Construction of High-Quality SnO₂@MoS₂ Nanohybrids for Promising Photoelectrocatalytic Applications

High-quality three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical SnO₂@MoS₂ nanohybrids were successfully obtained via a facile but effective wet chemistry synthesis method. Meanwhile, the SnO₂@MoS₂ hybrid film was fabricated through an electrophoretic deposition method to promote photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) efficiency and solve the recovery problem. Compared with the pure SnO₂ and MoS₂ films, the SnO₂@MoS₂ heterostructures could decrease the rate of the photoelectron–hole pair’s recombination, which resulted in the superior PEC pollutant degradation and water splitting activities. Meanwhile, the SnO₂@MoS₂ hybrid films with well-defined 3D hierarchical configurations have large surface areas, abundant active edge sites, and defects on the basal surfaces, which were also advantageous for the PEC activities (for pollutant degradation, apparent rate constant <i>k</i> = 5.91 h^–1; for water splitting, onset potential = −0.05 V and current density = 10 mA/cm²). Therefore, the SnO₂@MoS₂ hybrid film proved to be a superior structure for PEC applications

Thermally Stable Hierarchical Nanostructures of Ultrathin MoS₂ Nanosheet-Coated CeO₂ Hollow Spheres as Catalyst for Ammonia Decomposition

MoS₂ ultrathin nanosheet-coated CeO₂ hollow sphere (CeO₂@MoS₂) hybrid nanostructures with a 3D hierarchical configuration were successfully constructed from a facile two-step wet chemistry strategy: first, CeO₂ formed on a silica core which served as a template and was subsequently removed by NaOH solution to attain hollow spheres, and then few-layered ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets were deposited on the CeO₂ hollow spheres through a hydrothermal process. As a proof of concept application, the as-prepared CeO₂@MoS₂ hybrid nanostructures were used as catalytic material, which exhibited enhanced catalytic activity in ammonia decomposition for H₂ production at high temperature. It was demonstrated that, even with a structural transformation from MoS₂ to MoN_<i>x</i> under harsh conditions of ammonia decomposition at high temperature (700 °C), the 3D hierarchical nanostructures of the CeO₂@MoN_<i>x</i> were well kept, indicating the important role of the CeO₂ support

High Quality Ultrathin Lanthanide Selenide Nanostructures with Dual Modal Functionalities

High Quality Ultrathin Lanthanide Selenide Nanostructures with Dual Modal Functionalitie

Strain-Negligible Eu²⁺ Doping Enabled Color-Tunable Harsh Condition-Resistant Perovskite Nanocrystals for Superior Light-Emitting Diodes

Cesium lead halide (CsPbX3, X = Br, Cl, I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) possess tunable band gaps across the entire visible spectral range and are promising for various optoelectronic device applications. However, poor performance in adverse conditions limits their further development in practical optoelectronics. Herein, highly stable perovskite NCs are developed by doping europium(II) (Eu2+) into the B-site of CsPbBr3 with negligible lattice distortion/strain. Eu2+-doped CsPbBr3 NCs exhibit tunable green-to-cyan emissions, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and good resistance to harsh conditions, including ultraviolet irradiation, erosion of moisture, and corrosion of polar solvent molecules. In particular, the thermal stability of CsPbBr3 NCs after Eu2+ doping is greatly enhanced under continuous heating in air, while exhibiting the emissions of Eu2+. Furthermore, a Eu2+-doped CsPbBr3 NC-based cyan light-emitting diode is fabricated, which exhibits narrow exciton emission driven under different current densities. This work would open the avenue to develop the rational lanthanide ion doping strategy for further advancing perovskite nanomaterials toward practical applications

Table_2_Transcriptomics combined with physiological analysis reveals the mechanism of cadmium uptake and tolerance in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. under cadmium treatment.docx

IntroductionLigusticum chuanxiong Hort. is a widely used medicinal plant, but its growth and quality can be negatively affected by contamination with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Despite the importance of understanding how L. chuanxiong responds to Cd stress, but little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analyses on L. chuanxiong plants treated with different concentrations of Cd2+ (0 mg·L−1, 5 mg·L−1, 10 mg·L−1, 20 mg·L−1, and 40 mg·L−1).ResultsOur findings revealed that Cd stress inhibited biomass accumulation and root development while activating the antioxidant system in L. chuanxiong. Root tissues were the primary accumulation site for Cd in this plant species, with Cd being predominantly distributed in the soluble fraction and cell wall. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the downregulation of differential genes involved in photosynthetic pathways under Cd stress. Conversely, the plant hormone signaling pathway and the antioxidant system exhibited positive responses to Cd regulation. Additionally, the expression of differential genes related to cell wall modification was upregulated, indicating potential enhancements in the root cell wall’s ability to sequester Cd. Several differential genes associated with metal transport proteins were also affected by Cd stress, with ATPases, MSR2, and HAM3 playing significant roles in Cd passage from the apoplast to the cell membrane. Furthermore, ABC transport proteins were found to be key players in the intravesicular compartmentalization and efflux of Cd.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation and tolerance in L. chuanxiong, leveraging both physiological and transcriptomic approaches. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity and the regulation of plant hormone levels appear to be major factors contributing to growth inhibition in response to Cd stress. Moreover, the upregulation of differential genes involved in cell wall modification suggests a potential mechanism for enhancing root cell wall capabilities in isolating and sequestering Cd. The involvement of specific metal transport proteins further highlights their importance in Cd movement within the plant.</p

Table_1_Transcriptomics combined with physiological analysis reveals the mechanism of cadmium uptake and tolerance in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. under cadmium treatment.docx

IntroductionLigusticum chuanxiong Hort. is a widely used medicinal plant, but its growth and quality can be negatively affected by contamination with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Despite the importance of understanding how L. chuanxiong responds to Cd stress, but little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analyses on L. chuanxiong plants treated with different concentrations of Cd2+ (0 mg·L−1, 5 mg·L−1, 10 mg·L−1, 20 mg·L−1, and 40 mg·L−1).ResultsOur findings revealed that Cd stress inhibited biomass accumulation and root development while activating the antioxidant system in L. chuanxiong. Root tissues were the primary accumulation site for Cd in this plant species, with Cd being predominantly distributed in the soluble fraction and cell wall. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the downregulation of differential genes involved in photosynthetic pathways under Cd stress. Conversely, the plant hormone signaling pathway and the antioxidant system exhibited positive responses to Cd regulation. Additionally, the expression of differential genes related to cell wall modification was upregulated, indicating potential enhancements in the root cell wall’s ability to sequester Cd. Several differential genes associated with metal transport proteins were also affected by Cd stress, with ATPases, MSR2, and HAM3 playing significant roles in Cd passage from the apoplast to the cell membrane. Furthermore, ABC transport proteins were found to be key players in the intravesicular compartmentalization and efflux of Cd.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation and tolerance in L. chuanxiong, leveraging both physiological and transcriptomic approaches. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity and the regulation of plant hormone levels appear to be major factors contributing to growth inhibition in response to Cd stress. Moreover, the upregulation of differential genes involved in cell wall modification suggests a potential mechanism for enhancing root cell wall capabilities in isolating and sequestering Cd. The involvement of specific metal transport proteins further highlights their importance in Cd movement within the plant.</p

Phase Transformation Fabrication of a Cu₂S Nanoplate as an Efficient Catalyst for Water Oxidation with Glycine

The synthesis of semiconducting nanoplates (NPs) with defined crystal phase is of particular interest, especially their intriguing properties related to the size, shape, and crystal phase. Herein, a liquid-state transformation process from hexagonal-phase CuS NPs is employed to fabricate the cubic-phase Cu₂S NPs. The CuS NPs were converted into Cu₂S NPs but maintained the morphology. The Cu₂S NPs exhibit better oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity than CuS NPs. Furthermore, the OER activity of Cu₂S NPs can be improved by the addition of a glycine (Gly) solution. The Cu₂S NPs with Gly in a phosphate buffer solution exhibit excellent OER activity and durability, which approaches that of the best known commercial Ir/C (20%) nanocatalyst. In this work, a good strategy for fabricating a noble-metal-free OER catalyst has been proposed, which could provide insight into developing new water oxidation catalysts with high activity

Two-Dimensional Flexible Bilayer Janus Membrane for Advanced Photothermal Water Desalination

Solar water evaporation is thought to be a promising solution to address the issues of global water scarcity. However, it is particularly difficult to achieve an idealized photothermal conversion membrane with all of the required structure characteristics such as wide spectrum absorption, ultrathin and porous, low thermal conductivity, and ease to scale up, thus leading to reduced water evaporation efficiency. Here, we designed a large-area bilayer Janus film by assembling gold nanorod (AuNR) onto the interconnected single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) porous film. The combined characteristics of high solar spectrum absorption, enhanced photothermal performance, thermal insulating feature, interconnected porous structure, and excellent mechanical performance enable the bilayer Janus film with a nearly 94% water evaporation efficiency under 5 kW m^–2 solar irradiation and stable water generation capability during long-term illumination cycles as a water desalination membrane. Construction of the bilayer Janus film represents an effective strategy for developing multifunctional membranes for advanced desalination applications

Kinetically-Driven Phase Transformation during Lithiation in Copper Sulfide Nanoflakes

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal chalcogenides have been widely studied and utilized as electrode materials for lithium ion batteries due to their unique layered structures to accommodate reversible lithium insertion. Real-time observation and mechanistic understanding of the phase transformations during lithiation of these materials are critically important for improving battery performance by controlling structures and reaction pathways. Here, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy methods to study the structural, morphological, and chemical evolutions in individual copper sulfide (CuS) nanoflakes during lithiation. We report a highly kinetically driven phase transformation in which lithium ions rapidly intercalate into the 2D van der Waals-stacked interlayers in the initial stage, and further lithiation induces the Cu extrusion via a displacement reaction mechanism that is different from the typical conversion reactions. Density functional theory calculations have confirmed both the thermodynamically favored and the kinetically driven reaction pathways. Our findings elucidate the reaction pathways of the Li/CuS system under nonequilibrium conditions and provide valuable insight into the atomistic lithiation mechanisms of transition metal sulfides in general

Self-Assembled Peptide–Lanthanide Nanoclusters for Safe Tumor Therapy: Overcoming and Utilizing Biological Barriers to Peptide Drug Delivery

Developing a sophisticated nanomedicine platform to deliver therapeutics effectively and safely into tumor/cancer cells remains challenging in the field of nanomedicine. In particular, reliable peptide drug delivery systems capable of overcoming biological barriers are still lacking. Here, we developed a simple, rapid, and robust strategy to manufacture nanoclusters of ∼90 nm in diameter that are self-assembled from lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (5 nm), two anticancer peptides with different targets (BIM and PMI), and one cyclic peptide iNGR targeted to cancer cells. The peptide–lanthanide nanoclusters (LDC-PMI-BIM-iNGR) enhanced the resistance of peptide drugs to proteolysis, disassembled in response to reductive conditions that are present in the tumor microenvironment and inhibited cancer cell growth <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. Notably, LDC-PMI-BIM-iNGR exhibited extremely low systemic toxicity and side effects <i>in vivo</i>. Thus, the peptide–lanthanide nanocluster may serve as an ideal multifunctional platform for safe, targeted, and efficient peptide drug delivery in cancer therapy