Intertwined network of Si/C nanocables and carbon nanotubes as lithium-ion battery anodes

We demonstrate a new kind of Si-based anode architectures consisting of silicon nanowire/overlapped graphene sheet core-sheath nanocables (SiNW@G) intertwined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In such a hybrid structure, the CNTs, mechanically binding SiNW@G nanocables together, act as a buffer matrix to accommodate the volume change of SiNW@G, and overlapped graphene sheets (that is, G sheaths) effectively prevent the direct contact of silicon with the electrolyte during cycling, both of which enable the structural integrity and interfacial stabilization of such hybrid electrodes. Furthermore, the one-dimensional nature of both components affords the creation of a three-dimensional interpenetrating network of lithium ion and electron pathways in the resultant hybrids, thereby enabling efficient transport of both electrons and lithium ions upon charging/discharging. As a result, the hybrids exhibit much-improved lithium storage performance

Chlorinated paraffins in multimedia during residential interior finishing: Occurrences, behavior, and health risk

Though with bioaccumulation and toxicity, chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are still high produced and widely utilized in various daily necessities for extender plasticization and flame retardation. CPs can be released during the reprocessing processes of finishing materials and distributed in multi-environmental media. Herein, concentrations and compositions of CPs in four representative media including interior finishing materials, PM10, total suspended particulate (TSP), and dust samples collected from eight interior finishing stages were studied. Unexpectedly, CP concentrations in ceramic tiles was found to be high with a mean value of 7.02 × 103 μg g−1, which could be attributed to the presence of CPs in the protective wax coated on ceramic tiles surfaces. Furthermore, the pollution characteristics of short-chain and medium-chain CPs (SCCPs and MCCPs) in those samples were inconsistent. According to the investigation regarding Kdust−TSP and KPM10-TSP, the occurrence and distribution of CPs in indoor atmospheric particles (PM10 and TSP) and dust were highly affected by reprocessing processes (cutting, hot melting, etc.) compared to that in the finishing materials. Moreover, dermal contact was the primary pathway of CP exposure for the occupational population (interior construction workers) for most interior finishing stages, and the interior finishing process is the prime CP exposure period for the occupational groups. As suggested by our assessment, though hardly posing an immediate health risk, CPs exposure still presents unneglected adverse health effects, which calls for adequate personal protections during interior finishing, especially in developing countries

Intertwined Network of Si/C Nanocables and Carbon Nanotubes as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

We demonstrate a new kind of Si-based anode architectures consisting of silicon nanowire/overlapped graphene sheet core–sheath nanocables (SiNW@G) intertwined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In such a hybrid structure, the CNTs, mechanically binding SiNW@G nanocables together, act as a buffer matrix to accommodate the volume change of SiNW@G, and overlapped graphene sheets (that is, G sheaths) effectively prevent the direct contact of silicon with the electrolyte during cycling, both of which enable the structural integrity and interfacial stabilization of such hybrid electrodes. Furthermore, the one-dimensional nature of both components affords the creation of a three-dimensional interpenetrating network of lithium ion and electron pathways in the resultant hybrids, thereby enabling efficient transport of both electrons and lithium ions upon charging/discharging. As a result, the hybrids exhibit much-improved lithium storage performance

Structural basis for receptor binding and broader interspecies receptor recognition of currently circulating Omicron sub-variants

Abstract Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants, such as BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5, emerge one after another. BA.5 has become the dominant strain worldwide. Additionally, BA.2.75 is significantly increasing in some countries. Exploring their receptor binding and interspecies transmission risk is urgently needed. Herein, we examine the binding capacities of human and other 28 animal ACE2 orthologs covering nine orders towards S proteins of these sub-variants. The binding affinities between hACE2 and these sub-variants remain in the range as that of previous variants of concerns (VOCs) or interests (VOIs). Notably, R493Q reverse mutation enhances the bindings towards ACE2s from humans and many animals closely related to human life, suggesting an increased risk of cross-species transmission. Structures of S/hACE2 or RBD/hACE2 complexes for these sub-variants and BA.2 S binding to ACE2 of mouse, rat or golden hamster are determined to reveal the molecular basis for receptor binding and broader interspecies recognition