Latest ArticlesPhenolic compounds are highly toxic environmental pollutants, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Designing multifunctional catalysts capable of detecting, discriminating, and transforming these hazardous phenolics into valuable products represents a promising "waste-to-treasure" strategy. In this work, a novel Anderson-type polyoxometalate-based hybrid [Ag(AlMo6(OH)6O18)]·H2L·2H2O (1) (L = N,N'-bis(3-menthylpyridin-yl)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxamide), was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The assembly of AlMo6(OH)6O183− (AlMo6) anion with Ag+ ions formed a unique anionic inorganic [Ag-AlMo6] nanosheet, further extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular by protonated H2L2+ cations in an "S"-shaped arrangement. Compound 1 exhibits excellent peroxidase-like activity, enabling highly sensitive colorimetric detection of phenolic compounds with LODs ranging from 9.5 nmol/L to 63 nmol/L. Taking 2,3,6-TMP as a model analyte, smartphone-assisted visual detection was established with an LOD of 370 nmol/L. Moreover, a colorimetric sensor array combined with principal component analysis (PCA), successfully discriminated five structure similar phenolic compounds (2,3,6-trimethylphenol, 3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, o-chlorophenol, and o-bromophenol), demonstrating its potential for environmental monitoring. Beyond detection, compound 1 serves as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of phenols to their corresponding quinones, achieving high conversion rates and selectivity. The catalytic mechanism and stability were systematically investigated using PXRD, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), free radical trapping experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). This work not only provides a robust platform for phenolic pollutant detection and discrimination but also advances the sustainable transformation of harmful waste into valuable chemical feed-stocks.
We demonstrate here a macrocyclic host capable of simultaneously binding two Co2+-porphyrin complexes in its adaptive giant cavity. Such a geometrically confined porphyrin dimer promotes highly efficient transport of anions across the lipid membrane by virtue of dynamic metal-anion bonding interactions, which is in sharp contrast to the most studied class of anionphores that mediates anion transport through intermolecular H-bonds. The transport activity increases in the order of Br−, Cl−, ClO4− and NO3−, with the corresponding EC50 values of 0.57, 0.69, 0.74 and 1.30 µmol/L, and transport rate enhancements by up to ~35 folds over the monomeric Co2+-porphyrin complex. The determined binding constants suggest 1-mediated cooperative binding toward G3 molecules might account for the unique behavior by Co2+ with respect to other metal ions.
Achieving highly selective recognition of structurally similar substrates in water has been, and still remains, challenging. Herein, we report highly selective recognition of adenosine (A) and its analogs by using a hybridtube (HT) with endo-functionalized cavity. Fluorescence titration data and density-functional theory calculations reveal that the macrocycle's hydrophobic cavity and its internal hydrogen-bonding sites are crucial for attaining this high binding selectivity to A and its analogs. Decreasing the number of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups on the ribose ring while increasing the number of hydrophobic methyl groups on the purine ring can significantly enhance the hydrophobic effect between host and guest, thereby strengthening the binding affinity. Furthermore, different hydrogen bond acceptors on the guest can greatly affect host-guest binding, leading to a substantial enhancement in binding selectivity (A/dA up to 61.7-fold). Based on the high binding selectivity of HT, a substrate-selective fluorescent supramolecular tandem assay was developed for real-time and continuous monitoring of the enzyme activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA). Finally, we demonstrated the potential of this tandem assay for inhibitor screening, which holds significant implications for drug design and medical diagnostics.
The photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) utilizing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) offers a sustainable alternative to the conventional, energy-intensive anthraquinone method. Nevertheless, the practical deployment of pristine g-C3N4 is constrained by its limited absorption of visible light, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, and low surface catalytic activity. This review critically examines various modification strategies aimed at enhancing the H2O2 generation efficiency of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts. Prominent approaches encompass elemental doping, defect modification, and the junction engineering. These modifications synergistically enhance light absorption, facilitate charge separation, and accelerate oxygen reduction reaction kinetics. Consequently, such engineered photocatalysts have achieved H2O2 production rates reaching millimolar concentrations per hour under visible-light irradiation, alongside marked improvements in selectivity and apparent quantum efficiency. Despite these significant advancements, challenges persist in realizing broad-spectrum solar energy utilization, ensuring long-term operational stability, and developing scalable synthesis methods for catalyst fabrication. This review delineates prospective research directions aimed at advancing efficient and practical photocatalytic systems for sustainable hydrogen peroxide synthesis.
Oxidation-coupled clusters of [E9]4– are rarely synthesised, and the investigation of their reactivity is profoundly hindered by their high charge and limited yield. In this study, we successfully synthesized two Nb-containing clusters [(Ge9–Ge9)(NbCp2)2]4– (1a) and [(Ge9=Ge9=Ge9)NbCp2]5– (2a), by reacting [Ge9–Ge9]6– and [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]6– with NbCp4. Theoretical calculations indicate that the formation of 1a and 2a from dimer and trimer is thermodynamically favorable. Furthermore, a Au-containing cluster incorporating the dimeric [Sn9–Sn9]6– cluster, [Au(Sn9–Sn9)]5– (3a), was successfully synthesized, despite the inability to independently synthesize [Sn9–Sn9]6–. A systematic bonding analysis was conducted on these newly synthesized clusters and their parent structures to investigate their bonding patterns.
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the formation of biofilms are significant challenges in surgical practice, posing a serious threat to public health due to postoperative wound infections. A promising approach to tackle this issue is the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which has shown remarkable effectiveness in treating both cancer and wound infections. In our study, we developed an innovative artificial nanoplatform called Ni-2@F127 by encapsulating Ni-2 in a biocompatible Pluronic. When exposed to 880 nm laser irradiation, Ni-2@F127 exhibited exceptional photothermal performance, achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 60.4%, along with significant photocatalytic capabilities. This platform activates a Fenton-like reaction that catalyzes hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), producing toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) effectively. The synergistic effects of hyperthermia and •OH not only destroy tumor cells but also demonstrate powerful antimicrobial activity, significantly inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in vitro under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Importantly, in animal models, Ni-2@F127 effectively eliminates S. aureus from deep tissues in cases of subcutaneous abscesses and knife injuries, significantly accelerating abscess resolution and promoting wound healing. The compelling evidence suggests that Ni-based metal complexes could serve as transformative antibacterial agents in phototherapy, unlocking vast potential for their application in wound healing and the treatment of bacterial infections.
Solid-state lithium (Li) metal batteries have attracted significant attention due to their high energy density and improved safety performance. However, sluggish Li-ion transport and rapid anion migration in solid-state electrolytes often result in heterogeneous Li-ion flux distribution and thus Li dendrite growth. Herein, we developed a highly conductive composite solid electrolyte with an elevated Li-ion transference number through incorporating Gd-doped CeO2 (GDC) nanofillers with abundant surface oxygen defects into poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrices. The defect concentrations were effectively controlled by regulating the Gd doping ratio in CeO2. As a result, the highest oxygen concentration of 12.2% is achieved for the GDC with 10% Gd doping (GDC-10). The GDC-10 electrolyte demonstrated a high Li-ion transference number of 0.59 and an improved ionic conductivity of 0.40 mS/cm at room temperature, attributed to anion immobilization and enhanced Li-salt dissociation. This was due to the strong interactions between positively charged oxygen vacancies and anions, which effectively reduces surface concentration polarization and homogenizes Li-ion flux. Therefore, LiLi symmetric cells exhibited exceptional cycling stability of 1500 h without noticeable Li dendrite growth at 1 mA/cm2 and 1 mAh/cm2. Furthermore, LiLiFePO4 full cell also stably cycles for 500 cycles with a capacity retention of 90.44% at 1 C. This work provides new insights into the design of composite solid electrolytes through the defect regulation of fillers.
High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as promising electrocatalysts due to their unique compositional complexity and tunable electronic structures. However, achieving rapid and efficient synthesis of HEA nanoparticles (NPs) with high electrocatalytic activity and understanding their structural and electronic characteristics remains challenging. Here, we report the synthesis of FeCoNiCuCr HEA NPs via an ultrafast carbon thermal shock (CTS) method. Local structural investigations combining synchrotron pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that incorporating Cr introduces local tetragonal distortions, resulting in residual strain that enhances catalytic performance. This local distortion could be attributed to atomic-scale elemental segregation between Cr and Cu, further stabilizing the structure and improving activity. These synergistic effects, combined with uniform carbon-loaded NPs morphology achieved by the CTS process, enable superior OER performance. This study highlights the role of structural and electronic modulation in HEA catalysts, offering valuable insights for the design of next-generation electrocatalysts.
No. 86 Xueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing
010-62662699(Operation and Technical Support)
qkjq@cast.org.cn
Copyright © 2025 China Association for Science and Technology. All rights reserved. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply.
Sponsored by the Office of the Leading Group for Cybersecurity and Informatization of CAST, and supported by Science and Technology Review Publishing House
