On the use of a naturally-sourced CuFeS2 mineral concentrate for energy storage

Photothermal Regulated Nanozyme of CuFeS2 Nanoparticles for Efficiently Promoting Wound Healing Infected by Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

Peroxidase-mediated chemokinetic therapy (CDT) can effectively resist bacteria; however, factors such as the high dosage of drugs seriously limit the antibacterial effect. Herein, CuFeS₂ nanoparticles (NPs) nanozyme antibacterial system with the photothermal effect and peroxidase-like catalytic activity are proposed as a combined antibacterial agent with biosafety, high-efficiency, and broad-spectrum antibacterial ability. In addition, the as-obtained CuFeS₂ NPs with a low doses of Cu⁺ and Fe³⁺ can change the permeability of bacterial cell membranes and break the antioxidant balance by consuming intracellular glutathione (GSH), which results in more conducive ROS production. Meanwhile, the photothermal heating can regulate the CuFeS₂ NPs close to their optimal reaction temperature (60 °C) to release more hydroxyl radical in low concentrations of H₂O₂ (100 µM). The proposed CuFeS₂ NPs-based antibacterial system achieve more than 99% inactivation efficiency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ MRSA), hyperspectral bacteria β-Escherichia coli (10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ ESBL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ PA), even at low concentration (2 μg mL⁻¹), which is superior to those of the conventional CuO NPs at 4 mg mL⁻¹ reported in the literature. In vivo experiments further confirm that CuFeS₂ NPs can effectively treat wounds infected by MRSA and promote the wound healing. This study demonstrates that excellent antibacterial ability and good biocompatibility make CuFeS₂ NPs a potential anti-infection nanozyme with broad application prospects.

Geo-inspired crystallization engineering: multifunctional materials design and fabrication at nanoscale and beyond

Crystallization engineering aims to design and develop solutions for the optimum conversion of natural resources for use by humans, by using crystallization. Crystallization is a cross-scale process, from atoms, ions and molecules in microscale to bulk crystals in macroscale. Fabricating nanomaterials with desired performances is an open issue with multiscale challenges during crystallization. For innovation in crystallization engineering, geology may provide various sources of inspiration such as structures, compositions and formation conditions, if mineral materials can be regarded as novel artificial materials. This review shows us some geo-inspirations that enable people to create and engineer novel materials with satisfactory performance.

Hydrothermally synthesized chalcopyrite platelets as an electrode material for symmetric supercapacitors

A novel chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) platelet like open-pored micro-flower nanostructure investigated as an electrode material for supercapacitors.