This work demonstrated the hydrothermal synthesis of bimetallic MOF(Zn/Cu-BTC) for CO ₂ adsorption with high CO ₂ /N ₂ adsorption selectivity.

In this study, crumpled graphene balls (CGB), a kind of nano-material, was used as an additive to improve the tribological properties of base oil. Nano-magnesium silicate hydroxide (MSH)/CGB composites were prepared by ultrasound-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation. The loading of MSH significantly increased the number of pleats and reduced the lamellar thickness of CGB. Then, in order to improve the compatibility with the base oil, the MSH/CGB composites were decorated with oleic acid and stearic acid to get modified lipophilic composites (ML-MSH/CGB). The ML-MSH/CGB were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the tribological properties of the ML-MSH/CGB in base oils were investigated using a ball-on-disc setup tribometer. It indicated that the fantastic tribological behavior of the ML-MSH/CGB in base oil may contribute to a smaller and extremely wrinkled laminated structure. Furthermore, the base oil with 0.005 wt% ML-MSH/CGB composites exhibited the best anti-friction effect, and its average friction coefficient, wearing capacity and wear scar diameter were reduced by 25.4%, 22.1% and 16.7%, respectively. The introduction of ML-MSH/CGB composed materials is an excellent strategy to optimize the friction performance of lubricating oil.

Designing and synthesizing photothermal conversion materials with better storage capacity, long-term stability as well as low temperature energy output capability is still a huge challenge in the area of photothermal storage. In this work, we report a brand new photothermal conversion material obtained by attaching trifluoromethylated azobenzene (Azo_F) to reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Azo_F-rGO exhibits outstanding heat storage density and power density up to 386.1 kJ·kg⁻¹ and 890.6 W·kg⁻¹, respectively, with a long half-life (87.7 h) because of the H-bonds based on high attachment density. Azo_F-rGO also exhibits excellent cycling stability and is equipped with low-temperature energy output capability, which achieves the reversible cycle of photothermal conversion within a closed system. This novel Azo_F-rGO complex, which on the one hand exhibits remarkable energy storage performance as well as excellent storage life span, and on the other hand is equipped with the ability to release heat at low temperatures, shows broad prospects in the practical application of actual photothermal storage.

Desalinating seawater is a crucial method for addressing the shortage of freshwater resources. High-efficiency, low-cost, and environmentally friendly desalination technologies are key issues that urgently need to be addressed. This work used Populus tomentosa Carr. as a matrix material and prepared Populus tomentosa Carr.@Fe-GA through a complexation reaction to enhance the water evaporation rate and photothermal conversion efficiency of seawater desalination. The concentration of the impregnation solution was further refined, and the bonding mechanism along with the thermal stability of the composite photothermal material was investigated, including an assessment of their photothermal conversion efficiency. The research results indicate that the evaporation rate of water in a 3.5% NaCl solution for Populus tomentosa Carr.@Fe-GA under light intensity conditions of one sun reached 1.72 kg·m⁻²·h⁻¹, which was an increase of 44.5% compared to untreated Populus tomentosa Carr. It achieved a photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.1%, an improvement of 53.6% over untreated Populus tomentosa Carr., and maintained stability and high evaporation performance (95.4%) even after prolonged rinsing. This work realizes the functional utilization of seawater desalination with Populus tomentosa Carr. and offers a novel approach for the development and use of wood-derived photothermal material.