Supercritically exfoliated Bi2Se3 nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production by topological surface states over TiO2

Strong interaction between plasmon and topological surface state in Bi2Se3/Cu2-xS nanowires for solar-driven photothermal applications

Developing high-performance photothermal materials and unraveling the underlying mechanism are essential for photothermal applications. Here, photothermal performance improved by strong interaction between plasmon and topological surface state (TSS) is demonstrated in Bi2Se3/Cu2-xS nanowires. This hybrid, which Cu2-xS nanosheets were grown on Bi2Se3 nanowires, leverages the plasmon resonance and TSS-induced optical property, generating wide and efficient light absorption. A series of tests reveals the strong resonance coupling, TSS-induced hot electron injection, and plasmon-induced hot hole relaxation within the hybrids, endowing the Bi2Se3/Cu2-xS with excellent photothermal performance. By integrating the hybrids into a hydrogel with a thermoelectric module, the Bi2Se3/Cu2-xS evaporator achieves a remarkable water evaporation rate of 3.67 kilograms per square meter per hour with a solar-to-vapor efficiency of 95.2%, and a maximum output power of 1.078 watts per square meter under simulated sunlight irradiation. Moreover, a conical mirror was introduced to the device, which greatly enhances the evaporation rate and maximum output power without additional energy input.

Exploring the electrochemical performance of layered Bi2Se3 hexagonal platelets as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries

The escalating need for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their expanding range of applications in our daily lives, has led to a surge in interest in metal selenides as potential anode materials. Among them, Bi2Se3 stands out as a promising anode material for LIBs due to its unique layered structure. Herein, we explored hexagonally structured layered Bi2Se3 platelets synthesized using the solvothermal method. The electrochemical performance of these platelets in LIBs was thoroughly examined, revealing an impressive initial discharge specific capacity of 556 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and a coulombic efficiency of 66.5%. Improved cycling stability, rate performance, and discharge voltage profile at various current densities were observed. The plateaus observed during the charge/discharge profile were clearly illustrated by the CV results. The reaction kinetics indicated that both ion diffusion and pseudo-capacitance behavior are crucial for the observed high electrochemical performance. Moreover, the hexagonal Bi2Se3 platelets exhibited a high ion-diffusion coefficient of 1.8 × 10-13 cm2 s-1 and a charge transfer impedance of 23 Ω post-cycling. Furthermore, the crystal structure, lattice vibrational bonding, and surface morphology of Bi2Se3 were explored using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was utilized for identifying the functional groups, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to identify the elemental composition and oxidation states of Bi2Se3.

COF-Topological Quantum Material Nano-heterostructure for CO2 to Syngas Production under Visible Light

Efficient solar-driven syngas production (CO+H2 mixture) from CO2 and H2O with a suitable photocatalyst and fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism are the desired approach towards the carbon recycling process. Herein, we report the design and development of an unique COF-topological quantum material nano-heterostructure, COF@TI with a newly synthesized donor-acceptor based COF and two dimensional (2D) nanosheets of strong topological insulator (TI), PbBi2Te4. The intrinsic robust metallic surfaces of the TI act as electron reservoir, minimising the fast electron-hole recombination process, and the presence of 6s2 lone pairs in Pb2+ and Bi3+ in the TI helps for efficient CO2 binding, which are responsible for boosting overall catalytic activity. In variable ratio of acetonitrile-water (MeCN : H2O) solvent mixture COF@TI produces syngas with different ratios of CO and H2. COF@TI nano-heterostructure enables to produce higher amount of syngas with more controllable ratios of CO and H2 compared to pristine COF. The electron transfer route from COF to TI was realized from Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) analysis, charge density difference calculation, excited state lifetime and photoelectrochemical measurements. Finally, a probable mechanistic pathway has been established after identifying the catalytic sites and reaction intermediates by in situ DRIFTS study and DFT calculation.

Synthesis of novel liquid phase exfoliation of chitosan/Bi2Se3 hybrid nanocomposites for in-vitro wound healing

Numerous studies have recently established the potential of chitosan (Chi) to enhance wound healing. Chi is a carbohydrate biopolymer that is biocompatible, low-cost, toxic-free, and has excellent antibacterial properties. In this study, we synthesized Chi/Bi2Se3 hybrid nanocomposites (NCs) using a liquid exfoliation approach. The physicochemical characterization of the hybrid NCs was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared, Thermogravimetric, Scanning electron microscope, and Transmission electron microscope. The antibacterial ability has been investigated versus two pathogens, S. aureus and E. coli. In comparison to bare materials, the hybrid NCs demonstrated better antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains. As a result, the electrostatic attraction of positively charged Chi can easily attract the negatively charged surface of the bacteria cell membrane and NCs generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This ROS can attack bacteria's intracellular components and eventually kill bacteria. The biocompatibility of the Chi/Bi2Se3 NCs was evaluated against L929 mice fibroblast cells, and there was no evident cytotoxicity. Furthermore, an in-vitro wound scratch test was carried out on L929 mouse fibroblast cells and the Chi/Bi2Se3 hybrid NCs promote wound healing and cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the Chi/Bi2Se3 hybrid NCs as a promising future material for bacteria-infected in-vivo wound healing.

Advances in the two-dimensional layer materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment: unique advantages beyond the microsphere

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) layer materials have shown great potential in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their unique structural, electronic, and chemical properties. These non-spherical materials have attracted increasing attention around the world because of its widely used biological characteristics. The application of 2D layer materials like lamellar graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and black phosphorus (BPs) and so on have been developed for CT/MRI imaging, serum biosensing, drug targeting delivery, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy. These unique applications for tumor are due to the multi-variable synthesis of 2D materials and the structural characteristics of good ductility different from microsphere. Based on the above considerations, the application of 2D materials in cancer is mainly carried out in the following three aspects: 1) In terms of accurate and rapid screening of tumor patients, we will focus on the enrichment of serum markers and sensitive signal transformation of 2D materials; 2) The progress of 2D nanomaterials in tumor MRI and CT imaging was described by comparing the performance of traditional contrast agents; 3) In the most important aspect, we will focus on the progress of 2D materials in the field of precision drug delivery and collaborative therapy, such as photothermal ablation, sonodynamic therapy, chemokinetic therapy, etc. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in the application of 2D layer materials for tumor diagnosis and treatment, and emphasizes the performance difference between 2D materials and other types of nanoparticles (mainly spherical). With further research and development, these multifunctional layer materials hold great promise in the prospects, and challenges of 2D materials development are discussed.

Construction of Bouquet-like Bi2Se3/Bi2O3@Bi Composites with High Interfacial Charge Separation for the Degradation of Atrazine

Using low-density solar energy in the environment and converting it into chemical energy that can drive the degradation of organic pollutants is considered to be a very promising strategy for solving the problem of environmental pollution. The efficacy of photocatalytic destruction of organic contaminants is nonetheless constrained by the high composite rate of photogenic carriers, insufficient light absorption and utilization impact, and sluggish charge transfer rate. In this work, we created a new type of heterojunction photocatalyst with a spherical Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂O₃@Bi core-shell structure and investigated its degrading properties of organic pollutants in the environment. Interestingly, benefiting from the fast electron transfer capability of the Bi⁰ electron bridge, the charge separation and transfer efficiency between Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂O₃ is greatly improved. In this photocatalyst, Bi₂Se₃ not only has a photothermal effect to speed up the process of photocatalytic reaction, but also has fast electrical conductivity of topological materials at the surface, which speeds up the transmission efficiency of photogenic carriers. As expected, the removal performance of the Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂O₃@Bi photocatalyst to atrazine is 4.2 and 5.7 times higher than that of the original Bi₂Se₃ and Bi₂O₃. Meanwhile, the best samples Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂O₃@Bi showed 98.7%, 97.8%, 69.4%, 90.6%, 91.2%, 77.2%, 97.7%, and 98.9% removal of ATZ, 2,4-DCP, SMZ, KP, CIP, CBZ, OTC-HCl, and RhB, and 56.8%, 59.1%, 34.6%, 34.5%, 37.1%, 73.9%, and 78.4% mineralization. Through characterization such as XPS and electrochemical workstations, it is proved that the photocatalytic properties of Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂O₃@Bi catalysts are far superior to other materials, and a suitable photocatalytic mechanism is proposed. A novel form of bismuth-based compound photocatalyst is anticipated to be produced as a result of this research in order to address the increasingly critical problem of environmental water pollution in addition to presenting fresh avenues for the creation of adaptable nanomaterials for additional environmental applications.