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The excellent mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) and low effective modulus of its forest makes CNT forest (CNTF) promising in dry adhesives. However, the low contact efficiency of buckled nanotube segments on the surface of the CNTF weakened its adhesion strength, which is far below the theoretical value. To improve the orientation, density, and arrangement of these nanotube segments, a layer of patterned aluminum was added to the conventional catalyst. Thus, a CNTF with densely-packed, horizontally-aligned surface nanotube segments was obtained. Nanoindentation results showed that the adhesion force of this CNTF could reach up to 13.69 mN under optimized conditions, nearly 5.5 times the best results of similar works. The results of coarse-grained (CG) simulations revealed the lateral stretching of these nanotube segments induced bond energy variation made a major contribution to the superior adhesion performance. The formation mechanism of these surface nanotube segments was also thoroughly analyzed. [Display omitted] • A patterned aluminum layer was introduced to the conventional CNT growth catalyst. • Buckled CNTs were turned into densely-packed, horizontally-aligned CNT segments. • This morphology change was a result of patterned aluminum regulating the catalyst. • The adhesion force was ∼6.9 times of regular forest and ∼5.5 times of similar works. • The coarse-grained simulation revealed the reason for this adhesion performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports a series of novel AAILs proposed via one-step hydrolysis of cheap lactams to act as messengers to facilitate aqueous solution of multi-tertiary-amines fast and pronounced absorption of CO 2. [Display omitted] • Novel AAILs were proposed via one-step hydrolysis of available cheap lactams. • AAILs facilitate multi-tertiary-amines solution fast absorption of CO 2. • The exceptional absorption capacity of CO 2 can reach 0.162 g·g−1 at 313.2 K. • The regeneration was evaluated by vacuum and dynamic thermal regeneration. • Apparent absorption rate constant was calculated by dynamic absorption experiment. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are among the key technologies to achieve large-scale carbon emission reduction globally. Amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) featuring biodegradability and biological activity are capable as eco-friendly absorbents for CO 2 capture. Herein, a series of novel AAILs are proposed via one-step hydrolysis of cheap lactams, which can act as messengers to facilitate aqueous solution of multi-tertiary-amines fast and pronounced absorption of CO 2. Dynamic absorption experiments were carried out to indicate that [N 1111 ][Maba]-PMDETA-50 % showed a larger apparent absorption rate constant (0.282 min−1) than that of MDEA solution (0.043 min−1), demonstrating the activated role of AAILs. [N 1111 ][Maba]-PMDETA-50 % shows the exceptional absorption capacity of 0.162 g (1.0 bar) or 0.095 g (0.1 bar) of CO 2 per g absorbent at 313.2 K, respectively, surpassing all the reported formulated solution. The facilitated absorption mechanism is also illuminated from the NMR spectra. The regeneration heat (equal to absorption enthalpy) was calculated to be − 55.7 kJ·mol−1 from absorption isotherm of three different temperatures. The recyclability was evaluated from the vacuum regeneration (ten consecutive absorption–desorption cycles) and dynamic thermal regeneration, achieving the regeneration efficiency of more than 95 % and 99 %, respectively. All these experimental data indicate that the AAIL-based multi-tertiary-amines aqueous solution may be good candidate absorbent in terms of rapid efficient capture of CO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple and environmentally friendly approach for the preparation of graphene nanosheets decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been developed by gamma irradiation at room temperature. Graphene oxide (GO) and silver ions are simultaneously reduced by the electrons generated from the radiolysis of solvent. The addition of ionic liquid plays an important role in GO reduction by scavenging oxidative radicals generated during irradiation. Besides, the ionic liquid also benefits the dispersion and size distribution of Ag NPs. Raman signals of the obtained Ag-reduced graphene oxide are significantly enhanced, exhibiting obvious surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]