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In this paper, we investigated the role of excited-state hydrogen bonding in the photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) utilizing Rose Bengal as a catalyst, through a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Experiments validated the successful conversion of CO2 to CO in a homogeneous aqueous solution system under light irradiation, without additional photosensitizers or sacrificial agents. Theoretically, the DFT/TDDFT calculations modeled the catalyst-reactants as a hydrogen-bonded complex (HBC), understanding the energy, hydrogen, and electron transfer mechanisms induced by excited-state hydrogen bonding. Combining the photophysical and photochemical insights revealed the complete catalytic cycle, identifying the water oxidation process as the rate-limiting step in the entire photocatalytic CO2RR process. Experimental and computational results provide molecular-level insights into the structure–activity relationships. This work enhances comprehension of the pivotal role of excited-state hydrogen bonding and holds significant reference value for enhancing the conversion efficiency in the photocatalytic CO2RR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolites are a class of catalysts with specific pore structures as well as different pore sizes, which are now widely used in various shape-selective catalytic reactions. In this paper, a uniform micro/mesoporous core–shell composite HZSM-@MCM-41 comprising zeolite was successfully prepared by coating mesoporous MCM-41 shells on nanosized ZSM-5 cores using a two-step hydrothermal method. Nanoscale ZSM-5 cores with different acidity were successfully prepared by changing the Si/Al of the initial solution of pristine ZSM-5, and three different thicknesses of MCM-41 shell layers were easily encapsulated on the surface of ZSM-5 with different acidity by varying the amount of silicon source added in the secondary hydrothermal crystallization process. The synthesized series of micro-mesoporous core–shell catalysts were also applied to the catalytic fast pyrolysis in lignin. In the catalytic fast pyrolysis of lignin, the mesoporous structure promoted the transition of biomass pyrolysis intermediate to liquid products, and the acidity of the HZSM-5 core facilitated their catalytic transformation to aromatic hydrocarbons. Among all the tested catalysts, the HZ@M-80-ll catalyst with an internal Si/Al = 80 and MCM-41 shell thickness of ∼25 nm exhibited the highest production of light aromatics and phenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral surfaces are an object of interest due to their application in catalysis, separation and sensors. Such surfaces can exhibit chirality on the molecular or supramolecular level. Previously, we have studied the thermodynamic features of adsorption on non-porous surfaces with supramolecular chirality. However, for their application in enantiomer separation, enantioselectivity and capacity should be greater. Porous adsorbents are promising for this purpose. In this work, the enantioselectivity of copper borophosphate LiCu2[BP2O8(OH)2] was studied. This zeotype material was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis without any source of chirality. Supramolecular chirality was achieved by spontaneous symmetry breaking via Viedma ripening. XRD and SEM were used to prove the synthesis accuracy. Enantioselectivity during adsorption was studied using the adsorption isotherms of α-pinene and limonene enantiomer analysis. The experimental isotherms were approximated by Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Freundlich and Fowler–Guggenheim equations. The t-test was used to prove the reliability of the differences in enantiomer adsorption. The isosteric heats of adsorption were calculated from the adsorption isotherms. The data obtained have shown the ability of the LiCu2[BP2O8(OH)2] surface to recognize both α-pinene and limonene enantiomers. The molecules of α-pinenes adsorbed without pores, with the maximum enantioselectivity coefficient of 1.23 at 80 °C. Limonene molecules adsorbed in pore volume as single molecules or 1D chains. This phenomenon was proved by analysis of isosteric heats. The enantioselectivity of copper borophosphate to limonenes and α-pinenes was similar. The ability of pores with supramolecular chirality (and without molecular chirality) to recognize enantiomers was discovered in this paper for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria and infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a serious challenge to global healthcare. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is becoming a highly effective antimicrobial method. Compared with near infrared I (NIR-I), near infrared II (NIR-II) has deeper penetration depth, less light scattering and higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The selection of a photothermal agent (PTA) and laser parameters is important. Three kinds of MXenes, Nb2C, Ti3C2 and V2C, were prepared in this paper, and the extinction coefficient and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of NIR-I and NIR-II were compared. The extinction coefficient of Ti3C2 (26.23 L g−1 cm−1) at 808 nm was greater than those of Nb2C (24.38 L g−1 cm−1) and V2C (19.43 L g−1 cm−1). However, V2C had a higher temperature than Nb2C at 808 nm due to its high PCE (49.26%). Nb2C had a higher extinction coefficient (24.99 L g−1 cm−1) and PCE (45.55%) at 1064 nm, resulting in the highest temperature change. High extinction coefficient and high PCE are the two important factors for an excellent PTA. To reduce laser power used in the treatment, NIR-II laser and a gelation strategy for MXenes were used. The prepared Nb2C/Gel could be rapidly heated to 62 °C at a laser power of 0.112 W (lower than MPE), and the sterilization rate for MRSA was 92.48%. A NIH-3T3 cell activity study showed that the prepared Nb2C had good biocompatibility. Nb2C/Gel has excellent antibacterial properties and it is expected that a rapid, efficient and safe biological antimicrobial strategy against bacterial infections can be established using Nb2C/Gel, especially for drug-resistant bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, flame retardant composites were prepared by incorporating three flame retardants (FRs), including triphenyl phosphate (TPP), polysiloxane (PSQ) and phosphite functionalized polysiloxane (PPSQ), respectively into a polylactic acid (s/PLLA) matrix. The results indicated that the ultimate oxygen index increased from 20.6% (s/PLLA) to 22.5% (s/PLLA/TPP), 21.1% (s/PLLA/PSQ), and 23.3% (s/PLLA/PPSQ). The composites exhibited a decrease in peak heat release rate (pHRR) and prolonged peak time according to the cone calorimetry analysis. s/PLLA/PPSQ possessed the highest residual carbon content and the densest char residue with finest and smallest pores, indicating excellent flame-retardant performance. The crystallization behavior analysis revealed that the three FRs resulted in an increased crystallization rate and crystallinity. Notably, the crystallinity of s/PLLA/PPSQ increased from 25.8% in s/PLLA to 37.3%. Additionally, PSQ and PPSQ effectively enhanced the mechanical properties of composite materials. Compared to s/PLLA, the tensile strength of s/PLLA/PSQ and s/PLLA/PPSQ increased by 11.5% and 31.3% respectively, and storage modulus increased by 50.0% and 14.6%. This research demonstrated that among the three additives, PPSQ can effectively provide both flame retardancy and mechanical properties to the s/PLLA matrix, resulting in the composite with the best comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a significant reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypochlorous acid (HClO) plays a key role in the human immune system, ensuring the normal function of the organism. However, abnormal HClO levels have been linked to immune system disorders, neurodegenerative damage, and cancer. Therefore, rapid, and sensitive monitoring of HClO is important for the diagnosis of certain diseases. Here, we designed a probe XL for the detection of HClO in living cells, which is a mixture of phenothiazine and semi-cyanine. The probe XL is highly sensitive, selective and has an ultra-fast (<10 seconds) response to HClO in solution. The detection limit of probe XL for HClO was as low as 31 nM, and we also successfully used the test paper prepared with probe XL for the colorimetric fluorescence detection of HClO in real water samples. In addition, probe XL showed good response to both endogenous and exogenous HClO in cells. Finally, we successfully used probe XL for imaging HClO in zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, three-dimensional TiO2 nanoflowers (NFs) were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method, and Ag3PO4 was grown in situ following alkali treatment to design and synthesize a Ag3PO4/OH/TiO2 catalyst with excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light. The test results show that the photocatalytic degradation performance of TiO2 NFs after alkali treatment and Ag3PO4 loading is significantly improved. This is because the alkali treatment and the introduction of Ag3PO4 can provide a large amount of –OH, which can be converted to ˙OH under UV irradiation, followed by an increase in the number of active radicals to enhance the photocatalytic degradation performance. Meanwhile, the introduction of Ag3PO4 can effectively improve the light absorption ability of the photocatalyst. Moreover, the in situ growth of Ag3PO4 on TiO2 NFs can construct a high-quality Ag3PO4/TiO2 heterojunction to promote the charge separation and transport. Therefore, the degradation rate of Ag3PO4/OH/TiO2 can reach 90% after 30 min for degrading 3 mg L−1 RhB under visible light. The Ag3PO4/OH/TiO2 photocatalyst designed in the present work provides a new tool for the degradation of organic dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two D–π–A structured self-assembly monolayers (SAMs: FNE29 and DT-1) are self-assembled onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates as hole-transport layers (HTLs) for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Due to the presence of a terminal –COOH group, the SAMs can be adsorbed onto the surface of the ITO substrate through the covalent self-assembly. The employed FNE29 and DT-1 SAMs differ in the π bridge (linker); the FNE29 SAM has a hexyl-substituent terthiophene while the DT-1 SAM contains dithienopyrrolobenzotriazole as the linkers, respectively. Upon the self-assembly of ITO with the SAMs, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is enhanced from 9.36% for the control device to 16.75% for the FNE29 modified device and further to 20.65% for the DT-1 modified PSCs. As the D–π–A structured SAMs with a large fused π bridge as a linker is beneficial for hole transfer, the self-assembly of DT-1 achieves a higher PCE with an improved fill factor. Moreover, due to the good hydrophobic characteristics of the SAMs, the inverted PSC devices self-assembled with these two molecules display good stability, maintaining over 80% of the original PCE after storage in air (relative humidity of 20–30%) for ∼1000 h without encapsulation. In addition, the FNE29 and DT-1 based devices also show good photostability after operating for 1000 h. These results indicate that the D–π–A structured SAMs with large conjugated fused π bridges as linkers have obvious advantages as the HTLs for inverted PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the literature, PDIs have been shown to demonstrate extensive applications in the area of organic electronics due to their ability to act as n-type semiconductors. PDIs have been applied in a wide range of electronic devices, including energy storage devices. To fit in these applications, we have modified the valine-terminated PDI core by substituting groups, viz. phenoxy, 4-methoxy phenoxy, and 3,4-dimethoxy phenoxy groups, at bay positions to fine-tune their HOMO-LUMO levels. In this paper, a series of conjugation-extended 1,7-, 1,6- and 1,6,7-regioisomers of Val-PDIs were synthesized, and 1,6,7-PDIs were removed by utilizing the Soxhlet extraction technique used for the first time. The 1,7- and 1,6-PDIs were separated by repeated crystallization and their structural characterization was performed using FTIR, ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Further, the structures of as-synthesized PDIs were optimized by DFT calculations using the B3LYP approach with a 6-31+G(d,p) basis set, and the electronic transitions were visualized by analyzing natural transition orbitals (NTO). The photophysical properties of the highly soluble bay-substituted PDIs were evaluated using UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques in organic solvents ranging from non-polar to polar. Furthermore, their relative polarities in the ground vs. excited state were determined by employing the Lippert-Mataga relations. The electrochemical investigations of PDIs were done using cyclic voltammetry to evaluate their redox behavior. In addition to their unique structural relationship, 1,7- and 1,6-regioisomers revealed intriguing optoelectronic properties. Finally, symmetric supercapacitors (SSCs) were developed by exploiting the regioisomerically pure 1,7- and 1,6-disubstituted PDIs as electrode materials. The as-fabricated PDIs/GF electrodes were optimized in a two-electrode SC device given their electrochemical performance. Two of the PDIs, viz. M1 and D1, demonstrated good results of specific capacitances, i.e. 59.41 and 23.60 Fg-1 respectively, in the SSC devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method using gum arabic (GA) and tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl aminomethane (tris) as precursors. The resultant NCDs show uniform size distribution and stable optical performance. Then a fluorescent signal quenching probe based on NCDs was proposed for the quantitative detection of mercury ions (Hg2+). The developed fluorescent nanoprobe based on NCDs demonstrated a good linear relationship in the range of 10 to 120 μM (R² = 0.99265) for toxic mercury(II), with a detection limit of 4.87 μM. Additionally, the present assay system could be efficiently used for the detection of Hg2+ in real water samples with a satisfactory recovery rate (96.11-104.04%). The metal-free NCDs, which exhibited little cytotoxicity, were successfully applied to in vitro fluorescence imaging of human triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, achieving visualization of Hg2+ in cells. With good water solubility and biocompatibility, the nitrogen-doped carbon dots synthesized by this economical and ecologically friendly process are suitable for use in analytical testing and biological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to develop high-performance catalysts for the degradation of antibiotic pollutants. In this paper, we reported an inverse opal Mn-doped WO3 (IO Mn–WO3) catalyst to effectively activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of levofloxacin (LVX) under visible light irradiation. The degradation efficiency of this novel photo-Fenton-like system could reach almost 100% for LVX. The catalyst showed good recyclability and stability within five cycles. In addition, the possible degradation pathways, the main reactive oxygen species and the degradation mechanism were systematically investigated in this work. ˙O2− and 1O2 were identified as the main reactive oxygen species in the degradation system. Mn doping can initiate PMS activation and improve charge transfer efficiency, WO3 can promote the reduction of Mn species to make the reaction in the system occur continuously, an inverse opal structure can further enhance light absorption and increase the contact area between the catalyst and the pollutant. This work integrated the Fenton-like catalytic effect and the photocatalytic effect into the designed catalyst for PMS activation and antibiotic degradation, which developed a feasible strategy to improve the degradation performance of Mn-based materials for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypochlorite (ClO−) is closely involved in human health and environmental safety. Therefore, it is of vital importance to realize the detection and separation of ClO−. Herein, a nanoprobe with analysis and removal capabilities of ClO− was synthesized via immobilizing coumarin-based functional molecules on halloysite nanotubes. The probe can easily detect ClO− in aqueous solution without the need for organic solvents, showing a fast detection time (10 s), a wide pH range (4–11), a low detection limit (8.4 nM), and a credible recovery rate range of 93.6–105.1%. The probe was further prepared into convenient test papers to realize the visual detection of ClO−. More importantly, it also enabled the removal of ClO−, and the removal rate was as high as 99.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rutin hydrate has some pharmacological properties and is widely available in human food and household samples. Although many methods based on large-scale instruments have been established for the detection of rutin hydrate, a simple, rapid and in situ measurement strategy was rarely reported up to now. In this work, a fluorescent sensor based on the cyanostilbene macrocycle (BCM) was developed for detecting rutin hydrate with high selectivity and sensitivity. BCM is a bis-cyanostilbene macrocycle with a bridging thiourea chain prepared by "1 + 1" condensation in 75% yield. BCM possessed a good fluorescence emission at 475 nm with an absolute fluorescence quantum yield of 0.26 in DMSO–H2O (5 : 95). It exhibited good selective detection for rutin hydrate among a series of normal ions and biomolecules with a "turn-off" fluorescence response. The binding constant of BCM for rutin hydrate was 2.4 × 104 M−1 and the detection limit attained 1.16 × 10−7 M. The 1 : 1 sensing mechanism was clarified using Job's plot, and 1H NMR and MS binding spectra. The sensing ability of BCM for rutin hydrate was successfully applied in detecting rutin hydrate in a test paper, three fruits and experiments of standard addition recovery with the recoveries of 90–95%, implying the simple, rapid and in situ detecting potential of BCM for rutin hydrate in real samples and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the "New Journal of Chemistry," which will enter into its 39th year of publication as a general chemistry journal founded in 1977 by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) since 1998. Topics discussed include information on editorial policy and editors of the journal, quality of research papers published in the journal to increase interest of the chemistry research community and planning of the journal for its expansion and providing services to readers.

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]

Though graphene paper consisting of layer-by-layer stacked graphene nanosheets (GNs) has been widely used as a heat spreader due to the high in-plane thermal conductivity, the drawback of graphene paper is that it shows low through-plane thermal conductivity at the same time. In this study, polyamine-functionalized perylene bisimide derivative (APBI)/graphene nanosheet hybrid paper (AGP) samples with a "brick-and-mortar" structure were fabricated via the noncovalent functionalization of GNs and APBI. APBI can not only greatly improve the through-plane thermal transport but it also improves the mechanical properties of AGP. The through-plane thermal conductivity of AGP reaches 6.67 W m−1 K−1 with 42.36 wt% APBI and the tensile strength of AGP reaches 47.9 MPa with 14.22 wt% APBI. AGP, with both good thermal transport properties and mechanical properties, is expected to be used for thermal management applications as a heat spreader in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of fluorescent probes for rapid and accurate detection of hazardous nerve agents (NA) has been a main focus of research because of their use as chemical warfare agents (CWA) for mass destruction in war and terrorist attacks, and lethal toxicity for human beings. In this paper, a probe (PPID) based on the phenanthrene-imidazole unit and the 4-phenyl pyridine group was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and could visually detect and quantify a nerve-agent simulant diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) with excellent sensing properties in solution and in the vapor phase. The probe with the nucleophilic pyridine-N atom as the active site reacts with the electrophilic central phosphorous atom of DCP and after that catalytic hydrolysis by moisture in the DMSO solution occurs to form a protonated sensor. Interestingly, the protonated chemosensor PPIDH showed an apparent intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), leading to a large red-shifted fluorescence "turn-on" response. The effects of the ICT character on the sensing properties displayed a ratiometric fluorescence response to DCP and a low limit of detection (1.4 nM). The sensing process was also verified by test strips by loading probe PPID with DCP vapor, response time, theoretical calculations, and live cell imaging. [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]

In this study, our aim was to synthesize Gd–Ni doped M-type calcium hexaferrites using a solid-state reaction method. The chemical composition of the synthesized material was Ca1−xGdxFe12−yNiyO19, (0.00 ≤ x, y ≤ 0.07). This study focused on examining the impact of low concentrations of Gd3+ and Ni2+ ions in the formula. The M-type hexagonal structure was confirmed with high certainty using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, a minor impurity phase, α-Fe2O3, was detected. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis focused on examining the surface morphology of the sample, and the obtained images revealed the presence of anticipated grain sizes ranging from 0.80 to 1.06 μm. This study employed energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to validate the elemental composition and oxidation states of the constituent elements. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and theoretical calculations are used to determine crucial parameters, including remanent magnetization (Mr), coercivity (Hc), saturation magnetization (Ms), squareness ratio (Mr/Ms ≤ 0.5), magneton number (μB), and magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant (Ka). Examination of these parameters contributes to a deeper understanding of the magnetic properties under investigation. This paper presents an analysis of the obtained samples, highlighting their remarkable suitability for applications in high-frequency devices and high-density recording media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the synthesis of a Mn2+ and Pr3+ co-doped Zn2GeO4 optical probe by introducing boron-doped and histidine- and serine-functionalized graphene quantum dots (BHS-GQD) to Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4. The resulting Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4-BHS-GQD have a rod-like nanostructure, with rods that have an average length of 378 ± 1.8 nm and a width of 11 ± 0.8 nm, where the rods self-assemble into nanorod bundles. The Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4-BHS-GQD can produce a strong green fluorescence emission under the excitation of 254 nm ultraviolet light. The fluorescence emission strongly depends on the pH and ambient temperature. Increases of pH in the ranges 3.0–5.8 and 6.8–8.0 bring a slow increase in the fluorescence intensity. However, a sudden leap in the fluorescence intensity appears at pH values between 5.8 and 6.8, indicating good pH-switching properties. These properties should be attributed to the acid–base substitution reaction that occurs at the interface between the Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4-BHS-GQD and the aqueous solution. At a relatively low pH value, the H+ ions in the aqueous solution can replace the GeO44− ions in the Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4-BHS-GQD to form weakly acidic species, H4GeO4, leading to the reduction in the peak fluorescence intensity. In addition, the study reveals that an increase of the temperature between 20 and 80 °C causes a linear decrease in the peak fluorescence intensity and that this fluorescence intensity change exhibits an excellent reversibility when the temperature is varied. The Mn2+/Pr3+-Zn2GeO4-BHS-GQD have been satisfactorily used as an optical probe for sensing pH and temperature and for encrypting information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a novel approach for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the radiolytical reduction of commercial graphene oxide (GO). The method is highly efficient and environmentally friendly compared to other synthetic routes. We conducted a detailed study on the influence of absorbed doses during the synthesis process. The reduction process for the production of rGO is induced by the radiolysis of water at ambient temperature and pressure, confirmed using several sophisticated techniques. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the radiolytical process compared to conventional methods of GO reduction. The C/O ratio increased from 3.3 (GO) to 11.2 (rGO), surpassing those of other reduction methods. Additionally, the intensity ratio of D and G bands (ID/IG) increased for rGO due to an increase in order by reduction, implying the restoration of π-conjugation. Furthermore, the thermal stability of GO improved upon irradiation. Electrochemical measurements finally showed that our rGO exhibited a specific capacitance of 229.3 F g−1, indicating its high potential as a candidate for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of water pollution has become increasingly serious, posing a great threat to human health. Among the various water pollutants, a significant one is dyes, which have strong toxicity and carcinogenicity and seriously pollute water bodies, thus further posing a great threat to the health of aquatic life, animals, plants and human beings. However, dyes are widely used in textile, paper, and printing industries, and thus it is difficult to prevent their discharge into water bodies during the production process. Therefore, it is necessary to develop efficient methods to remove dyes from process wastewater as much as possible for wastewater purification. In this regard, the adsorption method has become one of the most effective methods to remove dyes because of its simple process and low cost. In this study, we prepared a biomimetic seaweed absorbable membrane (BSAM). This membrane has a unique porous structure and can adsorb dye molecules. After testing, the highest removal rate of methylene blue dye reached 97.72%. This type of membrane looks like seaweed, can curl when dry, is easy to disperse in water, and has excellent water solubility. In addition, because of its hydrophilicity, it exhibits good separation efficiency in the separation of water-in-oil emulsions. Thus, this membrane has certain application potential in the treatment of dye wastewater and dye-containing oil water in special processes on ships and in oil fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na3(VOPO4)2F (NVOPF) is an ideal cathode for high-energy-density sodium ion batteries (SIBs), due to its impressive output voltage and stable structure. However, the high production costs and complex operation processes associated with conventional synthetic methods impede its commercial applications. Herein, a simple but efficient method for large-scale low-cost synthesis of NVOPF at low temperatures is proposed. The optimal sample obtained at a suitable pH delivers a high discharge capacity of 119.6 mA h g−1 at 0.2C and remarkable cycling performance with a decay rate of merely 0.0043% per cycle over 1400 cycles at 1C. Coin-type full cells composed of NVOPF and commercial hard carbon achieve a distinguished energy density of 426.2 W h kg−1 calculated based on the cathode material. Most importantly, 2.1 A h soft-pack batteries with 100 mm in length and 60 mm in width were assembled based on the as-synthesized kilogram-scale NVOPF, which can stably cycle at 1C for 400 cycles with a capacity retention of 93.2% and an average coulombic efficiency of 99.96%. Moreover, the soft-pack battery exhibits fascinating performance in a wide temperature range, including superior rate capability at −20 °C (86.4% at 5C compared to 1C) as well as stable cycling performance at 50 °C (72.5% capacity retention after 400 cycles at 1C). This paper proposes a low-temperature co-precipitation method for synthesizing NVOPF, which significantly reduces the cost of production and contributes a solution for the industrial-scale production of NVOPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) are regarded as a promising hydrogen storage and transportation technology. However, problems of incomplete dehydrogenation and the high dehydrogenation catalyst costs have hindered the development and application of this technology. Therefore, the research and development of a dehydrogenation catalyst with low cost and high reactivity have become the focus of current research in this field. In this paper, we report on a dehydrogenation catalyst with low noble metal loading prepared using amino silane coupling agent. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic performance on dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole (12H-NECZ). At 473 K, the hydrogen release of 0.3% Pd–NH2(1) catalyst prepared by the amino modification method is 4.44 wt%, which is 2.1 times that of Pd catalyst prepared using the traditional impregnation method. The amino-modified catalysts with increasing Pd loading of 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% displayed hydrogen release of 4.96, 5.14 and 5.21 wt%, respectively. The characterization of amnio-modified Pd catalysts showed that Pd was uniformly distributed on the SiO2 support, and the Pd particle size of the 0.3% Pd–NH2(1) catalyst was only 1.6 nm. The reaction kinetic parameters of two catalysts in the 12H-NECZ dehydrogenation were calculated, and the results indicated that the activation energy of the rate-limiting step (4H-NECZ to NECZ) in dehydrogenation was reduced with amnio-modified catalysts compared to impregnated catalysts. By analyzing the relationship between the Pd particle size and turnover frequency (TOF), the optimal Pd particle size in the overall dehydrogenation reaction and each step of the 12H-NECZ dehydrogenation was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickering emulsions are considered as promising chemical oil repellents in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In this paper, an amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(dopamine methacrylamide) (mPEG–PDMA, abbreviated as mp) containing catechol adhesion groups was synthesized. The surface modification of A200 and SBA-15 nanoparticles was carried out using the strategy of dip-coating with mp solution, and the emulsification properties of the two modified particles and their stability were comparatively investigated. The results showed that both modified particles could achieve excellent emulsification performance. The best emulsification effect was achieved when the concentration of A200-mp and SBA-15-mp particles was 2.5 mg mL−1 and the oil phase volume fraction was 0.5. The emulsions stabilized by SBA-15-mp tended to be invertible when the volume fraction of the oil phase was 0.7 or pH = 2–3 or when NaCl was added, and O/W emulsions could be inverted into W/O types. Interestingly, the emulsions stabilized by A200-mp particles showed good acid resistance, alkali resistance, high salt resistance, multiple oil phase applicability and centrifugal shear stability. In the simulated rock permeation experiments, the emulsions prepared using A200-mp particles could stably permeate in the silica sand column without an obvious chromatographic separation effect, which is promising for application in tertiary oil recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low coulombic efficiency and mild conductivity have impeded the commercialization of sulfur-based batteries despite pairing with high energy density and low-cost aluminum anodes. In this study, we investigated cost-effective electrolyte confinement of the sulfur cathode to an Al/S@Gf battery, which employed a sulfur-graphite (S@Gf) cathode, an aluminum metal anode, and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride (EMImCl):AlCl3 as an electrolyte. The Al/EMImCl:AlCl3/S@Gf battery exhibited remarkable performance in terms of rate capability and cycle life, delivering a high capacity of 1281 mA h g−1 at a current density of 300 mA g−1 with 90% coulombic efficiency (CE); additionally, it was stable at 800 mA g−1 withdrawing current. By employing an embedding technique to incorporate sulfur particles onto the graphite, we emulated previously observed glitches, such as capacity degradation and poor conductivity resulting in the accumulation of insoluble discharge products hindering ion diffusion. We demonstrated the potential of graphite to enhance the capability of holding sulfur for creating cells with repeatable, stable, and long-lasting charge storage features. This paper elucidates the interactions between carbon, sulfur, and aluminum electrolytes, and sheds light on their respective roles in the fundamental charge-storage process of aluminum–sulfur batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid is an important organic acid with wide applications, and preparation of lactic acid from biomass-derived 1,2-propanediol was considered a green reaction route. In this paper, a Cu modified Au/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was designed for the oxidative esterification of 1,2-propanediol to methyl lactate in an alkali-free methanol system. The structural properties of the Au–Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst were characterized by various characterization methods, and interaction between Au nanoparticles and Cu species was discovered. Moreover, the catalytic tests showed that the Cu modified Au/γ-Al2O3 catalysts exhibited higher methyl lactate selectivity than the monometallic Au/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. It was revealed that the synergistic effect between the Au nanoparticles and Cu species could promote the oxidation of primary hydroxyl groups of 1,2-propanediol to produce methyl lactate and reduce the generation of by-products. In addition, a reasonable reaction pathway for the oxidative esterification of 1,2-propanediol was proposed based on the comparative experiments. These findings may provide favorable guidance for design of Au based nanocatalysts for the oxidative esterification of alcohols to esters and carboxylic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane separation technique has been widely used in recent years for oily wastewater treatment because of the advantages of simplicity of operation, lack of residual contamination and high separation efficiency. However, membrane fouling and pore plugging can cause serious problems, such as short membrane life and decreased flux. Therefore, in this paper, a self-cleaning polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite membrane with excellent oil–water emulsion separation properties was prepared. The PAN membrane modified with AgI/UiO-66-NH2 was first prepared using electrospinning. The zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (pSBMA) was then modified onto the prefabricated electrospinning membrane by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to prepare hydrophilic polymer brush grafted PAN/AgI/UiO-66-NH2 composite membranes after 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BiBB) was introduced to the composite membrane. The membrane possesses a self-cleaning capacity because AgI/UiO-66-NH2 has the ability of visible light driven catalytic degradation. The powerful hydration ability of the pSBMA and the surrounding water molecules enhance the wettability of the composite membrane. The existence of a photocatalyst and hydration of a zwitterionic polymer brush greatly improve the resistance of the membrane towards contamination. The as prepared membrane was used to treat oil/water emulsions and the results revealed that the membrane has high permeability to four kinds of different oil/water emulsions when driven by gravity. The mentioned membrane might have potential application prospects in oily water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the preparation of an aluminum-based organic metal complex doped with fluorine and nitrogen (2-Ml/Al–F–N). The synthesis method combines hydrothermal synthesis and calcination for modification. The catalyst was thoroughly characterized for its composition, structure, and morphology using various techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, XPS, SEM, TEM, and others. The electrochemical performance of the material was assessed using an electrochemical workstation, and gas chromatography was employed to analyze the results. DFT calculations were used to compute the material's properties and energy barrier diagram. The findings demonstrate that the catalyst exhibits a carbon nanoline morphology and showcases high catalytic activity in the CO2RR to CO. Notably, the catalyst exhibits excellent performance with a maximum current density of 14.08 mA cm−2 and a peak faradaic efficiency of 90.1% at −1.1 V vs. RHE. The active sites are predominantly located within the nanoline structure. The DFT calculations reveal that the introduction of ammonium fluoride during the synthesis process leads to the formation of a highly efficient fluorinated aluminum metal catalytic center derived from nonahydrate aluminum nitrate. This specific structure demonstrates excellent hydrogen suppression properties and effectively lowers desorption energy barriers, which enhances the CO2RR activity and promotes the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuO/CeO2 catalysts were widely studied as an alternative to precious metal catalysts, and the Cu–Ce synergy was essential to improve the catalytic performance. In this paper, the effects of CuO loading on Cu–Ce synergy in CuO/CeO2 nanorod catalysts and their performance in toluene combustion were systematically investigated. It was found that non-equilibrium plasma facilitated the dispersion of CuO active species on the CeO2 surface. With the increase of the CuO loading from 1 wt% to 4 wt%, the Cu–Ce synergistic effect was gradually improved, which generated Cu+/Cu2+ and Ce3+/Ce4+ redox electron pairs. The highest oxygen vacancy concentration and Cu+ content of CuCe-4 (4 wt%) resulting from strong Cu–Ce synergy accelerated the activation of chemisorbed oxygen and consequently improved the efficiency of toluene catalytic combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy offers significant benefits over standard antibiotic therapy in terms of rapid sterilization and resistance reduction. In this paper, a series of ruthenium complexes were designed and synthesized for antibacterial studies. [Ru(tpy)(dppz-R)Cl][PF6] (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; dppz = dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine; R = H, CH3, C(CH3)3, F, CF3, NO2, NH2 or CN), Ru1–Ru8 all showed superior in vitro antimicrobial effects under blue light irradiation. Ru2 has the best antimicrobial activity, with its inherent dark toxicity and photodynamic inactivation rapidly killing S. aureus without developing drug tolerance. Binding and damaging DNA as well as generating ROS may be its potential antimicrobial targets. Ru2 lacks a hemolytic effect on rabbit erythrocytes and has low phototoxicity against G. mellonella Larvae. In addition, Ru2 has been successfully used to treat skin wounds in mice infected with S. aureus. Therefore, Ru2 has shown great potential as a photodynamic antimicrobial agent against the threat of S. aureus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urease may rapidly hydrolyze urea, causing a significant amount of ammonia to be released and decreasing the efficacy of urea fertilizers. However, urease inhibitors (UIs) can prevent the interaction between urease and urea, allowing crops to absorb ammonium nitrogen for an extended period of time. In this paper, by using different O-donor second auxiliary ligands, we have designed and synthesized two Cu-based coordination polymers (Cu-CPs) to operate as UIs by combining two aromatic carboxylic acids and a bis-pyridine-bis-amide ligand, which show excellent urease inhibitory activity. Cu-CP-1 has an obvious inhibitory effect on the inhibitory activity against jack bean urease, with the IC50 of 1 being 0.83 ± 0.01 μM while the IC50 value for Cu-CP-2 was 2.53 ± 0.01 μM, respectively. Furthermore, inhibitory activity against urease, kinetics, molecular docking, and comparisons of the title Cu-CPs and other complex-based materials have been comprehensively investigated. More importantly, the bridging atoms of μ2-OH and μ2-Cl play important roles in urease inhibition activity. The structure–function relationships were further discussed and indicate that Cu-CPs can be used as a kind of UI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 work, Pd and Pt electrocatalysts were electrodeposited on three-dimensional carbon paper and carbon nanofoam with the purpose of increasing the catalytic area to improve the glycerol electro-oxidation. SEM and cross-sectional SEM micrographs showed that Pd and Pt particles were well-distributed over the entire three-dimensional electrode surfaces. Commercial Pd/C and Pt/C catalysts deposited by the spray method were used for comparison, showing lower surface area (SA) utilization than those electrodeposited. The electrodeposition effectiveness to cover the electrode surfaces was evaluated by changes in overall SA and through the calculation of electrochemically active surface area (EASA) and specific surface area (SSA). Despite the larger EASA values found for Pd and Pt on nanofoam, Pt on paper showed the highest utilization of the surface area, obtaining an SSA of 58.1 m2 g−1. Moreover, the electrodeposition of Pd and Pt dramatically increased the EASA versus the geometrical area, improving this ratio 16 (Pd on paper), 151 (Pt on paper), 158 (Pd on nanofoam) and 277-fold (Pt on nanofoam). The electrodeposited porous Pt electrodes showed good activity for glycerol oxidation, exhibiting a more negative potential than Pd-based materials. However, for fuel cell applications operated at intermediate temperatures, Pd on carbon paper is the optimal candidate to be used as an anode because of its high current density and excellent poisoning tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (ECO2RR) is an effective means to promote carbon cycling. Recently, Bi-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant attention due to their high efficiency for formic acid generation in ECO2RR, however, their composition and morphology transformation during electrocatalysis still lack a deep exploration. Herein, a Bi-MOF with 2,4,6-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (H3TATB) ligand is used as the prototype to investigate its in situ transformation during ECO2RR. With various characterization methods, the detailed transformation processes are revealed. Firstly, the Bi-MOF was transformed into Bi2O2CO3 due to ligand substitution in KHCO3 electrolyte, resulting in changes in both shape and composition. Secondly, during ECO2RR, the Bi3+ ions can be reduced into metallic Bi0 nanoparticles and act as the real active component for ECO2RR. The resultant catalyst exhibits a high selectivity of up to 94.3% towards formate generation. At an optimal potential of −1.08 V vs. RHE, the catalyst can maintain a current density of −25 mA cm−2 and a faradaic efficiency of formate over 90% for 14.5 hours. This work not only develops an efficient electrocatalyst for ECO2RR but also provides a new insight into the in situ reconstruction of MOF precursor into the active catalyst, which is useful for the design and synthesis of other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell phones, tablets, laptop computers, and many other consumer technology gadgets use lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The characteristics of lithium batteries include a high specific energy, great efficiency, and a long life. Owing to their distinctive qualities, lithium batteries are now the preferred power source for the electronics industry, with annual production in billions of units. This paper discusses several safety hazards introduced by mechanical, thermal, and electrical abuse as well as cutting-edge fixes for these difficulties. This review sought to achieve a deeper understanding of the safety risks of lithium-ion batteries depending on materials chemistry together with a positive response to these problems. This review discusses different methods for enhancing cell safety, including cooling, balancing, and cell chemistry. It then examines current safety regulations and associated testing procedures. Finally, it concludes with observations on potential future advancements and the prospects for safer lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of effective and selective catalysts is the key to improving the multi-electron transfer nitrate reduction reaction (NO3−RR) to ammonia (NH3). Herein, we prepared a copper–tin bimetallic alloy using the dynamic hydrogen bubble template electrodeposition technique for electrocatalytic NO3− reduction to NH3. The NH3 yield rate and the faraday efficiency were up to 293.12 μmol h−1 cm−2 and 78.57% at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 M Na2SO4 (containing 0.01 M NaNO3) electrolyte. This paper will provide new suggestions for the use of bimetallic alloys for electrochemical removal of nitrate and ammonia synthesis from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor and poses serious threats to human health, and widespread concern has been raised regarding its effective removal from the environment. In this work, an eco-friendly surface molecularly imprinted composite (MIL-100(Fe)@MIP) was successfully fabricated in the green solvent of water and further achieved the fast and effective removal of BPA. The maximum adsorption capacity of BPA bound to MIL-100(Fe)@MIP was 15.45 mg g−1, and the adsorption behavior was adequately described with the Langmuir model. MIL-100(Fe)@MIP acquired fast adsorption of BPA, and the equilibrium adsorption capacity achieved 95% within 10 min. The adsorption process better matches the pseudo-second-order model. As a solid phase sorbent, MIL-100(Fe)@MIP was successfully applied to rapidly and efficiently remove BPA from five real samples, which included disposable food containers, canned yellow peach, orange juice, soybean milk and teabags, and the recoveries ranged from 80.67% to 100.58%. Furthermore, MIL-100(Fe)@MIP exhibited excellent reusability for 20 cycles. Hence, the developed MIL-100(Fe)@MIP is an eco-friendly and promising adsorbent that can effectively and rapidly remove BPA from the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine biofouling of deep-sea exploration equipment has compromised its normal purpose of detecting marine resources, and conventional self-renewing hydrogel coatings have become unsuitable for precision instruments due to the release of antifouling agents or heavy metals. Zwitterions exhibit excellent antifouling ability due to the hydration layer formed by molecules with equal amounts of cationic and anionic groups, resulting in an overall neutral charge. Herein, a non-releasing, mechanically strong surface hydrogel coating suitable for deep-sea probes was successfully prepared based on sulfobetaine-tannic acid zwitterionic hydrogel coatings (PVATAZ), aiming to achieve high antifouling performance. Benefiting from the hydration layer generated by the zwitterion and the significant mechanical performance of strong hydrogen bonding between poly(vinyl alcohol) and tannic acid (TA), the resulting optimized PVATAZ hydrogel coatings exhibited excellent antifouling performance and high tensile strength. Specifically, under stress up to 0.41 MPa, elongations can reach up to 228% and the colony forming units of E. coli and S. aureus in PVATAZ are 0.08 and 0.05 per milliliter, respectively. The efficiency of zwitterion-containing hydrogel coatings in resisting marine fouling while being environmentally friendly renders them promising as hydrogel coatings for deep-sea probes. [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]

This paper reported an easy synthesis of MnCo2S4 (MCS) nanosheets using a one-pot solvothermal method for high performance supercapacitor electrode material applications. The obtained ultrathin MCS nanosheets with a thickness of approximately 10 nm are coated on a graphite paper substrate without a binder using the 3D printing technique to form supercapacitor electrodes. The electrochemical performance of the MCS electrode was studied by CV, GCD, EIS measurements in a 6 M KOH electrolyte using a three electrode system. As a result, the MCS electrode material exhibits a higher specific capacity of 2203.6 F g−1 at a current density of 3 A g−1 along with an excellent cycling stability of 93% after 5000 charge–discharge cycles. Furthermore, the symmetric supercapacitor is fabricated using a two-electrode system with synthesized MCS nanosheets and exhibits an outstanding energy density and power density of 96 W h kg−1 and 1857 W kg−1, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of the MCS nanosheets as an efficient electrode material for next generation supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]