To enhance the catalytic activity and temper the reaction conditions in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin-derived phenols to arenes, a Co–MoS2–x catalyst was proposed and prepared via a facile strategy. Co oxide was synthesized via a solvothermal method, adsorbed at the edge of MoS2–x , and finally reduced to metallic Co via an in situ spontaneous interfacial redox reaction to form Co–MoS2–x . In the HDO of 4-methylphenol, a 97.4% conversion with toluene selectivity up to 99.6% is obtained at the hitherto lowest reaction temperature of 120 °C. This catalyst also exhibits good versatility in catalyzing HDO of different lignin monomers and even lignin bio-oil into arenes. Notably, Co–MoS2–x is very stable in the HDO reusability study: no deactivation was observed after recycling eight times. The high HDO activity of Co–MoS2–x is attributed to the formation of a metal–vacancy interface and electronic transfer from Co to MoS2–x according to the characterization results and theoretical analysis.

No abstract

We evaluated the feasibility of embedding periodically arranged squares with planar and vertical texture into a background with a developable-modulation (DM) type cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) fingerprint texture by a two-step ultraviolet-induced polymerization method. Checker-patterned optical diffractive elements, which can be seen as a variation of a two-dimensional (2D) barcode, were first realized and the dependence of diffraction behaviors on incident light polarization and applied voltage were investigated. Taking advantage of the natural randomness and uncontrollable variations of a DM-type fingerprint textures, a polymer-stabilized CLC (PSCLC) graphic symbol with a 2D barcode pattern was then implemented with enhanced anti-counterfeiting features that are difficult to falsify or duplicate. The results indicate that the multiplexing of nonuniform DM-type fingerprint gratings, cross-polarized light readout, and unique polarization diffraction characteristics can improve the level of security.

Bimodal mesopore MoS2 nanosheets were successfully synthesized by adjusting the pH value and exhibited high HDO activity.

BACKGROUND: Adsorption is believed to be an effective and green technology for the removal and recovery of rare earths (III) from dilute solution. RESULTS:A novel hybrid gel, abbreviated as ALG-PGA, has been prepared through crosslinking calcium alginate (ALG) and γ -poly glutamic acid (PGA), and its adsorption behavior towards whole rare earths (III) has been examined. Taking Nd(III) as a representative element, the adsorption capacity, kinetics, reusability, selectivity and mechanism have been investigated. Cation exchange is proposed as a possible adsorption mechanism. Doping PGA molecules into calcium alginate beads can significantly enhance the adsorption capacity and the selectivity of rare earths from non-rare earths. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained for Nd(III) was 1.65 mmol g −1 . Reutilization of ALG-PGA gel was confirmed for up to eight consecutive sorption-desorption cycles with no damage to the gel. CONCLUSION: The prepared biosorbent, ALG-PGA, was biocompatible and cost effective with a good adsorption ability for Nd(III), and provides a new approach to the recovery of rare earths (III) from rare earths-containing wastewater.