Advanced Science

Surface activation of photocatalysts is central to H₂ production from water via solar photocatalysis. In article number 1500153, M. Liu, L. Guo, and co-workers show, using shaped Cu₂WS₄ as model host photocatalyst, that a large percentage of the surface of the photocatalyst can be activated for H₂ evolution by controllably depositing metal nanoparticles with tunable sizes onto targeted crystal facets.

Inspired by natural biosilication, G. Chen and co-workers develop a green and simple method to create “net”-like interconnected TiO₂ nanoparticles that conformably cover reduced graphene oxide. As shown in article 1500176, the composite displays enhanced interfacial lithium storage and excellent performance as a lithium-ion battery anode.

In article 1500260, S. Licht and co-workers demonstrate the efficient coproduction of CO and H₂, using a single beam of sunlight in electrolysis of molten carbonate and hydroxide. The process is driven by a single concentrator photovoltaic, which simultaneously drives the separate electrolysis processes. The process allows carbon capture without first concentrating atmospheric CO₂.

Currently available therapeutic and diagnostic options for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are summarized. The lack of effective therapeutic options for this particular subtype of breast cancer is highlighted. Numerous research efforts towards the development of effective targeted nanomedicines are discussed. The role of emerging nanotechnology-based tools for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of TNBC is emphasized.

An overview of various hydrogels for potential application as injectable hydrogels in cardiac tissue repair and regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI) is given. Various injectable hydrogels, their compositions, structures, properties, and recent advancements in their applications in treatment of MI are summarized. The current challenges and their potential solutions for translation of injectable hydrogels to clinical applications are also discussed.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. However, sensitive CTC detection is challenging due to the extremely low number of CTCs in the peripheral blood. This review summarizes recent representative works on the design of advanced material interfaces for efficient CTC capture and isolation, providing some insights into further CTC detection studies.

Pt nanoparticles with tunable size are prepared on the entire surface of facet-engineered Cu₂WS₄ decahedral photocatalyst via a kinetic-controlled chemical reduction process. The {101} facets of the photocatalyst which featured photo-oxidation, are successfully activated for photoreduction by Pt. The resulting photocatalyst shows an activity nine times higher compared to that of the only {001}-facets activated catalyst obtained by a conventional in situ photodeposition route.

The electrolytic coproduction of CO and H₂ is achieved from air, water, and a single beam of sunlight rather than from fossil fuels. H₂ and CO cosynthesis is driven by a single concentrator photovoltaic to simultaneously drive molten hydroxide and molten carbonate electrolyses. The carbon neutral process captures carbon without the need for the preconcentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

“H”-like organic nanowire heterojunctions with two parallel 2-acetyl-6-dimethylamino-naphthalene wires vertically bridged by one 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole wire are prepared via cooperative molecular assembly in liquid phase. The exciton conversion at the junction interfaces is beneficial for the design of multichannel light-controlled photo­switches. The results provide better understanding of molecular assembly toward specific structures and open up new prospects for the creation of novel photonic materials.

Silver(I)-induced instant gelation of pyridine-containing Fmoc-l-glutamate and its concentration-dependent self-assembly from nanotubes to nanofibers are investigated. The formed metallogel with nanostructure has remarkably enhanced antibacterial activities. Interestingly, the nanotube and nanofiber exhibit different antibacterial activities, and a corresponding antimicrobial mechanism is proposed.

In article number 1500232, Y. B. Zheng and co-workers extend the scope of multi-photon plasmonic lithography to immobilize biomolecules. Protein hydrogels are precisely immobilized at the tips of a single gold nanotriangle. This process is tracked on single nanoparticles using dark-field scattering spectroscopy. These protein nano-anchors can serve as frameworks to study plasmon–molecule interactions and to assemble functional materials with hierarchical structures.

The polarization-dependent nature of multiphoton plasmonic lithography is exploited to regioselectively localize bovine serum albumin hydrogel at the hot spots of single gold nanotriangles. Single particles are tracked using dark-field scattering spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the regioselective process.

A single-grain layer of TiO₂ “net” is conformably covered on the reduced graphene oxide using a biomineralization strategy. It demonstrates reversible interfacial lithium storage.

Polymer-coated nanoparticles (NPs), when they bind to surface Fcε receptors, inhibit the release of proinflammatory granules (degranulation) from innate immune cells. Exposing cells to polymer-coated NPs also decreases antibody (IgE) attachment to Fcε receptors and reduces phosphorylation of the key signaling kinase MAPK-ERK1/2. Suppressed immune functions can alter an organism's capacity to combat infections or alternatively, may reduce proinflammatory allergic responses.

A molecular sensitizer design, in which a chromophore is linked to peripheral hole acceptors, leads to more favorable electron transfer dynamics and improved dye-sensitized solar cell performance. After photoinduced electron injection into TiO₂, the remaining hole is rapidly transferred to a peripheral acceptor unit. These units also retard the recombination of electrons from TiO₂ with the cobalt-based electrolyte.

The adsorption interactions between H₂S, SOF₂, and Au-modified graphene surfaces are shown. The gas sensing mechanism study through density functional theory calculations, and the corresponding detailed experimental sensing research, indicate that the n-type and p-type sensing behaviors that Au-modified graphene displays towards different gases play a crucial role in electrical resistance response.