Comprehensive Passivation of Surface and Bulk Defects in Perovskite for High Efficiency Carbon-Based CsPbI3 Solar Cells.

Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have the advantages of high stability and low cost, but their mean efficiency has become an obstacle to commercialization. Defects, which are widely distributed on the surface and bulk of films, are an important factor in C-PSCs for low efficiency. The conventional post-treatment method through forming a low-dimensional (LD) perovskite layer usually fails in manipulating the bulk defects.

A Co-Blended and Compounded Photosensitive Resin with Improved Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability for Nail Polish Application.

UV-curable bio-based resins are widely used in the UV curing field. However, the current UV-curable bio-based resins for the application of nail polish still have the problems of too high viscosity and insufficiently excellent mechanical properties. In this study, a soybean oil-based acrylate photosensitive resin is synthesized by using epoxidized soybean oil as a raw material and reacting it with acrylic acid.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Ring Opening of Oxabenzonorbornadienes via Domino Aminopalladation of Alkynylanilines.

We report herein a robust enantioselective ring opening coupling of oxabenzonorbornadienes via Pd(II)-catalyzed domino cyclization of alkynylanilines, which features the formation of three covalent bonds and two contiguous stereocenters with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity and a broad substrate scope. The good functional group tolerance of this domino desymmetrization strategy enables efficient late-stage transformation of natural product-derived alkynylanilines. The resulting indolated dihydronaphthols could serve as a valuable platform to streamline the diversity-oriented synthesis of other valuable enantioenriched tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives.

Strong and tough bioplastics prepared by in-situ polymerization of ε-caprolactone-oligomers in lignocellulosic nanofiber network.

Cellulose biocomposites have emerged as attractive alternatives to fossil-based plastics because of their excellent renewability and biodegradability; however, their water resistance and mechanical properties remain challenging. Herein, a cellulose- containing bioplastic with high a reinforcement content, water stability, and toughness is reported. Lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) were prepared by pretreating eucalyptus wood powder with a deep eutectic solvent and high-pressure homogenization.

-CoFeO/TiCT/BNC Hybrid Aerogels with Modulation Impedance Matching for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption and Health Monitoring.

Given the limitations of single-function electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials (EWAMs) in meeting the evolving demands of complex usage scenarios, there is a growing need for structure-function integrated composites that offer a combination of microwave absorption, human monitoring, and thermal insulation. This study successfully synthesized two-dimensional (2D) TiCT MXene via selective etching of Al from the TiAlC MAX phase. By introducing MXene into a composite of hydroxylated CoFeO nanoparticles (-CFO NPs) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) to modulate the electromagnetic performance of the EWAMs.

Unlocking Photosynthetic Potential: Harnessing Derived Carbon Dots as Nanofertilizers for Enhanced Plant Growth.

The synthesis of nanomaterials from renewable resources has emerged as an environmentally friendly alternative. This approach helps to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural production, further reducing the potential harm to the ecosystem and effectively reducing the burden on the environment. In this work, we synthesized derived carbon dots (CDs) using the microwave hydrothermal method (RR-CDs) and the electrolytic oxidation method (GRR-CDs), and the results showed that RR-CDs had a wider ultraviolet absorption range and emitted blue fluorescence.

Ultra-strong and solvent-resistant lignin-based non-isocyanate polyurethane adhesives: One-pot strategy toward versatile bonding.

Isocyanate-free polyurethane adhesives have attracted considerable attention as a promising environmentally friendly alternative. However, their progress has been hindered by insufficient bonding performance and weak solvent resistance, as well as the laborious synthesis processes involved. Herein, we successfully synthesized a high-performance lignin-based non-isocyanate adhesives (LNIPUs-G) through a one-pot strategy that combines the polycondensation of carbonate groups with polyether amines and aldehyde-amine chemistry.

Crown Ether-Modified 1D/3D Heterojunction for Efficient and Stable Carbon-Based CsPbI Perovskite Solar Cells.

Interface engineering strategies passivate defects on the polycrystalline perovskite film surface and improve the stability of corresponding perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, a single interface engineering step can result in restricted benefits on various occasions. Therefore, an appropriate additional modification step can be necessary to synergistically improve the device performance.

Self-Healing COCu-Tac Hydrogel Enhances iNSCs Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury by Promoting Mitophagy via the FKBP52/AKT Pathway.

In the realm of neural regeneration post-spinal cord injury, hydrogel scaffolds carrying induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) have demonstrated significant potential. However, challenges such as graft rejection and dysfunction caused by mitochondrial damage persist after transplantation, presenting formidable barriers. Tacrolimus, known for its dual role as an immunosuppressant and promoter of neural regeneration, holds the potential for enhancing iNSC transplantation.

Double enhancement of protonation and conjugation in donor-imine-donor covalent organic frameworks for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as highly promising platforms for photocatalytic water splitting. However, exploring the structure-activity relationships in different COF systems remains challenging. In this study, three donor-imine-donor (D-I-D) COFs as relatively pure model materials were carefully selected to investigate the effect of protonation and conjugation on the mechanism of photocatalytic H evolution.

Ligand-Responsive Artificial Protein-Protein Communication for Field-Deployable Cell-Free Biosensing.

Natural protein-protein communications, such as those between transcription factors (TFs) and RNA polymerases/ribosomes, underpin cell-free biosensing systems operating on the transcription/translation (TXTL) paradigm. However, their deployment in field analysis is hampered by the delayed response (hour-level) and the complex composition of in vitro TXTL systems. For this purpose, we present a de novo-designed ligand-responsive artificial protein-protein communication (LIRAC) by redefining the connection between TFs and non-interacting CRISPR/Cas enzymes.

2D/2D Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks/Covalent Organic Frameworks S-Scheme Heterojunctions for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) demonstrate significant potential for application in photocatalysis. However, the low efficiency of electron-hole separation and limited stability inhibit their practical utilization in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting. Herein, the novel dual-pyrene-base supramolecular HOF/COF 2D/2D S-scheme heterojunction between HOF-HTBAPy (Py-HOF, HTBAPy represents the 1,3,6,8-tetrakis (p-benzoic acid) pyrene) and Py-COF was successfully established using a rapid self-assembly solution dispersion method.

High-Strength, Thermally Stable, and Processable Wood Fiber/Polyamide Composites for Engineering Structural Components.

Hybrid wood fiber/plastic composites offer a high-value-added utilization for agroforestry waste, which also providing a promising solution for reducing white pollution. However, the interface incompatibility between natural wood fibers and polymers significantly impairs the mechanical properties of the composites. Herein, a straightforward procedure is proposed to solve this problem, involving the removal of low-thermal-stability hemicellulose from wood fibers by hydrothermal pretreatment, followed by compositing with polyamide to produce hydrothermally treated wood fiber/polyamide composites (HWPACs).

Carbon dots based cascading nanozymes mitigate phytotoxicity in lettuces under imidacloprid stress.

Improper pesticide use induces oxidative stress and disrupts detoxification systems in plants. We synthesized CDs with cascading nanozyme activities to mitigate phytotoxicity in lettuces under imidacloprid (IMI) stress. CDs exhibit superoxide dismutase-like (SOD-like) and peroxidase-like (POD-like) activities.

Copper(II) aromatic heterocyclic complexes of Gatifloxacin with multi-targeting capabilities for antibacterial therapy and combating antibiotic resistance.

In recent years, the pace of novel antibiotic development has been relatively slow, intensifying the urgency of the antibiotic resistance issue. Consequently, scientists have turned their attention to enhancing antibiotic activity by coordinating antibiotics with metal elements. This study designs and synthesizes three novel antibacterial copper complexes based on Gatifloxacin.

Fungal and enzymatic pretreatments of bamboo lignocellulose towards high-strength biocomposites: Biological macromolecule/enzyme interaction and bonding enhancement.

An energy-intensive and chemical-consuming pretreatment of bamboo is often required to develop its high-performance composites. This study is to evaluate a fungal and enzymatic pretreatment as a sustainable surface modification approach towards high-strength bamboo biocomposites based on D. sinicus.

Distance-Based Fluorescent Immunosensor for Point-of-Care Test of Illegal Additives through the Gas-Producing Nanozyme.

The colorimetric point-of-care test (POCT) offers a rapid and efficient method for detecting specific targets in real samples. However, traditional colorimetric methods often rely on complex signal amplification techniques or electronic devices to enhance detection sensitivity, which can inadvertently increase both cost and time, thus contradicting the fundamental goals of visual detection methods. Here, we presented a distance-based fluorescent immunosensor that utilized a gas-producing nanozyme for continuous gas production reaction as a signal.

Enhancement and Compatibilization of Waste-Sourced Biocomposites Through Elastomer Blending and Matrix Grafting Modification.

A novel elastomer-modified multicomponent, multiphase waste-sourced biocomposites, was prepared for converting waste biomass and plastic into value-added products. The effects of blending elastomer-olefin block copolymer (OBC) and maleic anhydride (MAH), and divinylbenzene (DVB) co-grafting of recycled polypropylene (rPP) matrix on the adhesion interface, structure, and properties of high wood flour-filled (60 wt.%) composites were thoroughly investigated.

Mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of HDPE/barley straw composites incorporating waste rubber.

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites filled with barley straw and varying amounts of waste rubber. The research aims to develop sustainable materials that repurpose agricultural and industrial waste while addressing resource scarcity and waste management challenges. Composites were prepared using a twin-rotor mixer and hydraulic press, with waste rubber content varying from 0 to 20 wt%.

Enhancing electrochemical reductive defluorination of PFASs using ZIF-67 modified cathode: Mechanistic insights and performance optimization.

The effectiveness of electrochemical reductive defluorination is impeded by the low environmental concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and the robust nature of C - F bonds. In this work, we investigate the zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) as a promising catalyst for PFASs remediation. We show that ZIF-67 hold promise for simultaneous adsorption and reductive defluorination of 2-(trifluoromethyl) acrylic acid (TFMAA).

GABA-Decorated Nanocarrier for Smart Delivery of Fludioxonil for Targeted Control of Banana Wilt Disease.

Developing a targeted nanopesticide to control the vascular disease of banana in agriculture is crucial to improve pesticide utilization. In this study, according to the degree of functionalization, three γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-decorated nanocarriers (PSI-GABA, PSI-GABA, and PSI-GABA) were constructed for smart delivery of nonsystemic fungicide in banana phloem tissues. Fludioxonil (Flu) was loaded in nanocarriers to form Flu@PSI-GABA nanoparticles with a core/shell structure for control of banana wilt disease.

Towards novel small-molecule inhibitors blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway: From explainable machine learning models to molecular dynamics simulation.

Molecular design of small-molecule inhibitors targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway has been recognized as an active research area by the clinical success of cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, using machine learning (ML) methods to accelerate drug design have been confirmed. However, the black box character of ML methods makes model interpretation and ligands optimization obscured.