Electronic Effects in Cobalt Phthalocyanine Catalysts Towards Noble-Metal-Free, Photocatalytic CO-to-CO Reduction.

Noble-metal-free CO reduction systems based on cobalt phthalocyanine () and its derivatives have demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic performances; however, their structure-activity relationship with electronic tuning remains unexplored. Herein, we now provide a systematic study to investigate the electron effects of substituents on the family in photocatalytic CO reduction, where a Cu(I) heteroleptic photosensitizer is utilized. The highest performance can be achieved using cobalt tetracarboxylphthalocyanine in light-driven CO-to-CO reduction, with a maximum turnover number of 2950 at 450 nm and an outstanding apparent quantum yield of 63.

Mesoporous carbon hollow spheres based sensitive SPME probes for in vivo sampling analysis of selected plant hormones in Chinese aloes.

Phytohormones are a class of endogenous substances that separately or synergistically regulate the growth, development, and differentiation of plants. Accurately and efficiently detecting and monitoring the concentration of plant hormones in living plants is of significant importance. Herein, a novel mesoporous carbon hollow spheres (MCHS)-based in vivo solid phase microextraction (SPME) probe was designed for in vivo sampling of plant hormones.

Remarkable Active Site Utilization in Edge-Hosted-N Doped Carbocatalysts for Fenton-Like Reaction.

Improving the utilization of active sites in carbon catalysts is significant for various catalytic reactions, but still challenging, mainly due to the lack of strategies for controllable introduction of active dopants. Herein, a novel "Ar plasma etching-NH annealing" strategy is developed to regulate the position of active N sites, while maintaining the same nitrogen species and contents. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that the edge-hosted-N doped carbon nanotubes (E-N-CNT), with only 0.

In-situ growth of a covalent organic framework-based matrix-compatible microextraction coating for sensitive extraction of multiple pesticides.

The potential pesticide hazard to non-target organisms is a global concern. It is critical to develop the sensitive detection methods of multiple pesticides in various complex matrices. Here, benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde (BTCA) and 1,3,5-Tri (4-aminophenyl) benzene (TAPB) were employed as precursors for the in-situ growth of COF on the surface of amino-functionalized stainless steel wire (SS) via a solvothermal method.

Sea-urchin-like covalent organic framework as solid-phase microextraction fiber coating for sensitive detection of trace pyrethroid insecticides in water.

Pyrethroid insecticides residues in water pose a critical threat to the environment from widespread production and overuse. Therefore, it is of major relevance to develop a sensitive and efficient method to detect pyrethroid insecticides in water. In this paper, a covalent organic framework (COF) with NHCO as the structural unit was synthesized using a simple condensation reaction of TTL (NH) and TDBA (COOH).

Molecularly imprinted polymer sheathed mesoporous silica tube as SPME fiber coating for determination of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in water.

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are probably carcinogenic disinfection byproducts eliciting health risk concerns. The determination and surveillance of TSNAs in water is still cumbersome due to the lack of advanced sample preparation methods. Herein, we prepared a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coated with the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sheathed mesoporous silica tube (MST) composite material, and developed a highly efficient, selective, and sensitive method for the determination of five TSNAs in water.

Green, mildly synthesized bismuth-based MOF for extraction of polar glucocorticoids in environmental water.

The complex sample matrix and low environmental concentration make it challenging to effectively determine the polar glucocorticoids. In particular, a green, economical, and environmentally friendly method is urgently needed, since a large amount of extraction solvents, samples, and extraction materials have been commonly used to improve the sensitivity of the reported methods. In this study, a green and robust phenol and bismuth-based MOF of SU101 was mildly synthesized and fabricated as a brand new solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber.

Ultrafast and energy-saving microwave-assisted conversion of inert carbon nanomaterials to highly efficient Fenton-like metal-free catalysts for pollutants degradation.

Carbon-driven persulfate (PDS)-based Fenton-like reactions have been widely viewed as prospective strategies to cope with the water pollution. However, high cost, harsh condition and complex modification processes are usually required to boost the catalytic activities of carbocatalysts. Herein, we proposed an ultrafast, energy-efficient, and convenient approach to convert various low-performance carbon materials into highly efficient catalysts by microwave treatment in just 1 min without any other tedious treatment.

Boosting CO photoreduction by π-π-induced preassembly between a Cu(I) sensitizer and a pyrene-appended Co(II) catalyst.

The design of a highly efficient system for CO photoreduction fully based on earth-abundant elements presents a challenge, which may be overcome by installing suitable interactions between photosensitizer and catalyst to expedite the intermolecular electron transfer. Herein, we have designed a pyrene-decorated Cu(I) complex with a rare dual emission behavior, aiming at additional π-interaction with a pyrene-appended Co(II) catalyst for visible light-driven CO-to-CO conversion. The results of H NMR titration, time-resolved fluorescence/absorption spectroscopies, quantum chemical simulations, and photocatalytic experiments clearly demonstrate that the dynamic π-π interaction between sensitizer and catalyst is highly advantageous in photocatalysis by accelerating the intermolecular electron transfer rate up to 6.

Novel lanthanide nanoparticle frameworks for highly efficient photoluminescence and hypersensitive detection.

Despite the excellent luminescent properties of lanthanide clusters (LnCs), their suprastructures that inherit their characteristic luminescent properties are scarcely reported. Herein, novel and highly luminescent suprastructures are synthesized a two-step assembly method to incorporate LnCs in covalent organic frameworks (COFs). COFs are pre-synthesized and decorated with rigid anchoring groups on their nanochannel walls, which provide one-dimensional confined spaces for the subsequent assembly of luminescent LnCs.

Hydrogen bond networks in gas-phase complex anions.

Hydrogen bond networks (HBNs) have piqued the interest of the scientific community due to their crucial roles in nature. However, HBNs that are isolated from complicated backgrounds for unraveling their characteristics are still scarce. Herein, we propose that HBNs exist in complex anions formed between α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and four benzoic acids (RBAs) in the gas phase.

Ultrasonic Enhancement of Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction and Acid Hydrolysis of Flavonoids from Cav. Flower for Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity.

The ultrasonic-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (UAATPE) of flavonoid glycosides from Cav. flower (MACF) was developed using ethanol/ammonia sulfate systems, followed by the ultrasonic-assisted acid hydrolysis (UAAH) of the top extract with HCl solution. The optimization of UAATPE and UAAH processes was accomplished by single-factor experiments and response surface methodology.

The interplay of larval age and particle size regulates micro-polystyrene biodegradation and development of Tenebrio molitor L.

Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments from 1 μm to 5 mm, are widespread globally, even in remote environments. Due to their small sizes, they are easily ingested by organisms and contaminate the food chain. Recently, the biodegradation of some recalcitrant plastics by larva of Tenebrio molitor L.

Calix[6]arene functionalized lanthanide metal-organic frameworks with boosted performance in identifying an anti-epidemic pharmaceutical.

A novel composite was fabricated by hybridizing terbium 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic MOF (TB-MOF) with Cx[6]. The obtained composite TB-Cx[6] possessed long-term stability and dispersion stability and was used for on-site analysis of the anti-COVID-19 disinfection product a combing remote sampling technique.

Co-facial π-π Interaction Expedites Sensitizer-to-Catalyst Electron Transfer for High-Performance CO Photoreduction.

The sunlight-driven reduction of CO into carbonaceous fuels can lower the atmospheric CO concentration and provide renewable energy simultaneously, attracting scientists to design photocatalytic systems for facilitating this process. Significant progress has been made in designing high-performance photosensitizers and catalysts in this regard, and further improvement can be realized by installing additional interactions between the abovementioned two components, however, the design strategies and mechanistic investigations on such interactions remain challenging. Here, we present the construction of molecular models for intermolecular π-π interactions between the photosensitizer and the catalyst, via the introduction of pyrene groups into both molecular components.

High-quality full-color carbon quantum dots synthesized under an unprecedentedly mild condition.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are highly promising to be applied in light-emitting, chemosensing, and other cutting-edge domains. Herein, we successfully fabricate high-quality full-color CQDs under unprecedentedly low temperature and pressure (85°C, 1.88 bar).

Microstructural Evolution, Mechanical Properties, and Preosteoblast Cell Response of a Post-Processing-Treated TNT5Zr β Ti Alloy Manufactured via Selective Laser Melting.

A Ti-34Nb-13Ta-5Zr (TNT5Zr) β Ti alloy with a high strength-to-modulus ratio has been developed, showing its potential to become another candidate material in load-bearing implant applications. This work mainly investigates the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of a post-processing-treated TNT5Zr alloy manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM). Transmission electron microscopy observation shows the existence of the single beta grain matrix and alpha precipitates along the grain boundary in the SLM + HIP manufactured TNT5Zr alloy (TNT5Zr-AF + HIP), and ellipsoidal nano-sized intragranular α″ precipitates (approx.

New insights into the photo-degraded polystyrene microplastic: Effect on the release of volatile organic compounds.

Excessive use of plastics leads to the ubiquity of plastic waste in the environment. Weathering can cause changes in the properties of plastics and lead to the release of various chemicals especially the volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Possible photodegradation pathway of polystyrene (PS) microplastics (MPs) was proposed and verified by the detection of VOCs.

The influence of zirconium content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of in-situ alloying Ti-Nb-Ta based β alloys processed by selective laser melting.

This study investigates Ti-Nb-Ta based β alloys with different zirconium additions (0, 5, 9 wt%) manufactured by SLM. A low level of as-fabricated defects is obtained: the relative density of TNT (Z) alloys is >99.97% with the keyhole size in a range of 3-20 μm.

PDMS-coated γCD-MOF solid-phase microextraction fiber for BTEX analysis with boosted performances.

Owing to the ubiquitous occurrence and chemotoxicity of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene), the development of stable and accurate analysis methods that can assess environment risks and can generate monitoring data rapidly is urgent. In this work, a new strategy was proposed for efficient detection of BTEX. By creatively utilizing thermal deposition method, a robust SPME fiber was fabricated, where the γCD-MOF acted as the adsorbent, while PDMS functionalized as the adhesive and protective coating.