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Solar water splitting has gained increasing attention in converting solar energy into green hydrogen energy. However, the construction of a photothermo-electro coupling field by harnessing light-induced heat and its enhancement on solar water splitting were seldom studied. Herein, we developed a full-spectrum responsive photoanode by depositing CdxZn1–xS onto the surface of hydrogenated TiO2nanotube array (H-TNA), followed by modification with Ni2P. The resulting ternary photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 4.99 mA·cm–2at 1.23 V vs. RHE with photoinduced heating, which is 11.9-fold higher than that of pristine TNA, with an optimal ABPE of 2.47%. The characterization results demonstrate that the ternary photoanode possesses superior full-spectrum absorption and efficient photogenerated carrier separation driven by the interface electric fields. Additionally, Ni2P reduces the hole injection barrier and increases surface active sites, accelerating the consumption of holes accumulating on the relatively unstable CdxZn1–xS to simultaneously improve the activity and stability of water splitting. Moreover, temperature-dependent measurements reveal that H-TNA and Ni2P significantly motivate the photothermal conversion to construct a photothermo-electro coupling field, optimizing photoelectric conversion and charge carrier-induced surface reactions. This work contributes to understanding the synergistic effect of the photothermo-electro coupling field on the photoelectrochemical water splitting.

The Li metal anode is considered one of the most potential anodes due to its highest theoretical specific capacity and the lowest redox potential. However, the scalable preparation of safe Li anodes remains a challenge. In the present study, a LiF-rich protection layer has been developed using self-driven chemical reactions between the Li3xLa2/3–xTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride/dimethylacetamide (LLTO/PVDF/DMAc) solution and the Li metal. After coating the LLTO/PVDF/DMAc solution to Li foil, PVDF reacted with Li spontaneously to form LiF, and the accompanying Ti4+ions (in LLTO) were reduced to Ti3+to form a mixed ionic and electronic conductor LixLLTO. The protective layer can redistribute the Li-ion transport, regulate the even Li deposition, and inhibit the Li dendrite growth. When paired with LiFePO4, NCM811, and S cathodes, the batteries have demonstrated excellent capacity retention and cycling stability. More importantly, a volumetric energy density of 478 Wh L–1and 78% capacity retention after 310 cycles have been achieved by using a S/LixLLTO-Li pouch cell. This work provides a feasible avenue to provide large-scale preparation of safe Li anodes for the next-generation pouch-type Li–S batteries as ideal power sources for flexible electronic devices.

The introduction of a dual-functional interlayer into lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) provides many opportunities for restraining the “shuttle effect” and enhancing sluggish sulfur conversion kinetics. Tuning the band structure of the metal sulfide provides an opportunity to enhance its catalytic activity, which plays an important role in suppressing the “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in LSBs. Here were present a Co9S8@MoS2core–shell heterostructure anchored to a carbon nanofiber (Co9S8@MoS2/CNF), developed as an interlayer for suppressing the shuttle effect of LiPSs. The fabricated composite heterostructure is determined to be an effective alternative material that combines the synergistic relationship between chemisorption and electrochemical catalysis. We find that the band structure of the MoS2shell can be effectively tuned by the Co9S8core and that the Co9S8@MoS2/CNF can capture the LiPSs, providing excellent catalytic ability to convert LiPSs into Li2S2, with subsequent transformation from Li2S2to Li2S. Importantly, high capacities of 1002 and 986 mAh g–1can be retained after 50 cycles with high-sulfur loadings of 6 and 10 mg cm–2. Our results highlight the design of an atomic-scale heterostructure as a multifunctional interlayer providing a synergistic relationship between adsorption and catalysis. The net result is an effective retardation of the shuttling of LiPSs and an enhancement of the electrochemical redox reactions of LiPSs. This work shows great promise toward the development of practical applications of LSBs.

Background: Due to the complex etiology of AD, multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs), combining two or more distinct pharmacological moieties, have been developed in both symptomatic and disease-modifying efficiencies and are considered as an effective way for the treatment of AD. Methods: To test their biological activities, including AChE/BChE inhibitory activity and MAOA/ MAO-B inhibitory activity. In addition, molecular modeling studies were performed to afford insight into the binding mode. Results and Discussions: The results displayed that compound 4c showed the best AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 4.2 μM, which was supported by the kinetic study and docking study. Compound 4c was also a selective MAO-B inhibitor (IC50 = 8.2 μM). Moreover, compound 4c could cross the blood-brain barrier in vitro. Conclusion: Compound 4c deserved to further study as a potential multifunctional agent for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Using polymer electrolytes with relatively high mechanical strength, enhanced safety, and excellent flexibility to replace the conventional liquid electrolytes is an effective strategy to curb the Li-dendrite growth in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). However, low ionic conductivity, unsatisfactory thermal stability, and narrow electrochemical window still hinder their applications. Here, we fabricate Li0.35La0.55TiO3(LLTO) nanofiber-enabled poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) with enhanced mechanical property and wide electrochemical window. The results show that 15 wt % of LLTO nanofibers synergize with PVDF, giving a flexible electrolyte membrane with significantly improved performance, such as high ionic conductivity (5.3 × 10–4S cm–1), wide electrochemical window (5.1 V), high mechanical strength (stress 9.5 MPa, strain 341%), and good thermal stability (thermal degradation 410 °C). In addition, an all-solid-state Li-metal battery of sandwich-type LiFePO4/PVDF–CPE (15 wt % of LLTO)/Li delivers satisfactory cycling stability and outstanding rate performance. A reversible capacity of 121 mA h g–1is delivered at 1 C after 100 cycles. This work exemplifies that the introduction of LLTO nanofibers can improve the electrochemical performances of PVDF-based CPEs used as electrolytes for all-solid-state LMBs.

Extended surfactants represent a novel class of anionic–nonionic surfactants with exceptional performance and unique application value in chemically enhanced oil recovery. Although molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can efficiently screen these surfactants, the current research is limited. Here, it is proven for the first time that existing generic force fields (GAFF and CHARMM) cannot accurately describe extended surfactants, and traditional approaches are insufficient for obtaining precise charge parameters. The concept of the respectively optimized force field (ROFF) with the purports of specialization and accuracy is proposed to construct high-accuracy models for MD simulations, and a new approach is developed to simulate the interface model. By combining the newly specialized alkane model, ROFF-based surfactant models, and the innovative simulation protocol, high accuracy and reliability can be obtained in predicting hydration free energies, minimum of area per molecule, and critical micelle concentration of extended surfactants. Key properties of the newly designed extended surfactants in conventional oil–water interfaces and oil reservoir environments are comprehensively predicted by using advanced analytical and characterization methods. Furthermore, the more rigorous mechanism underlying the special amphiphilicity of the extended surfactant is revealed, potentially offering significant improvements over previous empirical perspectives.

A simple and efficient method for the preparation ofpyrido[1,2‐a]benzimidazoles by a copper‐catalyzed inter‐ and intramolecular C–N coupling cascade process was designed and carried out, and the products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (up to 93 %).

A mild and clean protocol for the alkynylation coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes has been developed in yields up to 99 % in the presence of sulfonato‐CuII(salen) in water. Domino synthesis of 2‐arylindoles from 2‐iodoaniline and aryl acetylene was successfully carried out by this catalytic system, and the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused.

A mild and clean protocol for the cross coupling reactions between imidazoles and arylboronic acids has been developed in good to excellent yields up to 98% in the presence of sulfonatocopper(II)(salen) catalyst in water without addition of other additives and bases.

An efficient catalytic system for the alkynylation of aryl iodides is presented, involving a water‐soluble Cu—sulfonatosalen complex.

The cross‐coupling reaction between imidazoles (I) with arylboronic acids (II) in the presence of a salen complex without addition of other additives and bases is developed.