Search

Transformation of carbon dioxide and nitrate ions into urea offers an attractive route for both nitrogen fertilizer production and environmental remediation. However, achieving this transformation under mild conditions remains challenging. Herein, we report an efficient photoelectrochemical method for urea synthesis by co‐reduction of carbon dioxide and nitrate ion over a Cu2O photocathode, delivering urea formation rate of 29.71±2.20 μmol g−1 h−1 and Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 12.90±1.15 % at low external potential (−0.017 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode). Experimental data combined with theoretical calculations suggest that the adsorbed CO* and NO2* species are the key intermediates, and associated C−N coupling is the rate‐determining step. This work demonstrates that Cu2O is an efficient catalyst to drive co‐reduction of CO2 and NO3− to urea under light irradiation with low external potential, showing great opportunity of photoelectrocatalysis as a sustainable tool for value‐added chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reproduce the tactile perception of multiple contacts on the human tongue surface, it is necessary to use a pressure measurement device with high spatial resolution. However, reducing the size of the array sensing unit and optimizing the lead arrangement still pose challenges. This article describes a deconvolution neural network (DNN) for improving the resolution of tongue surface tactile imaging, which alleviates this tradeoff between tactile sensing performance and hardware simplicity. The model can work without high‐resolution tactile imaging data of tongue surface: First, in the compression test using artificial tongues, the tactile image matrix (7 × 7) with low resolution can be acquired by sensor array with a sparse electrode arrangement. Then, through finite element analysis modeling, combined with the distribution rule of additional stress on the two‐dimensional plane, the pressure data around the existing detection points are calculated, further expanding the tactile image matrix data amount. Finally, the DNN, based on its efficient nonlinear reconstruction attributes, uses the low‐resolution and high‐resolution tactile imaging matrix generated by compression test and finite element simulation, respectively, to train, and outputs high‐resolution tactile imaging information (13 × 13) closer to the tactile perception of the tongue surface. The results show that the overall accuracy of the tactile image matrix calculated by this model is above 88%. Then, we deduced the spatial difference graph of the resilience index of the three kinds of ham sausages through the high‐resolution tactile imaging matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfaces are essential components in polymer contact systems, which widely exist in electronic devices and power equipment. Interface charge originating from the mismatch of the electronic structure in interfaces is one of the key issues to modify the device performance due to its multifunctional migration and accumulation behaviors. Hence, the detection and analysis of the interface charge characteristics are of great importance to deeply understand the polymer contact system in various devices. This paper presents an overview of recent research progress in the interface charge properties at dielectric interfaces. Based on the theoretical analysis of the MWS polarization and electronic localized states, two typical approaches of discussing the interface charges from micrometer to millimeter are mainly studied. Acoustic method is prevalent in detecting the space charge in various dielectrics. However, owing to its limited resolution (several µm), it is difficult to clarify the charge distributions at the interface with a micro‐scale. Probe microscopy presents a promising technique due to its flexible surface potential detection at a submicron scale. The challenges and prospects of acoustic and probe microscopy methods are discussed in this paper. The advanced techniques of interface charges can promote the development of new energy electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral processing is a combination of various actions, the detailed description of which has always been the subject of relevant research. By means of imaging technology and sensory evaluation, more knowledge of oral processing have been accumulated. Presently, the advances in sensory technology have added quantitative parameters to the qualitative description of oral processing, which also enriched the specifics of each action. Previous studies have shown that oral processing includes lip closure, dental occlusion, masticatory muscles activity, tongue movement, and swallowing, whose processing contains rich information such as the movement of organ and the intensity of organ contacts. "Quantification" was taken in this review as the basic feature of in situ detection information, the relevant parameters and feasible methods for the quantitative description of each activity was recorded in detail. In addition, basic problems and feasible optimization schemes of the existing in situ detection device are also proposed in the hope of promoting the development of in situ detection device thus providing available information for the description of oral processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of anisotropic crystal facets allows the directional transfer of photoexcited electrons (e−) and holes (h+), for spatial charge separation. High‐index facets with a high density of low‐coordinated atoms always serve as reactive catalytic sites. However, preparation of multi‐facets or high‐index facets is highly challenging for layered bismuth‐based photocatalysts. Herein, we report the preparation of unprecedented eighteen‐faceted BiOCl with {001} top facets and {102} and {112} oblique facets via a hydrothermal process. Compared to the conventional BiOCl square plates with {001} top facets and {110} lateral facets, the eighteen‐faceted BiOCl has highly enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution and hydroxyl radicals (.OH) production. Theoretical calculations and photodeposition results disclose that the of eighteen‐faceted BiOCl has a well‐matched {001}/{102}/{112} ternary facet junction, which provides a cascade path for more efficient charge flow than the binary facet junction in BiOCl square plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photocatalysis has gained tremendous attention with great prospects to settle the worldwide environmental pollution and energy shortage issues. Many efforts have been made for semiconductor photocatalysts to overcome the disadvantages of the weak photoabsorption and high recombination of charges in the past few decades. Developing active facets and junctions has been diffusely used and shows huge potentials. The surface of active facet where the reductive and oxidative reactions occur has a great influence on the efficiency of reaction molecules that takes over the photogenerated charges. Construction of junctions is regarded as one of the most effective methods to improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated charges. This review mainly focuses on summarizing the synthesis of active facet, facet dependent activities in various photocatalytic reactions, the construction of different kinds of heterojunctions and homojunctions, and the combination of active facet and junctions of bismuth‐based photocatalysts recently. In addition, other new and effective routes, like internal electric field (IEF) regulation and polarization electric field control are also shortly summarized. The review will deepen our understanding on bismuth‐based photocatalysts and provide novel guidelines and perspectives for designing high‐performance photocatalysts. Fascinating facets! Here bismuth‐based photocatalysts are viewed with focusing on the synthesis of active facets, facet‐dependent activities in various photocatalytic reactions, the construction of different kinds of heterojunctions and homojunctions, the combination of active facets and junctions, internal electric field regulation and polarization electric field control of bismuth‐based photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two kinds of FeC micro‐electrolysis materials (FeC MEMs) named Fe0/FeC MEMs and Fe3O4/FeC MEMs were prepared using low‐cost biochar, chemical grade Fe0 powder and industrial iron powder. The FeC MEMs were characterized by XRD, SEM and FT‐IR. Meanwhile, the effects of sintering temperatures and mass ratios of Fe to C on the treatment high chemical oxygen demand (COD) pesticide wastewater were studied. The results display that the relative removal rate of COD reached 64% for Fe0/FeC MEMs when the sintering temperature was 400°C and the mass ratio of Fe to C was 1 : 1. For Fe3O4/FeC MEMs, and the mass ratio of Fe3O4 to C was 1 : 3, the relative removal rate of COD reached 63.71%. Hence, the chemical grade Fe0 powder could be replaced with industrial iron powder to achieve the goal of low‐cost treatment of the high COD pesticide wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]