Efficient Carrier Research Articles

Design and fabrication of functionalized curdlan-curcumin delivery system to facilitate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on breast cancer

We developed a facile method for the fabrication of a biodegradable delivery system composed of two blocks: curdlan and curcumin. This was achieved by chemical functionalization of curdlan through tosylation, amination followed by complexation with curcumin. A comprehensive evaluation of structural characterization and component stability showed that cur-cum complex exhibited better anticancer properties with enhanced thermal properties. The cur-cum complex shows pH sensitive sustained release behaviour with higher release at acidic pH and kinetic data of drug release follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The cur-cum complex has ability to block the proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line as revealed by MTT assay which showed increased toxicity of cur-cum complex against these cell lines. The results obtained from western blot analysis demonstrated that the co-administration of cur and cum effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This effect was observed by a considerable upregulation of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a decline in mRNA expression of LDHA, level of lactate and LDH activity. The results clearly depict the role of functionalized curdlan as efficient carrier for curcumin delivery with prolonged, sustained release and enhanced bioavailability, thereby improving the overall anticancer activity.

Constructing a type-II heterojunction of AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

The construction of heterojunctions is a well-established approach for enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor materials. To improve the photocatalytic activity of CO32−-Bi2O2CO3, AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 type-II heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized using an electrostatic self-assembly method with varying composite ratios. The performance of AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 catalyst was investigated by photocatalytic degradation of 2-Hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone and levofloxacin under a 300 W xenon lamp (λ ≥ 420 nm). The results demonstrated that the composite photocatalyst (0.5ACBOC), prepared by incorporating 0.5 mL of AgNO3 and KI, exhibited exceptional photocurrent responsiveness and efficient charge carrier separation. 0.5ACBOC displayed the highest degradation efficiency towards 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (67.5%) and levofloxacin (78.0%). Free radical capture experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis revealed ·O2− as a crucial reactive species in the photodegradation process. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone exhibited consistent removal efficiency even after undergoing four cycles, thereby demonstrating the excellent cycle stability of the composite catalyst. These findings highlight that AgI/CO32−-Bi2O2CO3 can be easily synthesized and holds great potential as a photocatalyst for efficient degradation of organic pollutants.

Buried junction and efficient carrier separation in CdSexTe1−x/CdTe solar cells

Alloying CdTe absorbers with Se is a critical advancement for the fabrication of highly efficient CdTe thin-film solar cells. Herein, the role of the Se concentration gradient in CdSexTe1−x/CdTe solar cells is stressed in addition to the decreased bandgap and passivation effect of Se. The buried graded CdSexTe1−x at the front interface of the device was stripped and analyzed by quasi in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling. A serial shift of Fermi level toward the valence band was probed as the Se concentration decreased in the graded CdSexTe1−x absorber, revealing the presence of n-type CdSexTe1−x region near the front contact. Kelvin probe force microscopy characterizations and voltage-dependent photocurrent collection analysis further confirmed the existence of a buried junction in the graded CdSexTe1−x absorber. The CdS-free CdTe solar cell with a graded CdSexTe1−x/CdTe absorber fabricated in this study showed an efficiency of 17.6%. These results indicated that the non-uniform distribution of Se introduced a built-in field in the graded CdSexTe1−x absorber and enabled efficient separation of photogenerated carriers, yielding high-performance CdTe solar cells in the absence of a conventional n-type CdS window layer. This study deepened the understanding of the performance enhancement in Se-containing CdTe solar cells and provided new ideas for further performance optimization.

Advances and Challenges in Oxygen Carriers for Chemical Looping Partial Oxidation of Methane

To cope with global warming and increasing carbon emissions, the chemical looping process has attracted attention due to its excellent ability to convert fossil fuel and capture CO2. In this case, chemical looping partial oxidation technology has become the focus of attention due to its advantages in the production of syngas and hydrogen, especially with respect to the design and selection of oxygen carriers, which directly affect the efficiency of the production of syngas and hydrogen. In particular, the conversion of methane can reach 95% in the chemical looping partial oxidation of methane, and the selectivity of syngas, in the range of 700 °C to 900 °C at atmospheric pressure, can reach 99% for twenty or more cycles. In this review, from the perspective of metal oxide selection and structure regarding the chemical looping partial oxidation process, we discuss the role of oxygen carriers in the chemical looping partial oxidation cycle, in which the specific surface area, the lattice oxygen mobility, and the thermal stability are understood as the important factors affecting reactivity. We hope to summarize the design and development of efficient oxygen carriers with high oxygen-carrying capacity and syngas selectivity, as well as contribute to the selection, design, optimization, and redox reaction mechanism of redox catalysts.

Modeling and performance investigation of novel inorganic Cs4CuSb2Cl12 nanocrystal perovskite solar cell using SCAPS-1D

For the next generation of photovoltaic devices, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) appear as a good choice because they are simple and convert energy to electricity very efficiently. Recent years have seen a great deal of interest in organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Nonetheless, additional commercialization of the Pb element is still restricted by its inevitable toxicity. To address the instability and toxicity of the lead hybrid perovskite, it is imperative to produce entirely inorganic lead-free perovskite nanocrystals. Cs4CuSb2Cl12 offers promising qualities and strong stability against light, heat, and humidity to overcome these drawbacks. It possesses an efficient photo-generated carrier and good carrier mobility. In this study, a lead-free perovskite solar cell with the novel configuration of FTO/WS2/Cs4CuSb2Cl12/CuSbS2/Ni has been optimized using SCAPS-1D simulation software and investigates the potential of Cs4CuSb2Cl12 nanocrystal solar cell. The impact of different characteristics of charge transport materials on Cs4CuSb2Cl12 nanocrystal solar cells has been reported. Additionally, the study computationally optimizes the thickness of perovskite layer, doping concentration, defect density, and other input parameters to propose an effective PSC with power conversion efficiency of 23.10 %, Voc of 1.1675V, and FF of 83.33 %.

Unveiling the cobalt vanadate supported hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite for photocatalytic wastewater treatment: Enhanced degradation of dyes, antibiotics, and real industrial wastewater

In recent years, the expansion of industrial sectors has imposed a burden on water resources globally owing to unsustainable consumption and discharges into the environment. Here, a Co3V2O8 (CV)/hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) heterojunction has been constructed using an applicable solid-state technique that produces efficient photocatalytic action during water cleanup activities. The nanocomposite was studied utilizing different approaches such as XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, EDX, XPS, UV–Vis spectroscopy, EIS, PL, BET, and M − S plots. The pristine HBN has a band gap of 5 eV, while the CV/HBN nanocomposite has a band gap of 1.8 eV. According to our findings, the photocatalyst has a high degradation ratio of up to 98.1%, 89.8%, 87.5%, 96.5%, and 90.2% in brilliant cresyl blue (CB), rhodamine-B (Rh–B), amoxicillin (AMX), metronidazole (MNZ), and industrial wastewater (IW) under visible light irradiation, correspondingly. It emphasizes that the remarkable photocatalytic activity is mostly due to the photocatalyst's superior performance and dominant absorption of visible light, as well as the efficient photogenerated carrier separation brought about by the interaction of cobalt vanadate and HBN. The catalyst demonstrated stable behavior, adhering to five reuse cycles. The present research reveals that the CV/HBN nanocomposite is a very stable and active photocatalyst that may be used as an alternative to costlier noble metal-based photocatalysts in photocatalysis applications. When compared to untreated IW, the degraded IW sample exhibits superior plant growth, which is visible from the phytotoxicity tests.

Hydrogen generation based on a gel-like formate system with a palladium catalyst

Catalytic formate decomposition under mild conditions is a promising strategy for hydrogen production as an efficient hydrogen carrier. Most of previous studies performed formate decomposition for hydrogen generation in liquid phase or using formate as a promoter for formic acid decomposition, which exhibits relatively low hydrogen energy density by mass. Here, we reported a gel-like formate system for catalytic hydrogen generation under mild conditions. A H2 yield of 100% with hydrogen energy density by weight of 2.38 wt% was achieved, and the palladium catalyst shows high stability and recyclability for KCOOH gel decomposition. Moreover, the constructed gel-like formate filled in an aluminum cylinder could continuously and steadily supply hydrogen to a 12V/35W fuel cell to drive a LED display. This work may provide a new thought for safe hydrogen storage and production system for hydrogen energy usage in the future.

Synthesis and transformation of graphene-like structures from bamboo waste for photoelectrochemical devices

This study presents a sustainable and versatile approach to synthesize graphene-like structures from bamboo waste for application in photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Due to its high cellulose content, bamboo, a locally available and renewable resource, is a perfect precursor for producing graphene-like materials. The synthesis process involves bamboo waste pyrolysis, followed by treatments with different solvents: ultrapure water (UPW), NaOH, and green tea extract. Characterization techniques confirmed the successful transformation of bamboo waste into carbon-rich, graphene-like materials with varying surface properties. The electrochemical characterization showed that the graphene-like materials could transfer electrons very well with a high current response compared to charcoal as a precursor. PEC evaluations revealed their potential as photoanodes, exhibiting efficient light absorption and charge carrier separation. This research emphasizes the significance of bamboo waste as a valuable precursor for eco-friendly graphene-like materials, offering a sustainable pathway for developing efficient PEC devices and green energy technologies.

Vacuum-assisted reforming cathode interlayer orientation for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

The cathode interlayer (CIL) is vital for enhancing the performance of inverted (p-i-n) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by preventing charge recombination and ion diffusion, thereby achieving superior efficiency. Herein, we introduce cost-effective perylene-diimide (PDI)-based CILs—PDIN-S, PDIN, and PDIN-L—with varying spacer lengths. Among them, PDIN-S exhibits exceptional attributes in thermal evaporation processability, optical absorbance, and charge transfer capabilities. Molecular orientations of PDIN-S are studied through two deposition techniques: vacuum thermal evaporation (VE) and spin-coating (SC). The face-on orientation observed in PDIN-S (VE) confers significant advantages, including improved π–π stacking, efficient charge carrier transfer, reduced interfacial resistance, and inhibited ion diffusion. Furthermore, PDIN-S (VE) also lowers the energy barrier towards cathode, boosting PSC efficiency to 23.82%. Moreover, it enhances both thermal and light stability, maintaining over 90% initial efficiency for 2036 h at 85 °C and sustaining 80% efficiency for 1848 h under continuous illumination. Our application of a straightforward VE method enables the manipulation of molecular orientation, resulting in a concurrent enhancement of efficiency and stability. These findings underscore the potential of PDIN-S as a promising component for highly efficient and stable PSCs.

Dual-functional silicon nanowire arrays-based photocatalytic fuel cell for solar-to-electricity conversion and self-powered glucose detection

Developing a dual-functional photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) with improved solar-to-electricity energy conversion efficiency and renewable biomass sensitivity performance is of great significance for clean energy conservation and utilization. Herein, a novel PFC device with stable signal output and glucose sensing performance is fabricated, of which polyaniline (PANI) functionalized p-type silicon nanowire arrays (SiNWs) and In2S3 modified n-type SiNWs are utilized as the photocathode and photoanode, respectively. The optimal PFC exhibits excellent cell performance under AM 1.5G illumination with an open circuit voltage of 0.83 V and a high-power density of 163.010 μW cm−2. The PFC also achieves effective glucose detection performance with a low detection limit of 0.998 μM and a broad linear range of 0∼50 mM, as well as excellent selectivity and stability. The enhanced performance is attributed to the efficient carrier separation and charge transfer rate at the interface of the heterojunctions, which is facilitated by the high conductivity of uniform PANI film on the p-SiNWs and S-scheme band alignment formed in the photoanodes. This work opens a new path for improving the energy conversion efficiency in traditional PFCs and offers guidance for sensing strategies toward renewable biomass using PFCs.

Bacterial nanocellulose loaded with bromelain and nisin as a promising bioactive material for wound debridement

The bacterial nanocellulose (BnC) membranes were produced extracellularly by a novel aerobic acetic acid bacterium Komagataeibacter melomenusus. The BnC was modified in situ by adding carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) into the culture media, obtaining a BnC-CMC product with denser fibril arrangement, improved rehydration ratio and elasticity in comparison to BnC. The proteolytic enzyme bromelain (Br) and antimicrobial peptide nisin (N) were immobilized to BnC matrix by ex situ covalent binding and/or adsorption. The optimal Br immobilization conditions towards the maximized specific proteolytic activity were investigated by response surface methodology as factor variables. At optimal conditions, i.e., 8.8 mg/mL CMC and 10 mg/mL Br, hyperactivation of the enzyme was achieved, leading to the specific proteolytic activity of 2.3 U/mg and immobilization efficiency of 39.1 %. The antimicrobial activity was observed against Gram-positive bacteria (S. epidermidis, S. aureus and E. faecalis) for membranes with immobilized N and was superior when in situ modified BnC membranes were used. N immobilized on the BnC or BnC-CMC membranes was cytocompatible and did not cause changes in normal human dermal fibroblast cell morphology. BnC membranes perform as an efficient carrier for Br or N immobilization, holding promise in wound debridement and providing antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria, respectively.

Hassle - Free Load Carrying Using Automated Guided Vehicle

In today's rapidly evolving world, where efficiency and sustainability are paramount, businesses are seeking technologies that not only save time and drive profits but also align with their sustainable goals. In response to this demand, a prototype of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) is developed.AGVs are versatile robotic platforms designed to navigate predefined paths while handling heavy loads of materials. The AGV system addresses these needs by utilizing cost-effective RFID tags and an RFID reader for efficient load tracking and navigation. Additionally, it incorporates two infrared (IR) sensors for path detection, an L298N motor driver for precise motor control, an Arduino microcontroller as the central processing unit, and an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication.By integrating these components, along with feedback control loops and path planning algorithms, The AGV is observed to be an efficient load carrier and can navigate reliably in dynamic environments. Above all, this solution not only saves time and enhances profitability but also promotes sustainability by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing manual intervention. Key Words: AGV(Automated Guided Vehicle),RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) tags, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)reader, IR sensors, L298N Motor driver, Microcontroller.

Fabricating S-scheme Sb2S3@CdSexS1–x quasi-one-dimensional heterojunction photoanodes by in-situ growth strategy towards photoelectrochemical water splitting

Nowadays, energy and environmental problems are becoming increasingly prominent in society, the development of clean and environmentally friendly energy is in line with the construction of ecological civilization and energy, which have attracted the attention of many researchers over the past decades. Narrow band gap semiconductor Sb2S3 is widely used in the area of solar cells because of its high light absorption coefficient and suitable bandgap width. However, numerous deep-level defects provide plentiful photogenerated carrier recombination sites, which restricts the improvement of photoelectrochemical properties seriously. In this work, S-scheme Sb2S3@CdSexS1–x core-shell quasi-one-dimensional heterojunction photoanodes were prepared on the FTO substrate by a two-step vapor transport deposition (VTD) method, chemical bath deposition (CBD) and in-situ selenization method. The results showed that CdSexS1–x nanoparticles (NPs) were tightly coated on the Sb2S3 nanorods (NRs). The photocurrent density of the Sb2S3@CdSexS1–x photoanodes was 1.61 mA cm–2 under 1.23 VRHE. Compared with the Sb2S3 photoanodes (0.61 mA cm–2), Sb2S3@CdSexS1–x photoanodes obtained a 2.64-fold improvement, and the dark current was effectively reduced. It showed excellent stability and fast photocurrent response in a 600 s optical stability test. It was concluded that: (1) The charge transfer mechanism of the S-scheme can avoid the problem of high recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers due to the defects of Sb2S3 effectively, and realized spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. (2) The [hk1] oriented Sb2S3 NRs and the formed quasi-one-dimensional heterostructures promote efficient carrier transport. (3) The introduction of Se effectively regulated the band structure of CdS, slowed down the photocorrosion of S, and improved the stability of the photoelectrodes significantly.

Preparation of modified halloysite nanotubes@Ag3PO4/polyacrylonitrile electrospinning membranes for highly efficient air filtration and disinfection

Particulate matters (PMs) and airborne bacteria are among the most severe indoor air issues due to their substantial implications for human health. Therefore, it was imperative to conduct a comprehensive investigation on air filtration materials with superior filtration performance and antibacterial properties. Here, the m-Hal@Ag3PO4 composite particles were prepared by using modified halloysite nanotubes (m-Hal) as the support of Ag3PO4 nano-photocatalysts. These composite antibacterial particles were uniformly dispersed within a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution and were subsequently electrospun into m-Hal@Ag3PO4/PAN composite nanofiber membranes (CNMs) possessing excellent antibacterial properties. The incorporation of 30 wt% m-Hal@Ag3PO4 additionally enhanced the filtration efficiency of PM0.3 to 99.9%, at an airflow rate of 32 L/min, while concurrently reducing the pressure drop by 36.7%. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of CNMs towards ciprofloxacin reached 99%. The antibacterial experiments demonstrated that CNMs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)under dark and light conditions. Under visible light irradiation, the average diameter of the inhibition zone for the composite membrane surpassed that observed under dark conditions, indicating a predominant enhancement in its antibacterial efficacy through photocatalysis. The enhanced photocatalytic performance and excellent stability can be attributed to the incorporation of Ag3PO4 with m-Hal, which enhanced the dispersibility and facilitated efficient carrier separation of Ag3PO4. The present type of CNMs exhibited the advantages of high efficiency and low resistance air filtration, photodegradation ability, and recyclability, thereby enhancing the efficacy and lifespan of PMs filtration, bacteria disinfection, and antibiotic degradation. This offered a novel concept and viable approach for indoor air and water purification based on electrospinning technology.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of MXene-Modified cation-exchanged CoFe-LDH/CoFeCrO4 heterostructure for Antibiotic degradation and hydrogen production through synergistic charge dynamics

Systemizing an effective charge-transfer channel across a junction interface replete with ample active sites for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of semiconducting materials presents a formidable challenge. Here, we present a novel approach based on an in situ hydrothermal method for synthesizing CoFe-Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH)/CoFeCrO4 heterojunction materials that were partially derived from CoFe-LDH. These materials synergistically interact with Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets facilitating multi-interface interactions. Indeed, the highest tetracycline hydrochloride degradation rate of nearly 92% in 2 h was achieved because of the intense synergy between the CoFe-LDH/CoFeCrO4 heterojunction material optimized with 7.5 wt% of MXene nanosheets (CMC-7.5). This degradation performance was 3.1 times greater than that of the original CoFe-LDH. Further, CMC-7.5 produces the highest H2 gas of 458.79 μmol h−1g−1 from a photocatalytic water splitting reaction. The formation of a Schottky energy barrier between the partially derived CoFe-LDH/CoFeCrO4 unit and MXene promoted the fast transfer of photogenerated electrons from CoFe-LDH/CoFeCrO4 to the surface of MXene, thereby providing a plethora of active sites for photocatalytic reactions. Photoelectrochemical assessments using transient and linear sweep voltammetry along with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed efficient charge carrier transfer. Moreover, the optimized CMC-7.5 photoelectrode has a superior integral area and exhibited excellent stability over 100 cycles. Finally, the study outlines the construction of several advanced materials with multi-interface heterojunctions involving cation-exchanged LDH derivatives with high photogenerated charge carrier separation efficiency and minimal interfacial migration resistance to serve as stability benchmarks for practical applications.

Constructing stable type-II NaLiTi3O7/La2S3 heterojunctions for efficient photocatalytic charge separation and hydrogen production

Designing titanium-based oxides with efficient photogenerated carrier separation is an essential approach to enhance their photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. ALiTi3O7 possesses excellent stability, corrosion resistance, and non-toxicity. More importantly, its stoichiometry can be changed along with the variations in A-site elements and Li content, leading to tunable redox potentials of the conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM). Exploring the possible application of such materials in the field of photocatalysis is crucial for developing novel and efficient titanium-based photocatalysts. As a member of the family, NaLiTi3O7 (NLT) has a large bandgap, limiting its application as visible light photocatalyst. To address this issue, non-toxic La2S3 (LS) narrow-bandgap semiconductor was incorporated to form a heterojunction. The characterization techniques have revealed the structural and interfacial characteristics of the NLT-LS heterojunction, while the Infrared, Raman, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and work-function tests elucidated the influence of the interface interaction on charge carrier separation mechanism. The test results further demonstrated that the formation of a type II heterojunction facilitated the transfer of photogenerated electrons from the conduction band of LS to the conduction band of NLT under light radiation. Simultaneously, the induced holes were confined to the valence band of LS. This charge transfer characteristic significantly improved the separation efficiency of the photogenerated carriers in the heterojunction, ultimately resulting in a photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of 102.4 μmol h−1 g−1 for the NLT-LS2 sample, which is ∼8 times higher than that of pure NLT and almost no decay after four cycles.

Novel 2D/2D S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation enables ciprofloxacin ultrafast degradation: High-efficiency photogenerated carrier transport

Organic pollutants, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), are ubiquitously detected in wastewater. However, their removal remains a challenge for conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Photocatalysis and peroxymonosulfate activation coupling are considered a promising strategy for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants. However, identifying optimal photocatalysts that can effectively couple with peroxymonosulfate activation and induce synergistic degradation of organic pollutants remains a challenge to be addressed. In this work, a novel S-scheme inorganic–organic heterojunction BiVO4/Cu-TCPP (BC) was fabricated. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectrum showed that the strong internal electric field of the S-scheme heterojunctions enabled efficient carrier transport. The generated photogenerated electrons could activate the peroxymonosulfate, which further promoted the separation of the carriers. The BC-vis-peroxymonosulfate system achieved 93.1% ciprofloxacin removal in 10 min with apparent rate constants k of 0.2426 min−1, which is larger than most reported peroxymonosulfate systems. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry demonstrated that the synergistic coupling of S-scheme heterojunction with peroxymonosulfate activation significantly improved the catalytic activity of the reaction system and enabled rapid CIP removal via both radical and nonradical pathways. The BC-vis-peroxymonosulfate system demonstrated ultra-fast removal of other quinolone antibiotics and organic pollutants and strong environmental adaptability under various conditions, suggesting its great potential for practical application. This study provides new insights for the design of efficient S-scheme heterojunction coupled peroxymonosulfate activation for environmental remediation.

Targeted Drug Delivery to ACE2+ Cells Using Engineered Extracellular Vesicles: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for COVID-19.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential drug carriers in the fight against COVID-19. This study investigates the ability of EVs as drug carriers to target SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. EVs were modified using Xstamp technology to carry the virus's RBD, enhancing targeting ability to hACE2+ cells and improving drug delivery efficiency. Characterization confirmed EVs' suitability as drug carriers. For in vitro tests, A549, Caco-2, and 4T1 cells were used to assess the targeting specificity of EVRs (EVs with membrane-surface enriched RBD). Moreover, we utilized an ex vivo lung tissue model overexpressing hACE2 as an ex vivo model to confirm the targeting capability of EVRs toward lung tissue. The study also evaluated drug loading efficiency and assessed the potential of the anti-inflammatory activity on A549 lung cancer cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide. Results demonstrate the successful construction of RBD-fused EVRs on the membrane-surface. In both in vitro and ex vivo models, EVRs significantly enhance their targeting ability towards hACE2+ cells, rendering them a safe and efficient drug carrier. Furthermore, ultrasound loading efficiently incorporates IL-10 into EVRs, establishing an effective drug delivery system that ameliorates the pro-inflammatory response induced by LPS-stimulated A549 cells. These findings indicate promising opportunities for engineered EVs as a novel nanomedicine carrier, offering valuable insights for therapeutic strategies against COVID-19 and other diseases.

Flexible Indoor Perovskite Solar Cells by In Situ Bottom-Up Crystallization Modulation and Interfacial Passivation.

A robust perovskite-buried interface is pivotal for achieving high-performance flexible indoor photovoltaics as it significantly influences charge transport and extraction efficiency. Herein, a molecular bridge strategy is introduced utilizing sodium 2-cyanoacetate (SZC) additive at the perovskite-buried interface to simultaneously achieve in situ passivation of interfacial defects and bottom-up crystallization modulation, resulting in high-performance flexible indoor photovoltaic applications. Supported by both theoretical calculations and experimental evidences, it illustrates how SZCs serve as molecular bridges, establishing robust bonds between SnO2 transport layer and perovskite, mitigating oxygen vacancy defects and under-coordinated Pb defects at interface during flexible fabrication. This, in turn, enhances interfacial energy level alignment and facilitates efficient carrier transport. Moreover, this in situ investigation of perovskite crystallization dynamics reveals bottom-up crystallization modulation, extending perovskite growth at the buried interface and influencing subsequent surface recrystallization. This results in larger crystalline grains and improved lattice strain of the perovskite during flexible fabrication. Finally, the optimized flexible solar cells achieve an impressive efficiency exceeding 41% at 1000 lux, with a fill factor as high as 84.32%. The concept of the molecular bridge represents a significant advancement in enhancing the performance of perovskite-based flexible indoor photovoltaics for the upcoming era of Internet of Things (IoT).

Three-dimensional donor-acceptor conjugated porous polymers based on metal-porphyrin and triazine for highly effective photodegradation of organic pollutants in water

Three-dimensional donor-acceptor (D-A) type conjugated porous polymers (CPPs) was designed and synthesized via imine condensation of copper tetraaminoporphyrin (CuTAPP) as donor and 1,3,5-tris-(4-formyl phenyl) triazine (TFPT) as acceptor, named as CuPT-CPP. The CuPT-CPP possesses a high specific surface area (73.7 m2/g) and excellent photophysical properties. The simultaneous introduction of the organometallic molecules and D-A structures in CuPT-CPP could be broadened the visible-light response range (400–800 nm) and facilitated efficient photogenerated carrier separation and transportation. As heterogeneous photocatalysts, CuPT-CPP has excellent photocatalytic performances under visible light irradiation, leading to excellent model pollutant rhodamine B degradation efficiency up to about 100% in 3 h, it has superb stability and reusability during the photocatalytic processes, and CuPT-CPP also exhibited broad substrate adaptability, which could photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). This work indicates that three-dimensional D-A type porphyrin- and triazine-based CuPT-CPP has great potential in the practical application of photocatalysis.