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[Display omitted] • Au configuration modulated by MgAl x -LDH via preferential-oriented (0 1 5) plane. • Defective Au centers with low-coordinated atoms formed via Au-LDH interplay. • Au-LDH interface with rich Au step sites changed electron and chemical properties. • Au/Mg 3.5 Al-LDH shows fast TOF of 1008 h−1 for alkali-free BnOH oxidation. Supported gold catalyst, especially in terms of nanosized particles with defective surface and low-coordinated structure, plays a vital role in the heterogeneous catalysis. However, such defective Au nanoparticles are hardly acquired when supporting on non-reducible metal oxides/hydroxides due to insufficient Au-support interaction. In this work, we found that the defective Au NPs could be fabricated via the strong interplay between Au and crystal lattices of layered double hydroxides-Mg x Al-LDH. Experimental and theoretical evidences revealed that the formation of a preferential-oriented LDH(0 1 5) plane enabled the surface configuration for defective Au centers with the maximized number of step sites at Mg/Al ratio of 3.0–3.5. The optimized Au/Mg 3.5 Al-LDH catalyst shows a boosting catalytic activity for benzyl alcohol oxidation (TOF, 1008 h−1) at only 80 °C with the lowest activation energy in the absence of alkali. The work provides a new insight for manipulating the defective-enriched Au particles via the fine-tuning Au-LDH interplay for alkali-free selective oxidations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ru/Co nanoparticles with CoN x sites catalysts were synthesized. • RuCo@Co N C exhibits excellent ORR electrocatalytic activity. • Ru@CoN 4 sites have more effective activity than Co@CoN 4 sites. • RuCo@Co N C based Zn-air batteries show a high power density. The development of metal-nitrogen-codoped carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly desired for the practical applications of energy conversion technologies, but there remains a challenge in elucidating mechanisms of structure–activity relationship for enhancing electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we propose a general approach for the synthesis of metallic RuCo nanoparticles and CoN x species embedded in N-doped carbon electrocatalysts (RuCo@Co N C). Benefiting from the synergistic effect of chemical compositions and 3D hierarchical structures, RuCo@Co N C exhibits high ORR activity and superior durability, outperforming Pt/C catalysts. Density functional theory further reveals that Ru@CoN x possesses stronger reactant adsorption ability and a lower dissociation energy barrier than Co@CoN x , which is conducive to accelerating ORR kinetics. Moreover, the Zn-air battery using RuCo@Co N C as the air cathode presents higher power densities, larger specific capacities and stronger cycling stability, outperforming the Pt/C + RuO 2 counterparts. This work presents a perspective for the controllable design of highly-efficient electrocatalysts for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is emerging as a serious pathogenic bacterium in the clinical setting, and antibiotic resistance is spreading faster than the introduction of new agents to kill such bacteria. In our study, Fusarium sp. 152, a marine fungus obtained from the South China Sea, was fermented to screen new anti-MRSA compounds including equisetin (EQ) with a MIC value of 1 µg/mL. Then, EQ was loaded into nanoparticle-based polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) electrospinning to facilitate its practical use. After electrospinning, the EQ nanofibers (EQ/NPs nanofiber) were 374.9 nm in diameter, and they showed a good flexibility and foldability. Additionally, the EQ/NPs nanofibers showed a better antibacterial effect both in vitro and in vivo than cefoxitin. Simultaneously, the infectious wounds treated with EQ/NPs nanofiber healed better and faster than those treated with EQ and cefoxitin. These findings strongly demonstrate that PVP-based electrospinning dressings are a candidate delivery carrier for the new anti-MRSA compound EQ for topical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anode materials made of nanohybrids of graphene and transition metal oxides have been widely investigated. However, less attention has been paid to their density and compressibility. In this study, we synthesized an ultralight, highly compressive, and porous nanohybrid. This nanohybrid integrates nitrogen-doped graphene (NG), Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, and N-doped carbon (NC) shell on each Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle. The Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with NC shell are connected to and confined by 3D NG which forms a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected conductive scaffold. This sophisticated nanostructure was synthesized by a facile and scalable one-step hydrothermal reaction followed by calcination. The resultant Fe 3 O 4 /NC/NG nanohybrid with highly porous structure exhibits ultralow density (8.47 mg cm −3 ) and supercompressibility. In addition, the Fe 3 O 4 /NC/NG nanohybrid delivers high reversible capacity of 952 mAh g −1 at 200 mA g –1 , excellent high rate capacity (427 mAh g −1 at 4000 mA g –1 ), and prolonged cycling life (905 mAh g −1 at 200 mA g –1 after 100 cycles). The Fe 3 O 4 /NC/NG nanohybrid is a very efficient Fe 3 O 4 -based anode material for Li-ion batteries. These promising results demonstrate that this facile and scalable strategy holds great potential in the fabrication of high-performance compressive and ultralight metal oxide-graphene electrochemical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrated zirconium oxide (ZrO(OH)2) nanoparticles were modified with graphite oxide (GO) (denoted herein as GO–ZrO(OH)2) by hydro-thermal co-precipitation reaction, and were used for the simultaneous removal of As(III) and As(V) from drinking water. The GO–ZrO(OH)2 nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Zeta-potential, and specific surface area analysis. The size of ZrO(OH)2 particles in GO–ZrO(OH)2 is below 5nm, and the specific surface area of GO–ZrO(OH)2 is about 4 times that of ZrO(OH)2 nanoparticles. The GO–ZrO(OH)2 nanocomposites showed high adsorption capacity in a wide pH range, and the monolayer adsorption amounts calculated based on the Langmuir adsorption model were 95.15 and 84.89mg/g for As(III) and As(V), respectively, which are 3.54 and 4.64 times that of ZrO(OH)2 nanoparticles. The high adsorption capacity is attributed to good dispersion of ZrO(OH)2 nanoparticles in the GO substrate. The GO–ZrO(OH)2 nanocomposites can simultaneously remove As(III) and As(V) in water. Moreover, GO–ZrO(OH)2 showed good anti-interference ability to co-existing anions, and exhibited excellent recyclability. The experimental results suggest that GO–ZrO(OH)2 is a promising adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from drinking water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Graphite oxide (GO) synthesized from graphite powder was modified with Fe3O4 and MnO2 nanoparticles by a two-step co-precipitation reaction for removing As (III) and As (V) in water. The nanocomposites have a high adsorption capacity and excellent magnetic properties which enable the adsorbent to be separated by an external magnetic field. At pH 7.0, the monolayer adsorption amounts calculated by the Langmuir sorption model were 14.04mgg−1 and 12.22mgg−1 for As (III) and As (V), respectively. The high adsorption capacity was attributed to the large surface of GO which provides more adsorption sites by reducing the aggregation of Fe3O4 and MnO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the MnO2 on the adsorbent surface promoted the oxidation of As (III) to As (V) without addition of other oxidant and simultaneously participated in the adsorption of arsenic with Fe3O4. Furthermore, arsenic adsorption remained stable in a wide pH range 2–10, which is a limitation in most adsorbents. The experimental results suggest that this adsorbent is promising for treating arsenic contaminated natural water [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nickel-based nanoparticles such as nickel oxide, carbon coated nickel, carbon coated nickel carbide and their mixtures were synthesized by systematically varying the component of explosive precursors and technological parameters. The features of the as-obtained nanoparticles were characterized with TEM, HRTEM, EDX, XRD and XRF. The data from these optimally designed experimental can govern the different types of nickel-based nanoparticles. The formation mechanism during the detonation process were also discussed and analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell (MFC) cathode was developed by immobilizing the enzyme, laccase, in polymer matrix (Nafion) on carbon paper together with carbon nanoparticles and a redox mediator (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt). The results from characterization of the immobilized laccase on the electrode indicate that the immobilization preserved laccase activity. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the Nafion film can facilitate electron exchange between the electroactive domain of laccase and the electrode. The electrocatalysis capabilities of the laccase-coated electrode were characterized by cyclic voltammogram (CV), which showed the electrode facilitated direct and surface-controlled redox reactions in a 0.1M citrate buffer solution (pH 5.0). Additionally, when installed in a two-chamber MFC, the laccase-coated cathode demonstrates a strong catalytic potential that is comparable to a Pt-catalyzed cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Noncovalent assembly of albumin nanoparticle was induced by hydroxyl radical. • Formation of albumin nanoparticle was driven by hydrophobic interaction. • Albumin nanocarriers were prepared by a one-step method via Fenton reaction. • Paclitaxel loaded albumin nanoparticle by Fenton reaction was comparable to Abraxane. • The Fenton method for preparation of nanoparticle was applicable to other proteins. Protein-based nanoparticles (NPs), especially albumin NPs, are effective and safe drug carriers. Non-covalently assembled albumin NPs prepared by the nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) technology possess higher tumor targeting efficiency compared to crosslinked albumin NPs. However, the production process of protein NPs by the nab technology is rather complicated and involves toxic chemicals. Moreover, the mechanisms behind the assembly of albumin induced by the nab technology are far from elucidated. We hypothesized that hydroxyl radical may facilitate the formation of protein NPs prepared by the nab technology. Based on that, a novel and green method was developed to produce protein NPs by controlled hydroxyl radical oxidation via Fenton reaction through one-step mixing. The resulted bovine serum albumin (BSA) NPs were revealed as a non-covalent assembly of BSA molecules with hydrophobic interaction as the driven force for the NPs formation. The Fenton method of BSA NPs production was facile to produce the lipophilic drug paclitaxel (PTX) loaded BSA NPs (PTX@BSA NPs), which exhibited promising antitumor efficacy, pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. Besides BSA, the Fenton method was applicable to other proteins including casein, beta-lactoglobulin and keratin. Thus, the one-step Fenton methodology offers a unique green solution to produce non-crosslinking protein NPs as effective drug carriers for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A tumor microenvironment-responsive nanosystem named MND-IR@RESV was constructed. • The MND-IR@RESV nanosystem can be tracked and located due to its own fluorescence. • Mitochondrial targeting of MND-IR@RESV promotes the release of reactive oxygen species. • The nanosystem presents excellent antitumor efficacy by spatio-temporal targeting of drugs. • MND-IR@RESV exhibits low toxicity and few side effects to normal cells. Tumor microenvironment response and spatio-temporal targeting are promising strategies to combination therapy. By regulating the tumor microenvironment and realizing the precise targeted therapy, the antitumor efficacy can be significantly improved while maintaining low side effects. Therefore, in this study, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanosystem (MND-IR@RESV) was constructed. The MND-IR@RESV nanosystem could be accurately tracked and located due to its own fluorescence. Mitochondria-targeted nanosystem promoted the release of ROS and contributed to the apoptosis of cancer cells. The MND-IR@RESV responded significantly to ROS, which promoted the deep release of drugs. Furthermore, the system also possessed high photothermal conversion efficiency and photothermal stability, which could achieve spatio-temporal targeting of drugs and ensure the efficient tumor eradication ability of Chemo/Photothermal/Photodynamic (CT-PTT-PDT) combination therapy. Both in vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated the significant antitumor effect of the MND-IR@RESV. Importantly, the nanosystem had the advantages of low toxicity and few side effects that conventional CT lacks, indicating that the MND-IR@RESV holds great promise in future cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A hypoxia-irrelevant dual free radical nanogenerator (MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI) is prepared. • MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI shows combined chemodynamic and photothermal dynamic antibacterial property. • MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI can inhibit the biofilm formation and eliminate the bacteria deep in mature biofilm. • MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI exhibits satisfactory treatment effect for in vivo biofilm-infected wound. Well-designed nanocatalysts capable of generating free radicals have recently shown promising potential for treating bacterial biofilm infections. However, the biofilm microenvironments such as hypoxia and over-expressed glutathione (GSH) seriously limit their biomedical applications. To address these issues, we herein construct a dual free radical nanogenerator (MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI) by loading glucose oxidase (GOx) and thermal-labile azo initiator (AIBI) onto the flower-like MnO 2 with high loading capacity for the hypoxia-irrelevant treatment of biofilm-associated bacterial infections. On the one hand, MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI nanocomposites can generate hydroxyl radicals by glucose-fueled cascade catalytic reactions between GOx and MnO 2 for efficient O 2 – and H 2 O 2 -self-supplying chemodynamic therapy (CDT). On the other hand, MnO 2 can provide local photonic hyperpyrexia, which not only triggers the O 2 -independent generation of alkyl radicals for photothermal dynamic therapy (PTDT), but also enhances the CDT efficacy by accelerating the release of Fenton-type Mn2+. Besides, MnO 2 can degrade GSH over-expressed in the infection sites, improving the synergistic CDT/PTDT therapeutic effectiveness by redox dyshomeobasis. The hybrid MnO 2 /GOx/AIBI nanocatalysts exhibit satisfactory in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antibiofilm performances with minimal toxic side effects. Taken together, the developed hypoxia-irrelevant dual-mode synergistic antibacterial nanoplatform can effectively overcome the interferences of biofilm microenvironments, showing a promising potential for future biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We investigate the interfacial behavior of hydrophilic and/or charged NPs via a partially miscible fluid-based droplet microfluidic system. • The movement of droplets accelerates their dissolution, leading to the close packing of the NPs at the liquid–liquid interface and the formation of colloidosomes. • The size of the generated colloidosomes can be adjusted on demand by tuning the concentration of the charged AuNPs and droplet size. • The synthesized colloidosomes can be used as a signal-enhanced probe for bacterial infection in lateral flow assay, and the detection limit is 0.025 μg/mL. • The generated colloidosomes can encapsulate cargo molecules with 99.76% efficiency and release these molecules at a rate of 0.096% every five days. Colloidosomes are spherical shells composed of closed-packed nanoparticles, which can be prepared through the self-assembly of nanoparticles at the interphase of two immiscible liquids. However, the method leads to colloidosomes of various sizes and limited synthesis due to charge repulsion and nanoparticle wettability. Herein, a microfluidic droplet device and partially miscible liquids are integrated for colloidosome synthesis. Dissolving liquids within droplets enables hydrophilic nanoparticles to close packing at the liquid interface to form colloidosomes. Moreover, the microfluidic droplet system achieved colloidosomes within a narrow and specific range of sizes. The close-packing of nanoparticles is proved by modifying colloidosomes into probes in signal-enhanced lateral flow assays (LFAs). Due to the plasmon resonance effect, the testing lines are black, demonstrating the close packing of nanoparticles and their signal enhancement property compared to traditional LFAs. Accordingly, this approach is a potential bacterial detection platform with a detection time of 10 min, higher sensitivity, and specificity. Moreover, since colloidosomes are hollow spheres, they are capable of drug cargo with an encapsulation rate of 99.76 %. With this proposed partially miscible fluid-based droplet microfluidic system, colloidosomes can be fabricated with versatile properties, extending their application to advanced material fabrication, drug encapsulation, and biosensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Unique synthesis strategy for synthesis of ultra-small nanoparticles (∼3.5 nm). • Monodispersed nanoparticles confined in amorphous carbon matrix. • Ferromagnetic behavior of NiSe 2−X nanoparticles regulated by vacancy engineering. • Enhanced HER performance of NiSe 2−X nanoparticles by AMF with excellent stability. Introduction of alternating magnetic field (AMF) to electrocatalytic process has been proved an effective strategy for significantly enhancing catalytic performance of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) electrocatalysts. Coupling AMF with currently highly promising monodispersed NPs electrocatalysts could be an interesting tactics. However, magnetic heating effect under AMF may cause agglomeration and even falloff of NPs, and how to efficiently and stably utilize AMF in monodispersed NPs electrocatalysts to enhance the catalytic performance is an urgent issue. In this work, room-temperature ferromagnetism is introduced into NiSe 2−X nanoparticle by vacancy engineering, and proposes a feasible design to confine monodispersed ultra-small NiSe 2−X NPs in an amorphous carbon matrix. Under AMF, the spin flips of the magnetic domains in confined NiSe 2−X NPs generate magnetic heating related to Néel relaxation, which achieve rapid local heating of NiSe 2−X NPs electrocatalyst and greatly improves hydrogen evolution reaction performance (a significantly increase of current density by ∼400 %). This work provides new ideas for the preparation of ultra-small monodispersed NPs electrocatalysts that can utilize AMF to enhance catalytic performance, and has an important significance in accelerating clean energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of luminescent polymeric nanoparticles with aggregation induced emission (AIE) properties has been extensively investigated in recent years for their distinct optical properties, biocompatibility and designability. Although a number of AIE-active nanoparticles have been fabricated previously, the AIE-active nanoprobes based on carbohydrate polymers have received only limited attention. In this work, we reported for the first time that AIE-active organic nanoparticles could be prepared via a facile one-step strategy. To fabricate these AIE-active nanoparticles, the AIE dye 9,10-bis (divinylphenylboronic acid) anthracene (An-B(OH) 2 ) terminated with phenylboronic acid was synthesized using anthracene as core chemical structure. After mixing with the An-B(OH) 2 and dextran, the resultant products (An-Dex) can be obtained through formation of phenyl borate in aqueous solution, air atmosphere and under room temperature. The intermediates and An-Dex were characterized by a series of characterization techniques including 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. To further explore the biomedical applications of these glycosylated AIE-active nanoparticles, cell viability as well as cell imaging performance of An-Dex nanoparticles was also examined. We demonstrated that An-Dex nanoparticles showed strong fluorescent intensity, great water dispersibility and excellent biocompatibility. More importantly, it is well known that phenyl borate is a dynamic bond, which can potentially response to the pH and glucose. Therefore, the resultant AIE-active probes should be promising candidates for different biomedical applications such as biological imaging and controlled drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A functionalized carbonaceous material was prepared via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of biogas residues and denoted as hydrochar (HC). The obtained HC was used to synthesize a hybrid (Ni/Fe-HC) to conduct Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution. SEM images show that Ni 0 /Fe 0 was anchored tightly to HC particles due to a cellular structure of HC formed during HTC. Complete Pb(II) removal (>99.5%) was achieved within 1.5 h using Ni/Fe-HC whereas more than 85% of Pb(II) remained in bulk solution after 10 h with bare HC. SEP results indicate that Pb(II) was mainly associated with the fraction bound to carbonates and Fe–Mn oxides in the spent Ni/Fe-HC particles. Consequently, the adsorptive precipitation and specific adsorption dominated Pb(II) removal by Ni/Fe-HC despite minor reduction of Pb(II) to Pb 0 . However, the reduction of Pb(II) to Pb 0 was conducted by the catalytically generated atomic hydrogen rather than Ni/Fe nanoparticles as electron donor. Ni/Fe-HC not only acted as an effective adsorbent for Pb(II) but also played a role of catalyst to generate atomic hydrogen. HC prepared with biogas residues can be used as an excellent supporting material to prepare a hybrid of Ni/Fe-HC for Pb(II) removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The conversion of industrial alkali lignin into wood adhesives was achieved. • The adhesive was green without using any aldehydes, phenols, or organic solvents. • The bonding strength and debonding work increased by 175 % and 533 %, respectively. • Water resistance and mildew resistance were significantly improved. • The adhesive was low-cost compared to commercial synthetic and biomass adhesives. The conversion of industrial lignin into wood adhesives offers a solution to issues related to formaldehyde pollution and the reliance on petrochemical resources of traditional formaldehyde-based resins, while promoting environmental and energy sustainability. However, conventional methods for preparing lignin-based adhesives generally involve the use of materials like formaldehyde, organic solvents, and costly epoxy, hindering their industrial application. This study introduces a novel approach for producing eco-friendly lignin-based wood adhesives using aminated lignin-Cu nanoparticles. The lignin-Cu nanoparticles were synthesized in water as a single solvent through a sedimentation method. Amination modification was achieved by grafting amino-terminated hyperbranched polyamide onto the nanoparticles via a Schiff base reaction. The prepared adhesive demonstrated a remarkable bonding strength of 1.51 MPa and debonding work of 0.272 J, which were 2.75 and 6.33 times higher than those of the pure lignin adhesive, respectively. Moreover, the adhesive exhibited improved water resistance with a wet shear strength of 1.15 MPa and sustained mildew resistance for approximately 100 days. Notably, this adhesive was synthesized without the use of formaldehyde, phenol, acids, or organic solvents, minimizing reliance on fossil resources and lowering costs compared to many formaldehyde-based and biomass adhesives. This research opens up new avenues for the efficient utilization of industrial lignin and the production of formaldehyde-free, environmentally friendly adhesives, which holds significant promise for energy conservation, emission reduction, and sustainable development within the wood-based panel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SFA NPs were fabricated through self-assembly of SAB, iron ions, and BSA. • SFA NPs protect HK-2 cells through superior antioxidative effects. • SFA NPs additionally restore lysosome homeostasis during ROS injury. • SFA NPs alleviate AKI through antioxidation and lysosome protection. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is highly correlated with oxidative stress, and the application of antioxidants is one of the promising treatments. Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is a natural polyphenol with powerful antioxidant effects. Due to its inherent characteristic of inferior bioavailability, its clinical application is impeded. In this study, small SAB-incorporated nanoparticles (SFA) were synthesized via the self-assembly of SAB, ferric ions, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Apart from antioxidant activity, the SFA nanoparticles were found to efficiently restore lysosome dysfunction induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human kidney proximal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells. The small size and BSA incorporation make the SFA nanoparticles to be promising AKI-targeting nanoparticles. They are rapidly accumulated and long-term retained in injured kidneys of glycerol-induced AKI mice, especially in the proximal tubules which are the key lesion location during AKI. In vivo studies indicate that SFA nanoparticles show a superior protective effect compared with the free drug by suppressing oxidative stress and maintaining lysosome homeostasis indicated by enhanced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and restored cathepsin B (CTSB) activity, respectively. In summary, this study develops a delivery system for the antioxidant SAB enhancing local delivery and offering an additional lysosome restoring mechanism for AKI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Composite NPs were developed for long-lasting intervening AS via ROS scavenging. • Polyphenols and diselenes synergistically resist inflammatory and oxidative stress. • The onion-like degradation of the NPs endows continuously renewed functional surface. • GPx-like and NO catalytic activity of NPs enhance the adaptability in complex blood. • NPs show superlative effective treatment for early AS in vivo. Oxidative stress and inflammation are hallmark characteristics of Atherosclerosis (AS) and are crucial points for treatment. Polyphenolic materials have been widely used in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapy due to their naturally excellent antioxidant properties, which are limited by the irreversible depletion of a limited number of phenolic hydroxyl groups under oxidative stress. Therefore, polyphenols alone cannot meet the need for long-lasting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in atherosclerosis. In this work, inspired by the natural antioxidant defense system in living organisms, we introduce the CASe nanoparticle capitalizing on the synergistic action of polyphenols and diselenium. In vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that the incorporation of diselenium not only enhance the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging synergized with polyphenols, but also imparts glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like activity and in situ nitric oxide (NO) -catalyzed release. In addition, ROS-triggered onion peel-off degradation ensures the continuous generation of refreshed surfaces, endowing CASe with a persistent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity. These features facilitate the long-term treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, providing a dynamic and effective approach for AS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • W 2 C/C NFs are fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. • Good HER activity for W 2 C/C NFs: η 10 of 92, 81, and 115 mV in acidic, alkaline, and neutral media. • HER activity of W 2 C/C NFs precede 20% Pt/C at high current density in 1.0 M KOH. As a promising electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), ditungsten carbide (W 2 C) has aroused extensive attention. Pure-phase W 2 C nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofibers (W 2 C/C NFs) could provide abundant accessible catalytically active sites and facilitate electron transfer for efficient HER. In this work, W 2 C/C NFs were fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. The optimized sample W 2 C/C NFs-20 exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performances in wide-pH range, especially in alkaline media, showing low overpotential (η) of 81, 137, and 157 mV to reach 10, 100, and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. One dimensional nanostructure and the strong coupling of W 2 C within the carbon matrix synergistically brought faster electron transport and more active sites, and thus a significant enhancement in HER activity. Based on the strategy reported here, other transition metal carbide nanofibers could be prepared to expand opportunities in various catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • W 2 C/C NFs are fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. • Good HER activity for W 2 C/C NFs: η 10 of 92, 81, and 115 mV in acidic, alkaline, and neutral media. • HER activity of W 2 C/C NFs precede 20% Pt/C at high current density in 1.0 M KOH. As a promising electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), ditungsten carbide (W 2 C) has aroused extensive attention. Pure-phase W 2 C nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofibers (W 2 C/C NFs) could provide abundant accessible catalytically active sites and facilitate electron transfer for efficient HER. In this work, W 2 C/C NFs were fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. The optimized sample W 2 C/C NFs-20 exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performances in wide-pH range, especially in alkaline media, showing low overpotential (η) of 81, 137, and 157 mV to reach 10, 100, and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. One dimensional nanostructure and the strong coupling of W 2 C within the carbon matrix synergistically brought faster electron transport and more active sites, and thus a significant enhancement in HER activity. Based on the strategy reported here, other transition metal carbide nanofibers could be prepared to expand opportunities in various catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Six ZIF-67-derived carbon confined Co catalysts have been prepared for FTS. • K addition by ball milling could improve the production of higher alcohols. • The K-Co@NC catalysts show an enhanced higher alcohol selectivity of ∼30 % in FTS. • The high selectivity is majorly owing to the formation of Co 2 C during catalysis. Alcohols are considered as high value-added products from Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Efficient conversion of syngas into higher alcohols (C 2+ OH, HA) is of great significance but poses grand challenges. Herein, a series of nitrogen-doped carbon confined Co catalysts (Co@NC and K-Co@NC) have been prepared via pyrolysis of different Co-containing ZIF-67 and K addition by ball milling. After K addition for modulation of the microenvironment of Co-containing catalysts, the K-Co@NC catalysts display an enhanced HA selectivity in FTS, with a maximum HA selectivity up to ∼30 % and a space time yield of HA (STY C2+OH) of 58 mg·g cat −1·h−1, reflecting the highest HA productivities for Co-based heterogeneous catalysts under similar FTS conditions. Comprehensive characterization studies reveal that K addition, could not only modulate the surface basicity for suppressing the side reactions, but also act as electron donors for promoting the formation of Co 2 C species during the FTS process, facilitating CO non-dissociative adsorption and CO insertion for improving alcohol formation in FTS. This work provides a feasible strategy for the design of highly efficient Co-based FTS catalysts for production of HA by utilizing MOF materials as the scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The photo-triggered coating was prepared by LBL technology. • The coating presented an "on–off" ROS releasing property under NIR. • The coating exhibited antibacterial and thrombolysis "on-demand". Thrombosis formation and bacterial infection pose significant challenges in the clinical application of long-term implanted prosthetic heart valves (PHV), and the two challenges generally occurred in the middle and late stages of implantation. So, it would be very valuable for PHV to realize antibacterial and thrombolysis "on-demand". In this study, we constructed a photo-triggered coating to simultaneously address the above both challenges based on photodynamic therapy (PDT), which has been widely researched due to its advantage of spatiotemporal control. The photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) were grafted onto the polyethyleneimine (PEI) and introduced into the coating by layer-by-layer (LBL) technology. Under near-infrared (660 nm) irradiation, the coating could release reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively destroy bacterial walls and disintegrating the fibrin three-dimensional network structure of formed thrombi. Therefore, the coating exhibited dual functionality of antibacterial and thrombolysis "on-demand". Experimental results demonstrated that the coating effectively eradicated gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria both in vitro and in vivo , as well as causing thrombolysis under irradiation. These results highlight the potential of this coating in improving the anticoagulation and antibacterial properties of prosthetic heart valves and other long-term implanted devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ternary Co/SiO x /N-C catalyst is synthesized by a facile method and characterized by the 3D tomography technique, which is considered as oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. • The utilization of biomass through simple and low-cost procedures is provided. • Well-dispersed cobalt nanoparticles are synthesized on the SiO x /N-C framework. • The structure has been characterized through 3D TEM tomography. • The framework enhances the catalytic activity and stability of the Co systems. • The Zn-air battery with a CR900 air catalyst shows cycling durability for 400 h. Well-dispersed cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized on a silicon oxide/nitrogen-doped carbon framework derived from sustainable bamboo leaves through in situ pyrolysis of cobalt silicate/nitrogen-doped carbon. The three-dimensional (3D) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography technique reveals the detailed distribution of Co NPs on the framework. The framework ensures a fine distribution, provides an interconnected conductive network, and improves the catalytic activity and stability of the ternary Co catalysts. Consequently, the optimized CR900 electrocatalyst exhibits superior electrochemical activity, including a low overpotential of 263 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a half-wave potential of 0.81 V for OER and ORR, respectively. Furthermore, the Zn-air battery with the CR900 catalyst displays a maximum power density of 138.2 mW cm−2 and prominent cycling durability after 400 h. Furthermore, we provide insights into the scalable synthetic strategy of metal or alloy-based catalysts towards high-performance rechargeable metal-air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co 3 O 4 nanosheets were uniformly embedded with metallic Ni@C NPs. • The Co3+/2+ cycling on bulk Co 3 O 4 was significantly accelerated by Ni@C NPs. • The activity of modified Co 3 O 4 in EA-PMS was enhanced by Ni@C NPs. • Effects of Ni@C NPs were verified by electrochemical tests and DFT calculation. • Solid proofs on the promotive effect of flow-through configuration were obtained. Electro-assisted activation of peroxymonosulfate (EA-PMS) by transition metals oxides (TMOs) has been extensively studied for the removal of organic pollutants. Despite TMOs possess considerable activity and affinity to PMS, their poor bulk conductivity still limits the electron exchange during the TMδ/δ+1 redox cycle, especially the efficient reduction of TMδ+1 via cathodic process. In this study, carbon felt loaded with modified Co 3 O 4 nanosheets (Co@FCF) was fabricated and applied as the flow-through electrode of EA-PMS process, where the Co 3 O 4 nanosheets were embedded with numerous metallic Ni particles encapsulated within carbon layers (Ni@C). Driven by weak electric current, continuous electrons can be supplied to the bulk Co 3 O 4 from the electron-rich Ni@C nanoparticles, resulting in accelerated Co3+/Co2+ cycle, enhanced production of SO 4 ·− and improved energy utilization efficiency. Electrochemical tests along with density functional theory calculations indicate that the unique structure of Co@FCF played essential role in the enhanced performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • TiO x N y /C derived from MXene was fabricated for the first time. • TiO x N y /C is used as anode material of potassium-ion batteries for the first time. • The TiO x N y /C electrode displays good electrochemical performance. Abstract Titanium oxynitride nanoparticles/carbon composites (TiO x N y /C, x + y = 1) are successfully prepared from Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene and are first explored as anode material for potassium-ion batteries. The as-prepared titanium oxynitride nanoparticles/carbon composite exhibits impressive rate performance and high capacity. This work provides a new method for preparing MXene-derived TiO x N y /C and a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Circuit board-like CoS/MXene composite was firstly synthesized. • The ultrafine CoS nanoparticles (∼6 nm) anchored on the MXene flakes uniformly. • It inherits the merits of MXene and exhibits superior electrochemical performances. • The good performance is due to the complementary advantages between CoS and MXene. Abstract Electrochemical performance of Ti 3 C 2 MXene sheet is restricted by the modest specific capacity and self-restacking. To conquer the defects, we designed cobalt sulfide and Ti 3 C 2 MXene flake composite (CoS/MXene) with heterolayered architecture, in which ultrafine CoS nanoparticles (∼6 nm) were anchored on MXene flakes. In this structure, the role of MXene is similar to printed circuit board, which providing conductive network. As anode for sodium ion batteries, CoS/MXene electrode delivers a high reversible capacity of 267 mA h g−1 after 1700 cycles at 2 A g−1 with an extreme low capacity decay rate of only ∼0.0072% per cycle, and an outstanding rate performance with 272 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive nutrients (N and P) are among the most concerned pollutants in surface and ground waters. Herein, we report nanoscale zero-valent iron/nickel supported on zeolite (Z-Fe/Ni) for simultaneous removal of nitrate and phosphate from aqueous solution. The synergistic effect between zeolite and Fe/Ni bimetallic nanoparticles, as well as the removal mechanism was investigated systematically. The characterization by BET, TEM and XPS demonstrated that nanoscale zero-valent iron/nickel was successfully loaded onto zeolite, and Z-Fe/Ni exhibited larger specific surface area and more uniform dispersion than unsupported Nano-Fe/Ni. XRD, FTIR and XPS analysis revealed that the Fe 0 supported on the surface of zeolite were protected from oxidization. Batch experiments showed that nitrate reduction by Z-Fe/Ni was not sensitive to initial solution pH, while phosphate removal was affected. Moreover, Z-Fe/Ni displayed higher equivalent N 2 selectivity (85.5%) and less ammonium release than that of Nano-Fe/Ni, which was mainly attributed to the selective ion-exchange of NH 4 + by zeolite, indicating the significant synergistic effect of the combination of zeolite and Nano-Fe/Ni. The influence of one pollutant on the removal of the other manifested that the presence of phosphate inhibited nitrate reduction through forming Fe-P complex, while the phosphate removal was promoted by the present nitrate via accelerating corrosion of Fe. Nitrate reduction pathway identification and FTIR, XPS analysis confirmed that reduction and complexation were the dominant mechanism for nitrate and phosphate, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • One-step synthesis of Rh 2 P/RGO composite is demonstrated. • The GO may be lead to the controllable size and uniform distribution of Rh 2 P NPs. • A moderate Δ G H-ad and accelerated electron transport at Rh 2 P/RGO enhance HER. • Rh 2 P/RGO only needs 11.7 and 10.3 mV at η 10 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 1 M KOH for HER. Abundant of defective regions and oxygen-containing groups on graphene oxide (GO) could promote the nucleation and growth of metallic nanoparticles. In this work, the composite catalyst is synthesized by pyrolysis of the mixture powder of GO and rhodium organometallic reactant at 900 °C, Ar atmosphere and low pressure, in which dispersive Rh 2 P nanoparticles are uniformly attached on reduced graphene oxide (Rh 2 P/RGO). The sizes of Rh 2 P nanoparticles are controllable by adjusting the mass proportion of reactants. For the optimized size of Rh 2 P nanoparticles at 6.0 nm, only 11.7 and 10.3 mV of the overpotentials are required at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes, respectively, exhibiting superior HER activity over the commercial Pt/C. Theoretical calculations indicate that the hydrogen adsorption free energy of Rh 2 P/RGO composites is close to zero, and Bede charge analysis confirms the accelerated electron transport between the RGO and Rh 2 P. Therefore, the introduction of RGO substrate could not only promote a uniform distribution and tunable size of Rh 2 P NPs, but also be advantageous to the electron transport from RGO to Rh 2 P NPs, and a favorable H 2 evolution during the HER process. This work provides a facile strategy to control the size of metal phosphide nanoparticles on RGO for the design of advanced HER electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromate is a highly carcinogenic disinfection by-product in drinking water. Catalytic reduction is an emerging technology that can effectively remove bromate from water without forming additional brines and sludges. In this study, Pd and Pt nanoparticles supported on SBA-15 were prepared for catalytic bromate reduction. The activity investigation results showed that the Pt/SBA-15 catalysts exhibited higher activities than the Pd/SBA-15 catalysts and the commercial 5% Pd/C catalyst, and the highest catalytic activity of 24.72 mg·min −1 ·g cat −1 was obtained using 4% Pt/SBA-15 as the catalyst. This activity is approximately 2.33- and 6.50-fold higher than the activities of the 4% Pd/SBA-15 and 5% Pd/C catalysts, respectively. Analysis of the intrinsic mechanism revealed that the activation energy of bromate reduction over the 4% Pt/SBA-15 catalyst was 47.31 kJ·mol −1 , and the reaction followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, suggesting that the reduction of adsorbed bromate on the Pt surface rather than the diffusion process controlled the overall reaction rate. Catalytic bromate reduction was strongly dependent on the reaction pH, and the catalytic activity increased with decreasing pH. Bromate reduction was suppressed in the presence of coexisting anions, including PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , and Cl − , and the inhibition effects followed the order of PO 4 3−  > SO 4 2−  > Cl − . Surprisingly, bromate removal was obviously enhanced when a low concentration (<1.5 mM) of nitrate coexisted in the reaction solution. In addition, the losses in catalytic activity and Pt after five repeated tests were only 7.8% and 2.6%, respectively, revealing the high stability of the 4% Pt/SBA-15 catalyst in the catalytic reduction of bromate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a silica hydrogel-mediated dissolution-recrystallization method that can not only significantly facilitate the growth of α-Fe 2 O 3 in the a - b plane but also effectively impede its growth along the c -axis, thus leading to the formation of ultrathin α-Fe 2 O 3 nanosheets with highly exposed (1 1 0) facets. When used as visible light photocatalysts for water remediation, the degradation rate constant of bisphenol S (BPS) achieved by the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanosheets reaches to 0.0164 min −1 , which is 16.4 and 2.6 folds higher than that of α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles and commercial TiO 2 , respectively. The apparent quantum efficiency of the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanosheets is 3.82%, which is 4.5 and 1.9 folds higher than that of the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles and commercial TiO 2 , respectively. Such impressive enhancement in photoreactivity is attributed to the advantageous properties of the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanosheets such as efficient charge separation and high surface area, which are originated from the rationally designed nanoarchitectures (i.e., ultrathin sheet-like nanostructures with a high percentage of (1 1 0) facets). The corresponding catalytic oxidation mechanism has been proposed on the basis of photoluminescence spectra, electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and classical quenching tests. The degradation byproducts of BPS have been identified and the corresponding transformation pathways have also been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Ru/Co@NC catalyst was synthesized via a facile and low-cost strategy. • The Ru/Co@NC shows excellent catalytic activity (η 10 = 10 mV, 1.0 M KOH) and stability for HER in Wide pH Range. • The experiment and DFT results show that Co-Ru interfacial structure boost the HER activity. Development of high-performance pH-universal electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a vital step towards hydrogen economy but remains a major challenge. Herein, the Ru decorated Co nanoparticles supported by N -doped carbon sheets (Ru/Co@NC) are prepared by galvanic exchange reaction and display a remarkable performance for HER. In the 1.0 M KOH, 0.01 M PBS and 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , respectively, Ru/Co@NC shows low overpotentials of 10, 283 and 50 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, comparable to benchmark Pt/C (23, 289 and 37 mV). Furthermore, deep experimental researches and DFT calculations indicate that the Ru-Co heterostructure shows more suitable energy of H 2 O* dissociation and H* adsorption compared to Ru and Co, which can significantly improve the HER activity. Besides excellent activity, in a wide pH range, the Ru/Co@NC also exhibits good stability with negligible current loss after a long-time HER test (30 h). This work may provide ponderable strategies for developing an efficient pH-universal HER electrocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle suspensions have been extensively applied in microfluidic processes. However, researchers paid little attention to the micromixing performance of this kind of system. In this work, the micromixing performance of nanoparticle suspensions in a micro-sieve dispersion reactor was investigated with the Villermaux/Dushman method. The effects of physical properties (density and viscosity), flow velocity and particle concentration were systematically studied by using two kinds of nanoparticles, SiO2 and BaSO4. The results presented an efficiently enhanced mixing performance by nanoparticles, especially when the segregation index XS was larger than 10-3. Compared to the dispersed fluid, a better mixing performance could be achieved to suspend nanoparticles in the continuous fluid. A mathematical model based on Brownian movement of nanoparticles has been established to predict micromixing performance in the micro-sieve dispersion reactor. This study may provide some valuable information for the application of nanoparticle suspensions in microreactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cu-doped polydopamine nanoparticles are synthesized by an efficient one-pot method. • The Cu doped in PDA network overcome separation and re-agglomeration during friction. • The nanocomposite shows excellent tribological properties even under 550 N. • The composite nanostructure of the tribofilm contributes to the enhanced load capacity. Nanoparticles (NPs) combined with mussel-inspired chemistry of Polydopamine (PDA) is a promising strategy for achieving robust lubrication under heavy loads. However, the in situ synthesis of metal NPs inside PDA network still remains a great challenge. Here, we propose a novel one-pot method for in situ synthesis of a Cu-doped polydopamine nanocomposite (PDA@Cu). The Cu NPs are uniformly doped in the long-chain networks rather than anchored on the surfaces of PDA, leading to the enhanced load capacity. Furthermore, our synthesis process has outstanding efficiency (only 3 h) compared with previous methods (over 24 h). PDA@Cu exhibits excellent lubricating performances even under a heavy load (550 N). The coefficient of friction and the wear depth are reduced by 45% and 97% respectively, owing to the unique nanostructure of a PDA@Cu tribofilm. Thus, this study has a great significance for increasingly growing industrial demands of energy conservation and emission reduction under extreme conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Adhesive coatings are formed on needles for functionalization with nanoparticles. • Hemostatic and antibacterial nanoparticles are facilely self-assembled. • Self-sealing hemostatic and antibacterial needles are engineered. • Nanoparticle-coated needles can effectively prevent bleeding due to punctures. Tissue puncture with needles is frequently applied for blood sampling, drug injection, and percutaneous biopsies. Bleeding is a critical complication following this clinical procedure, particularly in patients suffering from inherited or acquired bleeding disorders. Herein we engineered self-sealing hemostatic and antibacterial needles by facile self-assembly. In this strategy, an adhesive coating derived from polyphenols (either dopamine or tannic acid) was first deposited on the needle surface. Then multifunctional nanoparticles with potent hemostatic and antibacterial properties were assembled by ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI), which were decorated on the functionalized needle via electrostatic forces. In multiple bleeding models of healthy or thrombocytopenic animals, UDCA/PEI nanoparticle-coated needles effectively prevented bleeding following different puncture procedures. Mechanistically, hemostasis was realized by inducing platelet aggregation and activation as well as the clot formation via locally retained nanoparticles upon needle withdrawal at the puncture site. Antibacterial activity of UDCA/PEI nanoparticle-functionalized coatings was also demonstrated. Importantly, our preliminary studies revealed good safety profiles of hemostatic needles after single or repeated puncture procedures. Consequently, this type of hemostatic and antibacterial needles are promising for prevention of bleeding-associated complications in different clinical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, a novel continuous process for preparing β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca3(PO4)2, β-TCP) nanoparticles was developed with low-price calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid as the reactants. A micro-orifice dispersion microreactor was designed to realize the fast microreaction process. The relation of the synthesis reaction and microdispersion was investigated. The side reaction was eliminated with the fast and uniform mixing process. Highly pure β-TCP nanoparticles were finely prepared. The experimental results showed that the β-TCP nanoparticle crystal shape and size as well as the Ca/P molar ratio could be well controlled using the microdispersion process. The size of β-TCP nanoparticles ranged from 80 to 120nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, a new and simple synthesis route for preparing nanosized iron phosphate with high purity under mild conditions was proposed by coupling fast precipitation and hydrothermal treatment. The fast precipitation between Fe(NO3)3 (with phosphoric acid addition to suppress Fe3+ hydrolysis) and (NH4)3PO4 was carried out in membrane dispersion microcontactor to obtain precursors having narrow size distribution around 50nm and containing of FePO4 and Fe2(HPO4)3 exclusively. In situ hydrothermal treatment for 1h in sequence converted Fe2(HPO4)3 to FePO4 and initiated the growth of the original FePO4 particle in precursor. Characterizations of the final product by TEM, XRD, TG/DTA and ICP-OES confirmed it was nanoparticles with iron phosphate hydrate with high purity, well dispersion and narrow size distribution around 59nm. This coupling process is expectable to be controllable, facile and easy to scale up for nanosized FePO4 production with respect to catalysts, cathode and anode materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present work, novel catalysts-Pd nanoparticles loaded on glass beads with an egg–shell structure were prepared through the combination of the subcritical water treatment process and the ion-exchange method. SEM and TEM images showed that the Pd nanoparticles loaded on the shell with depth of approximately 3–4μm were highly monodispersed with an average diameter of 4nm. The conversion of enthylanthraquinone as much as 60% was realized in less than 2s, besides, the space–time yield of the hydrogenation of ethylanthraquinone reached as high as , and the hydrogenation efficiency was with the novel catalyst. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Through utilizing the different photoluminescence properties of the Eu3+-activated NaLuF 4 nanoparticles and g-C 3 N 4 , the versatile applications of white light-emitting diode and ratiometric optical thermometer are realized. • NaLuF 4 : x Eu3+ nanoparticles can emit dazzling red emission with optimal doping content of 15 mol%. • NaLuF 4 : x Eu3+ nanoparticles have superior thermal stability and its IQE is 35.3%. • White-LED with high CRI (80.2), low CCT (5014 K) and proper LE (12.1 lm/W) is obtained. • The maximum S a and S r values of the designed composites are 0.0057 K−1 and 0.455% K−1, respectively. • The sensor sensitivities of the prepared composites can be modified by composition regulation. To overcome the existence challenge of the luminescent materials in versatile applications, NaLuF 4 : x Eu3+ nanopariticles and NaLuF 4 :0.15Eu3+@ y g-C 3 N 4 composites were designed. Under irradiation of 394 nm, dazzling red emissions with high color purity of 87.6% are observed in the NaLuF 4 : x Eu3+ nanoparticles and the optimizing content of the dopants is 15 mol%. The electric dipole-dipole interaction leads to the concentration dependent quenching effect. Through assessing the resistance performance of the resultant nanoparticles to the temperature, the studied samples are certified to show high thermal stability. Furthermore, the proper color rendering index (80.2), low correlated color temperature (5014 K) and suitable luminous efficiency (12.1 lm/W) of packaged white light-emitting diode reveal that the NaLuF 4 :0.15Eu3+ nanoparticles can be employed as the red component for white light-emitting diode. On account of the inconsistent photoluminescence performances of the NaLuF 4 :0.15Eu3+ nanoparticles and g-C 3 N 4 , the thermometric properties of the NaLuF 4 :0.15Eu3+@ y g-C 3 N 4 composites are explored. The maximum absolute and relative sensitivities of the designed composites are 0.0057 K−1 and 0.455% K−1, respectively, and their values are able to be manipulated via composition regulation. This work proposes a new sight into the exploitation of diverse photoluminescence behaviors of the g-C 3 N 4 and NaLuF 4 : x Eu3+ nanoparticles to realize versatile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeCo nanoparticles wrapped in N-doped carbon is developed as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for Al-air batteries • N-doped graphitic carbon embedded with FeCo nanoparticles has been prepared. • The PD-800 is an efficient ORR catalyst and comparable with Pt/C. • Al-air battery for PD-800 surpasses that of Pt/C catalyst. Developing highly active and durable electrocatalysts with low-cost for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of paramount importance for promoting economical and high-performance Al-air batteries. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon decorated with FeCo nanoparticles catalysts is prepared by a low-cost and facile approach employed Prussian blue analogue and dicyandiamide as precursors. The obtained catalyst exhibits remarkable ORR activity with an onset potential (0.981 V vs. RHE) and a high half-wave potential (0.848 V vs. RHE), as well as superior stability in alkaline conditions. The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of electrocatalysts might be resulted from the hierarchical porous structure and synergetic effect between FeCo alloy and N-doped graphitic carbon species. As a demonstration, the optimized catalysts are employed as the cathode catalysts in a Al-air battery, which shows remarkable discharge performance with higher open-circuit voltage of 1.67 V and large power density of 98.62 mW cm−2 which exceeding commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts (1.65 V, 90.81 mW cm−2), and exceptional cycle stability of 40 h (4 cycles). This work will provide a chance to explore scalable advanced catalysts in Al-air battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Homogenous ferrihydrite NPs/PES composite membranes were firstly prepared by in-situ generation. • The membrane exhibited high adsorption, good selectivity and superior reusability for Pb removal. • The adsorption of Pb by M9 mainly occurred via the cation exchange between Pb2+ and H+. • HA enhanced Pb removal in filtration via adsorption and size exclusion mechanisms. • The prepared membrane shows great potential for the removal of heavy metals from water. Nanocomposite adsorptive membranes with nanosorbents incorporated have become a promising material for the treatment of heavy metal-containing water, but their practical applications have been limited by the aggregation of nanosorbents in the membrane matrix. In this study, a homogenous in-situ generated ferrihydrite nanoparticles (NPs)/polyethersulfone (PES) adsorptive membrane was prepared for the removal of lead from water for the first time. The XRD, TEM and XPS results showed that ferrihydrite particles with the size smaller than 10 nm were successfully introduced into the composite membrane. The SEM-EDS result indicated a homogenous distribution of the in-situ generated ferrihydrite NPs in PES membrane. With more generated NPs, the membrane structure varied from a larger finger-like macro-void structure (i.e. M3, M6) to a suppressed finger-liker macro-void structure, due to the contributions of viscosity hindrance and thermodynamic enhancement to the demixing rate. Besides, the surface hydrophilicity and water flux increased gradually. The membrane M9 was stable for treating lead-contaminated water at pH above 3.0, with the optimal adsorption pH at 5.5. Furthermore, the M9 displayed the highest adsorption capacity of Pb2+ of 64.77 mg/g, high selectivity toward Pb2+, and excellent reusability without significant loss of adsorption of Pb2+. In filtration process, the M9 can effectively remove Pb2+ mainly by adsorption via cation exchange between Pb2+ and H+ in the presence of ferrihydrite NPs in membrane. More importantly, the presence of humic acid can significantly enhance Pb2+ removal by M9 via adsorption and size exclusion mechanisms (caused by either chelation with HA or barrier effect caused by HA filter cake). Therefore, the present nanocomposite adsorptive membrane can be used as a promising material for treatment of heavy metal-containing water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tailored upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) emit both UV and vis light under NIR. • UCNPs were supramolecularly loaded with DHMA photosensitizers and camptothecin (CPT). • The UV emission could initiate the release of CPT. • The visible emission could excite the DHMA for photodynamic therapy. • The PDT activity enables the lysosomal escape of the CPT for enhanced efficacy. The strategic combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for various tumor indications, which not only expands our understanding of each individual modality but also reveals new opportunities to achieve superadditive benefit via exploring their internal synergy rather than simple mixing. In this study, dual-emissive upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) was employed to bridge the two treatment regimens to synergistically reinforce the therapeutic efficacy. The UCNP-based drug delivery nanoplatform was first co-loaded with 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (DHMA) photosensitizers and UV-activatable camptothecin prodrug (NBCCPT) and then complexed with biofunctional β-cyclodextrin species (β-CD-PEG-LA) via highly specific host-guest interactions to cap the camptothecin prodrug conjugated on the nanoparticle surface. The supramolecularly attached β-CD-PEG-LA could not only enhance the aqueous dispersity of the nanocarriers and prevent DHMA leakage, but also imbues targeting effect against asialoglycoprotein receptor-overexpressing tumor cells. The UCNP core would convert the NIR excitation (980 nm) into localized UV (360 nm) and visible (480 nm) emissions, of which the former would cleave the nitrobenzene linker to restore the cytotoxicity of CPT while the latter could excite the photosensitizer to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition to the photodynamic damage, the light-generated ROS could also facilitate the endo/lysosomal escape of the endocytosed nanoparticles and improve the overall antitumor potency in a synergistic manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ultrahigh dispersed MoO x on N-doped hierarchically porous carbon was prepared. • It shows a high specific capacity of 742 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1. • A good stability was achieved with 431 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1. • MoO x and N-doped porous carbon synergistically contribute to the performance. Transition-metal oxides based materials have recently been shown to be promising anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) application to replace graphite material. In the present work, highly dispersed ultra-small MoO x nanoparticles anchored on N-doped three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous carbon (3D-MoO x @CN) are prepared on the basis of an efficient in-situ chelating and hard-templating strategy. The MoO x nanoparticles with particle sizes between 1.5 and 3.5 nm are observed to be anchored on the surface of the 3D N-doped carbon. The 3D-MoO x @CN composite anode electrode exhibits several appealing characteristics for lithium ion storage, including high specific capacity, good stability against cycling and fast charge transport kinetics. An optimized 3D-MoO x @CN sample (3D-MoO x @CN-700) delivers specific capacities of 742 mAh g−1 at current density of 100 mA g−1 and 431 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 after 1000 cycles, respectively. The observed excellent performance is due to the unique hierarchical pore structure with strong binding of the ultra-small MoO x nanoparticles onto N-doped carbon surface, which can avoid the agglomeration and alleviate the volume expansion of MoO x nanoparticles in the charge-discharge process. The composite electrode material described in this work holds a great potential for the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Meanwhile, the synthesis method presents a common strategy to prepare other composite materials with highly dispersed metal oxide on the hierarchically porous carbon materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]