Search

Finding effective strategies to design efficient photocatalysts and decompose refractory organic compounds in wastewater is a challenging problem. Herein, by coupling element doping and constructing heterostructures, S‐scheme CdS QDs/La‐Bi2WO6 (CS/LBWO) photocatalysts are designed and synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. As a result, the RhB degradation efficiency of the optimized 5% CS/LBWO reached 99% within 70 min of illumination with excellent stability and recyclability. CS/LBWO shows improvement in the adsorption range of visible light and promotes electron–hole pair generation/migration/separation, attributing the superior degradation performance. The degradation RhB mechanism is proposed by a free radical capture experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance, and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry results, indicating that h+ and •O2– play a significant role during four degradation processes: de‐ethylation, chromophore cleavage, ring opening, and mineralization. Based on in situ irradiated X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Mulliken electronegativity theory, and the work function results, the S‐scheme heterojunction of CS/LBWO promotes the transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and promotes the generation of reactive radicals. This work not only reports that 5% CS/LBWO is a promising photocatalyst for degradation experiments but also provides an approach to design advanced photocatalysts by coupling element doping and constructing heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on density functional theory (DFT), theoretical models of three kinds of lanthanide rare earth metal ion-doped γ-Bi2MoO6 were constructed (Ln-BMO (Ln=Gd, Ho, Yb)). The geometric structure, electronic structure, and optical properties of the model were calculated, and the influence of doped Ln3+ ions on the structures and properties of the system was analyzed. The results revealed that the substitution of smaller ionic radius Ln3+ ions for Bi3+ ions caused a contraction of the lattice parameters. At the same time, the contribution of the [Ln]4d near valence band and conduction band reduced the bandwidth of γ-Bi2MoO6, forming the Ln-O ionic bond with different strengths to obtain higher charge conductivity and charge-separation ability. Secondly, Ln3+ ions have a strongly ionic charge, which leads to the appearance of optical absorption bands in the infrared region and part of the visible region. This reduces the reflection in the visible region, improves the utilization rate, delays the loss of electron energy, and promotes phase matching in the visible region. And the Gd3+-doped system has better photocatalytic activity than the other Ln3+-doped system. This research provides theoretical insights into doped lanthanide rare earth ions and also provides strategies for the modification of γ-Bi2MoO6 nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More randomised control trials are required to assess the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine. This multi-centre, randomised, assessor-blind, controlled study assessed the efficacy of the Chinese herbal formula Pei Tu Qing Xin Tang (PTQXT) for treating patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods: Patients aged 5-25 years with moderate-to-severe AD were randomised to receive a 12-week treatment involving either oral administration of PTQXT; oral administration of PTQXT combined with an external application of Chinese herbs; or oral administration of antihistamine and a placebo of PTQXT pills added to topical 1% mometasone furoate. The primary end-point measure was the change in the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) at the end of the observation period, and secondary end-points included quality of life (QOL). The outcomes were evaluated at baseline, then every 4 weeks from week 4 to week 12 and every 8 weeks from week 12 to week 36.Results: Two hundred and seventy-five patients were recruited. During the 12-week treatment period, up to the primary end-point, the mean SCORAD decreased gradually in all three groups. At week 28 and week 36, there was a significantly greater decrease in the mean SCORAD for the Chinese herbal medicine-treated groups than for the control group (at week 28, P=0.002 and P=0.036, respectively; at week 36, P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). At week 36, the difference in QOL scores showed a significantly greater improvement in both Chinese herbal medicine-treated groups than in the control group (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively).Conclusions: PTQXT is effective in decreasing the severity of the disease and improving the QOL in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-08000156. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding effective strategies to design efficient photocatalysts and decompose refractory organic compounds in wastewater is a challenging problem. Herein, by coupling element doping and constructing heterostructures, S-scheme CdS QDs/La-Bi 2 WO 6 (CS/LBWO) photocatalysts are designed and synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. As a result, the RhB degradation efficiency of the optimized 5% CS/LBWO reached 99% within 70 min of illumination with excellent stability and recyclability. CS/LBWO shows improvement in the adsorption range of visible light and promotes electron-hole pair generation/migration/separation, attributing the superior degradation performance. The degradation RhB mechanism is proposed by a free radical capture experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results, indicating that h + and •O 2 - play a significant role during four degradation processes: de-ethylation, chromophore cleavage, ring opening, and mineralization. Based on in situ irradiated X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Mulliken electronegativity theory, and the work function results, the S-scheme heterojunction of CS/LBWO promotes the transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and promotes the generation of reactive radicals. This work not only reports that 5% CS/LBWO is a promising photocatalyst for degradation experiments but also provides an approach to design advanced photocatalysts by coupling element doping and constructing heterostructures., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Exploration published by Henan University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)