Latest ArticlesLi metal is considered an ideal anode material because of its high theoretical capacity and low electrode potential. However, the practical usage of Li metal as an anode is severely limited because of inevitable parasitic side reactions with electrolyte and dendrites formation. At present, single-component artificial solid electrolyte interphase cannot simultaneously meet the multiple functions of promoting ion conduction, guiding lithium ion deposition, inhibiting dendrite growth, and reducing interface side reactions. Therefore, multi-component design on Li metal surface is widely investigated to achieve long-term cycling. Herein, we report a Li2Ga-carbonate polymer interphase layer to solve volume changes, Li dendrites formation and side-reactions. As a result, the Li symmetric cell can be stabilized at 3.0 mA/cm2 in carbonate electrolyte with limited volume of 20 µL. Coupled with 13.6 mg/cm2 (loading of 2 mAh/cm2) LiFePO4 cathode, discharge capacity retains at 90% for over 150 cycles under limited electrolyte conditions. With such an alloy-polymer interphase layer, higher energy density Li metal batteries become prominent in the near future.
The precise synthesis of polymer with narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ) and well-defined architectures is very essential to exploring the functions and properties of polymer materials. Here, a universal polymerization method capable of low Đ and reactive hydrogen compatibility is reported by introducing super-Grignard reagents (R2Mg·LiCl) into polymer chemistry. Under mild conditions, various monomers, including nonpolar polystyrene and 4-methoxystyrene that cannot be initiated by Grignard reagents, and polar methacrylate, are successfully polymerized with full monomer conversion and low Đ. This approach is amenable to wide varieties of initiators, polymerization temperature, and feed ratio, which makes it attractive for applications in polymer synthesis. By adding methanol and water during the polymerization process, the reactive hydrogen compatibility of this method is confirmed, which makes this method avoid the rigorous restriction on polymerization conditions of anionic polymerization. Moreover, chain extension polymerization and block copolymerization are achieved and demonstrate the livingness of chain propagation, enabling the facile synthesis of well-defined macromolecular architectures. This work therefore expands the methodology libraries of living polymerization, which may cause inspirations to polymer science.
Acid-catalyzed tandem reactions were established by employing a novel class of 2-arylglycerol derivative, 5-aryl-1, 3-dioxan-5-ol, as versatile 1, 3-biselectrophile. In the reactions, 5-aryl-1, 3-dioxan-5-ol works like atropaldehydes or 2-aryl malondialdehydes, and can react with 2-naphthols and β-keto amides, allowing the synthesis of 4H-chromenes and 5-aryl-2-pyridinones. High yields, good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope and simple reaction operation make this protocol attractive.
Herein, we report an efficient photochemical method for the synthesis of poly-substituted pyrazoles through a multicomponent reaction of acceptor-only diazoalkanes, alkynes, and solvents (cyclic ethers or nitriles). The key to this success was driven by the photolysis of acceptor-only diazoalkanes to form free carbene species and the fast in situ [3 + 2]-cycloaddition formation of nucleophilic NH pyrazole derivatives. This work also serves as an entry to allow future reaction design on the combination of carbene reactivity of diazoalkanes with their other reaction modes.
Stroke is a common disease and is the major cause of death and disability. It occurs and generates devastating neurological deficits when cerebral blood vessel is blocked (ischemic stroke, IS) or ruptured (hemorrhagic stroke, HS). Hydrogel, being biodegradable and biocompatible, have shown attractive advantages in stroke therapy as a new biomaterial with desirable mechanical properties and tunability of structure, owing to special ability to load different cargoes for multiple treatment strategies, such as pharmacotherapy based on drug-delivery systems and cell therapy including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) for improving functional outcomes. However, a comprehensive review of the functional hydrogel for treatment of stroke is still lacking. Therefore, in this work, the main pathological mechanisms of stroke including IS and HS are comprehensively described. The benefits of hydrogel for stroke treatment are also summarized regarding the natural advantages and the delivery advantages. Simultaneously, the application development of hydrogel for treatment of stroke is highlighted. Finally, the unique considerations and challenges in the design and application of hydrogel is discussed for treatment of stroke and clinical application in the future.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological tumor characterized by the proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. Melphalan (MEL) is commonly used in the treatment of MM and is especially essential for patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Although many drugs for MM have been developed in recent years, chemotherapy followed by ASCT remains the optimal option. Melphalan, the backbone of the conditioning regimen, brings severe toxicities at a high dose. Nanodrug delivery systems enable drugs to be highly effective and have low toxicity. In this study, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D, L-lactide) copolymer (MPEG-PDLLA) was chosen to encapsulate melphalan, and the characteristics, effectiveness, and safety of MEL/MPEG-PDLLA in vitro and in vivo were investigated. MEL/MPEG-PDLLA showed slow release and was easily engulfed by MM cells despite a result of the antitumor assay comparable to that of free melphalan in vitro. The in vivo results showed that MEL/MPEG-PDLLA could significantly alleviate tumor burden and prolong survival time without increasing the toxicity to vital organs. In addition, MEL/MPEG-PDLLA could significantly reduce the damage to the intestinal mucosa caused by melphalan. In conclusion, MEL/MPEG-PDLLA shows improved antitumor activity and has the potential to alleviate pains of MM patients undergoing ASCT.
Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) refer to field-effect transistors that use organic semiconductors as channel materials. Owing to the advantages of organic materials such as solution processability and intrinsic flexibility, OFETs are expected to be applicable in emergent technologies including wearable electronics and sensors, flexible displays, internet-of-things, neuromorphic computing, etc. Improving the electrical performance and developing multifunctionalities of OFETs are two major and closely relevant aspects for OFETs-related research. The former one aims for investigating the device physics and expanding the horizons of OFETs, while the later one is critical for leading OFETs into practical and emergent applications. The development in each of the two aspects would undoubtfully promote the other and bring more confidence for future development of OFETs. Hence, this review is divided into two parts that respectively summarize the recent progress in high-performance OFETs and multifunctional OFETs.
Ultrasonography is an important complement to clinical diagnosis, and the application of microbubbles effectively improved diagnostic accuracy in echography. In scientific research, the sizes of microbubbles range from nanometers to microns. By optimizing the fabrication process, bubble sizes and ultrasound parameters, microbubbles can also be used for drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of microbubbles according to their different components. Modification of microbubble shells allows for more accurate imaging and detection and the combined utilization of US-targeted MB destruction (UTMD) allows for non-invasive, precise and targeted delivery of drug molecules to pathological tissues. These features pave the way for the emerge of theranostic microbubbles by combination of functional compositions and the application of multifunctional materials. Theranostic microbubbles allow for the simultaneous process of diagnosis, visualization of drug delivery and therapeutic monitoring. Ultimately, theranostic microbubbles are promising in clinical practice and would enhance contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) to a new qualitative level.
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