Cytoprotective Effects and Intranuclear Localization of Sulfur-Containing Derivative of Buckminsterfullerene.

Background: There is a growing interest in exploring the biological characteristics of nanoparticles and exploring their potential applications. However, there is still a lack of research into the potential genotoxicity of fullerene derivatives and their impact on gene expression in human cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of a water-soluble fullerene derivative, C60[C6H4SCH2COOK]5H (F1), on human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF).

Buckyballs to fight pandemic: Water-soluble fullerene derivatives with pendant carboxylic groups emerge as a new family of promising SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.

Herein, we present the first experimental study of individual water-soluble fullerene derivatives proving their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. The initial screening allowed us to identify a few new compounds that have demonstrated pronounced antiviral activity with IC values as low as 390 nM and selectivity indexes reaching 214. Time-of-addition analysis and molecular docking results suggested that the viral protease and/or the spike protein are the most probable targets inhibited by the fullerene derivatives.

Wave Function Localization Reduces the Bandgap of Disordered Double Perovskite CsAgBiBr.

Double perovskite CsAgBiBr is a promising alternative to lead-based perovskites with excellent stability and attractive optoelectronic properties. However, a relatively large bandgap severely limits its performance in many applications such as solar cells and photodetectors. It has been reported that a random distribution of Ag and Bi atoms in CsAgBiBr effectively reduces its bandgap without introducing dopants or impurities, while the mechanism remains unclear.

Dose-Response Effect of Various Concentrations of Cl-Containing Water-Soluble Derivatives of C Fullerenes on a Selective Regulation of Gene Expression in Human Embryonic Lung Fibroblasts (HELF).

Background: The new synthesized water-soluble derivatives of C fullerenes are of a great interest to researchers since they can potentially be promising materials for drug delivery, bioimaging, biosonding, and tissue engineering. Surface functionalization of fullerene derivatives changes their chemical and physical characteristics, increasing their solubility and suitability for different biological systems applications, however, any changes in functionalized fullerenes can modulate their cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties. The toxic or protective effect of fullerene derivatives on cells is realized through the activation or inhibition of genes and proteins of key signaling pathways in cells responsible for regulation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, proliferation, and apoptosis.

Unraveling Oxygen Vacancies Effect on Chemical Composition, Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Eu Doped SnO.

The influence of Eu doping (0.5, 1 and 2 mol.%) and annealing in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere on the structure and optical properties of SnO nanoparticles were investigated in relation to electronic structure.

Enhanced Performance and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells Through Surface Modification with Benzocaine Hydrochloride.

Current development of inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with nickel oxide as the hole transport layer, is progressing toward lower net costs, higher efficiencies, and superior stabilities. Unfortunately, the high density of defect-based traps on the surface of perovskite films significantly limits the photoelectric conversion efficiency and operational stability of perovskite solar cells. Finding cost-effective interface modifiers is crucial for the further commercial development of p-i-n PSCs.

Enhancing Photostability of Complex Lead Halides through Modification with Antibacterial Drug Octenidine.

The high power-conversion efficiencies of hybrid perovskite solar cells encourage many researchers. However, their limited photostability represents a serious obstacle to the commercialization of this promising technology. Herein, we present an efficient method for improving the intrinsic photostability of a series of commonly used perovskite material formulations such as MAPbI, FAPbI, CsFAPbI, and CsMAFAPbI through modification with octenidine dihydroiodide (), which is a widely used antibacterial drug with two substituted pyridyl groups and two cationic centers in its molecular framework.

Synthesis of -symmetrical C tetra-adducts reactions of CCl with CH-acids and enol silyl ester.

Here we report the synthesis of novel fullerene derivatives with attached aliphatic residues based on the previously unknown reactions of chlorofullerene CCl with CH-acids and silyl enol ether.

Anthraquinone-Quinizarin Copolymer as a Promising Electrode Material for High-Performance Lithium and Potassium Batteries.

The growing demand for cheap, safe, recyclable, and environmentally friendly batteries highlights the importance of the development of organic electrode materials. Here, we present a novel redox-active polymer comprising a polyaniline-type conjugated backbone and quinizarin and anthraquinone units. The synthesized polymer was explored as a cathode material for batteries, and it delivered promising performance characteristics in both lithium and potassium cells.

Molecular Structure-Intrinsic Photostability Relationships for a Series of Conjugated Polymers: Backbone Substitution Matters!

Herein, we present an efficient approach for screening the intrinsic photostability of organic absorber materials used in photovoltaic applications. Using a series of structurally related conjugated polymers and a set of complementary techniques, we established important "material structure-photostability" relationships. In particular, we have revealed that the introduction of alkoxy, thioalkyl, and fluorine substituents adversely affects the material photostability.

Direct Nanoscale Visualization of the Electric-Field-Induced Aging Dynamics of MAPbI Thin Films.

Perovskite solar cells represent the most attractive emerging photovoltaic technology, but their practical implementation is limited by solar cell devices' low levels of operational stability. The electric field represents one of the key stress factors leading to the fast degradation of perovskite solar cells. To mitigate this issue, one must gain a deep mechanistic understanding of the perovskite aging pathways associated with the action of the electric field.

Synchronously Producing H and Purifying Methyl Orange-Polluted Water through the Reaction of an Al-GaInSn Alloy Plate and HO.

Hydrogen gas (H) as a fuel has the advantages of high energy density (122 kJ g) and zero carbon emissions. To meet the growing demand for H in the future, green, efficient, and convenient production technologies must be developed. The Al-HO reaction, which produces H by reacting aluminum (Al) with water (HO), is considered a rapid method for producing H.

Sn and Ge Complexes with Redox-Active Ligands as Efficient Interfacial Membrane-like Buffer Layers for p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells.

Inverted perovskite solar cells with a p-i-n configuration have attracted considerable attention from the research community because of their simple design, insignificant hysteresis, improved operational stability, and low-temperature fabrication technology. However, this type of device is still lagging behind the classical n-i-p perovskite solar cells in terms of its power conversion efficiency. The performance of p-i-n perovskite solar cells can be increased using appropriate charge transport and buffer interlayers inserted between the main electron transport layer and top metal electrode.

Atomic understanding of the strain-induced electrocatalysis from DFT calculation: progress and perspective.

Catalyst activity affects the reaction rate, and an increasing number of studies have shown that strain can significantly increase the electrocatalytic activity. Catalysts such as alloys and core-shell structures can modulate their properties through strain effects. Reasonable simulation techniques can be used to predict and design the catalytic performance based on understanding the strain action mechanism.

Water-Soluble Fullerene C Derivatives Are Effective Inhibitors of Influenza Virus Replication.

The influenza virus genome features a very high mutation rate leading to the rapid selection of drug-resistant strains. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, there is a need for the further development of new potent antivirals against influenza with a broad activity spectrum. Thus, the search for a novel, effective broad-spectrum antiviral agent is a top priority of medical science and healthcare systems.

Electrostatic effects on water-soluble fullerene derivatives interaction with cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase.

Water-soluble fullerene derivatives are good candidates for various biological applications such as anticancer or antimicrobial therapy, cytoprotection, enzyme inhibition, and many others. Their toxicity, both in tissue culture and in vivo, is a critical characteristic for the development and restriction of these applications. The effects of six water-soluble cationic and anionic polysubstituted fullerene derivatives on cytochrome c oxidase activity in rat brain mitochondria and the possibility of cytochrome c binding were studied.

A regioselective step-by-step CCl functionalization approach affords a novel family of CArTh'Th''H fullerene derivatives with promising antiviral properties.

We report a novel reaction of the recently discovered family of fullerene derivatives -CArTh' with thiophene derivatives Th''H yielding a previously unknown family of -CArTh'Th''H compounds with three different types of functional aromatic addends attached to the carbon cage. The discovered reaction paves a way to the synthesis of novel C fullerene derivatives with promising antioxidant and antiviral properties.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of pentaamino acid fullerene C derivative in rats with metabolic disorder.

Pentaamino acid fullerene C derivative is a promising nanomaterial, which exhibited antihyperglycemic activity in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This study investigates the effect of pentaaminoacid C derivative (PFD) in rats with metabolic disorders. Rats were assigned to 3 groups (of 10 rats each) as follows: Group 1 (normal control), group 2 included the protamine-sulfate-treated rats (the untreated group of animals with the model metabolic disorder); group 3 (Protamine sulfate + PFD) included the protamine-sulfate-treated model rats that received an intraperitoneal injection of PFD.

Dual Optimization of Bulk and Interface via the Synergistic Effect of Ligand Anchoring and Hole Transport Dopant Enables 23.28% Efficiency Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

The crystalline morphology of perovskite film plays a key role in determining the stability and performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In addition, the work function and conductivity of hole transport layer (HTL) have a great influence on the effciency of PSCs. Here, we develop a synergistic doping strategy to fabricate high-performance inverted PSCs, doping a functional nanographene (C-AHM) into the poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine (PTAA) HTL, thus forming an HTL with higher conductivity, lower roughness, and frontier energy levels matching the perovskite absorber work function.

Exploring the Limits: Degradation Behavior of Lead Halide Perovskite Films under Exposure to Ultrahigh Doses of γ Rays of Up to 10 MGy.

Herein, we show that thin films of MAPbI, FAPbI, (CsMA)PbI, and (CsMAFA)PbI, where MA and FA are methylammonium and formamidinium cations, respectively, tolerate ultrahigh doses of γ rays approaching 10 MGy without significant changes in their absorption spectra. However, among the studied materials, FAPbI was the only one that did not form metallic lead due to its extreme radiation hardness. Infrared near-field optical microscopy revealed the radiation-induced depletion of organic cations from the grains of MAPbI and their accumulation at the grain boundaries, whereas FAPbI on the contrary lost FA cations from the grain boundaries.

Advanced Nonvolatile Organic Optical Memory Using Self-Assembled Monolayers of Porphyrin-Fullerene Dyads.

Photo-switchable organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) represent an important platform for designing memory devices for a diverse array of products including security (brand-protection, copy-protection, keyless entry, etc.), credit cards, tickets, and multiple wearable organic electronics applications. Herein, we present a new concept by introducing self-assembled monolayers of donor-acceptor porphyrin-fullerene dyads as light-responsive triggers modulating the electrical characteristics of OFETs and thus pave the way to the development of advanced nonvolatile optical memory.

Nanoscale Visualization of Photodegradation Dynamics of MAPbI Perovskite Films.

Herein, we report the nanoscale visualization of the photochemical degradation dynamics of MAPbI (MA = CHNH) using infrared scattering scanning near-field microscopy (IR s-SNOM) combined with a series of complementary analytical techniques such as UV-vis and FTIR-spectroscopy, XRD, and XPS. Light exposure of the MAPbI films resulted in a gradual loss of MA cations starting from the grain boundaries at the film surface and slowly progressing toward the center of the grains and deeper into the bulk perovskite phase. The binary lead iodide PbI was found to be the major perovskite photochemical degradation product under the experimental conditions used.

Resist or Oxidize: Identifying Molecular Structure-Photostability Relationships for Conjugated Polymers Used in Organic Solar Cells.

Although organic solar cells have started to demonstrate competitive power conversion efficiencies of >18 %, their operational lifetimes remain insufficient for wide practical use and the factors influencing the photostability of absorber materials and completed devices are still not completely understood. A systematic study of two series of structurally similar [XTBT] and [XTTBTBTT] polymers (16 structures in total) reveals the building blocks that enable the highest material stability towards photooxidation: fluorene, silafluorene, carbazole, diketopyrrolopyrrole, and isoindigo. Furthermore, a direct correlation is evident between the electronic properties of the conjugated polymers and their reactivity towards oxygen.

The Phosphonate Derivative of C Fullerene Induces Differentiation towards the Myogenic Lineage in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Inductors of myogenic stem cell differentiation attract attention, as they can be used to treat myodystrophies and post-traumatic injuries. Functionalization of fullerenes makes it possible to obtain water-soluble derivatives with targeted biochemical activity. This study examined the effects of the phosphonate C fullerene derivatives on the expression of myogenic transcription factors and myogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).