Lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. Conventional treatments are not effective for metastatic lung cancer therapy. Although some of molecular targets have ...been identified with favorable response, those targets cannot be exploited due to the lack of suitable drug carriers. Lung cancer cell-derived exosomes (LCCDEs) receive recent interest in its role in carcinogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of lung cancer due to its biological functions and natural ability to carry donor cell biomolecules. LCCDEs can promote cell proliferation and metastasis, affect angiogenesis, modulate antitumor immune responses during lung cancer carcinogenesis, regulate drug resistance in lung cancer therapy, and be now considered an important component in liquid biopsy assessments for detecting lung cancer. Therapeutic deliverable exosomes are emerging as promising drug delivery agents specifically to tumor high precision medicine because of their natural intercellular communication role, excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, low toxicity, long blood circulation ability, biodegradable characteristics, and their ability to cross various biological barriers. Several studies are currently underway to develop novel diagnostic and prognostic modalities using LCCDEs, and to develop methods of exploiting exosomes for use as efficient drug delivery vehicles. Current status of lung cancer and extensive applicability of LCCDEs are illustrated in this review. The promising data and technologies indicate that the approach on LCCDEs implies the potential application of LCCDEs to clinical management of lung cancer patients.
Electrochemical CO2 reduction to valuable ethylene and ethanol offers a promising strategy to lower CO2 emissions while storing renewable electricity. Cu‐based catalysts have shown the potential for ...CO2‐to‐ethylene/ethanol conversion, but still suffer from low activity and selectivity. Herein, the effects of surface and interface structures in Cu‐based catalysts for CO2‐to‐ethylene/ethanol production are systematically discussed. Both reactions involve three crucial steps: formation of CO intermediate, CC coupling, and hydrodeoxygenation of C2 intermediates. For ethylene, the key step is CC coupling, which can be enhanced by tailoring the surface structures of catalyst such as step sites on facets, Cu0/Cuδ+ species and nanopores, as well as the optimized molecule–catalyst and electrolyte–catalyst interfaces further promoting the higher ethylene production. While the controllable hydrodeoxygenation of C2 intermediate is important for ethanol, which can be achieved by tuning the stability of oxygenate intermediates through the metallic cluster induced special atomic configuration and bimetallic synergy induced the double active sites on catalyst surface. Additionally, constraining CO coverage by the complex–catalyst interface and stabilizing CO bond by N‐doped carbon/Cu interface can also enhance the ethanol selectivity. The structure–performance relationships will provide the guidance for the design of Cu‐based catalysts for highly efficient reduction of CO2.
This review focuses on the two very important products of CO2RR, ethylene and ethanol, and systematically discusses the surface and interface structure effects of Cu‐based catalysts for CO2‐to‐ethylene/ethanol conversions. The influence factors of activity and selectivity are summarized in detail and the structure–performance relationship of the catalyst for ethylene/ethanol is clearly displayed, especially combined with the recent important progresses.
Hollow materials derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), by virtue of their controllable configuration, composition, porosity, and specific surface area, have shown fascinating physicochemical ...properties and widespread applications, especially in electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Here, the recent advances in the controllable synthesis are discussed, mainly focusing on the conversion mechanisms from MOFs to hollow‐structured materials. The synthetic strategies of MOF‐derived hollow‐structured materials are broadly sorted into two categories: the controllable synthesis of hollow MOFs and subsequent pyrolysis into functional materials, and the controllable conversion of solid MOFs with predesigned composition and morphology into hollow structures. Based on the formation processes of hollow MOFs and the conversion processes of solid MOFs, the synthetic strategies are further conceptually grouped into six categories: template‐mediated assembly, stepped dissolution–regrowth, selective chemical etching, interfacial ion exchange, heterogeneous contraction, and self‐catalytic pyrolysis. By analyzing and discussing 14 types of reaction processes in detail, a systematic mechanism of conversion from MOFs to hollow‐structured materials is exhibited. Afterward, the applications of these hollow structures as electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, hybrid supercapacitors, and electrocatalysis are presented. Finally, an outlook on the emergent challenges and future developments in terms of their controllable fabrications and electrochemical applications is further discussed.
Recent developments of controlled synthesis of hollow‐structured functional materials by using metal–organic framework as precursors are summarized, along with their promising applications in electrochemical energy storage and conversion.
A novel in situ replication and polymerization strategy is developed for the synthesis of Fe‐N‐doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (Fe‐NMCSs). This material benefits from the synergy between the ...high catalytic activity of Fe‐N‐C and the fast mass transport of the mesoporous microsphere structure. Compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts, the Fe‐NMCSs show a much better electrocatalytic performance in terms of higher catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Identifying effective means to improve the electrochemical performance of oxygen‐evolution catalysts represents a significant challenge in several emerging renewable energy technologies. Herein, we ...consider metal–nitrogen–carbon sheets which are commonly used for catalyzing the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR), as the support to load NiO nanoparticles for the oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER). FeNC sheets, as the advanced supports, synergistically promote the NiO nanocatalysts to exhibit superior performance in alkaline media, which is confirmed by experimental observations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings show the advantages in considering the support effect for designing highly active, durable, and cost‐effective OER electrocatalysts.
Sitting on the FeNC: Metal–nitrogen–carbon sheets are used as the supports for metal oxide catalysts for the oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER). Iron–nitrogen–carbon (FeNC) sheets loaded with NiO nanoparticles give superior performance in alkaline media. The improved performance originates from a synergistic effect between the FeNC sheets and NiO.
Nickel-molybdenum (Ni-Mo) alloys are promising non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline water; however, the kinetic origins of their catalytic activities ...still remain under debate. In this perspective, we systematically summarize the structural characteristics of Ni-Mo-based electrocatalysts recently reported and find that highly active catalysts generally have alloy-oxide or alloy-hydroxide interface structures. Based on the two-step reaction mechanism under alkaline conditions, water dissociation to form adsorbed hydrogen and combination of adsorbed hydrogen into molecular hydrogen, we discuss in detail the relationship between the two types of interface structures obtained by different synthesis methods and their HER performance in Ni-Mo based catalysts. For the alloy-oxide interfaces, the Ni
4
Mo/MoO
x
composites produced by electrodeposition or hydrothermal combined with thermal reduction exhibit activities close to that of platinum. For only the alloy or oxide, their activities are significantly lower than that of composite structures, indicating the synergistic catalytic effect of binary components. For the alloy-hydroxide interfaces, the activity of the Ni
x
Mo
y
alloy with different Ni/Mo ratios is greatly improved by constructing heterostructures with hydroxides such as Ni(OH)
2
or Co(OH)
2
. In particular, pure alloys obtained by metallurgy must be activated to produce a layer of mixed Ni(OH)
2
and MoO
x
on the surface to achieve high activity. Therefore, the activity of Ni-Mo catalysts probably originates from the interfaces of alloy-oxide or alloyhydroxide, in which the oxide or hydroxide promotes water dissociation and the alloy accelerates hydrogen combination. These new understandings will provide valuable guidance for the further exploration of advanced HER electrocatalysts.
The activity of NiMo catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction originates from the interfaces of alloy-oxide or alloy-hydroxide, in which the oxide or hydroxide promotes water dissociation and the alloy accelerates hydrogen combination.
Subduction initiation (SI) at passive continental margin plays a key role in the Wilson cycle of plate tectonics; however, the long‐lived, stable Atlantic‐type margin challenges this hypothesis. The ...spontaneous SI at passive margin is difficult, which could be instead induced by far‐field tectonic forces. Previous analog and numerical models are generally conducted with constant convergent velocity, which may lead to extremely large boundary force in order for SI. In this study, we focus on numerical models with constant convergent force/stress to investigate the conditions for SI at typical passive margin without any type of prescribed weak zones. The result indicates that the SI at young passive margins with thin oceanic lithosphere is much easier than that at old margins. It reveals the dynamics of multiple newly formed subduction zones in the young oceanic plates of Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific, but generally no SI for the old Atlantic‐type passive margin.
Plain Language Summary
Subduction, which is a plate moves under another one and sinks into the mantle, is a key process of the Earth. Subduction could cause disasters, shape magnificent natural wonders, and control the long‐term climate. However, our understanding for how and where subduction would begin between continents and oceans is still poor. This is because the beginning of subduction is just a snapshot of long‐lived geological process. Thus, the rock records are rather limited and difficult to observe. In this study, we conducted systematic numerical models to quantify the force required for the formation of a new subduction zone with variable ages of oceanic lithosphere. The result indicates that the force needed to begin subduction increases with the oceanic age, which explains that young oceanic plates in the Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific are easier to begin subduction; however, the old Atlantic Oceanic plate is hard.
Key Points
Subduction initiation at passive continental margin is studied by numerical model with convergent force/stress boundary condition
Mode selection of subduction initiation and required magnitude of force are dependent on the age of passive marginal oceanic lithosphere
Young oceanic lithosphere is easier to initiate subduction with low boundary force, whereas the old Atlantic‐type margin is difficult
A simple and general method is presented herein for the in situ preparations of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)‐active microcrystals with a large luminescence dissymmetry factor glum, high ...fluorescence quantum efficiency (ΦFL), wide emission color tenability, and well‐ordered morphology. The reactions of pyridine‐containing achiral molecules 1–7 with chiral camphor sulfonic acid ((±)‐CSA) gave crystalline microplates formed by hydrogen bonding interactions between the protonated pyridinium units and the sulfonic anions. The chiral information of CSA are effectively transferred to the microcrystals by hydrogen bonding to afford full‐color CPL from deep‐blue to red with glum in the order of 10−2 and ΦFL up to 80 %. Moreover, organic microcrystals with high‐performance white CPL (ΦFL=46 %; |glum|=0.025) are achieved via the light‐harvesting energy transfer between blue and yellow emitters.
As a result of the efficient hydrogen‐bonding‐mediated chirality transfer and light‐harvesting energy transfer, well‐ordered ionic microcrystals formed between pyridine‐containing achiral molecules and chiral camphor sulfonic acid display full‐color and homogeneously white circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with ΦFL of up to 80 % and glum in the order of 10−2.
Piezoelectric polymers hold great potential for various electromechanical applications, but only show low performance, with |d
| < 30 pC/N. We prepare a highly piezoelectric polymer (d
= -62 pC/N) ...based on a biaxially oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) (BOPVDF, crystallinity = 0.52). After unidirectional poling, macroscopically aligned samples with pure β crystals are achieved, which show a high spontaneous polarization (P
) of 140 mC/m
. Given the theoretical limit of P
= 188 mC/m
for the neat β crystal, the high P
cannot be explained by the crystalline-amorphous two-phase model (i.e., P
= 270 mC/m
). Instead, we deduce that a significant amount (at least 0.25) of an oriented amorphous fraction (OAF) must be present between these two phases. Experimental data suggest that the mobile OAF resulted in the negative and high d
for the poled BOPVDF. The plausibility of this conclusion is supported by molecular dynamics simulations.
The uncontrolled release of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals into the environment is a worldwide increasing problem. Thus, highly efficient treatment technologies for wastewater are urgently needed. ...In this work, seven kinds of typical antibiotics (including water and alcohol soluble ones) are successfully separated from the corresponding aqueous and ethanolic solutions using highly regular laminated membranes. Our membranes are assembled with 2–4 μm titanium carbide nanosheets. The solvent permeance through such titanium carbide membrane is one order of magnitude higher than that through most polymeric nanofiltration membranes with similar antibiotics rejection. This high flux is due to the regular two‐dimensional (2D) structure resulting from the large aspect ratio of titanium carbide nanosheets. Moreover, the electrostatic interaction between the surface terminations and the antibiotics also affects the rejection and enhances the antifouling property. Such 2D titanium carbide membranes further broaden the application scope of laminated materials for separation and purification of high value added drugs in academia and industry.
A laminated membrane with a highly regular 2D structure assembled by MXene nanosheets with a high lateral ratio shows a one order of magnitude higher solvent permeance than that through most polymeric nanofiltration membranes with similar antibiotic rejection.
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