Realizing the Synergy of Interface and Dual-Defect Engineering for Molybdenum Disulfide Enables Efficient Sodium-Ion Storage.

Engineering-rich electrocatalyst defects play a critical role in greatly promoting the charge storage/transfer capability of an energy storage/conversion system. Here, an ingenious and effective two-step strategy was used to synthesize a bimetallic sulfide/oxide composite with a coaxial carbon coating, starting from mixing well-dispersed MoO nanobelts and Co-PAA compound, followed by a selective etching process. The simultaneous formation of dual defects of interlayer defect and sulfur-rich vacancies as well as MoO/MoS/CoS heterojunctions noticeably enhances both electron transfer and ion diffusion kinetics.

Direct Observation of Electron Donation onto the Reactants and a Transient Poisoning Mechanism During CO Electroreduction on Ni Single Atom Catalysts.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) are an important class of materials that mediate chemical reduction reactions, a key subset of which is Ni within a carbon support for the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR). However, how the metal atom/clusters and the carbon-based support act in concert to catalyze CORR is not well understood, with most reports attributing activity solely to the Ni-N/C moieties. To address this gap, we have undertaken a mechanistic investigation, employing in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) coupled with electrochemical studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to further understand how Ni single atoms work in conjunction with the nitrogen-doped carbon matrix to promote CORR to CO, and how the presence of impurities such as those present in CO-containing waste flue gases (including NO, and CN) changes the catalyst upon reduction.

The dual role of PGAM5 in inflammation.

In recent years, the focus on human inflammation in research has increased, with aging-related inflammation widely recognized as a defining characteristic of aging. Inflammation is strongly correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5) is a novel modulator of mitochondrial homeostasis in response to mechanical stimulation.

An efficient hydrogen evolution catalyst constructed using Pt-modified NiS/MoS with optimized kinetics across the full pH range.

Electrocatalyst materials play a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), directly influencing the overall effectiveness of energy conversion technologies. NiS/MoS heterostructures hold substantial promise as bifunctional catalysts, owing to their synergistic electronic characteristics and plentiful active sites. However, their catalytic efficacy is impeded by the relatively elevated chemisorption energy of hydrogen-containing intermediates, which constrains their functionality in different pH environments.

Second-Shell Coordination Environment Modulation for MnN Active Sites by Oxygen Doping to Boost Oxygen Reduction Performance.

As a category of transition metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts, Mn-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) are considered as promising non-precious metal catalysts for stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to their Fenton-inactive character (versus Fe) and more abundant earth reserves (versus Ni, Co). However, their ORR activity is unsatisfactory. Besides, the structure-activity relationship via tuning the coordination environment of the second coordination shell for transition metal single sites is still elusive.

Direct parallel electrosynthesis of high-value chemicals from atmospheric components on symmetry-breaking indium sites.

To tackle significant environmental and energy challenges from increased greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, we propose a method that synergistically combines cost-efficient integrated systems with parallel catalysis to produce high-value chemicals from CO, NO, and other gases. We employed asymmetrically stretched InOS with symmetry-breaking indium sites as a highly efficient trifunctional catalysts for NO reduction, CO reduction, and O reduction. Mechanistic studies reveal that the symmetry-breaking at indium sites substantially improves d-band center interactions and adsorption of intermediates, thereby enhancing trifunctional catalytic activity.

Molecule level precise construction of donor-acceptor polymeric carbon nitride for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Constructing donor-acceptor structures in polymeric carbon nitride (CN) provides an attractive pathway for facilitating charge carrier separation in photocatalytic reactions. However, achieving the implantation of donor or acceptor moieties at molecule level precision remains challenging. Here we develop a three-dimensional (3D) porous thiophene implanted carbon nitride (TCN) with donor-acceptor structure via a supramolecular assembly strategy.

Anionic Ionomer: Released Surface-Immobilized Cations and an Established Hydrophobic Microenvironment for Efficient and Durable CO-to-Ethylene Electrosynthesis at High Current over One Month.

Electrosynthesis of multicarbon products, such as CH, from CO reduction on copper (Cu) catalysts holds promise for achieving carbon neutrality. However, maintaining a steady high current-level CH electrosynthesis still encounters challenges, arising from unstable alkalinity and carbonate precipitation caused by undesired ion migration at the cathode under a repulsive electric field. To address these issues, we propose a universal "charge release" concept by incorporating tiny amounts of an oppositely charged anionic ionomer (e.

Accelerated Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer via Engineering Palladium Sub-Nanoclusters for Scalable Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide.

Electrosynthesis of HO from oxygen reduction reaction via a two-electron pathway is vital as an alternative for the energy-intensive anthraquinone process. However, this process is largely hindered in neutral and alkaline conditions due to sluggish kinetics associated with the transformation of intermediate O* into OOH* via proton-coupled electron transfer sourced from slow water dissociation. Herein, we developed Pd sub-nanoclusters on the nickel ditelluride nanosheets (Pd SNCs/NiTe) to enhance the performance of HO electrosynthesis.

Metal-Free Carbon Co-Catalysts for Up-Conversion Photo-Induced Catalytic Cancer Therapy.

Near-infrared (NIR)-responsive metal-free carbon co-catalysts that convert glucose into HO to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) are developed from phosphorus-doped carbon nitride (P-CN) and graphene quantum dots (GQD) composites, for enhanced photocatalytic cancer therapy by light exposure in the targeted tumor microenvironment. Upon irradiation, the NIR light is converted by GQD with up-conversion function into visible light to excite P-CN for photocatalytic conversion of glucose into HO, which subsequently decomposes into ROS. ROS thus generated exhibits an excellent anticancer efficacy for efficient cancer therapy with minimal side effects, as evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Main-Group Metal-Nonmetal Dynamic Proton Bridges Enhance Ammonia Electrosynthesis.

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) is a crucial process for the sustainable production of ammonia (NH) for energy and agriculture applications. However, the reaction's efficiency is highly dependent on the activation of the inert N≡N bond, which is hindered by the electron back-donation to the π* orbitals of the N≡N bond, resulting in low eNRR capacity. Herein, we report a main-group metal-nonmetal (O-In-S) eNRR catalyst featuring a dynamic proton bridge, with In-S serving as the polarization pair and O functioning as the dynamic electron pool.

Recent Advances on Carbon-Based Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Energy and Chemical Conversions.

Over the last decade, carbon-based metal-free electrocatalysts (C-MFECs) have become important in electrocatalysis. This field is started thanks to the initial discovery that nitrogen atom doped carbon can function as a metal-free electrode in alkaline fuel cells. A wide variety of metal-free carbon nanomaterials, including 0D carbon dots, 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D graphene, and 3D porous carbons, has demonstrated high electrocatalytic performance across a variety of applications.

Perspective on Lewis Acid-Base Interactions in Emerging Batteries.

Lewis acid-base interactions are common in chemical processes presented in diverse applications, such as synthesis, catalysis, batteries, semiconductors, and solar cells. The Lewis acid-base interactions allow precise tuning of material properties from the molecular level to more aggregated and organized structures. This review will focus on the origin, development, and prospects of applying Lewis acid-base interactions for the materials design and mechanism understanding in the advancement of battery materials and chemistries.

Double Hydroxide Nanocatalysts for Urea Electrooxidation Engineered toward Environmentally Benign Products.

Recent advancements in the electrochemical urea oxidation reaction (UOR) present promising avenues for wastewater remediation and energy recovery. Despite progress toward optimized efficiency, hurdles persist in steering oxidation products away from environmentally unfriendly products, mostly due to a lack of understanding of structure-selectivity relationships. In this study, the UOR performance of Ni and Cu double hydroxides, which show marked differences in their reactivity and selectivity is evaluated.

NSD2-mediated H3K36me2 exacerbates osteoporosis via activation of hoxa2 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent disease associated with age, and one of the primary pathologies is the defect of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). This study aimed to elucidate whether Nuclear Receptor Binding SET Domain Protein 2 (NSD2) transcriptionally regulates osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in osteoporosis.

Methods: Identification of human BMSCs (hBMSCs) in vitro was measured by flow cytometry.

Advanced Nanocarbons Toward two-Electron Oxygen Electrode Reactions for HO Production and Integrated Energy Conversion.

Hydrogen peroxide (HO) plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable technologies due to its eco-friendly oxidizing capability. The electrochemical two-electron (2e) oxygen reduction reaction and water oxidation reaction present an environmentally green method for HO production. Over the past three years, significant progress is made in the field of carbon-based metal-free electrochemical catalysts (C-MFECs) for low-cost and efficient production of HO (HOEP).

Challenges and Opportunities for Single-Atom Electrocatalysts: From Lab-Scale Research to Potential Industry-Level Applications.

Single-atom electrocatalysts (SACs) are a class of promising materials for driving electrochemical energy conversion reactions due to their intrinsic advantages, including maximum metal utilization, well-defined active structures, and strong interface effects. However, SACs have not reached full commercialization for broad industrial applications. This review summarizes recent research achievements in the design of SACs for crucial electrocatalytic reactions on their active sites, coordination, and substrates, as well as the synthesis methods.

Co in porous ZIF-67-derives intercalating-bridging adsorption of 2-reaction sites for simultaneous 2-electron transfer toward sensitive detection of uric acid.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to detect uric acid (UA), but still very challenging to achieve a low detection limit due to the low inferior conductivity of MOFs. Herein, three different N-doped ZIF-67-derived carbons were synthesized for the first time by one-step co-pyrolysis of 2-methylimidazole with cobalt nitrate (CN), cobalt acetate (CA) or cobalt chloride (CC) toward UA sensing. Afterwards, the cobalt nitrate-derived Co particle (Co/CN) supported by N-doped ZIF-67-derived carbon displays extremely low detection limit and high sensitivity for UA, outperformed all reported MOFs-based UA sensors.

Regulation of fadR on the ROS defense mechanism in Shewanalla oneidensis.

Protein FadR is known as a fatty acid metabolism global regulator that sustains cell envelope integrity by changing the profile of fatty acid. Here, we present its unique participation in the defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bacterium. FadR contributes to defending extracellular ROS by maintaining the permeability of the cell membrane.

Accelerating Oxygen Electrocatalysis Kinetics on Metal-Organic Frameworks via Bond Length Optimization.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been developed as an ideal platform for exploration of the relationship between intrinsic structure and catalytic activity, but the limited catalytic activity and stability has hampered their practical use in water splitting. Herein, we develop a bond length adjustment strategy for optimizing naphthalene-based MOFs that synthesized by acid etching Co-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid-based MOFs (donated as AE-CoNDA) to serve as efficient catalyst for water splitting. AE-CoNDA exhibits a low overpotential of 260 mV to reach 10 mA cm and a small Tafel slope of 62 mV dec with excellent stability over 100 h.