Amoxicillin-laded sodium alginate/cellulose nanocrystals/polyvinyl alcohol composite nanonetwork sponges with enhanced wound healing and antibacterial performance.

Wound healing is a complex process and reuires a long repair process. Poor healing effect is normally a challenge for wound healing. Designing sponge dressings with drug-assisted therapy, good breathability, and multiple functional structures effectively promotes wound healing.

Compact and efficient photonic lanterns through multi-stage tapering.

Photonic lanterns (PLs) have been recently used in mode-division multiplexed systems with a low insertion loss, a low mode-dependent loss (MDL), and a wide bandwidth. However, the cross talk (XT) performance of the PLs requires further enhancement within a short taper length. In this Letter, a multi-stage cascaded scheme for short PLs is proposed to further improve the performance on losses and XT.

Enhancing the antioxidant potential of ESIPT-based naringenin flavonoids based on excited state hydrogen bond dynamics: A theoretical study.

Exploring antioxidant potential of flavonoid derivatives after ESIPT process provides a theoretical basis for discovering compounds with higher antioxidant capacity. In this work, employing the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods, the antioxidant potential of two citrus-derived naringenin flavonoids after ESIPT process is explored. Based on studies of ESIPT process including IMHB intensity variations, potential energy curves, and transition state, these molecules exist only in enol and keto forms due to ultra-fast ESIPT.

Augmented reality display with high eyebox uniformity over the full field of view based on a random mask grating.

Ensuring uniform illuminance in waveguide-based augmented reality (AR) display devices is crucial for providing an immersive and comfortable visual experience. However, there is a lack of a straightforward and efficient design method available to achieve illuminance uniformity over the full field of view. To address this issue, we propose a novel design that utilizes random mask gratings (RMGs) as the folding grating and the out-coupling grating.

Sodium lignosulfonate/graphene composites for efficient desalination by incorporating CoS to control pore size.

The phenomenon of overlapping double layers due to micropores inhibits capacitive deionization performance, which is improved by increasing the pore size. In this study, a novel ternary composite electrode (sodium lignosulfonate/reduced graphene oxide/cobalt sulfide, LGC) was designed using a two-step hydrothermal method. CoS with high pseudocapacitance modifies sodium lignosulfonate and graphene connected by hydrogen bonding, benefiting from the constitutive steric structure.

Sodium alginate/sodium lignosulfonate hydrogel based on inert Ca activation for water conservation and growth promotion.

Soil degradation has become a major global problem owing to the rapid development of agriculture. The problems of soil drought and decreased soil fertility caused by soil degradation severely affect the development of the agricultural and forestry industries. In this study, we designed sodium alginate (SA)/sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) hydrogel based on the activation and crosslinking of inert Ca.

Custom-designed polyphenol lignin for the enhancement of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based wood adhesive.

Adhesives are used extensively in the wood industry. As resource and environmental issues become increasingly severe, the development of green and sustainable biomass-based adhesives has attracted increasing attention. In this work, a green wood adhesive is developed from poly(vinyl alcohol) and lignin with molecular designs of lignin extending beyond those in nature.

Fan-in/fan-out for heterogeneous 19-core fibers based on metasurfaces with nonuniform phase plates.

In space-division-multiplexed transmission systems, it is essential to realize fan-in/fan-out devices that connect the cores between multicore fibers and single-mode fibers. In this Letter, we propose a metasurface-based fan-in/fan-out device with nonuniform phase plates for heterogeneous 19-core fibers across the full C band. Our results show that an average insertion loss of 0.

RGO-Induced Flower-like Ni-MOF In Situ Self-Assembled Electrodes for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors.

Currently, the primary bottlenecks that hinder the widespread application of supercapacitors are low energy density and narrow potential windows. Herein, the hybrid supercapacitor with high energy density and wide potential window is constructed via an in situ self-assembly method employing RGO-induced flower-like MOF(Ni). Benefiting from the synergistic effect between RGO and MOF(Ni), the interfacial interactions are effectively improved, and the contact area with the electrolyte is enhanced, which increases the ion transfer kinetics and overall electrochemical performance.

Hybrid waveguide based augmented reality display system with extra large field of view and 2D exit pupil expansion.

For a waveguide display device, the field of view (FOV) is a key parameter for evaluating its optical performance. To address this issue, we propose a hybrid waveguide system, which is composed of two projectors, two in-couplers, two half-mirror arrays and an out-coupler. We use two projectors to generate the left and right parts of the output image separately, which can increase the upper limit of the FOV significantly.

Bandgap engineering control bifunctional MnCdS photocatalysts selectively reforming xylose to C3 organic acids and efficient hydrogen production.

The simultaneous reforming of biomass into high value-added chemicals and H production by water splitting in a green and environmentally clean way is a very challenging task. Herein, we demonstrate the design of bifunctional MnCdS photocatalyst with a controllable band gap by bandgap engineering. Bandgap engineering effectively regulates the oxidation and reduction capacity of materials.

Constructing 3D hierarchical TiO microspheres with enhanced mass diffusion for efficient glucose photoreforming under modulated reaction conditions.

Three-dimensional (3D) TiO hierarchical microspheres (THMs) were successfully prepared via a facial template-free hydrothermal approach. The possible growth mechanism of THM was also investigated by TiCl concentration-, time-, and temperature-dependent experiments. The results indicate that the formation of an urchin-like hierarchical structure may follow a "nucleation-dissolution and recrystallization-assembly" process.

Rapid fabrication of tough sodium alginate/MXene/poly(vinyl alcohol) dual-network hydrogel electrolytes for flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors.

With the rapid development of flexible portable devices, polymer-based hydrogel electrolytes have drawn tremendous attention and widespread interest to replace conventional liquid electrolytes. Herein, an eco-friendly, low cost and fast method was adopted to synthesize novel cross-linked dual-network hydrogel electrolytes (PVA/SA/MXene-NaCl) within 5 min due to the formation of borate bonds. The unique dual-network structure of hydrogel enabled hydrogel electrolytes to efficiently dissipate energy under deformation and the formation of borate bonds endowed hydrogel with self-healing ability.

Bidirectional wide-angle waveguide grating antennas with flat-top far-field patterns for optical phased arrays.

To build advanced all solid-state LiDAR, optical phased arrays (OPAs) with a large field of view are highly desirable. As a critical building block, a wide-angle waveguide grating antenna is proposed here. Instead of aiming at the elimination of downward radiation of waveguide grating antennas (WGAs) to improve efficiencies, we in turn utilize the downward radiation and double the range of beam steering.

Sodium alginate-based gel electrodes without binder for high-performance supercapacitors.

Binder use results in an expansion of the dead volume of the active material and a decline in the active sites, which will lead to a decrease in the electrochemical activity of the electrode. Therefore, the construction of electrode materials without the binder has been the research focus. Here, a novel ternary composite gel electrode without the binder (reduced graphene oxide/sodium alginate/copper cobalt sulfide, rGSC) were designed using a convenient hydrothermal method.

Composite film with adjustable number of layers for slow release of humic acid and soil remediation.

In this study, to improve the soil amendment performance of film materials, composite films with the adjustable number of layers and controlled slow-release time were prepared using sodium alginate (SA), chitosan (CS) and activated charcoal (AC) as raw materials. The prepared multilayer films exhibited a wide pH response range and excellent slow-release time. The cumulative release of humic acid (HA) increased from 19.

Biomass-derived carbon dots regulating nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide from 2D nanosheets to 3D flower-like spheres as electrodes for enhanced asymmetric supercapacitors.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) often require the use of carbon materials to improve their stability, conductivity, and specific surface area to accommodate new directions in the development of high-performance energy storage materials. Herein, 2D nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide (NCLDH) nanosheets are regulated to form 3D flower-like spheres by fungus bran-derived carbon dots (CDs) via an in situ growth method. The prepared sample (CDs/NCLDH) shows abundant accessible active sites and favorable electrical conductivity, which is aided by strong interactions between CDs and NCLDH.

Effective enhancement of electron migration and photocatalytic performance of nitrogen-rich carbon nitride by constructing fungal carbon dot/molybdenum disulfide cocatalytic system.

To find a cocatalyst that can replace noble metals, fungal carbon dot (CD) modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS) cocatalyst system was designed. The composites were prepared by hydrothermal and calcination methods with different ratios of CDs, MoS and nitrogen-rich carbon nitride (p-CN). p-CN has excellent electronic properties, and MoS modified by CDs (D-MoS) can significantly enhance the photocatalytic performance of p-CN by improving the photogenerated electron migration efficiency.

Biomimetic nitrogen-rich photocatalyst based on cadmium sulfide for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

A novel N-rich sugarcane-like photocatalyst CdS/CN (CCN) was prepared by a thermal polymerization method and tested for generating H and realizing antiphotocorrosive performance. The best photocatalytic H evolution is obtained for a CdS to CN mass ratio of 1:1 (CCN3), which is nearly 33 and 3 times higher than that of pure CN and CdS, respectively. CCN3 can be used to effectively reduce CdS photocorrosion and increase stability because of its N-rich performance and sugarcane-like structure, which can affect electron transport and enhance the internal binding force, respectively.

Integrated Instillation Technology for the Synthesis of a pH-Responsive Sodium Alginate/Biomass Charcoal Soil Conditioner for Controlled Release of Humic Acid and Soil Remediation.

In this work, pH-responsive gel spheres for controlled release of humic acid (CSGCHs) were prepared by an integrated instillation technology using a composite material of sodium alginate (SA) and charcoal activated carbon (CAC) as a carrier, and their slow-release performance, pH-responsive performance, and soil amendment performance were investigated. The results showed that the prepared CSGCH was uniform in size with obvious base responsiveness. Soil remediation experiments revealed that CSGCH could play a good role in the remediation of different types of soils.

Polarization-controlled efficient and unidirectional surface plasmon polariton excitation enabled by metagratings in a generalized Kretschmann configuration.

In this paper, we propose a generalized Kretschmann configuration that employs a metagrating to replace the prism, realizing polarization-controlled efficient and unidirectional surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation. This dielectric phase gradient metagrating on the top surface of a silica substrate is designed to deflect incident light, which subsequently launches SPP wave by means of momentum matching on the metal film coated on the bottom surface. A series of metagratings is designed to enable the SPP excitation by circularly or linearly polarized incident light.

Constructing CeO/nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot/g-CN heterojunction photocatalysts for highly efficient visible light photocatalysis.

Ternary CeO/nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot (NCQD)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) heterojunction nanocomposites were prepared by a high-temperature calcination and hydrothermal method and tested for degrading tetracycline (TC) and generating H. Compared with CeO and g-CN, the Z-scheme CeO/NCQDs/g-CN (CSNx, where x represents the amount of CeO in wt%) nanoparticles showed a higher TC photodegradation capacity and H evolution ability owing to enhanced efficient charge separation and photocatalytic stability. CSN5 showed the best photodegradation activity for TC degradation (100 mL, 20 mg L; 100% degradation in 60 min; λ≥ 420 nm) and the highest H evolution rate of 1275.

Bimetallic metal-organic frameworks anchored corncob-derived porous carbon photocatalysts for synergistic degradation of organic pollutants.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for photocatalysis owing to their excellent structure and performance. Unfortunately, poor stability in both aqueous solutions and high temperatures and lack of adsorption centers during reactions limit their practical applications. Herein, a bimetallic MOF anchored corncob calcined derived activated carbon (CCAC) was successfully prepared by a one-step solvothermal method.

Binder-free CuS/ZnS/sodium alginate/rGO nanocomposite hydrogel electrodes for enhanced performance supercapacitors.

CuS/ZnS/sodium alginate/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (CZSrG) were prepared by physical crosslinking followed by one-step reduction and were justified as green binder-free hydrogel high-capacitance electrodes. The physical crosslinking was realized simply through the hydrogen-bond interaction between sodium alginate (SA) and graphene oxide (GO), avoiding the usage of traditional Ca crosslinking agent. The hydrogel structure made of CZSrG possessed the most beneficial effect of avoiding large volume change and increasing cycle stability for supercapacitors.