Latest ArticlesX-ray detection plays a crucial role across various aspects of our daily lives, encompassing medical diagnoses, security screenings, and non-destructive examinations in industrial settings. Given the wide array of application contexts, a wealth of opportunities is entailed with the practical utilization of both organic and inorganic X-ray detection materials. A novel and promising contender in this realm is the emergence of metal-free organic halide perovskites (O-PVSKs), offering great opportunities and tremendous potential in X-ray detection. This potential can be attributed to the distinct crystalline configuration of O-PVSKs, where organic constituents are structured into an ABX3 perovskite arrangement. Consequently, O-PVSKs exhibit captivating characteristics reminiscent of organic materials, such as lightweight nature and modifiability, all while retaining the distinctive traits associated with halide perovskites ranging from diverse structures to tunable optoelectronic properties. This review article delves into the intrinsic attributes of O-PVSKs and critically examines the viability of O-PVSKs in X-ray detection, through which key features that distinguish O-PVSKs from traditional organic semiconductors and perovskites are outlined. This is followed by a perspective given on their future avenues for exploration.
Direct X-ray detectors, which directly convert X-rays into electrical signals through semiconductors, have higher space solution than scintillator-mediated indirect X-ray ones and are high desirable for early cancer detection and other applications, but the mainstream commercial α-Se detector is still largely limited by high production costs, large leakage current and low stability. This article reports an easily prepared, stable radiochromic semiconductive metal–organic framework (MOF), (MV)[Cd3(tdc)4]·2H2O (RCS-1, H2tdc = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid; MV2+ = methyl viologen cation) with direct X-ray detecting ability. With a large bulk resistivity of 8.40 × 109 Ω cm, this material ensures minimal dark current and low noise for X-ray detection. Additionally, it exhibits higher sensitivity to W Kα X-rays (98.58 µC Gy−1 cm−2) than α-Se (~20 µC Gy−1 cm−2). Meanwhile, unlike most reported direct X-ray detecting semiconductors, compound RCS-1 shows remarkable color change upon X-ray irradiation owing to the presence of photochromism-active viologen cations. This feature offers an appealing visual detecting ability to direct X-ray detectors that provide only the electrical signals.
The research of long persistent luminescence (LPL) materials has yield brilliant results in many fields. However, the efforts are still needed for the regulation of the LPL performance. In this work, a series of LPL metal organic halides with rich halogen-bond interactions, Py-CdX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) were synthesized through self-assembly by CdX2 and pyridine solvent. The steady-state emission redshifted and phosphorescence lifetime declined as the halogen atoms are aggravated. Three halides exhibit adjustable emission from blue to green and multiple phosphorescence from green to yellow at room temperature by changing the excitation wavelengths. Surprisingly, Py-CdX2 can emit the visible color-tunable LPL from green to yellow after removing different excitation sources at ambient conditions. Combing the results of theoretical calculation and experimental analysis, it is found that heavy atom effect and the rich intermolecular halogen bond help realize LPL and multiple triplet states originated from the pyridine ring and the halogens.
Electrocatalytic water splitting is the most directly available route to generate renewable and sustainable hydrogen. Here, we report the design of a composite material in which arrays of square pillar-like NiMoO4 nanorods coated with N, P-doped carbon layers are uniformly contained in numerous nested nanoparticle structures. The catalysts have superior catalytic activity, requiring only 59 mV and 187 mV for HER and OER to attain a current density of 10 mA/cm2, respectively. The assembled two-electrode electrolytic cell required a voltage of 1.48 V to reach 10 mA/cm2, along with excellent long-term stability. Theoretical calculations reveal that electrons aggregate and redistribute at the heterogeneous interface, with the d-band centers of the Ni and Fe atoms being positively shifted compared to the Fermi level, effectively optimizing the adsorption of intermediates and reducing the Gibbs free energy, thus accelerating the catalytic process. Meanwhile, an integrated solar-driven water-splitting system demonstrated a high and stable solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 18.20%. This work provides new possibilities for developing non-precious metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts for large-scale water splitting applications.
(±)-Mycosphatide A (1a/1b), a pair of highly oxidized enantiomeric polyketides featuring a unique 5/5/6/5-fused tetracyclic ring system, were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella sp. SYSU-DZG01. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra comparison. The plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed, which involved the generation of a key spiro[4.5]decane scaffold. Compounds (+)-1a and (−)-1b exhibited significant lipid-lowering activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes model, with EC50 values of 7.85 ± 1.56 and 8.87 ± 0.80 µmol/L, respectively.
Norovirus is an infectious disease that can cause non-bacterial gastroenteritis, which has a low infectious dose, rapid onset, and strong transmission ability; therefore, rapid and sensitive detection is essential to reduce the transmission of gastroenteritis. In the study, a norovirus GII loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay was developed and prepared into freeze-drying microspheres, and a closed-cassette-based, integrated, reagent-ambient storage, on-site instant detection platform for norovirus GII was constructed using a commercial, fully automated nucleic acid analyzer with integrated magnetic bearing based nuclear acid extraction and nucleic acid detection, with a sensitivity of 10 copies/µL, with no cross-reactivity with other 5 viruses. For 28 simulated samples, the integrated assay platform was consistent with the experimental results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays after conventional laboratory nucleic acid extraction. The entire process can be finished in about 1 h, which is ideal for immediate rapid detection.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has emerged as a powerful analytical technique for detecting and identifying trace chemical and biological molecules. In this review, we present an in-depth discussion of recent advances in the field of crystal phase manipulation to achieve exceptional SERS performance. Focusing on transition metal dichalcogenides, (hydr)oxides, and carbides as exemplary materials, we illustrate the pivotal role of crystal phase regulation in enhancing SERS signals. By exploring the correlation between crystal phases and SERS responses, we uncover the underlying principles behind these strategies, thereby shedding light on their potential for future SERS applications. By addressing the current challenges and limitations, we also propose the prospects of the crystal phase strategy to facilitate the development of cutting-edge SERS-based sensing technologies.
Dry powder inhalation represents a promising approach for the treatment of lung cancer, offering several advantages such as enhanced targeting, improved bioavailability, and reduced toxicity. However, traditional dry powder formulations suffer from limitations, notably low pulmonary delivery efficiency and inadequate penetration into tumor tissues, thereby limiting their therapeutic efficacy. In response to these challenges, we have developed an innovative trojan horse strategy, harnessing an inhalable nanoparticle-in-microsphere system characterized by tunable size, reversible charge, and mucus-penetrating capabilities. The inhalable nanoparticle-in-microsphere system exhibit stable structural properties, excellent environmental responsiveness and high biocompatibility. More importantly, the therapeutic effect of MTX@PAMAM@HA@Gel (MPHG) was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This system offers improved pulmonary delivery efficiency, enhanced drug retention within tumor tissues, and effective penetration, thus representing a promising strategy in lung cancer treatment.
With the increasing demand for high energy density energy storage device, Li metal has received intensive attention for its ultrahigh capacity and the lowest redox potential. LiNO3 is widely used as electrolyte additive for ether electrolyte, which can improve the cycle performance of Li metal anode. Compared to ethers, carbonates are more suitable for Li metal batteries with high voltage cathode because they have a wider electrochemical window. However, LiNO3 performs poor solubility in carbonate electrolyte, restricting its application in high voltage Li battery. Herein, we presented a facile method to introduce abundant LiNO3 additive to carbonate electrolyte system by introducing LiNO3-PAN es as the interlayer of the cell. LiNO3-PAN es is in sufficient contact with the electrolyte so that it can continuously releases LiNO3 to assist the formation of Li2N2O2-rich single nitrogenous component SEI layer on Li surface. With the help of LiNO3-PAN es, Li metal anode shows excellent cycle stability even at a high current density of 4 mA/cm2, so that the cycle performance of the full cells was significantly improved, whether in the anode-free Cu||LFP cell or the Li||NCM622 cell.
The development of clean renewable energy and energy storage devices is of great significance under the present energy crisis and environmental pollution background. Aqueous zinc-ion battery (ZIB) has become one of the most promising energy storage devices due to its high capacity, safety and low cost. However, the application of ZIB cathode is usually limited by low capacity and poor stability. Herein, we propose a novel heterostructure MnO/MnV2O4 composite material composed of MOF derivatives and spinel with dual active components as cathode for ZIBs. Benefited from substantial framework of MOF derivatives and the synergistic effect of heterostructures, MnO/MnV2O4 exhibits excellent rate performance (342 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g, 261 mAh/g at 15 A/g) and cycling performance (198.9 mAh/g at 10 A/g after 2000 cycles) in 3 mol/L Zn(CF3SO3)2 electrolytes. This work extends the range of developing high-performance cathodes for ZIBs under high current density and is expected to enlighten the optimization of commercial energy storage devices.