Chain Shuttling Enantioselective Polymerization: An Effective Strategy for Synthesizing Stereoblock Polythioethers.

Herein, we propose to synthesize stereoblock polythioethers through the chain shuttling enantioselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of thiiranes. The use of diastereoisomeric dinuclear Cr complexes with optimized steric hindrance allowed the production of polythioethers with both a head-to-tail content and isotacticity of >99%. In particular, the introduction of dithiols enabled the synthesis of stereoblock polythioethers via a chain shuttling process, thus producing sulfhydryl-telechelic polythioethers with tunable thermal properties.

Metal-organic cage crosslinked nanocomposites with enhanced high-temperature capacitive energy storage performance.

Polymer dielectric materials are widely used in electrical and electronic systems, and there have been increasing demands on their dielectric properties at high temperatures. Incorporating inorganic nanoparticles into polymers is an effective approach to improving their dielectric properties. However, the agglomeration of inorganic nanoparticles and the destabilization of the organic-inorganic interface at high temperatures have limited the development of nanocomposites toward large-scale industrial production.

Hemocyanin contributes to embryonic adaptation to hypoxia in the migratory locust.

Ambient hypoxia can pose a major threat to the survival of metazoan organisms, especially insect embryos. Hemocyanin exhibits dominant expression in insect embryos, but its specific roles in hypoxia adaptation remain unexplored. Soil-dwelling locust eggs may frequently experience hypoxia during development.

Targeted delivery of polymeric NO-donor micelles to hepatic stellate cells for restoration of liver function and inhibition of hepatic fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a prevalent liver disease associated with significant morbidity, and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) serves as the primary causative factor driving the progression of liver fibrosis. However, capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) induced by hepatic fibrosis can reduce nitric oxide (NO) production and bioavailability, which consequently loses the ability to retain HSCs dormant, leading to amplified HSCs activation. Herein, an elaborate micelle (VN-M@BN) loaded with benazepril (BN) was constructed by self-assembly of polymeric NO donor, aiming for the controlled release of NO in liver fibrosis lesions thereby impeding the progression of liver fibrosis.

Inserted-B atoms modulating electronic structure of Pt enhancing hydrogen evolution under Universal-pH.

The development of high-performance electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in different pH conditionsis pivotal in producing green hydrogen, but remains challenging. Herein, we regulate the p-d orbitals hybridization between B and Pt for effective and durable HER at all pH ranges by controlling the inserted B atom. Consequently, the optimized B-doped Pt catalysts with 20 at.