Fabrication of TiO_2(B)/anatase heterophase junctions in nanowires via a surface-preferred phase transformation process for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Heterojunction fabrication is one of the most effective strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor photocatalysts. Here, TiO2（B）/anatase nanowires with interfacial heterostructures were prepared through a three-step synthesis method, including hydrothermal treatment, H＋ exchange, and annealing. The phase structures of the nanowires in the bulk and on the surface during the annealing process were monitored by XRD and UV-Raman spectroscopy, respectively. SEM and TEM results indicate that the TiO2（B） nanowires partially collapse and transform into anatase during the annealing process and the heterophase junction structure is formed simultaneously. On the basis of the phase structure together with morphology data, a phase-transformation mechanism was proposed. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by hydrogen production and pollutant-degradation assays. The optimized structure of the photocatalyst contains 24% TiO2（B） in the bulk and 100% anatase on the surface. The charge-carrier behavior during the photocatalytic process was investigated by photocurrent, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS）, and photoluminescence（PL） spectroscopy, which revealed that the heterophase-junction structure in the bulk was responsible for the highly efficient charge separation and transportation, etc.; the anatase on the surface took control of the high surface-reaction activity.

Seasonal climate effect on organ proportion and morbidity in 'Bi-zheng' rats with kidney deficiency syndrome

Objective:Using the traditional Chinese medicine theory of 'Bi-zheng' caused by kidney deficiency,combined with modern medical science and technology,this study assessed the relationships among organ weight,cytokines,pathological manifestations,and traditional Chinese medicine kidney deficiency syndrome in rats with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal,collagen-induced arthritis (ClA) model,and kidney deficiency arthralgia model groups.Rats in the kidney deficiency arthritis group underwent removal of the testis or ovary and administration of an inflammatory agent.Rats in the control group solely received an inflammatory agent.Type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis was induced within 1 week of the winter solstice or summer solstice,in order to sample organs and observe the mental state,posture,fur color,activity level,excrement,body weight,and organ weight of the rats.Results:Compared with the normal and CIA model groups,the kidney deficiency arthralgia model group showed fast and acute onset,prominent symptoms,most obvious potential joint swelling,worst general state,and least amount of weight gain.Compared with the normal group,the proportion of thymus,spleen,and adrenal glands of model rats were larger in winter,with varying degrees of hyperplasia and hypertrophy;these differences were statistically significant (P <.05).In summer,model coefficients were greater than normal in the spleen,while the thymus and adrenal gland coefficients were significantly different between the normal and kidney deficiency arthralgia groups.In summer,the thymus in the kidney deficiency arthralgia group exhibited hypertrophy and hyperplasia,whereas the thymus in the control group did not;this difference was statistically significant (P =.015).Thymus and adrenal gland proportions exhibited seasonal differences in CIA model rats;these were statistically significant (P <.05),with high performance in winter and low performance in summer.The spleen proportion exhibited a trend of high performance in winter and low performance in summer in the kidney deficiency arthralgia model rats.Conclusion:Kidney deficiency is an internal condition linked with the occurrence of arthralgia,and seasonal factors exhibit an impact on the morbidity of arthritis in rats.

Bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics for brain-like computing

The human brain performs computations via a highly interconnected network of neurons.Taking inspiration from the information delivery and processing mechanism of the human brain in central nervous systems,bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics has been proposed and gradually engineered to overcome the limitations of the conventional electron-based von Neumann architecture,which shows the promising potential to enable efficient brain-like computing.Anomalous and tunable nanofluidic ion transport behaviors and spatial confinement show promising controllability of charge carriers,and a wide range of structural and chemical modification paves new ways for realizing brain-like functions.Herein,a comprehensive framework of mechanisms and design strategy is summarized to enable the rational design of nanofluidic systems and facilitate the further development of bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics.This review provides recent advances and prospects of the bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics,including ion-based brain computing,comprehension of intrinsic mechanisms,design of artificial nanochannels,and the latest artificial neuromorphic functions devices.Furthermore,the challenges and opportunities of bioinspired nanofluidic iontronics in the pioneering and interdisciplinary research fields are proposed,including brain–computer interfaces and artificial neurons.

Dynamic asymmetric mechanical responsive carbon nanotube fiber for ionic logic gate

Inspired by biological ion channels,numerous artificial asymmetric ion channels have been synthesized to facilitate the fabrication of ionic circuits.Nevertheless,the creation of biomimetic asymmetric ion channels necessitates expensive scientific apparatus and intricate material processing procedures,which constrains its advancement within the realm of ionic devices.In this study,we have devised dynamic asymmetric ion channels with mechanical responsiveness by combining polymers of varying elastic modulus along the longitudinal axis of carbon nanotube fiber(CNTF).The ion rectification can be modulated via the disparate response of CNTF-based ion channels to mechanical stress.We have effectively employed these asymmetric ion channels with mechanical sensitivity in the design of a logic gate device,achieving logic operations such as“AND”and“OR”.The conception of these dynamic asymmetric ion channels with mechanical sensitivity offers a straightforward,cost-effective,and versatile approach for generating ion channels,highlighting their potential application in intricate,highly integrated ionic circuits.