Building electrode/electrolyte interphases in aqueous zinc batteries via self-polymerization of electrolyte additives.

Aqueous zinc batteries offer promising prospects for large-scale energy storage, yet their application is limited by undesired side reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Here, we report a universal approach for the building of an electrode/electrolyte interphase (EEI) layer on both the cathode and the anode through the self-polymerization of electrolyte additives. In an exemplified Zn||VO·nHO cell, we reveal that the glutamate additive undergoes radical-initiated electro-polymerization on the cathode and polycondensation on the anode, yielding polyglutamic acid-dominated EEI layers on both electrodes.

Evaluating Impact of Thermo-Oxidative and Ultraviolet Aging on Performance of Hot In-Place Recycled Asphalt Mixtures.

Hot in-place recycling (HIR) is a sustainable pavement rehabilitation method. However, it is susceptible to aging processes that can compromise its mechanical properties and long-term performance. This study investigates the effects of thermo-oxidative (TO) and ultraviolet (UV) aging on HIR mixtures.

Recent advances in two-dimensional materials for drug delivery.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit significant potential in biomedical applications, particularly as drug carriers. Thus, 2D materials, including graphene, black phosphorus, transition metal dichalcogenides, transition metal carbides/nitrides, and hexagonal boron nitride, have been extensively studied. Their large specific surface area, abundant surface active sites, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability make them ideal platforms for drug loading and delivery.

Single-laser excitation synergistic photo- and chemodynamic therapy system based on persistent luminescence nanoparticles.

Photodynamic and photothermal therapy (PDT and PTT) have been widely used in tumor treatment researches owe to its advantages of spatiotemporal controlliability and non-invasiveness. Combining two phototherapy strategies together and/or with chemodynamic therapy (CDT) could achieve better therapeutic efficiency, but the resulting inconvenient dual-laser irradiation and the potential skin toxicity limit its development. Moreover, the lack of tumor-specificity causes side-effects to normal tissues.

High Entropy 2D Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheet Toward Cascaded Nanozyme-Initiated Chemodynamic and Immune Synergistic Therapy.

High-entropy nanomaterials (HEMs) are a hot topic in the fields of energy and catalysis. However, in terms of promising biomedical applications, potential therapeutic studies involving HEMs are unprecedented. Herein, we demonstrated high entropy two-dimensional layered double hydroxide () nanoplatforms with versatile physicochemical advantages that reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) and provide antitumor treatment via cascaded nanoenzyme-initiated chemodynamic and immune synergistic therapy.

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles with high intensity for colorectal cancer surgery navigation and precision resection.

Surgical resection remains the main treatment for malignant tumors. Image-guided surgery aims to remove tumor tissue completely while preserving normal tissue, thereby reducing tumor recurrence rates and injury. However, challenges like tissue autofluorescence, limited probe penetration and low contrast restrict its use.

Recent Progress in Aqueous Zinc-ion Batteries at High Zinc Utilization.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems due to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. As the critical component, Zn metal with high theoretical capacity (5855 mAh cm), low redox potential (-0.76 V vs.

Enhancing Persistent Luminescence through Synergy between Optimal Electron Traps and Dye Sensitization.

Due to their unique afterglow ability, long-wavelength-light rechargeable persistent luminescence (PersL) nanoparticles (PLNPs) have been emerging as an important category of imaging probes. Among them, ZnGaO:0.6% Cr (ZGC) PLNPs have gained widespread recognition due to the ease of synthesis and uniform morphology.

Linearly Interlinked Fe-N-Fe Single Atoms Catalyze High-Rate Sodium-Sulfur Batteries.

Linearly interlinked single atoms offer unprecedented physiochemical properties, but their synthesis for practical applications still poses significant challenges. Herein, linearly interlinked iron single-atom catalysts that are loaded onto interconnected carbon channels as cathodic sulfur hosts for room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries are presented. The interlinked iron single-atom exhibits unique metallic iron bonds that facilitate the transfer of electrons to the sulfur cathode, thereby accelerating the reaction kinetics.

pH-Responsive Plasmon-Enhanced Persistent Luminescent ZnGaO:Cr Nanopomegranate for Tumor Imaging.

Noble metal compositing is a promising method to enhance radiance intensity of persistent luminescent (PersL) nanoparticles (NPs) via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for better tumor imaging, but it rarely unites with the pH-response strategy due to the challenge of realizing rigorous pH-responsive spatial distance control as a "button switch" of SPR. Here, ZnGaO:Cr (ZGC) NPs as "pomegranate seeds" are cladded with sodium alginate to form nanoclusters (ZGC-SA), subsequently coated with carboxyl-rich polymers to acquire "pomegranate rind" (ZSPB) and finally decorated with 10 nm gold NPs (AuNPs) on the surface to obtain nanopomegranate structure (ZSPB@AuNPs). Though without deliberate distance control, there are plenty of "seeds" inside ZSPB@AuNPs fortunately at appropriate positions, which could be plasmon-enhanced by AuNPs.

A Reversible Six-Electron Transfer Cathode for Advanced Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

The electrochemical reactions for the storage of Zn while embracing more electron transfer is a foundation of the future high-energy aqueous zinc batteries. Herein, we report a six-electron transfer electrochemistry of nano-sized TeO /C (n-TeO /C) cathode by facilitating the reversible conversion of TeO ↔Te and Te↔ZnTe. Benefitting from the integrated conductive nanostructure and the proton-rich environment in providing optimized electrochemical kinetics (facilitated Zn uptake and high electronic conductivity) and feasible thermodynamic process (low Gibbs free energy change), the as-prepared n-TeO /C with stable cycling performance exhibits a superior reversible capacity of over 800 mAh g at 0.

Preparation of Bacillus-mimic liposomes destroying TAMs for the treatment of cancer.

The enrichment rate of drugs in tumors seriously affects the effect of tumor treatment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) could penetrate deeply into the tumor and accumulate in hypoxic areas. Therefore, using TAMs to deliver drugs can effectively increase the enrichment rate.

A novel removable template method for the preparation of persistent luminescence nanoparticles with biocompatible size and high intensity.

NIR persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are appealing for bio-imaging because of the properties of extremely low autofluorescence interference and deep tissue penetrating ability. However, current preparation methods can hardly simultaneously endow PLNPs with nano-scale size, long persistent luminescence (PersL) life, and high luminescence intensity, which can hardly meet the requirements of bio-imaging. Herein, we report a new synthetic route to nano-sized chromium-doped zinc gallate (ZGC) a removable MOF template, , one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of an intermediate followed by its calcination at 1100 °C in air.

Boosting Cathode Activity and Anode Stability of Zn-S Batteries in Aqueous Media Through Cosolvent-Catalyst Synergy.

Aqueous Zn-S battery with high energy density represents a promising large-scale energy storage technology, but its application is severely hindered by the poor reversibility of both S cathode and Zn anode. Herein, we develop a "cocktail optimized" electrolyte containing tetraglyme (G4) and water as co-solvents and I as additive. The G4-I synergy could activate efficient polar I /I catalyst couple and shield the cathode from water, thus facilitating the conversion kinetics of S and suppressing the interfacial side reactions.

Artificial interphase engineering to stabilize aqueous zinc metal anodes.

Aqueous Zn-ion system combining the advantages of energy density, intrinsic safety, and environmental benignity, has been regarded as a promising power source for future electronics. Besides cathodes and electrolytes, more attention should be paid to stabilizing zinc metal anodes since the main challenges in current aqueous Zn-ion batteries are still the hydrogen evolution and dendrite growth of the zinc anode. Thereupon, artificial interphase engineering that integrates the highly tunable, selectable, and controllable characteristics becomes one of the most effective ways to stabilize zinc anodes.

Activating Inert Surface Pt Single Atoms via Subsurface Doping for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

The performance of single-atom catalysts strongly depends on their particular coordination environments in the near-surface region. Herein, we discover that engineering extra Pt single atoms in the subsurface (Pt) can significantly enhance the catalytic efficiency of surface Pt single atoms toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We experimentally and theoretically investigated the effects of the Pt single atoms implanted in different positions of the subsurface of Co particles.

Tumor acid microenvironment-activated self-targeting & splitting gold nanoassembly for tumor chemo-radiotherapy.

Low accumulation and penetration of nanomedicines in tumor severely reduce therapeutic efficacy. Herein, a pH-responsive gold nanoassembly is designed to overcome these problems. Polyethylene glycol linked raltitrexed (RTX, target ligand and chemotherapy drug) and two tertiary amine molecules (1-(2-aminoethyl) pyrrolidine and -dibutylethylenediamine) are modified on the surface of the 6-nm gold nanoparticles by lipoic acid to form gold nanoassembly defined as Au-NNP(RTX).

Epitaxial Nickel Ferrocyanide Stabilizes Jahn-Teller Distortions of Manganese Ferrocyanide for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Manganese-based Prussian Blue, Na Mn[Fe(CN) ] (MnPB), is a good candidate for sodium-ion battery cathode materials due to its high capacity. However, it suffers from severe capacity decay during battery cycling due to the destabilizing Jahn-Teller distortions it undergoes as Mn is oxidized to Mn . Herein, the structure is stabilized by a thin epitaxial surface layer of nickel-based Prussian Blue (Na Ni[Fe(CN) ]).

Tunable Electrocatalytic Behavior of Sodiated MoS Active Sites toward Efficient Sulfur Redox Reactions in Room-Temperature Na-S Batteries.

Room-temperature (RT) sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries hold great promise for large-scale energy storage due to the advantages of high energy density, low cost, and resource abundance. The research progress on RT Na-S batteries, however, has been greatly hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the sulfur redox reactions. Herein, an elaborate multifunctional architecture, consisting of N-doped carbon skeletons and tunable MoS sulfiphilic sites, is fabricated via a simple one-pot reaction followed by in situ sulfurization.

General Synthesis of Single-Atom Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reactions and Room-Temperature Na-S Batteries.

Herein, we report a comprehensive strategy to synthesize a full range of single-atom metals on carbon matrix, including V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ge, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, W, Ir, Pt, Pb, and Bi. The extensive applications of various SACs are manifested via their ability to electro-catalyze typical hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and conversion reactions in novel room-temperature sodium sulfur batteries (RT-Na-S). The enhanced performances for these electrochemical reactions arisen from the ability of different single active atoms on local structures to tune their electronic configuration.

Multiregion Janus-Featured Cobalt Phosphide-Cobalt Composite for Highly Reversible Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur Batteries.

Electrode materials with high conductivity, strong chemisorption, and catalysis toward polysulfides are recognized as key factors for metal-sulfur batteries. Nevertheless, the construction of such functional material is a challenge for room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) batteries. Herein, a multiregion Janus-featured CoP-Co structure obtained sequential carbonization-oxidation-phosphidation of heteroseed zeolitic imidazolate frameworks is introduced.