Li-rich layered oxide cathode materials show high capacities in lithium-ion batteries owing to the contribution of the oxygen redox reaction. However, structural accommodation of this reaction usually results in O–O dimerization, leading to oxygen release and poor electrochemical performance. In this study, we propose a new structural response mechanism inhibiting O–O dimerization for the oxygen redox reaction by tuning the local symmetry around the oxygen ions. Compared with regular Li2RuO3, the structural response of the as-prepared local-symmetry-tuned Li2RuO3 to the oxygen redox reaction involves the telescopic O–Ru–O configuration rather than O–O dimerization, which inhibits oxygen release, enabling significantly enhanced cycling stability and negligible voltage decay. This discovery of the new structural response mechanism for the oxygen redox reaction will provide a new scope for the strategy of enhancing the anionic redox stability, paving unexplored pathways toward further development of high capacity Li-rich layered oxides.

Diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), acting as an endocrine disruptor, disturbed reproductive health. Here, we evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum TW1-1 ( L. plantarum TW1-1) on DEHP-induced testicular damage in adult male mice. Results showed that oral supplementation of L. plantarum TW1-1 significantly increased the serum testosterone concentration, enhanced the semen quality, and attenuated gonad development defects in DEHP-exposed mice. L. plantarum TW1-1 also alleviated DEHP-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by decreasing the mRNA expression and serum protein concentration of different inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6]. Furthermore, L. plantarum TW1-1 significantly reduced DEHP-induced intestinal hyper-permeability and the increase in the serum lipopolysaccharide level. Gut microbiota diversity analysis revealed that L. plantarum TW1-1 shifted the DEHP-disrupted gut microbiota to that of the control mice. At phylum level, L. plantarum TW1-1 reversed DEHP-induced Bacteroidetes increase and Firmicutes decrease, and restored Deferribacteres in DEHP-exposed mice. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that Bacteroidetes, Deferribacteres , and Firmicutes were associated with DEHP-induced testicular damage. In addition, the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (Firm/Bac ratio) significantly decreased from 0.28 (control group) to 0.13 (DEHP-exposed group), which was restored by L. plantarum TW1-1 treatment. Correlation analysis showed that the Firm/Bac ratio was negatively correlated with testicular damage and inflammation. These findings suggest that L. plantarum TW1-1 prevents DEHP-induced testicular damage via modulating gut microbiota and decreasing inflammation.

Some lactobacilli have protective effects against some heavy metals in mammals, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. To evaluate the remediation potency and the mechanism of Lactobacillus against chromium (Cr) in mice, Lactobacillus plantarum TW1-1 was orally administrated to Kunming mice for 7 weeks during exposure to 1 mM K2Cr2O7 in drinking water. Results showed that TW1-1 helped to decrease Cr accumulation in tissues and increase Cr excretion in feces, and may also attenuate alterations in oxidative stress and histopathological changes caused by Cr exposure. Moreover, the chromate reduction ability of fecal bacteria doubled after administration of TW1-1 upon Cr induction. MiSeq sequencing of fecal bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed that the overall structures of gut microbiota was shifted by Cr exposure and partially restored by TW1-1. The abundances of 49 of the 79 operational taxonomic units altered by Cr were reversed by TW1-1. Based on these, we proposed a working model of TW1-1 against Cr: TW1-1 helps to remove Cr from the host and meanwhile acts as a regulator of gut microbiota, which aids in chromate reduction and provide protection against Cr. We call this process of remediation of heavy metal in the gut “gut remediation”.

Prussian blue and its analogues (PBAs) have been proposed as promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to high theoretical capacity and low cost, but they often suffer from poor electronic conductivity and structural instability. Herein, a stepwise hollow cubic framework structure is first designed and a hybridized hierarchical film synthesized from single‐crystal PBA nanoframes/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite is demonstrated as a binder‐free ultrahigh rate sodium ion cathode. This hierarchical configuration offers improved tolerance for lattice expansion, reduced sodium ion diffusion path, enhanced electronic conductivity, and optimized redox reactions, thereby achieving the excellent rate capability, high specific capacity, and long cycle life. As expected, the developed FeHCFe nanoframes/CNTs electrode film exhibits a super high rate capacity of 149.2 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and 35.0 mAh g−1 at 100C. Moreover, it displays an excellent cycling stability with about 92% capacity retention at 5C after 500 cycles. This work will pave a new way to engineer advanced electrode materials for ultrahigh rate SIBs.

Endogenous heterojunction of 2D MXenes with unique structure shows inspiring potential in energy applications, which is impeded by complex synthesis method and finite MAX materials. Herein, an in situ hydrothermal strategy is implemented to successfully synthesize unique endogenous hetero‐MXenes of amorphous MoS2 coupling with fluoride‐free Mo2CTx (hetero‐Mo2C) directly from Mo2Ga2C MAX. The distinctive morphology and heterojunction structure caused by the introduction of MoS2 endow the hetero‐MXenes with extraordinary structural stability and optimized Li+ storage mechanism with improved charge transport and lithium ion adsorption capabilities. As a result, hetero‐Mo2C exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with a high discharge specific capacity of 1242 mAh g‐1 at 0.1 A g−1 and long cycle stability of 683.9 mAh g−1 after 1200 cycling. This work provides new insights into rational design of novel MXenes heterojunctions, practically important for the development of MXenes and their applications in high‐performance energy storage systems.

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