Radiomics based on MRI to predict recurrent L4-5 disc herniation after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, radiomics has been shown to be an effective tool for the diagnosis and prediction of diseases. Existing evidence suggests that imaging features play a key role in predicting the recurrence of lumbar disk herniation (rLDH). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the risk of rLDH in patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) using radiomics to facilitate the development of more rational surgical and perioperative management strategies. METHOD: This was a retrospective case-control study involving 487 patients who underwent PELD at the L4/5 level. The rLDH and negative groups were matched using propensity score matching (PSM). A total of 1409 radiomic features were extracted from preoperative lumbar MRI images using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis, t-test, and LASSO analysis. Afterward, 6 predictive models were constructed and evaluated using ROC curve analysis, AUC, specificity, sensitivity, confusion matrix, and 2 repeated 3-fold cross-validations. Lastly, the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) analysis provided visual explanations for the models. RESULTS: Following screening and matching, 128 patients were included in both the recurrence and control groups. Moreover, 18 of the extracted radiomic features were selected for generating six models, which achieved an AUC of 0.551-0.859 for predicting rLDH. Among these models, SVM, RF, and XG Boost exhibited superior performances. Finally, cross-validation revealed that their accuracy was 0.674-0.791, 0.647-0.729, and 0.674-0.718. CONCLUSION: Radiomics based on MRI can be used to predict the risk of rLDH, offering more comprehensive guidance for perioperative treatment by extracting imaging information that cannot be visualized with the naked eye. Meanwhile, the accuracy and generalizability of the model can be improved in the future by incorporating more data and conducting multicenter studies.

Tumor budding in pre-neoadjuvant biopsy and post-neoadjuvant resection specimens is associated with poor prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma-a cohort study of 147 cases by modified ITBCC criteria.

Tumor budding (TB) has been associated with poor survival in a variety of cancers including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). As tumor histomorphological features are significantly altered after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), our study aims to assess the prognostic significance of TB in iCCA patients before and after NAT, by the modified International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) criteria. 147 NAT-treated iCCA cases were included in this study. In biopsy specimens obtained before NAT, the TB-positive subgroup had lower overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis (P = 0.010). In resection specimens obtained after NAT, the TB-positive subgroup had reduced OS (P = 0.002) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.013) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis including TNM stage, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion, TB-positive in post-NAT resection was also found as an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS (OS, HR, 3.005; 95% CI, 1.333-6.775, P = 0.008; RFS, HR, 1.748; 95% CI, 1.085-2.816, P = 0.022). In conclusion, assessing the presence of TB by modified ITBCC criteria provides robust prognostic information in the NAT setting of iCCA patients and can be considered to be included in routine pathological reporting.

Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks for Antibiotic Fluorescent Sensing Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Anticounterfeiting.

The paramount importance of anticounterfeiting measures in safeguarding consumers from counterfeit products lies in their ability to ensure product safety and reliability. Advanced luminescent anticounterfeiting materials, particularly those responsive to multiple stimuli, afford a dynamic and multilayered security assurance. This study presents the synthesis of a novel material, Eu/Tb@GC-3, via postsynthetic modification, which exhibits notable photoluminescent properties with emission at 544 and 614 nm. The material demonstrates high selectivity and sensitivity in detecting Nitrofural and Enrofloxacin, with limits of detection at 0.0122 and 0.0280 µM, respectively. Furthermore, multistimulus responsive luminescent fibers and inks were developed, facilitating intelligent anticounterfeiting labels. The integration of these labels with back-propagation neural networks (BPNNs) significantly enhances pattern recognition and authentication capabilities, providing an efficacious strategy to combat counterfeit products and ensure consumer safety.

Single-cell RNA sequencing and immune repertoire analysis revealed dynamic immune characteristics associated with peripheral blood during sepsis.

Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition arising from an abnormal immune response to an infection, which can result in organ failure and even death. To explore the mechanism underlying the dysregulated immune response during sepsis and identify potential therapeutic targets, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and immune repertoire analysis were conducted to depict the cellular landscape of peripheral blood cells in septic mice. We observed significant alterations in the number and proportion of peripheral blood cell populations driven by sepsis. By combining single-cell gene expression profiles and B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire analysis, we discerned that infection inflicted serious damage on the antigen presentation ability of B cells and the diversity of BCR in a short time. In addition, we found that the cecal ligation and puncture procedure in mice inhibited the communication signals of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and decreased the interactions between B cells and other cells. Our study provides detailed insights into the dynamic changes in the biological characteristics of peripheral blood cells driven by sepsis and provides important advances in our understanding of immune disorders during sepsis.

Effect of Deformation Mode on Grain Characteristics and Strength-Toughness of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloy.

The Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy plate is a structural material widely used in aerospace, and its rolling process plays a crucial role in determining its performance. This study investigated the effects of different pass combinations of forward and spread rolling on the grain characteristics, strength, and fracture toughness of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu aluminum alloy plates under industrial conditions. The results show that initially using a small pass reduction followed by a larger one can improve the grain width and thickness on the Long Transverse-Short Transverse surface. Additionally, increasing the spread rolling pass enhances the grain width-to-thickness ratio on the TS surface. Performance tests indicate that grain characteristics have minimal influence on room-temperature tensile properties. However, a higher grain width-to-thickness ratio significantly improves the alloy's fracture toughness.

The role of artificial intelligence in the development of anticancer therapeutics from natural polyphenols: Current advances and future prospects.

Natural polyphenols, abundant in the human diet, are derived from a wide variety of sources. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated their significant anticancer properties against various malignancies, making them valuable resources for drug development. However, traditional experimental methods for developing anticancer therapies from natural polyphenols are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Recently, artificial intelligence has shown promising advancements in drug discovery. Integrating AI technologies into the development process for natural polyphenols can substantially reduce development time and enhance efficiency. In this study, we review the crucial roles of natural polyphenols in anticancer treatment and explore the potential of AI technologies to aid in drug development. Specifically, we discuss the application of AI in key stages such as drug structure prediction, virtual drug screening, prediction of biological activity, and drug-target protein interaction, highlighting the potential to revolutionize the development of natural polyphenol-based anticancer therapies.

RNF122 promotes glioblastoma growth via the JAK2/STAT3/c-Myc signaling Axis.

OBJECTIVE: The E3 ubiquitin ligase is well recognized as a significant contributor to glioblastoma (GBM) progression and has promise as a prospective therapeutic target. This study explores the contribution of E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF122 in the GBM progression and the related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: RNF122 expression levels were evaluated using qRT-PCR, WB, and IHC, while functional assays besides animal experiments were used to assess RNF122's effect on GBM progression. We also tested the RNF122 impact on JAK2/STAT3/c-Myc signaling using WB. RESULTS: RNF122 was upregulated in GBM and correlated to the advanced stage and poor clinical outcomes, representing an independent prognostic factor. Based on functional assays, RNF122 promotes GBM growth and cell cycle, which was validated further in subsequent analyses by JAK2/STAT3/c-Myc pathway activation. Moreover, JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor WP1066 can weaken the effect of overexpression RNF122 on promoting GBM progression. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that RNF122 caused an aggressive phenotype to GBM and was a poor prognosticator; thus, targeting RNF122 may be effectual in GBM treatment.

Porphyrin-based-MOF nanocomposite hydrogels for synergistic sonodynamic and gas therapy against tumor.

The glioma is one of the most aggressive tumors in humans, which is difficult to eradicate clinically. Therefore, we devised a porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) crosslinking hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel nanocomposite through double-network (Cu-MOF-S-S-HA-Gel, CSSH-Gel), which is tumor responsive for enhanced gas therapy and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Firstly, the hydrogels show extraordinary injectability and biocompatibility, which enables intratumor administration to circumvent the danger associated with surgery. The Cu-MOF-Cys and HA-Cys are interconnected through ether and disulfide bonds to establish a dual-network gel structure. The overexpressed glutathione (GSH) in tumor microenvironment (TME) reacts with disulfide bonds to release of the nanosensitizer (Cu-MOF). Subsequently, Cu-MOF generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon ultrasound irradiation for SDT, and releases L-cysteine(L-Cys) catalyzed by 3-mercapto pyruvate sulfotransferase (3-MST) to generate H2S for gas therapy. The CSSH-Gel obtained excellent synergistic anti-tumor effects (82.34 % inhibition ratio in vivo), which holds tremendous promise for the advancement of minimally invasive glioma therapies.

Proteomic signatures of healthy dietary patterns are associated with lower risks of major chronic diseases and mortality.

Healthy dietary patterns have been linked to a decreased risk of chronic diseases. However, it remains uncertain whether proteomic signatures can reflect proteome response to healthy diet patterns, and whether these proteomic signatures are associated with health outcomes. Using data from the UK Biobank including Olink plasma proteins, we identified substantial proteomic variation in relation to adherence to eight healthy dietary patterns. The proteomic signatures, reflecting adherence and proteome response to healthy dietary patterns, were prospectively associated with lower risks of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic kidney diseases and cancers, along with longer life expectancy, even after adjusting for corresponding dietary patterns. These findings suggest proteomic signatures have the potential to complement traditional dietary assessments and deepen our understanding of the relationships between dietary patterns and chronic diseases.

Utilizing ultrasonography to determine the minimal transverse diameter of the subglottic airway for informed selection of reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube models in children.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the use of ultrasonography in determining the minimal transverse diameter of the subglottic airway (MTDSA) for the purpose of choosing an appropriate model of reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube. METHODS: A total of 110 pediatric patients who received general anesthesia and tracheal intubation for selective surgeries at the hospital from February 2019 to February 2022 were chosen. They were then randomly assigned to three groups: 39 in the MTDSA group, 35 in the age formula group, and 36 in the height formula group. We assessed how accurately the appropriate endotracheal tube model was predicted in each group and compared their predictive performance. RESULTS: The age range of the enrolled pediatric patients was 3-6 years old. The ultrasonic measurement method demonstrated a prediction accuracy of 87.18%, while the age formula method and height formula method exhibited lower accuracy rates of 54.29% and 47.22%, respectively. Notably, the ultrasonic measurement method outperformed the other two methods significantly (P < 0.05). In the MTDSA group, 2 patients had their catheters changed during anesthesia, and the proportion of patients who changed their catheters was 5.13%. In the MTDSA group, 6 catheters were replaced, and the frequency of catheter replacement was 15.38%. In contrast, these percentages were much higher in the age formula group, at 31.43% and 45.71%, and in the height formula group, at 36.11% and 52.78%. The latter two groups had significantly higher values than the MTDSA group (P < 0.05). Regarding complications such as hoarseness, laryngeal edema, aspiration, and laryngospasm, the MTDSA group experienced a notably lower total incidence of 7.69% compared to the 37.14% in the age formula group and 41.67% in the height formula group, demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ultrasonic measurement technique employed in MTDSA exhibits impressive precision when it comes to forecasting the specific model of a reinforced cuffed endotracheal tube for pediatric patients. This enhanced accuracy contributes significantly to minimizing the need for tube replacements during anesthesia and the associated complications. It holds immense importance in assisting clinicians in selecting the most appropriate pediatric endotracheal tube model for anesthesia induction.

Green spaces provide substantial but unequal urban cooling globally.

Climate warming disproportionately impacts countries in the Global South by increasing extreme heat exposure. However, geographic disparities in adaptation capacity are unclear. Here, we assess global inequality in green spaces, which urban residents critically rely on to mitigate outdoor heat stress. We use remote sensing data to quantify daytime cooling by urban greenery in the warm seasons across the ~500 largest cities globally. We show a striking contrast, with Global South cities having ~70% of the cooling capacity of cities in the Global North (2.5 ± 1.0 °C vs. 3.6 ± 1.7 °C). A similar gap occurs for the cooling adaptation benefits received by an average resident in these cities (2.2 ± 0.9 °C vs. 3.4 ± 1.7 °C). This cooling adaptation inequality is due to discrepancies in green space quantity and quality between cities in the Global North and South, shaped by socioeconomic and natural factors. Our analyses further suggest a vast potential for enhancing cooling adaptation while reducing global inequality.

Hydrogen Bond-Induced Flexible and Twisted Self-Assembly of Functionalized Carbon Dots with Customized-Color Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is widely applied in optical data storage, quantum computing and backlights in three-dimensional (3D) displays. Carbon dots (CDs) exhibit competitive optical properties, in addition to excellent resistance to photo- and chemical-bleaching after carbonization. Combining the superior optical performance with polarization peculiarities through hierarchical structure engineering is imperative for the development of CDs. Here, oriented assembly was driven by hydrophobic interactions of aromatic ligands, which participated in the surface-ligand post-modification process on ground-state chiral carbon core. Furthermore, the residual chiral amides on CDs formed multi-hydrogen bonds during gradual aggregation, causing the assembled materials to form asymmetric bending structure. Superficial ligands interfered with optical dynamics of exciton radiation transition and promoted the excited state of the assembled materials to achieve a circularly polarized signal. The linkage ligands successfully overcame the frequent phenomenon of aggregation-induced quenching and contributed further to the formation of self-supporting films by assembly and facilitated chiral optical expression. The full-color and white CPL were manipulated by simply regulating the functional groups on the ligands. Finally, based on the stable chiral powder phosphors, large chiral flexible films and multicolor chiral light-emitting diodes were constructed which provide feasible materials and technical support for flexible 3D displays.

Virtual Reality as a Pain Control Adjunct in Orthopedics: A Narrative Review.

Orthopedic surgeons typically prescribe opioids for postoperative pain management as they are effective in managing pain. However, opioid use can lead to issues such as overdose, prescription excess, inadequate pain management, and addiction. Virtual reality (VR) therapy is an alternative route for postoperative pain management that has grown in popularity over the years. VR therapy involves immersing patients in a virtual 3D experience that is anticipated to alleviate pain. In this review article, we summarized the findings of numerous PubMed studies on the effectiveness of VR therapy for postoperative pain control. VR therapy is beneficial for reducing anxiety, pain, and opioid use after surgical procedures across various specialties. Further studies should explore VR therapy in orthopedic procedures.

Dynamic primary resources, not just wild prey availability, underpin lion depredation of livestock in a savanna ecosystem.

Because it can lead to retaliatory killing, livestock depredation by large carnivores is among the foremost threats to carnivore conservation, and it severely impacts human well-being worldwide. Ongoing climate change can amplify these human-wildlife conflicts, but such issues are largely unexplored, though are becoming increasingly recognized. Here, we assessed how the availability of primary resources and wild prey interact to shape large carnivore selection for livestock rather than wild prey (i.e., via prey switching or apparent competition). Specifically, we combined remotely sensed estimates of primary resources (i.e., water availability and primary productivity), wild prey movement, and 7 years (2015-2021) of reports for livestock depredation by African lions (Panthera leo) in the Makgadikgadi Pans ecosystem, Botswana. Although livestock depredation did not vary between wet versus dry seasons, analyses at finer temporal scales revealed higher incidences of livestock depredation when primary production, water availability, and wild prey availability were lower, though the effects of wild prey availability were mediated by water availability. Increased precipitation also amplified livestock depredation events despite having no influence on wild prey availability. Our results suggest that livestock depredation is influenced by the diverse responses of livestock, wild prey, and lions to primary resource availability, a driver that is largely overlooked or oversimplified in studies of human-carnivore conflict. Our findings provide insight into tailoring potential conflict mitigation strategies to fine-scale changes in resource conditions to efficiently reduce conflict and support human livelihoods.

Preclinical monitoring of radiation-induced brain injury via GluCEST MRI and resting-state fMRI at 7 T: an exploratory study on MRI-guided OAR avoidance.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) as an imaging marker of radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) and to preliminarily show the feasibility of multiparametric MRI-guided organ at risk (OAR) avoidance. METHODS: Rats were divided into two groups: the control (CTRL) group (n = 9) and the RBI group (n = 9). The rats in the RBI group were irradiated with an X­ray radiator and then subjected to a water maze experiment 4 weeks later. In combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we evaluated the value of GluCEST applied to glutamate changes for RBI and investigated the effect of such changes on glutamatergic neuronal function. RESULTS: The average GluCEST values were markedly lower in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Positive correlations were observed between GluCEST values and regional homogeneity (ReHo) values in both the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. HPLC showed a positive correlation with GluCEST values in the hippocampus. GluCEST values were positively correlated with spatial memory. CONCLUSION: GluCEST MRI provides a visual assessment of glutamate changes in RBI rats for monitoring OAR cognitive toxicity reactions and may be used as a biomarker of OAR avoidance as well as metabolism to facilitate monitoring and intervention in radiation damage that occurs after radiotherapy.

Role of unilateral partial facet joint preservation in postero-lateral approach lumbar interbody fusion for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis presenting bilateral lower limb symptoms: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Posterolateral decompression and fusion with internal fixation is a commonly used surgical approach for treating degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). This study aims to evaluate the impact of preserving a portion of the unilateral facet joint during decompression on surgical outcomes and long-term recovery in patients. METHODS: This study analyzed 73 patients with DLSS accompanied by bilateral lower limb neurological symptoms who underwent single-level L4/5 posterolateral decompression and fusion surgery from January 2022 to March 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of surgery received: Group A comprised 31 patients who underwent neural decompression without facet joint preservation, while Group B consisted of 42 patients who underwent neural decompression with preservation of partial facet joints on one side. Regular follow-up evaluations were conducted, including clinical and radiological assessments immediately postoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months thereafter. Key patient information was documented through retrospective chart reviews. RESULTS: Most patients in both groups experienced favorable surgical outcomes. However, four cases encountered complications. Notably, during follow-up, Group B demonstrated superior 1-year postoperative interbody fusion outcomes (P < 0.05), along with a trend towards less interbody cage subsidence and slower postoperative intervertebral disc height loss. Additionally, Group B showed significantly reduced postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Under strict adherence to surgical indications, the posterior lateral lumbar fusion surgery, which preserves partial facet joint unilaterally during neural decompression, can offer greater benefits to patients.

Silk fibroin-based wearable SERS biosensor for simultaneous sweat monitoring of creatinine and uric acid.

Sweat biomarkers have the potential to offer valuable clinical insights into an individual's health and disease condition. Current sensors predominantly utilize enzymes and antibodies as biometric components to measure biomarkers present in sweat quantitatively. However, enzymes and antibodies are susceptible to interference by environmental factors, which may affect the performance of the sensor. Herein, we present a wearable microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor that enables the non-invasive and label-free detection of biomarkers in sweat. Concretely, we developed a bimetallic self-assembled anti-opal array structure with uniform hot spots, enhanced the Raman scattering effect, and integrated it into a silk fibroin-based sensing patch. Utilizing a silk fibroin substrate in the wearable SERS sensor imparts desirable properties such as softness, breathability, and biocompatibility, which enables the sensor to establish close contact with the skin without causing chemical or physical irritation. In addition, introducing microfluidic channels enables the controlled and high temporal resolution management of sweat, facilitating more efficient sweat collection. The proposed label-free SERS sensor can offer chemical 'fingerprint' information, enabling the identification of sweat analytes. As an illustration of the feasibility, we have effectively monitored the creatinine and uric acid levels in sweat. This study presents a versatile and highly sensitive approach for the simultaneous detection of biomarkers in human sweat, showcasing significant potential for application in point-of-care monitoring.

Clinicopathological association of CD93 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.

AIMS: CD93 was recently identified as a promising therapeutic target for angiogenesis blockade in various tumors. Herein, we aimed to investigate the expression and clinicopathological significance of CD93 in gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The gene expression of CD93 gastric adenocarcinoma was assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. We then analyzed CD93 expression in 404 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological associations and prognostic implications of CD93 expression were further investigated. RESULTS: Using the TCGA dataset, we observed a significantly elevated CD93 gene expression in gastric adenocarcinoma compared to normal gastric tissues. The immunohistochemistry assay revealed a highly variable CD93 expression among patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, consistently demonstrating higher intratumor expression than in adjacent normal tissues. Notably, CD93 was predominantly expressed on the membrane of CD31+ vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, patients with higher CD93 expression demonstrated significantly poorer overall survival. Accordingly, higher CD93 expression was associated with deeper invasion and a higher possibility of lymph node metastasis and developing tumor thrombus. Cox proportional hazards regression suggested CD93 expression was an independent predictor for the prognosis of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a significantly higher CD93 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma when compared with adjacent normal gastric tissues, and demonstrated its predominant expression on vascular endothelial cells. Our findings also highlighted the clinicopathological significance of CD93 in gastric adenocarcinoma, shedding light on a potential therapeutic target.

Single-cell tumor heterogeneity landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma: unraveling the pro-metastatic subtype and its interaction loop with fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Tumor heterogeneity presents a formidable challenge in understanding the mechanisms driving tumor progression and metastasis. The heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cellular level is not clear. METHODS: Integration analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data and spatial transcriptomics data was performed. Multiple methods were applied to investigate the subtype of HCC tumor cells. The functional characteristics, translation factors, clinical implications and microenvironment associations of different subtypes of tumor cells were analyzed. The interaction of subtype and fibroblasts were analyzed. RESULTS: We established a heterogeneity landscape of HCC malignant cells by integrated 52 single-cell RNA sequencing data and 5 spatial transcriptomics data. We identified three subtypes in tumor cells, including ARG1+ metabolism subtype (Metab-subtype), TOP2A+ proliferation phenotype (Prol-phenotype), and S100A6+ pro-metastatic subtype (EMT-subtype). Enrichment analysis found that the three subtypes harbored different features, that is metabolism, proliferating, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Trajectory analysis revealed that both Metab-subtype and EMT-subtype originated from the Prol-phenotype. Translation factor analysis found that EMT-subtype showed exclusive activation of SMAD3 and TGF-ß signaling pathway. HCC dominated by EMT-subtype cells harbored an unfavorable prognosis and a deserted microenvironment. We uncovered a positive loop between tumor cells and fibroblasts mediated by SPP1-CD44 and CCN2/TGF-ß-TGFBR1 interaction pairs. Inhibiting CCN2 disrupted the loop, mitigated the transformation to EMT-subtype, and suppressed metastasis. CONCLUSION: By establishing a heterogeneity landscape of malignant cells, we identified a three-subtype classification in HCC. Among them, S100A6+ tumor cells play a crucial role in metastasis. Targeting the feedback loop between tumor cells and fibroblasts is a promising anti-metastatic strategy.

Electrodeposition of Ni/Cu Bimetallic Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks Electrocatalysts with Boosted Oxygen Reduction Activity for Zinc-Air Batteries.

Zinc-air batteries employing non-Pt cathodes hold significant promise for advancing cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, poor intrinsic electrical conductivity and aggregation tendency hinder the application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as active ORR cathodes. Conductive MOFs possess various atomically dispersed metal centers and well-aligned inherent topologies, eliminating the additional carbonization processes for achieving high conductivity. Here, a novel room-temperature electrochemical cathodic electrodeposition method is introduced for fabricating uniform and continuous layered 2D bimetallic conductive MOF films cathodes without polymeric binders, employing the organic ligand 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene (HITP) and varying the Ni/Cu ratio. The influence of metal centers on modulating the ORR performance is investigated by density functional theory (DFT), demonstrating the performance of bimetallic conductive MOFs can be effectively tuned by the unpaired 3d electrons and the Jahn-Teller effect in the doped Cu. The resulting bimetallic Ni2.1Cu0.9(HITP)2 exhibits superior ORR performance, boasting a high onset potential of 0.93 V. Moreover, the assembled aqueous zinc-air battery demonstrates high specific capacity of 706.2 mA h g-1, and exceptional long-term charge/discharge stability exceeding 1250 cycles.