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A photoelectrochemical molecular imprinting sensor based on Au/TiO2 nanocomposite was constructed for the detection of dibutyl phthalate. Firstly, TiO2 nanorods were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by hydrothermal method. Then, gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on TiO2 to fabricate Au/TiO2. Finally, molecular imprinted polymer was electropolymerized on the Au/TiO2 surface to construct MIP/Au/TiO2 PEC sensor for DBP. The conjugation effect of MIP accelerates the electron transfer between TiO2 and MIP, which can greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency and sensitivity of the sensor. In addition, MIP can also provide sites for highly selective recognition of dibutyl phthalate molecules. Under optimal experimental conditions, the prepared photoelectrochemical sensor was used for the quantitative determination of DBP and the results showed a wide linear range (50 to 500 nM), a low limit of detection (0.698 nM), and good selectivity. The sensor was used in a study of real water samples to show that it has promising applications in environmental analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) have been considered as one of the most promising energy storage devices to solve the problem of energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this work, we reported the synthesis of nitrogen‐doped MnO2 (N‐MnO2) to replace the noble metal electrocatalysts for air cathode in ZABs. The doped N atoms here introduced more Mn3+ and oxygen vacancies for MnO2, enhancing charge transfer property and accelerating surface intermediate product during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Hence, the best N‐MnO2 achieved remarkable electrocatalytic activities towards ORR (half‐wave potential of 0.797 V vs. RHE), and reversible oxygen overpotential of around 0.842 V, which is better than or comparable to the Pt/C and Mn‐based catalysts reported recently. Moreover, the homemade ZABs based on N‐MnO2 showed the maximum power density of 132.8 mW cm−2 and excellent cyclic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor based on CdSe@SnS2 nanocomposite has been developed to detect sulfamethazine (SMZ). The introduction of CdSe into SnS2 displayed an amplified PEC signal, which was higher than that of pure CdSe and SnS2, attributable to its enhanced light harvesting capacity and promoted PEC energy conversion efficiency. Due to the formation of specific non-covalent bonds, the SMZ-binding aptamer (SBA) has significant specificity and sensitivity. When SMZ was incubated on a CdSe@SnS2 modified electrode fixed with aminated SBA, the formation of the SMZ/SBA complex increased the space resistance of electron transfer and hindered the electronic migration between the electrodes, resulting in a decrease in photocurrent. The greater the adsorbed amount on the SBA, the lower the photocurrent produced. Under optimized conditions the photocurrent response of MCH/SBA/CdSe@SnS2/FTO was inversely proportional to the SMZ concentration in the range 0.1 to 100 pM, with a detection limit (3 S/N) of 0.025 pM (at 0 V vs. Hg/HgCl). The recoveries ranged from 95.8 to 104% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 6.3% (n = 3) in actual water sample. This PEC aptasensor which shows considerable potential in SMZ detection applications has high selectivity, reproducibility, and good stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The red phosphorus/carbon anode with stable P-O-C bonds is prepared by using a green ball milling strategy. • Stable P-O-C bonds with higher energy enhance structural stability to achieve high capacity long-term cycling performance. • The porous carbon obtained by KOH treatment provides more active site to bind with red phosphorus densely. To overcome the disadvantages of large volume expansion and low conductivity is vital to successfully practical application of high-performance red phosphorous-based anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a novel red phosphorus/carbon composite load stable P O C bonds by using an effective ball milling method has been reported. In such composite, P O C bonds become the main connection between P and C atoms after ball milling treatment. Compared to traditional P P, P O C has higher energy to provide more stable structural stability. resulting better long-term cycling performance. As anodes for LIBs, the composite provides high reversible capacities of 1867.9 mAh/g at 200 mA g−1 and rate capacity of 789.4 mAh/g at 2000 mA g−1. For long-term performance, it maintains 1006.4 mAh/g after 330 cycles at 200 mA g−1 and 706.5 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1 (based on the whole composite), respectively. This work sheds a new idea for red phosphorus/carbon composite by enhancing stability of chemical bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical forces are essential for regulating dynamic changes in cellular activities. A comprehensive understanding of these forces is imperative for unraveling fundamental mechanisms. Here, we develop a microprobe capable of facilitating the measurement of biological forces up to nanonewton levels in living cells. This probe is designed by coating the core of anatase titania particles with amorphous titania and silica shells and an upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) layer. Leveraging both antireflection and ion resonance effects from the shells, the optically trapped probe attains a maximum lateral optical trap stiffness of 14.24 pN μm -1 mW -1 , surpassing the best reported value by a factor of 3. Employing this advanced probe in a photonic force microscope, we determine the elasticity modulus of mitotic HeLa cells as 1.27 ± 0.3 kPa. Nanonewton probes offer the potential to explore 3D cellular mechanics with unparalleled precision and spatial resolution, fostering a deeper understanding of the underlying biomechanical mechanisms.

In the context of the increasing number of spent lithium-ion batteries, it is urgent to explore cathode regeneration and upcycling solutions to reduce environmental pollution, promote resource reuse, and meet the demand for high-energy cathode materials. Here, a closed-loop recycling method is introduced, which not only reclaims cobalt and lithium elements from spent lithium-ion batteries but also converts them into high-voltage LiCoO 2 (LCO) materials. This approach involved pretreatment, chlorination roasting, water leaching, and ion doping to regenerate nickel-doped LCO (Ni-RLCO) materials. The doping of nickel effectively enhances the electrochemical stability of the LCO cathode at 4.5 V. The Ni-RLCO cathode exhibited a high discharge specific capacity of 185.28 mAh/g at a rate of 0.5 C with a capacity retention of 86.3% after 50 cycles and excellent rate capacity of 156.21 mAh/g at 2 C. This work offers a approach in significance for upcycling spent LCO into high-energy-density batteries with long-term cycling stability under high voltage.

Breast cancer poses the significance of early diagnosis and treatment. Here, we developed an innovative photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunosensor characterized by high-level dual photocurrent signals and exceptional sensitivity. The PEC sensor, denoted as MIL&Ag 2 S, was constructed by incorporating Ag 2 S into a metal-organic framework of MIL-101(Cr). This composite not only enhanced electron-hole separation and conductivity but also yielded robust and stable dual photocurrent signals. Through the implementation of signal switching, we achieved the combined detection of cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with outstanding stability, reproducibility, and specificity. The results revealed a linear range for CEA detection spanning 0.01-32 ng/mL, with a remarkably low detection limit of 0.0023 ng/mL. Similarly, for CA15-3 detection, the linear range extended from 0.1 to 320 U/mL, with a low detection limit of 0.014 U/mL. The proposed strategy introduces new avenues for the development of highly efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly PEC sensors. Furthermore, it holds promising prospects for early clinical diagnosis, contributing to potential breakthroughs in medical detection and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have been considered as one of the most promising energy storage devices to solve the problem of energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this work, we reported the synthesis of nitrogen-doped MnO 2 (N-MnO 2 ) to replace the noble metal electrocatalysts for air cathode in ZABs. The doped N atoms here introduced more Mn 3+ and oxygen vacancies for MnO 2 , enhancing charge transfer property and accelerating surface intermediate product during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Hence, the best N-MnO 2 achieved remarkable electrocatalytic activities towards ORR (half-wave potential of 0.797 V vs. RHE), and reversible oxygen overpotential of around 0.842 V, which is better than or comparable to the Pt/C and Mn-based catalysts reported recently. Moreover, the homemade ZABs based on N-MnO 2 showed the maximum power density of 132.8 mW cm -2 and excellent cyclic stability., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)