Shanghai University

About: Shanghai University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Catalysis. The organization has 59583 authors who have published 56840 publications receiving 753549 citations. The organization is also known as: Shànghǎi Dàxué.

Adhesive supramolecular polymeric materials constructed from macrocycle-based host–guest interactions

Abstract: Nature uses the power of non-covalent interactions as the basis for many kinds of adhesion phenomena. Inspired by nature, scientists have prepared various synthetic adhesive materials that rely on a number of non-covalent interactions at the interfaces. Commonly used non-covalent interactions include hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, charge transfer interactions, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, macrocycle-based host–guest interactions, among others. Within this context, macrocycle-based host–guest interactions are of particular interest. Often they give rise to distinct properties, such as multiple combined noncovalent interactions and a diversity of stimuli-based responsiveness. In this tutorial review, we will summarise recent advances in adhesive supramolecular polymeric materials that rely primarily on macrocycle-based host–guest interactions. An overview of future challenges and a perspective of this sub-field are also provided.

Learning from the past: rare ε-Fe2O3 in the ancient black-glazed Jian (Tenmoku) wares.

Abstract: Ancient Jian wares are famous for their lustrous black glaze that exhibits unique colored patterns. Some striking examples include the brownish colored “Hare's Fur” (HF) strips and the silvery “Oil Spot” (OS) patterns. Herein, we investigated the glaze surface of HF and OS samples using a variety of characterization methods. Contrary to the commonly accepted theory, we identified the presence of e-Fe2O3, a rare metastable polymorph of Fe2O3 with unique magnetic properties, in both HF and OS samples. We found that surface crystals of OS samples are up to several micrometers in size and exclusively made of e-Fe2O3. Interestingly, these e-Fe2O3 crystals on the OS sample surface are organized in a periodic two dimensional fashion. These results shed new lights on the actual mechanisms and kinetics of polymorphous transitions of Fe2O3. Deciphering technologies behind the fabrication of ancient Jian wares can thus potentially help researchers improve the e-Fe2O3 synthesis.

One-step synthesis of zinc–cobalt layered double hydroxide (Zn–Co-LDH) nanosheets for high-efficiency oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials show great potential for electrocatalysis or other applications that require large surface area. In this work, we developed porous zinc–cobalt layered double hydroxide (Zn–Co-LDH) nanosheets by using a one-step microwave-assisted approach, and examine their oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The Zn–Co-LDH nanosheets with a high specific surface area of 116.4 m2 g−1 exhibit good OER activity, expressed as low onset overpotential, small Tafel slope and large exchange current density. At the overpotential of 0.54 V, the current density of Zn–Co-LDH nanosheets is about 15.06 mA cm−2, which is much higher than that of Zn–Co-LDH nanoparticles. The comparable electrocatalytic performance may be attributed to the porous 2D structure generating more active sites and higher electronic conductivity. Furthermore, the obtained Zn–Co-LDH nanosheets show good stability during long time running at 1.55 V vs. RHE. Accordingly, an effective OER catalyst is exploited by using a simple microwave-assisted synthesis. Such an effective method could be extended to large-scale synthesis of uniform and stable 2D LDH nanomaterials.

Self-Assembly of Thiourea-Crosslinked Graphene Oxide Framework Membranes toward Separation of Small Molecules.

Abstract: The poor mechanical strength of graphene oxide (GO) membranes, caused by the weak interlamellar interactions, poses a critical challenge for any practical application. In addition, intrinsic but large-sized 2D channels of stacked GO membranes lead to low selectivity for small molecules. To address the mechanical strength and 2D channel size control, thiourea covalent-linked graphene oxide framework (TU-GOF) membranes on porous ceramics are developed through a facile hydrothermal self-assembly synthesis. With this strategy, thiourea-bridged GO laminates periodically through the dehydration condensation reactions via NH2 and/or SH with OCOH as well as the nucleophilic addition reactions of NH2 to COC, leading to narrowed and structurally well-defined 2D channels due to the small dimension of the covalent TU-link and the deoxygenated processes. The resultant TU-GOF/ceramic composite membranes feature excellent sieving capabilities for small species, leading to high hydrogen permselectivities and nearly complete rejections for methanol and small ions in gas, solvent, and saline water separations. Moreover, the covalent bonding formed at the GO/support and GO/GO interfaces endows the composite membrane with significantly enhanced stability.