Latest ArticlesEpoxy resin is widely used in electronic packaging due to its exceptional performance, particularly the low-temperature curable thiol/epoxy system, which effectively minimizes thermal damage to sensitive electronic components. However, the majority of commercial thiol curing agents contain hydrolysable ester bonds and lack rigid structures, which induces most of thiol/epoxy systems still suffering from unsatisfactory heat resistance and hygrothermal resistance, significantly hindering their application in electronic packaging. In this study, we synthesized a tetrafunctional thiol compound, bis[3-(3-sulfanylpropyl)-4-(3-sulfanylpropoxy)phenyl]sulfone (TMBPS) with rigid and ester-free structures to replace traditional commercial thiol curing agents, pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP). Compared to the PETMP/epoxy system, the TMBPS/epoxy system exhibited superior comprehensive properties. The rigid structures of bisphenol S-type tetrathiol enhanced the heat resistance and mechanical properties of TMBPS/epoxy resin cured products, outperforming those of PETMP/epoxy resin cured products. Notably, the glass transition temperature of TMBPS/epoxy resin cured products was 74.2 ℃ which was 11.8 ℃ higher than that of PETMP cured products. Moreover, the ester-free structure in TMBPS contributed to its enhanced resistance to chemicals and hygrothermal conditions. After undergoing 1000 h of high-temperature and high-humidity aging, the tensile strength and adhesion strength of TMBPS-cured products were 73.33 MPa and 3.39 MPa, respectively exceeding 100% and 40% of their initial values, while PETMP-cured products exhibited a complete loss of both tensile strength and adhesion strength. This study provides a strategy for obtaining thermosetting polymers that can be cured at low temperatures and exhibit excellent comprehensive properties.
Sulfide solid electrolytes with an ultrahigh ionic conductivity are considered to be extremely promising alternatives to liquid electrolytes for next-generation lithium batteries. However, it is difficult to obtain a thin solid electrolyte layer with good mechanical properties due to the weak binding ability between their powder particles, which seriously limits the actual energy density of sulfide all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Fortunately, the preparation of sulfide-polymer composite solid electrolyte (SPCSE) membranes by introducing polymer effectively reduces the thickness of solid electrolytes and guarantees high mechanical properties. In this review, recent progress of SPCSE membranes for ASSLBs is summarized. The classification of components in SPCSE membranes is first introduced briefly. Then, the preparation methods of SPCSE membranes are categorized according to process characteristics, in which the challenges of different methods and their corresponding solutions are carefully reviewed. The energy densities of the full battery composed of SPCSE membranes are further given whenever available to help understanding the device-level performance. Finally, we discuss the potential challenges and research opportunities for SPCSE membranes to guide the future development of high-performance sulfide ASSLBs.
Boron-doped diamond (BDD) is a well-known anode material with a high pollutant degradation ability for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, the cost of production and mechanical strength of BDD membranes remain unsatisfactory. Magnetic BDD particles derived from industrial waste may represent a promising alternative to BDD membranes, although the challenge remains in assembling these particles into a usable electrode. In this study, magnetic BDD particles were attracted to a Ti/RuO2-IrO2 electrode using a magnet, thus constituting a novel 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) electrode. To ascertain the structure-activity relationship of the novel electrode, essential characterizations, multi-physics simulations, pollutant degradation and electrosynthesis experiments were conducted. The results indicate that an appropriate quantity of BDD particles (0.1 g/cm2) can enhance the number of active sites by approximately 20%. A strong synergistic effect was observed between the Ti/RuO2-IrO2 and BDD particles in the degradation of various pollutants, including azo dye, p-benzoquinone, succinic acid and four kinds of real wastewaters, as well as glycerol conversion. The joint active sites on the interface between Ti/RuO2-IrO2 and BDD particles, as well as the inner active sites on BDD particles, have been identified as crucial in the mineralization of pollutants and the generation of value-added products. The optimal amount of BDD particles (0.1 g/cm2) is sufficient to preserve the joint active sites and to maintain an adequate polarization on the BDD particles. Nevertheless, the hybrid feature of the 2.5D electrode is diminished when a greater quantity of BDD particles (0.3 g/cm2) is loaded.
A novel photocatalytic energy transfer-driven radical relay strategy has been introduced for the chemo- and regioselective 1, 4-difunctionalization of carbon-sulfur double bonds. This represents the first instance of radical-mediated dual-functionalization of X-Y type unsaturated bonds, enabling the synthesis of complex linear molecules with CO, CN, and C-S bonds in a single operation. The method surpasses traditional approaches by avoiding the need for thiourea intermediates and the harsh conditions typically associated with them. The developed strategy exemplifies versatility, being applicable to 1, 4-oxyamination, 1, 4-diamination, and 1, 4-sulfonamination reactions, and has demonstrated compatibility with over 60 different substrates. The research also elucidates the role of electronic complementarity between radicals and receptors in achieving high selectivity in 1, 4-difunctionalization reactions. This study significantly advances the field of bifunctionalization and remote difunctionalization reactions, with profound implications for the development of pharmaceuticals and materials science.
2-Azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes (aza-BCHs) are constrained pyrrolidine analogues with improved physicochemical characteristics in drug design. Here, we report a direct visible light-mediated photocycloaddition of 4-aza-coumarins with mono- or disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes for synthesizing aza-BCHs without an external catalyst. The introduction of the ester group on 4-azacoumarin is critical for direct imine excitation and versatile synthetic utility. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction took place primarily at the triplet hypersurface.
A renewable fluorescent material (G⊂CP5L) has been constructed via supramolecular assembly between a new derivative of pillararene, namely leggero pillar[5]arene, as the host molecule (CP5L) and a tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based ditopic guest (G). This new material can simultaneously perform efficient detection and separation of silver(Ⅰ) from aqueous environments. Possessing an electron-rich cavity and two cytosine groups modified on both rims, CP5L functions as the host-guest binding site for G and offers exclusive coordination sites for further interaction with Ag+. Adding Ag+ to the system undergoes dramatic fluorescence enhancement due to the mechanism of supramolecular assembly-induced enhanced emission (SAIEE). This fluorescence enhancement allows for efficient and visualized detection following a "light-up" pattern, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.3 × 10–7 mol/L, which is fully in line with the World Health Organization's drinking water standard of 9 × 10–7 mol/L. In addition, G⊂CP5L also shows strong anti-interference capability against other cationic species. For the separation of Ag+ from aqueous systems, G⊂CP5L displays exceptional adsorption efficiency (97%) and reliable recovery performance, demonstrating excellent recyclability after five experimental cycles without compromising its adsorption activity
Electrocatalysis for nitrate (NO3–) removal from wastewater faces the challenge of merging efficient reduction and high selectivity to nitrogen (N2) with economic viability in a durable catalyst. In this study, bimetallic PdCu/TiOx composite catalysts were synthesized with varying Pd and Cu ratios through electrochemical deposition on defective TiOx nanotube arrays. Denitrification experiments demonstrated that the Pd1Cu1/TiOx catalyst exhibited the highest NO3– removal rate (81.2%) and N2 selectivity (67.2%) among all tested catalysts. Leveraging the exceptional light-responsive property of TiOx, the introduction of light energy as an assisting factor in electrocatalysis further augmented the NO3– treatment rate, resulting in a higher NO3– removal rate of 95.1% and N2 selectivity of approximately 90%. Compared to individual electrocatalysis and photocatalysis systems, the overpotential for the catalytic interface active *H formation in the photo-assisted electrocatalysis system was remarkably reduced, thus accelerating electron migration and promoting NO3– reduction kinetics. Economic analysis revealed an energy consumption of 2.74 kWh/mol and a corresponding energy consumption per order (EEO) of 0.79 kWh/m3 for the Pd1Cu1/TiOx catalyst to reduce 25.2 mg/L of NO3–-N in water to N2, showcasing remarkable competitiveness and economic advantages over other water treatment technologies. This study developed the PdCu/TiOx electrocatalysts with high NO3– removal rates and N2 selectivity, particularly when combined with light energy, the efficiency and selectivity were significantly enhanced, offering a competitive and economically viable solution for wastewater treatment.
Mitochondria are crucial organelles responsible for maintaining cell growth, and their homeostasis is closely linked to pH regulation. Physiologically, mitochondria exhibit a weakly alkaline state (pH~8.0). However, when subjected to stress stimuli that cause damage, cells initiate the process of mitophagy, resulting in mitochondrial acidification. Therefore, monitoring changes in mitochondrial pH to comprehend the physiological processes associated with mitophagy is essential. In this study, we developed an asymmetric pentamethine cyanine dye Cy5.5-H-CyN as a probe for continuous monitoring of mitophagy in living cells. By incorporating an azaindole structure into the dye molecule, a ratiometric fluorescence response was achieved that is specifically responsive to pH variations while preserving its ability to target mitochondria and emit near-infrared fluorescence. Through various methods inducing mitophagy, Cy5.5-H-CyN was employed to determine mitochondrial pH quantitatively, demonstrating its suitability as an ideal probe for continuous monitoring of mitophagy in living cells.
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