Polymer assisted colloidal nanocrystal framework synthesis: sol-gel approach

The porous colloidal nanocrystal framework material was synthesized by sol-gel assembly followed by a self-propagation procedure. The characteristics of the synthesized nanocrystal were confirmed by advanced instruments. From the DTG analysis, the poly (vinyl alcohol) was completely degraded at 400 °C. The XRD pattern and TEM image confirmed the nanoscale crystallite size of the material. BET and SEM analysis showed the mesoporous type pore size distribution. The predictable compositional analysis was confirmed from EDX, SAED, and XPS compositional analysis. Using the HSAB theory and HRTEM image analysis the formation of local heterojunction between metal oxides was approved.

Single molecule observation of hard–soft-acid–base (HSAB) interaction in engineered Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) nanopores

The principle of hard–soft-acid–base (HSAB) theory was first validated in single molecule by measurements with engineered Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) nanopore reactors.

Unifying the Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution/oxidation Reactions Kinetics by Identifying the Roles of Hydroxyl-Water-Cation Adducts

Despite the fundamental and practical significance of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR), their kinetics in base remain unclear. Herein, we show that the alkaline HER/HOR kinetics can be unified by the catalytic roles of the adsorbed hydroxyl (OH_ad)-water-alkali metal cation (AM⁺) adducts, on the basis of the observations that enriching the OH_ad abundance via surface Ni benefits the HER/HOR; increasing the AM⁺ concentration only promotes the HER while varying the identity of AM⁺ affects both HER/HOR. The presence of OH_ad-(H₂O)_x-AM⁺ in the double layer region facilitates the OH_ad removal into the bulk forming OH^--(H₂O)_x-AM⁺ <i>as per</i> the hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory, thereby selectively promoting the HER. It can be detrimental to the HOR <i>as per</i> the bifunctional mechanism as the AM⁺ destabilizes the OH_ad, which is further supported by the CO oxidation results. This new notion may be important for alkaline electrochemistry.

Unifying the Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution/oxidation Reactions Kinetics by Identifying the Roles of Hydroxyl-Water-Cation Adducts

Despite the fundamental and practical significance of the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR), their kinetics in base remain unclear. Herein, we show that the alkaline HER/HOR kinetics can be unified by the catalytic roles of the adsorbed hydroxyl (OH_ad)-water-alkali metal cation (AM⁺) adducts, on the basis of the observations that enriching the OH_ad abundance via surface Ni benefits the HER/HOR; increasing the AM⁺ concentration only promotes the HER while varying the identity of AM⁺ affects both HER/HOR. The presence of OH_ad-(H₂O)_x-AM⁺ in the double layer region facilitates the OH_ad removal into the bulk forming OH^--(H₂O)_x-AM⁺ <i>as per</i> the hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) theory, thereby selectively promoting the HER. It can be detrimental to the HOR <i>as per</i> the bifunctional mechanism as the AM⁺ destabilizes the OH_ad, which is further supported by the CO oxidation results. This new notion may be important for alkaline electrochemistry.

Experimental and theoretical investigation on corrosion inhibitive properties of steel rebar by a newly designed environmentally friendly inhibitor formula

A new corrosion inhibitor formula was designed and the inhibitive mechanism was analyzed based on HSAB theory and the PDM model.