Co/C nanoparticles with low graphitization degree that have been prepared by an arc plasma method using methane as the carbon source exhibit high microwave absorption properties.

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Objective To investigate the role of oxidative stress in itch-indicative scratching behavior in mice, and furthermore, to define the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress-mediated itch. Methods Scratching behavior was induced by intradermal injection of oxidants, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) into the nape of the neck in mice and observed for 30 min. Results Intradermal H2O2 (0.03-1%) or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP, 1-30 μmol) elicited robust scratching behavior, displaying an inverted-U-shaped dose-related curve. Naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, but not morphine, largely suppressed the oxidants-induced scratching. Chlorpheniramine, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist, blocked histamine but not oxidants-induced scratching, indicating the involvement of histamine-independent mechanism in oxidants-evoked itch. Further, resiniferatoxin (RTX) treatment abolished oxidants-induced scratching, suggesting an essential role of C-fibers. Notably, blockade of transient receptor potential subtype ankyryn 1 (TRPA1) by selective TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031, or genetic deletion of Trpa1 but not Trpv1 resulted in a profound reduction in H2O2-evoked scratching. Finally, systemic administration of the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E analogue) attenuated scratching induced by the oxidants. Conclusion Oxidative stress by different oxidants can induce profound scratching behavior, which is largely histamine and TRPV1-independent but TRPA1-dependent. Antioxidants and TRPA1 antagonists may be used to treat human itch conditions associated with oxidative stress.

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Excellent magnetic features make Co-based materials promising candidates as high-performance microwave absorbers. However, it is still a significant challenge for Co-based absorbers to possess high-intensity and broadband absorption simultaneously, owing to the lack of dielectric loss and impedance matching. Herein, microporous Co@C nanoparticles (NPs) with carbon shell thicknesses ranging from 1.8-4.9 nm have been successfully synthesized by dealloying CoAl@C precursors. All of the samples exhibit high microwave absorption performance. The microporous Co@C sample possessing a carbon shell of 1.8 nm exhibits the highest absorption intensity among these samples with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of -141.1 dB, whose absorption bandwidth for RL ≤ -10 dB is 7.3 GHz. As the thickness of the carbon shell increases, the absorption bandwidth of the NPs becomes wider. For the sample with the carbon shell thickness of 4.9 nm, the absorption bandwidth for RL ≤ -10 dB reaches a record high of 13.2 GHz. The outstanding microwave attenuation properties are attributed to the dielectric loss of the carbon shell, the magnetic loss of the Co core, and the cooperation of the core-shell structure and microporous morphology. The strong wideband microwave absorption of the carbon-coated microporous Co NPs highlights their potential applications in microwave absorbing systems.

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In this study, phosphotungstic acid immobilized on amine-grafted graphene oxide (GOAP) was prepared successfully by silylanization and electrostatic interaction. The obtained GOAP was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), zeta potential measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Systematic studies demonstrated that GOAP had excellent catalytic activities and robustness in the one-pot tandem deacetalization–nitroaldol reaction. The key role of the acid/base ratio in the catalytic performance of this bifunctional catalyst was also revealed by preliminary kinetic studies. This bifunctional catalyst might find promising applications in green chemistry, as it can not only reduce costs and waste by saving separation/purification steps and solvents/reagents, but also increase the yield by avoiding the separation of intermediate products.