Multiple Functional Components Research Articles

Vertically Stacked Amorphous Ir/Ru/Ir Oxide Nanosheets for Boosted Acidic Water Splitting.

Integrating multiple functional components into vertically stacked heterostructures offers a prospective approach to manipulating the physicochemical properties of materials. The synthesis of vertically stacked heterogeneous noble metal oxides remains a challenge. Herein, we report a surface segregation approach to create vertically stacked amorphous Ir/Ru/Ir oxide nanosheets (NSs). Cross-sectional high-angle annular darkfield scanning transmission electron microscopy images demonstrate a three-layer heterostructure in the amorphous Ir/Ru/Ir oxide NSs, with IrOx layers located on the upper and lower surfaces, and a layer of RuOx sandwiched between the two IrOx layers. The vertically stacked heterostructure is a result of the diffusion of Ir atoms from the amorphous IrRuOx solid solution to the surface. The obtained A-Ir/Ru/Ir oxide NSs display an ultralow overpotential of 191 mV at 10 mA cm-2 toward acid oxygen evolution reaction and demonstrate excellent performance in a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer, which requires only 1.63 V to achieve 1 A cm-2 at 60 °C, with virtually no activity decay observed after a 1300 h test.

Precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials for functional regulation on biological interface

AbstractPrecise design and control of molecular self‐assembly as living creatures are exciting ideas in the field of nanotechnology. Characterized with predesigned geometries and accurate spatial addressability, programmable DNA origami nanostructures have been recognized as optimized tools for assembling multiple functional components. A variety of biomolecules can be attached to the nanoscale drawing boards in a site‐specific fashion, thus facilitating the precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials for studies on biological interface. In this minireview, we highlight the recent advances in the precise construction of DNA origami‐based materials with artificial bio‐structures and/or biomimicking functions. The regulation of biological functions by these DNA origami‐engineered assemblies at the bio‐interface has been summarized and discussed.

Comparative analysis of functional components in Sakekasu (Sake lees)

Background:Sake lees (Sakekasu), a byproduct of sake production, has been recently attracting attention as a functional food. Sakekasu is rich in nutrients and contains glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which are well-known functional compounds. The content of these compounds in Sakekasu depends on a variety of factors, including fermentation conditions, especially the method and length of ripening. These differences are reflected prominently in the color of Sakekasu, which becomes darker due to the long ripening period and high drying temperature. Objective: This study aimed to clarify the contents of functional components in Sakekasu with different color tones (i.e., ripening period).Methods:Three types of Sakekasu with different color tones (white, ocher, and brawn) were collected from several breweries. The contents of multiple functional components in their extracts were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution ion-trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.Results: Sakekasu with white color had more abundant GPC, SAM, and fatty acids than those with darker color. However, ethyl glucoside and glyceryl glucosides did not differ significantly by color tone. Furthermore, the Maillard reaction products of sugar and dipeptide were mainly found in dark-colored Sakekasu, and their structures were annotated by tandem mass spectrometry.Conclusions:This study has clarified many functional compounds in Sakekasu in relation to color tone (i.e., ripening period) and highlighted the potential of Sakekasu with white color tone as a functional food.Keywords: Sakekasu, functional components, glycerophosphocholine, S-adenosylmethionine, tandem mass spectrometer

(Invited) Development of Interfacial Materials for High-Performance Battery Materials

Metal and alloy anode materials are the most promising anode for next-generation batteries. The interfacial instability in the electrochemical energy storage devices has been the primary issue hindering their practical application. In this talk, I will present approaches on de novo designing and architecting stable interphases on electrode materials using chemically and electrochemically active materials. The strategy works by introducing multiple functional components into the polymer composite which can bond to the Li-based material surface to participate in the formation of the SEI. The reinforced SEI shows much better stability than the SEI generated by the electrolyte additive strategy. The functional-material-derived interfaces/interphases present desirable ionic conductivity, density, homogeneity, and mechanical strength. The interfaces/interphases reinforced by the interfacial materials show much better stability than that reinforced by conventional strategies such as using electrolyte additive-commercially used solution to interface stability issues. Our findings open a new way to design stable electrochemically stable interfaces in electrode materials for next-generation electrochemical energy storage.

Molecular encapsulation of 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (4-methylphenyl) porphyrinato iron (III) chloride (FeTPP) into MIL-101(Cr) for superior CO2/N2 separation performance

The greenhouse effect associated with excessive CO2 emission has led to a series of environmental issues, thus developing excellent adsorbents for CO2 capture from flue gas offers a sustainable approach. To combine the merit of multiple functional components, novel FeTPP@MIL-101(Cr) was prepared by incorporation of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylphenyl)porphyrinato iron (III) chloride (FeTPP) into MIL-101(Cr) cages via in-situ packaging strategy. The cage-confined FeTPP can both regulate the pore structures of MIL-101(Cr) and provide additional binding sites for CO2 adsorption. Profiting from extra interactions for CO2 component and the “sieving effect” for N2 component induced by incorporation of FeTPP, the discrepancy of isosteric heat for CO2 and N2 was largely amplified. Notably, the CO2/N2 selectivity (15/85, v/v) calculated by ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) increased from 17.1 (MIL-101 (Cr)) to 41.8 (FeTPP@MIL-101 (Cr) with FeTPP loading of 4.98 wt%) at 273 K, 100 kPa, which is 2.44 times larger than that of pristine MIL-101 (Cr) and also exceeds most reported adsorbents.

Dynamic organization of cerebellar climbing fiber response and synchrony in multiple functional components reduces dimensions for reinforcement learning.

Cerebellar climbing fibers convey diverse signals, but how they are organized in the compartmental structure of the cerebellar cortex during learning remains largely unclear. We analyzed a large amount of coordinate-localized two-photon imaging data from cerebellar Crus II in mice undergoing 'Go/No-go' reinforcement learning. Tensor component analysis revealed that a majority of climbing fiber inputs to Purkinje cells were reduced to only four functional components, corresponding to accurate timing control of motor initiation related to a Go cue, cognitive error-based learning, reward processing, and inhibition of erroneous behaviors after a No-go cue. Changes in neural activities during learning of the first two components were correlated with corresponding changes in timing control and error learning across animals, indirectly suggesting causal relationships. Spatial distribution of these components coincided well with boundaries of Aldolase-C/zebrin II expression in Purkinje cells, whereas several components are mixed in single neurons. Synchronization within individual components was bidirectionally regulated according to specific task contexts and learning stages. These findings suggest that, in close collaborations with other brain regions including the inferior olive nucleus, the cerebellum, based on anatomical compartments, reduces dimensions of the learning space by dynamically organizing multiple functional components, a feature that may inspire new-generation AI designs.

RIPARIANET - Prioritising riparian ecotones to sustain and connect multiple biodiversity and functional components in river networks

Europe has committed to upscale ecosystems protection to include 30% of land and sea. However, due to historical overexploitation of natural assets, the available area for biodiversity protection is severely limited. Riparian zones are natural ecotones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, contributing disproportionately to regional biodiversity and providing multiple ecosystem functions and services. Due to this and their branching geometry, riparian networks form a vast system of ‘blue-green arteries’ which physically and functionally connect multiple ecosystems over elevation gradients, despite covering a relatively small area of the basin. Hence, RIPARIANET argues that developing approaches able to optimise the spatial conservation of natural stream-riparian networks represent a flagship example of biodiversity protection in the EU. Although the integrity of riparian zones is fundamental for the achievement of multiple EU environmental objectives, the lack of a standardised framework for biodiversity assessment and protection across Member States has led to extensive impairment of riparian areas and frequent stakeholder conflicts. The main objective of RIPARIANET is to leverage the increasing resolution of remote sensing information to provide practitioners with evidence-based guidance and approaches to biodiversity conservation. Key questions include: i) how can we remotely assess riparian integrity and identify areas which provide effective connectivity allowing species biodiversity and ecosystem functions to persist through meta-ecological processes? ii) how can we disentangle the influence of local- and network-scale stressors and processes on riparian biodiversity to better implement river basin management schemes? iii) to what extent do currently existing protected areas in rivers account for the geometry of riparian networks and their multifunctionality? We will address these questions in riparian networks within six river basins in Europe, including Boreal, Continental, Alpine, Temperate and Mediterranean systems. First, we will gather local needs and interests from key stakeholders together with satellite imagery and GIS environmental data for all basins. Then, riparian and river ecosystems functions will be modelled and ecological hotspots will be identified through a GIS-based multi-criteria approach, including stakeholder inputs. Then, we will collect in situ data to assess multiple biodiversity and stressors at the local scale and, subsequently, scale-up this information to the network scale using geostatistical tools and advanced modelling. This knowledge will be conveyed to managers at local and EU scales in the form of decision-support tools allowing decision-makers to identify protection gaps and ecological hotspots along riparian networks, based on multiple biodiversity, functional and connectivity criteria.

Polymer Complex Multilayers for Drug Delivery and Medical Devices.

Polymer complex multilayers (PCMs) can be engineered into various structures with tunable properties via layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly driven by noncovalent forces. Due to their ease of preparation, capability of integrating multiple functional components, and excellent substrate compliance, biocompatible PCMs as coating materials or individual entities have attracted extensive attention in biomedical applications. This Spotlight on Applications presents recent progress on PCMs applied for drug delivery and medical devices. We provide several examples to address the importance of using PCM platforms to achieve controlled drug delivery including stimuli-triggered release, sustained release, and spatiotemporal sequential release. The effects of PCM coatings on the bioresponse regulation and performance enhancement of implantable devices are also highlighted. Moreover, the design and fabrication of flexible electrical and optical elements modified with LBL PCMs have been discussed, which demonstrates the great potential to advance emerging wearable devices for disease monitoring and health management.

Bone targeting miR-26a loaded exosome-mimetics for bone regeneration therapy by activating Wnt signaling pathway

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have shown great potential in the areas of bone regeneration and treatment of age-related diseases. Engineered exosomes can integrate multiple functional components to achieve optimal, targeted therapeutic effects. This study combined large-scale generation, bone-targeting modification, and miR-26a loading for exosome-mimetics (EMs) to construct a cell-free delivery system that promotes bone regeneration with good biocompatibility. EMs were fabricated through sequential extrusion of MSCs and reached a 15-fold production yield compared to conventional exosome secretion. Systemic injection of Asp8-EM/miR-26a in mouse models accelerated bone-defect healing and prevented osteoporosis. The underlying mechanism involves miR-26a targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) to induce β-catenin accumulation, thus activating Wnt signaling pathway and promoting bone regeneration. This study provides a feasible and effective strategy for modifying EMs to enhance bone regeneration.

Truly form-factor–free industrially scalable system integration for electronic textile architectures with multifunctional fiber devices

An integrated textile electronic system is reported here, enabling a truly free form factor system via textile manufacturing integration of fiber-based electronic components. Intelligent and smart systems require freedom of form factor, unrestricted design, and unlimited scale. Initial attempts to develop conductive fibers and textile electronics failed to achieve reliable integration and performance required for industrial-scale manufacturing of technical textiles by standard weaving technologies. Here, we present a textile electronic system with functional one-dimensional devices, including fiber photodetectors (as an input device), fiber supercapacitors (as an energy storage device), fiber field-effect transistors (as an electronic driving device), and fiber quantum dot light-emitting diodes (as an output device). As a proof of concept applicable to smart homes, a textile electronic system composed of multiple functional fiber components is demonstrated, enabling luminance modulation and letter indication depending on sunlight intensity.

Digital Health Interventions for Adult Patients With Cancer Evaluated in Randomized Controlled Trials: Scoping Review.

Digital care has become an essential component of health care. Interventions for patients with cancer need to be effective and safe, and digital health interventions must adhere to the same requirements. The purpose of this study was to identify currently available digital health interventions developed and evaluated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting adult patients with cancer. A scoping review using the JBI methodology was conducted. The participants were adult patients with cancer, and the concept was digital health interventions. The context was open, and sources were limited to RCT effectiveness studies. The PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Research Information Sharing Service, and KoreaMed databases were searched. Data were extracted and analyzed to achieve summarized results about the participants, types, functions, and outcomes of digital health interventions. A total of 231 studies were reviewed. Digital health interventions were used mostly at home (187/231, 81%), and the web-based intervention was the most frequently used intervention modality (116/231, 50.2%). Interventions consisting of multiple functional components were most frequently identified (69/231, 29.9%), followed by those with the self-manage function (67/231, 29%). Web-based interventions targeting symptoms with the self-manage and multiple functions and web-based interventions to treat cognitive function and fear of cancer recurrence consistently achieved positive outcomes. More studies supported the positive effects of web-based interventions to inform decision-making and knowledge. The effectiveness of digital health interventions targeting anxiety, depression, distress, fatigue, health-related quality of life or quality of life, pain, physical activity, and sleep was subject to their type and function. A relatively small number of digital health interventions specifically targeted older adults (6/231, 2.6%) or patients with advanced or metastatic cancer (22/231, 9.5%). This scoping review summarized digital health interventions developed and evaluated in RCTs involving adult patients with cancer. Systematic reviews of the identified digital interventions are strongly recommended to integrate digital health interventions into clinical practice. The identified gaps in digital health interventions for cancer care need to be reflected in future digital health research.

Scene point cloud understanding and reconstruction technologies in 3D space

Scene point cloud understanding and reconstruction technologies in 3D space

Screening strategy for predominant phenolic components of digestive enzyme inhibitors in passion fruit peel extracts on simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

The targeted biological activity of a natural product is often the result of the combined action of multiple functional components. Screening for predominant contributing components of targeting activity is crucial for quality evaluation. Thirteen and nine phenolic compounds inhibiting α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively, were identified in the ethanol extracts of passion fruit peel through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis. Considering the different concentrations of components and their interactions, the role of the semi-inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) in the dose-effect relationship is limited. We proposed the active contribution rate (ACR), which is the ratio of a single component concentration to its IC50 in the whole, to assess the relative activity of each compound. Luteolin, quercetin, and vitexin exhibited a minimum IC50 . Before the simulation of gastrointestinal digestion, quercetin, salicylic acid, and luteolin were identified as the dominant contributors to α-glucosidase inhibition according to ACR, while salicylic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and quercetin were identified as dominant contributors to α-amylase inhibition. After simulated digestion, the contents of all polyphenolic compounds decreased by various degrees. Salicylic acid, gentisic acid, and vitexin became the dominant inhibitors of α-glucosidase based on ACR (cumulative 57.96%), while salicylic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid became the dominant inhibitors of α-amylase (cumulative 84.50%). Therefore, the ACR evaluation strategy can provide a quantitative reference for screening the predominant contributor components of a specific activity in complex systems. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

A designed photoenzyme for enantioselective [2+2] cycloadditions.

The ability to program new modes of catalysis into proteins would allow the development of enzyme families with functions beyond those found in nature. To this end, genetic code expansion methodology holds particular promise, as it allows the site-selective introduction of new functional elements into proteins as noncanonical amino acid side chains1-4. Here we exploit an expanded genetic code to develop a photoenzyme that operates by means of triplet energy transfer (EnT) catalysis, a versatile mode of reactivity in organic synthesis that is not accessible to biocatalysis at present5-12. Installation of a genetically encoded photosensitizer into the beta-propeller scaffold of DA_20_00 (ref. 13) converts a de novo Diels-Alderase into a photoenzyme for [2+2] cycloadditions (EnT1.0). Subsequent development and implementation of a platform for photoenzyme evolution afforded an efficient and enantioselective enzyme (EnT1.3, up to 99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)) that can promote intramolecular and bimolecular cycloadditions, including transformations that have proved challenging to achieve selectively with small-molecule catalysts. EnT1.3 performs >300 turnovers and, in contrast to small-molecule photocatalysts, can operate effectively under aerobic conditions and at ambient temperatures. An X-ray crystal structure of an EnT1.3-product complex shows how multiple functional components work in synergy to promote efficient and selective photocatalysis. This study opens up a wealth of new excited-state chemistry in protein active sites and establishes the framework for developing a new generation of enantioselective photocatalysts.

Extracellular Vesicles: A New Frontier for Cardiac Repair.

The ability of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to regulate a broad range of cellular processes has recently been used to treat diseases. Growing evidence indicates that EVs play a cardioprotective role in heart disease by activating beneficial signaling pathways. Multiple functional components of EVs and intracellular molecular mechanisms are involved in the process. To overcome the shortcomings of native EVs such as their heterogeneity and limited tropism, a series of engineering approaches has been developed to improve the therapeutic efficiency of EVs. In this review, we present an overview of the research and future directions for EVs-based cardiac therapies with an emphasis on EVs-mediated delivery of therapeutic agents. The advantages and limitations of various modification strategies are discussed, and possible opportunities for improvement are proposed. An in-depth understanding of the endogenous properties of EVs and EVs engineering strategies could lead to a promising cell-free therapy for cardiac repair.

Bioinformatical and Biochemical Analyses on the Protective Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine against Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the commonest cause of permanent vision loss in the elderly. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used to treat AMD, although the underlying functional mechanisms are not understood. This study aims to predict the active ingredients through screening the chemical ingredients of anti-AMD decoction and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods We collected the prescriptions for effective AMD treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and screened several Chinese medicines that were used most frequently in order to compose "anti-AMD decoction." The pharmacologically active ingredients and corresponding targets in this anti-AMD decoction were mined using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. Subsequently, the AMD-related targets were identified through the GeneCards database. Network pharmacology was performed to construct the visual network of anti-AMD decoction-AMD protein-protein interaction (PPI). Further, the Autodock software was adopted for molecular docking on the core active ingredients and core targets. The function of core ingredients against oxidative stress and inflammation in retinal pigment epithelial cells was assessed using biochemical assays. Results We screened out 268 active ingredients in anti-AMD decoction corresponding to 258 ingredient targets, combined with 2160 disease targets in AMD, and obtained 129 drug-disease common targets. The key core proteins were predominantly involved in inflammation. Furthermore, molecular docking showed that four potential active ingredients (Quercetin, luteolin, naringenin and hederagenin) had good affinity with the core proteins, IL-6, TNF, VEGFA and MAPK3. Quercetin, luteolin and naringenin demonstrated capacities against oxidative stress and inflammation in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Conclusions The data suggests that anti-AMD decoction has multiple functional components and targets in treating AMD, possibly mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Cross-Sectional Preparation of Challenging Devices and Their Scale-Bridging Micro- and Nanoanalytical Characterization

Complex devices like batteries, fuel cells or organic sensors and solar cells are commonly assembled from multiple functional components with different materials properties. To gain a fundamental understanding of the microstructure-property relations of such complex macroscopic structures, their degradation and failure mechanisms by complementary scale-bridging microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, it is desirable to prepare cross sections of entire devices or parts. Most challenging is the generation of electron transparent cross-sectional samples for investigation by (cryo) transmission electron microscopy (TEM); preparing TEM samples of devices consisting of different material classes may be utmost difficult. Therefore, TEM sample preparation is often preceded by the disassembly of a device down to individual components rendering an investigation of relations between the individual components impossible.(Cryo-)ultramicrotomy as well as plasma-FIB as advanced cross-sectioning techniques for challenging samples may solve those issues. Both are capable to generate ultra-thin, electron transparent cross sections of hundreds of micrometers in size being larger than the typical thickness of modern devices.In this contribution, we demonstrate the capabilities of modern (cryo-)ultramicrotomy in conjunction with advanced TEM to characterize such sensitive or reactive and thus challenging devices down to the atomic scale. Examples include battery parts, PEM fuel cells and novel flexible all-organic electronics. The achieved thickness of those cross sections is commonly of the order of a few 10 nm, which even allows for atomic-resolution imaging and advanced spectroscopy for microstructure and defect analyses as well as compositional and chemical-bond investigation, respectively. Hepp et al., Trained Laser-Patterned Carbon as High-Performance Mechanical Sensors, NPJ Flex. Electron. 6 (2022), 3, DOI: 10.1038/s41528-022-00136-0 Beaupain et al., Reaction of Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 in Co-sintered Composite Cathodes for Solid-State Batteries, ACS Appl. Mater. Inter. 13 (2021) 47488-47498, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11750 Li et al., Atomic structure of sensitive battery materials and interfaces revealed by cryo-electron microscopy, Science 358 (2017), 506–510, DOI: 10.1126/science.aam6014 Figure 1

Современный взгляд на функциональные запоры у детей раннего возраста: особенности вскармливания и принципы немедикаментозной коррекции

Статья посвящена проблеме хронического запора у детей. Даны рекомендации по профилактике этого состояния. Подчеркнуто, что к медикаментозной терапии рекомендуют прибегать только при отсутствии эффекта от диетотерапии, которая сводится не к строгой диете или соблюдению определенного лечебного стола, а к физиологическому рациону питания. В настоящее время доступны смеси, соответствующие рекомендациям Европейского союза относительно питания специального медицинского назначения, сочетающие в себе одновременно несколько функциональных компонентов, что позволяет решить проблему функциональных запоров у детей раннего возраста, находящихся на искусственном вскармливании. Примером такой инновационной смеси является Нутрилон Комфорт.

Epigallocatechin gallate-loaded tetrahedral DNA nanostructures as a novel inner ear drug delivery system.

The study of drug delivery systems to the inner ear is a crucial but challenging field. The sensory organ (in the inner ear) is protected by the petrous bone labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth, both of which need to be overcome during the drug delivery process. The requirements for such a delivery system include small size, appropriate flexibility and biodegradability. DNA nanostructures, biomaterials that can arrange multiple functional components with nanometer precision, exhibit characteristics that are compatible with the requirements for inner ear drug delivery. Herein, we report the development of a novel inner ear drug delivery system based on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-loaded tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs, EGCG@TDNs). The TDNs self-assembled via base-pairing of four single-stranded DNA constructs and EGCG was loaded into the TDNs through non-covalent interactions. Cy5-labeled TDNs (Cy5-TDNs) were significantly internalized by the House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 cell line, and this endocytosis was energy-, clathrin-, and micropinocytosis-dependent. Cy5-TDNs penetrated the round window membrane (RWM) rapidly in vivo. Local application of EGCG@TDNs onto the RWM of guinea pigs in a single dose continuously released EGCG over 4 hours. Drug concentrations in the perilymph were significantly elevated compared with the administration of free EGCG at the same dose. EGCG@TDNs were found to have favorable biocompatibility and strongly affected the RSL3-induced down-regulation of GPX4 and the generation of reactive oxygen species, on the basis of 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. JC-1 staining suggested that EGCG@TDNs successfully reversed the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential induced by RSL-3 in vitro and rescued cells from apoptosis, as demonstrated by the analysis of Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Further functional studies showed that a locally administered single-dose of EGCG@TDNs effectively preserved spiral ganglion cells in C57/BL6 mice after noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss at 5.6 and 8 kHz frequencies was significantly attenuated when compared with the control EGCG formulation. Histological analyses indicated that the administration of TDNs and EGCG@TDNs did not induce local inflammatory responses. These favorable histological and functional effects resulting from the delivery of EGCG by TDNs through a local intratympanic injection suggest potential for therapeutic benefit in clinical applications.

Design strategies of ZnO heterojunction arrays towards effective photovoltaic applications

AbstractZnO nanorods (NRs) heterojunction arrays have been widely used in photovoltaic cells owing to the outstanding photoelectrical chracteristics, high stability and low cost. The NRs arrays structure can integrate multiple functional components, so that it can exhibit more excellent physical and chemical properties that even independent components do not possess. The design of heterojunction nanostructures can effectively solve the problems of light absorption and carrier transport. First, the synthesis methods of ZnO NRs and their heterojunction arrays were systematically introduced, including traditional chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electrodeposition, hydrothermal method, and so on, the different structures and properties of ZnO NRs heterojunctions were analyzed. Then, the selected materials could be further processed and assembled into NRs array heterojunction with integrated functions were discussed. The strategies of maximizing energy conversion performance (structure optimization, heterojunction, surface plasmon resonance, and doping) were emphatically summarized. In addition, the research progress of ZnO NRs and their heterojunctions in photoelectric energy conversion system were summarized, and the application potential of combining nanostructure design with solar cells was summarized. Finally, the challenges and future development prospects of ZnO NRs and their heterojunction arrays in photovoltaic conversion were pointed out.