The Huangshaping deposit is unique in southern Hunan Province, China, as it hosts economic reserves of both W–Mo and Pb–Zn mineralization, which are usually associated with granite and granodiorite porphyry in this area, respectively. This study reports results of in situ LA-MC-ICP-MS sulphur isotopic composition analyses conducted on sulphides from both W–Mo and Pb–Zn mineralization from the Huangshaping deposit with the aim of constraining ore genesis for this deposit. All samples from the proximal W–Mo mineralization have relatively uniform and high δ34S values (8.7 ‰ to 16.0 ‰), close to the range for carbonate sediments in this deposit (13.8 ‰ to 18.1 ‰). These patterns suggest that the granite porphyry in this deposit was the sulphur source for W–Mo mineralization, and that the assimilation of evaporite from the carbonate sediments led to the high δ34S values of the granite porphyry. Sulphides from the Pb–Zn mineralization have δ34S values (2.2 ‰ to 10.3 ‰) lower than those of the W–Mo mineralization, and generally increase in this paragenetic order, with the lowest δ34S values being similar to those of the basement (3.8 ‰ to 7.7 ‰). These patterns indicate that the original sulphur for the Pb–Zn mineralization was most likely derived from the basement, with input of sulphur from the carbonate sediments increasing during the evolution of ore-forming fluids. On the basis of the measured sulphur isotopic compositions, it is suggested that the ore-forming materials for the W–Mo mineralization were derived from the granite porphyry, whereas ore-forming materials extracted from the basement dominated the Pb–Zn mineralization.

Data on average iodine requirements for the Chinese population are limited following implementation of long-term universal salt iodisation. We explored the minimum iodine requirements of young adults in China using a balance experiment and the ‘iodine overflow’ hypothesis proposed by our team. Sixty healthy young adults were enrolled to consume a sequential experimental diet containing low, medium and high levels of iodine (about 20, 40 and 60 μg/d, respectively). Each dose was consumed for 4 d, and daily iodine intake, excretion and retention were assessed. All participants were in negative iodine balance throughout the study. Iodine intake, excretion and retention differed among the three iodine levels (P < 0·01 for all groups). The zero-iodine balance derived from a random effect model indicated a mean iodine intake of 102 μg/d, but poor correlation coefficients between observed and predicted iodine excretion (r 0·538 for μg/d data) and retention (r 0·304 for μg/d data). As iodine intake increased from medium to high, all of the increased iodine was excreted (‘overflow’) through urine and faeces by males, and 89·5 % was excreted by females. Although the high iodine level (63·4 μg/d) might be adequate in males, the corresponding level of 61·6 μg/d in females did not meet optimal requirements. Our findings indicate that a daily iodine intake of approximately half the current recommended nutrient intake (120 μg/d) may satisfy the minimum iodine requirements of young male adults in China, while a similar level is insufficient for females based on the ‘iodine overflow’ hypothesis.

Two solid state anaerobic digesters (SSADs), 15 L each, were set up for co-digestion of switchgrass with primary digestate of a liquid anaerobic digester (LAD) and the recirculating leachate. Both the LAD and two SSADs were operated at 50°C. The results showed that the bioreactors were not started up stably until day 16 and day 47 for reactors A and B, respectively. The supplement of LAD digestate or injection of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) into the recirculating leachate readily reinitiated the biogas production to normal daily high rates of the two individual SSADs, one on day 16 and the other on day 47. In contrast to reactor A, there was a longer lag phase for bioreactor B, however, it showed 46.2% [77.9 vs 53.3 L kg−1 volatile solid (VS)] more cumulative biogas yields, and higher reduction rate of total solid, VS, cellulose and hemicellulose of 29.5, 31, 40.6 and 15%, respectively, which was likely due to optimized pH and NaOH pretreated switchgrass during start-up period. Methane contents of biogas increased gradually and stabilized at 50% for both reactors, indicating a normal operation of anaerobic digestion lasted for at least 100 days. The determined parameters of digested residues met China organic fertilizer standard (NY 525-2012) except for high moisture and low total nutrient contents. Therefore, the product of SSAD has the potential value of organic fertilizer. It is concluded that the LAD digestate can be reused as inoculums by co-digestion with agricultural residues for biogas and organic fertilizer production in SSAD.

Bismuth silicate with two morphologies (nanoflowers/nanoplates) was successfully fabricated with silica aerogels via a hydrothermal method in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-mediated processes for the first time. The obtained nanomaterials were characterized using x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. It was found that the concentration of PVP plays an important role in the formation of the hierarchical nanoflowers. The formation mechanism for this novel morphology was proposed on the basis of experimental results. Moreover, the photocatalytic performances of Bi2SiO5 nanoflowers/nanoplates were also investigated. The results revealed that Bi2SiO5 nanoflowers exhibited higher activity than Bi2SiO5 nanoplates due to its suitable morphology, higher BET surface area.

The hydrophobic rutile titania aerogels were successfully prepared by nonalkoxide ambient pressure drying through a modification process. The resulted materials were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope, transmission electron microscope, contact angle analyzer, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area, and ultraviolet (UV)–visible diffuse reflection spectrum. The experimental results demonstrated that the as-prepared samples nanoparticles with rutile crystalline structure were uniformly distributed. The UV-resistant hydrophobic samples having high surface area were used as photocatalysts for dye degradation reaction.

YFeO3/TiO2 heterojunction semiconductors were prepared by the milling–annealing method. Effects of structure and surface phase by annealing temperature and TiO2 weight content were investigated. The physical and photophysical properties of heterojunction semiconductors were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible diffraction (UV-vis/DRS), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 adsorption. YFeO3 is presented as p-type semiconductor and disperses on the surface of n-type TiO2 to constitute a heterojunction composite. Results show that the presence of p–n junction not only has visible light harvesting but potential force for hole–electron pair separation. A preliminary investigation of photodegradation effect on Orange II showed that YFeO3/TiO2 heterojunction semiconductors exhibited better photocatalytic properties than the single phase of YFeO3 or TiO2. The ideal heterojunction semiconductor composition was ω (TiO2) = 0.9 sample annealed at 600 °C. The mechanism of the electric-field-driven electron–hole separation initiated by the chemically bonded p–n heterojunction and enhanced photocatalytic activity were discussed.

Complex phase transformation between the hexagonal cylinder (Hex) and double gyroid (G) phases in a polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) diblock copolymer was investigated using two-dimensional (2D) synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The PS-b-PEO sample contained a small population of another bicontinuous cubic phase having an Im3m symmetry. These two bicontinuous cubic phases (G and Im3m) had the same unit cell dimensions. Under a large-amplitude reciprocating shear, the bicontinuous cubic phases transformed into a “single-crystal”-like Hex phase. When annealed at 150 °C for 40 min, the Hex phase partially transformed into well-oriented twinned structures of the G and Im3m phases without significant loss of orientation in 2D SAXS measurements. Epitaxial phase transformation relationships between the Hex/G and Hex/ Im3m phases were identified. The mechanism of the Hex → G transformation was examined by TEM.

A combinatorial approach has been utilized for researching the luminescence of rare-earth ions complexes (RE(DBM)3·Phen, RE=Dy3+, La3+, Gd3+, Sm3+, Y3+) sensitized Eu3+ complex in PMMA matrix. The results show that the La3+ complex has the maximum sensitization efficiency among these sensitization ions. The luminescent intensities increase as the Eu content increase in PMMA matrix. The La3+ complex exhibits higher sensitization efficiency at lower Eu content in PMMA matrix. At a content of 5% Eu complex, the maximum sensitization efficiency of La3+ is more than 20 times.

AMS radiocarbon measurements were started at Peking University in 1992 with a modified HICONEX 834 ion source. Some archaeological samples were measured at a sensitivity of 10−14 with ca. 1.7% precision for modern samples. We have made many improvements in our first two years of operation: a high-intensity Cs sputtering ion source was installed; the graphite sample preparation technique was investigated; and the system stability has been improved. The blank sample background is currently ca. 0.006 MC and a precision within 1% can be reached for modern samples. Geological, archaeological, environmental and biomedical samples can be measured routinely. We present some typical applications.