Selectively Permeable Double Emulsions

Natural organisms are made of different types of microcompartments, many of which are enclosed by cell membranes. For these organisms to display a proper function, the microcompartments must be selectively permeable. For example, cell membranes are typically permeable toward small, uncharged molecules such as water, selected nutrients, and cell signaling molecules, but impermeable toward many larger biomolecules. Here, it is reported for the first time dynamic compartments, namely surfactant‐stabilized double emulsions, that display selective and tunable permeability. Selective permeability is imparted to double emulsions by stabilizing them with catechol‐functionalized surfactants that transport molecules across the oil shell of double emulsions only if they electrostatically or hydrophobically attract encapsulants. These double emulsions are employed as semipermeable picoliter‐sized vessels to controllably perform complexation reactions inside picoliter‐sized aqueous cores. This thus far unmet level of control over the transport of reagents across oil phases opens up new possibilities to use double emulsion drops as dynamic and selectively permeable microcompartments to initiate and maintain chemical and biochemical reactions in picoliter‐sized cell‐mimetic compartments.     

Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots with Renal Clearance Property for Efficient Photodynamic Therapy

Black phosphorus (BP) nanomaterials have emerged as rapidly rising stars in the field of nanomedicine. In this work, BP quantum dots (BPQDs) are synthesized and their potential as photosensitizers is investigated for the first time. The BPQDs present good stability in physiological medium and no appreciable cytotoxicity. More importantly, the BPQDs can be rapidly eliminated from the body in their intact form via renal clearance due to their ultrasmall hydrodynamic diameter (5.4 nm). Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the BPQDs have excellent photodynamic effect under light irradiation that can effectively generate reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells. The BPQDs thus can serve as biocompatible and powerful photosensitizers for efficient photodynamic therapy.     

A state-of-the-art review on passivation and biofouling of Ti and its alloys in marine environments

High strength-to-weight ratio, commendable biocompatibility and excellent corrosion resistance make Ti alloys widely applicable in aerospace, medical and marine industries. However, these alloys suffer from serious biofouling, and may become vulnerable to corrosion attack under some extreme marine conditions. The passivating and biofouling performance of Ti alloys can be attributed to their compact, stable and protective films. This paper comprehensively reviews the passivating and biofouling behavior, as well as their mechanisms, for typical Ti alloys in various marine environments. This review aims to help extend applications of Ti alloys in extremely harsh marine conditions.     

自修复聚合物的制备与应用研究进展

聚合物暴露于外部环境(光照、紫外线、热)之中会受到破坏,降低材料的性能以及使用寿命。自修复是人们模仿生物体损伤愈合的概念,解决材料损伤、延长材料使用寿命的新方法。针对近年来自修复聚合物材料的研究情况,文中根据自修复机理将其分为共价键自修复材料、超分子自修复材料两类,分别阐述了它们的化学原理与制备方法。在此基础上,对自修复性质的多样性,如形状自修复、导电性自修复、疏水性自修复、顺磁性自修复等应用性质进行综述。最后,展望了自修复聚合物材料的发展方向,指出纳米粒子、石墨烯等新颖的自修复方法已经崭露头角,有望从材料的堆积结构层次上完善并提高聚合物的自修复性能。     

Carbon‐Coated Na3.32Fe2.34(P2O7)2 Cathode Material for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries are proposed as the most appropriate alternative to lithium batteries due to the fast consumption of the limited lithium resources. Due to their improved safety, polyanion framework compounds have recently gained attention as potential candidates. With the earth‐abundant element Fe being the redox center, the uniform carbon‐coated Na_3.32Fe_2.34(P₂O₇)₂/C composite represents a promising alternative for sodium‐ion batteries. The electrochemical results show that the as‐prepared Na_3.32Fe_2.34(P₂O₇)₂/C composite can deliver capacity of ≈100 mA h g^?1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 120 mA g^?1), with capacity retention of 92.3% at 0.5 C after 300 cycles. After adding fluoroethylene carbonate additive to the electrolyte, 89.6% of the initial capacity is maintained, even after 1100 cycles at 5 C. The electrochemical mechanism is systematically investigated via both in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and density functional theory calculations. The results show that the sodiation and desodiation are single‐phase‐transition processes with two 1D sodium paths, which facilitates fast ionic diffusion. A small volume change, nearly 100% first‐cycle Coulombic efficiency, and a pseudocapacitance contribution are also demonstrated. This research indicates that this new compound could be a potential competitor for other iron‐based cathode electrodes for application in large‐scale Na rechargeable batteries.     

铝合金表面Ti-Zr转化膜的制备及腐蚀行为研究

为进一步提高铝合金的耐蚀性,以H2TiF6和H2ZrF6为主成膜剂,六偏磷酸钠为辅助成膜剂,在LY12铝合金表面制备了Ti-Zr转化膜,系统地研究了转化液pH值和转化时间对转化膜耐蚀性的影响.通过SEM、EDX、电化学测试、全浸试验等研究了转化膜表面形貌-成分-耐蚀性之间的关系.结果 表明:转化温度为40 ℃时,最佳转化液pH值为4.5,最佳转化时间为15 min;转化膜层中主要含有Ti、Al、O元素,另含有少量Zr元素,推测转化膜的主要成分为TiO2、ZrO2、Al2O3,生成的连续致密氧化膜能明显抵御Cl-的侵蚀,显著提高其耐蚀性.     

Niobium-Carbide MXene Modified Hybrid Hole Transport Layer Enabling High-Performance Organic Solar Cells Over 19%

Niobium-carbide (Nb₂C) MXene as a new 2D material has shown great potential for application in photovoltaics due to its excellent electrical conductivity, large surface area, and superior transmittance. In this work, a novel solution-processable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-Nb₂C hybrid hole transport layer (HTL) is developed to enhance the device performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). By optimizing the doping ratio of Nb₂C MXene in PEDOT:PSS, the best power convention efficiency (PCE) of 19.33% can be achieved for OSCs based on the ternary active layer of PM6:BTP-eC9:L8-BO, which is so far the highest value among those of single junction OSCs using 2D materials. It is found that the addition of Nb₂C MXene can facilitate the phase separation of the PEDOT and PSS segments, thus improving the conductivity and work function of PEDOT:PSS. The significantly enhanced device performance can be attributed to the higher hole mobility and charge extraction capability, as well as lower interface recombination probabilities generated by the hybrid HTL. Additionally, the versatility of the hybrid HTL to improve the performance of OSCs based on different nonfullerene acceptors is demonstrated. These results indicate the promising potential of Nb₂C MXene in the development of high-performance OSCs.