Interfacial materials exhibiting superwettability have emerged as important tools for solving the real‐world issues, such as oil‐spill cleanup, fog harvesting, etc. The Janus superwettability of lotus leaf inspires the design of asymmetric interface materials using the superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic binary cooperative strategy. Here, the presented Janus copper sheet, composed of a superhydrophobic upper surface and a superhydrophilic lower surface, is able to be steadily fixed at the air/water interfaces, showing improved interfacial floatability. Compared with the floatable superhydrophobic substrate, the Janus sheet not only floats on but also attaches to the air–water interface. Similar results on Janus sheet are discovered at other multiphase interfaces such as hexane/water and water/CCl4 interfaces. In accordance with the improved stability and antirotation property, the microboat constructed by a Janus sheet shows the reliable navigating ability even under turbulent water flow. This contribution should unlock more functions of Janus interface materials, and extend the application scope of the binary cooperative materials system with superwettability.

No abstract

No abstract

As a promising anodic material for rechargeable batteries, Sb2O3 has drawn increasing attention due to its high theoretical capacity and abundant natural deposits. However, poor cyclability and rate performance of Sb2O3 derived from a large volume change during insertion/desertion reactions as well as a sluggish kinetic process restrict its practical application. Herein, we report a facile amorphous-to-crystalline strategy to synthesize a densely packed Sb2O3 nanosheet-graphene aerogel as a novel anode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). This Sb2O3/graphene composite displays a reversible capacity as high as 657.9 mA h g-1 even after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g-1, along with an excellent rate capacity of 356.8 mA h g-1 at 5.0 A g-1. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of densely packed Sb2O3 nanosheets and graphene aerogel, which serves as both a robust support and stable buffer layer to maintain the structural stability of the nanocomposite, and enhances the electrode kinetics of electrolyte diffusion and electron transfer simultaneously. Hence, this densely-packed two-dimensional Sb2O3 nanosheet-graphene aerogel can be a promising anode material for rechargeable SIBs due to its facile synthesis process and outstanding electrochemical performance.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

In this study, an innovative CMS-PbO2 electrode was fabricated by combining hydrothermally synthesized carbon microspheres (CMS) on a PbO2 electrode by electrodeposition. Using CMS-PbO2 electrode, the main factors affecting PRP degradation were studied. Under the optimum process conditions, the concentration of PRP was 50 mg/L, the applied current density was 30 mA/cm2, the electrolyte (Na2SO4) concentration was 0.1 mol/L, and pH value was 7, the PRP degradation rate reached 100%, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate reached 43.42% after 120 min of electrochemical oxidation. Using field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the electrochemical performance of the two electrodes was discussed. The composite of carbon microspheres successfully improved the electrochemical activity of the electrode and the electrode conductivity. Furthermore, the ability of the two electrodes to generate hydroxyl radicals was compared and the possible degradation pathway of PRP was speculated. In addition, electrode stability and safety were evaluated by accelerated lifetime experiments and detection of lead ions in solution after electrochemical oxidation. The CMS-electrode was more stable and safer than PbO2 electrode. The CMS-PbO2 electrode provides a new strategy for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater.