Synthesis and characterization of novel blue emitting Na2CaSiO4:Ce3+ phosphor

The blue phosphors Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ were synthesized by the sol–gel method and their luminescence characteristics were investigated for the first time. Structural information about prepared samples is obtained by analyzing the XRD patterns and SEM micrographs. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra indicate that the Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ phosphors can be effectively excited by ultraviolet (360 nm) light. The PL emission spectra exhibit tunable blue broadband emission with the dominant wavelength of 427–447 nm under excitation of 360 nm by controlling the doping concentration of Ce³⁺. The concentration quenching effect for Ce³⁺ was found at the optimum doping concentration of 4 mol%. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage 1931 chromaticity coordinates of Na_1.96Ca_0.96SiO₄:0.04Ce³⁺ are (0.1447, 0.0787), which are better color purity compared to the commercial Eu²⁺-doped BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇ phosphor. Na_1.96Ca_0.96SiO₄:0.04Ce³⁺ composition shows intense blue emission (peak wavelength, 439 nm) with relative intensity versus commercial BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ blue phosphor (Nichia) 65 and 158 % under 254 and 365 nm excitation, respectively. All the results indicate that Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ phosphors are potential candidate as a blue emitting phosphor for UV-converting white light-emitting diodes.     

The morphologies and optoelectronic properties of delafossite CuFeO2 thin films prepared by PEG assisted sol–gel method

Single phase delafossite CuFeO₂ thin films were synthesized by a simple sol–gel method. The influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the morphology and optoelectronic properties of the films was studied by addition of 1.0 g PEG in 10 ml precursor solution. The crystal sizes of the derived CuFeO₂ films with and without addition of PEG were 49 nm, but the sample with addition of PEG (labeled as CFO-PEG) showed weaker c-axis orientation growth. The sample without addition of PEG (labeled as CFO) showed a compact surface without detectable pores and had a thickness around 50 nm. However, the sample CFO-PEG exhibited a porous surface with worm-like grains in nanometric scale and had a thickness around 310 nm. Enhanced absorbance in UV–vis region was observed for the sample CFO-PEG which might ascribe to both the thickness and porous surface. The optical direct bandgaps at near-UV were estimated to be ~3.0 and 3.38 eV for the sample CFO-PEG and CFO, respectively. Though the porous surface of CFO-PEG has improved the absorbance in UV–vis region, the resistivity has also been increased due to the homogeneous distribution of interspaces between the worm-like grains, which makes the incident photon to current efficiency of CFO-PEG lower than that of CFO.     

Ternary Sn-Ti-O Electrocatalyst Boosts the Stability and Energy Efficiency of CO2 Reduction

Simultaneously improving energy efficiency (EE) and material stability in electrochemical CO₂ conversion remains an unsolved challenge. Among a series of ternary Sn-Ti-O electrocatalysts, 3D ordered mesoporous (3DOM) Sn_0.3Ti_0.7O₂ achieves a trade-off between active-site exposure and structural stability, demonstrating up to 71.5 % half-cell EE over 200 hours, and a 94.5 % Faradaic efficiency for CO at an overpotential as low as 430 mV. DFT and X-ray absorption fine structure analyses reveal an electron density reconfiguration in the Sn-Ti-O system. A downshift of the orbital band center of Sn and a charge depletion of Ti collectively facilitate the dissociative adsorption of the desired intermediate COOH* for CO formation. It is also beneficial in maintaining a local alkaline environment to suppress H₂ and formate formation, and in stabilizing oxygen atoms to prolong durability. These findings provide a new strategy in materials design for efficient CO₂ conversion and beyond.     

A Hydrogen-Deficient Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Developing highly efficient and low-cost photocatalysts for overall water splitting has long been a pursuit for converting solar power into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we demonstrate that a nonstoichiometric nickel–cobalt double hydroxide can achieve overall water splitting by itself upon solar light irradiation, avoiding the consumption of noble-metal co-catalysts. We employed an intensive laser to ablate a NiCo alloy target immersed in alkaline solution, and produced so-called L-NiCo nanosheets with a nonstoichiometric composition and O²⁻/Co³⁺ ions exposed on the surface. The nonstoichiometric composition broadens the band gap, while O²⁻ and Co³⁺ ions boost hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. As such, the photocatalyst achieves a H₂ evolution rate of 1.7 μmol h⁻¹ under AM 1.5G sunlight irradiation and an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 1.38 % at 380 nm.     

Deep-Eutectic-Solvent-Based Self-Healing Polymer Electrolyte for Safe and Long-Life Lithium-Metal Batteries

The deployment of high-energy-density lithium-metal batteries has been greatly impeded by Li dendrite growth and safety concerns originating from flammable liquid electrolytes. Herein, we report a stable quasi-solid-state Li metal battery with a deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based self-healing polymer (DSP) electrolyte. This electrolyte was fabricated in a facile manner by in situ copolymerization of 2-(3-(6-methyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl)ureido)ethyl methacrylate (UPyMA) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA) monomers in a DES-based electrolyte containing fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) as an additive. The well-designed DSP electrolyte simultaneously possesses non-flammability, high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability, and dendrite-free Li plating. When applied in Li metal batteries with a LiMn₂O₄ cathode, the DSP electrolyte effectively suppressed manganese dissolution from the cathode and enabled high-capacity and a long lifespan at room and elevated temperatures.     

J-Aggregate-Based FRET Monitoring of Drug Release from Polymer Nanoparticles with High Drug Loading

Understanding drug-release kinetics is critical for the development of drug-loaded nanoparticles. We developed a J-aggregate-based Förster-resonance energy-transfer (FRET) method to investigate the release of novel high-drug-loading (50 wt %) nanoparticles in comparison with low-drug-loading (0.5 wt %) nanoparticles. Single-dye-loaded nanoparticles form J-aggregates because of the high dye-loading (50 wt %), resulting in a large red-shift (≈110 nm) in the fluorescence spectrum. Dual-dye-loaded nanoparticles with high dye-loading using FRET pairs exhibited not only FRET but also a J-aggregate red-shift (116 nm). Using this J-aggregate-based FRET method, dye-core–polymer-shell nanoparticles showed two release processes intracellularly: the dissolution of the dye aggregates into dye molecules and the release of the dye molecules from the polymer shell. Also, the high-dye-loading nanoparticles (50 wt %) exhibited a slow release kinetics in serum and relatively quick release in cells, demonstrating their great potential in drug delivery.     

Holey Lamellar High-Entropy Oxide as an Ultra-High-Activity Heterogeneous Catalyst for Solvent-free Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The development of noble-metal-free heterogeneous catalysts is promising for selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols; however, the relatively low conversion of non-noble metal catalysts under solvent-free atmospheric conditions hinders their industrial application. Now, a holey lamellar high entropy oxide (HEO) Co_0.2Ni_0.2Cu_0.2Mg_0.2Zn_0.2O material with mesoporous structure is prepared by an anchoring and merging process. The HEO has ultra-high catalytic activity for the solvent-free aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Up to 98 % conversion can be achieved in only 2 h, to our knowledge, the highest conversion of benzyl alcohol by oxidation to date. By regulating the catalytic reaction parameters, benzoic acid or benzaldehyde can be selectively optimized as the main product. Analytical characterizations and calculations provide a deeper insight into the catalysis mechanism, revealing abundant oxygen vacancies and holey lamellar framework contribute to the ultra-high catalytic activity.     

Tailoring A Poly(ether sulfone) Bipolar Membrane: Osmotic-Energy Generator with High Power Density

Osmotic energy, obtained through different concentrations of salt solutions, is recognized as a form of a sustainable energy source. In the past years, membranes derived from asymmetric aromatic compounds have attracted attention because of their low cost and high performance in osmotic energy conversion. The membrane formation process, charging state, functional groups, membrane thickness, and the ion-exchange capacity of the membrane could affect the power generation performance. Among asymmetric membranes, a bipolar membrane could largely promote the ion transport. Here, two polymers with the same poly(ether sulfone) main chain but opposite charges were synthesized to prepare bipolar membranes by a nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and spin-coating (SC) method. The maximum power density of the bipolar membrane reaches about 6.2 W m⁻² under a 50-fold salinity gradient, and this result can serve as a reference for the design of bipolar membranes for osmotic energy conversion systems.     

A Layered Cationic Aluminum Oxyhydroxide as a Highly Efficient and Selective Trap for Heavy Metal Oxyanions

Cationic framework materials, especially pure inorganic cationic frameworks that can efficiently and selectively capture harmful heavy metal oxyanions from aqueous solution are highly desired yet scarcely reported. Herein, we report the discovery of a 2D cationic aluminum oxyhydroxide, JU-111, which sets a new benchmark for heavy metal oxyanion sorbents, especially for Cr^VI. Its structure was solved based on 3D electron diffraction tomography data. JU-111 shows fast sorption kinetics (ca. 20 min), high capture capacity (105.4 mg g⁻¹), and broad working pH range (3–10) toward Cr^VI oxyanions. Unlike layered double hydroxides (LDHs), which are poorly selective in the presence of CO₃²⁻, JU-111 retains excellent selectivity for Cr^VI even under a large excess of CO₃²⁻. These superior features coupled with the ultra-low cost and environmentally benign nature make JU-111 a promising candidate for toxic metal oxyanion remediation as well as other potential applications.     

Anisotropic Protein Organofibers Encoded With Extraordinary Mechanical Behavior for Cellular Mechanobiology Applications

Hydrogels enable a variety of applications due to their dynamic networks, structural flexibility, and tailorable functionality. However, their mechanical performances are limited, specifically in the context of cellular mechanobiology. It is also difficult to fabricate robust gel networks with a long-term durability. Thus, a new generation of soft materials showing outstanding mechanical behavior for mechanobiology applications is highly desirable. We combined synthetic biology and supramolecular assembly to prepare elastin-like protein (ELP) organogel fibers with extraordinary mechanical properties. The mechanical performance and stability of the assembled anisotropic proteins are superior to other organo-/hydrogel systems. Bone-derived mesenchymal cells were introduced into the organofiber system for stem-cell lineage differentiation. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of mechanically strong and anisotropic organonetworks for mechanobiology applications and holds great potential for tissue-regeneration translations.