Electronic Structure Modulation of Bimetallic Sulfides for Efficient Sacrificial-Agent-Free Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution

The consumption of sacrificial agents is inevitable to improve the separation and utilization of electron–hole pairs in photocatalytic H2 evolution, which is contrary to the current vision of carbon neutrality and carbon peak. Here, bimetallic sulfides composed of highly dispersed Cu-doped ZnS composites were proposed, exhibiting an optimal H2 evolution activity of over 1569 μmol/g at 2 h (0.5 g/L catalyst) under visible light irradiation at pH = 3 with zero sacrificial agents or cocatalyst consumption, which is approximately 21 times higher than that of pure ZnS. A series of advanced characterizations indicate that the Cu atoms have been doped into the ZnS lattices, exposing a CuS (101) facet on the surface of the ZnS (111) facet. This results in a narrower energy bandgap (Eg = 2.6 eV) in optimal bimetallic sulfides (ZCS0.1), which is beneficial for absorbing more visible light. In particular, the introduction of Cu induces a nonequilibrium charge distribution on the ZCS0.1 surface, thereby boosting the separation and migration of photoinduced carriers. According to theory calculation (DFT) results, the hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGH) of ZCS0.1 is reduced than that of pure ZnS, facilitating the efficient reduction of H+/H2O around the electron accumulation regions and oxidation of H2O around the photogenerated hole (h+) regions. The modulation of the surface electronic structure is significant for effectively separating and utilizing photoinduced carriers under natural conditions without the consumption of sacrificial agents

Additional file 1: of MicroRNA-130b promotes lung cancer progression via PPARγ/VEGF-A/BCL-2-mediated suppression of apoptosis

MiR-130b mimic enhances lung cancer cell aggressiveness via PPARγ/VEGF-A/BCL-2-mediated suppression of apoptosis. (A) Representative images of A549 cells treated with miR-130b mimic and co-labeled for PPARγ (green) and VEGF-A (red) (scale bar, 50 μm). (B) Representative images of A549 cells treated with miR-130b mimic and labeled for BCL-2 (green) (scale bar, 50 μm). (C and D) MiR-130b mimic decreased PPARγ, but increased VEGF-A and BCL-2. (E) MiR-130b mimic caused a significant decrease in the luciferase activity of wt 3'-UTR of PPARγ. (F) A faster proliferation rate in cells treated with miR-130b mimic compared with controls. (G) Increased number of invaded cells with miR-130b mimic treatment (scale bar, 100 μm). (H) Longer migrated distance in cells treated with miR-130b mimic at indicated time points. (I) Increased colonies in cells treated with miR-130b mimic at 48 hours time point. (J) Decreased apoptotic cells treated with miR-130b mimic compared with controls. (K) Decreased apoptotic rate in cells treated with miR-130b mimic (scale bar, 50 μm). NC: normal control; miR-NC: miR-130b control; miR-130bm: miR-130b mimic; TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5’-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling. Each bar represents the mean ± SD. Results are representative of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05, #p < 0.001. (DOC 2779 kb

Data_Sheet_1_Methane Elimination Using Biofiltration Packed With Fly Ash Ceramsite as Support Material.pdf

Methane is a greenhouse gas and significantly contributes to global warming. Methane biofiltration with immobilized methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) is an efficient and eco-friendly approach for methane elimination. To achieve high methane elimination capacity (EC), it is necessary to use an exceptional support material to immobilize MOB. The MOB consortium was inoculated in biofilters to continuusly eliminate 1% (v/v) of methane. Results showed that the immobilized MOB cells outperformed than the suspended MOB cells. The biofilter packed with fly ash ceramsite (FAC) held the highest average methane EC of 4.628 g h–1 m–3, which was 33.4% higher than that of the biofilter with the suspended MOB cells. The qPCR revealed that FAC surface presented the highest pmoA gene abundance, which inferred that FAC surface immobilized the most MOB biomass. The XPS and contact angle measurement indicated that the desirable surface elemental composition and stronger surface hydrophilicity of FAC might favor MOB immobilization and accordingly improve methane elimination.</p

The realistic 3D head model with realistic electrode-skin interface including electrode, conductive gel and epidermis.

A stroke lesion with 1.5 cm diameter was modeled.</p

The effects of contact impedance on the boundary voltages because of imbalance between contact impedances.

<p>The effects of contact impedance on the boundary voltages because of imbalance between contact impedances.</p

Effects of seed crystal concentration, pH, and stirring rate on ammonium sulfate crystallization under the action of ammonium nitrate

In order to explore the effect of ammonium nitrate on the crystallization of ammonium sulfate mother liquor, this paper selected crystal seed, pH and stirring rate as the influencing factors, and studied the changes of average particle size, morphology and phase structure of ammonium sulfate crystals under the action of ammonium nitrate. When the seed crystal concentration was 1%–2%, the solute growth of the mixed solution could effectively reduce the supersaturation during the evaporation process, and the crystal growth did not generate new crystal nuclei, interfering with the crystallization process. A pH value of 4–5 promotes solvent/crystal surface interaction and crystal surface growth, which is beneficial for obtaining high-quality crystals. At a stirring rate of 200–300 r/min, the nucleation rate and secondary nucleation were improved, which is conducive to solid–liquid separation.</p

The Frequency Spectral Properties of Electrode-Skin Contact Impedance on Human Head and Its Frequency-Dependent Effects on Frequency-Difference EIT in Stroke Detection from 10Hz to 1MHz - Fig 6

<p>(a)(b) The contact impedance of all subjects at all electrodes. The dashed lines represent the measurement results of the electrodes at the forehead. (c)(d) The measurement results of electrochemical impedance and conductive gel impedance in the case of conductive gel with the thickness of 0.4 mm.</p

Comparison results in ARV and sROI.

<p>The ARV and sROI at 20 ml D5W within skull were both sigficantly (* P<0.05) larger than the ones at 5ml D5W.</p

Reconstructed results of the ischemic stroke and the effects of the contact impedance.

<p><b>The contact impedance imbalance was simulated by varying the resistor in series with Electrode 1</b>.</p

The boundary voltage changes (<i>BVC</i>) caused by three levels of contact impedance, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

<p>The boundary voltage changes (<i>BVC</i>) caused by three levels of contact impedance, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.</p