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Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is a promising approach to achieve remediation of nitrate‐polluted wastewater and sustainable production of ammonia. However, it is still restricted by the low activity, selectivity and Faraday efficiency for ammonia synthesis. Herein, we propose an effective strategy to modulate the electrolyte microenvironment in electrical double layer (EDL) by mediating alkali metal cations in the electrolyte to enhance the NO3RR performance. Taking bulk Cu as a model catalyst, the experimental study reveals that the NO3−‐to‐NH3 performance in different electrolytes follows the trend Li+

In the article "Modulating the Electrolyte Microenvironment in Electrical Double Layer for Boosting Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia," Xin‐Yao Yu and co‐workers propose a new method to improve the performance of the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) by manipulating alkali metal cations in the electrolyte. The presence of K+ ions facilitates the movement of protons across the electric double layer, leading to the promotion of the conversion of NO3− to NO2− and enhancing the overall kinetics of NO3RR. This research suggests that regulating the electrolyte microenvironment can be an effective strategy for boosting the performance of NO3RR. [Extracted from the article]

To unveil the different stages and the inner formation mechanisms for a single-electrode atmospheric-pressure plasma plume generated in a long quartz tube, a simplified positive streamer model including the energy balance mechanism was developed. Numerical results indicated that the applied voltage determines the peak energy gain, and the peak number of ions involved in the streamer tip, and therefore determines the plasma plume length. The variation of plasma plume length with applied voltage, and the average breakdown electric field intensity versus plasma plume length indicate a qualitatively good agreement with the former experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine an efficient sterilization mechanism, Bacillus subtilis spore samples were exposed to an atmospheric plasma jet. By using argon/oxygen mixture gas, the decimal reduction value was reduced from 60 s (using argon gas) to 10 s. More dramatically, after 5 min treatment, the colony-forming unit (CFU) was reduced by six orders. To understand the underlying mechanism of the efficient sterilization by plasma, the contributions from heat, UV radiation, charged particles, ozone, and reactive oxygen radicals were distinguished in this work, showing that charged particles and ozone were the main killing factors. The shape changes of the spores were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical activities of Pt-sputtered electrodes based on vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (Pt/VACNFs) directly grown on the carbon paper are investigated. Different Pt loading (0.01mgcm−2, 0.025mgcm−2 and 0.05mgcm−2) electrodes are developed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the Pt nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed on the surface of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers. TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the Pt nanoparticles diameter increase with increasing Pt loading. The Pt/VACNFs electrodes show good electrochemical active surface area, methanol oxidation peak current density and CO tolerance. The electrochemical catalyst activities weaken as the diameter grows larger. Compared to common electrodes prepared by commercial catalyst in a conventional ink-process, the performance improvement suggests that unique structure of Pt/VACNFs electrode ensures the electronic pathway and Pt nanoparticles exposed to three-phase boundary, which leads to a significant improvement of the Pt utilization and a potential application in direct alcohol fuel cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]