Broadband and strong visible-light-absorbing cuprous sensitizers for boosting photosynthesis.

Rational construction of broadband and strong visible-light-absorbing (BSVLA) earth-abundant complexes is of great importance for efficient and sustainable solar energy utilization. Herein, we explore a universal Cu(I) center to couple with multiple strong visible-light-absorbing antennas to break the energy level limitations of the current noble-metal complexes, resulting in the BSVLA nonprecious complex (Cu-3). Systematic investigations demonstrate that double "ping-pong" energy-transfer processes in Cu-3 involving resonance energy transfer and Dexter mechanism enable a BSVLA between 430 and 620 nm and an antenna-localized long-lived triplet state for efficient intermolecular electron/energy transfer. Impressively, Cu-3 exhibited an outstanding performance for both energy- and electron-transfer reactions. Pseudo-first-order rate constant of photooxidation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene with Cu-3 can achieve a record value of 190.8 × 10-3 min-1 among the molecular catalytic systems, over 30 times higher than that with a noble-metal photosensitizer (PS) [Ru(bpy)3]2+. These findings pave the way to develop BSVLA earth-abundant PSs for boosting photosynthesis.

High-Efficiency Thickness-Insensitive Organic Solar Cells with an Insulating Polymer.

Achieving high-efficiency thick-film bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) with thickness-independent power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in a wide thickness range is still a challenge for the roll-to-roll printing techniques. The concept of diluting the transport sites within BHJ films with insulating polymers can effectively eliminate charge trapping states and optimize the charge transport. Herein, we first adopted the concept with insulating polypropylene (PP) in the efficient non-fullerene system (PM6:Y6) and demonstrated its potential to fabricate thick-film OSCs. The PP can form an insulating matrix prior to PM6 and Y6 within the BHJ film, resulting in an enhanced molecular interaction and isolated charge transport by expelling Y6 molecules. We thus observed reduced trap state density and improved charge transport properties in the PP-blended device. At around 300 nm, the PM6:Y6:PP device enjoys a high PCE of 15.5% and achieves over 100% of the efficiency of the optimal thin-film device, which is significantly improved compared to the binary PM6:Y6 counterpart. This research promotes an effective strategy with insulating polymers and provides knowledge of commercial production with response to the roll-to-roll technique demands.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 as mediator of inflammation in acute liver injury.

Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 is one of the CXC chemokines and is also known as chemokine CXC ligand (CXCL2). MIP-2 affects neutrophil recruitment and activation through the p38 mitogen-activated-protein-kinase-dependent signaling pathway, by binding to its specific receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2. MIP-2 is produced by a variety of cell types, such as macrophages, monocytes, epithelial cells, and hepatocytes, in response to infection or injury. In liver injury, activated Kupffer cells are known as the major source of MIP-2. MIP-2-recruited and activated neutrophils can accelerate liver inflammation by releasing various inflammatory mediators. Here, we give a brief introduction to the basic molecular and cellular sources of MIP-2, and focus on its physiological and pathological functions in acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharides, irradiation, ischemia/reperfusion, alcohol, and hypoxia, and hepatectomy-induced liver regeneration and tumor colorectal metastasis. Further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of MIP-2 secretion and activation may be helpful to develop MIP-2-targeted therapeutic strategies to prevent liver inflammation.

Study on Dissociation Properties and Spectra of Halon 1301 in External Electric Field.

Halon-1301 (CF3Br) can make Br radicals with UV radiation, which poses a great threat to the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Necessary methods should be taken for the degradation of the exhausts of Halon-1301. In this paper, density functional (DFT) theory at B3LYP/6-311G++(d,p) level are employed for the study of dissociation properties and spectra of Halon-1301 in external electric field, including bond length, total energy, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, infrared spectra and dissociation potential energy surface (PES). The obtained results show that, with gradually increasing the external field from 0 to 0.03 a.u. along the molecular axis Z (C­Br bond direction), the total energy decreases, while the dipole moment decreases at the beginning and then increases. With the climbing of the field, HOMO-LUMO energy gap increases, and C­Br bond length increases while C­F bond length decreases. The variations of vibrational frequency and intensity of molecular IR spectra in external electric field are also investigated. Further studies show that with increasing the external electric field from 0 to 0.03 a.u., the dissociation PES along C­Br bond becomes unbound with disappearing of the barrier for the dissociation. The external electric field of 0.03 a.u. is sufficient to induce the degradation of CF3Br with C­Br bond breaking. Such results provide an important reference for the degradation of Halons via the external electric field.