Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sioned F. Jones, Himanshu Joshi, Stephen J. Terry, Jonathan R. Burns, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Ulrike S. Eggert, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Equipping DNA with hydrophobic anchors enables targeted interaction with lipid bilayers for various applications. Through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the study reveals the complex structure and energetics of hydrophobically tagged DNA within lipid membranes. Fundamental insight gained on DNA-bilayer interactions will guide the rational design of membrane-targeting nanostructures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jing Ji, Saeed Mazinani, Ejaz Ahmed, Y. M. John Chew, Davide Mattia
Summary: Hydrophobic and chemically resistant nanofiltration (NF) polymeric membranes were fabricated with the incorporation of 2D siloxene into PVDF, achieving improved performance compared to commercial NF membranes. These membranes expand the potential applications of nanofiltration to processes requiring stable, chemically resistant, and hydrophobic characteristics.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhi Hong Cai, Xue Lang Gao, Wei Ting Gao, Yvonne Shuen Lann Choo, Jia Jun Wang, Qiu Gen Zhang, Ai Mei Zhu, Qing Lin Liu
Summary: In recent years, the continuous application of superacid-catalyzed condensation reactions has led to the development of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with excellent performance. One widely discussed method is the copolymerization of two aromatic compounds with piperidone via a superacid-catalyzed reaction to synthesize anionic conducting copolymers. Among them, the poly(N-alkylcarbazole-co-terphenyl N,N '-dimethylpiperidinium) (PCTP-n) membranes exhibit high dimensional stability, alkaline resistance, mechanical robustness, and OH- conductivity.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Matteo Gigli, Barbara Mecheri, Silvia Licoccia, Alessandra D'Epifanio
Summary: Crosslinked hydrocarbon-based cation exchange membranes have been developed for vanadium redox flow battery applications, with the membrane containing 9% of crosslinker showing the best performance. The crosslinking strategy allows for stable membranes in highly oxidizing environments, increasing the rigidity of the polymer backbone.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shenyi Ding, Jixiang Zhang, Cui Liu, Nian Li, Shudong Zhang, Zhenyang Wang, Min Xi
Summary: In this study, gold nanospheres (Au NSs) and gold nanorods (Au NRs) were synthesized and developed into nanofilms with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). Solar photothermal experiments showed that Au NR/PVDF nanofilm exhibited higher solar photothermal performance than Au NS/PVDF nanofilm. Detailed analysis revealed that plasmonic coupling effects inside the aggregated Au NR nanodusters contributed to spectral blue shifts and intensified the photothermal performance, resulting in higher light-to-heat conversion rate for Au NR/PVDF nanofilm.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Y. Lei, B. W. Zhang, B. F. Bai, X. Chen, T. S. Zhao
Summary: The study introduces a transient model of VRFB with a bipolar membrane, which improves the Poisson equation to describe the Donnan effect between the two layers for a full description of charge and ion transport. Numerical results demonstrate that bipolar membranes with thin anion exchange layers exhibit higher energy efficiency at large current densities.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenwen Liu, Zhengyong Song
Summary: A dual-tunable metamaterial absorption modulator has been proposed based on a hybrid vanadium dioxide-graphene configuration, allowing for dynamic adjustments of absorption intensity and frequency through external stimuli. The design consists of narrowband and broadband absorbers, which are polarization-insensitive for small incident angles.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Songchen Xie, Ngie Hing Wong, Jaka Sunarso, Qiang Guo, Chunguang Hou, Zhiguang Pang, Yuelian Peng
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of CaSO4 scaling and evaluated the efficiency and mechanisms of different cleaning reagents. The results showed that three cleaning solutions had similar cleaning efficiencies of approximately 96% at the surface scaling stage, but only the commercial detergent exhibited high efficiency (89%) at the pore scaling stage. Furthermore, periodic cleaning with the commercial detergent at the surface scaling stage followed by drying could completely restore the PTFE membrane performance, achieving 90% total water recovery in a 43.5-hour continuous concentration test.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beata Korchowiec, Monika Orlof-Naturalna, Jacek Korchowiec, Jean-Bernard Regnouf de Vains, Maxime Mourer, Ewa Rogalska
Summary: The calixarene derivative tetra-p-guanidinoethylcalix[4]arene exhibited in vitro activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The study investigated the interaction between bacterial cell membranes and the water-soluble calixarene using model lipids as monomolecular films. The structure of phosphatidylglycerols influenced the affinity of the calixarene for the monolayer, suggesting potential for developing new antibiotics.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan Zhao, Linjie Guo, Shuting Cao, Mo Xie, Hongzhen Peng, Jiang Li, Shihua Luo, Lan Ma, Lihua Wang
Summary: We have developed a class of amphiphilic drug complexes by programming hydrophobic drug patterns on DNA frameworks. We have investigated the impact of these drug patterns on cellular uptake efficiency and drug potency, and have achieved enhanced cytotoxicity against tumor cells through the use of an asymmetric drug pattern.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Peng Xu, Xiangli Kong, Xianfu Chen, Kaiyun Fu, Minghui Qiu, Yiqun Fan
Summary: Hydrophobic membranes dominate in gas absorption processes, but hydrophilic membranes can show advantages in diluted gas absorption. A mass transfer model based on the interfacial partition coefficient (K) was proposed to study the effect of wettability on absorption performance and select suitable membrane absorption modes. The results showed that hydrophilic membranes are suitable for the absorption of diluted gases.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
V. N. Alimov, A. O. Busnyuk, S. R. Kuzenov, E. U. Peredistov, A. I. Livshits
Summary: The study investigates the solubility of hydrogen in V-xFe alloys and finds that Fe has a stronger inhibitory effect on the solubility compared to other elements. Hydrogen dissolution in V-xFe alloys follows Sieverts' law and the effect of alloying V with Fe on hydrogen solubility is mainly attributed to an increase in enthalpy of hydrogen solution.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marco Riccardi, Andrei Kiselev, Karim Achouri, Olivier J. F. Martin
Summary: The paper reviews three different approaches for calculating electromagnetic multipoles and identifies spherical multipoles as the best method for describing the scattering of electromagnetic radiation. These multipoles are then used to calculate the optical forces on semiconductor, dielectric, or metallic particles in a wide range of wavelengths.
Article
Polymer Science
Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Qasem Ahmed Drmosh
Summary: A simple and hands-on process was used to fabricate polymer-templated hydrophobic nanostructures for hydrogen gas sensing platforms. High-resolution FESEM revealed double-layer structures with nanoscale flower-like petals and the wetting contact angle was approximately 142.0 degrees. Palladium sputtering resulted in a thinner layer with a contact angle of around 130.0 degrees, showing potential for higher gas adsorption sites. The stable and durable surface nanostructures were tested for H-2 gas sensing performance, demonstrating their dual role in hydrophobicity and superior gas-sensing characteristics.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad A. Shehzad, Aqsa Yasmin, Xiaolin Ge, Liang Wu, Tongwen Xu
Summary: This article highlights the potential of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) with tunable nanostructures for energy-efficient applications such as electrodialysis and fuel cells. It discusses the relationship between membrane nanostructures and ions permeation, summarizes the fabrication methods of nanostructured membranes and their influence on physical and ion transport properties, and explores the potential engineering and application prospects of nanostructured IEMs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Wan, Lu An, Zixuan Zhu, Qiwei Tian, Jiaomin Lin, Shiping Yang
Summary: Based on dendrimers, a series of polyphenol compounds (P1, P2, and P3) were coordinated with iron (III) (Fe3+) to investigate the effect of polyphenol structures on their T1 contrast performance. These new Fe3+-based complexes, featuring regular amplification of their phenolic hydroxyl groups, exhibit enhanced longitudinal relaxivity (r1) due to proton exchange facilitated by a hydrogen-bonding network. Furthermore, these designed Fe3+-based complexes demonstrate good T1 contrast effect in vitro and in vivo. Modifying the coordination structure of Fe3+-based contrast agents can potentially improve their relaxivity properties and facilitate the development of excellent magnetic resonance imaging agents for disease diagnosis.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhe Cui, Qian Liu, Jinqi Zhu, Hao Wang, Mengluan Gao, Wenqing Wang, Muk Fung Yuen, Junqing Hu, Huifang Chen, Rujia Zou
Summary: In this study, a synchronous nucleation pseudopyrolysis method was used to confine Fe/FeOx ultrafine nanoparticles (UNPs) in intact porous carbon nanorods (IPCNs). The strong physical and chemical confinement effects between UNPs and carbon were achieved through moderate thermal kinetics and abundant oxygen defects. This strong confinement greatly benefited subsequent chemical transformations and resulted in different Fe-based UNPs with excellent electrochemical performance. As a proof of concept, FeSe UNPs in IPCNs exhibited superior lithium storage performance with an ultrahigh and stable capacity of 815.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g -1 and 379.7 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 for 1000 cycles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Baoxuan Huang, Chen Zhang, Jia Tian, Qiwei Tian, Gang Huang, Weian Zhang
Summary: The misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a serious public health threat. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) serves as a promising strategy to combat drug-resistant microbes. However, conventional photosensitizers have limited efficacy due to the complex bacterial infectious microenvironment (BIME). In this study, a BIME-triggered nanoplatform, HA-CY, was developed to enhance aPDT efficacy by exploiting the specific conditions of BIME.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lingjian Zhang, Xin Hu, Yusheng Chen, Jinqi Zhu, Qian Liu, Zhijie Wan, Yanyong Yang, Qian Wang, Junqing Hu, Rujia Zou
Summary: Cuprous iodide-palladium iodides (CPIs) nanoenzymes were designed for imaging-guided synergistic chemodynamic-photothermal therapy. CPIs can generate hydroxyl radicals from endogenous H2O2 and reduce glutathione in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the therapeutic effect. Additionally, CPIs have high photothermal conversion efficiency and X-ray attenuation coefficient, enabling imaging-guided treatment. Moreover, CPIs can be degraded to avoid long-term toxicity.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zerong Wang, Shuntao Zhu, Lu An, Qiwei Tian
Summary: This study investigates the effects of surface properties on the magnetic hyperthermia performance of small-sized Fe nanoparticles. The oxidation time and surface charges resulting from surface modification are identified as two important parameters. The oxidation time significantly impacts the magnetism and magnetic hyperthermia properties of the Fe nanoparticles, while surface modification only slightly reduces these properties. Overall, this study presents a new strategy for developing small-sized magnetic hyperthermia agents with excellent performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi-Chao Hu, Ben Wang, Xiao-Gang Zhou, Hai-Feng Liang, Bing Liang, Hong-Wei Lu, Yu-Xiang Ge, Qing Chen, Qi-Wei Tian, Feng-Feng Xue, Li-Bo Jiang, Jian Dong
Summary: This study developed a Golgi apparatus-targeted photodynamic strategy to activate NLRP3 and found that it promoted the release of proinflammatory contents, enhancing innate immunity and tumor immunogenicity. Pyroptosis led to immunogenic cell death, promoted dendritic cell maturation, and effectively activated antitumor immunity and long-lived immune memory.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mengxin Wang, Xue Zhang, Qian Chang, Haifeng Zhang, Zhenbo Zhang, Kailin Li, Hui Liu, Donglin Liu, Lu An, Qiwei Tian
Summary: The misdiagnosis of tumors and damage to normal tissues are the main challenges in using photothermal agents for clinical translation. To overcome these limitations, a strategy of switching to the NIR-II region based on tumor microenvironment (TME)-mediated gold self-assembly was developed. The use of TME-activated NIR-II photothermal agents allows for accurate tumor diagnosis and inhibition of tumor growth.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nan Gao, Qiushi Huang, Lingjian Zhang, Mengluan Gao, Yusheng Chen, Rujia Zou
Summary: The Cu2SnTe3 (CST) nano-reagent is able to effectively inhibit tumor growth through a strong synergetic effect in chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy. CST nanoparticles convert H2O2 into *OH and generate O-1(2) through surface-catalyzed reactions and light irradiation-induced electron pair separation, leading to oxidative stress accumulation in tumor cells. The nanoparticles also possess catalase-like activity, enhancing O-2 levels within hypoxic tumors and the production efficiency of O-1(2) by PDT.
PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dan Wu, Qingqing Huang, Shuang Sha, Fengfeng Xue, Gang Huang, Qiwei Tian
Summary: Copper sulfide based phototherapy, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, is a promising minimally invasive treatment for tumors. However, the current performance of Cu2-xS based phototherapy does not meet the requirements for clinical applications. To improve its performance, various engineering methods, such as structural engineering, compositional engineering, functional engineering, and performance engineering, have been explored. The relationship between these engineering methods and phototherapy performance is discussed in this review.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cenjing Liao, Rujia Zou, Jinqi Zhu, Zhe Cui, Mengluan Gao, Lingjian Zhang, Wenqing Wang, Huifang Chen
Summary: Researchers have developed a new current collector that stabilizes lithium metal anodes and improves the cycle life of lithium metal batteries by regulating lithium-ion flux and reducing nucleation overpotential and volume expansion.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Guirong Huang, Qiushi Huang, Zhe Cui, Jinqi Zhu, Mengluan Gao, Wenqing Wang, Fuming Weng, Qian Liu, Rujia Zou
Summary: To overcome the challenges posed by volume expansion and aggregation of Bismuth (Bi) during the alloying/dealloying reactions in sodium-ion batteries, a composite material called N,S-C@Bi/CNT was synthesized by encapsulating Bi nanoparticles in N,S co-doped carbon nanoribbons and composites with carbon nanotubes. This composite material exhibited a uniform distribution of Bi nanoparticles and a structure that reduced diffusion path and prevented aggregation. Experimental results showed that the N,S-C@Bi/CNT electrode displayed superior sodium storage performance, including high specific capacity, long cycling stability, and excellent rate capability.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinghua Kong, Zhe Cui, Qian Liu, Mengluan Gao, Wenqing Wang, Rujia Zou
Summary: A series of carbon-based bimetallic Co2-xNixP hollow nanoflowers (Co2-xNixP@C HNFs) with different amounts of Ni2+ doping were synthesized, and it was found that Co1.4Ni0.6P@C HNFs exhibited the optimal electronic structure and reaction kinetics. The hollow hierarchical structure and carbon protective layer of Co1.4Ni0.6P@C HNFs improved the structural stability and conductivity, resulting in excellent cycling stability and high rate capacity for lithium-ion storage.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuai Wang, Rujia Zou, Qian Liu, Huifang Chen
Summary: This article reports the first direct growth of ultrathin Cu4Mo6Se8 nanosheet arrays on carbon skeleton as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The electrode exhibits ultrahigh coulombic efficiency, outstanding rate performance, and excellent cycling performance. The high CE can be attributed to the nanosheet arrays, bi-metal, and efficient electron transfer. The CMSe/C composites possess a 3D network structure with abundant void space and can improve electrical conductivity and promote the formation of exposed edges and active sites.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinqi Zhu, Zhe Cui, Hao Wang, Linjian Zhang, Qian Liu, Aijiang Lu, Tao Ji, Junqing Hu, Wei Luo, Rujia Zou
Summary: This study proposes a method to protect lithiophilic sites during the nucleation period by designing a heterointerface that provides a directional built-in electric field and a lithiophilic potential well. Through a high-efficiency dual-mode transfer pathway, lithiophilic sites are continuously exposed to the electric field to maximize their positive effect. The designed full cell demonstrates the importance of the continued role of lithiophilic sites by exhibiting a stable voltage profile at 1 C for over 200 cycles.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaowu Yang, Haichao Yang, Jiaqi Zhu, Xiaoliang Cheng, Zhigang Chen, Kang Zhang, Chen Wang
Summary: This study presents a synthesis of a fully integrated gel for zinc-air batteries using the interfacial dry crosslinking strategy. The gel exhibits good cycle stability, high battery rate performance, and excellent flexibility in a wide range of bending conditions.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)