A stable and highly efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution porous CdS/WO₃/TiO₂ photocatalysts

Qian, Yongteng,Yang, Mengke,Zhang, Fangfang,Du, Jimin,Li, Kaidi,Lin, Xialing,Zhu, Xinrui,Lu, Yayun,Wang, Weimin,Kang, Dae Joon Elsevier 2018 Materials characterization Vol.142 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>It is well known that both catalytic efficiency and stability are the two important parameters of photocatalysts for visible-light-driven hydrogen production reactions. However, light-driven hydrogen evolution based applications still suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics due to the lack of high-performance photocatalysts. In this paper, we successfully synthesized a ternary porous CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalyst with high efficiency and stability via two-stage approach. The as-prepared samples are characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, and UV–Vis, respectively, which illustrated that the CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> moieties are in-situ formed inside the porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB>. Particularly, the photocatalytic hydrogen (H<SUB>2</SUB>) evolution rate of such ternary 8% CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> (molar ration of CdS:WO<SUB>3</SUB>:TiO<SUB>2</SUB> = 8:8:100) photocatalyst ranges up to 2106 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP> under visible-light irradiation, which is higher than that of pure TiO<SUB>2</SUB> and other binary (CdS/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> and WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB>) porous photocatalysts. The superior H<SUB>2</SUB> evolution efficiency can be attributed to the coexistence of CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> in porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> which can promote the interfacial charge transfer and separation as well as extend the light absorption up to the visible range.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Highly efficient and stable photocatalytic activity of CdS/WO<SUB>3</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalysts were synthesized by a two-step method. </LI> <LI> CdS and WO<SUB>3</SUB> inlaid on porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> can extend the light absorption and enhance photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation. </LI> <LI> The porous structure can provide more reaction active sites and improve photoproduced-electrons and holes transport speed. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Highly efficient hydrogen evolution catalysis based on MoS₂/CdS/TiO₂ porous composites

Du, Jimin,Wang, Huiming,Yang, Mengke,Zhang, Fangfang,Wu, Haoran,Cheng, Xuechun,Yuan, Sijie,Zhang, Bing,Li, Kaidi,Wang, Yina,Lee, Hyoyoung Elsevier 2018 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.43 No.19

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Efficient production of hydrogen through visible-light-driven water splitting mechanism using semiconductor-based composites has been identified as a promising strategy for converting light into clean H<SUB>2</SUB> fuel. However, researchers are facing lots of challenges such as light absorption and electron-hole pair recombination and so on. Here, new sheet-shaped MoS<SUB>2</SUB> and pyramid-shaped CdS <I>in-situ</I> co-grown on porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalysts (MoS<SUB>2</SUB> CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB>) are successfully obtained <I>via</I> mild sulfuration of MoO<SUB>3</SUB> and CdO coexisted inside porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> monolith by a hydrothermal route. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results exhibit that the MoS<SUB>2</SUB> CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB> composites have average pore size about 500 nm. The 3%MoS<SUB>2</SUB> 10%CdSTiO<SUB>2</SUB> demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity and high stability for a hydrogen production with a high H<SUB>2</SUB>-generation rate of 4146 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP> under visible light irradiation even without noble-metal co-catalysts. The super photocatalytic performance of the visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution is predominantly attributed to the synergistic effect. The conduction band of MoS<SUB>2</SUB> facilitates in transporting excited electrons from visible-light on CdS to the porous TiO<SUB>2</SUB> for catalytic hydrogen production, and holes to MoS<SUB>2</SUB> for inhibiting the photocorrosion of CdS, respectively, leading to enhancing the efficient separation of electrons and holes.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MoS<SUB>2</SUB>-CT photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized by two-step method. </LI> <LI> The porous structure can enhance photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation. </LI> <LI> The 3% MoS<SUB>2</SUB>-CT shows an excellent H<SUB>2</SUB> evolution rate of 4146 μmol h<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP>. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effects of Dietary Glucose on Serum Estrogen Levels and Onset of Puberty in Gilts

Li, Fangfang,Zhu, Yujing,Ding, Lan,Zhang, Yong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.9

Metabolic signals and the state of energy reserves have been shown to play a crucial role in the regulation of reproductive function. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary glucose levels on puberty onset in gilts. Weight-matched, landrace gilts (n = 36) $162{\pm}3days$ old, weighing about $71.05{\pm}4.53kg$, were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatment groups of 12 gilts each. The trial lasted until the onset of puberty. Gilts in each group were supplied with diets containing different levels of glucose as follows: i) starch group (SG) was free of glucose, contained 64% corn derived starch; ii) low-dose group (LDG) contained 19.2% glucose and 44.8% corn derived starch; iii) high-dose group (HDG) contained 30% glucose and 30% corn derived starch. Results indicated: i) The growth performance of gilts were not affected by the addition of glucose, but the age of puberty onset was advanced significantly (p<0.05); ii) Compared with the SG, the concentration of insulin significantly increased before puberty in HDG (p<0.05); iii) There was no difference in serum progesterone (P) levels amongst the different feed groups, however, levels of estradiol ($E_2$), luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly higher at puberty onset in HDG (p<0.05). Overall, our findings indicate that glucose supplementation significantly advances puberty onset, which can have practical purposes for commercial breeding.

Curcumin Alleviates the Side Effects of Cisplatin on Gastric Emptying of Mice by Inhibiting the Signal Changes of Acetylcholine and Interstitial Cells of Cajal

Hui Li,Wenhua Xu,Xuying Liu,Junli Ye,Peijie Li,Fangfang Shang,Xiaoling Yu 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.9

Cisplatin is a widely used anticancer drug that has adverse effects on gastrointestinal function. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of turmeric that has a wide range of biological activities. The present study investigated the effects of cisplatin on gastric emptying in mice and examined whether these can be inhibited by curcumin. We found that pretreatment with curcumin (200 mg/kg/day) for 10–30 days partly inhibited the decreases in gastric emptying rate and body weight induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, cisplatin reduced acetylcholine (ACh) concentration and the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of ACh receptor (AChR) as well as acetylcholinesterase activity in the stomach of mice; caused ultrastructural damage to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC); and altered the expression of c-kit/stem cell factor and the gap junction protein connexin 43 in ICC. Curcumin pretreatment inhibited the effects of cisplatin on ACh indicators and ICC. These results demonstrate that curcumin can protect against cisplatin-induced gastric emptying disorder and thus has therapeutic potential for alleviating this condition in cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy.

Histone demethylase KDM4A plays an oncogenic role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by promoting cell migration and invasion

Zhao Jingyi,Li Bingyan,Ren Yongxia,Liang Tiansong,Wang Juan,Zhai Suna,Zhang Xiqian,Zhou Pengcheng,Zhang Xiangxian,Pan Yuanyuan,Gao Fangfang,Zhang Sulan,Li Liming,Yang Yongqiang,Deng Xiaoyu,Li Xiaole,C 생화학분자생물학회 2021 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.53 No.-

Compelling evidence has indicated the vital role of lysine-specific demethylase 4 A (KDM4A), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether KDM4A affects NPC progression by regulating the HIF1α/DDIT4/mTOR signaling pathway. First, NPC and adjacent tissue samples were collected, and KDM4A protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Then, the interactions among KDM4A, HIF1α and DDIT4 were assessed. Gain- and loss-of-function approaches were used to alter KDM4A, HIF1α and DDIT4 expression in NPC cells. The mechanism of KDM4A in NPC was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro via RT-qPCR, Western blot analysis, MTT assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry and tumor formation experiments. KDM4A, HIF1α, and DDIT4 were highly expressed in NPC tissues and cells. Mechanistically, KDM4A inhibited the enrichment of histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) in the HIF1α promoter region and thus inhibited the methylation of HIF1α to promote HIF1α expression, thus upregulating DDIT4 and activating the mTOR signaling pathway. Overexpression of KDM4A, HIF1α, or DDIT4 or activation of the mTOR signaling pathway promoted SUNE1 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but inhibited apoptosis. KDM4A silencing blocked the mTOR signaling pathway by inhibiting the HIF1α/DDIT4 axis to inhibit the growth of SUNE1 cells in vivo. Collectively, KDM4A silencing could inhibit NPC progression by blocking the activation of the HIF1α/DDIT4/mTOR signaling pathway by increasing H3K9me3, highlighting a promising therapeutic target for NPC.

Influence of structural system measures on the dynamic characteristics of a multi-span cable-stayed bridge

Fangfang Geng,Youliang Ding,Hongen Xie,Jianyong Song,Wanheng Li 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.52 No.1

A three-dimensional finite element model for the Jiashao Bridge, the longest multi-span cablestayed bridge in the world, is established using the commercial software package ANSYS. Dynamic characteristics of the bridge are analyzed and the effects of structural system measures including the rigid hinge, auxiliary piers and longitudinal constraints between the girders and side towers on the dynamic properties including modal frequency, mode shape and effective mass are studied by referring to the Jiashao Bridge. The analysis results reveal that: (i) the installation of the rigid hinge significantly reduces the modal frequency of the first symmetric lateral bending mode of bridge deck. Moreover, the rigid hinge significantly changes the mode shape and effective mass of the first symmetric torsional mode of bridge deck; (ii) the layout of the auxiliary piers in the side-spans has a limited effect on changing the modal frequencies, mode shapes and effective masses of global vibration modes; (iii) the employment of the longitudinal constraints significantly increases the modal frequencies of the vertical bending modes and lateral bending modes of bridge deck and have significant effects on changing the mode shapes of vertical bending modes and lateral bending modes of bridge deck. Moreover, the effective mass of the first anti-symmetric vertical bending of bridge deck in the longitudinal direction of the fully floating system is significantly larger than that of the partially constrained system and fully constrained system. The results obtained indicate that the structural system measures of the multi-span cable-stayed bridge have a great effect on the dynamic properties, which deserves special attention for seismic design and wind-resistant design of the multi-span cable-stayed bridge.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Performance and Microstructure of Polypropylene Fiber Recycled Concrete

Fangfang Wei,Liping Li,Yu Zhu,Youzheng Zhao 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.7

Recycled concrete reinforced by polypropylene fibers boosts an alternative sustainable solution to address the need of reusing waste concrete. This paper reports experimental and analytical studies of static and dynamic comprehensive behavior on recycled concrete specimens reinforced with different contents of polypropylene fiber (PPF). Electro-hydraulic pressure testing was used to obtain static compressive strength, whereas 74 mm diameter Split HopkinsonPressure Bar (SHPB) was applied for dynamic impact compression tests at four strain rates. In addition, the reinforcing mechanism of polypropylene fiber on recycled concrete was analyzed of the micro-structure through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Finally, ANSYS/LS-DYNA was applied for the simulation of the SHPB test, which was validated by good agreements of the stress waveform and failure modes of the fiber-reinforced recycled concrete specimen during the impact test. It appears that polypropylene fiber can optimize the microscopic pore structure inside the concrete, thus effectively improving the mechanical properties of recycled concrete which were originally defected by recycled aggregate. Also, higher strain rates significantly increase dynamic compressive strength as well as impact toughness. This study shows that the optimal content of polypropylene fiber in recycled concrete is 0.1% − 0.2%. The numerical simulation by ANSYS/LS-DYNA further proved that the HOLMQUIST-JOHNSON-COOK (HJC) constitutive model can better reflect the dynamic performance of concrete.

Nematicidal coumarin from Ficus carica L.

Fangfang Liu,Zhongshan Yang,Xi Zheng,Shaoliu Luo,Ke Qin Zhang,Guo Hong Li 한국응용곤충학회 2011 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.14 No.1

The methanol extracts from 40 plant species were screened for their nematicidal activity against the nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis elegans. The leaf extract of Ficus carica L. exhibited the strongest nematicidal activity, causing 74.3%, 96.2% and 98.4% mortality,respectively, within 72 h. By bioassay-guided fractionation, a coumarin was obtained. The compound was determined to be psoralen based on spectroscopic data. It showed nematicidal activity against the tested nematodes. This is the first report of the nematicidal activity of F. carica and psoralen.

Development and Application of High-Performance Grouting Materials for Anchoring Pipe in Soft Rock Tunnel

Li-xin Zhang,Jianxun Chen,Lijun Chen,Yanbin Luo,Weiwei Liu,Fangfang Dong,Hao Chen,Hao-yang Zhu 대한토목학회 2023 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.27 No.10

A high-performance grouting material is proposed to enhance the support effect of anchoring pipes in soft rock mass tunnels in this paper. Through mix proportion and strength tests, the initial setting time, compressive strength, and flowability of the grouting material were determined. Furthermore, based on grouting and pulling tests, the recommended parameters of the anchoringpipe were proposed. The results show that pure cement paste is an ideal grouting material for on-site application, demonstrating excellent anchoring, fluidity, high strength, and rapid hardening. Under optimal conditions of water-cement ratio at 0.46 and retarder proportion at 0.4‰, the initial settling time and the compressive strength of the grouting material are approximately 45 minutes and 28.5 MPa within 4 hours, respectively. The anchoring force of an anchoring pipe with a length of 6 m and a diameter of 76 mm can reach 448.9 kN within the same period. A field test involving anchoring pipes and pure cement paste was conducted during tunnel construction, resulting in a substantial reduction of maximum settlement and convergence of the tunnel by 57.53% and 40.48%, respectively. These results demonstrate the effectiveness

China's Iron and Steel Industry - History, Development Trend, and Policy Implications

Haohao LI,Chung Weon YOON,Wanpeng CHENG,Fangfang SHU 전북대학교 산업경제연구소 2009 아태경상저널 Vol.1 No.2

China has become a huge producer as well as a huge consumer of steel, and it has been ranked No.1 in steel production since 1996. A huge demand for steel guarantees the steady development of the iron and steel industry for the next 10 to 20 years. While China's steel industry is faced with many urgent and difficult problems, such as difficulties in iron ore negotiations, low concentration ratios, high energy consumption, environmental pollution and irrational product mix, the global financial crisis, has made it more urgent that these difficulties and problems be solved. In this paper, the author holds that to improve iron ore negotiations, China requires revoking the import licenses of enterprises and authorizing an institution to be in charge of the import of iron ore, introducing a competition mechanism to split the oligopoly at the same time. It is advisable for China to increase the government investment on and strengthen the exploitation of foreign resources in order to reduce reliance on the big three mining companies. Additionally, to increase industry concentration, it is suggested that China's steel industry implement a strategy of integration, and strengthen annexation and reorganization of steel industries. At last, China's steel enterprises needs to enhance innovative abilities to solve such problems as high energy consumption, environment pollution and irrational product mix.