Showing papers by "Beihang University published in 2012"
TL;DR: This unique system is composed of well-distributed clusters of conical spines and trichomes on the cactus stem; each spine contains three integrated parts that have different roles in the fog collection process according to their surface structural features.
Abstract: Multiple biological structures have demonstrated fog collection abilities, such as beetle backs with bumps and spider silks with periodic spindle-knots and joints. Many Cactaceae species live in arid environments and are extremely drought-tolerant. Here we report that one of the survival systems of the cactus Opuntia microdasys lies in its efficient fog collection system. This unique system is composed of well-distributed clusters of conical spines and trichomes on the cactus stem; each spine contains three integrated parts that have different roles in the fog collection process according to their surface structural features. The gradient of the Laplace pressure, the gradient of the surface-free energy and multi-function integration endow the cactus with an efficient fog collection system. Investigations of the structure-function relationship in this system may help us to design novel materials and devices to collect water from fog with high efficiencies.
1,051 citations
TL;DR: This paper focuses on sensitivity and selectivity for performance indicators to compare different sensing technologies, analyzes the factors that influence these two indicators, and lists several corresponding improved approaches.
Abstract: Sensing technology has been widely investigated and utilized for gas detection. Due to the different applicability and inherent limitations of different gas sensing technologies, researchers have been working on different scenarios with enhanced gas sensor calibration. This paper reviews the descriptions, evaluation, comparison and recent developments in existing gas sensing technologies. A classification of sensing technologies is given, based on the variation of electrical and other properties. Detailed introduction to sensing methods based on electrical variation is discussed through further classification according to sensing materials, including metal oxide semiconductors, polymers, carbon nanotubes, and moisture absorbing materials. Methods based on other kinds of variations such as optical, calorimetric, acoustic and gas-chromatographic, are presented in a general way. Several suggestions related to future development are also discussed. Furthermore, this paper focuses on sensitivity and selectivity for performance indicators to compare different sensing technologies, analyzes the factors that influence these two indicators, and lists several corresponding improved approaches.
1,018 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that even a minute initial fraction of cooperators may be sufficient to eventually secure a highly cooperative final state, and it is found that the proposed win-stay-lose-learn rule promotes the evolution of cooperation very robustly and independently of the initial conditions.
Abstract: Holding on to one's strategy is natural and common if the later warrants success and satisfaction. This goes against widespread simulation practices of evolutionary games, where players frequently consider changing their strategy even though their payoffs may be marginally different than those of the other players. Inspired by this observation, we introduce an aspiration-based win-stay-lose-learn strategy updating rule into the spatial prisoner's dilemma game. The rule is simple and intuitive, foreseeing strategy changes only by dissatisfied players, who then attempt to adopt the strategy of one of their nearest neighbors, while the strategies of satisfied players are not subject to change. We find that the proposed win-stay-lose-learn rule promotes the evolution of cooperation, and it does so very robustly and independently of the initial conditions. In fact, we show that even a minute initial fraction of cooperators may be sufficient to eventually secure a highly cooperative final state. In addition to extensive simulation results that support our conclusions, we also present results obtained by means of the pair approximation of the studied game. Our findings continue the success story of related win-stay strategy updating rules, and by doing so reveal new ways of resolving the prisoner's dilemma.
533 citations
TL;DR: Using materials such as florocarbons, organic materials, and inorganic materials, which demonstrate signifi cant hydrophobic properties to design and fabricate more ice repellent surfaces, which has aroused the interest of many researchers.
Abstract: using materials such as fl uorocarbons, organic materials, and inorganic materials, [ 6 ] which demonstrate signifi cant hydrophobic properties. Whereas the robust superhydrophobicity of these materials exists at around room temperature, the overwhelming majority of them will fail when put into a subzero degree environment. [ 7 ] It is well known that hydrophobicity and icephobicity properties are extremely important to favor cold environment devices, [ 8 ] such as aerofoils, power towers, ships, radars, and even pipes of airconditioners or refrigerators. Once ice forms on this equipment, they may fail to work normally or may even be damaged. Anti-icing surfaces have been studied since the 1950s. [ 9 ] However, it is still a great challenge to design and fabricate more effi cient ice repellent surfaces, which has aroused the interest of many researchers. [ 7 , 10–25 ]
514 citations
TL;DR: A mathematical optimization model to formally characterize the FCR considered CVRP (FCVRP) as well as a string based version for calculation and a simulated annealing algorithm with a hybrid exchange rule are developed to solve FCVRP.
503 citations
TL;DR: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blends could be used as the basis of a tunable system where the elastic modulus could be adjusted to match most types of soft tissue and can be controlled independently of other materials properties including surface roughness, surface energy and the ability to functionalize the surface by protein adsorption and microcontact printing.
Abstract: Mechanics is an important component in the regulation of cell shape, proliferation, migration and differentiation during normal homeostasis and disease states. Biomaterials that match the elastic modulus of soft tissues have been effective for studying this cell mechanobiology, but improvements are needed in order to investigate a wider range of physicochemical properties in a controlled manner. We hypothesized that polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blends could be used as the basis of a tunable system where the elastic modulus could be adjusted to match most types of soft tissue. To test this we formulated blends of two commercially available PDMS types, Sylgard 527 and Sylgard 184, which enabled us to fabricate substrates with an elastic modulus anywhere from 5 kPa up to 1.72 MPa. This is a three order-of-magnitude range of tunability, exceeding what is possible with other hydrogel and PDMS systems. Uniquely, the elastic modulus can be controlled independently of other materials properties including surface roughness, surface energy and the ability to functionalize the surface by protein adsorption and microcontact printing. For biological validation, PC12 (neuronal inducible-pheochromocytoma cell line) and C2C12 (muscle cell line) were used to demonstrate that these PDMS formulations support cell attachment and growth and that these substrates can be used to probe the mechanosensitivity of various cellular processes including neurite extension and muscle differentiation.
473 citations
TL;DR: A review of surface plasmon resonance-mediated photocatalysis can be found in this article, where the authors highlight diverse applications of plasmoric photocatalysts in mineralization of organic pollutants, organic synthesis and water splitting.
Abstract: Harvesting abundant and renewable sunlight in energy production and environmental remediation is an emerging research topic. Indeed, research on solar-driven heterogeneous photocatalysis based on surface plasmon resonance has seen rapid growth and potentially opens a technologically promising avenue that can benefit the sustainable development of global energy and the environment. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and photocatalytic properties of plasmonic composites (e.g., hybrid structures) formed by noble metal (e.g., gold, silver) nanoparticles dispersed on a variety of substrates that are composed of metal oxides, silver halides, graphene oxide, among others. Brief introduction of surface plasmon resonance and the synthesis of noble metal-based composites are given, followed by highlighting diverse applications of plasmonic photocatalysts in mineralization of organic pollutants, organic synthesis and water splitting. Insights into surface plasmon resonance-mediated photocatalysis not only impact the basic science of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but generate new concepts guiding practical technologies such as wastewater treatment, air purification, selective oxidation reactions, selective reduction reactions, and solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion in an energy efficient and environmentally benign approach. This review ends with a summary and perspectives.
464 citations
TL;DR: This critical review presents a broad overview of the state-of-the-art work on the preparation of layered organic-inorganic nanocomposites inspired by nacre, in particular, the advantages and disadvantages of various biomimetic strategies.
Abstract: Nacre (mother-of-pearl), made of inorganic and organic constituents (95 vol% aragonite calcium carbonate (CaCO3) platelets and 5 vol% elastic biopolymers), possesses a unique combination of remarkable strength and toughness, which is compatible for conventional high performance materials. The excellent mechanical properties are related to its hierarchical structure and precisely designed organic–inorganic interface. The rational design of aragonite platelet strength, aspect ratio of aragonite platelets, and interface strength ensures that the strength of nacre is maximized under platelet pull-out failure mode. At the same time, the synergy of strain hardening mechanisms acting over multiple scales results in platelets sliding on one another, and thus maximizes the energy dissipation of viscoplastic biopolymers. The excellent integrated mechanical properties with hierarchical structure have inspired chemists and materials scientists to develop biomimetic strategies for artificial nacre materials. This critical review presents a broad overview of the state-of-the-art work on the preparation of layered organic–inorganic nanocomposites inspired by nacre, in particular, the advantages and disadvantages of various biomimetic strategies. Discussion is focused on the effect of the layered structure, interface, and component loading on strength and toughness of nacre-mimic layered nanocomposites (148 references).
430 citations
TL;DR: Self-cleaning surfaces have drawn a lot of interest for both fundamental research and practical applications as discussed by the authors, focusing on the recent progress in mechanism, preparation, and application of self-clean surfaces.
Abstract: Self-cleaning surfaces have drawn a lot of interest for both fundamental research and practical applications. This review focuses on the recent progress in mechanism, preparation, and application of self-cleaning surfaces. To date, self-cleaning has been demonstrated by the following four conceptual approaches: (a) TiO2-based superhydrophilic self-cleaning, (b) lotus effect self-cleaning (superhydrophobicity with a small sliding angle), (c) gecko setae–inspired self-cleaning, and (d) underwater organisms–inspired antifouling self-cleaning. Although a number of self-cleaning products have been commercialized, the remaining challenges and future outlook of self-cleaning surfaces are also briefly addressed. Through evolution, nature, which has long been a source of inspiration for scientists and engineers, has arrived at what is optimal. We hope this review will stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration among material science, chemistry, biology, physics, nanoscience, engineering, etc., which is essential fo...
423 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that the thinner porous PS oil sorbent film with small diameter and porous surface structure had excellent oil/water selectivity in the cleanup of oil from water.
Abstract: A low-cost, high-oil-adsorption film consisting of polystyrene (PS) fibers is fabricated by a facile electrospinning method. Different fiber diameter and porous fiber’s surface morphology play roles in oil adsorption capacity and oil/water selectivity. The results showed that oil adsorption capacity of PS oil sorbent film with small diameter and porous surface structure for diesel oil, silicon oil, peanut oil and motor oil were approximate to 7.13, 81.40, 112.30, and 131.63 g/g, respectively. It was higher than normal fibrous sorbent without any porous structure. The thinner porous PS oil sorbent also had excellent oil/water selectivity in the cleanup of oil from water.
389 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that stable magnetostructural coupling is accessible in hexagonal phase-transition systems to attain the magnetoresponsive effects with broad tunability.
Abstract: The magnetostructural coupling between the structural and the magnetic transition has a crucial role in magnetoresponsive effects in a martensitic-transition system. A combination of various magnetoresponsive effects based on this coupling may facilitate the multifunctional applications of a host material. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining a stable magnetostructural coupling over a broad temperature window from 350 to 70 K, in combination with tunable magnetoresponsive effects, in MnNiGe:Fe alloys. The alloy exhibits a magnetic-field-induced martensitic transition from paramagnetic austenite to ferromagnetic martensite. The results indicate that stable magnetostructural coupling is accessible in hexagonal phase-transition systems to attain the magnetoresponsive effects with broad tunability.
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors reported photo-induced water-oil separation based on the switchable superhydrophobicity and underwater superoleophobicity of aligned ZnO nanorod array-coated mesh films.
Abstract: Stimulus-responsive surface wettability, especially photoresponsive surface wettability, has been intensively studied Meanwhile, multifunctional surfaces, especially for the treatment of oil contaminated water, have aroused worldwide attention Recently, pH-responsive surfaces with controllable oil–water separation have also been reported However, photoresponsive water–oil separation is still a challenge Here we report photo-induced water–oil separation based on the switchable superhydrophobicity–superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity of aligned ZnO nanorod array-coated mesh films, which shows excellent controllability and high separation efficiency of different types of water–oil mixtures in an oil–water–solid three-phase system The underwater superoleophobicity of the aligned ZnO nanorod array-coated stainless steel mesh film can effectively prevent the mesh film from being polluted by oils This work is promising in photo-induced water–oil mixture treatments such as water-removal from a micro-reaction system and controllable filtration, and may also provide interesting insight into the design of novel functional devices based on controllable surface wettability
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a relational network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for measuring the innovation efficiency of the NIS by decomposing the innovation process into a network with a two-stage innovation production framework, an upstream knowledge production process (KPP) and a downstream knowledge commercialization process.
TL;DR: In this article, a high ZT value of ∼1.1 at 923 K in the BiCuSeO system is achieved via heavily doping with Ba and refining grain sizes (200-400 nm), which is higher than any thermoelectric oxide.
Abstract: A high ZT value of ∼1.1 at 923 K in the BiCuSeO system is achieved via heavily doping with Ba and refining grain sizes (200–400 nm), which is higher than any thermoelectric oxide. Excellent thermal and chemical stabilities up to 923 K and high thermoelectric performance confirm that the BiCuSeO system is promising for thermoelectric power generation applications.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the probabilistic approach to reconstruction and discuss its optimality and robustness, and derive the derivation of the message passing algorithm for reconstruction and expectation maximization learning of signal model parameters.
Abstract: Compressed sensing is a signal processing method that acquires data directly in a compressed form. This allows one to make fewer measurements than were considered necessary to record a signal, enabling faster or more precise measurement protocols in a wide range of applications. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we have recently proposed in Krzakala et?al (2012 Phys. Rev. X 2 021005) a strategy that allows compressed sensing to be performed at acquisition rates approaching the theoretical optimal limits. In this paper, we give a more thorough presentation of our approach, and introduce many new results. We present the probabilistic approach to reconstruction and discuss its optimality and robustness. We detail the derivation of the message passing algorithm for reconstruction and expectation maximization learning of signal-model parameters. We further develop the asymptotic analysis of the corresponding phase diagrams with and without measurement noise, for different distributions of signals, and discuss the best possible reconstruction performances regardless of the algorithm. We also present new efficient seeding matrices, test them on synthetic data and analyze their performance asymptotically.
TL;DR: This work expects this work will provide the inspiration to reveal the mechanism of the high-adhesive superhydrophobic of geckos and extend the practical applications of polyimide materials.
Abstract: Functional integration is an inherent characteristic for multiscale structures of biological materials. In this contribution, we first investigate the liquid–solid adhesive forces between water droplets and superhydrophobic gecko feet using a high-sensitivity micro-electromechanical balance system. It was found, in addition to the well-known solid–solid adhesion, the gecko foot, with a multiscale structure, possesses both superhydrophobic functionality and a high adhesive force towards water. The origin of the high adhesive forces of gecko feet to water could be attributed to the high density nanopillars that contact the water. Inspired by this, polyimide films with gecko-like multiscale structures were constructed by using anodic aluminum oxide templates, exhibiting superhydrophobicity and a strong adhesive force towards water. The static water contact angle is larger than 150° and the adhesive force to water is about 66 μN. The resultant gecko-inspired polyimide film can be used as a “mechanical hand” to snatch micro-liter liquids. We expect this work will provide the inspiration to reveal the mechanism of the high-adhesive superhydrophobic of geckos and extend the practical applications of polyimide materials.
TL;DR: In this paper, a successful interdisciplinary marriage between statistical physics and compressed sensing gives rise to a radically new and powerful strategy for data acquisition and signal reconstruction, which can be found in the context of signal reconstruction.
Abstract: A successful interdisciplinary marriage between statistical physics and compressed sensing gives rise to a radically new and powerful strategy for data acquisition and signal reconstruction.
12 Aug 2012
TL;DR: MoodLens is the first system for sentiment analysis of Chinese tweets in Weibo, and by using the highly efficient Naive Bayes classifier, MoodLens is capable of online real-time sentiment monitoring.
Abstract: Recent years have witnessed the explosive growth of online social media. Weibo, a Twitter-like online social network in China, has attracted more than 300 million users in less than three years, with more than 1000 tweets generated in every second. These tweets not only convey the factual information, but also reflect the emotional states of the authors, which are very important for understanding user behaviors. However, a tweet in Weibo is extremely short and the words it contains evolve extraordinarily fast. Moreover, the Chinese corpus of sentiments is still very small, which prevents the conventional keyword-based methods from being used. In light of this, we build a system called MoodLens, which to our best knowledge is the first system for sentiment analysis of Chinese tweets in Weibo. In MoodLens, 95 emoticons are mapped into four categories of sentiments, i.e. angry, disgusting, joyful, and sad, which serve as the class labels of tweets. We then collect over 3.5 million labeled tweets as the corpus and train a fast Naive Bayes classifier, with an empirical precision of 64.3%. MoodLens also implements an incremental learning method to tackle the problem of the sentiment shift and the generation of new words. Using MoodLens for real-time tweets obtained from Weibo, several interesting temporal and spatial patterns are observed. Also, sentiment variations are well captured by MoodLens to effectively detect abnormal events in China. Finally, by using the highly efficient Naive Bayes classifier, MoodLens is capable of online real-time sentiment monitoring. The demo of MoodLens can be found at http://goo.gl/8DQ65.
TL;DR: In this article, an interesting water diode film is fabricated by a facile electrospinning technique, which is a composite of hydrophobic polyurethane (PU) and hydrophilic crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) (c-PVA) fibrous layers.
Abstract: An interesting “water diode” film is fabricated by a facile electrospinning technique. The fibrous film is a composite of hydrophobic polyurethane (PU) and hydrophilic crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) (c-PVA) fibrous layers. By taking advantages of the hydrophobic–hydrophilic wettability difference, water can penetrate from the hydrophobic side, but be blocked on the hydrophilic side.
TL;DR: The results indicated that MWNTs might stimulate inducible cells in soft tissues to form inductive bone by concentrating more proteins, including bone-inducing proteins.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the route choice of pedestrians during evacuation under conditions of both good and zero visibility using a group of experiments conducted in a classroom, and a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation.
Abstract: The route choice of pedestrians during evacuation under conditions of both good and zero visibility is investigated using a group of experiments conducted in a classroom, and a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation. Observation of the video recordings made during the experiments reveals several typical forms of behavior related to preference for destination, effect of capacity, interaction between pedestrians, following behavior and evacuation efficiency. Based on these forms of behavior, a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation is developed. In the model, two algorithms are proposed to describe the movement of pedestrians to a destination under conditions of both good and zero visibility, respectively. Through numerical simulations, the ability of the model to reproduce the behavior observed in the experiments is verified. The study is helpful for devising evacuation schemes and in the design of internal layouts and exit arrangements in buildings that are similar to the classroom.
TL;DR: In this review, the application of LbL self-assembly in the development and synthesis of key materials of PEMFCs including polyelectrolyte multilayered proton-exchange membranes, methanol-blocking Nafion membranes, highly uniform and efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts, self-assembled polyelectronically functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes will be reviewed.
Abstract: As one of the most effective synthesis tools, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technology can provide a strong non-covalent integration and accurate assembly between homo- or hetero-phase compounds or oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, resulting in highly-ordered nanoscale structures or patterns with excellent functionalities and activities. It has been widely used in the developments of novel materials and nanostructures or patterns from nanotechnologies to medical fields. However, the application of LbL self-assembly in the development of highly efficient electrocatalysts, specific functionalized membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and electrode materials for supercapacitors is a relatively new phenomenon. In this review, the application of LbL self-assembly in the development and synthesis of key materials of PEMFCs including polyelectrolyte multilayered proton-exchange membranes, methanol-blocking Nafion membranes, highly uniform and efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts, self-assembled polyelectrolyte functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes will be reviewed. The application of LbL self-assembly for the development of multilayer nanostructured materials for use in electrochemical supercapacitors will also be reviewed and discussed (250 references).
TL;DR: This paper builds models for 20 million trajectories with fine granularity collected from more than 10 thousand taxis in Beijing, indicating the bursty nature of human mobility, similar to many other human activities.
Abstract: As a significant factor in urban planning, traffic forecasting and prediction of epidemics, modeling patterns of human mobility draws intensive attention from researchers for decades. Power-law distribution and its variations are observed from quite a few real-world human mobility datasets such as the movements of banking notes, trackings of cell phone users’ locations and trajectories of vehicles. In this paper, we build models for 20 million trajectories with fine granularity collected from more than 10 thousand taxis in Beijing. In contrast to most models observed in human mobility data, the taxis’ traveling displacements in urban areas tend to follow an exponential distribution instead of a power-law. Similarly, the elapsed time can also be well approximated by an exponential distribution. Worth mentioning, analysis of the interevent time indicates the bursty nature of human mobility, similar to many other human activities.
TL;DR: The current understanding of the biocompatibility and toxicity of NPs is focused on with an emphasis on nanotubes, with the aim of ensuring the safe and sustainable development of the emerging NPs.
Abstract: In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have increasingly found practical applications in technology, research, and medicine. The small particle size coupled with their unique chemical and physical properties is thought to underline their exploitable biomedical activities. Its form may be latex body, polymer, ceramic particle, metal particles, and the carbon particles. Due to their small size and physical resemblance to physiological molecules such as proteins, NPs possess the capacity to revolutionise medical imaging, diagnostics, therapeutics, as well as carry out functional biological processes. But these features may also underline their toxicity. Indeed, a detailed assessment of the factors that influence the biocompatibility and toxicity of NPs is crucial for the safe and sustainable development of the emerging NPs. Due to the unique structure, size, and shape, much effort has been dedicated to analyzing biomedical applications of nanotubes. This paper focuses on the current understanding of the biocompatibility and toxicity of NPs with an emphasis on nanotubes.
TL;DR: This paper presents the probabilistic approach to reconstruction and discusses its optimality and robustness, and develops the asymptotic analysis of the corresponding phase diagrams with and without measurement noise.
Abstract: Compressed sensing is a signal processing method that acquires data directly in a compressed form This allows one to make less measurements than what was considered necessary to record a signal, enabling faster or more precise measurement protocols in a wide range of applications Using an interdisciplinary approach, we have recently proposed in [arXiv:11094424] a strategy that allows compressed sensing to be performed at acquisition rates approaching to the theoretical optimal limits In this paper, we give a more thorough presentation of our approach, and introduce many new results We present the probabilistic approach to reconstruction and discuss its optimality and robustness We detail the derivation of the message passing algorithm for reconstruction and expectation max- imization learning of signal-model parameters We further develop the asymptotic analysis of the corresponding phase diagrams with and without measurement noise, for different distribution of signals, and discuss the best possible reconstruction performances regardless of the algorithm We also present new efficient seeding matrices, test them on synthetic data and analyze their performance asymptotically
TL;DR: The development and application of superoleophobic surfaces have aroused worldwide interest during the past few years as mentioned in this paper. But the development of these surfaces are not only for fundamental research but also for various practical applications in self-cleaning, oil-repellent coatings, and antibioadhesion.
Abstract: The construction and application of superoleophobic surfaces have aroused worldwide interest during the past few years. These surfaces are of great significance not only for fundamental research but also for various practical applications in self-cleaning, oil-repellent coatings, and antibioadhesion. The unique properties of polymers have made them one of the most important materials for constructing superoleophobic materials. This article reviews recent developments in the design, fabrication, and application of polymeric superoleophobic surfaces. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
TL;DR: A facile one-step solution-based process to in situ synthesize SnO(2)/graphene (SG) nanocomposites was developed, by using the mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and H(2)O as both solvent and reactant.
Abstract: A facile one-step solution-based process to in situ synthesize SnO2/graphene (SG) nanocomposites was developed, by using the mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and H2O as both solvent and reactant. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and the in situ formation of SnO2 nanoparticles were realized in one step. The electrochemical experiments showed the composites provided a better Li-storage performance. The method presented in this paper may provide an effective, economic, and green strategy for the preparation of metal-oxide/graphene nanocomposites.
TL;DR: The experimental results proved that Fisher is better than PCA for dimension reduction, and SVM is more expansible than ANN for speaker independent speech emotion recognition.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a Au/TiO2/Au nanostructure with the thickness of the middle layer TiO2 nanosheets around 5 nm, which satisfies the distance needed for the coupling effect between the opposite and nearly touching Au nanoparticles, and thus, it can be used as a "plasmonic coupling photocatalyst".
Abstract: The enhanced near-field amplitude of localized surface plasmon resonance in the proximity of metal nanoparticles can boost the photocatalytic activity of the neighboring semiconductor, which has been proven and has attracted wide interest recently. Since the plasmon resonance energy strongly depends on the metal particle size and shape, interparticle spacing, and dielectric property of the surrounding medium, it is available to improve the photocatalytic activity of the neighboring semiconductor by designing and synthesizing targeted metal nanoparticles or assembled nanostructures. In this paper, we propose a Au/TiO2/Au nanostructure with the thickness of the middle layer TiO2 nanosheets around 5 nm, which satisfies the distance needed for the coupling effect between the opposite and nearly touching Au nanoparticles, and thus, it can be used as a “plasmonic coupling photocatalyst”. Compared with the bare TiO2 nanosheet films, the photocurrent density of this favorable nanostructure exhibited a significant...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the electrical and thermal transport properties of lead-based chalcogenides (PbTe, PbSe, and PbS) with special emphasis on the lattice and the bipolar thermal conductivity.