Flower-like Microspheres Research Articles

Stable multi-electron reaction stimulated by W doping VS4 for enhancing magnesium storage performance

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) hold promise for offering higher volumetric energy density and safety features, attracting increasing research interest as the next post lithium-ion batteries. Developing high performance cathode material by inducing multi-electron reaction process as well as maintaining structural stability is the key to the development and application of RMBs. Herein, multi-electron reaction occurred in VS4 by simple W doping strategy. W doping induces valence of partial V as V2+ and V3+ in VS4 structure, and then stimulates electrochemical reaction involving multi-electrons in 0.5% W-V-S. The flower-like microsphere morphology as well as rich S vacancies is also modulated by W doping to neutralize structure change in such multi-electron reaction process. The fabricated 0.5% W-V-S delivers higher specific capacity (149.3 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1, which is 1.6 times higher than that of VS4), superior rate capability (76 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1), and stable cycling performance (1500 cycles with capacity retention ratio of 93.8%). Besides that, pesudocapaticance-like contribution analysis as well as galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) further confirms the enhanced Mg2+ storage kinetics during such multi-electron involved electrochemical reaction process. Such discovery provides new insights into the designing of multi-electron reaction process in cathode as well as neutralizing structural change during such reaction for realizing superior electrochemical performance in energy storage devices.

Designing flower-like La-Bi2WO6/Ni@N-rGO composite for the photocatalytic oxidation coupled in-suit hydrogenation desulfurization of diesel oil

The ultra-deep removal of 4,6-DMDB and decrease in loss of C/ H atoms is one of the bottlenecks in achieving ultra-low sulfur fuel oil, which is resolved with photocatalytic oxidation coupled with in-situ hydrodesulfurization. Herein, a flower cluster microsphere composite La-Bi2WO6/Ni@N-rGO as photocatalytic oxidation coupling with in-situ hydrodesulfurization catalysts was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. The characterization results of STEM, SEM, Raman, and XPS showed that La-Bi2WO6 combined with Ni@N-rGO formed flower-like microspheres with large specific surface areas. The experimental results showed that the catalysts had excellent photocatalytic oxidation coupling with in-situ hydrodesulfurization performance and good stability. A desulfurization ratio of 4,6-DMDBT reached 99.9% under mild conditions. A plausible mechanism for the photocatalytic desulfurization of 4,6-DMDBT was presumed by combining experiments with density functional theory. The designed La-Bi2WO6/Ni@N-rGO could be utilized for a large-scale process of diesel and other transpiration fuel oil.

Preparation of 3D BiOI microspheres for highly efficient visible light-induced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Semiconductor photocatalysts for pharmaceutical antibiotic wastewater treatment are subject to increasing attention. Herein, BiOI photocatalysts were prepared by a one-step solvothermal method using ethylene glycol (EG) as solvent and their tetracycline (TC) degradation activities under visible light irradiation were compared. Catalyst preparation temperature, time, and pH conditions were optimized, and the catalyst physicochemical properties were characterized. Solution pH was found to have a significant effect on the morphology, electronic structure, and surface exposed facet of BiOI. Catalysts synthesized in the absence of NaOH presented more regular 3D flower-like microspheres, possessed larger surface area, were composed of many small nanosheets predominantly exposing the (001) facet, and showed better photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation efficiency. The optimized BiOI presents superior TC degradation efficiency (73.6%) under visible light irradiation, and recycling experiments indicated that the catalysts have good stability and reusability. The active species were investigated by free radical trapping experiments, revealing that •O2− plays a major role in the photodegradation process. Possible TC degradation pathways are proposed according to mass spectrometry analysis.

Facile construction on flower-like CuS microspheres and their applications for the high-performance aqueous ammonium-ion batteries

The aqueous ammonium-ion batteries (AAIBs) exhibit significant significance because of their high energy, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and high safety. Nonetheless, electrode materials with good cycle stability as well as great capacity have a crucial role in developing aqueous ammonium ion batteries. Herein, flower-like CuS microspheres were successfully utilized in AAIBs. The experimental results demonstrated that the as-synthetized copper sulfides revealed high conductivity and flower-like microspheres, and its initial discharge capacity was as high as 710 mAh g−1 at the 0.1 A g−1 current density. Moreover, the cycle stability of batteries were greatly improved by optimizing the electrolyte composition. These results represent a novel design strategy for the AAIBs.

3D porous flower-like MoS2 grows on carbon cloth and used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries

In this paper, after hydrothermal reaction, 3D porous flower-like 2H-MoS2 microspheres with size distribution of 400–500 nm were uniformly loaded on carbon cloth (CC) fibers to obtain CC/MoS2 composite. As an anode material for LIBs, the obtained CC/MoS2 composite delivers an initial discharge/charge specific capacities of 1872/1680 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, with the corresponding Coulomb efficiency is as high as 89.7%. Moreover, combine the advantages of CC and MoS2, excellent cycle stability with 1060 mAh g−1 (0.5 A g−1 for 200 cycles) has been obtained.

Facile construction of Z-scheme g-C3N4/BiOI heterojunction for improving degradation of tetracycline antibiotics

Tubular g-C3N4 derived from melamine and trithiocyanuric acid was coupled with flower-like BiOI microspheres to form Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The structure, morphology, and optical properties of the prepared g-C3N4/BiOI were characterized. When the mass fractions of g-C3N4 in the composites was 5 wt%, g-C3N4/BiOI exhibited the highest removal efficiency of 84.2 % within 60 min. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4/BiOI could be ascribed to stronger absorption in the visible region and faster charge transfer rate. Trapping experiments revealed that h+ and ·O2− radicals were the main active species. Based on the band structure and trapping experiments, the Z-scheme pathway was proposed to clarify the photocatalytic mechanism.

Unveiling a cutting-edge bi-ligand nickel metal-organic framework as an electrode material for symmetric supercapacitors

Perylene diimide (PDI)-based MOFs feature a substantial specific capacitance, terrific cycle durability, swift charge/discharge rates, exceptional chemical as well as thermal endurance, diversity in electrode design, and inexpensive production costs. In light of these benefits, PDI-based MOFs are intriguing options for utilization in energy storage. Inspired by the distinctive features of perylene diimide-based ligands, highly conjugated and nitrogen-rich organic ligands Perylene diimide-L-dopa (PDI-L-Dopa) were incorporated to create the Ni-MOF architecture. The resulting hierarchical flower-like microspheres of bi-ligand Ni-MOF had better electron transport, conductivity, and wettability. When applied as electrode material in a three-electrode system considering a specific capacitance of 198 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, the Ni-MOF-24 h electrode showcased beneficial electrochemical efficiency. XRD, FT-IR, and XPS were used to validate the formation of Ni-MOF and disclose the exact chemical composition and valence state inside the material. The hierarchical flower-like microsphere structure of the Ni-MOF, formed of 2D petal-like nanosheets, was revealed by FE-SEM and TEM. Additionally, when Ni-MOF-24 h electrodes used to fabricate symmetric supercapacitor (SSC), it reveals a high energy density (Ed) of 23 Wh/kg at a corresponding power density (Pd) of 600 W/kg along with extraordinary cyclic stability over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles with retaining 99 % of the initial capacitance. This research sheds light on the design and manufacture of innovative materials for long-term and efficient energy storage devices based on MOFs.

N-doped carbon/TiO2 composites with enhanced photocatalytic performance for the removal of organic pollutants

A nitrogen doped carbon (NC) material, obtained via the camphor combustion technique, was used to develop a TiO2 based visible light photocatalyst. Various physical and analytical techniques were used to characterize the structural, morphological and photocatalytic study of the obtained catalyst. The results illustrate that N-doped carbon/TiO2 composites (NCT) exhibit NC spheroids embedded on the surface of 3D flower-like hierarchical TiO2 microspheres composed of 1D nanorods. The presence of C-N, C-C, N-Ti-O and Ti-O-C was successfully confirmed by the FTIR study. The UV–vis absorption spectra revealed the energy bandgap between 2.4 and 2.8 eV, confirming the enhanced visible light absorption ability for the NCT samples with increased wt% of N-doped carbon. The NCT sample has achieved 86% photodegradation of methyl orange in an aqueous solution within 25 min under mercury light irradiation and 85% within 10 min under natural sunlight irradiation. In addition, NCT3 composite degrades 30% of BPA (20 ppm) within 210 min under mercury light irradiation. The enhanced catalytic activity of the composite material was ascribed due to the high surface area, large pore size and high pore. Also, the high absorption in the visible range and efficient charge transfer of the charge carriers were credited for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the NCT3 sample.

Tailoring of visible light driven photocatalytic activities of Bi2MoO6 flower-like microspheres via synergistic effect of doping and surface Plasmon resonance

Series of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Bi2MoO6 (Bi2MoO6:Er3+/xYb3+) and Bi2MoO6:Er3+/0.03Yb3+@Biy flower-like microspheres were designed to improve the visible light driven photocatalytic activities of Bi2MoO6 flower-like microspheres. The electronic structure of Bi2MoO6 host was analyzed through the first-principle density functional theory. Excited at 980 nm, glaring UC emissions are gained in Bi2MoO6:Er3+/xYb3+ compound and their strongest intensities are obtained at × = 0.05, where the corresponding mechanism is a two-photon absorption process. Through studying the tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic activities of final products were explored. Compared with Bi2MoO6 flower-like microspheres, these samples doped with Er3+ and Yb3+ can remove TC more efficiently and the optimal performance is achieved when a = 0.03. Furthermore, via using the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect caused by metallic Bi, the photocatalytic activities of the designed samples were further manipulated, where the TC removal rate of Bi2MoO6:Er3+/0.03Yb3+@Bi0.10 flower-like microspheres is 91.0% after irradiating by visible light for 24 min. Moreover, the included photocatalytic processes are triggered by ·O2–, ·OH and h+ active species. Additionally, the TC solution treated by the designed photocatalysts shows non-toxicity to plants. These results imply that Bi2MoO6:Er3+/0.03Yb3+@Biy flower-like microspheres are potential visible light driven photocatalysts for wastewater purification and our finding may also provide guidelines for tailoring of the photocatalytic activities of semiconductors by synergistic effect of doping and SPR engineering.

Mixed-biomass engineering achieves multi-doped highly-disordered hierarchical flower-like hard carbon for advanced potassium-ion battery

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have emerged as a significant technology for large-scale energy storage. With merits of high abundance, sustainability, and low cost, hard carbons are employed as promising anodes for PIBs, yet distorted carbon lattice induces sluggish conductivity and structural degradation, posing key challenges of low power performance and inferior life span. Here, we proposed a mixed-biomass strategy to design a multi-doped flower-like carbon micro-sphere with major doping of N and trace doping of P and S (NPS-FCM) for advanced PIBs operation. The mixed-biomass engineering achieved inherently rich heteroatoms’ doping and highly disordered hierarchical configuration simultaneously. The NPS-FCM material with expanded lattice spacing, larger specific area, and abundant edge defects and pores, offers robust rate property, and impressive cycle life (1000 cycles with 0.147 ‰ capacity decay per cycle). The potassium-ion full cell (NPS-FCM//PTCDA) was also implemented to show a high median-voltage of 1.78 V and steady cycling. Density functional theory calculation convinced the upgraded electronic conductivity and lowered adsorption energy for potassium storage. This work highlights the importance of mixed-biomass’ cooperation to provide pivotal guidance for sustainable and advanced electrodes for next-generation energy storage.

Preparation of CuS flower-like microsphere and CuS/g-C3N4/GO ternary photocatalyst and their photocatalytic performance

Preparation of CuS flower-like microsphere and CuS/g-C3N4/GO ternary photocatalyst and their photocatalytic performance

Four-Arm Polymer-Guided Formation of Curcumin-Loaded Flower-Like Porous Microspheres as Injectable Cell Carriers for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Stem cell injection is an effective approach for treating diabetic wounds; however, shear stress during injections can negatively affect their stemness and cell growth. Cell-laden porous microspheres canprovide shelter for bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC). Herein, curcumin-loaded flower-like porous microspheres (CFPM) are designed by combining phase inversion emulsification with thermally induced phase separation-guided four-arm poly (l-lactic acid) (B-PLLA). Notably, the CFPM shows a well-defined surface topography and inner structure, ensuring a high surface area to enable the incorporation and delivery of a large amount of -BMSC and curcumin. The BMSC-carrying CFPM (BMSC@CFPM) maintains the proliferation, retention, and stemness of -BMSCs, which, in combination with their sustainable curcumin release, facilitates the endogenous production of growth/proangiogenic factors and offers a local anti-inflammatory function. An in vivobioluminescence assay demonstrates that BMSC@CFPM cansignificantly increase the retention and survival of BMSC in wound sites. Accordingly, BMSC@CFPM, with no significant systemic toxicity, couldsignificantly accelerate diabetic wound healing by promoting angiogenesis, collagen reconstruction, and M2 macrophage polarization. RNA sequencing further unveils the mechanisms by which BMSC@CFPM promotes diabetic wound healing by increasing -growth factors and enhancing angiogenesis through the JAK/STAT pathway. Overall, BMSC@CFPM represents a potential therapeutic tool for diabetic wound healing.

Facile deposition of CoMoS4 on flower-like CdIn2S4 microspheres: Enhanced charge separation and efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Constructing heterojunction is an efficient strategy to boost the charge carrier separation rate and promote the catalytic performance for photocatalysts. In this paper, amorphous CoMoS4 was first deposited on the surface of the flower-like microspheres of CdIn2S4 to fabricate CoMoS4/CdIn2S4 composites for accelerating the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) rate under simulated sunlight irradiation. The compositions, morphologies, and photoelectrochemical properties of the obtained samples were examined. SEM images show that a great number of CoMoS4 nanoparticles were filled into the gaps of CdIn2S4 microspheres. Optical characterization shows that the combination of CoMoS4 and CdIn2S4 strongly strengthened their light absorption capability. The remarkably promoted PHE rate of the optimum 5%-CCIS catalyst (2196 μmol g−1 h−1) was 8.4 folds larger than that for CdIn2S4. More importantly, the heterostructured 5%-CCIS composite also exhibited good activity stability in the three-cycled experiments. Photoelectrochemical measurements provided the energy band potentials and demonstrated the efficient charge separation efficiency, consistent with the photocatalytic activity of CoMoS4/CdIn2S4 composites for hydrogen production. This study will provide a new strategy to fabricate CoMoS4-based heterostructures for boosting the hydrogen evolution under visible light.

Constructing 3D flower-like Ho3+/Yb3+-codoped BiOCl upconverting microspheres with splendid visible-light driven photocatalytic activities towards ultrafast tetracycline removal

Exploring effective strategy to improve visible and near-infrared (NIR) light response of semiconductor photocatalysts is an urgent challenge. Herein, series of 3D flower-like BiOCl and Ho3+/Yb3+-codoped BiOCl microspheres were designed to fulfill the aforementioned issues. Via controlling the reaction time, both the morphology details and photocatalytic behaviors of 3D flower-like BiOCl microspheres are simultaneously manipulated. Moreover, excited by 980 nm light, intense upconversion emissions arising from Ho3+ are observed in 3D flower-like BiOCl microspheres, reaching up to their states when Yb3+ content is 5 mol%. On the other hand, the photocatalytic features of resultant microspheres are systematically investigated by detecting the tetracycline (TC) removal ability under visible-NIR light irradiation. Compared with 3D flower-like BiOCl microspheres, these products doped with Ho3+ and Yb3+ exhibit much better photocatalytic activities, in which the 3D flower-like BiOCl:Ho3+/0.03Yb3+ microspheres can remove 85% of TC within 2 min upon visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the 3D flower-like Ho3+/Yb3+-codoped BiOCl microspheres can also harvest the NIR light to degrade TC. It is found that h+,·O2- and·OH active species are generated during the photocatalytic process. Additionally, the toxic TC can decompose into non-biotoxicity producst by using the designed microspheres to realize wastewater purification. Our currently finding may propose prospective guidance for the preparation of highly efficient photocatalysts via using rare-earth ions doping, morphology control and upconversion emission strategy.

Fruit waste-derived cellulose-templated hierarchical spheres of ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets for oxygen evolution reactions

Rising interest in cleaner and sustainable energy propelled interest in 2D nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage technologies, including electrocatalytic materials for metal-air batteries and water-splitting devices. Oxygen evolution reactions are key constraints in many energy conversion applications because of their slow kinetics. The present work addressed fruit waste-derived cellulose-templated hierarchical spheres of ultrathin MoS2 (MoCe) nanosheets, synthesized via hydrothermal and lyophilization techniques, for oxygen evolution reactions. The pristine MoS2 and MoCe are thoroughly characterized by Raman, SEM, HRTEM, BET, FTIR, XRD, and XPS analyses to reveal their chemical, structural, morphological, and crystalline features. The quantity of cellulose used for the synthesis of MoCe governs the crystallite size and number of molecular lamellae in each MoS2 nanosheet, which in turn influences the electrocatalytic activity. The MoCe possesses ‘Craspedia’, a billy flower-like hierarchical microsphere comprising well-organized ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets and furnishes excellent mesoporosity with ample surface-active sites for electrocatalytic activity. A smaller Tafel slope (97 mV.dec-1) make cellulose-templated microspheres of ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets promising electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions.

Mint powder assisted synthesis of CQDs/BiOCl with tunable OVs and improved photocatalytic property

Development of advanced technologies for the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from waterbody has been a challenge because of the persistent, widely distributed and potentially toxic nature of PFOA in the aquatic environment as well as the high binding energy of C-F bond, therefore, it is difficult to remove PFOA by routine heating, ultraviolet radiation and biological degradation. In this study, BiOCl-based photocatalysts containing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with visible light reactivity were prepared by a hydrothermal approach using mint powder (MNP) as raw material for CQDs. The prepared samples exhibit self-assembled three dimensions(3D) flower-like microspheres with adjustable oxygen vacancies (OVs). The experimental results show that the activity of BiOCl modified with CQDs is significantly increased compared to that of the reference BiOCl. When the mass ratio of MNP/BiOCl is 2%, the 2% CQDs/BiOCl photocatalyst shows a three-fold enhancement in degradation activity toward destruction of rhodamine (RhB) compared with the reference BiOCl under visible light irradiation. Additionally, degradation activity of 2% CQDs/BiOCl catalyst toward decontamination of PFOA under UV light irradiation also increases. This presentation offers a robust strategy for the synthesis of significantly efficient photocatalysts for detoxification of the organic pollutants.

Oxygen vacancies mediated flower-like BiOX microspheres for photocatalytic purification of methyl mercaptan odor: Significant distinction induced by halogen elements

Odor pollution, represented by low-concentration volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs), has become a difficult issue in the field of air pollution control. Photocatalytic oxidation technology is applicable for the treatment of low-concentration VOSCs. However, currently available photocatalysts often suffer from limited efficiency and severe deactivation. Herein, flower-like BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I) microspheres abundant with oxygen vacancies (OVs) were developed for the removal of the model pollutant CH3SH. BiOI exhibited the optimal CH3SH oxidation performance, with the removal efficiency stabilizing at 75% within 180-min simulated solar-light irradiation, while BiOCl and BiOBr deactivated from 38% and 55% to 20% and 22%, respectively. Mechanism analysis found, OVs and I- synergistically endowed BiOI with better CH3SH adsorption and activation, enhanced light harvesting, quicker charge transfer, and more affluent •OH and •O2- productions. Photogenerated e- and •OH took a predominantly irreplaceable part in CH3SH oxidation, followed by •O2- and h+. New pathways of CH3SH photocatalytic oxidation was proposed, and dimethyl trisulfide was firstly found as its oxidation product. Besides, the oxidation products SO42- was proved to be converted to •SO4- radicals to further promote CH3SH oxidation, and the largest production of •SO4- over BiOI might be responsible for its excellent performance. Furthermore, the strong adsorption and substantial accumulation of CH3SO3H on BiOCl and BiOBr might be the key cause of their rapid deactivation. This work would inspire the construction of more effective photocatalysts for the purification of VOSCs odor.

Dual co-catalysts Ag/Ti3C2/TiO2 hierarchical flower-like microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic H2-production activity

Solar-powered semiconductor photocatalysis is considered a powerful strategy for addressing environmental pollution and energy crisis. Nevertheless, the separation and transfer abilities of photogenerated photocatalysts remain unsatisfactory. Herein, dual Ti3C2 nanosheets/Ag co-catalysts synergistically decorated hierarchical flower-like TiO2 microspheres for boosting photocatalytic H2 production were fabricated by electrostatic self-assembly and subsequent photoreduction procedures. The optimal Ag/Ti3C2/TiO2 composite demonstrated an excellent photocatalytic H2-production rate of 1024.72 μmol g−1 h−1 under simulated solar irradiation, achieving nearly 40, 2.3, and 1.8 folds with respect to that obtained on pristine TiO2, optimized Ti3C2/TiO2 composite, and Ag/TiO2 composite, respectively. The considerably improved photocatalytic H2-production activity is associated with the synergistic effect of the hierarchical flower-like structure of TiO2, excellent electrical conductivity of Ti3C2, and surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag, which enhances the light absorption capacity and promotes the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. This study provides insight into the design of high-efficiency photocatalysts with dual co-catalysts for solar H2 production.

Scalable ambient conditions-based fabrication of flower-like bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) film incorporating defects aimed at visible-light-induced water-splitting application

The scalable application of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) in photoelectrochemical water splitting is restricted by its low charge separation efficiency and slow water oxidation kinetics. Here, modified BiVO4 photoanodes were fabricated at ambient conditions with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) for improving the electron-hole generation rate and lowering the charge carrier recombination rate. Modification by PEG produced 3D flower-like BiVO4 microspheres, along with Bi5+, Bi(3−x)+, and V4+ species onto the PEG-BiVO4 surface, which were accompanied by oxygen vacancies (OVs) working in tandem with these species and acting as surface-active intermediates, thereby facilitating hole transfer to the electrolyte. Under visible light irradiation (100 mW/cm2), 3D flower-like PEG-BiVO4 microspheres produce the maximum photocurrent density of 5.75 mA/cm2 in water splitting at 1.23 V against a reverse hydrogen electrode (RHE). The superior photoelectrochemical performance of PEG-BiVO4 over its counterparts is attributed to the incorporation of 3D flower-like microspheres and band structure modulation by the O vacancies, Bi(3−x)+, Bi5+, and V4+ species. The synthesized PEG-BiVO4 is expected to attract attention as a scalable photocatalyst for oxidation of water because it is easy to synthesize at room temperature and it exhibits superb photocatalytic performance.

Preparation and antibacterial properties of bismuth-rich Bi/Bi4O5I2 photocatalytic materials with surface defects

A series of bismuth modified bismuth iodide flower-like microspheres with rich oxygen vacancies were prepared by solvothermal method. Herein, a mixed solution of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol was used as the solvent. By adjusting the ratio of these two solutions in the solvent, it is not only possible to prepare Bi4O5I2 microspheres containing different concentrations of oxygen vacancies, but also to control the content of Bi. The Bi/ Bi4O5I2 photocatalyst prepared when the ratio of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol was 5:1 in solvent showed excellent optical properties, and more than 99% of E. coli could be inactivated within 30 min under visible light irradiation. The antibacterial mechanism experiment showed that reactive oxygen species were the main substances affecting the antibacterial effect of Bi/ Bi4O5I2, and the scavenging experiment of reactive oxygen showed that •O2- was the key active substance in the antibacterial process. Finally, it was verified that reactive oxygen species can act on the interior and exterior of bacteria, indicating a more effective antibacterial pathway.