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The fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal process using coal (Jin 15 Anthracite and Shaerhu lignite) as raw materials and dimethyl formamide (DMF) as the solvent, employing a microwave pyrolysis method. This approach demonstrates remarkable efficacy in the development of nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with a high quantum yield (QY). The N-CDs prepared have strong photoluminescence properties. Moreover, the obtained N-CDs emit blue PL and are easily dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), preserving the inherent advantages of N-CDs and the PMMA matrix. The JN-CDs exhibit a high quantum yield (QY) of 49.5% and a production yield of 25.7%, respectively. In contrast, the SN-CDs demonstrate a quantum yield of 40% and a production yield of 35.1%. It is worth noting that the production yield and quantum yield of coal-based carbon dots are inversely related indices. The lower metamorphic degree of subbituminous coal favors an enhanced product yield, while the higher metamorphic degree of anthracite promotes an improved quantum yield in the product, which may be attributed to the presence of amorphous carbon within it. Consequently, we propose and discuss potential mechanisms underlying N-CD formation.

Ultrasonic-microwave assisted extraction (UMAE) of Trametes orientalis polysaccharides was optimized by response surface methodology. Hepatoprotective effects of a purified T. orientalis polysaccharide (TOP-2) were evaluated by alcohol-induced liver injury model mice. The optimal UMAE parameters were indicated as below: ratio of water to raw material 28 mL/g, microwave power 114 W, extraction time 11 min. The polysaccharides yield was 7.52 ± 0.12%, which was well consistent with the predicted value of 7.54%. Pre-treatment with TOP-2 effectively increased the liver index and spleen index in alcohol-treated mice. The elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels of mice after alcohol exposure were inhibited by TOP-2 administration. The liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels have decreased significantly as a result of alcohol exposure, while pre-treatment with TOP-2 could mitigate these consequences. Furthermore, pre-treatment with TOP-2 could efficiently boost the superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and observably constrain the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The findings suggest that TOP-2 might be useful for alleviating the alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Alternaria alternata can resist high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The protective roles of autophagy or autophagy‐mediated degradation of peroxisomes (termed pexophagy) against oxidative stress remain unclear. The present study, using transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy coupled with a GFP‐AaAtg8 proteolysis assay and an mCherry tagging assay with peroxisomal targeting tripeptides, demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrogen depletion induced autophagy and pexophagy. Experimental evidence showed that H2O2 triggered autophagy and the translocation of peroxisomes into the vacuoles. Mutational inactivation of the AaAtg8 gene in A. alternata led to autophagy impairment, resulting in the accumulation of peroxisomes, increased ROS sensitivity, and decreased virulence. Compared to the wild type, ΔAaAtg8 failed to detoxify ROS effectively, leading to ROS accumulation. Deleting AaAtg8 down‐regulated the expression of genes encoding an NADPH oxidase and a Yap1 transcription factor, both involved in ROS resistance. Deleting AaAtg8 affected the development of conidia and appressorium‐like structures. Deleting AaAtg8 also compromised the integrity of the cell wall. Reintroduction of a functional copy of AaAtg8 in the mutant completely restored all defective phenotypes. Although ΔAaAtg8 produced wild‐type toxin levels in axenic culture, the mutant induced a lower level of H2O2 and smaller necrotic lesions on citrus leaves. In addition to H2O2, nitrogen starvation triggered peroxisome turnover. We concluded that ΔAaAtg8 failed to degrade peroxisomes effectively, leading to the accumulation of peroxisomes and the reduction of the stress response. Autophagy‐mediated peroxisome turnover could increase cell adaptability and survival under oxidative stress and starvation conditions. The degradation of peroxisomes, resistance to oxidative stress, nutrient recycling, and pathogenicity is mediated by pexophagy in Alternaria alternata.

A template-free strategy was designed to prepare hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) using fluid catalytic cracking oil modified a coal tar pitch (CTP). The resulting HPCs possess large specific surface areas, reasonable pore size distributions, and wrinkled structures, which could improve the overall electrochemical performance. They exhibit a specific capacitance value of 329 F g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 and still maintain 220 F g −1 at 20 A g −1 , manifesting the remarkable rate capability. Additionally, the assembled symmetrical supercapacitor delivers a highest energy density of 23.6 Wh kg −1 at a power density of 500 W kg −1 and outstanding cycle stability of 92.8% capacitance retention after 10000 cycles. This work paves a new way to fabricate advanced carbon materials from low-cost CTP and provides a promising approach for value-added utilization of CTP. Graphical abstract

Herein, a conducting copolymer hydrogel of poly(aniline-co-pyrrole)/polyvinyl alcohol (PACP/PVA) was prepared by in-situ polymerization of aniline and pyrrole in aqueous solution of phytic acid and PVA. This PACP/PVA hydrogel can be used directly as self-standing electrode for supercapacitors. The hydrogel electrode delivers high electrochemical capacitance (633.5 F g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 , 1267 mF cm −2 at 1 mA cm −2 ) and excellent cycling stability (86.4% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles). In particular, the remarkable flexibility of the PACP/PVA hydrogel electrode is demonstrated by 81.7% of initial capacitance retention after repeated bending 500 cycles. Based on PACP/PVA hydrogel electrode and a typical PVA/H 2 SO 4 hydrogel electrolyte, an all-hydrogel-state supercapacitor was assembled. The supercapacitor demonstrates high areal capacitance of 317 mF cm −2 at 1 mA cm −2 and energy density of 44 µWh cm −2 (22 Wh kg −1 ) at 250 µW cm −2 (125 W kg −1 ). This work provides a new direction for fabricating self-standing flexible hydrogel electrode materials for smart and wearable devices. Graphical abstract

Gasification technology enables the clean and efficient utilization of coal. However, the process generates a significant amount of solid waste—coal gasification slag. This paper focuses on the Jinhua furnace coal gasification slag (fine slag, FS; coarse slag, CS) as the research subject, analyzing its composition and structural characteristics, and discussing the thermochemical conversion performance of both under different atmospheres (N2 and air). The results show that the fixed carbon content in FS is as high as 35.82%, while it is only 1% in CS. FS has a large number of fluffy porous carbon on its surface, which wraps around or embeds into smooth and variously sized spherical inorganic components, with a specific surface area as high as 353 m2/g, and the pore structure is mainly mesoporous. Compared to the raw coal (TYC), the types of organic functional groups in FS and CS are significantly reduced, and the graphitization degree of the carbon elements in FS is higher. The ash in FS is mainly amorphous and glassy, while in CS, it mainly has crystalline structures. The weight loss rates of TYC and FS under an inert atmosphere are 27.49% and 10.38%, respectively; under an air atmosphere, the weight loss rates of TYC and FS are 81.69% and 44.40%, respectively. Based on the analysis of the thermal stability of FS and its high specific surface area, this paper suggests that FS can be used to prepare high-value-added products such as porous carbon or high-temperature-resistant carbon materials through the method of carbon–ash separation.

A systematic phytochemical study on the components in the seeds of Allium tuberosum was performed, leading to the isolation of 27 steroidal glycosides (SGs 1–27). The structures of SGs were identified mainly by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometries as well as the necessary chemical evidence. In the SGs, 1–10 and 22–26 are new steroidal saponin analogues. An in vitro bioassay indicates that 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 13–15, 20, 23, and 26 display promotional roles in testosterone production of rat Leydig cells with the EC50 values of 1.0 to 4.5 μM, respectively.

The self-healing electrolytes play an essential role in self-healing supercapacitors. Herein, poly (vinyl alcohol)/sulphuric acid (PVA/H 2 SO 4 ) hydrogel electrolytes with self-healing properties are prepared, which has been achieved by dynamic hydrogen bonds between PVA chains. The obtained PVA hydrogel displays fast self-healing capability, reliable mechanical performance (stress at 0.29 MPa after stretching to 238%) and high ionic conductivity (57.8 mS cm −1 ). Based on these excellent properties, an all-in-one self-healing supercapacitor is assembled by in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of PVA/H 2 SO 4 hydrogel electrolyte. The assembled all-in-one supercapacitor shows outstanding capacitance performance (specific capacitance 504 mF cm −2 at current density of 0.2 mA cm −2 and energy density 35 μWh cm −2 at power density 100 μW cm −2 ), good cycle stability (after 5000 cycles of charging and discharging, the capacitance retention rate is 77%), excellent flexibility and considerable self-healing performance (69% capacitance retention rate after the fifth self-healing cycle). This self-healing supercapacitor will promote the development of self-healing energy storage devices in wearable electronics.

Phytic acid-doped copolymers poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) have been synthesized by chemical polymerization for applications of supercapacitors. The results indicate that poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) copolymer delivered a high specific capacitance (639 F g −1 ) and 62.3% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles at 3 A g −1 in 1 M H 2 SO 4. The good cycle stability was due to increased structural stability by the formation of cross-link between poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) backbones doped by phytic acid. The high capacitance may result from the formation of large specific surface area and effective conducting paths in the copolymer. A symmetrical supercapacitor device based on this copolymer was designed and provided a high energy density (12.2 Wh kg −1 at the power density of 500 W kg −1 ). Such results indicate that poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) might be a feasible candidate for electrocapacitive material of supercapacitors and this strategy can be extended to fabricate other conducting polymers for supercapacitor applications.

Yinggema lignite (YL) was pretreated with isometric acetone/carbon disulfide mixed solvent to obtain the residue (RYL) and, then, RYL was separated by density difference with carbon tetrachloride to obtain the light residue (LRYL). The flash pyrolysis performances of YL and LRYL were analyzed by thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectrometer–Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (TG-FTIR-GC/MS). The results showed that solvent pretreatment could remove some small molecules in the coal and swell the used coal, leading to the increase in pyrolysis reactivity. The intensity and absorption peak area of C=O from LRYL were significantly reduced compared to YL, resulting from the high hydrogen-donating ability of acetone. The main gaseous products of both samples are H2O, CH4, CO2, and CO; the hydrocarbons detected by GC/MS in the pyrolysis products of YL and LRYL at 450 °C were mainly alkanes, alkenes, and arenes, with the higher relative contents of alkanes of 31.1% and 36.2%, followed by arenes of 27.1% and 22.6%, respectively. The oxygen-containing compounds were mainly alcohols and phenols. It is speculated that the pretreated coal could expose more oxygen-containing functional groups, facilitating their conversion to phenolic hydroxyl groups during the pyrolysis process, resulting in more phenolic compounds.