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The development of small molecule anti-tumor drugs has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, meanwhile the EGFR is associated with tumor formation and progression. In this paper, we designed, synthesized and obtained a series of novel bis-oxidized thiopyran derivatives, and the compound S-16 was identified as the most promising compound for treating NSCLC. A series of experiments (cell cycle, apoptosis assays, in vitro/in vivo animal model and western blotting) were performed to investigate the anti-tumor mechanisms of S-16. The results indicated that S-16 could inhibit A549, H1975 and MCF-7 cancer cells (IC50 of 4, 3.14 and 0.62 μM, respectively), block the cell cycle of H1975 in the G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis with dose-dependent effects. What is more, the toxicity of S-16 was estimated using the hemolytic test in vitro and H&E staining and blood biochemical analysis in vivo. In addition, H1975 xenograft tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice were established to evaluate the antitumor activity in vivo, and the results showed that a dose of 80 mg kg−1 of S-16 could inhibit 46.07% tumor growth. These data suggest that S-16 exhibited strong in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. The molecular docking results also showed that S-16 had a high binding affinity for the EGFR protein. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that S-16 could be a potential anti-tumor drug for targeting the EGFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing multifunctional materials with oil/water separation, dye adsorption, and antibacterial activities presents an enticing prospect for wastewater treatment. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) porous cellulose (CE)/quaternized cellulose (QCE) composite aerogel with super-wettability through co-deposition of polydopamine (PDA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) is reported. The PDA/PEI coating endows the aerogel with superhydrophilicity (WCA = 0°), and the QCE act as an anionic dye sorbent at the same time, endowing the material with antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Oil/water mixtures can be separated on an as-prepared aerogel with high efficiency (>99%), even when the filtration was repeated 10 times, and the as-prepared aerogel can also separate oil-in-water emulsions. Moreover, the as-prepared aerogel exhibited excellent adsorption performance for alizarin red, with a calculated maximum adsorption capacity of 454.545 mg g−1. Besides, our modification also endowed the aerogel with antibacterial and anti-oil-fouling activities. The inhibition zone test verified the efficient elimination of E. coli. This work may open a new avenue for designing versatile aerogel with multiple functions for waste water remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of efficient materials for capturing radioactive iodine in nuclear waste is of great significance to the development of nuclear energy and the protection of ecological environment. Nitrogen-rich imide covalent organic framework materials (COFs) have attracted much attention because of their excellent ability to adsorb radioactive iodine, but the harsh synthesis conditions limit their application in the adsorption neighborhood. In this paper, a simple and mild synthesis method was used to synthesize a covalent organic framework material (TFPT–Pa COF) connected by imine bonds at room temperature. The existence of electron-rich N atoms and the π–π conjugated structure make the TFPT–Pa COF material exhibit excellent iodine enrichment performance, and the enrichment capacity of iodine vapor is 3.67 g g−1. The adsorption is mainly chemisorption. For the adsorption of iodine in cyclohexane solution, the maximum adsorption equilibrium capacity reached 1407 mg g−1, which was more consistent with the Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption process was dominated by monolayer adsorption. After absorbing iodine vapor, the material can be desorbed quickly in ethanol and exhibits good reusability performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In organic solar cells (OSCs), the intricate synthesis and lower yield of ladder-type fused ring small molecule receptors (FR-SMAs) have prompted the quest for simpler, higher yielding non-fused ring (NFR)-SMAs. In this paper, a type of NFR asymmetrical SMA with an A–D–π–A structure, namely DPCT8-4F and DPCT10-4F, was primarily designed and synthesized, in which an alkyl chain dipyran (DP) ring, cycllopentadithiophene (CT) and fluorinated 1,1-dicyanomethylene-3-indanone (4F) are employed as the donor (D) unit, π-bridge and acceptor (A) terminals, respectively. The influence of the alkyl chain originating from the DP unit on their optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties was systematically investigated. The DPCT8-4F with n-octane chains exhibited enhanced crystallinity and molecular packing compared to the DPCT10-4F with n-decane chains. After being blended with the polymer donor PBDB-T, the OSCs based on PBDB-T:DPCT8-4F demonstrate an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.52%, surpassing that of 11.68% for the DPCT10-4F-based ones. This work demonstrates that these asymmetric NFR-SMAs can improve the efficiency of OSCs by pairing alkyl chains on the dipyran ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel Pt/CoP/C photo-electro synergistic catalyst was successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method combined with phosphorus doping treatment. The addition of Vulcan XC-72R is in favor of effectively preventing agglomeration of active catalytic sites, resulting in more uniform and smaller Pt and CoP nanoparticles. The as-obtained Pt/CoP/C shows excellent photo-electro catalytic performance for the HER with simulated solar light irradiation. The optimal hydrogen production is 5384.18 mmol h−1 g−1, which is obviously higher than that of the commercial catalyst (20 wt% Pt/C: 4608.52 mmol h−1 g−1). The research results show that introducing cobalt phosphide into the Pt catalyst can improve the electrocatalytic activity and stability for the HER; in particular, the existence of Co3O4 in Pt/CoP/C leads to an efficient photo-electro catalysis under irradiation, which significantly improves the catalytic activity of Pt. The results above provide a novel strategy for the rational design of cost-effective Pt-based composites towards a fast HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the research and development of perovskite long afterglow materials has received extensive attention. In this paper, we review the research progress of ABO3-type inorganic halide perovskite (including semiconductor and metal halides) long afterglow materials. Initially, we have introduced in detail the afterglow properties of perovskite long afterglow materials (including the afterglow wavelength, afterglow intensity, and afterglow time), their afterglow mechanism (based on the three most widely accepted basic theoretical models, namely the conduction band–valence band model, quantum tunneling model, oxygen vacancy model, and the complex experimental models of specific materials) and afterglow applications (including optical information storage, information encryption, anti-counterfeiting, X-ray detection and imaging, and biological imaging and therapy). Finally, the customization and regulation of the afterglow properties of perovskite long afterglow materials, the expansion of their applications, and the development of perovskite matrix materials are prospected, hoping to provide a reference for the reasonable design and application of long afterglow materials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the piezoelectric polarization strength of materials to promote the photogenerated carrier separation is of great significance for piezoelectric polarization-assisted photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this paper, P-BiFeO3 composite photoelectrodes were synthesized by modifying BiFeO3 photoelectrodes with phosphate ions. The maximum photocurrent density of the P-BiFeO3 composite photoelectrodes could reach 0.87 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, which is significantly enhanced compared to the BiFeO3 photocurrent. The enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the phosphate ion-modified BiFeO3 photoelectrodes may be attributed to the increased visible light absorption and larger active area due to the presence of phosphate groups. Furthermore, the photocurrent density of the P-BiFeO3 composite photoelectrodes after the introduction of the piezoelectric polarisation field reached 2.58 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, which was 2.2 times higher than that of BiFeO3 (1.17 mA cm−2). The presence of phosphate groups on the surface of BiFeO3 photoelectrodes can improve their asymmetry and increase their piezoelectric polarisation intensity, further enhancing the PEC water splitting performance of the material. This study provides a strategy for the design of highly active photoanodes with ionic modification to enhance the piezoelectric polarisation of the material to improve PEC water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a sensor based on a novel ZnCo2O4/ZnO nanosheet-like p–n heterostructure was designed using a one-step hydrothermal method and utilized to dramatically improve the sensitivity toward triethylamine (TEA) gas. The structure, constituent elements and their valence states of ZnCo2O4/ZnO were tested using various methods. The 5 at%-ZnCo2O4/ZnO sensor was found to have the best sensing performance. The response value of this sensor toward 100 ppm triethylamine (TEA) at the optimum operating temperature of 280 °C (78.68) was almost 12 times higher than that of the ZnO sensor (6.58). The TEA's linear response, superior to that of the pure ZnO sensor, is more selectable and reproducible when the concentration range is between 5 and 80 ppm. A heterostructure of p–n was designed to enhance the gas-sensitive response effectively. This study refines the mechanism of the heterojunction to improve its gas-sensitive performance and provides a new strategy for the design of gas-sensitive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible microcircuits are developing rapidly with the trends of miniaturization and foldability in modern electronic products. The chemical growth welding technique of silver seeds offers several advantages, including compatibility with a wide range of substrates, ease of operation, and room temperature growth, making it a promising method for use in the manufacturing of flexible electronics. In this paper, we demonstrated a feasible solution based on silver seeds and the chemical welding process of copper at near room temperature. The growth of copper microcircuits was directly determined by the size and distribution of silver seeds. Seeding parameters for preparing long copper microcircuits were optimized, and two types of possible defects in the as-prepared copper microcircuits were analyzed. Based on the optimized parameters, patterned fine copper microcircuits and large-area copper wires were prepared, and the conductivity and fatigue resistance were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational design and controllable synthesis of transition metal multi-anionic structures to cooperatively catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remain a great challenge due to the requirements of high current density and long-term durability for water splitting. Herein, a self-supported sheet-on-sheet hierarchical interface was synthesized via a facile corrosion engineering strategy, where the Ni3S2 microsheet arrays were pre-grown on nickel foam and they provided abundant surface active sites to grow FeOOH nanosheets vertically. The obtained FeOOH/Ni3S2 heterostructure exhibited well-defined dimensions and intimate interface contact with oxygen and a sulfur anion structure, which can modulate the electronic structure of interfacial active sites. Hence, the optimized FeOOH/Ni3S2 required overpotentials of 345 mV and 269 mV to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2 for the HER and the OER, respectively. Moreover, it required a voltage of 1.855 V to achieve overall water splitting at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. The interfacial electronic interaction and multi-anionic hierarchical structure not only facilitate the electron transfer between the FeOOH/Ni3S2 surface and intermediate species but also accelerate the kinetic rate. This paper provides a new avenue to design multi-anionic hierarchical structures as cost-effective and highly stable electrocatalysts for practical overall water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of cancer has always been a challenging problem in the medical community. In this paper, based on density functional theory (DFT), B12N12 nanocage was studied as delivery carriers of sulforaphane (SF) anticancer drug, and the adsorption properties, electronic properties and topological analysis of complexes were calculated. The adsorption energy, solvation energy, electronic and topological properties were calculated by used M06-2X/6-311+G(2d,p), M05-2X/6-31G(p) and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) theoretical levels, respectively. In addition, the effects of doping and packaging of alkaline earth metal (Be, Mg, Ca) on the related properties were also studied. Doping and packaging metal can improve the transfer characteristics of nanocages by changing the polarity of systems. All calculation results were performed in Gaussian 09 software. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis showed that nanocages acting as charge acceptors and drugs as charge donors during the adsorption process. The atoms-in-molecules (AIM) and interaction region indicator (IRI) analysis showed that there were strong polar covalent bonds between drug and nanocages, which enabled drug to be stably adsorbed on nanocages. The solvation effect results showed that acidic conditions were more conducive to drug transport and release. Compared with the original and encapsulated systems, the doping system has better adsorption properties and solvation effect. Moreover, the charge transfer between drug and nanocages in doping system was more frequent and the interaction was stronger. Therefore, our results indicated that the doping nanocages MB11N12 (M = Be, Mg and Ca) were more suitable as the drug carrier system for SF anticancer drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogel-based materials with a capacity to absorb harmful electromagnetic waves have become increasingly popular. This paper outlines the preparation of an eco-friendly and biodegradable hydrogel-type electromagnetic shielding material through the use of table salt, which induces the self-assembly of sodium alginate. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were incorporated to create a rigid support structure, while multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanotubes served a synergistic function in constructing the conductive network. The compressive strength of PPSM-180 is 37.95 MPa, and its electrical conductivity level is 15.6 ms mm−1, translating to a 193.3% increase compared to PPSM-0. Additionally, its EMI shielding efficiency was 51.9 dB at a depth of only 2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimising advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) by creating oxygen vacancies (OVs) on metal oxides via doping with different ions to improve catalyst activity is currently a significant research field. OVs produced by doping have the potential to substantially reduce the reaction energy barrier, and impact the reaction products with high selectivity. However, there is currently a lack of reviews on the utilization of dopant ions to induce OVs and the application of dopant-induced OVs in AOPs. This paper provides a systematic overview of the selection of dopant ions for the construction of OVs by doping. Additionally, we present two theoretical explanations highlighting the ability of doping to obtain OVs, explaining how doping can be used to design catalysts with ample OVs. Next, we methodically illustrate the kinetic and thermodynamic interactions between OVs and dopant ions. We also discuss the direct and indirect destruction of OVs by environmental factors that influence dopant elements in AOPs. Finally, the paper concludes with a detailed account of the application of OVs induced by doping in typical advanced oxidation techniques, such as Fenton-like oxidation, activated persulfate oxidation, catalytic ozonation, photocatalysis and electrochemical oxidation. Additionally, potential avenues of future research are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive detection of glucose is important for public health, but non-enzymatic glucose biosensors still face significant challenges. In this paper, a novel and sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor was developed by in situ preparation of CuO nanorod-supported NiCo LDH nanosheet arrays on copper foam (CuO@NiCo LDH NSAs/CF). Because the hierarchical core–shell nanostructure provides more active sites and increases the exposed surface area of the catalyst, the catalytic activity of the electrode was significantly increased. As a working electrode, the CuO@NiCo LDH NSAs/CF catalyst showed good glucose sensing performance in a linear range of 0.6 μM–3 mM and a detection limit of 0.16 μM (S/N = 3). The sensor also showed repeatable responses over a month with negligible interference, and satisfactory recoveries with real human serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single crystal X-ray structurally characterized bis-imine derivative (DEC) having N, O donors efficiently recognizes Zr(IV) in EtOH–H2O (1 : 4, v/v) and Zn(II) in DMSO–H2O (1 : 5, v/v) media through the generation of intense green and blue fluorescence, respectively. The LODs for Zr(IV) and Zn(II) are 19.43 nM and 23.46 nM, respectively. The corresponding binding constants are 2.94 × 105 M−1 and 1.97 × 105 M−1. The recognition is also feasible in the solid state and on paper strips. The said cations have been analysed in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient L -cysteine (LC) functionalized ZnO–TiO2 nanohybrids in different ratios were fabricated using a facile approach with a phytoextract of the Mirabilis jalapa plant as a reducing agent. The fabricated nanohybrids were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The photocatalytic activity of these nanohybrids was studied in the presence of natural sunlight in different aqueous solutions of benzene, toluene and phenol. The presence of LC on the surface of the nanohybrid functions as the co-catalytic centre inhibiting the electron–hole recombination rate. It was observed that maximum degradation was achieved when the optimal molar ratio of ZnO to TiO2 was 1 : 1 with a rate constant as high as 0.011 min−1. The fabricated nanohybrid also exhibited a good degradation pattern for toluene despite its symmetric structure with methyl-benzene conjugation. This enhancement of the photocatalytic property of the nanohybrid could be accredited to the reduced band gap and enhanced surface properties that decreased the rate of recombination of electron–hole pairs. The nanohybrid with 1 : 1 ratio was further utilized to decorate cellulose nanofibers obtained from the stems of the same plant and cast in the form of a paper. The paper was cut into small strips and utilized for the photodegradation study of industrial waste water. The nanohybrid decorated nanocomposite paper exhibited good photodegradation efficiency in the presence of NOM, heavy metals and variable pH (5.5–10), which can be attributed to the further lower recombination rates of electron–hole pairs for efficient degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intentionally heteroatom-doped mesoporous carbon was generated from spent disposable paper cups and explored as an air-breathing electrode for a rechargeable lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) battery. The crystal structures and morphologies of the respective boron, nitrogen and selenium-doped carbons were generated and were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics conducted on a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) under Ar and O2 atmospheres in 0.1 M KOH revealed that the Se heteroatom-doped carbon (SeC900) electrocatalyst achieved inherently high catalytic activity as compared to the boron and nitrogen-doped carbon. The high surface area, effective O2 adsorption and enhanced active sites provided by the Se heteroatom lead to high ORR and OER catalytic activities for the SeC900 electrocatalyst. A CR2032 coin cell was fabricated to demonstrate the Li–O2 battery using the SeC900 electrocatalyst as an air-breathing electrode, which showed a stable open circuit voltage (OCV) of 3.14 V and a high discharge capacity of 1618 mA h g−1 at a current density of 50 Ag−1. Thus, a metal-free bifunctional air-cathode has been developed for the Li–O2 battery. The fabricated air coin cell was applied for practical implementation by lighting three series-connected commercial red LED bulbs continuously for about 5 h on a single charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new mononuclear complexes based on the anion 3-cyano-4-dicyanomethylene-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-olate (C8HN4O2− = HA−) and Mn2+ or Zn2+ cations, namely [Mn(HA)2(H2O)4]·2H2O (1) and [Zn(HA)2(H2O)4] (2), were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic space group P1¯. Units [M(HA)2(H2O)4] (M = Mn, Zn) are the basic building blocks in both 1 and 2 crystal structures. The metal cation, located on an inversion center, is bound to two nitrogen atoms of two HA− and four water oxygen atoms. Units [M(HA)2(H2O)4] are connected by π–π stacking interactions between anions HA− and by hydrogen bonds to form a 3D crystal structure. Complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural with previously reported complexes [Cd(HA)2(H2O)4]·2H2O and [Cu(HA)2(H2O)4], respectively. A comparison between the luminescence properties of isostructural complexes confirms that the incompletely filled 3d subshell (3d5, 3d9) of a divalent metal cation is a key factor leading to the total luminescence quenching of anion HA− upon complexation with metal cations. Salts M(HA)2 (M = Mn, Cd, Cu, or Zn) adsorbed on cellulose paper display thermo-sensitive luminescence. The luminescence is due to HA− anions. The intensity of the luminescence peak reversibly decreases by 6–7 times upon heating from 27 up to 123 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing a robust bifunctional water splitting catalyst at low cost is of great importance for water splitting. Herein, the in situ-generated MoS2/NiS2 nanosheet heterostructures by cobalt incorporation on carbon paper (Co–MoS2/NiS2/CP) are first obtained by applying a scalable chemical vapor vulcanization approach. Based on the synergistic effects of cobalt element doping and the construction of MoS2/NiS2 heterostructures, the much enhanced electrocatalytic performance for full water electrolysis is clearly revealed. In particular, the electronic structure of MoS2/NiS2 heterostructures was further effectively modified by cobalt incorporation along with the electron density of catalytic sites, which both promote the Volmer step to speed up alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and optimize the oxygen-containing intermediate adsorption to enhance oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Consequently, Co–MoS2/NiS2/CP heterostructures presented low overpotentials (HER: η10 = 109 mV; OER: η10 = 323 mV) in the basic solution. Furthermore, Co–MoS2/NiS2/CP was designed as a two-electrode alkaline electrolytic configuration for full water electrolysis. This strategy experimentally illustrates the feasibility of designing a conventional electrocatalyst for water electrolysis via the cooperative effects of metal doping and heterostructured engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a simple and sensitive colorimetric fluorescence sensing probe was designed for the detection of uric acid (UA). UA can quench the fluorescence emission of CsPbBr3via hydrogen-bonding interactions. The probe can directly detect UA with an ultralow detection limit of 62.7 ppb and a fast response time of 30 s in a linear range of 0.0031–1.33 μM. The designed sensor displays a gradual color change from green to blue upon conjugation with UA. The applicability of the proposed sensor was also investigated as a paper sensor probe for detecting UA. Further, the method was successfully applied for the detection of UA in human blood serum. This work proposes CsPbBr3 as a novel platform for detecting UA well in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cyclic peptides has become a significant research direction due to their unique structural features. The spatial structure of small cyclopeptides greatly affects their biological activity. This study has presented the design and synthesis of a series of chiral valine-based cyclopeptides by the intramolecular photoinduced single electron transfer cyclization reaction (IPETC). A stereochemical study by combining ECD spectroscopy with theoretical calculations has revealed that the C-3 centers in most cyclopeptides exhibit opposite configurations to those of Val2 in cyclic skeletons, suggesting that the C-3 configurations are strongly affected by the chirality of the Val2 residue. Bioactive assays have shown that a cyclotetrapeptide 7 with three pure L -valine residues exhibits moderate antitumor activity against HepG-2 cells. Thus, this paper has provided some unique information on the chirality and bioactivity of small cyclopeptides with isoindolinone, and may be useful for further drug design based on cyclopeptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel carbazole–coumarin framework (CCF) has been designed for the detection of the environmental toxicant hydrazine. CCF exhibits excellent sensing behavior towards hydrazine in the presence of various nucleophilic and other relevant ions, having a detection limit in the nanomolar range. It interacts with hydrazine in a unique pathway where two hydrazine molecules simultaneously interact with it in two different sites through a chemodosimetric mechanism. The interaction yielded a vibrant turn-on blue fluorescence that was confirmed by both experimental studies and theoretical calculations. CCF has successfully been used to estimate the concentration of accumulated hydrazine in the gills of button mushrooms. The simple paper strips could be of practical use for the detection of hydrazine in both liquid and gas phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel fluorescent probe, TPA-PAT, with continuous recognition based on triphenylamine was designed, synthesized, and characterized by NMR, IR, and fluorescence spectrophotometry techniques. The research results showed that the probe could specifically recognize Cu2+ in DMSO/H2O (99:1, v/v) with a detection limit as low as 0.40 mM and a coordination ratio of 1: 2. On this basis, it was found that its complex TPA-PAT-Cu2+ could achieve a continuous progressive recognition of the anion S2- and amino acids GSH, L-His, and L-Gly, while simultaneously showing high sensitivity for them with low detection limits of 25.7, 18.9, 21.7, and 45.9 nM, respectively. The probe had good reversibility and could be recycled. In addition, the probe TPA-PAT could simultaneously recognize Cu2+ and Hg2+ in acetone/H2O (99:1, v/v) with detection limits of 0.16 and 0.20 mM, respectively, while their coordination ratios were 1: 2. Similarly, its complex TPA-PAT-Hg2+ was able to continuously recognize the amino acids Cys and GSH with detection limits of 0.34 and 0.29 mM, respectively. It was also found that the probe and its complexes were able to be prepared for convenient dipstick applications, which could achieve a rapid fluorescence response to anions and amino acids and suggested its very good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a potential solution to meet energy needs with green and inexhaustible solar energy. However, designing efficient and stable photocatalysts is a challenging task due to the limited ability to effectively separate electrons and holes. In this paper, by using a straightforward ethanol dispersion technique, we were able to combine ultrathin layered Cu-TCPP MOFs with g-C3N4 nanosheets, resulting in the creation of an extremely effective nano-composite photocatalyst with exceptional UV-vis activity. CT/CN heterojunctions displayed remarkable photocatalytic efficacy for the production of H2, with 3CT/CN showcasing a five-fold enhancement in photoactivity as compared to the unadorned g-C3N4. Based on the results of photoluminescence spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and electrochemical reduction, the considerably improved charge transfer and separation, together with the possible catalytic capability of uniformly distributed metal nodes in Cu-TCPP, are believed to be the underlying reason for the observed exceptional photoactivity. After thorough analysis, a potential process for charge transfer and segregation between g-C3N4 and Cu-TCPP has been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of catalytic activities and antioxidant properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) makes them promising materials for the theranostics of various diseases, especially those caused by disturbances in free radical homeostasis in living systems. Despite the fact that the functionalisation of nanoparticles' surface plays a critical role in nanomedicine applications, the effect of different coatings on their enzyme-like behaviour and antioxidant properties is still poorly understood, which limits the biomedical application of CeO2 NPs. This paper reports on the effect of low and high molecular weight biocompatible ligands on the SOD-like activity and radical scavenging properties of CeO2 NPs, which was analysed using a phosphate-rich medium resembling a natural environment. The results obtained show that these ligands modulate the SOD-like properties of CeO2 NPs as follows. Citrate and polysaccharide (maltodextrin and dextran) surface coatings increase the SOD-like activity of CeO2 NPs by an average of 2.2 times, and the protein corona (γ-globulin, γ-IgG) increases this activity by an average of 1.8 times. Citrate-coated CeO2 NPs and CeO2 nanoparticles modified with polysaccharide molecules are more effective SOD mimetics than CeO2@γ-IgG NPs. The SOD-like activity of phosphatidylcholine-coated CeO2 and CeO2@γ-IgG NPs is due to the combined action of nanoscale CeO2 and ligands. The antioxidant activity of CeO2 NPs after their modification with different ligands with respect to alkyl peroxyl radicals is multidirectional. Unexpectedly, citrate-, maltodextrin- and dextran-coated CeO2 NPs are more effective antioxidants than bare CeO2 NPs. CeO2 NPs modified with phosphatidylcholine or γ-IgG exhibited less radical-scavenging ability than bare CeO2 nanoparticles. Thus, common biocompatible ligands are able to regulate the biochemical activity of CeO2 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ce–Fe bimetallic oxide catalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal method for CO catalytic oxidation at a high concentration of SO2 in this paper. Ce0.7Fe0.3 showed the highest catalytic performance in CO oxidation, reaching higher than 97% CO conversion at above 300 °C in the flue gas containing 1000 ppm CO. When the concentration of SO2 in the flue gas increased to 1000 mg m−3, the CO conversion of Ce0.7Fe0.3 remained 86% for 10 hours. The doping of Fe into the CeO2 lattice resulted in the formation of a CeO2-like solid solution and the increase in the oxygen vacancy concentration in Ce0.7Fe0.3, thus facilitating the CO oxidation activity of Ce0.7Fe0.3. In the flue gas containing SO2, the doping of Fe showed positive effects of resisting the change in crystallinity and mitigating the loss of pore structure. The sulfation of CeO2 could lead to the formation of Ce2(SO4)3 on the surface, which deactivated the catalyst. The doping of Fe inhibited the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ by SO2, thereby preventing the formation of Ce2(SO4)3. Furthermore, a small amount of sulfate was deposited on the surface of Ce0.7Fe0.3, exhibiting poorer thermal stability than that deposited on CeO2. The Fe-doping modification played a positive role in enhancing the CO oxidation activity and SO2-poisoning resistance of Ce0.7Fe0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption method for water pollutants has aroused significant attention owing to its convenience, simple operation, high efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In this paper, a porous organic polymer (POP) namely POP-Por using porphyrin-based and resorcinarene-based molecules as the building block was successfully synthesized via Sonogashira coupling copolymerization, and was then sulfonated to prepare POP-SO3−. POP-Por showed excellent adsorption performance towards bisphenol A (BPA) owing to the high BET surface area and the formation of hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions. The pseudo-second-order rate constant (k2) of POP-Por towards BPA was 12.5 g mg−1 min−1 and the maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of POP-Por towards BPA was 780 mg g−1. Meanwhile, POP-SO3− exhibited high adsorption affinity towards herbicides including paraquat and diquat due to the strong electrostatic interactions. k2 of POP-SO3− towards paraquat and diquat were 31.4 and 68.6 g mg−1 min−1 (the removal efficiency can reach >96% when the contact time was only 10 s), surpassing those of most of the reported adsorbents. Qm of POP-SO3− towards paraquat and diquat were 237 and 252 mg g−1, respectively, further indicating the excellent adsorption performance of these two POPs. This work provided a smart platform for the construction of POP-based adsorbents to meet the removal demand for pollutants with different charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability and other excellent performances is still the focus of current research on gas sensors. In this paper, biomorphic zinc oxide composite reduced graphene oxide nanomaterials (C–Z–ZnO–rGO) based on a metal–organic framework are synthesized by an impregnation calcination method using cotton as a biological template. The microscopic morphologies and structural composition of the composites are characterized. The response value of C–Z–ZnO–rGO to acetic acid gas is much higher than that of other gas sensors. At an operating temperature of 350 °C, the C–Z–ZnO–rGO gas-sensitive sensors have a response value of 410 for 100 ppm acetic acid, a response time of 43 s, and a recovery time of 18 s, and have good repeatability and long-term stability. The response value of 2.614 for 1 ppm of acetic acid gas further indicates that the C–Z–ZnO–rGO sensor has a low detection limit. The hollow structure of the C–Z–ZnO–rGO composites has the advantages of high specific surface area, multiple pores, diverse structures and abundant active sites, which improves the adsorption performance on acetic acid gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host–guest complexes formed between [9–11]CPPs and C60 were studied extensively due to their excellent photoelectric conversion properties and photochemistry. The drastically increased electron accepting ability of Li+@C60 with respect to C60 may induce strong intermolecular charge transfer interaction with [9–11]CPP. In this paper, a comprehensive computational analysis of the structure, intermolecular interactions, absorption spectra, charge transfer characteristics and nonlinear optical properties of [9–11]CPP⊂C60 and [9–11]CPP⊂Li+@C60 were studied using density functional theory calculations. It was found that the intermolecular binding energies of [10]CPP⊂C60 and [10]CPP⊂Li+@C60 were −47.76 and −60.08 kcal mol−1, which were larger than those of [9, 11]CPP⊂C60 and [9, 11]CPP⊂Li+@C60. Thus, [10]CPP was found to be the most ideal fullerene encapsulator and most suitable for encapsulating C60. In addition, with the increase of the CPP ring size, the second hyperpolarizability (γ) values of [n]CPP⊂C60 increase gradually. In addition, the γ values of [9–11]CPP⊂Li+@C60 were all greater than those of [9–11]CPP⊂C60, indicating that embedding Li+ into fullerene spheres can effectively improve their third-order nonlinear optical responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1), which plays an important role in the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation signalling pathway, is a potent target for immunomodulation and anti-tumour drugs. In this paper, 46 MALT1 inhibitors were used to establish 3D-QSAR models to study their conformational relationships, and novel inhibitors with high activity were developed, and the interactions between MALT1 and the inhibitors were further explored using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) model had q2 = 0.588, r2 = 0.982, SEE = 0.108; the comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA) model had q2 = 0.586, r2 = 0.974, SEE = 0.129. It showed that our established 3D-QSAR model had good statistical significance. On this basis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to verify the activity of the developed highly active compounds, and they were evaluated with reasonable ADME/T. The results of molecular dynamics simulations showed that the new compounds have better binding affinity. These findings provide necessary theoretical guidance for anti-lymphoma and autoimmune disease drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White pollution substantially impairs people's quality of life nowadays. Bio-based polymers that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable have garnered interest. Among them, polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted wide attention due to its excellent biodegradability, high transparency, and easy processing. However, its inherent flammability, low toughness, and poor compatibility with flame retardants severely limit its application scope. In this paper, a phytic acid-based flame retardant glycidyl methacrylate phytate (GPA) was prepared by epoxy ring-opening and phosphate transesterification. GPA was grafted onto PLA through free radical polymerization, and the introduction of GPA improved both the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of PLA. The LOI of PLA composite rose to 28% after adding a 6 wt% GPA. A reduction of 11.7% in the total heat release of the PLA-GPAX was observed in comparison to neat PLA, demonstrating that the prepared PLA composite exhibits high flame retardancy. Due to the improved dispersion and compatibility of GPA in the matrix after grafting onto PLA, the mechanical strength of PLA increased by 19.9%. This study provides a feasible method for improving the compatibility between flame retardants and bio-based polymers, achieving a mutually beneficial situation in flame retardancy and mechanical strength, and further expanding the application range of bio-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, in order to solve the problem of more impurities and less functional groups on the surface of sludge-based biochar, phosphoric acid and chitosan were used to co-modify sludge-based biochar (CS/SBC-H3PO4) to enhance the removal of Cr(VI). CS/SBC-H3PO4 was characterized using SEM, XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy and XPS. When the initial concentration of Cr(VI) solution was 100 mg L−1, the pH was 2.0, and the dosage of adsorbent was 50 mg, the Cr(VI) removal rate of CS/SBC-H3PO4 was 89.70%. The adsorption process of Cr(VI) by CS/SBC-H3PO4 was spontaneous and heat-absorbing, and was dominated by monolayer chemisorption, which followed the quasi-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, and its maximum adsorption capacity was 201.93 mg g−1 at 298 K. The removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by CS/SBC-H3PO4 is electrostatic adsorption, reduction and complexation. In detail, CS/SBC-H3PO4 electrostatically adsorbs Cr(VI) through surface amino protonation, and then reduces Cr(VI) to Cr(III) through –NH3+ and O–H groups to generate –NO2, C–O and C＝O groups. Finally, Cr(III) is complexed with the C＝O group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, NiMoO4@CoWO4 core–shell nanostructures have been synthesized by a hydrothermal process and annealing. Structural characterization and compositional analysis of the as-prepared NiMoO4@CoWO4 nanocomposites were performed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Here, NiMoO4@CoWO4 nanostructures were designed and synthesized on Ni foam. NiMoO4 nanorods would provide electron "superhighways" for charge storage and delivery, which could provide an effective electrical connection to the CoWO4 electrode material. In addition, the open space between these nanosheets can increase the active sites and the contribution of capacitive effects. Finally, NiMoO4@CoWO4 directly grown on Ni foam could avoid the "dead" volume caused by the tedious process of mixing active materials with polymer binders/conductive additives. As expected, NiMoO4@CoWO4 exhibited high specific capacity, good rate performance and excellent electrochemical stability. The results show that NiMoO4@CoWO4 exhibited a high specific capacity at a current density of 5 mA cm−2 and splendid electrochemical stability (88.5% retention after 4000 cycles). The great electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the unique core–shell architecture and the synergistic effect from the NiMoO4 nanorods and CoWO4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti3C2Tx has been extensively used as a promising sensing material for the construction of electrochemical sensors because of its excellent conductivity, surface area and mechanical properties, but the two-dimensional structure and poor catalytic activity of Ti3C2Tx limit the improvement of its analytical behavior. This paper reports a facile method for the synthesis of a Ti3C2Tx@gold nanoparticle-arginine- and serine-functionalized graphene quantum dot aerogel (Ti3C2Tx@Au–AS-GQD). AS-GQD was prepared by heating a mixture of citric acid, arginine and serine. The formed AS-GQD was used to reduce chloroauric acid to produce gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles protonated with hydrochloric acid were dropped into a Ti3C2Tx aqueous solution to form Ti3C2Tx@Au–AS-GQD. The Ti3C2Tx@Au–AS-GQD shows one three-dimensional structure. Small gold nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the Ti3C2Tx sheets. The introduction of AS-GQD resulted in the formation of Schottky heterojunction and enhanced the catalytic activity. The electrochemical sensor fabricated with Ti3C2Tx@Au–AS-GQD exhibited high sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability in the electrochemical detection of chloramphenicol. The differential pulse voltammetric current at −0.6 V linearly increased with the increase in chloramphenicol within 0.003–100 μM, exhibiting a detection limit of 0.0012 μM (S/N = 3). The sensitivity of our sensor toward chloramphenicol was better than those of other electrochemical sensors. This study also paves an avenue for the construction of Ti3C2Tx composites with excellent catalytic activity in sensing, catalysis and energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth doped phosphors have received growing interest in the luminescence field, and hold great potential for lighting and display backlight applications. Nonetheless, the practical implementation of white light-emitting diodes requires the development of a cost-effective and high-performance red phosphor, which is still a significant challenge. In this paper, Eu3+ doped Ba3Na0.32Nb6O12(Si2O7)2 red phosphors were prepared using a high-temperature solid-state method. The structure and phase purity of the samples were analyzed in detail by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), structure refinement and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Under 395 nm excitation, the phosphor exhibited an intense red emission due to the 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions. Through decay curve measurements, it is found that the decay time corresponding to the double-exponential equation decreased with the increase of activator concentration. Theoretical calculations showed that the quadrupole–quadrupole interaction played a dominant role in concentration quenching. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the phosphor were (0.6436, 0.3556) and the color purity reached 92.07%, indicating that the sample has high color purity. In addition, the temperature-dependent intensity was investigated in detail. The results demonstrated that Ba3Na0.32Nb6O12(Si2O7)2:Eu3+ is a potential red-emitting phosphor for near-ultraviolet based white light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]