Cubic boron nitride (cBN) film-based sensors for detecting Hg2+ ions were developed by surface functionalization with dansyl chloride. To immobilize dansyl chloride, 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane was modified on hydroxylated cBN surfaces to form an amino-group-terminated self-assembled monolayer. The covalent attachment of the amino groups was confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensors to detect diverse metal cations in ethanol solutions were studied by using fluorescence spectroscopy, revealing a great selectivity to Hg2+ ions. Significantly, the dansyl-chloride-functionalized cBN film sensors were recyclable after the sensing test.

Fluorophore-functionalized cubic boron nitride (cBN) films grown by chemical vapor deposition were achieved by immobilizing rhodamine B isothiocyanate onto their surfaces. To perform the immobilization, the cBN substrates were modified with amino groups by photochemical reaction between hydrogen-terminated cBN surfaces and allylamine. The surface analysis of hydrogen-terminated cBN films surfaces and after functionalization with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified that rhodamine B was indeed attached to the cBN surfaces with covalent bonding. The rhodamine B-functionalized cBN surfaces showed significant variation in fluorescent spectra and confocal imaging upon the treatment in acidic or basic solutions.

The increasingly severe employment problem of college students has become a public concern in China. The literature review suggested that college students’ employment cognition play a major role in this issue. To improve students’ employment cognition thus becomes important. The paper argued that the first step in the improvement of students’ employment cognition be knowing the key factors that might influence one’s employment cognition. Through literature review, this paper identified three key influential factors, i.e., professional training, academic satisfaction, and word-of-mouth. Empirical data were then collected to test their relationships with employment cognition. SEM analysis revealed that these factors were significantly and positively related to employment cognition. These findings provide Chinese educators and potential employers with insights on how to help college graduates broaden their job search scope and match their majors with ideal jobs. In a broad sense, these findings could significantly contribute to the wellbeing of the Chinese society.