Selective adsorption-involved formation of NMC532/PANI microparticles with high ageing resistance and improved electrochemical performance

Surface modification offers an alternative strategy to improve both ageing resistance and electrochemical performance of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.From the viewpoint of real application,surface modification of the cathode materials should be designed with scientificity,effectiveness,low cost,less Li+leaching,and remained tap density.In this contribution,a selective adsorption-involved in-situ growth of polyaniline(PANI)nanoparticles on LiNi_(0.5)Mn_(0.3)Co_(0.2)O_(2)(NMC532)has been designed through a room-temperature-and-pressure chemical vapor deposition technique.The selective growth of PANTI on NMC532 is based on theoretical computation results that multivalent Ni,Mn,and Co are capable of specifically conjugating and activating aniline molecules and,hence,initiating in-situ oxidation polymerization.With only trace amount of aniline monomer,the resulting PANI nanoparticles-inlaid NMC532 microparticles can endure four-month ageing in ambient atmosphere and exhibit improved electrochemical performance at both room temperature and 55℃ compared with pristine NMC532.The improved electrochemical performance of NMC532/PANI is attributed to the enhanced structural stability of NMC532 and inhibited side reactions related to Li_(2)CO_(3) formation,PVDF degradation,electrolyte decomposition,and transition-metal dissolution,owing to PANI modification.

面向分子/离子选择性分离的仿生固态一维纳米通道

生物通道蛋白的重要功能是高速率地传输特定的分子或离子,在维持细胞渗透压和细胞功能等方面扮演了重要角色.例如,水通道蛋白(aquaporins,AQPs)能够促进水分子穿透细胞膜,同时排除质子,在维持细胞水平衡和细胞膜的电化学势中具有重要作用.受生物通道蛋白的启发,研究人员开发了各种具有分子/离子选择性传输能力的人工纳米通道,探究了分子/离子在通道内部的选择性传输机制,并探索了通道在过滤、生物传感和能量转换领域中的应用.本文主要总结了仿生固态一维纳米通道的分子/离子选择性传输机制.对固态一维纳米通道的制备方法和调控手段进行了深入总结,探讨了固态一维纳米通道在分子/离子选择性分离领域的应用,重点关注它们在气体分离和海水淡化领域的应用进展.最后,总结了固态一维纳米通道在选择性分离领域面临的挑战以及未来的发展机遇.本文对于固态纳米通道的设计及其选择性分离应用领域具有一定的指导意义.

One-pot synthesis of interconnected Pt95Co5 nanowires with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for methanol oxidation reaction

Shape- and composition-controlled synthesis of platinum-based nanocrystals （NCs） is critical for the development of electrocatalysts that have high activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction （MOR） in direct methanol fuel cells （DMFCs）. We report one-pot surfactant-free synthesis of interconnected PtgsCo5 nanowires （NWs） via an oriented attachment process, which has distinct advantages over conventional template- and surfactant-assisted approaches. Enhanced electrochemical activities toward MOR were confirmed through comparison with pure Pt NWs and commercial Pt/C catalyst. Pt95Co5 NWs demonstrated the highest current density during the long-term stability test. These results reveal that the introduction of the 3d-transition metal Co can reduce the catalyst cost and contribute to the improvement of electrochemical performance. The integrated design of interconnected NW structure, bimetallic composition, and clean surfaces in the present system may open a new way to the development of excellent electrocatalysts in DMFCs.

Photocrosslinking silver nanoparticles–aloe vera–silk fibroin composite hydrogel for treatment of full-thickness cutaneous wounds

Damage to the skin causes physiological and functional issues.The most effective treatment approach is the use of wound dressings.Silk fibroin(SF)is a promising candidate biomaterial for regulating wound healing;however,its antibacterial properties and biological activity must be further improved.In this study,a photocrosslinking hydrogel was developed to treat full-thickness cutaneous wounds.The composite hydrogel(Ag-AV-SF hydrogel)was prepared by introducing the silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)and aloe vera(AV)as the modifiers.In vitro study exhibited great antibacterial ability,biocompatibility and cell-proliferation and-migration-promoting capacities.It also showed the pH-response releasing properties which release more AgNPs in a simulated chronic infection environment.The healing effect evaluation in vivo showed the healing-promoting ability of the Ag-AV-SF hydrogel was stronger than the single-modifiers groups,and the healing rate of it reached 97.02%on Day 21,higher than the commercial wound dressing,silver sulfadiazine(SS)cream on sale.Additionally,the histological and protein expression results showed that the Ag-AV-SF hydrogel has a greater effect on the pro-healing regenerative phenotype with M2 macrophages at the early stage,reconstructing the blood vessels networks and inhibiting the formation of scars.In summary,the Ag-AV-SF hydrogel developed in this study had good physical properties,overwhelming antibacterial properties,satisfactory biocompatibility and significantly promoting effect on cell proliferation,migration and wound healing.Overall,our results suggest that the Ag-AV-SF hydrogel we developed has great potential for improving the wound healing in clinical treatment.

Genomic variation,origin tracing,and vaccine development of SARS-CoV-2:A systematic review

COVID-19 has spread globally to over 200 countries with more than 40 million confirmed cases and one million deaths as of November 1,2020.The SARS-CoV-2 virus,leading to COVID-19,shows extremely high rates of infectivity and replication,and can result in pneumonia,acute respiratory distress,or even mortality.SARS-CoV-2 has been found to continue to rapidly evolve,with several genomic variants emerging in different regions throughout the world.In addition,despite intensive study of the spike protein,its origin,and molecular mechanisms in mediating host invasion are still only partially resolved.Finally,the repertoire of drugs for COVID-19 treatment is still limited,with several candidates still under clinical trial and no effective therapeutic yet reported.Although vaccines based on either DNA/mRNA or protein have been deployed,their efficacy against emerging variants requires ongoing study,with multivalent vaccines supplanting the first-generation vaccines due to their low efficacy against new strains.Here,we provide a systematic review of studies on the epidemiology,immunological pathogenesis,molecular mechanisms,and structural biology,as well as approaches for drug or vaccine development for SARSCoV-2.

Male inheritance of X-linked liver glycogenosis from an undiagnosed maternal grandfather in a Chinese pedigree:a report of two cases

Hepatic phosphorylase kinase(PhK)plays an important role in glycogen metabolism by activating phosphorylase.Patients with PhK deficiency may get glycogen storage disease(GSD)type-IXa,an X-linked liver glycogenosis disease.To inform genetic counseling in a family with two affected GSD brothers,we performed a genetic analysis.The GSD in the older brother was confirmed by histological examination of a liver biopsy,which showed glycogen accumulation in liver cells.A liver biopsy was not available from the younger brother.The two patients and their parents were analyzed by whole exome sequencing.A pathogenic mutation in a gene encoding a regulatory subunit of PhK,PHKA2 located on chromosome Xp22,was identified as c.G3373A(p.E1125K)and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.The proband’s maternal grandparents and the brothers and sisters of the proband’s maternal grandfather were physically examined and genetically tested by Sanger sequencing.Pedigree analysis showed that the mother was a carrier and that the two patients inherited the mutation from their undiagnosed maternal grandfather.Moreover,among the maternal grandfather and four granduncles,three of them possessed the same mutation and four suffered from fatty liver.This is the first report of this mutation causing X-linked liver glycogenosis in a Chinese family and shows that GSD IXa is a mild form of glycogenosis in terms of clinical symptoms,indicating that GSD may be undiagnosed or underestimated.Nevertheless,to provide appropriate intervention and genetic counseling,early identification of the genetic cause is imperative.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of First Affiliated Hospital,Hunan University of Chinese Medicine(approval No.HN-LL-ZFKY-2018-001-01)on January 12,2018.