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Wang W, Zhou T, Yang Y, Du L, Xia R, Shang C, Phillips DL, Guo Z. Sub-Band Assisted Z-Scheme for Effective Non-Sacrificial H 2O 2 Photosynthesis. Small 2024:e2312022. [PMID: 38698610 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202312022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Photosynthesis of H2O2 from earth-abundant O2 and H2O molecules offers an eco-friendly route for solar-to-chemical conversion. The persistent challenge is to tune the photo-/thermo- dynamics of a photocatalyst toward efficient electron-hole separation while maintaining an effective driving force for charge transfer. Such a case is achieved here by way of a synergetic strategy of sub-band-assisted Z-Scheme for effective H2O2 photosynthesis via direct O2 reduction and H2O oxidation without a sacrificial agent. The optimized SnS2/g-C3N4 heterojunction shows a high reactivity of 623.0 µmol g-1 h-1 for H2O2 production under visible-light irradiation (λ > 400 nm) in pure water, ≈6 times higher than pristine g-C3N4 (100.5 µmol g-1 h-1). Photodynamic characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that the enhanced photoactivity is due to a markedly promoted lifetime of trapped active electrons (204.9 ps in the sub-band and >2.0 ns in a shallow band) and highly improved O2 activation, as a result of the formation of a suitable sub-band and catalytic sites along with a low Gibbs-free energy for charge transfer. Moreover, the Z-Scheme heterojunction creates and sustains a large driving force for O2 and H2O conversion to high value-added H2O2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- School of New Energy, Nanjing University of Science & Technology, Jiangyin, 214443, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Yang
- Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hangzhou, 311305, P. R. China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Ruiqin Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Congxiao Shang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - David Lee Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhengxiao Guo
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, P. R. China
- Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hangzhou, 311305, P. R. China
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2
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Liu L, Yung KF, Yang H, Liu B. Emerging single-atom catalysts in the detection and purification of contaminated gases. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6285-6313. [PMID: 38699256 PMCID: PMC11062113 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01030b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Single atom catalysts (SACs) show exceptional molecular adsorption and electron transfer capabilities owing to their remarkable atomic efficiency and tunable electronic structure, thereby providing promising solutions for diverse important processes including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, thermal catalysis, etc. Consequently, SACs hold great potential in the detection and degradation of pollutants present in contaminated gases. Over the past few years, SACs have made remarkable achievements in the field of contaminated gas detection and purification. In this review, we first provide a concise introduction to the significance and urgency of gas detection and pollutant purification, followed by a comprehensive overview of the structural feature identification methods for SACs. Subsequently, we systematically summarize the three key properties of SACs for detecting contaminated gases and discuss the research progress made in utilizing SACs to purify polluted gases. Finally, we analyze the enhancement mechanism and advantages of SACs in polluted gas detection and purification, and propose strategies to address challenges and expedite the development of SACs in polluted gas detection and purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyue Liu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong China
| | - Ka-Fu Yung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong China
| | - Hongbin Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology Suzhou 215009 China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR 999007 China
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Institute of Clean Energy & Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR 999077 China
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3
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Yue L, Yu M, Li X, Shen Y, Wu Y, Fa C, Li N, Xu J. Wide Temperature Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries: Solvation Chemistry and Interfacial Reactions. Small Methods 2024:e2400183. [PMID: 38647122 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Improving the wide-temperature operation of rechargeable batteries is crucial for boosting the adoption of electric vehicles and further advancing their application scope in harsh environments like deep ocean and space probes. Herein, recent advances in electrolyte solvation chemistry are critically summarized, aiming to address the long-standing challenge of notable energy diminution at sub-zero temperatures and rapid capacity degradation at elevated temperatures (>45°C). This review provides an in-depth analysis of the fundamental mechanisms governing the Li-ion transport process, illustrating how these insights have been effectively harnessed to synergize with high-capacity, high-rate electrodes. Another critical part highlights the interplay between solvation chemistry and interfacial reactions, as well as the stability of the resultant interphases, particularly in batteries employing ultrahigh-nickel layered oxides as cathodes and high-capacity Li/Si materials as anodes. The detailed examination reveals how these factors are pivotal in mitigating the rapid capacity fade, thereby ensuring a long cycle life, superior rate capability, and consistent high-/low-temperature performance. In the latter part, a comprehensive summary of in situ/operational analysis is presented. This holistic approach, encompassing innovative electrolyte design, interphase regulation, and advanced characterization, offers a comprehensive roadmap for advancing battery technology in extreme environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Yue
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Manqing Yu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xiangrong Li
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yinlin Shen
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yingru Wu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Chang Fa
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jijian Xu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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4
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McIlroy SE, Guibert I, Archana A, Chung WYH, Duffy JE, Gotama R, Hui J, Knowlton N, Leray M, Meyer C, Panagiotou G, Paulay G, Russell B, Thompson PD, Baker DM. Life goes on: Spatial heterogeneity promotes biodiversity in an urbanized coastal marine ecosystem. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17248. [PMID: 38581126 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Both human populations and marine biodiversity are concentrated along coastlines, with growing conservation interest in how these ecosystems can survive intense anthropogenic impacts. Tropical urban centres provide valuable research opportunities because these megacities are often adjacent to mega-diverse coral reef systems. The Pearl River Delta is a prime exemplar, as it encompasses one of the most densely populated and impacted regions in the world and is located just northwest of the Coral Triangle. However, the spatial and taxonomic complexity of this biodiversity, most of which is small, cryptic in habitat and poorly known, make comparative analyses challenging. We deployed standardized settlement structures at seven sites differing in the intensity of human impacts and used COI metabarcoding to characterize benthic biodiversity, with a focus on metazoans. We found a total of 7184 OTUs, with an average of 665 OTUs per sampling unit; these numbers exceed those observed in many previous studies using comparable methods, despite the location of our study in an urbanized environment. Beta diversity was also high, with 52% of the OTUs found at just one site. As expected, we found that the sites close to point sources of pollution had substantially lower diversity (44% less) relative to sites bathed in less polluted oceanic waters. However, the polluted sites contributed substantially to the total animal diversity of the region, with 25% of all OTUs occurring only within polluted sites. Further analysis of Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca showed that phylogenetic clustering within a site was common, suggesting that environmental filtering reduced biodiversity to a subset of lineages present within the region, a pattern that was most pronounced in polluted sites and for the Arthropoda. The water quality gradients surrounding the PRD highlight the unique role of in situ studies for understanding the impacts of complex urbanization pressures on biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby E McIlroy
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Isis Guibert
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Anand Archana
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Wing Yi Haze Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - J Emmett Duffy
- MarineGEO Program and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, USA
| | - Rinaldi Gotama
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
- Indo Ocean Project, Banjar Adegan Kawan, Desa Ped, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Jerome Hui
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Nancy Knowlton
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Matthieu Leray
- MarineGEO Program and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Panama City, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama
| | - Chris Meyer
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Department of Microbiome Dynamics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knoell-Institute, Jena, Germany
- Friedrich Schiller University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Jena, Germany
- Department of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gustav Paulay
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Bayden Russell
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Philip D Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - David M Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
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Man P, Jiang S, Leung KH, Lai KH, Guang Z, Chen H, Huang L, Chen T, Gao S, Peng YK, Lee CS, Deng Q, Zhao J, Ly TH. Salt-Induced High-Density Vacancy-Rich 2D MoS 2 for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2304808. [PMID: 37505096 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Emerging non-noble metal 2D catalysts, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), hold great promise in hydrogen evolution reactions. The sulfur vacancy is recognized as a key defect type that can activate the inert basal plane to improve the catalytic performance. Unfortunately, the method of introducing sulfur vacancies is limited and requires costly post-treatment processes. Here, a novel salt-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is demonstrated for synthesizing ultrahigh-density vacancy-rich 2H-MoS2, with a controllable sulfur vacancy density of up to 3.35 × 1014 cm-2. This approach involves a pre-sprayed potassium chloridepromoter on the growth substrate. The generation of such defects is closely related to ion adsorption in the growth process, the unstable MoS2-K-H2O triggers the formation of sulfur vacancies during the subsequent transfer process, and it is more controllable and nondestructive when compared to traditional post-treatment methods. The vacancy-rich monolayer MoS2 exhibits exceptional catalytic activity based on the microcell measurements, with an overpotential of ≈158.8 mV (100 mA cm-2) and a Tafel slope of 54.3 mV dec-1 in 0.5 m H2SO4 electrolyte. These results indicate a promising opportunity for modulating sulfur vacancy defects in MoS2 using salt-assisted CVD growth. This approach represents a significant leap toward achieving better control over the catalytic performances of 2D materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Man
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Ka Ho Leung
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Ka Hei Lai
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Guang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Honglin Chen
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Lingli Huang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Tianren Chen
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Shan Gao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Yung-Kang Peng
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Chun-Sing Lee
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Qingming Deng
- Physics department and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Chemistry of Low-Dimensional Materials, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaian, 223300, P. R. China
| | - Jiong Zhao
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
| | - Thuc Hue Ly
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry Center of Super-Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
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6
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Liu IC, Hu X, Fei B, Lee C, Fan S, Xin JH, Noor N. Fluorine-free nanoparticle coatings on cotton fabric: comparing the UV-protective and hydrophobic capabilities of silica vs. silica-ZnO nanostructures. RSC Adv 2024; 14:4301-4314. [PMID: 38304558 PMCID: PMC10828638 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08835a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Robust, hydrophobic woven cotton fabrics were obtained through the sol-gel dip coating of two different nanoparticle (NP) architectures; silica and silica-ZnO. Water repellency values as high as 148° and relatively low tilt angles for fibrous fabrics (12°) were observed, without the need for fluorinated components. In all cases, this enhanced functionality was achieved with the broad retention of water vapor permeability characteristics, i.e., less than 10% decrease. NP formation routes indicated direct bonding interactions in both the silica and silica-ZnO structures. The physico-chemical effects of NP-compatibilizer (i.e., polydimethoxysilane (PDMS) and n-octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) at different ratios) coatings on cotton fibres indicate that compatibilizer-NP interactions are predominantly physical. Whenever photoactive ZnO-containing additives were used, there was a minor decrease in hydrophobic character, but order of magnitude increases in UV-protective capability (i.e., UPF > 384); properties which were absent in non-ZnO-containing samples. Such water repellency and UPF capabilities were stable to both laundering and UV-exposure, resisting the commonly encountered UV-induced wettability transitions associated with photoactive ZnO. These results suggest that ZnO-containing silica NP coatings on cotton can confer both excellent and persistent surface hydrophobicity as well as UV-protective capability, with potential uses in wearables and functional textiles applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene ChaoYun Liu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - Xin Hu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - Bin Fei
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chenghao Lee
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - Suju Fan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - John H Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
| | - Nuruzzaman Noor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Fashion and Textiles, Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab Hung Hom Kowloon Hong Kong SAR
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Wang H, Zhai T, Wu Y, Zhou T, Zhou B, Shang C, Guo Z. High-Valence Oxides for High Performance Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023:e2301706. [PMID: 37253121 PMCID: PMC10401147 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Valence tuning of transition metal oxides is an effective approach to design high-performance catalysts, particularly for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) that underpins solar/electric water splitting and metal-air batteries. Recently, high-valence oxides (HVOs) are reported to show superior OER performance, in association with the fundamental dynamics of charge transfer and the evolution of the intermediates. Particularly considered are the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and the lattice oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM). High-valence states enhance the OER performance mainly by optimizing the eg -orbital filling, promoting the charge transfer between the metal d band and oxygen p band. Moreover, HVOs usually show an elevated O 2p band, which triggers the lattice oxygen as the redox center and enacts the efficient LOM pathway to break the "scaling" limitation of AEM. In addition, oxygen vacancies, induced by the overall charge-neutrality, also promote the direct oxygen coupling in LOM. However, the synthesis of HVOs suffers from relatively large thermodynamic barrier, which makes their preparation difficult. Hence, the synthesis strategies of the HVOs are discussed to guide further design of the HVO electrocatalysts. Finally, further challenges and perspectives are outlined for potential applications in energy conversion and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
- Green Catalysis Center, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Tingting Zhai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
| | - Binbin Zhou
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Congxiao Shang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
| | - Zhengxiao Guo
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hangzhou, 311300, China
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8
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Deng Y, Fu Y, Chua SL, Khoo BL. Biofilm Potentiates Cancer-Promoting Effects of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in a 3D Multi-Faceted Tumor Model. Small 2023; 19:e2205904. [PMID: 36748304 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), influence tumor progression. The specific polarization and phenotypic transition of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment lead to two-pronged impacts that can promote or hinder cancer development and treatment. Here, a novel microfluidic multi-faceted bladder tumor model (TAMPIEB ) is developed incorporating TAMs and cancer cells to evaluate the impact of bacterial distribution on immunomodulation within the tumor microenvironment in vivo. It is demonstrated for the first time that biofilm-induced inflammatory conditions within tumors promote the transition of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory M1-like to an anti-inflammatory/pro-tumor M2-like state. Consequently, multiple roles and mechanisms by which biofilms promote cancer by inducing pro-tumor phenotypic switch of TAMs are identified, including cancer hallmarks such as reducing susceptibility to apoptosis, enhancing cell viability, and promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Furthermore, biofilms formed by extratumoral bacteria can shield tumors from immune attack by TAMs, which can be visualized through various imaging assays in situ. The study sheds light on the underlying mechanism of biofilm-mediated inflammation on tumor progression and provides new insights into combined anti-biofilm therapy and immunotherapy strategies in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Yatian Fu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Center for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE), Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Song Lin Chua
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Food Biological Safety Control, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, Kowloon, 999077, China
| | - Bee Luan Khoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Center for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE), Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen-Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
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9
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Hemraj DA, Bishop MJ, Hancock B, Minuti JJ, Thurstan RH, Zu Ermgassen PSE, Russell BD. Oyster reef restoration fails to recoup global historic ecosystem losses despite substantial biodiversity gain. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabp8747. [PMID: 36417529 PMCID: PMC9683697 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abp8747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have led to degradation of ecosystems globally. The lost ecosystem functions and services accumulate from the time of disturbance to the full recovery of the ecosystem and can be quantified as a "recovery debt," providing a valuable tool to develop better restoration practices that accelerate recovery and limit losses. Here, we quantified the recovery of faunal biodiversity and abundance toward a predisturbed state following structural restoration of oyster habitats globally. We found that while restoration initiates a rapid increase in biodiversity and abundance of reef-associated species within 2 years, recovery rate then decreases substantially, leaving a global shortfall in recovery of 35% below a predisturbed state. While efficient restoration methods boost recovery and minimize recovery shortfalls, the time to full recovery is yet to be quantified. Therefore, potential future coastal development should weigh up not only the instantaneous damage to ecosystem functions but also the potential for generational loss of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deevesh A. Hemraj
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Melanie J. Bishop
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Boze Hancock
- The Nature Conservancy, C/O URI Graduate School of Oceanography, 215 South Ferry Rd., Narragansett, RI, USA
| | - Jay J. Minuti
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruth H. Thurstan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Philine S. E. Zu Ermgassen
- Changing Oceans Group, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, James Hutton Rd, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
| | - Bayden D. Russell
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
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10
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Abstract
We evaluate the efficacy of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to locate wild populations and estimate the population size of the endangered big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) in Hong Kong. The results from this study are important for identifying priority sites for protection and further research. Additionally, we assess the impact of two environmental variables (temperature and pH) on eDNA quantity. We surveyed 34 streams for three years, sampling four times each year. Four new populations were first identified with eDNA analysis, and then verified by field surveys. Our multi-year survey highlights that eDNA detection can be inconsistent over time, even in streams with known populations. There was no significant relationship between eDNA quantity and the environmental variables tested. Lastly, our results suggest that eDNA methods remain promising to estimate population size, since number of positive detections were positively correlated with population size in streams with known populations. We conclude that eDNA methods are powerful, but care must be taken when interpreting field results as they are affected by species ecology and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yik-Hei Sung
- Science Unit, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China
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11
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Gao J, Wang C, Han DW, Shin DM. Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes as a key jigsaw piece for next-generation battery applications. Chem Sci 2021; 12:13248-13272. [PMID: 34777744 PMCID: PMC8528010 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04023e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
As lithium-ion batteries have been the state-of-the-art electrochemical energy storage technology, the overwhelming demand for energy storage on a larger scale has triggered the development of next-generation battery technologies possessing high energy density, longer cycle lives, and enhanced safety. However, commercial liquid electrolytes have been plagued by safety issues due to their flammability and instability in contact with electrodes. Efforts have focused on developing such electrolytes by covalently immobilizing anionic groups onto a polymer backbone, which only allows Li+ cations to be mobile through the polymer matrix. Such ion-selective polymers provide many advantages over binary ionic conductors in battery operation, such as minimization of cell polarization and dendrite growth. In this review, the design, synthesis, fabrication, and class are reviewed to give insight into the physicochemical properties of single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes. The standard characterization method and remarkable electrochemical properties are further highlighted, and perspectives on current challenges and future directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Gao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam 999077 Hong Kong China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam 999077 Hong Kong China
| | - Dong-Wook Han
- Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University Busan 46241 Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Myeong Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam 999077 Hong Kong China
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12
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Lu H, Huang F, Guo H. Differential Removal of Nanoparticles on the Surface of a Thin Film Substrate. ACS Omega 2021; 6:16280-16287. [PMID: 34235298 PMCID: PMC8246473 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purposeful identification, selection, and collection of particles are of great significance in environmental research. Microscopy is the common technique used in previous studies of particle identification. However, the microscopic technique was intricate and time-consuming. To conduct an intensive analysis of targeted particles, there is a need for the development of a simple method that can differentially abandon the nontargeted particles and only retain the targeted particles on the surface of a substrate. In the study, three methods were attempted for differential removal of nontargeted nanoparticles on the surface, including air jet, nanobubble, and ultrasonic methods. Acidic particles were taken as the targeted particles, while nonacidic particles were regarded as nontargeted particles. The results showed that regardless of methods, acidic particles were retained on the surface due to the strong particle-surface interaction. As for nonacidic particles, air jet treatment and nanobubble treatment were not able to completely remove nonacidic particles from the surface with the removal efficiencies of 5.1 ± 3.4 and 89.3 ± 4.1%, respectively, while the nonacidic particles were entirely removed in the ultrasonic treatment. Ethanol rather than deionized (DI) water was the proper solution in the ultrasonic treatment to avoid contamination. In conclusion, ultrasonic by ethanol was fully efficient for differential removal of nonacidic particles on the surface. The principle of differential removal of particles is the differences in the particle-surface interaction force between nonacidic particles (i.e., physically attached particles) and acidic particles (i.e., chemically formed particles). Nonacidic particles are removed from the surface through cavitation to form bubbles in the gap between a nonacidic particle and the surface in the ultrasonic treatment. In contrast, the space between an acidic particle and the surface is filled by the reaction, and thus bubbles cannot enter the crevice to remove the acidic particle. The developed method is useful for aerosol research.
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13
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Wang Y, Chan KL, Abdel-Rahman MA, Sonomoto K, Leu SY. Dynamic simulation of continuous mixed sugar fermentation with increasing cell retention time for lactic acid production using Enterococcus mundtii QU 25. Biotechnol Biofuels 2020; 13:112. [PMID: 32607127 PMCID: PMC7318410 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01752-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The simultaneous and effective conversion of both pentose and hexose in fermentation is a critical and challenging task toward the lignocellulosic economy. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of an innovative co-fermentation process featuring with a cell recycling unit (CF/CR) for mixed sugar utilization. A l-lactic acid-producing strain Enterococcus mundtii QU 25 was applied in the continuous fermentation process, and the mixed sugars were utilized at different productivities after the flowing conditions were changed. A mathematical model was constructed with the experiments to optimize the biological process and clarify the cell metabolism through kinetics analysis. The structured model, kinetic parameters, and achievement of the fermentation strategy shall provide new insights toward whole sugar fermentation via real-time monitoring for process control and optimization. RESULTS Significant carbon catabolite repression in co-fermentation using a glucose/xylose mixture was overcome by replacing glucose with cellobiose, and the ratio of consumed pentose to consumed hexose increased significantly from 0.096 to 0.461 by mass. An outstanding product concentration of 65.2 g L-1 and productivity of 13.03 g L-1 h-1 were achieved with 50 g L-1 cellobiose and 30 g L-1 xylose at an optimized dilution rate of 0.2 h-1, and the cell retention time gradually increased. Among the total lactic acid production, xylose contributed to more than 34% of the mixed sugars, which was close to the related contents in agricultural residuals. The model successfully simulated the transition of sugar consumption, cell growth, and lactic acid production among the batch, continuous process, and CF/CR systems. CONCLUSION Cell retention time played a critical role in balancing pentose and hexose consumption, cell decay, and lactic acid production in the CF/CR process. With increasing cell concentration, consumption of mixed sugars increased with the productivity of the final product; hence, the impact of substrate inhibition was reduced. With the validated parameters, the model showed the highest accuracy simulating the CF/CR process, and significantly longer cell retention times compared to hydraulic retention time were tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Biological Science, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610101 Sichuan China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ka-Lai Chan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Mohamed Ali Abdel-Rahman
- Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi‐ku, Fukuoka, Japan
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, PN:11884, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kenji Sonomoto
- Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Division of Systems Bioengineering, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi‐ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shao-Yuan Leu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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14
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Chen J, McIlroy SE, Archana A, Baker DM, Panagiotou G. A pollution gradient contributes to the taxonomic, functional, and resistome diversity of microbial communities in marine sediments. Microbiome 2019; 7:104. [PMID: 31307536 PMCID: PMC6632204 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coastal marine environments are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. However, anthropogenic impacts exert significant pressure on coastal marine biodiversity, contributing to functional shifts in microbial communities and human health risk factors. However, relatively little is known about the impact of eutrophication-human-derived nutrient pollution-on the marine microbial biosphere. RESULTS Here, we tested the hypothesis that benthic microbial diversity and function varies along a pollution gradient, with a focus on human pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. Comprehensive metagenomic analysis including taxonomic investigation, functional detection, and ARG annotation revealed that zinc, lead, total volatile solids, and ammonia nitrogen were correlated with microbial diversity and function. We propose several microbes, including Planctomycetes and sulfate-reducing microbes as candidates to reflect pollution concentration. Annotation of antibiotic resistance genes showed that the highest abundance of efflux pumps was found at the most polluted site, corroborating the relationship between pollution and human health risk factors. This result suggests that sediments at polluted sites harbor microbes with a higher capacity to reduce intracellular levels of antibiotics, heavy metals, or other environmental contaminants. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a correlation between pollution and the marine sediment microbiome and provide insight into the role of high-turnover microbial communities as well as potential pathogenic organisms as real-time indicators of water quality, with implications for human health and demonstrate the inner functional shifts contributed by the microcommunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Chen
- Systems Biology & Bioinformatics Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shelby E McIlroy
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anand Archana
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David M Baker
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, Jena, 07745, Germany.
- Department of Microbiology Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Systems Biology & Bioinformatics Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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15
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Leung KMY, Merrington G, Warne MSJ, Wenning RJ, Wu F. The good, the bad, and the ugly of environmental quality benchmarks: EQSPAE-2016 dedicated to Dr. Peter Michael Chapman (1951-2017). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018; 25:3038-3042. [PMID: 29299862 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-1056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M Y Leung
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Graham Merrington
- WCA Environment Limited, Brunel House Volunteer Way, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7YR, UK
| | - Michael St J Warne
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Ryton Gardens, Wolston Lane, Coventry, CV8 3LG, UK
| | | | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment and State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Lake Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
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