Volume 11, (2019)

• Spiral Steel Wire Based Fiber-shaped Stretchable and Tailorable Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Wearable Power Source and Active Gesture Sensor

  Lingjie Xie1, #, Xiaoping Chen1, #, Zhen Wen1, 2, *, Yanqin Yang1, Jihong Shi1, Chen Chen1, Mingfa Peng1, Yina Liu3, Xuhui Sun1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 39
  First Online: 11 May 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0271-3

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    Schematic illustration and mechanical behaviors of the spiral steel wire electrode based FST-TENG. a Fabrication process of FST-TENG. b Cross-sectional optical microscope image (scale bar: 500 μm). c Photograph of the diameter measurement of FST-TENG (scale bar: 2 cm). Photograph of the FST-TENG at different states: d bended, e knotted, and f tailorable state (scale bars: 3 cm)
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    a Schematic illustration of working mechanism for generating electricity under short-circuit conditions. b Electrical outputs of the spiral steel wire based TENG with different motion frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 Hz, including Voc, Isc, and Qsc. c Dependence of the output average power under external load with different frequencies from 0.5 to 2.5 Hz
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    Output performance of the FST-TENG under different strain level. Geometrical diagram of a stretching spiral steel wire and b stress-strain curve of FST-TENG. The photograph of the spiral steel wire based TENG c at original state and d stretched state (scale bar: 2 cm). e Dependence of the resistance and diameter of the spiral steel wire based TENG under different strain levels (0-50%). Electrical output of the FST-TENG under various strain levels including f Voc, g Isc, and h Qsc
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    Demonstration of the FST-TENG based fabric as wearable power source. a Qsc of the TENG fabric with knitting patterns of 1 × 1, 2 × 2, and 3 × 3 nets. b Photograph of the FST-TENG based fabric, which enables to light up 15 green LEDs by hand tapping. c Electrical outputs of the TENG fabric under various motion frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 Hz, including Voc, Isc, and Qsc. d Charging curves of a capacitor (10 μF) charged by the FST-TENG fabric at various motion frequencies. Inset shows the current output of the FST-TENG fabric after rectification. e Photograph of the self-charging powered system driving an electronic watch. f Voc of the FST-TENG based bracelet at the motion frequency of 2 Hz. Inset shows the photograph of 10 green LEDs lighted up by hand tapping
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    Demonstration of the FST-TENGs woven in a smart glove as active gesture sensor. a Photograph of the smart glove with FST-TENGs woven on dorsum and demonstration of the operation mode. b Photograph and corresponding Voc of the smart glove under different degree of finger bending, including original state, slightly and dramatically bending. c Voc signals of the five fingers by buckling from the thumb to the little finger in turn. d Demonstrations of the smart glove for representing the numbers of “one”, “two”, “three”, “four” and “five” by different gestures

• Lightweight and High-Performance Microwave Absorber Based on Two-Dimensional WS2–Reduced Graphene Oxide Heterostructures

  Deqing Zhang1, 5, †, Tingting Liu1, †, Junye Cheng2, *, Qi Cao3, Guangping Zheng4, Shuang Liang1, Hao Wang2, *, Mao-Sheng Cao5, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 38
  First Online: 9 May 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0270-4

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    a XRD patterns of WS2 and WS2–rGO. b Raman spectrum of WS2–rGO. TEM images of c WS2, d rGO, e WS2–rGO. f HRTEM image of WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets and the corresponding SAED patterns (inset)
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    Typical XPS spectra of as-synthesized WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets: a XPS wide scan (survey), High-resolution narrow scan on b W, c S, and d C regions in spectra of WS2–rGO
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    a ε´-curves, and b ε´´-curves of the as-synthesized WS2 and WS2–rGO. Complex permeability profiles of c pure WS2, and d WS2–rGO
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    μ''(μ')-2f-1 values of WS2 and WS2–rGO at various frequencies
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    a, c, e Reflection loss profiles and b, d, f corresponding 2D maps of pure rGO (a, b), pure WS2 nanosheets (c, d), and WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet powder (e, f). The illustrations in panels a, c, and e represent different preparation processes for pure rGO, pure WS2, and the WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheets, respectively
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    Synergistic mechanisms responsible for the superior microwave absorption properties of the proposed WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbent: a Dipole polarization. b Interfacial polarization. c Electron hopping. d Multiple scattering of incident microwave
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    Calculated delta value maps of a rGO, b WS2, and c WS2–rGO
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    a, c Reflection loss profiles and b, d 3D maps of RL of pristine WS2 microwave absorbent at thickness of 2.0–3.0 mm (a, b) and WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbent at thickness of 2.0–3.0 mm (c, d). The insets in panels a and e show the RL curves of the pristine WS2 and the WS2–rGO heterostructure nanosheet absorbents at a thickness of 1.7 mm

• Ferroelectric Oxide Nanocomposites with Trimodal Pore Structure for High Photocatalytic Performance

  Tingting Xu1, Xuan Liu1, *, Shulan Wang1, *, Li Li2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 37
  First Online: 4 May 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0268-y

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    Schematic of the experimental setup showing the synthesis protocol and photochemical characterization
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    a XRD patterns, b Raman spectra, and c diffuse reflectance spectra of PTC annealed at different temperatures; d TG and DTA curves of the PTC precursor; e FT-IR spectra of PTC precursors after etching prior to annealing; f the complete XPS survey spectrum of PTC-900
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    High resolution XPS spectra of a C 1s, b O 1s, c Ti 2p, and d Pb 4f
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    Detailed microstructure analysis of PTC-900 composites: a–c SEM images with different magnification; d–g EDX elemental mapping; h bright field TEM image with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern shown in the inset; and i high resolution TEM image with lattice fringes of PbTiO3 and TiO2 highlighted in the figure
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    a Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and b–f the pore size distribution of PTC annealed at different temperatures in the range 600–1000 °C
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    Photocatalytic MB degradation activity of PTC composites annealed at different temperatures under a UV; b visible; and c ultrasonic-assisted visible light irradiation; d Photocatalytic reactivity of PTC samples annealed at 900 °C for different annealing durations; e Photocurrent density against potential curves of PTC samples annealed at different temperatures; f Photocurrent response of PTC samples and P25 during repeated measurements
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    Photocatalytic hydrogen production of different photocatalysts loaded with 2% Pt as co-catalyst under a UV and b visible light irradiation
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    Schematic of the energy level diagram for the band structure of PbTiO3-TiO2 system assuming different polarization (Ps) directions. Ec, Ev, Ef, and Evac are the energies of the conduction band, valance band, Fermi level, and vacuum level

• Crushed Gold Shell Nanoparticles Labeled with Radioactive Iodine as a Theranostic Nanoplatform for Macrophage-Mediated Photothermal Therapy

  Sang Bong Lee1, Jae-Eon Lee2, Sung Jin Cho1, 3, Jungwook Chin1, Sang Kyoon Kim7, In-Kyu Lee3, 5, Sang-Woo Lee3, 4, Jaetae Lee4, 6, Yong Hyun Jeon3, 7, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 36
  First Online: 3 May 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0266-0

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    A schematic representation of the evaluation of a in vivo photothermal conversion effects of 124I-Au@AuCBs and b in vivo photothermal therapy using 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages in a colon cancer model, followed by positron emission tomographic imaging of 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophage distribution in tumor lesions
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    Photothermal conversion properties of 124I-Au@AuCBs. a–c Temperature change of PBS, 124I-Au@AuNP, and 124I-Au@AuCB solutions after irradiation with an NIR laser for 5 min at varying power levels (3, 6, and 9 W cm-2) and particle concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 nM). HR-TEM images of d 124I-Au@AuNPs and e 124I-Au@AuCBs, before and after irradiation (9 W cm-2, 5 min)
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    Cytotoxic effects of 124I-Au@AuCBs in colon cancer CT26 cells after photothermal therapy. a NIR images of 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled CT26 cells after irradiation with an NIR laser (6 W cm-2, 5 min). b Microscopic images of 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled or 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled CT26 cells irradiated with an NIR laser. c Analysis of cell viability and d apoptosis in irradiated cells via annexin V/PI staining. ***P < 0.0001; N.S, not significant
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    Evaluation of the effects of photothermal therapy with 124I-Au@AuCBs in CT26 tumor-bearing mice. a, d Photograph and computed tomographic imaging of CT26 tumor-bearing mice, before and after PTT with 124I-Au@AuCBs. CT26 tumor-bearing mice were administered either 124I or 124I-Au@AuCBs and tumors were exposed to an NIR laser irradiation. b Temperature changes in either free 124I- or 124I-Au@AuCB-injected CT26 tumors after irradiation with an NIR laser (9 W cm-2, 5 min). c NIR imaging of CT26 tumor-bearing mice, before and after irradiation with an NIR laser. e Measurement of tumor weight after photothermal therapy. Inset: upper, CT26 tumors with 124I and NIR laser treatment; bottom, CT26 tumors with 124I-Au@AuCBs and NIR laser treatment. In vivo experiments were performed in duplicate (n = 7 mice per group). ***P < 0.0001
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    Induction of cytotoxic effects in colon cancer cells via photothermal therapy using 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages. a Scheme for 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophage-mediated PTT in vitro. b Temperature and c temperature changes (Δ temperature) in unlabeled macrophages and 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages after irradiation with an NIR laser for 5 min. The red line indicates temperature changes in media irradiated with an NIR laser. d, e Evaluation of cell proliferation and apoptosis levels in CT26/FM alone (black), CT26/FM + NIR laser (red), CT26/FM + 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages (blue), CT26/FM + 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages + NIR laser (green), and unlabeled macrophages alone + laser (purple) using in vitro bioluminescent imaging and annexin V/PI staining, respectively. **P < 0.001, ***P < 0.0001
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    Ablation of colon cancer by 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophage-mediated PTT. a Scheme for 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophage-mediated PTT in vivo. In vivo PET/CT imaging of CT26/FM tumor-bearing mice, intratumorally injected with 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages. Experimental groups: (1) control, (2) laser alone, (3) 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages, (4) 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophages + laser-treated, and (5) macrophages + laser-treated. b In vivo FLI showing the therapeutic response to 124I-Au@AuCB-labeled macrophage-mediated PTT. c PET/CT imaging of CT26/FM tumor-bearing mice administered either unlabeled or labeled macrophages and subsequently irradiated with an NIR laser (6 W cm-2, 5 min). d Temperature and e temperature changes (Δ temperature) in CT26/FM tumors, before and after irradiation with an NIR laser (6 W cm-2, 5 min). f Quantification of FLI signals in CT26/FM tumors, before and after PTT. g Photograph of an excised CT26/FM tumor and determination of tumor weight from respective groups. In vivo experiments were performed in duplicate (n = 7 mice per group). ***P < 0.0001

• Bimetallic NiCo2S4 Nanoneedles Anchored on Mesocarbon Microbeads as Advanced Electrodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitors

  Yu Zhang1, Yihe Zhang1,*, Yuanxing Zhang1, Haochen Si1, Li Sun1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 35
  First Online: 23 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0265-1

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    Schematic illustration of the synthesis procedure of the urchin-like NCS@MCMB composites
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    SEM images of a pure MCMB after calcination, b pure NCS, c NCS@MCMB precursor, and d NCS@MCMB composite. e SEM backscattered image of an individual NCS@MCMB sphere and f corresponding EDX elemental maps of C, S, Co, and Ni
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    TEM images of a an individual NCS@MCMB sphere and b NCS nanoneedles anchored on it. c HRTEM image of NCS nanoneedles and d corresponding SAED patterns
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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of pure MCMB, NCS@MCMB, and pure NCS. c Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and d pore size distribution of NCS@MCMB composite
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    High-resolution XPS spectra of a C 1s, b S 2p, c Co 2p, and d Ni 2p levels
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    a CV curves at a scanning rate of 2 mV s−1, b GCD curves at a current density of 1 A g–1, c EIS spectra, and d cycling tests of NCS@MCMB and NCS. Typical e CV and f GCD curves of NCS@MCMB-75%. g Specific capacitance and h capacitance retention of NCS@MCMB, MCMB, and NCS at increased current densities. i Schematic diagrams illustrating the kinetic advantages of the NCS@MCMB composite in electrochemical energy storage
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    a SEM, b, c TEM, and d HRTEM images of NCS@MCMB after cycling
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    a Schematic illustration of the structure of the NCS@MCMB//AC ASC device. b, c Typical CV and GCD curves of the ASC device. d Cycling test of the ASC device at 10 A g–1 and GCD curves in the last eight cycles (inset of d). e GCD curves of single ASC and two ASCs connected in series. f Photographs of two ASC devices connected in series, powering a red LED indicator

• MoS2-Based Photodetectors Powered by Asymmetric Contact Structure with Large Work Function Difference

  Zhe Kang1, Yongfa Cheng1, Zhi Zheng1, Feng Cheng1, Ziyu Chen1, Luying Li1, Xinyu Tan2, *, Lun Xiong3, Tianyou Zhai1, Yihua Gao1, 3, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 34
  First Online: 16 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0262-4

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    Schematic illustration (top) and calculated electronic band structure (bottom) of a monolayer MoS2; b monolayer Mo2C. c Schematic diagram (top) and energy band diagram (bottom) of MoC2/MoS2/Au device
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    a Schematic diagram of the CVD method to grown Mo2C. In the type I method, copper foil is placed on molybdenum foil to directly grow molybdenum carbide. In the type II method, the molybdenum foil is placed near the copper foil. Copper evaporates at high temperatures and adsorbs on the molybdenum foil for the growth of Mo2C. b Optical image of Mo2C prepared by the type I method with a growth time of 20 min. c Schematic diagram of the type I Mo2C growth process. d Optical image of Mo2C prepared by the type II method. e Schematic diagram of the type II Mo2C growth process. The black line represents graphene
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    a High-resolution TEM image of Mo2C, with space group Pbcn. b SAED pattern along the [ 00] zone axis. c Raman spectrum of MoS2. d High-resolution TEM image of MoS2, with space group P63/mmc. e SAED pattern along the [0001] zone axis. f Raman spectrum of MoS2
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    a Optical image of the Mo2C/MoS2/Mo2C device. b Dark (black) and light (red) I-V curves of the Mo2C/MoS2/Mo2C photodetector. The inset image shows the magnified dark I-V curve of the photodetector
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    a Optical image and schematic illustration of the Mo2C/MoS2/Au device. b |I|-V curves of Mo2C/MoS2/Au devices with (red) and without (black) 80 mW cm-2 white light irradiation. The inset image shows the magnified dark current. c Magnified I-V curves of Mo2C/MoS2/Au devices with a bias voltage range of -0.1 to 0.3 mV. d Photocurrent response of self-powered Mo2C/MoS2/Au (red) and Au/MoS2/Au (black) devices under 80 mW cm-2 white light irradiation. The image in the inset shows the magnified dark current. e Transfer characteristic curves of the photodetector with and without white light irradiation
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    Schematic band energy diagram of the Mo2C/MoS2/Au device
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    a Photodetector responses to light with various wavelengths and energy density of 0.5 mW cm-2. b Photodetector responses to 600 nm light of different intensities. c Response and recovery times of the photodetectors. The intensity of the incident light (600 nm) is 0.56 mW cm-2. d Long-term performance of the Mo2C/MoS2/Au photodetector under illumination with 600 nm light

• Stepwise Fabrication of Co-Embedded Porous Multichannel Carbon Nanofibers for High-Efficiency Oxygen Reduction

  Zeming Tang1, Yingxuan Zhao1, Qingxue Lai1,*, Jia Zhong1, Yanyu Liang1,2,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 33
  First Online: 06 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0264-2

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    a Schematic of the formation of interconnected channels in the MCCNFs. b, c SEM and TEM images of the MCCNFs. d N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms of the porous MCCNFs (inset: pore size distribution of the porous MCCNFs)
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    a Schematic of the synthesis of the Co/IMCCNFs. b, c SEM images of the ZnCo2O4 NFs and Co/IMCCNFs. d, e TEM and HRTEM images of the Co/IMCCNFs (the bottom images show the lattice fringes and lattice spacing of the Co/IMCCNFs)
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    a Powder XRD pattern of the ZnCo2O4/precursor NFs and Co/IMCCNFs. b N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms of the Co/IMCCNFs (inset: pore size distribution of the Co/IMCCNFs). c N 1 s and d Co 2p XP spectra of the Co/IMCCNFs
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    a CV curves of 30% Pt/C, Co/IMCCNFs, and Co/CNFs on glassy carbon electrodes in O2-saturated (solid curve) and N2-saturated (dashed curve) 0.1 M KOH electrolytes. b, c RDE voltammograms and corresponding Tafel plots of 30% Pt/C, Co/IMCCNFs, and Co/CNFs. d RRDE voltammograms recorded with Co/IMCCNFs and 30% Pt/C in the O2-saturated 0.1 M KOH at 1600 rpm. e Percentages of peroxide (lower line) and electron transfer numbers (n) (upper line) of 30% Pt/C, Co/IMCCNFs, and Co/CNFs calculated using the RRDE data in (d). f Electron transfer numbers of 30% Pt/C, Co/IMCCNFs, and Co/CNFs at potentials of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 V (vs. RHE)
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    a I–t curves of 30% Pt/C, Co/IMCCNFs, and Co/CNFs. b High-resolution TEM images of the Co/IMCCNFs after the I–t test (the middle images show the lattice fringes, while the right patterns reveal the lattice spacing)

• In Situ Synthesis of Fluorescent Mesoporous Silica-Carbon Dot Nanohybrids Featuring Folate Receptor-Overexpressing Cancer Cell Targeting and Drug Delivery

  Shuai Zhao1, 2, Shan Sun2, *, Kai Jiang2, Yuhui Wang2, Yu Liu3, Song Wu3, Zhongjun Li4, Qinghai Shu1, 3, *, Hengwei Lin2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 32
  First Online: 05 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0263-3

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    Schematic illustration of the preparation procedures and fluorescence imaging-guided anticancer drug delivery application of the MSNs-CDs nanohybrid
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    a TEM image of the MSNs-CDs nanohybrid (inset: high-resolution image and size distribution of MSNs-CDs). b Hydrodynamic diameter distributions, c zeta potentials , d small-angle XRD patterns, e N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, f pore-size distribution curves, g FT-IR spectra, and h TGA curves of MSNs, MSNs-NH2, and MSNs-CDs. i High-resolution C 1s XPS spectrum of the MSNs-CDs nanohybrid and fittings
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    Fluorescence emission spectra of MSNs-CDs under diverse excitation wavelengths
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    In vitro DOX release curves of DOX-loaded MSNs-CDs in phosphate buffers (10 mM) of pH 7.4 and 5.5 at 37 ºC
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    a Cytotoxicity of MSNs-CDs at different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg mL-1) toward four types of cells (HeLa, MCF-7, A549, and L929). b CLSM images and c flow cytometric analysis results of different cells incubated with 200 μg mL-1 of MSNs-CDs for 4 h. Scale bar in b is 25 μm
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    CLSM images of HeLa cells incubated with MSNs-CDs (200 μg mL-1) for 4 h. As a comparison, HeLa cells were pretreated for 2 h with excess folic acid (FA) for folate receptor (FR) saturation, and then incubated with MSNs-CDs (200 μg mL-1) for another 4 h. Scale bar is 25 μm
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    a Therapeutic efficacy of MSNs-CDs@DOX and equivalent concentrations of free DOX against HeLa cells at different concentrations. b Therapeutic efficacy of MSNs-CDs@DOX against L929, MCF-7, and HeLa cells at different concentrations

• Ultrathin Ti3C2Tx (MXene) Nanosheets Wrapped NiSe2 Octahedral Crystal for Enhanced Supercapacitor Performance and Synergetic Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

  Hanmei Jiang1, 2, †, Zegao Wang1, 3, †, Qian Yang4, Luxi Tan2, Lichun Dong2,*, Mingdong Dong1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 31
  First Online: 04 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0261-5

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    Schematic illustration for the formation of octahedral NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid through one-pot hydrothermal method
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    SEM images of NiSe2without (a) and with Ti3C2Tx hybrid (b); c, d TEM image of NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid in different magnifications; e HAADF-STEM image of NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid and the corresponding EDX elemental mapping of Ni, Se, and Ti elements
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    a XRD patterns of unmodified NiSe2 and NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid; b comparison of Raman spectra for NiSe2 and NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid, and the inset is atom schematic of NiSe2 (the green boll is Ni atom and the yellow boll is Se atom); c Ni 2p XPS spectra of unmodified NiSe2 and NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid
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    Supercapacitor performance in 2 M KOH solution: a CV profiles of unmodified NiSe2, NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx, and bare nickel foam at 10 mV s-1; b GCD curves of unmodified NiSe2, NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx, and bare nickel foam at 1.0 A g-1; c Variation of specific capacitances with current density for unmodified NiSe2 and NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx; d Nyquist plots of unmodified NiSe2 and NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx in the range of 10 mHz to 100 kHz (inset is the high-frequency region of and the equivalent circuit used to fit the experimental data)
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    HER catalytic performance in 0.5M H2SO4 solution: a LSV curves of unmodified NiSe2, NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid, pure Ti3C2Tx, 20wt%Pt/C and glassy carbon electrode at the scan rate of 5 mV s-1; b Tafel plots of unmodified NiSe2, NiSe2/Ti3C2Tx hybrid, pureTi3C2Tx, and 20wt%Pt/C; cThe extracted double-layer capacitances of different electrodes using a cyclic voltammetry method; d EIS Nyquist plots in the range of 10 mHz to 100 kHz

• Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dual-Doped Multilayer Graphene as Universal Anode for Full Carbon-Based Lithium and Potassium Ion Capacitors

  Yuting Luan1, Rong Hu1, Yongzheng Fang1, Kai Zhu1, *, Kui Cheng1, Jun Yan1, Ke Ye1, Guiling Wang1, Dianxue Cao1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 30
  First Online: 03 April 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0260-6

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    a Schematic diagram of the arc discharge process and b digital image of the arc discharge system; c typical photograph of the arc plasma
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    a NPG powder on a culture dish; b SEM and c TEM images of NPG nanosheets; high-resolution TEM images of NPG nanosheets with d two, e three, and f five graphene layers. g AFM image and height profile of NPG nanosheets; h corresponding mapping images and that of i carbon, j oxygen, k nitrogen, and l phosphorus elements along with their superimposition (m)
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    a XRD patterns, b Raman spectra, c TGA curves, as well as d full and high-resolution e N 1s and f P 2p XPS spectra of the NPG sample
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    a CV curves of the NPG sample at a scanning rate of 0.1 mV s-1. b Galvanostatic curves of NPG at a current density of 100 mA g-1. c Typical galvanostatic curves of the NPG electrode at different current densities. d Rate capabilities of G, NG, PG, and NPG electrodes at different current densities. e Cycling stability of the NPG electrode at the current density of 1000 mA g-1. f Nyquist plots of NPG
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    a CV curves of NPG at a scanning rate of 0.2 mV s-1. b Charge-discharge voltage profiles at a current density of 50 mA g-1. c Typical galvanostatic lithiation/delithiation curves and d rate capabilities of NPG electrode at different current densities. e Cycling stability and Coulombic efficiency of NPG electrode at a current density of 500 mA g-1
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    a, d CV curves of NPG at different scan rates. b, e CV profiles showing the capacitive contribution (filled part) of NPG at a scan rate of 1 mV s-1. c, f Diagram of the capacitive contribution to the total capacity at different scan rates. The (a–c) and (d–f) panels correspond to LIBs and PIBs, respectively
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    a Schematic illustration of the working mechanism. b Ragone plots compared with literature values at the optimal cathode/anode mass ratio of 6:1. c, f CV curves at scan rates of 5, 10, and 20 mV s-1. d, g Galvanostatic charge-discharge curves at current densities of 0.5–10 A g-1. e, h Cycling stability over 5000 and 1000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g-1

• Cobalt Sulfide Confined in N-doped Porous Branched Carbon Nanotubes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

  Yongsheng Zhou1, 2, *, Yingchun Zhu2, Bingshe Xu3, Xueji Zhang4, *, Khalid A. Al-Ghanim5, Shahid Mahboob5, 6	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 29
  First Online: 29 March 2019 (Letter)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0259-z

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    Illustration of lithium-ion storage in a Co9S8@NBNT electrode
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    a SEM image and corresponding EDX spectra of Co9S8@NBNT. b High-magnification SEM images of Co9S8@NBNT; the porous structures are indicated by arrows. c Schematic diagram of N-doped CNTs. d TEM image of Co9S8@NBNT. Inset is HRTEM image of the boxed area. e Enlargement of the boxed area shown in d and its corresponding SAED pattern (inset). f Pore-size distributions, g XRD spectra of Co9S8@NBNT
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    a CV curves of the LIBs with Co9S8@NBNT. b Rate performance at different current densities of Co9S8@NBNT, Co9S8@CNT, and CNT. c Long-term cycling performances of the Co9S8@NBNT anode at different current densities of 1000, 2000, and 5000 mA g−1
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    a Raman spectra of the pristine and cycled electrode. b SEM and c TEM images of Co9S8@NBNT after 200 cycles. d Schematic illustration of electron transfer and lithium-ion storage in the Co9S8@NBNT electrode

• Hollow Nanocages of NixCo1-xSe for Efficient Zinc–Air Batteries and Overall Water Splitting

  Zhengxin Qian1, Yinghuan Chen2, Zhenghua Tang2, 3, *, Zhen Liu4, Xiufang Wang1, Yong Tian1, *, Wei Gao1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 28
  First Online: 27 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0258-0

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    a Schematics of the fabrication process for the NixCo1-xSe nanocages. Representative SEM images of b the Cu2O cubes andc the Ni0.2Co0.8(OH)2 nanocages. d Representative TEM image of the Ni0.2Co0.8Se nanocages
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    a-c Representative TEM and HRTEM images of the Ni0.2Co0.8Se nanocages. d HAADF-STEM image of Ni0.2Co0.8Se and e–g the corresponding elemental-mapping images of Ni, Co, and Se
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    a XRD pattern of the Ni0.2Co0.8Se nanocages. The core-level XPS spectra for the b Ni 2p, c Co 2p, and d Se 3d electrons of Ni0.2Co0.8Se are shown
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    a IR-corrected LSV curves of Ni0.2Co0.8Se, Ni0.5Co0.5Se, Ni0.8Co0.2Se, NiSe, and CoSe in an N2-saturated 1 M KOH solution obtained at a scan rate of 10 mV s-1. b Tafel plots of the Ni0.2Co0.8Se, Ni0.5Co0.5Se, Ni0.8Co0.2Se, NiSe, and CoSe catalysts for the OER in 1.0 M KOH. c EIS Nyquist plots, where Rs represents the electrolyte resistance, C represents the double-layer capacitance, and Rct represents the charge-transfer resistance. d Chronoamperometric response of Ni0.2Co0.8Se nanocages. The inset shows the LSV curves of an Ni0.2Co0.8Se electrode tested after 1 and 1000 CV cycles
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    a HER polarization curves of Ni0.2Co0.8Se, Ni0.5Co0.5Se, Ni0.8Co0.2Se, NiSe, and CoSe obtained at a scan rate of 10 mV s-1 in 1.0 M KOH. b Corresponding Tafel plots. c EIS Nyquist plots, where Rs represents the electrolyte resistance, C represents the double-layer capacitance, and Rct represents the charge-transfer resistance. d HER polarization curves of the Ni0.2Co0.8Se electrode tested after 1 and 1000 CV cycles. The inset shows the chronoamperometric response of Ni0.2Co0.8Se at 10 mA cm-2. e Schematic of the HER at the Ni0.2Co0.8Se active interface in the alkaline environment. f Adsorption free-energy diagram for the Volmer reaction steps
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    a Cycling performance of the rechargeable ZAB using Ni0.2Co0.8Se at 10 mA cm-2, where each cycle lasted 5 min. b Charge–discharge polarization curves of the rechargeable ZABs using Ni0.2Co0.8Se and Pt/C+RuO2. c Polarization and power-density curves of the ZABs using the Ni0.2Co0.8Se and Pt/C+RuO2 catalysts. d Schematic of the self-made all-solid-state ZAB. e Cycling performance of the all-solid-state ZAB using Ni0.2Co0.8Se at 2 mA cm-2, where each cycle lasted 2 min. f Charge–discharge polarization curves of the all-solid-state ZAB using Ni0.2Co0.8Se. g Polarization and power-density curves of the all-solid-state ZAB using Ni0.2Co0.8Se. h Open-circuit voltage of an all-solid-state ZAB and i an LED circuit board powered by three all-solid-state ZABs
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    a Water-splitting polarization curves of Ni0.2Co0.8Se and Pt/C+RuO2 in 1 M KOH. b Chronoamperometric response of Ni0.2Co0.8Se nanocages for overall water splitting. The inset shows the gas evolution on the two electrodes at 10 mA cm-2

• Photostable and Biocompatible Fluorescent Silicon Nanoparticles for Imaging-Guided Co-Delivery of siRNA and Doxorubicin to Drug-Resistant Cancer Cells

  Daoxia Guo1, #, Xiaoyuan Ji1, #, Fei Peng1, Yiling Zhong1, Binbin Chu1, Yuanyuan Su1, *, Yao He1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 27
  First Online: 25 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0257-1

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    a Proposed fabrication scheme of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites. b TEM image of the prepared SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites. Insets present the enlarged HRTEM image. c Diameter distribution of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites determined from TEM. d DLS of pure SiNPs (black line), SiNP-DOX conjugates (blue line) and SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (red line). e Photoluminescence spectra of pure SiNPs (black line), SiNP-DOX conjugates (blue line) and SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (red line) upon excitation at 405 nm. f Gel retardation electrophoresis of free siRNA and SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites prepared at different SiNPs/siRNA (w/w) ratios. g The stability of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites in culture medium (RPMI-1640). Lane 1 is the naked siRNA incubated in DEPC water for 25 min. Naked siRNA (lane 2, 5) and SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (Lane 3, 6) are incubated with RPMI-1640 medium for 24 and 48 h. SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (Lane 4, 7) are incubated with RPMI-1640 medium for 24 and 48 h followed by 1% heparin treatment
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    Dual-controlled release of siRNA and DOX from SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites and subcellular localization of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites. a siRNA release in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), lane 1: siRNA; lane 2: SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites; lane 3: SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites treated with 1% heparin; lane 4-7: SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites treated with different concentrations of PBS. b DOX release from SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites without or with heparin treatment (heparin +) at different pH values for different interval times. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (**) P<0.01, compared to those of the SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites group. c Confocal images of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (DOX = 5 μg mL-1, ASiNPs = 1, siRNA = 100 nM) incubated with MCF-7/ADR cells for 3, 12, and 24 h. Scale bar = 25 μm. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (Rr) values are displayed in white. (1, 2 and 3) Enlargement images of region of interests for MCF-7/ADR cells. Scale bar = 10 μm. The fluorescence of SiNPs and lysosomes is indicated as blue and green, respectively
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    Intracellular trafficking of SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (SiNP-DOX/siRNAFAM, siRNA labeled with FAM) in MCF-7/ADR cells. The fluorescence of SiNPs, siRNAFAM, and DOX is indicated as blue, green, and red, respectively. a Confocal images of localization of SiNP-DOX/siRNAFAM (DOX= 5 μg mL-1, ASiNPs = 1, siRNAFAM =100 nM) at different time points. Scale bar = 25 μm. b Summarized Rr values as a function of time. c The geometric mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of SiNPs, siRNAFAM and DOX in a calculated via Leica LAS AF Lite software. (**) P<0.01, compared to the DOX group. (##) P<0.01, compared to the siRNAFAM group. Data represent as mean ± SD (n = 3)
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    Gene silencing efficiency in vitro. a Suppression of MDR1 mRNA level quantified by qRT-PCR. (**) P<0.01, compared to the SiNP-DOX/NC siRNA group. (##) P<0.01, compared to the SiNP-DOX/siRNA1 group. b The expression of P-gp evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Scare bar = 25 μm. The fluorescence of P-gp and nucleus is indicated as green and blue, respectively. c The geometric mean fluorescence intensity of P-gp in b calculated using LAS AF Lite software. (***) P<0.001, compared to the SiNP-DOX/NC siRNA group. (##) P<0.01, compared to the SiNP-DOX/siRNA1 group. Data represent as mean ± SD (n = 3)
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    In vitro cytotoxicity assay. a After the 72-h incubation, the MCF-7/ADR cell viabilities of free SiNPs (ASiNPs: 0.125-2), free DOX (0.63-10 μg mL-1), SiNP-DOX conjugates (ASiNPs: 0.125-2; DOX: 0.63-10 μg mL-1), SiNP-DOX/NC siRNA and SiNP-DOX/siRNA nanocomposites (ASiNPs: 0.125-2; DOX: 0.63-10 μg mL-1; siRNA: 12.5-200 nM) were determined using the MTT assay. b IC50 values of different kinds of agents calculated from the cell viability assays. Data represent as mean ± SD (n = 4), (**) P<0.01, (***) P<0.001, compared to the free DOX group; (#) P<0.05, (##) P<0.01, (###) P<0.001, compared to the SiNP-DOX-NC group

• Origin of Luminescent Centers and Edge States in Low-Dimensional Lead Halide Perovskites: Controversies, Challenges and Instructive Approaches

  Jiming Bao1, 2, 3, *, Viktor G. Hadjiev4, 5, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 26
  First Online: 25 March 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0254-4

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    The influence of CPB:CCB (CPB = PbBr2, CCB = CsBr = 0.04 M) on the composition and optical properties of Cs−Pb−Br nanocrystals. a The crystal structure of Cs4PbBr6 (i), CsPbBr3 (ii), and CsPb2Br5 (iii). b Ternary phase diagram of Cs, Pb and Br elements. Cs4PbBr6, CsPbBr3, and CsPb2Br5 fall on the line connecting PbBr2 and CsBr in the diagram. c XRD results at different CPB:CCB. d PL and UV-visible absorption spectra of the nanocrystals prepared at different CPB:CCB. The excitation wavelength for PL spectra is 365 nm.
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    a Crystal structure schematics of the orthorhombic CsPbBr3 and tetragonal CsPb2Br5 (blue ball: Cs+). The unit of all the cell parameters is Å. b The percentage of the CsPbBr3 nanocrystal being covered by CsPb2Br5 nanoparticles and their PL quantum yield (PLQY). c Absorption and PL spectra of CsPb2Br5/CsPbBr3 composites. The inset shows as-obtained products in four-neck flask and light emission of CsPb2Br5/CsPbBr3 deposited on the glass and tube excited with ultraviolet light. d-e TEM images of all-inorganic CsPb2Br5/CsPbBr3 nanocomposite at different magnifications. Dark dots in e are CsPb2Br5 nanoparticles.
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    a, b Photographs of as-obtained colloidal CsPb2Br5 nanoplatelets suspension under ambient conditions and the UV light (365 nm) irradiation, respectively. c Absorption and PL spectrum of CsPb2Br5 nanoplatelets in toluene solution. d, e TEM and HRTEM images of CsPb2Br5 nanoplatelets, respectively. f, g TEM images of representative nanostructures of CsPb2Br5−xClx, CsPb2Br5−xIx, respectively. h Evolution of the optical absorption and PL spectra of CsPb2Br5 nanoplatelets with increasing quantities of anion-exchange of I ̶ and Cl ̶, respectively. i, j Corresponding photographs and powder XRD of the parent CsPb2Br5 nanoplatelet and anion-exchanged samples.
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    Synthesis of non-emissive CsPb2Br5 nanosheets from CsPbBr3 nanocubes. a, b Disappearance of absorbance and PL as the reaction time increases. c CsPbBr3 nanocube solution (after 5 s reaction time) and CsPb2Br5 nanosheet suspension (after 2 h reaction time) in toluene under daylight (left) and a UV lamp (365 nm, right). d Calculated electronic band structure of CsPb2Br5.
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    a A transparent colorless CsPb2Br5 crystal with an area of up to 5×5 mm2. b CsPb2Br5 flakes on sapphire. The thickness of the purple crystal is only 160 nm [13]. c Powder XRD pattern of CsPb2Br5 particles after annealing at different temperatures (red squares represent CsPbBr3 (PDF#18-0364), black dots represent PbBr2). d Low resolution and e high-resolution TEM image of a representative CsPb2Br5 cluster after annealing at 400 °C. f PL spectra of the three CsPb2Br5 samples characterized by XRD in c under 400 nm excitation [14].
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    a, b CsPbBr3 and Cs4PbBr6 powders on the glass slides under UV light (365 nm). Insets are schematics of their crystal structures [11]. c PL intensity as a function of excitation wavelengths for Cs4PbBr6. (normalized PL spectra according to the absorbance at an excitation wavelength of 375 nm) [26].
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    a, b Optical and fluorescent microscope pictures of emissive Cs4PbBr6 single crystals. Scale bar: 500 μm [63]. c Photo of a millimeter-sized non-emissive Cs4PbBr6 single crystal. Inset: PL spectrum [44]. d-g Drift-corrected HRTEM images of d a non-emissive and e a green-emissive Cs4PbBr6 nanocrystals. The FFT patterns are shown as insets. f High-angle annular dark field (HAADF)-STEM image of a green-emissive Cs4PbBr6 nanocrystal and g HAADF-STEM images and FFT patterns of selected areas 1 and 2 in f [26]. h TEM and i HRTEM images of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals in the Cs4PbBr6 matrix. The insets show the FFT images [70].
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    Edge emission in (BA)2(MA)n-1PbnI3n+1 2D R-P perovskite with n=3. a Schematics of crystal structure. b Schematics of the photo-absorption and PL processes in 2D perovskite exfoliated crystals with n>2. c Photoluminescence intensity map of a single exfoliated crystal. Scale bar is 10 μm [10].
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    a Schematics of the surface-induced exciton dissociation in R-P perovskites with n ⩾ 3. b Schematic diagram showing the order–disorder transition by laser illumination. c Photoluminescence color map showing two continuous cycles of photoluminescence shifts during order–disorder transition, plotted as a function of laser irradiation time, emission wavelength and intensity. d Temperature-dependent changes in photoluminescence intensity. e Photoluminescence of n = 2–4 R-P perovskite monolayers. Black lines indicate initial state photoluminescence and blue lines are photoluminescence after relaxation. f Schematic of edge states of 2D halide perovskite due to moisture. g PL image of BA2FAPb2I7 excited by UV light.
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    a Illustrations of Br, Pb, and Cs vacancies (VBr, VPb, and VCs). b Calculated defect formation energies for orthorhombic-CsPbBr3, CsPb2Br5, and Cs4PbBr6 at Br-rich/Pb-poor, moderate, and Pb-rich/Br-poor conditions. c Defect charge-transition levels of CsPbBr3, CsPb2Br5, and Cs4PbBr6. d Charge density distributions of VBr defect states for CsPbBr3, CsPb2Br5, and Cs4PbBr6 calculated at the GGA/PBE level of theory. The band gaps were corrected using the HSE+SOC method.
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    a Quantum-size effects in the absorption and emission spectra of 5−12 nm CsPbBr3 NCs. b Experimental versus theoretical (effective mass approximation) size dependence of the band gap energy.
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    Energy band gap and structure. a Valence-loss EEL spectra representing the absorption of a CsPbBr3 nanocube (red spectrum) and a Cs4PbBr6 NC (blue), appearing in the same sample (160 °C). The band gap energy of the nanocube (2.45 eV) is determined from the peak of the first derivative of the EEL spectrum, which appears due to the abrupt onset in absorption (indicated by the dotted lines). No onset is observed for the Cs4PbBr6 NC which is an insulator with a large band gap energy of 4 eV. b Valence-loss EEL spectrum of a spherical nanocrystal (green) observed in the same sample, formed upon the hybridization of a nanocube and a nanohexagon. The latter process is represented by the simulated EEL spectrum (orange) which is obtained from adding the experimentally obtained spectra of the nanohexagon and nanocube as shown in a. The hybrid has, as expected, a band gap energy similar to that of the nanocube.

• V2O5 Nanospheres with Mixed Vanadium Valences as High Electrochemically Active Aqueous Zinc-ion Battery Cathode

  Fei Liu1, Zixian Chen1, Guozhao Fang1, Ziqing Wang1, Yangsheng Cai1, Boya Tang1, Jiang Zhou1, 2, *, Shuquan Liang1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 25
  First Online: 22 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0256-2

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    a XRD pattern of VOOH, b dynamic high temperature XRD image of VOOH, SEM images of c VOOH and d V4+-V2O5
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    a XRD pattern and crystal structure of V4+-V2O5, b XPS spectra for V 2p of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5, c TEM image and d HRTEM image of V4+-V2O5
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    a The third cycle of the CV curves of the V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 electrodes at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1 in the voltage range 0.4–1.4 V (versus Zn/Zn2+). b GITT curves (Ⅰ) and calculated diffusion coefficients (Ⅱ) of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 electrodes. c Nyquist plots of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 before cycling. d Cycling performances of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 electrodes at a discharge current density of 1 A g-1. e Discharge-charge voltage profiles of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 electrodes in the second cycle at 1 A g-1. f Rate capability of V4+-V2O5 and V2O5 electrodes at various current rates. g Long-term cycling performance of the Zn/V4+-V2O5 battery at 10 A g-1
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    a CV curves at different scan rates. b Bar chart showing the percentage of pseudocapacitive contribution of V4+-V2O5 at different scan rates
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    Analysis of the Zn storage mechanism of the V4+-V2O5 electrode. a Ex-situ XRD patterns of V4+-V2O5 electrodes discharged or charged to different voltage states at the current density of 100 mAg−1, HRTEM and TEM-EDS mapping images of the electrodes b discharged to 0.4 V and c charged to 1.4 V, ex-situ high-resolution XPS spectra of d V 2p and e Zn 2p at the fully discharged/charged state
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    a XRD patterns of Zn anodes from Zn/V4+-V2O5 batteries at different states. SEM images of Zn anodes from Zn/V4+-V2O5 batteries at different states: b initial and c charged to 1.4 V

• Biomass-Derived Porous Carbon-Based Nanostructures for Microwave Absorption

  Huanqin Zhao1, Yan Cheng1, Wei Liu1, Lieji Yang1, Baoshan Zhang2, *, Paul Luyuan Wang3, 4, Guangbin Ji 1, *, Zhichuan J. Xu 3, 4, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 24
  First Online: 15 March 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0255-3

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    Schematic representation of biomass derive PC in EM absorption application
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    a Various biomass-derived PC materials prepared by a direct pyrolysis process. b The schematic illustration of graphitized PC. c The EM wave absorption properties of spinach stem-derived PC.d (I) The digital camera photograph of wood and PBPC, (II, III) SEM images of radial and axial section for PBPC, (IV) The schematic representation of microwave absorption mechanism of PBPC. e The calculated reflection loss of PCBC samples with different annealing temperature at 4 mm. f The calculated reflection loss of PBPC-680 at different thicknesses.
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    a Schematic illustration of the fabrication of walnut shell-derived porous carbon. SEM image of b C-600 and c PC-600. d Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, e pore size distributions, f real part of complex permittivity, and g imaginary part of complex permittivity of PC samples prepared under different conditions. The inset of e corresponds to the BET surface area values (SBET) and pore volume value (Vpore) of all samples. h The RL value of C-600. i The RL value PC-600.
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    a SEM image and corresponding elemental mapping information of (I, II) RHPC/Fe and (III, IV) RHPC/Co; microwave absorption performance of b RHPC/Fe and c RHPC/Co. d SEM image of Co/C composite. e Impedance matching contour of Co/C composite. f The RL value of Co/C composite. g Procedure for the preparation of the Ni/carbon foam and its EM wave absorption performance.
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    a TEM image of Ni-NiO/NCA composite. b The Cole–Cole semicircle of NCA and Ni-NiO/NCA composite. c The microwave absorption performance of Ni-NiO/NCA composite.d Column chart of RL values for MPC composites with various carbonized temperatures. e XRD profiles of all MPC composites. f SEM image and g TEM image of MPC-600.

• Synthesis and Characterization of a Silica-Based Drug Delivery System for Spinal Cord Injury Therapy

  Guodong Sun2, Shenghui Zeng1, Xu Liu1, Haishan Shi1, Renwen Zhang3, Baocheng Wang4, Changren Zhou1, Tao Yu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 23
  First Online: 11 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0252-6

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    A system of the drug ARC-G-loaded MSNs with FITC-CAQK was designed to target SCI, regulate the activation of astrocytes, and protect nerves by reducing IL-17. The nanoparticle drug system loaded with ARC-G could improve the local cellular microenvironment
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    Immune responses and neuroinflammation are critically involved in SCI
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    Physicochemical characterization of the MSN. a SEM image, b XRD pattern of S-MSN. c SEM image, d TEM image, e XRD pattern, f N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm of C-MSN
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    The FTIR spectra of nanomaterials. a-b-c represent different grafting steps; a raw C-MSN; b C-MSN-NH2; c C-MSN-FITC-CAQK
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    Drug release behavior of nanomaterials. a in vitro; b in vivo. Concentration of ARC-G was determined by HPLC (n=4/group). c Targeting ability of MSN-FC@ARC-G to the injured spinal cord. Representative NIRF images of mice 1 day after injection. Arrows point to the region of the injured spinal cord. d Representative NIRF images of the excised organs from mice
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    In vitro cytotoxicity assay. a-d Cell viability of RAW 264.7, BMSC, and BV-2 after incubation with various concentrations of C-MSN and MSN-FC@ARC-G
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    Absence of side effects and systemic toxicity following intravenous injection of C-MSN, ARC-G, and MSN-FC@ARC-G. a Acute (day 1 and day 7) and long-term (day 28) toxicity of C-MSN upon systemic administration; b Histological analysis of heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney after 28 days (Scale bar: 100 μm). WBC, white blood cells; RBC, red blood cells; PLT, platelets; ALT, alanine transaminase; AST, aspartate transaminase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen (Scale bar: 50 µm)
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    a BMS scores at different time-points after spinal cord contusion (n=8 mice per group; repeated measures of ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post-hoc correction). b Regularity Index c Hind Max Contact Area was analyzed using the CatWalk XT automated quantitative gait analysis system (n=8 mice per group). d Examples and the statistic histogram of motor-evoked potential (MEP) recordings from mice 8 weeks post-surgery (n=8 mice per group) (B, C, and D) One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test; Mean ± SEM; *, P <0.05; **, P< 0.01; ***, P< 0.001
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    a, b Representative injury sites labeled with anti-GFAP antibodies and the statistic histogram of lesion volumes in the four groups (n=8 mice per group; Scale bar: 250 µm). c, d Survival of motor neurons immunostained with Nissl staining in the spinal cord ventral horn (VH) 8 weeks after SCI. (n=8 mice per group; Scale bar: 250 µm) and one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests Mean ± SEM ; *, P <0.05; **, P<0.01
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    a, b Flow cytometry analysis of the expression of IL-17 in CD4+ T cells from the spleen (n=8 mice per group). One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests; Mean ± SEM; **, P<0.01. c, d qRT-PCR analysis of the expression of IL-17-related mRNA in the spinal cord. (n=8 mice per group). One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests; Mean ± SEM; **, P<0.01; ***, P<0.001
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    a Pro-inflammatory cytokines in spinal samples were analyzed using the Bio-Plex system (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) 24 h after SCI. Different colors indicate the protein levels from low (blue) to high (red) representing the fold change. b Protein levels of IL-17, IL-1α, IL-6, G-CSF, MCP-1, and MIP-1β were significantly decreased in the MSN-FC@ARC-G-treated group compared with the other three groups (n=6 mice per group). One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests; Mean ± SEM; ***, P<0.001; ****, P<0.0001
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    a, b Western blotting and mRNA expression of IL-17, GFAP, and related proteins in four groups of mice with indicated treatments (n=5 mice per group). c Immunofluorescence detection of the astrocyte activation in four groups of mice with indicated treatments. (n=8 mice per group; distance from injury site 1mm proximal at the anterior horn of spinal cord) (B, D) One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison tests Mean ± SEM; *, P <0.05; **, P<0.01; ***, P<0.001

• Improved Na+/K+ Storage Properties of ReSe2–Carbon Nanofibers Based on Graphene Modifications

  Yusha Liao1, Changmiao Chen1, Dangui Yin1, Yong Cai1, Rensheng He1, *, Ming Zhang1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 22
  First Online: 11 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0248-2

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    Schematic diagram of the preparation of ReSe2@G@CNFs
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    SEM images of a, b Re2O7@G@CNFs, and c-e ReSe2@G@CNFs. f HRTEM images of ReSe2@G@CNFs. g EDS mapping indicates the element distribution of the composites
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    a XRD pattern, b TGA curve (in air). c Raman spectrum, and d Nitrogen adsorption/desorption curve of the as-prepared ReSe2@G@CNFs. The inset shows the pore size distribution
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    Electrochemical properties of NIBs. a CV curves of ReSe2@G@CNFs. b Charge and discharge graphs of ReSe2@G@CNFs at 200 mA g−1. c Long-cycle capability and corresponding CE of ReSe2@G@CNFs at 200 mA g−1 for 500 cycles. d Comparison of rate performance between ReSe2@G@CNFs and ReSe2@CNFs from 100 to 2000 mA g−1
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    K+ storage performances of as-synthesized samples. a CV curves corresponding to the initial five cycles. b Charge/discharge profiles of ReSe2@G@CNFs. c Cyclic capability of ReSe2@G@CNFs at 200 mA g−1. d Long-time performance of ReSe2@G@CNFs at 500 mA g−1. e Variation of rate performances of ReSe2@G@CNFs in the range from 100 to 2000 mA g−1
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    Electrochemical properties of full cells based on Na3V2(PO4)3 and ReSe2@G@CNFs. a, c Charge/discharge curves, and b, d respective cycle capabilities of NVP cathode and full cells at 1C
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    Digital images of ReSe2@G@CNFs||NVP full cells showing the lighting pattern of LED bulbs: a A single LED and b An LED array

• Nitrogen-Doped Sponge Ni Fibers as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

  Kaili Zhang1, Xinhui Xia1, *, Shengjue Deng1, Yu Zhong1, Dong Xie2, Guoxiang Pan3, Jianbo Wu4, Qi Liu5, Xiuli Wang1, Jiangping Tu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 21
  First Online: 09 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0253-5

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    a Schematic illustration of N-SN. b Optical image of N-SN. c–f SEM images of N-SN. g EDS elemental mapping images of Ni and N in N-SN
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    a–d TEM and HRTEM images of N-SN. The inset images in (a, b) show a low-magnification TEM image and the SAED pattern
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    a XRD patterns of NF, N-NF, SN, and N-SN. XPS spectra of initial N-SN before cycling: b Ni 2p, c N 1s, d O 1s
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    OER performance characterization and comparison of NF, N-NF, SN, and N-SN. a LSV curves, b Tafel slopes, c Nyquist plots, d current densities obtained at different scan rates, e electrocatalytic stability at a current density of 10 mA cm-2
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    XPS spectra of N-SN after 100 cycles. a Ni 2p1/2, b Ni 2p3/2, c N 1s, d O 1s. e–f NEXAFS spectra of N-SN before and after 100 OER cycles

• Novel Graphene Biosensor Based on the Functionalization of Multifunctional Nano-Bovine Serum Albumin for the Highly Sensitive Detection of Cancer Biomarkers

  Lin Zhou1, #, Kun Wang1, # , Hao Sun1,  Simin Zhao2, Xianfeng Chen3, Dahong Qian2, Hongju Mao1, *, Jianlong Zhao1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 20
  First Online: 09 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0250-8

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    Fabrication of nano-dBSA functionalized GFET. a Silicon (Si)O2/Si substrate and b Titanium/gold electrodes were patterned as source/drain electrode, c Graphene was transferred onto the metal electrodes, d native BSA solution was dropped onto the graphene, e native BSA was denatured on the graphene at 80 °C, f photoresist was used to define the dBSA functionalized graphene channel, g O2 plasma was used to etch the dBSA film and graphene at the same time, and h substrate was coated with SU-8 photoresist as an insulating layer
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    a Processes of the modification for anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized graphene, b schematic diagram of electrolyte-gated anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET, and c optical micrograph of the graphene channel
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    a Transfer characteristics of the anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET. The insert in a is the capacitive equivalent circuit model of the graphene conducting channel. b Anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET at different drain–source voltages was defined as the derivative of Ids with respect to Vgs. c Hole mobility of anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET and anti-CEA mAb PYR-NHS functionalized GFET. d Electron mobility of anti-CEA-DBSA functionalized GFET and anti-CEA mAb PYR-NHS functionalized GFET
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    a Output characteristics of the anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET, b leakage current of the anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET, c drain–source current curve responses to control group, CYFRA21-1, SCC, and CEA, and d monitoring of drain–source current with increasing CEA concentrations (10 pg mL-1, 100 pg mL-1, 1 ng mL-1, 10 ng mL-1, and 100 ng mL-1)
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    a Drain–source current of the anti-CEA-dBSA functionalized GFET in the presence of CEA concentrations of 10 pg mL-1, 100 pg mL-1, 1 ng mL-1, 5 ng mL-1, and 45 ng mL-1. b Net drain–source current at different CEA concentrations fitted with a curve (red line) of the Hill adsorption model

• Nanogenerator-Based Self-Charging Energy Storage Devices

  Kun Zhao1, 2, 6, Yuanhao Wang3, *, Lu Han4, Yongfei Wang4, Xudong Luo4, Zhiqiang Zhang5, *, Ya Yang1, 6, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 19
  First Online: 09 March 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0251-7

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    a SEM images of SiO2 microspheres, SiO2-PVDF composite film, mesoporous PVDF film after removing SiO2 microspheres on the top view, and the mesoporous PVDF film on the side view. b FESEM images of the PVDF-PZT nanocomposite film, FESEM image of the PVDF-PZT nanocomposite film, FESEM image of MWCNTs, and cross sectional FESEM image of the SCPC device (LiCoO2 as cathode, PVDF-PZT nanocomposite film as piezoseparator and MWCNTs as anode). c Morphological images of the cathode (LiCoO2), anode (artificial graphite), and PVDF piezo-separator.
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    a SEM images of PANI/CNT, unmodified or PtNP-modified PPy/CNT surfaces. b Cross-sectional SEM image of a double-sided laser-engraved PI substrate with both sides of LIG, SEM image of the LIG thin film, and HRTEM image obtained from the edge of a LIG flake. c Cross sectional SEM images of ZnO NW arrays and PVDF mesoporous nanostructured film. d FE-SEM image of MnO2 nanostructure. e SEM images of the 3D Au@MnO2 nanocomposites (scale bar, 500 nm). f SEM images of the LiMn2O4 precursor NWs and the obtained carbon NWs.
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    a SEM images of ZnCo2O4@Zn-Co-S HA, as-prepared CNTFs@Zn/Co-Zif, ZnCo2O4@ZnCo2O4 HA, CNTFs@H-Co3O4 NA, CNTFs@H-Co3O4@ZIF-67 HA, and CNTFs@H-Co3O4@CoNC HA. b FE-SEM images of CuO nanoflake arrays grown on Cu foil, hierarchical NiCoOH nanoplies electrodeposited on CuO@Cu foil and RGO nanosheets. c SEM images of a CNF-coated yarn and a PEDOT: PSS/CNF-coated yarn (scale bar, 10 μm). d SEM images of the TiO2 nanotube arrays on the Ti wire (scale bar, 100 nm).
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    Schematic diagram showing the design of all-solid-state SCPCs (a) and the design of a flexible SCPC (b). Al-plastic film is used as the shells of flexible SCPCs. c Schematic diagram of the fabricated SCSPC. MnO2 on aluminum foil is used as the positive and negative electrodes and PVDF-ZnO film as a separator. d The effect of mechanical deformation (by pressure) on the SCASC device.
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    Schematic illustration of a the transparent and flexible SCPF. b Self-charging Li-ion batteries. c the assembled structure of the FASC. d Fabrication process of the all-solid-state symmetric yarn SC composed of two PEDOT:PSS/CNF/CF electrodes in parallel. Schematic diagram of e a single F-SC, consisting of two carbon fibers coated with RuO2·xH2O in the H3PO4/PVA electrolyte. f the fabricated device.
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    a Photograph of an as-fabricated self-charging power system, including three EP-TENGs in parallel and three EP-SCs in series (scale bar, 1 cm). b Schematic structure of a kirigami based supercapacitor (KP-SC). c Fabrication of the convoluted power device. d Structural scheme of the PC-SCPU. Insets 1 and 2 show the basic working component of the P-TENG and P-SC. Insets 3 and 4 are the SEM image of the graphite-based electrode (scale bar, 2 μm) for the P-SC and the nanostructured FEP film (scale bar, 2 μm) for the P-TENG. Inset 5 shows a photograph of the as-prepared P-SCPU, which is compared with a coin (scale bar, 3 cm).
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    a Schematic self-charging mechanism induced by a porous PVDF piezo-separator in Li-ion secondary batteries. b Working mechanism of the SCSPC driven by mechanical deformation. c Typical working mechanism of the solid-state SCASC under applied mechanical deformations.
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    a Circuit diagram of the self-charging powered textile for wearable electronics (WE). b Implanting an SLB into a triboelectric nanogenerator. c Schematic diagram of self-charging process for the Li-ion batteries, distinctly showing the flow of electrons in the circuit. d Schematic illustration of the electric storage process from the external capacitor to the convoluted power device as an SLB.
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    a Self-charging process of an all-solid-state SCPC under periodic applied force. b Self-charging process applying cycled mechanical compressive strain to the device based on PVDF–PZT nanocomposite film as piezo-separator. c A typical self-charging profile comprising three regions: a compression region inducing self-charging over an initial 200 s when continuous mechanical compression of 282 mJ was applied at 1 Hz to the cell. d The device was charged at a constant current of 5 mA and discharged at a constant load of 5 kΩ in an N2 saturated buffer.
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    a Charging curve of the MSC array component. b A typical self-charging process under periodic compressive stress of a SCPC fabricated using PVDF mesoporous nanostructured film as piezo-separator. c Self-charging process of the serially connected five SCSPCs under periodic compressive strain provided by human palm impact to the whole devices. d The self-charging-discharging profile under continuous human finger imparting.
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    a Charging curves of four TFSCs in series charged by the TF-TENG at fast sliding, slow sliding, and pressing. b Self-charging and discharging curves of the top Li-ion battery. c Charging curve of the F-DSSC and the F-TENG, where the light blue-shaded area corresponds to the charging curve of the F-DSSC and the light red-shaded area corresponds to the charging curve of the F-DSSC-F-TENG hybrid.
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    a V-t curve of the 3-series EP-SCs charged by pressing 3-parallel EP-TENGs. b Charging and discharging curves using the TENG at wind speed of 24.6 m s-1. c Charging curves of another convoluted power device as an SLB using the produced electric energy by human walking. d V-t curve of the PC-SCPU under charging mode and then instantaneously driving a wireless remote control.
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    a The all-solid-state SCPC can power smart watch, sports bracelet, and LEDs. b Circuit diagram of the energy supply mode and photographs of showing two LEDs being powered by the SCMPU，the SCMPU inserted in the insole of a shoe and using the SCMPU to drive a commercial hygrothermograph. c Operation of green light-emitting diode using serially connected SCSPCs as the power source. d Photograph of a calculator driven by the SCPF. e Photographs of the twisted Li-ion battery to light up a green LED. f Photographs of the fabricated devices can instantaneous lightning of four commercial red LEDs upon repeated finger imparting and lightning of a green LED light with adequate intensity. Meanwhile, Power-up small electronic wrist watch, commercial digital calculator, mobile LCD screen, and portable speaker.
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    a LED warning sign on a shirt, that is, “FIB,” is lighted up by tapping a TENG bracelet wrapped on the wrist. Charging curves of two-series SCs by manually tapping the TENG fabric. The inset pictures are the temperature-humidity meter (left), calculator (upper right), and hand tapping fabric (lower right). b Application of the all-in-one shape-adaptive self-charging power package in conventional wearable electronics.
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    a Photograph of the self-charging power system powering an electronic watch and a calculator at 5 Hz. b Photograph of the integrated KP-SC (6 units, 3 devices in series) lighting up a single commercial green LED under cycling stretching movement. c Photograph of a green LED that can be lighted up by the convoluted power device as an SLB. d Demonstration of a self-powered wireless remote control by incorporating a PC-SCPU, digital electric watch and temperature meter driven by manually tapping the PC-SCPU.

• High Initial Reversible Capacity and Long Life of Ternary SnO2-Co-Carbon Nanocomposite Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

  Pan Deng1, Jing Yang1, Shengyang Li1, Tian-E Fan2, *, Hong-Hui Wu3, Yun Mou4, Hui Huang1, Qiaobao Zhang1, *, Dong-Liang Peng1, Baihua Qu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 18
  First Online: 01 March 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0246-4

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    Schematic of the synthesis of N-u-SCC
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    a XRD patterns of the three N-c-SCC (different ratio) samples. b ICEs of the different electrodes
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    Morphology of a, d ultrafine SnO2; b, e N-u-SCC-1; c, f N-u-SCC-2
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    a TEM, b high-resolution TEM, and c elemental mapping images of the N-u-SCC-2 composite
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    a XRD patterns of the three samples; b ICEs of the different electrodes. c Sn 3d, d Co 2p, e N 1s and f C 1s XPS spectra of the N-u-SCC-2 composite
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    a CV curves of the N-u-SCC-2 electrode over the potential range of 0.01–3 V. b First three discharge/charge curves of the N-u-SCC-2 electrode at a current density of 0.2 A g-1. c Differential charge capacity vs. voltage curves of the N-u-SCC-2 electrode during the 1st, 10th, 50th, and 100th cycles. d Galvanostatic charge-discharge cycle of the N-u-SCC-2 electrode at a current density of 0.2 A g-1. e Cycling performance of the N-u-SCC-2 electrode at a current density of 0.5 A g-1
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    Schematic of the de-lithiation process of a pure SnO2, b SnO2/C and c N-u-SCC

• Housing Sulfur in Polymer Composite Frameworks for Li-S Batteries

  Luke Hencz1, Hao Chen1, Han Yeu Ling1, Yazhou Wang1, Chao Lai1 , Huijun Zhao1, Shanqing Zhang1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 17
  First Online: 27 February 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0249-1

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    The molecular structure of the PVDF and PTFE
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    Three polymer composite frameworks (PCFs) in Li-S batteries; sulfur host@PCFs, sulfur host-free PCFs, and multifunctional PCFs for sulfur cathodes in Li-S Batteries
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    The roles of polymeric binders in a typical LIB
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    A typical charge/discharge profile for a Li-S battery.
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    Schematic illustration for the formation of S‐TTCN composite: (1) Uniform coating a solid SiO2 layer and a porous SiO2 layer embedded with C18TMS molecules on MWNTs; (2) formation of porous carbon nanotube by carbonization of C18TMS; (3) etching SiO2 layers to obtain tube‐in‐tube carbon nanostructure (TTCN) with MWNTs encapsulated within hollow porous carbon nanotube; (4) sulfur infused into TTCN to fabricate S‐TTCN composite.
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    a Cycle retention graph and b charge–discharge curve graph of S-CPAN cells with PVdF and PAA binders. SEM images of c surface and cross section of S-CPAN with PVdF binder electrode, d lithium metal surface of S-CPAN cell with PVdF binder, e surface and cross section of S-CPAN with PAA binder electrode, and f lithium metal surface of S-CPAN with PAA binder after 100 cycles.
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    Charge and discharge curves of a lithium/sulfur cell with a PVDF binder and b CMC + SBR binder at 0.05C.
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    Photographs comparing the effect of a 3.5% w/w addition of carbon nanofibers to water-based slurries employing a PVP:PEO binder. Uniformity of sulfur loading is indicated for the coating with CNF.
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    Illustration of a the air spray process of cathode, b the sprayed cathode, c the layer-by-layer C/S composite, d the cross-link between Nafion and PVP.
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    Illustration of the fabrication of sulfur electrodes with PVDF or PEB-1 binder. a The cathode is comprised of sulfur-active materials loaded into N-doped mesoporous carbon (N-MC) hosts, ‘Super P’ as the conductive additive, and a polymer binder (PEB-1 or PVDF). b A conventional sulfur cathode cast onto an aluminium current collector. c A highly loaded sulfur cathode cast onto a carbon nanofibre current collector. d Schematic illustrating the formation of complex ion clusters via anion metathesis, when PEB-1 encounters soluble polysulfides during Li–S cell cycling.
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    SEM images of the porous sulfur cathodes during the discharge–charge process at the a original, b 6% discharge, c 36% discharge, d full discharge and e first charge.
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    Initial discharge curves of Li/S batteries using SGA (gelatin-based) cathode (a) and SPA (PEO-based) cathode (b) at different current densities.
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    a CV of gelatin (SG) and L-cysteine gelatin (SGL) cathodes after 1st and 10th discharge with scan rate of 0.5 mV s–1 and b Impedance plots for Li/S cells with SG and SGL after 1st discharge in the frequency range of (100 kHz–100 mHz).
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    Dispersion morphology of (a1) S/CB/SBR–CMC, (a2) CB/SBR–CMC, (a3) S/SBR–CMC, (b1) S/CB/PVDF, (b2) CB/PVDF, and (b3) S/PVDF.
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    Discharge curves of batteries: a sulfur cathode with chitosan, b sulfur cathode with gelatin, and c the upper plateau discharge capacities of batteries with different sulfur cathodes.
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    Characterization of chemical bonds between GA and S. a TEY XAS and b TFY XAS spectra for the mixture of GA and S before and after the thermal treatment at 80 °C. c FTIR spectroscopy of the mixture of GA and polysulfides (Li2Sx, x = 8).
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    Operando XAS measurements of Li-S cell. a Schematic of the in-situ XAS measurement set-up. The inlet photo is the actual customer build instrumentation for this experiment. b, c The S K-edge XAS spectra evolution of the electrolyte with voltage scan. The purple highlighted peaks are polysulfide adsorption peaks, which evolve during first discharge. PVDF binder based Li-S cell shows the dramatic increase of polysulfide concentration in the electrolyte during the first lithiation process. The carrageenan binder based Li-S cell shows much slow concentration built up of polysulfide. d The relative polysulfide concentration changes with discharge shows the superiority of carrageenan binder in immobilizing polysulfide.
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    a Table showing the calculated binding energy of Li2S with various functional groups (R) based on the framework of vinyl polymers –(CH2–CHR)n–. b–d Ab initio simulations showing the most stable configuration and calculated binding energy of Li2S with b ester, c ketone and d amide R groups in vinyl polymers. e General schematic representing the Li–O interaction between Li2S and >C=O groups as shown in (b–d).
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    Voltage profiles for the reference and PEG/PEO-modified cells at C/5 for a the 1st cycle and b 50th cycle.
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    Schematic structure of the sulfur cathode before and after PS dissolution.
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    Visual pictures of separator and sulfur cathode after the Li/S cell was discharged to 300 mAh g−1 sulfur and the cathode was stored in triglyme at 60 °C for 48 h.
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    Cyclic voltammogram curves of the Li-S cells with PAA sulfur cathode and PVDF sulfur cathode at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1.
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    Suspensions of 1 mg mL−1 sulfur composites dispersed in a SA; b CMC; c LA132 after an overnight settlement.
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    Polysulfides confinement through cationic polymer. The electrostatic attraction between the PQ quaternary ammonium cations and polysulfide anions.
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    Molecular Structures of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Poly[(2-ethyldimethylammonioethyl methacrylate ethyl sulfate)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)] (D11) and the Synthesis of Poly(diallyldimethylammonium triflate) (PDAT) via Anion Exchange.
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    PIL binders examined for use in Li–S systems.
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    Flame-retardant properties. The specific burning time test of sulfur electrodes with a S-PVDF electrode and b S-APP electrode. The times indicated in the pictures are counted as soon as the electrodes are exposed to the direct flame from a lighter (indicated by the white arrow in panel a). c The specific burning time of the sulfur cathodes with APP and PVDF binders. d Schematic showing the flame-retardant mechanism of the APP binder based sulfur electrode.
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    Binding energies of Li2S6 with various functional groups.
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    Chemical structures of a GG and b XG; c schematic of the intermolecular binding effect between GG and XG; d schematic of the polymer network formed by the intermolecular binding effect; and e FTIR spectra of GG, XG, and N-GG-XG.
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    a Synthesis scheme of AFG binder by copolymerization of PEI with HDI in DMF solution. b 13C NMR spectrum of AFG, and the resonance amide signal at 163.58 ppm (red a, N-CH=O) with 159.45 ppm (red b, N=C-OH) and amine group signal at 40.09 ppm (red c, C-C-NH2) were detected. c Tensile property test of the AFG binder, which reveals the flexibility of the AFG binder polymer. d Digital photographs show the AFG copolymer with excellent stretchability.
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    Chemical structure of PEDOT:PSS.
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    a Chemical structures of the four different binders: PFM, PEDOT, PVP, and PVDF. b Cycling performance at C/10 and self-discharge performance of cathodes with different binders. (c) The open circuit voltage change vs. rest time during the third self-discharge rest of 240 h for the PFM-S, PEDOT-S, PVP-S, and PVDF-S cathodes. The self-discharge capacity prevention ratio (d) and reversible capacity retention ratio (e) for cathodes with different binders during the self-discharge test.
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    Chemical structures of H-Nafion (a) and Li-Nafion (b).
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    Chemical structure, physical aspect and cyclic voltammogram of polyimide-polyether copolymers.

• Lead-Free Halide Double Perovskite Materials: A New Superstar Towards Green and Stable Optoelectronic Applications

  Liang Chu1, 2, Waqar Ahmad3, Wei Liu2, Jian Yang2, Rui Zhang2, Yan Sun1, Jianping Yang1, *, Xing’ao Li1, 2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 16
  First Online: 27 February 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0244-6

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    a Schematic illustration of the transformation from APbX3 to A2M(I)M(III)X6 or A2M(IV)X6, where two toxic Pb2+ ions are substituted by combined M+ and M3+ ions (or M4+ ion). “¨” denotes M-site vacancy. b Elements of M-location cations with M+ and M3+ in the periodic table for halide double perovskites. When any M-site elements is localized at IA or IIIA groups of the periodic table, the materials have direct bandgaps
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    a Diffuse reflectance spectra for Cs2AgBiBr6 and CH3NH3PbBr3. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [48]. b Time resolved room-temperature PL and fits for the PL decay time (τ) in powder and single-crystal samples. The inset is the photograph of a Cs2SgBiBr6 single crystal. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [52]. c Apparent bandgaps of Cs2AgBiBr6 and Cs2(Ag1−aBi1−b)TlxBr6 (x= a + b = 0.075) single crystals extracted by linear fits to α2 vs E (direct gap) and α1/2 vs E plots (indirect gap). Reproduced with permission from Ref. [57]. d Photographs of Cs2AgSbCl6 and Cs2AgInCl6 single crystals (top), and band diagram. A change in the character of the conduction band minimum (CBM) from s-orbital-derived to p-orbital-derived while having the valence band maximum (VBM) primarily Ag-d states results in a transition from direct to indirect bandgap. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [59]. e PL spectra Mn-doped Cs2AgInCl6 with different Mn contents, after excitation with 340 nm light. Insets show photographs of luminescence from powder samples under UV light. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [62]. f Photograph of dilute toluene solutions of Cs2AgBiBr6, Cs2AgBiBr5.2I0.8, Cs2AgBiBr1.6I4.4, and Cs2AgBiI6 nanocrystals.
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    a Tauc plot (assumed indirect bandgap), b-c calculated band structure of (MA)2KBiCl6 and the enlarged view of the band structure near the bandgap. Reproduced with permissionfrom Ref. [38]. d Tauc plot (assumed direct bandgap) of (MA)2TlBiBr6. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [82]. e XRD patterns of fresh (MA)2AgSbI6 compared to (MA)2AgSbI6 after 370 days of exposure to air. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [84]. f Air stability of (MA)2AgBiI6. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [85]. g Schematic illustration of rhombohedral-to-cubic phase transition on high-temperature heating for (MA)2KGdCl6 and (MA)2KYCl6. Reproduced with permission from Ref.[86] h Photograph of a (MA)2AgBiBr6 single crystal.
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    a Configuration diagram of Cs2AgBiBr6-based photo detector . b Band scheme diagram of Cs2AgBiBr6/SnO2 heterojunction. c Responsivity of photo detector at zero bias. d Long-term stability test of Cs2AgBiBr6-based photo detector.
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    a Signal-to-noise ratio of the device derived by calculating the standard deviation of the X-ray photocurrent. The red dashed line represents a SNR of 3, and thus the detection limit is 59.7 nGyair s-1 at 5 V bias, as indicated by the purple star surrounded by the red dashed circle. b Operational stability of our Cs2AgBiBr6 single-crystal X-ray detector. Testing conditions: continued 138.7 μGyair s-1 X-ray irradiation with constant 5 V bias, tested in ambient air without any encapsulation. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [54]. c Transient responses of the detector at a constant 400 V. Reproduced with permission [92]. d The generated voltage of multiplier tubes by scintillation light of Cs2NaTbCl6 (red line), Cs2NaEuCl6 (blue line), and (Lu,Y)2SiO5:Ce3+ (LYSO, black line), respectively (color online).
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    a Comparison of photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of the as-prepared Cs2AgBiBr6 NCs and washed NCs. b Schematic diagram of the photoreduction of CO2 on the surface of Cs2AgBiBr6 NCs. c Time course of CO and CH4 evolutions over as-prepared and washed Cs2AgBiBr6 NCs.
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    a Image of Cs2AgBiBr6 powder (left) and solution in DMSO (right). b The film fabrication process diagram. c, d SEM images of film obtained by traditional thermally annealed and low‐pressure assisted process, respectively, inset: film photograph, size, 25 × 25 mm2. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [97]. e Schematic illustration of the spin-coating process with and without anti-solvent dropping protocol, and the morphology of the as-prepared film can be improved after IPA dropping. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [98]. f Scheme of sequential vapor deposition processing of Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite.

• Metal-Oleate Complex Derived Bimetallic Oxides Nanoparticles Encapsulated in 3D Graphene Networks as Anodes for Efficient Lithium Storage with Pseudocapacitance

  Yingying Cao1, #, Kaiming Geng1, #, Hongbo Geng2, *, Huixiang Ang3, Jie Pei1, Yayuan Liu1, Xueqin Cao1, Junwei Zheng4, Hongwei Gu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 15
  First Online: 25 February 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0247-3

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    Schematic illustration of the synthetic processes for MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN
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    a, b SEM and c, d TEM images of the CoMn2O4
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    a, b SEM and c, d TEM images of MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN. e High-magnification TEM image of MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN. f The corresponding elemental mapping images of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN for Co, Mn, O, and C
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    a XRD pattern of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN, b Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and corresponding pore size distribution plot of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN
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    XPS spectra for the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN composites: a the survey spectrum and the high resolution spectra for b Mn 2p, c Co 2p and d C 1s
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    a CV profile of MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1 in the voltage range of 0.01-3.0 V. b The charge and discharge profiles of MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN. c Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of the CoMn2O4 and MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN electrodes at a current density of 0.1 A g-1. d Rate performances of the CoMn2O4 and MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN electrodes at various current densities. e Cycling performance of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN electrode at a current density of 1 A g−1
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    Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy plots of pure CoMn2O4 and MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN electrodes
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    a CV profiles of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN electrodes at different scan rates with the potential range between 0.01 and 3.0 V. b The fitted lines and ln(ip) versus ln(v) plots at different oxidation and reduction states. c The percentages of pseudocapacitive contribution at different scan rates. d Pseudocapacitive (red) and diffusion-controlled (blue) contribution to the charge storage of MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN at 0.8 mV s−1
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    Comparison of the lithium storage properties of the MnO/CoMn2O4⊂GN to similar anode materials reported in other studies

• SnS2@C Hollow Nanospheres with Robust Structural Stability as High-Performance Anodes for Sodium Ion Batteries

  Shuaihui Li1, 2, †, Zhipeng Zhao1, 2, †, Chuanqi Li1, 2, Zhongyi Liu1, 2, * , Dan Li1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 14
  First Online: 21 February 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0243-7

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    a, b SEM and c TEM images of SnO2 hollow nanosphere precursor, d, e SEM and f TEM images of intermediate SnO2@C, g, h SEM and i, j TEM images of composite SnS2@C, k element mapping images of carbon, sulfur, and tin
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    a XRD pattern, b Raman spectrum of SnS2@C, and c survey XPS spectrum of SnS2@C. Corresponding high-resolution XPS spectra of d Sn 3d, e S 2p, and f C 1s
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    a CV curves of SnS2@C hollow nanospheres for the first three cycles at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1, b rate capabilities of SnS2/C and SnS2@C, c discharge/charge profiles of SnS2@C at different current densities (corresponding to b), d cycling performance of SnS2/C and SnS2@C at a current density of 0.2 A g-1, e Nyquist plots of SnS2/C and SnS2@C, f CV curves of SnS2@C at various scan rates, g relationship between log i and log v plots of anodic and cathodic peaks, h contribution ratios of capacitive capacity of SnS2@C at various scan rates, i capacitive contribution and diffusion contribution to the charge storage at a scan rate of 1 mV s-1
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    a 2D view of in situ XRD patterns during initial galvanostatic discharge and charge of SnS2@C hollow nanospheres, HRTEM images at b discharge to 0.01 V, and c charge to 3.0 V. d-f TEM images of SnS2@C hollow nanosphere electrode after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g-1, g corresponding element mapping images of Sn, S, and C

• Recent Progress in the Fabrication, Properties, and Devices of Heterostructures Based on 2D Materials

  Yanping Liu1, #, *, Siyu Zhang1, #, Jun He1, Zhiming M. Wang2, *, Zongwen Liu3, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 13
  First Online: 18 February 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0245-5

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    The deterministic transfer method. The yellow, blue, green and red dashed lines correspond to the process of transfer using polymer carriers of types I to IV respectively, and in the end a bare heterostructure or a multilayer heterostructure covered by h-BN will be fabricated
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    Chemical vapor deposit (CVD) growth. a The diagram of the synthesis of MoS2/WS2 heterostructures through one-step CVD method. S powder is placed at the upstream and a wafer with mixed powder of W and Te is put downstream. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [27]. b Multi-steps CVD growth of realized through direction-switchable carrier flow and cooling process. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [32]. c the modulable growth of 〖WS〗_2-〖WS〗_2(1-x) 〖Se〗_2x (0
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    Band alignment and band engineering methods. a Theoretical positions of VBM and CBM of VIB- and IVB-TMDs calculated by PBE-SOC. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [34]. b Schematic diagram of band bending at the interface, forming a notch on the accumulation side and a peak on the depletion side. c, d STM measurements of h-BN/graphene heterostructure stacked with the different rotation angle of 5° (c) and 0° (d). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [42]. e PL spectra of MoS2 monolayer and bilayers with different twist angles, where peak I is related to the direct transition at K-valley and peak II may be associated with the indirect band gap. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [42]. f The principle of photo-gating band alignment engineering. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [43]. g The band structure of a floating-gate device based on monolayer WS2.
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    The single particle transport caused by different band structures. a-c The electronic modulation of BTBT in a TFET based on 2D SnSe2/WSe2 heterostructure. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [53]. d PL measurement of a stacked WSe2/MoTe2 heterostructure with proper annealing, where the blue, black and red line corresponding to the PL intensity of specific energy (eV) from the isolated WSe2 region, isolated MoTe2 region, and hetero stacked region respectively. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [54]. e-f The diagram of the charge transferring in p-MSB/WSe2 heterostructure under illumination. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [55]. g The band alignment, charge transportation and the distribution of the potential in the device.
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    The generation of interlayer excitons. a The transient absorption measurements of WS2 A-exciton resonance in the MoS2/WS2 heterostructure and B-exciton resonance in an isolated MoS2 monolayer. The dynamic evolution signal is obtained by convoluting the instrument response function (blue dashed line). b PL spectra detected from the 1-4 region of a vertically stacked WS2/MoS2 heterostructure, and number 1 and 2 corresponding to the MoS2 monolayer and number 3 and 4 regions are hetero stacked bilayer. Two additional peaks at 630 and 875 nm indicate the generation of interlayer excitons. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [27]. c The two processes of the interlayer excitons generation.
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    The properties of excitons in 2D heterostructures. a EL spectra of the MoSe2/WSe2 vertical heterostructure, a small intralayer signal at 1.62 eV was detected, and the inset illustrates the device structure (blue and green line represent the WSe2 and MoSe2 respectively). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [67]. b The optical selection rules in a MoX2/WX2 heterostructure with twist angle θ of 0° and 60° respectively. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [17]. c-d Time-resolved PL (d) of WSe2/MoSe2 heterostructure (c) after σ+ pulsed laser excitation, black dots and red dots corresponding to the co-polarized emission (σ+) and cross-polarized emission (σ-), and the blue line shows the degree of polarization, which is tunable by the gate voltage. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [68]. e The trions composed in different ways existing in the MoS2/WS2 bilayer.
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    Magnetic properties of 2D heterostructures. The broken lattice with six sublattices of graphene on the EuO (a) and the calculated spin polarization in graphene layer (b). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [75]. The RMCD (c) and polarization ρ (d) of WSe2/CrI3 heterostructure under sweeping external magnetic field and different excitation power. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [76]. e The transition of several PL peaks and the magnetic susceptibility along the out-of-plane direction (black) in FePS3 as the temperature increases. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [78]. The spin density and possible magnetic ground state (NM, FM, AFM) of XS2/VS2 heterostructures (f) and the dependence of band gap (g) and electrical field, and the calculated magnetic moment and relative energy is listed in the picture. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [79]. Schematic diagram of the device based on graphene/multilayer BP heterostructure (h) and the huge MR (i) compared with graphene on SiO2 substrate.
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    Electronic devices based on 2D heterostructure. Schematic diagram of programmable floating-gate memory based on MoS2/h-BN/graphene heterostructure (a), the hysteresis loop of Ids when Vds sweeps forward and backward (b) and the corresponding Ids when periodically repeat the four states by setting Vsd to -6, 0, and +6 V (c). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [62]. Transistor based on the BTBT in WSe2/SnSe2 heterostructure (d) and its channel current (e) as a function of Vg at certain Vd from 0.1 to 0.9V.
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    2D heterostructures in optoelectronic applications. a Schematic diagram of TMD/TMD heterostructure with a graphene contact. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [43]. Schematic and optical picture of optoelectronic memory based on h-BN/WSe2 heterostructure (b) and the modulation of programming, reading and erasing state by Vg and incident illumination (c), and the wavelength-dependent PR (d). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [113]. Schematic and optical picture (e, f) of the multi-gate exciton device. The excitation region is marked by the red circle, and the recombination of the interlayer excitons occurs at the edge of the heterostructure. The modulation of exciton flux by Vg at room temperature is illustrated in diagram (g).
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    10 Spintronic and valleytronic applications of 2D heterostructures. a The calculated majority and minority spin states of Co (①-②) and Ni (③-④) and the Fermi surface of graphene (⑤), and the color bar indicates the number of Fermi surface sheets. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [119]. b TMR of the NiFe/Gra–hBN/Co magnetic junction at a different temperature. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [120]. WSe2 on the SiO2 substrate and the EuS substrate (c), and the valley splitting (d) and magnetization (e) in the WSe2/EuS structure under sweeping external vertical magnetic field at different temperatures. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [126]. Schematic diagram of MoS2/graphene heterostructure and the Hanle measurement (f, g) and the Hanle signal (h) detected after the laser excitation on the heterostructure region at a temperature of 10 k.

• High-Index-Faceted Ni3S2 Branch Arrays as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Water Splitting

  Shengjue Deng1, ‡, Kaili Zhang1, ‡, Dong Xie2, Yan Zhang1, Yongqi Zhang3, Yadong Wang4, Jianbo Wu5, Xiuli Wang1, Hong Jin Fan3, Xinhui Xia1, *, Jiangping Tu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 12
  First Online: 05 February 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0242-8

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    a Schematic illustration of the core/branch structure of the TiO2@Ni3S2 arrays; b Optical photograph of the sample; and c–g SEM images of the TiO2@Ni3S2 core/branch arrays
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    a–d TEM-HRTEM images and SAED pattern of TiO2@Ni3S2 core/branch arrays; e EDS elemental maps of O, S, Ni, and Ti in TiO2@Ni3S2 core/branch arrays
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    a XRD patterns b Raman spectrum; c core-level Ni 2p XPS spectra; d core-level S 2p XPS spectra; e O 1s XPS spectra, and f Ti 2p XPS spectra of TiO2@Ni3S2 core/branch arrays
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    Evaluation of the HER performance and comparison of Ni2(OH)2CO3, Ni3S2, and TiO2@Ni3S2 electrodes: a LSV curves; b Tafel plots; c current density as a function of scan rate, and d Nyquist plots of the Ni2(OH)2CO3, Ni3S2, and TiO2@Ni3S2 electrodes; e Electrochemical stability of the TiO2@Ni3S2 electrode at a current density of 100 mA cm-2
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    a Schematic illustration of the overall water splitting process using the bifunctional electrocatalyst; b LSV curves at 5 mV s-1 for the OER performances using the Ni2(OH)2CO3, Ni3S2, and TiO2@Ni3S2 electrodes; Overall water splitting performance of the TiO2@Ni3S2 || TiO2@Ni3S2 electrolyzer: c LSV curves; d Comparison of the overall water splitting performance of our TiO2@Ni3S2 || TiO2@Ni3S2 electrolyzer with those of other electrocatalysts in the literature, and e electrochemical stability at 10 mA cm-2

• A Floatable Piezo-Photocatalytic Platform Based on Semi-Embedded ZnO Nanowire Array for High-Performance Water Decontamination

  Yaozhong Zhang1, *, Xiaolu Huang2, Junghoon Yeom2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 11
  First Online: 24 January 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-019-0241-9

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    Schematic of the proposed two-step fabrication process of the vertically aligned ZnO NW array on a polymer substrate. a A ZnO NW array was vertically grown on the glass slide via the hydrothermal synthesis, b a certain amount of a PDMS solution was spin-casted onto the ZnO NW array and thermally cured afterward, c a PET film was brought into intimate contact with the PDMS film, d the PDMS/PET stack was detached from the glass slide simultaneously, e the PDMS/PET layer became flat owing to the recovery of the PET film, f the ZnO NW array embedded in the PDMS film was re-grown to a desired length via the same hydrothermal process, g the ZP film obtained after the PET film was removed from the PDMS film, h the photograph of the as-prepared ZP film (1×1 in2). Scale bar: 1 in
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    SEM images of the ZnO NW array (a-b) on the glass substrate after the first growth, (c-d) on PDMS after the secondary growth, e on the PDMS substrate (~300 μm in thickness) before the secondary growth, and f directly grown on the PDMS substrate, g the size (diameter) distribution of the ZnO NW array after the first and second growth. Scale bar: a-d 50 μm in the large view and 3 μm in the inset, e 20 μm in the large view and 5 μm in the inset, f 50 μm in the large view and 5 μm in the inset
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    a-b TEM images of the ZnO NWs on a ZP film, (insert b) the electron diffraction (SEAD) pattern. Scale bar: a 50 nm, b 10 nm
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    a XRD patterns of the ZnO NW array, b photoluminescence spectrum of the ZnO NW array
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    a, b Photographs and schematics of the tape test on a ZP film (1×1 in2) and direct ZnO-NW-array growth film (1×1 in2). c, dPhotographs of a ZP film wrapped on a finger and stretched to more than 50% of the original length, respectively. e, f SEM images of a ZP film after tape test and other chemical and mechanical tests. Scale bar: c-e 1 in, e-f 50 μm in the large view and 1 μm in the inset
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    a Degradation profiles of the MB dye (at 667 nm) in four consecutive cycles, b photodegradation kinetics of the MB dye in four consecutive cycles, c constant k
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    Degradation profiles of the MB dye (at 667 nm) a before/after the secondary growth and b with/without magnetic stirring
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    Schematics of a a ZP film attached to a glass rod and b floating ZP film. Degradation profiles of the MB dye (at 667 nm) c without UV light irradiation and d with UV light irradiation
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    Schematics of the piezo-photocatalytic mechanism
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    a UV-Vis spectrum of the crude oil, b degradation profiles of the crude oil (at 288 and 293 nm). Photographs of the crude oil c before photodegradation and d after photodegradation

• In-situ Preparation of Bimetal Co-doped Mesoporous Graphitic Carbon Nitride with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

  Wanbao Wu1, Zhaohui Ruan2, Junzhuo Li1, Yudong Li1, Yanqiu Jiang1,*, Xianzhu Xu1, Defeng Li1, Yuan Yuan2,*, Kaifeng Lin1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 10
  First Online: 23 January 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0236-y

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    XRD patterns of P-CN, Co-CN-5, Mo-MCN-2, and Co/Mo-MCN composites
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    a Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and b corresponding pore size distribution curves of P-CN, Co-CN-5, Mo-MCN-2, and Co/Mo-MCN
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    TEM images of a, b P-CN and c, d Co/Mo-MCN-5
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    SEM images of a P-CN, b Co-CN-5, c Mo-MCN-2, d Co/Mo-MCN-5, e–h elemental mapping for Co/Mo-MCN-5
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    XPS spectra of a C1s, b N1s, c Mo3d, and d Co2p for Co/Mo-MCN-5
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    a Photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of as-prepared materials, b cyclic test of photocatalytic H2 evolution by Co/Mo-MCN-5, c Photocatalytic activities of RhB degradation for as-materials and d cyclic test of RhB degradation by Co/Mo-MCN-5
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    a UV−Vis absorption spectra of P-CN, Co-CN-5, Mo-MCN-2, and Co/Mo-MCN-5, b Mott–Schottky plots of P-CN and Co/Mo-MCN-5, c transient photocurrent responses, and d photoluminescence spectra of P-CN, Co-CN-5, and Co/Mo-MCN-5
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    Crystal structure of a P-CN, b Co-CN, and c Mo-CN, and charge density difference of d Co-CN and e Mo-CN
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    Band structure of a PCN, b Mo-CN, and c Co-CN
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    Optical absorption coefficient of PCN, Co-CN, and Mo-CN
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    a Simulation model of Mo-MCN. D represents mesopores of sizes ranging from 10 to 50 nm, and electric field intensity distribution in x–y plane for b P-CN, c Mo-MCN, and x–z plane for d P-CN, and e Mo-MCN
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    Photocatalytic mechanism scheme of Co/Mo-MCN under visible light irradiation

Volume 10, Issue 4 (2018)

• Mesoporous SiO2 Nanoparticles: A Unique Platform Enabling Sensitive Detection of Rare Earth Ions with Smartphone Camera

  Xinyan Dai1, †, Kowsalya D. Rasamani1, †, Feng Hu1, Yugang Sun1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 55
  First Online: 06 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0208-2

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    Schematic illustration of the major steps of the protocol for sensitive detection of Eu3+ ions from diluted solutions relying on the synergy of “concentration effect” and “antenna effect”
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    a TEM image and b size distribution histogram of the synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs)
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    EDX elemental mapping images of a overlaid Si, O and Eu elements, b Si, c O, and d Eu for SiO2/Eu(III)/phen nanoparticles. The scale bars represent 250 nm. The red circles in (b-d) highlight the same nanoparticle.
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    a A digital photo of various solution samples under an UV lamp with a wavelength of 302 nm. Each sample represents 400 uL ethanolic solution (or dispersion) of the corresponding nanoparticles confined in PDMS pockets. The samples in the top row are 1 mM EuCl3 solution and SiO2/Eu (III) nanoparticle dispersion with Eu3+ ions adsorbed from 1 mM EuCl3 solution. The bottom row shows the SiO2/Eu(III)/phen nanoparticle dispersions Eu3+ ions adsorbed from EuCl3 solutions with concentrations from 100 nM to 1 mM (from left to right). b Quantized red emission intensities of various samples shown in a

• Bi Nanoparticles Anchored in N-Doped Porous Carbon as Anode of High Energy Density Lithium Ion Battery

  Yaotang Zhong1, Bin Li1, Shumin Li1, Shuyuan Xu1, Zhenghui Pan1, Qiming Huang1, 2, Lidan Xing1, 2, Chunsheng Wang3,*, Weishan Li1, 2,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 56
  First Online: 10 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0209-1

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    Lithium storage performances of various metals in comparison to graphite
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    Schematic illustration of the formation process of Bi@NC
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    a XRD pattern, b FTIR spectrum, and c, d SEM images of ZIF-8 precursors
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    a XRD pattern, b SEM, c TEM, and d HRTEM and SAED images of Zn@NC
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    a XRD pattern, b SEM, c TEM, HRTEM, and d SAED images of Bi@NC
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    a Cyclic voltammograms and b charge-discharge curves of Bi@NC; comparisons of c cyclic stability, d coulombic efficiency, and e rate capabilities of Bi@NC, Bi@C, and bare Bi
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    CV characteristics of a Bi@NC, b Bi@C and c bare Biat scanning rates ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 mV s-1. d Linear relations of anodic peak currents (ip) vs. the square roots of scanning rate (υ)
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    XRD patterns revealing a structural and chemical evolution and b corresponding mechanism of the Bi@NC electrode

• Hybrid Field-Effect Transistors and Photodetectors Based on Organic Semiconductor and CsPbI3 Perovskite Nanorods Bilayer Structure

  Yantao Chen2, Xiaohan Wu2, Yingli Chu2, Jiachen Zhou2, Bilei Zhou2, Jia Huang1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 57
  First Online: 28 May 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0210-8

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    a TEM image, b HRTEM image, and c XRD patterns of CsPbI3 nanorods. d AFM image of the CsPbI3 nanorod film. The inset image presents a height profile of the film surface. e UV–Vis absorption spectra of CsPbI3 nanorods, C8BTBT, and C8BTBT/CsPbI3 nanorod films. f Energy level diagrams of C8BTBT and CsPbI3 nanorods
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    a Schematic diagram of the C8BTBT/CsPbI3 nanorod based phototransistor. ID–VD transistor characteristics of the hybrid phototransistor under a fixed illumination power intensity: b in the dark state and c under a white-light illumination of 10 mW cm-2. d Transfer characteristics (VD = -30 V) under different illumination power densities. e Photocurrent as a function of the illumination power density for different gate voltages
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    a Shift of the threshold voltage of the hybrid phototransistor as a function of the illumination power density. b Schematic of the photo generated carrier transport in the hybrid phototransistor under illumination
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    a Responsivity of the hybrid phototransistor as a function of the gate voltage for different illumination power densities. b Illumination power density dependence of the responsivity at VG = -60 V, VD = -30 V. c Iphoto/Idark ratio as a function of the gate voltage for different illumination power densities. d Illumination-power-density dependence of the Iphoto/Idark ratio at VG = -60 V, VD = -30 V. e Photo-switching characteristics of the hybrid phototransistor under an alternating dark and light illumination (0.5 mW cm-2) at VG = -30 V, VD = -30 V. f Transfer curves of the fresh hybrid phototransistor and device stored at an atmospheric environment (average temperature of 0 °C and average relative humidity of 50%) for one month

• Controllable Vapor Growth of Large-Area Aligned CdSxSe1-x Nanowires for Visible Range Integratable Photodetectors

  Muhammad Shoaib1, Xiaoxia Wang1, Xuehong Zhang1, Qinglin Zhang1, Anlian Pan1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 58
  First Online: 03 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0211-7

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    Growth schematic for the in-plane directional CdSxSe1−x NWs. a M-plane sapphire substrate surface before annealing. b M-plane substrate surface with V-shape grooves after high temperature annealing. c-d VLS growth of NWS along the pre-defined Au catalyst patterns
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    Morphology characterization of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a SEM images of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs along the pre-defined photolithography line-patterned Au catalyst. b High-magnification SEM images of the as-grown samples, showing strong horizontal alignment of the NWs along the substrate. c SEM images of the CdSxSe1-x NWs grown along the pre-defined catalytic nanoparticles by EBL. d AFM images of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs, inset shows the size profile of the NW of the dashed line marked position in d.
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    Optical properties of the in-plane directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a Tunable PL spectra of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs with the emission wavelength shifts from 510 nm (pure CdS) to 710 nm (pure CdSe). b Composition-dependent bandgap energy and the corresponding emission wavelength of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x NWs. c The schematic diagram of the CdSxSe1-x NW waveguide and the corresponding real-color images of single CdS, CdS0.8Se0.2, CdS0.24Se0.76, and CdSe NWs, respectively
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    I-V curves of the in-plane directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a Schematic diagram of the typical PD. b-e Representative I-V characteristics of the as-grown CdSxSe1-x (x = 1, 0.8. 0.24, 0) directional NW PDs under dark and light illumination with different power intensities (laser wavelength: 405 nm) at room temperature; Insets show the corresponding SEM images of the as-fabricated PDs. f Light intensity dependent photocurrent values for the CdSxSe1-x NW PDs
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    Photodetection properties of the directional CdSxSe1-x NWs. a The responsivity of the CdSxSe1-x nanowire PDs. b Plot of quantum efficiency of the CdSxSe1-x PDs. c Time-resolved response of the device under light intensity 49.03 mW cm-2 at a voltage of 1 V. d On/off photocurrent response and corresponding enlarged portions of the rise in response and reset process of CdS0.8Se0.2 nanowires under excitation of 405 nm with a power intensity of 9.69 mW cm-2

• Highly Reversible Li–Se Batteries with Ultra-Lightweight N,S-Codoped Graphene Blocking Layer

  Xingxing Gu1,*, Lingbao Xin2, Yang Li3, Fan Dong1, Min Fu1, Yanglong Hou4,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 59
  First Online: 13 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0213-5

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    N,S-G membrane as an interlayer for trapping polyselenides
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    a XRD patterns of GO and N,S-G; b Raman spectra of GO and N,S-G
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    a XPS spectrum of N,S-G and high-resolution b C 1s, c N 1s, and d S 2p spectra
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    TEM images of a GO, b N,S-G; SEM images of N,S-G membrane in c top view and d side view and e the free-standing N,S-G membrane
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    CV curves of the first three cycles for Li–Se batteries a with and b without N,S-G interlayer at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s−1; galvanostatic charge/discharge voltage profiles of Li–Se batteries c with and d without N,S-G interlayer at 1 C between 1.5 and 3.0 V
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    a Rate performance of Li–Se cells with and without N,S-G interlayer; b long-term cycling performance of Li–Se cells with and without N,S-G interlayer
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    a Digital photographs of polyselenide adsorption by N,S-G interlayers; high-resolution b Se 3d and c S 2p XPS spectra of N,S-G interlayer after 500 discharge cycles
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    Z as a function of ω−1/2 in the low-frequency region

• Enhanced Performance of a Monolayer MoS2/WSe2 Het-erojunction as a Photoelectrochemical Cathode

  Jingwei Xiao1, Yu Zhang1, *, Huanjun Chen1, Ningsheng Xu1, Shaozhi Deng1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 60
  First Online: 13 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0212-6

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    Schematic of a the MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction and b PEC device and measurement
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    a Optical image of monolayer MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (dashed in white triangle). The white dots marked in the optical image are the spots where the spectra are accumulated (scale bar is 30 m). b AFM scanning showing thickness of surface of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction and line scan profile (scale bar is 4 m). c, d Raman intensity map of the WSe2 E2g1 mode (green) and MoS2 E2g1 mode (red) in heterostructure, corresponding to black dashed square area in Fig. 2a (scale bar is 5 m). e, f Raman and PL spectra of monolayer MoS2 (black line), WSe2 (green line) and MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red line)
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    a PEC current density vs. voltage (J-V) curves of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red), monolayer WSe2 (green), and monolayer MoS2 (black) under the same white light illumination condi-tions. b Current response curves for the three samples under 1 V external bias with illumina-tion an interval of 10 s. c PEC currents of monolayer MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red dots) and WSe2 (green dots) at different wavelengths. d IPCE of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red dots line) and WSe2 (green dots line)
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    Absorption spectra of MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction (red curve), monolayer WSe2 (green curve) and monolayer MoS2 (black curve)
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    a Energy band position of monolayer MoS2 and WSe2 compared with redox potentials for water splitting. b MoS2/WSe2 heterojunction formed a type II band alignment. When illumi-nated, photo-generated electrons are transferred from valence band to conduction band and the built-in electric field helps to separate excitons

• Visualizing Photodynamic Therapy in Transgenic Zebrafish Using Organic Nanoparticles with Aggregation-Induced Emission

  Purnima Naresh Manghnani1, Wenbo Wu1, Shidang Xu1, Fang Hu1, Cathleen Teh2, Bin Liu1, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 61
  First Online: 26 January 2018 (Communication)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0214-4

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    Nanoprecipitation of AIE photosensitizer PPDCT with DSPE-mPEG2000
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    a UV-Visible absorption (solid line) and photoluminescence (PL, dashed line) spectra of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs.b Number size distribution of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs. c TEM image of PPDCT-DSPE-mPEG NPs. d Absorbance decay of 64 µM ABDA in the presence of PPDCT NPs over 10 min of 0.15 W cm-2 white light
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    a Confocal image of HepG2 cells incubated with PPDCT NPs. b Cellular internalization of PPDCT NPs confirmed using flow cytometry. c MTT viability assay of HepG2 cells treated with PPDCT NPs and 0.15 W cm-2 white light (WL 0, 45, and 90 J cm-2). d Whole zebrafish embryo soaking viability for treatment with different PPDCT NP concentrations
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    a Confocal image of fli:EGFP zebrafish larva injected intravenously with 0.8 mg mL-1 PPDCT NPs. b Uptake and breakdown of NPs over time span of 96 h in the liver and caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT) of fli:EGFP zebrafish liver. c Confocal image of EGFP:krasV12 zebrafish larva injected intravenously with 0.8 mg mL-1 PPDCT NPs. d Uptake and breakdown of NPs over time span of 96 h in the liver and CHT of EGFP:krasV12zebrafish liver. Confocal λex = 488 nm, Green fluorescent protein λem = 509 nm, PPDCT λem = 660 nm
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    Change in liver tumor volume for control group: a without injection or illumination (-/-), and b with injection and without illumination (-/+)c without injection and with illumination (+/-). Change in liver tumor volume for group injected with NPs on 7 dpf and treated: d with 135 J cm-2 of illumination 9 dpf, and e with 270 J cm-2 of illumination of 9 dpf. f Graph depicting the percentage of tumor volume change on 10 dpf relative to the volume on 9 dpf before light treatment for all 5 groups, n = 14; Confocal λex = 488 nm, Green fluorescent protein λem = 509 nm, PPDCT λem = 660 nm
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    Changes in normalized tumor volume of larvae subjected to different days of light illumination; 0 dpi depicts 7 dpf larvae immediately after intravenous injection. 0 Day Therapy (0 DT) refers to WL illumination on 0 dpi. n= 7

• MoS2 Nanosheets Arrays Rooted on Hollow rGO Spheres as Bifunctional Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst and Supercapacitor Electrode

  Shizheng Zheng1, Lijun Zheng1, Zhengyou Zhu1, Jian Chen1, Jianli Kang2, Zhulin Huang3, Dachi Yang1,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 62
  First Online: 18 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0215-3

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    Schematic illustration of the synthetic process of h-rGO@MoS2
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    The SEM and TEM images of a the SiO2 sphere templates, b SiO2@GO, and c SiO2@GO@MoS2. d SEM images of the h-rGO@MoS2 spheres. e EDS elemental mapping results of the h-rGO@MoS2 spheres. C arises from rGO, Mo and S arises from MoS2. f TEM image of h-rGO@MoS2, and g the HRTEM image of the white area in (f) showing several sheets of MoS2
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    a XRD spectra of h-rGO, pristine MoS2, and h-rGO@MoS2. b N2 adsorption–desorption curves of h-rGO, pristine MoS2, and h-rGO@MoS2. The corresponding specific surface areas are given in the top left corner. c Raman spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 measured with 532 nm excitation. d Survey spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2. e, f The high-resolution Mo 3d and S 2p XPS spectra of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2
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    a Polarization curves of bare GC, h-rGO, pristine MoS2, h-rGO@MoS2, and commercial 20% Pt/C in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte at 5 mV s−1, and b the corresponding Tafel plots of electrocatalysts in (a). c EIS plots of pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 from 10-2 to 105 Hz. d The electrochemical double-layer capacitances of h-rGO@MoS2 ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 V at various scan rates (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mV s-1) in 0.5 M H2SO4. e The capacitive current at 0.20 V as a function of scan rate for pristine MoS2 and h-rGO@MoS2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. f Polarization curves of the h-rGO@MoS2 electrocatalysts initially and after 1000 and 2000 cycles in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte
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    a CV curves of h-rGO@MoS2 electrode at various sweep rates (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mV s-1) in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. b Galvanostatic curves of h-rGO@MoS2 at various current densities (0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 A g-1). c Capacitance retention property of h-rGO@MoS2 and MoS2 at sweep rates from 5 to 200 mV s-1. d Cycle stability and capacitance retention of the h-rGO@MoS2 electrode tested at a scan rate of 100 mV s-1; the inset shows the CV curves for the 1st, 500th, 1000th, 2000th, and 3000th cycles

• A Novel Hierarchical Porous 3D Structured Vanadium Nitride/Carbon Membranes for High-performance Supercapacitor Negative Electrodes

  Yage Wu1, Yunlong Yang1, Xiaoning Zhao1, Yongtao Tan1, Ying Liu1, Zhen Wang1, Fen Ran1, 2, *	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 63
  First Online: 28 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0217-1

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    Schematic representation of the fabrication strategy for the VN/C (I)
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    SEM images of the VN/C (I): a-c cross-sectional views and d surface view. e, f TEM images of the VN/C (I). g, h N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and pore size distribution of the VN/C (I)
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    a HRTEM image, b XRD pattern, c selected-area electron diffraction, and d TEM elemental mapping images of the VN/C (I)
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    X-ray photoelectron spectra of the VN/C (I)
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    a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d the specific capacitances of the VN/C (I) and VN/C (II) at different current densities (scan rate=10 mV s-1 in 6.0 M KOH aqueous solution)
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    a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d cycling performance at 2.0 A g-1 of the VN/C (I)
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    The electrochemical performance of the prepared hybrid device in 6.0 M KOH: a CV, b GCD, c EIS curves, and d specific capacitances of the device at different current densities. e Ragone plots compared with previously reported VN/C-based supercapacitors. f Cycling performance of VN/C (I) at 1.0 A g-1

• Metal-Organic Framework-Based Sensors for Environmental Contaminant Sensing

  Xian Fang1, 2, †, Boyang Zong1, 2, †, Shun Mao1, 2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 64
  First Online: 24 June 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0218-0

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    a Working principle of NH2-MIL-53-based sensor for ClO- sensing. b Fluorescence emission spectra of NH2-MIL-53(Al)-based sensor toward various concentrations of ClO-: 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 μM from top to bottom. Inset shows corresponding photos of NH2-MIL-53(Al) nanoplates in absence (left) and presence of 10 μM (middle) and 20 μM (right) ClO- under 365 nm UV light. Reprinted with permission from [57]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society
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    Sensing mechanism of Hg2+-responsive disassembly of Ru-MOFs and release of guest material of Ru(bpy)32+. Reprinted with permission from [60]. Copyright (2015) American Chemical Society
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    a Post-synthetic modification of UiO-bpy with Eu3+. b Emission profiles and c bar diagram depicting relative intensity ratios (IL/IEu), after addition of VOCs. d Two-dimensional map displaying relative emission intensities and quantum yields of various VOC encapsulated phases. Reprinted with permission from [63]. Copyright (2016) Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a Schematic of sensing strategy. b Amperometric i-t curves of different nanomaterials: (1) Fe-MOFs, (2) Fe-MOFs/AuNPs, (3) Fe-MOFs/PtNPs, (4) Fe-MOFs/PdNPs, and (5) Fe-MOFs/PdPt NPs. c CV characterization of electrodes at various stages of modification: (1) bare GCE, (2) rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (3) streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (4) substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (5) BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, (6) catalytic strand/BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE, and (7) Pb2+/catalytic strand/BSA/substrate strand/streptavidin/rGO-TEPA-Au/GCE. Reprinted with permission from [76]. Copyright (2018) Elsevier
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    Schematic and detection strategy of electrochemical sensor based on MOF Cu3(BTC)2 and CS/rGO for DBIs detection. Reprinted with permission from [80]. Copyright (2016) American Chemical Society
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    a Schematic of MOF-based SERS platform and b SERS spectra of Rhodamine 6G on Au NP/MIL-101 substrate (blue lines), Au colloids substrate (red line), and MIL-101 (black line). Reprinted with permission from [89]. Copyright (2014) American Chemical Society
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    a Schematic illustration of FET sensor with source and drain electrodes, channel material, gate oxide, and gate electrode. b Sensor current change after gas adsorption and desorption. Reprinted with permission from [97]. Copyright (2017) Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a Schematic of acetone sensing mechanism with Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. b Temperature-dependent acetone sensing characteristics to 5 ppm in temperature range of 150–300 ºC. c Dynamic acetone sensing responses in concentration range of 0.4–5 ppm at 250 ºC of ZnCo2O4 powders, ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres, ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres, and Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. d Selective acetone detection characteristics of Pd-ZnO/ZnCo2O4 hollow spheres. e Dynamic resistance transition properties of samples toward 5 ppm acetone at 250 ºC. Reprinted with permission from [103]. Copyright (2017) Macmillan Publishers Limited
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    a Schematic illustration of anisotropic synthesis of Au@ZnO@ZIF-8. b Dynamic response of Au@ZnO@ZIF-8 to HCHO with concentrations from 0.25 to 100 ppm. c Plots of sensor responses to HCHO concentration of three samples: (I) pristine Au@ZnO, (II) synthetic Au@ZnO@ZIF-8, and (III) completed Au@ZnO@ZIF-8. Inset shows TEM images of samples. Reprinted with permission from [104]. Copyright (2017) Springer
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    a Preparation of ZnO@ZIF-8 core-shell nanorod films. b Temperature-dependent response curves of ZnO nanorod and ZnO@ZIF-8 sensors to 50 ppm H2. c, d Dynamic response curves of two sensors to different H2 concentrations at 250 ℃. e Concentration-dependent H2 response curves of two sensors at 250 ℃. Reprinted with permission from [110]. Copyright (2017) John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• In Vivo Tumor-Targeted Dual-Modality PET/Optical Imaging with a Yolk/Shell Structured Silica Nanosystem

  Sixiang Shi1, #, Feng Chen2, #, Shreya Goel1, Stephen A. Graves3, Haiming Luo2, Charles P. Theuer4, Jonathan W. Engle3, Weibo Cai1, 2, 3, 5, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 65
  First Online: 14 June 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0216-2

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    A schematic illustration of the synthesis and functionalization of QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem
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    a The schemes and TEM images of QD@dSiO2@MSN and QD@HMSN NPs. b The scheme and flow cytometry analysis of QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem in HUVECs (CD105 positive)
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    Serial coronal PET images of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice at different time points post-injection of 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group), 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group), or 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 after a pre-injected blocking dose of TRC105 (blocking group). Tumors are indicated by arrowheads
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    a-c Time-activity curves of the liver, 4T1 tumor, blood, and muscle upon intravenous injection of 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group), 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group), or 64Cu-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 after a pre-injected blocking dose of TRC105 (blocking group). d Comparison of the 4T1 tumor uptake in the three groups. e Biodistribution studies in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice at 24 h post-injection of the three groups of NPs. All data represent 4 mice per group (*P< 0.05)
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    a A schematic illustration of DOX loading in QD@HMSN yolk/shell structured silica nanosystem. b The drug release rates of QD@HMSN NPs at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 at different incubation time points. c Fluorescence imaging of QD705 (Ex: 605, Em: 700 nm) and DOX (Ex: 500, Em: 580 nm) from both NOTA-QD@HMSN(DOX)-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group) and NOTA-QD@HMSN(DOX)-PEG (non-targeted group) in 4T1 tumor and other organs
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    Histological analysis of various tissue slices for CD31 (red, with anti-mouse CD31 primary antibody) and NPs (green, FITC-conjugated QD@HMSN NPs) from both FITC-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG-TRC105 (targeted group) and FITC-NOTA-QD@HMSN-PEG (non-targeted group). Scale bar: 100 μm

• Recent Progress on Two-Dimensional Nanoflake Ensembles for Energy Storage Applications

  Huicong Xia1, Qun Xu1, Jianan Zhang1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 66
  First Online: 28 July 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0219-z

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    Schematic illustration of 3D architecture-based 2D nanoflake ensembles
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    3D architectures based on 2D carbon nanoflake ensembles for supercapacitors. a Overall fabrication of 3D carbon superstructures. b SEM images of carbon materials with various hierarchical structures, derived from polyimide. c Galvanostatic charge-discharge curves at various current densities, and d cycling performance at a current density of 10 A g−1, indicating excellent cycling stability of N-doped porous carbons. Reproduced with permission [56]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MnO2 nanoflake ensembles for supercapacitors. a Schematic illustration of the process for synthesis of MnO2@ ordered mesoporous carbon nanorods. b SEM and c TEM images of MnO2@ ordered mesoporous carbon nanorods. d Charge/discharge curves of asymmetric supercapacitor device at different current densities. e Capacitance retention as a function of cycle number at a current density of 2 A g−1. f Ragone plots of the present asymmetric supercapacitor devices and other reported MnO2-based asymmetric supercapacitor devices. Reproduced with permission [69]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflakes and 3D skeleton ensembles for supercapacitors. a Schematic illustration of morphological evolution from Mn3O4 nanowall arrays to Na0.5MnO2 nanowall arrays through electrochemical oxidation. b FESEM images of Na0.5MnO2 nanowall arrays. c Ragone plots for Na0.5MnO2//Fe3O4@C ASC and asymmetric supercapacitors reported in the literature. d Charge/discharge curves for Na0.5MnO2//Fe3O4@C asymmetric supercapacitors between 0 and 2.6 V at different current densities. Reproduced with permission [70]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. e SEM images showing the surface morphologies of nickel foam@rGO/Ag/Ni3S2 composite. Reproduced with permission [71]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. f Specific capacitance of MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-1, MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-3, and MnMoO4·H2O@MnO2-6 electrodes as a function of current density. g Corresponding cycling test at the same current density of 5 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [72]. Copyright ©2016, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflake self-assemblies for LIBs. SEM images of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI (a, b) and MoS2/C (d, e) nanoflowers. Photographs of two types of Chinese roses (c, f). g Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI and MoS2/C nanoflowers measured in the voltage range of 0.005−3.0 V at a current density of 100 mA g−1. h Rate capability of 3D hierarchical MoS2/PANI and MoS2/C nanoflowers between 0.005 and 3 V at different current densities. Reproduced with permission [89]. Copyright ©2014, American Chemical Society
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2 nanoflakes on 1D SWCNT skeleton for LIBs. a SEM image and b TEM image of the hybrids, revealing MoSe2 nanoflakes anchored intimately on the surface of a SWCNT bundle. c Corresponding HRTEM image showing enlarged interlayer distance of 10.0 Å. d Rate performance of 1T-MoSe2/SWCNTs hybrids. e Schematic illustration showing the electrochemical process in 1T-MoSe2/SWCNT electrode. Reproduced with permission [100]. Copyright ©2017, American Chemical Society
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    3D architectures based on 1D TiO2 nanotubes@carbon layer@2D MoS2 nanoflakes for LIBs. a SEM and b TEM images of annealed TiO2@NC@MoS2 nanotubes. c HRTEM image of MoS2 nanoflakes. d Rate performance at various current densities. e Cycling performance of TiO2@NC@MoS2, NC@MoS2, MoS2, and TiO2@NC at a current density of 1.0 A g−1 and the corresponding coulombic efficiency of TiO2@NC@MoS2. Reproduced with permission [102]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes for LIBs. a SEM and b TEM image of 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes. c HRTEM image of the MoS2 nanoflakes in 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes. d Rate performance of MoS2 nanoflakes, 3D Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflakes, and 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 electrodes at various current rates. e Long-life cycling performance of 3D hierarchical dual Fe3O4/MoS2 nanoflake electrode at 5 C for 1000 cycles. Reproduced with permission [103]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D nanoflake arrays on 3D skeleton ensembles for LIBs. a, b FESEM images of layered-LiCoO2 nanoflake arrays. c TEM image of a single Co3O4 nanoflake. d TEM image of a single layered-LiCoO2 nanoflake. e Rate performance of LiCoO2//Li4Ti5O12 full cell. f Cycle performance of LiCoO2//Li4Ti5O12 full cell (inset photograph shows the full cell device lighting a LED). Reproduced with permission [104]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays on carbon cloth substrate ensembles for LIBs. a Schematic diagram of the process for fabrication of porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays. b SEM image of porous SnO2-δ/C nanoflake arrays. c SEM image of porous SnO2 nanoflake arrays. d Rate performance of porous SnO2-δ/C, SnO2-δ/C, porous SnO2, and SnO2 nanoflake array electrodes. e Cycle performance of porous SnO2-δ/C, SnO2-δ/C, porous SnO2, and SnO2 nanoflake array electrodes. Reproduced with permission [105]. Copyright ©2018, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D VS2 nanoflake self-assemblies for SIBs. a Schematic illustration of reversible Na+ ion storage in VS2 nanoflake assemblies. b SEM images and c TEM images of VS2 nanoflake assemblies. d Rate capability from 100 to 2000 mA g−1 and corresponding coulombic efficiency. e Cycling stability and corresponding coulombic efficiency at 100 mAh g−1 and 1000 mA g−1. Reproduced with permission [128]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2 nanoflakes on 1D vertical graphene skeleton for SIBs. a Schematic illustration of synthesis of sandwiched VG/MoSe2/N-C core/shell arrays. b SEM and c TEM images of VG/MoSe2 arrays. d Rate capability and e cycling stability of VG/MoSe2/N-C electrodes at 1 and 2 A g−1, respectively. Reproduced with permission [132]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D ultrathin SnS nanoflakes on 1D carbon nanotube skeleton for SIBs. a FESEM and b TEM images of hierarchical SnS@C nanotubes. c HRTEM image of carbon-coated ultrathin SnS nanoflakes. d Rate performance of SnS@C nanotubes and microflowers. e Cycling performance of SnS@C nanotubes and microflowers at 0.2 A g−1, and coulombic efficiency of SnS@C nanotubes during cycling. Reproduced with permission [133]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoS2/rGO nanoflakes for SIBs. a, b TEM images, c HRTEM image of the MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon sphere composite. d Rate capability of MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon spheres, MoS2/hollow carbon spheres, MoS2-rGO, and bare MoS2. e Cycling performance and coulombic efficiency of MoS2-rGO/hollow carbon spheres for 1000 cycles at the current density of 2 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [106]. Copyright ©2018, American Chemical Society.
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    3D architectures based on 2D MoSe2/graphene nanoflakes for SIBs. a Strategy for fabrication of ordered 2D superstructure. b, c SEM images of as-prepared MoSe2/G. d TEM and e HRTEM images of as-prepared MoSe2/G. f CV curves of MoSe2/G superstructure at different scan rates from 0.2 to 1.0 mV s−1. g Cycling performance and corresponding coulombic efficiency of MoSe2/G superstructures at a current density of 3.2 A g−1 for 1500 cycles. Reproduced with permission [129]. Copyright ©2018, Elsevier
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    3D architectures based on 2D transition metal nanoflakes on 3D skeleton ensembles for SIBs. a High-magnification image of 1T-MoS2 on the internal surface of the tube. b Rate performance of the MoS2-graphene electrode. c Specific capacity and coulombic efficiency versus cycle number at a current density of 50 mA g−1. Reproduced with permission [135]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. d, e SEM images of the as-prepared freestanding MoS2@C. f High-magnification TEM image of MoS2@C. g Rate-performance of MoS2@C-CMC electrode. h Cycling performance and corresponding coulombic efficiency of MoS2@C-CMC paper electrode at 80 mA g−1 and cycling performance of CMC-coated carbon paper electrode. Reproduced with permission [130]. Copyright ©2016, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    2D nanoflake ensemble-based materials for KIBs. a SEM, b TEM, and c XRD pattern of ultrathin layered VSe2 nanoflakes. d Rate capabilities of VSe2 nanoflakes. e Cycling stability and coulombic efficiency of VSe2 nanoflake electrode at 0.2 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [149]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. f SEM, g TEM, and h HRTEM images of MoS2@rGO composite. i Schematic illustration showing paths for K-ion diffusion and electron conduction in MoS2@rGO composites. j Rate performance of MoS2@rGO, MoS2 particle, and pure rGO. Reproduced with permission [150]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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    2D nanoflake ensemble-based materials for ZIBs. a SEM images of P-NiCo2O4-x nanoflakes grown on a carbon cloth substrate. b Variation in the redox peak currents with the square root of the scan rate for P-NiCo2O4-x electrodes, and discharge curves for P-NiCo2O4-x electrode at various current densities. c Specific capacities of NiCo2O4 and P-NiCo2O4-x electrodes at various current densities. Reproduced with permission [167]. Copyright ©2018, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.Characterization of layered VS2: d SEM, e HR-TEM image, and f XRD pattern. g Schematic illustration of the mechanism of operation of Zn/VS2 batteries. h Rate capability. i Long-term cyclic properties at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Reproduced with permission [168]. Copyright ©2017, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• Layered Trichalcogenidophosphate: A New Catalyst Family for Water Splitting

  Cheng-Feng Du1, 2, Qinghua Liang2, Raksha Dangol2, Jin Zhao2, Hao Ren2, Srinivasan Madhavi2, Qingyu Yan2, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 67
  First Online: 9 August 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0220-6

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    Crystal structures of a MoS2, b MIIPQ3 (MII = Zn, Cd, Mg; X = S, Se), and c Ag0.5MIII0.5PQ3 (MIII = Sc, In; Q = S, Se). Bonds between metal atoms and Q atoms are not shown in b and c [49]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2014), AIP Publishing.
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    a Band-edge positions of MPQ3 single layer. The energy scale is indicated by either the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) (right Y-axis) or the vacuum level (left Y-axis) in electron volts as a reference. The redox potentials (green dashed line) for water splitting are shown for comparison [49]. Copyright (2001), Macmillan Publishers Ltd. b Location of VBM and CBM, calculated with HSE06 functional, for MPS3 and MPSe3 single layers. The redox potentials for water splitting at pH = 0 (orange dashed lines) and pH = 7 (cyan dashed lines) are shown for comparison [55]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2016), Wiley-VCH, GmbH & Co. KGaA.
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    a Structure and side-view of the charge density difference of MnPSe3/MoS2 heterostructures with different stacking models V1−V5. The isosurface value is 0.15 e nm−3. Yellow (blue) regions represent the net charge gain (loss). b Total and partial DOS of V1, V2, and V4 configurations. Fermi level is indicated by the vertical shadow-line and set to zero [56]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
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    a AFM images and corresponding height analysis of FePS3 quantum sheets. b UV/vis/NIR diffuse reflectance absorption spectra and estimated bandgap potential (inset) of synthesized FePS3 bulk (1.60 eV) and quantum sheets (2.18 eV). c Plots of hydrogen production through direct photocatalytic water splitting of the FePS3 bulk and quantum sheets in 100 mL deionized water with 10% TEOA as sacrificial agent. d Cycling measurements of hydrogen gas evolution with FePS3 quantum sheets [63]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2018), Wiley-VCH, GmbH & Co. KGaA.
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    Electrochemical properties of as-prepared Ni1−xCoxPS3 and Ni1−xFexPS3 nanosheets for the HER in 1 M KOH. a J–V curves after iR correction for application of NiPS3 and various Ni1−xCoxPS3 samples in the HER, in comparison to the commercial Pt/C catalyst; b Tafel plots for the data presented in a [72]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), Royal Society of Chemistry. c J−V curves after iR correction for application of FePS3, NiPS3, and various Ni1−xFexPS3 samples in the HER, in comparison to 20 wt% Pt/C commercial catalyst; d Tafel plots for the data presented in c [73]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2017), American Chemical Society.
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    a Calculated total DOS for NiPS3 and Fe-doped NiPS3. b Projected DOS for Ni and Fe obtained from DFT + U calculations for Fe-doped NiPS3. Optimized structures of c NiPS3 and d Fe-doped NiPS3 for calculating the free energies of adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates on their surfaces by DFT calculations. The inset in b is the enlarged projected DOS near the Fermi level [80]. Reproduced with permission. Copyright (2018), Elsevier Ltd.

• Recent Advances in Synthesis and Properties of Hybrid Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaics

  Vidyasagar C. C.1, 2, *, Blanca M. Muñoz Flores1, Víctor M. Jiménez Pérez1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 68
  First Online: 15 August 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0221-5

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    a Simulated crystal structure of CH3NH3BX3 obtained from the diffraction pattern and b electron–hole diffusion diagram in the material
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    Classifications of photovoltaics corresponding to inorganic, organic, and hybrid perovskites
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    Working principle of dye-sensitized solar cells
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    Stepwise progress in perovskite solar cells demonstrating the remarkably sharp rise in photovoltaic performance over the past eight years
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    Yearwise progress in perovskite solar cell research published by various journals (data collected from Web of Science)
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    XRD patterns of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite ultrafine nanoparticles: a after sonication in isopropanol for 10, 20, and 30 min (the peak assigned to unreacted PbI3 is marked) and b after 20 min sonication in water. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    Plots of three consecutive measurements of DLS with Zeta Potential which is performed in isopropanol suspensions of the CH3NH3PbI perovskite at 20 min sonication. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    a Excitation spectrum and b emission spectrum of CH3NH3PbI3 nanoparticles. Reproduced with permission Ref. [109]. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
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    XRD pattern of perovskite films treated by 160-W microwave irradiation for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min and annealed at 100 °C for 10 min. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    As-prepared perovskite material powder treated by microwave irradiation for a 0 min, b 1 min, c 2 min at 800 W and the PbI2-CH3NH3I adduct powders treated by microwave irradiation for d 0 min and e 2 min and the PbI2-CH3NH3I powders added with f diethyl ether, g DMF, and h DMSO treated by microwave irradiation for 2 min at 800 W. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Time dependency of average grain size. Reproduced with permission Ref. [27]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    XRD patterns of as-prepared material: a simulated MAPbI3, b as-ground MAPbI3, c PbI2, d MAI. Reproduced with permission Ref. [29]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    UV–Vis absorption (green peak) and PL (blue) spectra of as-ground MAPbI3 measured at ambient temperature: fluorescence decay excitation measured at the 3.05 eV (inset view). Reproduced with permission Ref. [29]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    XRD patterns of a CH3NH3I, b PbI2, c ball milling 10 min, d ball milling 45 min, e CH3NH3PbI3/Al2O3, and f CH3NH3PbI3 by solution crystallization process. Reproduced with permission Ref. [135]. Copyright © 2016 Springer Science Business Media New York
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    The consumption of lead can be significantly reduced by means of deposition and wasting throughout the experiment
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    Schematic view of the CH3NH3PbI3 with ethyl cellulose
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    Roll-to-roll fabrication of perovskite photovoltaic sheets
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    Normalized I–V parameter of nonencapsulation, partial encapsulation, and complete encapsulation perovskites. Reproduced with permission Ref. [195]. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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    Top view of the uncoated Au perovskite cell a cell with PEI layer, b degradation of perovskite in the form of nanopinholes with PEI layer, and c degradation of cell randomly all over without PEI layer and corresponding SEM images. Reproduced with permission Ref. [196]. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry
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    Thickness-dependent time-resolved PL data illustrate PL decay curve of CH3NH3PbI3 films dipped at different concentration of PbI2 upon excitation at 517 nm — the solid line corresponds to the results that are stretched exponentially. Reproduced with permission Ref. [203].
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    SEM images of CH3NH3PbI3 films of different PbI2 concentrations: a 0.3 M, b 0.5 M, c 0.8 M, and d 1.1 M. Reproduced with permission Ref. [203].
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    SEM images of FASnI3 perovskite film fabricated using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent a without nonsolvent dripping and b with nonsolvent dripping; SEM images of FASnI3 perovskite film fabricated using mixed solvent of DMF and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with nonsolvent dripping c absence of pyrazine and d presence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    XRD patterns of FASnI3 films a with and without pyrazine deposited on FTO glass, b with and without presence of SnF2 (10 mol%), c in the absence of SnF2 annealed at 60 and 170°C, and d PCE of the FASnI3 and the amount of SnF2 added in the absence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    a J–V curve and b external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum and integrated Jsc for the optimized FASnI3 PSC; c recombination time constant of FASnI3 PSCs as a function of the open-circuit voltage and d relationship between PCE of the FASnI3 PSC and the amount of added SnF2 in the presence of pyrazine. Reproduced with permission Ref. [32]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Plot of the thickness-dependent short-circuit current density Jsc of different perovskites. Reproduced with permission Ref. [236]. Copyright ©2016 American Chemical Society
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    Cross sectional image of as-proposed low-cost model for water-soluble perovskite solar cells

• Nanostructured Ternary Metal Tungstate-based Photocatalysts for Environmental Purification and Solar Water Splitting: A Review

  Jun Ke2, M. Adnan Younis1, Yan Kong1, Hongru Zhou2, Jie Liu3, *, Lecheng Lei1, Yang Hou1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 69
  First Online: 2 September 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0222-4

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    Schematic overview of the band positions of representative semiconductors
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    Illustration of unit cells of scheelite and wolframite. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [57]. Copyright 2014 Elsevier
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    Colors of different MWO4 materials. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [51]. Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society
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    Relationship between band-gap energy of MWO4 and the radii of metal cations
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    Models of band structures and calculated density of states for tetragonal (a, b) and monoclinic (c, d) CdWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [83]. Copyright 2011 Elsevier
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    a Crystal structures, b density of states, and c UV-Vis absorption spectra of -SnWO4 and -SnWO4. d Photocatalytic activity of -SnWO4 and -SnWO4 in RhB degradation. e H2 evolution. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [88]. Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society
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    a Distribution of energy level and b chronoamperometry curves of CuWO4 and WO3. c Polarization curve of CuWO4 photoanode under AM1.5G irradiation. d Illustration of the physical model of charge carrier transfer in CuWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [102]. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society
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    a Formation mechanism of m-CdWO4 and t-CdWO4 and the b relationship between different crystal phases of CdWO4 and used solvents. c Photocatalytic H2 evolution of m-CdWO4 and t-CdWO4 under visible light irradiation. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [86]. Copyright 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a-c FESEM images of CdWO4 microspheres. d Photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of MO in the presence of different photocatalysts. e Photocatalytic mechanism for CdWO4 microspheres. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [107]. Copyright 2014 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a, b FESEM images of FeWO4 microspheres. c Photocatalytic performance of FeWO4 microspheres for the degradation of RhB. d Schematic illustration of photocatalysis mechanism for FeWO4 microspheres. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [112]. Copyright 2016 Elsevier
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    a, b FESEM images of faceted β-SnWO4 microcrystals. c, d FESEM images and photocatalytic activities for the degradation of MB over faceted β-SnWO4 microcrystals, bulk β-SnWO4, and β-SnWO4 nanoparticles under sunlight irradiation. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [117]. Copyright 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a TEM image and b photodegradation efficiency of Ag NPs/α-SnWO4 under visible-light irradiation. c Transient photocurrent response for different samples. d Illustration of photocatalytic mechanism of Ag NPs/α-SnWO4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [130]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier.
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    a Geometric structures for the Fi-ZnWO4. Spin density (top) and total charge density (bottom) for Fi-ZnWO4. c Photocurrent density of the synthesized samples under UV-light irradiation. Photocatalytic degradation of RhB over different samples under UV light irradiation. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [140]. Copyright 2010 American Chemical Society
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    a, b TEM and HRTEM images of a CdS/MnWO4 heterojunction. c Photocatalytic degradation of MB over CdS/MnWO4 with different CdS contents. d Schematic photocatalytic mechanism of CdS/MnWO4 heterojunction. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [155]. Copyright 2017 Elsevier
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    a Schematic diagram describing the formation of MnWO4 nanoplates. b-c FESEM images of the MnWO4 nanoplates and MnWO4 nanoplates on TiO2 film. d Photodegradation efficiency of different samples heated at 850 °C for different times. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [162]. Copyright 2016 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    a TEM image, b UV-vis diffused reflectance spectra, and c photocatalytic degradation curves of CdWO4/C3N4. d Mechanism of photocatalytic reaction on the CdWO4/C3N4. Reproduced with permission from Ref. [197]. Copyright 2015 Elsevier

• Beyond Graphene Anode Materials for Emerging Metal Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

  Santanu Mukherjee1, #, *, Zhongkan Ren1, #, Gurpreet Singh1, *	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 70
  First Online: 12 September 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0224-2

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    Spider graph representation of critical parameters of the different electrochemical energy storage systems. Data for the figure has been obtained from Ref. [12].
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    Statistical analysis of the application of beyond graphene 2D materials: a, b, c Pie chart analysis showing the weight of the various applications of TMDs, MXene and phosphorene, respectively. Electrochemical energy storage occupies an important role in the application regimes of each of the 2-D materials, which is indicative of the current trend of their applications in batteries and supercapacitors
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    Schematic representation of structure and atomic arrangement of the layered “beyond-graphene” materials which are the focus of the present work: a, e, i Top view of the ball and stick atomic models of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. b, f, j Side view of the atomic models showing the layered structure of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. SEM images showing the characteristic layered structure of c, g, k SEM images showing the characteristic layered structure of phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively. d, h, i HRTEM image demonstrating the arrangement of the atoms in the lattice for phosphorene, MXene and TMD (MoSe2), respectively [24, 62-71]. Permission allowed by copyright owners
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    Schematic representation of various “top-down” fabrication techniques for large-scale synthesis of electrode materials: a Liquid exfoliation where the sheets are sheared off by sonicating the bulk material in a liquid medium. b Mechanical exfoliation, whereby a tensile force (possibly produced by Scotch tape) can peel off the constituent layers c Intercalant assisted exfoliation where a metal ion (usually Li+) is used to intercalate into the bulk precursor in a liquid media coupled with ultrasonication, which shears the sheets apart and d Selective etching, in which an etchant (usually strong acids e.g. HF) is used to remove one or more constituent atoms and result in the formation of sheets.
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of TMD (MoS2) as an electrode material in SIB: a, b HRTEM images of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets obtained after treatment with a superacid. c Selected area diffraction pattern for the MoS2 nanosheet imaged in Fig. b. d, e SEM images of the top and cross-sectional view of the 60 MoS2 sample (60 wt% MoS2-40 wt% rGO), respectively. e TEM image of SAED pattern (in the inset) of the same 60 MoS2 sample. g Graphical representation of the total interaction potential (VT), repulsion (VDLVO) and attraction energy (VvdW) versus greater sheet separation. h Represents the Raman spectra of the MoS2 samples, in bulk (black) and after exfoliation (red) by acid treatment. i XRD spectra of the bulk (black) and exfoliated MoS2 (red) sample, indicating the peak shift and the broadening of the consequent increase in the interlayer distance of the exfoliated sample. j XRD pattern of pristine MoS2-rGO (60 MoS2) electrode (blue) and the same after one discharge cycle (black). Considerable peak broadening is observed due to sodiation. k First discharge graph of the 60 MoS2 electrode, also showing the formation of nanocrsytallites along the process from the TEM images and SAED patterns in the inset. l 1st (black) and 2nd cycle (red) gcd curves for the 60 MoS2 sample. m Differential capacity curves for the first two cycles demonstrating the redox voltages. n Charging capacity and Coulombic efficiency values for the different composite and bare rGO sample performed at a current density of 25 mA g-1. o Charge capacity, coulombic efficiency and rate capability of 60 MoS2 sample [83]. Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society. Scale bar for d and e is 10 μm and for f is 100 nm
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of TMD (MoSe2) as a supercapacitor electrode: a, b TEM images of MoSe2 nanosheets at low magnification. c HRTEM image of the MoSe2 sheets with the FFT pattern demonstrated in the inset. d XRD spectra of the few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets showing the characteristic peaks. e Characteristic Raman spectra of the few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets where the A1g and E12g vibration modes are clearly visible. f CV of the few-layered MoSe2 sample in 0.5 M H2SO4 with scan rates varying from 2 to 125 mV s-1. g Corresponding specific capacitance values at the given scan rates. h First cycle GCD curves at different current rates, of the few-layered MoSe2 sample. i Specific capacitance values for the corresponding current rates. j Specific capacitance retention of the few-layered MoSe2 sample, being run for 10,000 cycles at a current rate of 5 A g-1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte [129]. Copyright 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of MXene as electrode material in KIB: a, b, c SEM images of Ti3AlC2 MAX phase, Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets (MNSs) obtained by etching the precursor MAX phase with 40% HF solution and KOH treated Ti3C2 MNSs (a-Ti3C2), respectively. d XRD spectra stack of Ti3AlC2, Ti3C2 and a-Ti3C2. e SEM image of Ti3C2 MXene nanoribbons (MNRs) at low magnification. f Corresponding image at high magnification g TEM image of MNRs h XPS spectra of Ti3AlC2, Ti3C2 and a-Ti3C2 showing the free C and K peaks. i, j and k HRTEM images of the Ti3C2 MNRs at different positions (‘A’ and ‘B’) and varying thicknesses (8, 16, and 22 nm). l XPS spectra of the 3 samples showing the O 1s peak. m, n, o, p, q Elemental mapping of Ti, C, K, O and F regions of the a-Ti3C2 sample, respectively. r CV of the a-Ti3C2 MNRs for KIB collected at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1. s GCD curves of the sample obtained at different given current rates. t Rate capability of the a-Ti3C2 sample. u Cycling performance at 200 mA g-1 and coulombic efficiency for the a-Ti3C2 sample [145]. Copyright 2018 Elsevier
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of MXene (N-doped Ti3C2Tx) as a supercapacitor electrode: SEM images of a Parent MAX phase Ti3AlC2. b Ti3C2Tx obtained after etching the MAX phase with HF. c N doped Ti3C2Tx synthesized at 200 °C (N-Ti3C2Tx-200 °C). d N-Ti3C2Tx-300 °C. e N-Ti3C2Tx-500 °C. f N-Ti3C2Tx-700 °C. g XRD spectra stack of the parent MAX phase (Ti3AlC2) and the non-doped and various N doped Ti3C2Tx MXenes. h, i, j, k XPS spectra of N-Ti3C2Tx-200 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-300 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-500 °C, N-Ti3C2Tx-700 °C samples, respectively. l CV curves of the non-doped and doped MXenes in 1 M H2SO4 at 1 mV s-1 scan rate. m Specific capacitance of the MXenes corresponding to the scan rates in i and n CV curves of the non-doped and doped MXenes in 1 M MgSO4 at 1 mV s-1 scan rate. o Specific capacitance of the MXenes corresponding to the scan rates in n [150]. Copyright 2018 Elsevier
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of phosphorene electrode material in SIB: a Schematic showing the movement of Na+ ion between phosphorene layers. b Energetics dictated transport of Na+ ions in the interstices of phosphorene lattice. c, f HRTEM images along the [001] direction of few-layer phosphorene and single-layer phosphorene, respectively, with FFTs shown in the inset of each. d, g Atomic scale High angle annular dark field image (HAADF) along the [001] direction of few-layer phosphorene and single-layer phosphorene, respectively, with atomic orientations in inset (in yellow). e, h HAADF of few-layer phosphorene along the [100] and [010] directions, respectively, with the corresponding atomic orientations in the inset (in yellow). i, j TEM image and schematic of the contact interface of Na+ ion normal to the [100] direction and along the [100] direction, respectively. The SAED patterns of the few-layered phosphorene are shown in the inset of both. k CV of the first three cycles of the phosphorene electrode for the half-cell at a scan rate of 0.005 mV s-1. l GCD profiles of the 1st, 2nd and 30th cycle for the phosphorene electrode in the half cell. m Capacity retention and coulombic efficiency of the phosphorene electrode running at a current density of 100 mA g-1. n Rate capability of the phosphorene anode [163]. Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society
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    Structural characterization and electrochemical performance analysis of phosphorene as a supercapacitor electrode: a TEM image of phosphorene thin film b HRTEM image of the phosphorene thin film. c HRTEM micrograph of the phosphorene thin film with atomic positions and lattice parameters. d AFM image of the phosphorene thin film. e SEM image of the cross-section of the phosphorene thin film with EDX spectra of the selected region. f XPS spectra of phosphorene thin film. g, h CV at varying scan rates of P/G anode and G anode, respectively. i XRD spectra stack of the phosphorene (orange), graphene (red) and P/G composite electrode (blue). j Aerial capacitances of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. k Volumetric capacitances of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. l Ragone plots of P/G (blue) and G (red) samples. m GCD curves of the P/G (blue) and G (red) samples at a current density of 0.3 A cm-3. n Complex part of the impedance spectra of P/G (blue) and the G (red) samples. o Stability performance of the P/G sample over 2000 cycles with the inset pictures showing the flat and bending orientations. p CV curves of the P/G composite micro-supercapacitor. q CV curves of the P/G composite on PET substrate [174]. Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society

• Nitrogen-Doped TiO2-C Composite Nanofibers with High-Capacity and Long-Cycle Life as Anode Materials for Sodium-ion Batteries

  Su Nie1, Li Liu1, 2, *, Junfang Liu1, Jianjun Xie1, Yue Zhang1，Jing Xia1，Hanxiao Yan1, Yiting Yuan1, Xianyou Wang1	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 71
  First Online: 20 September 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0225-1

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    a XRD patterns and b Raman spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2-C NFs. c N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and d the corresponding pore size distributions of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2-C NFs
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    SEM images of a TiO2-C NFs and b TiO2/N-C NFs. TEM images of c TiO2-C NFs and d TiO2/N-C NFs. e TEM elemental mapping images of C, N, Ti, and O in TiO2/N-C NFs. f HRTEM image of TiO2/N-C NFs with lattice spacing (the inset shows statistical tables of the interplanar crystal spacing)
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    a Cycling performance of the TiO2/N-C NF and TiO2-C NF electrodes under a current density of 1 A g-1. b Continuous discharge and charge curves of TiO2/N-C NF electrode under a current density of 1A g-1. c Rate capability of TiO2/N-C NFs and TiO2/C NFs. d Charge–discharge curves of TiO2/N-C NFs at 0.05–5 A g-1 in the range of 0.01–2.5 V. e Long-term cycle performance of TiO2/N-C NFs under a high current density of 5 A g-1
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    Comparison of rate capability of TiO2/N-C NFs with that of previously reported TiO2-based composites with various morphologies
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    a XPS wide scan spectra of TiO2-C NFs and TiO2/N-C NFs. High-resolution b C 1s and c Ti 2p XPS spectra of TiO2-C NFs and TiO2/N-C NFs. d High-resolution N 1s spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs. e EDS spectrum of TiO2/N-C NFs
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    N 1s fine spectra of TiO2/N-C NFs with a 0.05 g, b 0.1 g, and c 0.2 g of added urea. d Histogram of ratio of different N species in various TiO2/N-C NF samples. e Schematic of structural binding conditions of nitrogen
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    CV curves of a the TiO2/N-C NF electrode and b the TiO2-C NF electrode at a scan rate of 0.1 mV s-1. c CV plots of TiO2/N-C NFs at various sweep rates from 0.1 to 10 mV s-1. d Relationship between the peak currents and scan rates in logarithmic scale. e Diagram of capacitive contribution to the total capacity of TiO2/N-C NFs at different scan rates. f CV curve of TiO2/N-C NFs (black curve) and capacitive contribution measured at 10 mV s-1 (red shaded region)
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    a Nyquist plots of TiO2/N-C NF and TiO2-C NF

• Biogreen Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Biotechnology and Nanomedicine Applications

  Kok Ken Chan1 , Stephanie Hui Kit Yap1 , Ken-Tye Yong1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 72
  First Online: 17 October 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0223-3

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    Aqueous solution of passivated CDs. a Excited at 400 nm and imaged through bandpass filters as indicated, and b excited at the indicated wavelength [15].
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    Example of a laser ablation technique experimental setup [18].
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    Schematic illustration of CQD generation via electrochemical oxidation of a graphite electrode in alkaline alcohols. The color change of the dispersion during room temperature storage is due to oxygenation of the surface species [21].
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    a TEM images, b size distribution, and c, d AFM image and profile of CDs [78]. Copyright  2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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    PL emission of CDs excited from 330 to 600 nm in 30 nm increments [73].
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    PL spectra of CDs prepared from p-phenylenediamine dispersed in different solvents. CDs dispersed in a tetrachloromethane, b toluene, c chloroform, d acetone, e dimethyl formamide, f ethanol, and g water, and h absorption spectra of the CDs in different solvents [76].
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    PL emission peak blue-shifting as the concentration was reduced from 3.0 to 0.03 g L-1 [77].
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    Photographs of a CdTe film and a CD epoxy resin film under UV illumination taken at different time intervals [88].
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    aPhotographs of CQDs with increasing particle dimensions under (left) white and (right) UV light, b PL spectrum of CQDs with emission from blue to red, c relationship between the CQD particle size and PL properties, and d relationship between the HOMO–LUMO bandgap and the size of the graphite fragments [90].
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    a CD samples with increasing surface oxidation (from left to right) imaged under 365 nm UV light irradiation, and b model for the tunable PL of CDs with the increasing level of oxidation (from left to right) [93].
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    a Absorption spectra of CD2, CD3, and CD4; and PL spectra of b CD2, c CD3, and d CD4. The inset image corresponds to CDs under 365 nm UV light illumination [94].
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    Schematic representation of the emission properties of three photoactive species obtained from heat treatment of a citric acid and ethanolamine mixture. During heating, the organic fluorophores (blue groups) are consumed to build up the carbogenic core (black sphere) so that the PL component that corresponds to the carbogenic core (black bars) increases at the expense of the component from the organic fluorophores [95].
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    Basic principles of the FRET process. A donor fluorophore (D) is excited and the energy is transferred in a distance and orientation-dependent manner (r/Ro) to an acceptor molecule (A). The energy transfer occurs through non-radiative dipole–dipole coupling (E). The acceptor, if a fluorescent molecule, will emit fluorescence but at a lower energy and longer wavelength [267].
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    Requisites for IFE: a the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation spectrum, b the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer emission spectrum, and c the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation and emission spectra [110].
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    Preparation of CDs by hydrothermal treatment of CA and urea and sensing based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement effects [132].
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    a Visual detection of Cu2+ ions using filter papers printed with dual-colored CDs, and visual detection of Cu2+ in btap water and c lake water. All images were taken under 365 nm illumination [147].
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    Schematic illustration of the preparation of dual-emission CDs and their application as ratiometric sensors for Hg2+ [165].
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    Schematic design of a microfluidic chip for peroxynitrous-acid-induced CL analysis [199].
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    Schematic illustration of the detection of pathogenic bacteria with a CD-based nanoprobes and b conventional methods [230].
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    Schematic illustration of N, S-co-doped CDs for the detection of ascorbic acid in fruit [254].
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    Schematic illustration of the proposed CQD-based “off–on” sensor for 6-TG [258].

• Tunable 3D Nanofiber Architecture of Polycaprolactone by Divergence Electrospinning for Potential Tissue Engineering Applications

  George Z. Tan1, Yingge Zhou1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 73
  First Online: 25 October 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0226-0

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    a Divergence electrospinning configuration. b The divergent electric field between the spinneret and the collector
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    a 3D nanofiber scaffold obtained by the double-bevel collector. Scale bar represents 20 mm. Fluorescent nanofibers at the b top section and c bottom section of the scaffold
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    3D nanofiber scaffolds formed in the a 45°-collector and c 60°-collector. SEM pictures of the nanofibers at the b top of the 45°-collector and d 60°-collector. White scale bar = 10 mm and red scale bar = 10 µm. (Color figure online)
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    Violin boxplots for nanofiber diameter (nm) distribution in the two collectors
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    a The coordinate system of the scaffold. b An illustration of different areas of a scaffold. The width of the two peripheral areas is 5 cm. The width of the central area is 10 cm. Fiber density gradients in the c 45°-collector and d 60°-collector
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    a A histogram of fiber orientation at 7.7 mm from the bottom of the peripheral area in the 45°-collector. b A histogram of fiber orientation at 4.4 mm from the bottom of the central area in the 60°-collector. Fiber alignment gradients in the c 45°-collector and d 60°-collector
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    a A pentahedral and b tetrahedral scaffold fabricated by specially designed collectors. c A columnar scaffold with a hollow structure and d a cylindrical scaffold. Scale bar = 10 mm. e–h The fiber alignment histograms for scaffolds 7a–7d, respectively
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    A mesh-structure scaffold fabricated by the four-bevel collector
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    a EDS and spectrum for top region in collector, b Element gradient plot for collector, c EDS and spectrum for top region in collector, d Element gradient plot for collector (Collectors: width = 20 mm, height = 10 mm, angle = 45°). Color bar represents the ratio of nitrogen to carbon. (Color figure online)
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    a A cell-seeded nanofiber scaffold in culture medium. Fluorescence images of fibroblasts from the b top and c side view of the scaffold. Scale bar = 200 μm. Blue: nucleus; green: cytoplasm. d Average percentage reduction of alamar Blue dye after day 1 and 7. (Color figure online)

• Indocyanine Green-Conjugated Magnetic Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Synchronous Photothermal/Photodynamic Tumor Therapy

  Peng Xue1,2, Ruihao Yang1,2, Lihong Sun1,2, Qian Li1,2, Lei Zhang3, Zhigang Xu1,2, Yuejun Kang1,2	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 74
  First Online: 25 October 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0227-z

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    Schematic of the procedure for FPPI NP synthesis and the combination PDT/PTT cancer treatment. Magnetic FPPI NPs accumulate in the tumor region under a local magnetic field, which produces hyperthermia and toxic ROS activated by NIR light irradiation
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    Characterizations of physicochemical properties: a high-resolution TEM image of FPPI NPs obtained by electrostatically conjugating ICG onto the surface of magnetic PB NPs (scale bar: 50 nm); b hydrodynamic size distribution of FPPI NPs in aqueous suspension measured by the DLS method; c zeta potentials of the intermediate and final products; d photographs of Fe3O4 NPs, free ICG, Fe3O4@PB NPs, Fe3O4@PB/PEI NPs, and FPPI NPs (from left to right) dispersed in aqueous condition; e XRD patterns of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, and FPPI NPs; f Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs dispersed in aqueous solution; g Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of FPPI NP dispersions with different concentrations; h hydrodynamic size variation of FPPI NPs dispersed in 1 × PBS, DMEM, or 10% FBS over 7 days; i FT-IR spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs in the solid state
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    Magnetic and photothermal properties of FPPI NPs: a accumulation of FPPI NPs toward a permanent magnet placed against the side wall of a cuvette containing the FPPI NP dispersion (1 mg mL−1); b comparison of the magnetization response of Fe3O4 and FPPI NPs at 25 °C using a vibrating sample magnetometer; c temperature change in various solutions (200 µg mL−1) over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; d temperature elevation in FPPI NP aqueous dispersions with various concentrations over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; e change in temperature of FPPI NP dispersion under repeated laser irradiation over four consecutive heating–cooling cycles (10 min of irradiation for each cycle); f infrared thermal images of cuvettes containing the FPPI NP dispersion to show the temperature change over time under different NP concentrations (NIR laser wavelength: 808 nm; laser power: 2 W cm−2)
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    a Microscopic analysis of HeLa cells treated with free ICG or FPPI NPs (at the same equivalent ICG concentration) for 2 h and 4 h (scale bars: 100 µm; excitation wavelength: 633 nm). Untreated cells served as the blank control. b LIVE/DEAD assays after various treatment combinations, where laser irradiation spots are denoted by dashed circular areas (scale bars: 500 µm). Viable cells and dead cells were stained with green and red fluorescence, respectively. c HeLa cell viability after treatment with free ICG, FPP NPs, or FPPI NPs subjected to laser irradiation (“L”) or magnetic field (“M”) where applicable. d Impact of FPPI NPs on HUVEC viability after 24 h under various NP concentrations measured by MTT assays. e Change in UV–Vis absorbance spectra of FPPI NPs containing DPBF under NIR laser irradiation for 1 ~ 10 min
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    Detection of intracellular ROS using DCFH-DA probes (FITC channel) after HeLa cells were treated with free ICG and FPPI NPs (at an equivalent ICG concentration of 6 µg mL−1) for 4 h and subjected to NIR irradiation (“L”) for 10 min where applicable (scale bars: 50 µm)
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    Change in mitochondrial membrane potential of HeLa cells after treatment with ICG or FPPI NPs (at an equivalent ICG concentration of 6 µg mL−1) for 4 h and NIR laser irradiation (“L”) for 10 min where applicable. After standard JC-1 staining for 30 min, the apoptosis status was determined by fluorescence images captured via the Cy3 channel for JC-1 aggregates and FITC channel for JC-1 monomers (scale bars: 50 µm)
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    a Changes in mouse body shell temperature under NIR laser irradiation over 10 min measured by infrared imaging at 24 h post-injection; b local peak temperature elevation in the tumor region during laser irradiation corresponding to a; c change in tumor volume over time in each group after laser-activated treatment; d photographs of the excised tumors in different groups at day 14 post-injection; e variation of mouse body weight over time in each group after various treatments
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    Histological analyses of the excised tumors at day 14 post-injection by a H&E staining and b TUNEL assays (scale bars: 100 µm); c histological analysis of major organs by H&E staining at day 14 post-injection (scale bars: 200 µm). “L” and “M” denote laser irradiation and magnetic guidance, respectively

• Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Under Alkaline Conditions

  Jumeng Wei1,2, Min Zhou2, Anchun Long2, Yanming Xue3, Hanbin Liao4,5, Chao Wei4,5, Zhichuan J. Xu4,5,6,7	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 75
  First Online: 7 November 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0229-x

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    Schematic pathways for hydrogen evolution reaction under acidic and alkaline conditions
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    a STM image (60 nm × 60 nm) and CV trace of the Pt/Ni(OH)2 surface. b Comparison of HER activities of Ni(OH)2-modified Pt electrode and control samples in 0.1 M KOH. c Schematic representation of water dissociation, formation of M–Had intermediates, and subsequent recombination of two Had atoms to form H2 (magenta arrow), as well as OH− desorption from the Ni(OH)2 domains (red arrows) followed by adsorption of another water molecule on the same site (blue arrows). Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [15]. Copyright 2011, American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Color figure online)
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    a Schematic of synthesis of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2. b, c TEM images of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2; scale bars in b and c are 100 and 5 nm, respectively. HER activity of Pt NWs/SL–Ni(OH)2, Pt NPs/SL–Ni(OH)2, pure Pt NWs, and commercial Pt/C (20 wt% Pt) in 1 M d and 0.1 M KOH e at room temperature. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [35]. Copyright 2015, Nature Publishing Group
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    TEM images and EDS elemental mapping of Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x NPs a, b before cycling and c, d after 1000 electrochemical cycles. The scale bar is 5 nm. e Schematic diagram of the alkaline HER reaction process on the surface of core/shell Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x nanoparticles after electrochemical cycling. f iR-corrected linear sweep voltammogram (LSV) curves. g Turnover frequencies (TOFs) of Pd/FeOx(OH)2−2x NPs and catalysts in the benchmark literature: Pd/C, Pd-CNx, Ni-MoS2, and CoP. h HER activity versus FeOx(OH)2−2x coverage [40]. Copyright 2017, Wiley–VCH
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    a ECSA-normalized polarization curves (symbols) of bare MoS2 and MoS2/NiCo-LDH composite catalysts in 1 M KOH solution with the best fits (lines) using the dual-pathway kinetic model. The fitted standard activation free energies are presented in units of meV. b Free energy diagram of the dominant Volmer–Heyrovsky pathway for HER in alkaline electrolyte for bare MoS2 (blue) and MoS2/NiCo-LDH composite (red) catalysts. c Schematic illustration of the HER at MoS2/LDH interface in alkaline environment. Synergistic chemisorption of H (on MoS2) and OH (on LDH) for enhancing the water dissociation step. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [44]. Copyright 2017, Cell Press. (Color figure online)
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    a Free energies of H2O adsorption, H adsorption, and H2 evolution on α- or β-Ni(OH)2/Pt electrode; for clarity, the adsorbed H atoms for the H2O molecules in the top site on the Pt surfaces are colored green. b Adsorption free energy diagram for the Volmer and Heyrovsky steps. c LDOS of the α- or β-Ni(OH)2/Pt electrode. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [53]. Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society. (Color figure online)
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    a High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) image of Ni3N@CQDs, b O K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of Ni3N@CQDs, commercial NiO and the CQDs treated in NH3 at 370 °C, c linear scan voltammetry (LSV) polarization curves of Ni3N@CQDs in comparison with those of platinum (Pt) electrode, pristine Ni3N, CQDs, and glassy carbon (GC) electrode in a 1 M KOH aqueous solution. Comparison of HER Volmer reaction step and the resultant binding energies on carbon-coated Ni3N(110) d and pristine Ni3N(110) e surfaces. N, Ni, C, O, and H atoms are indicated by blue, gray, brown, red, and cyan, respectively. Reproduced with permission of the authors of Ref. [54]. Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society. (Color figure online)

• A Self-Powered Breath Analyzer Based on PANI/PVDF Piezo-Gas-Sensing Arrays for Potential Diagnostics Application

  Yongming Fu1,2, Haoxuan He3, Tianming Zhao3, Yitong Dai3, Wuxiao Han3, Jie Ma2, Lili Xing1,3, Yan Zhang1, Xinyu Xue1,3	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 76
  First Online: 12 November 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0228-y

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    Structure and fabrication of the device. a Proposed concept. b Photographs of un-rolled PANI/PVDF film and as-fabricated bellows. c Fabrication process of the device. d SEM image of PANI/PVDF. e High-magnification SEM image of PANI/PVDF interface. f SEM image of PVDF film. g Lumped parameter equivalent circuit model of the device. h A few cycles of the output current
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    Characterization of the PANI/PVDF. a–e SEM images of PANI(SS), PANI(SDS), PANI(SO), PANI(CA), and PANI(NA), respectively. f EDS spectra of the five PANI derivatives. g Raman spectra of the five PANI derivatives. h XRD pattern of PVDF film. i FTIR spectrum of PVDF film
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    Performances of PANI(SS) sensing unit. a–e The output current of PANI(SS) in response to acetone, CO, ethanol, CH4, and NOx with concentrations ranging from 0 to 600 ppm. f The relationship between the response and gas concentration
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    Sensing performances of the five sensing units. The output current of a PANI(SDS) unit under different ethanol concentrations. b PANI(SO) unit under different CO concentrations. c PANI(CA) unit under different NOx concentrations. d PANI(NA) unit under different CH4 concentrations. e The relationship of the four units between the output current and special gas marker concentration. f The response of the five sensing units to 600 ppm gases
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    Response/recovery processes of the sensing units. a PANI(SS) for acetone. b PANI(SDS) for ethanol. c PANI(SO) for CO. d PANI(CA) for NOx. e PANI(NA) for CH4
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    Sensing performances of the five units under different gas flow rates. a The output current of PANI(SS) unit under airflow rates in the range of 0–12 m s−1. b The output current of five sensing units under airflow rates in the range of 4–9 m s−1. c The output current of five sensing units in response to 600 ppm special gas marker under gas flow rate in the range of 4–9 m s−1. d The relationship of the five sensing units between responses and gas flow rates
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    Humidity influence on ethanol response in the PANI(SDS) sensing unit. a The output current of the PANI(SDS) sensing unit under airflow and 600 ppm ethanol gas flow in different humidity conditions (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% RH). b The relationship between output current and relative humidity in airflow and 600 ppm ethanol gas flow. c The relationship between response and relative humidity
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    Working principle of the device. a The original state of polarized PVDF. b Measuring the output current in air atmosphere. c Measuring the output current in gas marker atmosphere

• Review of Water-Assisted Crystallization for TiO2 Nanotubes

  Xiaoyi Wang1, Dainan Zhang1, Quanjun Xiang1, Zhiyong Zhong1, Yulong Liao1,2	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 77
  First Online: 15 November 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0230-4

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    Brief description of the overall contents
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    Schematic illustration of the crystallization process in water
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    a Digital photographs showing the appearance change of a TiO2 NT/Ti film before and after the treatment. b XRD patterns demonstrating the phase transformation before (black line) and after (red line) the water soaking for the TiO2 NT/Ti film. c Schematic showing the nucleation of anatase from amorphous TiO2 induced by water [40].
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    XRD patterns of anodic TiO2 NT array films crystallized in a water, b ethanol, and c ethylene glycol at 90 °C for 20 h. d Digital photographs of the treatment system at 90 °C with treatment duration rising from 0 to 20 h. e Magnified digital photograph of the 20-h sample. f Selected area diffraction pattern of the precipitated TiO2 nanoparticles, indicating the anatase phase of the precipitated nanoparticles [52]. g Schematic diagram of the dissolution-recrystallization-precipitation mechanism.
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    a Flowchart for the low-temperature crystallization of amorphous TiO2 nanotubular arrays by solid–gas reaction. In a Teflon-lined stainless autoclave, the as-anodized amorphous TiO2 nanotubes fabricated by anodization reacted with water vapor to yield anatase phase. Morphology images of TiO2 nanotubular arrays prepared by anodizing Ti foil at 20 V for 20 min in 0.5 wt% HF solution, followed by b hydrothermal solid–gas crystallization and c hydrothermal solid–liquid crystallization at 160 °C for 4 h [54].
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    a XRD patterns of the as-hydrothermal samples after annealing at 450 °C for 3 h in air (lines 1, 2, 3 represent the 0.05 M, 0.2 M, and 0.5 M Zn (Ac)2 solutions). SEM images of the samples hydrothermally treated with Zn(Ac)2 solutions with different concentrations at 200 °C for 6 h: b 0.05 M and c 0.5 M. d SEM image of anatase TNTs after hydrothermal treatment in 0.2 M Zn (Ac)2 at 200 °C for 6 h [67]. e Schematic illustration of the reaction processes in the presence of anatase or amorphous TNTs.
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    a Schematic diagram showing the fabrication of crystalline TNTs by immersing the as-anodized sample in the solution of ammonia. b Low-resolution XPS spectra of as-anodized TNAs and ammonia-treated TNAs (10 h). The inset shows the corresponding N 1s core-level XPS spectra with high resolution. c The corresponding normalized Ti 2p core-level XPS spectra with high resolution together with their difference spectrum (‘ammonia-treated TNAs’ minus ‘as-anodized TNAs’). d I–V characteristics of the as-anodized TNAs and ammonia-treated TNTs annealed for 5, 8, 10, and 15 h, respectively. The inset: a simplified sketch of the two-point measurement arrangement [78].
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    a Schematic illustration of the crystallization process at room temperature: first step: electrochemical anodization; second step: pulsed crystallization. b The mechanism of the superfast room temperature crystallization of TNTs. c XRD patterns of the as-anodized and pulsed-crystallized TNTs [82].
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    SEM characterization of the morphological evolution as a function of water soaking time: a as-anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays, b intermediate double-walled TiO2 nanotube arrays obtained by water soaking for 15–25 h, c intermediate wire-in-tube TiO2 nanoarchitecture formed by water soaking for 25–72 h, and d mesoporous TiO2 nanowire arrays obtained by a long-term water soaking (> 72 h). e Scheme illustrating the morphology transformation of the as-anodized TiO2 nanotubes upon water soaking. The red arrows denote the direction along which the dissolution–precipitation of TiO6 octahedra proceeds [40].
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    SEM, HRTEM and SAED images of the a as-anodized TNTs, b after water soaking for 1 day, and c after water soaking for 3 days [83]
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    a Schematic illustration of the fabrication stages of the nanoparticle decorated TiO2 NT array photoanode: (A) untreated TiO2 NT array on FTO substrate (UT-NT), (B) ALD amorphous TiO2 thin layer coated on the TiO2 NT array (AT-NT), (C) cross-sectional view of (B), (D) AT-NT electrode post-water treated for 1 day (WT1-NT), and (E) AT-NT electrode water treated for 2 days (WT2-NT). b TEM image of the sample after water treatment. c The corresponding HRTEM lattice images of the circled portions in b. d Incident photoconversion efficiency spectra of DSSCs using untreated and water-treated TiO2 NT array photoanodes. SEM images of e as-anodized TNTs, f after being immersed in water at 90 °C for 8 h, and g after being immersed in ammonia solution (the concentration of Volammonia/Volwater = 1:1) at 90 °C for 8 h [45, 75].
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    a UV–Vis absorption spectra of the TiO2 NT-powders after different heat treatment duration times at 92 °C. The inset shows the corresponding estimated bandgap. b The absorption spectra of water immersed TNTs and ammonia solution immersed TNTs with different concentrations. The inset shows the corresponding estimated bandgap, A/DI = Volammonia/Volwater. c Schematic of the band structure of pure TNTs and nitrogen-doped TNTs prepared by immersing the as-anodized sample in ammonia solution [39, 55].
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    a Schematic illustration of the reaction process for degrading pollutants by TiO2 under irradiation. b Photocatalytic degradation kinetics of the MO (methyl orange) aqueous solution and c the degradation rate constant by using the TiO2 NT-powders obtained by water immersion with different treatment duration times at 92 °C (the inset of b shows the MO degradation processing with the TiO2 NT-powders after hot water treatment at 92 °C for 35 h as photocatalyst, and S-450 refers to the sample sintered at 450 °C for 3 h) [39].
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    Schematic illustration of the configuration of DSSCs based on TNTs [125].
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    Typical TEM images of the TNTs for a as-anodized and b after HSGM (hydrothermal solid–gas method) treatment with 120 μL water put into a 50 mL Teflon autoclave. c Cyclic voltammograms of the TNTAs without HSGM treatment and TNTAs treated by HSGM under different vapor pressures at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. d Galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) curves of the HSGM-treated TNTAs at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2. HSGM-120, 180, 240, 1000 represent the different water content in the Teflon autoclave, which leads to the different vapor pressures [53].
  • 
    a Schematic illustration of the water-assisted crystallization process for preparing porous anatase TiO2 nanospheres from sol–gel derived amorphous particles. b TEM images of the original amorphous TiO2 spheres. c TEM images of the samples after immersing in water at 75 °C for 30 min. d XRD patterns of products obtained by immersing in water at 75 °C for different time periods. e The change of surface area as a function of heating time period for samples treated at different temperatures. f Schematic illustration of the water-assisted crystallization strategy for conversion of amorphous TiO2 layer to mesoporous crystalline shells. Typical TEM images of the samples at different preparation steps: g SiO2@TiO2 core–shell structures prepared by sol–gel coating and h mesoporous TiO2 hollow nanostructures after removing SiO2 cores [141, 142].
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    SEM images of the TiO2 nanofibers treated with water steam at different temperatures of a, b 150 °C; c, d 350 °C; and e, f 550 °C. g XRD patterns of the samples heat-treated at different temperatures in water steam. h, i HRTEM and SAED images of the water steam-treated TiO2 nanofibers prepared at 550 °C. j Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms of the samples heat-treated at different temperatures in water steam [152].
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    SEM images of the as-anodized SnO2 samples a before and b after soaking in water for 2 h at room temperature and c after soaking in water for 2 h at 60 °C. The insets are the photographs showing the appearance of the corresponding SnO2 samples. d Schematic illustration showing the transformation from amorphous to rutile SnO2 assisted by water soaking. TEM images of the SnO2 samples e as-anodized and f after water soaking at 60 °C for 2 h; the insets show the corresponding SAED patterns. g Long-term stability profiles and Coulombic efficiency of the water-crystallized SnO2 at 0.3 C for 500 cycles [159].

Most Viewed articles are updated on a monthly basis. Below are the journal’s Top 20 most viewed over the last 6 months.

• Biogreen Synthesis of Carbon Dots for Biotechnology and Nanomedicine Applications

  Kok Ken Chan1 , Stephanie Hui Kit Yap1 , Ken-Tye Yong1	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 72
  First Online: 17 October 2018 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0223-3

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    Aqueous solution of passivated CDs. a Excited at 400 nm and imaged through bandpass filters as indicated, and b excited at the indicated wavelength [15].
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    Example of a laser ablation technique experimental setup [18].
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    Schematic illustration of CQD generation via electrochemical oxidation of a graphite electrode in alkaline alcohols. The color change of the dispersion during room temperature storage is due to oxygenation of the surface species [21].
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    a TEM images, b size distribution, and c, d AFM image and profile of CDs [78]. Copyright  2015 Elsevier Ltd.
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    PL emission of CDs excited from 330 to 600 nm in 30 nm increments [73].
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    PL spectra of CDs prepared from p-phenylenediamine dispersed in different solvents. CDs dispersed in a tetrachloromethane, b toluene, c chloroform, d acetone, e dimethyl formamide, f ethanol, and g water, and h absorption spectra of the CDs in different solvents [76].
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    PL emission peak blue-shifting as the concentration was reduced from 3.0 to 0.03 g L-1 [77].
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    Photographs of a CdTe film and a CD epoxy resin film under UV illumination taken at different time intervals [88].
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    aPhotographs of CQDs with increasing particle dimensions under (left) white and (right) UV light, b PL spectrum of CQDs with emission from blue to red, c relationship between the CQD particle size and PL properties, and d relationship between the HOMO–LUMO bandgap and the size of the graphite fragments [90].
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    a CD samples with increasing surface oxidation (from left to right) imaged under 365 nm UV light irradiation, and b model for the tunable PL of CDs with the increasing level of oxidation (from left to right) [93].
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    a Absorption spectra of CD2, CD3, and CD4; and PL spectra of b CD2, c CD3, and d CD4. The inset image corresponds to CDs under 365 nm UV light illumination [94].
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    Schematic representation of the emission properties of three photoactive species obtained from heat treatment of a citric acid and ethanolamine mixture. During heating, the organic fluorophores (blue groups) are consumed to build up the carbogenic core (black sphere) so that the PL component that corresponds to the carbogenic core (black bars) increases at the expense of the component from the organic fluorophores [95].
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    Basic principles of the FRET process. A donor fluorophore (D) is excited and the energy is transferred in a distance and orientation-dependent manner (r/Ro) to an acceptor molecule (A). The energy transfer occurs through non-radiative dipole–dipole coupling (E). The acceptor, if a fluorescent molecule, will emit fluorescence but at a lower energy and longer wavelength [267].
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    Requisites for IFE: a the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation spectrum, b the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer emission spectrum, and c the absorber spectrum overlaps the fluorescer excitation and emission spectra [110].
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    Preparation of CDs by hydrothermal treatment of CA and urea and sensing based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement effects [132].
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    a Visual detection of Cu2+ ions using filter papers printed with dual-colored CDs, and visual detection of Cu2+ in btap water and c lake water. All images were taken under 365 nm illumination [147].
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    Schematic illustration of the preparation of dual-emission CDs and their application as ratiometric sensors for Hg2+ [165].
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    Schematic design of a microfluidic chip for peroxynitrous-acid-induced CL analysis [199].
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    Schematic illustration of the detection of pathogenic bacteria with a CD-based nanoprobes and b conventional methods [230].
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    Schematic illustration of N, S-co-doped CDs for the detection of ascorbic acid in fruit [254].
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    Schematic illustration of the proposed CQD-based “off–on” sensor for 6-TG [258].

• Recent Progress on Engineering Highly Efficient Porous Semiconductor Photocatalysts Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks

  Wenwen Zhan1, Liming Sun1, Xiguang Han1,*	Abstract Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 1
  First Online: 08 January 2019 (Review)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0235-z

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    Timeline of the important breakthroughs in the fabrication of MOF-derived photocatalysts for various reactions
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    a Schematic illustration of MOF-templated synthesis of Fe2O3@TiO2 and its use for photocatalytic hydrogen production after deposition of Pt particles; high-resolution TEM images of Fe2O3@TiO2, both b as-synthesized and c after Pt particles have been deposited. The scale bars represent 10 nm; d H2 produced by Fe2O3@TiO2 at various times over 48 h under visible-light illumination. The inset shows the amount of H2 produced over this period.
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    a–c TEM and HRTEM images of PHIC. d STEM image and EDXS elemental mapping of C, O, and In. e mass-normalized H2 yield rates over PHIC, PHI, and commercial In2O3 under sunlight illumination. f photocurrent densities of PHIC, PHI, and commercial In2O3 under non-illuminated (i.e., dark) and illuminated (i.e., light) conditions. g Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy Nyquist plots of PHIC, PHI, and commercial In2O3. h mass-normalized H2 yield for 7 h over commercial In2O3, PHI, commercial In2O3 with Pt, PHI with Pt, and PHIC without Pt under simulated sunlight illumination.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthesis of hierarchically porous metal oxides/sulfides templated by MOFs by a nanocasting process. b Photocurrent response and c EIS Nyquist plots for bulk CdS, nano-CdS as well as HP-CdS. d Comparison of the photocatalytic hydrogen production rates of bulk CdS, nano-CdS, and HP-CdS. e Catalytic recyclability of HP-CdS in hydrogen production by water splitting.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthetic procedure for NiS/ZnxCd1−xS. b PXRD patterns of NiS/ZnxCd1−xS. c TEM image and particle size distribution (Fig. 2c inset) of NiS/Zn0.5Cd0.5S. d EELS elemental mapping images and e HRTEM image of NiS/Zn0.5Cd0.5S. f EIS plots, g photocurrent–time dependence, and h comparison of photocatalytic HER rates of NiS/ZnxCd1−xS; i HER cycling test for NiS/Zn0.5Cd0.5S under visible-light irradiation.
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    a Schematic illustration of the fabrication of Pt–ZnO–Co3O4, Pt–ZnS–CoS, and Pt–Zn3P2–CoP photocatalysts. a1–a3 TEM images of Pt–ZnO–Co3O4, Pt–ZnS–CoS, and Pt–Zn3P2–CoP. b1–b4 Photocatalytic hydrogen generation as the function of reaction time over different photocatalysts.
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthetic procedure of ZNGs and four types of bonding configurations of N atoms (1 graphitic N, 2 pyrrolic N, 3 pyridinic N, 4 pyridine-N-oxide). b Photocatalytic activities of ZNGs for H2 production with Pt as a cocatalyst. c Photocatalytic activity of ZNG-1000 under a prolonged light illumination for 12 h without Pt as a cocatalyst (inset: time course of the H2 evolution rate of ZNGs without Pt as a cocatalyst). d High-resolution TEM image of ZNG-1000.
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    a Low- and b high-magnification TEM images of Co3O4 hollow dodecahedra. c Low- and d high-magnification TEM images of CW-2 hollow dodecahedra. e HRTEM image of Co3O4 hollow dodecahedra (inset is the SAED pattern recorded for the whole particle). f HRTEM image of CW-2 hollow dodecahedra (inset is the SAED pattern recorded from the whole particle). g TOF and h transient photocurrent response of Co3O4 and CW-n under visible-light irradiation (from left to right: Co3O4, CW-1, CW-2, and CW-3).
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    a Schematic illustration of the synthetic process of the hierarchical In2S3–CdIn2S4 heterostructured nanotube: (I) liquid phase sulfidation and (II) cation exchange reaction. b, c TEM images of hierarchical In2S3 nanotubes. d Elemental mappings of an individual In2S3 nanotube. e–g TEM images of hierarchical In2S3–CdIn2S4-10 nanotubes. h Elemental mappings of a single In2S3–CdIn2S4-10 nanotube. i–n CO2 photoreduction performance. i Generation of CO and H2 over different samples. j Evolution of CO and H2 under various reaction conditions. k Results of GC–MS analysis of CO produced from 13CO2 isotope experiment. l Production of CO and H2 as a function of reaction time. m Formation of CO and H2 in stability tests. n Wavelength dependence of yields of CO and H2, and the light absorption spectrum of In2S3–CdIn2S4-10 photocatalyst.
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    Structure characterization of the core–shell cuboctahedron structure: a FESEM image, b and c TEM images, d SAED pattern, and e–g the corresponding HRTEM images. h STEM image of the core–shell cuboctahedron structure and the corresponding EDXS elemental mapping of C, Cu, N, and O and i line profiles. j Photocatalytic equation and reaction conditions. k Product yield correlation with reaction time in the CDC reaction between indole and N-aryl-tetrahydroisoquinoline catalyzed by different catalysts. l Cycling experiments using CNPC as the catalyst.
  • 
    Structures of the three normal dye pollutants
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    SEM images of a ZIF-8, b ZnO-300-3, c ZnO-300-5, d ZnO-500-5, and e ZnO-750-5. f Photodegradation of MB over different catalysts. SEM images of g ZIF-8-derived pure ZnO and h N-doped ZnO. i Photodegradation of RhB by blank (absence of photocatalyst), pure ZnO, and N-doped ZnO with different ratios of urea and ZIF-8 as the precursors. SEM (j, k) and TEM (l, m) images of C350–400. j The calculated reaction rates k for RhB (n1) and phenol (n2) photodegradation under visible light (> 420 nm), k for RhB (n3) and phenol (n4) photodegradation under UV–Vis light (Xenon light)

• Bimetallic Nickel Cobalt Sulfide as Efficient Electrocatalyst for Zn–Air Battery and Water Splitting

  Jingyan Zhang1, Xiaowan Bai2, Tongtong Wang1, Wen Xiao3, Pinxian Xi4, Jinlan Wang2, Daqiang Gao1,*, John Wang3,*	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2019) 11: 2
  First Online: 09 January 2019 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0232-2

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    a XRD spectra of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, and CoS2. b High-resolution XRD spectra with 2 theta angles ranging from 30.5° to 33.5°. c Raman spectra of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, and CoS2. d SEM image of (Ni,Co)S2. The insert is high-magnification SEM image. e TEM image, f, h HRTEM images, and g EDS spectrum of (Ni,Co)S2. i EDS mapping images of Ni, Co, and S elements in (Ni,Co)S2
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    High-resolution XPS spectra of a Co 2p, b Ni 2p, and c S 2p. d Density of states (DOS) curves of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, and CoS2. e Partial density of states (PDOS) curves of (Ni,Co)S2. Insert shows the optimized crystal structure of (Ni,Co)S2. f Charge density distribution of (Ni,Co)S2
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    a Polarization curves of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, CoS2, and Ir/C (20% Ir) at 5 mV s−1 in 0.1 M KOH. b Tafel slopes obtained from the corresponding polarization curves. c EIS of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, and CoS2. The inset is an analogue circuit diagram. d Cdl obtained by cyclic voltammetry at different scan rates. e I–t curves at 1.5 V versus RHE for 7 × 104 s. f Schematic of Gibbs free energy changes in the four elementary steps during OER on (100) surface of (Ni,Co)S2. g Proposed 4-step OER path presented using the model of (100) surface of (Ni,Co)S2
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    a ORR polarization curves of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, CoS2, and Pt/C (20% Pt) at 2 mV s−1 in 0.1 M KOH at 1600 rpm. b CVs of (Ni,Co)S2 in O2 and N2-saturated 0.1 M KOH solution. c ORR polarization curves of (Ni,Co)S2 at different rotation rates from 400 to 2400 rpm. The inset figure is the K–L plots. d RRDE polarization curves of (Ni,Co)S2 at 1600 rpm. The ring electrode was polarized at 1.5 V at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1. e Bifunctional electrocatalytic activities of various catalysts toward both ORR and OER
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    a Schematic illustration of rechargeable Zn–air battery. b Open cell voltage curve and c polarization and power density curves of (Ni,Co)S2-based primary Zn–air battery. d Galvanostatic discharge–charge cycling curves at 2 mA cm−2 of the rechargeable Zn–air battery. e Charge–discharge efficiency of the Zn–air battery at the beginning and end. f Long-time discharge curves of (Ni,Co)S2-based Zn–air battery at 5 mA cm−2. g Photograph of red LED powered by two (Ni,Co)S2-based Zn–air batteries. h Photographs of an electronic watch powered by the (Ni,Co)S2-based Zn–air battery
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    a HER polarization curves of (Ni,Co)S2, NiS2, and CoS2 at 5 mV s−1 in 0.1 M KOH. b Tafel slopes obtained from their polarization curves. c Schematic diagram of the self-assembled water-splitting system. d LSV curves of overall water splitting by (Ni,Co)S2 electrocatalyst in a two-electrode configuration at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1. e Two electrodes after water splitting powered by two in-series (Ni,Co)S2-based Zn–air batteries. f Time dependence of the mole quantities of H2 and O2 produced in the self-driven overall water-splitting unit

• Indocyanine Green-Conjugated Magnetic Prussian Blue Nanoparticles for Synchronous Photothermal/Photodynamic Tumor Therapy

  Peng Xue1,2, Ruihao Yang1,2, Lihong Sun1,2, Qian Li1,2, Lei Zhang3, Zhigang Xu1,2, Yuejun Kang1,2	Abstract | Support Info Full Text Html PDF w/ Links Export Citation
  Nano-Micro Lett. (2018) 10: 74
  First Online: 25 October 2018 (Article)
  DOI:10.1007/s40820-018-0227-z

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    Schematic of the procedure for FPPI NP synthesis and the combination PDT/PTT cancer treatment. Magnetic FPPI NPs accumulate in the tumor region under a local magnetic field, which produces hyperthermia and toxic ROS activated by NIR light irradiation
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    Characterizations of physicochemical properties: a high-resolution TEM image of FPPI NPs obtained by electrostatically conjugating ICG onto the surface of magnetic PB NPs (scale bar: 50 nm); b hydrodynamic size distribution of FPPI NPs in aqueous suspension measured by the DLS method; c zeta potentials of the intermediate and final products; d photographs of Fe3O4 NPs, free ICG, Fe3O4@PB NPs, Fe3O4@PB/PEI NPs, and FPPI NPs (from left to right) dispersed in aqueous condition; e XRD patterns of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, and FPPI NPs; f Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs dispersed in aqueous solution; g Vis–NIR absorbance spectra of FPPI NP dispersions with different concentrations; h hydrodynamic size variation of FPPI NPs dispersed in 1 × PBS, DMEM, or 10% FBS over 7 days; i FT-IR spectra of Fe3O4 NPs, PB NPs, ICG, and FPPI NPs in the solid state
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    Magnetic and photothermal properties of FPPI NPs: a accumulation of FPPI NPs toward a permanent magnet placed against the side wall of a cuvette containing the FPPI NP dispersion (1 mg mL−1); b comparison of the magnetization response of Fe3O4 and FPPI NPs at 25 °C using a vibrating sample magnetometer; c temperature change in various solutions (200 µg mL−1) over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; d temperature elevation in FPPI NP aqueous dispersions with various concentrations over 10 min of NIR laser irradiation recorded by a digital thermometer; e change in temperature of FPPI NP dispersion under repeated laser irradiation over four consecutive heating–cooling cycles (10 min of irradiation for each cycle); f infrared thermal images of cuvettes containing the FPPI NP dispersion to show the temperature change over time under different NP concentrations (NIR laser wavelength: 808 nm; laser power: 2 W cm−2)
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    a Microscopic analysis of HeLa cells treated with free ICG or FPPI NPs (at the same equivalent ICG concentration) for 2 h and 4 h (scale bars: 100 µm; excitation wavelength: 633 nm). Untreated cells served as the blank control. b LIVE/DEAD assays after various treatment combinations, where laser irradiation spots are denoted by dashed circular areas (scale bars: 500 µm). Viable cells and dead cells were stained with green and red fluorescence, respectively. c HeLa cell viability after treatment with free ICG, FPP NPs, or FPPI NPs subjected to laser irradiation (“L”) or magnetic field (“M”) where applicable. d Impact of FPPI NPs on HUVEC viability after 24 h under various NP concentrations measured by MTT assays. e Change in UV–Vis absorbance spectra of FPPI NPs containing DPBF under NIR laser irradiation for 1 ~ 10 min
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