MnO nano-octahedrons embedded in N-doped graphene oxide (MNGO) nanosheets were synthesized using a simple, energy-efficient, and rapid microwave-digested hydrothermal route in a single step. The structural and morphological aspects of synthesized materials were evaluated by XRD, IR, Raman, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM techniques. Then, the composite MNGO was tested for its Li-ion storage properties and compared with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and MnO materials. The MNGO composite exhibited superior reversible specific capacity, excellent cyclic stability, and outstanding structural integrity throughout the electrochemical studies. The MNGO composite showed a reversible capacity of 898 mA h g after 100 cycles at 100 mA g and Coulombic efficiency of 97.8%. Even at a higher current density of 500 mA g, it exhibits a higher specific capacity of 532 mA h g (~1.5 times higher than commercial graphite anode). These results demonstrate that MnO nano-octahedrons embedded on N-doped GO are a highly durable and potent anode material for LIBs.

This paper reports the preparation of PS-PEI-Au composite colloids via the utilization of a facile method involving poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). The PEI used in the reaction scheme served the role of a linker between Au and PS and additionally as a reducing agent in the conversion of Au ions to Au NPs. The PS-PEI-Au colloids thus prepared were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The PS-PEI-Au composites were further used for the detection of the thiol-containing amino acids, cysteine and homocysteine, via Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. Experimental results revealed interfacial binding of the amino acids to the composites, and correlated with successive additions of the respective amino acids.

The spread of COVID-19 has led to an explosive increase in the number of waste polypropylene face masks worldwide, landfill and incineration of which will cause serious pollution and resource waste. This study aims to develop a new method for the safe and high-added value reuse of materials for polypropylene face masks based on carbonization of porous polymer. The waste masks were first sulfonated in an autoclave, then used as carbon source and turned into a dense hollow fiber porous structure after a one-step heat treatment. This porous structure has a high specific capacitance, namely 328.9 F g at a current density of 1 A g. Besides, the assembled solid-state capacitor possesses a good energy density of 10.4 W h kg at a power density of 600 W kg, and excellent cycling stability with a capacitance retention rate of 81.1% after 3000 cycles. These findings indicate that the novel carbonization technology in this study can not only be used to obtain high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials but also provide a new idea for the recycling and utilization of wastes such as medical devices.

The massive global consumption and discarded face masks drove by the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Meantime, incineration and landfill discarded face masks would result in severe environmental pollution and infectious hazards. Herein a suggestion to recycle polypropylene waste masks into CNTs by an environmentally friendly and high-added value disposal process was proposed, and which was prepared as supercapacitor electrode materials for energy storage attempting. The CNTs were prepared from waste masks by catalysis pyrolysis with Ni-Fe bimetallic catalysts. Especially, the bamboo-like structure CNT was obtained with Ni/Fe molar ratio is 3. This structure owned a high specific capacitance compared to other standard CNTs. Its specific capacitance could reach 56.04 F/g (1 A/g) and has excellent cycling stability with a capacitance retention rate of the material is 85.41% after 10,000 cycles. Besides, the assembled capacitor possesses a good energy density of 4.78 Wh/kg at a power density of 900 W/kg. Thus, this work provides a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for disposing waste masks into high-valuable CNT, and their potential application for supercapacitors was also studied and exploited. It would provide a new idea for recycling and utilizing other polypropylene wastes such as medical devices.

To cope with the easy transmissibility of the avian influenza A virus subtype H1N1, a biosensor was developed for rapid and highly sensitive electrochemical immunoassay. Based on the principle of specific binding between antibody and virus molecules, the active molecule-antibody-adapter structure was formed on the surface of an Au NP substrate electrode; it included a highly specific surface area and good electrochemical activity for selective amplification detection of the H1N1 virus. The electrochemical test results showed that the BSA/H1N1 Ab/Glu/Cys/Au NPs/CP electrode was used for the electrochemical detection of the H1N1 virus with a sensitivity of 92.1 µA (pg/mL) cm, LOD of 0.25 pg/ml, linear ranges of 0.25-5 pg/mL, and linearity of (  = 0.9846). A convenient H1N1 antibody-based electrochemical electrode for the molecular detection of the H1N1 virus will be of great use in the field of epidemic prevention and raw poultry protection.