10 research outputs found
Nanoporous Carbon Derived from Core–Shells@Sheets through the Template-Activation Method for Effective Adsorption of Dyes
A novel template-activation
method was used to create nanoporous
carbon materials derived from core–shells@rGO sheets. The carbon
materials were prepared through an acid etching and thermal activation
procedure with three-dimensional Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@C@rGO
composites as precursors and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles
as the structural template. The activation at different temperatures
could provide materials with different specific surface areas. The
unique nanoporous structures with large surface areas are ideal adsorbents.
The nanoporous carbon materials were used as adsorbents for the removal
of rhodamine B (Rh-B). C@rGO-650 illustrated better adsorption performance
than the other synthesized adsorbents. It displayed good recyclability,
and its highest adsorption capacity reached up to 14.8 L·g<sup>–1</sup>. The remarkable adsorption properties make nanoporous
carbon a useful candidate for wastewater treatment. This template-activation
method can also broaden the potential applications of core–shells@sheet
structures for the construction of nanoporous carbon, which helps
to resolve the related energy and environmental issues
Periploca forrestii saponin ameliorates CIA via suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa-B pathways
<div><p>Objective</p><p>Periploca forrestii Schltr has been used as a Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, arthralgia and fractures. However, the anti-arthritic activity of Periploca forrestii saponin (PFS) and the active compound has still not been revealed. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of PFS on collagen type II (CII) collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. We sought to investigate whether PFS and Periplocin could regulate osteoclastogenesis, and if so, further investigation on its mechanism of action.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Arthritis was induced in female BALB/c mice by CIA method. PFS was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight once daily for five weeks. The effects of treatment in mice were assessed by histological and biochemical evaluation in sera and paws. Anti-osteoclastogenic action of PFS and Periplocin was identified using an osteoclast formation model induced by RANKL.</p><p>Results</p><p>PFS ameliorated paw erythema and swelling, inhibited bone erosion in ankle joint histopathological examination. PFS treatment resulted in decreased IgG2a, and increased IgG1 levels in the serum of CIA mice. Decreased TNF-α, and increased interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-22 levels were also found in PFS-treated mice. PFS inhibited the I-κBα phosphorylation, blocked nuclear factor (NF)-κB/p65 phosphorylation and abrogated AP-1/c-Fos activity. PFS downregulated toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, STAT3 and MMP-9 expression in CIA mice and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. PFS and Periplocin inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in a dose dependent manner within nongrowth inhibitory concentration, and PFS decreased osteoclastogenesis-related marker expression, including cathepsin K and MMP-9.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>This study revealed that the protective mechanism of PFS on CIA was associated with regulatory effects on proinflammatory factors and further on the crosstalk between NF-κB and c-Fos/AP-1 in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, PFS is a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of RA, evidencing the need to conduct further studies that can identify their active components in treating and preventing RA.</p></div
Cobalt Molybdenum Nitride-Based Nanosheets for Seawater Splitting
The development of cost-effective bifunctional catalysts
for water
electrolysis is both a crucial necessity and an exciting scientific
challenge. Herein, a simple approach based on a metal–organic
framework sacrificial template to preparing cobalt molybdenum nitride
supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets is reported. The porous
structure of produced composite enables fast reaction kinetics, enhanced
stability, and high corrosion resistance in critical seawater conditions.
The cobalt molybdenum nitride-based electrocatalyst is tested toward
both oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction half-reactions
using the seawater electrolyte, providing excellent performances that
are rationalized using density functional theory. Subsequently, the
nitride composite is tested as a bifunctional catalyst for the overall
splitting of KOH-treated seawater from the Mediterranean Sea. The
assembled system requires overpotentials of just 1.70 V to achieve
a current density of 100 mA cm–2 in 1 M KOH seawater
and continuously works for over 62 h. This work demonstrates the potential
of transition-metal nitrides for seawater splitting and represents
a step forward toward the cost-effective implementation of this technology
Detection of Thrombin with an Aptamer-Based Macromolecule Biosensor Using Bacterial Ghost System
A rapid
on-site detection of exogenous proteins without the need
for equipped laboratories or skilled personnel would benefit many
areas. We built a rapid protein detection platform based on aptamer-induced
inner-membrane scaffolds dimerization by virtue of bacterial ghost
system. When the detection platform was coincubated with two kinds
of aptamers targeting two different sites of thrombin, green fluorescence
or β-lactamase activity were yielded with two different designs.
The latter was detected by commercially available testing strips
Thermoelectric Performance of Surface-Engineered Cu<sub>1.5–<i>x</i></sub>Te–Cu<sub>2</sub>Se Nanocomposites
Cu2–xS and Cu2–xSe have recently been reported as
promising thermoelectric
(TE) materials for medium-temperature applications. In contrast, Cu2–xTe, another member of the copper
chalcogenide family, typically exhibits low Seebeck coefficients that
limit its potential to achieve a superior thermoelectric figure of
merit, zT, particularly in the low-temperature range
where this material could be effective. To address this, we investigated
the TE performance of Cu1.5–xTe–Cu2Se nanocomposites by consolidating surface-engineered Cu1.5Te nanocrystals. This surface engineering strategy allows
for precise adjustment of Cu/Te ratios and results in a reversible
phase transition at around 600 K in Cu1.5–xTe–Cu2Se nanocomposites, as systematically
confirmed by in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction combined with
differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The phase transition leads
to a conversion from metallic-like to semiconducting-like TE properties.
Additionally, a layer of Cu2Se generated around Cu1.5–xTe nanoparticles effectively inhibits
Cu1.5–xTe grain growth, minimizing
thermal conductivity and decreasing hole concentration. These properties
indicate that copper telluride based compounds have a promising thermoelectric
potential, translated into a high dimensionless zT of 1.3 at 560 K