Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates joined by noncovalent bonds. Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in biological systems and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Understanding self-assembly and the associated noncovalent interactions that connect complementary interacting molecular surfaces in biological aggregates is a central concern in structural biochemistry. Self-assembly is also emerging as a new strategy in chemical synthesis, with the potential of generating nonbiological structures with dimensions of 1 to 10(2) nanometers (with molecular weights of 10(4) to 10(10) daltons). Structures in the upper part of this range of sizes are presently inaccessible through chemical synthesis, and the ability to prepare them would open a route to structures comparable in size (and perhaps complementary in function) to those that can be prepared by microlithography and other techniques of microfabrication.

Molecular self-assembly and nanochemistry: A chemical strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures

The detection methods and generation mechanisms of the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS), i.e., superoxide anion radical (•O2–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), singlet oxygen (1O2), and hydroxyl radical (•OH) in photocatalysis, were surveyed comprehensively. Consequently, the major photocatalyst used in heterogeneous photocatalytic systems was found to be TiO2. However, besides TiO2 some representative photocatalysts were also involved in the discussion. Among the various issues we focused on the detection methods and generation reactions of ROS in the aqueous suspensions of photocatalysts. On the careful account of the experimental results presented so far, we proposed the following apprehension: adsorbed •OH could be regarded as trapped holes, which are involved in a rapid adsorption–desorption equilibrium at the TiO2–solution interface. Because the equilibrium shifts to the adsorption side, trapped holes must be actually the dominant oxidation species whereas •OH in solution would exert the reactivity...

Generation and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Photocatalysis

A review on g-C3N4-based photocatalysts

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is broadly recognised as having the potential to play a key role in meeting climate change targets, delivering low carbon heat and power, decarbonising industry and, more recently, its ability to facilitate the net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. However, despite this broad consensus and its technical maturity, CCS has not yet been deployed on a scale commensurate with the ambitions articulated a decade ago. Thus, in this paper we review the current state-of-the-art of CO2 capture, transport, utilisation and storage from a multi-scale perspective, moving from the global to molecular scales. In light of the COP21 commitments to limit warming to less than 2 °C, we extend the remit of this study to include the key negative emissions technologies (NETs) of bioenergy with CCS (BECCS), and direct air capture (DAC). Cognisant of the non-technical barriers to deploying CCS, we reflect on recent experience from the UK's CCS commercialisation programme and consider the commercial and political barriers to the large-scale deployment of CCS. In all areas, we focus on identifying and clearly articulating the key research challenges that could usefully be addressed in the coming decade.

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Carbon capture and storage (CCS): the way forward

Hydrogen fuel is considered as the cleanest renewable resource and the primary alternative to fossil fuels for future energy supply. Sustainable hydrogen generation is the major prerequisite to realize future hydrogen economy. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), as the vital step of water electrolysis to H2 production, has been the subject of extensive study over the past decades. In this comprehensive review, we first summarize the fundamentals of HER and review the recent state-of-the-art advances in the low-cost and high-performance catalysts based on noble and non-noble metals, as well as metal-free HER electrocatalysts. We systemically discuss the insights into the relationship among the catalytic activity, morphology, structure, composition, and synthetic method. Strategies for developing an effective catalyst, including increasing the intrinsic activity of active sites and/or increasing the number of active sites, are summarized and highlighted. Finally, the challenges, perspectives, and research directions of HER electrocatalysis are featured.

Recent Advances in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Using Nanoparticles.

Correction to “Effect of Core–Shell Support on Au/S-1/TS-1 for Direct Propylene Epoxidation and Design of Catalyst with Higher Activity”

Perovskite-type Ce09Sr01Cr05Mn05O3−δ
 (CSCMn) was synthesized and evaluated as anode for solid oxygen fuel cells based on Ce08Sm02O19 (SDC) The conductivities of CSCMn were evaluated with DC four-probe method in 3% H2-N2 and 5% H2S-N2 at 450–700 °C, respectively The compositions of CSCMn powders were studied by XRD and thermodynamic calculations Meanwhile, sintering temperatures affecting phases of CSCMn is also proposed with XRD, and the analysis is given with thermodynamic calculations CSCMn exhibits good chemical compatibility with electrolyte (SDC) in N2 After exposure to 5% H2S-N2 for 5 h at 800 °C, CSCMn crystal structures change and some sulfides are detected, as evidenced by XRD and Raman analyses The electrochemical properties are measured for the cell comprising CSCMn-SDC/SDC/Ag in 5% H2S-N2 at 600 °C and in 3% H2-N2 at 450 and 500 °C The electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) is used to analyze ohm and polarization resistance of the cell at various temperatures

Ce0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Mn0.5O3−δ as the anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells running on H2 and H2S

Transition metal phosphides with excellent performance are one of the effective alternatives to noble metal catalysts in overall water splitting. In this paper, the Fe-NiCoP-MoO3 composite was prepared by a facile synthesis as the bifunctional electrocatalyst. Fe-NiCoP-MoO3 achieves an operating current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a low overpotential of 65 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction and drives an operating current density of 50 mA/cm2 at only 293 mV for oxygen evolution reaction. Significantly, Fe-NiCoP-MoO3 was employed as the anode and cathode for overall water splitting, which only requires a cell voltage of 1.586 V to reach 10 mA/cm2 as well as shows excellent stability. The electrocatalytic activity of Fe-NiCoP-MoO3 exceeds most of the recently reported typical bifunctional electrocatalysts. This may be due to the coupling effect between the polymetallic phosphides. In addition, heterogeneous catalysts generally expose more active sites than homogeneous catalysts. In addition, replacing MoO3 with WO3 and VO3 can also improve the performance of Fe-NiCoP. This work provides an idea for the modification of phosphides.

Heterogeneous Fe-Doped NiCoP-MoO3 Efficient Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting.

A novel F-doped vanadia/titania catalyst has been developed. The catalytic activity of NO removal over this catalyst was significantly promoted by F-doping. Analysis by EPR showed that F-doping facilitated the formation of V4+ and superoxide ions, and increased the affinity to NO. These made the reaction be progressed through Fast SCR reaction and resulted in the promotion of the NO removal efficiency.

The Catalytic Activity of F-Doped Vanadia/Titania Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 at Low Temperatures

General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) were foamed with supercritical carbon dioxide in the batch foaming process. Foaming behaviors of GPPS and HIPS were investigated. The cell diameters and cell densities of GPPS and HIPS vary strangely with foaming conditions and can be explained by the classical nucleation. The competition between cell growth and cell nucleation is used to explain these strange foaming behaviors. The glass transition temperature (Tg) almost remains constant with the foaming temperature rising.

Qin Zhong

Papers

Correction to “Effect of Core–Shell Support on Au/S-1/TS-1 for Direct Propylene Epoxidation and Design of Catalyst with Higher Activity”

Ce0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Mn0.5O3−δ as the anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells running on H2 and H2S

Heterogeneous Fe-Doped NiCoP-MoO3 Efficient Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting.

The Catalytic Activity of F-Doped Vanadia/Titania Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 at Low Temperatures

Foaming of Polystyrene with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide