ALBERT

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 554〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaofei Wang, Yifu Zhang, Jiqi Zheng, Xin Liu, Changgong Meng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Vanadium sulfide (VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) is recognized as a good anode material for energy storage devices because of its chain-like structure and high content of sulfur. Herein, the patronite VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 anchored on carbon nanocubes (denoted as VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs) with a petal-shape structure consisting of nanolayers is successfully prepared through a one-step hydrothermal reaction. The influence of the optimal ratio of VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and CNTs on the electrochemical properties of VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs composite is studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The addition of CNTs increases the conductivity and relieves the volume expansion/contraction, resulting excellent electrochemical properties of VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs. In the potential window of −1.4 V to 1.4 V, the VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs composite electrode delivers an outstanding specific capacitance of 330 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 (924 C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) at 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, which is much higher than that of VS〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 with 105 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 (294 C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉). The VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) device exhibits the areal capacitance as high as 676 mF cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 (1488 mC cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉) at 0.5 mA cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉, and the energy density of 4.55 W h m〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 (51.2 W h kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) at the power density of 2.75 W m〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 (30.95 W kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) within a large voltage up to 2.2 V. All the results confirm that VS〈sub〉4〈/sub〉/CNTs composite with petal-shape structures is a promising material for high-performance energy storage devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719307726-ga1.jpg" width="371" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 554〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lingling Ge, Weijie Tong, Qingfa Bian, Duo Wei, Rong Guo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Hypothesis〈/h6〉 〈p〉Various advanced geometries are endowed by the unique structure of “three rooms” of immiscible oils composing the Cerberus droplets. Adjustable interfacial properties and tunable volume ratio in the four-liquid system render it possible to realize the controlled morphology transition by the variation of temperature and emulsion composition.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Experiments〈/h6〉 〈p〉Cerberus emulsions are prepared in batch scale by traditional one-step vortex mixing, employing the oil combinations of methacryloxypropyl dimethyl silicone (DMS)/2-(perfluorooctyl) ethyl methacrylate (PFOEMA)/vegetable oil (VO). Emulsifier of pluoronic F127, a temperature sensitive surfactant is applied. Stereoscopic topological phase diagram as functions of temperature and composition are plotted. Numerical calculations on the droplet morphology including interface curvature, contact angle, and volume fraction of each domain are performed.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Findings〈/h6〉 〈p〉Four primary regions with specific morphologies, 〈em〉i〈/em〉.〈em〉e〈/em〉. “VO 〉 DMS 〈 PFOEMA”, “VO 〉 DMS 〉 PFOEMA”, “VO 〈 DMS 〉 PFOEMA”, and finally “VO 〈 DMS 〈 PFOEMA” are obtained. Extended volume ratio range of three lobes, from about 0.03 to 23.3, is achieved and precisely controlled based on the three-phase diagram. What is more, the structural features are found to be thermodynamically determined by the minimization of interfacial energy, though the emulsion is prepared kinetically by vortex mixing. The findings are attractive in the fields of materials synthesis and microreactors.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S002197971930791X-ga1.jpg" width="290" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 554〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Li Zhang, Weiwei Wang, Guancheng Xu, Huijun Song, Lifan Yang, Dianzeng Jia〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The electrochemical splitting of water provides an attractive method for the production of hydrogen fuels. Unfortunately, the slow kinetics of oxygen evolution (OER) on the anode side of the electrolyzer hinders the efficient and large-scale hydrogen production. In this study, starting from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a series of bimetal phosphides Co〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉1−x〈/sub〉P (x = 0.33, 0.50, 0.66, 0.75 and 0.80) were synthesized by low-temperature phosphidiation of corresponding MOFs precursors. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Studies indicate that the proportion of cobalt and iron elements make a big differences on the structure of the materials. Benefiting from the porous structure and large specific area of the MOFs precursors, as well as the synergistic effect between Co and Fe elements, the as-synthesized Co〈sub〉0.66〈/sub〉Fe〈sub〉0.33〈/sub〉P shows superior electrocatalytic performances and outstanding stability toward OER in alkaline solution.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719307878-ga1.jpg" width="251" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 October 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 554〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hao Zheng, Zhuyi Wang, Liyi Shi, Yin Zhao, Shuai Yuan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Electric vehicles have very strict requirements for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the commercial polyethylene (PE) separators cannot meet the demands of high safety and electrochemical performance for LIBs. This work aims to enhance the electrochemical and safety performance of LIBs by coating the separator with multifunctional particles. First, the colloidal SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanoparticles were etched by LiOH to form porous shell and lithium silicate (LSO) species simultaneously. Then, the SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanoparticles with porous shell were coated on PE separator by dip-coating method in the presence of binder. The experiment results indicate that SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanoparticles with porous shell can endow PE separator excellent thermal stability (thermal shrinkage is almost 0% at 150 ℃ for 30 min) and electrochemical properties (improved ionic conductivity and Li〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 ion transference number). Moreover, the Li/LiCoO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 cell employing the PE separator coated by SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 with porous shell exhibits the best cycle life and C-rate performance. The discharge capacity retention of the cell assembled with LSO-SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@PE separator increase from 69% (cells assembled with pristine PE separator) to 86% after 100 cycles at 0.2C.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719307787-ga1.jpg" width="470" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 556〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yahuan Wang, Chengyu Lin, Zhiwei Wang, Zhimin Chen, Jiafu Chen, Yong Chen, Shaohua Liu, Jianwei Fu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The development of novel adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and easy recovery property is imperative in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, a hard template-induced assembly strategy was developed to fabricate the magnetic hollow poly(cyclotriphosphazene-〈em〉co〈/em〉-4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol)-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 (PZS-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) hybrid nanocapsules, in which Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles were well embedded in the cross-linked PZS shell. The resulting samples were well characterized using SEM, TEM, EDS, FT-IR, VSM, XPS, XRD and N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 sorption. Then, using Safranine T (ST) as model dye, the adsorption behavior of as-prepared hollow PZS-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanocapsules including adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, adsorption mechanism, and recyclability were systematically evaluated and discussed. The results revealed that the magnetic hollow PZS-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanocapsules own high adsorption capacity towards ST dye and outstanding magnetic separation functionality. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model can well describe the experimental data, and the adsorption process is controlled by more than one diffusion step. The interaction between ST dye and hollow PZS-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanocapsules is ascribed to π-π interaction and electrostatic interaction. The thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the adsorption processes were physical, endothermic, and spontaneous. Additionally, the magnetic hollow PZS-Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanocapsules also shows excellent peroxidase-like catalytic activity in the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine with H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, indirectly confirming the adsorption kinetic results.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S002197971930983X-ga1.jpg" width="360" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 21 August 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Beibei Wang, Shipeng Zhang, Gang Wang, Hui Wang, Jintao Bai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Among an enormous variety of electrode materials for lithium and sodium storage, transition metal-oxides/sulfides stand out on account of their widespread availability and high theoretical charge capacity. However, these anodes still undergo poor capacity retention and limited cycle life. Herein, we present a simple approach to synthesize one-dimensional (1D) porous Fe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉@C and FeS@C nanofibers in which ultra-small active nanoparticles are first distributed in the internal porous carbon matrix and further encapsulated in the external nano-carbon walls. The 1D porous nano-architecture effectively alleviates the pulverization or aggregation induced by huge volume changes during cycling as well as provides a short ion/electron diffusion path in the crystal. Furthermore, the internal porous carbon matrix and the external nano-carbon layers keep the structural and mechanical stability of the entire electrode. The as-synthesized Fe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉@C and FeS@C nanofibers show high specific capacities, robust cycling stability as well as desirable rate capability for LIBs and SIBs. Simultaneously, the FeS@C nanofibers achieve better lithium and sodium storage properties due to good electrical property and fast ion diffusion kinetics compared with Fe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉@C nanofibers. This novel architecture design may open an avenue to seeking out high performance electrodes for advanced energy storage.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719309816-ga1.jpg" width="275" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 555〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Elisangela P. Da Silva, Adley F. Rubira, Odair P. Ferreira, Rafael Silva, Edvani C. Muniz〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In recent years, electrochemical energy devices, i.e. batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, and supercapacitors, have attracted considerable attention of scientific community. The architecture of active materials plays a crucial role for improving supercapacitors performance. Herein, titanium dioxide (TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) nanofibers (1D) have been synthesized by electrospinning process and used as a backbone to manganese dioxide (MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) nanosheets (2D) growth through hydrothermal method. This strategy allows the obtaining of 1D/2D heterostructure architecture, which has demonstrated superior electrochemical performance in relation to pristine MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The highest electrochemical performance is due to the synergic effect between the metal oxides, where TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanofibers provide electrochemical stability for active MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 phase. Thus, the designed TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 structure can reach maximum specific capacitance of 525 F·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at a current density of 0.25 A·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, and it demonstrates an excellent stability by retaining 81% of the initial capacitance with coulombic efficiency of 91%. Therefore, the novel architecture of TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 based on nanofibers and nanosheets exhibits superior electrochemical properties to be used in supercapacitor applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 3D architecture was synthesized using TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanofibers and MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanosheets. The 1D and 2D structures combine high fibers porosity, which could facility diffusion ions from electrolyte, with a large number of active sites in the nanosheets. The 3D architecture enhanced electrochemical reaction and ions transport allowing the hybrid TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉@MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 outstanding high specific capacitance with an excellent stability with potential as electrode for supercapacitor.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719308446-ga1.jpg" width="295" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 555〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Qiuxia Fu, Yang Si, Lifang Liu, Jianyong Yu, Bin Ding〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The development of chromatographic media with superb adsorption capacity and large processing throughput is of great importance for highly efficient protein adsorption and separation, yet still faces a huge challenge. Herein, a new kind of butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) functionalized ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL) nanofibrous membranes (BTCA@EVAL NFM)-based chromatographic media is fabricated, for the first time, by combining blend electrospinning technique with 〈em〉in-situ〈/em〉 modification technology. The resulting BTCA@EVAL NFM possesses an enhanced equilibrium protein adsorption capability (716 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), a high saturated dynamic protein binding capacity (490 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), and a distinctive selectivity towards positively charged proteins, which are attributed to the synergistic effects of the hydrophilic EVAL nanofibrous matrix and the plentiful carboxyl groups introduced by BTCA. Besides, benefiting from its stable physical and chemical structures, the membrane also presents excellent acid and alkaline resistance as well as good reusability. Significantly, the BTCA@EVAL NFM can directly extract lysozyme from egg white with a relatively large capture capability of 353 mg g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, highlighting its superb potential practicability. We sincerely hope that this new design concept and the highly effective nanofiber-based chromatographic media can provide some guidance for the further development of bio-separation and purification.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719308458-ga1.jpg" width="277" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 555〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): S.Q. Gao, P.P. Zhang, S.H. Guo, W.Q. Chen, M. Li, F. Liu, J.P. Cheng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Developing safe, efficient and environment-friendly energy storage systems continues to inspire researchers to synthesize new electrode materials. Doping or substituting host material by some guest elements has been regarded as an effective way to improve the performance of supercapacitors. In this work, single-phase CuCo〈sub〉2−x〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉x〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 materials were synthesized by a facile two-step hydrothermal method, where Co in CuCo〈sub〉2〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 was substituted by Ni. Cobalt could be easily substituted with Ni in a rational range to keep its constant phase. But, a high content of Ni resulted in a multi-phase composite. Among a series of CuCo〈sub〉2−x〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉x〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 materials with different Ni/Co mole ratios, CuCo〈sub〉1.25〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉0.75〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 material presented a significantly high specific capacitance (647 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 or 272 C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and the best cycling stability (∼98% specific capacitance retention after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles), which was mainly due to the modified composition, specific single phase, higher electroconductivity, more electroactive sites and the synergistic effect between Ni and Co. Moreover, the assembled asymmetric capacitor using CuCo〈sub〉1.25〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉0.75〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode delivered a high energy density of 31.8 Wh kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at the power density of 412.5 W kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. These results demonstrated that ternary metal sulfides of CuCo〈sub〉2−x〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉x〈/sub〉S〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 are promising electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719308720-ga1.jpg" width="316" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 555〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xiaozhe Yuan, Shiyuan Peng, Wenjing Lin, Jufang Wang, Lijuan Zhang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This study introduced multistage pH-responsive nanohybrids (MSN-hyd-MOP) based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) modified with polymers with charge-reversal property via an acid-labile hydrazone linker, which were applied as a drug delivery system loaded anticancer drugs. In this study, MSN-hyd-MOP nanohybrids were completely investigated for their synthesis, pH response, drug release behavior, cytotoxicity capability and endocytic behavior. Responding to the acidic extracellular microenvironment of solid tumor (pH 6.5), MSN-hyd-MOP nanohybrids exhibited surface charge-reversal characteristic from negative (−10.2 mV, pH 7.4) to positive (16.6 mV, pH 6.5). The model drug doxorubicin (Dox) was efficiently loaded within the channels of MSN-hyd-MOP (encapsulation efficiency about 87%). The increased acidity in endo-/lysosome promote Dox-loaded MSN-hyd-MOP (MSN-hyd-MOP@Dox) release Dox quickly. 〈em〉In vitro〈/em〉 study revealed the drug delivery system had good biocompatibility and could deliver the payload to tumor cells. Overall, the described nanohybrids can be used as a potential anticancer drug delivery system.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979719308410-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉