale production of H2 under daylight irradiation.

Pathway for China's provincial carbon emission peak: A case study of the Jiangsu Province

This study establishes the LEAP-Jiangsu model and uses the improved multilevel logarithmic mean Divisia index, Tapio decoupling, and synergistic effect models to explore the carbon reduction paths. The improved multilevel logarithmic mean Divisia index model analyzed the influencing factors of the historical and future carbon emissions. A provincial LEAP model was established to predict the time and value of carbon emission peaks. The Tapio decoupling and synergistic effect models were used to clarify the relationship between carbon emissions and economic development, the synergistic effect of carbon and pollutant reduction, and the terminal sector's carbon reduction potential. The results show that Jiangsu Province will most likely achieve carbon peaking in 2025∼2030, and the peak carbon emission is about 792∼853.9 Mt. Terminal energy intensity, power production structure, and terminal energy consumption structure are the main influencing factors of carbon reduction, with a cumulative contribution rate of about 74.4 %–83.5 %. The power production structure is critical in promoting the decoupling of economic development and carbon emissions. The contribution rates of energy intensity reduction, industrial structure optimization, improving terminal electrification level, and energy structure adjustment are 30.3 %, 26.2 %, 20.9 %, and 17 %, respectively. Coordinating carbon reduction measures will have better synergistic carbon and pollutant reduction effects.

Synergistic Effect of Carbon Micro/Nano-Fillers and Surface Patterning on the Superlubric Performance of 3D-Printed Structures.

Superlubricity, the tribological regime where the coefficient of friction between two sliding surfaces almost vanishes, is currently being investigated as a viable route towards the energy efficiency envisioned by major long-term strategies for a sustainable future. This current study provides new insights towards the development of self-lubricating systems by material and topological design, systems which tend to exhibit near-superlubric tribological performance, by reporting the synergistic effect of selective surface patterning and presence of carbon micro/nano-fillers on the frictional coefficients of additively manufactured structures. Geometric and biomimetic surface patterns were prepared by fused deposition modelling (FDM), using printing filaments of a polymeric matrix infused with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon fibers (Cf). The calorimetric, spectroscopic, mechanical and optical microscopy characterization of the starting materials and as-printed structures provided fundamental insights for their tribological characterization under a ball-on-disk configuration. In geometrically patterned PLA-based structures, a graphene presence reduced the friction coefficient by ca. 8%, whereas PETG exhibited the lowest coefficients, in the vicinity of 0.1, indicating a high supelubric potential. Biomimetic patterns exhibited an inferior frictional response due to their topologically and tribologically anisotropy of the surfaces. Overall, a graphene presence in the starting materials demonstrated great potential for friction reduction, while PETG showed a tribological performance not only superior to PLA, but also compatible with superlubric performance. Methodological and technical challenges are discussed in the text.

Regulating the Hydrodeoxygenation Activity of Molybdenum Carbide with Different Diamines as Carbon Sources

The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of renewable fats or fatty acids into alkanes is a powerful measure to address energy and environmental crises. Molybdenum carbide-based catalysts are promising due to their platinum-like noble metal electronic properties. In this paper, Mo2C catalysts were prepared by one-step carbonization of amine molybdenum oxide (AMO) precursors using diamines with different carbon chain lengths as ligands. The physical and chemical properties and the HDO catalytic activity of the catalysts were investigated. The results indicate that as the carbon chain of diamines in the precursor increases, the carbon content of the catalysts in the surface and bulk phase increases. The Mo2C-12 catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance, with a palmitic acid conversion rate of 100% and an alkane selectivity of 96.6%, which are attributed to the smallest particle size, largest pore size, and synergistic effect of carbon. This work provides a simple and safe method for regulating the surface properties of Mo2C catalysts.

Synergistic effect of carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet hybrids on the elastic and viscoelastic properties of polymer nanocomposites: finite element micromechanical modeling

Synergistic effect of carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet hybrids on the elastic and viscoelastic properties of polymer nanocomposites: finite element micromechanical modeling

Preparation and Tribological Behavior of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotube/Ag Nanocomposites as Lubricant Additives

In this study, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube/Ag nanocomposites (denoted as N-C/Ag) have been synthesized in a urea solution using a hydrothermal method. The carbon nanotubes, AgNO3 solution, urea and poly-dopamine (PDA) served as carbon, silver, nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. The results show that the diameter of the carbon tubes was about 30 nm, and the Ag nanoparticles, with a diameter of ca. 10 nm, dispersed on the carbon tube surface. The Ag particle size decreased with a lower degree of crystallinity at a high temperature in the presence of urea. The friction and wear behavior of the oil acid (OA) modified N-C/Ag (OAN-C/Ag) as an additive in liquid paraffin (LP) were studied using a four-ball friction and wear tester. The results have shown that the coefficients of friction (COFs) and wear scar diameters (WSDs) of steel balls lubricated with LP-OAN-C/Ag decreased by 27.3% and 25.3%, respectively, relative to pure LP. Tribofilms containing Ag, carbon and nitride were formed on the worn steel ball surfaces. Details, the carbon, Fe2O3, azides and nitride, Ag and alloy and other compounds on the wear scars may improve tribological properties. The synergistic effect of carbon, Ag and urea plays a critical role during sliding.

Synergistic effects of carbon cap-and-trade and renewable portfolio standards on renewable energy diffusion

Carbon cap-and-trade mechanisms (CCT) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS) have been identified as effective administrative instruments for steering the conduct of electricity generation and promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources. However, the synergistic effects of these policies are often overlooked, and static implementation can limit their effectiveness. To address these gaps, this study employs a dynamic CCT and RPS framework, utilizing complex network evolutionary game theory to examine their influence on renewable energy diffusion. The findings reveal a distinct synergy between CCT and RPS in enhancing renewable energy diffusion, although these policies may occasionally result in redundancy or conflict. A static CCT combined with a dynamic RPS demonstrates greater efficacy in promoting renewable energy diffusion, while a dynamic CCT does not consistently increase renewable energy adoption. Additionally, renewable energy quota standards facilitate higher levels of diffusion. In perfectly competitive markets, renewable energy diffusion is more effective than in monopolistic environments. These insights offer valuable policy suggestions for stimulating renewable energy diffusion and expediting high-quality, low-carbon transitions.

The synergistic effect of carbon and polypyrrole co-coating enhances the electrochemical performance of TiO2 microspheres for high-performance supercapacitors

Carbon and polypyrrole co-coated TiO2 microspheres (TiO2@NC@PPy) electrodes were synthesized by hydrothermal, coating and potentiostatic deposition. The carbon coating layer and polypyrrole layer can significantly improve the conductivity of the electrode, and the unique hierarchical porous microsphere structure can adsorb PPy, preventing its structural decomposition and volume expansion while enhancing the cycle stability. Therefore, the areal capacitance was increased from 2.26 mF/cm2 to 389.76 mF/cm2 at a current density of 2 mA/cm2, retaining 73.34% capacity after 2000 cycles.

Pathway and Policy for China's Provincial Carbon Emission Peak

An effective way for China to achieve a carbon emission peak by 2030 is to encourage developed regions to take the lead in attaining carbon peaking at the regional level. Considering Jiangsu Province as an example, this study established a provincial low emissions analysis platform (LEAP-Jiangsu) model. It combined the improved multilevel logarithmic mean Divisia index (M-LMDI) model, Tapio decoupling model, and the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction model to explore the key influencing factors of carbon emissions and carbon reduction paths. The improved M-LMDI model was used to analyze the factors influencing historical and future carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province. Based on the analysis results and planning objectives, a LEAP-Jiangsu model involving various development scenarios was established to predict the time and value of carbon emission peaks. The Tapio decoupling and synergistic effect models were used to clarify the relationship between carbon emissions and economic development, the synergistic effect of carbon, and air pollutant emission reduction. The prediction results demonstrated that the total primary energy demand of Jiangsu Province in 2035 was predicted to be approximately 401.2-474.6 Mt, and the final energy demand would be approximately 319.2-382.3 Mt. Jiangsu Province was most likely to achieve the goal of carbon peaking in 2025-2030, and the peak carbon emission was approximately 815.3-845.7 Mt. The contribution rates of energy conservation and emission reduction measures such as energy intensity reduction, industrial structure optimization, terminal electrification improvement, and energy structure adjustment were 33.1%, 26.8%, 21%, and 15.2%, respectively.

Achieving Synergies of Carbon Emission Reduction, Cost Savings, and Asset Investments in China’s Industrial Sector: Towards Sustainable Practices

This study aims to investigate the dynamic correlations among carbon emission reduction, total cost savings, and asset investments in the industrial sector in China. This study uses the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model and the generalized method of moments (GMM) model to obtain three conclusions based on Chinese industrial industry data from 2005–2019. (1) The interaction between carbon emission reduction and cost reduction is bidirectional. A carbon emission decrease can result in persistent cost cutting, while measures in shrinking costs lead to reducing carbon emissions with lasting effects. Moreover, carbon emission decline has strong inertia, while cost reduction is softer. (2) Green investment promotes reducing carbon emissions and is efficient and sustainable. Conversely, completing carbon reduction milestones will inhibit asset expansion in the subsequent period. (3) China’s industrial sector has already achieved the “synergy of emission reduction and cost decrease” development model. The transmission chain “asset investment–carbon emission decline–cost decrease–carbon emission abatement” has been established. Nonetheless, a gap remains between the mature cycle of decarbonization, cost saving, and effectiveness. Finally, it is recommended that the government focuses on the synergistic effect of carbon and cost reduction, encourages continuous green investment, and systematically organizes decarbonization actions. This study provides a basis for increasing the interest of companies in transitioning to a low-carbon economy, contributing to the simultaneous realization of green development and economic benefits.

Low velocity impact failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites via experimental and numerical methods

This paper investigates the failure mechanisms of carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites under single and repeated low velocity impacts. Two types of specimens, carbon 2.5D woven composites (C-2.5DWC) and carbon/UHMWPE 2.5D woven hybrid composites (H-2.5DWC), were subjected to single and repeated impacts at 15 J/mm and 5 J/mm respectively. X-ray micro-computed tomography was employed to discuss the damage distribution. A meso-macro combination finite element model was proposed to analyze the failure mechanisms. The results demonstrated that, when compared to C-2.5DWC, H-2.5DWC has higher specific energy absorption and distinct toughness characteristic under 15 J/mm single impact, and exhibits a more dispersed damage distribution that primarily extends along the weft direction as the number of 5 J/mm repeated impacts increases, resulting improved damage tolerance. The simulation results agreed well with experimental data, and the synergistic effect of carbon and UHMWPE fibers allows uniform propagation of the impact stress within hybrid composites.

Thermal insulating and fire-retardant lightweight carbon-slag composite foams towards absorption dominated electromagnetic interference shielding

Herein, we developed a simple and feasible strategy to introduce blast furnace slag (SL) an industrial waste into phenolic resin, and then synthesized a lightweight and thermal insulating carbon-slag composite foam via polyurethane (PU) foam template method followed by carbonization at 1000 °C. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) and complex permittivity and permeability of carbon-slag composite foams were measured in the X band (8.2–12.4 GHz) frequency range. A maximum EMI shielding of 48.9 dB was achieved for carbon foam (CF) with 20% slag inclusions (CF-20SL) at only 2 mm thickness. It can be extensively seen that the absorption of CF-20SL was increased by 3 times compared with neat CF. The improved absorption can be attributed to high dielectric and magnetic losses and interfacial polarization in carbon-slag composite foams. Moreover, the synergistic effect of carbon and slag not only increases the EMI shielding properties but also enhances the thermal insulation, thermal stability, and flame retardancy of carbon-slag composites foam. The resultant composites foam (CF-20SL) exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.08 W/m.K and excellent thermal stability up to 500 °C in an oxidative environment. All the results indicated that such kind of carbon-slag composite foam is expected to be used in next-generation lightweight EMI shielding and thermal insulating material in defense and aerospace applications.

Vacuum Pyrolysis of Pine Sawdust to Recover Spent Lithium Ion Batteries: The Synergistic Effect of Carbothermic Reduction and Pyrolysis Gas Reduction

Minimizing the energy consumption and expanding the usage of renewable material in the recovery of spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are significant for exploring more sustainable recycling approaches. Herein, we report a biomass carbothermic reduction approach to selectively recycle Li and Co from spent LIBs at a low temperature of 673 K. Pine sawdust (PS) was selected as the sample to provide reducing gas and carbon during the pyrolysis. During the reduction process, the PS-derived reducing gas and charcoal codrove the conversion of LiCoO2 to Co/CoO and Li2CO3, and over 94% of Li and 97% of Co were recovered. The synergistic effect of carbon and reducing gas is key to achieving the transformation process at a lower temperature than the common carbothermic reduction. Economic and environmental analysis based on the EverBatt model shows that this strategy reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby increasing potential profit. Overall, this paper provides a green method to recycle spent LIBs via waste biomass with minimized secondary wastes.

Synergistic effect of carbon nanotube/TiO2 nanotube multi-scale reinforcement on the mechanical properties and hydration process of portland cement paste

The synergistic effect of hybrid carbon nanotube (CNT)/TiO2 nanotube (TNT) multi-scale reinforcement on the mechanical properties, early-age hydration process, and microstructure of Portland cement paste was investigated. In this study, TNT was synthesized via the hydrothermal process. The dispersion of CNT in an aqueous solution was enhanced in the hybrid CNT/TNT. Further, the dispersion state of CNT was modified to a smaller agglomeration of hybrid CNT/TNT. At the optimal CNT/TNT ratio (0.1 wt% CNT/0.5 wt% TNT), an earlier initiation of the acceleration period in the hydration process, an enhanced degree of hydration, and improvements of 29% and 40% in the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of the cement paste, respectively, were observed. Further, the time taken for the occurrence of the calorimetric peak of cement paste was shortened from 3 h (without nanotubes) to 2.3 h and the time taken to achieve maximum peak intensity was shortened from 13.6 h to 11.5 h. Enhancing effect of the hybrid CNT/TNT on the hydration and mechanical properties of cement paste was more apparent than only that of CNT or TNT. The results suggest that using multi-scale hybrid CNT/TNT can be feasible as a new nano-reinforcing method for various cementitious materials.

Synergistic effects of carbon nanoparticle-Cr-Pb in PM2.5 cause cell cycle arrest via upregulating a novel lncRNA NONHSAT074301.2 in human bronchial epithelial cells

Inhalation of carcinogenic PM2.5 particles is a severe threat to all the people in both developing and developed nations. However, which components of PM2.5 and how they perturb human cells to cause various diseases are still not understood. Here, employing a reductionism approach, we revealed that one of the crucial toxic and pathogenic mechanisms of PM2.5 was the blocking of human bronchial cell cycle through upregulation of a novel long non-coding RNA NONHSAT074301.2 by carbon particles with payloads of Cr(VI) and Pb2+. We also discovered that NONHSAT074301.2 is a key regulatory molecule controlling cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. This work highlights cellular function and molecular signaling events investigations using a 16-membered combinational model PM2.5 library which contain carbon particles carrying four toxic pollutants in all possible combinations at environmental relevant concentrations. This work demonstrates a very powerful methodology to elucidate mechanisms at molecular level and help unlock the “black box” of PM2.5-induced toxicities.

Self-supporting porous Ni-S electrocatalyst with carbon doping for hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen evolution catalysts with excellent catalytic activity and low cost play an essential role in industrialization of water electrolysis. Ni-S electrocatalysts with carbon doping are promising hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts because of its high catalytic activity. Carbon has good electrical conductivity, and the synergistic effects of carbon and nickel-based catalysts can further improve the electrocatalytic activity. In order to dope carbon, nickel-thiourea complex was synthesized on the surface of electrocatalysts by a bubble template-directed method. The cauliflower-type Ni-S-C films are formed on the surface, which have much better electrocatalytic activity than porous Ni-S and Ni films in 1 M KOH solution. This work demonstrates that the presence of carbon in the surface layer benefits the charge transfer and improves the electrochemical activity.

Yolk-shelled FeP/Ni2P/C@C nanospheres with void: Controllable synthesis and excellent performance as the anode for lithium-ion batteries

Designing and preparing electrode materials with controllable morphology, structure and component to enhance electrochemical performance of lithium ion battery is still a challenging and valuable work. Herein, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was selected as inducer, controller and carbon source for the successful synthesis of yolk-shelled FeP/Ni2P/C@C nanospheres with voids. It revealed that the obtained FeP/Ni2P/C@C nanoparticles (NPs) possessed outer carbon layer with the thickness of average 10 nm and void between shell and internal nanoparticles with the width of about 8 nm. A model of recognition–nucleation–aggregation–limited growth–heterogeneous contraction was proposed for explaining the formation mechanism of yolk-shelled FeP/Ni2P/C@C nanospheres. As anode material, the reversible capacity of FeP/Ni2P/C@C nanospheres reached 426 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 after 100 cycles. Even at the high current density of 1 A g-1, it still retained a capacity of 364 mA h g-1. Compared with FeP/Ni2P/C obtained without PVP, the FeP/Ni2P/C@C electrode with excellent electrochemical performance maybe owe to the distinctive yolk-shelled structure and synergistic effect of carbon, which could ease volume expansion, increase electrical conductivity and accelerate diffusion of Li+ ions and electrons in the process of charge/discharge. This work can be extended to develop other electrode materials with controlled structure and enhanced electrochemical performance for LIBs.

Facile preparation of one-dimensional hollow tin dioxide@carbon nanocomposite for lithium-ion battery anode

To improve the lithium storage performance of SnO2 anode for lithium-ion batteries, a one-dimensional hollow nanostructured SnO2@C composite has been synthesized by a well-designed facile approach. The good conductive and flexible carbon component can not only enhance the conductivity of whole composite but also buffer the volume change of key SnO2 component. With thin shells, meanwhile, the hollow structure can not only provide free space for accommodating the SnO2 volume change, but also shorten the diffusion length for both lithiun-ions and electrons. As expectedly, the synergistic effect of carbon and hollow structure offers the as-prepared SnO2@C composite with good structural stability and electrochemical properties. Consequently, the as-prepared SnO2@C composite exhibits good cycling and superior rate performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, a high capacity of 797 mAh g−1 is obtained at 200 mA g−1 after 390 cycles as well as 972, 887, 836, 751, 668, and 606 mAh g−1 can be obtained at 100, 300, 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 mA g−1, respectively. Thus good performance offers the as-prepared SnO2@C composite great promising for a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries.

Efficient broadband electromagnetic wave absorption of flower-like nickel/carbon composites in 2–40 GHz

Flower-like assemblies of nickel/carbon (Nix/C) microspheres (MSs) with Ni-O-C bond and “double-layer” carbon shells have been successfully prepared through a solvothermal route and a sintering process combined with carbon reduction. The electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA) properties of MSs can be tuned by controlling the Ni content. The Ni2.0/C composite exhibits superior EMWA properties: the reflection loss (RL) can be up to −47.5 dB (34.6 GHz) and the efficient absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) is 37.04 GHz (2.96–40 GHz) via adjusting the thickness from 1 to 5.5 mm. The outstanding EMWA properties can be benefitted from the synergistic effects of carbon with dielectric loss, Ni particles with magnetic loss and hierarchically porous structures.

Durable porous carbon/ZnMn2O4 composite electrode material for supercapacitor

A series of porous carbon/zinc dimanganese (ZnMn2O4) composites was successfully synthesized through low temperature combustion of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) activated pineapple peel (PP) and MnCO3 at 500 °C. The incorporation of manganese carbonate (MnCO3) played a vital role in modifying the pore shape and size of the sample which enhanced the rate capability and stability through the synergistic effect of carbon and ZnMn2O4. Highest specific surface area of 976.12 m2g-1 for porous carbon/ZnMn2O4 composite was obtained. The composite samples were further examined for its electrochemical performance and observed that PPZn-Mn1 achieved the specific capacitance of 104.89 Fg-1 while 119.03 Fg-1 in PPZn at the current density of 300 mA g−1. PPZn-Mn1 exhibited better rate capability and cycleability with capacitance retention at 97.06% after 5000 cycles as compared to PPZn composite which dropped to 79.52%. A symmetrical cell imposed similar characteristic which 83.89% of the capacitance was retained after 5000 cycles at 300 mA g−1. Thus, the incorporation of ZnMn2O4 in this composite has highlighted its role as the supporting element to enhance the performance in cycleability and durability test.