Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnCr- and NiCr-Layered Double Hydroxides as Hydrogen Evolution Photocatalysts.

The layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of transition metals are of great interest as building blocks for the creation of composite photocatalytic materials for hydrogen production, environmental remediation and other applications. However, the synthesis of most LDHs is reported only by the conventional coprecipitation method, which makes it difficult to control the catalyst's crystallinity. In the present study, ZnCr- and NiCr-LDHs have been successfully prepared using a facile hydrothermal approach.

Influence of TOPO and TOPO-CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots on Luminescence Photodynamics of InP/InAsP/InPHeterostructure Nanowires.

The passivation influence by ligands coverage with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and TOPO including colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on optical properties of the semiconductor heterostructure, namely an array of InP nanowires (NWs) with InAsP nanoinsertion grown by Au-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on Si (111) substrates, was investigated. A significant dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of the InAsP insertions on the ligand type was shown, which was associated with the changes in the excitation translation channels in the heterostructure. This change was caused by a different interaction of the ligand shells with the surface of InP NWs, which led to the formation of different interfacial low-energy states at the NW-ligand boundary, such as surface-localized antibonding orbitals and hybridized states that were energetically close to the radiating state and participate in the transfer of excitation.

Transient processes under excitation of ultrashort laser pulses in colloidal solutions of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots.

We present that in the case of picosecond durations, the limitation efficiency of laser radiation and absorption kinetics in CdSe/ZnS colloidal solutions is determined by Auger relaxation through the 1S(e) states. In the observed kinetics of a probe-pulse transmission, the "delayed limitation" effect has been detected. Numerical modeling has made it possible to identify the competition between the next two relaxation processes of highly excited states: relaxation through size quantization levels and phononless relaxation through traps states.

Voltage-sensitive styryl dyes as singlet oxygen targets on the surface of bilayer lipid membrane.

Photosensitizers are widely used as photodynamic therapeutic agents killing cancer cells by photooxidation of their components. Development of new effective photosensitive molecules requires profound knowledge of possible targets for reactive oxygen species, especially for its singlet form. Here we studied photooxidation of voltage-sensitive styryl dyes (di-4-ANEPPS, di-8-ANEPPS, RH-421 and RH-237) by singlet oxygen on the surface of bilayer lipid membranes commonly used as cell membrane models.

[Insomnia and sleep-related breathing disturbances are the new risk factors for ischemic stroke].

Sleep disorders have an extremely negative impact on human vital functioning, encompassing both mental and somatic sphere. A large number of clinical trials have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and their complications, including the risk of ischemic stroke, in patients suffering from insomnia or sleep-related breathing disturbances. These types of sleep disorders are the most common in the structure of all violations of sleep.