In situ growth of Ni–Co layered double hydroxides on graphene nanosheets by virtue of metal–organic framework as a sacrifice template is reported, which yields hollow nanocages uniformly deposited on graphene nanosheets. The strong impact of graphene amount on the electrochemical performance of Ni–Co layered double hydroxides is illustrated. Controlling the mass of graphene (15 mg) leads to a maximum specific capacitance of 1265 F g–1, high rate capability (50% capacitance retention after increasing current density ten times), and good cycling life (92.9% capacitance retention after 2000 circles). The combination of battery-type Ni–Co LDH hollow nanocages/graphene composite and active carbon allows for the excellent electrochemical performance measured in an asymmetric device. In detail, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor is able to deliver maximum specific capacitance 170.9 F g–1 in a potential window of 0–1.7 V, high energy density (68.0 Wh kg–1), as well as excellent power output (4759 W kg–1). These electrochemical performances, in combination with its facile fabrication, render hollow Ni–Co LDH/graphene composite as a promising electrode material in a sustainable energy storage device.

The ability to recover uranium, an important nuclear fuel, from seawater provides the potential for long-term sustainable fuel supply for nuclear energy. In this work, novel amidoximated polyacrylonitrile/FeOOH (FeOOH-APAN) composites were synthesized and characterized by CHN analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N adsorption-desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In batch adsorption experiments, a variety of parameters were investigated in detail. The FeOOH-APAN composites exhibit high adsorption capacities (q = 980.39 mg g, T = 298 K), superior to many other materials. In addition, they possess large K values (>10 mL g at 25-400 mg L U concentration), high removal rates (∼95% at 25-300 mg L, and ∼90% for ppb level simulated seawater), excellent selectivity and rapid capturing rates for uranium. XPS analysis shows that the removal of uranium is mainly related to amidoxime groups, involving the interaction with oxime oxygen and oxime nitrogen. In this paper, a more dominant binding mode is proposed, namely η coordination.

Composite CuO/CuCo2O4 nanotubes were synthesized by electrospinning technology. The large specific surface area, complex tubular structure, and p–p heterojunction are the potential reasons for the excellent room temperature gas sensing performance toward n-propanol vapor.

Marine fouling organisms have caused inconvenience to humans for a long time owing to their high vitality and great destructiveness. Self-polishing antifouling coatings are considered to be among the most effective antifouling technologies. In this study, zinc-based acrylate copolymers (ZnPs) were designed and synthesized using a bifunctional zinc acrylate monomer (ZnM) as a new self-polishing monomer, and three acrylate monomers (namely, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate)were used as comonomers. ZnPs that contained the new ZnM were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Different antifouling coatings were prepared using the previously mentioned ZnPs as the matrix material, and their erosion properties were investigated using a lab rotor test. A field test of the prepared coatings at various geographical locations showed their excellent antifouling performance as they inhibited the settlement of barnacles in both the South China Sea for 9 months and in the Yellow Sea for at least 15 months. The results of this study highlight that the biocidal ZnP-based coatings are highly promising candidates for marine antifouling applications.