The responses of activities, abundances and community structures of soil denitrifiers to mercury （Hg） stress were investigated through a short-term incubation experiment. Four soil treatments with different concentr...The responses of activities, abundances and community structures of soil denitrifiers to mercury （Hg） stress were investigated through a short-term incubation experiment. Four soil treatments with different concentrations of Hg （CK, Hg25, Hg50, and Hg100, denoted as 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg Hg/kg dry soil, respectively） were incubated for 28 days. Soil denitrification enzyme activity （DEA） was measured at day 3, 7 and 28. The abundances and community structures of two denitrification concerning genes, nirS （cd1-nitrite reductase gene） and nosZ （nitrous oxide reductase gene）, were analyzed using real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）. Results showed that soil DEA was significantly stimulated in the treatments of Hg25 and Hg50 compared with others at day 7. Meanwhile, no difference in the abundances of soil nirS and nosZ was found between Hg spiked treatments and CK, except the lower abundance of nirS （P 〈 0.05） in the Hg added treatments compared with that in the CK at day 28. The community structures of denitrifiers based on nirS gene presented obvious change at day 7 along with the Hg additions, however, no variation was found in all treatments based on the nosZ gene. The results indicated that Hg （Hg25 and Hg50） had a strongly short-term stimulation on soil DEA, and nirS gene is more sensitive than nosZ gene to Hg stress.展开更多
In this study, series of novel composite phase change materials(PCMs) were prepared through vacuum impregnation by using meso-porous carbon as a supporting matrix and n-octadcane as PCMs.The meso-porous carbon materia...In this study, series of novel composite phase change materials(PCMs) were prepared through vacuum impregnation by using meso-porous carbon as a supporting matrix and n-octadcane as PCMs.The meso-porous carbon material was prepared through one-pot co-assembly method, using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursor, tetraethoxysilane as silica sources and triblock copolymer F127 as a template. And the phase behaviors of n-octadcane confined in the nano-porous structure of the meso-porous carbon were further investigated. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy spectra show that n-octadecane was effectively encapsulated in the porous structure of mesoporous carbon and the composite PCMs were successfully prepared. Differential scanning calorimetry results confirm that the composite PCMs possess a good phase change behavior, fast thermal-response rate and excellent thermal cycling stability. In addition, the composite PCMs possess expected heat storage and heat release properties. All these results demonstrate that the composite PCMs possess good comprehensive property so that they can be used widely in energy storage systems.展开更多
The transformation of mercury(Hg) in the environment plays a vital role in the cycling of Hg and its risk to the ecosystem and human health. Of particular importance are Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethyl...The transformation of mercury(Hg) in the environment plays a vital role in the cycling of Hg and its risk to the ecosystem and human health. Of particular importance are Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation processes driven or mediated by the dynamics of light, microorganisms, and organic carbon, among others. Advances in understanding those Hg transformation processes determine our capacity of projecting and mitigating Hg risk. Here, we provide a critical analysis of major knowledge gaps in our understanding of Hg transformation in nature, with perspectives on approaches moving forward. Our analysis focuses on Hg transformation processes in the environment, as well as emerging methodology in exploring these processes. Future avenues for improving the understanding of Hg transformation processes to protect ecosystem and human health are also explored.展开更多
Hausmannite is a common low valence Mn oxide mineral,with a distorted spinel structure,in surficial sediments.Although natural Mn oxides often contain various impurities of transitional metals(TMs),few studies have ad...Hausmannite is a common low valence Mn oxide mineral,with a distorted spinel structure,in surficial sediments.Although natural Mn oxides often contain various impurities of transitional metals(TMs),few studies have addressed the effect and related mechanism of TM doping on the reactivity of hausmannite with metal pollutants.Here,the reactivity of cobalt(Co)doped hausmannite with aqueous As(Ⅲ)and As(Ⅴ)was studied.Co doping decreased the point of zero charge of hausmannite and its adsorption capacity for As(Ⅴ).Despite a reduction of the initial As(Ⅲ)oxidation rate,Co-doped hausmannite could effectively oxidize As(Ⅲ)to As(Ⅴ),followed by the adsorption and fixation of a large amount of As(Ⅴ)on the mineral surface.Arsenic K-edge EXAFS analysis of the samples after As(Ⅴ)adsorption and As(Ⅲ)oxidation revealed that only As(Ⅴ)was adsorbed on the mineral surface,with an average As-Mn distance of 3.25–3.30 A,indicating the formation of bidentate binuclear complexes.These results provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between TMs and low valence Mn oxides and their effect on the geochemical behaviors of metal pollutants.展开更多
L10-FePt nan oparticles(NPs)with high chemical ordering represent effective electrocatalysts to reduce the cost and enhance theircatalytic performanee in fuel cells.A molecular strategy of preparing highly ordered FeP...L10-FePt nan oparticles(NPs)with high chemical ordering represent effective electrocatalysts to reduce the cost and enhance theircatalytic performanee in fuel cells.A molecular strategy of preparing highly ordered FePt NPs was used by direct pyrolysis of a Fe,Pt-containing bimetallic complex.The resultant L10-FePt NPs had very high crystallinity as reflected by the obvious diffractionpatterns,clear lattice fringes and characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks,etc.Besides,the strong ferromagnetism with room temperaturecoercivity of 27 kOe further confirmed the face-centered tetrag on al(fet)phase in good agreement with the ordered nano structures.TheFePt NPs can be used as electrocatalysts to catalyze oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)in an O2·saturated 0.1 M HClO4 solution andhydrogen evolution reaction(HER)in the 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte with much better performance than commercial Pt/C,and showedquite high stability after 10,000 cycles.The strategy utilizing orga no metallic precursors to prepare metal alloy NPs was dem on strated tobe a reliable approach for improving the catalytic efficiency in fuel cells.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41020114001, 50921064)the Ministry of Sciences and Technology (No. 2009AA06Z402,2008ZX07209-006-04)the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams of"Ecosystem Processes and Services"
文摘The responses of activities, abundances and community structures of soil denitrifiers to mercury （Hg） stress were investigated through a short-term incubation experiment. Four soil treatments with different concentrations of Hg （CK, Hg25, Hg50, and Hg100, denoted as 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg Hg/kg dry soil, respectively） were incubated for 28 days. Soil denitrification enzyme activity （DEA） was measured at day 3, 7 and 28. The abundances and community structures of two denitrification concerning genes, nirS （cd1-nitrite reductase gene） and nosZ （nitrous oxide reductase gene）, were analyzed using real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）. Results showed that soil DEA was significantly stimulated in the treatments of Hg25 and Hg50 compared with others at day 7. Meanwhile, no difference in the abundances of soil nirS and nosZ was found between Hg spiked treatments and CK, except the lower abundance of nirS （P 〈 0.05） in the Hg added treatments compared with that in the CK at day 28. The community structures of denitrifiers based on nirS gene presented obvious change at day 7 along with the Hg additions, however, no variation was found in all treatments based on the nosZ gene. The results indicated that Hg （Hg25 and Hg50） had a strongly short-term stimulation on soil DEA, and nirS gene is more sensitive than nosZ gene to Hg stress.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51102230, 51462006, 51361005, 51863005, U1501242, 51371060 and 51671062)the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (Nos. 2014GXNSFAA118401, 2013GXNSFBA019244, 2014GXNSFAA118319 and 2014GXNAFDA118005)+2 种基金Guangxi Key Laboratory of Information Materials (Nos. 161002-Z, 171027-Z and 161002-K)Guangxi Scientific Technology Team (No. 2012GXNSFGA06002, AA17202030)the Program for Postgraduate Joint Training Base of GUET-CJYRE (No. 20160513-14-Z)
文摘In this study, series of novel composite phase change materials(PCMs) were prepared through vacuum impregnation by using meso-porous carbon as a supporting matrix and n-octadcane as PCMs.The meso-porous carbon material was prepared through one-pot co-assembly method, using resorcinol and formaldehyde as carbon precursor, tetraethoxysilane as silica sources and triblock copolymer F127 as a template. And the phase behaviors of n-octadcane confined in the nano-porous structure of the meso-porous carbon were further investigated. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy spectra show that n-octadecane was effectively encapsulated in the porous structure of mesoporous carbon and the composite PCMs were successfully prepared. Differential scanning calorimetry results confirm that the composite PCMs possess a good phase change behavior, fast thermal-response rate and excellent thermal cycling stability. In addition, the composite PCMs possess expected heat storage and heat release properties. All these results demonstrate that the composite PCMs possess good comprehensive property so that they can be used widely in energy storage systems.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U2032201 and 21976193 )the Canada Research Chairs Program。
文摘The transformation of mercury(Hg) in the environment plays a vital role in the cycling of Hg and its risk to the ecosystem and human health. Of particular importance are Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation processes driven or mediated by the dynamics of light, microorganisms, and organic carbon, among others. Advances in understanding those Hg transformation processes determine our capacity of projecting and mitigating Hg risk. Here, we provide a critical analysis of major knowledge gaps in our understanding of Hg transformation in nature, with perspectives on approaches moving forward. Our analysis focuses on Hg transformation processes in the environment, as well as emerging methodology in exploring these processes. Future avenues for improving the understanding of Hg transformation processes to protect ecosystem and human health are also explored.
基金supported by the Key science and Technology Projects of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(No.2019ZD001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42077015,41771267 and 41877030)+1 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2016YFD0800403)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.103-510320036)。
文摘Hausmannite is a common low valence Mn oxide mineral,with a distorted spinel structure,in surficial sediments.Although natural Mn oxides often contain various impurities of transitional metals(TMs),few studies have addressed the effect and related mechanism of TM doping on the reactivity of hausmannite with metal pollutants.Here,the reactivity of cobalt(Co)doped hausmannite with aqueous As(Ⅲ)and As(Ⅴ)was studied.Co doping decreased the point of zero charge of hausmannite and its adsorption capacity for As(Ⅴ).Despite a reduction of the initial As(Ⅲ)oxidation rate,Co-doped hausmannite could effectively oxidize As(Ⅲ)to As(Ⅴ),followed by the adsorption and fixation of a large amount of As(Ⅴ)on the mineral surface.Arsenic K-edge EXAFS analysis of the samples after As(Ⅴ)adsorption and As(Ⅲ)oxidation revealed that only As(Ⅴ)was adsorbed on the mineral surface,with an average As-Mn distance of 3.25–3.30 A,indicating the formation of bidentate binuclear complexes.These results provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between TMs and low valence Mn oxides and their effect on the geochemical behaviors of metal pollutants.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21701112)Science,Technology and Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality(No.JCYJ20170303160036674)+2 种基金Hong Kong Research Grants Council(PolyU153062/18R C4006-17G and HKUST16304117)the Hong Kong Polytechnic University(1-ZE1C)Ms Clarea Au(847S)for the Endowed Professorship in Energy.Special thanks were also given to Instrumental Analysis Center of Shenzhen University(Xili Campus).
文摘L10-FePt nan oparticles(NPs)with high chemical ordering represent effective electrocatalysts to reduce the cost and enhance theircatalytic performanee in fuel cells.A molecular strategy of preparing highly ordered FePt NPs was used by direct pyrolysis of a Fe,Pt-containing bimetallic complex.The resultant L10-FePt NPs had very high crystallinity as reflected by the obvious diffractionpatterns,clear lattice fringes and characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks,etc.Besides,the strong ferromagnetism with room temperaturecoercivity of 27 kOe further confirmed the face-centered tetrag on al(fet)phase in good agreement with the ordered nano structures.TheFePt NPs can be used as electrocatalysts to catalyze oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)in an O2·saturated 0.1 M HClO4 solution andhydrogen evolution reaction(HER)in the 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte with much better performance than commercial Pt/C,and showedquite high stability after 10,000 cycles.The strategy utilizing orga no metallic precursors to prepare metal alloy NPs was dem on strated tobe a reliable approach for improving the catalytic efficiency in fuel cells.
