Endothelial CD38-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a pivotal driver in pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a prevalent interstitial lung disease with high mortality. CD38 is a main enzyme for intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) degradation in mammals. It has been reported that CD38 participated in pulmonary fibrosis through promoting alveolar epithelial cells senescence.

Ferromagnetic single-atom spin catalyst for boosting water splitting.

Heterogeneous single-atom spin catalysts combined with magnetic fields provide a powerful means for accelerating chemical reactions with enhanced metal utilization and reaction efficiency. However, designing these catalysts remains challenging due to the need for a high density of atomically dispersed active sites with a short-range quantum spin exchange interaction and long-range ferromagnetic ordering. Here, we devised a scalable hydrothermal approach involving an operando acidic environment for synthesizing various single-atom spin catalysts with widely tunable substitutional magnetic atoms (M) in a MoS host.

Catalytically active atomically thin cuprate with periodic Cu single sites.

Rational design and synthesis of catalytically active two-dimensional (2D) materials with an abundance of atomically precise active sites in their basal planes remains a great challenge. Here, we report a ligand exchange strategy to exfoliate bulk [Cu(OH)][OS(CH)SO] cuprate crystals into atomically thin 2D cuprate layers ([Cu(OH)]). The basal plane of 2D cuprate layers contains periodic arrays of accessible unsaturated Cu(II) single sites (2D-CuSSs), which are found to promote efficient oxidative Chan-Lam coupling.

Degradation Chemistry and Kinetic Stabilization of Magnetic CrI.

The discovery of the intrinsic magnetic order in single-layer chromium trihalides (CrX, X = I, Br, and Cl) has drawn intensive interest due to their potential application in spintronic devices. However, the notorious environmental instability of this class of materials under ambient conditions renders their device fabrication and practical application extremely challenging. Here, we performed a systematic investigation of the degradation chemistry of chromium iodide (CrI), the most studied among CrX families, a joint spectroscopic and microscopic analysis of the structural and composition evolution of bulk and exfoliated nanoflakes in different environments.

Scalable two-step annealing method for preparing ultra-high-density single-atom catalyst libraries.

The stabilization of transition metals as isolated centres with high areal density on suitably tailored carriers is crucial for maximizing the industrial potential of single-atom heterogeneous catalysts. However, achieving single-atom dispersions at metal contents above 2 wt% remains challenging. Here we introduce a versatile approach combining impregnation and two-step annealing to synthesize ultra-high-density single-atom catalysts with metal contents up to 23 wt% for 15 metals on chemically distinct carriers.

Zero-Valent Palladium Single-Atoms Catalysts Confined in Black Phosphorus for Efficient Semi-Hydrogenation.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) represent a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis due to their remarkable catalytic properties and maximized atomic utilization. However, single atoms often bond to the support with polarized electron density and thus exhibit a high valence state, limiting their catalytic scopes in many chemical transformations. Here, it is demonstrated that 2D black phosphorus (BP) acts as giant phosphorus (P) ligand to confine a high density of single atoms (e.

Facile Production of Phosphorene Nanoribbons towards Application in Lithium Metal Battery.

Like phosphorene, phosphorene nanoribbon (PNR) promises exotic properties but unzipping phosphorene into edge-defined PNR is non-trivial because of uncontrolled cutting of phosphorene along random directions. Here a facile electrochemical strategy to fabricate zigzag-edged PNRs in high yield (>80%) is reported. The presence of chemically active zigzag edges in PNR allows it to spontaneously react with Li to form a Li ion conducting Li P phase, which can be used as a protective layer on Li metal anode in lithium metal batteries (LMBs).

Ordered clustering of single atomic Te vacancies in atomically thin PtTe promotes hydrogen evolution catalysis.

Exposing and stabilizing undercoordinated platinum (Pt) sites and therefore optimizing their adsorption to reactive intermediates offers a desirable strategy to develop highly efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts. However, preparation of atomically controllable Pt-based model catalysts to understand the correlation between electronic structure, adsorption energy, and catalytic properties of atomic Pt sites is still challenging. Herein we report the atomically thin two-dimensional PtTe nanosheets with well-dispersed single atomic Te vacancies (Te-SAVs) and atomically well-defined undercoordinated Pt sites as a model electrocatalyst.

Tuning the Spin Density of Cobalt Single-Atom Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with magnetic elements as the active center have been widely exploited for efficient electrochemical conversions. Understanding the catalytic role of spin, and thus modulating the spin density of a single-atom center, is of profound fundamental interest and technological impact. Here, we synthesized ferromagnetic single Co atom catalysts on TaS monolayers (Co/TaS) as a model system to explore the spin-activity correlation for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

Dense-Stacking Porous Conjugated Polymer as Reactive-Type Host for High-Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries.

Commercialization of the lithium-sulfur battery is hampered by bottlenecks like low sulfur loading, high cathode porosity, uncontrollable Li S deposition and sluggish kinetics of Li S activation. Herein, we developed a densely stacked redox-active hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN) polymer with a surface area of 302 m  g and a very high bulk density of ca. 1.

Electrochemically Exfoliated Platinum Dichalcogenide Atomic Layers for High-Performance Air-Stable Infrared Photodetectors.

Platinum dichalcogenide (PtX), an emergent group-10 transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) has shown great potential in infrared photonic and optoelectronic applications due to its layer-dependent electronic structure with potentially suitable bandgap. However, a scalable synthesis of PtSe and PtTe atomic layers with controlled thickness still represents a major challenge in this field because of the strong interlayer interactions. Herein, we develop a facile cathodic exfoliation approach for the synthesis of solution-processable high-quality PtSe and PtTe atomic layers for high-performance infrared (IR) photodetection.

Printable two-dimensional superconducting monolayers.

Two-dimensional superconductor (2DSC) monolayers with non-centrosymmetry exhibit unconventional Ising pair superconductivity and an enhanced upper critical field beyond the Pauli paramagnetic limit, driving intense research interest. However, they are often susceptible to structural disorder and environmental oxidation, which destroy electronic coherence and provide technical challenges in the creation of artificial van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) for devices. Herein, we report a general and scalable synthesis of highly crystalline 2DSC monolayers via a mild electrochemical exfoliation method using flexible organic ammonium cations solvated with neutral solvent molecules as co-intercalants.

Atomically-precise dopant-controlled single cluster catalysis for electrochemical nitrogen reduction.

The ability to precisely engineer the doping of sub-nanometer bimetallic clusters offers exciting opportunities for tailoring their catalytic performance with atomic accuracy. However, the fabrication of singly dispersed bimetallic cluster catalysts with atomic-level control of dopants has been a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report a strategy for the controllable synthesis of a precisely doped single cluster catalyst consisting of partially ligand-enveloped AuPt clusters supported on defective graphene.

Imprinting Ferromagnetism and Superconductivity in Single Atomic Layers of Molecular Superlattices.

Ferromagnetism and superconductivity are two antagonistic phenomena since ferromagnetic exchange fields tend to destroy singlet Cooper pairs. Reconciliation of these two competing phases has been achieved in vertically stacked heterostructures where these two orders are confined in different layers. However, controllable integration of these two phases in one atomic layer is a longstanding challenge.

A Graphene-Supported Single-Atom FeN Catalytic Site for Efficient Electrochemical CO Reduction.

Electrochemical conversion of CO into valued products is one of the most important issues but remains a great challenge in chemistry. Herein, we report a novel synthetic approach involving prolonged thermal pyrolysis of hemin and melamine molecules on graphene for the fabrication of a robust and efficient single-iron-atom electrocatalyst for electrochemical CO reduction. The single-atom catalyst exhibits high Faradaic efficiency (ca.

One-Pot Synthesis of BiCuSO Nanosheets under Ambient Atmosphere as Broadband Spectrum Photocatalyst.

Cuprous based chalcogenides have attracted intensive research interest due to the potential applications in solar energy conversion. However, typical fabrications of these compounds are often carried out under severe conditions, such as inert gas protection, high vacuum, and/or extreme high temperature. Here we reported a one-pot process for cuprous based chalcogenides synthesis in aqueous solution.

Synthesis and Broadband Spectra Photocatalytic Properties of Bi₂O₂(CO₃)S.

High efficiency photocatalyst Bi₂O₂(CO₃)S was synthesized conveniently with chemical bath precipitation using Bi₂O₂CO₃ as the precursor. The microstructures of the samples are systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy; the optical and photocatalytic properties are carefully tested as well. The content of , which was tuned through the controlling of the precipitation process, was verified to have an intense effect over the photocatalytic properties.

Highly (001)-Textured Tetragonal BiFeO Film and Its Photoelectrochemical Behaviors Tuned by Magnetic Field.

Highly (001)-textured BiFeO film in tetragonal phase (T-BFO) with a giant c/a ratio was first obtained on quartz/polycrystalline ITO substrate. Our results indicate that the polycrystalline ITO layer with small surface roughness is a critical point to control the growth of T-BFO structure. It should be ascribed to the fact that a Bi-rich phase interlayer (∼5 nm) could be formed on ITO, which acted as a crystal seed layer and thus induced the growth of (001)-textured T-BFO structure.

Highly selective and active CO reduction electrocatalysts based on cobalt phthalocyanine/carbon nanotube hybrid structures.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide with renewable energy is a sustainable way of producing carbon-neutral fuels. However, developing active, selective and stable electrocatalysts is challenging and entails material structure design and tailoring across a range of length scales. Here we report a cobalt-phthalocyanine-based high-performance carbon dioxide reduction electrocatalyst material developed with a combined nanoscale and molecular approach.

Bi(1-x)La(x)CuSeO as New Tunable Full Solar Light Active Photocatalysts.

Photocatalysis is attracting enormous interest driven by the great promise of addressing current energy and environmental crises by converting solar light directly into chemical energy. However, efficiently harvesting solar energy for photocatalysis remains a pressing challenge, and the charge kinetics and mechanism of the photocatalytic process is far from being well understood. Here we report a new full solar spectrum driven photocatalyst in the system of a layered oxyselenide BiCuSeO with good photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants and chemical stability under light irradiation, and the photocatalytic performance of BiCuSeO can be further improved by band gap engineering with introduction of La.

Photoelectrochemical Performance Observed in Mn-Doped BiFeO₃ Heterostructured Thin Films.

Pure BiFeO₃ and heterostructured BiFeO₃/BiFeMnO₃ (5% Mn-doped BiFeO₃) thin films have been prepared by a chemical deposition method. The band structures and photosensitive properties of these films have been investigated elaborately. Pure BiFeO₃ films showed stable and strong response to photo illumination (open circuit potential kept -0.

Photochemical fate of beta-blockers in NOM enriched waters.

Beta-blockers, prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and for long-term use after a heart attack, have been detected in surface and ground waters. This study examines the photochemical fate of three beta-blockers, atenolol, metoprolol, and nadolol. Hydrolysis accounted for minor losses of these beta-blockers in the pH range 4-10.

Photosensitized degradation of amoxicillin in natural organic matter isolate solutions.

Amoxicillin is a widely used antibiotic and has been detected in natural waters. Its environmental fate is in part determined by hydrolysis, and, direct and indirect photolysis. The hydrolysis rate in distilled water and water to which five different isolated of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was added, were evaluated.