IrOx electrodes were fabricated by cyclic thermal heating and water quenching (CHQ) process and high temperature carbonate oxidation (HCO), respectively. By examining the E-pH relationship, response rate, potential drift behavior of the fabricated electrodes, the electrodes prepared by CHQ process seemed to show better comprehensive performance. Characterization tests such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the fabricated IrOx electrodes and find out the reason for the better performance of the electrodes prepared by CHQ process. Morphology tests indicate that the CHQ electrode shows a multi-layer structure with more ion channels, which could provide larger surface area for the H+ response process. Furthermore, combining the XPS, Raman and EIS tests etc., more effective response composition, better crystal quality, and smaller response reaction resistance of surface IrOx film could account for the better performance of the CHQ-fabricated IrOx electrode. The film formation process, H+ response mechanism, as well as the response behavior difference between the two kinds of the electrodes are further elaborated.
Abstract Ferromagnetic semiconductors with luminescent effects provide a unique platform for studying magneto-electric-optical multifunctional devices. However, little is known about such materials with spin ordering well above room temperature. By using a unique high-pressure annealing method, a Cr and Fe disordered perovskite oxide SrCr 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 2.875 (SCFO) with a simple cubic structure was prepared. Magnetic measurements demonstrated the ferromagnetic behavior with a spin ordering temperature as high as 600 K. In contrast to metallic SrCrO 3 and SrFeO 3 , SCFO, with a moderate oxygen deficiency, is a direct bandgap semiconductor with an energy gap of 2.28 eV, which is within the visible light region. As a consequence, SCFO displays a green fluorescent effect arising from the d–p bonding and anti-bonding states. Moreover, the photoluminescence intensity can be tuned by a magnetic field. This work opens up a new avenue for research on room-temperature multifunctional materials with coupled magnetic, electrical, and optical performance.
TiO2 nanorod arrays (TiO2 NRAs) sensitized with CdS nanoparticles were fabricated via successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR), and TiO2 NRAs were obtained by oxidizing Ti NRAs obtained through oblique angle deposition. The TiO2 NRAs decorated with CdS nanoparticles exhibited excellent photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties under visible light, and the one decorated with 20 SILAR cycles CdS nanoparticles shows the best performance. This can be attributed to the enhanced separation of electrons and holes by forming heterojunctions of CdS nanoparticles and TiO2 NRAs. This provides a promising way to fabricate the material for solar energy conversion and wastewater degradation.
Nanostructured titanium nitride (TiN) films with varying porosity were prepared by the oblique angle deposition technique (OAD). The porosity of films increases as the deposition angle becomes larger. The film obtained at an incident angle of 85° exhibits the best catalytic activity and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This could be attributed to its largest contact area with the electrolyte. An effective approach is thus proposed to fabricate TiN nanostructure as H2O2 sensor by OAD.
Significance Dysfunction of Na v 1.5, the primary cardiac Na v channel, is associated with multiple arrhythmia syndromes, exemplified by type 3 long QT syndrome (LQT3) and Brugada syndrome (BrS). Establishment of the structure-function relationship and mechanistic understanding of the disease variants will facilitate the development of antiarrhythmic drugs. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of human Na v 1.5-E1784K, the most common variant shared by LQT3 and BrS. Structural mapping of 91 LQT3-associated mutations reveal a hotspot that involves the fast inactivation segments. The high density of LQT3 mutation sites in this region can be reasonably interpreted by the “door wedge” model for fast inactivation, which was derived from our previous structural observations and is supported by a wealth of functional characterizations.
A compound with metallic electrical conductivity usually has a considerable total thermal conductivity because both electrons and photons contribute to thermal transport. Here, we show an exceptional example of iridium oxide, Bi3Ir3O11, that concurrently displays metallic electrical conductivity and ultralow thermal conductivity approaching 0.61 W m-1 K-1 at 300 K. The compound crystallizes into a cubic structural framework with space group Pn-3. The edge- and corner-sharing IrO6 octahedra with a mixed Ir4.33+ charge state favor metallic electrical transport. Bi3Ir3O11 exhibits an extremely low lattice thermal conductivity close to the minimum limit in theory owing to its tunnel-like structure with filled heavy atoms Bi rattling inside. Theoretical calculations reveal the underlying mechanisms for the extraordinary compatibility between metallic electrical conductivity and ultralow thermal conductivity. This study may establish a new avenue for designing and developing unprecedented heat-insulation metals.
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