Catalytic oxidation upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity carboxylic acids.

Catalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into high-value oxygenated products is a fascinating process, yet it remains challenging. Here, we present a one-step tandem strategy to realize the thermal catalytic oxidation upcycling of PET to terephthalic acid (TPA) and high-value glycolic acid (GA) instead of ethylene glycol (EG). By using the Au/NiO with rich oxygen vacancies as catalyst, we successfully accelerate the hydrolysis of PET, accompanied by obtaining 99% TPA yield and 87.

MM-DRPNet: A multimodal dynamic radial partitioning network for enhanced protein-ligand binding affinity prediction.

Accurate prediction of drug-target binding affinity remains a fundamental challenge in contemporary drug discovery. Despite significant advances in computational methods for protein-ligand binding affinity prediction, current approaches still face substantial limitations in prediction accuracy. Moreover, the prevalent methodologies often overlook critical three-dimensional (3D) structural information, thereby constraining their practical utility in computer-aided drug design (CADD).

Optomechanical energy enhanced BF-QEPAS for fast and sensitive gas sensing.

Traditional beat frequency quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (BF-QEPAS) are limited by short energy accumulation times and the necessity of a decay period, leading to weaker signals and longer measurement cycles. Herein, we present a novel optomechanical energy-enhanced (OEE-) BF-QEPAS technique for fast and sensitive gas sensing. Our approach employs periodic pulse-width modulation (PWM) of the laser signal with an optimized duty cycle, maintaining the quartz tuning fork's (QTF) output at a stable steady-state level by applying stimulus signals at each half-period and allowing free vibration in alternate half-periods to minimize energy dissipation.

Carbon Felts Uniformly Modified with Bismuth Nanoparticles for Efficient Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

The integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the energy supply has driven the need for large-scale energy storage technologies. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are considered promising due to their long lifespan, high safety, and flexible design. However, the graphite felt (GF) electrode, a critical component of VRFBs, faces challenges due to the scarcity of active sites, leading to low electrochemical activity.

Integrated SERS-Microfluidic Sensor Based on Nano-Micro Hierarchical Cactus-like Array Substrates for the Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.

The detection and analysis of cancer cell exosomes with high sensitivity and precision are pivotal for the early diagnosis and treatment strategies of prostate cancer. To this end, a microfluidic chip, equipped with a cactus-like array substrate (CAS) based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was designed and fabricated for the detection of exosome concentrations in Lymph Node Carcinoma of the Prostate (LNCaP). Double layers of polystyrene (PS) microspheres were self-assembled onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film to form an ordered cactus-like nanoarray for detection and analysis.

Preparation and Performance Evaluation of CO Foam Gel Fracturing Fluid.

The utilization of CO foam gel fracturing fluid offers several significant advantages, including minimal reservoir damage, reduced water consumption during application, enhanced cleaning efficiency, and additional beneficial properties. However, several current CO foam gel fracturing fluid systems face challenges, such as complex preparation processes and insufficient viscosity, which limit their proppant transport capacity. To address these issues, this work develops a novel CO foam gel fracturing fluid system characterized by simple preparation and robust foam stability.

Mechanisms of Low Temperature Thickening of Different Materials for Deepwater Water-Based Drilling Fluids.

During deepwater drilling, the low mudline temperatures and narrow safe density window pose serious challenges to the safe and efficient performance of deepwater water-based drilling fluids. Low temperatures can lead to physical and chemical changes in the components of water-based drilling fluids and the behavior of low temperature gelation. As a coarse dispersion system, water-based drilling fluid has a complex composition of dispersed phase and dispersing medium.

Discrimination of normal/cancer cells in bioimaging through a rolling circle amplification-enhanced red carbon dots-embedded multivalent aptamers nanoplatform.

Glutathione (GSH) is a key biomarker closely associated with cancer, and its content varies greatly between normal cells and cancer cells. However, intracellular detection of GSH was challenging because existing probes not only have a long detection time but also have fluorescence in the blue-green region that overlaps with the biological matrix's spontaneous fluorescence, thus affecting the detection accuracy. Therefore, a new red fluorescent nano-probe was needed to rapidly and accurately detected GSH within the biological matrix.

Multiscale modifications of carbon nitride to strengthen reaction kinetics and lower thermodynamic barriers for efficient photocatalytic oxygen evolution.

Photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal for sustainable energy systems yet lacks high-performance catalysts capable of strong visible light absorption, robust charge dynamics, fast reaction kinetics, and high oxidation capability. Herein, we report the multiscale optimization of carbon nitride through the construction of porous curled carbon nitride nanosheets (CNA-B30) incorporating boron center/cyano group Lewis acid-base pairs (LABPs). The unique chemical and structural features of CNA-B30 extended the photoabsorption edges of π → π* and n → π* electronic transitions to 470 nm and 715 nm, respectively.

Improved H2O2 photogeneration on KBr doped-polymeric carbon nitride via optimize the oxygen reduction path.

The photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from oxygen (O2) represents a promising catalytic pathway, the limited efficiency of the oxygen reduction constitutes a primary barrier to enhancing production. In this content, alkali metal potassium (K+) and Br-doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts (K-CN) were successfully constructed by one-pot method. The introduction of K+ is not only beneficial to the transmission of space charge and the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, but also promotes the efficient production of H2O2 by 2e- oxygen reduction reaction.

Tunable Chiroptical Activity in Branched Ag@Au Nanoparticles with Molecular Chirality and Geometric Chirality.

Chiral plasmonic nanomaterials have attracted significant awareness due to their applications in chiral catalysis, biosensing, photonics, and separation. Constructing plasmonic core-shell nanomaterials with geometric chirality and desirable optical chirality is a crucial yet challenging task for extending the range of chiral plasmonic nanomaterials. Here, a two-step method is reported for the synthesis of Gold (Au) branches wrapped silver (Ag) nanocubes (L/DBAg@Au) with strong and tunable circular dichroism (CD) signals under the regulation of L/D-cysteine (L/D-Cys).

Photoredox Catalytic Defluoroalkylation of -Difluoroalkenes with Secondary -Alkylanilines via C-F/C-H Coupling.

To provide fluorinated allylamines, a visible-light photocatalytic C-F/C-H coupling of easily accessible -difluoroalkenes and secondary -alkylanilines was described. The protocol proceeded under mild conditions, with excellent functional group compatibility and a broad scope including complex natural product derivatives, thus providing a green method for the preparation of high-value functionalized monofluoroalkenes. Mechanistic studies elucidated a photoredox catalyzed radical-radical coupling pathway.

Naphthalene Hydrodearomatization via Controllable Photocatalytic Hydroboration.

The photocatalytic dearomative 1,4-hydroboration of naphthalenes with an N-heterocyclic carbene borane (NHC-BH) complex was reported herein with controllable regioselectivity and chemoselectivity. This protocol yielded a wide range of naphthalene derivatives bearing various functional groups, notably bioactive compounds. Hydroboration occurred through the cooperation of photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer via boryl radical addition to naphthalene and further selective protonation.

Organo-photocatalytic dearomative hydrosilylation of indoles with silanes.

A photocatalytic dearomative hydrosilylation reaction of indole derivatives with silanes has been accomplished for the synthesis of valuable indolinyl silanes through a carbon-silyl radical coupling process with the cooperation of photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer catalytic systems composed of 3DPA2FBN (2,4,6-tris(diphenylamino)-3,5-difluorobenzonitrile), (i-Pr)SiSH, and base additives. This protocol is featured by a broad substrate scope, transition metal-free conditions, high diastereoselectivities and applications in natural product derivatives.

Trace Metal Impurities Induce Differences in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with exceptional conductivity have been widely adopted in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. While trace metal impurities in CNTs have demonstrated electrocatalytic activity in various catalytic processes, their influence on sulfur electrocatalysis in Li-S batteries has been largely overlooked. Herein, we reveal that the trace metal impurities content in CNTs significantly improves the specific capacity and cycling performance of Li-S batteries by analyzing both our own results and previous literature with CNTs as the sulfur hosts.

Facile and green synthesis of Ag/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles using waste banana peel extract for effective corrosion inhibition of mixed sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) is widespread in the oilfield industry, and new environmentally friendly materials are urgently needed to inhibit MIC with the increasing environmental requirements and microbial resistance problems. The synthesis method and cost of the materials are important factors that must be considered in the production and application. In this study, Ag/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) were synthesized by eco-friendly and sustainable method using waste banana peel extract (BPE) as a green reducing.

Regulation of TS-1 Zeolite with Small Particle Size by Colloidal Silicon Seed-Induced Synthesis and Application in Oxidative Desulfurization.

The dosages of colloidal silicon seeds in the seed-induced synthesis of TS-1 zeolites were investigated in detail. The characterization results revealed that the colloidal silicon seeds not only reduced the particle sizes but also promoted the incorporation of titanium atoms into the framework of TS-1 zeolites as prepared. SEM images and particle size distribution (PSD) confirmed that the particle sizes of TS-1 zeolite could be effectively reduced to about 150 nm.

Impact of Hexyl Branch Content on the Mechanical Properties and Deformation Mechanisms of Amorphous Ethylene/1-Octene Copolymers: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

Ethylene/1-octene copolymers exhibit enhanced flexibility and impact resistance compared to polyethylene, which makes them well suited for applications in advanced plastics and elastomers. United-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to explore the mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms of ethylene/1-octene copolymers under uniaxial tensile loading. This study systematically examined the influence of temperature, polymer chain length, chain quantity, and strain rate, with a specific focus on how hexyl branch content impacts the mechanical properties of amorphous ethylene/1-octene copolymers.

Roughing Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheets for Loading of Monatomic Fe and Electroreduction of CO to CO.

The catalyst is the pivotal component in CO electroreduction systems for converting CO into valuable products. Carbon-based single-atom materials (CSAMs) have emerged as promising catalyst candidates due to their low cost and high atomic utilization efficiency. The rational design of the morphology and microstructure of such materials is desirable but poses a challenge.

Preparation and Evaluation of a Novel Branched Polymer as Thickener for Calcium Chloride-Based Drilling and Completion Fluids.

Calcium halide-based fluids are often used in drilling and completion operations due to their high density, clay inhibition and low solid content. However, there is a lack of thickeners to promote gel strength, which improves the fluid's capacity to carry and suspend cuttings. To solve this problem, the branched polymer (hereafter abbreviated as PAD-B) was prepared by the copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAM) and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), using polyethylenimine as a branching agent and cerium ammonium nitrate as the initiator.

Optical Zitterbewegung effect in arrays of helical waveguides.

Owing to its topological properties and band collapse, Floquet helical photonic lattices have gained increasing attention as a purely classical setting to realize the optical analogues of a wide variety of quantum phenomena. We demonstrate both theoretically and numerically that light propagation in an appropriately designed helical superlattice can exhibit spatial photonic Zitterbewegung effect, i.e.

Study on the Enhanced Oil Recovery Properties of the Pickering Emulsions for Harsh Reservoirs.

Pickering emulsions stabilized by surfactant-modified SiO nanoparticles demonstrate good stability against droplet coalescence, showing application potential for enhanced oil recovery in high-temperature and high-salinity environments. Adjusting the adsorption ratio of surfactant on the nanoparticles significantly affects the wettability of nanoparticles and therefore regulates the microstructure and properties of Pickering emulsions. In this study, a saturated monolayer adsorption occurs at a surfactant-to-nanoparticles ratio of 0.

Advanced imidazole-functionalized metal-organic framework-based dual-mode sensor for rapid detection of FLU pesticide residues in food.

In this study, an advanced imidazole-functionalized 2D metal-organic framework (HBU-169), {[Cd(L)HO](HO)}·(4HO)·(DMF) was presented, which possesses both fluorescent properties and oxidase-like activity. HBU-169 demonstrates the ability to detect fluazinam (FLU) via fluorescent and colorimetric modes. In the fluorescent mode, a pronounced fluorescence quenching is observed, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.

Study on the optimal scheme of shale complex cracks formation based on Xsite discrete lattice method.

In the contemporary energy industry, shale gas, as an important unconventional energy resource, has been widely concerned. However, the exploitation of shale gas is faced with complex geological conditions and technical challenges, one of the main challenges is that it is difficult to form discrete complex crack networks in shale, which greatly reduces the recovery rate. For different geological conditions and engineering needs, the criteria for evaluating the effect of reservoir reconstruction will be different.

Study on brittleness characteristics of deep shale: A case study of Lu211 well in the Luzhou block.

Ensuring the sustainability of energy is pivotal for achieving a harmonious balance between environmental conservation and economic growth. The mechanical behavior of deep shale reservoir rocks is intricate, presenting challenges in ascertaining their brittleness characteristics. To address this, the study employed a suite of evaluation techniques, encompassing analyses of stress-strain curve attributes, energy dissipation patterns, and mineral composition profiles.