Latest ArticlesThe engineering of carbon nanocatalysts for the persulfate activated elimination of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) demonstrates promising potential compared with metal-based counterparts due to their unique advantage of high stability and low toxicity. The early reviews introduced the theoretical background of persulfate activation together with a detailed summary of different mechanisms responsible for degradation of EOCs. To further unify the state of knowledge, identify the research gaps, and prompt new research in this area, we present a thorough review on current trends in research on metal-free carbon nanocatalysts (e.g., 0D nanodiamond, 1D carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, 2D graphene and graphitic carbon nitride, and 3D carbon nanocatalysts), with emphasis on their applications in persulfate activation and EOCs decontamination. We also discuss the current challenges and future perspectives in practically relevant applications. Last, we highlight that the development of sustainable carbon nanocatalysts/persulfate systems lies at the interface of multiple disciplines, which calls for future in-depth interdisciplinary collaborations.
MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) are novel 2D nanomaterials (NMs) with potential uses in many areas, and therefore oral exposure route to MoS2 NSs is plausible. Currently, MoS2 NSs are considered as biocompatible NMs, but there is lacking of systemic investigations to study the interactions of MoS2 NSs with intestinal cells. In this study, we exposed the 3D Caco-2 spheroids to MoS2 NSs or MoS2 powders (denoted as MoS2-bulk), and investigated the potential adverse effects of MoS2-materials based on transcriptomics and lipidomics analysis. As expected, both MoS2 NSs and MoS2-bulk were dose-dependently internalized into 3D Caco-2 spheroids but did not induce cytotoxicity, membrane disruption or decrease of thiols. However, the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that nutrient absorption and metabolism was decreased. One of the most significantly decreased KEGG pathways is fat digestion and absorption (map04975), and Western blotting analysis further showed that fatty acid binding protein 1 and apolipoprotein A1, key proteins involved in fat digestion and absorption, were down-regulated by MoS2 NSs or MoS2-bulk. In addition, BODIPY 493/503 staining suggested that exposure to MoS2 NSs and MoS2-bulk decreased lipid levels in the spheroids. However, lipidomics data indicated that MoS2 materials only decreased 8 lipid classes, including lysophosphatidylcholine, lysodimethylphosphatidylethanolamine, N-acylethanolamine, ceramide phosphoethanolamines, gangliosides, lysosphingomyelin and sulfatide, whereas most of the lipid classes were indeed increased. In addition, MoS2 NSs was more potent to decrease the lipid classes compared with MoS2-bulk. Combined, the results from this study showed that MoS2 NSs and bulk materials were non-cytotoxic but altered lipid profiles in 3D Caco-2 spheroids.
Semiconductor-noble metal composite has become a research focus due to its superior performance compared with its respectⅳe component. Although various methods have been developed to synthesize semiconductor-noble metal heterostructures, most of them are relatⅳely complex multistep and use toxic reactants of high cost and risk. In this work, a series of Cu2O/Ag heterojunctions were quickly prepared in one step via simple microwave-assisted green route. XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, XPS, etc. were used to characterize obtained products, and the results indicate a Cu2O/Ag metal-semiconductor heterojunction in micro-nano size was fabricated successfully. In addition, antibacterial behavior of Cu2O/Ag heterojunctions against E. coli and S. aureus were investigated. Owing to the synergistic effect of Cu2O and Ag, the heterojunction exhibits much better antibacterial performance than the pristine Cu2O does. This work provides new insights into the green design and fabrication of surface-modified Cu2O hybrid multifunctional materials for antibacterial applications.
Two amphiphilic TPE E/Z isomers with aggregation induced emission (AIE) property have been synthesized and characterized. The logarithmic fluorescent intensity of the two molecules was in positive relationship with logarithmic viscosity of liquid. To note, the Z-TPE isomer exhibited more sensitivity in the viscosity of liquid sensing in comparison with the corresponding E-TPE counterpart (around 1.80 folds). Furthermore, two molecules could be used as fluorescent sensors for mechanical properties (viscosity and storage modulus) of hydrogel as well. In addition, two sensors displayed low cytotoxicity in normal tissue cell line (L929) within the concentration range of 2-10 μmol/L. These results potentially promised their applications as fluorescent sensors for mechanical properties in the fields of biological and biomedical.
As a kind of microplasma sustained in air, solution electrode glow discharge (SEGD) ignited between the liquid electrode and metal electrode is attractive to the fields of optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry due to its unique advantages, such as low power consumption and low carrier gas consumption. Moreover, the complex and efficient reactions in the liquid phase and plasma phase of SEGD make it considerable research potential in the fields of biology and medicine, material synthesis, electrochemistry. Considering the close relationship between the various fields on SEGD, here we are devoted to provide an overview of the development of SEGD in various fields. More importantly, a systematic discussion on the discharge mechanism is conducted based on the research process in various fields for getting deeper insight into the SEGD.
Small molecule donor/polymer acceptor (SD/PA)-type organic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted widespread attention in recent years due to the continuing power conversion efficiency (PCE) growth, near 10%, and the excellent thermal stability for the practical applications. However, the development of SD/PA-type OSCs lags far behind that of polymer donor/small molecule acceptor (PD/SA)-type OSCs, which are also based on the combination of small molecule and polymer, with the PCEs exceeding 18%. The reasons accounting for this great gap are well worth exploring. In this review, we have analyzed the key factors affecting the photovoltaic performances of SD/PA-type OSCs, systematically summarized the research progress of SD/PA type OSCs in recent years, and put forward our own views on the future development of SD/PA type OSCs.
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have received extensive attention in the fields of electronics, optoelectronics, and magnetic devices attributed to their unique electronic structures and physical properties. The application of strain is a simple and effective strategy to change the lattice structure of 2D materials thus modulating their physical properties, which further facilitate their applications in carrier mobility transistor, magnetic sensor, single-photon emitter etc. In this short review, we focus on the strain applied via substrate engineering. Firstly, the relationship between the strain and physical properties has been summarized. Secondly, the methods for achieving substrate engineering-induced strain have been demonstrated. Finally, the latest applications of strained 2D materials have been introduced. In addition, the future challenges and development prospects of strain-modulated 2D materials have also been proposed.
Valuable application prospects and large-scale production technologies are powerful driving forces for the development of materials science. Carbon dots (CDs) are a kind of promising carbon-based fluorescent nanomaterials, which possess wide application prospects based and even beyond the fluorescence properties. Herein, we report the fast and high-yield synthesis of CDs and the large-scale preparation of fluorescent nanofiber films with enhanced mechanical properties. CDs were prepared from magnetic hyperthermia treatment of citric acid and carbamide, with the output of 25.37 g in a single batch. The as-prepared CDs exhibit a high absolute photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of 67% and wonderful dispersibility in polar solvents. Then, solution blow spinning of CDs and polymer matrixes of alcohol soluble polyurethane (APU) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) led to large-area fluorescent CDs-embedded nanofiber films, APU/CDs (size: 120 cm × 18 cm) and PAN/CDs (size: 120 cm × 22 cm), respectively. The resultant large-area APU/CDs and PAN/CDs nanofiber films have dramatically enhanced mechanical properties, to show integrated improvement of tensile strength and elongation.
Essential oils are a volatile and aromatic substance with a variety of active biological activities. However, the excessive volatility and inconvenience of the use of essential oils limit their applications. In this study, we developed a reactive mesoporous silica nanoparticle (rMSNs) based on cyanuric chloride modification for essential oil encapsulation and commodity adhesion. The large pore volume and specific surface area of rMSNs facilitate the nanoparticles adhering to a large amount of essential oil and achieve the sustained release of essential oil, thus prolonging the fragrance retention time of essential oils. The reactive nano-essential oils can form covalent bonds with the wallpaper, thereby remarkably improving the adhesion of the reactive nano-essential oils on the wallpaper and preventing the reactive nano-essential oil from de-adhering from the wallpaper. The active nano essential oil simultaneously overcomes the intense volatility of the essential oil and inconvenience in use, has a simple preparation process and low cost, and has great application potential.
Thiolate-bridged hetero-bimetallic complexes [Cp*M(MeCN)N2S2FeCl][PF6] (2, M = Ru; 3, M = Co, Cp* = η5-C5Me5, N2S2 = N, N'-dimethyl-3, 6-diazanonane-1, 8-dithiolate) were prepared by self-assembly of dimer [N2S2Fe]2 with mononuclear precursor [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3][PF6] or [Cp*Co(MeCN)3][PF6]2 in the presence of CHCl3 as a chloride donor. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit obviously different redox behaviors investigated by cyclic voltammetry and spin density distributions supported by DFT calculations. Notably, iron-cobalt complex 3 possesses versatile reactivities that cannot be achieved for complex 2. In the presence of CoCp2, complex 3 can undergo one-electron reduction to generate a stable formally CoIIFeII complex [Cp*CoN2S2FeCl] (4). Besides, the terminal chloride on the iron center in 3 can be removed by dehalogenation agent AgPF6 or exchanged with azide to afford the corresponding complexes [Cp*Co(MeCN)N2S2Fe(MeCN)][PF6]2 (5) and [Cp*Co(MeCN)N2S2Fe(N3)][PF6] (6). In addition, complexes 2, 3 and 4 show distinct catalytic reactivity toward the disproportionation of hydrazine into ammonia. These results may be helpful to understand the vital role of the heterometal in some catalytic transformations promoted by heteromultinuclear complexes.
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