ABSTRACT
MXene aerogels, known for good electrical properties, offer immense potential for the development of high-sensitivity pressure sensors. However, the intrinsic challenges stemming from the poor self-assembly capability and high hydrophilicity of MXene impedes the natural drying process of MXene-based hydrogels, thereby constraining their application on a large-sacle in sensor technology. Herein, we propose a graphene-assisted approach aimed at modulating the hydrophobicity and enhancing framework strength of MXene through a well-designed prefreezing technique incorporating three-dimensional (3D) spherical macro-porous structures. This synergistic strategy enables the fabrication of naturally dried MXene aerogels across various size scales. Moreover, the integration of 3D spherical macro-porous structures improves elasticity and electrical responsiveness of aerogels. Consequently, the aerogel sensor exhibits great performances, including high sensitivity (1250 KPa-1), low detection limit (0.4 Pa), wide frequency response range (0.1-8 Hz), and excellent stability (1000 cycles). This sensor proves adept at monitoring pressure signals ranging from lightweight paper to human motion. Additionally, the application of customized laser engraving endows aerogels with unique functionalities, such as compressibility and immunity to strain, stretchability and resistance to compression, as well as wind detection. Thus, our proposed approach holds significant promise as a scalable method for the mass production of aerogels with versatile applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Triclocarban (TCC), which is used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care products, has been widely detected in aquatic ecosystems. However, the consequence of TCC exposure on embryo development is still elusive. Here, by using zebrafish embryos, we aimed to understand the developmental defects caused by TCC exposure. After exposure to 0.3, 30, and 300 µg/L TCC from 4-hour postfertilization (hpf) to 120 hpf, we observed that TCC exposure significantly increased the mortality and malformation, delayed hatching, and reduced body length. Exposure to TCC also affected the heart rate and expressions of cardiac development-related genes in zebrafish embryos. In addition, TCC exposure altered the expressions of the genes involved in hormonal pathways, indicating its endocrine disrupting effects. In sum, our data highlight the impact of TCC on embryo development and its interference with the hormone system of zebrafish.
