Kinetic-Thermodynamic Promotion Engineering toward High-Density Hierarchical and Zn-Doping Activity-Enhancing ZnNiO@CF for High-Capacity Desalination

Despite the promising potential of transition metal oxides(TMOs)as capacitive deionization(CDI)electrodes,the actual capacity of TMOs electrodes for sodium storage is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity,posing a major obstacle.Herein,we prepared the kinetically favorable Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O electrode in situ growth on carbon felt(Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF)through constraining the rate of OH^(−)generation in the hydrothermal method.Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF exhibited a high-density hierarchical nanosheet structure with three-dimensional open pores,benefitting the ion transport/electron transfer.And tuning the moderate amount of redox-inert Zn-doping can enhance surface electroactive sites,actual activity of redox-active Ni species,and lower adsorption energy,promoting the adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic of the Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF.Benefitting from the kinetic-thermodynamic facilitation mechanism,Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF achieved ultrahigh desalination capacity(128.9 mgNaCl g^(-1)),ultra-low energy consumption(0.164 kW h kgNaCl^(-1)),high salt removal rate(1.21 mgNaCl g^(-1) min^(-1)),and good cyclability.The thermodynamic facilitation and Na^(+)intercalation mechanism of Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF are identified by the density functional theory calculations and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring,respectively.This research provides new insights into controlling electrochemically favorable morphology and demonstrates that Zn-doping,which is redox-inert,is essential for enhancing the electrochemical performance of CDI electrodes.

Silk Fibroin and κ-Carrageenan Composite Films Containing Zinc-doped Bioactive Glass for Wound Closure

Natural biopolymers have excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability;they can be used as biomedical materials for wound healing.In this work,the Silk Fibroin(SF)andκ-carrageenan(κ-Car)composite films containing Zinc-doped Bioactive Glass(ZBG)have been fabricated for wound closure applications.The as-fabricated SF-κ-Car/ZBG composite films have excellent stretchability and foldability,which facilitates them for application as wound dressing.They also exhibit excellent hydrophilicity and water-absorption capacity,which can effectively absorb wound exudate and keep the wound sites under moist state.In addition,the composite films have a good antibacterial effect against S.aureus and E.coli in vitro,which can reduce the risk of wound infection.Their excellent cell compatibility is confirmed by the CCK-8 assay.The strong vascular proliferation and wound regeneration are found in SF-κ-Car/ZBG composite films on a mouse skin wound model.The SF-κCar/ZBG composite films can inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors,and stimulate the production of vascular factors and collagen fibers.The results derived from the performed investigations revealed that the SF-κ-Car/ZBG composite films are a promising candidate dressing for wound healing applications.

Mitochondria-targeting multi-metallic ZnCuO nanoparticles and IR780 for efficient photodynamic and photothermal cancer treatments

Chemo-resistance has pushed cancer treatment to the boundary of failure.This challenge has encouraged scientists to look for nanotechnological solutions.In this study,we have taken this goal one step further without depending on chemotherapy.Specifically,hybrid metal,polymer,and lipid nanoparticles that formed an IR780-a photosensitizer and Zinc copper oxide incorporated nanoparticle(ZCNP)nanoparticles were utilized in a combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy.Through the mediation of triphenylphosphonium(TPP)as a mitochondria-targeting moiety,TPP-conjugated polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles containing ZCNP/IR-780 significantly enhanced cellular uptake by cancer cells and selectively targeted the mitochondria,which improved the induction of apoptosis.In tumor-bearing mice,the nanoparticles were detected predominantly in tumors rather than in the other principle organs,which did not show notable signs of toxicity.Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated a great improvement in photothermal and photodynamic efficacy in combination when compared to either one individually,and a significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed with the combined therapies.In summary,this study describes an effective mitochondria-targeting nanocarrier for the treatment of cancer using combined photothermal and photodynamic therapies.