MXene-based hybrid materials for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical H_(2) generation

The conversion of solar energy to produce clean hydrogen fuel through water splitting is an emerging strategy for efficiently storing solar energy in the form of solar fuel.This aligns with the increasing global demand for the development of an ideal energy alternative to fossil fuels that does not emit greenhouse gases.Electrochemical(EC) and photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting technologies have garnered significant attention worldwide for advanced hydrogen solar fuel production in recent decades.To achieve sustainable green H_(2) production,it is essential to create efficient catalyst materials that are low-cost and can replace expensive noble metal-based catalysts.These characteristics make them an ideal catalyst material for the process.Two-dimensional MXenes with M_(n+1)X_(n) structure have been identified as a promising option for EC and PEC water splitting due to their superior hydrophilicity,metal-like conductivity,large surface area,and adjustable surface chemistry.Here,we present a summary of recent advancements in the synthesis and performance enhancement methods for MXene hybrid materials in hydrogen production through EC and PEC water splitting.Furthermore,we examine the challenges and insights associated with the rational design of MXene-based hybrid materials to facilitate efficient water splitting for sustainable solar fuel production.

Obturator hernia-a rare etiology of lateral thigh pain:A case report

BACKGROUND Lateral thigh pain is a common complaint in patients visiting a pain clinic.Herein,we describe the case of a patient with lateral thigh pain caused by an obturator hernia.CASE SUMMARY An 83-year-old woman visited the emergency room with suddenly aggravated right lateral thigh pain.Magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh revealed no abnormal findings in the lateral thigh area.However,an obturator hernia between the pectineus and obturator externus muscles was observed by chance.Retroperitoneal computed tomography revealed a herniated small bowel with an incarceration point at the right obturator canal and a dilated loop of the small bowel upstream.Ultrasonography of the right inguinal region revealed a distended bowel loop in the right pectineus muscle.CONCLUSION Our report provides clinicians with information that an obturator hernia can cause lateral thigh pain.

Significant enhancement of photoresponsive characteristics and mobility of MoS2-based transistors through hybridization with perovskite CsPbBr3 quantum dots

Inorganic perovskite CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) are potential nanoscale photosensitizers;moreover,two-dimensional (2-D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been intensively studied for application in the active layers of optoelectronic devices.In this study,heterostructures of 2D-monolayered MoS2 with zero-dimensional functionalized CsPbBr3 QDs were prepared,and their nanoscale optical characteristics were investigated.The effect of n-type doping on the MoS2 monolayer after hybridization with perovskite CsPbBr3 QDs was observed using laser confocal microscope photoluminescenca (PL) and Raman spectra.Field-effect transistors (FETs) using MoS2 and the MoS2-CsPbBr3 QDs hybrid were also fabricated,and their electrical and photoresponsive characteristics were investigated in terms of the charge transfer effect.For the MoS2-CsPbBr3 QDs-based FETs,the field effect mobility and photoresponsivity upon light irradiation were enhanced by ~ 4 times and a dramatic ~ 17 times,respectively,compared to the FET prepared without the parovskite QDs and without light irradiation.It is noteworthy that the photoresponsivity of the MoS-2-CsPbBr3 QDs-based FETs significantly increased with increasing light power,which is completely contrary to the behavior observed in previous studies of MoS2-based FETs.The increased mobility and significant enhancement of the photoresponsivity can be attributed to the n-type doping effect and efficient energy transfer from CsPbBr3 QDs to MoS2.The results indicate that the optoelectronic characteristics of MoS2-based FETs can be significantly improved through hybridization with photosensitive parovskite CsPbBr3 QDs.

Temporal and spatial differentiation in microhabitat use: Implications for reproductive isolation and ecological niche specification

Niche differentiation enables ecologically similar species to coexist by lessening competition over food and/or shelters and may be critical for reproductive isolation between closely related species in close proximity.Be­cause no extra traits need to evolve,spatial and temporal differentiation may readily take place to complement other isolating mechanisms.Two closely related treefrog species occur together in Korea:the endangered Hyla suweonensis and the widespread Hyla japonica.Advertisement calls are differentiated,but it is unclear whether call difference is sufficient for reproductive isolation.We tracked individuals of both species to study fine-scale differentiation in microhabitat use in the diel cycle of the breeding season using a harmonic direction finder.tracking male movement patterns of both species revealed spatial and temporal differentiation in microhabitat use for calling and resting during the breeding season.Males of both H.suweonensis and H.japonica occurred in all 5 microhabitats identified in this study:rice paddy,ground,buried,grass and bush.Both treefrog species showed general similarities in calling from rice paddies and resting in grass and bush.However,H.suweonensis moved into rice paddies and produced advertisement calls 3 h earlier than H.japonica.These differences like­ly minimize contact between the species and provide an additional isolating mechanism.In addition,the activity of H.suweonensis may be contributing to the decline of this species,as resting in grass would increase dangers from predatory birds and habitat disturbance.