Industrial Chemistry & Materials最新文献

Addressing the degradation of persistent organic pollutants like bisphenol A (BPA) and rhodamine B (RhB) with a photocatalyst that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly is a notable challenge. This research presents the synthesis of an optimized g-C₃N₄/Bi₄O₅Br₂ composite featuring a Z-scheme heterojunction structure. The precise band alignment of this composite significantly enhances the separation of photogenerated charges and the production of dominant reactive species. The composite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic performance, with BPA degradation efficiency nearing 98% and RhB achieving complete degradation within 80 and 35 min under visible light, respectively. These results are approximately 1.3 times greater than the individual performance of CN and BOB, surpassing recent literature benchmarks. Through EPR and free radical capture experiments, the role of h⁺ and ·O₂⁻ as the primary active free radicals in the degradation process have been confirmed. First-principles calculations validated the experimental results, indicating that the Z-type heterojunction is instrumental in generating active species, thus improving degradation efficiency. This study offers a promising strategy for the design of photocatalysts targeting emerging organic pollutants.

Keywords: Photocatalysis; g-C₃N₄; Bi₄O₅Br₂; Heterostructure; Water purification; Z-scheme.

Sequential paired electrosynthesis capable of the production of organic chemicals through a series of electrochemical reactions that occur consecutively and in pairs are of high significance. Herein, a three-dimensional porous carbon felt-loaded PbO₂ electrode (PbO₂/CF) with a self-supported nanostructure was fabricated using a double-cathode electrodeposition method, which served as an efficient electrocatalyst enabling the unique sequential paired electrosynthesis of 1,4-hydroquinone (1,4-HQ) from phenol in a membrane-free electrolytic cell. In such an exotic paired electrolysis system, phenol is first oxidized to p-benzoquinone at the anode, which is subsequently reduced to 1,4-HQ at the cathode. The as-obtained PbO₂/CF electrode exhibited a remarkable electrochemical performance, achieving impressive conversion and selectivity of 94.5% and 72.1%, respectively, for the conversion of phenol to 1,4-HQ. This exceptional performance can be attributed to the open porous self-supported structure of the PbO₂/CF electrode, which improves the active site exposure and substrate adsorption capability and reduces mass and charge transfer resistance. Furthermore, the catalyst electrode well maintained its structure integrity even after 140 hours of long-term use, further highlighting its promising application for the electrosynthesis of 1,4-HQ. Moreover, this sequential paired electrosynthesis strategy can be further extended to other substrates with electron-withdrawing/donating groups over the PbO₂/CF electrode. The proof of concept in this innovative sequential paired electrosynthesis could provide a sustainable and efficient way to produce various desired organic compounds.

Keywords: Phenol; 1,4-Hydroquinone; Electrocatalysis; Sequential paired electrosynthesis; Self-supported electrodes.

Amidoxime-functionalized polymeric adsorbents have attracted great interest for uranium extraction from seawater. However, the current graft polymerization method is time-consuming (2–6 h), wasteful in reagent, and hence not economical. Here, amidoxime-functionalized adsorbents based on low-cost polypropylene melt-blown nonwoven fabric (MBF) are produced by a simple, fast and also low-cost surface photografting technology, by which more than 80% of reagents can be saved and grafting time can be reduced to 3 min. The fabricated adsorbents retain their mechanical properties and exhibit excellent uranium adsorption properties, with a maximum uranium adsorption capacity of 400 mg g⁻¹ when the monomer ratio of AN to AA is 8 : 2. Moreover, we showed that the adsorbents could be either reused or simply incinerated for uranium recovery. The photografting technology has great potential for low-cost, continuous industrial production of uranium-adsorbing material.

Keywords: Uranium extraction from seawater; Amidoxime; Nonwoven fabric; Surface photografting.

Acid-, base-free depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with ethanol catalyzed by FeCl₃, FeBr₃ (1.0–5.0 mol%) gave diethyl terephthalate (DET) and ethylene glycol (EG) exclusively (98–99%, 160–180 °C), and FeCl₃ showed better catalytic performance in terms of activity. The FeCl₃ catalyst enabled exclusive, selective depolymerization of PET from textile waste to afford DET (and recovered cotton waste), strongly suggesting the possibility of chemical recycling of cloth waste by the transesterification in this catalysis.

Keywords: Depolymerization; PET; Chemical recycling; Textile waste management; Homogeneous catalyst.

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Solid-state Li-metal batteries with solid-state electrolytes have attracted increasing attention due to their high energy density and intrinsically high safety. Among diverse available solid-state electrolytes, cellulose-based solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) are particularly attractive and have showcased great promise because of their multiple merits including abundant reserves, abundant polar groups, chemical stability and high flexibility. This review surveys currently-developed solid electrolytes based on modified cellulose and its composites with diverse organic and inorganic fillers. Common preparation methods for solid electrolyte membranes are discussed in detail, followed by a sequential overview of various modification and compositing strategies for improving Li-ion transport in CSPEs, and a summary of the current existing challenges and future prospects of CSPEs to achieve high-performance solid batteries.

Keywords: Cellulose-based solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs); Li-metal batteries; Ionic conductivity; Interface stability.

This article celebrates the Outstanding Reviewers for Industrial Chemistry & Materials in 2023.

Overuse of acetaminophen (APAP) has become a severe societal burden in recent years. The rapid and reliable detection of urine APAP concentration can offer certain guidance for better management of APAP usage. This study explored the electrochemical sensing application of a novel electrocatalyst prepared from the biomass of Elaeagnus angustifolia gum. The biomass was first activated by ferric chloride to form a porous biomass carbon material (FBC). Then cobalt oxide (CoC) cracked nanoplate were synthesized by alkali precipitation and calcination and were then hybridized onto the biomass carbon via a simple sonication process. The electrocatalyst of CoO-FBC was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), element mapping, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. The CoO-FBC modified glassy carbon electrode (CoO-FBC/GCE) was characterized by various electrochemical methods including cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The CoO-FBC/GCE sensor was used to measure APAP in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with a pH of 7.0, and with two linear sensing ranges from 1 μM to 10 μM and from 10 μM to 100 μM, with a sensitivity of 25.89 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 10.04 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively, and a limit of detection of 0.46 μM. The unavoidable interference in measuring APAP is the inherent uric acid in urine. Uric acid and APAP exhibited adjacent and sometimes unseparable voltammetric peaks. This CoO-FBC/GCE sensor is capable of distinguishing APAP from uric acid and so APAP can be measured in human urine samples with good recoveries. This CoO-FBC/GCE sensor is a promising application for clinical diagnosis and environmental detection.

Keywords: Elaeagnus angustifolia gum; Ferric chloride; Polysaccharide biomass; Cobalt oxide nanoplate; Electrochemical sensing; Analgesic and antipyretic drug.

The application of fluorinated coatings on textiles has garnered substantial research interest over the past years, owing to their ability to endow fabrics with exceptional hydrophobic characteristics, thereby mitigating issues associated with high moisture absorption and susceptibility to contamination. Nevertheless, the deployment of fluorinated substances has been proscribed due to concerns regarding their ecological impact and potential human toxicity. Consequently, there has been a burgeoning demand for hydrophobic textile alternatives derived from non-fluorinated, natural materials that are both sustainable and environmentally benign. This paper presents a thorough overview of the advancements in the development and functionalization of eco-friendly, hydrophobic textiles. Initially, the natural materials and their derivatives utilized in the creation of superhydrophobic textiles are delineated, including cellulose, lignin and chitosan, among others. Subsequently, methodologies for crafting efficient, stable, and resilient hydrophobic textiles are elucidated, encompassing conventional techniques as well as novel, inventive concepts. Furthermore, the current state of research and the obstacles faced in the evolution of multifunctional textiles based on superhydrophobic fabrics are examined. In conclusion, this discussion presents incisive insights into the impending direction of advancements in functional textiles.

Keywords: Eco-friendly; Superhydrophobic; Bioinspired; Multifunctional textiles; Natural materials.

As one of the promising hydrogen production technologies, the development of water electrolysis systems including recycling of their functional components is actively investigated. However, the focus lies on energy and chemical intensive metallurgical operations and less on mechanical separation processes in most studies. Here, an innovative surfactant-based separation process (using CTAB and SDS) is investigated to contribute to developing a selective physical separation process for ultrafine particles used in high temperature water electrolyzers (composed of NiO, LSM, ZrO₂, and YSZ). Their different surface charge in alkaline solutions influences the adsorption of surfactants on particle surfaces as well as the modification of particulate wettability, which is a key separation feature. Through the observations of changes in surface charge and wetting behavior in the presence of surfactants, a feasibility of liquid–liquid particle separation (LLPS) is evaluated. The performance of LLPS with model particle mixtures shows the potential of selective separation with recovery of NiO in the organic phase, while the rest of the particles remain in the aqueous phase. Perovskite LSM is not considered in this system because it shows a high possibility of being recovered by magnetic separation. The proposed process can be further optimized by increasing the phase separation stages, and further research is needed on the NiO phase, which showed exceptional behavior in the presence of the surfactants.

Keywords: Fine particle separation; Solid oxide electrolyzer; Recycling; Particle surface modification.