Chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective tetrafunctionalization of fluoroalkynes enables divergent synthesis of 5-7-membered azacycles.

Alkyne annulation has been widely used in organic synthesis for the construction of azacycles with unique structural and physicochemical properties. However, the analogous transformation of fluoroalkynes remains a challenge and has seen limited progress. Herein we report a 1,2,3,4-tetrafunctionalization of polyfluoroalkynes for the divergent construction of 5-7-membered ()-1,2-difluorovinyl azacycles.

Assembling the 2D-3D-2D Heterostructure of Quasi-2D Perovskites for High-Performance Solar Cells.

Quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) layered perovskites with mixed dimensions offer a promising avenue for stable and efficient solar cells. However, randomly distributed three-dimensional (3D) perovskites near the film surface limit the device performance of quasi-2D perovskites due to increased nonradiative recombination and ion migration. Herein, we construct a 2D ( = 4 top)-3D-2D ( = 2 bottom) heterostructure of quasi-2D perovskites by using 3-chlorobenzylamine iodine, which can effectively reduce defect density and restrain ion migration.

Advancements and prospects of perovskite-based fuel electrodes in solid oxide cells for CO electrolysis to CO.

Carbon dioxide (CO) electrolysis to carbon monoxide (CO) is a very promising strategy for economically converting CO, with high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) being regarded as the most suitable technology due to their high electrode reaction kinetics and nearly 100% faradaic efficiency, while their practical application is highly dependent on the performance of their fuel electrode (cathode), which significantly determines the cell activity, selectivity, and durability. In this review, we provide a timely overview of the recent progress in the understanding and development of fuel electrodes, predominantly based on perovskite oxides, for CO electrochemical reduction to CO (CORR) in SOECs. Initially, the current understanding of the reaction mechanisms over the perovskite electrocatalyst for CO synthesis from CO electrolysis in SOECs is provided.

A Bioinspired Photosensitizer Performs Tumor Thermoresistance Reversion to Optimize the Atraumatic Mild-Hyperthermia Photothermal Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Mild-hyperthermia photothermal therapy (mPTT) has therapeutic potential with minimized damage to normal tissues. However, the poorly vascularized tumor area severely hampers the penetration of photothermal agents (PTAs), resulting in their heterogeneous distribution and the subsequent heterogeneous local temperature during mPTT. The presence of regions below the therapeutic 42 °C threshold can lead to incomplete tumor ablation and potential recurrence.

Shearing-induced formation of Au nanowires.

Shearing-induced nucleation is known in our daily lives, yet rarely discussed in nano-synthesis. Here, we demonstrate an unambiguous shearing-induced growth of Au nanowires. While in static solution Au would predominately deposit on pre-synthesized triangular nanoplates to form nano-bowls, the introduction of stirring or shaking gives rise to nanowires, where an initial nucleation could be inferred.

Correction: Deciphering the chemical bonding of the trivalent oxygen atom in oxygen doped graphene.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D4SC00142G.].

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.

Systemic regulation of binding sites in porous coordination polymers for ethylene purification from ternary C2 hydrocarbons.

The global demand for poly-grade ethylene (CH) is increasing annually. However, the energy-saving purification of this gas remains a major challenge due to the similarity in molecular properties among the ternary C2 hydrocarbons. To address this challenge, we report an approach of systematic tuning of the pore environment with organic sites (from -COOH to -CF, then to -CH) in porous coordination polymers (PCPs), of which NTU-73-CH shows remarkable capability for the direct production of poly-grade CH from ternary C2 hydrocarbons under ambient conditions.

Recent Development of Photochromic Polymer Systems: Mechanism, Materials, and Applications.

Photochromic polymer is defined as a series of materials based on photochromic units in polymer chains, which produces reversible color changes under irradiation with a particular wavelength. Currently, as the research progresses, it shows increasing potential applications in various fields, such as anti-counterfeiting, information storage, super-resolution imaging, and logic gates. However, there is a paucity of published reviews on the topic of photochromic polymers.

Impact of self-assembled structure on ionic conductivity of an azobenzene-containing electrolyte.

The type of self-assembled structure has a significant impact on the ionic conductivity of block copolymer or liquid crystalline (LC) ion conductors. In this study, we focus on the effect of self-assembled structures on the ionic conductivity of a non-block copolymer, LC ion conductor, which is a mixture of an azobenzene monomer (NbAzo), pentaerythritol tetre(3-mercapropionate) (PETMP), and a lithium salt, lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI). The self-assembled structures and ionic conductivities of ion conductors having different doping ratios of lithium salt to monomer were examined.

Fine-regulation of gradient gate-opening in nanoporous crystals for sieving separation of ternary C3 hydrocarbons.

The adsorptive separation of ternary propyne (CH)/propylene (CH)/propane (CH) mixtures is of significant importance due to its energy efficiency. However, achieving this process using an adsorbent has not yet been accomplished. To tackle such a challenge, herein, we present a novel approach of fine-regulation of the gradient of gate-opening in soft nanoporous crystals.

Visible-light-induced -alkylation of anilines with 4-hydroxybutan-2-one.

The synthesis of amines through -alkylation is particularly attractive. Herein, a strategy for visible-light-induced -alkylation of anilines with 4-hydroxybutan-2-one was developed in the presence of NHBr, which avoid the use of metals, bases and ligands. In addition, gram-scale experiments proved that the system has the potential to be scaled.

Study adsorbents based on bent-Al-CS-CTA and its application to the removal of CR from wastewater.

For rapid and efficient removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions, a composite of bent-Al-CS-CTA was prepared from bentonite (bent), chitosan (CS), citric acid (CTA) and Al compounds. To comprehend the adsorption process, adsorption variables were changed, including initial pH of the solution, contact time, temperature, initial CR concentration, and adsorption dose. Bent intercalated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) were used to analyze the material.

The Role of Solution Aggregation Property toward High-Efficiency Non-Fullerene Organic Photovoltaic Cells.

In organic photovoltaic cells, the solution-aggregation effect (SAE) is long considered a critical factor in achieving high power-conversion efficiencies for polymer donor (PD)/non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) blend systems. However, the underlying mechanism has yet to be fully understood. Herein, based on an extensive study of blends consisting of the representative 2D-benzodithiophene-based PDs and acceptor-donor-acceptor-type NFAs, it is demonstrated that SAE shows a strong correlation with the aggregation kinetics during solidification, and the aggregation competition between PD and NFA determines the phase separation of blend film and thus the photovoltaic performance.

Deciphering the chemical bonding of the trivalent oxygen atom in oxygen doped graphene.

Recently, planar and neutral tricoordinated oxygen embedded in graphene has been imaged experimentally (, 2019, , 4570-4577). In this work, this unusual chemical species is studied utilizing a variety of state-of-the-art methods and combining periodic calculations with a fragmental approach. Several factors influencing the stability of trivalent oxygen are identified.

Growth of millimeter-sized 2D metal iodide crystals induced by ion-specific preference at water-air interfaces.

Conventional liquid-phase methods lack precise control in synthesizing and processing materials with macroscopic sizes and atomic thicknesses. Water interfaces are ubiquitous and unique in catalyzing many chemical reactions. However, investigations on two-dimensional (2D) materials related to water interfaces remain limited.

Review of biomimetic ordered microstructures in advancing synergistic integration of adhesion and microfluidics.

Many ordered arrangements are observable in the natural world, serving not only as pleasing aesthetics but also as functional improvements. These structured arrangements streamline cohesion while also facilitating the spontaneous drainage of liquids in microfluidics, resulting in effective separation and signal enhancement. Nevertheless, there is a substantial challenge when handling microstructured chips with microfluidic detection and adhesion.

Catalytic performance and mechanism study of the isomerization of 2,5-dichlorotoluene to 2,4-dichlorotoluene.

This work investigates the influence of catalyst HZSM-5 on the isomerization of 2,5-dichlorotoluene (2,5-DCT) to produce 2,4-dichlorotoluene (2,4-DCT). We observe that hydrothermal treatment leads to a decrease in total acidity and Brønsted/Lewis ratio of HZSM-5 while generating new secondary pores. These characteristics result in excellent selectivity for post-hydrothermal modified HZSM-5 in the isomerization reaction from 2,5-DCT to 2,4-DCT.

Gradiently Foaming Ultrasoft Hydrogel with Stop Holes for Highly Deformable, Crack-Resistant and Sensitive Conformal Human-Machine Interfaces.

Hydrogels are considered as promising materials for human-machine interfaces (HMIs) owing to their merits of tailorable mechanical and electrical properties; nevertheless, it remains challenging to simultaneously achieve ultrasoftness, good mechanical robustness and high sensitivity, which are the pre-requisite requirements for wearable sensing applications. Herein, for the first time, this work proposes a universal phase-transition-induced bubbling strategy to fabricate ultrasoft gradient foam-shaped hydrogels (FSHs) with stop holes for high deformability, crack-resistance and sensitive conformal HMIs. As a typical system, the FSH based on polyacrylamide/sodium alginate system shows an ultralow Young's modulus (1.

Tunable afterglow for mechanical self-monitoring 3D printing structures.

Self-monitoring materials have promising applications in structural health monitoring. However, developing organic afterglow materials for self-monitoring is a highly intriguing yet challenging task. Herein, we design two organic molecules with a twisted donor-acceptor-acceptor' configuration and achieve dual-emissive afterglow with tunable lifetimes (86.

Vapor Phase Growth of Air-Stable Hybrid Perovskite FAPbBr Single-Crystalline Nanosheets.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have attracted tremendous attention owing to their fascinating optoelectronic properties. However, their poor air stability seriously hinders practical applications, which becomes more serious with thickness down to the nanoscale. Here we report a one-step vapor phase growth of HC(NH)PbBr (FAPbBr) single-crystalline nanosheets of tunable size up to 50 μm and thickness down to 20 nm.

Combustion properties and pollutant analysis of coal-blended bio-heavy oil fuel.

Excessive carbon-dioxide emissions drive global climate change and environmental challenges. Integrating renewable biomass fuels with coal in power units is crucial for achieving low-carbon emission reductions. Coal blending with bio-heavy oil enhances the combustion calorific value of the fuel, improves combustion characteristics, and decreases pollutant emissions.

Interpretable machine learning-assisted screening of perovskite oxides.

Perovskite oxides are extensively utilized in energy storage and conversion. However, they are conventionally screened time-consuming and cost-intensive experimental approaches and density functional theory. Herein, interpretable machine learning is applied to identify perovskite oxides from virtual perovskite-type combinations by constructing classification and regression models to predict their thermodynamic stability and energy above the convex hull (), respectively, and interpreting the models using SHapley Additive exPlanations.

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Ferroelectric and Antiferroelectric with Afterglow Emission.

Luminescent ferroelectrics are holding exciting prospect for integrated photoelectronic devices due to potential light-polarization interactions at electron scale. Integrating ferroelectricity and long-lived afterglow emission in a single material would offer new possibilities for fundamental research and applications, however, related reports have been a blank to date. For the first time, we here achieved the combination of notable ferroelectricity and afterglow emission in an organic-inorganic hybrid material.

Catalytic hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide in blast furnace gas over Sm-Ce-O@ZrO catalyst.

Carbonyl sulfur (COS) is a prominent organic sulfur pollutant commonly found in the by-product gas generated by the steel industry. A series of Sm-doped CeO@ZrO catalysts were prepared for the hydrolysis catalytic removal of COS. The results showed that the addition of Sm resulted in the most significant enhancement of hydrolysis catalytic activity.