Hollow go lightly: well-defined multiple-shell WO(3) hollow spheres were synthesized by a facile binary carbonaceous spheres template route. Compared with single-shell WO(3) hollow spheres, the unusual porous multiple-shell structure of the WO(3) hollow spheres proves to greatly enhance photocatalytic activity toward degradation of organic pollutants under visible-light irradiation.

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For the purpose of evaluating the possible exposure risks of nano-silver coating textiles, the release behaviors of silver from nano-modified textiles are studied under three simulated perspiration fluids. The characterization and quantification of the released nano-ingredients were carried out under these conditions, and the results show that nano-silver could leave the fabric surface and be released into the environment under the simulated perspiration conditions with various pH values and compositions. The release amounts of silver are increased by extending the treatment time, while the release rates show great difference under different pH values. Moreover, we demonstrate that the release performances and existing forms of the nano-silver are different in the three simulated environments, which was suggested as a possible mechanism. In the acid perspiration solution, the released silver is proved to be sub-micrometer particles and ionic forms. In the alkaline perspiration solution, the final state of silver is mostly silver ions. Meanwhile, in the salt perspiration solution, despite partial aggregation, the majority of the released silver is maintained in the presence of nanoparticles. These results further indicate that the exposure risks of nano-silver is much higher in high ionic intensity conditions than the others, which would have important implications for the risk assessment of nano-silver textiles and also for environmental studies of nano-silver dispersion.

Optimum conditions for preparing liquid fuel (LF) by supercritical ethanolysis (SCE) of wheat stalk powder (WSP) were determined by orthogonal experiment. Fuel properties, including pH, density, viscosity, flash and ignition temperatures, heating value, water content, and distillation range, of the LF obtained under the optimum conditions were measured. Subsequent treatments, including dehydration and distillation, were conducted upon the LF. The LFs before and after the treatments were analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SCE of model substances cellulose and lignin was also examined for understanding the formation pathways of typical organic compounds in the LF. The results show that the optimum conditions for preparing LF are 300 °C (reaction temperature), 10 min (reaction time), and 1:24 (WSP/ethanol ratio). After treatments, fuel properties of the LF are eligible for practical use. The main components in the LF include shorter chain carboxylic acids and their ethyl esters, furan derivatives, cyclopentanones, phenol derivatives, benzene derivatives, aromatic acid derivatives, longer chain carboxylic ethyl esters, and sterides.