Highly efficient utilization of light and charge separation over a hematite photoanode achieved through a noncontact photonic crystal film for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

The trade-off problem between light absorption and charge collection under lower band-bending (bias) is extremely difficult to resolve in water splitting on photoelectrodes. Although the use of metallic back-reflectors, antireflection coatings, and textured substrates and light absorbers enable the improvement of light utilization efficiency, these methods still suffer from high cost and complex fabrication process, especially, incompetent separation of photogenerated carriers. Here taking the hematite (α-Fe2O3) photoanode as a model, we report that a noncontact photonic crystal (PC) film composed of silica nanoparticles and ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA) resin can significantly enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity of the photoelectrode. Specifically, more than 250 mV cathodic shift in the onset potential and 4 times larger photocurrent at 1.0 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) were achieved over the α-Fe2O3-PC photoanode hybrid system, compared with the pristine α-Fe2O3 photoanode. Our work showed that a PC film not only boosted light absorption of the α-Fe2O3 layer but also improved its charge transfer efficiency under light illumination. These new findings of the synergistic effect will open a new avenue to design high-performance solar energy conversion devices.

Tetramethylpyrazine Improves Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension through the ROS/iNOS/PKG-1 Axis.

Background: Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a potent anti-free radical and anti-inflammations substance, has been demonstrated to possess a direct vessel relaxation property. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TMP treatment in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and test the hypothesis that TMP prevents or reverses the process of PH. Methods: Rats (n = 36) injected with 50 mg/kg of monocrotaline (MCT) subcutaneously 4 weeks to develop PH were then randomized to TMP (5 mg/kg per day) for another 4 weeks. Hemodynamics was evaluated via the right ventricle. Pulmonary vessels structural remodeling and inflammation were examined by histologic and transmission electron microscopy observation. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cGMP-dependent protein kinases 1 (PKG-1) was detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidation species was measured by biochemical analyses. Results: MCT increased PH and right ventricle hypertrophy. TMP alleviated pulmonary arterial pressure elevation, leukocyte infiltration, and structural remodeling of pulmonary arterials induced by MCT successfully. TMP treatment significantly increased the PKG-1 expression and suppressed the iNOS expression. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and catalase (CAT) was significantly higher than control group, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lower compared with MCT group. Conclusion: TMP can suppress established MCT-induced PH through the ROS/iNOS/PKG axis. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties in pulmonary arterial.

Single-crystal NaY(MoO4)2 thin plates with dominant {001} facets for efficient photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation.

Single-crystal NaY(MoO(4))(2) thin plates dominated by high-energy {001} facets were hydrothermally synthesized under relatively mild conditions, free of organic additives, seeds and templates. The as-obtained NaY(MoO(4))(2) thin plates showed an excellent visible-light-responding photocatalytic activity for degradation of dyes in water.

An unusual zinc substrate-induced self-construction route to various hierarchical architectures of hydrated tungsten oxide.

A novel active zinc substrate-induced sequential self-construction method is presented for the fabrication of hydrated WO(3) hierarchical octahedrons, flakes, lanterns, and arresting sandwiched double-layer nanorods arrays architectures for the first time. Photocatalytic activity and gas sensing properties of the as-obtained various WO(3).0.33H(2)O architectures were studied as well.

Bisurfactant-controlled synthesis of three-dimensional YBO3/Eu3+ architectures with tunable wettability.

Three-dimensional (3D) architectures of YBO(3)/Eu(3+) with different morphologies such as nest-like, rose-like, cruller-like, and flower-like, were hydrothermally synthesized by simply adjusting the ratios of surfactant polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) to octadecylamine (ODA). These 3D architectures were all self-assembled by nanoflakes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the morphology and structures of the samples. PEG-6000, ODA, and the ODA/PEG ratio played important roles in the formation process of various architectures. Rose-like architecture was chosen as a candidate, and the formation mechanism of the architecture was proposed on the basis of XRD analysis and SEM observation of the products at different reaction periods of time. As-synthesized samples displayed strong emission located at 591, 610, and 615 nm. Water contact angle measurements indicated that the films fabricated by the samples obtained under the different ratios of PEG-6000/ODA could exhibit tunable wettability ranging from superhydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity. This kind of one-pot bisurfactant-controlled hydrothermal synthesis method reported here provides a new strategy to realize the surfaces of functional materials with tunable wettability.