Synergistic effect of composition gradient and morphology on the catalytic activity of amorphous FeCoNi-LDH.

The rational design of electrocatalysts with well-designed compositions and structures for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is promising and challenging. Herein, we developed a novel strategy - a one-step double-cation etching sedimentation equilibrium strategy - to synthesize amorphous hollow Fe-Co-Ni layered double hydroxide nanocages with an outer surface of vertically interconnected ultrathin nanosheets (Fe-Co-Ni-LDH), which primarily depends on the etching sedimentation equilibrium of the template interface. This unique vertical nanosheet-shell hierarchical nanostructure possesses enhanced charge transfer, increased active sites, and favorable kinetics during electrolysis, resulting in superb electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

Type-II/type-II band alignment to boost spatial charge separation: a case study of g-CN quantum dots/a-TiO/r-TiO for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen evolution.

Efficient spatial charge separation and transfer that are critical factors for solar energy conversion primarily depend on the energetic alignment of the band edges at interfaces in heterojunctions. Herein, we first report that constructing a 0D/0D type-II(T-II)/T-II heterojunction is an effective strategy to ingeniously achieve long-range charge separation by taking a ternary heterojunction of TiO2 and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a proof-of-concept. Incorporating g-C3N4 quantum dots (QCN), as the third component, into the commercial P25 composed of anatase (a-TiO2) and rutile (r-TiO2) can be realized via simply mixing the commercially available Degussa P25 and QCN solution followed by heat treatment.

Interfacial charge modulation: carbon quantum dot implanted carbon nitride double-deck nanoframes for robust visible-light photocatalytic tetracycline degradation.

Steering charge kinetics at the interface is essential to improve the photocatalytic performance of two-dimensional (2D) material-based heterostructures. Herein, we developed a novel strategy-simultaneously building two kinds of heterojunctions- to modulate interfacial charge kinetics in polymeric carbon nitride (CN) for improving the photocatalytic activity. Using a simple one-step thermal condensation of carbon quantum dot (CQD)-contained supramolecular precursors formed in water, the controllable CQD embedded CN nanoframes possessed two kinds of heterogeneous interfaces within seamlessly stitched micro-area two-dimensional in-plane and out-of-plane domains.

Strategy to boost catalytic activity of polymeric carbon nitride: synergistic effect of controllable in situ surface engineering and morphology.

Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) is a promising metal-free catalyst plagued by a low intrinsic activity. Herein, a novel strategy based on controllable in situ surface engineering and morphology was developed to synergistically boost the catalytic activity of CN by tuning the hydroxyl groups on its surface and constructing a unique nanostructure. The controllable introduction of hydroxyl groups on CN nanoshells, prepared by the thermal condensation of oxygen-containing supramolecular precursors formed in water, led to spatial separation of the HOMO and LUMO, and effective exciton dissociation, as verified by experiments and ab initio calculations.

Doping-Induced Hydrogen-Bond Engineering in Polymeric Carbon Nitride To Significantly Boost the Photocatalytic H Evolution Performance.

Unlike graphene, graphitic carbon nitride (CN) polymer contains a weak hydrogen bond and van der Waals (vdWs) interactions besides a strong covalent bond, which controls its final morphology and functionality. Herein, we propose a novel strategy, hydrogen-bond engineering, to tune hydrogen bonds in polymeric CN through nonmetal codoping. Incorporation of B and P dopants breaks partial hydrogen bonds within the layers and simultaneously weakens the vdWs interaction between neighboring layers, resulting in ultrathin codoped CN nanosheets.

Doping-induced enhancement of crystallinity in polymeric carbon nitride nanosheets to improve their visible-light photocatalytic activity.

Structural defects can greatly inhibit electron transfer in two-dimensional (2D) layered polymeric carbon nitride (CN) unit, seriously lowering its utilization ratio of photogenerated charges during photocatalysis. Herein, we propose a new strategy based on intra-melon hydrogen bonding interactions in 2D CN frameworks to improve the crystallinity of CN. This concept was validated by removing some amino groups and connecting melon using codoped B and F atoms via a simple one-step sodium fluoroborate-assisted thermal treatment.

[Risk factors for recurrent wheezing in infants and young children suffering from dust mite allergy after their first wheezing].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for recurrent wheezing in infants and young children suffering from dust mite allergy after their first wheezing.

Methods: A total of 1 236 infants and young children who experienced a first wheezing episode and were hospitalized between August 2014 and February 2015 were enrolled, among whom 387 were allergic to dust mites. These infants and young children were followed up to 1 year after discharge.

Tuning near-gap electronic structure, interface charge transfer and visible light response of hybrid doped graphene and Ag3PO4 composite: Dopant effects.

The enhanced photocatalytic performance of doped graphene (GR)/semiconductor nanocomposites have recently been widely observed, but an understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind it is still out of reach. As a model system to study the dopant effects, we investigate the electronic structures and optical properties of doped GR/Ag3PO4 nanocomposites using the first-principles calculations, demonstrating that the band gap, near-gap electronic structure and interface charge transfer of the doped GR/Ag3PO4(100) composite can be tuned by the dopants. Interestingly, the doping atom and C atoms bonded to dopant become active sites for photocatalysis because they are positively or negatively charged due to the charge redistribution caused by interaction.

Facile ion-exchange synthesis of mesoporous Bi2S3/ZnS nanoplate with high adsorption capability and photocatalytic activity.

Novel Bi2S3/ZnS nanoplates have been successfully prepared by simple reflux and cation exchange reaction between the preformed ZnS spheres and Bi(NO3)3·5H2O. The synthesized Bi2S3/ZnS nanoplates are mesoporous structures, possess a high specific surface area of 101.30m(2)/g and exhibit high adsorption capability and photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light irradiation.