Adsorption Behavior of Hydroquinone by Diatomite-based Porous Ceramsite

Diatomite-based porous ceramsite is a new kind of environmental material. In this study, ceramsite was prepared by wet grinding, a rolling-ball method, and high temperature-calcination using diatomite as the main raw material with the addition of a pore-forming agent and sintering assistant. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury injection, were used to analyze the structure and characteristics of the prepared materials. Using hydroquinone as the target pollutant, the adsorption behavior of diatomite-based porous ceramsite was investigated. Results indicated that the diatomite-based porous ceramsite had a pore size ranging from 500 to 3000 nm, a specific surface area of 6.14 m2.g-1, and a porosity of 47.8%. When pH was 7, the removal rate and adsorption capacity of the hydroquinone by the diatomite-based porous ceramsite was 91.2% and 4.56 m2.g-1, respectively. In the adsorption process of hydroquinone by diatomite-based porous ceramsite, the diffusion of a liquid membrane was dominant, which could be better described by the quasi-first-order kinetic equation. The Langmuir and Koble-Corrigan equations had a higher fitting degree of data for the adsorption isotherms. The adsorption characteristics of the diatomite-based porous ceramsite are in accordance with the fixed-point adsorption of a single molecular layer and belong to a heterogeneous composite adsorption system. The correlation coefficient R2 and k value of hydroquinone adsorption by the diatomite-based porous ceramsite determined by the liquid film diffusion model were 0.848 and 0.0417, respectively.

Modeling of emergent memory and voltage spiking in ionic transport through angstrom-scale slits

Recent advances in nanofluidics have enabled the confinement of water down to a single molecular layer. Such monolayer electrolytes show promise in achieving bioinspired functionalities through molecular control of ion transport. However, the understanding of ion dynamics in these systems is still scarce. Here, we develop an analytical theory, backed up by molecular dynamics simulations, that predicts strongly nonlinear effects in ion transport across quasi–two-dimensional slits. We show that under an electric field, ions assemble into elongated clusters, whose slow dynamics result in hysteretic conduction. This phenomenon, known as the memristor effect, can be harnessed to build an elementary neuron. As a proof of concept, we carry out molecular simulations of two nanofluidic slits that reproduce the Hodgkin-Huxley model and observe spontaneous emission of voltage spikes characteristic of neuromorphic activity.

The Adsorption Characteristics and Mechanism of Pb(II) onto Corn Straw Biochar

Heavy metal pollution has adversely affected the ecological environment. As an eco-friendly and renewable material, biochar has a positive effect on environmental restoration. For study the feasibility of removing lead using corn straw biochar, the adsorption characteristics and mechanism were studied. This work prepared corn straw biochar at 300 °C, and its surface properties were characterized. The adsorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics were determined. The result indicated the mechanism belonged ion exchange and complexation, and the experiment were controlled by comprehensive process, which included reaction rate and diffusion. The Langmuir model had better fitting results for the adsorption data, which indicated that adsorption was chemical adsorption and single molecular layer adsorption, and the maximum adsorption amount of corn straw biochar at 25 °C, 35 °C and 45 °C were 81.63 mg/g, 83.89 mg/g and 89.21 mg/g respectively. The thermodynamic analysis showed that increasing temperature was helpful to adsorption, and the adsorption was spontaneous. The results can be used for comprehensive utilization of straw and treatment of lead pollution.

Concealing messages at the atomic-thin level by reaching the limit of writing

The evolution of writing system reflects the development of civilization. Using single molecular layer “ink” to record invisible messages on an atomic-layered paper represents the ultimate thinness of classical writing system and steganography. A stable and convenient atomic-thin information steganography under ambient conditions is realized by using a monolayer of water as ink, an atomic layer of MoS2 as paper, and a laser as pen. Physically adsorbed monolayered water molecules produce p-type doping to the substrate MoS2 monolayer, leading to the enhancement of its photoluminescence (PL). Information is written on a monolayer of MoS2 by using laser to remove surface water with designed patterns and is read out by PL imaging. The information is transparent to visible light and can retain for many days until erased by a humidification treatment. The method reaches the thinnest limit of writing and achieves repeatable data storage on an atomic layer under ambient conditions, providing a promising approach to steganography and towards high-density storage media at the atomic-thin level.

Solidification and superlubricity with molecular alkane films

Hydrocarbon films confined between smooth mica surfaces have long provided an experimental playground for model studies of structure and dynamics of confined liquids. However, fundamental questions regarding the phase behavior and shear properties in this simple system remain unsolved. With ultrasensitive resolution in film thickness and shear stress, and control over the crystallographic alignment of the confining surfaces, we here investigate the shear forces transmitted across nanoscale films of dodecane down to a single molecular layer. We resolve the conditions under which liquid–solid phase transitions occur and explain friction coefficients spanning several orders of magnitude. We find that commensurate surface alignment and presence of water at the interfaces each lead to moderate or high friction, whereas friction coefficients down toμ≈0.001are observed for a single molecular layer of dodecane trapped between crystallographically misaligned dry surfaces. This ultralow friction is attributed to sliding at the incommensurate interface between one of the mica surfaces and the laterally ordered solid molecular film, reconciling previous interpretations.

Fluorescence microscopy visualization of the roughness-induced transition between lubrication regimes

We investigate the transition between different regimes of lubrication and directly observe the thickness of nanometric lubrication films with a sensitivity of a single molecular layer at a multi-asperity interface through fluorescence microscopy. We redefine specific film thickness as the ratio of the lubricant film thickness and the surface roughness measured only at those regions of the interface where the gap is “minimal.” This novel definition of specific film thickness successfully captures the transition from full elastohydrodynamic lubrication to mixed and boundary lubrication. The transition can be triggered by increasing the surface roughness and is accurately predicted by using the new film thickness definition. We find that when the liquid carries part of the load, its apparent viscosity is greatly increased by confinement, and show how the transition between different lubrication regimes is well described by the viscosity increase and subsequent glass transition in the film.