Preparation of a highly active ternary Cu-Zn-Al oxide methanol synthesis catalyst by supercritical CO2 anti-solvent precipitation

Methanol synthesis using Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts is a well-established industrial process. Catalyst development is always an important factor and this has resulted in the current fully optimised commercial catalyst that is prepared by co-precipitation via hydroxycarbonate precursors. Recently, the synthesis of a CuZn hydroxycarbonate precursor, analogous to the rare mineral georgeite, was reported to produce a high activity methanol synthesis catalyst. Here we report the addition of Al 3+ , the third component found in industrial catalysts, to the zincian georgeite-derived catalyst prepared using a supercritical CO 2 anti-solvent precipitation methodology. The co-addition of an AlO(OH) sol to the Cu/Zn precursor solution was found to not disrupt the formation of the CuZn georgeite phase, while providing efficient mixing of the Al 3+ within the material. The catalyst derived from the CuZn georgeite precursor phase doped with Al 3+ showed a high level of methanol synthesis productivity, which was comparable to that of the binary CuZn georgeite derived catalyst. This material also exhibited enhanced stability during an accelerated ageing test compared to the non-Al doped zincian georgeite material. Performance was benchmarked against an industrially relevant Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 standard catalyst

Deactivation of a single-site gold-on-carbon acetylene hydrochlorination catalyst: An X-ray absorption and inelastic neutron scattering study

Single-site Au species supported on carbon have been shown to be the active sites for acetylene hydrochlorination. The evolution of these single-site species has been monitored by Au L3 X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Alternating between a standard reaction mixture of HCl/C2H2 and the single reactants, has provided insights into the reaction mechanism and catalyst deactivation processes. We demonstrate that oxidative addition of HCl across an Au(I) chloride species requires concerted addition with C2H2, in accordance with both the XAS measurements of Au oxidation state and the reaction kinetics being 1st order with respect to each reactant. The addition of excess C2H2 changes the Au speciation and results in the formation of oligomeric acetylene species which were detected by inelastic neutron scattering. Catalyst deactivation at extended reaction times can be correlated with the formation of metallic Au particles. The presence of this Au(0) species generated during the sequential gas experiments or after prolonged reaction times, results in the analysis of the normalised near edge white line intensity of the Au L3 X-ray absorption spectrum alone becoming an unsuitable guide for identifying the active Au species, affecting the strong correlation between normalized white line height and VCM productivity usually observed in the active catalyst. Thus, a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy and detailed modelling of whole XAS spectrum was required to distinguish active Au(I) and Au(III) species from the spectator Au(0) component

Supplementary_Fig.1_(1) - Neurospheres induced from human adipose-derived stem cells as a new source of neural progenitor cells

Supplementary_Fig.1_(1) for Neurospheres induced from human adipose-derived stem cells as a new source of neural progenitor cells by Chunyang Peng, Li Lu, Yajiao Li and Jingqiong Hu in Cell Transplantation</p

Incorporation of MnO₂-Coated Carbon Nanotubes between Graphene Sheets as Supercapacitor Electrode

Hierarchical graphene-based composite consisting of graphene sheets intercalated by MnO₂-coated carbon nanotubes (MnC) was prepared for high-performance supercapacitor electrode. The highly negatively charged graphene oxides reduced by urea (RGO) and the positively charged MnC functionalized with poly­(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) created a strong electrostatic interaction, forming a hierarchical nanostructure. The elelctrocapacitive behaviors of MnC/RGO (MnC-G) were systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A maximum specific capacitance of 193 F/g was achieved for the MnC-G composite with 37% RGO, which was almost 3-fold higher than 69 F/g of carbon nanotubes/RGO and 2-fold higher than 89 F/g of MnO₂/RGO composite. Moreover, an excellent rate performance, a good capacitance retention (∼70%) and a superior Coulombic efficiency (94–96%) were also observed during the continuous 1300 cycles of galvanostatic charge–discharge

Preparation of Nanocomposites of Metals, Metal Oxides, and Carbon Nanotubes via Self-Assembly

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based composites have attracted significant research interest in recent years, owing to their important applications in various technological fields. In this investigation, we describe a general approach to make CNTs-based nanocomposites via self-assembly. The method allows one to prepare binary composites as well as complex systems such as ternary or even quaternary composites where nanoparticles of active phases (e.g., metals and metal oxides) are used as primary building blocks. Six different kinds of binary, ternary, and quaternary nanocomposites, TiO2/CNTs, Co3O4/CNTs, Au/CNTs, Au/TiO2/CNTs, TiO2/Co3O4/CNTs, and Co/CoO/Co3O4/CNTs, have been reported herein in order to draw common features for various assembly schemes. To understand the interconnectivity between the active phases and CNTs, we have devised a range of experiments and examined the resultant samples with many instrumental techniques. On the basis of this work, we demonstrate that highly complex inorganic−organic nanohybrids with good controls in particle shape, size, and distribution can be fabricated from presynthesized nanobuilding units. Concerning their workability, we further show that self-assembled TiO2/CNTs are sufficiently robust and the electrochemical performance of TiO2 is significantly enhanced when it is used as a cathode material in Li-battery application

Double-Shelled Nanocapsules of V₂O₅-Based Composites as High-Performance Anode and Cathode Materials for Li Ion Batteries

Double-Shelled Nanocapsules of V2O5-Based Composites as High-Performance Anode and Cathode Materials for Li Ion Batterie

5195_earthquake – Supplemental material for Post-traumatic growth among 5195 adolescents at 8.5 years after exposure to the Wenchuan earthquake: Roles of post-traumatic stress disorder and self-esteem

Supplemental material, 5195_earthquake for Post-traumatic growth among 5195 adolescents at 8.5 years after exposure to the Wenchuan earthquake: Roles of post-traumatic stress disorder and self-esteem by Wanjie Tang, Yan Wang, Li Lu, Yi Lu and Jiuping Xu in Journal of Health Psychology</p

Excellent Performance in Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes: Rational Synthesis of Co(CO₃)_0.5(OH)0.11H₂O Nanobelt Array and Its Conversion into Mesoporous and Single-Crystal Co₃O₄

Herein, we report a rational method to synthesize a Co3O4 nanobelt array on a conducting substrate and functionalize it in the application of Li-ion battery anodes, which is a novel and facile approach to access the nanobelt array of transition metal oxides. Compared to the previous reports, the as-prepared samples in our experiments exhibited both mesoporosity and single-crystallinity, and meanwhile, good contact with the conducting substrate (via a thin layer of TiO2) provided an express pathway for charge transfer when they were applied in Li-ion batteries without any need to add other ancillary materials (carbon black or binder) to enhance the system’s conductivity and stability. Under the condition of high charge−discharge current density of 177 mA/g in Li-ion batteries’ testing, the Co3O4 nanobelt array was capable of retaining the specific capacity of 770 mAh/g over 25 cycles. Moreover, even though the charge−discharge rates were increased to 1670 and 3350 mA/g, it still could have reached the stable retention of the specific capacity of 510 and 330 mAh/g beyond 30 cycles, respectively, indicating an obtainable excellent rate capability. More importantly, the improved performance in Li-ion battery testing was definitely ascribed to the unique structures in our samples after elaborate analysis. So the final conclusion would be given that the lab-synthesized Co3O4 nanobelt array potentially could be a highly qualified candidate for Li-ion battery anodes in some practical fields, where high capacity and good capability are strictly required

Data_Sheet_1_Elevated NLRP3 Inflammasome Levels Correlate With Vitamin D in the Vitreous of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.XLSX

Purpose: This study aims to determine vitamin D concentrations in the vitreous and serum, as well as the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we investigated the possible correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome levels and vitamin D concentrations.Methods: We obtained vitreous samples before vitrectomy from 55 PDR patients, 25 non-diabetic patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH), and 10 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients. We also collected serum samples from the same patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine NLRP3 inflammasome pathway proteins, including NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and VEGF. In addition, vitamin D concentrations were analyzed in Roche Cobas 6000's module e601 platform using electrochemiluminescence immune assay.Results: The levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and VEGF increased dramatically in PDR vitreous. However, vitamin D concentrations in vitreous and serum followed the opposite trend. Meanwhile, vitreous and serum vitamin D concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with vitreous NLRP3 expression in PDR patients. Moreover, serum and vitreous vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated and demonstrated discriminatory ability in DR. The subgroup analysis of PDR group revealed that eyes with tractional retinal detachment (TRD) had higher NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and VEGF levels but lower vitamin D concentrations. Conversely, eyes that received preoperative pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) exhibited lower levels of NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, but vitamin D concentrations were irrelevant to laser treatment.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a strong correlation between increased NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and decreased vitamin D concentrations in the vitreous of PDR patients, which may be linked to PDR pathogenesis. In addition, vitamin D supplementation may play a key role in preventing, treating, and improving PDR prognosis due to its inhibitory impact on NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and VEGF.</p

CAH/B2 scaffolds enhance bone regeneration in the rat critical-sized calvarial defect model.

<p>A. Image of calvarial bone from the LUNAR PIXImus system, 12 weeks after surgery. The areas of bone regeneration were labeled in different colors. A black area circled with a blue line (*) is a low density area. The dark gray area between inside blue line and inside yellow line (#) is an area of thin bone, the area between two yellow lines(▵) is considered an area of normal bone density, and the density in this area is close to that of normal bone tissue. B. Quantitative analysis of bone density. N =  6, *p<0.05:CAH/B2+M versus four other groups. • p<0.05: CAH+M versus CAH or blank. ♦p<0.05: CAH versus blank. C. Quantitative analysis of bone area in implanted region showed a significantly larger bone area within the CAH/B2+M group when compared with the other four groups. BV, bone area in the implant; TV, total implant area. N = 6, *p<0.05:CAH/B2+M versus four other groups. •p<0.05: CAH+M versus CAH or blank. ♦p<0.05: CAH versus blank.</p