Latest ArticlesAs a biologically active macromolecule, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has the advantages of sequence programmability and structure controllability and can accurately transmit sequence information to specific biological functions. Facing the complex internal microenvironment and heterogeneity in tumor treatment, the construction and applications of DNA-based nanomaterials have become a focus point of research. In particular, the hybridization of DNA molecules with other materials endows DNA-based nanomaterials with multiple functions such as targeting, stimulus responsiveness and regulations of biological activities, making DNA nanostructures great potential in the treatment of major human diseases. In this review, the construction and characteristics of DNA-based nanomaterials are introduced. Then, the functions and applications of DNA-based nanomaterials in the delivery of chemotherapy drugs and gene drugs, stimulus-responsive release and regulation of cell homeostasis are reviewed. Finally, the future development and challenges of DNA-based nanomaterials are prospected. We envision that DNA-based nanomaterials can enrich the nanomaterial system by rational design and synthesis and address the growing demands on biological and biomedical applications in the real world.
Hydrogen energy (H2) has been considered as the most possible consummate candidates for replacing the traditional fossil fuels because of its higher combustion heat value and lower environmental pollution. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) from water splitting based on semiconductors is a promising technology towards converting solar energy into sustainable H2 fuel evolution. Developing high-activity and abundant source semiconductor materials is particularly important to realize highly efficient hydrogen evolution as for photocatalysis technology. However, unmodified pristine photocatalysts are often unable to overcome the weakness of low performance due to their limitations. In recent years, transition metal phosphides (TMPs) were used as valid co-catalysts to replace the classic precious metal materials in the process of photocatalytic reaction owing to their lower cost and higher combustion heat value. What is more, bimetallic phosphides have been also caused widespread concern in H2 evolution reaction owing to its much lower overpotential, more superior conductivity, and weaker charge carriers transfer impedance in comparison to those of single metal phosphides. In this minireview, we concluded the latest developments of bimetallic phosphides for a series of photocatalytic reactions. Firstly, we briefly summarize the present loading methods of bimetallic phosphides (BMPs) anchored on the photocatalyst. After that, the H2 evolution efficiency based on BMPs as cocatalyst is also studied in detail. Besides, the application of BMPs-based host photocatalyst for H2 evolution under dye sensitization effect has also been discussed. At last, the current development prospects and prospective challenges in many ways of BMPs are proposed. We sincerely hope this minireview has certain reference value for great developments of BMPs in the future research.
Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) enhanced photocatalysis has fascinated much interest and considerable efforts have been devoted toward the development of plasmonic photocatalysts. In the past decades, noble metal nanoparticles (Au and Ag) with LSPR feature have found wide applications in solar energy conversion. Numerous metal-based photocatalysts have been proposed including metal/semiconductor heterostructures and plasmonic bimetallic or multimetallic nanostructures. However, high cost and scarce reserve of noble metals largely limit their further practical use, which drives the focus gradually shift to low-cost and abundant nonmetallic nanostructures. Recently, various heavily doped semiconductors (such as WO3-x, MoO3-x, Cu2-xS, TiN) have emerged as potential alternatives to costly noble metals for efficient photocatalysis due to their strong LSPR property in visible-near infrared region. This review starts with a brief introduction to LSPR property and LSPR-enhanced photocatalysis, the following highlights recent advances of plasmonic photocatalysts from noble metal to semiconductor-based plasmonic nanostructures. Their synthesis methods and promising applicability in plasmon-driven photocatalytic reactions such as water splitting, CO2 reduction and pollution decomposition are also summarized in details. This review is expected to give guidelines for exploring more efficient plasmonic systems and provide a perspective on development of plasmonic photocatalysis.
Due to the technology limitation and inferior deNOx efficiency of urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts at low temperatures, passive NOx adsorber (PNA) for decrease of NOx, CO and hydrocarbons (HCs) during "cold start" of vehicles was proposed to meet the further tighten NOx emission regulations in future. Among them, Pd modified zeolite PNA materials have received more attention because of their excellent NOx storage capacity, anti-poisoning and hydrothermal stability and since Pd/zeolite PNA was proposed, a variety of advanced characterization methods have been applied to investigate its adsorption behavior and structure-performance relationship. The comprehension of the active sites and adsorption chemistry of Pd/zeolite PNA was also significantly improved. However, there are few reviews that systematically summarize the recent progress and application challenges in atomic-level understanding of this material. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress of Pd/zeolite PNA, including active adsorption sites, adsorption mechanism, material physicochemical properties, preparation methods, storage and release performance and structure-performance relationships. In addition, the deactivation challenges faced by Pd/zeolite PNA in practical applications, such as chemical poisoning, high temperature hydrothermal aging deactivation, etc., were also discussed at the micro-level, and some possible effective countermeasures are given. Besides, some possible improvements and research hotspots were put forward, which could be helpful for designing and constructing more efficient PNA materials for meeting the ultra-low NOx emission regulation in the future.
Cell is the most basic unit of the morphological structure and life activity of an organism. Learning the composition, structure and function of cells, exploring the life activities of cells and studying the interaction between cells are of great significance for human cognition and control of the life activities of organisms. Therefore, rapid, convenient, inexpensive, high-precision and reliable methods of cell separation and analysis are being developed to obtain accurate information for the study of cytology and pathology. Microfluidic chip is a new emerging technology in recent years. It has a micromanufacturing structure, which can not only realize the precise space-time control of fluid and cells, but also reproduces the three-dimensional dynamic microenvironment of cell growth in the body. In addition, the microfluidic chip has unique microphysical properties and facilitates the integration of microdevices, which provides the possibility of real-time monitoring, continuous culture, separation and enrichment, and even in situ analysis of cells. In this review, we summarized recent advances in the development of different techniques for cell isolation and analysis on microfluidic platforms. Focus was put on biochemical and physical methods for cell separation on microfluidic chips. Subsequent cell analysis depending on fluorescence, Raman, cytomicroscopic imaging, mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods also was remarked. Through analyzing and learning the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies, we hope that microfluidic chips will continue to be improved and expanded for medical and clinical applications.
Selective functionalization of C–F bonds in trifluoromethyl groups has recently received a growing interest, as it offers atom- and step-economic pathways to access highly valuable mono- and difluoroalkyl-substituted organic molecules using simple and inexpensive trifluoromethyl sources as the starting materials. In this regard, impressive progress has been made on the defluorinative functionalization reactions that proceed via radical intermediates. Nevertheless, it is still a great challenge to precisely control the defluorination process, due to the continuous decrease of the C–F bond strength after the replacement of one or two fluorine atoms with various functionalities. This review article is aimed to provide a brief overview of recently reported methods used to functionalize C–F bonds of CF3 groups via radical intermediates. An emphasis is placed on the discussion of mechanistic aspects and synthetic applications
Oximes derivatives have been vastly used in organic synthesis. In this review, C(sp3)−H bond functionalization of oximes derivatives via iminyl radical induced 1, 5−hydrogen atom transfer was discussed. According to the different type of products, this review was divided into three parts: (1) C(sp3)−H bond functionalization for C−C bond formation. (2) C(sp3)−H bond functionalization for C−N bond formation. (3) C(sp3)−H bond functionalization for C−S, C−F bond formation.
Ketones are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, and widely present in various pharmacological compounds, biologically active molecules and functional materials. Over the past few decades, transition metal-catalyzed conversion of aldehydes has been found to be a powerful method. With the continuous development in recent years, it has become an efficient and uncomplicated strategy for constructing ketones. There are four major mechanisms for transition metal-catalyzed ketone synthesis from aldehyde: (1) carbonyl-Heck reaction, that is 1, 2-insertion of organometal species to aldehydic C=O double bond, (2) direct insertion of transition metal catalysts to aldehydic C-H bond, (3) aldehyde as acyl radical, (4) aldehyde as carbon radical acceptor. This article summarizes related reports on the transformations of aldehydes to generate corresponding ketones under different reaction conditions.
The process of selectively introducing a CF3 group into an organic molecule using inexpensive, stable, and solid sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate has rapidly advanced in recent years to become an eco-friendly method used by organic chemists to synthesize various natural and bioactive molecules. This review focuses on advances made within the last five years regarding C–H functionalisation, namely thermochemical C(sp2)–H (thio)trifluoromethylations, photochemical C(sp2)–H trifluoromethylations, and electrochemical C(sp2)–H trifluoromethylations, using Langlois' reagent (NaSO2CF3).
Commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in various energy storage systems. However, many unfavorable factors of LIBs have prompted researchers to turn their attention to the development of emerging secondary batteries. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) present some prominent advantages with environmental friendliness, low cost and convenient operation feature. MnO2 electrode is the first to be discovered as promising cathode material. So far, manganese-based oxides have made significant progresses in improving the inherent capacity and energy density. Herein, we summarize comprehensively recent advances of Mn-based compounds as electrode materials for ZIBs. Especially, this review focuses on the design strategies of electrode structures, optimization of the electrochemical performance and the clarification of energy storage mechanisms. Finally, their future research directions and perspective are also proposed.
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