MXene quantum dots (QDs) are emerging 0D nanomaterials. Here, a new heterostructure is developed based on a 1D photoactive semiconductor and a 0D MXene QD for improved photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 into methanol. Specifically, Ti 3 C 2 QDs are incorporated onto Cu 2 O nanowires (NWs) through a simple self-assembly strategy. It is demonstrated that Ti 3 C 2 QDs not only significantly improve the stability of Cu 2 O NWs but also greatly improve their photocatatlytic performance by enhancing charge transfer, charge transport, carrier density, light adsorption, as well as by decreasing band bending edge and charge recombination. The energy level diagram derived from both experimental measurements and theoretical calculations provide further insights of such hierarchical photocatalysis system.

Ultrathin Co3S4/CoMo2S4 nanosheets vertically aligned on rGO sheets are prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal method for supercapacitors.

Van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) formed between 2D materials have attracted tremendous attention recently due to their extraordinary properties which cannot be offered by their individual components or other heterojunctions. Intriguing electronic coupling, lowered energy barrier, intimate charge transfer, efficient exciton separation occurring at the atomically sharp interface promise their applications in catalysis which, however, are largely unexplored. Herein, we demonstrate a 0D/2D vdWH between 0D graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and 2D pristine graphene sheets, simply prepared by ultrasonication of graphite powder using GQDs as intercalation surfactant. And such allcarbon Schottky-diode-like 0D/2D vdWH is employed for the emerging photoelectrochemical catalysis (water splitting) with high performance. The demonstrated low-cost and scalable bottom-up growth of heteroatom-doped GQDs shall greatly promote their widespread applications. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying GQD growth and heterojunction mediated catalysis are revealed both experimentally and theoretically.

A novel Sb/C polyhedra composite is successfully fabricated by a galvanic replacement reaction technique using metal organic frameworks as templates. In this composite, the ultrasmall Sb nanoparticles with an average size of 15 nm are homogeneously encapsulated into the carbon matrixes, forming a hierarchical porous structure with nanosized building blocks. Used as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, this composite exhibits high lithium storage capacities, excellent rate capability and superior cycle stability, higher than many reported results. Notably, a discharge capacity of 565 mAh g −1 at a current density of 0.2 A g −1 is delivered after 100 repeated cycles. Even at a high current density of 1 A g −1 , a discharge capacity of 400.5 mAh g −1 is also maintained after 500 cycles. Such superior cycling stability and rate discharge performance of the designed Sb/C composite can be attributed to the synergistic effect between Sb nanoparticles and the porous carbon matrixes.

A novel strategy to fabricate SnO2@TiO2 composite is developed. As an anode material, the obtained composite exhibits enhanced electrochemical performances.

A Co-doped Ni(OH)2/Ni3S2 hybrid was grown in situ on Ni foam (NiCo-10) via a one-pot hydrothermal reaction with two-step temperature control.

Despite the increasing prevalence of obesity, the current medications, which act indirectly on the central nervous system to suppress appetite or on the gastrointestinal tract to inhibit fat absorption, suffer from poor effectiveness and side effects. Here, we developed a transdermal mild photothermal therapy directly acting on the root of evil (subcutaneous white adipose depot) to induce its ameliorating remodeling (browning, lipolysis, and apoptosis), based on the injectable thermoresponsive hydrogel encapsulated with copper sulfide nanodots. Further, combining pharmaceutical therapy with codelivery of mirabegron leads to a strong therapeutic synergy. This method not only ensures high effectiveness and low side effects due to localized and targeted application but also remotely creates significant improvements in systemic metabolism. Specifically, as compared to the untreated group, it totally inhibits obesity development in high-fat-diet fed mice (15% less in body weight) with decreased masses of both subcutaneous (40%) and visceral fats (54%), reduced serum levels of cholesterol (54%)/triglyceride (18%)/insulin (74%)/glucose (45%), and improved insulin sensitivity (65% less in insulin resistance index). This self-administrable method is amenable for long-term home-based treatment. Finally, multiple interconnected signaling pathways are revealed, providing mechanistic insights to develop effective strategies to combat obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

ZnCo2O4/ZnO@multiwall carbon nanotubes with laminated shape were assembled as highly practical all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.