Phytic Acid-Functional Cellulose Nanocrystals and Their Application in Self-Healing Nanocomposite Hydrogels.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have garnered significant attention as a modifiable substrate because of their exceptional performances, including remarkable degradability, high tensile strength, high elastic modulus, and biocompatibility. In this article, the successful adsorption of phytic acid (PA) onto the surface of cellulose nanocrystals @polydopamine (CNC@PDA) was achieved. Taking inspiration from mussels, a dopamine self-polymerization reaction was employed to coat the surface of CNCs with PDA. Utilizing Pickering emulsion, the CNC@PDA-PA nanomaterial was obtained by grafting PA onto CNC@PDA. An environmentally friendly hydrogel was prepared through various reversible interactions using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and Fe3+ as raw materials with the assistance of CNC@PDA-PA. By multiple hydrogen bonding and metal-ligand coordination, nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit remarkable mechanical properties (the tensile strength and strain were 1.82 MPa and 442.1%, respectively) in addition to spectacular healing abilities (96.6% after 5 h). The study aimed to develop an innovative approach for fabricating nanocomposite hydrogels with exceptional self-healing capabilities.

Soy Protein Isolate/Genipin-Based Nanoparticles for the Stabilization of Pickering Emulsion to Design Self-Healing Guar Gum-Based Hydrogels.

Nowadays, stretchable self-healing hydrogels designed by biomass-based materials have gathered remarkable attention in numerous frontier fields such as wound healing, health monitoring issues, and electronic skin. In this study, soy protein isolate (SPI), a common plant protein, was cross-linked to nanoparticles (SPI NPs) by Genipin, (Gen) which was attracted from the native Geniposide. Oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion was formed by SPI NPs wrapping the linseed oil, and further implanted into poly(acrylic acid)/guar gum (PAA/GG)-based self-healing hydrogels by multiple reversible weak interactions. With the addition of Pickering emulsion, the hydrogels have achieved a remarkable self-healing ability (self-healing efficiency could reach 91.6% within 10 h) and mechanical properties (tensile strength of 0.89 MPa and strain of 853.2%). Therefore, these hydrogels with good reliable durability have outstanding application prospects in sustainable materials.

Regioselective and Diastereoselective Halofunctionalization of Alkenes Promoted by Organophotocatalytic Solar Catalysis.

A visible-light metal-free photocatalytic regioselective and enantioselective alkene halofunctionalization reaction under mild conditions is reported. Various terminal and internal alkenes were transformed to their α-halogenated and α,ß-dibrominated derivatives in good to excellent yields within reaction time as short as 5 min. Water can be used as the "green" nucleophile and solvent in the halohydroxylation and halo-oxidation reactions. Different types of products can be obtained by adjusting the reaction conditions. In addition, sunlight is proved to produce products with similar yields, representing a practical example of solar synthesis and providing an opportunity for solar energy utilization.

Intrinsic- and Rare Earth Ion-Activated Luminescence in NbAlO4 with Wide Structure Channels.

Compounds with ordered and interconnected channels have versatile multifunctional applications in technological fields. In this work, we report the intrinsic- and Eu3+-activated luminescence in NbAlO4 with a wide channel structure. NbAlO4 is an n-type semiconductor with an indirect allowed transition and a band-gap energy of 3.26 eV. The conduction band and valence band are composed of Nb 3d and O 2p states, respectively. Unlike the common niobate oxide Nb2O5, NbAlO4 exhibits efficient self-activated luminescence with good thermal stability even at room temperature. The AlO4 tetrahedron effectively blocks the transfer/dispersion of excitation energy between NbO6 chains in NbAlO4, allowing for effective self-activated luminescence from NbO6 activation centers. Moreover, Eu3+-doped NbAlO4 displayed a bright red luminescence of 5D0 → 7F2 transition at 610 nm. The site-selective excitation and luminescence of Eu3+ ions in a spectroscopic probe were utilized to investigate the doping mechanism. It is evidenced that Eu3+ is doped in the structure channel in NbAlO4 lattices, not in the normal cation sites of Nb5+ or Al3+. The experimental findings are valuable in developing new luminescent materials and improving the understanding of the material's channel structure.

Functional modular networks identify the pivotal genes associated with morphine addiction and potential drug therapies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic morphine usage induces lasting molecular and microcellular adaptations in distinct brain areas, resulting in addiction-related behavioural abnormalities, drug-seeking, and relapse. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of action of the genes responsible for morphine addiction have not been exhaustively studied. METHODS: We obtained morphine addiction-related datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and screened for Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) functional modularity constructs were analyzed for genes associated with clinical traits. Venn diagrams were filtered for intersecting common DEGs (CDEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for functional annotation. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and CytoHubba were used to screen for hub genes. Potential treatments for morphine addiction were figured out with the help of an online database. RESULTS: Sixty-five common differential genes linked to morphine addiction were identified, and functional enrichment analysis showed that they were primarily involved in ion channel activity, protein transport, the oxytocin signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and other signalling pathways. Based on the PPI network, ten hub genes (CHN2, OLIG2, UGT8A, CACNB2, TIMP3, FKBP5, ZBTB16, TSC22D3, ISL1, and SLC2A1) were checked. In the data set GSE7762, all of the Area Under Curve (AUC) values for the hub gene Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were greater than 0.8. We also used the DGIdb database to look for eight small-molecule drugs that might be useful for treating morphine addiction. CONCLUSIONS: The hub genes are crucial genes associated with morphine addiction in the mouse striatum. The oxytocin signalling pathway may play a vital role in developing morphine addiction.

A practical nomogram for predicting amputation rates in acute compartment syndrome patients based on clinical factors and biochemical blood markers.

BACKGROUND: Amputation is a serious complication of acute compartment syndrome (ACS), and predicting the risk factors associated with amputation remains a challenge for surgeons. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for amputation in patients with ACS and develop a nomogram to predict amputation risk more accurately. METHODS: The study population consisted of 143 patients (32 in the amputation group and 111 in the limb preservation group) diagnosed with ACS. LASSO and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen predictors and create a nomogram. The model's accuracy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, C-index, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: The predictors included cause of injury, vascular damage, shock, and fibrinogen in the nomogram. The C-index of the model was 0.872 (95% confidence interval: 0.854-0.962), and the C-index calculated by internal validation was 0.838. The nomogram's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.849, and the calibration curve demonstrated a high degree of agreement between the nomogram's predictions and actual observations. Additionally, the DCA indicated good clinical utility for the nomogram. CONCLUSION: The risk of amputation in ACS patients is associated with the cause of injury, vascular damage, shock, and fibrinogen. Our nomogram integrating clinical factors and biochemical blood markers enables doctors to more conveniently predict the risk of amputation in patients with ACS.

Photoenergy Conversion Behaviors of Photoluminescence and Photocatalysis in Silver-Coated LiBaPO4:Eu2.

LiBaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor and Ag-coated LiBaPO4:Eu2+ composites (Ag/LiBaPO4:Eu2+) were prepared via solid-state reaction and traditional photoreduction methods, respectively. The samples were characterized via XRD, SEM, and UV-vis optical absorption spectroscopy. Two photoenergy conversion processes, namely, photocatalysis and photoluminescence, were investigated in detail. In comparison with as-prepared LiBaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor, Ag-modified composites exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic effects together with the quenched Eu2+ luminescence. A Schottky barrier was created on the interface between Ag nanoparticles and LiBaPO4 host, thereby greatly delaying the recombination between the light-induced holes and electrons. A photoenergy conversion mechanism was suggested and discussed on the basis of the experiments. The Eu2+ ion luminescence centers directly participated in the photodegradation with the meditation of Ag nanoparticles on the surface. With the increase of the Ag coating level on the surfaces, some emission peaks corresponding to 5D0 → 7F0,1,2,3,4 transitions of Eu3+ ions were detected. Eu2+/Eu3+ couples also play an important role in improving photocatalysis. LiBaPO4:Eu2+ phosphor is a good candidate for the investigation of multimodal photoenergies of photoluminescence and photocatalysis.

Nanotechnology Treatment Options for Osteoporosis and Its Corresponding Consequences.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis, as a worldwide disease, is challenging human health with treatment only available for the symptoms of osteoporosis without managing the disease itself. Osteoporosis can be linked as the common cause of fractures and increased mortality among post-menopausal women, men, and the elderly. Regrettably, due to osteoporosis, incidents of fractures are more frequent among the presented populations and can be afflictive for carrying out everyday life activities. Current treatments of osteoporosis encompass changing lifestyles, taking orthopedic drugs, and invasive surgeries. However, these treatment options are not long lasting and can lead to complications after post-surgical life. Therefore, to solve this impairment, researchers have turned to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials to create innovative and alternative treatments associated with the consequences of osteoporosis. This review article provides an introduction to osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures (OVCFs) and current clinical treatments, along with the rationale and efficacy of utilizing nanomaterials to modify and improve biomaterials or instruments. The methods of applying bioactive agents (bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH 1-34)), as well as 3D printing will be presented from an osteoporosis treatment perspective. Additionally, the application of nanoparticles and nanotube arrays onto the current surgical treatments and orthopedic drug administration methods addressed will show that these systems reinforce a better mechanical performance and provide precise and slow-releasing drug delivery for better osseointegration, bone regeneration, and bone strength. In summary, nanomaterials can be seen as an alternative and more effective treatment for individuals with osteoporosis.

Abnormal reduction, Eu(3+) → Eu(2+), and defect centers in Eu(3+)-doped pollucite, CsAlSi2O6, prepared in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Eu-doped pollucite CsAlSi2O6 was synthesized by the sol-gel method and heated in an air atmosphere. The crystal structure and the microstructure of the phosphors were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and SEM images, respectively. The photoluminescence spectra and temperature dependent decay curves were measured. An abnormal reduction phenomenon of Eu(3+) → Eu(2+) was reported when Eu(3+) ions were doped in alkaline metal cation sites in CsAlSi2O6 prepared in an oxidizing atmosphere. The abnormal mechanism was discussed on the basis of the charge compensation model and a rigid three-dimensional framework structure of CsAlSi2O6. The luminescence color centers were investigated by luminescence decay lifetimes and thermal stabilities of Eu(2+) ions. The defect complexes of [(Eu(3+)Cs)(••)-2VCs'] or [(Eu(3+)Cs)(••)-Oi″] induced by the substitution of Eu(3+) on Cs(+) were suggested in the lattices. Eu(2+) ions could be regarded as Eu(3+) ions combining with the released electrons from defects Oi″ or VCs' in close vicinity of Eu(3+) (Eu(3+) + e); the electrons cannot enter the atom track of Eu(2+) presenting luminescence of Eu(2+) ions. The results indicate that several defect traps can be attributed to the abnormal reduction mechanism of Eu(3+) to Eu(2+) ions in a matrix.

Design of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Based Self-Healing Nanocomposite Hydrogels and Application in Motion Sensing and Sweat Detection.

Hydrogels, as flexible materials, have been widely used in the field of flexible sensors. Human sweat contains a variety of biomarkers that can reflect the physiological state of the human body. Therefore, it is of great practical significance and application value to realize the detection of sweat composition and combine it with human motion sensing through a hydrogel. Based on mussel-inspired chemistry, polydopamine (PDA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were coated on the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to obtain CNC-based nanocomposites (CNCs@PDA-Au), which could simultaneously enhance the mechanical, electrochemical, and self-healing properties of hydrogels. The CNCs@PDA-Au was composited with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel to obtain the nanocomposite hydrogel (PVA/CNCs@PDA-Au) by freeze-thaw cycles. The PVA/CNCs@PDA-Au has excellent mechanical strength (7.2 MPa) and self-healing properties (88.3%). The motion sensors designed with PVA/CNCs@PDA-Au exhibited a fast response time (122.9 ms), wide strain sensing range (0-600.0%), excellent stability, and fatigue resistance. With the unique electrochemical redox properties of uric acid, the designed hydrogel sensor successfully realized the detection of uric acid in sweat with a wide detection range (1.0-100.0 µmol/L) and low detection limit (0.42 µmol/L). In this study, the dual detection of human motion and uric acid in sweat was successfully realized by the designed PVA/CNCs@PDA-Au nanocomposite hydrogel.

Fabrication of anti-freezing and self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels based on phytic acid and cellulose nanocrystals for high strain sensing applications.

For hydrogel-based flexible sensors, it is a challenge to enhance the stability at sub-zero temperatures while maintaining good self-healing properties. Herein, an anti-freezing nanocomposite hydrogel with self-healing properties and conductivity was designed by introducing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and phytic acid (PA). The CNCs were grafted with polypyrrole (PPy) by chemical oxidation, which were used as the nanoparticle reinforcement phase to reinforce the mechanical strength of hydrogels (851.8%). PA as a biomass material could form strong hydrogen bond interactions with H2O molecules, endowing hydrogels with prominent anti-freezing properties. Based on the non-covalent interactions, the self-healing rate of the hydrogels reached 92.9% at -15 °C as the content of PA was 40.0 wt%. Hydrogel-based strain sensors displayed high sensitivity (GF = 0.75), rapid response time (350 ms), good conductivity (3.1 S m-1) and stability at -15 °C. Various human movements could be detected by using them, including small (smile and frown) and large changes (elbow and knee bending). This work provides a promising method for the development of flexible wearable sensors that work stably in frigid environments.

In Situ Generation of H2O2 over MoOx Decorated on Cu2O@CuO Core-Shell Particle Nanoarchitectonics for Boosting Photocatalytic Oxidative Desulfurization.

Photocatalytic oxidation desulfurization (PODS) has emerged as a promising, ecofriendly alternative to traditional, energy-intensive fuel desulfurization methods. Nevertheless, its progress is still hindered due to the slow sulfide oxidation kinetics in the current catalytic systems. Herein, we present a MoOx decorated on a Cu2O@CuO core-shell catalyst, which enables a new, efficient PODS pathway by in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with saturated moist air as the oxidant source. The photocatalyst delivers remarkable specific activity in oxidizing dibenzothiophene (DBT), achieving a superior rate of 7.8 mmol g-1 h-1, while maintaining a consistent performance across consecutive reuses. Experimental investigations reveal that H2O2 is produced through the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and both H2O2 and the hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated from it act as the primary reactive species responsible for sulfide oxidation. Importantly, our catalyst accomplishes complete PODS of real diesel fuel, underscoring an appealing industrial prospect for our photocatalyst.

Triple-layered perovskite niobates CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, or Y): new self-activated oxides.

Niobates CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, or Y) were prepared by conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. The formation of a single-phase compound with triple-layered perovskite-type structure was verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The luminescence characteristics such as photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, X-ray-excited luminescence (XEL), Stokes shift, decay curves, and color coordinates were investigated. The niobates can be efficiently excited by UV light and present luminescence behaviors with rich luminescence colors. Under excitation by ultraviolet radiation, CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Gd, Yb, or Y) exhibits strong blue luminescence due to the self-activation center of the octahedral NbO6 groups, even at room temperature. For the materials of composition CaRNb3O10 (R = Sm, Eu, Dy, or Er), the excitation at the host band produces a characteristic luminescence of rare earth ions, indicating a host-guest energy transfer process. CaRNb3O10 (R = Eu) has the strongest luminescence intensity, which can be efficiently excitated by near UV wavelength. It could be suggested to be a potential candidate for the application on near-UV excited white LEDs.

Causal effects of opioids on postpartum depression: a bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Postpartum depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in pregnant women during the postpartum period and requires early detection and treatment. Previous studies have found that opioids use affects depression and anxiety disorders. Although it has long been suspected that opioids may contribute to the development of postpartum depression, observational studies are susceptible to confounding factors and reverse causality, making it difficult to determine the direction of these associations. Methods: To examine the causal associations between opioids and non-opioid analgesics with postpartum depression, we utilized large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic pooled data from two major databases: opioids, salicylate analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and aniline analgesics GWAS data from the United Kingdom Biobank database. GWAS data for postpartum depression were obtained from the FinnGen database. The causal analysis methods used random-effects inverse variance weighting (IVW), and complementary sensitivity analyses using weighted median, MR-Egger method, and MR-PRESSO test. Results: In the IVW analysis, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis showed that opioids increased the risk of postpartum depression (OR, 1.169; 95% CI, 1.050-1.303; p = 0.005). Bidirectional analysis showed a significant causal relationship between genetically predicted postpartum depression and increased risk of opioids and non-opioid analgesics use (opioids OR, 1.118; 95% CI, 1.039-1.203; p = 0.002; NSAIDs OR, 1.071; 95% CI, 1.022-1.121; p = 0.004; salicylates OR, 1.085; 95% CI, 1.026-1.146; p = 0.004; and anilides OR, 1.064; 95% CI, 1.018-1.112; p = 0.006). There was no significant heterogeneity or any significant horizontal pleiotropy bias in the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion: Our study suggests a potential causal relationship between opioids use and the risk of postpartum depression. Additionally, postpartum depression is associated with an increased risk of opioids and non-opioid analgesics use. These findings may provide new insights into prevention and intervention strategies for opioids abuse and postpartum depression.

Assessing the association of leukocyte telomere length with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Telomere length shortening can cause senescence and apoptosis in various immune cells, resulting in immune destabilization and ageing of the organism. In this study, we aimed to systematically assess the causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a Mendelian randomization study. Methods: LTL (n=472174) was obtained from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study pooled data. AS (n=229640), RA (n=212472) were obtained from FinnGen database. MR-Egger, inverse variance weighting, and weighted median methods were used to estimate the effects of causes. Cochran's Q test, MR Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and funnel plots were used to look at sensitivity, heterogeneity, and multiple effects. Forward MR analysis considered LTL as the exposure and AS, RA as the outcome. Reverse MR analysis considered AS, RA as the exposure and LTL as the outcome. Results: In the forward MR analysis, inverse variance-weighted and weighted median analysis results indicated that longer LTL might be associated with increased risk of AS (IVW: OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.14-2.11, p = 0.006). MR Egger regression analysis showed no pleiotropy between instrumental variables (IVs) (Egger intercept= 0.008, p = 0.294). The leave-one-out analysis showed that each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of AS was robust to each outcome. No significant causal effects were found between AS, RA and LTL in the reverse MR analysis. Conclusion: Longer LTL may be related with an increased risk of developing AS, and these findings provide a foundation for future clinical research on the causal association between LTL and AS.

Dual detection of human motion and glucose in sweat with polydopamine and glucose oxidase doped self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels.

The detection of human motion and sweat composition are important for human health or sports training, so it is necessary to develop flexible sensors for monitoring exercise processes and sweat detection. Mussel secretion of adhesion proteins enables self-healing of byssus and adhesion to surfaces. We prepared Au nanoparticles@polydopamine (AuNPs@PDA) nanomaterials based on mussel-inspired chemistry and compounded them with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels to obtain PVA/AuNPs@PDA self-healing nanocomposite hydrogels. Dopamine (DA) was coated on the surface of AuNPs to obtain AuNPs based composite (AuNPs@PDA) and the AuNPs@PDA was implanted into the PVA hydrogels to obtain nanocomposite hydrogel through facile freeze-thaw cycle. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was added to the hydrogel matrix to achieve specific detection of glucose in sweat. The obtained hydrogels exhibit high deformability (573.7 %), excellent mechanical strength (550.3 KPa) and self-healing properties (85.1 %). The PVA/AuNPs@PDA hydrogel sensors exhibit quick response time (185.0 ms), wide strain sensing range (0-500 %), superior stability and anti-fatigue properties in motion detection. The detection of glucose had wide concentration detection range (1.0 µmol/L-200.0 µmol/L), low detection limits (0.9 µmol/L) and high sensitivity (24.4 µA/mM). This work proposes a reference method in dual detection of human exercise and sweat composition analysis.

Rational design of molybdenum sulfide/tungsten oxide solar absorber with enhanced photocatalytic degradation toward dye wastewater purification.

Integrating advanced technologies into solar-driven water evaporation is gradually considered as a clean and sustainable way to acquire freshwater from saline or wastewater. In this study, thin molybdenum sulfide nanosheet arrays (MoS2 NSAs) modified by tungsten oxide nanoparticles (WO3) were designed. The as-prepared solar absorber could purify water and accomplish photocatalytic degradation of dyes that existed in bulk water via solar-driven water evaporation. Compared with bare MoS2 NSAs, the modification of WO3 enhanced the separation of electrons and holes within the solar absorber, resulting in the improvement of photocatalytic efficiency. The net evaporation rate of the solar absorber reached 0.97 kg m-2h-1 and the degradation rate constant of rhodamine B (RhB) reached 0.101 min-1 under 1 sun. This study successfully combined photothermal conversion and photocatalytic technologies and provided a new method for the treatment of dye wastewater with zero wastewater discharge.

Ethyl caffeate inhibits macrophage polarization via SIRT1/NF-κB to attenuate traumatic heterotopic ossification in mice.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) denotes the presence of mature bone tissue in soft tissues or around joints. Inflammation is a key driver of traumatic HO, and macrophages play an important role in this process. Ethyl caffeate (ECF), a critical active compound found in Petunia, exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects. Herein, we established a mouse model of HO by transection of the Achilles tendon and back burn and found abundant macrophage infiltration in the early stage of HO, which decreased with time. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that ECF inhibited macrophage polarization, and mechanistic studies showed that it inhibited the SIRT1/NF-κB signalling pathway, thereby suppressing the release of downstream inflammatory cytokines. ECF reduced HO in mice, and its effect was comparable to indomethacin (INDO). In vitro studies revealed that ECF did not directly affect the mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or osteogenic differentiation but inhibited these processes by reducing the level of inflammatory cytokines in the conditioned medium (CM). Thus, M1 macrophages may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HO, and ECF is a prospective candidate for the prevention of trauma-induced HO. DATA AVAILABILITY: Data will be made available on request.

Significant effects of mixed cations on the morphology and photochemical activities of alkali-metal-antimony (Na,K)Sb3O7.

Oxide semiconductors with mixed-valence states generally exhibit excellent optoelectronic and photochemical properties due to facile charge transfer in redox reactions. In this work, we investigate the effects of mixed alkali on the optical absorption, luminescence spectra and photocatalytic abilities of (Na1-xKx)Sb3O7 nanoparticles. All the samples are fabricated using a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The structural studies show that the largest substitution of K+ ions in (Na1-xKx)Sb3O7 is at x = 0.3. In hydrothermal synthesis, the mixed arrangement of K+ and Na+ in (Na1-xKx)Sb3O7 has an influence on the crystal shape of particles. NaSb3O7 develops into a regular cube shape. With the increase of K+ ions in (Na1-xKx)Sb3O7, the edges and corners of the cube are further ground off, resulting in irregularly spherical particles. This mixed-alkali antimonite belongs to a p-type indirect allowed transition semiconductor, and the optical band gap is 2.71 eV (x = 0.3). The intrinsic luminescence of NaSb3O7 is detected at 540 nm, which is nearly quenched in Na0.7K0.3Sb3O7. It is demonstrated that the substitution of K+ in NaSb3O7 significantly increases the photodegradation of RhB solutions. There are two types of Sb cations, i.e., Sb5+ and Sb3+ mixed in the structure. The improved photocatalysis is attributed to the charge mediators between Sb5+/Sb3+ couples. The experiment shows that co-doping cations in antimonite oxides may be one of the strategies to improve photochemical properties.