In this paper, successful one-step chemical synthesis of Co−Pt hollow spheres with adjustable composition was developed in an effort to explore new synthesis methods, simplify the synthesis procedure, and improve the synthetic efficiency. In this synthesis, a direct thermolytic reduction of platinum acetylacetonate [Pt(CH3COHCOCH3)2] and cobalt(II) acetate [Co(CH3COO)2] in refluxing ethyl glycol was explored. In the reacting mixture, an anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as the capping and structure-directing agent. These Co−Pt hollow spheres demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation in comparison with Pt nanoparticles, which is crucial for anode electrocatalysis in DMFCs.

In principle, porous physisorbents are attractive candidates for the removal of volatile organic compounds such as benzene by virtue of their low energy for the capture and release of this pollutant. Unfortunately, many physisorbents exhibit weak sorbate–sorbent interactions, resulting in poor selectivity and low uptake when volatile organic compounds are present at trace concentrations. Herein, we report that a family of double-walled metal–dipyrazolate frameworks, BUT-53 to BUT-58, exhibit benzene uptakes at 298 K of 2.47–3.28 mmol g−1 at <10 Pa. Breakthrough experiments revealed that BUT-55, a supramolecular isomer of the metal–organic framework Co(BDP) (H2BDP = 1,4-di(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)benzene), captures trace levels of benzene, producing an air stream with benzene content below acceptable limits. Furthermore, BUT-55 can be regenerated with mild heating. Insight into the performance of BUT-55 comes from the crystal structure of the benzene-loaded phase (C6H6@BUT-55) and density functional theory calculations, which reveal that C–H···X interactions drive the tight binding of benzene. Our results demonstrate that BUT-55 is a recyclable physisorbent that exhibits high affinity and adsorption capacity towards benzene, making it a candidate for environmental remediation of benzene-contaminated gas mixtures.

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Summary This study is based on the three types of residential buildings with framework structures in Beijing: concrete framework construction (CFC), light‐gauge steel framework construction (SFC), and wood framework construction (WFC). The analysis of the environmental load across the life cycle of the three types of buildings is conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) according to the protocols of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14040/44. The functional unit is the three material building designs, which possess the same function and design plan, and are built in concrete, light‐gauge steel, and light frame wood, inclusive of their respective envelope materials. Throughout the investigation, the calculations of the environmental load data of materials, energy consumption, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are comprehensively assessed and compared. The study shows that over the life cycle, the energy consumption of CFC is almost the same as that of SFC, and each of them is approximately 30% higher than that of WFC. Building use, steel material production, cement production, gypsum board production, and material transport are the main construction activities related to the energy consumption; the net CO2 emission of CFC is 44% higher than that of SFC and 49% higher than that of WFC. The main source of CO2 emission is the use of electricity; its contributions to the net CO2 emissions of WFC, SFC, and CFC are 67%, 64%, and 44%, respectively. The net CO2 emissions in the transport category cannot be ignored, with proportions amounting to 8%, 12%, and 11% for WFC, SFC, and CFC, respectively.

A strategy to utilize visible-light responsive MOFs as a protective shell over noble-metal-sensitized semiconductors to fabricate photoanode catalysts is developed. The resulting composites demonstrate outstanding performances in photoelectrochemical water splitting.

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A B S T R A C TAs the demand for services and products continues to increase in light of rapid population growth, the question of energy, water and food (EWF) security is of increasing importance. The systems representing the three resources are intrinsically connected and, as such, there is a need to develop assessment tools that consider their interdependences. Specifically when evaluating the environmental performance of a food production system, it is necessary to understand its life cycle. The objective of this paper is to introduce an integrated energy, water and food life cycle assessment tool that integrates EWF resources in one robust model and at an appropriate resolution.The nexus modelling tool developed is capable of providing an environmental assessment for food production systems utilising a holistic systems approach as described by a series of subsystems that constitute each of the EWF resources. A case study set in Qatar and characterised by an agriculture sub-system, which includes the production and application of fertilisers and the raising of livestock, a water sub-system represented by mechanical and thermal desalination processes and an energy sub-system, which includes fossil fuel in the form of combined cycle natural gas based energy production and solar renewable energy is used to illustrate the model function. For the nexus system analysed it is demonstrated that the food system is the largest contributor to global warming. The GWP can be reduced by up to 30% through the utilisation of solar energy to substitute fossil fuels, which, however, comes with a significant requirement for land investment. vironmental impact of the provision of a product or a service. S U S T A I N A B L E P R O D U C T I O N A N D C O N S U M P T I O N X X ( X X X X ) X X X -X X X 31The objective of this paper is to present the details and func- quantifies the input/output relationships and to prepare an S U S T A I N A B L E P R O D U C T I O N A N D C O N S U M P T I O Human toxicityCovers the potential impacts on human health of toxic substances present in the environment.Total releases to air, water and soil. LC50: converts LC50 data to equivalents. Depletion of abiotic resourcesRefers to the depletion of natural resources (including energy resources) which are regarded as non-living.Quantity of minerals and fossil fuels used. Resource depletion potential: converts LCI data to a ratio of quantity of resource used versus quantity of resource left in reserve. Aquatic eco-toxic potentialRefers to the potential impacts of toxic substances on aquatic ecosystems.Toxic chemicals of brine disposal from desalination plants.Factors are calculated for groups of chemicals within the brine effluent. Land footprintRefers to land area occupied from agriculture and process facilities.Area of farming and solar power facilities are considered. system presented here has adopted a food perspective with 10 the objective of evaluating the impact when raising domestic 11 production. 12The relationships between energy, wat...

Oriented nano-microstructure-assisted controllable fabrication, a facile and versatile preparation strategy, is developed to fabricate metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes. With this method, several MOF membranes with tailored structures are prepared, including HKUST-1 (with 3D pores) and M3 (HCOO)6 (with 1D pores; M = Co, Mn, and Mg) membranes, which demonstrate good performances in gas separations.