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Abstract: β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3 composite nanosheets are synthesized via a rational heat-treatment of Bi2O2CO3 precursor. The precursor transforms to β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3 composites and α-Bi2O3 phase under different calcination conditions. The photocatalytic activities are evaluated and compared through the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3 composites exhibit much higher photodegradation activity than Bi2O2CO3 and α-Bi2O3 products. The significant enhancement is attributed to the formation of β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3 heterojunctions, which is favorable for the low recombination rate of the electron–hole pairs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The porous gadolinium oxide nanosheets were prepared through a two-step colloidal synthesis method. • The porous gadolinium oxide nanosheets exhibited a promising pH-responsive drug release behavior for cancer therapy. • The porous gadolinium oxide nanosheets could be used as an efficient contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. Porous nanomaterials have great potential in biomedical applications due to their unique structure and properties. Herein, we demonstrated the synthesis of porous gadolinium oxide nanosheets (Gd 2 O 3 NSs) with a colloidal synthesis method. The porous Gd 2 O 3 NSs exhibited a promising pH-responsive drug release behavior for cancer chemotherapy and can be used as an efficient contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayered MoS 2 coated hollow TiO 2 heterostructures were fabricated by a two-step hydrothermal process using TiO 2 hollow spheres as precursors. Compared with pure TiO 2 , the heterostructures exhibited greatly enhanced visible-light-responsive activity on photodecomposition of colorless phenol, due to the enlargement of visible light absorption and improvement separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Photocatalytic activity was influenced by the MoS 2 /TiO 2 ratio and the optimized composition was obtained with high stability during recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile fabrication of carbon dots (CDs)/Cu 2 MoS 4 nanosheets hybrid photocathodes for potential application in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). The structural, morphological and photoelectrochemical characteristics are studied. Compared with pristine Cu 2 MoS 4 , the photoelectrocatalytic activity of CDs/Cu 2 MoS 4 nanosheets composites was significantly improved under artificial solar light, as confirmed by the lowered onset potential and improved photocurrent response. Our study provides useful insights in the design of low-cost and earth abundant materials for high-efficiency solar fuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BiFeO 3 /Bi 2 O 3 composite was successfully fabricated by a facile flame annealing. • The formation of Bi 2 O 3 improves the PEC performance. • The maximum photocurrent of BiFeO 3 /Bi 2 O 3 is two times larger than BiFeO 3. • High PEC performance was attributed to improved light absorption and active sites. BiFeO 3 -based ferroelectrics are promising photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. To further enhance its photoelectrocatalytic activity, BiFeO 3 /Bi 2 O 3 composite is designed by a simple and cost-effective flame annealing process in this work. The obtained BiFeO 3 /Bi 2 O 3 photocathode achieves a photocurrent density of −0.21 mA/cm−2 at 0.38 V RHE , with a 160 mV positive shift of the onset potential. Furthermore, the photon-to-current efficiency of BiFeO 3 /Bi 2 O 3 displays an obvious enhancement. The improved PEC performance is due to the formation of composite, which reduces the recombination of carriers, promotes interfacial charge transfer and provides more active sites. Our work provides a promising approach to improve the performance of ferroelectric photoelectrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• C-CuO-Cu 2 O/CF hybrid was synthesized by a facile candle flame annealing. • The composition was confirmed by XRD, Raman and TEM techniques. • The C-CuO-Cu 2 O/CF electrode showed excellent photoelectrochemical activity. • High photoelectrochemical performance was due to carbon coating and hybrid composition. In this work, carbon coated-CuO-Cu 2 O composite on copper foam (C-CuO-Cu 2 O/CF) is synthesized by candle flame treatment and is evaluated as a photocathode of photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC). The photocurrent density of C-CuO-Cu 2 O/CF electrode can reach −1.2 mA cm−2 (at 0 V vs. RHE), which is about 12 times higher than that of Cu 2 O/CF. The high PEC performance is due to the carbon modification and the unique composition which increase the carrier concentration and reduce the carrier recombination rate and promote charge transfer at electrode-electrolyte interface. Our results proves that candle flame annealing is a promising way for the rational design of carbon modified photoelectrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urea l-malic acid (ULMA) is one of the derivatives of urea. ULMA keeps the nonlinear optical properties and broad transparency range of urea with greatly reduced hygroscopicity. ULMA film (2 μm) was prepared with physical vapour deposition (PVD) method. XRD and FTIR measurements show that the film and the ULMA powder have the same composition and crystal structure. Furthermore, the film keeps the nonlinear properties of the ULMA crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]