Search

Machine learning (ML) methods are of rapidly growing interest for materials modeling, and yet, the use of ML interatomic potentials for new systems is often more demanding than that of established density-functional theory (DFT) packages. Here, we describe computational methodology to combine the CASTEP first-principles simulation software with the on-the-fly fitting and evaluation of ML interatomic potential models. Our approach is based on regular checking against DFT reference data, which provides a direct measure of the accuracy of the evolving ML model. We discuss the general framework and the specific solutions implemented, and we present an example application to high-temperature molecular-dynamics simulations of carbon nanostructures. The code is freely available for academic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impact of incorporating cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and carboxylated organo‐montmorillonite (OMMT), separately or in combination, into a UV‐curable wood coating was evaluated for performance enhancement. This study investigated the influence of nanoparticle loading percentage on the mechanical properties and thermal behavior of the coating, as well as the surface properties of digitally printed decorative wood‐based panels. The results indicated that the addition of CNF or OMMT increased the viscosity of the polymer solutions. Although CNF randomly oriented within the matrices, OMMT adhered to the surface of the polymer matrix. Chemical crosslinking was observed between CNF/OMMT and the coating. The addition of CNF and OMMT improved the thermal stability of the neat UV curing coating. The tensile strength of nanocomposite films with a 6 wt% loading of CNF increased significantly from 7.63 MPa to 12.73 MPa compared to pure films. The reinforcing effect of CNF on the tensile performance was significantly better than that of OMMT. Adding CNF to the matte coating slightly improved the clarity of the printed decorative panels. When CNF and OMMT were added together in the coating, there was a synergistic enhancement in the low gloss and high pencil hardness of the panels. Highlights: Both CNF and OMMT were chosen to achieve performance improvementsA simple filling method was adopted for preparation of reinforced coatingThe nanocomposite films exhibited fine thermal and mechanical propertiesThe better integrated property was obtained from the C + CNF3 + OMMT0.8 sampleThe physicochemical interaction of nanofiller with polymer molecule existed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiS/Ni@HCNF electrode enable the cell with excellent storage capacity and superior thermal safety performance. [Display omitted] • Catalytic chemistry inspired hollow carbon nanofibers loaded with NiS/Ni is designed. • Such delicate structure shows superior cycling and rate property than many TMSs. • The favorable Li+ storage actions and related reaction kinetics are discovered. • Using the designed structure markedly promotes the thermal safety of LIBs. Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) based anodes hold a very broad application prospect in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, the catalytic effect of metallic nickel at high temperature was used to generate hollow carbon nanofibers loaded with NiS and Ni (denoted as NiS/Ni@HCNF). The heteroatoms doped carbon fibers buffer the huge volumetric change of NiS during the discharge/charge process, and enhance the ion transport efficiency and electrical conductivity. In addition, the high specific surface area brought by the hollow carbon nanofibers can accelerate the electrolyte penetration and speed up the transport of ions as well as electrons. When used as anode of half cell, this electrode gives 958.5 and 612.9 mAh/g after running 1000 cycles under 1 and 2 A/g, showing the extremely-low attenuation rates of 0.0483 % per cycle and 0.0643 % per cycle, respectively. Impressively, NCM//NiS/Ni@HCNF battery shows the discharge capacity of 187.6 mAh/g at 1st cycle. Regarding the next 100 cycles, the relatively-high discharge capacities (>110 mAh/g) and coulombic efficiency (CE) values (>96 %) are discerned. It is noted that the usage of NiS/Ni@HCNF electrode improves the activation energy for thermal runaway, corroborating the elevated thermal safety of battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-doped carbon aerogel capsulated Co3O4 (Co3O4@NCA) is prepared via a hydrothermal method using an N-doped carbon aerogel (NCA) as a conductive carbon matrix and coating layer. Kinetic parameters are investigated using CV and GITT methods, and the improved performance could be ascribed to rapid lithium-ion diffusion and enhanced pseudocapacitance contribution induced by the introduction of carbon aerogel conductive matrices and the construction of porous nanomicro-hierarchical architectures, which endow the material with a large surface area, good conductivity, abundant pore channels, and plentiful defects and active sites, thus greatly increasing the lithium storage capacity. Used as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, Co3O4@NCA-1 displays a reversible capacity of 600.2 mA h g-1 during the 200th cycle under 100 mA g-1, 5.13 times larger than the specific charge capacity of 116.8 mA h g-1 for Co3O4 samples. Even if the current density is increased to 1 A g-1, it has 4.48 times the charge capacity of pure Co3O4. The Co3O4 modification strategy using NCA as a matrix to fabricate nanomicro-hierarchical architectures demonstrates potential applications in the energy storage field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing carbon emission intensity is crucial for achieving sustainable development. Carbon emission intensity is expressively affected by the issuance of green bonds. Thus, it is imperative to assess the influence of green bond issuance on carbon emissions and examine their correlation. Such research holds great potential to expedite the overhaul and modernization of businesses and to construct a circular economy system. This paper uses the spatial Durbin model to draw empirical conclusions by using data from 26 provinces in China between 2016 and 2021. Firstly, under different spatial matrices, it has been analyzed that an increase of 1% in the issuance of green bonds leads to a reduction of 0.306% or 0.331% in carbon emission intensity. It shows that green bonds have the potential to substantially reduce carbon intensity. Additionally, the intensity of emissions in the current period is driven by the intensity of emissions in the previous period. Secondly, the analysis of mediated transmission suggests that green bonds can ultimately reduce carbon emission intensity by changing the energy consumption structure or improving the efficiency of green technology innovation. Thirdly, the analysis of heterogeneity shows that the inhibitory effect of green bond issuance on carbon emissions is stronger in less economically developed regions than in economically developed regions. There is a significant inhibitory effect of green bond issuance in neighboring provinces on local carbon emission intensity. This effect is present only in provinces in less economically developed regions and not in economically developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) are a very important type of fuel cells since they operate at 150–200 °C, making it possible to use hydrogen contaminated with CO. However, the need to improve the stability and other properties of gas-diffusion electrodes still impedes their distribution. Self-supporting anodes based on carbon nanofibers (CNF) are prepared using the electrospinning method from a polyacrylonitrile solution containing zirconium salt, followed by pyrolysis. After the deposition of Pt nanoparticles on the CNF surface, the composite anodes are obtained. A new self-phosphorylating polybenzimidazole of the 6F family is applied to the Pt/CNF surface to improve the triple-phase boundary, gas transport, and proton conductivity of the anode. This polymer coating ensures a continuous interface between the anode and proton-conducting membrane. The polymer is investigated using CO2 adsorption, TGA, DTA, FTIR, GPC, and gas permeability measurements. The anodes are studied using SEM, HAADF STEM, and CV. The operation of the membrane–electrode assembly in the H2/air HT-PEMFC shows that the application of the new PBI of the 6F family with good gas permeability as a coating for the CNF anodes results in an enhancement of HT-PEMFC performance, reaching 500 mW/cm2 at 1.3 A/cm2 (at 180 °C), compared with the previously studied PBI-O-PhT-P polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Pyrite FeS 2 , as a promising conversion-type cathode material, faces rapid capacity degradation due to challenges such as polysulfide shuttle and massive volume changes. Herein, a localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) based on dual-salt lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide (LiTFSI) is designed to address the challenges. By the dual-salt strategy, we tailor a more desirable solvation structure than that in the single-salt system. Specifically, the solvation structure involving FSI− and TFSI− enables milder electrolyte decomposition, which reduces initial capacity loss. Meanwhile, it facilitates the formation of a stable and flexible cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI), effectively mitigating side effects and accommodating volume changes. Consequently, the micro-sized FeS 2 realizes a capacity of 641 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles with a retention rate of 90%, significantly improving the cycling stability of the FeS 2 cathode. This work underscores the pivotal role of solvation structure in modulating electrochemical performances and provides a simple and effective electrolyte design concept for conversion-type cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defects engineering is significant for photocatalytic environment remediation. To this end, visible‐light‐driven α‐Fe2O3/ZrO2‐x S‐scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with optimal oxygen vacancy (Ov) defects are successfully synthesized via a two‐step method. Compared with pristine UiO‐66‐NH2‐derived ZrO2‐x and α‐Fe2O3, the heterojunction photocatalysts exhibit a wider range of visible light response and higher efficiency in separating photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Among them, the 5% α‐Fe2O3/ZrO2‐x sample shows the best photocatalytic performance to the degradation of tetracycline (TC) (89.3%), in which the pseudo‐first‐order kinetic rate constants are 8.20 and 16.75 times that of pristine ZrO2‐x and α‐Fe2O3, respectively. The outstanding photocatalytic degradation efficiency can be attributed to both the narrow‐bandgap ZrO2‐x with visible light response and the formation of α‐Fe2O3/ZrO2‐x S‐scheme heterojunctions. During the formation of heterojunctions, the concentration of oxygen vacancies (Ov) at the interface of α‐Fe2O3/ZrO2‐xdecreases monotonically with the increasing loading of α‐Fe2O3, thereby altering the electronic structure of the photocatalyst and forming the heterojunction firmly. In addition, the high stability implies the potential applications in fields of environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen a significant increase in interest in green manufacturing as a key driver of global carbon-neutral efforts and sustainable development. To find the research hotspots of green manufacturing and reveal future research trends, this study reviewed and analyzed research articles from the Web of Science database on green manufacturing from 1991 to 2022 using a bibliometric method. The findings indicate a significant rise in the number of articles related to green manufacturing since the 2010s. Moreover, there has been an increase in the involvement of scholars from developing countries such as China and India in this field. Based on the literature review and bibliometric cluster analysis on green manufacturing, we believed that future research may continue following the lines of intelligent technology integration, adoption of frontier engineering techniques, and industry development in line with carbon reduction targets. A framework for future green manufacturing development is proposed, with a focus on Chinese policies. The framework could provide policy implications for developing countries looking to pursue opportunities for development in green manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cathode in lithium-selenium (Li-Se) batteries has garnered extensive attention owing to its superior specific capacity and enhanced conductivity compared to sulfur. Nonetheless, the adoption and advancement of Li-Se batteries face significant challenges due to selenium's low reactivity, substantial volume fluctuations, and the shuttle effect associated with polyselenides. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are under the spotlight for their outstanding catalytic efficiency and optimal atomic utilization. To address the challenges of selenium's low chemical activity and volume expansion in Li-Se batteries, through electrospun, we have developed a lotus root-inspired carbon nanofiber (CNF) material, featured internal multi-channels and anchored with molybdenum (Mo) single atoms (Mo@CNFs). Mo single atoms significantly enhance the conversion kinetics of selenium (Se), facilitating rapid formation of Li2Se. The internally structured multi-channel CNF serves as an effective host matrix for Se, mitigating its volume expansion during the electrochemical process. The resulting cathode, Se/Mo@CNF composite, exhibits a high discharge specific capacity, superior rate performance, and impressive cycle stability in Li-Se batteries. After 500 cycles at a current density of 1 C, it maintains a capacity retention rate of 82% and nearly 100% coulombic efficiency (CE). This research offers a new avenue for the application of single-atom materials in enhancing advanced Li-Se battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving interface connectivity of magnetic nanoparticles in carbon aerogels is crucial, yet challenging for assembling lightweight, elastic, high‐performance, and multifunctional carbon architectures. Here, an in situ growth strategy to achieve high dispersion of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)‐anchored cellulose nanofibrils to enhance the interface connection quality is proposed. Followed by a facile freeze‐casting and carbonization treatment, sustainable biomimetic porous carbon aerogels with highly dispersed and closely connected MOF‐derived magnetic nano‐capsules are fabricated. Thanks to the tight interface bonding of nano‐capsule microstructure, these aerogels showcase remarkable mechanical robustness and flexibility, tunable electrical conductivity and magnetization intensity, and excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance. Achieving a reflection loss of −70.8 dB and a broadened effective absorption bandwidth of 6.0 GHz at a filling fraction of merely 2.2 wt.%, leading to a specific reflection loss of −1450 dB mm−1, surpassing all carbon‐based aerogel absorbers so far reported. Meanwhile, the aerogel manifests high magnetic sensing sensibility and excellent thermal insulation. This work provides an extendable in situ growth strategy for synthesizing MOF‐modified cellulose nanofibril structures, thereby promoting the development of high‐value‐added multifunctional magnetic carbon aerogels for applications in electromagnetic compatibility and protection, thermal management, diversified sensing, Internet of Things devices, and aerospace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering porous organic polymers (POPs) into 1D morphology holds significant promise for diverse applications due to their exceptional processability and increased surface contact for enhanced interactions with guest molecules. This article reviews the latest developments in nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives, encompassing porous organic polymer nanofibers, their composites, and POPs‐derived carbon nanofibers. The review delves into the design and fabrication strategies, elucidates the formation mechanisms, explores their functional attributes, and highlights promising applications. The first section systematically outlines two primary fabrication approaches of nanofibrous POPs, i.e., direct bulk synthesis and electrospinning technology. Both routes are discussed and compared in terms of template utilization and post‐treatments. Next, performance of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are reviewed for applications including water treatment, water/oil separation, gas adsorption, energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis, microwave absorption, and biomedical systems. Finally, highlighting existent challenges and offering future prospects of nanofibrous POPs and their derivatives are concluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach for investigating the shrinkage dynamics of 3D‐printed nanoarchitectures during isothermal pyrolysis, utilizing in situ electron microscopy. For the first time, the temporal evolution of 3D structures is tracked continuously until a quasi‐stationary state is reached. By subjecting the 3D objects to different temperatures and atmospheric conditions, significant changes in the resulting kinetic parameters and morphological textures of the 3D objects are observed, particularly those possessing varying surface‐to‐volume ratios. Its results reveal that the effective activation energy required for pyrolysis‐induced morphological shrinkage is approximately four times larger under vacuum conditions than in a nitrogen atmosphere (2.6 eV vs. 0.5–0.9 eV, respectively). Additionally, a subtle enrichment of oxygen on the surfaces of the structures for pyrolysis in nitrogen is found through a postmortem electron energy loss spectroscopy study, differentiating the vacuum pyrolysis. These findings are examined in the context of the underlying process parameters, and a mechanistic model is proposed. As a result, understanding and controlling pyrolysis in 3D structures of different geometrical dimensions not only enables precise modification of shrinkage and the creation of tensegrity structures, but also promotes pyrolytic carbon development with custom architectures and properties, especially in the field of carbon micro‐ and nano‐electromechanical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen and blue hydrogen play a critical role in mitigating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality. The collaboration between governments and enterprises is essential in determining the trajectory of clean and low-carbon hydrogen production. Consequently, we employ evolutionary game theory to analyze the influence of governmental, market, and technological factors on green and blue hydrogen. Specifically, we examine the scenario where the Chinese government can choose to incentivize either blue hydrogen projects or green hydrogen projects, while energy enterprises decide whether to invest in green or blue hydrogen initiatives. We delve into the factors that determine the costs and benefits for both the government and enterprises, taking into account not only the revenues generated from selling hydrogen energy but also the profits associated with carbon and electricity trading markets. Furthermore, our study considers both static and dynamic incentive scenarios. Building upon these assumptions, we utilize evolutionary game theory to identify the evolutionary stable strategy for each scenario. Subsequently, we conduct a numerical case study to explore the impact of different factors on the evolutionary stable strategy. Based on the findings of the numerical study, we conclude that (1) the dynamic incentive policy scenario is the only context where an evolutionary stable strategy exists; (2) governmental preferences cannot override market-driven actions, even if subsidies are provided for blue and green hydrogen projects; (3) a well-developed carbon market effectively harnesses market power to promote the clean and low-carbon hydrogen production industry; (4) technological breakthroughs serve as catalysts for enterprises to actively invest in the clean and low-carbon hydrogen production industry. Our study proposes relevant policies based on the identified evolutionary stable strategy. • Impact mechanism of governmental, market and technological factors is gauged. • Impact of governmental preference on enterprises' choice is explored. • Promotion of carbon market contributes to the development of clean hydrogen. • Technological innovation of clean hydrogen production facilitates its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical sensors offer promising prospects for real–time pollutant monitoring. In this study, copper oxide–dispersed graphitic carbon nanofibers (CuO−CNFs) grown via chemical vapour deposition were employed as a robust platform for detecting a variety of environmental pollutants. This array–based sensor adeptly identifies three different classes of analytes, i. e., antibiotics (chloramphenicol (CP) and tylosin tartrate (TT)), heavy metals (cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)), and pesticides (quinalphos (QP) and imidacloprid (IP)). Electron collection is facilitated by a glassy carbon electrode, while various physico–electrochemical methods delve into the properties of CuO−CNFs. The CuO−CNF–modified GCE array rapidly discerns (<15 sec) a broad linear range: 1–20 ppm for CP, 1–13.33 ppm for TT, 0.66–11.66 ppm for Cd, 20–33.33 ppm for Pb, 1.6–11.6 ppm for QP, and 5–25 ppm for IP, boasting quantification limits of 1.0, 1.0, 0.66, 20.0, 1.6, and 5.0 ppm for CP, TT, Cd, Pb, QP, and IP, respectively. Notably, this sensor achieves simultaneous identification of mixed analytes, including CP and TT, Cd and Pb, and QP and IP, within real tap water. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor exhibits robustness; heightened sensitivity, selectivity, and stability; a swift response; and impressive reproducibility in detecting CP, TT, Cd, Pb, QP, and IP within aqueous samples. Consequently, this array–based electrochemical sensor has emerged as a rapid and simultaneous detection tool for diverse pollutant residues in surface and groundwater samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy for doping selenium and phosphide in hollow N-doped carbon nanobox (N-CNB)-based porous electrospun N-doped carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was developed. First, lightweight N-CNBs were produced. Then, a hybrid of N-CNBs and CNFs (CNBs/CNFs) was prepared using electrospinning/carbonization techniques. Eventually, P and Se atoms were doped into CNBs/CNFs using a thermal treatment approach to prepare Se/P@CNBs/CNFs. The electrocatalytic capability of the Se/P@CNBs/CNFs composite toward H2O2 oxidation was investigated for H2O2 sensing, which showed performance in a linear range from 200 μM to 1800 μM with a high sensitivity of 171 μA mM−1 cm−2 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 58 μM (S/N = 3). In addition, the ability of Se/P@CNBs/CNFs toward H2O2 sensing in human serum was studied. These results indicated the excellent electrocatalytic performance of the as-prepared Se/P@CNBs/CNFs, which could be related to the unique hollow CNBs/CNFs doped with P and Se elements with a mesoporous structure, the open channels for effective H2O2 diffusion, fast mass/electron transport, and synergistic effect between the P and Se and CNBs/CNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] As a potential catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), tungsten nitride (W 2 N) has attracted extensive attention, due to its Pt-like characteristic. Nevertheless, insufficient active sites, slow electron transfer, and lack of scale-up nano-synthesis methods significantly limit its practical application. Constructing multi-component active centers and interface-rich heterojunctions to increase exposed active sites and modulate interface electrons is a very effective modification strategy. Therefore, a nano-heterostructure formed from tungsten nitride, tungsten phosphide and tungsten encapsulated in N, P co-doped carbon nanofiber (W 2 N/WP/W@NPC) was synthesized by a flexible and scalable electrospinning technology. Experimental results reveal that abundant heterojunctions are formed, electron transfer occurs between tungsten nitride and tungsten phosphide, and carbon nanofibers play a confinement role. The optimized W 2 N/WP/W@NPC-3 electrocatalyst demonstrates excellent HER catalytic activity and robust stability in both acidic and base media. Furthermore, the overall water splitting performance is tested using W 2 N/WP/W@NPC as the cathode through a two-electrode electrolyzer, which also exhibits impressive electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quenched Co-based ribbon strips are widely used in the fields of magnetic amplifier, magnetic head material, magnetic shield, electric reactor, inductance core, sensor core, anti-theft system label, and so on. In this study, Co-based composite CoFeNiSiB ribbon strips with a micron width were fabricated by micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The carbon and FeCoGa nanofilms were deposited for surface modification. The effect of carbon and FeCoGa nanofilm coatings on the crystal structure, surface morphology, magnetic properties, and magnetoimpedance (MI) effect of composite ribbon strips were systematically investigated. The results show that the surface roughness and coercivity of the composite ribbon strips are minimum at a thickness of the carbon coating of 60 nm. The maximum value of MI effect is 41% at 2 MHz, which is approximately 2.4 times greater than plain ribbon and 1.6 times greater than FeCoGa-coated composite ribbon strip. The addition of a carbon layer provides a conductive path for high frequency currents, which effectively reduces the characteristic frequency of the composite ribbon strip. The FeCoGa coating is able to close the flux path and reduce the coercivity, which, in turn, increases the transverse permeability and improves the MI effect. The findings indicate that a successful combination of carbon layer and magnetostrictive FeCoGa nanofilm layer can improve the MI effect and magnetic field sensitivity of the ribbon strips, demonstrating the potential of the composite strips for local and micro area field sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium plating can cause capacity fade and thermal runaway safety issues in lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, accurately detecting the amount of lithium plating on the surface of the battery's negative electrode is crucial for battery safety. This is especially crucial in high-energy-density applications such as battery energy storage systems or in electric vehicles (EVs). Early detection of lithium plating is crucial for evaluation of reliability and longevity. It also serves as a method for early diagnostics in practical industrial applications or infrastructure, such as EV transportation. This can enhance its impact on customers. This study validates the effectiveness of titration gas chromatography (TGC) technology in quantitatively detecting lithium plating on graphite negative electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. The results show that it can detect a minimum of 2.4 μmol of metallic lithium. Compared with the heating direct current resistance and reference electrode methods, which can be used to perform only qualitative dendrite detection, TGC has a wider range of detection. Compared with the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method with higher quantitative detection accuracy, the maximum difference between the detection results of the two methods was only 7.2%, but the TGC method had lower cost and higher implementation convenience. In summary, among various dendrite detection methods, the TGC method can not only realize the effective quantitative detection of lithium plating, but also comprehensively consider its detection range, implementation convenience, cost, and detection accuracy, indicating that it is suitable for engineering applications and has the prospect of realizing large-scale quantitative detection of lithium plating in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low carbon operation of power systems is a key way to achieve the goal of energy power carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. In order to promote the low carbon transition of energy and power and the coordinated and optimized operation of distributed energy sources in virtual power plants (VPP), this paper proposes a framework for collaborative utilization of pumped storage–carbon capture–power-to-gas (P2G) technologies. It also constructs a multi-time scale low carbon economic dispatch model for VPP to minimize the internal resource operation cost of VPP in each time period. During the intraday scheduling stage, the day-ahead scheduling results as the planned output and the energy flow is then dynamically corrected at a short-term resolution in the framework. This allows for the exploration of the low-carbon potential of each aggregation unit within the virtual power plant. The results of the simulation indicate that the strategy and model proposed in this paper can effectively encourage the consumption of renewable energy sources, promote the low-carbon operation of power system power, and serve as a valuable reference for the low-carbon economic operation of the power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of human society and the production and operation activities of enterprises have brought about global warming, resulting in frequent natural disasters. It has become the consensus of all countries in the world to develop a green and low-carbon economy. Under this background, enterprises, as the main body of economic activities, especially energy industry enterprises, should optimize and upgrade the traditional production and operation mode with high pollution, high consumption, and low output to a high-efficiency and low-pollution mode, and pay attention to the co-ordinated development of economic benefits, social benefits, and ecological benefits. Financial performance evaluation indicators have become the main basis for senior leaders of energy industry enterprises to make decisions and evaluate the low-carbon economic benefits of enterprises. This paper constructs a set of financial evaluation index systems of energy industry enterprises under the background of a low-carbon economy from four dimensions: profitability, asset quality, debt risk, and business growth. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to measure the comprehensive contribution of financial indicators of low-carbon production and operation. The purpose of this study is to provide scientific financial management decisions for energy enterprises to reduce costs and increase the efficiency and low-carbon operation under the background of a low-carbon economy. The research results show that the comprehensive evaluation index system after the traditional financial evaluation index of energy industry enterprises is integrated with the evaluation index of a low-carbon economy can help enterprises make more correct and effective financial decisions in the process of survival, development, and growth, and, at the same time, the financial evaluation index of a low-carbon economy should pay more attention to the indicators with a higher comprehensive contribution, so as to effectively promote the low-carbon operation efficiency of enterprise production, management, and sales. Compared with other research results, this paper innovatively constructs a financial management decision-making index system for measuring the low-carbon operation of energy enterprises in theory, which has important value in guiding energy enterprises to reduce costs and increase the efficiency and low-carbon operation in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately assessing and predicting the impacts of land use changes on ecosystem carbon stocks in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) and exploring the optimization of land use structure to increase ecosystem carbon stocks are of great practical significance for China to achieve the goal of "double carbon". In this study, we used multi-year remote sensing data, meteorological data and statistical data to measure the ecosystem carbon stock in the YRB from 2000 to 2020 based on the InVEST model, and then simulated and measured the ecosystem carbon stock under four different land use scenarios coupled with the FLUS model in 2030. The results show that, from 2000 to 2020, urban expansion in the YRB continued, but woodland and grassland grew more slowly. Carbon stock showed an increasing trend during the first 20 years, with an overall increase of 7.2 megatons, or 0.23%. Simulating the four land use scenarios in 2030, carbon stock will decrease the most under the cropland protection scenario, with a decrease of 17.7 megatons compared with 2020. However, carbon stock increases the most under the ecological protection scenario, with a maximum increase of 9.1 megatons. Furthermore, distinct trends in carbon storage were observed across different regions, with significant increases in the upstream under the natural development scenario, in the midstream under the ecological protection scenario and in the downstream under the cropland protection scenario. We suggest that the upstream should maintain the existing development mode, with ecological protection prioritized in the middle reaches and farmland protection prioritized in the lower reaches. This study provides a scientific basis for the carbon balance, land use structure adjustment and land management decision-making in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing popularity of wearable electronics has sparked interest in flexible energy harvesters as alternatives to conventional batteries. Flexible magnetoelectric (ME) composites, known for converting ambient magnetic field energy into useable power, are emerging as promising autonomous energy sources for integration into wearable devices. In this study, we prepared flexible (PVDF-AlN)–(NiO–CNF) based ME composites using two different methods: solution-casting and electrospinning techniques. The ME coupling was confirmed by measuring the ferroelectric and magnetic properties of the composite, and it was qualitatively characterized through the ME coupling coefficient. The electrospinning fibers-based ME composite exhibited an optimal value of 10.6 V/cm.Oe, significantly higher than the solution-casting films-based ME composite (1.3 V/cm.Oe) under a 1 kHz AC magnetic field (off-resonance condition). Subsequently, a flexible magneto-mechano-electric (MME) generator was designed using electrospun-derived material, harvesting a sinusoidal wave with a maximum output peak-to-peak voltage of 9.02 V. The generator displayed an optimal DC power density of 97 μW/m2 when exposed to a weak AC magnetic field of 6 Oe at a frequency of 50 Hz. Consequently, it holds great promise as an efficient autonomous power supply for medical sensing and various miniature electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of heterostructures within electrode materials is pivotal for enhancing electron and Li-ion diffusion kinetics. In this study, we synthesized CoO/MnO heterostructures to enhance the electrochemical performance of MnO using a straightforward electrostatic spinning technique followed by a meticulously controlled carbonization process, which results in embedding heterostructured CoO/MnO nanoparticles within porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (CoO/MnO/NC). As confirmed by density functional theory calculations and experimental results, CoO/MnO heterostructures play a significant role in promoting Li+ ion and charge transfer, improving electronic conductivity, and reducing the adsorption energy. The accelerated electron and Li-ion diffusion kinetics, coupled with the porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber structure, contribute to the exceptional electrochemical performance of the CoO/MnO/NC electrode. Specifically, the as-prepared CoO/MnO/NC exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 936 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 200 cycles and an excellent high-rate capacity of 560 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1, positioning it as a competitive anode material for lithium-ion batteries. This study underscores the critical role of electronic and Li-ion regulation facilitated by heterostructures, offering a promising pathway for designing transition metal oxide-based anode materials with high performances for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Needle-punched carbon/carbon (NP C/C) composite is widely used in rocket-engine nozzles and re-entry vehicles. Recyclable technology expedited the research on repeated oxidation and residual mechaincal properties of thermal-protection materials. In this study, the critical longitudinal compression strengths before and after oxidation are derived based on the Timoshenko beam theory. Three repetitions of short-term oxidation cycles and compression experiments are investigated. The average oxidation rate of this composite was 5∼6% in 10 min and kept linear increase. In-plane and out-of-plane compressive strengths of NP C/C composite diminish quasi-linearly due to oxidation at 1000°C, with their moduli decreasing in a periodically slow-sharp pattern. After three oxidation cycles, the levels of residual in-plane modulus and strength were 55.20% and 56.89%, respectively, while the resudual out-of-plane modulus and strength were 44.65% and 47.23%, respectively. The results showed that the material exhibited the pesudo-plastical behaviour after oxidation, cracks grew along the punched conical structures formed by the punching technology. In-plane and out-of-plane modulus were more sensitive than their strengths after first oxidation cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiC-based materials have been hot research topic in the field of high-temperature electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials. SiC–Al 2 O 3 composite EMW absorption materials were prepared via casting process using carbon nanofibers/calcium aluminate cement (CNFs@CAC) as the binder. Effects of CNFs@CAC content on EMW absorption properties of SiC–Al 2 O 3 composites were investigated. Results show that the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of SiC–Al 2 O 3 composites first increases and then decreases with the increase in CNFs@CAC content. SiC–Al 2 O 3 composites with 10 wt% CNFs@CAC (denoted as F10) have excellent EMW absorption properties in X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz), with minimum reflection loss (RL) of −66.12 dB at a thickness of 2.1 mm and a wide EAB of 3.27 GHz. This is attributed to synergistic effects of the network of SiC nanowires generated with CNFs as templates during sintering process and irregular porosity of the structure, which results in SiC–Al 2 O 3 composites having good impedance matching and multiple EMW attenuation mechanisms. In addition, sample F10 exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and oxidation resistance, as indicated by its flexural strength of 25.6 MPa. After oxidation at temperatures in the range of 800 °C-1000 °C for 8 h, EAB of sample F10 is in the range of 3.15–3.30 GHz. Above results indicate that SiC–Al 2 O 3 composites are promising EMW absorption materials for use in harsh environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of high efficacy C−C coupling during the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction remains a tremendous challenge owing to the high energy barrier of CO2 activation and insufficient coverage of the desired intermediates on catalytic sites. Inspired by the concept of capture‐coupled CO2 activation, we fabricated quinone‐grafted carbon nanofibers via an in situ oxidative carbonylation strategy. The quinone functionality of carbon nanofibers promotes the capture of CO2 followed by activation. At a current density of 400 mA cm−2, the Faradaic efficiency of ethylene reached 62.9 %, and a partial current density of 295 mA cm−2 was achieved on the quinone‐rich carbon nanofibers. The results of in situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations indicated that the remarkable selectivity enhancement in ethylene originates from the quinone structure, rather than the electronic properties of Cu particles. The interaction of quinone with CO2 increases the local *CO coverage and simultaneously hinders the co‐adsorption of *H on Cu sites, which greatly reduces the energy barrier for C−C coupling and restrains subsequent *CO protonation. The modulation strategy involving specific oxygenated structure, as an independent degree of freedom, guides the design of functionalized carbon materials for tailoring the selectivity of desired products during the CO2 capture and reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-standing Na3MnTi(PO4)3/carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes are successfully synthesized by electrospinning. A pre-synthesized Na3MnTi(PO4)3 is dispersed in a polymeric solution, and the electrospun product is heat-treated at 750 °C in nitrogen flow to obtain active material/CNF electrodes. The active material loading is 10 wt%. SEM, TEM, and EDS analyses demonstrate that the Na3MnTi(PO4)3 particles are homogeneously spread into and within CNFs. The loaded Na3MnTi(PO4)3 displays the NASICON structure; compared to the pre-synthesized material, the higher sintering temperature (750 °C) used to obtain conductive CNFs leads to cell shrinkage along the a axis. The electrochemical performances are appealing compared to a tape-casted electrode appositely prepared. The self-standing electrode displays an initial discharge capacity of 124.38 mAh/g at 0.05C, completely recovered after cycling at an increasing C-rate and a coulombic efficiency ≥98%. The capacity value at 20C is 77.60 mAh/g, and the self-standing electrode exhibits good cycling performance and a capacity retention of 59.6% after 1000 cycles at 1C. Specific capacities of 33.6, 22.6, and 17.3 mAh/g are obtained by further cycling at 5C, 10C, and 20C, and the initial capacity is completely recovered after 1350 cycles. The promising capacity values and cycling performance are due to the easy electrolyte diffusion and contact with the active material, offered by the porous nature of non-woven nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear rheology of Pickering emulsions is used to further investigate the nonlinear and unrecoverable transformation of inner structures, which is beyond the linear viscoelastic regime of tiny structural disturbances. Exploring various rheological methods plays a vital role in emulsion applications, such as simulating the macroscopic structural transformation between static and liquidlike flow states, strain overshoot, and regeneration for broken structures. According to our previous studies, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) Pickering emulsions are a typical system for investigating polymer-based emulsions with the auxiliary surfactant [didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB)] for enhancing CNF absorption. To further study different rheological properties by varying CNF or DDAB contents, multiple interval thixotropic test, large amplitude oscillatory shear, and concentration-time-dependent superposition are employed to study the linear viscoelasticity and structural transformation of nonlinear range. This research was conducted based on the previous published works [Cui et al., Materials 15, 8285 (2022)] as a further characterization for the same sample series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid China's pursuit of a green and low-carbon transition, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is facing new challenges. Our research delves into the influencing factors and mechanisms for CSR reputation under green and low-carbon transition and provides practical enlightenment for enterprises to achieve sustainable development. This paper constructs a comprehensive index system of CSR from five dimensions (innovation, coordination, sustainability, openness, and sharing), and CSR reputation of China's A-share listed companies is comprehensively estimated by using an entropy method and data from 2013 to 2021. Then, from the perspective of external supervision and internal governance, we discuss the influence factors of CSR reputation, with an emphasis on the impact of public environmental concerns. Finally, the realization mechanism of CSR is further revealed. It is found that public environmental concern and the expansion of the enterprise scale boost the enhancement of CSR reputation. However, a higher proportion of female managers tends to hinder CSR reputation. Furthermore, public environmental concern plays a more prominent role in improving CSR reputation of non-state-owned and eastern enterprises. Additionally, public environmental concern significantly enhances CSR reputation through green technology innovation and executive environmental awareness. This research provides valuable insights for improving CSR reputation and optimizing regulatory compliance and governance practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three different types of carbon screen-printed electrodes consisting of mesoporous carbon (MC), carbon nanofibers (CNF), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were used as carbon supports for deposition of Ag, in the absence of reductant in the plating solution. The SPEs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and show marked differences in their structure. To drive the metal deposition, the carbon supports were potentiostatically pre-treated in supporting electrolyte. The metal deposition occurred in AgNO3 solution and resulted in the formation of homogeneously distributed metal nanoparticles with type and amount depending on both the potential used in the pre-treatment step and the structure of the carbon electrodes. Larger metal amounts and higher particle densities (in the 109 cm−2 range) together with smaller particle mean sizes (in the 40- to 60-nm range) were obtained by using more negative potential for the pre-treatment. A further way to influence the characteristics of the metal deposit was based on double or triple consecutive pre-treatment/deposition cycles. The obtained results are discussed in view of the possible sources of electron supply, necessary for the formation of the metal particles on the carbon carrying substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization and greening are key themes in global development, the manufacturing industry, as a major sector of energy consumption and carbon emissions, is in urgent need of transformation to realize energy conservation and emission reduction, digital transformation provides an opportunity for its green development. However, whether digital transformation can restrain the carbon emission intensity (CEI) of enterprises is still controversial. Based on the data of China's A‐share manufacturing listed companies from 2013 to 2020, this paper uses fixed effect model and intermediary effect model to explore the relationship between digital transformation and enterprise CEI and the influence path. the results show that: (1) Digital transformation has significantly reduced the CEI of manufacturing enterprises. (2) Mechanism analysis indicates that green technological innovation and resource allocation efficiency play a chain mediating role in this relationship. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the carbon emission reduction effect of digital transformation is more significant when enterprises belong to an energy‐intensive manufacturing industry or face strong environmental regulations and industry competition. The analysis of this paper not only deepens enterprises' understanding of digital transformation and green development but also provides a policy basis for China to advocate the coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the Internet of Things has increased the anticipation for wearable smart devices in personalized healthcare. Carbon aerogel films, characterized by multifunctional and lightweight porous properties, are emerging as promising components for lightweight smart devices. In this study, we adopt a straightforward, cost-effective approach to fabricate carbon aerogels using cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and graphene (GO) co-stabilized Pickering emulsion, followed by vacuum filtration, freeze-drying, and carbonization treatment. The carbonization process involves the pyrolysis of paraffin wax and the reduction of graphene oxide, resulting in a uniquely porous structure, low density, and remarkable properties related to Joule heating, photothermal conversion, and conductivity sensitivity across a wide range of stresses. Incorporating CRP-30 into a piezoresistive sensor enables real-time monitoring of subtle human activities such as carotid pulse beats, swallowing, and facial expressions. This multifunctional carbon aerogel film holds great promise in the domains of wearable personal thermal management and personal health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the impact of digital economy, population, affluence, technology, and other factors on carbon emissions, with panel data for 13 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration from 2011-2019. To overcome the negative influences of multicollinearity among independent variables under acceptable bias, we extended the traditional STIRPAT model and adopted the Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) algorithm. Results show that the digital economy has a directly dampening effect on carbon emissions, and the effect will diminish as the digital economy develops. Besides, under different development levels, differences are significant in terms of the impact of population, affluence, technology, urbanization rate and industrial structure on carbon emissions. Academically, we applied the PLSR method to the study of the relationship between digital economy and carbon emissions for the first time, which enhanced the credibility of the research conclusions. In addition, analysis based on samples from China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration also provides more empirical evidence for related research. Practically, we recommend such policies as developing digital cities, promoting low-carbon concepts, and accelerating industrial transformation for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to achieve the "dual-carbon" goals and high-quality economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of net-zero technology into preexisting energy networks is crucial for facilitating the shift toward an ecologically conscious and sustainable energy infrastructure. The primary objective of this integration is to effectively decrease carbon footprints and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current approaches and trends related to the design and management frameworks of integrated energy networks. The initial section of this study establishes the foundation for a comprehensive examination of the particular challenges associated with decarbonization in the strategic and operational aspects of integrated energy networks. The subsequent analysis proceeds to elucidate the fundamental framework and technological architecture upon which these energy networks are constructed. This provides significant insights into the operational complexity and efficacy of the system. In addition, the paper provides a concise examination of prominent frameworks and alternative approaches that tackle the issue of low-carbon design and administration. The degree of accuracy facilitates individuals when selecting systems that align with the specific requirements of unique circumstances. Furthermore, this study provides explicit suggestions for future research based on an examination of the distinct attributes and framework of integrated energy networks. The anticipated outcome of implementing these recommendations is to enable the advancement of sustainable development and expedite the shift toward energy infrastructure with reduced carbon emissions. This will make a significant contribution to the collaborative endeavor of mitigating climate change and fostering a sustainable energy future. This study further elucidates the significant contribution of integrated energy networks in addressing climate change and enhancing energy efficiency. It achieves this by synthesizing a complete range of concepts sourced from many academic papers, industry reports, and case studies. This statement offers an examination of the multifaceted technological, legislative, and planning factors that contribute to the attainment of net-zero objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal ratio of reaction solutions resulted in excellent performance and product selectivity of CuO/g-C3N4 composites in the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction. A pH-dependent chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method was used to confirm that CuO modification improves the adsorption capacity of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In analytical chemistry, the synergy between innovative sample preparation techniques and advanced chromatographic methods has paved the way for unprecedented advancements in the analysis of complex samples. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) stands out as a powerful tool for extraction, and preconcentration. When coupled with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a Diode Array Detector (DAD), the integrated SPME-HPLC-DAD system emerges as a sophisticated analytical platform, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility for various applications. Desorption is accomplished by either depositing organic solvent in the desorption chamber or else by flowing the mobile phase through the desorption chamber specificity. An ordinary description, along with a visual illustration, has been thoroughly provided for concepts of developed well-known enhanced thin film SPME cartridges (Figure 2). The tabular representation is also available with proper description like technique name, targeted analyte, column used, mobile phase used, %RSD, extraction recovery, LOD, and data acquired R2 also considered Based on the information available in the present study. Discussed SPME with HPLC-DAD brings a great turning point by successfully utilization in biomedical sciences, environmental monitors, food safety, and clinical analysis This cost-effective, readily available technique is both environmentally friendly and stable, allowing for rapid, reliable, and accurate measurements across a wide range of analyte concentrations, thanks to the utilization of hyphenated techniques. The different strategies of SPME with HPLC -DAD and possible future apllications have been incorporated in the review. The understanding of these techniques is still limited and challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen can be produced from several feedstocks and technologies, making it an important partner in the energy transition to neutral carbon societies. Hydrogen production can be based on renewable feedstocks, such as agricultural residues, which are highly available and economical. However, a comprehensive analysis of all available hydrogen production technologies must be done. Therefore, this work focused on developing a comparative analysis of the sustainability of the main hydrogen production technologies. Technologies with the greatest opportunity for development were simulated and evaluated from a sustainability perspective. Techno-energetic, economic, environmental, and social indicators were used to calculate a comprehensive sustainability index (S Id). Steam biomethane reforming (SBMR) and electrolysis (EL) were the schemes with the highest S Id based on the techno-energetic and environmental dimensions. However, the S Id decreased substantially when the economic dimension was considered because SBMR presented high capital and operating costs, and EL had low technical performance. On the other hand, thermochemical and biological technologies require further research to decrease the environmental burden and improve the mass yield of the process. Therefore, each production scheme involves different disadvantages that must be resolved to increase the opportunities for hydrogen development. [Display omitted] • The sustainability index made it possible to establish the development opportunity presented by each technology considering different dimensions of analysis. • Steam biomethane reforming and gasification processes are more efficient and economically viable than electrolytic and biological technologies. • The cost of hydrogen production in electrolytic processes is highly dependent on the primary source of electricity. • Hydrogen production by biological processes requires more research on improving yields and production costs. • The scheme with the highest sustainability indexes was the steam biomethane reforming scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a method to enhance the stability of Fe–N–C electrocatalysts, known for their significant oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and positioned as promising alternatives to commercial noble metal-based catalysts. Despite the favorable ORR activity, Fe–N–C suffers from inadequate stability in acidic media, primarily attributed the loss of active FeN 4 sites resulted from Fe-demetalation. However, recent investigation reveals that pyridine N exhibits remarkable stability in retaining Fe atoms. To address this, we achieved a high proportion of pyridine N doping in carbon nanofibers through a process involving nano-SiO 2 shell coating and electrospinning. The nano-SiO 2 shell coating method demonstrates efficacy and versatility in transforming pyrrole-type FeN 4 into pyridine-type FeN 4 , irrespective of the origin material being trivalent or divalent Fe, whether organic or inorganic. [Display omitted] • Obtained a high pyridine proportion Fe–N–C electrocatalyst with long-term stability • Developed a method for the transformation from the pyrrole-type FeN 4 to pyridine-type FeN 4. • The method is applicable to both trivalent and bivalent iron, regardless of inorganic or organic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon composites are susceptible to invisible damage development such as matrix cracking, fiber kinking, and interfacial debonding upon external transverse loading. These incipient damages may interact to evolve into life‐limiting delamination propagating both in in‐plane and transverse directions. This study addressed that by interleaving carbon/epoxy composites with electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers adopting a double infusion method. Damage resistance results showed that the optimum nanofiber areal weight (17.35 g/m2) offered a 27% improvement in specific total toughness. The emergence of pseudo‐ductility substantially enhanced the plastic toughness (46.15%) of interleaved composites. The load required for initial matrix cracking was 65.49% higher, and number of matrix cracking events was suppressed by 84.11% at the optimum areal weight of interleave. Fractography revealed frequent interlaminar crossings and delamination crack bridging as two major toughness mechanisms. Both the external damage area and delaminated area increased with increment in nanofiber areal weight. Highlights: Electrospun nanofibre interleaved carbon/epoxy composites were fabricated through a double infusion method to characterize damage resistance.Acoustic data of matrix cracking was rationalized to show the effectiveness of nanofiber interleaves in suppressing this damage type.Microstructural factors and mechanisms contributing to the improved toughness of optimally interleaved composites were identified.External damage/delaminated areas of interleaved composites were correlated with nanofiber areal weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centralized laboratories in which analytical processes are automated to enable the analysis of large numbers of samples at relatively low cost are used for analytical testing throughout the world. However, healthcare is changing, partly due to the general recognition that care needs to be more patient-centered and putting the patient at the center of action. One way to achieve this goal is to consider point-of-care testing (PoC) devices as alternative analytical concepts. This requires miniaturization of current analytical concepts and the use of cost-effective diagnostic tools with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. Electrochemical sensors are ideally adapted as they provide robust, low-cost, and miniaturized solutions for the detection of variable analytes, yet lack the high sensitivity comparable to more classical diagnosis approaches. Advances in nanotechnology have opened up a plethora of different nanomaterials to be applied as electrode and/or sensing materials in electrochemical biosensors. The choice of materials significantly influences the sensor's sensitivity, selectivity, and overall performance. A critical review of the state of the art with respect to the development of the utilized materials (between 2019 and 2023) and where the field is heading to are the focus of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design and preparation of bifunctional electrocatalysts with optimized structures and abundant electrocatalytic active sites are significant for hydrogen generation in electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we have elaborately prepared Fe-doped CoP nanoparticles encapsulated in porous electrospun carbon nanofibers for bifunctional electrocatalysis on both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The morphologies, components, and properties of the prepared electrocatalysts are influenced by the introduction of a facile air calcination treatment. Porous nanostructure as well as the full conversion of metal active sites are simultaneously achieved. Owing to the protective electrospun carbon nanofibers as well as the abundant exposed active sites, the optimized electrocatalyst exhibits excellent pH-universal HER activities with small overpotentials (99 mV, 159 mV, and 185 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 in acidic, alkaline, and neutral electrolytes, and also presents remarkable OER performance. Moreover, a water electrolyzer cell, using the optimized electrocatalyst as the electrodes, manifests both a high efficiency (1.63 V@10 mA cm−2) and robust stability. This work provides a convenient route for the controllable fabrication of transition metal-based electrocatalysts toward energy conversion. [Display omitted] • Fe-doped CoP nanoparticles anchored in electrospun carbon nanofibers were prepared. • An effective, facile, and controllable air calcination strategy was introduced. • Porous structure and full conversion of metal sites were simultaneously achieved. • The optimized catalyst shows excellent activity and durability for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the dynamic linkages among economic policy uncertainty (EPU), the green bond market, the carbon market, and the macroeconomy using the time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model with monthly data spanning from January 2016 to December 2021. Additionally, it assesses the robustness and accuracy of the empirical results through the Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model. The findings indicate that EPU negatively affects the green bond market in the short term but has a positive impact in the medium and long term. Conversely, EPU has a positive impact on the carbon market in the short term but a negative impact in the medium and long term. Furthermore, the green bond market negatively influences the carbon market in both the short and medium to long term. These results suggest that emerging markets, such as the green bond and carbon markets, are influenced by EPU. The adverse impact of the green bond market on the carbon market, however, contributes to expediting China's attainment of its low-carbon objectives. Appropriate economic policies can play a vital role in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. The study also reveals that the US-China trade war has expedited the development of green capital markets in China, despite its impact on the green economic transition in the country. These findings provide insights for the government and investors to formulate suitable strategies for risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) reduction provides an environment-friendly alternative to conventional method for the upgrade of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. At present, exploring superior catalysts with high activity and selectivity, figuring out the reduction mechanism in aqueous alkaline environment are urgent. In this work, zinc cobalt bimetallic oxide (ZnMn 2 O 4) with surface-derived Zn2+ vacancies supported by carbon nanofibers (d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C) was fabricated. The d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C exhibited excellent performance in electrocatalytic reduction of furfural, high furfuryl alcohol yield (49461.1 ± 228 µmol g−1) and Faradaic efficiency (95.5 ± 0.5 %) was obtained. In-depth research suggested that carbon nanofiber may strongly promoted the production of adsorbed hydrogen (H ads), and Zn2+ vacancies may significantly lowered the energy barrier of furfural reduction to furfuryl alcohol, the synergistic effect between carbon nanofiber and d- ZnMn 2 O 4 probably facilitated the reaction between H ads and furfuryl alcohol radical, thereby promoting the formation of furfuryl alcohol. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism was clarified by inhibitor coating and isotope experiments, the results of which revealed that the conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol on d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C followed both ECH and direct electroreduction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the effect of the curing temperature of nano-reinforcements during the manufacturing process on the mechanical properties of composites involving graphene (GNP), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and a hybrid mixture of these two nanoparticles. In this context, the type of nanoparticles, their content, their type of resin, and their hybridization were considered. The results showed that both nanoparticles increased the viscosity of the resin suspension, with an increase of between 16.3% and 38.2% for GNP nanoparticles and 45.4% and 74% for CNFs depending on the type of resin. Shrinkage was also affected by the addition of nanoparticles, as the highest results were obtained with GNP nanoparticles, with a 91% increase compared with the neat resin, and the lowest results were obtained with CNFs, with a decrease of 77% compared with the neat resin. A curing temperature of 5 °C promoted the best bending and hardness performance for all composites regardless of the type of resin and reinforcement used, with improvements of up to 24.8% for GNP nanoparticles and 13.52% for CNFs compared with the neat resin at 20 °C. Hybridization led to further improvements in bending properties and hardness compared with single-reinforcement composites due to a synergistic effect. However, the effectiveness of hybridization depends on the type of resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A life cycle assessment (LCA) of solid recovered fuel (SRF) was conducted. • SRF production process contributes to about 35.6 kg CO 2 -eq per ton. • A maximum of −1752.03 kg CO 2 -eq was obtained with about 80 % of SRF biogenic carbon. • A footprint of −542.09 to −1729.05 kg CO 2 -eq can be found due to coke substitution. • The study recommended SRF production to mitigate the global carbon footprint. Solid recovered fuel (SRF) from non-recyclable waste obtained from source separation and mechanical treatments can replace carbon coke in cement plants, contributing to the carbon neutrality. A life cycle assessment (LCA) of the SRF production from non-recyclable and selected waste was conducted in an Italian mechanical treatment plant to estimate the potential environmental impacts per ton of SRF produced. The analysis would contribute to evaluate the benefits that can be obtained due to coke substitution in best- and worst-case scenarios. The avoided impacts achieved were assessed, together with an evaluation of the variables that can affect the environmental benefits: SRF biogenic carbon content (in percentage of paper and cardboard); transportation distances travelled from the treatment plant to the cement kiln; the renewable energy used in the mechanical facility. On average, about 35.6 kgCO 2 -eq are generated by the SRF transportation and production phase. These impacts are greatly compensated by coke substitution, obtaining a net value of about −1.1 tCO 2 -eq avoided per ton of SRF. On balance, the global warming potential due to SRF production and consumption ranges from about −542 kgCO 2 -eq to about −1729 kgCO 2 -eq. The research recommended the use of SRF to substitute coke in cement kilns also in low densely-populated areas to mitigate environmental impacts and achieve carbon neutrality at a global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NASICON-structured Na3MnZr(PO4)3 compound is a promising high-voltage cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this study, an easy and scalable electrospinning approach was used to synthesize self-standing cathodes based on Na3MnZr(PO4)3 loaded into carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Different strategies were applied to load the active material. All the employed characterization techniques (X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy) confirmed the successful loading. Compared to an appositely prepared tape-cast electrode, Na3MnZr(PO4)3/CNF self-standing cathodes demonstrated an enhanced specific capacity, especially at high C-rates, thanks to the porous conducive carbon nanofiber matrix. Among the strategies applied to load Na3MnZr(PO4)3 into the CNFs, the electrospinning (vertical setting) of the polymeric solution containing pre-synthesized Na3MnZr(PO4)3 powders resulted effective in obtaining the quantitative loading of the active material and a homogeneous distribution through the sheet thickness. Notably, Na3MnZr(PO4)3 aggregates connected to the CNFs, covered their surface, and were also embedded, as demonstrated by TEM and EDS. Compared to the self-standing cathodes prepared with the horizontal setting or dip–drop coating methods, the vertical binder-free electrode exhibited the highest capacity values of 78.2, 55.7, 38.8, 22.2, 16.2, 12.8, 10.3, 9.0, and 8.5 mAh/g at C-rates of 0.05C, 0.1C, 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 5C, 10C, and 20C, respectively, with complete capacity retention at the end of the measurements. It also exhibited a good cycling life, compared to its tape-cast counterpart: it displayed higher capacity retention at 0.2C and 1C, and, after cycling 1000 cycles at 1C, it could be further cycled at 5C, 10C, and 20C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of room temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries are prevented by the sulfur insulation, the severe shuttling effect of high‐order sodium polysulfides (Na2Sn, 4 ≤ n ≤ 8), and the sluggish reaction kinetics. Therefore, designing an ideal host material to suppress the polysulfides shuttle process and accelerate the redox reactions of soluble NaPSs to Na2S2/Na2S is of paramount importance for RT Na–S batteries. Here, a quasi‐solid‐state transformation of NaPSs is realized by building high efficiency MoC‐W2C heterostructure in freestanding multichannel carbon nanofibers via electrospinning and calcination methods (MoC‐W2C‐MCNFs). The multichannel carbon nanofibers are interlinked micro‐mesoporous structures that can accommodate volume change of electrode materials and confine the entire redox process of NaPSs (restraining the polysulfides shuttle process). Meanwhile, the MoC‐W2C heterostructure with abundant heterointerfaces can facilitate electron/ion transport and accelerate conversion of NaPSs. Consequently, the S/MoC‐W2C‐MCNFs cathode delivers a high capacity of 640 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and an excellent reversible performance of 200 mAh g−1 after ultralong 3500 cycles at 4 A g−1. What's more, the heterostructure catalytic mechanism (a quasi‐solid‐state transformation) is proposed and confirmed in carbonate electrolyte by combining experimentally and theoretically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the panel data of 276 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2020, this study explores the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on carbon emissions and the intrinsic mechanism of green technological innovation from a spatial perspective by constructing a spatial econometric model, a mediating effect model, and a threshold model. The results show that DIF significantly inhibits carbon emissions, exhibiting a spatial spillover effect. The transmission mechanism from a spatial perspective shows that green technological innovation plays a partial mediating role between DIF and carbon emissions, with the mediating effect accounting for approximately 59.47%. The heterogeneity analysis suggests that the impact of DIF on the reduction of carbon emissions is more pronounced in large and medium-sized cities and eastern regions. Further discussion reveals that the carbon reduction effect of DIF is also influenced by green technological innovation and industrial structure upgrading, showing threshold effects with marginal decreases and gradual increases, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]