Tunable polarization-drived superior energy storage performance in PbZrO_(3) thin films

Antiferroelectric PbZrO_(3)(AFE PZO)films have great potential to be used as the energy storage dielectrics due to the unique electric field(E)-induced phase transition character.However,the phase transition process always accompanies a polarization(P)hysteresis effect that induces the large energy loss(Wloss)and lowers the breakdown strength(EBDS),leading to the inferior energy storage density(Wrec)as well as low efficiency.In this work,the synergistic strategies by doping smaller ions of Li^(+)–Al^(3+)to substitute Pb2+and lowering the annealing temperature(T)from 700 to 550℃are proposed to change the microstructures and tune the polarization characters of PZO films,except to dramatically improve the energy storage performances.The prepared Pb_((1−x))(Li_(0.5)Al_(0.5))_(x)ZrO_(3)(P_((1−x))(L_(0.5)A_(0.5))_(x)ZO)films exhibit ferroelectric(FE)-like rather than AFE character once the doping content of Li^(+)–Al^(3+)ions reaches 6 mol%,accompanying a significant improvement of W_(rec) of 49.09 J/cm^(3),but the energy storage efficiency(η)is only 47.94%due to the long-correlation of FE domains.Accordingly,the low-temperature annealing is carried out to reduce the crystalline degree and the P loss.P_(0.94)(L_(0.5)A_(0.5))_(0.06)ZO films annealed at 550℃deliver a linear-like polarization behavior rather than FE-like behavior annealed at 700℃,and the lowered remanent polarization(P_(r))as well as improved E_(BDS)(4814 kV/cm)results in the superior Wrec of 58.7 J/cm^(3) and efficiency of 79.16%,simultaneously possessing excellent frequency and temperature stability and good electric fatigue tolerance.

Tunable polarization-drived high energy storage performances in flexible PbZrO_(3)films by growing Al_(2)O_(3)nanolayers

In recent years,PbZrO_(3)(PZO)films have become favorable electric storage materials due to the unique electric field-induced phase transition behavior,but the severe hysteresis effect leads to low energy storage density and efficiency.In this work,inserting Al_(2)O_(3)(AO)insulation nanolayers is proposed to tune the polarization behavior of flexible PZO films,anticipating optimization of energy storage performance.The results show that the thickness of the AO nanolayers has a deep influence on the polarization behavior of the PZO films,and PZO/AO/PZO(PAP)sandwiched films with 8 nm AO interlayer deliver relaxor ferroelectric-like polarization instead of antiferroelectric counterpart.To further utilize the AO nanolayers as top/bottom layers,the linear-like polarization and the highest breakdown strength are achieved in the AO/PZO/AO/PZO/AO(APAPA8)multilayer films,leading to both high discharged energy storage density of 35.2 J/cm^(3) and efficiency of 92.9%,as well as excellent fatigue and bending endurance,good temperatures,and frequency stability.The tunable polarization induced by growing the AO nanolayers makes antiferroelectric PZO films have great potential to be used as energy storage dielectrics.

Taurolidine improved protection against highly pathogenetic avian influenza H5N1 virus lethal-infection in mouse model by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway

Taurolidine(TRD),a derivative of taurine,has anti-bacterial and anti-tumor effects by chemically reacting with cell-walls,endotoxins and exotoxins to inhibit the adhesion of microorganisms.However,its application in antiviral therapy is seldom reported.Here,we reported that TRD significantly inhibited the replication of influenza virus H5N1 in MDCK cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(EC_(50))of 34.45μg/mL.Furthermore,the drug inhibited the amplification of the cytokine storm effect and improved the survival rate of mice lethal challenged with H5N1(protection rate was 86%).Moreover,TRD attenuated virus-induced lung damage and reduced virus titers in mice lungs.Administration of TRD reduced the number of neutrophils and increased the number of lymphocytes in the blood of H5N1 virus-infected mice.Importantly,the drug regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway by inhibiting the separation of NF-κB and IκBa,thereby reducing the expression of inflammatory factors.In conclusion,our findings suggested that TRD could act as a potential anti-influenza drug candidate in further clinical studies.

An updated RBD-Fc fusion vaccine booster increases neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants

Dear Editor,Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which is a novel subset of coronavirus.To this day,the number of confirmed cases is over 500 million with more than 6 million deaths globally.SARSCoV-2 keeps on evolving into different variants,including Alpha,Beta,Gamma,Delta,and Omicron.