Two-Dimensional Tin Selenide (SnSe) Nanosheets Capable of Mimicking Key Dehydrogenases in Cellular Metabolism

While dehydrogenases play crucial roles in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of cell metabolism, which are extensively explored for biomedical and chemical engineering uses, it is a big challenge to overcome the shortcomings (low stability and high costs) of recombinant dehydrogenases. Herein, it is shown that two-dimensional (2D) SnSe is capable of mimicking native dehydrogenases to efficiently catalyze hydrogen transfer from 1-(R)-2-(R′)-ethanol groups. In contrary to susceptible native dehydrogenases, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for instance, SnSe is extremely tolerant to reaction condition changes (pH, temperature, and organic solvents) and displays extraordinary reusable capability. Structure–activity analysis indicates that the single-atom structure, Sn vacancy, and hydrogen binding affinity of SnSe may be responsible for their catalytic activity. Overall, this is the first report of a 2D SnSe nanozyme to mimic key dehydrogenases in cell metabolism.     

Two‐Dimensional Tin Selenide (SnSe) Nanosheets Capable of Mimicking Key Dehydrogenases in Cellular Metabolism

While dehydrogenases play crucial roles in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of cell metabolism, which are extensively explored for biomedical and chemical engineering uses, it is a big challenge to overcome the shortcomings (low stability and high costs) of recombinant dehydrogenases. Herein, it is shown that two‐dimensional (2D) SnSe is capable of mimicking native dehydrogenases to efficiently catalyze hydrogen transfer from 1‐(R)‐2‐(R′)‐ethanol groups. In contrary to susceptible native dehydrogenases, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for instance, SnSe is extremely tolerant to reaction condition changes (pH, temperature, and organic solvents) and displays extraordinary reusable capability. Structure–activity analysis indicates that the single‐atom structure, Sn vacancy, and hydrogen binding affinity of SnSe may be responsible for their catalytic activity. Overall, this is the first report of a 2D SnSe nanozyme to mimic key dehydrogenases in cell metabolism.     

SnSe2 quantum dot sensitized solar cells prepared employing molecular metal chalcogenide as precursors

A kind of molecular metal chalcogenide, (N(2)H(4))(3)(N(2)H(5))(4)Sn(2)Se(6) complex, was synthesized in the hydrazine solution and employed as the precursors for SnSe(2) deposition on TiO(2) nanocrystalline porous films. A power conversion efficiency of 0.12% under AM 1.5, 1 sun was obtained for the SnSe(2) sensitized TiO(2) solar cells.     

脉冲激光沉积法制备SnSe薄膜电极及其电化学性质

采用脉冲激光溅射Sn和Se粉末的混合靶制备SnSe薄膜, XRD结果显示室温下得到的是Sn和Se的混合薄膜, 当基片温度为200 ℃时, 薄膜主要由晶态的SnSe组成. 该薄膜的首次放电容量为498 mAh•g-1, 30次循环之后的放电容量为260 mAh•g-1. 充放电测试、循环伏安曲线和ex-situ XRD结果显示, SnSe能够和Li发生可逆的电化学反应, 充电过程中能够重新生成SnSe, 表现出不同于其它氧族元素锡化物的电化学性质.     

Synthesis of SnSe in various alkaline media under mild conditions

The synthesis of SnSe was systematically investigated in various alkaline media and at various temperatures with SnCl2.2H2O and selenium as source materials. The basicity of the alkaline media and the reaction temperature are two key factors considered in our process. The synthesis of SnSe in sodium hydroxide solution and aqueous ammonia is limited to a narrow temperature range, while the synthesis in hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine proceeds over a wider range. The final products were characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM results showed a variation of crystal morphology of SnSe obtained in different media. Two simple chemical mechanisms for the formation of SnSe are presented.     

Phase equilibria in the GeSe2–SnSe system

The phase diagram of the system GeSe₂–SnSe is studied by means of X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and measurements of the density and the microhardness of the material. There are no intermediate compounds in it, as well as regions of range of solid solutions at room temperature on the base of GeSe₂ and SnSe. There are two non-variant equilibria in the system: eutectic (where T _e=530±5°C and x _e= 40 mol% SnSe) and metaeutectic (where T _m=550±5°C and x _m=98 mol% SnSe).     

Modulation of the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of orthorhombic and cubic SnSe by AgBiSe2 alloying

Recently, single-crystals of tin selenide (SnSe) have drawn immense attention in the field of thermoelectrics due to their anisotropic layered crystal structure and ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity. Layered SnSe has an orthorhombic crystal structure (Pnma) at ambient conditions. However, the cubic rock-salt phase (Fm$\bar{3}$m) of SnSe can only be stabilized at very high pressure and thus, the experimental realization of the cubic phase remains elusive. Herein, we have successfully stabilized the high-pressure cubic rock-salt phase of SnSe by alloying with AgBiSe₂ (0.30 ≤ x ≤ 0.80) at ambient temperature and pressure. The orthorhombic polycrystalline phase is stable in (SnSe)_1−x(AgBiSe₂)_x in the composition range of 0.00 ≤ x < 0.28, which corresponds to narrow band gap semiconductors, whereas the band gap closes upon increasing the concentration of AgBiSe₂ (0.30 ≤ x < 0.70) leading to the cubic rock-salt structure. We confirmed the stabilization of the cubic structure at x = 0.30 and associated changes in the electronic structure using first-principles theoretical calculations. The pristine cubic SnSe exhibited the topological crystalline insulator (TCI) quantum phase, but the cubic (SnSe)_1−x(AgBiSe₂)_x (x = 0.33) showed a semi-metallic electronic structure with overlapping conduction and valence bands. The cubic polycrystalline (SnSe)_1−x(AgBiSe₂)_x (x = 0.30) sample showed n-type conduction at room temperature, while the orthorhombic (SnSe)_1−x(AgBiSe₂)_x (0.00 ≤ x < 0.28) samples retained p-type character. Thus, by optimizing the electronic structure and the thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline SnSe, a high zT of 1.3 at 823 K has been achieved in (SnSe)_0.78(AgBiSe₂)_0.22.

AgBiSe₂ alloying in SnSe tailors its crystal and electronic structures, which boost its thermoelectric figure of merit to 1.3.     

微波溶剂热法合成纳米晶Cu2SnSe4及其结构研究

The nanocrystal Cu₂SnSe₄ was synthesized by the microwave solvothermal technique and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results show that the technique is fast, simple and energy saving, and the average size of the product is 20～30 nm. Optical absorption spectrum of Cu₂SnSe₄ shows that product with a band gap of 2.36 eV is a better semiconductor.     

Equilibrium sublimation and thermodynamic properties of SnSe and SnSe2

Knudsen effusion studies of the sublimation of polycrystalline SnSe and SnSe₂, prepared by annealing and chemical vapor transport reactions, respectively, have been carried out using vacuum microbalance techniques in the temperature ranges 736–967 K and 608–760 K, respectively. From experimental mass-loss data for the sublimation reaction SnSe(s) = SnSe(g), the recommended values for the heat of formation and absolute entropy of SnSe(s) were calculated to be ΔH°_298,f = ?86.4 ± 9.9 kJ · mol^?1 and S°₂₉₈ = 89.0 ± 7.1 J · K^?1 · mol^?1. From mass-loss data for the decomposition reaction \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm SnSe}_{\rm 2} ({\rm s)} = {\rm SnSe(s)} + \frac{1}{{\rm x}}{\rm Se}_{\rm x} ({\rm g) (x} = 2 - 8) $\end{document}, the recommended values for the heat of formation and absolute entropy of SnSe₂(s) were determined to be ΔH°_298,f = ?118.1 ± 15.1 kJ · mol^?1 and S°₂₉₈ = 111.8 ± 11.8 J · K^?1 mol^?1.     

纳米SnSe2空心球上乙酰胆碱酯酶的固定及辛硫磷传感器的构建

描述了一种将乙酰胆碱酯酶固定在SnSe2空心球上检测辛硫磷的简单方法,用水热法合成了SnSe2空心球,并用透射电镜对其表征.固定的乙酰胆碱酯酶能保持其生物学活性,催化乙酰胆碱为胆碱,胆碱被氧化产生可检测的信号.基于辛硫磷对乙酰胆碱酯酶活性有抑制作用这个机理,在理想条件下,这种传感器对辛硫磷检测的线性范围是0.008～56μg/mL,检测限为0.004μg/mL.这种新型的传感器有很好的稳定性和重现性.这项工作表明SnSe2空心球可以作为固定乙酰胆碱酯酶的理想载体并用于构建相应的传感器.     

Heat capacity measurements of SnSe and SnSe2

The heat capacities of SnSe and SnSe₂ were measured in the temperature range 230–580 K using a computer interfaced differential scanning calorimeter. From these measurements, the Debye temperatures of SnSe and SnSe₂ were calculated as a function of temperature. An estimated Debye temperature of 220 K for SnSe was used to calculate the absolute entropy of SnSe at 298 K to be 85.2 ± 6.0 J K^?1 mole^?1. In the light of other work, the suitability of Debye temperatures for estimating low temperature heat capacities of SnSe₂ is questioned.     

Fabrication of Highly Textured 2D SnSe Layers with Tunable Electronic Properties for Hydrogen Evolution

Hydrogen is regarded to be one of the most promising renewable and clean energy sources. Finding a highly efficient and cost-effective catalyst to generate hydrogen via water splitting has become a research hotspot. Two-dimensional materials with exotic structural and electronic properties have been considered as economical alternatives. In this work, 2D SnSe films with high quality of crystallinity were grown on a mica substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. The electronic property of the prepared SnSe thin films can be easily and accurately tuned in situ by three orders of magnitude through the controllable compensation of Sn atoms. The prepared film normally exhibited p-type conduction due to the deficiency of Sn in the film during its growth. First-principle calculations explained that Sn vacancies can introduce additional reactive sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and enhance the HER performance by accelerating electron migration and promoting continuous hydrogen generation, which was mirrored by the reduced Gibbs free energy by a factor of 2.3 as compared with the pure SnSe film. The results pave the way for synthesized 2D SnSe thin films in the applications of hydrogen production.     

Core-shell nanorods of SnS-C and SnSe-C: synthesis and characterization

The straightforward, efficient, solventless, RAPET (reactions under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature) approach was explored for the fabrication of core-shell nanomaterials. Carbon-encapsulated SnS and SnSe nanorods were synthesized by a one-step thermal decomposition of tetramethyltin in the presence of either S or Se powder in a closed reactor at 700 degrees C for 40 min, under their autogenic pressure in an inert atmosphere. The powder X-ray diffraction measurements provided structural evidence for the formation of pure orthorhombic phases of SnS or SnSe particles. The Raman spectroscopy measurements ensured that the nature of the coated carbon was semigraphitic. The scanning electron micrographs verified the 1D morphology of the formed SnS and SnSe chalcogenides, and their stoichiometry was confirmed by EDAX measurements. The HR-TEM micrographs distinguished between core and shell morphologies. The nitrogen gas adsorption on the surface of core-shell nanostructures was determined by BET surface area analysis. The plausible mechanism for the creation of chalcogenide cores (SnS or SnSe) with a carbon shell was elucidated.     

Ortho-chalcogenostannates as ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, electronic properties, and magnetism of novel compounds containing ternary anionic substructures [M4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)4]10- (M=Mn, Zn, Cd, Hg), 3(infinity)[[Hg4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)3]6-], or 1(infinity)[[HgSnSe4]2-

By reaction of K4[SnSe4].1.5 MeOH with CdCl2 or Hg(OAc)2 in water/methanol it was possible to prepare single crystals of four novel compounds that contain ternary anionic coordination oligomers and polymers: [K10(H2O)16(MeOH)(0.5)][M4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)4] (4: M=Cd, 5: M=Hg), [K6(H2O)3][Hg4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)3].MeOH (6), and K2[HgSnSe4] (7), which were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The optical absorption properties of the isostructural compounds 4 and 5, as well as those of the recently reported Zn (2) and Mn (3) analogues, were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. These investigations showed the quaternary phases to have relatively small optical gaps for their molecular size (2.2-2.6 eV), which are similar to the excitation energies that were observed for mesostructured solids of the respective combination of elements. According to DFT investigations on the ternary anions, an experimentally observed difference between the absorption behavior of the d10 compounds 2, 4, and 5 and the open-shell d(5) compound 3 is in line with different characters of the frontier orbitals in the two cases. Both the calculations and a magnetic measurement on 3 demonstrated antiferromagnetic coupling between the mu(4)-Se-bridged Mn centers.     

Nanocrystalline tin as a preparative tool: synthesis of unprotected nanoparticles of SnTe and SnSe and a new route to (PhSe)4Sn

The reactions of nanocrystalline tin metal (Sn*) with elemental selenium and tellurium and with the diaryldichalcogenides Ph2Se2 and Ph2Te2 have been investigated. Reaction of Sn* with the soluble tellurium source Ph2Te2 led to a clean formation of nanoparticles of cubic SnTe. Dependent on the concentration of Ph2Te2, the particles sizes could be varied between 15 and 60 nm in average, whereas the reaction of Sn* with Ph2Se2 formed molecular Sn(SePh)4 in high yield. The latter molecular compound was thermolyzed at 300 degrees C, yielding nanocrystalline SnSe with a broader distribution of size. The nanoparticles of SnTe were thoroughly investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction. The reactions of Sn* with elemental selenium and tellurium gave single- phase but microcrystalline SnSe and SnTe.     

Reaction pathway to Cu2ZnSnSe4 formation in CdI2

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - We investigated various possible chemical interactions between individual precursor compounds (ZnSe, SnSe, and CuSe) and CdI2 as a flux material used...     

SnSe Nanosheets Mimic Lactate Dehydrogenase to Reverse Tumor Acid Microenvironment Metabolism for Enhancement of Tumor Therapy

The acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) is unfriendly to the activity and function of immune cells in the TME. Here, we report inorganic nanozymes (i.e., SnSe NSs) that mimic the catalytic activity of lactate dehydrogenase to degrade lactate to pyruvate, contributing to the metabolic treatment of tumors. As found in this study, SnSe NSs successfully decreased lactate levels in cells and tumors, as well as reduced tumor acidity. This is associated with activation of the immune response of T cells, thus alleviating the immunosuppressive environment of the TME. More importantly, the nanozyme successfully inhibited tumor growth in mutilate mouse tumor models. Thus, SnSe NSs show a promising result in lactate depletion and tumor suppression, which exemplifies its potential strategy in targeting lactate for metabolic therapy.     

(Me)2NH2](0.75)[Ag(1.25)SnSe3]: a three-dimensionally microporous chalcogenide exhibiting framework flexibility upon ion-exchange

A microporous silver-selenidostannate, namely [(Me)(2)NH(2)](0.75)[Ag(1.25)SnSe(3)], has been solvothermally synthesized in the presence of in situ-generated dimethylammonium cation. The compound possesses a three-dimensional open-framework that is flexible to cation exchange.     

Phase-selective chemical extraction of selenium and sulfur from nanoscale metal chalcogenides: a general strategy for synthesis, purification, and phase targeting

Controlling the composition and phase formation of bulk and nanoscale solids underpins efforts to control physical properties. Here, we introduce a powerful new chemical pathway that facilitates composition-tunable synthesis, post-synthesis purification, and precise phase targeting in metal chalcogenide systems. When metal selenides and sulfides react with trioctylphosphine (TOP) at temperatures that range from 65 to 270 °C, selenium and sulfur are selectively extracted to produce the most metal-rich chalcogenide that is stable in a particular binary system. This general approach is demonstrated for SnSe(2), FeS(2), NiSe(2), and CoSe(2), which convert to SnSe, FeS, Ni(3)Se(2), and Co(9)Se(8), respectively. In-depth studies of the Fe-Se system highlight the precise phase targeting and purification that is achievable, with PbO-type FeSe (the most metal-rich stable Fe-Se phase) forming exclusively when other Fe-Se phases, including mixtures, react with TOP. This chemistry also represents a new template-based nanoparticle "conversion chemistry" reaction, transforming hollow NiSe(2) nanospheres into hollow NiSe nanospheres with morphological retention.     

Reactivity of chalcogenostannate compounds: syntheses,crystal structures,and electronic properties of novel compounds containing discrete ternary anions [MII4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)4]10- (MII = Zn,Mn)

Reactions of K4[SnSe4].1.5MeOH with ZnCl2 or MnCl2.4H2O in water/methanol mixtures yield novel compounds [K10(H2O)16(MeOH)0.5][M4(mu4-Se)(SnSe4)4] (M = Zn, 2; Mn, 3) in high yields; 2 and 3 contain the first discrete ternary Zn/Sn/Se or Mn/Sn/Se cluster anions. Both compounds were unambiguously characterized by X-ray diffraction (tetragonal, space groups P43212 and P41212, respectively) revealing chiral anionic structures within chiral crystals. Optical spectra of 2 and 3 indicate energy differences for the lowest electronic excitations (Eg = 2.57 eV, 2; 2.27 eV, 3) that are very close to the band gap values observed for mesoporous solids with polymeric M/Sn/E networks. DFT investigations on the electronic situation and first ESR studies agree in that they demonstrate a high-spin ground state in the case of 3 with 20 unpaired electrons at four uncoupled MnII centers.