Donghua University

About: Donghua University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Fiber & Nanofiber. The organization has 21155 authors who have published 21841 publications receiving 393091 citations. The organization is also known as: Dōnghuá Dàxué & China Textile University.

Harvesting the Vibration Energy of BiFeO3 Nanosheets for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract: In this study, mechanical vibration is used for hydrogen generation and decomposition of dye molecules, with the help of BiFeO3 (BFO) square nanosheets. A high hydrogen production rate of ≈124.1 μmol g-1 is achieved under mechanical vibration (100 W) for 1 h at the resonant frequency of the BFO nanosheets. The decomposition ratio of Rhodamine B dye reaches up to ≈94.1 % after mechanical vibration of the BFO catalyst for 50 min. The vibration-induced catalysis of the BFO square nanosheets may be attributed to the piezocatalytic properties of BFO and the high specific surface area of the nanosheets. The uncompensated piezoelectric charges on the surfaces of BFO nanosheets induced by mechanical vibration result in a built-in electric field across the nanosheets. Unlike a photocatalyst for water splitting, which requires a proper band edge position for hydrogen evolution, such a requirement is not needed in piezocatalytic water splitting, where the band tilting under the induced piezoelectric field will make the conduction band of BFO more negative than the H2 /H2 O redox potential (0 V) for hydrogen generation.

Degradable Molybdenum Oxide Nanosheets with Rapid Clearance and Efficient Tumor Homing Capabilities as a Therapeutic Nanoplatform.

Abstract: Molybdenum oxide (MoOx) nanosheets with high near-infrared (NIR) absorbance and pH-dependent oxidative degradation properties were synthesized, functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and then used as a degradable photothermal agent and drug carrier. The nanosheets, which are relatively stable under acidic pH, could be degraded at physiological pH. Therefore, MoOx-PEG distributed in organs upon intravenous injection would be rapidly degraded and excreted without apparent in vivo toxicity. MoOx-PEG shows efficient accumulation in tumors, the acidic pH of which then leads to longer tumor retention of those nanosheets. Along with the capability of acting as a photothermal agent for effective tumor ablation, MoOx-PEG can load therapeutic molecules with high efficiencies. This concept of inorganic theranostic nanoagent should be relatively stable in tumors to allow imaging and treatment, while being readily degradable in normal organs to enable rapid excretion and avoid long-term retention/toxicity.