The ever‐growing portable electronics and electric vehicle draws the attention of scaling up of energy storage systems with high areal‐capacity. The concept of thick electrode designs has been used ...to improve the active mass loading toward achieving high overall energy density. However, the poor rate capabilities of electrode material owing to increasing electrode thickness significantly affect the rapid transportation of ionic and electron diffusion kinetics. Herein, a new concept named “sub‐thick electrodes” is successfully introduced to mitigate the Li‐ion storage performance of electrodes. This is achieved by using commercial nickel foam (NF) to develop a monolithic 3D with rich in situ heterogeneous interfaces anode (Cu3P‐Ni2P‐NiO, denoted NF‐CNNOP) to reinforce the adhesive force of the active materials on NF as well as contribute additional capacity to the electrode. The as‐prepared NF‐CNNOP electrode displays high reversible and rate areal capacities of 6.81 and 1.50 mAh cm−2 at 0.40 and 6.0 mA cm−2, respectively. The enhanced Li‐ion storage capability is attributed to the in situ interfacial engineering within the NiO, Ni2P, and Cu3P and the 3D consecutive electron conductive network. In addition, cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge curves, and symmetric cell electrochemical impedance spectroscopy consistently reveal improved pseudocapacitance with enhanced transports kinetics in this sub‐thick electrodes.
A new concept termed “sub‐thick electrode” is introduced to address the poor transport kinetics by reinforcing the adhesive force of active materials on NF current collector as well as contributing extra capacity to the electrode. The optimized electrode displayed high initial and reversible areal capacity of 10.31 and 7.46 mAh cm−2 at 0.4 mA cm−2 due to enhanced transport kinetics.
Statins are inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, and have been clinically used to treat cardiovascular disease. However, a paradoxical increase of ...reductase protein following statin treatment may attenuate the effect and increase the side effects. Here we present a previously unexplored strategy to alleviate statin-induced reductase accumulation by inducing its degradation. Inspired by the observations that cholesterol intermediates trigger reductase degradation, we identify a potent degrader, namely Cmpd 81, through structure-activity relationship analysis of sterol analogs. Cmpd 81 stimulates ubiquitination and degradation of reductase in an Insig-dependent manner, thus dramatically reducing protein accumulation induced by various statins. Cmpd 81 can act alone or synergistically with statin to lower cholesterol and reduce atherosclerotic plaques in mice. Collectively, our work suggests that inducing reductase degradation by Cmpd 81 or similar chemicals alone or in combination with statin therapy can be a promising strategy for treating cardiovascular disease.
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•Core-double-shell architecture was designed as efficient HER and OER electrocatalysts.•Cobalt phosphide and NiFe-LDH were used as representative HER and OER catalysts.•The ...architecture consist of core–shell porous carbon fiber (CFC@EC) and TMCs.•Lattice distortions were created in the TMCs by CFC@EC, facilitating the exposure of active sites.•Enhanced performance is due to the strong electronic interaction between the hybrids.
Different transition metal compounds (TMCs) nanostructures grown on conductive substrates have been considered as promising self-supportive non-precious electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting, but extremely challenging to develop facile and generalized approaches for rational design and enhancing their catalytic properties. Herein, we develop a general strategy to boost the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) performance of TMCs by designing monolith electrocatalyst architectures. The monoliths comprises of TMCs integrated on carbon fiber cloth core–shell (CFC@EC) structure. The CFC@EC allows the creation of numerous lattice distortions and strong electronic interactions between CFC@EC and metal cations of the TMCs. Such lattice distortions exposes more active sites in CFC@EC/TMCs compared to the pristine CFC coated TMCs (CFC/TMC). Cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanowires and NiFe-LDH coated on CFC@EC exhibits the optimized HER and OER activities. Overall water splitting device assembled based on the optimized HER and OER electrodes also achieve low overall potential of 1.53 V at 10 mA cm−2. More importantly, we further experimentally verify that the integration of Ni3N and Ni3S2, CoS2, NiCo-LDH, NiMn-LDH with CFC@EC also reveal similar improved performance, providing a general and valuable strategy into the design of other self-supporting electrocatalysts for water splitting and beyond.
The challenge in the artificial CO2 reduction to fuel is achieving high selective electrocatalysts. Here, a highly selective Cu2O/CuO heterostructure electrocatalyst is developed for CO2 ...electroreduction. The Cu2O/CuO nanowires modified by Ni nanoparticles exhibit superior catalytic performance with high faradic efficiency (95% for CO). Theoretical and experimental analyses show that the hybridization of Cu2O/CuO nanowires and Ni nanoparticles can not only adjust the d‐band center of electrocatalysts to enhance the intrinsic catalytic activity but also improve the adsorption of COOH* intermediates and suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction to promote the CO conversion efficiency during CO2 reduction reaction. An in situ Raman spectroscopic study further confirms the existence of COOH* species and the engineering intermediates adsorption. This work offers new insights for facile designing of nonprecious transition metal compound heterostructure for CO2 reduction reaction through adjusting the reaction pathway.
A highly selective Cu2O/CuO heterostructure electrocatalyst is developed for CO2 electroreduction, which exhibits faradic efficiency (95% for CO). The hybridization of Cu2O/CuO nanowires and Ni nanoparticles could improve the adsorption of COOH* intermediates to promote the CO conversion efficiency. An in situ Raman spectroscopic study further confirms the existence of COOH* species and the engineering intermediates adsorption.
Photoelectrochemical water splitting based on nanostructured bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) can be a promising strategy to produce low‐cost and green H2 to replace fossil fuels and realize carbon ...neutrality. Herein, a simple chemical way to realize in situ carbon doping into BiVO4 crystalline structure is designed and obtained carbon‐doped BiVO4, namely C‐BiVO4, can improve the electronic conductivity of BiVO4. In addition, the introduction of the synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as a co‐catalyst, immobilizes CQDs onto the C‐BiVO4 nanosheet and acquires the optimized C‐BiVO4/CQDs heterogeneous structure, which not only boosts light absorption, but also enhances the separation and transfer of the photo‐generated charges. Stemming from the dual carbon actions, the as‐prepared C‐BiVO4/CQDs photoanode exhibits an excellent photocurrent density of 4.83 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the RHE without the use of any hole scavengers. To assure the practical application of the sensitive photocatalyst, a polyaniline layer is electroplated onto the C‐BiVO4/CQDs catalyst as a conducting, electroactive, and protective layer to sustain a remarkable long‐term photocurrent density of 2.75 mA cm−2 for 9 hours. This work suggests that the proposed low‐cost, environmentally friendly dual carbon actions can modify photocatalyst and achieve green production of H2.
The authors demonstrate that nonmetallic carbon materials can significantly improve the photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4). The resulting C‐doped BiVO4/carbon quantum dots photoanode exhibits excellent photocurrent density of 4.83 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus the RHE without any hole scavenger.
•Coordinated calcium transport processes produce Ca2+ signatures in plant cells.•Magnesium transporters acquire and distribute Mg2+ throughout the plant.•CBL-CIPK signaling networks link calcium and ...magnesium homeostasis together.
Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) are the most abundant divalent cations in plants. As a nutrient and a signaling ion, Ca2+ levels in the cell are tightly controlled by an array of channels and carriers that provide mechanistic basis for Ca2+ homeostasis and the generation of Ca2+ signals. Although a family of CorA-type Mg2+ transporters plays a key role in controlling Mg2+ homeostasis in plants, more components are yet to be identified. Ca2+ and Mg2+ appear to have antagonistic interactions in plant cells, and therefore plants depend on a homeostatic balance between Ca2+ and Mg2+ for optimal growth and development. Maintenance of such a balance in response to changing nutrient status in the soil emerges as a critical feature of plant mineral nutrition. Studies have uncovered signaling mechanisms that perceive nutrient status as a signal and regulate transport activities as adaptive responses. This ‘nutrient sensing’ network is exemplified by the Ca2+-dependent CBL (calcineurin B-like)-CIPK (CBL-interacting protein kinase) pathway that serves as a major link between environmental nutrient status and transport activities. In this review, we analyze the recent literature on Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport systems and their regulation and provide our perspectives on future research.
In this work, we developed ternary metallic cobalt-cobalt nitride-dicobalt phosphide composite embedded in nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon (Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC) as bifunctional catalysts for ...hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The as-prepared Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC is achieved by simultaneous annealing and phosphating of a Co–N rich metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) precursor. Compare with the phosphorus-free Co/CoN embedded nitrogen-doped carbon electrocatalyst (Co/CoN-NC), the as-prepared Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC display superior HER and OER low overpotential of 99 mV and 272 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2. When Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC electrocatalyst is use as bifunctional catalysts in overall alkaline water splitting, it exhibit excellent behaviour with 10 mA cm−2 current at overall cell potential of 1.60 V. The excellent performance of Co/CoN/Co2P-NPC electrocatalyst is attributed to the phosphating process that could further enhance synergistic effect, create stronger electronic interactions, and form efficient dual heteroatom doping to optimize the interfacial adhesion within the electrocatalyst. This present work will create more opportunities for the development of new, promising and more active sites electrocatalysts for alkaline electrolysis.
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•Co/CoN/Co2P composite is embedded in N and P co-doped carbon by one-step synthesis.•The synthesize involve one-step annealing and phosphorization of Co-based MOF.•The composite is used as bifunctional OER and HER electrocatalysts.•The composite exhibit excellent performance owing to the multiple active sites.•Overall water splitting based on the composite achieve 10 mA cm−2 overall voltage of 1.60 V.
Here, the concept of thick electrode is utilized to design a-17 mm three-dimensional (3D) all-carbon frameworks with remarkable structural stability as high-areal-capacity anode for lithium-ion ...batteries (LIBs). The framework involves the rational design of graphite fibers (GFs) bonded with pyrolytic carbon (PC) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNP), offering a unique architecture and a scalable production approach. The as-fabricated 3D-GF/PC/GNP electrode with a high mass loading of ≈30 mg cm−2 can deliver an unexpected high initial and reversible areal capacity of 23.53 and 11.63 mA h cm−2 at current density of 2.0 mA cm−2, impressive rate performance and cyclic stability. Both theoretical simulations and experimental analyses show that the excellent performance of the electrode can be attributed to the incorporation of GNP that modulates the electronic conductivity of the framework, enabling easier Li-ion intercalation/deintercalation pathway to promote the pseudocapacitive and surface adsorption Li-ion storage.
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•Ultrathick 3D all-carbon frameworks which consist of GFs bonded with PC and GNP was designed.•The 3D carbon frameworks deliver an unexpected high-areal-capacity of 23.53 mAh cm-2 at 2.0 mA cm-2.•The excellent performance is attributed to the GNPs, enhancing the conductivity and Li-ion storage surface adsorption.
Calcium (Ca2+) serves as an essential nutrient as well as a signaling agent in all eukaryotes. In plants, calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) are a unique group of Ca2+ sensors that decode Ca2+ ...signals by activating a family of plant-specific protein kinases known as CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). Interactions between CBLs and CIPKs constitute a signaling network that enables information integration and physiological coordination in response to a variety of extracellular cues such as nutrient deprivation and abiotic stresses. Studies in the past two decades have established a unified paradigm that illustrates the functions of CBL–CIPK complexes in controlling membrane transport through targeting transporters and channels in the plasma membrane and tonoplast.
A novel type of Ca2+ sensors, termed as calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), were identified in plant cells 20 years ago. They specifically target a family of plant-specific CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs).To decode a Ca2+ signal, CBL binds Ca2+ and interacts with CIPK, leading to activation of the kinase. The CBL–CIPK complex phosphorylates downstream target proteins and changes their biological activities.Most CBL proteins are localized to the cell membranes and, as a result, CBL–CIPK complexes are largely associated with membranes. This unique feature underlies the core function of the CBL–CIPK network in regulating various membrane transport processes in the plasma membrane and the tonoplast, thereby linking Ca2+ signaling to plant nutrient sensing and homeostasis.
Interfacial engineering and electronic modulation are some of the main components for enhancing the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts towards achieving efficient water splitting. Iron nitrides ...exhibit mediocre oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their unsuitable d‐band energy level. In this work, we strongly boost the HER and OER catalytic performance of Fe2N for the first time by doping Co and Al, which could not only induce the formation of Fe2N/Fe3N hybrid interface but also tune the d‐band center position. The CoAl−Fe2N/Fe3N nanoparticles display HER and OER overpotential of 145 and 307 mV at 10 mA/cm2. XPS and DFT calculations confirm that tailoring the d‐band center position and interfacial engineering facilitates strong electronic interactions between Fe2N and Fe3N, synergistically optimize the electronic structure, which enriches H and H2O adsorption energy and oxygen‐containing intermediates. An alkaline electrolyzer based on CoAl−Fe2N/Fe3N requires an overall potential of 1.67 V at 10 mA/cm2, demonstrating the use of iron nitrides as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting activity.
Electrocatalysis: Fe2N is endows with enhanced HER and OER catalytic activities not only by tuning the d‐band center positions but also formation of Fe2N/Fe3N interface as a result of dual doping with Co and Al. The dual‐doped Fe2N/Fe3N display HER and OER overpotential of 145 and 307 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and significantly better than Fe2N (461 and 451 mV) and individual Co‐ and Al‐doped Fe nitride catalysts.
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