Search Results (4,276)

Magnetic 2D materials offer a compelling platform for next-generation electrocatalysis by enabling spin-dependent reaction pathways. Among them, layered ferromagnets such as Fe₃GeTe₂ (FGT) have garnered attention for combining intrinsic ferromagnetism with high predicted oxygen evolution activity. However, the stability of non-oxide ferromagnets in electrochemical environments remains an unresolved challenge, limiting their envisioned applications. In this study, we introduce a structural homolog approach to investigate the origin of FGT’s catalytic behavior and the mechanisms underlying its degradation. By comparing FGT with its isostructural analog Fe₃GaTe₂ (FGaT), we demonstrate that the electrochemical activity of FGT arises primarily from Fe orbitals and is largely insensitive to changes in sublayer composition. Although both materials exhibit similar basal-plane hydrogen evolution performance, FGaT demonstrates significantly lower long-term stability. Density functional theory calculations reveal that this instability arises from weaker Te bonding introduced by Ga substitution. These findings establish structural homologs as a powerful strategy for decoupling catalytic activity from electrochemical deterioration and for guiding the rational design of stable magnetic electrocatalysts. Full article

Tribocatalysis is receiving more and more attention for its great potential in environmental remediation. In this study, a special tribocatalysis was explored as a powder-free catalytic technology for the degradation of organic dyes. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and titanium (Ti) disks were first assembled as magnetic rotary disks and then driven to rotate through magnetic stirring in dye solutions in beakers with PTFE, Ti, and Al₂O₃ disks coated on bottoms separately. PTFE and Ti generated dynamic friction with the disks on the beaker bottoms in the course of magnetic stirring, from which some interesting dye degradations resulted. Among those dynamic frictions generated, 40 mg/L rhodamine b (RhB), 30 mg/L methyl orange (MO), and 20 mg/L methylene blue (MB) were effectively degraded by the one between PTFE and PTFE, the one between Ti and Ti, and the one between PTFE and Ti, respectively. Hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals were detected for two frictions, one between PTFE and PTFE and the other between Ti and Ti. It is proposed that Ti in friction increases the pressure in blocked areas through deformation and then catalyzes reactions under high pressure. Mechano-radicals are formed by PTFE through deformation, and are responsible for dye degradation. This work demonstrates a powder-free tribocatalysis for organic pollutant degradation and suggests an especially eco-friendly catalytic technology to wastewater treatment. Full article

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used polymer whose accumulation in the environment poses a significant pollution challenge. This study explores the degradation of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) and terephthalic acid (TPA)—two monomers commonly produced during PET hydrolysis and widely used as intermediates in PET recycling—through Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) employing KrCl (222 nm) and XeBr (283 nm) excimer lamps in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The effects of the H₂O₂/monomer mass ratio, initial monomer concentrations, and reaction volume on degradation efficiency were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrate that excimer lamp technology, particularly KrCl, holds promising potential for the effective degradation of both BHET and TPA, and thus represents a viable strategy for PET waste treatment. Full article

The interface between high-performance thermoelectric materials and electrodes critically governs the conversion efficiency and long-term reliability of thermoelectric generators under high-temperature operation. Here, we propose Al_xCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys (HEA) as barrier layers to bond Cu-W electrodes with p-type skutterudite (p-SKD) thermoelectric materials. The HEA/p-SKD interface exhibited excellent chemical bonding with a stable and controllable reaction layer, forming a dense, defect-free (Fe,Ni,Co,Cr)Sb phase (thickness of ~2.5 μm) at the skutterudites side. The interfacial resistivity achieved a low value of 0.26 μΩ·cm² and remained at 7.15 μΩ·cm² after aging at 773 K for 16 days. Moreover, the interface demonstrated remarkable mechanical stability, with an initial shear strength of 88 MPa. After long-term aging for 16 days at 773 K, the shear strength retained 74 MPa (only 16% degradation), ranking among the highest reported for thermoelectric materials/metal joints. Remarkably, the joint maintained a shear strength of 29 MPa even after 100 continuous thermal cycles (623–773 K), highlighting its outstanding thermo-mechanical stability. These results validate the Al_xCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys as an ideal interfacial material for thermoelectric generators, enabling simultaneous optimization of electrical and mechanical performance in harsh environments. Full article

This study aims to quantify total VOC emissions and evaluate how torrefaction alters the heat of combustion of three agricultural residues. The work examines the amount of VOC emissions during the torrefaction process at various temperatures and investigates the changes in the heat of combustion of agri-biomass resulting from the torrefaction process. The process was carried out at the following temperatures: 225, 250, 275, and 300 °C. Total VOC emission factors were determined. The reaction kinetics analysis revealed that meadow hay exhibited the most stable thermal behavior with the lowest activation energy. At the same time, rye straw demonstrated higher thermal resistance and complex multi-step degradation characteristics. The authors analyze three types of agricultural biomass: meadow hay, rye straw, and oat straw. The research was divided into five stages: determination of moisture content in the sample, determination of ash content, thermogravimetric analysis, measurement of total VOC emissions from the biomass torrefaction process, and determination of the heat of combustion of the obtained torrefied biomass. Based on the research, it was found that torrefaction of biomass causes the emission of torgas containing VOC in the amount of 2–10 mg/g of torrefied biomass, which can be used energetically, e.g., to support the torrefaction process, and the torrefied biomass shows a higher value of the heat of combustion. Unlike prior studies focused on single feedstocks or limited temperature ranges, this work systematically compares three major crop residues across four torrefaction temperatures and directly couples VOC quantifications. Full article

The development of three types of UV radiation-based photoreactors using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is presented. In this work, three pattern irradiation arrangements, direct radiation, internal radiation, and external radiation, were tested for deactivation of a typical model contaminant in wastewater under the same conditions. All photoreactors allow the adjustment of optical power and irradiation time and include a sensor for temperature monitoring in the solution. In this case, phenol was used as a model contaminant with TiO₂ as a photocatalyst in a batch-type reactor at pH 7. The results showed that the highest degradation efficiency was achieved after 120 min, reaching 97.79% for the internal-radiation photoreactor, followed by 90.17% when the direct-radiation photoreactor was used, and 85.24% for the external-radiation photoreactor. Phenol degradation served as the basis for validating reactor performance, given its persistence and relevance as an indicator in advanced oxidation processes. It was concluded that the arrangement of LEDs in each photoreactor significantly influences phenol degradation under the same reaction conditions. Full article

The problem of spreading harmful infections through contaminated surfaces has become more acute during the recent coronavirus pandemic. The design of self-cleaning materials, which can continuously decompose biological contaminants, is an urgent task for environmental protection and human health care. In this study, the surface of blended cotton/polyester fabric was functionalized with N-doped TiO₂ (TiO₂-N) nanoparticles using titanium(IV) isopropoxide as a binder to form durable photoactive coating and additionally decorated with Cu species to promote its self-cleaning properties. The photocatalytic ability of the material with photoactive coating was investigated in oxidation of acetone vapor, degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments of various lengths, and inactivation of PA136 bacteriophage virus and Candida albicans fungi under visible light and ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. The kinetic aspects of inactivation and degradation processes were studied using the methods of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), double-layer plaque assay, and ten-fold dilution. The results of experiments showed that the textile fabric modified with TiO₂-N photocatalyst exhibited photoinduced self-cleaning properties and provided efficient degradation of all studied contaminants under exposure to both UVA and visible light. Additional modification of the material with Cu species substantially improved its self-cleaning properties, even in the absence of light. Full article

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) undergoes thermal degradation during processing and operation, which necessitates the use of effective thermal stabilizers. The purpose of this work is to comprehensively evaluate the potential of new hierarchically structured titanium phosphates (TiP) with controlled morphology as thermal stabilizers of plasticized PVC, focusing on the effect of morphology and Ti/P ratio on their stabilizing efficiency. The thermal stability of the compositions was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in both inert (Ar) and oxidizing (air) atmospheres. The effect of TiP concentration and its synergy with industrial stabilizers was analyzed. An assessment of the key degradation parameters is given: the temperature of degradation onset, the rate of decomposition, exothermic effects, and the carbon residue yield. In an inert environment, TiPMSI/TiPMSII microspheres demonstrated an optimal balance by increasing the temperature of degradation onset and the residual yield while suppressing the rate of decomposition. In an oxidizing environment, TiPR rods and TiPMSII microspheres provided maximum stability, enhancing resistance to degradation onset and reducing the degradation rate by 10–15%. Key factors of effectiveness include ordered morphology (spheres, rods); the Ti-deficient Ti/P ratio (~0.86), which enhances HCl binding; and crystallinity. The stabilization mechanism of titanium phosphates is attributed to their high affinity for hydrogen chloride (HCl), which catalyzes PVC chain scission, a catalyst for the destruction of the PVC chain. The unique microstructure of titanium phosphate provides a high specific surface area and, as a result, greater activity in the HCl neutralization reaction. The formation of a sol–phosphate framework creates a barrier to heat and oxygen. An additional contribution comes from the inhibition of oxidative processes and the possible interaction with unstable chlorallyl groups in PVC macromolecules. Thus, hierarchically structured titanium phosphates have shown high potential as multifunctional PVC thermostabilizers for modern polymer materials. Potential applications include the development of environmentally friendly PVC formulations with partial or complete replacement of toxic stabilizers, the optimization of thermal stabilization for products used in aggressive environments, and the use of hierarchical TiP structures in flame-resistant and halogen-free PVC-based compositions. Full article

In this study, we investigated the effects of air packaging, vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (CO₂/N₂: 80/20) on the purine metabolism and enzyme activities of refrigerated large yellow croakers. The results showed that modified atmosphere packaging significantly inhibited microbial growth, delayed adenosine triphosphate degradation and maintained higher IMP content (1.93 μmol/g on day 21) compared to the air packaging group (2.82 μmol/g on day 12). The total purine content increased with storage time, with hypoxanthine content increasing significantly and occupying most of the total content, which was the key factor for the elevation of purine, followed by adenine content showing a significant decreasing trend. Hypoxanthine accumulation was significantly suppressed in the modified atmosphere packaging group (2.31 μmol/g on day 18), which was much lower than that in the air packaging group (5.64 μmol/g), whereas xanthine and guanine did not show significant differences among the groups. The key enzymes xanthine oxidase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase were much less active in modified atmosphere packaging, effectively delaying the cascade reaction of inosine monophosphate → hypoxanthine → xanthine. The study confirmed that modified atmosphere packaging intervenes in purine metabolism through enzyme activity regulation, providing a theoretical basis for the preservation of low purine aquatic products. Full article

Novel solid strong base catalysts have attracted considerable attention in fine chemical synthesis owing to their unique advantages. In this work, a magnetic solid strong base catalyst with controlled morphology and porous carbon shell structure was successfully fabricated using low-cost carbon sources combined with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. KOH was used to introduce strong basic sites through ultrasonic-assisted impregnation. The carbon shell acted as a protective barrier to suppress detrimental interactions between basic species and the support while maintaining structural integrity after high-temperature activation without morphology degradation. The obtained K/C/Fe₃O₄ catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance and near-ideal superparamagnetic behavior. In the transesterification reaction for dimethyl carbonate (DMC) synthesis, the K/C/Fe₃O₄ catalyst provides superior performance than conventional solid base catalysts and maintains stable activity over six consecutive cycles. Notably, efficient solid–liquid separation was achieved successfully via magnetic separation, demonstrating practical applicability for the K/C/Fe₃O₄ catalyst. Full article

The precise synthesis of non-precious metal single-atom electrocatalysts is crucial for enhancing the yield of highly active reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Conventional oxidation methods, such as Fenton or NaClO processes, suffer from poor efficiency, high energy demand, and secondary pollution. In contrast, heterogeneous electro-Fenton systems based on cascade oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs), which require low operational voltage and cause pollutant degradation through both direct electron transfer and ROS generation, have emerged as a promising alternative. Recent studies showed that carbon cathodes decorated with atomically dispersed transition metals can effectively integrate the excellent conductivity of carbon supports with the tunable surface chemistry of metal centers. However, the electronic structure of active sites intrinsically hinders the simultaneous achievement of high activity and selectivity in cascade ORRs. This review summarizes the advances, specifically from 2020 to 2025, in understanding the mechanism of cascade ORRs and the synthesis of transition metal-based single-atom catalysts in cathode electrocatalysis for efficient wastewater treatment, and discusses the key factors affecting treatment performance. While employing atomically engineered cathodes is a promising approach for energy-efficient wastewater treatment, future efforts should overcome the barriers in active site control and long-term stability of the catalysts to fully exploit their potential in addressing water pollution challenges. Full article

Second-language (L2) written processing has often been linked to cognitive disfluency, resembling fluency disruptions caused by perceptual challenges, such as visual degradation. This study used Virtual Reality to investigate whether cognitive disfluency in L2 mirrors perceptual disfluency by simulating adverse weather conditions (sunny vs. rainy) and applying visual masking. Spanish–English bilinguals completed a language decision task, identifying orthotactically unmarked words as either Spanish (L1) or English (L2) while experiencing these perceptual manipulations. Results showed that visual masking significantly increased reaction times, particularly for L1 words, suggesting that masking can diminish the native language advantage. Spanish words under masking elicited slower responses than unmasked ones, whereas L2 word recognition remained comparatively stable. Additionally, rainy weather conditions consistently slowed responses across both languages, indicating a general effect of environmental disfluency. A significant interaction between language and masking emerged, highlighting distinct cognitive effects for different disfluency types. These findings suggest that cognitive disfluency in L2 does not equate to perceptual disfluency; each affects processing differently. The use of Virtual Reality enabled the controlled manipulation of realistic environmental variables, offering valuable insights into how perceptual and linguistic challenges jointly influence bilingual language processing. Full article

The continuous occurrence of steroidal pharmaceutical dexamethasone (DXM) in aqueous environments indicates the need for an efficient removal technology. The frequent detection of DXM in surface water could be substantially reduced by the application of photo-induced advanced oxidation technology. In the present study, Fe²⁺ and UVA-light activated peroxo compounds were applied for the degradation and mineralization of a glucocorticoid, 25.5 µM DXM, in ultrapure water (UPW). The treatment efficacies were validated in real spring water (SW). A 120 min target pollutant degradation followed pseudo first-order reaction kinetics when an oxidant/Fe²⁺ dose 10/1 or/and UVA irradiation were applied. Acidic conditions (a pH of 3) were found to be more favorable for DXM oxidation (≥99%) regardless of the activated peroxo compound. Full conversion of DXM was not achieved, as the maximum TOC removal reached 70% in UPW by the UVA/H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ system (molar ratio of 10/1) at a pH of 3. The higher efficacy of peroxymonosulfate-based oxidation in SW could be induced by chlorine, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions; however, it is not applicable for peroxydisulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Overall, consistently higher efficacies for HO^•-dominated oxidation systems were observed. The findings from the current paper could complement the knowledge of oxidative removal of low-level DXM in real water matrices. Full article

Rouaite (Cu₂(OH)₃NO₃) long hexagonal multilayered nanoplates with high purity and high crystallinity were prepared from acidic reaction solution (pH = 4.4–4.8) with the assistance of ZnO. The ZnO-assisted strategy is remarkably different from the conventional synthetic protocol that was regularly carried out in alkaline solution (pH > 11). The rouaite multilayer nanoplates displayed exceptionally high catalytic activity in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of Congo red (CR). The catalytic efficiency for CR decolorization achieved an impressive 96.3% in 50 min under near-neutral (pH = 6.76) and ambient conditions (T = 20 °C, p = 1 atm), without increasing the temperature and/or decreasing the pH value to acidic region (pH = 2–3) as is commonly employed in CWPO process for improved degradation efficiency. Full article

Ferulic acid (FA) is one of the most abundant hydroxycinnamic acids found in plant cell walls. Its dehydrodimers play an important role in maintaining the structural rigidity of the plant cell wall. Ferulic acid esterases (FAEs) act as debranching enzymes, cleaving the ester bond between FA and the substituted carbohydrate moieties in FA-containing polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. This enzymatic reaction facilitates the degradation of lignocellulosic materials and is crucial for the efficient utilization of biomass resources. This review focuses on the occurrence of ferulic acid in nature and its different forms and outlines the various classification systems of FAEs, their substrate specificity, and the synergistic interactions of these enzymes with other CAZymes. Additionally, it highlights the various methods that have been developed for detecting hydroxycinnamic acids and estimating the enzyme activity, as well as the versatile applications of ferulic acid. Full article