Crystal Plane Regulation Promotes the Oriented Conversion of Radicals in Heterogeneous Persulfate Catalyzed Oxidation Process.

In heterogeneous persulfate-catalyzed oxidation systems, the mechanism underlying the crystal plane effects of the catalyst on the selective conversion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains ambiguous. In this study, nano-Co3 O4 catalysts with varying crystallinity and exposure levels of (111) crystal planes are prepared via a hydrothermal method. Compared to low crystalline catalysts, high crystallinity catalysts predominantly expose (111) planes containing higher concentrations of Co2+ and oxygen vacancies (Ov), resulting in an increase degradation efficiency of p-nitrobenzaldehyde (4-NBA) from 74.5% to 100%. Radical quenching experiments and EPR characterization reveal that the degradation of 4-NBA occurs through a radical pathway, and quantification of radicals demonstrates that increasing exposure levels of (111) planes effectively promote radical yield (CSO4•- increase from 18.2 to 172.8 µm and C•OH increase from 1 to 58.9 µm). Furthermore, XPS and DFT calculations indicate that high crystallinity catalyst possesses more Ov active sites on (111) planes. The presence of Ov not only facilitates the adsorption of PMS molecules but also enhances electron transfer from Co2+ to PMS, leading to directed formation and efficient transformation of radicals. This study presents a novel strategy for promoting efficient radical formation in persulfate-activated systems.

Use of Surface Penetration Technology to Fabricate Superhydrophobic Multifunctional Strain Sensors with an Ultrawide Sensing Range.

Flexible sensors with wide sensing ranges require responsiveness under tiny and large strains. However, the development of strain sensors with wide detection ranges is still a great challenge due to the conflict between the tiny strain requirements of sparse conductive networks and the large strain requirement of dense conductive networks. Herein, we present a facile method for fabricating a gradient conductive network composed of sparse and dense conductive networks. The surface penetration technology in which carbon black (CB) penetrated from the natural rubber latex (NRL) glove surface to the interior was used to fabricate a gradient conductive network. The prolonged immersion time from 1 to 30 min caused the penetration depth of CB to increase from 2 to 80 µm. Moreover, CB formed hierarchical rough micro- and nanoscale structures, creating a superhydrophobic surface. The gradient conductive network of sensors produced an ultrawide detection range of strain (0.05-300%) and excellent reliability and reproducibility. The sensors can detect a wide range of human motions, from tiny (wrist pulse) to large (joint movements) motion monitoring. The flexible sensors attached to a flexible basement can be used to detect pressure in a wide detection range (1.7-2900 kPa). Pressure responsiveness was used to detect the weight, sound pressure, and dripping of tiny droplets. The sensor showed an excellent response to organic solvents, and the response intensity increased with the increasing swelling degree of the solvent for NRL.

Effect of polyethyleneimine modified graphene on the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of methyl cellulose composite films.

A series of novel methyl cellulose (MC) composite films were prepared using polyethyleneimine reduced graphene oxide (PEI-RGO) as an effective filler for water vapor barrier application. The as-prepared PEI-RGO/MC composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile test and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental and theoretical results exhibited that PEI-RGO was uniformly dispersed in the MC matrix without aggregation and formed an aligned dispersion. The addition of PEI-RGO resulted in an enhanced surface hydrophobicity and a tortuous diffusion pathway for water molecules. Water vapor permeability of PEI-RGO/MC with loading of 3.0% of surface modified graphene was as low as 5.98×10-11gmm-2s-1Pa-1. The synergistic effects of enhanced surface hydrophobicity and tortuous diffusion pathway were accounted for the improved water vapor barrier performance of the PEI-RGO/MC composite films.

Immobilization of hemoglobin at the galleries of layered niobate HCa2Nb3O10.

Hemoglobin (Hb) was intercalated at the galleries of layered niobate HCa(2)Nb(3)O(10) (HCNO). Two different kinds of layered phases of Hb-CNO composites Hb-CNO-1 and Hb-CNO-2 were obtained with the interlayer distances of 7.2 and 10.3nm in correspondence with the monolayer and bilayer arrangements of proteins between the niobate layers, respectively, based on the powder XRD pattern, HRTEM, UV-vis spectra and CHN analyses. FTIR spectra of Hb-CNO composites show that amide I and amide II bands were actually the same as those of the native Hb, which indicates that there is almost no structural change after immobilization. Michaelis-Menten model methods were used to study the peroxidatic activity of the reaction of 2-methoxyphenol and H(2)O(2) for the entrapped Hb in the galleries of HCNO. Compared to that of free Hb, the kinetic parameters of Hb-CNO k(cat), K(M) and k(cat)/K(M) were affected by the immobilization process. The immobilized Hb showed a higher relative activity than that of free Hb after incubated in phosphate buffer (pH = 7) at 80 degrees C for a period of time. The environments between the layers of HCNO are hydrophilic which will bind water tightly and help to stabilize the 'essential water' layer around the protein. So, immobilization of Hb between the layers of HCNO enhanced the activity of Hb in water-DMSO mixture.