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[Display omitted] • The wetting-gradient bilayer structure ensures long-term salt-resistance stability. • The relatively hydrophobic layer improves the photothermal conversion efficiency. • The hydrophilic layer enhances water transport efficiency via capillary action. • It offers excellent environmental stability in harsh conditions. • The low cost and simple process facilitates large-scale diffusion. Solar-powered water evaporation, as an environmentally friendly method, offers a way of alleviating the global shortage of clean water. However, salt accumulation due to rapid seawater evaporation, poor environmental stability, and high preparation costs have greatly limited the promotion of its application in practice. In this study, novel PDMAA+CNTs/P(AM-co-AA) (PCs) hydrogels with wetting-gradient bilayer structure are prepared by a two-step in-situ polymerization method, which are further used for the development of highly efficient solar-powered desalination devices. The relatively hydrophobic top layer is made of PDMAA+CNT composite hydrogel with highly efficient broadband solar energy absorption and high photothermal conversion efficiency. The hydrophilic bottom layer is designed with P(AM-co-AA) hydrogel, which have excellent mechanical properties and an interpenetrating porous structure that could rapidly replenish water by capillary action and accelerate the rate of water transfer. The evaporation rate is as high as 2.11 kg·m-2·h-1 under 1 sun irradiation, and the photothermal conversion efficiency could be up to 92.22%. After 72 h of continuous evaporation of a 15 wt% salt solution under 2 solar irradiations, the PCs evaporator demonstrate stable photothermal performance and excellent salt stability. In addition, this novel PCs evaporator exhibit outstanding durability and environmental stability that kept its initial water transport capacity even after being treated under harsh conditions for 30 days, providing an attractive platform for cost-effective ($9.18 m-2 of total materials cost), salt-resistant, environmentally stable and sustainable solar-driven water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La-doped NiFe-layered double hydroxides/NiS heterostructure (La-NiFe LDH/NiS/NF) was fabricated by a simple chemical solution method and one-step electrodeposition. It outperformed the most advanced IrO 2 by delivering 1 A cm−2 at 1.66 V of low cell voltage at 80 °C in an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). Both theoretical and experimental results confirmed that a strong Ni-S(O)-Ni(Fe) coupling interface was formed within the heterostructure. La doping further promoted electron transfer from NiS to NiFe LDH, modulating the d-band center of Fe atoms and imparting La-NiFe LDH/NiS/NF with optimal binding strength for oxygen intermediates and lower reaction activation energy. [Display omitted] • Doping La into NiFe LDH/NiS heterostructure synergically improves OER efficiency. • La doping reduced the E f of NiFe LDH and promoted electrons transfer. • A strong Ni-S(O)-Ni(Fe) coupling interface was formed within the heterostructure. • Higher d-band center of Fe optimized binding strength with oxygen intermediates. • La-NiFe LDH/NiS/NF||Pt/C/CP MEA reached 1 A cm−2 at 1.66 V in 1 M KOH at 80 °C. For the commercial use of hydrogen generation by water electrolysis, low-cost, readily scalable, non-precious metal catalysts with long-term stability and high efficiency at high current densities are crucial. Herein, La-doped NiFe-layered double hydroxides/NiS heterostructure supported by Nickel foam (La-NiFe LDH/NiS/NF) was fabricated by a simple chemical solution-chemical etching method and one-step electrodeposition. This electrocatalyst showed ultra-low overpotential (290 mV) and remarkable durability (200 h) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at 1000 mA cm−2. Both theoretical and experimental results confirmed that a strong Ni-S(O)-Ni(Fe) coupling interface was formed within the heterostructure. La doping further promoted electron transfer from NiS to NiFe LDH, modulating the d-band center of Fe atoms and imparting La-NiFe LDH/NiS/NF with optimal binding strength for oxygen intermediates and lower reaction activation energy. It outperformed the most advanced IrO 2 by delivering 1 A cm−2 at 1.66 V of low cell voltage at 80 °C in an anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). This study introduces a green, simple, and low-cost method of preparing with the potential for large-scale application, providing several references for developing the next generation of AEMWE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Uio66-M-PDA, as an intelligent and controllable nanoreservoir, is designed to fabricate active/passive anticorrosion coating. • Inspired by the faucet, PDA realizes efficient storage and controllable release of inhibitor molecules. • The composite coating presents mechanical enhancement, active protection, and long-term anticorrosion properties. Active protection coatings hold great potential for safeguarding marine engineering equipment by effectively reducing metal corrosion. However, the premature and uncontrollable release of corrosion inhibitors, even in intact coatings, limits their active protection performance. Herein, Uio66 was synthesized to load 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (M), which was further encapsulated with polydopamine (PDA) to produce a Uio66-M-PDA nanomaterial. This composite was then used as a filler to develop anticorrosion waterborne epoxy (Uio66-M-PDA-WEP). Notably, PDA functions as a "faucet", enabling the efficient storage and controllable release of M molecules. The cross-section morphology indicates that the uniformly distributed Uio66-M-PDA reduces the internal defects and improves the compactness of the coating, which further strengthens the dry (5.23 MPa) and wet (3.65 MPa) adhesion force. Due to the synergistic effect of Uio66, M, and PDA, the resistance value of Uio66-M-PDA-WEP remains 8.3 × 109 Ω·cm2 after immersion in neutral salt solution for 60 d, which is 1220.6, 334.7, and 5.3 times higher than that of pure WEP (6.8 × 106 Ω·cm2), Uio66-WEP (2.5 × 107 Ω·cm2), and Uio66-M-WEP (1.6 × 109 Ω·cm2), respectively. Furthermore, Uio66-M-PDA-WEP ensures the efficient storage and intelligent release of corrosion inhibitors, offering reliable active protection properties for the metal substrate. In summary, this work successfully addresses the issues of uncontrolled and premature release of corrosion inhibitors in active/passive protective coatings and offers valuable insights for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Whole corn bioplastic was prepared using a dissolution and regeneration strategy. • The bioplastic exhibits strong mechanical strength and water resistance properties. • The bioplastic is recyclable and biodegradable, with a low environmental impact. • This strategy provides a large-scale production method to prepare bioplastic. Biomass-based plastic, derived from renewable and biodegradable resources such as plant materials, offers a promising solution to mitigate the severe energy and environmental issues caused by petroleum-based plastics. While challenges remain in addressing complex and costly processing produces, as well as improving mechanical properties and water resistance in bioplastic production, these factors hinder the widespread application of bioplastic. Herein, we proposed a facile and cost-efficient method to prepare high-performance bioplastics from whole corn by dissolving it in a green metal salt solution system (ZnCl 2 /AlCl 3 system) to deconstruct into a homogeneous and viscous precursor slurry, and then regenerating it from ethanol to form a dense hydrogen and ionic crosslinking network. The prepared whole corn-based bioplastic has a uniform and dense structure, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties (78.5 MPa), water stability, thermostability, and recyclability. Owing to entirely biomass-based components and their effective processes, bioplastic is biodegradable and has low environmental impact. This strategy provides an avenue for the scalable production of large-scale production of high-performance, environmental, renewable, and biodegradable bioplastic, thus demonstrating a promising alternative for reducing the consumption of petroleum resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• COF@CNT with enhanced photothermal effect is prepared via in situ growth. • Large-area tailorable CCP fibers are fabricated by solution blow spinning technology. • MGR solar evaporator based on CCP fibers exhibits efficient solar evaporation and good salt rejection. • Desalinated water supports plant growth and enhances agricultural sustainability. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) hold promise for solar-driven steam generation (SSG) due to their structural richness and flexibility. However, the application of certain COFs is limited by their light-harvesting capacity and solar-thermal conversion efficiency due to energy loss from charge radiative relaxation. A donor–acceptor system (COF@CNT) exhibiting 97 % light absorption efficiency across 250–2500 nm was synthesized to address these issues. The synergistic effect of enhanced charge transfer and suppressed radiative relaxation in the COF@CNT material significantly improved its solar-thermal conversion efficiency, achieving a temperature increase of approximately 70 °C under 1 sun illumination. Furthermore, the scalable COF@CNT/PAN (CCP) fiber membrane, combined with a gable roof-shaped support referred to as MGR, achieved an evaporation rate of 1.78 kg m−2h−1 and an energy efficiency of 98 % in 10 wt% saline water. Facilitated by ultrafast water transport and Marangoni flow, the MGR evaporator effectively rejected salt and maintained stable performance over 14 days in 10 wt% salt solution, producing water that met the quality standards for plant growth. This study introduces an in situ chemical synthesis method for developing advanced photothermal evaporation materials, offering significant potential for efficient seawater desalination and self-sufficient marine aquaculture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 was grown in-situ on the halloysite nanotubes surface. • Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs membranes were prepared by NIPs under the magnetic field. • The permeability of the prepared Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs membranes was 2.8 times that of PES-C. • Magnetized membranes exhibited better properties than unmagnetized membranes. • The prepared Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs membranes possessed higher rejection of BSA and dyes. During the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes via the phase immersion method, abundant fillers aggregated in the support layer, while the distribution content in the skin layer that played the role of sieving was low, significantly hampering the full exploitation of the potential influence of the filler properties. Therefore, it was crucial to design a method that could precisely regulate the effective distribution of fillers in the polymer matrix. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized in-situ on the surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs, Al 2 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 ⋅nH 2 O) through the hydrothermal method, serving as magnetic fillers to modify phenolphthalein polyethersulfone cardo (PES-C). The distribution of Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs in the PES-C matrix was controlled by a magnetic field, which influenced the morphology and performance of the ultrafiltration membrane (UF). Under the magnetic field, Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs particles were ordered and migrated towards the membrane surface, increasing the loading of hydrophilic fillers in membrane surface, which not only enhanced the utilization rate for the fillers but also enhanced the performance of the membranes. The cross-section of magnetized and unmagnetized membranes prepared by the introduction of Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs particles showed a full-coverage spongy support layer structure. It was worth thing that 0.5 wt% Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs particles of magnetized membranes exhibited maximum pure water flux of 630.1L/m2h and 1.5 wt% Fe 3 O 4 /HNTs particles of magnetized membranes displayed flux recovery rate of 77.51 % for BSA and 79.73 % for CR. Furthermore, the magnetized membranes allowed for the simultaneous retention of proteins and partial dyes, as well as the separation of dyes/salt solution. The magnetized membranes possessed good long-term stability, and the discovery was of guiding significance for the precise regulation of microstructure, performance improvement and future development of UF membranes in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaporation rate reaches 2.25 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun. • Evaporation rates up to 2.07 kg m−2 h−1 in highly concentrated salt solutions (15 wt%). • As 3D evaporator, Evaporation rates up to 7.47 kg m−2 h−1 (0.2 sun) and 12.60 kg m−2 h−1 (0.8 sun). • Excellent antimicrobial properties and recyclability. • Hydrogel with compression strength up to 110.9 kPa. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation, an economically friendly freshwater harvesting technology, faces the challenge of achieving efficient all-day desalination. Inspired by the core‐sheath structure of tree trunks, herein, a hydrogel evaporator features internal vertical lamellar sodium alginate (SA) pores supported by aramid fiber (AF) networks and surface covered with a dense layer of copper sulfide (CuS) and was fabricated through freeze-drying-cycling alternating immersion method. The internal vertical SA lamellar structure endows the hydrogel with strong water transport capability, while the high photothermal conversion ability of the surface CuS layer enables rapid water evaporation. Therefore, as 2D evaporators, the evaporation rate in highly concentrated salt solutions (15 wt%) is up to 2.07 kg m-2 h-1 under 1.0 sun. As 3D evaporators, efficient evaporation is achieved throughout the day by compensating evaporation at the sides and top. Under the irradiation of 0.2 and 0.8 suns outdoors, the evaporation rate of the 3D evaporator can reach 7.47 kg m-2 h-1 and 12.60 kg m-2 h-1, respectively, and its total evaporation is 4.72 times higher than that of the 2D evaporator. Notably, the hydrogel evaporator has excellent anti-salt properties, antimicrobial properties, and recyclability. This work provides valuable guidance for designing and developing practical hydrogel evaporators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A building block strategy was used to design lithium selective adsorbents. • Synergistic coordination and ion-sieving function worked individually and jointly. • The Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of pNCE-SS@UiO-66 increased from 5.1, 12.9 to 21.8. • Lithium ion uptake amount of pNCE-SS@UiO-66 increased from 1.00 to 1.47 mmol·g−1. • pNCE-SS@UiO-66 could be fully regenerated in warm water ≥ 40℃. Crown ether-based organic lithium adsorbent has good stability for diverse lithium extraction scenarios, but hindering by its relatively low selectivity. Here, we report a building block design strategy for fabricating highly selective and thermally regenerable 12-crown-4 (12CE4) based lithium adsorbent. The synergistic coordination and ion-sieving blocks can sufficiently improve the ion selectivity and adsorption capacity of pNCE@MOF fabricated by copolymerizing thermosensitive segment and 12CE4 inside MOF. With the aid of synergistic coordination component of sulfonate group (SS), its Li+/Mg2+ selectivity increased from 12.9 to 21.8 (pNCE-SS@UiO-66) tested in 10,000 ppm salt solutions. Moreover, the 6.0 Å window of UiO-66 could successfully sieve hydrated Li+ (7.64 Å) and Mg2+ (8.56 Å), enhancing the selectivity 3.3 times from 5.1 for pNCE-SS@MOF-808 (10.0 Å) to 21.8. The adsorption capacity of pNCE-SS@UiO-66 was also optimized from 1.00 to 1.47 mmol·g−1. Furthermore, this material demonstrated a lithium selectivity of 11.5–19.8 in synthetic brines with a Mg/Li ratio of 1 to 0.1. Importantly, it could be fully regenerated in warm water at ≥ 40 °C. This work opens the door to constructing highly ion-selective functional materials via a modular method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling ITO scraps through a sono-electrochemical approach in ammonium salt solution at ambient temperature to obtain hydroxide powder based on the ITO anodic deconstruction mechanism. [Display omitted] • The process simplifies the operation and provides possibilities for scaling up. • The difficulty of selecting anode materials in traditional electrolysis is no longer an issue. • The process achieved closed-loop utilization of the rare precious metal indium. • Various products (oxides or alloys) can be obtained through this process. The conversion of ITO scraps into oxide powders that can be employed to prepare targets is integral to the closed-loop utilization of scare metal indium. Herein, we present a novel route for electrochemical coupled ultrasonic recovery of ITO scraps, which averts the consumption of strong acids, alkalis and carbon containing reducing agents in traditional hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical recovery processes. In an ammonium salt solution, the ITO anode dissolves under the action of electrons: oxygen ions are oxidized, while metal ions are leached out, and then combines with hydroxide ions in the solution to form flocculent precipitates, which is attributed to the extremely low solubility product of indium hydroxide and tin hydroxide. The ultrasonic field can promote the mass transfer between the electrode and electrolyte interface, thereby accelerating the reaction process regulating the morphology and size of the product. After calcination, the precipitates become uniformly mixed nano-scale oxide powders with dimensions that meet the requirements for target preparation. The recycling strategy, with its green, straightforward operation, and feasible for scale-up, suggests potential industrial uses for recovering ITO scraps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A foam is created by BC, hydrated salts, and MIL-101(Cr) in a harmonious manner. • The foam allows for sorption sites with high accessibility to water vapor. • The appearance and color of the foam changes with different water contents. • The foam exhibits a high water sorption capacity with good cycling stability. The sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting technique is an appealing solution for addressing the challenge of freshwater shortages. In this study, a composite foam was fabricated by confining hygroscopic salt (CaCl 2) into a Cr-based metal–organic framework (MIL-101), which was then integrated into a bacterial cellulose (BC) skeleton. The hierarchical structure, which contains micron- and nanoscale pores, enhances water storage, transport, and vapor evaporation throughout the whole water capture and release process. The pore confinement effect of MIL-101 and the interconnected BC network effectively restricted the leakage of the liquefied salt solution. Interestingly, the color of the CaCl 2 @MIL-101@BC foam changed from light green to dark green as the amount of absorbed water increased. This moisture-induced color darkening improves the light absorption ability during the water release stage under sunlight. At 30 % relative humidity, the foam can absorb up to 0.78 g g−1 of water per cycle (8 h) and desorb quickly under solar radiation. This makes foam a promising method for water production in arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Simple green synthesis of ZnO NP-incorporated ceramic HFMs with PVA coating. • Correlation of ZnO NP & PVA loadings towards HFMs porous media properties. • Optimal membrane evaluation for low-pressure natural seawater desalination. • Outstanding salt rejection in synthetic & untreated natural seawater conditions. This work describes the development of a composite Al 2 O 3 hollow fiber combined with multiple-layer ZnO nanoparticles and PVA polymer as the active side for low-pressure saltwater purification. The composite membrane was evaluated with an active layer-facing salt solution, and slight suction condition was applied to the permeate inside the membrane lumen. Results show that varying nanoparticle layers to tune the porosity of the composite membrane influenced its morphology, porosity, and hydrophilicity. The effect of porosity tuning on the membrane characteristics and desalination performance was investigated. A salt rejection rate of >90 % was recorded for all 5 % PVA–ZnO–Al 2 O 3 hollow fiber membranes with the highest salt rejection of 96.34 % and the water flux of 15.49 kg·m−2·h−1. The membrane was further tested with untreated natural seawater to demonstrate its ability to withstand continuous operation. The membrane has acceptable chemical stability when exposed to untreated natural seawater. The optimal PVA–ZnO–Al 2 O 3 hollow fiber membrane exhibited efficient water phase change transfer and high salt rejection, making it a promising candidate for seawater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A fully physically crosslinked, strong and tough polyion complex (PIC) hydrogel adhesive PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT) was fabricated. • The Hofmeister effect was taken advantage of to further enhance the mechanical properties of PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT). • The mechanical data of PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT) was analyzed using Mooney-Rivlin model and Creton's viscoelastic model. • The influence of polymer entanglement on the PIC hydrogel network structure was explored. Polyion complex (PIC) hydrogels possess excellent strength and toughness due to the dynamic and synergetic energy dissipation mechanism associated with the co-existence of both strong and weak bonds, ionic and hydrogen, in their networks. On the other hand, PIC hydrogels usually exhibit poor wet adhesion properties. Furthermore, the role such dynamic energy dissipation mechanism plays in determining interfacial binding is unknown. To address these challenges, here, we report the fabrication of an adhesive PIC hydrogel, poly(sodium p -styrenesulfonate) (NaSS)/poly(acryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC)– co -2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (VDT), i.e. PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT), by introducing a multi-hydrogen bonding capacity functional co-monomer, VDT, and solvent-induced gel phase separation into the fabrication process. The resulting hydrogel exhibited as high as 174 kPa adhesion strength, with retained high mechanical properties, typically 1.2 MPa tensile strength, 2.12 MPa Young's modulus, and 452% strain. The mechanical properties of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) were tunable by adjusting the content of VDT and of the total monomer concentration in hydrogel precursor solutions (C m), as well as by taking advantage of the Hofmeister effect. The dynamic modulus spectra of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) hydrogels at different C m 's in extended frequency windows with time–temperature superposition method (TTS) were acquired and analyzed to explore the influence of polymer entanglement on the hydrogel network structure. The microscopic structure-macroscopic mechanical property relationship of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) hydrogels at different C m 's and immersed in different salt solutions was further studied using the Mooney-Rivlin equation and by fitting the tensile data to Creton's viscoelastic model. This study may provide new insights into designing and constructing strong and tough PIC hydrogel-based adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A simple and effective method for preparing detachable adhesives with strong bonding strength (14.6 MPa) and harsh condition-resistance. • The adhesive can adapt to different substrates and simultaneously be detached by use of cheap and easily available ethanol. • The adhesive can be recycled by ethanol, indicating low energy consumption and environmentally friendliness. Detachable adhesives are extensively utilized in many fields such as electronic assembly and medical devices, yet achieving a balance between adhesive strength and removability still remains a significant challenge. In this study, we designed a kind of novel adhesive of organic-silicon nanogels (P(TPHA-Si)) based on the self-polymerizing of an organic siloxane monomer (TPHA-Si) in ethanol/water mixture under mild conditions. P(TPHA-Si) self-assembled adhesive possessed not only detachable and reuseable advantages, but also wide applicability and excellent harsh-environment resistance. Remarkably, the adhesive strength to glass reached up to 14.6 MPa, heretofore one of the highest strengths of detachable adhesives. The P(TPHA-Si) adhesive could be easily dissociated by ethanol infiltration, allowing for an environmentally friendly detachability and user-friendly reusability. On the other hand, P(TPHA-Si) adhesive could withstand harsh environmental conditions including different acid, alkali and salt solutions, various organic solvents, and −20–120 °C temperatures. Through empirical and theoretical computations, the molecular mechanism underlying the high-strength, detachable adhesion had been validated and elucidated. Considering the ease of processing, cost-effectiveness, Eco-friendly ethanol-assisted detachability and reusability, as well as strong adhesion under harsh conditions, the design of transparent P(TPHA-Si) adhesive offers a commendable pathway for the development of multifunctional detachable adhesives, which are expected to be able to exhibit great potential for applications in electronics and medical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A fully physically crosslinked, strong and tough polyion complex (PIC) hydrogel adhesive PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT) was fabricated. • The Hofmeister effect was taken advantage of to further enhance the mechanical properties of PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT). • The mechanical data of PNaSS/P(DAC- co -VDT) was analyzed using Mooney-Rivlin model and Creton's viscoelastic model. • The influence of polymer entanglement on the PIC hydrogel network structure was explored. Polyion complex (PIC) hydrogels possess excellent strength and toughness due to the dynamic and synergetic energy dissipation mechanism associated with the co-existence of both strong and weak bonds, ionic and hydrogen, in their networks. On the other hand, PIC hydrogels usually exhibit poor wet adhesion properties. Furthermore, the role such dynamic energy dissipation mechanism plays in determining interfacial binding is unknown. To address these challenges, here, we report the fabrication of an adhesive PIC hydrogel, poly(sodium p -styrenesulfonate) (NaSS)/poly(acryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC)– co -2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (VDT), i.e. PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT), by introducing a multi-hydrogen bonding capacity functional co-monomer, VDT, and solvent-induced gel phase separation into the fabrication process. The resulting hydrogel exhibited as high as 174 kPa adhesion strength, with retained high mechanical properties, typically 1.2 MPa tensile strength, 2.12 MPa Young's modulus, and 452% strain. The mechanical properties of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) were tunable by adjusting the content of VDT and of the total monomer concentration in hydrogel precursor solutions (C m), as well as by taking advantage of the Hofmeister effect. The dynamic modulus spectra of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) hydrogels at different C m 's in extended frequency windows with time–temperature superposition method (TTS) were acquired and analyzed to explore the influence of polymer entanglement on the hydrogel network structure. The microscopic structure-macroscopic mechanical property relationship of PNaSS/P(DAC -co- VDT) hydrogels at different C m 's and immersed in different salt solutions was further studied using the Mooney-Rivlin equation and by fitting the tensile data to Creton's viscoelastic model. This study may provide new insights into designing and constructing strong and tough PIC hydrogel-based adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A Sustainable Biomimetic Electronic Skin. • Inspired by skin, first to use wood fiber skeleton to build a double-layer electronic skin structure. • For the first time, wood-based electronic skin with self-healing and anisotropic sensing will be developed. • Designed super-stretch elastomer using radiation manipulation and polymer cross-linking. Skin is a flexible and stretchable sensor composed of anisotropic dermis (DM) and repairable epidermis (EM). It repairs itself when damaged and has a multi-dimensional sensing system that can assist the body in performing some complex multi-dimensional movements. Inspired by skin, we utilized natural wood as the skeleton and for the first time designed a low-cost, double-layer structure wood-based electronic skin (wood-eskin). Simple chemical treatments were employed to directionally regulate the ray structure of natural wood and to enhance its porosity. Subsequently, physical freeze-thawing was employed to facilitate the formation of an entangled network structure between the PVA solution and the wood nanofibers. Wood-eskin with multi-dimensional sensing was obtained by further introducing ions by immersing in salt solution. In comparison to the majority of contemporary bionic e-skins, wood-eskin exhibits superior mechanical properties. Additionally, it is capable of performing complex deformations, such as bending and knotting. After fracture, wood-eskin can also repair itself and recover ∼94 % of its mechanical properties. The oriented arrangement of cellulose nanofiber channels gives wood-eskin a multidimensional sensing capability that can be used to monitor more complex body movements. The low-cost, biodegradable wood-eskin exhibits similar functionality to human skin, and its potential for biomedical and bionic robotics applications is considerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Effective aerosol-assisted plasma functionalization of nanofiltration membranes. • Eco-friendly and sustainable approach based on two hydrophilic monomers. • Plasma-functionalized membranes improve removal of organic pollutants from water. • The highest rejection efficiency is 68.5% for phenol and 49.1% for diuron. • Scalability and applicability to industrial membrane functionalization processes are proposed. Membrane surface functionalization has shown great potential in improving the removal of organic pollutants from water by nanofiltration (NF). However, conventional surface modification methods rely on hazardous chemical solutions and produce large amounts of wastewater, which is contrary to the original purpose of wastewater remediation and the current high demand for environmental sustainability. Herein, we demonstrate a solvent-free and scalable method enabled by an emerging aerosol-assisted plasma deposition process for surface functionalization of NF membranes to improve the removal of organic pollutants from water. We first investigate the physicochemical properties of the aerosol-assisted plasma deposited (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (AAPD-APTES) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (AAPD-HEMA) coatings on commercial NF270 membranes by different surface characterization techniques. Then, we examine the associated membranes' performance in removing conventional organic pollutants (phenol) and emerging micropollutants (diuron). Compared to the untreated NF270 membranes (2.9% for phenol and 22.0% for diuron), AAPD-APTES-modified NF270 membranes have the highest rejection efficiency towards both phenol (68.5%) and diuron (49.1%), whereas AAPD-HEMA coated membranes show good selectivity behavior with a high rejection efficiency for diuron (43.6%) but a relatively low efficiency for phenol (6.2%). Both plasma polymer-coated membranes are effective in removing organic contaminants mainly due to the plasma-produced dense surface coatings. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive eco-friendly and scalable strategy for NF membrane surface functionalization, which can not only improve the NF performance in wastewater remediation but also reduce the production of wastewater in the surface functionalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The prepared aerogels can simultaneously realize highly efficient solar desalination and atmospheric water harvesting. • The aerogel achieves an evaporation rate of up to 2.4 kg m-2h-1 in 5 wt% salt solution. • The aerogel achieves an atmospheric water harvesting capacity of up to 3.29 g g-1 at 90 % relative humidity. • The aerogel has excellent salt resistance and the ability to inhibit leakage of adsorbed water. • The compressive strength of the aerogel is up to 110.9 kPa. Solar desalination and atmospheric water harvesting are economically friendly techniques for obtaining freshwater. However, developing aerogels capable of simultaneously achieving long-term stable operation of efficient solar desalination and atmospheric water harvesting remains challenging. The aramid fiber (AF)-reinforced vertically aligned sheet-like structural aerogel incorporated with expanded graphite was prepared through a sequential process involving freeze-drying, carbonization, and tannin surface modification. The aerogel can serve directly as a seawater desalination evaporator and function as an atmospheric water harvester through LiCl loading. The vertical sheet-like structure of the aerogel enables the evaporator to exhibit a high evaporation rate, reaching 2.4 kg m-2h-1 under 1 kW m-2 simulated solar radiation. The high specific surface area allows the aerogel to load a large amount of LiCl, resulting in a water absorption capacity as high as 3.29 g g-1 (90 % RH), and it can release 80 % of the adsorbed water within 120 min under only 0.5 kW m-2 simulated solar radiation. The laminar void structure of EG can restrict the movement of LiCl, preventing its leakage and ensuring stable water harvesting performance. The water evaporator and harvester both demonstrated excellent stability during cycling tests. Additionally, due to the reinforcing effect of AF, the compression strength of the aerogel reaches as high as 110.9 kPa. The prepared aerogel has promising prospects for freshwater acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A three-dimensional LiCl/Li-Al hybrid protective layer is constructed on the lithium metal anode surface, which can effectively facilitate homogeneous Li+ flux distribution and induce even Li nucleation, leading to excellent dendrite inhibition ability and durable interface stability. • Li metal anode surface is modified by a simple salt solution pre-treatment strategy. • A 3D LiCl/Li-Al hybrid interface layers is in-situ constructed on Li metal surface. • The hybrid layer adjusts homogenous ions environment to induce stable Li deposition. • The quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries deliver excellent cycle stability. The quasi-solid-state metal battery stands out as a promising candidate for the advancement of scalable, safe, and high-performance battery technologies. However, a major challenge remains in the form of short circuits arising from dendrite penetration, a consequence of uneven lithium deposition at the solid electrolyte/lithium anode interface. To address this issue, an in-situ constructed three-dimensional LiCl/Li-Al hybrid protective layer was implemented to inhibit the growth of dendrites. The enhanced interfacial dynamics were meticulously elucidated through a synergistic analysis of simulation and experimental results, highlighting the facilitation of Li+ flux distribution and uniform mass transfers introduced by the lithiophilic Li-Al alloy component. As a result, the modified Li anode enables stable Li stripping/plating cycling at a high current density of 1.0 mA·cm−2 and over 500 h at 0.2 mA·cm−2 for 0.2 mAh·cm−2 in the quasi-solid-state symmetric batteries. Additionally, the full cell with a LiFePO 4 cathode maintains a high discharge capacity of 136.2 mAh/g after 400 cycles at 0.5C with a capacity retention of approximately 90 %. These findings demonstrate the application potential of Li anodes with a surface treatment for quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co 3 O 4 decorated on g-C 3 N 4 regulated Co-3d orbitals electron states. • The low load of Co regulates the electronic structure of g-C 3 N 4 and accelerates electron transfer. • Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 exhibited excellent PMS activation and sulfamethizole degradation. • Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 showed good adaptability in different salt solution systems. The Permonosulfate (PMS) activation via Co based catalysts have been recognized as the most effective PMS activation method. However, regulating the Co-3d band center of Co based catalysts to enhance PMS activation is still a challenge. Since g-C 3 N 4 is often a good carrier for transition metals and their oxides, in this work, the Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 was developed by a simple way to modulate the Co-3d band center of Co 3 O 4 and was used to sulfamethizole (STZ) degradation. Also, some characterizations demonstrated the Co 3 O 4 /g-C 3 N 4 has been successfully prepared such as Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It also showed an effective removal efficiency for STZ by PMS activation (k 1 = 0.77 min−1). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenching experiments verified the main ROS are 1O 2 and SO 4 •−. The DFT results indicated that the Co-3d of Co 3 O 4 band center (from −1.78 eV to −1.41 eV) was successfully modulated, further improving the electronic utilization efficiency and electronic activity, thus effective PMS activation was obtained. This work not only provided a potential way to antibiotics removal in water, but also offered a mechanism analysis of PMS activation by Co-based catalysts in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The performance and mechanism of CO 2 capture by amine blended solvents were reviewed. • The technology of simultaneous removal of CO 2 /NOx/SO 2 by ammonia was discussed. • The industrial challenges during CO 2 capture were summarized. • The specific directions have been proposed for the future development. Absorption/regeneration systems based on chemical solutions are considered a more appropriate option for post-combustion CO 2 capture, with amine solvents being the most commonly utilized. First, this paper provides a systematic review of the mechanisms and performance of CO 2 capture by blended solvents of amine–amine, amine-organic solutions, amine-inorganic solutions, and amine-ionic liquids. Furthermore, some process modifications that can reduce energy consumption and amine degradation during CO 2 capture are discussed. As a promising and challenging absorbent, aqueous ammonia shows potential for simultaneous removal of CO 2 /NOx/SO 2 , producing valuable byproducts like ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate fertilizers. Therefore, the current development of ammonia scrubbing techniques for CO 2 capture and simultaneous removal of CO 2 /NOx/SO 2 is subsequently reviewed in terms of reaction mechanisms, process modifications, and application challenges. Finally, specific directions have been proposed for the future development of amine and aqueous ammonia scrubbing techniques, which are expected to provide meaningful guidance for CO 2 capture by chemical absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Tea-L-CDs@Ce-UiO-66-F 4 was synthesized by growth of carbon dots over Ce-UiO-66-F 4. • Maximum adsorption capacity for TB and CR was 773 and 1429 mg/g within 10 min. • Adsorbent exhibited universal adsorption via ARS (663 mg/g) and RdB (374 mg/g). • Composites showed good storage stability in packaging materials or in air for 30 days. • Application's potential was explored by developed filtration and detection system. Efficient and stable water purification is essential for the protection of water resources. Current adsorbents based on metal–organic frameworks face limitations of restricted active sites and single adsorption objects. In this study, we developed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tea-L-CDs@Ce-UiO-66-F 4 composites by growing Tea and L-tryptophan carbon dots (Tea-L-CDs) over Ce-UiO-66-F 4 MOF, and the interaction force was enhanced by hydrogen bonding (-F/O/N...H-O-, -F/O/N...H-N-, etc.) to achieve universal adsorption. In detail, the maximum adsorption capacity (q m) of the adsorbent for trypan blue (TB), congo red (CR), and CR (adjust pH) was 773.4, 1428.6, and 4761.9 mg/g. The universal experiment showed that the composites exhibited excellent q m for alizarin red S (ARS, 662.7 mg/g) and rhodamine B (RdB, 374.0 mg/g). Meanwhile, Tea-L-CDs@Ce-UiO-66-F 4 composites maintained good anti-interference ability (salt solution, temperature, etc.). Remarkably, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for dyes exceeded 97 % of q m within 1 min of contact time. The adsorption performance of synthetic material for TB, CR, ARS, and RdB is better than most of the adsorbents, especially the q m for TB is higher than any adsorbent previously reported. Besides, this adsorbent had excellent storage stability in the air for 30 days. Based on this nanomaterial, we successfully developed an automated dye filtration and contamination assessment system for blocking dye-attached adsorbent and online detection of dye residues after water purification. Thus, the synthesized Tea-L-CDs@Ce-UiO-66-F 4 composites, with universal adsorption, high efficiency, and good storage stability, hold great potential for wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We develop a novel chemical method for the surface encapsulation of hydrogel with elastic coating that can prevent hydrogel from de/hydration in air and water. • Our mothed shows multiple applicability, which is applicable not only for flat surface of hydrogels, but also various irregular shapes including tubes, spheres, and wrinkles of hydrogels. • Our mothed can improve the functionality of hydrogel sensors, making them capable of long-term sensitivity in both air and water systems. De/hydration is unavoidable for unencapsulated hydrogels, which would weaken their physical performance during applications. Herein, we report a surface-encapsulating method that can chemically make an elastic coating at the surface of hydrogel to prevent it from de/hydration in air and water. The water loss is less than 6 wt% in weight by keeping the surface-encapsulated hydrogel in air at 28 °C for 20 days, and its weight doesn't increase by immersing it in water for 60 days. The adhesion energy between hydrogel and the coating reaches 2000 J/m2, so that it can keep the structural integrity in response to repeated stretching, compression, bending, twisting, and knotting. This method doesn't require any templates and special devices, which can make surface encapsulation for hydrogels that have irregular shapes such as tubes, spheres, and wrinkles. The encapsulated elastic coating is of long-term (180 days) stability without interfacial failure in air, and in acidic, alkaline, and salt solutions, which enables the hydrogel capable of long-term sensitivity as a strain sensor in air and water systems, showing great potential for signal transmission under water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Te-vacancy-rich CoTe 2− x nanoparticles confined in hollow hierarchical gridded structured CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC composite has been synthesized to cope with the non-negligible dissolution and shuttle effects of K-polytellurides. Benefiting from the synergistic regulation of the robust chemisorption and physical confinement of S, N-codoped dual-type carbon-confinement structure, and defect chemistry acceleration reaction kinetics, the CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC electrode exhibits ultra-stable cycling stability and rapid potassium storage performance. [Display omitted] • 3D hierarchical grid structured dual-type carbon-confined Te-vacancy-rich CoTe 2− x nanodots (CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC) were synthesized. • The nature behind the evolution and the capacity decay of CoTe 2 was clarified. • 3DPSNDC effectively suppresses the dissolution and shuttle of potassium polytellurides (K-pTe x) through physical confinement and chemisorption. • Te-vacancy-rich CoTe 2− x significantly accelerates the K-ion diffusion kinetics. • The CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC electrode manifest excellent potassium storage performance. Metal tellurides (MTes) have emerged as highly promising anode materials for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their exceptional volumetric capacity and superior electronic conductivity. The practical application of MTes, however, faces challenges such as slow kinetics, volumetric effects, and ill-defined shuttling phenomena of K-polytellurides (K-pTe x). Herein, we present a groundbreaking solution through the development of Te-vacancy-rich CoTe 2− x nanoparticles confined within a 3D honeycomb-like, hollow hierarchical gridded porous structured, S, N co-doped dual-carbon structural composite (CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC) via facile defect chemistry. This well-designed composite offers an unparalleled combination of fast ion/electron transport and stable K-pTe x , propelling battery reactions to new heights. State-of-the-art in-/ex-situ techniques and density functional theory calculations reveal the evolution and shuttling mechanism of K-pTe x. Remarkably, our study validates the exceptional physical confinement and chemisorption capabilities of S, N co-doped dual-type carbon skeletons on K 5 Te 3 and K 2 Te 3 , leading to ultra-stable potassium-ion storage. Furthermore, the Te vacancies substantially boost the intrinsic conductivity of CoTe 2− x , resulting in accelerated reaction kinetics and enhanced rate performance of the CoTe 2− x @3DPSNDC electrode which achieved an impressive capacity of 508.1 mAh cm−3 at 5.0 A g−1. Our advanced design concept provides unique insights into the construction of MTes anodes for achieving stable cyclability and fast-charging PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Iron shavings/O 2 endow detoxification of Sb(III) and direct sequestration of Sb(V). • Fe(0) activated dissolved oxygen to generate •OH without external oxidants. • Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) under the synergistic effect of •OH and Fe(III). • The iron (hydr)oxides sequestered Sb(V) via complexation and co-precipitation. • A facile and sustainable iron-based material was developed for Sb removal in PDW. Trivalent antimonite (Sb(III)) and pentavalent antimonate (Sb(V)) prevail in printing and dyeing wastewater (PDW). Conventional iron-based materials such as iron flocculant and nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) suffer from lack of oxidative capability and agglomerative deactivation for Sb removal, respectively. Herein, this study proposed a dual-function iron shavings coupling aeration system (iron shavings/O 2) for the "oxidation-sequestration" of Sb(III) and the direct sequestration of Sb(V). Results collectively demonstrated that iron shavings/O 2 system performed effectively in a broad solution chemistry environment, including wide pH range, co-existing inorganic ions, organic compounds and even practical water matrices. Fe(0), the primary constituent of iron shavings, activated dissolved oxygen (DO) to •OH through electron transfer (O 2 → O 2 •− → H 2 O 2 → •OH), while it was oxidized to Fe(II) and Fe(III). The generated •OH and Fe(III) synergistically oxidized Sb(III) to less toxic Sb(V), which was then sequestered by iron (hydr)oxides and newly formed iron muds via inner sphere complexation and co-precipitation. Furthermore, the proposed system exhibited stable and efficient Sb removal in a continuous flow reactor. Overall, this work illustrates iron shavings/O 2 is a promising alternative for mainstream iron-based materials towards Sb removal and offers enormous potential for practical PDW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Retention of P in the soil increased with the addition of LDHs and in the presence of Ca2+ in comparison to K+. • Both breakthrough curves and retention profiles for P were simulated by Hydrous 1D. • A potential for Fe/Al oxides-facilitated transport of P under the change of soil solution chemistry. • The dissolution and transport of LDHs could be impeded in the presence of high cation valence and IS. Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized and applied to soils to control phosphorus (P) loss. Saturated soil column experiments and numerical modeling were conducted to investigate the transport, retention, and release behavior of P in natural soil with and without mixing LDHs under various solution chemistries. Retention of P in the soil increased with the addition of 0.5% LDHs and in the presence of Ca2+ in comparison to K+. The simulated results showed that irreversible retention of P is greater in the presence of Ca2+ than K+ in soil without LDHs and in the presence of 0.5% LDHs in comparison to the absence. The increase of ionic strength (IS) for K+ from 1 to 100 mM resulted in increased P retention in LDH-soil system due to more inner-sphere complexes and increased adhesive force. Near equilibrium retention on the reversible site occurred for all these experiments. The P was desorbed and the transport of dissolved P was improved with the reduction of IS in the presence of K+. On the other side, larger ion exchange and reduction of IS in the presence of Ca2+ induced the release of Fe/Al oxides which brought transport of P absorbed on those minerals, suggesting the potential for Fe/Al oxides-facilitated transport of P under the change of soil solution chemistry. Additionally, the transport and stability of LDHs in soil column were also investigated. The dissolution and transport of LDHs could be impeded in presence of high cation valence and IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel multifunctional hydrogel was prepared using a simple one-pot method. • The hydrogel possesses good mechanical property and self-healing ability. • The self-healing process is not significantly disturbed by external conditions. • The hydrogel is easy to recycle using pollution-free methods. Antibacterial hydrogels capable of self-healing when damaged have been developing rapidly in recent years owing to their promising applications in biomedical and relevant fields. Despite great achievements, the acute defects of low mechanical property, limited self-healing ability, potential cytotoxicity, poor recyclability and sophisticated preparation process hinder their further applications. Herein, a facile one-pot strategy is proposed to prepare the hydrogel with antibacterial and non-cytotoxic properties using aluminium(III) ions (Al3+s) and carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CMCS NPs) to crosslink with polyacrylic acid (PAA) chains through triple dynamic non-covalent interactions (coordination, hydrogen and electrostatic interactions). Benefit from the strong triple-crosslinked network and dynamic nature of non-covalent bonds, the PAA-Al3+-CMCS hydrogels exhibit a desirable mechanical property (fracture strength of 190.9 kPa, fracture elongation of 1930%) and self-healing ability (healing efficiency 92.9% of stress, 98.8% of strain, 25 °C, 24 h of healing) which is not obviously disturbed by surface ageing or erosion (e.g. acid, alkali and salt solutions). Besides, owing to the fully physical crosslinking structure, the as-prepared hydrogels are easy to recycle in pollution-free ways. This strategy opens a new avenue to fabricate hydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties and multi-functionality synchronously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • In situ synthesis of CoAl LDH on boehmite surface (CoAl-LDH@boehmite) is reported. • CoAl-LDH@boehmite has a three-dimensional hierarchical structure. • Pseudo-second-order and Sips models well represented As(V) sorption behavior. • Intercalation and inner-sphere complexation were responsible for As(V) removal. Abstract A facile route is reported for the in situ formation of three-dimensionally structured hierarchical Co-Al layered double hydroxide (CoAl-LDH) crystals on a boehmite surface (CoAl-LDH@boehmite) via the dissolution of boehmite followed by the coprecipitation of Co and Al ions on the boehmite surface. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared materials were characterized and tested for evaluating their sorption affinity toward arsenate (As(V)) in an aqueous solution. The characterization results confirmed that the plate-like CoAl-LDH nanocrystals were densely and uniformly formed on the boehmite surface with a three-dimensional hierarchical structure. Batch experiments were conducted systematically to evaluate the effects of the sorbent dosage, initial pH, competitive anions, and temperature on the sorption behavior of CoAl-LDH@boehmite. The sorption kinetics and isotherms studies indicated that the As(V) sorption processes could be well described by the pseudo-second-order and Sips isotherm models, respectively. The sorption mechanisms were confirmed by various solid phase analyses, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure. These findings suggest that the intercalation of As(V) into the interlayer region via anion exchange and bidentate-binuclear inner-sphere surface complexation due to ligand exchange were responsible for the removal of As(V) by CoAl-LDH@boehmite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Discharge plasma/alkaline precipitation is proposed to remove EDTA-Cu. • Influences of concomitant ions on EDTA-Cu decomplexation are evaluated. • Contributions of reactive substances to EDTA-Cu decomplexation are analyzed. • Possible decomposition pathway of EDTA-Cu in this system is proposed. • Chemical compositions of precipitates after alkaline precipitation are diagnosed. Abstract EDTA-chelated metals, which widely occur during heavy metal contaminated-soil remediation by EDTA washing, are difficult to remove by traditional chemical precipitation because of the strong complexation between EDTA and heavy metal ions. A strategy, i.e., non-thermal plasma (NTP) oxidation/alkaline precipitation, was developed to remove the EDTA-chelated metals; EDTA-chelated copper (EDTA-Cu) was used as the model pollutant and the influences of some concomitant ions on EDTA-Cu decomplexation and Cu release were evaluated. The concomitant anions Cl− and NO 3 − favored EDTA-Cu decomplexation, whereas CO 3 2− disfavored this process; the concomitant positive ions Ni2+ and Fe3+ both promoted EDTA-Cu decomplexation via replacement or Fenton-like effects. These effects were also characterized by total organic carbon and Cu2+ release analysis. The contributions of O 3 , O, 1O 2 , OH, and O 2 − to EDTA-Cu decomplexation were quantitatively analyzed. Ethanamine, acetamide, glycolic acid, acetic acid, formamide, ethylene glycol, and butanedioic acid were monitored using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and a possible decomposition pathway of EDTA-Cu was proposed. Furthermore, the chemical compositions of the precipitates were diagnosed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Effect of GO size on adsorption and desorption of U(VI) was investigated at different solution chemistry. • The adsorption rate of U(VI) onto SGO was faster than that onto LGO. • SGO has the better adsorption capacity towards U(VI) than LGO. • It was more difficult to desorb U(VI) from SGO as compared to LGO. Abstract Size as one of important physicochemical properties for graphene oxide (GO) may affect its adsorption and desorption behaviors. To date, there are few reports giving a systematic investigation on this point. In this study, batch experiment was conducted to study the adsorption and desorption of U(VI) on GO with two different size (2–5 µm and 100–300 nm) at different solution chemistry (pH, coexisting ions, humic acid and temperature). Faster adsorption rate and better adsorption capacity were displayed on smaller size GO. Additionally, U(VI) desorption is hysteretic, more so with the smaller size GO. These results showed that GO size played a significant role in determining its adsorption and desorption behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The durable superamphiphobic coatings with icephobicity are successfully fabricated. • The coatings showed uniform hierarchical structure surface attributed to rheological mechanism. • The coatings have excellent mechanical stability could used for anti-icing, self-cleaning and corrosion resistance. • The competitive relationship between roughness and ice adhesion has been explained reasonably. An anti-icing coating with good mechanical stability and a multi-stage structure was prepared using electrostatic powder spraying and solution spraying to solve the abrasion resistance of superhydrophobic coatings. The prepared coating has excellent superamphiphobic and anti-icing performances due to selectivity properties on the matrix resin without any influence, and the surface has the characteristics of large roughness and low surface energy. The formation of the superamphiphobic structure's hierarchy of the surface is attributed to the change of rheological mechanism caused by modified SiO 2 nanoparticles, hindering the powder coatings from leveling during the solidification process. The surface roughness of the coating can be varied to change the ice's desorption ability by varying the amount of modified nano-SiO 2. The initial ice adhesion strength of the coating is 89.6 kPa, and the coating can delay icing for 4436 s at –15 ℃. The coating's abrasion resistance is enhanced by the network crosslinking structure between the resin and SiO 2 nanoparticles and the addition of modified SiO 2 nanoparticles. The coating can still maintain superamphiphobic property at 1000 g load, using 1000 abrasion cycles, 100 m sandpaper grinding and 450 min sand erosion at 20 m/s. The ice adhesion strength of the coating is reduced to 18.7 kPa due to the decreased ice nailing effect, and the icing delay is 2596 s. Furthermore, the coating has excellent self-cleaning, electrochemically corrosion-resistant, and salt solution immersion ability. This superamphiphobic coating with high mechanical stability has a wide range of outdoor applications and is expected to be used to develop environmentally friendly anti-icing/de-icing coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Smart COF membranes were constructed via biomimetic nanochannel modulation. • Charged and switchable channels endowed COF membranes with high ion selectivity. • Pore size of photo-responsive COF membranes was controllable at angstrom level. • Photo-responsive COF membranes showed great potential in lithium extraction. Smart nanochannels can regulate ion transport behavior by external stimulus and display precise ion selectivity in biological membrane systems, but constructing artificial membranes with responsive and tunable channel remains a severe challenge. Herein, smart covalent organic framework (COF) membranes decorated with photo-responsive azobenzene derivatives (COF-Azo) were fabricated by a biomimetic nanochannel modulation (BNM) strategy, endowing membranes with charged and switchable sub-nanochannels. Under different wavelength of light, the smart COF-Azo membranes simultaneously exhibited outstanding mono/monovalent and mono/divalent ion selectivity (K+/Li+ ideal selectivity of 17.9 and Li+/Mg2+ ideal selectivity of 24.9) via closing and opening channels. The conversion of effective pore size at angstrom level is realized by photoisomerization of azobenzene. After several photoswitch cycles, the smart membranes still maintained K+/Li+ selectivity of 6.1 and Li+/Mg2+ selectivity of 20.7 in mixed salt solution, exhibiting great potentials in lithium extraction. This work may blaze a trail in constructing photo-responsive nanochannel membranes for energy-efficient ion separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Solution chemistry strategies improve quality and ASE in perovskite films. • MAPbI 3 -MAP perovskites film has superior ASE properties. • Prepared MAPbI 3 -MAP film shows stable ASE. Lead-halide perovskites are being explored as potential light sources for short-distance data communication lasers. However, their practical applications are hindered by defects and poor stability. Ionic liquids (ILs), which are known for their environmentally friendly properties, are being investigated as alternative solvents to address these issues. In this study, methylammonium propionate (MAP), a more viscous IL solvent, was employed to regulate the crystallization process of the perovskite films through the strength of Lewis adducts. Compared with another frequently-used IL, methylammonium acetate (MAAc), the use of MAP solvent was observed to have a significant influence on the morphology and crystalline characteristics of the prepared MAPbI 3 film. The findings of this comparative study provide strong evidence for the viability and preferability of using MAP solvent over MAAc in the preparation of MAPbI 3 films, specifically for achieving an improved ASE performance and stability. The threshold of the MAPbI 3 -MAP film was only 12 μJ cm−2, which is lower than one-fourth of that observed for the MAPbI 3 -MAAc film (56 μJ cm−2) under nanosecond laser excitation. In addition, MAP-based devices can maintain stable ASE output emissions under harsh environments of long-term stimulation and high-humidity preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multiple H-bonds provide mechanical and anti-swelling properties. • Directly-dissolved cellulose by salts. • High conductivity and excellent frost resistance. • Strain sensitivity and stability under extreme conditions. • Monitoring human movement with favorable sense performance. Although ionic conductive hydrogels (ICHs) have been widely utilized to fabricate excellent flexible sensors, traditional ICHs are generally easy to swell, resulting in the inevitable failure of flexible sensors. Herein, a facile and effective strategy is employed to impart ICHs with excellent mechanical properties, satisfying anti-swelling property, favorable anti-freezing property, and high ion-conductivity simultaneously, that is to construct multiple hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) through directly dissolving cellulose in salt solutions, avoiding the tedious preparation process of traditional ICHs as well. Notably, the cellulose is directly dissolved in the solution containing zinc ions (Zn2+) and aluminum ions (Al3+), and then acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) are copolymerized in it. Multiple H-bonds are formed among the abundant − OH groups, −NH 2 groups, and − COOH groups belonging to cellulose, AAm, and AA, respectively. As a result, the improved anti-swelling ability (88.03 %) and compressive performance (24.11 MPa) of the resultant Ion-C-P(AA-co-AAm) hydrogel are achieved. Besides, excellent conductivity (48.39 mS/cm) and frost resistance are provided by generous Zn2+ and Al3+. Moreover, Ion-C-P(AA-co-AAm) hydrogel exhibits favorable sensitivity in monitoring human activities and can output stable electrical signals in a low-temperature environment, showing a great potential application for flexible sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A sustainable hybrid technology for DAC proposed. • Combination of amino acids and dense hollow fiber membrane provide stable CO 2 absorption. • Vacuum low-temperature regeneration is a viable approach for CO 2. • Potassium glycinate (GlyK) selected as the most suitable solvent for DAC. Direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 using liquid sorbent technology is gaining attention as a promising approach in tackling the looming climate crisis. Despite technical advancements, critical aspects such as contactor selection, energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental compatibility still pose uncertainties. In this study, various green amino acid salts performances in a DAC system were explored using non-porous hollow fiber membrane contactors (HFMCs). Two DAC absorption and desorption apparatuses were developed. For the DAC-absorption unit, the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of five types of aqueous amino acid salt solutions were evaluated in long-term operations. High absorption stability for most of the solutions in different solvent loadings (up to 80% CO 2 solvent loaded) were observed and potassium glycinate (GlyK) was selected as the most suitable candidate for DAC. To enhance the CO 2 separation efficiency, parametric analysis on air and solvent flow rates, solvent temperature and concentration were conducted using GlyK. Vacuum low-temperature desorption experiments were carried out with GlyK to evaluate the CO 2 removal efficiency over a range of solvent temperatures and concentrations, CO 2 loadings, vacuum pressures, and vacuum/sweep gas mode. The results successfully quantified the effect of each operational parameter under various conditions on CO 2 removal in a DAC system. Finally, to investigate the impact of membrane characteristics on DAC absorption–desorption performance, a developed and validated model was used. Taken all together, hybrid technology of membrane modules and green amino acid salts is shown to be a viable pathway towards a sustainable DAC process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We incorporated covalent organic frameworks, HIAM-0001 and HIAM-0004, into the PbI 2 layer to fabricate perovskite film via a two-step method. Systematic investigations on the influence of COF on the perovskite thin film formation mechanism were performed via in-situ UV–vis absorption spectra. This revealed that COF assistance decelerated the crystallization kinetics of the perovskite film, resulting in the growth of larger crystal grains and reduced defect density. The final device improved opto-electronic properties over 24%. [Display omitted] • Two unique COF materials, HIAM-0001 and HIAM-0004, were synthesized. • COF was integrated into the PbI 2 layer to form porous arrangements. • The formation mechanism of COF-assisted perovskite films was investigated. • HIAM-0004 with bipyridine unit shows stronger conjugation and π-π interactions. • HIAM-0004-assisted cells achieve a 24.06% PCE with improved storage stability. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), recognized for their conjugated frameworks, adjustable porosity, and customizable functionalization, are emerging as versatile materials in perovskite photovoltaics with the potential to enhance both device performance and stability. However, a comprehensive understanding of their precise influence on the intricate phenomenon of perovskite crystallization kinetics is still lacking. In this study, we have successfully synthesized two distinctive COF materials, namely HIAM-0001 and HIAM-0004, utilizing the structural units of 5′,5″″-(benzo[c] [1,2,5] thiadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(([1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl]-4,4″-dicarbaldehyde)) (BT-TDA), with either the additional unit p-xylylenedicyanide (PDAN) or 2,2′-([2,2′-bipyridine]-5,5′-diyl) diacetonitrile (BPyDAN). By incorporating them into the PbI 2 layer, we have facilitated high-quality perovskite film fabrication through a two-step process. The COF-assisted PbI 2 films exhibited a distinct porous structure, facilitating organic salt solution permeation and reducing PbI 2 residues. Notably, in-situ UV–vis absorption characterization revealed slowed perovskite film crystallization kinetics with COF assistance, leading to the formation of larger crystal grains, fewer grain boundaries, reduced defect density, and suppressed non-radiative recombination, ultimately resulting in improved device performance. In comparison to HIAM-0001, the enhanced π-π interactions of HIAM-0004, with its bipyridine-based unit, exhibited more pronounced interactions with the perovskite, contributing to a remarkable PCE of 24.06% and excellent device stability. This study underscores the pivotal role of COF modification in shaping perovskite film crystallization kinetics, thereby enhancing film quality, reducing defects, and boosting device stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CA/MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 membranes were prepared by incorporating nanoparticles into the CA. • Incorporating MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 nanoparticles improved the hydrophilicity and reduced the roughness of the modified membranes. • Pure water flux of all the modified membranes showed better performance compared to unmodified membranes. • Incorporating MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 nanoparticles improved the anti-fouling properties of the membranes. Mixed matrix membranes were developed by incorporating hydrophilic MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 nanoparticles into a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix, resulting in enhanced hydrophilicity. By enhancing hydrophilicity, mixed matrix membranes were developed to counter the common issue of fouling that occurs when using membranes for the treatment of industrial wastewater. The mixed matrix membrane structures demonstrated impressive stability, with minimal change in water contact angle over a period of 30 days. The incorporation of MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 into the cellulose acetate membrane resulted in a reduction of the water contact angle from approximately 65.1˚ to 50.3˚, improving hydrophilicity. Even with just 1 wt% of MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 added to the cellulose acetate matrix, the pure water flux was significantly increased by 150 % to 68.1 ± 0.87 L/m2h, due to the enhanced hydrophilicity and larger pore size while maintaining a similar level of salt rejection. The prepared membranes exhibited high rejection (>97 %) of Methyl Blue dye through size exclusion mechanism. Additionally, the flux recovery ratio (FRR) improved significantly, increasing from approximately 54 % for the unmodified cellulose acetate membrane to 82 % for the mixed matrix membrane containing 0.2 wt% MIL-101(Cr)–NH 2 , demonstrating a significant improvement in the antifouling properties of the prepared membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The rare case of hafnium phosphonate frameworks used as actinides sorbents was presented. • Th(IV) and U(VI) were efficiently captured from moderate acidic solution. • 239Pu and 237Np were extracted from strong acidic solution by MOFs for the first time. • Unexpected sorption performance enhancement by high-dose γ-rays irradiation was discovered. Abstract A kind of unconventional metal–organic framework (UMOF), hafnium phosphonates (HfP) with different molar fractions P/(P + Hf), were synthesized via a template-free, one-pot method by the reaction between hafnium chloride octahydrate (HfOCl 2 ·8H 2 O) and amino tris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP); the structure, sorption behaviors for actinides, acid resistance and radiolytic stability of the synthesized materials were then investigated. The results reveal that the materials were amorphous and porous, and HfP with a higher molar fraction P/(P + Hf) exhibited a higher sorption capacity for Th(IV) and U(VI). In 3 mol/L HNO 3 , K d values of HfP for Th(IV) and U(VI) were 5.84 × 104 and 5.09 × 103 mL/g, respectively, indicating superiority to other MOF materials in strong acidic solution. The K d values for tracer amounts of radioactive 239Pu and 237Np were 1.19 × 104 and 6.68 × 103 mL/g in 4 mol/L HNO 3 , respectively. This is the first case of applying MOF materials to capture transuranic elements from a strong acidic medium. Moreover, the materials were quite stable when dipped into strong acidic solutions, while their sorption performances were unexpectedly enhanced after irradiated by high dosage γ-rays in air. All the results support its anticipated application as actinide sorbents in many practical nuclear processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • La-doped magnetic biochar was synthesized for Sb(V) adsorption. • La 0.3 Fe-BC exhibits higher Sb(V) adsorption preference than Fe-BC and BC. • The formation of La O Sb complex was the dominant contribution for Sb(V) adsorption enhancement. Abstract A novel La-doped magnetic biochar was synthesized by a co-precipitation method for efficient Sb(V) removal. In contrast to pristine biochar and un-doped magnetic biochar, the Sb(V) adsorption capacity in La-doped magnetic biochar was greatly improved, increasing from 2.22 mg/g and 4.85 mg/g to 18.92 mg/g at pH of 7.0, respectively. The enhanced Sb(V) adsorption remained over a wide pH range (2–10), despite the existence of Cl−, SO 4 2−, NO 3 −, HCO 3 −, or H 2 PO 4 −. These competing anions had little interference with Sb(V) sorption except HCO 3 − and H 2 PO 4 −. The combined results of TEM, XRD, FTIR and XPS further confirmed that La atom was successfully doped into the Fe 3 O 4 structure. The point of zero charge of the biochar increased accordingly with a number of hydroxyl groups (i.e. La OH) formed on the surface. Although the magnetic performance decreased after La doping, La-doped magnetic biochar still showed high separation potential. The comparison of FTIR and XPS analyses before and after Sb(V) adsorption revealed that the formation of inner-sphere La O Sb complex was the dominant contribution for Sb(V) sorption enhancement. Meanwhile, other mechanisms such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange were also involved. All the results suggested that La-doped magnetic biochars could serve as promising adsorbents for Sb(V) pollution minimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Sitinakite-type titanosilicate multivalent cationic adsorbent was synthesized. • Strontium and barium cations were selective removed from aqueous solutions. • Periodic DFT calculations of molecular level into the adsorption were carried out. • The thermodynamic analysis points to a spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. Abstract A highly selective adsorbent for multivalent cationic species based on a sitinakite-type titanosilicate was prepared from a leucoxene ore enrichment waste. The synthesized material was used as for the selective removal of alkali-earth strontium (II) and barium (II) cations as well as for the cationic species based on the natural isotopes of uranium, radium, and thorium from aqueous solutions. The influence of such parameters as the pH, the initial concentration of the ions, the presence of other electrolytes on the sorption parameters was investigated. The sorption capacity of the synthesized material at ambient conditions is 80 and 110 mg/g for Sr2+ and Ba2+, respectively, and it rises with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the material shows a high selectivity towards radionuclides of radium, uranium, and thorium. By using the current titanosilicate materials, the extracting degree of over 99% could be achieved when extracting these species from their respective standard aqueous solutions. The origin of the high adsorption selectivity for cationic complexes of thorium and uranium is rationalized based on periodic density functional theory calculations. The obtained results indicate that the described materials could be promising and inexpensive sorbents for the selective extraction of radioactive isotopes and particularly those of Sr, Ba and U, Th, Ra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel aromatic poly ( m -phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) hollow fiber substrate was first introduced to poly(piperazine-amide) (PA) composite membrane for nanofiltration. Chemical composition, morphological structure and top surface property were comprehensively characterized. Analyses indicated that a negative charged polyamide selective layer was successfully synthesized on PMIA substrate via interfacial polymerization. For nanofiltration tests, the as-prepared PA/PMIA hollow fiber membrane exhibited not only a superior permeation (104.13 ± 0.70 L·m −2 ·h −1 , 0.6 MPa), but also an excellent salt rejection in the order as: R N a 2 S O 4 (98.45%) >  R MgS O 4 (97.98%) >  R CaC l 2 (96.02%) >  R MgC l 2 (95.74%) >  R NaCl (54.07%). Additionally, nanofiltration performance was evaluated with three kinds of anionic dyes (Chromotrope FB, Reactive Yellow 3, Direct Fast Blue B2RL) in varied conditions, including operating pressure, dye content, pH environment and salty co-exist. Evidence supported that an outstanding dye-removal ability was achieved using the developed PA/PMIA membrane, which was specifically higher than 97%. Integrate all the findings, this work provided a new PMIA based hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane, which should be promising in application of dye wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we present a new approach to enhance the recovery performance of Au(III) using thiol-functionalized adsorbents in acidic leachate solution of urban mining. Ordered mesoporous silicas (OMS) with abundant surface silanol were obtained from mine tailings by solvent extraction. Overall, the surface silanol groups had the greatest effect on sulfur density and content under the conditions for functionalization with 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane (3-MPTMS). Furthermore, silanol-rich OMS functionalized with thiol exhibited greater sulfur content and higher Au(III) adsorption capacity (231 mg/g) in a single-component solution. The adsorption rates follow the pseudo-second-order model, and the Au(III) adsorption isotherms fit well with the Langmuir adsorption model. These are attributed to the high sulfur content and its increased uniformity in silanol-rich OMS adsorbents, which increased the inward diffusion of Au(III) and effectively improved its accessibility to the activated sites. The adsorbents of Au(III) in acidic leachate solution achieved an adsorption efficiency of 213 mg/g. Moreover, they maintained the Au(III) selectivity of the functionalized thiol on surface silanol in acidic leachate solution, suggesting minimal non-selective metal ion adsorption. As a result of the regeneration, the adsorption efficiencies of Au(III) was maintained at over ca. 97.2%, even after five recovery cycles. These results demonstrate the potential application and recyclability of the developed adsorbent for Au(III) recovery in acidic leachate solution of urban mining and other prospective sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stainless steel structures are used in reactor vessels, pipelines, boilers and industrial tubing in the oil and gas industries and they regularly experience corrosion, erosion and fouling that necessitate frequent replacement and repairs. We demonstrate a new method to robustly protect the stainless steel surface and render it superhydrophobic. Our method utilizes self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) grown on discrete TiO 2 nanotube (d-TNT)-coated stainless steel surfaces for complete passivation. While the formation of superhydrophobic coatings based on anodically formed titania nanotube arrays has been previously reported by several research groups including us, the key techno-economic obstacle has been the need to use vacuum deposition to grow adherent and uniform precursor Ti films on non-native substrates such as stainless steel prior to electrochemical anodization. Vacuum deposition of the precursor Ti films is simply neither scalable nor economically feasible for the large and complex stainless steel structures used in pipelines, boilers and industrial tubing and solution processing, preferably a spray-coatable solution, is an absolute must. Our innovation here consists of formulating a spray-coatable suspension of functionalized discrete TiO 2 nanotubes that forms a superhydrophobic surface on stainless steel substrates. Vacuum deposition is completely eliminated from our process sequence and as such, we expect our coatings to inhabit the same niche as current commercial formulations while possessing the superior temperature stability and wear resistance of TiO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-temperature solution-processed method is a kind of low-energy-consuming and simple methodology for preparing cost-effective planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A key factor affecting photovoltaic performance of planar PSCs is the quality of electron-transporting layers (ETLs) in the devices. Although TiO 2 is the most widely used material for preparing ETLs, it has drawbacks such as low electron mobility and ultraviolet light induced photocatalysis. So the replacement of TiO 2 in ETLs is an important strategy to improve the stability and photovoltaic performance of PSCs. Here, the fabrication of high-performance planar PSCs based on low-temperature solution-processed well-crystalline SnO 2 nanorods ETLs is reported. The sophisticated solvothermal method with the aid of oleic acid (OA) ligands is used to synthesize high aspect ratio and well crystalline SnO 2 nanorods. And then the OA-capped SnO 2 nanorods are directly used to fabricate ETLs without complex treatments. The planar PSCs based on OA-capped SnO 2 nanorods ETLs achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.62%, which is much higher than that of the ones based on OA-capped TiO 2 nanorods ETLs (14.27%). Compared to the OA-capped TiO 2 nanorods, the insulating OA ligands show weaker influence on the electronic properties of SnO 2 nanorods, owing to the high electron mobility character of SnO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceric ammonium nitrate manufacture generated a large number of acidic wastewater, which contained a certain amount of ceric. To treatment this wastewater and recovery the ceric resource and waste acid, an electrodialysis-vacuum membrane distillation (ED-VMD) hybrid system was introduced. To establish a stable and efficient system, a series of membrane materials, performance parameters and solution properties were investigated. It was found that NO 3 − could be separated from Ce 4+ and recovered efficiently in ED system. pH value of Cerium wastewater decreased in the ED process which ensured a stable and reliable operation of the following concentration technology. The high resistance of Ce 4+ and high NO 3 − recovery efficiency in ED anode compartment supplied an opportunity for industry waste acid recycling as well. The VMD process provided more than 99.9% rejection of Ce 4+ and concentrated it maximally. Furthermore, membrane cleaning procedures were discussed in order to keep the high efficiency of VMD system. The results implied that vapor condensation inside the pores was the main reason caused membrane fouling and flux decreasing. And the drying procedure was the most efficient cleaning method. This work provided a potential treatment process for rare earth metals wastewater treatment, which decreased the wastewater discharge and recycled the resource in some field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel carboxyl-functionalized magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles coated by poly 2,3-diaminophenol (CMNP@PDAPs) were prepared by a facile method. The core-shell CMNP@PDAPs can efficiently remove Cr(VI) and As(V)/As(III) from solution, especially in the bi-solute systems. The reduction of Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III) by amine are found to be the driving force for Cr(VI) adsorption. For the adsorption of As(III), the inner-sphere surface complexation mechanism dominate the adsorption process, while the electrostatic outer-sphere dominates the As(V) adsorption on CMNP@PDAPs. Interestingly in the bi-solute systems, the As(III)/As(V) removal was promoted by Cr(VI) while the Cr(VI) removal was decreased. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates the reduction of Cr(VI), and the interactions between the chelated Cr(III) and As(V)/As(III) results in the enhanced As(V)/As(III) adsorption. Based on theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the energy gap of HOMO-LUMO is in the order of ΔE gap (H 3 AsO 3 ) > ΔE gap (H 2 AsO 4 − ) > ΔE gap (HCrO 4 − ), further confirms the Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III). The transition states for the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and the optimized geometries of the reaction intermediates were also highlighted. The CMNP@PDAPs show great potential in simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and As(V)/As(III) from seriously polluted water with muti-pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmotic microbial fuel cells (OsMFCs) combine the merits of microbial fuel cell (MFC) and forward osmosis (FO) for simultaneous contaminant removal, electricity generation, and high-quality water extraction. As an FO based technology, reverse solute flux (RSF) is one of the key challenges for its operation. Herein, RSF was converted into a positive effect on the system performance by using NaHCO 3 solution as a draw solution (DS)/catholyte. It was found that reverse-fluxed NaHCO 3 helped buffer the anolyte pH and thus enhance electricity generation, compared to the OsMFC using the NaCl DS/catholyte. At the same concentration, the NaHCO 3 DS/catholyte achieved a higher Coulomb production of 1349.2 ± 80.3 C and higher anolyte pH of 6.48 ± 0.19 than those of the NaCl DS/catholyte. At the same conductivity, the NaHCO 3 DS/catholyte exhibited better electricity generation performance with a comparable recovered water volume of 417.7 ± 13.7 mL to that of the NaCl DS/catholyte. As the NaHCO 3 concentration increased from 0.1 M to 0.75 M, the OsMFC electricity generation was enhanced due to the increased RSF from 19.2 ± 2.3 to 210.8 ± 17.5 mmol m −2 h −1 . In the anode, 92.0 ± 0.8% to 97.1 ± 0.9% of reverse-fluxed NaHCO 3 was used to neutralize protons. These results have demonstrated a new strategy that uses the bicarbonate migration driven by both a concentration gradient and electricity generation to successfully raise the alkalinity of the anolyte towards enhancing electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propene (C 3 H 6 )/propane (C 3 H 8 ) separation is an important but challenging industrial task. Adsorptive separation using porous materials tends to be an energy- and cost-effective strategy. In this work, a flexible porous MOF named NJU-Bai8 is demonstrated to be a promising adsorbent for the effective separation of C 3 H 6 and C 3 H 8 in a wide temperature range from 298 to 348 K due to its flexible microporous structure, which provides unique guest responsive molecule accommodation. Adsorption isotherms, ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) prediction of separation ability, and transient breakthrough on both simulation and experiment were performed to evaluate its separation selectivity and cycling experiments were carried out to explore its structural stability. It was found that the C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 uptake ratio and IAST selectivity of NJU-Bai8 is 43.2 and 4.6 at 298 K and 20 kPa, respectively. The breakthrough time interval for C 3 H 6 and C 3 H 8 is over 10 min for a C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 /He (20%/20%/60%) mixture under ambient conditions, and this separation ability can maintain more than 10 cycles. Detailed analysis reveals that a guest-dependent pressure induced gate-opening effect in the flexible framework of this MOF is indeed responsible for the observed unique selective adsorption and separation performances. This material also shows good regenerability, being favorable for possible industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol-assisted particle technologies are common in commercial atomizing devices for producing micron-sized droplets, which upon evaporation of solvent typically yield particles in the micron to submicron range obtained from a process of droplet-to-particle conversion. In this paper, we demonstrate a technology that allows room-temperature manufacturing of particles O (100–500) nm in diameter by generating and drying of submicron droplet aerosols. As measured for water atomization, the produced droplets of O (200) nm in mean diameter are an order of magnitude smaller than 3–5 µm water droplets usually obtained from commercial atomizers and nebulizers. This reduction in droplet size promotes evaporation of solvent around two orders of magnitude faster than for the droplets produced by conventional atomization devices. Such rapid solvent evaporation enables formation of submicron particles even in the limit of room temperature drying conditions in a compact laboratory-scale setup, as we demonstrate in this study for sodium chloride and silica and titania xerogel particles. Ultra-fine diameters of the generated droplets enable the usage of more concentrated precursor solutions, e.g. ten or even one hundred times, to obtain the same final particle size as conventional aerosol-assisted setups. Based on the experimental study, we establish mathematical expressions correlating the mean particle size and production capacity with solute concentration in the precursor, physical properties of the solution and the atomizing air pressure. Finally, we compare and demonstrate the advantages of the developed system over the existing aerosol-assisted processes in terms of smaller particle size, larger overall and specific production capacities, and higher estimated energy efficiency. The results suggest that this economical and scalable method can be utilized for aerosol-assisted submicron particle synthesis in different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convective mixing of two miscible liquids injected into a rotor-stator spinning disk reactor (RS-SDR) has been studied using an LIF technique and CFD simulations. The fluids are ammonia water and fluorescein ammonia water solutions. The RS-SDR has a rotor 100 mm in diameter and a thin circular cavity 0.10–0.15 mm in height between the rotor and stator. Laminar flow conditions for rotation speeds up to 120 rpm and total flow rates up to 8 mL/min are considered. The fluorescein solution is injected from the second off-center hole into the cavity filled with the ammonia water supplied from the central hole. The LIF technique visualizes a spiral streak pattern formed downstream of the second injection hole. This streak pattern is analyzed to calculate the local mixedness of the two fluids. It is determined that the mixedness increases for lower flow rates, while it is less sensitive to rotation speed and cavity height. The CFD simulations indicate that the spiral streak pattern is deformed and stretched in the radial direction to form a densely layered structure of the two fluids. The development of the mixedness along the streak pattern is correlated well with Re inlet / Re cavity , where Re inlet and Re cavity are the Reynolds numbers for the injected flow and the azimuthal flow in the cavity, respectively. This Reynolds number ratio is shown to be related to the Rossby number and the position and radius of the second injection hole. The proposed correlation is based on a linear combination of injection mixing and rotation mixing. The mixedness decreases with Re inlet / Re cavity because the injection mixing decreases with Re inlet while the rotation mixing increases with Re cavity . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric gas separation membranes are a viable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions directly linked to global warming due to their environment-friendly synthetic process and low cost. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) synthesized via non-petroleum routes is an eco-friendly material with several advantages for membrane applications such as good film-forming properties, good compatibility, and water solubility. Despite these benefits, the gas barrier property of PVA prevents its application in gas separation membranes. Therefore, we synthesized a graft copolymer consisting of PVA main chains and poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM) side chains via one-pot free radical polymerization and applied it to a highly CO 2 permeable thin film composite membrane. Synthesis of the PVA- g -POEM graft copolymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analyses revealed that the crystallinity of PVA- g -POEM decreased gradually with increasing POEM content, with the PVA- g -POEM graft copolymer becoming amorphous at a POEM content of 64 wt%. The composite membrane prepared with PVA- g -POEM exhibited a high CO 2 permeance (347.3 GPU) and moderate selectivity (21.6 for CO 2 /N 2 ). This performance is superior to other PVA-based membranes reported to date and is close to the target area for commercialization. The improved separation performance is due to the intermingled CO 2 -philic POEM side chains and the decrease in crystallinity of PVA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]