Novel copper-based and pH-sensitive nanomedicine for enhanced chemodynamic therapy

We utilized albumin as reducing agent to establish a novel pH-sensitive nanocarrier with abundant Cu⁺, which can encapsulate HDAC inhibitor vorinostat to form uniform V-CuNPs for synergistic chromatin remodelling and chemodynamic therapy.

Thermo-Photocatalysis: Environmental and Energy Applications

Catalysis is an integral part of a majority of chemical operations focused on the generation of value-added chemicals or fuels. Similarly, the extensive use of fossil-derived fuels and chemicals has led to deterioration of the environment. Catalysis currently plays a key role in mitigating such effects. Thermal catalysis and photocatalysis are two well-known catalytic approaches that were applied in both energy and environmental fields. Thermo-photocatalysis can be understood as a synergistic effect of the two catalytic processes with key importance in the use of solar energy as thermal and light source. This Review provides an update on relevant contributions about thermo-photocatalytic systems for environmental and energy applications. The reported activity data are compared with the conventional photocatalytic approach and the base of the photothermal effect is analyzed. Some of the systems based on the positive aspects of thermo- and photocatalysis could be the answer to the energy and environmental crisis when taking into account the outstanding results with regard to chemical efficiency and energy saving.

Pt-Au Triangular Nanoprisms with Strong Dipole Plasmon Resonance for Hydrogen Generation Studied by Single-Particle Spectroscopy

Three anisotropic Pt-covered, Pt-edged, and Pt-tipped Au triangular nanoprisms (TNPs) were prepared by controlling the overgrowth of Pt as photocatalysts for H2 generation. With strong electric field and more interface for the hot electrons transfer, the H2 generation rate of Pt-edged Au TNPs was 3 and 5 times higher than those of Pt-tipped and Pt-covered Au TNPs. Single-particle photoluminescence (PL) spectra and finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) simulations demonstrated that dipole surface plasmon resonance (DSPR) of Au TNPs enhanced the hot electrons transfer from Au to Pt leading to H2 generation. SPR bands of Au TNPs depending on the size play an important role on the photocatalytic activity of Pt-edged Au TNPs.

The mechanism and material aspects of a novel Ag2O/TiO2 photocatalyst active in infrared radiation for water splitting

IR photon-initiated photocatalytic hydrogen production of the Ag₂O/TiO₂ catalyst is demonstrated and the functions of Ag₂O and TiO₂ in “dark photocatalysis” are discussed.

Photocatalytic performance of Ag2S under irradiation with visible and near-infrared light and its mechanism of degradation

Ag₂S has only rarely been investigated as a photocatalyst on its own, although it has been widely used as an important component of composite photocatalysts.

NIR light induced H2evolution by a metal-free photocatalyst

A novel metal-free photocatalyst composed of g-C₃N₄and carbon quantum dots drives near-infrared induced H₂generation from water.