Iodic acid (HIO3) is known to form aerosol particles in coastal marine regions, but predicted nucleation and growth rates are lacking. Using the CERN CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets) chamber, we find that the nucleation rates of HIO3 particles are rapid, even exceeding sulfuric acid–ammonia rates under similar conditions. We also find that ion-induced nucleation involves IO3− and the sequential addition of HIO3 and that it proceeds at the kinetic limit below +10°C. In contrast, neutral nucleation involves the repeated sequential addition of iodous acid (HIO2) followed by HIO3, showing that HIO2 plays a key stabilizing role. Freshly formed particles are composed almost entirely of HIO3, which drives rapid particle growth at the kinetic limit. Our measurements indicate that iodine oxoacid particle formation can compete with sulfuric acid in pristine regions of the atmosphere.

A list of authors and their affiliations appears at the end of the paper New-particle formation is a major contributor to urban smog1,2, but how it occurs in cities is often puzzling3. If the growth rates of urban particles are similar to those found in cleaner environments (1–10 nanometres per hour), then existing understanding suggests that new urban particles should be rapidly scavenged by the high concentration of pre-existing particles. Here we show, through experiments performed under atmospheric conditions in the CLOUD chamber at CERN, that below about +5 degrees Celsius, nitric acid and ammonia vapours can condense onto freshly nucleated particles as small as a few nanometres in diameter. Moreover, when it is cold enough (below −15 degrees Celsius), nitric acid and ammonia can nucleate directly through an acid–base stabilization mechanism to form ammonium nitrate particles. Given that these vapours are often one thousand times more abundant than sulfuric acid, the resulting particle growth rates can be extremely high, reaching well above 100 nanometres per hour. However, these high growth rates require the gas-particle ammonium nitrate system to be out of equilibrium in order to sustain gas-phase supersaturations. In view of the strong temperature dependence that we measure for the gas-phase supersaturations, we expect such transient conditions to occur in inhomogeneous urban settings, especially in wintertime, driven by vertical mixing and by strong local sources such as traffic. Even though rapid growth from nitric acid and ammonia condensation may last for only a few minutes, it is nonetheless fast enough to shepherd freshly nucleated particles through the smallest size range where they are most vulnerable to scavenging loss, thus greatly increasing their survival probability. We also expect nitric acid and ammonia nucleation and rapid growth to be important in the relatively clean and cold upper free troposphere, where ammonia can be convected from the continental boundary layer and nitric acid is abundant from electrical storms4,5.

With the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, wearable electronic skins have attracted substantial attention. However, the fabrication of such devices with high elasticity and breathability is still a challenge and highly desired. Here, a route to develop an all-fiber structured electronic skin with a scalable electrospinning fabrication technique is reported. The fabricated electronic skin is demonstrated to exhibit high pressure sensing with a sensitivity of 0.18 V kPa −1 in the detection range of 0-175 kPa. This wearable device could maintain prominent sensing performance and mechanical stability in the presence of large deformation, even when the elastic deformation is up to 50%. The electronic skin is easily conformable on different desired objects for real-time spatial mapping and long-term tactile sensing. Besides, it possesses high gas permeability with a water vapor transmittance rate of 10.26 kg m −2 d −1 . More importantly, the electronic skin is capable of working in a self-powered manner and even serves as a reliable power source to effectively drive small electronics. Possessing several compelling features, such as high sensitivity, high elasticity, high breathability as well as being self-powered and scalable in fabrication, the presented device paves a pathway for smart electronic skins.

Hierarchical sulfonated graphene nanosheet/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (sGNS/cMWCNT/PANI) nanocomposites were synthesized through an interfacial polymerization method. Activated porous graphene (aGNS) was prepared by combining chemical foaming, thermal reduction, and KOH activation. Furthermore, we have successfully fabricated an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) using sGNS/cMWCNT/PANI and aGNS as the positive and negative electrodes, respectively. Because of its unique structure, high capacitive performance, and complementary potential window, the ASC device can be cycled reversibly at a cell voltage of 1.6 V in a 1 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte, delivering a high energy density of 20.5 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 25 kW kg(-1). Moreover, the ASC device also exhibits a superior long cycle life with 91% retention of the initial specific capacitance after 5000 cycles.

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As a promising alternative clean energy to fossil fuels, H2 has been given increasing attention, and efficient H2 production is urgently required. Photocatalytic H2 generation from water splitting (WS) is deemed to be a promising and green route for H2 production. TiO2 has been widely utilized in WS owing to the stability, low cost, corrosion resistance, and environmental safety properities. Nevertheless, two dominant defects (inferior absorption performance in visible light and recombination of photogenerated e−–h+ pairs) still impede the development of TiO2. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the progress of various routes for TiO2 nanostructures (0D–3D) and diversified modifications for enhanced H2 production. Further, the perspectives and opportunities for TiO2 based materials are promoted. Persistent efforts are needed to equip the TiO2 nanomaterials with original advanced commercialization and functionality.