A novel visible-light-responding InVO4-Cu2O-TiO2 ternary nanoheterostructure was designed on the basis of the strategy of energy gap engineering and prepared through ordinary wet chemistry methods. The as-prepared nan...A novel visible-light-responding InVO4-Cu2O-TiO2 ternary nanoheterostructure was designed on the basis of the strategy of energy gap engineering and prepared through ordinary wet chemistry methods. The as-prepared nanoheterostructure was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction（XRD）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy（HRTEM） and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy（UV-vis/DRS）. The TEM and HRTEM images of 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 confirm the formation of nanoheterostructures resulting from contact of the nanosized TiO2, Cu2O and InVO4 in the size of 5–20 nm in diameter. The InVO4-Cu2O-TiO2 nanoheterostructure, when compared with TiO2, Cu2O, InVO4, InVO4-TiO2 and Cu2O-TiO2, shows significant enhancement in the photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange（MO） under visible-light irradiation. With a 9 W energy-saving fluorescent lamp as the visible-light source, the MO degradation rate of 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 reaches close to 90% during 5 h, and the photocatalytic efficiency is maintained at over 90% after six cycles. This may be mainly ascribed to the matched bandgap configurations of TiO2, Cu2O and InVO4, and the formations of two p-n junctions by the p-type semiconductor Cu2O with the n-type semiconductors TiO2 and InVO4, all of which favor spatial photogenerated charge carrier separation. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） characterization for the used 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 reveals that only a small shakeup satellite peak appears for Cu（II） species, implying bearable photocorrosion of Cu2O. This work could provide new insight into the design and preparation of novel visible-light-responding semiconductor composites.展开更多
Thermoelectric materials, which can convert waste heat into electricity, have received increasing research interest in recent years. This paper describes the recent progress in thermoelectric nanocomposites based on s...Thermoelectric materials, which can convert waste heat into electricity, have received increasing research interest in recent years. This paper describes the recent progress in thermoelectric nanocomposites based on solution-synthesized nanoheterostructures. We start our discussion with the strategies of improving the power factor of a given material by using nanoheterostructures. Then we discuss the methods of decreasing thermal conductivity. Finally, we highlight a way of decoupling power factor and thermal conductivity, namely, incorporating phase-transition materials into a nanowire heterostructure. We have explored the lead telluride-copper telluride thermoelectric nanowire heterostructure in this work. Future possible ways to improve the figure of merit are discussed at the end of this paper.展开更多
Abnormal metabolism has become a potential target for highly malignant and invasive triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)due to its relatively low response to traditional therapeutics.The existing metabolic intervention...Abnormal metabolism has become a potential target for highly malignant and invasive triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)due to its relatively low response to traditional therapeutics.The existing metabolic interventions demonstrated unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes and potential systemic toxicity,resulting from the metabolic instability and limited targeting ability of inhibitors as well as complex tumor microenvironment.To address these limitations,here we developed a robust pyroelectric BaTiO_(3)@Au core–shell nanostructure(BTO@Au)to selectively and persistently block energy generation of tumor cells.Stimulated by near-infrared(NIR)laser,the Au shell could generate heat to activate the BaTiO_(3)core to produce reactive oxygen species(ROS)regardless of the constrained microenvironment,thus prominently inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)and reduces ATP production to induce TNBC cell apoptosis.The therapeutic effects have been well demonstrated in vitro and in vivo,paving a new way for the development of metabolic interventions.展开更多
Electric-field control of magnetization reversal is promising for lowpower spintronics.Here in a magnet/insulator nanoheterostructure which is the fundamental unit of magnetic tunneling junction in spintronics,we demo...Electric-field control of magnetization reversal is promising for lowpower spintronics.Here in a magnet/insulator nanoheterostructure which is the fundamental unit of magnetic tunneling junction in spintronics,we demonstrate the electric field induced 180°magne-tization switching through a multiscale study combining firstprinciples calculations and finite-temperature magnetization dynamics.In the model nanoheterostructure MgO/Fe/Cu with insu-lator MgO,soft nanomagnet Fe and capping layer Cu,through firstprinciples calculations we find its magnetocrystalline anisotropy linearly varying with the electric field.Using finite-temperature magnetization dynamics which is informed by the first-principles results,we disclose that a room-temperature 180°magnetization switching with switching probability higher than 90%is achievable by controlling the electric-field pulse and the nanoheterostructure size.The 180°switching could be fast realized within 5 ns.This study is useful for the design of low-power,fast,and miniaturized nanoscale electric-field-controlled spintronics.展开更多
Considerable research efforts have been devoted to developing novel photocatalysts with increased performances by hybridizing inorganic nanomaterials with carbon nanotubes.In this work,one-dimensional coaxial core-she...Considerable research efforts have been devoted to developing novel photocatalysts with increased performances by hybridizing inorganic nanomaterials with carbon nanotubes.In this work,one-dimensional coaxial core-shell carbon nanotubes@SiC nanotubes were successfully synthesized via in situ growth of SiC coatings on carbon nanotubes by a vapor-solid reaction between silicon vapor and carbon nanotubes.High-resolution transmission electron microscope images show that SiC and carbon nanotubes link to form a robust heterojunction with intrinsic atomic contact,which results in efficient separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs on SiC and electron transfer from SiC to carbon nanotubes.Compared with those of similar materials such as pure SiC nanocrystals and SiC nanotubes,the metal-free carbon nanotubes@SiC exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution,which is attributed to the enhanced light absorption and the efficient interfacial charge transfer/separation brought about by their one-dimensional coaxial nanoheterostructures.Moreover,the photocatalytic stability of the metal-free carbon nanotubes@SiC was tested for over 20 h without any obvious decay.展开更多
Designing and fabricating highly efficient photocatalysts for water splitting is a promising strategy to address energy and environmental issues.Cadmium sulfide(CdS)has received significant interest as a photocatalyst...Designing and fabricating highly efficient photocatalysts for water splitting is a promising strategy to address energy and environmental issues.Cadmium sulfide(CdS)has received significant interest as a photocatalyst for visible‐light‐induced hydrogen(H2)generation.However,the severe photocorrosion,high overpotential,rapid charge recombination,and sluggish surface reaction kinetics drastically hinder its practical application in water splitting.Herein,uniform zinc cadmium sulfide(Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S)nanoparticles were anchored on ultrathin Ni(OH)_(2)nanosheets via a facile solution‐phase approach to form an intimate two‐dimensional(2D)/zero‐dimensional(0D)heterojunction.Under visible light irradiation,the 7%Ni(OH)_(2)/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S composite exhibited the highest H2 production rate of 6.87 mmol·h^(–1)·g^(–1)with an apparent quantum yield of 16.8%at 420 nm,which is almost 43 times higher than that of pristine Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S and considerably higher than that of the Pt/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S photocatalyst.The high photoactivity of the 2D/0D Ni(OH)_(2)/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S heterojunction can be ascribed to its unique and robust structure,wherein the ultrathin Ni(OH)_(2)nanosheets not only provide an excellent platform for the incorporation of Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S nanoparticles but also serve as an effective cocatalyst to promote photoinduced electron transfer and offer more active sites for photocatalytic H_(2) generation.This work paves the way toward the development of versatile,low‐cost,and highly efficient 2D/0D heterojunction photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21171174)Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Hunan(09JJ3024)Provincial Environmental Science and Technology Foundation of Hunan~~
文摘A novel visible-light-responding InVO4-Cu2O-TiO2 ternary nanoheterostructure was designed on the basis of the strategy of energy gap engineering and prepared through ordinary wet chemistry methods. The as-prepared nanoheterostructure was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction（XRD）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy（HRTEM） and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy（UV-vis/DRS）. The TEM and HRTEM images of 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 confirm the formation of nanoheterostructures resulting from contact of the nanosized TiO2, Cu2O and InVO4 in the size of 5–20 nm in diameter. The InVO4-Cu2O-TiO2 nanoheterostructure, when compared with TiO2, Cu2O, InVO4, InVO4-TiO2 and Cu2O-TiO2, shows significant enhancement in the photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange（MO） under visible-light irradiation. With a 9 W energy-saving fluorescent lamp as the visible-light source, the MO degradation rate of 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 reaches close to 90% during 5 h, and the photocatalytic efficiency is maintained at over 90% after six cycles. This may be mainly ascribed to the matched bandgap configurations of TiO2, Cu2O and InVO4, and the formations of two p-n junctions by the p-type semiconductor Cu2O with the n-type semiconductors TiO2 and InVO4, all of which favor spatial photogenerated charge carrier separation. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） characterization for the used 10%InVO4-40%Cu2O-50%TiO2 reveals that only a small shakeup satellite peak appears for Cu（II） species, implying bearable photocorrosion of Cu2O. This work could provide new insight into the design and preparation of novel visible-light-responding semiconductor composites.
文摘Thermoelectric materials, which can convert waste heat into electricity, have received increasing research interest in recent years. This paper describes the recent progress in thermoelectric nanocomposites based on solution-synthesized nanoheterostructures. We start our discussion with the strategies of improving the power factor of a given material by using nanoheterostructures. Then we discuss the methods of decreasing thermal conductivity. Finally, we highlight a way of decoupling power factor and thermal conductivity, namely, incorporating phase-transition materials into a nanowire heterostructure. We have explored the lead telluride-copper telluride thermoelectric nanowire heterostructure in this work. Future possible ways to improve the figure of merit are discussed at the end of this paper.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22007063 and 82002063)Shanxi Medical Key Science and Technology Project Plan of China(No.2020XM01)+4 种基金the National University of Singapore Start-up Grant(No.NUHSRO/2020/133/Startup/08)NUS School of Medicine Nanomedicine Translational Research Program(No.NUHSRO/2021/034/TRP/09/Nanomedicine)the Science Research Start-up Fund for Doctor of Shanxi Province(No.XD1809 and XD2011)the Scientific and Technological Innovation Programs of Higher Education Institutions in Shanxi(No.2019L0414)Shanxi Province Science Foundation for Youths(No.201901D211316).
文摘Abnormal metabolism has become a potential target for highly malignant and invasive triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)due to its relatively low response to traditional therapeutics.The existing metabolic interventions demonstrated unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes and potential systemic toxicity,resulting from the metabolic instability and limited targeting ability of inhibitors as well as complex tumor microenvironment.To address these limitations,here we developed a robust pyroelectric BaTiO_(3)@Au core–shell nanostructure(BTO@Au)to selectively and persistently block energy generation of tumor cells.Stimulated by near-infrared(NIR)laser,the Au shell could generate heat to activate the BaTiO_(3)core to produce reactive oxygen species(ROS)regardless of the constrained microenvironment,thus prominently inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)and reduces ATP production to induce TNBC cell apoptosis.The therapeutic effects have been well demonstrated in vitro and in vivo,paving a new way for the development of metabolic interventions.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC 11902150)the German Science Foundation(DFG YI 165/1-1 and DFG XU 121/7-1)+1 种基金the Lichtenberg High Performance Computer of TU Darmstadt,the 15^(th) Thousand Youth Talents Program of China,the Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures(MCMSI-0419G01)Science and Technology Innovation Project for Returned Overseas Scholars in Nanjing,and a project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.
文摘Electric-field control of magnetization reversal is promising for lowpower spintronics.Here in a magnet/insulator nanoheterostructure which is the fundamental unit of magnetic tunneling junction in spintronics,we demonstrate the electric field induced 180°magne-tization switching through a multiscale study combining firstprinciples calculations and finite-temperature magnetization dynamics.In the model nanoheterostructure MgO/Fe/Cu with insu-lator MgO,soft nanomagnet Fe and capping layer Cu,through firstprinciples calculations we find its magnetocrystalline anisotropy linearly varying with the electric field.Using finite-temperature magnetization dynamics which is informed by the first-principles results,we disclose that a room-temperature 180°magnetization switching with switching probability higher than 90%is achievable by controlling the electric-field pulse and the nanoheterostructure size.The 180°switching could be fast realized within 5 ns.This study is useful for the design of low-power,fast,and miniaturized nanoscale electric-field-controlled spintronics.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21673083,21802046)the Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Project(2017A030313090,2014A030310427)~~
文摘Considerable research efforts have been devoted to developing novel photocatalysts with increased performances by hybridizing inorganic nanomaterials with carbon nanotubes.In this work,one-dimensional coaxial core-shell carbon nanotubes@SiC nanotubes were successfully synthesized via in situ growth of SiC coatings on carbon nanotubes by a vapor-solid reaction between silicon vapor and carbon nanotubes.High-resolution transmission electron microscope images show that SiC and carbon nanotubes link to form a robust heterojunction with intrinsic atomic contact,which results in efficient separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs on SiC and electron transfer from SiC to carbon nanotubes.Compared with those of similar materials such as pure SiC nanocrystals and SiC nanotubes,the metal-free carbon nanotubes@SiC exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution,which is attributed to the enhanced light absorption and the efficient interfacial charge transfer/separation brought about by their one-dimensional coaxial nanoheterostructures.Moreover,the photocatalytic stability of the metal-free carbon nanotubes@SiC was tested for over 20 h without any obvious decay.
文摘Designing and fabricating highly efficient photocatalysts for water splitting is a promising strategy to address energy and environmental issues.Cadmium sulfide(CdS)has received significant interest as a photocatalyst for visible‐light‐induced hydrogen(H2)generation.However,the severe photocorrosion,high overpotential,rapid charge recombination,and sluggish surface reaction kinetics drastically hinder its practical application in water splitting.Herein,uniform zinc cadmium sulfide(Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S)nanoparticles were anchored on ultrathin Ni(OH)_(2)nanosheets via a facile solution‐phase approach to form an intimate two‐dimensional(2D)/zero‐dimensional(0D)heterojunction.Under visible light irradiation,the 7%Ni(OH)_(2)/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S composite exhibited the highest H2 production rate of 6.87 mmol·h^(–1)·g^(–1)with an apparent quantum yield of 16.8%at 420 nm,which is almost 43 times higher than that of pristine Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S and considerably higher than that of the Pt/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S photocatalyst.The high photoactivity of the 2D/0D Ni(OH)_(2)/Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S heterojunction can be ascribed to its unique and robust structure,wherein the ultrathin Ni(OH)_(2)nanosheets not only provide an excellent platform for the incorporation of Zn_(0.5)Cd_(0.5)S nanoparticles but also serve as an effective cocatalyst to promote photoinduced electron transfer and offer more active sites for photocatalytic H_(2) generation.This work paves the way toward the development of versatile,low‐cost,and highly efficient 2D/0D heterojunction photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.
