Bamboo leaf-like CuO(b) and flaky-shaped CuO(f) were prepared by the hydrothermal method, and then combined with Al nanoparticles to form Al/CuO(b) and Al/CuO(f) by the ultrasonic dispersion method. The phase, composition, morphology, and structure of the composites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy scattering spectrometer (EDS). The compatibility of CuO, Al/CuO and nitrocellulose (NC) was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effects of CuO and Al/CuO on the thermal decomposition of NC were also studied. The results show that the thermal decomposition reactions of CuO-NC composite, Al/CuO-NC composite, and NC follow the same kinetic mechanism of Avrami-Erofeev equation. In the cases of CuO and Al/CuO, they could promote the O-NO₂ bond cleavage and secondary autocatalytic reaction in condensed phase. The effects of these catalysts have some difference in modifying the thermolysis process of NC due to the microstructures of CuO and the addition of Al nanopowders. Furthermore, the presence of Al/CuO(f) can make the Al/CuO(f)-NC composite easier to ignite, whereas the composites have strong resistance to high temperature. Compatibility and thermal safety analysis showed that the Al/CuO had good compatibility with NC and it could be used safely. This contribution suggests that CuO and Al/CuO played key roles in accelerating the thermal decomposition of NC.

The fiber-like bis-(dimethylglyoximato) nickel(II) complex, Ni(DMG)₂ was successfully synthesized. The obtained samples were characterized by SEM-EDS, FT-IR, XRD, and XPS. The TG-DSC-FTIR-MS coupling technique was used to characterize the thermal decomposition behavior and evolved gas analysis of Ni(DMG)₂. The non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetic parameters were obtained by both combined kinetic analysis and isoconversional Vyazovkin methods. It was found that Ni(DMG)₂ begins to decompose at around 280 °C, and a sharp exothermic peak is observed in the DSC curve at about 308.2 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C·min⁻¹. The main gaseous products are H₂O, NH₃, N₂O, CO, and HCN, and the content of H₂O is significantly higher than that of the others. The activation energy obtained by the combined kinetic analysis method is 170.61 ± 0.65 kJ·mol⁻¹. The decomposition process can be described by the random nucleation and growth of the nuclei model. However, it was challenging to attempt to evaluate the reaction mechanism precisely by one ideal kinetic model.

Cl-modified n-type Cu₂O thin films were prepared on indium tin oxide substrates through potentiostatic electrodeposition and investigated for the photocatalytic removal of norfloxacin (NOR). Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction identified −0.65 V and pH 5.7 as suitable deposition conditions. Cl addition regulated the nucleation and growth of Cu₂O, producing pronounced changes in crystal orientation, surface morphology, and electronic properties. The thin film obtained with 10 mmol L⁻¹ KCl (Cl₁₀-Cu₂O) exhibited the strongest (111) preferred orientation and a flower-like morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cl species and revealed predominantly Cu⁺, together with defect-associated oxygen environments and a small proportion of surface Cu²⁺. The Mott–Schottky analysis demonstrated a transition from p-type conductivity in pristine Cu₂O to n-type behavior after Cl incorporation. The optical band gap increased from 1.94 to 2.04 eV, indicating modification of the electronic structure. Among the investigated samples, Cl₁₀-Cu₂O delivered the highest photocurrent density (0.101 mA cm⁻²), the largest open-circuit photovoltage (11.981 mV), and the lowest interfacial charge-transfer resistance. Its apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant reached 0.00539 min⁻¹, approximately 1.61 times that of pristine Cu₂O. Scavenger experiments indicated that photogenerated holes were the predominant oxidative species, while ⋅O₂⁻ and ⋅OH also participated in NOR transformation. The improved photocatalytic activity was attributed to the combined effects of conductivity-type conversion, controlled defect formation, enhanced charge separation and transfer, favorable crystal orientation, and hierarchical surface morphology.

Engineering chemistry is the basis of materials science. Students majoring in materials specialty should learn engineering chemistry well and closely link it with materials science. However, it is difficult to achieve the expected teaching effect in the actual teaching process. By analysing the problems existing in the traditional teaching process of engineering chemistry, this study proposes a teaching strategy based on the BOPPPS teaching mode, such as the introduction of the flipped classroom and the classroom Interaction to enhance the interests of students in learning and their self-efficacy, so as to enrich their specialized knowledge and develop their creative thinking and abilities.