Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) are recognized as such promising supercapacitor materials for the practical application, due to their superior electrical conductivity and excellent redox activity. ...Here, self-supported three-dimensional NiCoP nanoparticles embedded in NiCoO
2
nanowires (NiCoO
2
/NiCoP) electrode consisting of nickel cobalt phosphides (NiCoP) with high activity and nickel cobalt oxides (NiCoO
2
) with good stability were fabricated by a hydrothermal and phosphorization method. The electrode integrates the advantages of nanowire arrays for fast ion transport and foam Ni for effective charge transport and flexibility. Benefitting the proper composition control of the nanohybrid and unique structure design, the optimized NiCoO
2
/NiCoP-20 exhibits a high specific capacitance of 3204 F·g
−1
at 1 A·g
−1
in 3 mol·L
−1
KOH aqueous electrolyte in a three-electrode system. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor assembled with the prepared NiCoO
2
/NiCoP-20 and activated carbon achieves a specific capacitance of 116 F·g
−1
with a high energy density of 40.32 Wh·kg
−1
at the power density of 800.18 W·kg
−1
. The practical application is further demonstrated with all-solid-state winding supercapacitor devices, with decent flexibility, in series to light the Central South University (CSU) logo consisting of 21 red LED indicators.
Graphic abstract
The NiCoO
2
/NiCoP-20 combines the superior electrical conductivity and preeminent redox activity of NiCoP and excellent electrochemical stability of NiCoO
2
together, which performed the best electrochemical performance.
With the development of science and technology, microelectronic components have evolved to become increasingly integrated and miniaturized. As a result, thermal management, which can seriously impact ...the function, reliability, and lifetime of such components, has become a critical issue. Recently, the use of polymer-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) in thermal management systems has attracted considerable attention in view of the superior comprehensive properties of the former. Compared with designing and fabricating a polymer with an intrinsically high thermal conductivity, a more effective and widely used strategy for improving the heat conductivity is to fill a polymer matrix with a thermally conductive filler. Specifically, three-dimensional (3D) interconnected heat-conductive networks can increase the thermal conductivity (k) of polymers more effectively than dispersed fillers can, owing to their intrinsic continuous structures. In this review, we first introduce the heat conduction mechanisms and the problems associated with polymer-based TIMs fabricated using engineering polymer chains and traditional filling methods. Next, we discuss the advantages and mechanisms of 3D interconnected heat-conductive networks for preparing thermally conductive polymer-based composites. In addition, we highlight new advancements in the design and fabrication of 3D thermally conductive networks as well as their application in improving the k of polymers. Our exhaustive review of 3D interconnected networks includes graphene, carbon nanotubes, boron nitride, metal and other 3D hybrid architectures. The key structural parameters and control methods for improving the thermal properties of polymer composites are outlined. Finally, we summarize some effective strategies and possible challenges for the development of polymer-based thermally conductive composites via integration with 3D interconnected networks.
Zika virus (ZIKV) was once considered an obscure member of the large and diverse family of mosquito-borne flaviviruses, and human infections with ZIKV were thought to be sporadic, with mild and ...self-limiting symptoms. The large-scale ZIKV epidemics in the Americas and the unexpected uncovering of a link to congenital birth defects escalated ZIKV infections to the status of a global public health emergency. Recent studies that combined reverse genetics with modelling in multiple systems have provided evidence that ZIKV has acquired additional amino acid substitutions at the same time as congenital Zika syndrome and other birth defects were detected. In this Progress article, we summarize the evolution of ZIKV during its spread from Asia to the Americas and discuss potential links to pathogenesis.
Development of renewable energy technologies has been a significant area of research amongst scientists with the aim of attaining a sustainable world society. Solar thermal fuels that can capture, ...convert, store, and release solar energy in the form of heat through reversible photoisomerization of molecular photoswitches such as azobenzene derivatives are currently in the limelight of research. Herein, we provide a state-of-the-art account on the recent advancements in solar thermal fuels based on azobenzene photoswitches. We begin with an overview on the importance of azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels and their fundamentals. Then, we highlight the recent advances in diverse azobenzene materials for solar thermal fuels such as pure azobenzene derivatives, nanocarbon-templated azobenzene, and polymer-templated azobenzene. The basic design concepts of these advanced solar energy storage materials are discussed, and their promising applications are highlighted. We then introduce the recent endeavors in the molecular design of azobenzene derivatives toward efficient solar thermal fuels, and conclude with new perspectives on the future scope, opportunities and challenges. It is expected that continuous pioneering research involving scientists and engineers from diverse technological backgrounds could trigger the rapid advancement of this important interdisciplinary field, which embraces chemistry, physics, engineering, nanoscience, nanotechnology, materials science, polymer science,
etc.
This review provides a state-of-the-art account on azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels from their fundamentals to advanced photoactive storage materials and new perspectives on the future scope, opportunities and challenges.
Current researches on the mechanical properties of concrete are mainly concentrated on the aggressiveness of sulfate, chloride ion, acid and freeze-thaw cycles. However, the evolution of concrete ...mechanical properties aggressived by landfill leachate remains to be revealed. As the micro-nano indentation test is a new method to measure the fine/micro mechanical behavior of materials, it is used in this research to evaluate the micro-mechanics of the landfill leachate of the concrete sample surface and different aggressived depths. In addition, the evolution of the macro-mechanical properties of concrete aggressived by the landfill leachate was studied through uniaxial compression tests. The results show that the hydration products with high elastic modulus are consumed by the aggressiveness of landfill leachate, which results in a large number of microscopic cracks on the surface of the concrete. Moreover, the longer the aggressive time, the shallower the aggressive depth, and the more severe the deterioration of the micromechanical properties of the sample surface. It is also notable that the uniaxial compressive strength of the concrete samples aggressived by landfill leachate showed a linear increase and then gradually decrease. Comparing with the sodium chloride and sodium sulfate solutions, the landfill leachate has the most significant weakening effect on the elastic modulus of concrete.
ABSTRACT
This study aims to explore the effect of Tectorigenin in chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI)-induced cognitive impairment mice model. Cognitive impairment, hippocampal tissue histopathology, and ...myelin density in CCI mice were detected. HT22 cells were used to induce oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury. Cell viability and apoptosis of transfected HT22 cells and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway–related factor levels in hippocampal tissue and OGD/R models were detected. CCI caused cognitive impairment, hippocampal damage, and decreased myelin density in mice while promoting interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, p-p65, NLRP3, and ASC levels. Tectorigenin reversed the effects of CCI in mice and reversed the promoting effects of OGD/R on apoptosis and TLR4/NF-κB pathway–related factors levels, while overexpressed TLR4 reversed the effects of Tectorigenin in OGD/R-induced HT-22 cells. Tectorigenin alleviated cognitive impairment in CCI mice by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Tectorigenin attenuates cognitive impairments in mice with chronic cerebral ischemia by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Aims
The aim was to characterize indigenous micro‐organisms in oil reservoirs after polymer flooding (RAPF).
Methods
The microbial communities in the crude oil phase (Oil) and in the filter‐graded ...aqueous phases Aqu0.22 (>0.22 μm) and Aqu0.1 (0.1–0.22 μm) were investigated by 16S rRNA gene high‐throughput sequencing.
Results
Indigenous micro‐organisms related to hydrocarbon degradation prevailed in the three phases of each well. However, obvious differences in bacterial compositions were observed amongst the three phases of the same well and amongst the same phase of different wells. The crude oil and Aqu0.22 shared many dominant bacteria. Aqu0.1 contained a unique bacterial community in each well. Most bacteria in Aqu0.1 were affiliated to culturable genera, suggesting that they may adapt to the oil reservoir environment by reduction of cell size. Contrary to the bacterial genera, archaeal genera were similar in the three phases but varied in relative abundances. The observed microbial differences may be driven by specific environmental factors in each oil well.
Conclusions
The results suggest an application potential of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) technology in RAPF. The crude oil and Aqu0.1 contain many different functional micro‐organisms related to hydrocarbon degradation. Both should not be overlooked when investing and exploring the indigenous micro‐organisms for MEOR.
Significance and Impact of the Study
This work facilitates the understanding of microbial community structures in RAPF and provides information for microbial control in oil fields.
Plant secondary metabolites (SMs) are not only a useful array of natural products but also an important part of plant defense system against pathogenic attacks and environmental stresses. With ...remarkable biological activities, plant SMs are increasingly used as medicine ingredients and food additives for therapeutic, aromatic and culinary purposes. Various genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic and environmental factors can influence the biosynthesis and accumulation of SMs. According to the literature reports, for example, SMs accumulation is strongly dependent on a variety of environmental factors such as light, temperature, soil water, soil fertility and salinity, and for most plants, a change in an individual factor may alter the content of SMs even if other factors remain constant. Here, we review with emphasis how each of single factors to affect the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites, and conduct a comparative analysis of relevant natural products in the stressed and unstressed plants. Expectantly, this documentary review will outline a general picture of environmental factors responsible for fluctuation in plant SMs, provide a practical way to obtain consistent quality and high quantity of bioactive compounds in vegetation, and present some suggestions for future research and development.
Carbon-based functional nanomaterials have attracted remarkable attention from the scientific community for their unique combinations of advantageous chemical and physical properties, such as superb ...electrical conductivity, excellent heat conductivity, chemical stability, advanced optical properties, and high mechanical strength. Our research group has been very actively involved in the study and further development of carbon-based functional nanomaterials and their potential applications for many years. In this feature article, we introduce our recent endeavors in the development of carbon-based nanomaterials with superior functionalities for potential application in diverse fields including solar thermal fuels, advanced thermal management, and electrochemical energy storage. The key design concepts of these advanced functional nanomaterials are highlighted, specific synthesis strategies are discussed, their potential usage in devices and applications is emphasized, and background information is succinctly furnished wherever warranted. We begin with an overview on the chemistry of carbon nanomaterials, in which the synthesis and chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes and graphene are introduced, respectively. We then showcase the design, fabrication and properties of different functional carbon nanomaterials for diverse applications, including photoactive azobenzene/carbon nanomaterials for solar thermal fuels and light-driven carbon-based actuators, advanced carbon nanomaterials with directional thermal conductivity, and carbon-based electrodes for electrochemical energy storage. Finally, we conclude by briefly summarizing the advantages of the application of functional carbon-based nanomaterials in various fields, and list challenges that remain to be solved and potential that remains to be tapped.
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