Zhiyong Liu

PPy-MOF-303@SA aerogel, fabricated via directional freezing, combines alginate, MOF-303, and polypyrrole. It achieves 0.39 g·g ⁻¹ uptake at 25 °C and 30% RH in 60 min, with 96.73% desorption under 1 kW·m ⁻² solar irradiation.

To address the challenges of insufficient near-infrared light utilization and rapid charge recombination in traditional photocatalysts, this study designed and synthesized a hollow-structured Cu2-xS@ZnIn2S4 S‑scheme heterojunction with synergistic photothermal‑photocatalytic properties. The synergistic mechanism between plasmonic photothermal effects and heterojunction charge‑transfer in broad‑spectrum catalysis was systematically elucidated. Experimental results demonstrated that the composite achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 32.58 mmol·g⁻1·h⁻1 under AM 1.5G irradiation without cooling water (WCW), which is 3.00 times that of pure ZnIn2S4. Moreover, the solution temperature reached 47.4 ℃ under near‑infrared (NIR) illumination. Theoretical analysis revealed that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Cu2‑xS extends light absorption into the NIR region and generates a photothermal effect. Meanwhile, the S‑scheme band alignment, together with multiple light scattering induced by the hollow structure, synergistically optimizes carrier separation and promotes directional charge migration. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability over 750 min and demonstrated measurable NIR‑driven activity at wavelengths above 800 nm. By coupling band‑engineering with photothermal conversion, this work provides a theoretical foundation and a material prototype for designing efficient full‑spectrum solar‑to‑hydrogen conversion systems, showing clear application potential in photothermal‑assisted artificial photosynthesis.

In this paper, PDLLA was end-capped with 1,4-butanediol to control hydroxyl groups, ensuring a 1 : 1 NCO/OH ratio for MDI chain extension.The chemical degradation, hydrolytic stability, and thermal and mechanical properties of poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA), as well as its extended polymer obtained by reacting with 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), were improved. The resulting samples were characteriяed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal properties were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Tensile properties were also measured with a tensile tester. Results showed that when the molar ratio of NCO/OH was 1 : 1, T _g can be increased from the original 54 to 60°C. The weight loss temperature of 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate chaining PDLLA was also enhanced from 10 to 190°C. Tensile strength increased from 19.00 to 39.00 MPa. Hydrolytic stability was approximately 1.5 times that of pure PDLLA. In this manner, PDLLA materials with excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and degradation resistance of poly(lactic acid) material were easily obtained.

Water-augmentation materials have drawn more attention recently. Here, a micro/nano-NaCl-crystal 3D growth on graphene oxide plates (GONC) is designed and synthesized by using anticaking agents. After thermal reduction, it was found that rGONC particles formed an alternating hydrophilic/hydrophobic micro/nanostructure, where NaCl functions as a hydrophilic region, while rGO acts as a hydrophobic region. This structure is similar to the surface microstructure of desert beetles for efficient water vapor harvesting. It was shown to deliquesce at lower environmental 58-62% RH than RH_d, ∼75% RH of NaCl, and form larger water droplets, ∼4-7 times its original measured area. These are attributed to the synergistic water-molecule-gathering effects from the surface energy gradient (F, ∼9.86 × 10^-8 N) of the bioinspired nanostructure and vapor pressure gradient (F', ∼1.59 × 10^-9 N) of NaCl deliquescence. The benefits of rGONC particles for water vapor harvesters are verified through in situ observation under environmental scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM) at the microscale and by 3D environment chamber experiments at the macroscale. The excellent and consistent performances positively corroborate its promising application to solve the present major environmental concern from smog/fog as an effective water-augmentation technology.