Engineering both intrinsic characteristic and local microenvironment of platinum sites toward highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction.

The optimization of the adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates on platinum (Pt) sites of Pt-based electrocatalysts is crucial for the oxygen reduction reaction process. Currently, a large amount of researches mainly focus on modifying the bulk structure of the electrocatalysts, however, the vital role of solvent effect on the phase interfaces is often overlooked. Here, we successfully developed an electrocatalyst in which the ordered PtCo alloy anchors on the cobalt (Co) single-atoms/clusters decorated support (Co1,nNC) and its surface is further optimized using hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL). Experimental studies and theoretical calculations indicate that compressive stress on Pt lattice contributed by intrinsic structure and the local hydrophobicity caused by IL on the surface can suppress the stabilization of *OH on Pt. This synergistic effect affords outstanding catalytic performance, exhibiting a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.916 V vs. RHE and a mass activity (MA) of 1350.3 mA mgPt-1 in 0.1 mol/L perchloric acid (0.1 M HClO4) electrolyte, much better than the commercial Pt/C (0.849 V vs. RHE and 145.5 mA mgPt-1 for E1/2 and MA, respectively). Moreover, the E1/2 of IL-PtCo/Co1,nNC only lost 5 mV after 10,000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles due to a strong and synergistic contact of the intermetallic PtCo alloy with the Co1,nNC support and IL. This research provides an effective method for designing efficient electrocatalysts by combining intrinsic structure and surface modification.

Introduction of Surface Modifiers on the Pt-Based Electrocatalysts to Promote the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Process.

The design of Pt-based electrocatalysts with high efficiency towards acid oxygen reduction reactions is the priority to promote the development and application of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Considering that the Pt atoms on the surfaces of the electrocatalysts face the problems of interference of non-active species (such as OHad, OOHad, CO, etc.), high resistance of mass transfer at the liquid-solid interfaces, and easy corrosion when working in harsh acid. Researchers have modified the surfaces' local environment of the electrocatalysts by introducing surface modifiers such as silicon or carbon layers, amine molecules, and ionic liquids on the surfaces of electrocatalysts, which show significant performance improvement. In this review, we summarized the research progress of surface modified Pt-based electrocatalysts, focusing on the surface modification strategies and their mechanisms. In addition, the development prospects of surface modification strategies of Pt-based electrocatalysts and the limitations of current research are pointed out.

Ultrafine PtCoRh nanorods for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in acid.

PtCoRh nanorods with an average width of 1.6 ± 0.2 nm show an overpotential of 6.1 mV at 10 mA cm-2 toward acidic HER. The exceptional activity originates from a high electrochemically active surface area of 130.1 m2 gPt-1 and a unique Pt-H bond strength appropriately tuned by Co and Rh.

Analyzing the Mechanism of Functional Groups in Phosphate Additives on the Interface of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 Cathode Materials.

The design of a functional electrolyte system that is compatible with the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (LNCA) cathode is of great importance for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, chelated lithium salts of lithium difluoro(bisoxalato) phosphate (LiDFBOP) and lithium tetrafluoro(oxalate) phosphate (LTFOP) are synthesized by a facile and general method. Then, the complexes of LiDFBOP, LTFOP, and lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP), all of which have a central phosphorus atom, were selected as the salt-type additives for the LiPF6-based electrolyte to improve the electrochemical performances of LNCA/Li half-batteries, respectively. The results of electrochemical tests, quantum chemistry calculations, potential-resolved in situ electrochemical impedance (PRIs-EIS) measurements, and surface analyses show that the interface property and the battery performance are closely associated with molecular structures of phosphorus-centered complex additives. It indicates that LiDFP with the P═O bond can significantly reduce the interfacial impedance of LNCA/Li half-batteries due to the increase of Li3PO4 and the decrease of Li2CO3 in the cathode electrolyte interface (CEI). While in LiDFBOP, according to the calculated vertical ionization potential (VIP), the two oxalate-chelated ligands bring about a bidirectional cross-linking reaction, which makes it preferential to be oxidized. This process is self-healing and can form a dense and stretched CEI, which is favorable to the cycle performance at the late stage. In contrast, the polymerization reaction will occur in one direction for LTFOP due to its lone oxalate ligand. Additionally, an unfavorable side reaction between LTFOP and EC has been proposed by the aid of Gibbs free energy calculation. This is a good explanation for the formation of the uneven and unstable CEI, as well as the continuous decomposition of the electrolyte in PRIs-EIS measurement. This work has an extensive applicability and practical significance not only for molecular designing of novel lithium salts, but also for the construction of a functional electrolyte system that is compatible with different electrode materials.

Neuroprotective effects of Fomes officinalis Ames polysaccharides on Aß25-35-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells through suppression of mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.

Aggregation of Aß is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to identify the protective roles of different polysaccharide components in Fomes officinalis Ames polysaccharides (FOAPs) against Aß25-35-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. Different doses of FOAPs components (i.e. FOAPs-a and FOAPs-b) were added to PC12 cells about 2 h before ß-amyloid protein fragment 25-35 (Aß25-35) exposure. The AD cellular model of PC12 cells was established using Aß25-35. Then the PC12 cells were divided into 9 groups including: control group, Donepezil hydrochloride (DHCL) group, model group treated using 40 µM Aß25-35, followed by FOAPs-a and FOAPs-b interference (50, 100 and 200 µg/mL). The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), ATP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were determined by commercial kits. The Cytochrome C, Bcl-2 and Bax expressions in the mitochondria and cytosol was determined by using Western blot analysis. FOAPs-a and FOAPs-b could significantly inhibit the LDH release, MDA level and the over accumulation of ROS induced by Aß25-35 in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. They could also effectively prevent Aß25-35-stimulated cytotoxicity, which involved in attenuating cell apoptosis, increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and inhibiting Cytochrome C release from mitochondria to cytosol in PC12 cells. Moreover, FOAPs-a and FOAPs-b significantly alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the MMP, as well as promoting the mitochondrial ATP synthesis. FOAPs-a and FOAPs-b played neuroprotective roles against Aß25-35-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells through suppressing the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.

Maize (Zea mays L.) transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection of pollinated ovules.

A novel transformation system was established for maize using Agrobacterium infection of in vitro cultured ovules. The maize ovules were isolated 24h after pollination and infected with Agrobacterium. The embryos were isolated from the pollinated ovules 2-3 weeks after Agrobacterium infection, regenerated to plantlets and investigated for transgene expression and inheritance. Experimental evaluations were focused on the four main aspects. Firstly, through the introduction of gus gene for monitoring transformation and development of embryo, it was confirmed that transgenic plants can be generated from in vitro cultured maize ovules infected with Agrobacterium. Secondly, in order to standardize the transformation protocol, several important factors that affected transformation efficiency were optimized. They included Agrobacterium delivery approach, surfactant, AS concentration, and cocultivation duration. Thirdly, stable expression and Mendelian inheritance of the introduced genes were analyzed in independent lines over two generations. Fourthly, the pollinated ovule culture-regeneration potential and transformation efficiency of five maize inbred lines were investigated to confirm the genotype independence of this transformation system. We conclude that the transformation system established in this study can be used to generate high-quality transgenic maize plants rapidly and directly.