Composite films of chemically converted graphene (CCG) and polyaniline nanofibers (PANI-NFs) were prepared by vacuum filtration the mixed dispersions of both components. The composite film has a layered structure, and PANI-NFs are sandwiched between CCG layers. Furthermore, it is mechanically stable and has a high flexibility; thus, it can be bent into large angles or be shaped into various desired structures. The conductivity of the composite film containing 44% CCG (5.5 x 10(2) S m(-1)) is about 10 times that of a PANI-NF film. Supercapacitor devices based on this conductive flexible composite film showed large electrochemical capacitance (210 F g(-1)) at a discharge rate of 0.3 A g(-1). They also exhibited greatly improved electrochemical stability and rate performances.

Covalently grafting reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets with sulfophenyl or ethylenediamine groups can produce chemically modified graphene (CMG) for fabricating high-performance gas sensors. The NO(2) sensors based on these CMGs exhibit sensitivities 4 to 16 times higher than that of a sensor based on rGO. They also show excellent selectivity and repeatability without the aid of UV-light or thermal treatment.

Graphite-phase polymeric carbon nitride (GPPCN) has emerged as a promising metal-free material toward optoelectronics and (photo)catalysis. However, the insolubility of GPPCN remains one of the biggest impediments toward its potential applications. Herein, we report that GPPCN could be dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid, the first feasible solvent so far, due to the synergistic protonation and intercalation. The concentration was up to 300 mg/mL, thousands of time higher than previous reported dispersions. As a result, the first successful liquid-state NMR spectra of GPPCN were obtained, which provides a more feasible method to reveal the finer structure of GPPCN. Moreover, at high concentration, a liquid crystal phase for the carbon nitride family was first observed. The successful dissolution of GPPCN and the formation of highly anisotropic mesophases would greatly pave the potential applications such as GPPCN-based nanocomposites or assembly of marcroscopic, ordered materials.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon dots (C-dots) have various alluring properties and potential applications, but they are often limited by unsatisfied optical performance such as low quantum yield, ambiguous fluorescence emission mechanism, and narrow emission wavelength. Herein, we report that bulk polymeric carbon nitride could be utilized as a layered precursor to prepare carbon nitride nanostructures such as nanorods, nanoleaves and quantum dots by chemical tailoring. As doped carbon materials, these carbon nitride nanostructures not only intrinsically emitted UV lights but also well inherited the explicit photoluminescence mechanism of the bulk pristine precursor, both of which were rarely reported for GQDs and C-dots. Especially, carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) had a photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) up to 46%, among the highest QY for metal-free quantum dots so far. As examples, the CNQDs were utilized as a photoluminescence probe for rapid detection of Fe(3+) with a detection limit of 1 μM in 2 min and a photoconductor in an all-solid-state device. This work would open up an avenue for doped nanocarbon in developing photoelectrical devices and sensors.

SummaryBackgroundMore than 500 000 neonatal deaths per year result from possible serious bacterial infections (pSBIs), but the causes are largely unknown. We investigated the incidence of community-acquired infections caused by specific organisms among neonates in south Asia.MethodsFrom 2011 to 2014, we identified babies through population-based pregnancy surveillance at five sites in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Babies were visited at home by community health workers up to ten times from age 0 to 59 days. Illness meeting the WHO definition of pSBI and randomly selected healthy babies were referred to study physicians. The primary objective was to estimate proportions of specific infectious causes by blood culture and Custom TaqMan Array Cards molecular assay (Thermo Fisher, Bartlesville, OK, USA) of blood and respiratory samples.Findings6022 pSBI episodes were identified among 63 114 babies (95·4 per 1000 livebirths). Causes were attributed in 28% of episodes (16% bacterial and 12% viral). Mean incidence of bacterial infections was 13·2 (95% credible interval [CrI] 11·2–15·6) per 1000 livebirths and of viral infections was 10·1 (9·4–11·6) per 1000 livebirths. The leading pathogen was respiratory syncytial virus (5·4, 95% CrI 4·8–6·3 episodes per 1000 livebirths), followed by Ureaplasma spp (2·4, 1·6–3·2 episodes per 1000 livebirths). Among babies who died, causes were attributed to 46% of pSBI episodes, among which 92% were bacterial. 85 (83%) of 102 blood culture isolates were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, gentamicin, or a combination of these drugs.InterpretationNon-attribution of a cause in a high proportion of patients suggests that a substantial proportion of pSBI episodes might not have been due to infection. The predominance of bacterial causes among babies who died, however, indicates that appropriate prevention measures and management could substantially affect neonatal mortality. Susceptibility of bacterial isolates to first-line antibiotics emphasises the need for prudent and limited use of newer-generation antibiotics. Furthermore, the predominance of atypical bacteria we found and high incidence of respiratory syncytial virus indicated that changes in management strategies for treatment and prevention are needed. Given the burden of disease, prevention of respiratory syncytial virus would have a notable effect on the overall health system and achievement of Sustainable Development Goal.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Composite films of chitosan and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets with nacre-like layered structure have been prepared by vacuum filtration of the stable aqueous mixture of both components. The film containing 6 wt% RGO is electrically conductive with a conductivity of 1.2 S m À1 . Furthermore, it is mechanically strong and ductile; its Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break were measured to be 6.3 AE 0.2 GPa, 206 AE 6 MPa and 6.5 AE 0.6%, respectively. These values partly exceed those of nacre. The high mechanical and electrical properties of chitosan/ RGO composite films are mainly attributed to the uniform dispersion of RGO nanofillers in the polymer matrices to form a compact layered structure.

Composite films of sulfonated graphene (SG) and polypyrrole (PPy) were electrochemically deposited from the aqueous solutions containing pyrrole monomer, SG sheets, and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA). During the process of electrochemical polymerization, negatively charged SG sheets acted as a dopant of PPy. Thus, they were uniformly dispersed in the PPy matrices of resulting composites. The introduction of SG sheets improved the conductivity and electrochemical properties of PPy films. The composite films containing about 40% (by weight) SG showed a high specific capacitance of 285 F g−1 at a discharge rate of 0.5 A g−1. They also exhibited greatly improved electrochemical stability and rate performances.

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