Double Open-Circuit Voltage of Three-Dimensional ZnO/CdTe Solar Cells by a Balancing Depletion Layer

Three-dimensional (3D) heterojunction solar cells (HSCs) were fabricated by thermal deposition of a compact CdTe layer onto ZnO nanorods (NRs). Although the 3D architecture obviously improves the short-circuit current of HSCs, the open-circuit voltage is rather low, and this problem can be addressed by inserting an intermediate layer between ZnO NRs and the CdTe layer. On the basis of experimental and theoretical analyses, we found that the low open-circuit voltage mainly arose from the incomplete depletion layer and serious recombination of carriers at the CdTe/ZnO interface. The CdS intermediate layer can redistribute the depletion regions and eliminate the interface defects, thus remarkably improving the open-circuit voltage

Janus Membranes with Opposing Surface Wettability Enabling Oil-to-Water and Water-to-Oil Emulsification

A Janus membrane with opposing wettability was first reported with both function of water-to-oil and oil-to-water emulsification. This membrane is conveniently fabricated by single-surface deposition of polydopamine/polyethylenimine (PDA/PEI). The asymmetric wettability can also reduce the transmembrane resistance during the process, indicating an economical and promising strategy to prepare various emulsions. This research opens a novel avenue for exploring and understanding the Janus membrane, and provides a perspective to design the asymmetric membrane structures with promoted performance in conventional membrane processes

Construction of a Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic H₂ Evolution System Using MoS₂/Reduced Graphene Oxide Catalyst and Zinc Porphyrin Photosensitizer

Exploiting noble-metal-free hydrogen evolution catalysts and light-harvesting molecular photosensitizers is of huge interest for photocatalytic H₂ generation. Here we report a hybrid system consisting of MoS₂/reduced graphene oxide (MoS₂/RGO) catalyst, Zn­(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis­(4-<i>N</i>-methylpyridyl)­porphyrin ([ZnTMPyP]⁴⁺) photosensitizer, and triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial electron donor for photocatalytic H₂ production under visible-light irradiation. Through optimizing the component proportion of MoS₂/RGO catalyst, the [ZnTMPyP]⁴⁺–MoS₂/RGO–TEOA photocatalytic system showed the highest H₂ evolution rate of 2560 μmol h^–1 g^–1 at pH 7 when the ratio of MoS₂ to graphene is 5:1. An apparent quantum yield of 15.2% at 420 nm was observed under optimized reaction conditions. The excellent photocatalytic result can be attributed to the improved charge carrier transfer by graphene which acts as an electron transfer bridge, as demonstrated by photoluminescence quenching and photoluminescence decay studies. It is believed that these findings would open a promising strategy to develop a noble-metal-free and visible-light-responding solar-to-H₂ conversion system

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 1‑Methyl-1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2‑<i>c</i>]pyrazole Analogues as Potential Anticancer Agents Targeting Tubulin Colchicine Binding Site

By targeting a new binding region at the interface between αβ-tubulin heterodimers at the colchicine binding site, we designed a series of 7-substituted 1-methyl-1,4-dihydroindeno­[1,2-<i>c</i>]­pyrazoles as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Among the compounds synthesized, 2-(6-ethoxy-3-(3-ethoxyphenylamino)-1-methyl-1,4-dihydroindeno­[1,2-<i>c</i>]­pyrazol-7-yloxy)­acetamide <b>6a</b> and 2-(6-ethoxy-3-(3-ethoxyphenylamino)-1-methyl-1,4-dihydroindeno­[1,2-<i>c</i>]­pyrazol-7-yloxy)-<i>N</i>-hydroxyacetamide <b>6n</b> showed noteworthy low nanomolar potency against HepG2, Hela, PC3, and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. In mechanism studies, <b>6a</b> inhibited tubulin polymerization and disorganized microtubule in A549 cells by binding to tubulin colchicine binding site. <b>6a</b> arrested A549 cells in G2/M phase that was related to the alterations in the expression of cyclin B1 and p-cdc2. <b>6a</b> induced A549 cells apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, <b>6a</b> inhibited capillary tube formation in a concentration-dependent manner. In nonsmall cell lung cancer xenografts mouse model, <b>6a</b> suppressed tumor growth by 59.1% at a dose of 50 mg/kg (ip) without obvious toxicity, indicating its in vivo potential as anticancer agent

Pseudohalogen Resurfaced CsPbBr₃ Nanocrystals for Bright, Efficient, and Stable Green-Light-Emitting Diodes

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are regarded as promising emitters for next-generation ultrahigh-definition displays due to their high color purity and wide color gamut. Recently, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of LHP NC based light-emitting diodes (PNC LEDs) has been rapidly improved to a level required by practical applications. However, the poor operational stability of the device, caused by halide ion migration at the grain boundary of LHP NC thin films, remains a great challenge. Herein, we report a resurfacing strategy via pseudohalogen ions to mitigate detrimental halide ion migration, aiming to stabilize PNC LEDs. We employ a thiocyanate solution processed post-treatment method to efficiently resurface CsPbBr3 NCs and demonstrate that the thiocyanate ions can effectively inhibit bromide ion migration in LHP NC thin films. Owing to thiocyanate resurfacing, we fabricated LEDs with a high EQE of 17.3%, a maximum brightness of 48000 cd m–2, and an excellent operation half-life time

Discovery of RORγ Allosteric Fluorescent Probes and Their Application: Fluorescence Polarization, Screening, and Bioimaging

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) acts as a crucial transcription factor in Th17 cells and is involved in diverse autoimmune disorders. RORγ allosteric inhibitors have gained significant research focus as a novel strategy to inhibit RORγ transcriptional activity. Leveraging the high affinity and selectivity of RORγ allosteric inhibitor MRL-871 (1), this study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of 11 allosteric fluorescent probes. Utilizing the preferred probe 12h, we established an efficient and cost-effective fluorescence polarization-based affinity assay for screening RORγ allosteric binders. By employing virtual screening in conjunction with this assay, 10 novel RORγ allosteric inhibitors were identified. The initial SAR studies focusing on the hit compound G381-0087 are also presented. The encouraging outcomes indicate that probe 12h possesses the potential to function as a powerful tool in facilitating the exploration of RORγ allosteric inhibitors and furthering understanding of RORγ function

Discovery of RORγ Allosteric Fluorescent Probes and Their Application: Fluorescence Polarization, Screening, and Bioimaging

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) acts as a crucial transcription factor in Th17 cells and is involved in diverse autoimmune disorders. RORγ allosteric inhibitors have gained significant research focus as a novel strategy to inhibit RORγ transcriptional activity. Leveraging the high affinity and selectivity of RORγ allosteric inhibitor MRL-871 (1), this study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of 11 allosteric fluorescent probes. Utilizing the preferred probe 12h, we established an efficient and cost-effective fluorescence polarization-based affinity assay for screening RORγ allosteric binders. By employing virtual screening in conjunction with this assay, 10 novel RORγ allosteric inhibitors were identified. The initial SAR studies focusing on the hit compound G381-0087 are also presented. The encouraging outcomes indicate that probe 12h possesses the potential to function as a powerful tool in facilitating the exploration of RORγ allosteric inhibitors and furthering understanding of RORγ function

Discovery of RORγ Allosteric Fluorescent Probes and Their Application: Fluorescence Polarization, Screening, and Bioimaging

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) acts as a crucial transcription factor in Th17 cells and is involved in diverse autoimmune disorders. RORγ allosteric inhibitors have gained significant research focus as a novel strategy to inhibit RORγ transcriptional activity. Leveraging the high affinity and selectivity of RORγ allosteric inhibitor MRL-871 (1), this study presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of 11 allosteric fluorescent probes. Utilizing the preferred probe 12h, we established an efficient and cost-effective fluorescence polarization-based affinity assay for screening RORγ allosteric binders. By employing virtual screening in conjunction with this assay, 10 novel RORγ allosteric inhibitors were identified. The initial SAR studies focusing on the hit compound G381-0087 are also presented. The encouraging outcomes indicate that probe 12h possesses the potential to function as a powerful tool in facilitating the exploration of RORγ allosteric inhibitors and furthering understanding of RORγ function