Strategies and characterization methods for achieving high performance PEO-based solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) based polymer electrolytes have been widely used in solid-state lithium batteries (SSBs) owing to the high solubility of lithium salt, favourable ionic conductivity, flexibility for improved interfacial contact and scalable processing. In this work, we summarize the main limitations remaining to be solved before the large-scale commercialization of PEO-based SSBs, including (1) improving ionic conductivity toward high-rate performance and lower operating temperature, (2) enhancing mechanical strength for improved lithium dendrite resistance and large-scale processing, (3) strengthening electrochemical stability to match high energy density electrodes with high voltage, and (4) achieving high thermal stability toward safe operation. Meanwhile, the characterization methods to investigate the ion transportation mechanism, lithium dendrite growth and decomposition reaction are also discussed.

Decreased expression of the clock gene Bmal1 is involved in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Clock genes not only regulate the circadian rhythm of physiological activities but also participate in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Previous studies have documented the abnormal expression of clock genes in epilepsy. However, the molecular mechanism of brain and muscle Arnt-like protein 1 (Bmal1), one of the core clock genes, in the epileptogenesis and seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) remain unclear. We first investigated the levels of Bmal1 and other clock proteins in the hippocampus of subjects with epilepsy to define the function of Bmal1. The levels of Bmal1 were decreased during the latent and chronic phases in the experimental group compared with those in the control group. Knockout of Bmal1 in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) neurons of Bmal1flox/flox mice by Synapsin 1 (Syn1) promoter AAV (adeno-associated virus) lowered the threshold of seizures induced by pilocarpine administration. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that PCDH19 (protocadherin 19), a gene associated with epilepsy, was regulated by Bmal1. PCDH19 expression was also decreased in the hippocampus of epileptic mice. Furthermore, the higher levels of Bmal1 and PCDH19 were detected in patients with no hippocampal sclerosis (no HS) than in patients with HS International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) type I and III. Altogether, these data suggest that decreased expression of clock gene Bmal1 may participate in epileptogenesis and seizures via PCDH19 in TLE.

Fabrication of self-assembled 0D-2D Bi2MoO6-g-C3N4 photocatalytic composite membrane based on PDA intermediate coating with visible light self-cleaning performance.

A Self-cleaning surface can efficaciously solve the problem of irreversible contamination buildup on filtration membranes. Photocatalytic membranes were fabricated via vacuum assisted layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of 0D-2D Bi2MoO6-g-C3N4 on a PDA coated thin-film composite PVDF substrate by Schiff base reaction. The rejection rate of the simulated polysaccharide was more than 90%, and that of the simulated protein was more than 80%. The combination of the membrane and the photocatalyst promoted the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by the composite membrane to 67.85% when original membranes had minor effect. Under visible light, reversible radiation pollutants (Rr) gradually replaced irreversible pollutants (Rir) as the main pollutants. The flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 0D-2D Bi2MoO6-g-C3N4/PVDF membrane was 85% after being irradiated with visible light for 30 min. The flux recovery rate of contaminated photocatalytic membrane remained 75%, and the rejection was maintained in a stable range after four cycles of the cleaning operation under visible light. The results indicated that the excellent photocatalytic performance of 0D-2D Bi2MoO6-g-C3N4 photocatalysis material and the increase of multi-dimensional functional layer morphology on pollutant contact area improved the mechanical stability, interception performance and self-cleaning performance of the composite membrane. This work not only builds a new type of composite coating membranes, but also help us to further understand the relationship between the dimensions of photocatalytic materials and the improvement of photocatalytic membrane performance.

Construction of MoO3 nanopaticles /g-C3N4 nanosheets 0D/2D heterojuntion photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutant.

A new type of 0D-2D Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst (MoO3/g-C3N4) was successfully prepared via simple hydrothermal calcination method. The catalytic activities of MoO3/g-C3N4 was evaluated by the degradation effect of tetracycline. The results indicated that the 0D-2D MoO3/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction was significantly better than that of original g-C3N4. Especially, the optimal 0.5 wt% MoO3/g-C3N4 could reach 85.9% removal efficiency within 100 min under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), and its degradation rate constant was 2.3 times higher than that of g-C3N4·In addition, the effects of real water matrix, natural sunlight irradiation on tetracycline removal were examined. Reactive-species-trapping experiments show that both photo-generated •O2- and h+ are the main active species in the photocatalytic process. Besides, the results of •O2- and •OH detection further indicated that the yield amount of •O2- and •OH in MoO3/g-C3N4 case showed enhancement when compared with g-C3N4. Moreover, the quite stable crystal structure and excellent recycling ability endowed the MoO3/g-C3N4 composite with a great potential for applying in photocatalytic fields.