The research,fabrication and development of piezoelectric nanofibrous materials offer effective solutions to the challenges related to energy consumption and non-renewable resources.However,enhancing their electrical ...The research,fabrication and development of piezoelectric nanofibrous materials offer effective solutions to the challenges related to energy consumption and non-renewable resources.However,enhancing their electrical output still remains a significant challenge.Here,a strategy of inducing constrained phase separation on single nanofibers via shear force was proposed.Employing electrospinning technology,a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene difluoride(PAN/PVDF)nanofibrous membrane was fabricated in one step,which enabled simultaneous piezoelectric and triboelectric conversion within a single-layer membrane.Each nanofiber contained independent components of PAN and PVDF and exhibited a rough surface.The abundant frictional contact points formed between these heterogeneous components contributed to an enhanced endogenous triboelectric output,showcasing an excellent synergistic effect of piezoelectric and triboelectric response in the nanofibrous membrane.Additionally,the component mass ratio influenced the microstructure,piezoelectric conformation and piezoelectric performance of the PAN/PVDF nanofibrous membranes.Through comprehensive performance comparison,the optimal mass ratio of PAN to PVDF was determined to be 9∶1.The piezoelectric devices made of the optimal PAN/PVDF nanofibrous membranes with rough nanofiber surfaces generated an output voltage of 20 V,which was about 1.8 times that of the smooth one at the same component mass ratio.The strategy of constrained phase separation on the surface of individual nanofibers provides a new approach to enhance the output performance of single-layer piezoelectric nanofibrous materials.展开更多
A robust spontaneous exchange bias effect after zero-field cooling was observed in Co_(2)Sn_(1-x)Cr_(x)O_(4)system,which was driven by the transition from superspin-glass to superferromagnetic domain embedded in the f...A robust spontaneous exchange bias effect after zero-field cooling was observed in Co_(2)Sn_(1-x)Cr_(x)O_(4)system,which was driven by the transition from superspin-glass to superferromagnetic domain embedded in the ferrimagnetic matrix.Additionally,the exchange bias effect is gradually pronounced with the positive increase in the cooling field,known as the conventional exchange bias effect.However,as the cooling field gradually decreases and transits from positive to negative,the exchange bias effect can robustly remain positive in the low-negative-field region until the cooling field increases to be sufficiently large in the negative direction.展开更多
Welding high-entropy alloy(HEA)to Mg alloy has gained increasing attention for multi-metal structure design,while intrinsic sluggish diffusion kinetics of HEA confines diffusion-controlled interfacial reactions and mak...Welding high-entropy alloy(HEA)to Mg alloy has gained increasing attention for multi-metal structure design,while intrinsic sluggish diffusion kinetics of HEA confines diffusion-controlled interfacial reactions and makes it challenging to establish robust metallurgical bonding.This study investigated welding of FeCoCrNiMn HEA to commercial AZ31 as a model combination to pioneer thisfield.Interfacial phase separation phenomenon was observed,with the diffusion accelerated by in-situ engineering a submicron-scale thick(∼400–500 nm)HEA nearby the interface into nanocrystalline-structure during friction stir welding.Abundant grain boundaries generated in this nanocrystalline-interlayer serve as diffusion short-circuits and energetically preferred nucleation-sites,which promoted Al in AZ31 to diffuse into HEA and triggered quick separation into body-centered cubic AlNi-type and tetragonal FeCr-type intermetallics.HEA and AZ31 were thus metallurgically bonded by these interfacial intermetallics.The joint shows exceptional strength in tensile lap-shear testing with fracture largely occurred within AZ31 rather than right along interface as commonly reported previously for dissimilar joints.展开更多
Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders affecting the human nervous system.Liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)is a physiological process that facilitates the reversible and dynamic assembly of bi...Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders affecting the human nervous system.Liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)is a physiological process that facilitates the reversible and dynamic assembly of biomolecular condensates.Increasing evidence suggests that LLPS plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hereditary hearing loss.Nevertheless,there is a conspicuous lack of systematic investigations exploring the impact of LLPS abnormalities on the etiology of hereditary hearing loss.In this review,we examine the mechanisms by which dysfunctions in LLPS contribute to hereditary hearing loss,specifically focusing on its effects on mechanoelectrical transduction in hair bundles,transcriptional regulation,post-transcriptional modifications,the actin cytoskeleton,ion homeostasis within the inner ear,and energy and redox homeostasis.Furthermore,we evaluate the considerable potential of targeting LLPS as a therapeutic approach for hearing loss and propose innovative perspectives on LLPS that may guide future research initiatives in the field of auditory disorders.展开更多
Understanding the liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)of immunoglobulin G(IgG)is crucial,as it profoundly influences IgG’s biological activity and stability.In this study,we employed coarse-grained molecular dynamics...Understanding the liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)of immunoglobulin G(IgG)is crucial,as it profoundly influences IgG’s biological activity and stability.In this study,we employed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the phase separation behavior of IgG.We first constructed two types of IgG models:all-pair IgG model and partial-pair IgG model,and compared the coexistence curve from our simulations with experimental data.Our results showed that the partial-pair IgG model aligns better with the experimental critical temperature and critical density.Using this model,we then calculated the temperature-dependent variations of IgG’s radius of gyration,surface tension,viscosity,etc.More importantly,we demonstrated that variations in the interaction strengths among IgG molecules significantly influence their phase separation behavior.Specifically,a higher standard deviation of interaction strength at different temperatures is found to lead to more stable phase-separated states.Furthermore,we observed that the introduction of repulsive polymers and strongly attractive polymers consistently enhances IgG phase separation,while weakly attractive polymers exhibit a dual regulatory effect on the phase separation.Overall,this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms governing IgG phase behavior,with potential implications for optimizing biopharmaceutical products.展开更多
Chiral active matter exhibits a variety of collective behaviors,including phase separation,which is governed by the rule of“like chiralities attract,while opposite chiralities repel”.In this work,we investigate the ...Chiral active matter exhibits a variety of collective behaviors,including phase separation,which is governed by the rule of“like chiralities attract,while opposite chiralities repel”.In this work,we investigate the chiral demixing strategy of double-chiral partial mixture with inter-chiral frustration.We find that the inter-chiral frustration can significantly enhance the chiral demixing of active particles with different chiralities,both during the transient and in the steady state,not only accelerating the progress,but also improving the degree of phase separation.This phenomenon is reminiscent of the phase separation of binary mixtures in condensed matter physics,where the inter-chiral frustration can play a crucial role in the formation of the phase-separated states.We construct the phase diagram of the system and discuss the critical frustration for the enhancement of chiral demixing.Our work presents the first systematic investigation of inter-chiral frustration in self-propelled chiral active matter,filling a critical gap in the field.展开更多
TiAl alloys with the(α2+γ)lamellar structure are highly valued for their excellent high-temperature strength and creep resistance.Understanding the formation mechanism of the lamellar structure is crucial for tuning...TiAl alloys with the(α2+γ)lamellar structure are highly valued for their excellent high-temperature strength and creep resistance.Understanding the formation mechanism of the lamellar structure is crucial for tuning the microstructure and properties.This work investigates the formation of lamellar structure in Ti-48AI-7Nb-2.5V-1Cr alloy,revealing the presence of hcp-based long-period superstructure(hcp-LPS)as a metastable phase during lamellar formation.The identification of hcp-LPS demonstrates that the necessary solute enrichment for the formation ofγlamellae occurs on the hexagonalαmatrix,implying that phase separation ofα→Al-richαlamellae+Al-depletedαlamellae is the first step of lamellar formation.Once phase separation is completed,all subsequent phase transitions occur within the Al-richαlamellae.Additionally,the formation of twin lamellae is further discussed.The formation of the twin lamellae occurs sequentially.Pre-existing lamella promotes the formation of later lamella by inducing so-lute enrichment in its surrounding region,and then the successive slip of Shockley partial dislocations with opposite Burgers vectors ensures special stacking of later lamellae.These findings not only con-tribute to the fundamental understanding of spinodal mechanisms in hexagonal crystals,but also provide novel insights into the formation of twin lamellae.展开更多
In this paper,the liquid–vapor phase separation under viscous shear is investigated by using a pseudopotential central moment lattice Boltzmann method.Physically,the multiphase shear flow is governed by two competing...In this paper,the liquid–vapor phase separation under viscous shear is investigated by using a pseudopotential central moment lattice Boltzmann method.Physically,the multiphase shear flow is governed by two competing mechanisms:surface tension and shear force.It is interesting to find that the liquid tends to form a droplet when the surface tension dominates under conditions of low temperature,shear velocity,and viscosity,and in larger domain size.Otherwise,the liquid tends to form a band if shear force dominates.Moreover,the average density gradient is used as a physical criterion to distinguish the spinodal decomposition and domain growth.Both spatial and temporal changes of density are studied during the phase separation under shear.展开更多
Phosphorus(P)is crucial for crop growth.However,in waters,P is considered as contaminant due to its role in causing eutrophication and algae blooms.Therefore,recovering P from wastewater is essential for sustainable P...Phosphorus(P)is crucial for crop growth.However,in waters,P is considered as contaminant due to its role in causing eutrophication and algae blooms.Therefore,recovering P from wastewater is essential for sustainable P management.This study investigated the removal of P from aqueous solutions using bioinspired poly(ethylenimine)-poly(acrylamideco-acrylic acid)(PEI-PAMcoAA)coacervates.In detail,we investigated various parameters affecting P removal,including the ratio of PEI to PAMcoAA(ranging from 1:2 to 3:1,stoichiometry ratio of NH_(2) to COOH),pH(5.0-8.0)of P-containing solutions,initial P concentration(0.05-5 mmol/L),and the addition of calcium(Ca,0.1-5 mmol/L).We found that increasing the PEI:PAMcoAA ratio from1:2 to 3:1 significantly enhanced P removal efficiency,increasing from 47.21%to 95.44%.Under neutral pH conditions without calcium(Ca),PEI-PAMcoAA coacervates demonstrated optimal P removal capabilities(achieving an efficiency of 77.96%)through electrostatic adsorption.In contrast,the addition of Ca under alkaline conditions markedly improved P removal efficiency,increasing it from 64.16%to 82.42%.Detailed analyses of P within the coacervates indicated that Ca facilitates P precipitation and provides additional binding sites.These findings demonstrated that PEI-(Ca)-PAMcoAA coacervates show promise for efficiently removing P,particularly at low P concentrations.After the Premoval,the immobilized P can potentially be reused directly,as P able to be released from the reacted products.Therefore,the reacted coacervates could serve as a non-toxic fertilizer.Given its simplicity,high efficiency,and environmental friendliness,P removal based on bioinspired coacervates represents a low-hanging fruit in the pursuit of sustainable P management.展开更多
Ribosome is an intracellular ribonucleoprotein particle that serves as the site of protein biosynthesis.Ribosomal dysfunction caused by mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins(RPs)and ribosome biogenesis factor...Ribosome is an intracellular ribonucleoprotein particle that serves as the site of protein biosynthesis.Ribosomal dysfunction caused by mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins(RPs)and ribosome biogenesis factors(RBFs)can lead to a spectrum of diseases,collectively known as ribosomopathy.Phase separation is a thermodynamic process that produces multiple phases from a homogeneous mixture.The formation of membraneless organelles and intracellular structures,including ribosomes and nucleoli,cannot occur without the involvement of phase separation.Here,ribosome structure,biogenesis,and their relationship with ribosomopathy are systematically reviewed.The tissue specificity of ribosomopathy and the role of phase separation in ribosomopathy are particularly discussed,which may offer some clues for understanding the mechanisms of ribosomopathy.Then,some new ideas for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of ribosomopathy are provided.展开更多
Long-chain polyamides(LCPAs)are a class of bio-based polymers that can bridge conventional polyolefins and polycondensates.In this work,taking the advantage of the amphiphilic nature of polyamide 1012(PA1012),membrane...Long-chain polyamides(LCPAs)are a class of bio-based polymers that can bridge conventional polyolefins and polycondensates.In this work,taking the advantage of the amphiphilic nature of polyamide 1012(PA1012),membranes were prepared by using a non-conventional phase separation approach,namely,mixed‘non-solvents’evaporation induced phase separation(MNEIPS).PA1012 can be dissolved in a mixture of polar and non-polar solvents,both of which are non-solvents of PA1012.During the sequential evaporation of the two solvents,the phase separation of PA1012 occurred,inducing the formation of porous structures.We investigated the process of membrane formation in detail,with a specific focus on the liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase transitions involved.Moreover,we studied the influence of critical factors,such as polymer concentration and mixed-solvent ratio,on the morphologies and properties of PA1012 membranes.This study provides new insights into the development of porous materials based on long-chain polycondensates.展开更多
Intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)represents a pivotal biological process for the formation of cellular compartments,which involves the formation of droplet-like condensates through the hydrophobic and...Intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)represents a pivotal biological process for the formation of cellular compartments,which involves the formation of droplet-like condensates through the hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions of biomolecules.LLPS plays a crucial role in normal cellular physiological activities,and it is also intimately linked to the pathological mechanisms of various diseases.This review summarizes the significant role of LLPS in regulating transcriptional mechanisms within the nucleus,with a focus on the mechanisms by which LLPS modulates gene transcription.Additionally,we highlight the roles of key proteins involved in LLPS,such as FOXK1,BRD4,Tau protein,and HDAC6,in the context of disease.We delve into the relationships between LLPS and diseases such as chronic kidney disease,atherosclerosis,Alzheimer’s disease,and triple-negative breast cancer,revealing the regulatory mechanisms of LLPS in disease onset and progression.Furthermore,we discuss the potential of pharmacological interventions targeting LLPS as novel therapeutic approaches,encompassing strategies such as gene therapy,traditional Chinese medicine monomers,and small-molecule inhibitors.In the future,a deeper understanding of the LLPS mechanism will continue to propel its application in disease prevention and treatment,providing robust support for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.展开更多
For chromatographic separation,the reasonable modulation of stationary phases is the key factor to achieve high separation performance.We proposed that developing MOF stationary phases through precisely modulating the...For chromatographic separation,the reasonable modulation of stationary phases is the key factor to achieve high separation performance.We proposed that developing MOF stationary phases through precisely modulating the thermodynamic interactions between MOFs and analytes is conducive to improving the separation resolution.MIL-125,MIL-125-NH_(2),MIL-143-BTB,and MIL-143-TATB were developed as stationary phases with the careful modulation of organic ligands.MIL-125-NH_(2)and MIL-143-TATB coated columns exhibited much better separation performance than their counterparts,MIL-125 and MIL-143-BTB,respectively.The investigation of the separation mechanism indicated that thermodynamic interaction,rather than kinetic diffusion,was responsible for the separation improvement.MIL-125-NH_(2)and MIL-143-TATB provided stronger and distinguishable interactions with targets than corresponding MIL-125 and MIL-143-BTB,respectively,resulting in enhanced separation performance.This work demonstrates a guide to improving the separation performance of MOF stationary phases by increasing the thermodynamic interactions between MOFs and analytes.展开更多
Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have demonstrated great potential in chromatographic separation because of unique structure and superior performance.Herein,single-crystal three-dimensional(3D)COFs with regular morpho...Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have demonstrated great potential in chromatographic separation because of unique structure and superior performance.Herein,single-crystal three-dimensional(3D)COFs with regular morphology,good monodispersity and high specific surface area,were used as a stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The single-crystal 3D COFs packed column not only exhibits high efficiency in separating hydrophobic molecules involving substituted benzenes,halogenated benzenes,halogenated nitrobenzenes,aromatic amines,aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and phthalate esters(PAEs),but also achieves baseline separation of acenaphthene and acenaphthylene with similar physical and chemical properties as well as environmental pollutants,which cannot be quickly separated on commercial C18 column and a polycrystalline 3D COFs packed column.Especially,the column efficiency of 17303-24255 plates/m was obtained for PAEs,and the resolution values for acenaphthene and acenaphthylene,and carbamazepine(CBZ)and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide(CBZEP)were 1.7and 2.2,respectively.This successful application not only confirmed the great potential of the singlecrystal 3D COFs in HPLC separation of the organic molecules,but also facilitates the application of COFs in separation science.展开更多
The exosomes hold significant potential in disease diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of aqueous two-phase systems(ATPSs)for the separation of bovine m...The exosomes hold significant potential in disease diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of aqueous two-phase systems(ATPSs)for the separation of bovine milk exosomes.The milk exosome partition behaviors and bovine milk separation were investigated,and the ATPSs and bovine milk whey addition was optimized.The optimal separation conditions were identified as 16%(mass)polyethylene glycol 4000,10%(mass)dipotassium phosphate,and 1%(mass)enzymatic hydrolysis bovine milk whey.During the separation process,bovine milk exosomes were predominantly enriched in the interphase,while protein impurities were primarily found in the bottom phase.The process yielded bovine milk exosomes of 2.0×10^(11)particles per ml whey with high purity(staining rate>90%,7.01×10^(10)particles per mg protein)and high uniformity(polydispersity index<0.03).The isolated exosomes were characterized and identified by transmission electron microscopy,zeta potential and size distribution.The results demonstrated aqueous two-phase extraction possesses a robust capability for the enrichment and separation of exosomes directly from bovine milk whey,presenting a novel approach for the large-scale isolation of exosomes.展开更多
Solid solution hinders the extraction of bromine resources from bittern.To separate chlorine-brominebased solid solution in bittern tail solution,the solubilities of the quaternary system KCl-KBr-NaCl-NaBr-H_(2)O and ...Solid solution hinders the extraction of bromine resources from bittern.To separate chlorine-brominebased solid solution in bittern tail solution,the solubilities of the quaternary system KCl-KBr-NaCl-NaBr-H_(2)O and its ternary subsystem NaBr-KBr-H_(2)O at 333.15 K were determined by the isothermal dissolution method,and the corresponding phase diagrams were conducted.An improved model was employed to predict the solubilities of the quaternary system KCl-KBr-NaCl-NaBr-H_(2)O at 333.15 K.The calculated results coincide with the experimental values,implying that the prediction method is feasible.A closed loop crystallization process for the separation of chlorine-bromine-based solid solution in bittern tail solution was proposed and NaBr was obtained with a purity of 98.23%.展开更多
A series of optically active copolymers with various feed ratios have been synthesized through helix-sense-selective copolymerization catalyzed by[Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]2-triethylamine.This process involves two proline-...A series of optically active copolymers with various feed ratios have been synthesized through helix-sense-selective copolymerization catalyzed by[Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]2-triethylamine.This process involves two proline-derived acetylene monomers,(S)-N-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl-2-ethynyl pyrrolidine(MCl)and(S)-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-ethynyl pyrrolidine,followed by acidic deprotection and neutralization.These copolymers adopt helical conformations with a preferred handedness,as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a series of spectroscopic analyses.The chiroptical activity intensity of copolymer has been found to increase with MCl content.Consequently,the enantioseparation capabilities of copolymers containing 95 mol%,90 mol%,and 85 mol%MCl units have been assessed as chiral stationary phases in high-performance liquid chromatography because of their good chiroptical activities.These chiral stationary phases effectively enantioseparate racemic alcohols,sulfoxides,amides,and metal complexes.Notably,the copolymer with 90 mol%MCl shows superior chiral recognition ability,especially for 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol(α=1.19)and 4-methylbenzenesulfinamide(α=1.47).Insights from molecular dynamic simulation and autodock analysis indicate that hydrogen bonding andπ-πstacking interactions between the chiral stationary phases and enantiomers play a key role for successful chiral separation.Our contribution not only demonstrates the importance of hydrogen bonding donor and copolymer chiroptical activity of chiral stationary phases for chiral resolution,but will also provide valuable insights for the future development of novel stationary phases.展开更多
Ribosomal RNA(rRNA)synthesis is intricately tied to cellular growth and proliferation.Basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF2),a pivotal factor for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs),can stimulates rRNA transcripti...Ribosomal RNA(rRNA)synthesis is intricately tied to cellular growth and proliferation.Basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF2),a pivotal factor for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs),can stimulates rRNA transcription,though the underlying mechanism remains unknown.Here,we demonstrate that the cytoplasm-nucleus translocation of FGF2 is determined by the stable nuclear localization motif.Meanwhile,the nuclear FGF2 regulates rRNA expression and BMSCs proliferation via phase separation.Next,through FGF2 related epigenomics and 3D genomes analysis,we identified chromatin architectures during BMSCs differentiation and aging.In the process,topologically associating domains(TADs)and chromatin loops profiling revealed the attenuated genomic interaction among proximal chromosomes 13,14,15,21,and 22,where phase-separated FGF2 facilitates rDNA transcription depend on specific super-enhancers(SEs).Furthermore,we validated that FGF2 orchestrates rDNA chromatin architecture in coordination with STAT5.Together,these findings underscore the pivotal role of FGF2 in rDNA chromatin architectures,which determines BMSCs cell fate.展开更多
In this study, the poly（L-lactide）/poly（D-lactide） （PLLA/PDLA） blends with different optical purities of PLLA and various molecular weights of PDLA are prepared by solution mixing, and the stereocomplex formatio...In this study, the poly（L-lactide）/poly（D-lactide） （PLLA/PDLA） blends with different optical purities of PLLA and various molecular weights of PDLA are prepared by solution mixing, and the stereocomplex formation and phase separation behaviors of these blends are investigated. Results reveal that optical purity and molecular weight do not vary the crystal structure of PLA stereocomplex （sc） and homochiral crystallites （hc）. As the optical purity increasing in the blends, the melting temperature of sc （Tsc） and the content of sc （AHsc） increased, while the melting temperature of hc （Thin） hardly changes, although the content ofhc （AHhm） decreased gradually. The Tsc and AHsc are also enhanced as the molecular weight of PDLA reduces, and the AHhm reduces rapidly even though the Thin does not vary apparently. With lower optical purities of PLLA and higher molecular weights of PDLA, three types of crystals form in the blends, i.e., PLA sc, PLLA hc and PDLA hc. As molecular weight decreases and optical purity enhances, the crystal phase decreases to two （sc and PDLA hc）, and one （sc） finally. This investigation indicates that the phase separation behavior between PLLA and PDLA in the PLLA/PDLA blends not only depends on molecular weights, but also relies on the optical purities of polymers.展开更多
Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence...Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Visible （-S00 nm） and near-infrared （NIR, -830 nm） emissions were monitored to give insight into the photoinduced charges of anatase and rutile in the junction, respectively, New fast photoluminescence decay components appeared in the visible emission of futile-phase dominated TiO2 and in the NIR emission of many mixed phase TiO2samples. The fast decays confirmed that the charge separation occurred at the phase junction. The visible emission intensity from the mixed phase TiO2 increased, revealing that charge transfer from rutile to anatase was the main pathway. The charge separation slowed the microsecond time scale photolumines- cence decay rate for charge carriers in both anatase and rutile. However, the millisecond decay of the charge carriers in anatase TiO2 was accelerated, while there was almost no change in the charge carrier dynamics of rutile TiO2. Thus, charge separation at the anatase/rutile phase junction caused an increase in the charge carrier concentration on a microsecond time scale, because of slower electron-hole recombination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity previously observed at ana- tase/rutile phase junctions is likely caused by the improved charge carrier dynamics we report here. These findings may contribute to the development of improved photocatalytic materials.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52373281)National Energy-Saving and Low-Carbon Materials Production and Application Demonstration Platform Program,China(No.TC220H06N)。
文摘The research,fabrication and development of piezoelectric nanofibrous materials offer effective solutions to the challenges related to energy consumption and non-renewable resources.However,enhancing their electrical output still remains a significant challenge.Here,a strategy of inducing constrained phase separation on single nanofibers via shear force was proposed.Employing electrospinning technology,a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene difluoride(PAN/PVDF)nanofibrous membrane was fabricated in one step,which enabled simultaneous piezoelectric and triboelectric conversion within a single-layer membrane.Each nanofiber contained independent components of PAN and PVDF and exhibited a rough surface.The abundant frictional contact points formed between these heterogeneous components contributed to an enhanced endogenous triboelectric output,showcasing an excellent synergistic effect of piezoelectric and triboelectric response in the nanofibrous membrane.Additionally,the component mass ratio influenced the microstructure,piezoelectric conformation and piezoelectric performance of the PAN/PVDF nanofibrous membranes.Through comprehensive performance comparison,the optimal mass ratio of PAN to PVDF was determined to be 9∶1.The piezoelectric devices made of the optimal PAN/PVDF nanofibrous membranes with rough nanofiber surfaces generated an output voltage of 20 V,which was about 1.8 times that of the smooth one at the same component mass ratio.The strategy of constrained phase separation on the surface of individual nanofibers provides a new approach to enhance the output performance of single-layer piezoelectric nanofibrous materials.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.11474111 and 11604281)the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(No.YESS20220618)the Hundreds of Talents program of Sun Yat-sen University(No.210192)
文摘A robust spontaneous exchange bias effect after zero-field cooling was observed in Co_(2)Sn_(1-x)Cr_(x)O_(4)system,which was driven by the transition from superspin-glass to superferromagnetic domain embedded in the ferrimagnetic matrix.Additionally,the exchange bias effect is gradually pronounced with the positive increase in the cooling field,known as the conventional exchange bias effect.However,as the cooling field gradually decreases and transits from positive to negative,the exchange bias effect can robustly remain positive in the low-negative-field region until the cooling field increases to be sufficiently large in the negative direction.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[Grant numbers:52475385,52305392]the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2022M722048).
文摘Welding high-entropy alloy(HEA)to Mg alloy has gained increasing attention for multi-metal structure design,while intrinsic sluggish diffusion kinetics of HEA confines diffusion-controlled interfacial reactions and makes it challenging to establish robust metallurgical bonding.This study investigated welding of FeCoCrNiMn HEA to commercial AZ31 as a model combination to pioneer thisfield.Interfacial phase separation phenomenon was observed,with the diffusion accelerated by in-situ engineering a submicron-scale thick(∼400–500 nm)HEA nearby the interface into nanocrystalline-structure during friction stir welding.Abundant grain boundaries generated in this nanocrystalline-interlayer serve as diffusion short-circuits and energetically preferred nucleation-sites,which promoted Al in AZ31 to diffuse into HEA and triggered quick separation into body-centered cubic AlNi-type and tetragonal FeCr-type intermetallics.HEA and AZ31 were thus metallurgically bonded by these interfacial intermetallics.The joint shows exceptional strength in tensile lap-shear testing with fracture largely occurred within AZ31 rather than right along interface as commonly reported previously for dissimilar joints.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82430035)the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of Hubei Province(2023AFA038)+1 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF0702303,2024YFC2511101,and 2023YFE0203200)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2024BRA019).
文摘Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders affecting the human nervous system.Liquid–liquid phase separation(LLPS)is a physiological process that facilitates the reversible and dynamic assembly of biomolecular condensates.Increasing evidence suggests that LLPS plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of hereditary hearing loss.Nevertheless,there is a conspicuous lack of systematic investigations exploring the impact of LLPS abnormalities on the etiology of hereditary hearing loss.In this review,we examine the mechanisms by which dysfunctions in LLPS contribute to hereditary hearing loss,specifically focusing on its effects on mechanoelectrical transduction in hair bundles,transcriptional regulation,post-transcriptional modifications,the actin cytoskeleton,ion homeostasis within the inner ear,and energy and redox homeostasis.Furthermore,we evaluate the considerable potential of targeting LLPS as a therapeutic approach for hearing loss and propose innovative perspectives on LLPS that may guide future research initiatives in the field of auditory disorders.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12222506,12347102,and 12174184).
文摘Understanding the liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)of immunoglobulin G(IgG)is crucial,as it profoundly influences IgG’s biological activity and stability.In this study,we employed coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the phase separation behavior of IgG.We first constructed two types of IgG models:all-pair IgG model and partial-pair IgG model,and compared the coexistence curve from our simulations with experimental data.Our results showed that the partial-pair IgG model aligns better with the experimental critical temperature and critical density.Using this model,we then calculated the temperature-dependent variations of IgG’s radius of gyration,surface tension,viscosity,etc.More importantly,we demonstrated that variations in the interaction strengths among IgG molecules significantly influence their phase separation behavior.Specifically,a higher standard deviation of interaction strength at different temperatures is found to lead to more stable phase-separated states.Furthermore,we observed that the introduction of repulsive polymers and strongly attractive polymers consistently enhances IgG phase separation,while weakly attractive polymers exhibit a dual regulatory effect on the phase separation.Overall,this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms governing IgG phase behavior,with potential implications for optimizing biopharmaceutical products.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(Grant Nos.12375031 and 11875135)China National University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship(Grant No.202410385040)Fujian University Alliance of Physics Discipline Training Program of Innovation for Under-graduates Development Program,China.
文摘Chiral active matter exhibits a variety of collective behaviors,including phase separation,which is governed by the rule of“like chiralities attract,while opposite chiralities repel”.In this work,we investigate the chiral demixing strategy of double-chiral partial mixture with inter-chiral frustration.We find that the inter-chiral frustration can significantly enhance the chiral demixing of active particles with different chiralities,both during the transient and in the steady state,not only accelerating the progress,but also improving the degree of phase separation.This phenomenon is reminiscent of the phase separation of binary mixtures in condensed matter physics,where the inter-chiral frustration can play a crucial role in the formation of the phase-separated states.We construct the phase diagram of the system and discuss the critical frustration for the enhancement of chiral demixing.Our work presents the first systematic investigation of inter-chiral frustration in self-propelled chiral active matter,filling a critical gap in the field.
基金supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.J2019-VI-0011-0125)ND Basic Research Funds of China(No.G2022WD)Shaanxi Province Innovation Capability Support Program(No.2023-CX-TD-47).
文摘TiAl alloys with the(α2+γ)lamellar structure are highly valued for their excellent high-temperature strength and creep resistance.Understanding the formation mechanism of the lamellar structure is crucial for tuning the microstructure and properties.This work investigates the formation of lamellar structure in Ti-48AI-7Nb-2.5V-1Cr alloy,revealing the presence of hcp-based long-period superstructure(hcp-LPS)as a metastable phase during lamellar formation.The identification of hcp-LPS demonstrates that the necessary solute enrichment for the formation ofγlamellae occurs on the hexagonalαmatrix,implying that phase separation ofα→Al-richαlamellae+Al-depletedαlamellae is the first step of lamellar formation.Once phase separation is completed,all subsequent phase transitions occur within the Al-richαlamellae.Additionally,the formation of twin lamellae is further discussed.The formation of the twin lamellae occurs sequentially.Pre-existing lamella promotes the formation of later lamella by inducing so-lute enrichment in its surrounding region,and then the successive slip of Shockley partial dislocations with opposite Burgers vectors ensures special stacking of later lamellae.These findings not only con-tribute to the fundamental understanding of spinodal mechanisms in hexagonal crystals,but also provide novel insights into the formation of twin lamellae.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.51806116Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation under Grant No.2024A1515010927+2 种基金China Scholarship Council under Grant No.202306380288Humanities and Social Science Foundation of the Ministry of Education in China under Grant No.24YJCZH163Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Sun Yat-sen University under Grant No.24qnpy044。
文摘In this paper,the liquid–vapor phase separation under viscous shear is investigated by using a pseudopotential central moment lattice Boltzmann method.Physically,the multiphase shear flow is governed by two competing mechanisms:surface tension and shear force.It is interesting to find that the liquid tends to form a droplet when the surface tension dominates under conditions of low temperature,shear velocity,and viscosity,and in larger domain size.Otherwise,the liquid tends to form a band if shear force dominates.Moreover,the average density gradient is used as a physical criterion to distinguish the spinodal decomposition and domain growth.Both spatial and temporal changes of density are studied during the phase separation under shear.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Nos.2023YFD1900602 and 2023YFD1900605)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.SWU-KR24036)the Visiting Training Funds for Teachers from Ordinary Undergraduate Colleges and Universities in Shandong Province.
文摘Phosphorus(P)is crucial for crop growth.However,in waters,P is considered as contaminant due to its role in causing eutrophication and algae blooms.Therefore,recovering P from wastewater is essential for sustainable P management.This study investigated the removal of P from aqueous solutions using bioinspired poly(ethylenimine)-poly(acrylamideco-acrylic acid)(PEI-PAMcoAA)coacervates.In detail,we investigated various parameters affecting P removal,including the ratio of PEI to PAMcoAA(ranging from 1:2 to 3:1,stoichiometry ratio of NH_(2) to COOH),pH(5.0-8.0)of P-containing solutions,initial P concentration(0.05-5 mmol/L),and the addition of calcium(Ca,0.1-5 mmol/L).We found that increasing the PEI:PAMcoAA ratio from1:2 to 3:1 significantly enhanced P removal efficiency,increasing from 47.21%to 95.44%.Under neutral pH conditions without calcium(Ca),PEI-PAMcoAA coacervates demonstrated optimal P removal capabilities(achieving an efficiency of 77.96%)through electrostatic adsorption.In contrast,the addition of Ca under alkaline conditions markedly improved P removal efficiency,increasing it from 64.16%to 82.42%.Detailed analyses of P within the coacervates indicated that Ca facilitates P precipitation and provides additional binding sites.These findings demonstrated that PEI-(Ca)-PAMcoAA coacervates show promise for efficiently removing P,particularly at low P concentrations.After the Premoval,the immobilized P can potentially be reused directly,as P able to be released from the reacted products.Therefore,the reacted coacervates could serve as a non-toxic fertilizer.Given its simplicity,high efficiency,and environmental friendliness,P removal based on bioinspired coacervates represents a low-hanging fruit in the pursuit of sustainable P management.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.82071097 and 82370906)the Shanghai Pujiang Program(No.2020PJD026)+1 种基金the Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province Foundation(No.2021M007)the Research Project of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(No.20234Z0006),China.
文摘Ribosome is an intracellular ribonucleoprotein particle that serves as the site of protein biosynthesis.Ribosomal dysfunction caused by mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins(RPs)and ribosome biogenesis factors(RBFs)can lead to a spectrum of diseases,collectively known as ribosomopathy.Phase separation is a thermodynamic process that produces multiple phases from a homogeneous mixture.The formation of membraneless organelles and intracellular structures,including ribosomes and nucleoli,cannot occur without the involvement of phase separation.Here,ribosome structure,biogenesis,and their relationship with ribosomopathy are systematically reviewed.The tissue specificity of ribosomopathy and the role of phase separation in ribosomopathy are particularly discussed,which may offer some clues for understanding the mechanisms of ribosomopathy.Then,some new ideas for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of ribosomopathy are provided.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2023ZYGXZR107)the TCL Science and Technology Innovation Fund。
文摘Long-chain polyamides(LCPAs)are a class of bio-based polymers that can bridge conventional polyolefins and polycondensates.In this work,taking the advantage of the amphiphilic nature of polyamide 1012(PA1012),membranes were prepared by using a non-conventional phase separation approach,namely,mixed‘non-solvents’evaporation induced phase separation(MNEIPS).PA1012 can be dissolved in a mixture of polar and non-polar solvents,both of which are non-solvents of PA1012.During the sequential evaporation of the two solvents,the phase separation of PA1012 occurred,inducing the formation of porous structures.We investigated the process of membrane formation in detail,with a specific focus on the liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase transitions involved.Moreover,we studied the influence of critical factors,such as polymer concentration and mixed-solvent ratio,on the morphologies and properties of PA1012 membranes.This study provides new insights into the development of porous materials based on long-chain polycondensates.
基金supported by the Hebei Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.H2022110019).Peer review。
文摘Intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)represents a pivotal biological process for the formation of cellular compartments,which involves the formation of droplet-like condensates through the hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions of biomolecules.LLPS plays a crucial role in normal cellular physiological activities,and it is also intimately linked to the pathological mechanisms of various diseases.This review summarizes the significant role of LLPS in regulating transcriptional mechanisms within the nucleus,with a focus on the mechanisms by which LLPS modulates gene transcription.Additionally,we highlight the roles of key proteins involved in LLPS,such as FOXK1,BRD4,Tau protein,and HDAC6,in the context of disease.We delve into the relationships between LLPS and diseases such as chronic kidney disease,atherosclerosis,Alzheimer’s disease,and triple-negative breast cancer,revealing the regulatory mechanisms of LLPS in disease onset and progression.Furthermore,we discuss the potential of pharmacological interventions targeting LLPS as novel therapeutic approaches,encompassing strategies such as gene therapy,traditional Chinese medicine monomers,and small-molecule inhibitors.In the future,a deeper understanding of the LLPS mechanism will continue to propel its application in disease prevention and treatment,providing robust support for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22174067,22204078,22374077,and 22474059)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(No.BK20220370)+2 种基金Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education(No.22KJB150009)Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology(No.TJ-2023-076)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions。
文摘For chromatographic separation,the reasonable modulation of stationary phases is the key factor to achieve high separation performance.We proposed that developing MOF stationary phases through precisely modulating the thermodynamic interactions between MOFs and analytes is conducive to improving the separation resolution.MIL-125,MIL-125-NH_(2),MIL-143-BTB,and MIL-143-TATB were developed as stationary phases with the careful modulation of organic ligands.MIL-125-NH_(2)and MIL-143-TATB coated columns exhibited much better separation performance than their counterparts,MIL-125 and MIL-143-BTB,respectively.The investigation of the separation mechanism indicated that thermodynamic interaction,rather than kinetic diffusion,was responsible for the separation improvement.MIL-125-NH_(2)and MIL-143-TATB provided stronger and distinguishable interactions with targets than corresponding MIL-125 and MIL-143-BTB,respectively,resulting in enhanced separation performance.This work demonstrates a guide to improving the separation performance of MOF stationary phases by increasing the thermodynamic interactions between MOFs and analytes.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22274021)Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(No.2022J01535)for financial support。
文摘Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have demonstrated great potential in chromatographic separation because of unique structure and superior performance.Herein,single-crystal three-dimensional(3D)COFs with regular morphology,good monodispersity and high specific surface area,were used as a stationary phase for high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The single-crystal 3D COFs packed column not only exhibits high efficiency in separating hydrophobic molecules involving substituted benzenes,halogenated benzenes,halogenated nitrobenzenes,aromatic amines,aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)and phthalate esters(PAEs),but also achieves baseline separation of acenaphthene and acenaphthylene with similar physical and chemical properties as well as environmental pollutants,which cannot be quickly separated on commercial C18 column and a polycrystalline 3D COFs packed column.Especially,the column efficiency of 17303-24255 plates/m was obtained for PAEs,and the resolution values for acenaphthene and acenaphthylene,and carbamazepine(CBZ)and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide(CBZEP)were 1.7and 2.2,respectively.This successful application not only confirmed the great potential of the singlecrystal 3D COFs in HPLC separation of the organic molecules,but also facilitates the application of COFs in separation science.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22378350).
文摘The exosomes hold significant potential in disease diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of aqueous two-phase systems(ATPSs)for the separation of bovine milk exosomes.The milk exosome partition behaviors and bovine milk separation were investigated,and the ATPSs and bovine milk whey addition was optimized.The optimal separation conditions were identified as 16%(mass)polyethylene glycol 4000,10%(mass)dipotassium phosphate,and 1%(mass)enzymatic hydrolysis bovine milk whey.During the separation process,bovine milk exosomes were predominantly enriched in the interphase,while protein impurities were primarily found in the bottom phase.The process yielded bovine milk exosomes of 2.0×10^(11)particles per ml whey with high purity(staining rate>90%,7.01×10^(10)particles per mg protein)and high uniformity(polydispersity index<0.03).The isolated exosomes were characterized and identified by transmission electron microscopy,zeta potential and size distribution.The results demonstrated aqueous two-phase extraction possesses a robust capability for the enrichment and separation of exosomes directly from bovine milk whey,presenting a novel approach for the large-scale isolation of exosomes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22478095 and 22008049)Hebei Provincial Key Research Projects(22374101D)+4 种基金Scientific Research Projects of Colleges and University in Hebei Province(QN2023007)Central Guidance Project for Local Science and Technology Development from S&T Program of Hebei(246Z1009G)Special Proof-of-concept Project on Basic Research from S&T Program of Hebei(E2024402143)Science and Technology Project of Hebei Education Department(CXY2023004)Hebei University of Engineering Doctoral Scientific Research Start-up Foundation(SJ2401002210).
文摘Solid solution hinders the extraction of bromine resources from bittern.To separate chlorine-brominebased solid solution in bittern tail solution,the solubilities of the quaternary system KCl-KBr-NaCl-NaBr-H_(2)O and its ternary subsystem NaBr-KBr-H_(2)O at 333.15 K were determined by the isothermal dissolution method,and the corresponding phase diagrams were conducted.An improved model was employed to predict the solubilities of the quaternary system KCl-KBr-NaCl-NaBr-H_(2)O at 333.15 K.The calculated results coincide with the experimental values,implying that the prediction method is feasible.A closed loop crystallization process for the separation of chlorine-bromine-based solid solution in bittern tail solution was proposed and NaBr was obtained with a purity of 98.23%.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52273002 and 52333008)the funding of Boya Postdoctoral Fellowship at Peking University,BMS Junior Fellow Program and the National Funding Program for Postdoctoral Researchers(No.GZC20230031).
文摘A series of optically active copolymers with various feed ratios have been synthesized through helix-sense-selective copolymerization catalyzed by[Rh(norbornadiene)Cl]2-triethylamine.This process involves two proline-derived acetylene monomers,(S)-N-(4-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl-2-ethynyl pyrrolidine(MCl)and(S)-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-ethynyl pyrrolidine,followed by acidic deprotection and neutralization.These copolymers adopt helical conformations with a preferred handedness,as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a series of spectroscopic analyses.The chiroptical activity intensity of copolymer has been found to increase with MCl content.Consequently,the enantioseparation capabilities of copolymers containing 95 mol%,90 mol%,and 85 mol%MCl units have been assessed as chiral stationary phases in high-performance liquid chromatography because of their good chiroptical activities.These chiral stationary phases effectively enantioseparate racemic alcohols,sulfoxides,amides,and metal complexes.Notably,the copolymer with 90 mol%MCl shows superior chiral recognition ability,especially for 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol(α=1.19)and 4-methylbenzenesulfinamide(α=1.47).Insights from molecular dynamic simulation and autodock analysis indicate that hydrogen bonding andπ-πstacking interactions between the chiral stationary phases and enantiomers play a key role for successful chiral separation.Our contribution not only demonstrates the importance of hydrogen bonding donor and copolymer chiroptical activity of chiral stationary phases for chiral resolution,but will also provide valuable insights for the future development of novel stationary phases.
基金the open research project of State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases(no.SKLOD2024OF03)the Key Project of Natural Science Research in Anhui Provincial Universities(no.2024AH050683)+1 种基金Anhui Province Outstanding Young Teachers Development Program(no.YQYB2024013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.82201026,82125006).
文摘Ribosomal RNA(rRNA)synthesis is intricately tied to cellular growth and proliferation.Basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF2),a pivotal factor for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs),can stimulates rRNA transcription,though the underlying mechanism remains unknown.Here,we demonstrate that the cytoplasm-nucleus translocation of FGF2 is determined by the stable nuclear localization motif.Meanwhile,the nuclear FGF2 regulates rRNA expression and BMSCs proliferation via phase separation.Next,through FGF2 related epigenomics and 3D genomes analysis,we identified chromatin architectures during BMSCs differentiation and aging.In the process,topologically associating domains(TADs)and chromatin loops profiling revealed the attenuated genomic interaction among proximal chromosomes 13,14,15,21,and 22,where phase-separated FGF2 facilitates rDNA transcription depend on specific super-enhancers(SEs).Furthermore,we validated that FGF2 orchestrates rDNA chromatin architecture in coordination with STAT5.Together,these findings underscore the pivotal role of FGF2 in rDNA chromatin architectures,which determines BMSCs cell fate.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.5127319851373169+4 种基金510330035130317651321062 and 51403089)863 Program(No.2011AA02A202)from the Ministry of Science and Technology of ChinaInnovative Research Group(No.51321062)
文摘In this study, the poly（L-lactide）/poly（D-lactide） （PLLA/PDLA） blends with different optical purities of PLLA and various molecular weights of PDLA are prepared by solution mixing, and the stereocomplex formation and phase separation behaviors of these blends are investigated. Results reveal that optical purity and molecular weight do not vary the crystal structure of PLA stereocomplex （sc） and homochiral crystallites （hc）. As the optical purity increasing in the blends, the melting temperature of sc （Tsc） and the content of sc （AHsc） increased, while the melting temperature of hc （Thin） hardly changes, although the content ofhc （AHhm） decreased gradually. The Tsc and AHsc are also enhanced as the molecular weight of PDLA reduces, and the AHhm reduces rapidly even though the Thin does not vary apparently. With lower optical purities of PLLA and higher molecular weights of PDLA, three types of crystals form in the blends, i.e., PLA sc, PLLA hc and PDLA hc. As molecular weight decreases and optical purity enhances, the crystal phase decreases to two （sc and PDLA hc）, and one （sc） finally. This investigation indicates that the phase separation behavior between PLLA and PDLA in the PLLA/PDLA blends not only depends on molecular weights, but also relies on the optical purities of polymers.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21203185, 21373209)the National Basic Research Program of China (2014CB239400)
文摘Junctions are an important structure that allows charge separation in solar cells and photocatalysts. Here, we studied the charge transfer at an anatase/rutile TiO2 phase junction using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Visible （-S00 nm） and near-infrared （NIR, -830 nm） emissions were monitored to give insight into the photoinduced charges of anatase and rutile in the junction, respectively, New fast photoluminescence decay components appeared in the visible emission of futile-phase dominated TiO2 and in the NIR emission of many mixed phase TiO2samples. The fast decays confirmed that the charge separation occurred at the phase junction. The visible emission intensity from the mixed phase TiO2 increased, revealing that charge transfer from rutile to anatase was the main pathway. The charge separation slowed the microsecond time scale photolumines- cence decay rate for charge carriers in both anatase and rutile. However, the millisecond decay of the charge carriers in anatase TiO2 was accelerated, while there was almost no change in the charge carrier dynamics of rutile TiO2. Thus, charge separation at the anatase/rutile phase junction caused an increase in the charge carrier concentration on a microsecond time scale, because of slower electron-hole recombination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity previously observed at ana- tase/rutile phase junctions is likely caused by the improved charge carrier dynamics we report here. These findings may contribute to the development of improved photocatalytic materials.
