Co/Co₃O₄@NC catalyst for the ORR with a low cost and highly stable performance is developed through the pyrolysis of an easy physical mixture containing ZIF-67 as the precursor and poplar flowers as the carbon source.

To solve the rutting damage of asphaltic pavement and the adverse effects of urban heat islands, diatomite-adsorbing polyethylene glycol (PEG), that is, diatomite-supported PEG (PEG/diatomite), was synthesized as a form-stable composite phase change material (CPCM), which was used as a modifier to prepare the temperature-adjusting asphalt, which can lower the temperature of the road surface on a hot summer afternoon. The microstructure and chemical structure of CPCM were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Also, effects of CPCM on the thermal properties, morphology, and rheology of modified asphalt were studied via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) testing. It was found that the phase change enthalpy of CPCM is approximately $9.0332\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{g}$ , which is up to 60% of the theoretical enthalpy. In the laboratory test, the highest temperature variation of the temperature-adjusting asphalt specimens was $\sim 9.0°\mathrm{C}$ , which plays an effective role in regulating pavement temperature. Small bee structures were observed on the surface of PEG/diatomite-modified asphalt and showed no obvious changes from before to after aging.

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) is considered an effective crystal growth modifier for template-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HA) materials. In this work, flowerlike-carbonated HA (CHA) microspheres were synthesized using EDTA via a one-step hydrothermal route. The phase, functional groups, morphology and particle size distribution of the products were examined by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy as well as laser diffraction particle size analysis. Results show that the morphology of the products can be well controlled by adjusting the EDTA concentration. With an increase of the EDTA concentration, the particle size of flowerlike microspheres decreased from tens of microns down to a few microns. The underlying mechanism for the morphological transition of CHA microspheres with different concentrations of EDTA under hydrothermal conditions is proposed. This work provides a simple way to controllably fabricate CHA microspheres with various sizes using the same synthesis system for biomedical applications, such as cell carriers and drug delivery.

In this study, phase‐change asphalt was prepared with polyethylene glycol (PEG‐1000) as a modifier. The short‐ and long‐term antiaging performances were characterized by rolling‐thin‐film‐oven (RTFOT) and pressure‐aging vessel (PAV) tests, respectively. The functional groups and “bee structures” of PEG‐modified asphalt and base asphalt were characterized by Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The research results indicate that the additive of PEG can improve the high‐temperature, temperature sensitivity, and the antiaging properties of asphalt. The FTIR reveals that only physical blending and no chemical reaction occurs between PEG and asphalt. AFM topography indicates that smaller “bee structures” appear on the surface of PEG‐modified asphalt and these structures do not change during aging.