Surface Self-Transforming FeTi-LDH Overlayer in Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 Photoanode for Improved Water Oxidation.

Integrating hematite nanostructures with efficient layer double hydroxides (LDHs) is highly desirable to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation performance. Here, an innovative and facile strategy is developed to fabricate the FeTi-LDH overlayer decorated Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 photoanode via a surface self-transformation induced by the co-treatment of hydrazine and NaOH at room temperature. Electrochemical measurements find that this favorable structure can not only facilitate the charge transfer/separation at the electrode/electrolyte interface but also accelerate the surface water oxidation kinetics. Consequently, the as-obtained Fe2 O3 /Fe2 TiO5 /LDH photoanode exhibits a remarkably increased photocurrent density of 3.54 mA cm-2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) accompanied by an obvious cathodic shift (≈140 mV) in the onset potential. This work opens up a new and effective pathway for the design of high-performance hematite photoanodes toward efficient PEC water oxidation.

How titanium and iron are integrated into hematite to enhance the photoelectrochemical water oxidation: a review.

Hematite has been considered as a promising photoanode candidate for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation and has attracted numerous interests in the past decades. However, intrinsic drawbacks drastically lower its photocatalytic activity. Ti-based modifications including Ti-doping, Fe2O3/Fe2TiO5 heterostructures, TiO2 passivation layers, and Ti-containing underlayers have shown great potential in enhancing the PEC conversion efficiency of hematite. Moreover, the combination of Ti-based modifications with various strategies towards more efficient hematite photoanodes has been widely investigated. Nevertheless, a corresponding comprehensive overview, especially with the most recent working mechanisms, is still lacking, limiting further improvement. In this respect, by summarizing the recent progress in Ti-modified hematite photoanodes, this review aims to demonstrate how the integration of titanium and iron atoms into hematite influences the PEC properties by tuning the carrier behaviours. It will provide more cues for the rational design of high-performance hematite photoanodes towards future practical applications.

Ultrafine molybdenum oxycarbide nanodots encapsulated in N,P co-doped carbon nanofibers as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Molybdenum oxycarbide (MoOC) is a single-phase compound, which can serve as a potential anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) that integrates the merits of the high specific capacity of MoO2and high conductivity of Mo2C. Herein, a novel architecture with N,P co-doped C nanofibers and MoOC nanodots is constructed from a one-step phosphorization of MoOx/aniline organic-inorganic hybrid. Ultrafine MoOC nanodots are well confined by N,P co-doped C nanofibers, which ensures fast Li+/electron transfer and good stability of the structure under repeated charge/discharge processes. When this unique hybrid is employed as an anode material for LIBs, promising Li+storage properties are gained in terms of high specific capacity, superb rate and long-term cycling performance. The remarkable capacitive contribution facilitates the fast Li+uptake/release. This work may shed light on the development of well-defined Mo-based anodes for advanced LIBs.

Loading the FeNiOOH cocatalyst on Pt-modified hematite nanostructures for efficient solar water oxidation.

A FeNiOOH-decorated hematite photoanode has been prepared using a facile electrodeposition method, with a significant cathodic shift of the onset potential (up to 190 mV) compared to the pristine sample. Synchrotron radiation based techniques have been used to identify the composition of the catalyst indicating the presence of FeOOH and NiOOH (FeNiOOH). The enhanced performance can be attributed to the better oxidation evolution reaction kinetics with the FeNiOOH cocatalyst. The FeNiOOH-decorated hematite is very stable for a long time. Moreover, the cocatalyst can be well coupled to the Pt-modified hematite photoanode achieving a high photocurrent of 2.21 mA cm(-2) at 1.23 V vs. RHE. The good catalytic properties and the facile preparation method suggest that the decoration of FeNiOOH is a favorable strategy to improve the performance of hematite.

Facile synthesis of Cr-decorated hexagonal Co3O4 nanosheets for ultrasensitive ethanol detection.

Cr-decorated hexagonal Co3O4 nanosheets were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method on a SiO2/Si substrate, followed by a simple physical deposition of Cr film and a thermal annealing treatment. The Co3O4 nanosheets possess a porous and polycrystalline structure consisting of Co3O4 nanoparticles; Cr2O3 nanoparticles are uniformly formed on the surface of the Co3O4 nanosheets after the annealing treatment. The ethanol-sensing properties of the Cr-decorated hexagonal Co3O4 nanosheets were investigated in detail, and compared to pure hexagonal Co3O4 nanosheets, they show unique sensing properties toward ethanol, including high response (5.4) even when the ethanol concentration is as low as 10 ppm, ultrafast response (1 s) and recovery (7 s) rates, and good selectivity at a 300 °C operating temperature. These properties make the Cr-decorated hexagonal Co3O4 nanosheets good candidates for ethanol detection.

The protective effects of memantine against inflammation and impairment of endothelial tube formation induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The dysregulation of cardiac endothelial cells plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of AMI. In the present study, we investigated the potential of memantine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, to mitigate the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the peripheral vasculature using human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs). Previous studies have identified anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of memantine, but the effects of memantine on angiogenesis and microtubule formation have not been fully elucidated. Our findings indicate that pretreatment with memantine significantly reduced the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, which are both serum markers if AMI severity. We also demonstrate that memantine could prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress by rescuing mitochondrial membrane potential and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4). Importantly, memantine also promoted the expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) antioxidant signaling pathway. Importantly, memantine pretreatment improved cell viability and prevented the decrease in microtubule formation induced by OGD/R. Through a phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition experiment, we determined that the PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway is essential for the effects of memantine on angiogenesis. Together, our findings suggest a potential role for memantine in the prevention and treatment of AMI.

Surface modification of coordination polymers to enable the construction of CoP/N,P-codoped carbon nanowires towards high-performance lithium storage.

A one-dimensional hybrid with N,P co-doped carbon nanowires threaded CoP nanoparticles is rationally fabricated by employing surface modified coordination polymers as a precursor. Ultrasmall CoP nanoparticlesare well encapsulated in N,P co-doped carbon nanowires, which can effectively buffer the volume expansion of active CoP and facilitate fast lithium-ion/electron transfer during charge/discharge processes. Moreover, N,P co-doped carbon with high defect density and graphitic-N content are obtained, which facilitates high lithium storage capacity and fast electron transfer. As a result, attractive lithium storage properties are gained by employing this unique architecture as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, including high reversible charge/discharge capacities, good rate capability, and excellent long-term cycling stability. Kinetic investigation shows that the fast lithium ion uptake/release is related to the remarkable capacitive contribution. This work may offer an effective way for design well-defined transition metal phosphide-based anodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Direct Synthesis of Co-doped Graphene on Dielectric Substrates Using Solid Carbon Sources.

Direct synthesis of high-quality doped graphene on dielectric substrates without transfer is highly desired for simplified device processing in electronic applications. However, graphene synthesis directly on substrates suitable for device applications, though highly demanded, remains unattainable and challenging. Here, a simple and transfer-free synthesis of high-quality doped graphene on the dielectric substrate has been developed using a thin Cu layer as the top catalyst and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as both carbon precursors and doping sources. N-doped and N, F-co-doped graphene have been achieved using TPB and F16CuPc as solid carbon sources, respectively. The growth conditions were systematically optimized and the as-grown doped graphene were well characterized. The growth strategy provides a controllable transfer-free route for high-quality doped graphene synthesis, which will facilitate the practical applications of graphene.

Thin-Layer Fe2TiO5 on Hematite for Efficient Solar Water Oxidation.

A thin Fe2TiO5 layer was produced on hematite either by evaporating a TiCl4 solution on FeOOH or by a simple HF-assisted Ti treatment of FeOOH, both followed by annealing. The prepared Fe2TiO5-hematite heterostructure showed a significant enhancement in photocurrent density compared to that of the pristine hematite. For example, the sample after HF-assisted Ti treatment exhibited a significantly enhanced photocurrent of 2.0 mA/cm(2) at 1.23 V vs RHE. Moreover, the performance of the Fe2TiO5-hematite heterostructure can be further improved by coupling with Co-Pi catalysts, achieving a higher photocurrent of 2.6 mA/cm(2) at 1.23 V vs RHE. Synchrotron-based soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyses clearly revealed the existence of an Fe2TiO5 structure on hematite forming a heterojunction, which reduced the photogenerated hole accumulation and then improved the performance.