Publications

Catalysts for the N₂ reduction reaction (NRR) are at the heart of key alternative technology to the Haber-Bosch process for NH₃ synthesis, and are expected to optimize the interplay between efficiency, activity and selectivity. Here, we report our recent finding that P-doped graphene shows superior NRR performances in aqueous media at present, with a remarkably large NH₃ yield of 32.33 μg h^-1 mg_cat.^-1 and a high faradaic efficiency of 20.82% at -0.65 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. The mechanism is clarified by density functional theory calculations.

Industrial NH3 synthesis mainly relies on the Haber-Bosch process operated under harsh conditions. Ambient electrochemical N2 reduction offers an eco-friendly and sustainable pathway for NH3 synthesis, but its implementation depends on efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we report that a Cu3P nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide (Cu3P-rGO) hybrid serves as an efficient electrocatalyst toward NH3 synthesis. Tested in 0.1 M HCl, Cu3P-rGO exhibits a large NH3 yield of 26.38 μg h-1 mgcat.-1 and a high faradaic efficiency of 10.11% at -0.45 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode, with high electrochemical stability. Theoretical calculations reveal that Cu3P can efficiently catalyze NH3 synthesis.

It is highly attractive to develop non-noble-metal nanoarray architecture as a 3D-catalyst electrode for molecular detection due to its large specific surface area and easy accessibility to target molecules. Here, we report the development of a copper-nitride nanowires array on copper foam (Cu₃ N NA/CF) as a dual-functional catalyst electrode for efficient glucose oxidation in alkaline solutions and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) reduction in neutral solutions. Electrochemical tests indicate that such Cu₃ N NA/CF possesses superior non-enzymatic sensing ability toward rapid glucose and H₂ O₂ detection with high selectivity. At 0.40 V, this sensor offers a high sensitivity of 14 180 μA mm cm^-2 for glucose detection, with a wide linear range from 1 μm to 2 mm, a low detection limit of 13 nm (S/N=3), and satisfactory stability and reproducibility. Its application in determining glucose in human blood serum is also demonstrated. Amperometric H₂ O₂ sensing can also been realized with a sensitivity of 7600 μA mm cm^-2 , a linear range from 0.1 μm to 10 mm, and a detection limit of 8.9 nm (S/N=3). This 3D-nanoarray architecture holds great promise as an attractive sensing platform toward electrochemical small molecules detection.

Abstract Electrochemical reduction of CO 2 into various chemicals and fuels provides an attractive pathway for environmental and energy sustainability. It is now shown that a FeP nanoarray on Ti mesh (FeP NA/TM) acts as an efficient 3D catalyst electrode for the CO 2 reduction reaction to convert CO 2 into alcohols with high selectivity. In 0.5 m KHCO 3 , such FeP NA/TM is capable of achieving a high Faradaic efficiency (FE ) up to 80.2 %, with a total FE of 94.3 % at −0.20 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the FeP(211) surface significantly promotes the adsorption and reduction of CO 2 toward CH 3 OH owing to the synergistic effect of two adjacent Fe atoms, and the potential‐determining step is the hydrogenation process of *CO.

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An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

AbstractSilver doped polyaniline phosphotungstate (PANI-PW/Ag) composite was synthesized sol-gel method and treated with silver nitrate resulting silver doped PANI-PW/Ag. Physicochemical characterization of PANI-PW/Ag was carried out by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Electrical conductivity measurements and thermal effect on conductivity of PANI-PW/Ag was also studied after treatment with HCl. The dc conductivity was found within the range of 4.82 × 10−3 S/cm−1 for HCl doped, measured by 4-in line–probe dc electrical conductivity measuring technique. Thermal conductivity is stable with all temperatures in isothermal studies showing excellent stability of PANI-PW/Ag material.Keywords: electrically conductingnanocompositeoptical microscopyphysical methods of analysispolymer-matrix composites

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

The human sweet taste receptor (T1R2) monomer-a member of the G-protein coupled receptor family that detects a wide variety of chemically and structurally diverse sweet tasting molecules, is known to pose a significant threat to human health. Protein that lack crystal structure is a challenge in structure-based protein design. This study focused on the interaction of the T1R2 monomer with rebaudioside A (Reb-A), a steviol glycoside with potential use as a natural sweetener using in-silico and biosensing methods. Herein, homology modelling, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations were applied to elucidate the interaction between Reb-A and the T1R2 monomer. In addition, the electrochemical sensing of the immobilised T1R2-Reb-A complex with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and graphene oxide (GO) were assessed by testing the performance of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as an adsorbent experimentally. Results indicate a strong interaction between Reb-A and the T1R2 receptor, revealing the stabilizing interaction of the amino acids with the Reb-A by hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of the glucose moieties, along with a significant amount of hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, the presence of the MWCNT as an anchor confirms the adsorption strength of the T1R2-Reb-A complex onto the GO nanocomposite and supported with electrochemical measurements. Overall, this study could serve as a cornerstone in the development of electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of Reb-A, with applications in the food industry.