Latest ArticlesAerogels have become a hot topic of research due to their extremely low density and special interconnected structure as well as their enzyme-like activity. The development of new multifunctional nano-enzyme aerogels with high activity and good stability is still a considerable challenge. In this paper, AuRu aerogels with peroxidase and oxidase activities were synthesized using a simple one-step method and successfully used to construct colorimetric sensors for the detection of Fe2+ and glucose based on their enzyme-like activities. Furthermore, we are fortunate to find that AuRu aerogels have good photothermal properties. This suggests that AuRu aerogels can be used not only for in vitro testing but also for promising applications such as disease treatment.
A trefoil-like two-dimensional (2D) C3v symmetric organic [12]-imidazolium cation H12–2(PF6)12 featuring three [4]-imidazolium macrocycles was synthesized in three steps. The reaction of a dodecakis H12–1(PF6)12 imidazolium salt with Ag2O resulted in the formation of a hexanuclear AgⅠ dodecacarbene assembly [Ag6(1)](PF6)6. Upon UV irradiation, the photodimerization of the cinnamic ester pendants of [Ag6(1)](PF6)6 led to the generation of a trefoil-like complex [Ag6(2)](PF6)6 containing three closed metallacycles. Removal of metal ions allowed for the synthesis of the target molecule. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C{1H} and 2D NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).
The random movement and easy recombination of photoinduced charges lead to a low conversion efficiency for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The cocatalyst design is a promising route to address such problem through introducing an appropriate cocatalyst on the semiconductor photocatalysts to construct the high-efficiency heterojunctions. Herein, novel CoS/Nb2O5 heterojunctions were constructed via in-situ loading CoS cocatalyst on the surface of Nb2O5 nanosheets. Through the femtosecond-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy, the average lifetime of charge carriers for 10 wt% CoS/Nb2O5 (159.6 ps) is drastically shortened by contrast with that of Nb2O5 (5531.9 ps), strongly suggesting the rapid charge transfer from Nb2O5 to CoS. The significantly improved charge-transfer capacity contributes to a high photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 355 μmol/h, up to 17.5 times compared with pristine Nb2O5. This work would provide a new design platform in the construction of photocatalytic heterojunctions with high charge-transfer efficiency.
Nano-drug delivery systems with multiple stimulus-responsive capabilities have superior response performance and efficient drug release. Nevertheless, it is sophisticated to construct multiple stimulus-responsive systems where the two or more functional groups need to be introduced simultaneously. Xanthate, one functional group with pH and H2O2 stimulus responsiveness, has significant potential applications for building dual-responsive drug delivery system. Herein, we present a novel dual stimuli-responsive supramolecular drug delivery system by using sodium xanthate derivative (SXD) as guest molecule and quaternary ammonium capped Pillar[5]arene (QAP5) as host molecule through host-guest interaction on the basis of electrostatic interaction. The amphiphile QAP5⊃SXD could self-assemble into vesicles to efficiently load the anti-cancer drug DOX. The experimental results showed that QAP5⊃SXD nanoparticles could achieve efficient drug delivery and controlled release in the tumor microenvironment. Cytotoxicity experiments proved that DOX@QAP5⊃SXD nanoparticles could significantly improve the anticancer efficiency of free DOX on cancer cells. The present study provides an efficient strategy to develop supramolecular nanocarriers with dual-responsiveness in one functional group for controlled drug release.
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) in water systems have attracted increasing attention due to their toxic effects. Removal of precursors (mainly natural organic matter (NOM)) prior to the disinfection process has been recognized as the ideal strategy to control the DBP levels. Currently, biological activated carbon (BAC) process is a highly recommended and prevalent process for treatment of DBP precursors in advanced water treatment. This paper first introduces the fundamental knowledge of BAC process, including the history, basic principles, typical process flow, and basic operational parameters. Then, the selection of BAC process for treatment of DBP precursors is explained in detail based on the comparative analysis of dominant water treatment technologies from the aspects of mechanisms for NOM removal as well as the treatability of different groups of DBP precursors. Next, a thorough overview is presented to summarize the recent developments and breakthroughs in the removal of DBP precursors using BAC process, and the contents involved include effect of pre-BAC ozonation, removal performance of various DBP precursors, toxicity risk reduction, fractional analysis of NOM, effect of empty bed contact time (EBCT) and engineered biofiltration. Finally, some recommendations are made to strengthen current research and address the knowledge gaps, including the issues of microbial mechanisms, toxicity evaluation, degradation kinetics and microbial products.
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common and serious adverse drug reaction. At present, DILI is perfectly diagnozed in clinical settings using Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method (RUCAM) in its original version published 1993 and its updated version published 2016, well established worldwide as a diagnostic algorithm with a high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the search for additional detection methods supporting RUCAM continues. In recent years, with the development of optical imaging technology, fluorescent probes have gradually shown great advantages in the detection and diagnosis of DILI markers such as high sensitivity, anti-interference, real-time monitoring and non-invasive measurement. In this review, the recent advances of fluorescent probes for evaluation of DILI in experimental studies were summarized according to various markers of DILI. We believe that learning about the design and practical application of these probes will contribute to the further development of detection sensors for DILI markers.
The efficiency of photocatalytic pollutant removal largely depends on the ability of the photocatalytic system to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH). However, the capability of photocatalyst to produce ·OH is not strong at present. Advancing the capacity of photocatalytic system to produce ·OH has always been a tough problem and challenge in the field of environmental science. In this research, it was found that introducing nitric oxide (NO) into the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalytic system could memorably enhance the ability of producing ·OH group. This study provides a new idea for improving the capacity of photocatalytic ·OH production.
The properties of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), including the adjustability of cations in host layers, exchangeability of anions between layers, and tunability of the crystal structure, render them unique characteristics in preparation and applications. Relating to the structural characteristics of LDHs, this work analyzes the research status, advantages and disadvantages of the synthetic methods for LDHs, including hydrothermal, electrodeposition, co-precipitation and anion exchange methods. In addition, the application status and prospects are reviewed, such as photo/electrocatalysis, electrochemical energy storage, magnetic materials, pollutant adsorption, and other fields. Lastly, the critical issues and solutions in the developing process of LDHs are analyzed and proposed.
Both glycosylation and phosphorylation exert crucial rule in multitudinous biological processes. For in-depth profiling of glycosylation and phosphorylation, a magnetic metal oxide is effectively coupled with inherently hydrophilic mesoporous channels (denoted as Fe3O4@TiO2@mSiO2-TSG). Based on the mechanism of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and metal oxide affinity chromatography (MOAC), the Fe3O4@TiO2@mSiO2-TSG nanomaterial shows high capacity for simultaneously enriching glycopeptides and phosphopeptides. With human saliva collected in successive four days as practical biological sample, endogenous glycopeptides and phosphopeptides are efficiently enriched. Further gene ontology analysis reveals that the identified endogenous glycopeptides and phosphopeptides participate in diverse molecular functions and biological processes. This strategy is anticipated to promote variation analysis of salivary post-translational modifications.
Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an environmentally friendly method for sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions. Searching for efficient NRR electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity is currently urgent but remains great challenge. Herein, we systematically investigate the NRR catalytic activities of single and double transition metal atoms (TM = Fe, Co, Ni and Mo) anchored on g-C6N6 monolayers by performing first-principles calculation. Based on the stability, activity, and selectivity analysis, Mo2@g-C6N6 monolayer is screened out as the most promising candidate for NRR. Further exploration of the reaction mechanism demonstrates that the Mo dimer anchored on g-C6N6 can sufficiently activate and efficiently reduce the inert nitrogen molecule to ammonia through a preferred distal pathway with a particularly low limiting potential of -0.06 V. In addition, we find that Mo2@g-C6N6 has excellent NRR selectivity over the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, with the Faradaic efficiency being 100%. Our work not only predicts a kind of ideal NRR electrocatalyst but also encouraging more experimental and theoretical efforts to develop novel double-atom catalysts (DACs) for NRR.
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