Synthesis of magnetically recoverable ferrite (MFe2O4, M Co,Ni and Fe)-supported TiO2 photocatalysts for decolorization of methylene blue

Effects of ferrite materials as supports (CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, and Fe₃O₄) on nano-TiO₂ were elucidated by their use in the oxidation of methylene blue. These photocatalysts, which were synthesized by co-precipitation, were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS and VSM. The crystalline phase of TiO₂ onto magnetic MFe₂O₄ was formed by anatase and rutile. TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ exhibited the strongest magnetic property of the prepared catalysts, and the photocatalytic efficiencies followed the order TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ > TiO₂/NiFe₂O₄ > TiO₂/Fe₃O₄. MB decolorization was enhanced with the amount of TiO₂ on the photocatalyst, and was moderately affected by the extent of structural distortion of ferrite supports.     

Unusual Two-Step Assembly of a Minimalistic Dipeptide-Based Functional Hypergelator

Self-assembled peptide hydrogels represent the realization of peptide nanotechnology into biomedical products. There is a continuous quest to identify the simplest building blocks and optimize their critical gelation concentration (CGC). Herein, a minimalistic, de novo dipeptide, Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp, as an hydrogelator with the lowest CGC ever reported, almost fourfold lower as compared to that of a large hexadecapeptide previously described, is reported. The dipeptide self-assembles through an unusual and unprecedented two-step process as elucidated by solid-state NMR and molecular dynamics simulation. The hydrogel is cytocompatible and supports 2D/3D cell growth. Conductive composite gels composed of Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp and a conductive polymer exhibit excellent DNA binding. Fmoc-Lys(Fmoc)-Asp exhibits the lowest CGC and highest mechanical properties when compared to a library of dipeptide analogues, thus validating the uniqueness of the molecular design which confers useful properties for various potential applications.     

Eu@C86 isomers: Calculated relative populations

Abstract

Relative populations of four energy-lowest IPR (isolated-pentagon-rule) isomers of Eu@C₈₆ are computed using the Gibbs energy based on characteristics from density functional theory calculations (M06-2X/3-21G?～?SDD entropy term, M06-2X/6-31G*～SDD or B2PLYP(D)/6-31G*～SDD energetics). The calculations confirm that the recently isolated Eu@C₁(7)-C₈₆ species is a major isomer in a relevant temperature region. Relationship to the empty C₈₆ cages is discussed, too.     

Hygroresponsive Torsional Yarns and Actuators Based on Cascade Amplification of the Deformation

Fiber-based hygroresponsive torsional actuators provide desirable merits, such as light weight and shapeability, for developing smart systems to harvest energy from moisture which is a ubiquitous natural resource. A key challenge in this development is to realize moisture-triggered actuation combining large actuation and rapid responses. Here, a multiscale design strategy is explored to create high-performance hygroresponsive torsional actuators consisting of chitosan and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The superior actuation performance arises from the synergism of contributing factors at different scales, including 1) MWNCTs accelerate the water transport in primary twisted fibers (PTFs), fostering the rotation of PTFs upon moisture stimuli; 2) in situ-formed hierarchically-assembled twists realize cascade amplification of moisture-triggered actuation. Specifically, PTFs are self-twisted to generate secondary helical yarns, that are subsequently over-twisted to yield tertiary coiled yarn. The resultant yarn actuator can reach a maximum rotation speed of 11 400 rpm in 5 s, output gravitational potential energy of 2.4 J kg⁻¹ and gravitational potential power of 0.053 W kg⁻¹ during contraction. This work represents the first design of fiber-based actuators by virtue of moisture-triggered in situ formation of yarns. The established principles of multiscale design will enable high-performance fiber-based hygroresponsive actuators toward advanced intelligent textile and soft robotics.     

Transformation of hardening to softening behaviors induced by Sb substitution in CuO-doped KNN-based piezoceramics

Pb-free piezoceramics of K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_1-xSb_xO₃ + 1 mol% CuO are synthesized via a solid-state reaction. Furthermore, the transformation of hardening to softening behaviors induced by Sb substitution is exhibited and the corresponding microscopic mechanism is proposed. The CuO-doped K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ ceramic without adding Sb exhibits extremely hardening characteristics (i.e., ultrahigh Q_m of ∼2426, low tanδ of 0.32%, and pinched ferroelectric hysteresis loop) due to the formation of defect combinations (${({\text{Cu}}_{\text{Nb}}^{\text{'''}}-{\text{V}}_{\text{o}}^{••})}^{\text{'}}$ and ${({\text{V}}_{\text{o}}^{••}-{\text{Cu}}_{\text{Nb}}^{\text{'''}}-{\text{V}}_{\text{o}}^{••})}^{•}$). Whereas, the addition of Sb dramatically reduces the levels of defect combinations, leading to obviously softening properties (d₃₃ > 210 pC N⁻¹, k_p > 40%, low Q_m, and normal single P-E hysteresis loop). Our results indicate that the decrease of defect combinations with Sb addition should be responsible for the hardening-softening transformation of piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity in CuO-doped K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_1-xSb_xO₃ piezoceramics.     

Versatile Hypoxic Extracellular Vesicles Laden in an Injectable and Bioactive Hydrogel for Accelerated Bone Regeneration

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as an appealing alternative to cell therapy in regenerative medicine. Unlike bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) cultured in vitro with normoxia, bone marrow in vivo is exposed to a hypoxic environment. To date, it remains unclear whether hypoxia preconditioning can improve the function of BMSC-derived EVs and be more conducive to bone repair. Herein, it is found that hypoxia preconditioned BMSCs secrete more biglycan (Bgn)-rich EVs via proteomics analysis, and these hypoxic EVs (Hypo-EVs) significantly promote osteoblast proliferation, migration, differentiation, and mineralization by activating the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. Subsequently, an injectable bioactive hydrogel composed of poly(ethylene glycol)/polypeptide copolymers is developed to improve the stability and retention of Hypo-EVs in vivo. The Hypo-EVs-laden hydrogel shows continuous liberation of Hypo-EVs for 3 weeks and substantially accelerates bone regeneration in 5-mm rat cranial defects. Finally, it is confirmed that Bgn in EVs is a pivotal protein regulating osteoblast differentiation and mineralization and exerts its effects through paracrine mechanisms. Therefore, this study shows that hypoxia stimulation is an effective approach to optimize the therapeutic effects of BMSC-derived EVs and that injectable hydrogel-based EVs delivery is a promising strategy for tissue regeneration.     

Efficient and 1,8-diiodooctane-free ternary organic solar cells fabricated via nanoscale morphology tuning using small-molecule dye additive

The ternary strategy for incorporating multiple photon-sensitive components into a single junction has emerged as an effective method for optimizing the nanoscale morphology and improving the device performance of organic solar cells (OSCs).In this study,efficient and stable ternary OSCs were achieved by introducing the small-molecule dye (5E,5'E)-5,5'-(4',4″-(1,2-diphenylethene-1,2-diyl)bis(biphenyl-4',4-diyl))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(3-ethyl-2-thioxothia zolidin-4-one) (BTPERn) into poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiopheneco-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-2-carboxylate] (PTB7-Th):[6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend films processed using a 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO)-free solvent.The incorporation of BTPE-Rn enhanced the short-circuit current density and fill factor of the ternary OSCs compared with those of binary OSCs.An investigation of the optical,electronic,and morphological properties of the ternary blends indicated that the third component of BTPE-Rn not only promoted the photon utilization of blends through the energy-transfer process but also improved the electron mobility of the blends owing to the fullerene-rich nanophase optimization.More importantly,this ternary strategy of utilizing a small-molecule dye to replace the photounstable DIO additive enhanced the operational stability of the OSCs.     

Three-dimensionally ordered,ultrathin graphitic-carbon frameworks with cage-like mesoporosity for highly stable Li-S batteries

Mesoporous carbons have been widely utilized as the sulfur host for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries.The ability to engineer the porosity,wall thickness,and graphitization degree of the carbon host is essential for addressing issues that hamper commercialization of Li-S batteries,such as fast capacity decay and poor high-rate performance.In this work,highly ordered,ultrathin mesoporous graphitic-carbon frameworks (MGFs) having unique cage-like mesoporosity,derived from self-assembled Fe3O4 nanoparticle superlattices,are demonstrated to be an excellent host for encapsulating sulfur.The resulting S@MGFs exhibit high specific capacity (1,446 mAh·g-1 at 0.15 C),good rate capability (430 mAh.g-1 at 6 C),and exceptional cycling stability (～0.049％ capacity decay per cycle at 1 C) when used as Li-S cathodes.The superior electrochemical performance of the S@MGFs is attributed to the many unique and advantageous structural features of MGFs.In addition to the interconnected,ultrathin graphitic-carbon framework that ensures rapid electron and lithium-ion transport,the microporous openings between adjacent mesopores efficiently suppress the diffusion of polysulfides,leading to improved capacity retention even at high current densities.