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Au–Pt bimetallic nanocomplexes were synthesized and the composition and morphology of the nanocomplexes could be easily controlled by a facile synthesis method.

This Communication demonstrates a novel and facial approach to achieving monodispersed seaurchin-like Pt nanodendrites under a 1 bar hydrogen environment at 165 °C. These Pt nanodendrites can be further used as seeds for the formation of Pt/Au nanodendrites. Both Pt and Pt/Au nanodendrites exhibit the desired eletrocatalytic activities for the methanol oxidation reaction.

Nanostructured carbon black (CB) was first employed directly in this paper for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of trace Pb(II) and Cd(II) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The morphology and surface properties of conductive CB were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Special pore structures, as well as surface chemical functional groups, endow CB with excellent catalytic and adsorption properties. Some parameters affecting electrical analysis performance were investigated systematically including deposition time and potential, pH value of solution, volume of suspension, amount of Bi(III) and Nafion solution. CB–Nafion–glassy carbon electrode sensor linear response ranges from 6 to 1000 nM for selective and simultaneous determination. The detection limits were calculated to be 8 nM (0.9 µg l−1) for Cd(II) and 5 nM (1.0 µg l−1) for Pb(II) (S/N = 3) for the electrocatalytic determination under optimized conditions. The method was successfully used to the determination of actual samples and good recovery was achieved from different spiked samples. Low detection limits and good stability of the modified electrode demonstrated a promising perspective for the detection of trace metal ions in practical application.

The alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is crucial to the performance of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Here, we have prepared and characterization of a series of new spirocyclic quaternary ammonium‐based AEMs with good alkaline stability. The AEMs was obtained by UV‐initiated polymerization of N, N‐diallylpiperidinium bromide ([DAPip][Br]), styrene and acrylonitrile. The water uptake, swelling ratio, IEC and conductivity of the AEMs increase with increasing the [DAPip][Br] content. The transparent and mechanically robust AEMs show high conductivities (7.99×10−2 S cm−1 at 80 °C) and good alkaline stability in 1 M KOH solution at 80 °C. The single cell with [DAPip][OH]20 showed a maximum power density of 93.9 mW cm−2. The spirocyclic quaternary ammonium‐based AEMs with an aliphatic backbone will open up new prospects for the preparation of AEMs with excellent alkaline stability and high conductivity.