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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)are a new kind of crystalline porous materials composed of organic molecules connected by covalent bonds,processes the characteristics of low density,large specific surface area,adjust...Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)are a new kind of crystalline porous materials composed of organic molecules connected by covalent bonds,processes the characteristics of low density,large specific surface area,adjustable pore size and structure,and easy to functionalize,which have been widely used in the field of membrane separation technology.Recently,there are more and more researches focusing on the preparation methods,separation application,and mechanism of COF membranes,which need to be further summarized and compared.In this review,we primarily summarized several conventional preparation methods,such as two-phase interfacial polymerization,in-situ growth on substrate,unidirectional diffusion method,layer-by-layer assembly method,mixed matrix membranes,and so on.The advantages and disadvantages of each method are briefly summarized.The application potential of COF membrane in liquid separation are introduced from four aspects:dyeing wastewater treatment,heavy metal removal,seawater desalination and oil-water separation.Then,the mechanisms including pore structure,hydrophilic/hydrophobic,electrostatic repulsion/attraction and Donnan effect are introduced.For the efficient removal of different kind of pollutions,researchers can select different ligands to construct membranes with specific pore size,hydrophily,salt or organic rejection ability and functional group.The ideas for the design and preparation of COF membranes are introduced.Finally,the future direction and challenges of the next generation of COF membranes in the field of separation are prospected.展开更多
Herein,the impact of the independent control of processing additives on vertical phase separation in sequentially deposited (SD) organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and its subsequent effects on charge carrier kinetics at th...Herein,the impact of the independent control of processing additives on vertical phase separation in sequentially deposited (SD) organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and its subsequent effects on charge carrier kinetics at the electron donor-acceptor interface are investigated.The film morphology exhibits notable variations,significantly depending on the layer to which 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) was applied.Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals distinctly separated donor/acceptor phases and vertical crystallinity details in SD films.Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis is employed to obtain component distributions in diverse vertical phase structures of SD films depending on additive control.In addition,nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy shows that DIO control significantly affects the dynamics of separated charges in SD films.In SD OPVs,DIO appears to act through distinct mechanisms with minimal restriction,depending on the applied layer.This study emphasizes the significance of morphological optimization in improving device performance and underscores the importance of independent additive control in the advancement of OPV technology.展开更多
Liquid-liquid phase separation,a novel biochemical phenomenon,has been increasingly studied for its medical applications.It underlies the formation of membrane-less organelles and is involved in many cellular and biol...Liquid-liquid phase separation,a novel biochemical phenomenon,has been increasingly studied for its medical applications.It underlies the formation of membrane-less organelles and is involved in many cellular and biological processes.During transcriptional regulation,dynamic condensates are formed through interactions between transcriptional elements,such as transcription factors,coactivators,and mediators.Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation,but the precise mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis often remain to be elucidated.Emerging evidence has linked abnormal transcriptional condensates to several diseases,especially cancer,implying that phase separation plays an important role in tumorigenesis.Condensates formed by phase separation may have an effect on gene transcription in tumors.In the present review,we focus on the correlation between phase separation and transcriptional regulation,as well as how this phenomenon contributes to cancer development.展开更多
Regulation of phase structure has been recognized as one of the most effective ways to fabricate self-healing polymers with high mechanical strength.The mechanical properties of the resultant polymers are certainly af...Regulation of phase structure has been recognized as one of the most effective ways to fabricate self-healing polymers with high mechanical strength.The mechanical properties of the resultant polymers are certainly affected by the size of separated phase domain.However,the study on this aspect is absence,because it can hardly exclude the influence of variation in monomer proportion required for tuning the separated phase size.Here,we report the first study on tuning the phase size through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT)polymerization without changing the proportion of monomers.As expected,the size of separated phase has been successfully mediated from 15 nm to 9 nm by tuning the molecular weight of the chain transfer agent.It is found that the mechanical strength and the self-healing efficiency of the resultant polymers increase simultaneously with the decrease of phase size.The study on the formation kinetics of hydrogen bonds reveals that the decrease of phase size can facilitate the re-bonding rate of hydrogen bonds,even if the migration of polymer chains is restricted.展开更多
Liquid-solid phase separation of permalloy in liquid Mg results in selectively dissolved Ni,which provides a unique opportunity for the design of immiscible heterogeneous composite materials and the comprehensive meta...Liquid-solid phase separation of permalloy in liquid Mg results in selectively dissolved Ni,which provides a unique opportunity for the design of immiscible heterogeneous composite materials and the comprehensive metal recycling of permalloy scraps.A guideline of the alloy design for the liquid-solid phase separation system was proposed.The effects of immersion temperature and time on the Ni extraction were studied by an experimental method.The diffusion behavior of Ni from the permalloy to liquid Mg and the microstructure evolution in the permalloy during the liquid-solid phase separation were discussed.The results show that the Ni in the permalloy was quickly extracted into the liquid Mg and formed an Mg-Ni alloy,while the other components such as Fe,Co,and Mn were held back in the phase-separated permalloy.The phase-separated permalloy with the solidified Mg exhibits a three-dimensional(3D)Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite structure.Furthermore,simple treatments were carried out for the reaction products such as the Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite and the Mg-Ni alloy,and the recycling strategies for functionalization of these treated reaction products were provided.A 3D porous Fe-based alloy with electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding efficiency of 52 dB can be obtained if Mg is removed from the Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite.Instead of the complete separation of pure Ni from the recycled Mg-Ni alloy by vacuum distilling,the Mg-Ni alloy can be enriched into Mg2 Ni as an initial hydrogen storage material.展开更多
Semi-interpenetrating(semi-IPN)hydrogels formed by the continuous interpenetration of cross-linked polymer network and linear non-crosslinked polymer with multifunctionality are widely used in biomedical and other fie...Semi-interpenetrating(semi-IPN)hydrogels formed by the continuous interpenetration of cross-linked polymer network and linear non-crosslinked polymer with multifunctionality are widely used in biomedical and other fields.However,the negative impact of linear polymer on the homogeneity of the cross-linked network often leads to a decrease in the mechanical properties of semi-IPN hydrogels and severely limits their applications.Herein,a bioinspired hydrogen-bonding induced phase separation strategy is presented to construct the tough semi-IPN polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyacrylamide hydrogels(named PVP/PAM hydrogels),including the linear polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)and cross-linked polyacrylamide(PAM)network.The resultant PVPx/PAM hydrogels exhibit unique phase separation induced by the hydrogen bonding between PVP and PAM and affected by the amount of substance of PVP.Meanwhile,the phase separation of PVPx/PAM hydrogels results in excellent mechanical properties with a strain of 2590%,tensile strength of 0.28 MPa and toughness of 2.17 MJ/m^(3).More importantly,the hydrogen bonding between PVP and PAM firstly disrupts to dissipate energy under external forces,so the PVPx/PAM hydrogels exhibit good self-recovery properties and outperform chemically cross-linked PAM hydrogels in impact resistance and damping applications.It is believed that the PVPx/PAM hydrogels with hydrogen-bonding induced phase separation possess more potential application prospects.展开更多
Arsenic compounds are widely used for the therapeutic intervention of multiple diseases.Ancient pharmacologists discovered the medicinal utility of these highly toxic substances,and modern pharmacologists have further...Arsenic compounds are widely used for the therapeutic intervention of multiple diseases.Ancient pharmacologists discovered the medicinal utility of these highly toxic substances,and modern pharmacologists have further recognized the specific active ingredients in human diseases.In particular,Arsenic trioxide(ATO),as a main component,has therapeutic effects on various tumors(including leukemia,hepatocellular carcinoma,lung cancer,etc.).However,its toxicity limits its efficacy,and controlling the toxicity has been an important issue.Interestingly,recent evidence has pointed out the pivotal roles of arsenic compounds in phase separation and membraneless organelles formation,which may determine their toxicity and therapeutic efficacy.Here,we summarize the arsenic compoundsregulating phase separation and membraneless organelles formation.We further hypothesize their potential involvement in the therapy and toxicity of arsenic compounds,highlighting potential mechanisms underlying the clinical application of arsenic compounds.展开更多
Herein, the effect of fluoropolymer binders on the properties of polymer-bonded explosives(PBXs) was comprehensively investigated. To this end, fluorinated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(semiIPNs) were prepare...Herein, the effect of fluoropolymer binders on the properties of polymer-bonded explosives(PBXs) was comprehensively investigated. To this end, fluorinated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(semiIPNs) were prepared using different catalyst amounts(denoted as F23-CLF-30-D). The involved curing and phase separation processes were monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, a haze meter and a rheometer. Curing rate constant and activation energy were calculated using a theoretical model and numerical method, respectively. Results revealed that owing to its co-continuous micro-phase separation structure, the F23-CLF-30-D3 semi-IPN exhibited considerably higher tensile strength and elongation at break than pure fluororubber F2314 and the F23-CLF-30-D0 semi-IPN because the phase separation and curing rates matched in the initial stage of curing.An arc Brazilian test revealed that F23-CLF-30-D-based composites used as mock materials for PBXs exhibited excellent mechanical performance and storage stability. Thus, the matched curing and phase separation rates play a crucial role during the fabrication of high-performance semi-IPNs;these factors can be feasibly controlled using an appropriate catalyst amount.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 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[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(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 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 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 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 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 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funding support from the National Science Foundation of China(Nos.22276054,U2167218,22006036)the Beijing Outstanding Young Scientist Program(HY,ZC,XW)。
文摘Covalent organic frameworks(COFs)are a new kind of crystalline porous materials composed of organic molecules connected by covalent bonds,processes the characteristics of low density,large specific surface area,adjustable pore size and structure,and easy to functionalize,which have been widely used in the field of membrane separation technology.Recently,there are more and more researches focusing on the preparation methods,separation application,and mechanism of COF membranes,which need to be further summarized and compared.In this review,we primarily summarized several conventional preparation methods,such as two-phase interfacial polymerization,in-situ growth on substrate,unidirectional diffusion method,layer-by-layer assembly method,mixed matrix membranes,and so on.The advantages and disadvantages of each method are briefly summarized.The application potential of COF membrane in liquid separation are introduced from four aspects:dyeing wastewater treatment,heavy metal removal,seawater desalination and oil-water separation.Then,the mechanisms including pore structure,hydrophilic/hydrophobic,electrostatic repulsion/attraction and Donnan effect are introduced.For the efficient removal of different kind of pollutions,researchers can select different ligands to construct membranes with specific pore size,hydrophily,salt or organic rejection ability and functional group.The ideas for the design and preparation of COF membranes are introduced.Finally,the future direction and challenges of the next generation of COF membranes in the field of separation are prospected.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.RS-2023-00213920,NRF-2021R1A4A1031761).
文摘Herein,the impact of the independent control of processing additives on vertical phase separation in sequentially deposited (SD) organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and its subsequent effects on charge carrier kinetics at the electron donor-acceptor interface are investigated.The film morphology exhibits notable variations,significantly depending on the layer to which 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) was applied.Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals distinctly separated donor/acceptor phases and vertical crystallinity details in SD films.Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis is employed to obtain component distributions in diverse vertical phase structures of SD films depending on additive control.In addition,nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy shows that DIO control significantly affects the dynamics of separated charges in SD films.In SD OPVs,DIO appears to act through distinct mechanisms with minimal restriction,depending on the applied layer.This study emphasizes the significance of morphological optimization in improving device performance and underscores the importance of independent additive control in the advancement of OPV technology.
基金supported by the Jiangsu Province Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.BK20201492)the Key Medical Research Project of Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission(Grant No.K2019002)the Clinical Capacity Improvement Project of Jiangsu Province People's Hospital(Grant No.JSPH-MA-2021-8).
文摘Liquid-liquid phase separation,a novel biochemical phenomenon,has been increasingly studied for its medical applications.It underlies the formation of membrane-less organelles and is involved in many cellular and biological processes.During transcriptional regulation,dynamic condensates are formed through interactions between transcriptional elements,such as transcription factors,coactivators,and mediators.Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation,but the precise mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis often remain to be elucidated.Emerging evidence has linked abnormal transcriptional condensates to several diseases,especially cancer,implying that phase separation plays an important role in tumorigenesis.Condensates formed by phase separation may have an effect on gene transcription in tumors.In the present review,we focus on the correlation between phase separation and transcriptional regulation,as well as how this phenomenon contributes to cancer development.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(No.ZR2022MB122)"Qingchuang science and technology plan"project of colleges and Universities in Shandong Province(No.2020KJC005).
文摘Regulation of phase structure has been recognized as one of the most effective ways to fabricate self-healing polymers with high mechanical strength.The mechanical properties of the resultant polymers are certainly affected by the size of separated phase domain.However,the study on this aspect is absence,because it can hardly exclude the influence of variation in monomer proportion required for tuning the separated phase size.Here,we report the first study on tuning the phase size through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT)polymerization without changing the proportion of monomers.As expected,the size of separated phase has been successfully mediated from 15 nm to 9 nm by tuning the molecular weight of the chain transfer agent.It is found that the mechanical strength and the self-healing efficiency of the resultant polymers increase simultaneously with the decrease of phase size.The study on the formation kinetics of hydrogen bonds reveals that the decrease of phase size can facilitate the re-bonding rate of hydrogen bonds,even if the migration of polymer chains is restricted.
基金supported by the Space Application System of China Manned Space Program(No.KJZ-YY-NCL06)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51974288,52174280)+1 种基金the Scientific Instrument Developing Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.YJKYYQ20210012)the IMR Innovation Fund(No.E255A901).
文摘Liquid-solid phase separation of permalloy in liquid Mg results in selectively dissolved Ni,which provides a unique opportunity for the design of immiscible heterogeneous composite materials and the comprehensive metal recycling of permalloy scraps.A guideline of the alloy design for the liquid-solid phase separation system was proposed.The effects of immersion temperature and time on the Ni extraction were studied by an experimental method.The diffusion behavior of Ni from the permalloy to liquid Mg and the microstructure evolution in the permalloy during the liquid-solid phase separation were discussed.The results show that the Ni in the permalloy was quickly extracted into the liquid Mg and formed an Mg-Ni alloy,while the other components such as Fe,Co,and Mn were held back in the phase-separated permalloy.The phase-separated permalloy with the solidified Mg exhibits a three-dimensional(3D)Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite structure.Furthermore,simple treatments were carried out for the reaction products such as the Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite and the Mg-Ni alloy,and the recycling strategies for functionalization of these treated reaction products were provided.A 3D porous Fe-based alloy with electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding efficiency of 52 dB can be obtained if Mg is removed from the Fe/Mg bicontinuous composite.Instead of the complete separation of pure Ni from the recycled Mg-Ni alloy by vacuum distilling,the Mg-Ni alloy can be enriched into Mg2 Ni as an initial hydrogen storage material.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52273210).
文摘Semi-interpenetrating(semi-IPN)hydrogels formed by the continuous interpenetration of cross-linked polymer network and linear non-crosslinked polymer with multifunctionality are widely used in biomedical and other fields.However,the negative impact of linear polymer on the homogeneity of the cross-linked network often leads to a decrease in the mechanical properties of semi-IPN hydrogels and severely limits their applications.Herein,a bioinspired hydrogen-bonding induced phase separation strategy is presented to construct the tough semi-IPN polyvinylpyrrolidone/polyacrylamide hydrogels(named PVP/PAM hydrogels),including the linear polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)and cross-linked polyacrylamide(PAM)network.The resultant PVPx/PAM hydrogels exhibit unique phase separation induced by the hydrogen bonding between PVP and PAM and affected by the amount of substance of PVP.Meanwhile,the phase separation of PVPx/PAM hydrogels results in excellent mechanical properties with a strain of 2590%,tensile strength of 0.28 MPa and toughness of 2.17 MJ/m^(3).More importantly,the hydrogen bonding between PVP and PAM firstly disrupts to dissipate energy under external forces,so the PVPx/PAM hydrogels exhibit good self-recovery properties and outperform chemically cross-linked PAM hydrogels in impact resistance and damping applications.It is believed that the PVPx/PAM hydrogels with hydrogen-bonding induced phase separation possess more potential application prospects.
基金the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.:31571493,81741043,31871395,and 32170841).
文摘Arsenic compounds are widely used for the therapeutic intervention of multiple diseases.Ancient pharmacologists discovered the medicinal utility of these highly toxic substances,and modern pharmacologists have further recognized the specific active ingredients in human diseases.In particular,Arsenic trioxide(ATO),as a main component,has therapeutic effects on various tumors(including leukemia,hepatocellular carcinoma,lung cancer,etc.).However,its toxicity limits its efficacy,and controlling the toxicity has been an important issue.Interestingly,recent evidence has pointed out the pivotal roles of arsenic compounds in phase separation and membraneless organelles formation,which may determine their toxicity and therapeutic efficacy.Here,we summarize the arsenic compoundsregulating phase separation and membraneless organelles formation.We further hypothesize their potential involvement in the therapy and toxicity of arsenic compounds,highlighting potential mechanisms underlying the clinical application of arsenic compounds.
基金supported by Wuxi HIT New Material Research Institute and China Academy of Engineering Physics。
文摘Herein, the effect of fluoropolymer binders on the properties of polymer-bonded explosives(PBXs) was comprehensively investigated. To this end, fluorinated semi-interpenetrating polymer networks(semiIPNs) were prepared using different catalyst amounts(denoted as F23-CLF-30-D). The involved curing and phase separation processes were monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, a haze meter and a rheometer. Curing rate constant and activation energy were calculated using a theoretical model and numerical method, respectively. Results revealed that owing to its co-continuous micro-phase separation structure, the F23-CLF-30-D3 semi-IPN exhibited considerably higher tensile strength and elongation at break than pure fluororubber F2314 and the F23-CLF-30-D0 semi-IPN because the phase separation and curing rates matched in the initial stage of curing.An arc Brazilian test revealed that F23-CLF-30-D-based composites used as mock materials for PBXs exhibited excellent mechanical performance and storage stability. Thus, the matched curing and phase separation rates play a crucial role during the fabrication of high-performance semi-IPNs;these factors can be feasibly controlled using an appropriate catalyst amount.
