Latest ArticlesRecent advances in non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), typically Y6, have driven power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction organic solar cells (OSCs) over 16%. Meanwhile, it becomes essential to know how to adopt simple strategies to further improve device performance. In this work, a new A-DA'D-A acceptor derivative, Y19-N3 employing 3-ethylheptyl branched at the 3rd-position instead of 2-ethylhexyl on the pyrroles of Y19 is reported. The selection of an appropriate solvent in casting device is implemented to maximize the photovoltaic performance. PBDB-T: Y19-N3-based OSCs treated with a ternary solvent of CF/CB (1:3, v/v) and 0.8% DIO exhibit the optimal PCE of 13.77% here, with the significantly improved Voc (0.78 V) and FF (0.72) as well as the high Jsc (24.46 mA/cm2). Further characterizations indicate that this ternary solvent-treated PBDB-T/Y19-N3 film exhibits the more appropriate morphological features with the highly efficient charge generation and collection as well as the more balanced electron and hole mobilities. This work combines molecular design and device engineering to improve the photovoltaic properties, which is important to the development of OSCs.
The strategy of adopting cheap precursors or abundant resources, which can be obtained directly from nature, is a simple and excellent method of introducing accessible research into environmentally friendly development. Moreover, this is also an urgent requirement for the sustainable development of green technology. Herein, we introduce a simplistic and expandable method to prepare metal-free biomass-derived nitrogen self-doped porous activation carbon (N-PAC) with large specific surface area (SBET = 1300.58 m2/g). Moreover, the manufactural electrocatalysts exhibit prominent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance in all PH values. As compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the N-PAC/800 with a positive onset potential at 10 mA/cm2 (0.93 V), half-wave potential (0.87 V), and limiting current (6.34 mA/cm2) bring to light excellent catalytic stability, selectivity, and much-enhanced methanol tolerance. Furthermore, the prepared electrocatalysts possess considerable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with a less onset potential of 0.218 V (acidic medium) and 0.271 V (alkaline medium) respectively, which can show similar catalytic activity across the whole pH range. Such bifunctional electrocatalyst, with excellent electrocatalytic properties, resource-rich, low cost, and environmental-friendly, hold a promising application in energy conversion and reserve.
Traditional matrix does not allow matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) to analyze volatile compounds, because volatile analytes may vaporize during the sample preparation process or in the high vacuum circumstance of ion source. Herein, we reported a Co and N doped porous carbon material (Co-NC) which were synthesized by pyrolysis of a Schiff base coordination compound. Co-NC could simultaneously act as adsorbent of volatile compounds and as matrix of MALDI MS, to provide the capability of MALDI MS to analyze volatile compounds. As adsorbent, Co-NC could strongly adsorb and enrich the volatile compounds in perfume and herbs, and hold them even in the high vacuum circumstance. On the other hand, Co-NC could absorb the energy of the laser, and then transfer the energy to the analyte for desorption and ionization of analyte in both negative and positive ionization modes. Additionally, the background interferences were avoided in the low-mass region (< 500 Da) when using Co-NC as matrix, overcoming the challenges of MALDI MS analysis of small molecule compounds. In summary, Co-NC as matrix tremendously extended the application of MALDI MS.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a chronic autoimmune disease, damages the bone and cartilage of patients, and even leads to disability. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of RA is particularly important. However, due to the complexity of RA, it is difficult to make effective early diagnosis of RA, which is detrimental to RA treatment. Besides, long-term intake of anti-RA drugs can also cause damage to patients' organs. The emergence of nanotechnology provides the new train of thoughts for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. And the combination of diagnosis and therapy is an ideal method to solve the problem of disease management of RA patients. In this review, we summarize the mechanism and microenvironment of RA, discuss the commonly used diagnostic techniques and therapeutic drugs for RA, and review their advantages and disadvantages. New nanotherapy strategies such as drug-carrying nanoparticles, PTT, PDT are listed, and their applications in RA treatment are also summarized. In addition, multimodal imaging, combined therapy and responsive diagnosis and treatment are also summarized as important contents. At last, we also review typical nanocarriers that can be used in the integration of diagnosis and therapy, and discussed their potential applications in RA theranostics.
Five novel biscembranoids, ximaolides H–L (1–5), along with four known related compounds (6–9) were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations, and/or by comparing their CD spectra with those of the known compounds. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of biscembranoids bearing a 1,35-bridged lactone moiety, 4 is the first biscembranoid comprising an uncommon oxetane ring, and 5 represents the first 36-peroxyl biscembranoid. Ximaolides I (2), K (4) and F (9) exhibited interesting anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α protein release in RAW264.7 macrophages.
Carbon nitride (CN) photocatalysts have attracted much attention due to their excellent photocatalytic properties. And hydrothermal fluorination is a common method to improve the photocatalytic effect of CN photocatalyst. Here, the influence of the band gap was first revealed of fluorination and hydroxylation of CN photocatalyst based on the first theoretical principle. Here, the effect of fluorination and hydroxylation on the CN band gap was discussed for the first time using the first theoretical principle. With F atoms and OH doping, the band gap of CN was significantly improved, conduction band and valence band moved up. Then, F—CN photocatalyst with F atoms and OH was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal fluorinated method. Next, the reasons why F—CN photocatalyst was more effective than that of traditional CN photocatalyst were fully discussed. From the photocatalytic effect of photocatalyst (12, 593.2 μmol g-1 h-1 to the morphology (super-small nanosheets), structure (homojunctions), composition (metal-free), specific surface area (54.1 m2/g), visible light absorption response (AQE is 10.9% at 420 nm) and photo-induced carrier life (14.13 ns). Therefore, this work has a great guiding effect on the development of CN photocatalyst.
All-solid-state Li metal battery has been regarded as a promising battery technology due to its high energy density based on the high capacity of lithium metal anode and high safety based on the all solid state electrolyte without inflammable solvent. However, challenges still exist mainly in the poor contact and unstable interface between electrolyte and electrodes. Herein, we demonstrate an asymmetric design of the composite polymer electrolyte with two different layers to overcome the interface issues at both the cathode and the anode side simultaneously. At the cathode side, the polypropylene carbonate layer has enough viscosity and flexibility to reduce the inter-facial resistance, while at the Li anode side, the polyethylene oxide layer modified with hexagonal boron nitride has high mechanical strength to suppress the Li dendrite growth. Owing to the synergetic effect between different components, the as-prepared double layer composite polymer electrolyte demonstrates a large electrochemical window of 5.17 V, a high ionic conductivity of 6.1×10-4 S/cm, and a transference number of 0.56, featuring excellent ion transport kinetics and good chemical stability. All-solid-state Li metal battery assembled with LiFePO4 cathode and Li anode delivers a high capacity of 150.9 mAh/g at 25 ℃ and 0.1 C-rate, showing great potential for practical applications.
Atherosclerosis is a persistent inflammatory state, while vascular endothelial fibrosis is one of the primary causes of atherosclerosis development. Although ligustilide (Lig) was shown to exert obvious antiatherogenic effects in previous studies, its precise mechanism has not been deeply discussed. In this paper, we designed a Lig-derived photoaffinity labelling (PAL) probe to identify potential therapeutic targets of Lig via chemical proteomics approach. Mothers against decapentaplegic homologue 3 (SMAD3), a signal transmitter of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) which promotes the development of vascular fibrosis, was identified as a potential target of Lig. Lig suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SMAD3 by blocking the interaction between SMAD3 and TGF-β receptor 1, thereby inhibiting the collagen synthesis process. Hence, developing a novel SMAD3 inhibitor may present a promising therapeutic option for preventing vascular fibrosis.
The cascade reactions of alkyl α-diazoesters and ynones using Al(OTf)3 as the catalyst are described. A series of 4-substituted pyrazoles were obtained via [3 + 2] cycloaddition, 1, 5-ester shift, 1, 3-H shift, and N—H insertion process. Deuterium labelling experiments, kinetic studies and control experiments were carried out for the rationalization of the mechanism.
Corneal neovascularization (CNV) can induce severe visual impairment and even blindness. Current treatments have limited efficacy and some undesirable side effects. Phototherapy (PT) is a modern medical technique in CNV treatment and worth further improvement. Nanotechnology has various advantages and nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery also contributes to CNV elimination. Phototherapy combined with functional nanoparticles featuring photoacoustic imaging contrast properties can accomplish accurate and safe inhibition of CNV, thus is promising in clinical application.
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