Enhanced skin penetration of curcumin by a nanoemulsion-embedded oligopeptide hydrogel for psoriasis topical therapy.

Topical delivery of therapeutics on the skin can effectively alleviate skin symptoms of psoriasis and reduce systemic toxicity. However, the low delivery efficiency caused by the stratum corneum barrier limits the therapeutic impact. Here, we reported an oligopeptide hydrogel that encapsulates cell-penetrating-peptide (CPP)-decorated curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions (Cur-CNEs) to enhance the skin penetration of curcumin for topical treatment of psoriasis.

Evolution rom [Zn] to a record-high [Zn] subblock and engineering a hierarchical supramolecular framework for enhanced iodine uptake.

Hierarchical supramolecular frameworks are being designed and constructed for various applications, yet the controlled assembly and process understanding incorporating giant building blocks remains a great challenge. Here, we report a strategy of "rivet" substitution and "hinge" linkage for the controlled assembly of the hierarchical supramolecular framework. The replacement of two "rivet" ethylene glycol (EG) molecules for triangular prism [Zn] (a small block in 1) with a 1,3-propanediol (PDO) provides space for a "hinge" linkage from adjacent ligands, thus providing a hierarchical (from micro- to mesopores, from the internal cavity to external surface) supramolecular framework (2) based on a coordinative subblock with the record number of zinc ions ([Zn]).

Unusual quadruple bonds featuring collective interaction-type σ bonds between first octal-row atoms in the alkaline-earth compounds AeOLi (Ae = Be-Ba).

Quantum chemical calculations are reported for the complexes of alkaline earth metals AeOLi (Ae = Be-Ba) at the BP86-D3(BJ)/def2-QZVPP and CCSD(T)/def2-QZVPPQZVPP levels. The nature of the Ae-OLi bond has been analyzed with a variety of methods. The AeOLi molecules exhibit an unprecedented σ donor bond Ae→OLi where the ()s lone-pair electrons of the Ae atom are donated to vacant O-Li antibonding orbitals having the largest coefficient at lithium.

Correlating active sites and oxidative species in single-atom catalyzed Fenton-like reactions.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have gained widespread popularity in heterogeneous catalysis-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), owing to their optimal metal atom utilization efficiency and excellent recyclability by triggering reactive oxidative species (ROS) for target pollutant oxidation in water. Systematic summaries regarding the correlation between the active sites, catalytic activity, and reactive species of SACs have rarely been reported. This review provides an overview of the catalytic performance of carbon- and metal oxide-supported SACs in Fenton-like reactions, as well as the different oxidation pathways induced by the metal and non-metal active sites, including radical-based pathways (, ·OH and SO˙) and nonradical-based pathways ( O, high-valent metal-oxo species, and direct electron transfer).

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.

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.

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.].

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.

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.

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.

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.

Uracil-Cu(i) catalyst: allylation of cyclopropanols with Morita-Baylis-Hillman alcohols under water-tolerant conditions.

Inspired by the high affinity of copper with DNA and RNA, a uracil-copper catalytic system was developed to promote ring-opening allylation of cyclopropanols with allylic alcohols under water-tolerant conditions. A new C-OH bond-breaking model can well resolve the trade-off between the need for acidic activators for C(allyl)-OH bond cleavage and the demand for strong basic conditions for generating homoenolates. Therefore, Morita-Baylis-Hillman alcohols, rather than their pre-activated versions, could be incorporated directly into dehydrative cross-coupling with cyclopropanols delivering water as the only by-product.

Synthesis of chitosan-based flocculant by dielectric barrier discharge modification and its flocculation performance in wastewater treatment.

As a typical type of organic flocculant, chitosan is limited by its poor water solubility and narrow pH range application. Grafting modification can improve chitosan's solubility and availability through linking macromolecular chains with other types of water-soluble groups or functional side groups. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used to active the surface of chitosan, then activated chitosan was polymerized with acrylamide to synthesize a chitosan-based flocculant, chitosan-acrylamide (CS-AM).

Ferrocenylselenoether and its cuprous cluster modified TiO as visible-light photocatalyst for the synergistic transformation of N-cyclic organics and Cr(vi).

In this study, fcSe@TiO and [CuI(fcSe)]@TiO nanosystems based on ferrocenylselenoether and its cuprous cluster were developed and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Under optimized conditions, 0.2 g L catalyst, 20 mM HO, and initial pH 7, good synergistic visible light photocatalytic tetracycline degradation and Cr(vi) reduction were achieved, with 92.

An effective purification of double-effect distillation for bio-based pentamethylene diisocyanate.

Bio-based pentamethylene diisocyanate (PDI) is a new type of sustainable isocyanate, which has important applications in coatings, foams, and adhesives. Technical-economic analysis of the PDI distillation process can promote the industrialization of PDI. The thermal analysis of PDI facilitates the smooth running of the simulation process.

Thermal runaway features of large-format power lithium-ion cells under various thermal abuse patterns and capacities.

Herein, a comprehensive investigation is performed to research the thermal runaway features of large-format power lithium-ion cells under various heating patterns (2 kW electric heating oven and 600 W electric heating plate) and capacities (60, 150, and 180 Ah). Although the electric heating plate induces the cell to encounter thermal runaway earlier in comparison with the electric heating oven, the combustion does not appear for the former case since the compact stacking of the electric heating plate restrains the heat release of the heater such that the surrounding temperature is too low to induce the ignition of the thermal runaway combustibles. Besides that, it is interesting to find that the color of the ejected products under the electric heating plate condition becomes shallower as the thermal runaway proceeds, which implies that the ejecta in the initial of thermal runaway is mixed with quantities of solid particles and the proportion would gradually decrease.

Genuine quadruple bonds between two main-group atoms. Chemical bonding in AeF (Ae = Be-Ba) and isoelectronic EF (E = B-Tl) and the particular role of d orbitals in covalent interactions of heavier alkaline-earth atoms.

Quantum chemical calculations of anions AeF (Ae = Be-Ba) and isoelectronic group-13 molecules EF (E = B-Tl) have been carried out using methods at the CCSD(T)/def2-TZVPP level and density functional theory employing BP86 various basis sets. The equilibrium distances, bond dissociation energies and vibrational frequencies are reported. The alkali earth fluoride anions AeF exhibit strong bonds between the closed-shell species Ae and F with bond dissociation energies between 68.

Formation and fine-tuning of metal-organic frameworks with carboxylic pincers for the recognition of a CH tetramer and highly selective separation of CH/CH.

Highly efficient ethylene (CH) and acetylene (CH) separation is a great challenge and an important process in current industries. Herein, we finely tune a new family of 6-c metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with crab-like carboxylic pincers for the recognition of a CH tetramer and afford NTU-72 with high adsorption CH/CH selectivity (56-441, 298 K) as well as unprecedented recovery of both highly pure CH (99.95%) and CH (99.

Dihydrophenazine-derived oligomers from industrial waste as sustainable superior cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Organic materials with the 5,10-dihydrophenazine motif are superior cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, the difficult accessibility and low capacity of such cathodes materials are obstacles to their practical applications. Herein, two novel oligomers, termed poly(5-methyl-10-(2-methacryloxypropyl)-5,10-dihydrophenazine) (PMPPZ) and poly(5-methyl-10-(2-methacryloxyethyl)-5,10-dihydrophenazine) (PMEPZ), were effectively synthesized from an industrial waste phenazine.

Impact of safety valves on thermal runaway characteristics of 21 700-size lithium-ion cells.

To demonstrate the impact of safety valves on the thermal runaway characteristics of 21 700-size lithium-ion cells, this work carries out a series of abusive tests including over-heating tests, accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) tests and overcharge tests; in the meantime, the impact of safety valves on cells with various states of charge (SOC) and states of health (SOH) is unveiled accordingly. Safety valves have a great impact on the thermal runaway behavior of 21 700-size cells, which effectively restrains the thermal runaway risks and hazards of cells under the over-heating conditions. The presence of a safety valve could even prevent a cell from the thermal runaway induced by overcharge.