Hongbo Zeng

Correction for ‘Mimicking ion and water management in poultry breeding for highly reversible zinc ion batteries’ by Shengli Zhai et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2023, 16, 5479–5489, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EE03045H.

The practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries for large-grid scale systems is still hindered by uncontrolled zinc dendrite and side reactions. Regulating the electrical double layer via the electrode/electrolyte interface layer is an effective strategy to improve the stability of Zn anodes. Herein, we report an ultrathin zincophilic ZnS layer as a model regulator. At a given cycling current, the cell with Zn@ ZnS electrode displays a lower potential drop over the Helmholtz layer (stern layer) and a suppressed diffuse layer, indicating the regulated charge distribution and decreased electric double layer repulsion force. Boosted zinc adsorption sites are also expected as proved by the enhanced electric double-layer capacitance. Consequently, the symmetric cell with the ZnS protection layer can stably cycle for around 3,000 h at 1 mA cm− 2 with a lower overpotential of 25 mV. When coupled with an I 2/AC cathode, the …

Separation of fine particles suspended in liquid is crucial yet difficult and inefficient in various engineering processes. In the oil sands industry, high fine solids content in produced bitumen is one of the hurdles preventing non-aqueous extraction (NAE) from being used in commercial operations. This work proposed a novel method for fine solids removal from NAE bitumen by hetero-aggregation with surface-modified magnetite nanoparticles followed by magnetic separation. Stearylamine acetate-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (SAA-MNPs) were prepared and characterized, and the separation performance of fine solids from NAE bitumen by the proposed approach using SAA-MNPs was quantitatively evaluated and compared with un-modified magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs). It is demonstrated that after functionalization with SAA, the separation effectiveness was significantly improved. Hetero-aggregates …

In this work, ultraviolet irradiation was employed to assist in the preparation of a novel photocatalyst composite in the form of carbon dots/zeolite-4A/TiO2, using coal tailings as the source of silicon-aluminum and carbon. The composite was designed for the degradation of methylene blue under 500 W of UV light irradiation. Zeolite-4A was used as a support for the well-dispersed carbon dots and TiO2 nanoparticles. The as-prepared composites were subjected to thorough characterization, confirming the successful formation of zeolite-4A with a cube structure, along with the loading of TiO2 and coal-based CDs in the composites. The experimental results demonstrated that the UV-CZTs nanocomposites exhibited a remarkable removal efficiency of 90.63% within 90 min for MB. The corresponding rate constant was exceptionally high at 0.0331 min−1, surpassing that of the Dark-CZTs and pure TiO2. This significant …

Biocompatible magnesium alloys represent revolutionary implantable materials in dentistry and orthopedics but face challenges due to rapid bio‐corrosion, necessitating protective coatings to mitigate dysfunction. Directly integrating durable protective coatings onto Mg surfaces is challenging because of intrinsic low coating compactness. Herein, inspired by tooth enamel, a novel highly compact dual‐protection inorganic‐protein (inorganicPro) coating is in‐situ constructed on Mg surfaces through bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein‐boosted reaction between sodium fluoride (NaF) and Mg substrates. The association of Mg ions and BSA establishes a local hydrophobic domain that lowers the formation enthalpy of NaMgF3 nanoparticles. This process generates finer nanoparticles that function as “bricks”, facilitating denser packing, consequently reducing voidage inside coatings by over 50% and reinforcing …

Underwater adhesive superoleophobic coatings are in high demand for underwater activities. However, hydrogel coatings have limited adhesiveness for long periods. In this work, a novel approach is presented that employs synergistic segment orientation and covalent anchoring strategies to fabricate superoleophobic hydrogel coatings on different substrates without prior surface treatments. The coating demonstrated remarkable long‐lasting superoleophobic properties even in extreme underwater environments. It also exhibited strong adhesion with a shear strength of up to 5 MPa and antiswelling and antibiofouling properties, making it highly effective for applications in antiliquid adhesion, crude oil self‐cleaning, and antibiofouling. The simplicity, ease of preparation, and exceptional performance of the hydrogel coating provide a notable example for the synergistic segment orientation and covalent anchoring of …

CO2-responsive materials have emerged as promising adsorbents for the remediation of refractory organic dyes-contaminated wastewater without the formation of byproducts or causing secondary pollution. However, realizing the simultaneous adsorption−separation or complete removal of both anionic and cationic dyes, as well as achieving deeper insights into their adsorption mechanism, still remains a challenge for most reported CO2-responsive materials. Herein, a novel type of urchin-like CO2-responsive Fe3O4 microspheres (U-Fe3O4@P) has been successfully fabricated to enable ultrafast, selective, and reversible adsorption of anionic dyes by utilizing CO2 as a triggering gas. Meanwhile, the CO2-responsive U-Fe3O4@P microspheres exhibit the capability to initiate Fenton degradation of non-adsorbable cationic dyes. Our findings reveal exceptionally rapid adsorption equilibrium, achieved within a mere …

Peculiar hierarchical microstructures in creatures inspire modern material design with distinct functionalities. Creatures can effortlessly construct sophisticated yet long‐range ordered microstructure across bio‐membrane through ion secretion and precipitation. However, microstructure biomimicry in current technology generally requires elaborate, point‐by‐point fabrication. Herein, a spontaneous yet controllable strategy is developed to achieve surface microstructure engineering through a natural surface phenomenon similar to ion secretion‐precipitation, that is, coupled dissolution‐precipitation. A series of hierarchical microstructures on mineral surfaces in fluids with tunable morphology, orientation, dimension, and spatial distribution are achieved by simply controlling initial dissolution and fluid chemistry. In seawater, long‐range ordered film of vertically aligned brucite flakes forms through interfacial dissolution …

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) material was prepared by chemical precipitation method. The microstructure and physical properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, BET, FESEM and UV spectrophotometer. The self-made four-channel measurement device was used to test the gas sensitivity of ZIF-8 material toward ethanol gas under photo-thermal synergistic excitation. The results showed that the sample was typical ZIF-8 (Eg = 4.96 eV) with a regular dodecahedron shape and the specific surface is up to 1793 m2/g. The as-prepared ZIF-8 has a gas response value of 55.04 to 100 ppm ethanol at 75 °C and it shows good gas sensing selectivity and repeated stability. The excellent gas sensitivity can be attributed to the increase of free electron concentration in the ZIF-8 conduction band by photo-thermal synergistic excitation, and the large specific surface area of ZIF-8 material …

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a low surface energy material, is widely used in the preparation of various (super)hydrophobic materials. Nevertheless, the impact of PDMS chain architectures (i.e., linear, branched, difunctional and monofunctional PDMS) on surface properties, such as hydrophobicity and self-cleaning, has received limited attention. In this work, we constructed PDMS chains on stainless steel mesh/polyester fiber/silica surfaces to form both looped and linear topological structures. Surfaces with looped structure showed higher roughness and stronger hydrophobicity in air and water, compared to the surfaces with linear structures. Surface force measurements demonstrated that the silica surface with looped structure exhibited stronger hydrophobic forces in water than the surfaces with linear structure. The looped structure coatings also exhibited superior self-cleaning and faster water sliding compared …

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is considered as one of the sustainable and economical strategies for carbon utilization to effectively control the greenhouse effect and alleviate the rapid consumption of fossil fuels. In this work, metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived Ce-doped Bi@C nanorod (NR) electrocatalysts are facilely prepared through the pyrolysis method. Benefitting from Ce doping, the electron density around Bi active sites increases and the Bi–Bi bond length shortens, leading to stabilized reaction intermediates, a lower energy barrier towards *OCHO formation, faster electron transfer, and improved CO2 adsorption. As a result, Ce0.05Bi0.95@C NRs show desirable faradaic efficiencies (FE) of over 90% towards formate formation in a wide potential window from −0.9 to −1.9 Vvs. RHE in an H-type cell, with the maximum value of 96.1%. Owing to the good intrinsic …

The surface interactions of air bubbles and other components (e.g., particles, oil droplets) significantly influence the operation efficiency of a variety of engineering processes such as oily water treatment, bitumen extraction and flotation. Herein, the surface interactions of air bubbles with two types of Athabasca bitumen samples in aqueous solutions of varying pH, salinity, type of cations and in the presence of surfactants have been systematically characterized using a bubble probe atomic force microscope (AFM) technique. AFM imaging has revealed that exposure to high concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2 solutions or alkaline environments causes roughening of the bitumen surfaces. The results of surface force measurements demonstrate that the interaction and attachment behaviors between bubbles and bitumen are significantly affected by ionic strength, solution pH, and the presence of surfactants. The …

Nanoemulsions play a crucial role in various industries. However, their application often results in hazardous waste, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. Effective management and separation of waste nanoemulsions requires special attention and effort. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of waste nanoemulsions, covering their sources, characteristics, and suitable treatment technologies, intending to mitigate their environmental impact. This study examines the evolution of nanoemulsions from beneficial products to hazardous wastes, provides an overview of the production processes, fate, and hazards of waste nanoemulsions, and highlights the critical characteristics that affect their stability. The latest advancements in separating waste nanoemulsions for recovering oil and reusable water resources are also presented, providing a comprehensive comparison and …

Correction for 'Mimicking ion and water management in poultry breeding for highly reversible zinc ion batteries' by Shengli Zhai et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2023, 16, 5479-5489, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EE03045H.

The presence of surfactants in water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions can increase the susceptibility of water droplets to breakup under an electric field, resulting in intensified emulsification. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the electrodynamic behavior of surfactant-containing water droplets in oil, this study has employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the impact of surfactants on droplet deformation and breakup under a DC electric field. The results indicate that despite the formation of hydrogen bonds between surfactants and water molecules, a higher number of van der Waals interactions were formed between them. Upon reaching maximum deformation, the droplet experiences a reduction in deformation due to increased steric hindrance of the oil phase and decreased surfactant adsorption. Eventually, the droplet reaches a steady state with a lower degree of deformation. The enhanced …

Hydrogels with three-dimensional structures have been widely applied in various applications because of their tunable structures, which can be easily tailored with desired functionalities. However, the application of hydrogel materials in bioengineering is still constrained by their limited dosage flexibility and the requirement of invasive surgical procedures. Compared to traditional hydrogels, injectable hydrogels, with shear-thinning and/or in situ formation properties, simplify the implantation process and reduce tissue invasion, which can be directly delivered to target sites using a syringe injection, offering distinct advantages over traditional hydrogels. These injectable hydrogels incorporate physically non-covalent and/or dynamic covalent bonds, granting them self-healing abilities to recover their structural integrity after injection. This review summarizes our recent progress in preparing injectable hydrogels and …

The mobility and distribution of heavy metal ions (HMs) in aquatic environments are significantly influenced by humic acid (HA), which is ubiquitous. A quantitative understanding of the interaction mechanism underlying the adsorption and retention of HMs by HA is of vital significance but remains elusive. Herein, the interaction mechanism between HA and different types of HMs (i.e., Cd(II), Pb(II), arsenate, and chromate) was quantitatively investigated at the nanoscale. Based on quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation tests, the adsorption capacities of Pb(II), Cd(II), As(V), and Cr(VI) ionic species on the HA surface were measured as ∼0.40, ∼0.25, ∼0.12, and ∼0.02 nmol cm–2, respectively. Atomic force microscopy force results showed that the presence of Pb(II)/Cd(II) cations suppressed the electrostatic double-layer repulsion during the approach of two HA surfaces and the adhesion energy during …

As population grow and climate change place significant water stress on numerous regions, the demand for efficient and environmentally friendly water resource solutions becomes increasingly urgent. To address this challenge, desalination technology has received much attention and is widely employed, with a recent emphasis on solar-powered solutions driven by the global push for carbon neutrality. Solar desalination presents a hopeful approach, particularly for underdeveloped, water-deficient regions abundant in solar resources, such as the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa [1, 2]. Concentrated solar desalination systems, utilizing methods like multi-effect and flash distillation, boast efficiencies exceeding 1000%. However, their complex designs result in significant energy losses and increased costs. Moreover, achieving high efficiency requires high optical concentration, elevated evaporation …

When the electric field strength (E) surpasses a certain threshold, secondary droplets are generated during the coalescence between water droplets in oil and the oil–water interface (so-called the droplet-interface partial coalescence phenomenon), resulting in a lower efficiency of droplet electrocoalescence. This study employs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the droplet-interface partial coalescence phenomenon under direct current (DC) electric fields. The results demonstrate that intermolecular interactions, particularly the formation of hydrogen bonds, play a crucial role in dipole–dipole coalescence. Droplet-interface partial coalescence is categorized into five regimes based on droplet morphology. During the contact and fusion of the droplet with the water layer, the dipole moment of the droplet exhibits alternating increases and decreases along the electric field direction. Electric field forces …

The prevention of biofilm formation on medical devices has become highly challenging in recent years due to its resistance to bactericidal agents and antibiotics, ultimately resulting in chronic infections to medical devices. Therefore, developing inexpensive, biocompatible, and covalently bonded coatings to combat biofilm formation is in high demand. Herein, we report a coating fabricated from tannic acid (TA) as an adhesive and a reducing agent to graft the zwitterionic polymer covalently in a one-step method. Subsequently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are generated in situ to develop a coating with antifouling and antibacterial properties. To enhance the antifouling property and biocompatibility of the coating, the bioinspired zwitterionic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was copolymerized with 2-aminoethyl methacrylamide hydrochloride (AEMA) using conventional free-radical polymerization …