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For proton exchange membranes (PEM) used in vanadium redox batteries (VRBs), doping metal-organic framework (MOF) materials to enhance the proton permeability and vanadium ion barrier property of PEM has become a research focus. In synthesizing MOFs, conventional hydrothermal method is hindered by prolonged reaction time and suboptimal material structures. This study utilizes microwave assisted heating for the preparation of UIO-66-NH2 crystals, which are then combined with Nafion to fabricate composite membranes. The results indicate that microwave heating enables a more efficient and rapid synthesis of MOF crystals (MU-NH2), with enhanced uniformity and higher yield than the conventional hydrothermal process (CU-NH2). Compared to MU-NH2/Nf-0(vanadium ion permeability: 4.4 × 10−7 cm2·min−1; ion selectivity: 5 × 104 S·min·cm−3), the vanadium ion permeability of MU-NH2/Nf-3 and CU-NH2/Nf-3 membranes exhibits a similar level of reduction, approximately 82%. Additionally, the former demonstrates an enhanced ion selectivity by 33.3%, while the latter shows an increase of 30.9%. VRBs equipped with MU-NH2/Nf membranes exhibit higher energy efficiency (83.8% at 100 mA·cm−2) and better capacity retention than those with CU-NH2/Nf membranes (82.7% at 100 mA·cm−2). Therefore, UIO-66-NH2 synthesized via the microwave method can effectively enhance the comprehensive properties of proton exchange membranes and shows promising prospects in optimizing the performance of VRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyses China-Pacific islands economic relations in merchandise trade, investment and project contracting between 2006 and 2021. Nuances are revealed. The overall finding is that the Pacific is an insignificant partner of China in its global economic outreach, even under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This research also discusses the Chinese government's perceptions of the Pacific markets and its advice to Chinese companies on thorny issues affecting the BRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's rise in the Pacific has brought the region into the limelight, but research into the views of Chinese scholars of Pacific Studies is limited. Building on a survey and interviews of 39 Chinese scholars, this article analyses China's motives, influence, and prospects in the Pacific. It finds out that Chinese scholars list China's diplomatic strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and economic interests as the three main causes of China's Pacific diplomacy. The majority of these scholars rate the performance of China's Pacific diplomacy as pass/average. Most Chinese scholars are cautiously optimistic about the Belt and Road Initiative in the Pacific, and they expect China to both compete and cooperate with traditional powers in the Pacific in the foreseeable future. Some of these scholars' views on issues like the China–Taiwan diplomatic competition and the impact of Chinese aid on local corruption contradict the official Chinese line strikingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]