Search

Organic conjugated molecules are a category of high solar harvesting material that can convert energy into heat and be utilized as solar‐driven water‐electricity co‐generation. However, the limited absorption range and insufficient photothermal conversion efficiency hinder their application. Herein, two new organic molecules TPA‐BTQ and TPA‐SBTQ, featuring strong electron withdrawing [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐g]quinoxaline‐6,7‐dicarboxylate (BTQ) center, terminated by triphenylamine or thiophene‐bridged triphenylamine are designed and synthesized. Detailed theory calculations and spectral analysis confirm that the BTQ unit induces strong intramolecular charge transfer and expands the absorption across a wide spectra range. The flexible alky chain substituted on thiophene inhibits the over‐aggregation and affords more rotation space, leading to suppressed radiative transition and efficient solar‐thermal conversion. Therefore, TPA‐SBTQ powder shows broad absorption across 350 to 1300 nm with a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 18.28% under 1 kW m−2 simulated solar irradiation. Moreover, TPA‐SBTQ is further explored for solar‐thermal conversion applications. The evaporation rate of TPA‐SBTQ solar‐driven water evaporator can reach a remarkable 1.337 kg m−2 h−1 with 92% of water evaporation efficiency under 1 kW m−2 solar irradiation. This study provides guidance for the rational design of high‐efficient organic solar‐thermal materials with a wide absorption spectrum and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency at the molecular level for emerging photothermal‐related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic photothermal materials have attracted increasing attention because of their structural diversity, flexibility, and compatibility. However, their energy conversion efficiency is limited owing to the narrow absorption spectrum, strong reflection/transmittance, and insufficient nonradiative decay. In this study, two quinoxaline‐based D–A‐D–A‐D‐type molecules with ethyl (BQE) or carboxylate (BQC) substituents were synthesized. Strong intramolecular charge transfer provided both molecules with a broad absorption range of 350–1000 nm. In addition, the high reorganization energy and weak molecular packing of BQE resulted in efficient nonradiative decay. More importantly, the self‐assembly of BQE leads to a textured surface and enhances the light‐trapping efficiency with significantly reduced light reflection/transmittance. Consequently, BQE achieved an impressive solar‐thermal conversion efficiency of 18.16 % under 1.0 kW m−2 irradiation with good photobleaching resistance. Based on this knowledge, the water evaporation rate of 1.2 kg m−2 h−1 was attained for the BQE‐based interfacial evaporation device with an efficiency of 83 % under 1.0 kW m−2 simulated sunlight. Finally, the synergetic integration of solar‐steam and thermoelectric co‐generation devices based on BQE was realized without significantly sacrificing solar‐steam efficiency. This underscores the practical applications of BQE‐based technology in effectively harnessing photothermal energy. This study provides new insights into the molecular design for enhancing light‐trapping management by molecular self‐assembly, paving the way for photothermal‐driven applications of organic photothermal materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic photothermal materials have attracted increasing attention because of their structural diversity, flexibility, and compatibility. However, their energy conversion efficiency is limited owing to the narrow absorption spectrum, strong reflection/transmittance, and insufficient nonradiative decay. In this study, two quinoxaline‐based D–A‐D–A‐D‐type molecules with ethyl (BQE) or carboxylate (BQC) substituents were synthesized. Strong intramolecular charge transfer provided both molecules with a broad absorption range of 350–1000 nm. In addition, the high reorganization energy and weak molecular packing of BQE resulted in efficient nonradiative decay. More importantly, the self‐assembly of BQE leads to a textured surface and enhances the light‐trapping efficiency with significantly reduced light reflection/transmittance. Consequently, BQE achieved an impressive solar‐thermal conversion efficiency of 18.16 % under 1.0 kW m−2 irradiation with good photobleaching resistance. Based on this knowledge, the water evaporation rate of 1.2 kg m−2 h−1 was attained for the BQE‐based interfacial evaporation device with an efficiency of 83 % under 1.0 kW m−2 simulated sunlight. Finally, the synergetic integration of solar‐steam and thermoelectric co‐generation devices based on BQE was realized without significantly sacrificing solar‐steam efficiency. This underscores the practical applications of BQE‐based technology in effectively harnessing photothermal energy. This study provides new insights into the molecular design for enhancing light‐trapping management by molecular self‐assembly, paving the way for photothermal‐driven applications of organic photothermal materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asiaticoside is one of the triterpenoid components found in Centella asiatica that has promising neuroprotective properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like properties of asiaticoside and to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying its mode of action using a mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS). Behavioral tests, including sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test, were performed to evaluate symptoms of depression. The expression levels of neurotransmitters, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE), in the hippocampus were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. ELISA and western blotting were used to detect protein expression. It was demonstrated that asiaticoside treatment (20 and 40 mg/kg; intragastric) significantly reversed the decrease in sucrose consumption, and reduced the immobility time in tail suspension tests and forced swimming tests in CMS mice. Furthermore, asiaticoside treatment upregulated the expression of 5-HT and NE in the CMS mouse model. Asiaticoside administration also downregulated the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the hippocampus, and reduced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor (NF)-κBp65 and the expression of nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), thus decreasing the expression of mature caspase-1. Furthermore, asiaticoside significantly increased the levels of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA), and enhanced phosphorylation of the cAMP-related specific marker vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein at serine 157. Therefore, asiaticoside may activate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway to inhibit NF-κB- and NLRP3-related inflammation. Moreover, phosphorylation of the cAMP-responsive element-binding protein at serine 133 and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor were increased after asiaticoside administration. Collectively, the present results suggested that asiaticoside may play a vital role as an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory agent in the CMS mouse model by regulating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal materials for solar evaporators need to have broad light absorption ability and be able to convert into heat efficiently. At present, organic photothermal materials mainly have the problems of narrow absorption spectrum range and low photothermal conversion efficiency. In recent years, the development of photovoltaic materials has attracted the attention of researchers. However, the application of photovoltaic materials to the field of solar driven water evaporation is still rare. Poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, is a typical p-type conjugated polymer that can achieve high power conversion efficiency. P3HT powder has a solar-thermal conversion efficiency of 11.26%. Its absorption range at 300–900 nm provides effective utilization of sunlight and has the potential as an excellent photothermal conversion material. We loaded P3HT into non-woven fabric to obtain an integrated device for simultaneous water evaporation and thermoelectric power generation, with evaporation rate of 1.04 kg m−2 h−1 and output voltage of 58 mV under 1 kW m−2 simulated solar irradiation. This study enriches the application of traditional photovoltaic materials in the field of solar-heat technique and provides guidance in the construction of solar evaporation devices for water-electricity co-generation. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) powder has a solar-thermal conversion efficiency of 11.26%. P3HT non-woven fabric complex is used to construct a water and electricity co-generation device with evaporation rate of 1.04 kg m−2 h−1 and output voltage of 58 mV under 1 kW m−2 simulated solar irradiation. This study enriches the application of traditional photovoltaic materials in the field of solar-heat technique and provides guidance in the construction of solar evaporation devices. [Display omitted] • P3HT is widely used in photovoltaic cells, but its application in the photothermal materials field has not been studied. • P3HT powder has a solar-thermal conversion efficiency of up to 11.26%. • The evaporation rate and efficiency of P3HT solar evaporator were 1.25 kg m-2 h-1 and 86% under 1 kW m-2 solar radiation. • The evaporation rate and output voltage of P3HT water-electricity co-generator were 1.04 kg m h-1 and 58 mV under 1 sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is a kind of programmed cell death that is characterized by inflammation. However, the expression of pyroptosis-related genes and their connection with prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unknown. The aim of this study is to create and validate a LUAD prediction signature based on genes associated with pyroptosis. The TCGA and GEO were used to collect gene sequencing data and clinical information for LUAD samples. To identify patients with LUAD from the TCGA cohort, consensus clustering by pyroptosis-related genes was employed. Our prognostic model was constructed using LASSO-Cox analysis after Cox regression using differentially expressed genes. To predict patient survival, we created a seven-mRNA signature. Additionally, reliability and validity were established in the GEO cohort. To assess its diagnostic and prognostic usefulness, an integrated bioinformatics method was used. Using a risk score with varying overall survival (OS) in two cohorts (all p < 0.001), a seven-gene signature was developed to categorize patients into two risk categories. The signature was shown to be an independent predictor of LUAD using multivariate regression analysis. The signature was linked to a variety of immune cell subtypes according to a study of immune cell infiltration. We constructed a signature consisting of seven genes as a robust biomarker with potential for clinical use in risk stratification and OS prediction in LUAD patients, as well as a potential indicator of immunotherapy in LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]