The Zn Vacancy-Mediated De-Accumulation Based Process for Hydrogen Production Performance Promotion of 1D Zn─Cd─S Nanorods.

Due to their anisotropy, 1D semiconductor nanorod-based materials have attracted much attention in the process of hydrogen production by solar energy. Nevertheless, the rational design of 1D heterojunction materials and the modulation of photo-generated electron-hole transfer paths remain a challenge. Herein, a ZnCdS@ZnS/MoS core-shell nanorod heterojunction is precisely constructed via in situ growth of discontinuous ZnS shell and MoS NCs on the Zn─Cd─S nanorods.

Ni(OH)-derived lamellar MoS/NiS/NF with Fe-doped heterojunction catalysts for efficient overall water splitting.

Heterostructures formed by combining semiconductor materials with different band structures can provide work functions, d-band positions and electronic properties different from bulk materials and are considered as an effective strategy to improve the catalytic activity through electronic modification. In this study, an efficient MoS/Fe-NiS/NF heterojunction material was prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method. With the help of flake Ni(OH) synthesized in the first step, growth sites were provided for flake NiS.

Improving photocatalytic hydrogen production by switching charge kinetics from type-I to Z-scheme defective engineering.

By providing the spatial separation of the active sites and retaining high oxidative and reducing capacity, the direct Z-scheme heterostructure is considered the most potential structure for yielding photo-electric response. However, challenges still exist in the directional transfer of charge carriers between two semiconductors in direct Z-scheme structures. In this regard, by constructing the V defect and p-n junction, a direct Z-scheme ZnCdS@ZnS-NiS heterostructure was obtained for the regulated electronic structure, which ensured high-yield hydrogen properties.

Interfacial Nucleation Mechanism of Water-Soluble Ag-In-S Quantum Dots at Room Temperature and Their Visible Light Catalytic Performance.

A novel interfacial reaction nucleation mechanism for the preparation of water-soluble Ag-In-S quantum dots (AIS QDs) was proposed in which interfacial acid regulates the concentration of hydroxide ions outside the complex and sulfur sources attack cations at the interface of the complex, covalent bonds between cations and sulfur sources are formed at the interface of the complex, and the nucleation and growth of crystals is finished at room temperature. By bypassing the heating process normally necessary for crystal nucleation and growth, AIS QDs can be produced on a large scale under simple, mild conditions. At the same time, the characteristics of this mechanism enable AIS QDs to be directly synthesized in an organic pollutant solution.

Controlling microbial activity on walls by a photocatalytic nanocomposite paint: A field study.

Background: Bacteria and fungi that grow on the walls can cause allergic reactions and infectious diseases in human. We proposed a low-cost and easy-to-operate testing protocol for large scale field studies to evaluate the long-term antimicrobial performance of a novel WO paint in 2 primary schools.

Methods: In Tun Mun and Tin Shui Wai schools, WO paints were painted on semi-outdoor and indoor walls and daily chlorine disinfection was applied after class in TSW School.

Preparation of a Water-Soluble Zn Cd S Quantum Dot Photocatalyst at Room Temperature Assisted by 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid.

An effective path to synthesize Zn Cd S quantum dots (ZCS QDs) in aqueous phase at room temperature has remained relatively unexplored. Here, we developed a room-temperature, aqueous-phase approach to ZCS QDs, using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) to adjust the pH of the reaction precursor solution to regulate the competition between sulfur source and hydroxyl group, and realize the large-scale preparation of water-soluble ZCS QDs photocatalyst at room temperature. Without recombination with other materials, and only by regulating the ratio of pH, excess sulfur sources and Zn/Cd, the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) can reach 98% within 1 min, showing high photocatalytic activity.

Molecular mechanisms mediating asymmetric subcellular localisation of the core planar polarity pathway proteins.

Planar polarity refers to cellular polarity in an orthogonal plane to apicobasal polarity, and is seen across scales from molecular distributions of proteins to tissue patterning. In many contexts it is regulated by the evolutionarily conserved 'core' planar polarity pathway that is essential for normal organismal development. Core planar polarity pathway components form asymmetric intercellular complexes that communicate polarity between neighbouring cells and direct polarised cell behaviours and the formation of polarised structures.

[To evaluate the changes in body composition in male human immunodeficiency virus-related lipodystrophy after different treatment regimens by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry].

Objective: To evaluate the changes of body composition in male patients with human immunodeficiency (HIV)-related lipodystrophy (LD) syndrome (HIV-LD) switching from stavudine (d4T) to zidovudine (AZT) or tenofovir (TDF) by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Methods: A total of 47 men with HIV-LD who had been exposed to stavudine (d4T) were enrolled in our study from May 2007 to September 2013 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Twice DXA assessments were administrated with interval of at least 12 months.