Intercalating Organic Hybrid Cadmium Antimony Sulfide Nanoparticles into Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Electrochemical Lithium Storage.

Inorganic metal sulfides have received extensive investigation as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, applications of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides as anode materials in LIBs are quite rare. In addition, combining the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides with conductive materials is expected to enhance the electrochemical lithium storage performance.

MUC4 O-GlcNAcylation Regulates the Epithelial Phenotype in Conjunctival Epithelial Cells.

In the present study, our aim was to explore the role of MUC4 in IL-4-stimulated conjunctival epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. Human recombinant IL-4 was employed in human conjunctival epithelial cells (HConEpic) cells, and MUC4 shRNA (sh-MUC4) was constructed to explore the functional role of MUC4. The protein level of MUC4, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), O-GlcNAc hydrolase (OGA), zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2), claudin-8 (CLDN8), and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot in HConEpic cells, the interaction between MUC4 and OGT/OGA was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot in 293T cells.

Thermodynamic Transformation of Crystalline Organic Hybrid Iron Selenide to FeSe@CN Microrods for Sodium Ion Storage.

Carbon-coated metal chalcogenide composites have been demonstrated as one type of promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, combining carbon materials with micronanoparticles of metal chalcogenide always involve complicated processes, such as polymer coating, carbonization, and sulfidation/selenization. To address this issue, herein, we reported a series of carbon-coated FeSe@CN (FeSe = FeSe, FeSe, FeSe) composites prepared via the thermodynamic transformation of a crystalline organic hybrid iron selenide [Fe(phen)](Se) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline).

[Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Migration Patterns in Xiangxi River Basin].

Microplastics as a prevalent pollutant in water bodies have recently attracted widespread attention. To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of microplastics in freshwater rivers and their migration patterns, the surface water, sediments, and subsidence zone of the Xiangxi River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, were sampled and analyzed in November 2020 and April 2021, respectively. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the surface water of Xiangxi River was (6.

Effective Enrichment of Low-Concentration Rare-Earth Ions by Three-Dimensional Thiostannate KSnS.

Rare-earth elements (REEs) in industrial wastewaters have great value for recycling and reuse, but their characteristic of low concentration poses a challenge to an efficient enrichment from wastewaters. In recent years, thiometallates featuring two-dimensional layers have shown great potential in the enrichment of REEs via the ion-exchange process. However, investigations on thiometallates featuring three-dimensional anionic frameworks for the recovery of REEs have not been reported.

Two Series of Main-Group Heterometallic Selenides Synthesized in Two Different Types of Ionic Liquids.

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids have been widely applied in the synthesis of organic hybrid chalcogenidometalates, while the other types of ionic liquids are rarely tried. Reported here is the first application of a pyridinium-based ionic liquid in the preparation of two main-group heterometallic selenides featuring isomorphic three-dimensional frameworks. Of particular interest is that three gallium-tin selenides possessing another type of three-dimensional framework have been prepared by replacing the pyridinium-based ionic liquid with imidalolium-based ionic liquids under the same reaction conditions.

Synthesizing Crystalline Chalcogenidoarsenates in Thiol-Amine Solvent Mixtures.

Thiol-amine solvent mixtures have been widely applied in the solution processing of binary chalcogenide thin films due to their excellent ability to dissolve various bulk binary chalcogenides. However, application of this solvent system in preparing new crystalline chalcogenidometalates has not been explored. In this work, by using a thiol-amine solvent mixture of -butylamine (BA) and 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) as the reaction medium and protonated piperazine (pip) cation as the template, we synthesized a series of new chalcogenidoarsenates with structures ranging from discrete clusters to two-dimensional layers, namely, [pipH][pipH][AsS] (), [pipH][pipH][As(SeS)] (), [pipH][pipH][InAsAsS(S)] (), [pipH][pipH][InAsAsSSe(Se)] (), [pipH][AsS(S)] (), [pipH][AsS] (), [pipH][AgAsS] (), [pipH][GaAsAsS] (), and Cs[pipH][InAsS]Cl ().

Structural variation of transition metal-organic frameworks using deep eutectic solvents with different hydrogen bond donors.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have attracted extensive attention in the field of material synthesis as green solvents. They have similar physical and chemical properties to the traditional ionic liquids (ILs) while being much cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Herein, seven transition metal-organic frameworks, namely [NH][Zn(BTC)(NH)]·HO (1), [Cu(PDC)(NH)] (2), [Co(HBTC)(e-urea)]·(e-urea)·1/4HO (3), K(NH)[Mn(PZDC)] (4), [NH][Mn(BTC)(HO)] (5), [CHNH][Mn(HBTC)(BTC)·3HO (6), and [Co(BTC)(urea)]·2HO (7), were synthesized in deep eutectic solvents of choline chloride and urea/e-urea/m-urea (HBTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid; HPDC = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid; HPZDC = 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid; e-urea = ethylene urea; m-urea = N,N-dimethylurea).

Analysis of the clinical characteristics and refraction state in premature infants: a 10-year retrospective analysis.

Aim: To report the visual outcomes and refractive status in premature infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who were or not treated.

Methods: The clinical records of all premature infants with or without ROP and with or without treatment between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Basic demographic data, serial changes in ROP incidence, treatment and outcomes, and the refractive states were analyzed.

Multifunctional titanium phosphate nanoparticles for site-specific drug delivery and real-time therapeutic efficacy evaluation.

Receptor-targeted delivery systems have been proposed as means of concentrating therapeutic agents to improve therapeutic effects on disease sites and reduce side effects on normal issues. Herein, we synthesized biocompatible folic acid (FA)-functionalized DHE-modified TiP (TiP-PAH-DHE-FA) nanoparticles as a drug delivery system that possessed high drug loading capability and enhanced folate-receptor-mediated cellular uptake. Moreover, it also allowed drug effect evaluation based on the real-time monitoring of the fluorescence intensity of HE molecules that are triggered by intercellular ROS.

An ultrasensitive electrochemical cytosensor for highly specific detection of HL-60 cancer cells based on metal ion functionalized titanium phosphate nanospheres.

Facile and sensitive detection methods of cancer cells in the early stage are beneficial for monitoring cancers and treating patients in time to reduce the death rate. In this work, an ultrasensitive cytosensor was constructed using aptamers as cell capturers and metal ion-exchanged titanium phosphate nanospheres as electrochemical probes. KH1C12 can specifically recognize HL-60 cells and distinguish them from other cell lines, K562 and CCRF-CEM, to obtain high selectivity.

Designing MOFs-Derived FeS@Carbon Composites for High-Rate Sodium Ion Storage with Capacitive Contributions.

Sodium-ion batteries suffer the disadvantages of poor rate performance and cycling stability due to its sluggish sodiation kinetics. A rational design strategy for both materials compositions and structures has been proposed to meet these challenges. Herein, a triple-component composite derived from metal-organic frameworks, comprising FeS, nitrogen-sulfur co-doped porous carbon, and reduced graphene oxide (FeS@NSC/G), has been successfully synthesized.

Ionothermal synthesis of discrete supertetrahedral Tn (n = 4, 5) clusters with tunable components, band gaps, and fluorescence properties.

The preparation of crystalline molecularly supertetrahedral Tn clusters with variable sizes and components is of vital importance for the fundamental study of their physicochemical properties. However, setting up an efficient method to stabilize large discrete Tn clusters is a challenge due to their high negative charges and polymerization nature. In this work, we report on the ionothermal synthesis of three discrete T4 cluster compounds, namely [Bmmim]5[(CH3)2NH2]4[NH4][M4In16S31(SH)4]·6H2O (M = Mn (1), Zn (2), Cd (3), Bmmim = 1-buty-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium), and four discrete T5 cluster compounds, namely [Bmmim]10[NH4]3[Cu5Ga30-xInxS52(SH)4] (x = 6.

Mg incorporated Co-based MOF precursors for hierarchical CNT-containing porous carbons with ORR activity.

In this paper, we introduced light and abundant metal magnesium into a cobalt-based metal organic framework (Co-MOF, [(CH)NH][Co(bpdc)]·5DMF·4CHOH) (1, Hbpdc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) as a heteroatom to synthesize Mg-Co bimetallic MOFs, namely [(CH)NH][MgCo(bpdc)]·4DMF·5CHOH (2) and [(CH)NH][MgCo(bpdc)] 4DMF·4CHOH·6HO (3). Based on the formation of a rather low density framework after the introduction of the light Mg, such bimetallic MOFs exhibited higher gas adsorption abilities than the isostructural Co-based MOF 1. N adsorption measurements demonstrate that the BET surface area of 3 is 305.

Ultralong Phosphorescence from Organic Ionic Crystals under Ambient Conditions.

A new type of materials, organic salts in the crystal state, have ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) under ambient conditions. The change of cations (NH , Na , or K ) in these phosphors gives access to tunable UOP colors ranging from sky blue to yellow green, along with ultralong emission lifetimes of over 504 ms. Single-crystal analysis reveals that unique ionic bonding can promote an ordered arrangement of organic salts in crystal state, which then can facilitate molecular aggregation for UOP generation.

Visible-Light-Excited Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence by Manipulating Intermolecular Interactions.

Visible light is much more available and less harmful than ultraviolet light, but ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) with visible-light excitation remains a formidable challenge. Here, a concise chemical approach is provided to obtain bright UOP by tuning the molecular packing in the solid state under irradiation of available visible light, e.g.

Surfactants as Promising Media for the Preparation of Crystalline Inorganic Materials.

Given that surfactants can control the shape and size of micro-/nanoparticles, they should be able to direct the growth of bulk crystals. This Minireview summarizes recent developments in the application of surfactants for the preparation of new crystalline inorganic materials, including chalcogenides, metal-organic frameworks, and zeolite analogues. The roles of surfactants in different reaction systems are discussed.

1,5,9-Triaza-2,6,10-triphenylboracoronene: BN-embedded analogue of coronene.

A novel BN-fused coronene derivative 1,5,9-triaza-2,6,10-triphenylboracoronene (1) has been successfully synthesized in one step from 2,3,6,7,9,10-hexamethoxy-1,5,9-triamino-triphenylene. Compound 1 has been investigated using photophysical, electrochemical, and molecular simulation methods. Interestingly, three phenyl groups at B centers in compound 1 can be replaced by hydroxyl units stepwise through hydroxylation in wet organic solvents, leading to changes in the packing and physical properties.

Threading chalcogenide layers with polymer chains.

Inserting polymers into a crystalline inorganic matrix to understand the structure, position, and the structure-property relationships of the resulting composites is important for designing new inorganic-organic materials and tuning their properties. Single crystals of polymer-chalcogenide composites were successfully prepared by trapping polyethyleneglycol within a selenidostannate matrix under surfactant-thermal conditions. This work might provide a new strategy for preparing novel crystalline polymer-inorganic composites through encapsulating polymer chains within inorganic matrices.

Rewritable multilevel memory performance of a tetraazatetracene donor-acceptor derivative with good endurance.

A new tetraazatetracene derivative, 2,3-[4,4'-bis(N,N-diphenylamino)benzyl]-5,12-bis[(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl]-1,4,6,11-tetraazatetracene (TPAs-BTTT), displays rewritable multilevel memory behavior, which is probably induced by multielectron intramolecular charge transfer (CT).

Surfactant-thermal syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of Mn-Ge-sulfides/selenides.

Although either surfactants or amines have been investigated to direct the crystal growth of metal chalcogenides, the synergic effect of organic amines and surfactants to control the crystal growth has not been explored. In this report, several organic bases (hydrazine monohydrate, ethylenediamine (en), 1,2-propanediamine (1,2-dap), and 1,3-propanediamine (1,3-dap)) have been employed as structure-directing agents (SDAs) to prepare four novel chalcogenides (Mn3Ge2S7(NH3)4 (1), [Mn(en)2(H2O)][Mn(en)2MnGe3Se9] (2), (1,2-dapH)2{[Mn(1,2-dap)2]Ge2Se7} (3), and (1,3-dapH)(puH)MnGeSe4(4) (pu = propyleneurea) under surfactant media (PEG-400). These as-prepared new crystalline materials provide diverse metal coordination geometries, including MnS3N tetrahedra, MnGe2Se7 trimer, and MnGe3Se10 T2 cluster.

Surfactant media to grow new crystalline cobalt 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate metal-organic frameworks.

In this report, three new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Co3(μ3-OH)(HBTC)(BTC)2Co(HBTC)]·(HTEA)3·H2O (NTU-Z30), [Co(BTC)]·HTEA·H2O (NTU-Z31), [Co3(BTC)4]·(HTEA)4 (NTU-Z32), where H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, TEA = triethylamine, and NTU = Nanyang Technological University, have been successfully synthesized under surfactant media and have been carefully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and IR spectromtry. NTU-Z30 has an unusual trimeric [Co3(μ3-OH)(COO)7] secondary building unit (SBU), which is different from the well-known trimeric [Co3O(COO)6] SBU. The topology studies indicate that NTU-Z30 and NTU-Z32 possess two new topologies, 3,3,6,7-c net and 2,8-c net, respectively, while NTU-Z31 has a known topology rtl type (3,6-c net).

Flexible visible-light photodetectors with broad photoresponse based on ZrS3 nanobelt films.

Two new flexible visible-light photodetectors based on ZrS3 nanobelts films are fabricated on a polypropylene (PP) film and printing paper, respectively, by an adhesive-tape transfer method, and their light-induced electric properties are investigated in detail. The devices demonstrate a remarkable response to 405 to 780 nm light, a photocurrent that depends on the optical power and light wavelength, and an excellent photoswitching effect and stability. This implies that ZrS3 nanobelts are prospective candidates for high-performance nanoscale optoelectronic devices that may be practically applied in photodetection of visible to near infrared light.

[4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to approach diazatwistpentacenes: synthesis, structures, physical properties, and self-assembly.

Three novel diazatwistpentacenes (1,4,6,13-tetraphenyl-7:8,11:12-bisbenzo-2,3-diazatwistpentacene (1, IUPAC name: 9,11,14,16-tetraphenyl-1,6-dihydrobenzo[8,9]triphenyleno[2,3-g]phthalazine); 1,4-di(pyridin-2-yl)-6,13-diphenyl-7:8,11:12-bisbenzo-2,3-diazatwistpentacene (2, IUPAC name: 9,16-diphenyl-11,14-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,6-dihydrobenzo[8,9]triphenyleno[2,3-g]phthalazine); and 1,4-di(thien-2-yl)-6,13-diphenyl-7:8,11:12-bisbenzo-2,3-diazatwistpentacene (3, IUPAC name: 9,16-diphenyl-11,14-di(thien-2-yl)-1,6-dihydrobenzo[8,9]triphenyleno[2,3-g]phthalazine)) have been successfully synthesized through [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving in situ arynes as dienophiles and substituted 1,2,4,5-tetrazines as dienes. Their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, confirming that all compounds have twisted configurations with torsion angles between the pyrene unit and the 2,3-diazaanthrance part as high as 21.52° (for 1), 24.

Different effects of etomidate and propofol on memory in immature rats.

This study is to investigate the effects of etomidate and propofol on memory and possible involved mechanisms using immature rats. Forty-eight rats randomly received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg etomidate (n = 16), 50 mg/kg propofol (n = 16) or normal saline (control, n = 16). Three hours after awakening, memory was assessed by Y-maze test using 10 rats in each drug group.