We report the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of Fe-Co alloy nanoparticles inside the tubular channel of carbon nanotubes. The homogeneous distributions of Fe and Co in the isolated nanoparticles were evidenced confidentially by bulk and surface structural and compositional characterizations, that is, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope in combination with elemental mapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We also demonstrate for the first time an unusual synergism in alloy catalysis. The alloy nanoparticles with widely varying Co/Fe ratio are kept as active as Co for the H 2 production from NH 3 decomposition. The stability of Co was significantly improved by alloying with Fe. We expect our experimental method to be a general approach to elucidate the synergism phenomenon in alloy catalysis.

whistleblowing, gender, fraudulentreporting, anonymous reporting channel, non-anonymous reporting channel,

No abstract

Fluorescent probes for biothiols have aroused increasing interest owing to their potential to enable better understanding of the diverse physiological and pathological processes related to the biothiol species. BODIPY fluorophores exhibit excellent optical properties, which can be readily tailored by introducing diverse functional units at various positions of the BODIPY core. In the present review, the development of fluorescent probes based on BODIPYs for the detection of biothiols are systematically summarized, with emphasis on the preferable detection of individual biothiols, as well as simultaneous discrimination among cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, organelle‐targeting probes for biothiols are also highlighted. The general design principles, various recognition mechanisms, and biological applications are elaboratively discussed, which could provide a useful reference to researchers worldwide interested in this area.

No abstract

No abstract

The recent development of 2D material-based chemiresistive- and FET-type gas sensors as well as their future directions are comprehensively presented.

This study investigates the effect of politically connected independent directors on a firm's likelihood of committing fraud in China. We classify the political backgrounds of independent directors into three categories based on their employment histories: local background, central background, and local and central background. Using corporate fraud data from 2000 to 2014, we find that independent directors with local political backgrounds significantly reduce the likelihood of a firm committing fraud. Further analysis shows that locally connected independent directors are more likely to have both employment experience in regulatory agencies and financial/accounting/law expertise.