Mingming Ma

THPC modification converts cytochrome c into a self-delivering anticancer protein.

Subsurface regions critically govern surface events, such as the interactions with reactants in heterogeneous catalysis, thereby significantly modulating catalytic performance. However, precise control of subsurface atomic arrangement remains challenging due to complex metal-adsorbate interactions and limited structural accessibility. Here we achieve precise control of subsurface atomic layer in platinum-based intermetallic compounds through targeted positioning of heterometallic atoms to subsurface via in-situ constructed atomic diffusion pathways. This site-specific placement and subsequent thermodynamic-induced atomic rearrangement are governed by surface energy minimization and adsorbate-induced segregation. Through atomic-precision subsurface engineering, we successfully synthesize a series of L1₀ (face-centered tetragonal, fct)-PtFe@PtM_sub, where M_sub represents heteroatoms (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag) incorporated into subsurface layers. As demonstrated, the as-synthesized L1₀-PtFe@PtPd_sub simultaneously stabilizes ligand and strain effects, thereby breaking the trade-off in L1₀-PtM with Pt skin, where Pt skin typically quenches ligand effects while introducing strain effects. Consequently, L1₀-PtFe@PtPd_sub/C catalyst demonstrates practical proton exchange membrane fuel cells performance, simultaneously delivering high activity and durability. This work provides a rational strategy for catalyst design that promotes the understanding of subsurface active sites in heterogeneous catalysis.

Cytochrome c (CytC) is conjugated with a small molecule TG6 to give TG6–CytC, which is delivered into cytosol, triggering the release of endogenous CytC from mitochondria, and inducing a caspase-3-dependent apoptosis with an IC₅₀ down to 2.4 nM.

Selective oxidation of low-molecular-weight aliphatic alcohols like methanol and ethanol into carboxylates in acid/base hybrid electrolytic cells offers reduced process operating costs for the generation of fuels and value-added chemicals, which is environmentally and economically more desirable than their full oxidation to CO₂. Herein, we report the in-situ fabrication of oxygen-vacancies-rich CuO nanosheets on a copper foam (CF) via a simple ultrasonication-assisted acid-etching method. The CuO/CF monolith electrode enables efficient and selective electrooxidation of ethanol and methanol into value-added acetate and formate with ~100% selectivity. First principles calculations reveal that oxygen vacancies in CuO nanosheets efficiently regulate the surface chemistry and electronic structure, provide abundant active sites, and enhance charge transfer that facilitates the adsorption of reactant molecules on the catalyst surface. The as-prepared CuO/CF monolith electrode shows excellent stability for alcohol oxidation at current densities >200 mA·cm² for 24 h. Moreover, the abundant oxygen vacancies significantly enhance the intrinsic indicators of the catalyst in terms of specific activity and outstanding turnover frequencies of 5.8k s⁻¹ and 6k s⁻¹ for acetate and formate normalized by their respective faradaic efficiencies at an applied potential of 1.82 V vs. RHE.

High-entropy multi-elemental (HEM) electrocatalysts present superior catalytic performance due to the efficient synergism of their components. HEM electrocatalysts are usually prepared through hydrothermal reactions or calcination, which could generate undesired heterogeneous structures that hinder the exploration of the structure-property relationship of these HEM electrocatalysts. Herein, we report a sol-gel method to synthesize homogeneous HEM electrocatalysts for electro-oxidation of methanol and urea (methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR)), through an acid-catalyzed gelation at room temperature. With Ni as the primary component for MOR and UOR, Co can reduce the overpotentials, while Fe can increase the catalytic activities and durability. Borate and phosphate can tune the charge distribution in active sites and speed up the reaction kinetics through fast proton transfer. Thus, the optimal Ni₂Fe_0.5Co_0.5-BP HEM catalyst demonstrates superior catalytic activity together with good durability and great resistance to CO poisoning. In addition, a direct methanol fuel cell with Ni₂Fe_0.5Co_0.5-BP electrode can not only provide power, but also produce formic acid with high yield and high Faraday efficiency. This work presents a simple strategy to prepare high-performance HEM electrocatalysts for fuel cells and production of value-added chemicals.

A polymer actuator typically responds to only one or two types of stimuli, where sensing and actuation are simultaneously exerted by the same responsive polymer. In cells, sensing and actuation are exerted separately by different biomolecules, which are integrated into nanoscale assemblies to construct the signaling network, making cells a multistimuli responsive and multimodal system. Inspired by the structure–function relationship of the signaling network in cells, we have developed a strategy to select and assemble proper functional polymers into assemblies, where sensing and actuation are exerted by different polymers, and the assemblies can present novel functions beyond that of each polymer component. Three polymers [polyaniline, PANi; poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAm; and polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS] are integrated as nodes into a simple energy transduction network, which can be regulated by three molecular factors (pH, kosmotropic anions, and polyethylene glycol). PANi converts the light or electric stimulus into heat, which triggers the actuation of PNIPAm and PDMS. Relying on this energy transduction network, the polymer assembly can respond to six types of stimuli (light, electricity, temperature, water, ions, and organic solvents) and perform different actuation modes, serving as a powerful actuator. Programmable complex deformation upon multiple simultaneous or sequential stimuli has also been achieved by this actuator. An adaptive gripper to catch thin objects and a self-regulating switch to maintain environmental humidity illustrate the wide potential of this actuator for next-generation smart materials and soft robots.

The design and synthesis of N 2 H 4 ·H 2 O electrooxidation catalysts with low-cost and stability is of great practical significance for the transformation of direct hydrazine fuel cell (DHFC) from laboratory research to commercial application . Here, the CoP-Co 2 P@CC composite , which is composed of Co x P nanocrystals particles evenly anchored on carbon cloth (CC) based on SEM and TEM images, as a promising catalyst for electrooxidation of N 2 H 4 ·H 2 O was prepared by the chemical reduction followed by phosphating method . Among them, Co x P nanocrystals particles and carbon cloth (CC) were served as the active sites and the conductive substrates, respectively. The electrochemical measurements showed that the self-supported CoP-Co 2 P@CC catalyst shows excellent catalytic activity with the current density of 619.6 mA × cm -2 for HzOR at 0.3 V vs RHE , nearly 100% selectivity towards HzOR and also shows a n excellent stability with 85.2% capacitance rete ntion after 12 h long term CV test, which is comparable to that reported in the literatures . The as-prepared CoP-Co 2 P@CC composite has potential application prospects in the electrooxidation of N 2 H 4 × H 2 O.