Highly photoluminescent MoOx quantum dots: Facile synthesis and application in off-on Pi sensing in lake water samples

Molybdenum oxide (MoO_x) is a well-studied transition-metal semiconductor material, and has a wider band gap than MoS₂ which makes it become a promising versatile probe in a variety of fields, such as gas sensor, catalysis, energy storage ect. However, few MoO_x nanomaterials possessing photoluminescence have been reported until now, not to mention the application as photoluminescent probes. Herein, a one-pot method is developed for facile synthesis of highly photoluminescent MoO_x quantum dots (MoO_x QDs) in which commercial molybdenum disulfide powder and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) are involved as the precursor and oxidant, respectively. Compared with current synthesis methods, the proposed one has the advantages of rapid, one-pot, easily prepared, environment friendly as well as strong photoluminescence. The obtained MoO_x QDs is further utilized as an efficient photoluminescent probe, and a new off-on sensor has been constructed for phosphate (Pi) determination in complicated lake water samples, attributed to the fact that the binding affinity of Eu³⁺ ions to the oxygen atoms from Pi is much higher than that from the surface of MoO_x QDs. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship was found between the enhanced photoluminescence intensity and Pi concentration in the range of 0.1–160.0 μM with the detection limit of 56 nM (3σ/k). The first application of the photoluminescent MoO_x nanomaterials for ion photochemical sensing will open the gate of employing MoO_x nanomaterials as versatile probes in a variety of fields, such as chemi-/bio-sensor, cell imaging, biomedical and so on.     

Storage Stability of LiFePO4/C in Humid‐hot Air

Storage stabilities of LiFePO₄/C composite at different conditions are investigated in terms of structural and electrochemical evolutions. The results from different aging tests indicate that moisture and temperature are the key factors that have the most profound effects on the structure homogeneity which in turn influences the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄/C. Although the storage in a humid‐hot environment, such as saturated humidity air at 50°C, does not greatly influence the discharging capacity of LiFePO₄/C, it does reduce the initial charging capacity, thus the amount of reversible Li⁺ ions in a practical LiFePO₄/graphite cell decreases. This impact is explained by the lithium extraction during the storage, forming olivine FePO₄ and associated Li₃PO₄. Elevated storage temperature also favors the delithiation process. The degree of delithiation increases from about 6% at 50°C to 18% at 80°C. It is also found that re‐calcination at 650°C effectively resolves the problem of the structural heterogeneity of the stored LiFePO₄/C. Therefore both the initial charging capacity and coulombic efficiency of the stored sample in the first cycle revert to the original value of the fresh one.     

Investigation of magnetic properties for oblique deposited granular films by magnetic field annealing

A series of (Fe₅₇Co₂₄Ni₄Nb₂B₁₃)_x-(SiO₂)_1−x nano-granular thin films were fabricated by magnetron sputtering with different oblique incidence angle θ and excellent soft magnetic properties are achieved. Based on the results of magnetic field anneal at different temperature T_a, it is evidenced that orientation of atomic pairs contributes to the annealing treatment, and could manipulate magnetic anisotropy. The damping coefficient α decreases with increasing angle θ and this is ascribed to the anisotropy dissipation.     

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.     

Rapid qualitative profiling and quantitative analysis of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex and seven flavonoids by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry

Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex is the bark of Juglans mandshurica Maxim., which has been used as a folk medicine plant in China and India. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry method was developed to clarify and quantify the chemical profiling of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex rapidly. A total of 113 compounds were characterized. Among them, seven flavonoids were simultaneously quantified in 15 min, including myricetin, myricetrin, taxifolin, kaempferol, quercetin, quercitrin, and naringenin. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, and the limits of detection and quantification. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.9990) within test ranges. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 2.16%. Accuracy validation showed that the recovery was between 95.6 and 101.3% with relative standard deviation values below 2.85%. The validated method was successfully applied to determine the contents of seven flavones in Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex from seven sources and the contents of these places were calculated respectively. This method provides a theoretical basis for further developing the medicinal value of Juglandis Mandshuricae Cortex.     

Orally administered bismuth drug together with N-acetyl cysteine as a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus cocktail therapy

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern compromises vaccine efficacy and emphasizes the need for further development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics, in particular orally administered take-home therapies. Cocktail therapy has shown great promise in the treatment of viral infection. Herein, we reported the potent preclinical anti-SARS-CoV-2 efficacy of a cocktail therapy consisting of clinically used drugs, e.g. colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) or bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Oral administration of the cocktail reduced viral loads in the lung and ameliorated virus-induced pneumonia in a hamster infection model. The mechanistic studies showed that NAC prevented the hydrolysis of bismuth drugs at gastric pH via the formation of the stable component [Bi(NAC)₃], and optimized the pharmacokinetics profile of CBS in vivo. Combination of bismuth drugs with NAC suppressed the replication of a panel of medically important coronaviruses including Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) with broad-spectrum inhibitory activities towards key viral cysteine enzymes/proteases including papain-like protease (PL^pro), main protease (M^pro), helicase (Hel) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Importantly, our study offered a potential at-home treatment for combating SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus infections.

A cocktail therapy comprising bismuth drugs and N-acetyl-l-cysteine is reported to suppress the replication of SARS-CoV-2 via the oral route. The broad-spectrum inhibitory activities of the combination upon key viral cysteine enzymes are verified.     

Cathodes for Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries: Materials,Mechanisms, and Kinetics

As concerns about the safety of lithium-ions batteries (LIBs) increases, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) with a lower cost, higher safety, and higher co-efficiency have attracted more and more interest. However, finding suitable cathode materials is still an urgent problem in ZIBs. In recent years, a lot of significant works have been reported, including manganese-based cathodes, vanadium-based cathodes, Prussian blue analog-based materials, and sustainable quinone cathodes. In this review, some typical cathode materials are introduced. The detailed storage mechanisms and methods for improving the reaction kinetics of the zinc ions are summarized. Finally, the issues, challenges, and the research directions are provided.     

Selection of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries

Flexible zinc–air batteries attract more attention due to their high energy density, safety, environmental protection, and low cost. However, the traditional aqueous electrolyte has the disadvantages of leakage and water evaporation, which cannot meet application demand of flexible zinc–air batteries. Hydrogels possessing good conductivity and mechanical properties become a candidate as the electrolytes of flexible zinc–air batteries. In this work, advances in aspects of conductivity, mechanical toughness, environmental adaptability, and interfacial compatibility of hydrogel electrolytes for flexible zinc–air batteries are investigated. First, the additives to improve conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes are summarized. Second, the measures to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogels are taken by way of structure optimization and composition modification. Third, the environmental adaptability of hydrogel electrolytes is listed in terms of temperature, humidity, and air composition. Fourth, the compatibility of electrolyte–electrode interface is discussed from physical properties of hydrogels. Finally, the prospect for development and application of hydrogels is put forward.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of two new cyano-bridged bimetallic complexes

Transition Metal Chemistry - Two complexes [Fe(1,10-phen)2Ni(CN)4]n (1), {[Fe2(1,10-phen)4(CN)4Co2(1,10-phen)2Fe(CN)6]·2H2O}n (2) were prepared in the reaction of K3[Fe(CN)6] as cyanometalate...     

新型Ni—Pd/碳化树脂催化剂的制备及在微量测定有机氧元素中的应用

本文报道一种新型Ni—Pd／碳化树脂催化剂的制备方法，用该法制备的催化剂具有高金属分散度和高机械强度，用于库仑法微量测定有机氧元素取得满意结果。文中对Ni和Pd颗粒在催化剂上表面形貌和分布、催化活性等作了初步探讨。