Efficient and High-Radiance Silicon-Based Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes through Phase Segregation Control

Silicon-based perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have exhibited significant promise as high-radiance light sources due to the substantial thermal conductivity of silicon substrates that facilitate efficient Joule heat dissipation. However, the inherent instability of the commonly employed MA-based perovskite composition significantly hampered the performance of Si-based PeLEDs that rely on them. In this study, we opt for FAPbI3-based perovskite as the emission layer in the preparation of Si-based PeLEDs. Our investigation reveals that the introduction of a small amount of cesium cations and bromine anions, aimed at stabilizing the α-FAPbI3 phase, leads to the segregation of the δ-CsPbI3 phase that creates a type I heterojunction with α-FAPbI3. The resulting carrier confinement effect enhances radiative recombination, giving rise to a higher photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield and longer PL lifetime as compared to samples without phase segregation. Consequently, the optimized silicon-based PeLEDs achieve a remarkable external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20.5%, outperforming the unitary phase-based ones by 1.6-folds. Furthermore, a microhole structure is adopted to enhance the performance of the devices under large injection, achieving a high radiance of 454.5 mW cm–2 at 6.3 A cm–2. Our results underscore the promising future of these devices in advanced optoelectronic applications, particularly under intense excitation

Tailoring the 2D/3D Phase Segregation for Highly Efficient Si-Based Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Si-based perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) show immense potential in optoelectronic device fields by combining the advantages of a mature silicon platform with the impressive light-emitting properties of halide perovskites. However, their external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) have lagged far behind those of their conventional glass-based counterparts. Herein, the microcavity effect is employed to enhance the light extraction ratio of Si-based top-emission PeLEDs by fine-tuning the thicknesses of the functional layers. Meanwhile, the methylammonium chloride (MACl) additive is used to regulate the crystallization process and promote 2D/3D phase segregation in perovskite layer, endowing the film with a significantly improved photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) due to both the desired energy funneling from the 2D phase to the 3D phase and the trap passivation brought by the 2D phase. Owing to these synergistic strategies, the optimal devices exhibit a record EQE over 20% and an intense radiant exitance up to 155.9 mW cm–2 and thus represent the best performing Si-based PeLEDs ever reported to our knowledge

Presentation_1_Termite Nest Associated Bacillus siamensis YC-9 Mediated Biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum.pdf

The antagonistic potential of bacteria obtained from the nest of Odontotermes formosanus was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC). Of 30, seven termite nest-associated bacteria strains had biocontrol potential. Among them, the strain YC-9 showed the strongest antifungal activity toward FOC. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA amplified product of YC-9 revealed its identification as Bacillus siamensis. The in vivo antifungal activity experiment showed that the application of YC-9 at 108 cfu/ml significantly reduced the cucumber wilt incidence with a control efficacy of 73.2%. Furthermore, plant growth parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, and root height were significantly improved by 42.6, 53.0, 20.8, and 19.3%, respectively. We found that inoculation with B. siamensis YC-9 significantly increased the activity of defensive enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in diseased cucumber roots, thereby raising the resistance. PCR using gene-specific primers revealed that B. siamensis YC-9 contains biosynthetic genes for known antibiotics, including bacillomycin, iturin, and surfactin. Chemical analysis of the cultivation of B. siamensis YC-9 resulted in the isolation of five metabolites, including hexadecanoic acid (1), cyclo-(L-phenylalanylglycine) (2), cyclo-(L-trans-Hyp-L-Leu) (3), C15-surfactin (4), and macrolactin A (5), the structures of which were identified by the analysis of NMR spectroscopic data and MS. Among them, the compound 4 showed significant antifungal activity against conidial germination of FOC with an IC50 value of 5.1 μg/ml, which was comparable to that of the positive control, cycloheximide (IC50 value of 2.6 μg/ml). Based on these findings, this study suggests that termite-nest associated B. siamensis YC-9 could be a potential biological control agent for integrated control of soil-borne diseases like cucumber Fusarium wilt.</p

Low-Cost Pitch Derived Lamellar N‑Doped Carbon as a High-Performance Potassium-Ion Battery Anode

Carbon anode materials play a significant role in high-performance potassium ion batteries owing to their low price, rich resources, and high conductivity. However, they suffer from small interlayer spacing obstructing electrochemical performance due to a larger K-ion radius. In this work, lamellar N-doped carbon (LNC) with porous structure was fabricated by facile heat treatment from mid temperature pitch. The pitch was carbonized under 800 °C (LNC-800), which possesses an expanded interlayer distance of 0.400 nm and more mesoporous structure (compared with LNC-1000 and LNC-1200). Benefiting from its appropriate structure, LNC exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 557.3 mA h g–1 at 50 mA g–1 in potassium-ion half cells. Furthermore, it delivered 218 mA h g–1 after 150 cycles at 100 mA g–1 and 71.2% of capacity retention rate, indicating its excellent electrochemical stability. LNC-800 exhibits a discharge capacity of 180 mA h g–1 higher than LNC-1000 and LNC-1200 at 1A g–1. DFT calculations proved that potassium ions were more easily diffused in graphite with large interlayer spacing. The carbon prepared in this study could be used in potassium ion batteries to promote the development of the energy industry

Real-Time Emission, Chemical Properties, and Dynamic Evolution Mechanism of Volatile Organic Compounds during Co-Pyrolysis of Rice Straw and Semi-Bituminous Coal

The co-pyrolysis of biomass–coal blends improves energy utilization efficiency; however, the synergistic mechanisms behind thermal degradation and volatile formation remain unclear. We combined online thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectrometry–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TG–FTIR–GC/MS), Gaussian deconvolution, and two-dimensional correlation spectrometry (2D-COS) to reveal the component degradation, sequential response, and evolution mechanism of volatiles during co-pyrolysis of rice straw (RS) and semi-bituminous coal (SBC), which were mixed in three proportions of 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1. The activation energies (24.70–53.43 kJ mol–1) and preexponential factors (44.67–7663.43 min–1) for decomposition and average emission intensity coefficient (EIC) (0.06–0.12) of volatiles exhibited significant heterogeneity and were highly dependent on pyrolysis temperature and blend proportion. The EIC values of phenols/esters, alcohols/ethers, ketones, aldehydes, and acids increased with increasing RS proportion. The volatile distribution of blends with high SBC proportions was mainly located in the decarbonylation/dehydration reaction region. Moreover, the volatile organic compound (VOC) and intermediate VOC percentages were 59–83 and 17–39%, respectively, with N-containing species contributing the most to the intermediate VOC fraction. Most of the volatiles mainly exhibited reducing character, with average carbon oxidation state below zero. An increase in the proportion of RS and SBC contributed to high unsaturation and small carbon skeletons of volatiles, respectively. Notably, the primary sequential temperature response of volatiles was hydrocarbons, alcohols/phenols/ethers/esters, and (aldehydes/ketones/acids, aromatics), in that order. Furthermore, we proposed a novel synergistic mechanism to demonstrate that the heterogeneous degradation of RS/SBC components contributed significantly to the dynamic formation of volatiles during the co-pyrolysis process. These novel insights into the mechanisms of biomass–coal co-pyrolysis are useful for energy optimization and pollution control

Contrasting population projections to induce divergent estimates of landslides exposure under climate change

Data for the work “Contrasting population projections to induce divergent estimates of landslides exposure under climate change”.</p

Polystyrene Nanoplastics Toxicity to Zebrafish: Dysregulation of the Brain–Intestine–Microbiota Axis

In animal species, the brain–gut axis is a complex bidirectional network between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system (CNS) consisting of numerous microbial, immune, neuronal, and hormonal pathways that profoundly impact organism development and health. Although nanoplastics (NPs) have been shown to cause intestinal and neural toxicity in fish, the role of the neurotransmitter and intestinal microbiota interactions in the underlying mechanism of toxicity, particularly at environmentally relevant contaminant concentrations, remains unknown. Here, the effect of 44 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on the brain–intestine–microbe axis and embryo–larval development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) was investigated. Exposure to 1, 10, and 100 μg/L PS-NPs for 30 days inhibited growth and adversely affected inflammatory responses and intestinal permeability. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed an alteration of 42 metabolites involved in neurotransmission. The content of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC; dopamine metabolite formed by monoamine oxidase activity) was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner after PS-NP exposure. Changes in the 14 metabolites correlated with changes to 3 microbial groups, including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, as compared to the control group. A significant relationship between Firmicutes and homovanillic acid (0.466, Pearson correlation coefficient) was evident. Eight altered metabolites (l-glutamine (Gln), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), l-cysteine (Cys), l-glutamic acid (Glu), norepinephrine (NE), and l-tryptophan (l-Trp)) had a negative relationship with Proteobacteria although histamine (His) and acetylcholine chloride (ACh chloride) levels were positively correlated with Proteobacteria. An Associated Network analysis showed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were highly correlated (0.969). Furthermore, PS-NPs accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract of offspring and impaired development of F1 (2 h post-fertilization) embryos, including reduced spontaneous movements, hatching rate, and length. This demonstration of transgenerational deficits is of particular concern. These findings suggest that PS-NPs cause intestinal inflammation, growth inhibition, and restricted development of zebrafish, which are strongly linked to the disrupted regulation within the brain–intestine–microbiota axis. Our study provides insights into how xenobiotics can disrupt the regulation of brain–intestine–microbiota and suggests that these end points should be taken into account when assessing environmental health risks of PS-NPs to aquatic organisms

Image_2_Cxxc Finger Protein 1 Positively Regulates GM-CSF-Derived Macrophage Phagocytosis Through Csf2rα-Mediated Signaling.tif

Macrophages have a defensive function against bacteria through phagocytosis and the secretion of cytokines. Histone modifications play an essential role in macrophage functions. Here, we report that Cxxc finger protein 1 (CFP1), a key component of the SETD1 histone methyltransferase complex, promoted the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of GM-CSF-derived macrophages. CFP1-deficient mice were more susceptible to bacterial infection due to the decreased expression of Csf2rα, a subunit of the GM-CSF receptor essential for inflammation and alveolar macrophage development, through the loss of H3K4 modifications in the promoter of the Csf2rα gene. In addition, the lung tissues of CFP1-deficient mice exhibited spontaneous inflammatory symptoms, including both the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the accumulation of surfactant phospholipids and proteins. Furthermore, we showed that Csf2rα and PU.1 can partially rescue the defects in phagocytosis and in the intracellular killing of bacteria. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of CFP1 in the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of macrophages.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Cxxc Finger Protein 1 Positively Regulates GM-CSF-Derived Macrophage Phagocytosis Through Csf2rα-Mediated Signaling.PDF

Macrophages have a defensive function against bacteria through phagocytosis and the secretion of cytokines. Histone modifications play an essential role in macrophage functions. Here, we report that Cxxc finger protein 1 (CFP1), a key component of the SETD1 histone methyltransferase complex, promoted the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of GM-CSF-derived macrophages. CFP1-deficient mice were more susceptible to bacterial infection due to the decreased expression of Csf2rα, a subunit of the GM-CSF receptor essential for inflammation and alveolar macrophage development, through the loss of H3K4 modifications in the promoter of the Csf2rα gene. In addition, the lung tissues of CFP1-deficient mice exhibited spontaneous inflammatory symptoms, including both the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the accumulation of surfactant phospholipids and proteins. Furthermore, we showed that Csf2rα and PU.1 can partially rescue the defects in phagocytosis and in the intracellular killing of bacteria. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of CFP1 in the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of macrophages.</p

Image_1_Cxxc Finger Protein 1 Positively Regulates GM-CSF-Derived Macrophage Phagocytosis Through Csf2rα-Mediated Signaling.tif

Macrophages have a defensive function against bacteria through phagocytosis and the secretion of cytokines. Histone modifications play an essential role in macrophage functions. Here, we report that Cxxc finger protein 1 (CFP1), a key component of the SETD1 histone methyltransferase complex, promoted the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of GM-CSF-derived macrophages. CFP1-deficient mice were more susceptible to bacterial infection due to the decreased expression of Csf2rα, a subunit of the GM-CSF receptor essential for inflammation and alveolar macrophage development, through the loss of H3K4 modifications in the promoter of the Csf2rα gene. In addition, the lung tissues of CFP1-deficient mice exhibited spontaneous inflammatory symptoms, including both the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the accumulation of surfactant phospholipids and proteins. Furthermore, we showed that Csf2rα and PU.1 can partially rescue the defects in phagocytosis and in the intracellular killing of bacteria. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of CFP1 in the phagocytic and bactericidal activity of macrophages.</p