Synergistic enhancement of hydrophobic dental adhesives: autonomous strengthening, polymerization kinetics, and hydrolytic resistance.

The leading cause of composite restoration failure is recurrent marginal decay. The margin between the composite and tooth is initially sealed by a low-viscosity adhesive, but chemical, physical, and mechanical stresses work synergistically and simultaneously to degrade the adhesive, destroying the interfacial seal and providing an ideal environment for bacteria to proliferate. Our group has been developing self-strengthening adhesives with improved chemical and mechanical characteristics.

New Cellular Models to Support Preclinical Studies on ICAM-1-Targeted Drug Delivery.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a cell-surface protein actively explored for targeted drug delivery. Anti-ICAM-1 nanocarriers (NCs) target ICAM-1-positive sites after intravenous injection in animal models, but quantitative mechanistic examination of cellular-level transport in vivo is not possible. Prior studies in human cell cultures indicated efficient uptake of these formulations via cell adhesion molecule-(CAM)-mediated endocytosis.

Strengthened d-p Orbital Hybridization on Metastable Cubic MoC for Highly Stable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Suppressing the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling as well as accelerating the conversion kinetics is extremely crucial yet challenging in designing sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Phase engineering of nanomaterials is an intriguing approach for tuning the electronic structure toward regulating phase-dependent physicochemical properties. In this study, a metastable phase δ-MoC catalyst was elaborately synthesized via a boron doping strategy, which exhibited a phase transfer from hexagonal to cubic structure.

Vibronic Conical Intersection Trajectory Signatures in Wave Packet Coherences.

Conical intersections are ubiquitous in the energy landscape of chemical systems, drive photochemical reactivity, and are extremely challenging to observe spectroscopically. Using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, we observe the nonadiabatic dynamics in Wurster's Blue after excitation to the lowest two vibronic excited states. The excited populations relax ballistically through a conical intersection in 55 fs to the electronic ground state potential energy surface as the molecule undergoes an intramolecular electron transfer.

Ultrafiltration and composite microfiltration biocatalytic membrane activity and steroid hormone micropollutant degradation at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Biocatalytic degradation of micropollutants has been extensively explored in both batch and membrane reactors in µg/L to mg/L concentrations and variable water compositions. The degradation of micropollutants by biocatalytic membranes at environmentally relevant concentrations of ng/L range found in natural surface water matrices has not yet been investigated, presumably because of the challenging concentration analysis. This study investigated the limitations of biocatalytic degradation of estradiol (E2) micropollutant at environmentally relevant concentrations by a biocatalytic membrane.

Kinetic Profiling of Oxidoreductase-Mimicking Nanozymes: Impact of Multiple Activities, Chemical Transformations, and Colloidal Stability.

In contrast to homogeneous enzyme catalysis, nanozymes are nanosized heterogeneous catalysts that perform reactions on a rigid surface. This fundamental difference between enzymes and nanozymes is often overlooked in kinetic studies and practical applications. In this article, using 14 nanozymes of various compositions (core@shell, metal-organic frameworks, metal, and metal oxide nanoparticles), we systematically demonstrate that nontypical features of nanozymes, such as multiple catalytic activities, chemical transformations, and aggregation, need to be considered in nanozyme catalysis.

Direct synthesis of PtNi coated with NiB for efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution from seawater.

The design of a protective electron-rich surface is an ideal route to enhance the performance of catalysts. Due to the higher work function of NiB, facile-directed electron transport occurs from PtNi to NiB to enrich electron density on the surface of the NiB shell. This process increases hydrogen adsorption-desorption kinetics and mitigates Cl corrosion.

Water sorption performance of the zeolitic metal azolate framework MAF-7.

Water sorption isotherms of [Zn(mtz)] (MAF-7) were collected over a wide temperature range (15-45 °C) and its water sorption performance was assessed in terms of water uptake, sorption kinetics, recyclability, and regeneration temperature. Additionally, molecular simulations were conducted to elucidate the locations of water molecules within the pore cavity of MAF-7.

2D Conjugated Metal-Organic Frameworks for New Generation Flexible Multicolor Electrochromic Devices.

There has been considerable interest in 2D conductive conjugated MOFs (2D c-MOFs) for their potential applications in sensors, opto-electronics, catalysis, and energy storage, owing to their ultra-high specific surface area, relatively high electrical conductivity, and tunable pore channel sizes for ion/charge diffusion/adsorption. The unique advantages brought by systematic tunings in the metal nodes and organic ligands enable the creation of highly accessible and remarkable structures with diverse chemical and physical behaviors. While the 2D c-MOFs are being explored for the rapid widening spectrum of applications, in this work, the great potential of multicolor transitions and functional properties of these 2D c-MOFs are examined for the new generation of flexible multicolor electrochromic devices (FMEDs).

Kinetics of endothelin-1 and effect selective ET antagonism on ET activation: a mathematical modeling analysis.

Introduction: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates renal and vascular function, but the clinical utility of selective ET receptor antagonists has been limited due to associated fluid retention. The mechanisms underlying fluid retention remain poorly understood but could be a consequence of changes in ET-1 binding to the unantagonized ET receptor, either through increased ET-1 or non-selective ET.

Methods: A mathematical model of ET-1 kinetics was developed to quantify effects of ET antagonist exposure and selectivity on concentrations of ET-1 and its complexes with ET and ET receptors.

Proton Storage Chemistry in Aqueous Zinc-Inorganic Batteries with Moderate Electrolytes.

The proton (H) has been proved to be another important energy storage ion besides Zn in aqueous zinc-inorganic batteries with moderate electrolytes. H storage usually possesses better thermodynamics and reaction kinetics than Zn, and is found to be an important addition for Zn storage. Thus, understanding, characterizing, and modulating H storage in inorganic cathode materials is particularly important.

Real-Time Quantification of Molecular-Level Dynamic Behaviors Underpinning Shear Thinning in End-Linked Associative Polymer Networks.

Shear thinning of associative polymers is tied to bond breakage under deformation and retraction of dangling chains, as predicted by transient network theories. However, an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms is limited by our ability to measure the molecular states of the polymers during deformation. Herein, utilizing a custom-built rheo-fluorescence setup, bond dissociation in model end-linked associative polymers is quantified in real time with nonlinear shear deformation based on a fluorescence quench transition when phenanthroline ligands bind with Ni.

Graphene-based nanomaterials applications for agricultural and food sector.

In the past decade, graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have been considerably investigated in agriculture due to their exceptionally enriched physicochemical properties. Productivity in the agricultural sector relies significantly on agrochemicals. However, conventional systems suffer from a lack of application efficiency, resulting in environmental pollution and associated problems.

Construction of Se-doped carbon encapsulated CuSe yolk-shell structure for long-life rechargeable aluminum batteries.

Rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage applications owing to the abundance of their raw materials and high safety. However, achieving high energy density and long cycling life simultaneously holds great challenges for RABs, especially for high capacity transition metal selenide (TMS)-based positive materials suffering from structural collapse and dissolution in acidic ionic liquid electrolyte. Herein, Se-doped carbon encapsulated CuSe with yolk-shell structure (YS/Se-C@CuSe) is rationally constructed to address such issues.

ZIF-67 nanocubes assembly-derived CoTe nanoparticles encapsulated hierarchical carbon nanofibers enables efficient lithium storage.

Tellurides are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of their high electronic conductivity and energy density. However, the slow kinetics and poor structural stability lead to decreased electrochemical performance. In this work, by utilizing the interface magnetization mechanism and assembly effect, high-performance CoTe nanoparticles encapsulated hierarchical N-doped porous carbon nanofibers were rationally designed and prepared (ES-CoTe@NC) via facile tellurization of one-dimensional (1D) ZIF-67 nanocube assemblies.

Commercially Applicable One-Step Method to Construct Homogeneous Anode/Electrolyte Interface and Cathode/Electrolyte Interface Layers in All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Using a solid electrolyte is considered to be the most effective strategy to solve the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries. However, the practical application of solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (SLSBs) is still far from being realized. This is because SLSBs, like all other solid-state battery systems, also face the dilemma of interface degradation (including both the anode and cathode interfaces), in addition to terrible kinetics due to the nonliquid solid-state electrolytes infiltrating the nonconductive sulfur particles inside the cathode.

Valorization of agro-industrial wastes of sugarcane bagasse and rice husk for biosorption of Yellow Tartrazine dye.

The use of agro-industrial wastes as biosorbents is a promising alternative for sustainable, economical and effective adsorption. However, few studies evaluate the use of Brazilian agro-industrial waste as biosorbents without physicochemical pre-treatment. This study explored the potential of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and rice husk waste (RHW) as low-cost biosorbents for yellow tartrazine dye removal.

Unveiling the Sorption Properties of Graphene Oxide-M13 Bacteriophage Aerogels for Advanced Sensing and Environmental Applications.

GraPhage13 aerogels (GPAs) are ultralow density, porous structures fabricated through the self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) and M13 bacteriophage. Given GPA's high surface area and extensive porous network, properties typically associated with highly adsorbent materials, it is essential to characterize its sorption capabilities, with a focus on unlocking its potential for advanced applications in areas such as biomedical sensing and environmental monitoring. Herein, the water, ethanol and acetone sorption properties of GPA were explored using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS).

Well-Defined Co Dual-Atom Catalyst Breaks Scaling Relations of Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

The 4-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline conditions is central to the development of non-noble metal-based hydrogen fuel cell technologies. However, the kinetics of ORR are constrained by scaling relations, where the adsorption free energy of *OOH is intrinsically linked to that of *OH with a nearly constant difference larger than the optimal value. In this study, a well-defined binuclear Co complex was synthesized and adsorbed onto carbon black, serving as a model dual-atom catalyst.

Comparative Seasonal Trends and Potential Health Impacts of Arsenic and Chromium in Surface Water after Adsorption Using Highly Dispersed FeO Nanoparticles.

Surface water from springs, rivers, and dams is often used as an unconventional drinking water source in rural areas where potable water is often unavailable. However, this practice carries significant health risks due to potential contaminants. In this study, the concentrations of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) were assessed seasonally using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Recent progress and perspectives of advanced Ni-based cathodes for aqueous alkaline Zn batteries.

Rechargeable aqueous alkaline Zn-Ni batteries (AZNBs) are considered a potential contender for energy storage fields and portable devices due to their inherent safety, high output voltage, high theoretical capacity and environmental friendliness. Despite the facilitated development of AZNBs by many investigations, its practical application is still restricted by inadequate energy density, sluggish kinetics, and poor stability. Therefore, Ni-based cathodes with boosted redox chemistry and enhanced structural integrity is essential for the high-performance AZNBs.

A Hydrolytically Stable Metal-Organic Framework for Simultaneous Desulfurization and Dehydration of Wet Flue Gas.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have great prospects as adsorbents for industrial gas purification, but often suffer from issues of water stability and competitive water adsorption. Herein, we present a hydrolytically stable MOF that could selectively capture and recover trace SO from flue gas, and exhibits remarkable recyclability in the breakthrough experiments under wet flue-gas conditions, due to its excellent resistance to the corrosion of SO and the water-derived capillary forces. More strikingly, its SO capture efficiency is barely influenced by the increasing humidity, even if the pore filling with water is reached.