Synthesis of Functionalized Graphene/Polyaniline Nanocomposites with Effective Synergistic Reinforcement on Anticorrosion

Functionalized graphene (PGO)/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites with effective synergistic reinforcement on anticorrosion have been prepared via an in situ redox polymerization–dedoping technique. PGO nanosheets are obtained through the modification of graphene oxide with <i>p</i>-phenylenediamine to improve the dispersion stability in acidic conditions and compatibility with the polymer. Also, PGO/PANI composites are synthesized via the in situ redox polymerization of aniline. The results show that PGO is highly exfoliated and intercalated among the PANI matrix. In potentiodynamic polarization tests, the anticorrosion efficiency of the films with reinforcement of PGO/PANI composites increases from 85.16% to 99.98%. Moreover, the lowest corrosion rate is 1.68 × 10^–4 mm/year, which is much better than that with individual PGO or PANI. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, where the Warburg impedance component emerges, further reveals that well-dispersed PGO in the film can retard or defend permeation of the corrosive material from the environment

Fabrication of Hierarchical TiO₂ Nanotubes in a New HBF₄‑Based Electrolyte for Enhanced Morphology and Photocatalytic Activities

The present work introduces a new HBF₄-based electrolyte for the preparation of anodic TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs). It is shown that, by optimizing the preparation parameters, highly ordered and extremely smooth TiO₂ NTs can be successfully fabricated in the HBF₄-containing electrolyte via a two-step anodization approach (so-called the BF₄–TiO₂ NTs). The obtained BF₄–TiO₂ NTs have unique hierarchical upper-nanopore/lower-nanotube structure and show both enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances than the referenced TiO₂ NTs formed in the F^–-containing electrolyte (i.e., the F–TiO₂ NTs). We consider that the decomposition of BF₄^– into F^– under high electric field is the key for the formation of anodic BF₄–TiO₂ NTs, and this allows the growth of BF₄–TiO₂ NTs going through a quite different way as compared to that of the F–TiO₂ NTs. These findings may pave an alternative way for the preparation of TiO₂ NTs with enhanced geometrical features and application properties

Restaurants in the Neighborhood, Eating Away from Home and BMI in China

<div><p>Background</p><p>To investigate the association between environmental risk factors, eating away from home, and increasing BMI of Chinese adults.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Participants were selected from the recent four waves (2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). 10633 participants, including 5084 men and 5549 women, were used in the analysis. 24-h dietary recall data for three consecutive days with information on the time and place of consumption were collected. Nearby restaurants were measured by the number of fast food outlets, indoor restaurants, and food stands in the neighborhood. Random effects multivariable regression was used to assess associations between these variables.</p><p>Results</p><p>People living in neighborhoods with large numbers of indoor restaurants are more likely to eat away from home (p<0.05). Higher frequency of eating away from home is positively associated with BMI, but this effect is only significant for men (p<0.05). Moreover, while eating dinner or breakfast away from home contributes to BMI increase for men (p<0.05), no such association is found for lunch.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Eating dinner and breakfast away from home is positively associated with BMI for Chinese men. Labeling energy and portion size for the dishes served in indoor restaurants is recommended in China.</p></div

Association between eating away from home (EAFH) and BMI (II).

<p>Association between eating away from home (EAFH) and BMI (II).</p

Association between number of nearby restaurants and eating away from home (EAFH).

<p>Association between number of nearby restaurants and eating away from home (EAFH).</p

In Situ Triggering and Dynamically Tracking the Phase Transition in Vanadium Dioxide

As the most widely studied thermochromic material, monoclinic vanadium dioxide (VO₂ (M)) shows promising applications in the energy-saving field. Solid-state transformation, especially fast annealing, plays an important role in the production of VO₂ nanomaterials. On the other hand, the fast process makes it impossible to real-time monitor the phase transition in VO₂. In this paper, a differential scanning calorimetry technique is proposed to in situ trigger and dynamically track the phase transition of VO₂ nanoparticles, which gives a distinguished method to identify the underlying size-dependent and defect-mediated structure phase transition

Electrospun ITO/PAN Nanofiber Mat for Infrared Reflection and Thermal Insulation

The heat release of ambient temperature objects (0–100 °C) is often in the form of mid- to far-infrared radiation outward (∼4000 to 200 cm–1). In order to maintain warm objects, it is theoretically feasible to construct a kind of flexible material with infrared reflection ability targeting the band of mid- to far-infrared. In this paper, we proposed a type of nanofiber mat with excellent infrared reflection and thermal insulation performance. The ITO nanoclusters were introduced into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers via the electrospinning technique. The performed experimental test proved that the infrared reflection ability of the nanofiber mat can be enhanced because of the increased diameter of nanofiber upon the introduction of the ITO nanocluster as well as the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects of ITO nanoclusters in the mid- to far-infrared range. It worth mentioning that the prepared nanofiber mat showed good air-permeability and mechanical properties due to the PAN matrix. Moreover, the performed experiments and numerical simulation analysis also suggested improved infrared reflection performance with respect to the size of aggregated ITO nanoclusters and their LSPR coupling effects in the nanofiber mat. The performed thermal insulation tests also indicated that the electrospun ITO/PAN nanofiber mat is promising for the thermal insulation of ambient temperature objects via IR radiation regulation

Frequencies of eating-away-from-home in the three-day recall period (EAFH)^a across personal and lifestyle characteristics as well as BMI (kg/m²) categories (standard errors in brackets).

<p>Frequencies of eating-away-from-home in the three-day recall period (EAFH)<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0167721#t001fn002" target="_blank">^a</a> across personal and lifestyle characteristics as well as BMI (kg/m²) categories (standard errors in brackets).</p

Inclusion and exclusion criteria of participants.

<p>(A) All participants are drawn from four waves of China Health and Nutrition Survey (2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011). (B) BMI refers to body mass index.</p