Effect of Co-catalyst CdS on the Photocatalytic Performance of ZnMoO4 for Hydrogen Production

Zinc molybdate (ZnMoO₄), a layer perovskite material, has the advantages of high stability, excellent optical and charge properties. However, its high band gap and high electron–hole recombination efficiency limit its application in the photocatalytic reduction field like hydrogen production. In this study, we used CdS as a co-catalyst and successfully prepared CdS/ZnMoO₄ composite photocatalysts with different loadings. The hydrogen evolution rate of CdS/ZnMoO₄ reached 530.2 µmol h^?1 g^?1, which was approximately 11 and 100 times more than rates of pure CdS and ZnMoO₄ under the same conditions, respectively. It is the presence of CdS that contributed to this improved performance, which acted as an electron acceptor to separate electrons and holes. Besides, a reasonable mechanism was provided based on photoelectrochemical characterizations. CdS loading greatly improved the hydrogen evolution performance of ZnMoO₄ under visible light, providing a direction to improving the performance of perovskite based photocatalysts.

     

气驱油油气混相过程的界面传质特性及其分子机制

油气混相过程的界面传质特性对气驱提高原油采收率技术非常重要。本文针对吉林某油田的实际油组分,采用分子动力学模拟研究了气驱油过程,分析了不同气体和驱替压力下油气两相的状态变化以及界面特性,获得不同驱替气体的最小混相压力(MMP)。结果表明,随着驱替气体压力的升高,气相的密度逐渐增大,油相膨胀密度降低,气相与油相的混合程度增强,油气两相界面厚度增加,界面张力随之减小。同时发现,驱替相中二氧化碳浓度越高,在同等气体压力下,油气界面更厚,油气混合程度更高。纯CO₂驱油得到的MMP远远小于纯N₂驱油,当这两种气体摩尔比为1 : 1混合时MMP介于两种纯气体之间,说明要达到同样的驱油效果二氧化碳需要的压力更小。最后,本文从分子微观作用力角度解释了驱替气体不同时影响油气混相程度的机制,通过分子平均作用势曲线发现油相分子对CO₂的吸引力要大于N₂分子,因此CO₂分子更容易与油相混合,驱替效果更明显。     

Tendon-bone junction healing by injectable bioactive thermo-sensitive hydrogel based on inspiration of tendon-derived stem cells

The rotator cuff repaired construct must establish a contiguous and functioning tendon-bone junction to provide adequate stability. However, fibrocartilage deficiency and bone loss were hardly reversed after physical suture, especially in chronic rotator cuff tears. In this study, we synthesized an injectable methylcellulose/polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone-based thermo-sensitive hydrogel, which delivered kartogenin-loaded mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles. Physicochemical studies the revealed phase transition temperatures of 35 °C and its ability to induce chondrogenesis and osteogenesis differentiation of tendon-derived stem cells. Furthermore, experiments in rabbit chronic rotator cuff tears model confirmed the fibrocartilage and bone layer regenerative capability of the injected bioactive hydrogel, which could, in turn, support the ultimate tensile stress of the repaired rotator cuff. The bioactive agents-loaded hydrogel reported in this study is a valuable addition to the arsenal of biomaterials in applications to chronic tendon-bone junction injuries.     

Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensor for Wearable Interstitial Fluid Glucose Monitoring

We report on a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for wearable glucose monitoring in interstitial fluid. The sensor exhibited acceptable selectivity and reliability for continuous glucose detection for up to 30 days. The sensor tip is coated with polyurethane, and the biocompatibility of the tip is investigated by tissue staining. A fully integrated wearable glucose monitoring system is developed with a wireless connection with a smartphone. The test results are in agreement with reference methods. So, we believe the sensor is promising for the development of a continuous glucose monitoring system and diabetes management.     

Photoelectrochemical Cytosensors

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cytosensors, a combination of the PEC process and the living-cell assay, have emerged as a powerful tool in the analytical and biological science. This mini review provides a brief introduction of this arena and summaries the key steps about the development of PEC cytosensors with representative examples, followed by future prospects based on our own opinions.     

An Overview of Wearable and Implantable Electrochemical Glucose Sensors

Electrochemical glucose sensors have garnered considerable attention because of their attractive prospect in point-of-care testing (POCT). In this review, we firstly introduce the principles and challenges of electrochemical glucose sensors. Subsequently, we present an overview of the application of electrochemical glucose sensors and discuss their advantages and drawbacks. Wearable and implantable devices based on diverse target biofluid and platforms provide a considerable prospect of accurate and continuous monitoring. Thus, we believe that the future development direction of electrochemical glucose sensors is non-invasive, wearable devices and implantable devices with minimally invasive for continuous glucose monitoring in real time.     

Independent development and validation of a novel six-color fluorescence multiplex panel including 61 diallelic DIPs and 2 miniSTRs for forensic degradation sample

Current forensic DNA profiles are obtained based on analyses of PCR product sizes or DNA sequence polymorphisms. Sometimes routine forensic analysis using short tandem repeat (STR) generates unsuccessful DNA testing result if the biological sample encountered is excessively degraded and low-template DNA. Herein, a new six-color fluorescence labeling system, including 59 autosomal diallelic deletion or insertion polymorphisms (DIPs), 2 miniSTRs, 2 Y-chromosome DIPs, and 1 Amelogenin gene with the amplicon sizes of less than 200 bp, was self-developed. According to the validation guidelines for DNA analysis methods formulated by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods, the validation studies have also been carried out for the multiplex system. This novel panel possessed the features of strong stability, high sensitivity, and good specificity, which was especially suitable for the forensic degraded and mixed sample detections. The cumulative power of exclusion and cumulative matching probability of the system were 0.9999978 and 9.833E-28, respectively, in Han Chinese in Hunan, China. Moreover, this system will be an effective new tool that can be independently applied to forensic personal identification and paternity testing in the populations from the East Asia region, even from the South Asia, America, and Europe regions. The system can also contribute to population phylogenetic affinity and genetic structure analyses among different populations.     

Porous Cyclodextrin Polymer Enables Dendrite-Free and Ultra-Long Life Solid-State Zn-I2 Batteries

Zn-I₂ batteries have attracted attention due to their low cost, safety, and environmental friendliness. However, their performance is still limited by the irreversible growth of Zn dendrites, hydrogen evolution reactions, corrosion, and shuttle effect of polyiodide. In this work, we have prepared a new porous polymer (CD-Si) by nucleophilic reaction of β-cyclodextrin with SiCl₄, and CD-Si is applied to the solid polymer electrolyte (denoted PEO/PVDF/CD-Si) to solve above-mentioned problems. Through the anchoring of the CD-Si, a conductive network with dual transmission channels was successfully constructed. Due to the non-covalent anchoring effect, the ionic conductivity of the solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) can reach 1.64×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C. The assembled symmetrical batteries can achieve highly reversible dendrite-free galvanizing/stripping (stable cycling for 7500 h at 5 mA cm⁻² and 1200 h at 20 mA cm⁻²). The solid-state Zn-I₂ battery shows an ultra-long life of over 35,000 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to elucidate the working mechanism of CD-Si in the polymer matrix. This work provides a novel strategy towards solid electrolytes for Zn-I₂ batteries.     

Application of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy in the Studies of Colloidal Quantum Qots

Colloidal quantum dots display remarkable optical and electrical characteristics with the potential for extensive applications in contemporary nanotechnology. As an ideal instrument for examining surface topography and local density of states (LDOS) at an atomic scale, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) has become indispensable approaches to gain better understanding of their physical properties. This article presents a comprehensive review of the research advancements in measuring the electronic orbits and corresponding energy levels of colloidal quantum dots in various systems using STM and STS. The first three sections introduce the basic principles of colloidal quantum dots synthesis and the fundamental methodology of STM research on quantum dots. The fourth section explores the latest progress in the application of STM for colloidal quantum dot studies. Finally, a summary and prospective is presented.     

Metal–Organic Framework-Based Artificial Organelle Corrects Microenvironment Interference for Accurate Intratumoral Glucose Analysis

Enzymatic catalysis with high efficiency allows them a great prospect in metabolite monitoring in living cells. However, complex tumor microenvironments, such as acidity, H₂O₂, and hypoxia, are bound to disturb catalytic reactions for misleading results. Here, we report a spatially compartmentalized artificial organelle to correct intratumoral glucose analysis, where the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 immobilized glucose oxidase-horseradish peroxidase cascade core and catalase-directed shell act as signal transduction and guarding rooms respectively. The acid-digested core and stable shell provide appropriate spaces to boost biocatalytic efficiency with good tolerability. Notably, the endogenous H₂O₂ is in situ decomposed to O₂ by catalase, which not only overcomes the interference in signal output but also alleviates the hypoxic states to maximize glucose oxidation. The marked protective effect and biocompatibility render artificial organelles to correct the signal transduction for dynamic monitoring glucose in vitro and in vivo, achieving our goal of accurate intratumoral metabolite analysis.