A Sustainable Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High‐Energy‐Density Lithium Metal Batteries Under Practical Conditions

High‐energy‐density Li metal batteries suffer from a short lifespan under practical conditions, such as limited lithium, high loading cathode, and lean electrolytes, owing to the absence of appropriate solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, a sustainable SEI was designed rationally by combining fluorinated co‐solvents with sustained‐release additives for practical challenges. The intrinsic uniformity of SEI and the constant supplements of building blocks of SEI jointly afford to sustainable SEI. Specific spatial distributions and abundant heterogeneous grain boundaries of LiF, LiN_xO_y, and Li₂O effectively regulate uniformity of Li deposition. In a Li metal battery with an ultrathin Li anode (33 μm), a high‐loading LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ cathode (4.4 mAh cm^?2), and lean electrolytes (6.1 g Ah^?1), 83 % of initial capacity retains after 150 cycles. A pouch cell (3.5 Ah) demonstrated a specific energy of 340 Wh kg^?1 for 60 cycles with lean electrolytes (2.3 g Ah^?1).     

Rational Design of a Two‐Photon Fluorogenic Probe for Visualizing Monoamine Oxidase A Activity in Human Glioma Tissues

Monoamine oxidases have two functionally distinct but structurally similar isoforms (MAO‐A and MAO‐B). The ability to differentiate them by using fluorescence detection/imaging technology is of significant biological relevance, but highly challenging with available chemical tools. Herein, we report the first MAO‐A‐specific two‐photon fluorogenic probe ( F1 ), capable of selective imaging of endogenous MAO‐A enzymatic activities from a variety of biological samples, including MAO‐A‐expressing neuronal SY‐SY5Y cells, the brain of tumor‐bearing mice and human Glioma tissues by using two‐photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) with minimal cytotoxicity.     

Two‐Step Oxidation Synthesis of Sulfur with a Red Aggregation‐Induced Emission

Sulfur is not normally considered a light‐emitting material, even though there have been reports of a dim luminescence of this compound in the blue‐to‐green spectral region. Now, it is shown how to make red‐emissive sulfur by a two‐step oxidation approach using elemental sulfur and Na₂S as starting materials, with a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 7.2 %. Polysulfide is formed first and is partially transformed into Na₂S₂O₃ in the first step, and then turns back to elemental S in the second step. The elevated temperature and relatively oxygen‐deficient environment during the second step transforms Na₂S₂O₃ into Na₂SO₃ incorporated with oxygen vacancies, thus resulting in the formation of a solid‐state powder consisting of elemental S embedded in Na₂SO₃. It shows aggregation‐induced emission properties, attributed to the influence of oxygen vacancies on the emission dynamics of sulfur by providing additional lower energy states that facilitate the radiative relaxation of excitons.     

A Conjugated Polymer Containing Arylazopyrazole Units in the Side Chains for Field‐Effect Transistors Optically Tunable by Near Infra‐Red Light

Optically tunable field‐effect transistors (FETs) with near infra‐red (NIR) light show promising applications in various areas. Now, arylazopyrazole groups are incorporated in the side chains of a semiconducting donor–acceptor (D‐A) polymer. The cis–trans interconversion of the arylazopyrazole can be controlled by 980 nm and 808 nm NIR light irradiation, by utilizing NaYF₄:Yb,Tm upconversion nanoparticles and the photothermal effect of conjugated D‐A polymers, respectively. This reversible transformation affects the interchain packing of the polymer thin film, which in turn reversibly tunes the semiconducting properties of the FETs by the successive 980 nm and 808 nm light irradiation. The resultant FETs display fast response to NIR light, good resistance to photofatigue, and stability in storage for up to 120 days. These unique features will be useful in future memory and bioelectronic wearable devices.     

Electrocatalytically Active Fe‐(O‐C2)4 Single‐Atom Sites for Efficient Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia

Single‐atom catalysts have demonstrated their superiority over other types of catalysts for various reactions. However, the reported nitrogen reduction reaction single‐atom electrocatalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction exclusively utilize metal–nitrogen or metal–carbon coordination configurations as catalytic active sites. Here, we report a Fe single‐atom electrocatalyst supported on low‐cost, nitrogen‐free lignocellulose‐derived carbon. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra confirm that Fe atoms are anchored to the support via the Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ coordination configuration. Density functional theory calculations identify Fe‐(O‐C₂)₄ as the active site for the nitrogen reduction reaction. An electrode consisting of the electrocatalyst loaded on carbon cloth can afford a NH₃ yield rate and faradaic efficiency of 32.1 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (5350 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) and 29.3 %, respectively. An exceptional NH₃ yield rate of 307.7 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1 (51 283 μg h^?1 mg_Fe^?1) with a near record faradaic efficiency of 51.0 % can be achieved with the electrocatalyst immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode.     

基于菁染料响应G-四链体结构变化的半胱氨酸检测探针

半胱氨酸是生物体中起着重要作用的还原性氨基酸,其在体内的含量变化可能会诱发机体发生多种病变。因此高选择性、高灵敏度和低成本的半胱氨酸检测技术具有重要意义。目前,高效的半胱氨酸检测方法有毛细管电泳、质谱、高效液相色谱和表面增强拉曼散射等,这些方法往往需要复杂的样品制备和精细的实验仪器,可能会限制其在半胱氨酸检测中的应用。本文利用富含鸟嘌呤的DNA链序列在钾、钠等金属离子诱导下形成对汞离子产生特殊响应的二级结构,而菁染料能够对DNA结构进行识别,并由此引起其超分子聚集形式的改变,致使其紫外和可见光谱性质随之变化。最终以Hg²⁺调控G-四链体与菁染料(ETC)组建的传感器,实现对溶液体系中半胱氨酸高选择性的快速可视化检测。     

Gypensapogenin H from hydrolyzate of total Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins induces apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells

Abstract

Gypensapogenin H (Gyp H) is a novel dammarane-type triterpene, isolated from hydrolyzate of total saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Our previous work demonstrated that Gyp H exhibited potent growth inhibitory effects on tumor cells. It significantly inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), while having low toxicity to normal human breast epithelial cells, MCF-10a. Further mechanistic study demonstrated that Gyp H decreased survival, inhibited proliferation, migration, induced apoptosis and led to cell cycle arrest. For the MDA-MB-231 cell lines, Gyp H increased expression of P21, Bax and cytochrome c, induced PARP cleavage and activated caspases. Gyp H also reduced expression of CDK2/4, CyclinD1, E2F1 and Bcl2, which associated with the cell cycle arrest. Thus, our finding may be useful for understanding the mechanism of action of Gyp H on breast cancer cells and suggest that Gyp H would be a leading agent for the treatment of breast cancer.     

碳化钨-石墨烯插层复合物的制备及作为甲醇氧化助催化剂的性能研究

直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFCs)作为一种环境友好、高效的新能源,对解决世界目前面临的“能源危机”与“环境危机”这两大问题有着至关重要的意义,具有较广阔的应用前景.目前,甲醇氧化催化剂仍然以 Pt基为主,但是 Pt价格昂贵,且容易受甲醇氧化中间产物的毒化,从而影响了 DMFCs的商业化进程.碳化钨(WC)作为非贵金属催化剂,在催化方面具有类铂的性能.在 WC上负载适量的 Pt,可以通过两者的协同效应加强催化剂的抗 CO中毒能力.但是,由于 WC的导电性能不佳,比表面积较小,因此寻找合适的载体显得尤为必要.在碳载体中,石墨烯(RGO)具有优良的导电性以及独特的片层结构,是电催化剂的理想载体.以 RGO为载体, WC为插层物质制备的 WC-RGO插层复合物具有化学稳定性好、电导率高且电化学活性面积大等优势.但是,由于石墨烯表面光滑且呈惰性,同时使用传统的碳化方法制备的碳化钨颗粒较大,因此,制备较小颗粒且分散均匀的 WC-RGO插层复合物具有较大难度.一般以偏钨酸铵和氧化石墨烯(GO)为前驱体制备 WC-RGO插层复合物,但是由于偏钨酸根和 GO都带负电,因此不能成功地将偏钨酸根引入到石墨烯的片层结构中,造成 WC-RGO插层复合物组装上的困难.本文采用硫脲成功地合成了具有高分散性 WC纳米颗粒插层在少层 RGO里的 WC-RGO插层复合物.硫脲((NH2)2CS)作为阴离子接受器,具有较强的结合阴离子形成稳定复合物的能力,同时它也是合成具有片层结构的过渡金属硫化物的原料之一.因此在 WC-RGO插层复合物组装过程中,硫脲既作为锚定及诱导剂,又是制备片层二硫化钨(WS2)的硫源.材料具体制备方法如下：首先利用浸渍法,将偏钨酸根阴离子([H2W12O40]6?)牵引到(NH2)2CS改性过的 GO上形成[H2W12O40]6?-(NH2)2CS-GO前驱体;然后将前驱体放入管式炉中还原碳化,前驱体先反应生成 WS2;由于 WS2自身的2D片层结构,反应中可以得到 WS2-RGO插层复合物,接着原位碳化生成 WC-RGO插层复合物.碳化钨-石墨烯负载铂电催化剂(Pt/WC-RGO)通过微波辅助法制得,并采用 X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜及激光拉曼光谱等手段对其结构与形貌进行了表征.结果显示,在 WC-RGO插层复合物中, WC的平均粒径为1.5 nm, RGO的层数约为5层.在甲醇电氧化反应中,相比于商用 Pt/C催化剂, Pt/WC-RGO插层复合物催化剂具有更高的电化学活性面积(ECSA)和较高的峰电流密度(246.1 m2/g Pt,1364.7 mA/mg Pt),分别是 Pt/C的3.66和4.77倍.我们分别利用 CO溶出伏安法、计时电流法及加速耐久性试验法验证了 Pt/WC-RGO催化剂优秀的抗 CO中毒能力及稳定性. Pt/WC-RGO催化剂特殊的插层结构,在增加 WC与 Pt接触机会以加强协同作用的同时,促进了催化过程中质量及电荷的转移,因而具有比 Pt/C更高的催化活性.可见,通过制备WC-RGO插层复合物可降低 Pt用量,从而大大地降低燃料电池中电催化剂的成本.同时,我们使用的是一种高效,可大批量生产纳米材料的方法,有助于催化剂的商业化.     

Engineered Molecular Chain Ordering in Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyaniline Composite Films for High‐Performance Organic Thermoelectric Materials

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)/polyaniline (PANI) composite films with enhanced thermoelectric properties were prepared by combining in situ polymerization and solution processing. Conductive atomic force microscopy and X‐ray diffraction measurements confirmed that solution processing and strong π–π interactions between the PANI and SWNTs induced the PANI molecules to form a highly ordered structure. The improved degree of order of the PANI molecular arrangement increased the carrier mobility and thereby enhanced the electrical transport properties of PANI. The maximum in‐plane electrical conductivity and power factor of the SWNTs/PANI composite films reached 1.44×10³ S cm^?1 and 217 μW m^?1 K^?2, respectively, at room temperature. Furthermore, a thermoelectric generator fabricated with the SWNTs/PANI composite films showed good electric generation ability and stability. A high power density of 10.4 μW cm^?2 K^?1 was obtained, which is superior to most reported results obtained in organic thermoelectric modules.     

应用纳米零价铁富集银的研究

大量研究表明,纳米零价铁（nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron,nZVI）对水中重金属,尤其是金、银等稀贵金属,有良好的分离富集作用.利用纳米零价铁反应器证明了nZVI可从废水中分离低浓度的银离子（Ag⁺）,并生成高含量的“银矿石”.此外,也证明了反应区氧化还原电位能够反映nZVI与Ag⁺的反应速率和分离效率.利用X射线衍射仪、X射线光电子能谱和高分辨透射电子显微镜等手段对反应产物进行表征,证实了Ag⁺可被nZVI还原为单质银,并以纳米颗粒的形式（<10 nm）沉积在nZVI表面.与其他材料（常见吸附/还原材料）相比,nZVI具有效率高,受pH影响小的优点.研究结果表明,nZVI是一种能够高效富集痕量银资源并产生高价值纳米银的材料.