Latest ArticlesMicroplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental pollutant and have penetrated the most remote and primitive areas. MPs degradation has received widespread attention. Manganese (Mn) is a highly reactive metal element in the environment, yet its contribution to MPs degradation remains unclear. Herein, we simulated the aging of polyethylene MPs with Mn(Ⅱ) under aqueous conditions at pH 5 and 8 for 720 days. Mn greatly promoted the MPs degradation, and the average particle sizes of polyethylene MPs were reduced from 9.2 µm to 5.9 µm after aging at pH 5 under light irradiation for 720 days. Plenty of oxygen-containing groups were generated on the MPs surfaces, and the carbonyl index remarkably increased, reaching four times that of the control without adding Mn. Mechanistically, the adsorbed Mn(Ⅱ) on the MPs surfaces were primarily oxidized to high-valence Mn(Ⅲ/Ⅳ) profited from the photoproduced radicals, followed by the MPs oxidation via Mn(Ⅲ/Ⅳ), which were reduced to regenerate Mn(Ⅱ), initiating a new redox cycling. During the degradation, dissolved organic matter was continuously released, mainly including bisphenol A and phthalic acid esters. Mn acts as a catalyst to accelerate the MPs degradation by redox cycling. Our results provide a new insight into the mechanisms of abiotic degradation of MPs in aqueous environments.
Wastewater contains various high-risk trace organic pollutants, such as antibiotics and endocrine disruptors, which seriously restrict wastewater reuse. Cyclodextrin-based functional materials show great potential in the removal of trace pollutants because of their adsorption catalytic synergy. Clarifying the synergistic mechanism of cyclodextrin in oxidation is the key issue in confined catalytic oxidation process design. In this work, we fabricated a BiOIO3@BiOBr/β-CD heterojunction photocatalyst to study the synergistic mechanism of cyclodextrin in the photocatalytic oxidation process. The synergistic mechanism of cyclodextrin was investigated by combining radical chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and time-dependent density functional theory. Results showed that the excited intermediate free radicals played an important role in promoting the photocatalytic degradation process. The heterojunction photocatalyst loaded with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) at the electronic end (C[Cat.] = 0.2 mg/mL) removed about 97% of bisphenol A (BPA) within 30 min, and the first-order kinetic constant (kCDBIB = 0.112 min−1) was about twice that of the unloaded β-CD (kBIB = 0.057 min−1). Cyclodextrin loading improved the photocatalytic performance of the heterojunction and stimulated the intermediate to increase the free radical yield and regulate the reaction path.
Conversion-type anode materials are highly desirable for Na-ion batteries (NIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the active materials undergo severe expansion and pulverization during the sodiation, resulting in inferior cycling stability. Herein, a self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) graphene sponge decorated with Fe2O3 nanocubes (rGO@Fe2O3) is constructed. Specifically, the 3D graphene sponge with resilience and high porosity benefits to accommodate the volume expansion of the Fe2O3 nanocubes and facilitates the rapid electrons/ions transport, enabling spatial confinement to achieve outstanding results. Besides, the free-standing rGO@Fe2O3 can be directly used as an electrode without additional binders and conductive additives, which helps to obtain a higher energy density. Based on the total mass of the rGO@Fe2O3 material, the rGO@Fe2O3 anode presents a specific capacity of 859 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g. It also delivers an impressive cycling performance (327 mAh/g after 2000 cycles at 1 A/g) and a superior rate capacity (162 mAh/g at 20 A/g). The coin-type Na3V2(PO4)3@C//rGO@Fe2O3 NIB exhibits an energy density of 265.3 Wh/kg. This unique 3D ionic/electronic conductive network may provide new strategies to design advanced conversion-type anode materials for high-performance NIBs.
Hydrocarbons (HCs), as major poisoning substances, have a crucial influence on NH3-SCR catalysts. In this work, the effects of C3H6 on fresh and hydrothermally aged Cu-SSZ-39 catalysts with different copper contents were investigated. All catalysts suffered a deactivation above 250 ℃, especially between 300-400 ℃, which was mainly related to the reaction between NH3 and C3H6. However, the hydrothermally aged and the high-copper-loaded Cu-SSZ-39 catalysts could achieve a recovery of NH3-SCR performance at high temperatures. Such activity recovery was attributed to the oxidation of C3H6 by CuxOy species, which therefore inhibited the reaction between NH3 and C3H6. As a result, more NH3 could be available for the NH3-SCR reaction and the Cu-SSZ-39 catalysts could maintain a good catalytic activity. Based on these findings, we proposed that high loaded Cu-SSZ-39 catalysts with a little CuOx formed are preferred for application.
In recent years, the development of wafer-level GaN nanowires photocatalyst loaded onto silicon substrates has progressed rapidly depending on its simplicity of instrumentation, collection and separation from the water. Accordingly, the wafer-level GaN-based nanowires (GaN NWs) photocatalyst can be a fabulous candidate for the application in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (PHER) and provides a novel route to address the environmental and energy crisis. Herein, a range of innovative strategies to improve the performance of GaN NWs photocatalyst are systematically summarized. Then, the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, the characteristics of GaN NWs system, the cost of the origin material required, as well as the stability, activity and the corrosion resistance to seawater are discussed in detail as some of the essential conditions for advancing its large-scale industry-friendly application. Last but not least, we provide the potential application of this system for splitting seawater to produce hydrogen and point out the direction for overcoming the barriers to future industrial-scale implementation.
Solar interfacial evaporation (SIE), is currently one of the most potential water supply technologies in the remote, insular, and disaster-stricken areas. However, the existence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water deteriorates the distillate quality, threatening human health. Herein, we constructed a carbon-based bimetallic (C/FeCo) photothermal membrane by electrospinning technique. Results illustrated that the membrane can catalytically degrade VOCs during SIE with persulfate (PDS) mediation. PDS, as well as phenol, was mainly reacted on the interface of the photothermal membrane instead of in the bulk solution. The interception efficiency of phenol achieved nearly 100% using the C/FeCo membrane during SIE. Hydroxyl radical (•OH), sulfate radical (SO4•−), superoxide radical (O2•−), and singlet oxygen (1O2) were identified as the main active substances to degrade VOCs. We also conducted SIE experiments using actual river water to evaluate the practical performance of the C/FeCo membrane. This work holds the promise of VOCs interception during SIE and enlarges the application of solar distillation in water/wastewater treatment.
The utilization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology is highly important in addressing the energy crisis and water scarcity, primarily because of its affordability and minimal energy usage. Enhancing the performance of solar energy evaporation and minimizing material degradation during application can be achieved through the design of novel photothermal materials. In solar interfacial evaporation, photothermal materials exhibit a wide range of additional characteristics, but a systematic overview is lacking. This paper encompasses an examination of various categories and principles pertaining to photothermal materials, as well as the structural design considerations for salt-resistant materials. Additionally, we discuss the versatile uses of this appealing technology in different sectors related to energy and the environment. Furthermore, potential solutions to enhance the durability of photothermal materials are also highlighted, such as the rational design of micro/nano-structures, the use of adhesives, the addition of anti-corrosion coatings, and the preparation of self-healing surfaces. The objective of this review is to offer a viable resolution for the logical creation of high-performance photothermal substances, presenting a guide for the forthcoming advancement of solar evaporation technology.
The escalation in the incidence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is becoming a pressing global concern. Polymyxin B (PMB), a conventional antibiotic with notable therapeutic efficacy against Gram-negative bacterial infections, serves as a crucial final recourse against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections. Nevertheless, the clinical usage of PMB is impeded by its pronounced nephrotoxicity and poor infection site targeting. This investigation is geared to construct a nanoparticle formulation (named HA-PMB@H) comprising hyaluronic acid (HA) and PMB via a simple Schiff base reaction and further coating HA by electrostatic action. HA-PMB@H shows an average size of (153.8 ± 24.3) nm, and a mean zeta potential of (−25.6 ± 5.2) mV. Additionally, PMB can be released from HA-PMB@H more thoroughly and efficiently at pH 5.5 compared to pH 7.4, which demonstrates the Schiff base modification of PMB paves the way for its release at focus of infection. The uptake ratio of HA-PMB@H by alveolar epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) surpassed that of free PMB devoid of HA, which facilitates to the intracellular sterilization of PMB. Furthermore, the employment of HA-PMB@H ameliorated the toxicity of PMB towards human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293) and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HULEC-5a). What is more, HA-PMB@H effectively managed severe pneumonia induced by CRKP samples from clinical patients diagnosed with CRKP infection in vivo, substantially enhancing the survival rate of mice. Consequently, this nano-delivery system holds promising clinical significance in the combat against drug-resistant bacterial infections.
No. 86 Xueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing
010-62199257
qkjq@cast.org.cn
Copyright © 2025 China Association for Science and Technology. All rights reserved. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply.
Sponsored by the Office of the Leading Group for Cybersecurity and Informatization of CAST, and supported by Science and Technology Review Publishing House
