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Across Canada's boreal forest, disturbances from in situ oil sands mining, including well‐pads, significantly impact vast areas of the landscape. The creation of well‐pads requires removal of vegetation and placement of mineral fill, which essentially stops any carbon (C) sequestration on the once peatland ecosystem. It is important that, once no longer in use, these well‐pads are restored as long‐term C (peat) accumulation is what defines peatland ecosystem. However, little is known about the recovery of greenhouse gas exchange post‐restoration of these features. We studied a decommissioned well‐pad located in a treed poor fen that was restored using three soil adjustment treatments (SATs): (1) complete mineral fill removal (Peat‐Dec); (2) partial pad removal and burial under peat layer (BUPL); and (3) mixing mineral and peat by inversion (Mixed‐P‐M). The recreated peat surface was revegetated with donor peatland species using the moss layer transfer technique (MLTT). The objectives of this paper were to (1) quantify plot‐scale seasonal carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) exchange of the SATs, 2–4 years post‐restoration compared to reference sites and (2) determine the influence of several environmental variables on CO2 and CH4 exchange. All SATs proved effective in recreating a soil surface needed to support peatland vegetation as shown by similar rates of net ecosystem exchange (NEE). Equally, both types of vegetation reintroduced led this site on a trajectory toward functioning as a net C sink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel biphasic solvent based on polyamine was developed for CO 2 capture. • Microcalorimetry strategy was used to directly measure the CO 2 absorption heat. • The energy consumption of this absorbent was 32.6 % lower than that of 5 M MEA. • This biphasic solvent has superior phase-splitting behavior. • The salting-out effect was the main reason for the phase-splitting behavior. The CO 2 phase change absorbents(CPCAs) formed by introducing phase-splitting agents have attracted increasing attention because of their great energy-saving potential. However, the volatilization problem of the phase-splitting agents and the high viscosity of the solution affect the application of CPCAs. In this work, a novel CPCAs based on 2-Methylpiperazine (2MPRZ)/H 2 O was established by introducing triethylene glycol monobutyl ether (TGBE) with a high boiling point as a phase-splitting agent, and the 2MPRZ/H 2 O/TGBE system exhibited low volatility and low viscosity. The CO 2 capture performance of the novel CPCAs with different ratios was investigated in this work. The best CO 2 absorption rate was achieved by 2.5 M 2MPRZ/H 2 O/TGBE. The viscosity of this system before and after the CO 2 absorption process was merely 7.68 mPa·s and 11.64 mPa·s, respectively, and no volatilization of the phase-splitting agent was observed simultaneously. A convenient and rapid titration method was employed to determine the distribution of the 2MPRZ products in the two phases, which showed that 98 % of the 2MPRZ products were located in the CO 2 -rich phase. In addition, the CO 2 -rich phase captured 99 % of the total CO 2 , indicating that this system has superior phase-splitting behaviors. The regeneration energy consumption of this biphasic absorbent was 2.59 GJ/t CO 2 , which was 32.6 % lower than that of traditional MEA. Furthermore, the salting-out effect was proved to be the cause of the phase-splitting behavior by 13C NMR analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water markedly affected phase change behaviors of anhydrous biphasic absorbents. • The presence of water was negative for CO 2 absorption but beneficial to desorption. • The main CO 2 -product was HCO 3 - in the presence of water rather than carbamate. • Effect of water on CO 2 absorption mechanism of [N 1111 ][Gly]/ethanol was clarified. The ionic liquids (ILs)-based biphasic absorbents are viewed as promising substitutes for CO 2 capture due to their remarkable CO 2 absorption performance, excellent stability and low energy requirement for regeneration. Further decreasing the regeneration heat requirement can be achieved by utilizing ILs-based anhydrous biphasic absorbents, whose solid CO 2 -rich phase contained small volume and low specific heat capacity. Given the high hygroscopicity of ILs and the water present in the flue gas, comprehending the effect of water is crucial for post-combustion carbon capture using ILs-based anhydrous biphasic absorbents. In this work, the effect of water on CO 2 absorption by an anhydrous biphasic absorbent, tetramethylammonium glycinate ([N 1111 ][Gly])/ethanol, was studied. The experimental results demonstrated that the CO 2 loading and absorption rate were decreased in the presence of water, but the CO 2 desorption efficiency was enhanced. Besides, the presence of water slightly reduced the reaction heat of CO 2 absorption by [N 1111 ][Gly]/ethanol to 69.48 kJ/mol CO 2 , which was 20% lower than that of monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbent. Furthermore, the 13C NMR results indicated that the primary CO 2 -product was bicarbonate in the presence of water rather than carbamate. There were three possible pathways for bicarbonate generation: zwitterion hydrolysis, carbamate hydrolysis, and base-catalyzed CO 2 hydration. Water and ethanol competed to react with carbamate. When a large amount of water was present (≥70 wt%), the reaction of ethanol with the carbamate hardly occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three possible pathways for bicarbonate generation were investigated based on DFT. • Base-catalyzed CO 2 hydration is dominant in [N 1111 ][Gly]/EtOH aqueous system. • Water effect on phase change behavior is analyzed from hydrogen bonding view. • Water content of 5 wt% promotes products aggregation in favor of phase change. Ionic liquids-based anhydrous biphasic absorbents have the potential to lower the energy consumption for CO 2 capture. Recent experimental studies have revealed that the presence of water in [N 1111 ][Gly]/EtOH system leads to generation of a new CO 2 -product – bicarbonate and affects the phase change behavior. However, the reaction pathway for bicarbonate formation remains unclear. In this work, the reaction pathways were investigated in depth through quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory, with reaction rate constants determined via transition state theory. Among the three possible reaction pathways, the base-catalyzed CO 2 hydration reaction prevailed, i.e. a one-step reaction involving [Gly]-, H 2 O, and CO 2. An H atom in H 2 O was transferred to [Gly]-'s amino group, forming protonated [Gly]-, and hydroxide combined with CO 2 to generate bicarbonate. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to understand the phase change behaviors with varying water content. When water content exceeded 5 wt%, an increased water content led to reduced hydrogen bonding among products and enhanced hydrogen bonding of products-solvent with the solvent, diminishing product self-aggregation. No phase change behavior were observed at water contents up to 80 wt%. This study could well explain the experimental phenomena of water effect on CO 2 absorption in [N 1111 ][Gly]/EtOH, providing theoretical references for application of ILs-based anhydrous biphasic absorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mo-based MXene is first applied as a cathode catalyst for Li-CO 2 batteries. • An innovative surface modification strategy, mild oxidation by CO 2 , is employed. • The catalyst optimizes the growth and decomposition of discharge products. • This MoO 2 @Mo 2 C-based Li-CO 2 battery outperforms most other MXene-based catalysts. The lithium-carbon dioxide (Li-CO 2) batteries hold promise for energy storage, given their capacity to capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO 2). However, the practical application of Li-CO 2 batteries continues to face substantial obstacles caused by sluggish CO 2 reduction/evolution kinetics, resulting in high overpotential and short lifespan. This work presents the fabrication of a highly effective MoO 2 @Mo 2 C heterostructure hybrid catalyst using a CO 2 oxidation strategy. This strategy integrated (in-situ) MoO 2 onto the surface of two-dimensional (2D) Mo 2 C MXene, enhancing catalytic activity while preserving 2D electron/ion pathways. As a result, the MoO 2 @Mo 2 C, when used as a catalyst in Li-CO 2 battery showcased a discharge capacity of 20790.8 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1. Notably, it achieved a long cycling life of 230 cycles at a cutoff capacity of 1000 mAh g−1 with a voltage gap as low as 1.85 V, which was significantly superior to that of a pristine Mo 2 CT x catalyst (3.61 V after twenty cycles). This work provides critical insights into the design of MXenes-based high-performance catalysts for advanced Li-CO 2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional wisdom advises keeping windows and doors closed in air-conditioned or mechanically-ventilated space. However, this guideline often proves challenging in high-occupancy offices, where the constant influx and egress of individuals, coupled with a strong inclination toward open windows, trigger occupant-induced ventilation (OV) that can affect indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy consumption. To address this, we explored using portable air cleaners (PACs) as a cost-effective ventilation strategy to replace mechanical ventilation (MV) while maintaining IAQ and respecting occupant freedom. We conducted a single-blind trial in a 100 m2 office in Shanghai from December 2020 to March 2021, measuring 857 h of indoor and outdoor temperatures, CO 2 and PM 2.5 concentrations, and occupant behaviors. We obtained 618 valid subjective responses and conducted a 14-day test to measure possible by-products, such as O 3 , formaldehyde, and VOCs, during the operation of PACs. The results showed that, first, although MV achieved 2–3 times higher air change rates than PACs, indoor CO 2 concentrations remained below 1000 ppm, the commonly accepted threshold, using PACs in the presence of OV. Second, PACs effectively reduced PM 2.5 levels during outdoor PM 2.5 peaks. Third, occupants' perceived IAQ did not differ between the use of PACs and MV (p >0.05), although individuals with PACs in the afternoon reported slightly increased sleepiness (p <0.05). Fourth, in the presence of OV, PACs demonstrated significant energy-saving potential in improving IAQ. Our study showed PACs can be a cost-effective method to replace MV while maintaining IAQ and preserving occupant freedom. • Deploy portable air cleaners (PACs), enabling window and door opening by occupants. • A randomized, single-blind trial was conducted for two winters in an open office. • PACs can control indoor PM 2.5 in the presence of occupant-induced ventilation (OV). • Indoor CO 2 concentrations remained below 1000 ppm using PACs due to OV. • Measurements confirmed low risks associated with by-products of PACs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Excellent activity and selectivity of CO 2 -to-CH 4 conversion is realized by MIS. • The ultrathin insulator layer significantly expedites the interfacial electrons tunneling. • The MIS promotes rate-determining step from *COOH to *CO to produce CH 4. A metal–insulator-semiconductor (MIS) ternary photo-system was intricately crafted through precise amalgamation polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-capped metal Cu with typical covalent triazine framework CTF-1 via electrostatic self-assembly. The 2 % Cu-PVP-CTF exhibited an impressive CH 4 yield of 80.7 μmol·g−1·h−1 with selectivity of 96.8 % under visible light, representing a 2.3-fold and 112-fold improvement over Schottky-type Cu-CTF and pristine CTF-1, respectively. In-situ XPS and VASP-diff calculations unfolded that the ultrathin PVP insulating layer significantly expedited interfacial charges tunneling, corroborated by smaller lifetime τ 2 determined via femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The intermediates of paramount importance in CO 2 reduction like *COOH and *HCHO were meticulously monitored by in-situ Fourier infrared spectroscopy. DFT calculations elucidated that Cu-PVP-CTF was notably more adept at facillitating the rate-determining step (*COOH → *CO) to produce CH 4 than Cu-CTF. This work tamps the groundwork for conceptional roadmap in designing novel MIS photo-system for CO 2 conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel cerium-based MOFs crystal with pyrene-based organic structure is obtained by solvothermal treatment firstly. • The high efficiency of charge separation and transfer can realize the collaborative improvement of redox activity. • A π-conjugated construction is beneficial for the generation of electronic localization as well abundant superoxide radicals. A novel cerium-based metal–organic framework crystal (Ce-TBAPy) was developed via a one-pot solvothermal method. Interestingly, the Ce-TBAPy photocatalyst material demonstrated an enhanced collaborative photoredox performance in terms of acetaldehyde degradation and water reduction, and the photoreaction rates of Ce-TBAPy shown about 5.06-times and 3.94-times higher, respectively, than those when untreated H 4 TBAPy was used. A significant finding is that the apparent quantum efficiency value of Ce-TBAPy for CO 2 generation from CH 3 CHO decomposition performs 5.12% at 420 nm. The accumulation of abundant separated holes on the pyrene macrocycles could oxidize CH 3 CHO to CO 2 easily. Meanwhile, cerium integration with TBAPy4− ligands to form a π-conjugated construction further resulted in sufficient photoinduced electrons and exhibited effective interfacial charge separation, which harvesting the reduction of H 2 O to H 2 efficiently. The electronic localization influence arising from the formation of –COO-Ce functional groups in Ce-TBAPy and the direction of electron migration in the photocatalytic system were further confirmed by DFT calculation. This work provides an effective strategy to obtain rare earth-based MOF photocatalysts with dual redox functions and holds promise for advancing the prospect of using MOF materials to convert solar energy into chemical energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on China's 30 provinces penal data, from 1990 to 2017, this paper uses the quantile regression model to estimate the impact of fossil energy abundance and clean energy abundance on economic growth and carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. The findings show that fossil energy abundance exerts a greater impact on economic growth in the intermediate quantile provinces such as Hebei, Jilin, Liaoning, and Shandong because these provinces have larger petroleum processing and coal gas production industries. The CO 2 emissions in the upper 90th quantile provinces such as Liaoning, Shanxi, and Shandong, receive the biggest impact from fossil energy abundance because these provinces consume more coal and oil. However, the impacts of renewable energy abundance on economic growth in the 50th-75th, upper 90th, and 75th-90th quantile groups are greater, since their renewable energy industry is growing faster. The influence of renewable energy abundance on CO 2 emissions in all quantile groups is positive, meaning it does not play a prominent role in mitigating CO 2 emissions. Therefore, each quantile province should formulate specific policies to promote the growth of renewable energy and actively develop strategic emerging industries. • Fossil energy contributes more to economic growth in the middle-level quantiles. • The impact of fossil energy on emissions in the upper 90th quantiles is the strongest. • Renewable energy abundance does not play a prominent role in reducing emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converting CO 2 into carbon-based fuels via the photoelectrochemical (PEC) approach is considered as an one-stone-two-birds strategy for alleviating the greenhouse effect and energy crisis. Here, we report a novel two-step strategy to integrate uniform Au NPs with controllable Au(111)/Au(200) boundaries on p-Si photocathodes for efficient and selective PEC CO 2 conversion to CO. Theoretical calculations suggest that the Au(111)/Au(200) boundaries significantly reduce the energy barrier for forming the *COOH intermediate during CO 2 reduction. Moreover, we discover that embedding the Au NPs into Si surface can not only further improve the PEC activity and selectivity but also significantly boost the operational stability of Si photocathodes, because of the ameliorated interfacial contact between the Au NPs and Si substrate. Eventually, the optimized Au/p-Si photocathode demonstrates a great CO selectivity of 82.2 % and an impressive operational stability of over one week, which offers critical insights into the design of photocathodes for solar fuel production. [Display omitted] • Uniform Au NPs with controllable Au(111)/Au(200) boundaries were successfully integrated on p-Si photocathodes. • Au(111)/Au(200) boundaries significantly reduce the energy barrier for forming the *COOH intermediate • Embedding the Au NPs into Si surface can boost the operational stability of Si photocathodes • A great CO selectivity of 82.2 % and stability of over one week outperforms almost all the Si based photoanodes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most critical challenge in the noodle industry is ensuring the development of various high-quality products. Dough mixing is a very important initial stage in the development of noodles, which has a major impact on the preparation and quality of the noodles. The mixing process helps to form a dough as a single homogenous substance and develops certain rheological characteristics that provide the optimum flow of all technical processes in the next production stages. The mixing process is impacted by the raw and auxiliary materials used (the quality of flour, the amount of water added, the amount of salt and alkali added), the performance of the mixing equipment, and the mixing process parameters (mixing time, mixing speed, water addition, water temperature, and dough temperature). Proper management of the mixing process and implementation of enhancement techniques can greatly improve the dough rheology and noodle quality. This review paper describes the available mixing information and details the influence of various mixing characteristics on dough rheology and noodle quality. Techniques to improve the mixing process and equipment are provided. • Mixing process results on dough rheology and noodle quality were reviewed. • The addition of CO 2 snow during mixing maintained the dough's low temperature. • The dough obtained by adding water in stages was superior to adding water one time. • Vacuum mixer enhanced mixing performance and compactness of the dough structure. • Mixing enhancements must start with proper management of main parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal boride enable applications in fields of cutting tools as the hard phase, but their fabrication suffers from shortcomings in high temperature for binary and hard/soft phase balance. Here, we leveraged a WCoB-Co cermets prepared by using elemental powders of W, Co and B powders via in situ synthesis method and investigated the microstructure evolution of a composite structure of WCoB/Co. The phase evolution, microstructure evolution and mechanical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The complete sintering process consist of three solid-phase reaction stages and one liquid-phase sintering stage. The solid-phase reaction stage includes the following three reactions: B + 2Co → Co 2 B, 11 W +15 Co 2 B → 9WCoB + W 2 Co 21 B 6 , and 14 W + 2W 2 Co 21 B 6 → 12WCoB + 23Co + Co 7 W 6. The eutectic liquid phase, essential for the densification, forms at 1323 °C. The Rockwell hardness and density value reach 87.5HRA and 12.11 g/cm3, respectively. At 1380 °C, the traverse rupture strength (TRS) reaches the peak value of 1495 MPa. Moreover, the results show that transgranular fracture is the main fracture mode. The densification stage was completed at ~1400 °C. In particular, Co 7 W 6 phase was discovered during the study of the evolution of WCoB-Co cermets. An increase of the B content was found to be beneficial to eliminate the Co 7 W 6 phase that proved to be detrimental to mechanical properties. • WCoB-Co cermets were prepared using elemental powders. • The paper focuses on phase evolution and microstructure evolution. • Increasing the content of B element can improve the mechanical properties and eliminate Co 7 W 6 phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]