Self-supported metal sulphide nanocrystals-assembled nanosheets on carbon paper as efficient counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells

Developing efficient counter electrodes (CEs) and quantum dots made of earth-abundant and non-toxic elements is essential but still challenging for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Here, we report a facile strategy to prepare self-supported and robust CoS₂ and NiS nanocrystals-assembled nanosheets directly grown on carbon paper (MSx NS@CP) as efficient counter electrodes for QDSSCs. Such CEs integrate the merits of fast electron transfer from interconnected conductive scaffold, efficient mass transfer from hierarchically vertical nanosheet on 3D open substrate, as well as abundant highly active catalytic sites from metal sulphide nanocrystal units. As a result, QDDSCs based on such CoS₂ NS@CP and NiS NS@CP CEs achieve a PCE of 8.88% and 7.53%, respectively. The detailed analyses suggest that CoS₂ NS@CP has the highest catalytic activity and shows the lowest charger transfer resistance, leading to the highest PCE. These findings may inspire the design and exploration of other self-supported efficient CEs by integrating highly active catalysts onto 3D conductive networks for efficient QDSSCs.     

Topical application of zein-silk sericin nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for improved therapy of dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by leukocyte migration into the skin dermis and typically driven by excessive chemokine production at the site of inflammation. Conventional topical formulations such as gels, creams, and ointments are insufficient for this treatment because of low penetration of drug molecules into the targeted skin tissues. Herein, using a simple, green, sustainable strategy, we have developed novel primary zein nanoparticles embedded in curcumin (Cur) and coated with silk sericin (ZHSCs) for the topical delivery of Cur to penetrate into the dermis and exercise anti-dermatitis effects on the lesion with minimal side-effects. Transdermal delivery experiments and porcine skin fluorescence imaging indicated that ZHSCs facilitate the penetration of Cur across the epidermis layer of skin to reach deep-seated sites. Notably, ZHSCs = 1:0.25 (zein-to-silk sericin mass ratios of 1:0.25) markedly elevated the skin permeability and cumulative turnover of Cur transferred, which were provided a greater than a 3.8-fold increase relative to free Cur. The special nanoparticles of ZHS = 1:0.25 possessed the deepest localization depth and experience a transition of the particle structure and core-shell separation after penetrating into the dermis of skin. In a cell model of dermatitis induced by tumor necrosis factor α/interferon γ co-stimulation, compared with free Cur, Cur-loaded ZHS nanoparticles down-regulated the generation of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes through suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 and hence exerted an anti-dermatitis effect. This strategy may provide new avenues and direction for the demanding issues of valid topical delivery systems.     

Strategies in boosting photosensitization for biomedical applications

Science China Chemistry -     

椭圆截面曲线管道内二次流动的Galerkin解

推导了任意空间曲线直角坐标系内的张量流体力学方程．采用Galerkin方法和计算机符号运算技术求解了椭圆截面螺旋管道（电括弯管、扭管）内的二次流动．计算结果表明了Galerkin方法的适用和有效性，克服了振动法的小参数局限．对所得结果的分析揭示了椭圆截面螺旋管道内流动的特性，给出了k,r和Re较大情况的研究结论．     

采动诱发岩体移动破坏过程数值模拟研究

本文基于岩石介质的宏观非线性主要是由非均质性和各向异性造成的, 应用新的数值计算软件RFPA(2D), 对采动引起岩体失稳破坏的全过程进了数值模拟研究。     

椭圆平片裂纹前沿应力强度因子解析解的超奇异积分方程方法

对无限大三维均质弹性体中任意平片裂纹的超奇异积分方程,巧妙地引入椭球坐标系和利用裂纹表面位移间断人有平方根的特性,获得了受任意方向均布压力作用下椭圆平片裂纹问题的超奇异积分方程的解析解。运用这些解析解和应力强度因子的定义,得到了裂纹前沿Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型和应力强度因子的精确表达式,所得结果与现有精确解完全一致。     

混凝土断裂过程的力学模型与数值模拟

混凝土是一种典型的非均匀准脆性材料,其断裂过程是非常复杂的.评述了混凝土断裂以及断裂过程研究的进展状况,主要总结了一些研究混凝土断裂的宏观力学方法和模型,介绍了从混凝土的细观层次出发模拟其断裂过程的数值模型.最后,简单介绍了作者用细观数值方法模拟混凝土宏观断裂过程的研究成果.