Abstract: Oriented needle-, lath- and plate-shaped magnetite micro-inclusions in rock forming plagioclase from mafic intrusive rocks, were investigated using correlated optical microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The magnetite micro-inclusions were analysed on cuts parallel and perpendicular to the inclusion-elongation directions. The crystal structures of the two phases are in direct contact along the interfaces. The shape, shape orientation and crystallographic orientation relationships between the magnetite micro-inclusions and the plagioclase host appear to be controlled by the tendency of the system to optimise lattice match along the interfaces. The elongation direction of the inclusions ensures good match between prominent oxygen layers in the magnetite and plagioclase crystal structures across the interfaces bounding the inclusions parallel to their elongation direction. In cross-section, additional modes of lattice match, such as the commensurate impingement of magnetite and plagioclase lattice planes along the interfaces, the parallel alignment of the interfaces to low-index lattice planes of magnetite or plagioclase, or the parallel alignment to low index lattice planes of both phases are observed, which appear to control the selection of interface facets, as well as the shape and crystallographic orientation relationships between magnetite micro-inclusions and plagioclase host. The systematics of the inclusion cross-sectional shapes and crystallographic orientation relationships indicate recrystallisation of magnetite with potential implications for natural remanent magnetisation of magnetite-bearing plagioclase grains.

Abstract: Electron donors are widely exploited in visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. As a typical electron donor pair and often the first choice for hydrogen production, the sodium sulfide-sodium sulfite pair has been extensively used. However, the resultant thiosulfate ions consume the photogenerated electrons to form an undesirable pseudocyclic electron transfer pathway during the photocatalytic process, strongly limiting the solar energy conversion efficiency. Here, we report novel and bioinspired electron donor pairs offering a noncyclic electron transfer pathway that provides more electrons without the consumption of the photogenerated electrons. Compared to the state-of-the-art electron donor pair Na2S-Na2SO3, these novel Na2S-NaH2PO2 and Na2S-NaNO2 electron donor pairs enable an unprecedented enhancement of up to 370% and 140% for average photocatalytic H-2 production over commercial CdS nanoparticles, and they are versatile for a large series of photocatalysts for visible-light water splitting. The discovery of these novel electron donor pairs can lead to a revolution in photocatalysis and is of great significance for industrial visible-light-driven H-2 production. [GRAPHICS] .