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Using electrocatalytic water reduction to produce hydrogen fuel offers significant potential for clean energy, yet its large-scale adoption depends on developing cost-effective, non-precious, and efficient catalysts to replace expensive Pt-based state-of-the-art HER catalysts. The catalytic HER performance of an active catalyst largely depends on the available catalytic active sites, conductivity, and intrinsic electrochemical kinetics, all of which can be altered by incorporating a heteroatom into the active catalyst structure. Herein, we synthesized a unique nitrogen-doped CuO@CuS (NCOS) core–shell-structured catalyst through a facile hydrothermal process followed by an efficacious nitrogenation process, and its electrochemical performance for the HER was systematically analyzed. The NCOS core–shell-structured catalyst exhibits a reduced overpotential (55 mV) and Tafel slope (107 mV dec−1) compared to the pure CuS (CS; 179 mV and 201 mV dec−1) catalyst at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, the NCOS core–shell-structured catalyst demonstrates excellent endurance for up to 50 h of chronopotentiometric testing at a driving current density rate of 10 and 100 mA cm−2. This excellent catalytic HER activity is a result of an increased electron transfer rate and a greater number of accessible active sites, attributed to a change in structural properties and the high electronic conductivity aroused from nitrogen incorporation, as evidenced from the TOF and EIS curve analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphine, as one of the most important narcotic drugs, significantly affects the nervous system and increases euphoria, which raises the likelihood of its misuse. Therefore, its measurement is of great importance. In this work, a new electrochemical sensor based on a nanocomposite of CuS/g-C3N5/AgNPs was developed for modifying Screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) and used for the measurement of morphine through cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Various analytical methods initially characterized the nanocomposite. The prepared sensor, which also has an extensive surface area, achieved a detection limit of 0.01 µM for morphine in a concentration range of 0.05–100 µM at pH 7. Besides its excellent capability in measuring morphine in real samples, the sensor exhibits good stability, reproducibility, and repeatability. The presence of CuS, due to its excellent high surface area alongside silver nanoparticles, leads to an increase in the conductivity of the g-C3N5 modified electrode, resulting in an increased oxidative current of morphine at the surface of the prepared sensor. Therefore, measuring low concentrations of morphine with this sensor was made possible. Additionally, measuring morphine without interference from various species is a strong point of the electrochemical sensor for morphine detection, and combined with the simplicity and ease of the method, it allows for morphine measurements to be conducted in the shortest possible time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction serves as an important technology for value‐added solar fuel production, however, it is generally limited by interfacial charge transport. To address this limitation, a two‐dimensional/two‐dimensional (2D/2D) p‐n heterojunction CuS‐Bi2WO6 (CS‐BWO) with highly connected and matched interfacial lattices was designed in this work via a two‐step hydrothermal tandem synthesis strategy. The integration of CuS with BWO created a robust interface electric field and provided fast charge transfer channels due to the work function difference, as well as highly connected and matched interfacial lattices. The p‐n heterojunction combination promoted the electron transfer from the Cu to Bi sites, leading to the coordination of Bi sites with high electronic density and low oxidation state. The Bi sites in the BWO nanosheets facilitated the adsorption and activation of CO2, and the generation of high‐coverage key intermediate b‐CO32−, while CuS (CS) acted as a broad light‐harvesting material to provide abundant photoinduced electrons that were injected into the conduction band of BWO for CO2 photoreduction reaction. Remarkably, the p‐n heterojunction CS‐BWO exhibited average CO and CH4 yields of 33.9 and 16.4 μmol g−1 h−1, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of CS, BWO, and physical mixture CS‐BWO samples. This work provided an innovative design strategy for developing high‐activity heterojunction photocatalyst for converting CO2 into value‐added solar fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional copper sulfide (CuS) wires were realized by the acrylamide-assisted hydrothermal process using Cu(NO3)2 and thiourea (NH2CSNH2) as reactants at 100 °C. A copper sulfide/carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite was fabricated as a similar method with the addition of CNTs. The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman scattering spectra, respectively. The influence of reaction temperature and amine on the morphologies of CuS nanocrystals was investigated. As anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, the electrochemical studies show that the CuS/CNT composite electrode delivers a higher reversible capacity of 428.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 for the 100th cycle, because CNTs can be a conductive agent to provide a fast path for electron transportation, compared with the bare CuS wires (280 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles). The synthesis results indicate that the amine-directed synthesis strategy of copper sulfide could be extended for the preparation of other metal sulfide nanostructures. Further, the incorporation of the CNT matrix into the copper sulfide is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of CuS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In recent years, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as a prominent research topic due to their inherent safety attributes, relatively low cost, and comparatively higher energy density. However, the challenges associated with the zinc metal anode in the form of dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and severe side reactions have proven to be particularly vexing. Thus, it is imperative to investigate novel intercalation-type anode materials for ZIBs that exhibit exceptional structural properties and appropriate redox potentials based on conversion mechanisms. In this work, through adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) surfactant to precursors and tailoring reaction time, hierarchical CuS hollow spheres are successfully constructed by a facile one-step hydrothermal process. When applied as an anode in ZIBs, the hollow hierarchical CuS with large surface area can effectively reduce the transport distance of electrons and Zn2+ and alleviate volume expansion during the insertion/extraction of Zn2+. The hierarchical CuS hollow spheres prepared over 8 h (CuS-8) exhibit a specific capacity of 126 mAh/g and long-term cycle life (1500 cycles) at a current density of 3 A/g. In addition, CuS-8//MnO 2 @CNTs full-cell shows a capacity retention of 117 mAh/g after 300 cycles at 1 A/g current density, which proves the advantage of hierarchical CuS hollow spheres in serving as an efficient and durable anode material for ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe current research presents a dynamically coupled mathematical model considering the energy method and employing the classical Ritz-approximation method for a thin-walled anisotropic tapered rotating box beam. The novelty of this work lies in presenting the effect of circumferentially uniform stiffness (CUS) ply layup to investigate the reverberations of not considering bending-shear couplings toward vibration behavior. The current model is formulated by considering transverse shear and cross-sectional warping of order primary and secondary. The repercussions of not including non-classical effects like Coriolis-force, centrifugal-acceleration and warping, inertial-warping is explored. Mode switching arising for change in geometry and centrifugal stiffening is presented for various ply angles and rotational speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic technology, as one of the most promising environmental remediation tools, has a wide range of applications in the field of removing antibiotic-based pollutants from wastewater. Therefore, to obtain efficient green and inexpensive photocatalysts, a p–n type Bi2MoO6/CuS composite photocatalyst modified by lignin carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was successfully prepared by solvothermal in situ co-precipitation in this study. It was used to achieve efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracyclic hydrochloride antibiotics (TCH). The composites were systematically characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, TEM, EIS, nitrogen adsorption–desorption test, and UV–Vis DRS regarding crystal structure, microscopic morphology, and photoelectric properties. The results showed that the prepared samples had good crystallinity and high purity. The photocatalytic degradation experiments further demonstrated that the Bi2MoO6/CuS composites modified by CQDs exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity compared to Bi2MoO6 and CuS monomers wherein CQDs@Bi2MoO6/CuS 2 was the most effective, with a TCH removal of 96.98% and a degradation rate constant (K) of 0.04405 min−1 after 60 min of light exposure. The TCH removal could be maintained at 78.25% after four cycles. The ESR and LC–MS experiments demonstrated that h+ and ·O2− were the main active substances for photocatalytic degradation of TCH. This work provides an efficient catalyst for TCH removal and offers new ideas for applying p–n heterojunction composites in photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real-time photothermal degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye was studied using CuS thin film (TF) as a photocatalyst. The polycrystalline CuS TFs were fabricated on precleaned glass substrates by an aqueous solution of copper chloride and thiourea using a fully automated spray pyrolysis technique by varying temperatures (250–400°C). The properties of deposited films were studied by XRD, SEM, UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and Hall measurement. XRD results show that the CuS TFs crystallized in the cubic phase with an average crystallite size ~22–30 nm. CuS TF grown at higher temperatures (350°C, 400°C) exhibited very low strain of about 0.55 and 1%, respectively. Hall study revealed that films deposited at 400°C had good electrical parameters with mobility (μ) of 0.866 cm2 V−1 s−1, Carrier concentration (p) of 5.21 × 1019 cm−3 and conductivity (σ) of 49.4 Ω-cm−1. The estimated optical bandgap of films were found to be in the range of 2.10–2.26 eV, revealing blue shift due to quantum size effects. The PL spectra showed two characteristic bands of the CuS films, at 422 nm and an intense green band at 504 nm. The copper sulphide TF showed high photocatalytic activities in a photo-decolourization of MB dye under irradiation of visible light, as CuS TF was able to completely decompose the dye in 160 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CuAP aerogel has excellent photothermal evaporation performance, reaching a maximum rate of 1.57 kg m−2 h−1 in pure water, and has also shown excellent desalination performance in real seawater evaporation tests. [Display omitted] Solar-driven water purification is a promising technology that can effectively utilize solar energy for seawater desalination. However, poor materials are unable to meet the dense energy of solar steam generation in natural sunlight for real-time practical applications. Therefore, the demand for energy density can be increased by using improved semiconductor aerogel materials. Here, we report a simple chemical method to obtain a CuS@ATP/PS composite aerogel (named CuAP), which was made of attapulgite (ATP) and CuS loaded onto it using an N -template to give it good photothermal characteristics (CuS@ATP), and then cross-link it with potato starch (PS). The evaporation rate of CuAP-15 aerogel in pure water at 1 kW m−2 solar radiation is 1.57 kg m−2 h−1. Meanwhile, CuAP-15 aerogel showed excellent salt resistance with an evaporation rate of 1.35 kg m−2 h−1 in 20 wt% NaCl solution. And also exhibited excellent cycling durability in cycling stability tests. More importantly, the freshwater yield can reach 6.54 kg m−2 under natural light irradiation for 11 h. Therefore, CuAP aerogel has a great prospect of application in the field of seawater desalination in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructure was deposited on a porous silicon wafer for the visible light by spray pyrolysis method. Through this, a series of devices were suggested as a part of the deposit concentration of CuS on n-type porous silicon. Simultaneously, the physical features of the attained film were illustrated. FESEM exhibited that the average nanoparticle diameter increased with the concentration of CuS at orientation (100) and was found to be 47.84 nm, 56.36nm and 71.32nm, while the average diameter at (111) orientation was found to be 37.64 nm, 41.46nm, 55.22 nm of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5M respectively. In addition to the atomic force microscope (AFM) showed the roughness and uniformity of the CuS/PSi fabricated decreased with increasing concentration of CuS, In detail, the attained photo-responsivity and specific detectivity were observed to be 210 mW/A, 340 mW/A and 3x1010 Jones, 4.2x1010 Jones at orientation (100 )using concentration of 0.1M and 0.5M respectively . On the other hand, the photo-responsivity and specific detectivity were observed to be 260 mW/A, 380 mW/A and 1.8 x1010 Jones, 4.5x1010 Jones at orientation (111) using concentrations of 0.1M and 0.5M respectively. The presented work shows a substitutional system for an economical and environmentally friendly optoelectronic scheme. The photo-responsive considered to be in a positive linear relationship with the used concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysts have gained much attention because of the water pollution instigated by the rapid usage of organic dyes for industrial needs. The degradation of these dyes using photocatalysts under natural light is an economical and popular method for water treatment. There is a need to synthesize photocatalytic materials which can generate reactive oxygen species under natural light. Hence, keeping in mind the above point, rose flower-shaped CuS nanostructures have been synthesized first time by solvothermal technique by varying reaction duration. The self-assembled powder of CuS nanostructures is characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, DLS, EDS, XPS, Raman, FT-IR, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The XRD and TEM analyses confirmed the formation of a polycrystalline hexagonal structure with prominent diffraction peaks. FE-SEM study shows the formation of uniformly self-assembled rose flower-shaped nanostructures of size 2–3 μm composed of densely packed nanoparticles. XPS study shows the presence of Cu(II) and Cu(I) states of copper in the synthesized batch and stoichiometric composition Cu:S is found to be 60:40 at.%. The optical studies showed broad absorption spectra of CuS nanostructures in about 300–800 nm wavelength range. Besides, this work studies the degradation activity of methylene blue and crystal violet organic dyes under natural sunlight conditions without the presence of any additive agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A3 coupling reaction can be used to efficiently synthesize propargylamine, which is an important bioactive molecule intermediate, and copper sulfide (CuS) as its catalyst is rarely reported. Herein, CuS with different morphologies including nanoflowers (NFS), nanorods (NR), nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized and applied to the A3 coupling reaction. The results show that CuS NP has the highest catalytic activity (99 % conversion) compared to other CuS, and also has good group compatibility and recyclability. Combining the activity with the CuS surface structure checked by XPS, BET and HRTEM etc. the excellent catalytic performance of CuS NP can be attributed to its higher specific surface area ((SBET=26.9 m2/g, SLangmuir=144.2 m2/g), and higher Cu+/Cu0 (58.9 %), Sn2− (16.7 %). The large specific surface area can provide more active sites, and higher Cu+/Cu0, Sn2− content are conducive to promoting the activation of alkyne terminal C−H, which is an important step in the A3 coupling reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the generation of hydrogen by electrolysis of water is cheapest from all other available sources but splitting of water still takes place with sluggish kinetics and is a challenging barrier for H 2 production on large scale. Moreover, research work is still in progress to understand the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and design the catalysts with improved OER performance. Herein, we report synthesis, characterization, and OER performance of copper oxide/copper sulfide (CuO/CuS) heterostructures and its individual components copper oxide (CuO) and copper sulfide (CuS) as low-cost catalysts for water oxidation. CuO/CuS has been demonstrated to be a stable and effective catalyst that initiates the OER at a potential of 1.49 V. (vs. RHE). The CuO/CuS catalyst drives the OER at only 270 mV overpotential and Tafel slope of 67 mV dec−1 with a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. CuO/CuS heterostructures outperforms OER performance of previously reported Cu-based catalysts. Long-term stability and performance toward OER are demonstrated by the oxygen evolution at an applied potential of 1.65 V (vs. RHE) over an extended period. This feature brings a favourable, non-noble, highly efficient, and robust OER catalyst. [Display omitted] • Cuo/CuS heterostructures catalyst synthesized for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). • It exhibits enhanced OER performance with overpotential of 270 mV@10 mAcm−2. • Pre-oxidation of water generate active Cu3+ centers which boost OER performance. • Heterostructures provide large surface area which is responsible for enhanced OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi‐level architecture formed alternatively by the conformal graphdiyne (GDY) and CuS is well engineered for Li‐free cathode. Such a proof‐of‐concept architecture efficiently integrates the advantages of GDY and produces new functional heterojunctions (sp−C−S−Cu hybridization bond). The layer‐by‐layer 2D confinement effect successfully avoids structural collapse, the selective transport inhibits the shuttling of active components, and the interfacial sp−C−S−Cu hybridization bond significantly regulates the phase conversion reaction. Such new sp−C−S−Cu hybridization of GDY greatly improves the reaction dynamics and reversibility, and the cathode delivers an energy density of 934 Wh kg−1 and an unattenuated lifespan of 3000 cycles at 1 C. Our results indicate that the GDY‐based interface strategy will greatly promote the efficient utilization of the conversion‐type cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi‐level architecture formed alternatively by the conformal graphdiyne (GDY) and CuS is well engineered for Li‐free cathode. Such a proof‐of‐concept architecture efficiently integrates the advantages of GDY and produces new functional heterojunctions (sp−C−S−Cu hybridization bond). The layer‐by‐layer 2D confinement effect successfully avoids structural collapse, the selective transport inhibits the shuttling of active components, and the interfacial sp−C−S−Cu hybridization bond significantly regulates the phase conversion reaction. Such new sp−C−S−Cu hybridization of GDY greatly improves the reaction dynamics and reversibility, and the cathode delivers an energy density of 934 Wh kg−1 and an unattenuated lifespan of 3000 cycles at 1 C. Our results indicate that the GDY‐based interface strategy will greatly promote the efficient utilization of the conversion‐type cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper sulfide (CuS) thin film was electrodeposited onto stainless steel (SS 316L) substrate under pulse potential control, from an aqueous acidic solution containing 10−3 M of CuSO4.5H2O and 10−2 M of SC(NH2)2. The solution pH was maintained at 2.2 ± 0.1 by adding a few microliters of 0.1 M H2SO4 solution. The electrodeposited thin film was grown at 30 °C by applying a forward potential (EF) of − 0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl for 0.2 s and a reverse potential (ER) of 0 V vs Ag/AgCl for 0.4 s. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine EF and ER as well as the possible reactions that occurred in the studied system and to understand the electrochemical behavior of the SS 316 L substrate on the deposition solutions. Normal and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) techniques showed that the obtained thin film, applying EF and ER, was a hexagonal covellite CuS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the obtained CuS film is grainy and contained some cracks. Profilometry indicated that the elaborated film has a thickness of 7.85 ± 0.71 µm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott–Schottky (MS) analysis were performed, but the results are controversial because of the participation of SS 316 L substrate in the behavior of the obtained data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) represents a complementary ultrasound investigation done by the clinician at the person’s home or in the family doctor’s office, wherever the patient is situated, addressed to symptomatic patients with acute or chronic conditions, with the early diagnostic purpose or/and to guide and lead the treatment management. POCUS practically represents an extension of the clinical examination in the family doctor’s practice and is based on and directly correlated with the location of the symptoms. It is the right hand of medical specialties, playing a prominent role in an emergency, in acute or chronic pathology, especially in the family doctor’s practice. POCUS could be a central pillar in the first contact with the symptomatic patient. General practitioners are trained to manage both chronic conditions as well as acute emergencies, often within the same session, seeing women and men, young and old patients. Point-of-care ultrasonography performed by the clinician at the site of patient care is an important tool to guide the case management for the early diagnosis with a targeted purpose. It represents an extension and complements the clinical examination of physicians to achieve an accurate positive and differential diagnosis. In conclusion, because of a significant number of advantages, ultrasonography should be a diagnostic tool, besides the stethoscope, in the general practitioner’s office. In our opinion, the two instruments should be considered complementary. POCUS is always clinical ultrasound (CUS), but clinical ultrasound includes both POCUS directly correlated with patient’s symptoms and comprehensive specialist ultrasound. POCUS deals with narrowly defined clinical questions within a body region or an individual organ, without claiming to comprehensively assess a region or an organ system. Point-of-care ultrasound can be defined as the use of an image-producing ultrasound device for diagnostic and procedural guidance, by the clinician himself, at the point of care, in real time, allowing for a direct correlation with signs and symptoms. A pointof-care ultrasound exam involves using ultrasound to answer specific clinical questions or guide a procedure at the “point of care”, whether in a hospital or a remote setting. It provides a quick, noninvasive way to speed up the diagnosis and treat the patient more effectively. Point-of-care ultrasound is defined as a “diagnostic or procedural guidance ultrasound that is performed by a clinician during a patient encounter to help guide the evaluation and management of the patient”. POCUS is a broader term that includes the many scenarios (emergency room, ambulance, helicopter, street etc.) in which portable ultrasound can be used. The central question is what should and must a doctor specializing in general medicine be able to do to carry out clinical exams completed with POCUS in diagnostic or procedural scope. We tried to create a methodology for establishing the POCUS curriculum for family physicians/GPs, following the latest scientific acquisitions in this field. In correlation with the POCUS curriculum adopted in European countries until now, the general opinion is for a modular format, “Basic and Advanced Courses in Family Physician Care”. The curriculum will be structured in three main chapters: 1. Basic training. Ultrasound physics and basic functions of ultrasound scanner, basic notions of ultrasound semiology (two days, 16 hours); 2. POCUS applications based on topographic regions centered on the patient’s symptoms – basic level (two days, 16 hours); 3. POCUS applications based on different topographical regions centered on the patient’s symptoms – advanced level (two days, 16 hours per topographical region). We have established several topographic regions of POCUS applications in family medicine on levels of ultrasound practice (basic and advanced levels). We established some 13 topographic regions of POCUS applications correlated to different signs, symptoms and syndromes presented by the patient when being consulted in primary healthcare, systematized on the levels of ultrasound practice (basic and advanced levels), depending on the stage of training and experience accumulated by each doctor, being an operatordependent method. These applications were selected based on questionnaires launched at the European level with over 500 respondents from most European countries who participated in this survey from the WONCA Europe and EFSUMB research networks. In the end, we tried to present the results obtained by the European Working Group in Ultrasonography in terms of the experience accumulated in 25 years of POCUS practice in the creation of small curricula in primary medicine in several countries in Europe, and especially in the educational activity, in promoting clinical ultrasound within numerous European projects. We hope for the future realization of POCUS development plans at the European level, such as: • Better collaboration among the European professional organizations EUVEKUS, EFSUMB and WONCA Europe networks in joint projects; • Development of a European POCUS curriculum in primary healthcare; • Continuing medical education and the organization of POCUS accredited courses and workshops for family doctors at the European level together with EFSUMB; • Issuance of a European POCUS accreditation certificate in family medicine at basic and advanced levels; • Working on partnerships in EU projects; • Improving liaison with institutional members; • Database of ongoing projects and research interests for EUVEKUS/EFSUMB members [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, well-defined hollow CuS microspheres assembled from nanosheets were successfully synthesized through a facile solvothermal method. Hollow CuS microspheres have an average diameter of 1.5 μm; moreover, the primary CuS nanosheets have an ultrathin thickness of about 10 nm and are bound by {0001} polar facets. When used as anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), hollow CuS microspheres exhibit excellent electrochemical properties, including a large discharge capacity (610.1 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C), an excellent rate capability (207.6 and 143.4 mAh g−1 at 1 and 5 C), and a superior cyclic stability (196.3 mAh g−1 at 1 C after 500 cycles). When used as photocatalysts for Rhodamine B (RhB), hollow CuS microspheres can degrade more than 99% of the initial RhB within 21 min. These excellent Li-ion storage properties and photocatalytical performances are attributed to their unique hierarchical hollow structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel S-scheme CuS/Bi5O7I heterojunction was successfully constructed using a two-step approach comprising the alkaline hydrothermal method and the adsorption–deposition method, and it consisted of Bi5O7I microrods with CuS particles covering the surface. The photocatalytic antibacterial effects on Escherichia coli (E. coli) were systematically examined with visible light exposure. The results suggested that the 3%-CuS/Bi5O7I composite showed the optimal antibacterial activity, completely inactivating E. coli (5 × 108 cfu/mL) in 180 min of irradiation. Moreover, the bacterial inactivation process was scientifically described. •O2− and h+ were the major active species for the inactivation of the bacteria. In the early stages, SOD and CAT initiated the protection system to avoid the oxidative destruction of the active species. Unfortunately, the antioxidant protection system was overwhelmed thereafter, which led to the destruction of the cell membrane, as evidenced by the microstructure changes in E. coli cells. Subsequently, the leakage of intracellular components including K+, proteins, and DNA resulted in the unavoidable death of E. coli. Due to the construction of the S-scheme heterojunction, the CuS/Bi5O7I composite displayed the boosted visible light harvesting, the high-efficiency separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, and a great redox capacity, contributing to an outstanding photocatalytic disinfection performance. This work offers a new opportunity for S-scheme Bi5O7I-based heterojunctions with potential application in water disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved significant progress in recent years. However, to further reduce the cost and improve stability of PSCs, development of low-temperature processed, stable and efficient inorganic hole-transport layer is mandatory. In this work, inorganic CuS based PSCs were simulated with the simulation software SCAPS-1D. The effects of thickness and defect density of the absorber, defect densities of the interfaces, and electron affinity of the holetransport layer (HTL) on the performance of PSCs were studied. Results show that when perovskite thickness is 400 nm, the defect densities of the absorber and the interfaces are both under 10 -16 cm-3, and the electron affinity of CuS is 3. 3 eV, the PSCs yield higher performance with open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1. 07 V, current density (Jsc) of 22. 72 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 0. 85, and photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20. 64%. This work provides theoretical guidance for the preparation of high-performance PSCs based on CuS HTLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-standing Co decorated Cu 2 O/CuS-based porous electrocatalyst was prepared with the help of simple electrodeposition and hydrothermal method. The structural characterizations of fabricated samples were performed with X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while the morphology of catalysts was studied with the help of Field-Emission Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction was checked in a basic electrolyte. The gradual increment in the electrochemical performance of Cu 2 O was observed when it underwent sulfurization without and with Co precursor respectively. The best electrochemical performance for hydrogen evolution reaction with an overpotential of 150.29 mV to achieve a geometric current density of 10 mA/cm2 was observed for the Cu 2 O sample sulfurized with Co precursor. The results of different characterizations suggested that the improved electrochemical performance could be attributed to the increased intrinsic activity and surface porosity of the electrocatalyst after sulfurization. [Display omitted] • Simple electrodeposition and hydrothermal methods were employed for electrode preparation. • The sulfurization of Cu 2 O results in exotic rose flower-like porous CuS structures. • HER activity of CuS improved significantly with Co surface modification. • The best HER performance was observed with 150.29 mV overpotential for 10 mA/cm2 current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a near-infrared (NIR) light-activated drug delivery system designed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration of titanium-based implants. The system utilizes epoxy-modified TiO 2 nanotubes and CuS nanoparticles that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 808 nm NIR light to enable controlled drug release. This innovative approach addresses the challenges of bacterial infection and fixation loosening and offers a significant improvement in implant performance. [Display omitted] • Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration with NIR light-activated system. • Controlled drug release from CuS-modified TiO 2 nanotubes under 808 nm illumination. • Markedly improved antibacterial action and sustained release mechanism. Two primary obstacles impede the longevity of implants: bacterial infection and fixation loosening. This research introduces an innovative near-infrared (NIR) light-activated drug delivery system tailored to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy and bone integration of titanium-based implants. Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTs) were modified with epoxy for covalent bonding of therapeutic agents, and copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) were added for regulated drug release. Alendronate sodium (ALN), an osteoporosis medication, was successfully bonded to the nanotubes. In vitro experiments showed that the release rate of ALN from TNTs-ALN reached 94 % within 36 h. In contrast, minimal release was observed in TNTs-ECH-ALN-CuS, which effectively addresses the prevalent issue of abrupt drug discharge typical in conventional delivery systems. In the context of NIR light exposure, the TNTs-ECH-ALN-CuS exhibited a notable ALN release efficacy of 48 %, demonstrating effective control over drug delivery. Additionally, the generation of ROS, coupled with temperature elevation under NIR exposure, endowed the modified TNTs with exceptional antibacterial efficacy, exceeding 99 % inhibition against E.coli and S.aureus. We observed a pronounced enhancement in the drug delivery mechanism, characterized by a reduction in the initial burst release and a sustained, controlled release, coupled with robust antibacterial action and notable biological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuS nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by wet chemical co-precipitation and Solgel method and used to promote photocatalytic degradation of 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP) from aqueous media. The Tauc plot and diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS-UV) was studied to determine the 2.1 eV band gap of CuS NPs. The high degree of crystallinity was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The exothermic nature of CuS NPs was pragmatic at 380oC using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The photo-catalytic activity of CuS NPs towards 2-CPdegradation was influenced with visible light intensity from 20 to 100 W. The strong photocatalytic elimination of 2-CP from an aqueous solution was caused by the increased charge transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors are recognized as crucial charge storage devices, yet there remained significant scope for improving electrode materials to enhance their performance. This study investigated the potential of composite materials comprising copper sulfide (CuS) and nickel oxide (NiO), referred to as CuS@NiO, as an efficient positrode material to improve supercapacitor performance. To the best of available knowledge, this research represented the first systematic attempt to optimize the composition of CuS@NiO composites for energy storage applications. The optimization of CuS@NiO composites was achieved through a hydrothermal synthesis method by varying the concentration of CuS within the composite. The resulting CuS@NiO exhibited a unique combination of flower-like NiO and sheet-like CuS morphologies. Electrochemical tests, including voltammetric cycling and constant-current charge–discharge, demonstrated that the CuS@NiO composite offered higher charge storage capacity and energy density compared to individual CuS and NiO electrodes. The composite electrode achieved a specific capacity of 392 Cg1 (980 Fg1) at 1 Ag1 and exhibited superior rate capability with a capacity retention of 61% at 10 Ag1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated a lower intrinsic resistance (0.4 ohms) and higher ionic conductivity (0.56 × 10⁻4 Scm⁻1) for the composite. The assembled supercapacitor device, CuS@NiO//Graphite mixed activated charcoal, demonstrated an energy density of 44 Whkg⁻1 at a power density of 0.825 kWkg⁻1. It maintained cyclic stability, retaining 80.1% of its initial performance and a Coulombic efficiency of 77.6% after 5000 cycles. These findings highlighted the potential of the CuS@NiO composite as an advanced electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors, addressing the need for enhanced energy storage solutions.Graphical abstract: Supercapacitors are recognized as crucial charge storage devices, yet there remained significant scope for improving electrode materials to enhance their performance. This study investigated the potential of composite materials comprising copper sulfide (CuS) and nickel oxide (NiO), referred to as CuS@NiO, as an efficient positrode material to improve supercapacitor performance. To the best of available knowledge, this research represented the first systematic attempt to optimize the composition of CuS@NiO composites for energy storage applications. The optimization of CuS@NiO composites was achieved through a hydrothermal synthesis method by varying the concentration of CuS within the composite. The resulting CuS@NiO exhibited a unique combination of flower-like NiO and sheet-like CuS morphologies. Electrochemical tests, including voltammetric cycling and constant-current charge–discharge, demonstrated that the CuS@NiO composite offered higher charge storage capacity and energy density compared to individual CuS and NiO electrodes. The composite electrode achieved a specific capacity of 392 Cg1 (980 Fg1) at 1 Ag1 and exhibited superior rate capability with a capacity retention of 61% at 10 Ag1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated a lower intrinsic resistance (0.4 ohms) and higher ionic conductivity (0.56 × 10⁻4 Scm⁻1) for the composite. The assembled supercapacitor device, CuS@NiO//Graphite mixed activated charcoal, demonstrated an energy density of 44 Whkg⁻1 at a power density of 0.825 kWkg⁻1. It maintained cyclic stability, retaining 80.1% of its initial performance and a Coulombic efficiency of 77.6% after 5000 cycles. These findings highlighted the potential of the CuS@NiO composite as an advanced electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors, addressing the need for enhanced energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development of micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films with hollow CuS NPs (p-CuS@PDMS) designed for both anti-adhesive and photothermal sterilization applications. Hollow CuS nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via the Kirkendall effect were incorporated into PDMS films to enhance the photothermal conversion. Micropatterning, achieved through a yogurt lid templating method, increased surface roughness and hydrophobicity and significantly reduced bacterial adhesion. The improved anti-adhesive properties were demonstrated by water contact angle measurements, which showed an increase of 24° from 103° to 127° for the micropatterned p-CuS@PDMS films. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, the p-CuS@PDMS films achieved a temperature increase of 91 °C with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 73 %, which is much higher than the 61 °C achieved by plain PDMS. The presence of CuS NPs in the PDMS matrix improved the bacterial inactivation rates, with p-CuS@PDMS achieving a 99 % bacterial kill rate after 90 s of irradiation. Although the anti-adhesive properties were influenced more by micropatterning, the combination of CuS and micropatterning provided a synergistic effect. These results demonstrate the potential of p-CuS@PDMS films for applications in healthcare and packaging, where effective sterilization and bacterial resistance are critical. [Display omitted] • Micropatterned PDMS films with hollow CuS NPs (p-CuS@PDMS) were designed. • The films showed improved the bacterial inactivation rates under NIR irradiation. • Synergistic effect of CuS NPs and micropatterning improved anti-adhesive properties. • The films are suitable for anti-adhesive and photothermal sterilization applications. • p-CuS@PDMS films have potential applications in healthcare and packaging industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leveraging low-energy near-infrared photons for efficient solar energy conversion holds weighty significance. Herein, 2D/2D CuS/ZnIn 2 S 4 composite with interfacial S-S bonds were successfully synthesized by a simple low-temperature water-bath method for achieving efficient near-infrared (NIR)-driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 production performance (20.55 μmol g−1 h−1). Density functional theory calculations and photoelectrochemical testing results reveal that the S-S bonds formed at the composite interface can serve as an atomic-level interfacial transport channel, greatly accelerating the migration of interfacial carriers in the space-charge region. Meanwhile, the tightly contracted interface of 2D/2D CuS/ZnIn 2 S 4 composites provides abundant active sites and superior charge transport pathways. Time-resolved transient absorption and photothermal performance tests confirmed that the photothermal effect generated by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of CuS increased the temperature of the reaction system and lowered the activation energy of the reaction, which facilitated the NIR-driven photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 production activity. This work provides a new direction through the design and construction of interfacial chemical bonds with atomic precision for the realization of photocatalytic water splitting under NIR irradiation. [Display omitted] • Tightly contracted interface of 2D/2D CuS/ZIS composites provides active sites and superior charge transport pathways. • The S-S bonds act as atomic-level interfacial "bridges", promoting migration rate of photo-generated carriers. • The LSPR effect produced by CuS under NIR light excitation broadens the near-infrared absorption range of composite system. • Photothermal effect induced by CuS elevates the local reaction temperature and reduces the potential barrier of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive consumption of fossil fuels leads to a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2) being released into the atmosphere, destroying the natural balance of the carbon cycle system, causing the greenhouse effect, and aggravating global climate change. Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction (E-CO 2 R) to produce value-added chemicals and synthetic fuels can not only solve the excessive emission of CO 2 but also realize the regeneration of carbon fuel. Given the unclear relationship between morphology and performance of copper-based catalysts for E-CO 2 R. The morphology of CuS nanomaterials prepared under different sulfur sources is different, which affects the performance of E-CO 2 R. In this study, a series of CuS nano-catalysts with multiple morphologies were prepared by using different sulfur precursors and surfactants based on morphology and structure regulation strategies, and E-CO 2 R performance tests were conducted to determine the structure-activity relationship between morphology and formate selectivity. Flower spherical morphology exhibited better Faraday efficiency for formate, followed by nanoparticles and finally nanospheres. After the surfactant was added, the morphology of CuS changed differently, such as adjusting the particle size of nano-flowers, alleviating the agglomeration of nano-particles, and forming hollow nano-spheres or composite morphology. These changes increased the electrochemical surface area and improved the performance of the electrocatalytic preparation of formate from CO 2 R. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to explain the reaction mechanism of E-CO 2 R to formate on different Cu surfaces, and the linear relationship between the work function corrected by sulfur content on each surface and the binding energy of *CO 2 was quantified. Bader charge analysis demonstrated that the stability of *OCHO was related to the algebraic sum of S and intermediate charges on each surface, and the formation energy of CO product intermediate *COOH was linear with that of HCOOH product intermediate *OCHO. [Display omitted] • Morphology-controlled CuS catalyst for selective electrochemical CO 2 reduction of formate. • The Faraday efficiency of formate formation reached 79.7 % at －1 V vs RHE. • DFT reveals the mechanism of S doping on Cu surface for electroreduction of CO 2 conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criegee intermediates (CIs) are an important class of active intermediates formed by the ozonation of olefins in atmospheric chemistry. Due to the short life and high reactivity of CIs, their detection has always been a challenge. In this study, solid electrolyte sensors were used for the first time to detect them. However, high operating temperatures and detection limits are still some of the main challenges that hinder the application of solid electrolyte sensors in atmospheric environments. In light of this, we developed CuO and CuS sensors using a straightforward precursor technique for the room-temperature detection of CIs. The CuS sensor has good sensitivity and responsiveness when compared to the CuO sensor. Its response value to CIs is enhanced by 20.36%, and its sensitivity can reach 310.64 mV decade−1. For CIs, the CuS sensor offers a low detection limit and excellent selectivity. The CuS sensor’s gas response to 10 ppb CIs at ambient temperature is 226.66 mV, which is noticeably greater than that of other interfering gases. The CuS sensor’s repeated response value to CIs remained at 97.94%. The greatest change rate of the response value after 12 days of cyclic stability testing was just 7%, suggesting that the CuS sensor exhibited good stability and repeatability. The aforementioned work may offer a fresh concept for a new CIs sensor design.Graphical abstract: Criegee intermediates (CIs) are an important class of active intermediates formed by the ozonation of olefins in atmospheric chemistry. Due to the short life and high reactivity of CIs, their detection has always been a challenge. In this study, solid electrolyte sensors were used for the first time to detect them. However, high operating temperatures and detection limits are still some of the main challenges that hinder the application of solid electrolyte sensors in atmospheric environments. In light of this, we developed CuO and CuS sensors using a straightforward precursor technique for the room-temperature detection of CIs. The CuS sensor has good sensitivity and responsiveness when compared to the CuO sensor. Its response value to CIs is enhanced by 20.36%, and its sensitivity can reach 310.64 mV decade−1. For CIs, the CuS sensor offers a low detection limit and excellent selectivity. The CuS sensor’s gas response to 10 ppb CIs at ambient temperature is 226.66 mV, which is noticeably greater than that of other interfering gases. The CuS sensor’s repeated response value to CIs remained at 97.94%. The greatest change rate of the response value after 12 days of cyclic stability testing was just 7%, suggesting that the CuS sensor exhibited good stability and repeatability. The aforementioned work may offer a fresh concept for a new CIs sensor design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposing of active crystal facets plays a crucial role in tailoring the electrochemical properties of nanocrystals. Herein, CuS hexagonal nanoplates with exposed (110) planes (CuS-P) were synthesized via a microwave-assisted homogeneous precipitation route. Structural characterization, including XRD and TEM, revealed that the CuS nanoplates were (110) facet exposed and that their morphologies could be mediated through polyvinylpyrrolidone coordination. These CuS-P nanoplates possessed excellent electrochemical properties and demonstrated good catalytic activity in the electro-oxidation of glucose. The (110) crystal facets on CuS improve the adsorption and activation of glucose, accelerating the electrochemical reaction. A novel nonenzymatic glucose sensor was fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with CuS-P nanoplates. The sensor exhibited an ultrafast response rate (< 0.1 s), a low detection limit of 0.38 µM and a wide linear range of 10 µM ∼ 15.0 mM. In addition, the developed method showed good anti-interference capability and outstanding stability. When the nonenzymatic sensor was adopted to detect glucose in human serum, the recoveries ranged from 98.8 % to 101.4 %, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 2.0 %, indicating its practical use. This study offers an in-depth understanding of the crystal facet effect in the construction of high-performance electrochemical sensors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, copper sulfide (CuS) was introduced to the Fenton-like (Fe(III)/H 2 O 2) system for the efficient removal of phenylarsonic acid (PAA). Results of reactive oxygen and Fe/Cu species showed that CuS preferentially reacted with Fe(III) and H 2 O 2 to generate Cu(I) and superoxide anion (•O 2 -). These reductive species could efficiently promote the Fe(III)/Fe(II) and Cu(II)/Cu(I) cycles, and are beneficial to the sequential Fenton reaction to generate •OH. The organoic/inorganic arsenic species detected in the CuS/Fe(III)/H 2 O 2 system confirmed that PAA was oxidized by •OH to hydroxylated organoarsenic and phenolic intermediates, which were further mineralized to oxalate and formic acid. Meanwhile, the inorganic As(III)/As(V) released during PAA degradation were efficiently immobilized by CuS. The PAA removal efficiency remained as high as 92.9 % after 5 cycles of the CuS-mediated Fenton-like process. These results demonstrate an innovative method for the treatment of organoarsenic-contaminated water, and provide new insights into the enhanced Fenton-like process utilizing sulfide minerals. [Display omitted] • CuS served as a co-catalyst in the Fenton-like system, promoted the reactive species generation and PAA degradation. • The production of Cu(I) and •O 2 - in the CuS/Fe(III)/H 2 O 2 system facilitated the cycles of Fe(III)/Fe(II) and Cu(II)/Cu(I). • The simultaneous of PAA mineralization and inorganic arsenic immobilization were conducted in the CuS/Fe(III)/H 2 O 2 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance for ushering in the hydrogen energy age to synthesize super active non-noble-metal electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. Herein, we reported a P-doped low-cost and facile synthesized P-CuS as an electrocatalyst synthesized by a solvothermal strategy. Obtained more active sites offered the catalytic space that significantly lowered barriers to response, which results in the electrocatalyst exhibiting excellent catalytic activity. The overpotential of P-CuS-1 for optimal electrochemical performance was 280 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 and the Tafel slope was 138.24 mv dec−1. Additionally, the double-layer capacitance of the sample was calculated to be 17.77 mF cm−2, which increased by 15.21 mF cm−2 over the pre-doped CuS, along with good cycling stability upon 22 h. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that P-doping enhances OER activity by optimising the adsorption free energy of oxygenated intermediates. It indicated that P-doped CuS electrocatalyst can improve the OER electrochemical performance significantly compared to CuS. This study provides an effective way to tune the electronic structure of CuS using P-doping. • Pure CuS and P-CuS OER catalysts were synthesised by one-pot method under laboratory conditions. • By electrochemical testing, the overpotential of P-CuS-1 is as low as 280mV@10mA cm-2. • It demonstrates that P-doping can enhance the catalytic activity of OER-inert copper sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • CuS NPs were hybridized with NM125 via an amino group-assisted coordination, forming a Z-scheme heterojunction. • The interfacial Cu–N dative bond enabled rapid photogenerated electron transfer, leading to spatial charge separation. • NM125 served as an electron donor in NM125@CuS(x) , inhibiting the hole-induced photocorrosion of CuS. • NM125@CuS(x) hybrids were highly efficient and stable in natural sunlight-driven synthesis of benzimidazoles in ambient air. • A wide range of benzimidazoles were obtained in almost quantitative yields (90–98%) under natural sunlight. Natural sunlight-driven photocatalysis has been considered as an energy sustainable strategy for the synthesis of fine chemicals, since natural sunlight is inexhaustible. Copper sulfide (CuS) with broad light absorption holds great promise for natural sunlight utilization, while hole-induced photocorrosion seriously hampers its photoactivity and photostability. Herein, we inhibited the photocorrosion by hybridizing CuS with amino-functionalized metal–organic framework of NH 2 -MIL-125(Ti) (NM125) to fabricate a Z-scheme heterojunction. Taking advantage of high binding affinity of amino group and copper ion, CuS nanoparticles (NPs) were in situ anchored on NM125 surface via amino group-assisted coordination. Characterization results suggested the diffusion-controlled charge migration in NM125@CuS(x) hybrids, where photoinduced electrons in conduction band (CB) of NM125 transferred to valence band (VB) of CuS, and then combined here. The Z-scheme charge transport could timely consume the photogenerated holes of CuS, and spatially separated the charge carriers. As a result, the obtained NM125@CuS(x) catalysts were highly efficient and stable in natural sunlight-driven Phillips-Ladenburg reaction in air, providing serial benzimidazoles with excellent yields (90–98%). Such natural sunlight-driven photocatalysis system efficiently utilized natural sunlight to synthesize high-value fine chemicals in open air at mild conditions, which opens up a sustainable avenue for the green development of fine chemical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic CO 2 reduction is an excellent method for the resource utilization of CO 2. However, challenges such as inferior product yields and poor selectivity still exist. In this investigation, a novel composite catalyst of S-type heterojunction Ga 2 S 3 /CuS was formulated and synthesized using a facile two-step hydrothermal method. The CH 4 product yield of 30 wt% Ga 2 S 3 /CuS reached 18.8 μmol·g−1·h−1. The reaction pathways were investigated through in-situ DRIFTS and DFT calculations, revealing the internal built-in electric field at the S-type heterojunction induces migration of the Cu atomic d -band center towards the Fermi energy level. The elevation of the Cu d orbital energy levels enables electron contributions from the d xz orbital to facilitate the formation of π* bonds with CO 2 , thereby promoting the adsorption of both CO 2 and intermediate species to produce CH 4. This study emphasizes the influence of the intrinsic electric field at the interface on product yield and selectivity. [Display omitted] • Under visible light irradiation, Ga 2 S 3 /CuS achieves effective photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 to CH 4. • The unique electron transfer pathway of the S-type heterojunction synergistically participates in CO 2 activation. • The selective enhancement of CH 4 generation by Ga 2 S 3 /CuS was explained using crystal field theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the utilization of copper sulfide (CuS) based nanomaterials functionalized with rhodium (Rh) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles for gas sensing and energy generation applications. CuS nanoparticles, known for their unique properties, were combined with Rh and Pd nanoparticles to enhance hydrogen (H 2) gas sensing capabilities. Gas sensing experiments revealed that CuS/Rh/Pd nanocomposites exhibited the highest sensing response of 58.33 % to H 2 , indicating the significant improvement in gas sensing properties due to the combined presence of Rh and Pd nanoparticles in CuS matrices. Moreover, temperature-dependent responses provided insights into optimal operating conditions for effective gas sensing with CuS-based nanocomposites. Comprehensive characterization studies including XPS, Raman, and morphology analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of CuS/Rh/Pd nanomaterials with high purity and desirable structural properties. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance studies demonstrated that CuS/Rh/Pd nanocomposites enhanced the efficiency by minimizing light over-absorption and improving photoanode stability. Overall, this study highlighted the potential of metal nanoparticle-decorated CuS nanocomposites for advanced gas sensing and energy generation applications, paving the way for the development of highly sensitive and efficient gas sensors and solar energy conversion technologies. • Enhanced H 2 sensing with CuS/Rh/Pd nanocomposites. • Temperature-dependent optimization for effective gas sensing. • High purity confirmed by XPS, Raman, and morphology analysis. • Improved DSSC efficiency through better light absorption and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunlight-driven interfacial evaporation has been considered an effective solution to address water scarcity and seawater desalination with minimal environmental impact. We designed a sunlight-driven interfacial evaporation device using the porous melamine foam (MF) as the carrier to stabilize the loading of metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) derived CuS nanosheets. The MOFs-derived CuS nanosheets (M-CuS) have a full-spectrum solar light absorption rate of 95 % and the porous channels existing inside M-CuS effectively improve the light capturing ability and contribute to the rapid thermal response of M-CuS. The M-CuS was loaded on the MF through the adhesion of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to obtain an integrated M-CuS/MF aerogel with a stable structure. PVA further improves the hydrophilicity of MF and ensures a continuous supply of water to M-CuS/MF during the evaporation process. The unique porous structure of M-CuS/MF further promotes the absorption of sunlight, and the low thermal conductivity of MF (0.036 Wm−1K−1) could reduce the radiative and convective heat loss from the material to the surrounding environment. The evaporation rate and photothermal conversion efficiency of CuS/MF are 1.46 kg m−2h−1 and 86 % under one sunlight, respectively. The continuous seawater evaporation cycle experiments (15 times) show that the device can maintain a stable evaporation rate. The excellent salt blocking performance of M-CuS/MF suggest the promising long-term stable desalination applications. [Display omitted] • Interfacial evaporation device consists of MF and M-CuS nanosheets. • M-CuS nanosheets exhibit a full-spectrum solar light absorption rate of 95 %. • The evaporation rate of M-CuS/MF is 1.46 kg m−2h−1 under one sunlight. • The low thermal conductivity of MF reduces the heat loss. • M-CuS/MF suggest the promising long-term stable desalination applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant threat to human health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have proven to be an effective strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, given their capacity to swiftly disrupt microorganism membranes and alter cell morphology. A common limitation, however, lies in the inherent toxicity of many AMPs and their vulnerability to protease degradation within the body. Photothermal therapy (PTT) stands out as a widely utilized approach in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, boasting high efficiency and non-invasive benefits. To enhance the stability and antibacterial efficacy of AMPs, a novel approach involving the combination of AMPs and PTT has been proposed. This study focuses on the encapsulation of At10 (an AMP designed by our group), and copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) within zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to form nanocomposites (At10/CuS@ZIF-8). The encapsulated CuS NPs exhibit notable photothermal properties upon exposure to near-infrared radiation. This induces the cleavage of ZIF-8, facilitating the release of At10, which effectively targets bacterial membranes to exert its antibacterial effects. Bacteria treated with At10/CuS@ZIF-8 under light radiation exhibited not only membrane folding and intracellular matrix outflow but also bacterial fracture. This synergistic antibacterial strategy, integrating the unique properties of AMPs, CuS NPs, and pH responsiveness of ZIF-8, holds promising potential for widespread application in the treatment of bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing inexhaustible solar energy for water purification represents a green and sustainable solution to water scarcity. However, the developments of efficient, inexpensive, convenient and reliable photothermal materials remain a major challenge. Herein, a facile and versatile preparation strategy of sodium alginate (SA)-CuS composite coating with superior adhesion and stability has been proposed toward high-efficiency solar-driven interfacial evaporation. The fabrication process can be quickly completed in aqueous solution with cheap reagents. The SA-CuS coating can be firmly adhered on different substrates, which can withstand rinsing treatment, iterative freeze-thaw cycles as well as high and low pH environments. The SA-CuS coating can convert various substrates into photothermal materials with broad light absorption for desirable solar evaporation because of high CuS loading and rough surface. As a proof of concept, a wood evaporator covered with the SA-CuS coating can achieve a water evaporation rate of ∼2.2 kg m−2 h- 1 under one sun illumination, which is superior to most reported wood-based solar evaporators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing hydrogel dressing with intrinsic antibacterial property to promote skin injury recovery remains a significant challenge. In this research, poly(aspartic hydrazide) with grafted betaine (PAHB) was designed and reacted with oxidized dextran (OD) to fabricate biodegradable PAHB/OD hydrogel and its application as wound dressing was systematically investigated. The PAHB/OD hydrogels exhibited fast gelation, strong tissue adhesion, preferable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. The grafted betaine endowed the hydrogel with antibacterial property and antibacterial rate enhanced through photothermal performance of composited CuS nanoparticles under near infrared (NIR) radiation. The CuS composited PAHB/OD hydrogel (CuS/hydrogel) with microporous morphology was used as burn wound dressing with loaded anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium (DS) in mouse model. The results showed the DS loaded CuS/hydrogel (CuS@DS/hydrogel) promoted the tissue regeneration and suppressed the inflammatory response. The histological analysis and immunohistochemical expression confirmed the CuS@DS/hydrogel promote angiogenesis of the burn wound by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and CD68) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Overall, the CuS@DS/hydrogel hydrogel is a promising candidate as wound dressing due to its tissue adhesive, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are growing interests in the development of bifunctional semiconducting nanostructures for photocatalysis and real-time monitoring of degradation process on catalysts. Defect engineering is a low-cost approach to manipulating the properties of semiconductors. Herein, we prepared CuS nanoplates by a hydrothermal method at increasing amounts of thioacetamide (CS-1, CS-2, and CS-3) and investigated the influence of sulfur vacancy (Vs) on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and photocatalysis performance. SERS intensity of 4-nitrobenzenethiol on CS-3 is 346 and 17 times that of CS-1 and CS-2, respectively, and enhancement factor is 1.34 × 104. Moreover, SERS is successfully applied to monitor the photodegradation of methyl orange. In addition, CS-3 also exhibited higher efficiency of Cr(VI) photoreduction than CS-1 and CS-2, and removal rate is 88%, 96%, and 73% under 2 h UV, 4 h visible, and 4 h near-infrared illumination, respectively. A systematic study including electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, photoelectrochemical measurements, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanism. This work may help to understand the impact of vacancy defect on SERS and photocatalysis, and provide an effective and low-cost approach for the design of multifunctional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JAK/STAT signal pathway is a system of intracellular proteins used by many cytokines and growth factors to express genes responsible for the process of cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. There has been numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases identified where the JAK/STAT signaling is disrupted; however, there are only a few papers concerning autoimmune bullous diseases published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of proteins: JAK3, STAT2, STAT4 and STAT6 in epithelium lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), bullous pemphigoid (BP), oral lichen planus (LP) and chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CUS), as well as in the control group. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to evaluate expression of selected proteins. We found significantly higher expression of selected JAK/STAT proteins in oral mucosa lesions in study groups in comparison to the control group, which indicates participation of JAK/STAT pathway in pathogenesis of these diseases. In BP and PV there were no increased STAT2 expression, whereas in CUS and LP no increased STAT4 expression occurred. The differences in expression of JAK/STAT proteins in selected disorders have been observed. These results create new potential therapeutic targets for the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To plan great photocatalytic performance, fast photo-generated charge recombination in nanocatalysts should be repressed. Thus, copper sulphide-Zirconium dioxide (CuS-ZrO2) nanocomposites were synthesised via a facile chemical method. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) results indicated that a heterojunctions interface among CuS and ZrO2. XRD analysis showed optimum CuS-ZrO2 photocatalyst with an average diameter of 42.58 nm were found. The UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) illustrated that the synthesised CuS-ZrO2 nanocomposites owned the highest absorption intensity in the UV-light range compared with pure ZrO2 nanoparticles. The bandgap (Eg) values of ZrO2 nanoparticles and CuS-ZrO2 nanocomposites were found 3.55 eV, and 2.65 eV, respectively. These characteristic structural and optical property consequence showed that the CuS-ZrO2 nanocomposites with great photocatalysis progress for degradation of tetracycline. Among the different ratio nanocomposites, CuS-ZrO2-2 indicates the highest photocatalytic efficiency (97.15%) in acidic pH and 60 min. Photocatalytic was optimised by response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken model. The study provides a promising photocatalyst to be used for organic pollutant removal in a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses and seriously affects all aspects of life. Running exercise has been suggested to prevent or alleviate the occurrence and development of depression; however, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. Independent studies have indicated that astrocytes play essential roles and that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is an important brain region involved in the pathology underlying depression. However, it is unknown whether running exercise achieves antidepressant effects by affecting the number of astrocytes and glutamate transport function in the mPFC. Here, animal models of depression were established using chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), and depression‐like behavior was assessed by the sucrose preference test. After successfully establishing the depression model, experimental animals performed running exercise. Glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive (GFAP+) cell number in the mPFC was precisely quantified using immunohistochemical and stereological methods, and the densities of bromodeoxyuridine‐positive (BrdU+) and BrdU+/GFAP+ cells in the mPFC were measured using a semiquantitative immunofluorescence assay. Changes in glutamate transporter gene expression in mPFC astrocytes were detected by mRNA sequencing and qRT–PCR. We found that running exercise reversed CUS‐induced decreases in sucrose preference, increased astrocyte number and the density of newborn astrocytes, and reversed decreases in gene expression levels of GFAP, S100b, and the glutamate transporters GLT‐1 and GLAST in the mPFC of CUS animals. These results suggested that changes in astrocyte number and glutamate transporter function may be potential meditators of the effects of running exercise in the treatment of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-stimuli-responsive therapeutic nanomaterials have gained widespread attention as frontline materials for biomedical applications. The photoactivation strategies are classified as single-modality (based on either reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT), hyperthermia-based photothermal therapy (PTT)), or dual-modality (which combines PDT and PTT). Due to its minimal invasiveness, phototherapy has been extensively applied as an efficient therapeutic platform for many diseases, including skin cancers. However, extensive implementation of phototherapy to address the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections remains challenging. This review focuses on copper sulfide (CuS) nanomaterials as efficient and cost-effective PDT and PTT therapeutic nanomaterials with antibacterial activity. The features and merits of CuS nanomaterials as therapeutics are compared to those of other nanomaterials. Control of the dimensions and morphological complexity of CuS nanomaterials through judicious synthesis is then introduced. Both the in vitro antibacterial activity and the in vivo therapeutic effect of CuS nanomaterials and derivative nanocomposites composed of 2D nanomaterials, polymers, metals, metal oxides, and proteins are described in detail. Finally, the perspective of photo-stimuli-responsive CuS nanomaterials for future clinical antibacterial applications is highlighted. This review illustrates that CuS nanomaterials are highly effective, low-toxic, and environmentally friendly antibacterial agents or platform nanomaterials for combatting MDR bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO2 nanobelts were decorated with CuS nanoparticles to construct TiO2@CuS heterostructure though a simple hydrothermal method. The performance of electrocatalysis has been investigated by hydrogen evolution reaction. The overpotential (259 mV) and Tafel slope (102 mV∙dec−1) of TC11 are obviously lower than of all other samples. And the photodegradation efficiency of TC11 is 1.3 times that of pure TiO2 and 8.3 times that of pure CuS. The interface of CuS and TiO2 can provide matched energy levels and built-in electric field to improve separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and charge transfer efficiency. And the surface of TiO2@CuS can provide more active sites for catalysis. Therefore, the heterostructure construction of CuS and TiO2 can significantly enhance the performances of bi-catalysis: electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The simple method is a beneficial attempt in the field of renewable clean energy and environmental purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Green hydrogen energy production from electrocatalysts produced via low‐temperature hydrothermal method with easy preparation and cost effectiveness has attracted attention as an alternative to high‐temperature nitration, phosphide, and sulfonation processes. Hence, in this work with consideration of previous works, we have prepared low temperatures (60°C‐80°C) surfactant assisted copper sulfide (CuS) spherical flower‐like microsphere morphologies with the help of the hydrothermal technique. The product exhibited a single CuS covellite phase at 60°C, whereas the increase in hydrate phase was also observed along with the CuS phase at 70°C and 80°C. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that increase in the size of flower‐like microsphere morphology with the covellite phase was observed with an increase in reaction temperatures. The vibrational mode at 616 and 472 cm−1 confirmed the formation of CuS in FTIR and Raman spectra respectively. The CuS catalyst obtained at 80°C achieved low 176, 199, and 458 mV overpotentials to get 10 mA/cm2 in 1 M KOH of distilled water, 1 M KOH of seawater, and natural seawater compared to other CuS catalysts on account of the higher surface area of 16.19 m2/g. The CuS catalyst prepared at 80°C showed low charge transfer resistance (Rct) at catalyst/seawater interface compared to other catalysts with the retention of 74.1% in natural seawater after 10 h stability examination. Structural and compositional studies of the CuS catalyst prepared at 80°C after 10 h stability examination confirmed white Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 precipitate formation on CuS surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Interface solar steam generation (ISSG) is a prospective and reliable option for producing freshwater from seawater and industrial wastewater. However, salts and heavy metal ions deposited on photothermal materials (PTMs) will diminish the evaporation rate. Besides, the low evaporation rate will limit the widespread application of ISSG devices. In this work, we exploited a washable CuS‐enhanced light absorption PTM based on polydopamine‐cotton fabric (PDA‐CF), which is abbreviated as CuS‐PDA‐CF. On one hand, CuS‐PDA‐CF is washable and can be cleaned by hand or ultrasonic to remove the deposited salts and renew the photothermal performance. On the other hand, Due to the cooperative contribution of CuS and PDA, the light absorption capacity of CuS‐PDA‐CF is improved to 98.13%, acquiring a 1.50 kg m−2 h−1 water evaporation rate with a 94.49% photothermal efficiency at 1‐solar (1 kW m−2) illumination. Outdoor experiments demonstrate that the solar vapor generator based on CuS‐PDA‐CF can extract freshwater from seawater and industrial wastewater. The cations elimination rate in seawater and industrial wastewater is higher than 99.9%. This work provides an achievable method to fabricate efficiency‐enhanced and washable CF‐based solar evaporators to relieve freshwater scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel rod-shaped MIL-88A(Fe)@CuS featured with sulfur vacancies (S V) were constructed as heterogeneous catalysts for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for coumarin (COU) degradation. A series of x MIL@CuS were obtained according to the mass content of MIL-88A(Fe) in the composites (x , wt% = 50 %, 65 %, and 80 %). Among them, 65 % MIL@CuS hold the best performance, and realized a complete COU removal (30 μM) in 7 min (0.2 g/L 65 %MIL@CuS and 0.5 mM PMS). The degradation was much more favorable in acidic initial pH than alkaline initial pH. The calculated reaction rate constants at initial pH of 3.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 9.0 were 0.903, 0.729, 0.650 and 0.095 min−1, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis, radical scavenging tests and mechanism exploration indicated that the main difference in degradation under acidic and alkaline pH came from the yield of 1O 2. In initial pH = 3.0 condition, S V and lattice oxygen on 65 %MIL@CuS participated in the generation of 1O 2 , greatly increasing the content of 1O 2 (11.6 × 10−11 M) and promoting the degradation. While under initial alkaline condition (pH = 9.0), 1O 2 were basically produced from the reaction between Cu(II) and PMS, resulting in a low yield (1.7 × 10−11 M) and lower degradation. Besides, 65 %MIL@CuS maintained excellent reusability with low metal ions leaching, and the degradation exceeded 98.0 % even in the fifth run. Overall, this work provided an efficient and stable activator for activating PMS to degrade refractory organics, and managed to disclose the activation mechanisms under acidic and alkaline pH. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Erythrocyte-like CuS microspheres were encapsulated in ultrathin polyaniline (PANI) layer coating. PANI swollen by electrolytes stabilizes solid electrolyte interface layer and benefits the ion transport and charge transfer at the PANI/electrolyte interface. Multi-functional PANI coating ensures an outstanding comprehensive performance for sodium-ion storage. The latest view suggests the inactive core, surface pulverization, and polysulfide shuttling effect of metal sulfides are responsible for their low capacity and poor cycling performance in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Whereas overcoming the above problems based on conventional nanoengineering is not efficient enough. In this work, erythrocyte-like CuS microspheres with an elastic buffering layer of ultrathin polyaniline (PANI) were synthesized through one-step self-assembly growth, followed by in situ polymerization of aniline. When CuS@PANI is used as anode electrode in SIBs, it delivers high capacity, ultrahigh rate capability (500 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and 214.5 mAh g−1 at 40 A g−1), and superior cycling life of over 7500 cycles at 20 A g−1. A series of in/ex situ characterization techniques were applied to investigate the structural evolution and sodium-ion storage mechanism. The PANI swollen with electrolyte can stabilize solid electrolyte interface layer, benefit the ion transport/charge transfer at the PANI/electrolyte interface, and restrain the size growth of Cu particles in confined space. Moreover, finite element analyses and density functional simulations confirm that the PANI film effectively buffers the volume expansion, suppresses the surface pulverization, and traps the polysulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the copper sulfide synthetic approaches developed until now are still facing issues in their procedure, such as long synthesis duration, high energetic consumption, and high implementation costs. This publication reports a facile and sustainable approach for synthesizing copper sulfides on a large scale. In particular, an industrial by-product of sulfur waste was used as a sulfurizing agent for copper sulfide synthesis in a water medium. The reaction was performed in the hydrothermal environment by following a novel proposed mechanism of copper sulfide formation. The investigation of morphological and optical properties revealed that the target products obtained by using waste possess the resembling properties as the ones synthesized from the most conventional sulfurizing agent. Since the determined band gap of synthesis products varied from 1.72 to 1.81 eV, the photocatalytic properties, triggered under visible light irradiation, were also investigated by degrading the methylene blue as a model pollutant. Importantly, the degradation efficiency of the copper sulfide synthesized from sulfur waste was equivalent to a sample obtained from a reference sulfurizing agent since the value for both samples was 96% in 180 min. This very simple synthetic approach opens up a new way for large-scale sustainable production of visible-light-driven photocatalysts for water purification from organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]