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Using panel data for Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2015, this research examines the impact of the green credit policy on the audit fees of heavily polluting firms by adopting a difference-in-difference (DID) model. The results show that the green credit policy increases the audit fees of heavily polluting firms, suggesting that auditors can perceive the risks imposed by the green credit policy on heavily polluting firms. Mechanism tests reveal that the implementation of the green credit policy increases audit fees by increasing the financing cost and reducing the loan maturity. Further research shows that the positive effect is more significant in regions with stronger regulatory environments and higher trust, and among firms without political connections and audited by the top-ten domestic audit firms. The Chinese government should actively encourage third-party financial institutions to participate in firms' environmental governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to inspire firms to conduct green innovation is still an under‐explored question. This study finds that the green concerns of minority shareholders can significantly promote firms to conduct green innovation. Mechanism tests reveal that green concerns promote firm green innovation by increasing media attention and reducing financing constraints. Further research shows that the positive effect of green concerns of minority shareholders on green innovation is more significant for companies with high competition, more effective internal controls, and high public involvement at the location. Based on the findings, policy implications of promoting corporate green innovation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monomer cast nylon was incorporated with different contents of kaolin, which is grafted with poly (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) via in-situ polymerization. The influence of treated-kaolin and kaolin contents on composites properties was studied. Treated-kaolin has a better effect on the properties of nylon than kaolin. Thermogravimetric analysis and Differential scanning calorimetry analysis show that that the feeding of kaolin improved thermal stability and crystallinity of nylon. The results indicate that using treated-kaolin as reinforcement, the composites displayed remarkable mechanical properties, the tensile strength and notched impact strength are 83.6 MPa and 4.46 MPa, respectively. The water absorption capacity of composites was greatly reduced by 50% with the feeding of kaolin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterostructured SnO2/CuO nanofibers with a hollow morphology were successfully fabricated by a one-step electrospinning method. The electrospun nanofibers were transformed into hollow nanostructures in the presence of camphene after a calcination process, and the obtained samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), and photodegradation measurements. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed a rough and hollow structure for the obtained nanofibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) identified the molecular composition and chemical interactions of the nanofibers. Photoluminescent (PL) measurements indicated that a recombination of the photoinduced electrons and holes was further inhibited due to the hollow nanostructure. Furthermore, the photodegradation of methylene blue suggested that the heterostructured SnO2/CuO hollow nanofibers possessed higher charge separation and photodegradation abilities than those of the other samples under visible light irradiation. This work can be potentially applied to the fabrication of other inorganic oxide photocatalysts with enhanced photodegradation activity in the field of environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Nanocellulose whiskers grafted with a polyolefin elastomer (POE–NCW) were prepared through the reaction of nanocellulose whiskers and a polyolefin elastomer (POE). This was followed by the blending of POE–NCW with polypropylene (PP), and thus, ternary nanocomposites were obtained. When the dosage of POE–NCW was 2%, the tensile strength, storage modulus, and Vicat softening temperature of the ternary nanocomposites increased by 60%, 35%, and 13 °C, respectively. A core–shell‐like cladding structure was formed by the coating of POE on the nanorigid particles; the toughness and rigidity of the composites were both significantly improved, and this prevented brittle fracture under impact and enlarges the range of applications for PP composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46066. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene nanoplatelets are promising candidates for enhancing the electrical conductivity of composites. However, because of their poor dispersion, graphene nanoplatelets must be added in large amounts to achieve the desired electrical properties, but such large amounts limit the industrial application of graphene nanoplatelets. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes also possess high electrical conductivity accompanied by poor dispersion. Therefore, a synergistic effect was generated between graphene nanoplatelets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and used for the first time to prepare antistatic materials with high-density polyethylene via 1-step melt blending. The synergistic effect makes it possible to significantly improve the electrical properties by adding a small amount of untreated graphene nanoplatelets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and increases the possibility of using graphene nanoplatelets in industrial applications. When only 1 wt% graphene nanoplatelets and 0.5 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes were added, the surface and volume resistivity values of the composites were much lower than those of the composites that were only added 3 wt% graphene nanoplatelets. Additionally, as a result of the synergistic effect of graphene nanoplatelets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, the composites met the requirements for antistatic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon black (CB) is an electrical and reinforced material, which is used for many industrial applications; however, the serious aggregation of CB requires the addition of large amounts for the composites to meet the requirements of the antistatic properties. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are linear high electrical materials, and they are also easy to wrap with each other. Therefore, considering different shapes of CB and MWCNTs, the MWCNTs are selected as the bridge to connect CB to decrease the added amount of CB in the composites, and the results show that the bridge effect is efficient enough. The process uses a one‐step melt blending method, which is very easy and environmentally friendly. When 1 wt% CB and 0.5 wt% MWCNTs are added into the composites, the surface, and volume resistivity of the composites are much lower than those of the composites by adding 3 wt% CB, due to the bridge effect, fulfilling the antistatic properties of the composites. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes with small content act as bridges to connect carbon black, which meets the requirements of the antistatic properties while reducing the amount of CB and make the preparation method easier. Antistatic composites are prepared by bridging effect with the addition of 1 wt% CB and 0.5 wt% MWCNTs, using one‐step melt blending method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]