Self-Assembled Monolayers of Bi-Functionalized Porphyrins: A Novel Class of Hole-Layer-Coordinating Perovskites and Indium Tin Oxide in Inverted Solar Cells

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) offer the advantage of facile interfacial modification, leading to significant improvements in device performance. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a new series of carboxylic acid-functionalized porphyrin derivatives, namely AC-1, AC-3, and AC-5, and present, for the first time, a strategy to exploit the large π-moiety of porphyrins as a backbone for interfacing the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and perovskite active layer in an inverted perovskite solar cell (PSC) configuration. The electron-rich nature of porphyrins facilitates hole transfer and the formation of SAMs, resulting in a dense surface that minimizes defects. Comprehensive spectroscopic and dynamic studies demonstrate that the double-anchored AC-3 and AC-5 enhance SAMs on ITO, passivate the perovskite layer, and function as conduits to facilitate hole transfer, thus significantly boosting the performance of PSCs. The champion inverted PSC employing AC-5 SAM achieves an impressive solar efficiency of 23.19 % with a high fill factor of 84.05 %. This work presents a novel molecular engineering strategy for functionalizing SAMs to tune the energy levels, molecular dipoles, packing orientations to achieve stable and efficient solar performance. Importantly, our comprehensive investigation has unraveled the associated mechanisms, offering valuable insights for future advancements in PSCs.     

Bio-Inspired Aerobic-Hydrophobic Janus Interface on Partially Carbonized Iron Heterostructure Promotes Bifunctional Nitrogen Fixation

Competition from hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions and low solubility of N₂ in aqueous systems limited the selectivity and activity on nitrogen fixation reaction. Herein, we design an aerobic-hydrophobic Janus structure by introducing fluorinated modification on porous carbon nanofibers embedded with partially carbonized iron heterojunctions (Fe₃C/Fe@PCNF-F). The simulations prove that the Janus structure can keep the internal Fe₃C/Fe@PCNF-F away from water infiltration and endow a N₂ molecular-concentrating effect, suppressing the competing reactions and overcoming the mass-transfer limitations to build a robust “quasi-solid–gas” state micro-domain around the catalyst surface. In this proof-of-concept system, the Fe₃C/Fe@PCNF-F exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for nitrogen fixation (NH₃ yield rate up to 29.2 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹_cat. and Faraday efficiency (FE) up to 27.8 % in nitrogen reduction reaction; NO₃⁻ yield rate up to 15.7 μg h⁻¹ mg⁻¹_cat. and FE up to 3.4 % in nitrogen oxidation reaction).     

Optimizing Membranes for Osmotic Power Generation

The design of ion-selective membranes is the key towards efficient reverse electrodialysis-based osmotic power conversion. The tradeoff between ion selectivity (output voltage) and ion permeability (output current) in existing porous membranes, however, limits the upgradation of power generation efficiency for practical applications. Thus, we provide the simple guidelines based on fundamentals of ion transport in nanofluidics for promoting osmotic power conversion. In addition, we discuss strategies for optimizing membrane performance through analysis of various material parameters in membrane design, such as pore size, surface charge, pore density, membrane thickness, ion pathway, pore order, and ionic diode effect. Lastly, a perspective on the future directions of membrane design to further maximize the efficiency of osmotic power conversion is outlined.     

High-performance liquid chromatography micro-fraction bioactive evaluation combined with countercurrent chromatographic separation of antioxidants from Citrus peel and their tyrosinase inhibition activities

In the present study, high-performance liquid chromatography micro-fraction bioactive evaluation and high speed countercurrent chromatography were performed on screening, identification and isolation of antioxidants from Citrus peel. Three compounds were screened as antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors using 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation scavenging assay and tyrosinase activity test, then they were identified as eriocitrin, narirutin and hesperidin. Moreover, the solvent system ethyl acetate-n-butanol-water (6:4:10, v/v/v) was used for separation of ethyl acetate extract of Citrus peel by high speed countercurrent chromatography. In total, 0.45 mg of eriocitrin with 87.10% purity, 2.04 mg of narirutin with 95.19% purity and 1.35 mg of hesperidin with 95.19% purity were obtained from 20 mg of ethyl acetate extract of Citrus peel in a single run and then each component was subjected to 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation scavenging assay and tyrosinase inhibition assay. Eriocitrin showed great antioxidant activity (the half-maximum concentration: 3.65 µM) and tyrosinase inhibition activity (the half-maximum concentration: 115.67 µM), while narirutin and hesperidin exhibited moderate activity. Tyrosinase inhibition activity for eriocitrin in vitro was reported for the first time. Furthermore, molecular docking between eriocitrin and mushroom tyrosinase was also studied.     

Miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion and solid-phase clear-up combined with capillary electrophoresis for efficient determination of trace bioactive components in complicated sample matrix: Take Wubi Shanyao Pill as an example

Accurate quantitative analysis of trace analytes in a complicated matrix is a challenge in modern analytical chemistry. An appropriate analytical method is considered to be one of the most common gaps during the whole process. In this study, a green and efficient strategy based on miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion and solid-phase extraction combined with capillary electrophoresis was first proposed for extracting, purifying and determining target analytes from complicated matrix, using Wubi Shanyao Pill as an example. In detail, 60 mg of samples were dispersed on MCM-48 to obtain high yields of analytes, then the extract was purified with a solid-phase extraction cartridge. Finally, four analytes in the purified sample solution were determined by capillary electrophoresis. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of matrix solid-phase dispersion, purification efficiency of solid-phase extraction and separation effect of capillary electrophoresis were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, all analytes demonstrated satisfactory linearity (R²>0.9983). What's more, the superior green potential of the developed method for the determination of complex samples was confirmed by the Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach. The established method was successfully applied in the accurate determination of target analytes in Wubi Shanyao Pill and thus provided reliable, sensitive, and efficient strategy support for its quality control.     

Matrix solid-phase dispersion combined with micro-fractionation bioactivity evaluation screening polymethoxylated flavones from Citrus peels

Polymethoxyflavones were a unique class of natural and safe flavonoids containing two or more methoxy groups, which were also the most abundant edible part in Citrus peel. The optimum condition in the process of selective extraction of polymethoxylated flavones from Citrus peel by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) was as follows: SBA-15 as adsorbent, ethyl acetate as eluent, the mass ratio of adsorbent to sample 1:1, and the mixture of sample and adsorbent was ground for 3 min. Twelve antioxidants were successfully screened by micro-fractionation bioactivity evaluation assay, in which four of them were flavonoid glycosides, seven of them were polymethoxylated flavones, and one was phenylpropanoid. 1-sinapoly-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) was reported for the first time in Citrus peel. And antioxidant capacity of 1-sinapoly-β-D-glucopyranoside, 5, 7, 8, 3′, 4′, 5′-hexamethoxyflavone (6), hexamethoxyflavone (11), and 5, 6, 7, 4′-tetramethoxyflavone (7) were reported for the first time. Nobiletin (compound 8), 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 3′, 4′-heptamethoxyflavone (9) and tangeretin (10) were isolated and purified by countercurrent chromatography combined with preparative liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity evaluation indicated that the three isolated polymethoxylated flavones owned similar antioxidant activity. This study indicated that MSPD combined with micro-fractionation bioactive evaluation was efficient in screening bioactive compounds for rapid extraction and effective pinpointing bioactive substances in natural products.     

Toward Precise Antitumoral Photodynamic Therapy Using a Dual Receptor-Mediated Bioorthogonal Activation Approach

Targeted delivery and specific activation of photosensitizers can greatly improve the treatment outcome of photodynamic therapy. To this end, we report herein a novel dual receptor-mediated bioorthogonal activation approach to enhance the tumor specificity of the photodynamic action. It involves the targeted delivery of a biotinylated boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based photosensitizer, which is quenched in the native form by the attached 1,2,4,5-tetrazine unit, and an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting cyclic peptide conjugated with a bicycle[6.1.0]non-4-yne moiety. Only for cancer cells that overexpress both the biotin receptor and EGFR, the two components can be internalized preferentially where they undergo an inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction, leading to restoration of the photodynamic activity of the BODIPY core. By using a range of cell lines with different expression levels of these two receptors, we have demonstrated that this stepwise “deliver-and-click” approach can confine the photodynamic action on a specific type of cancer cells.     

Size-controlled flow synthesis of metal-organic frameworks crystals monitored by in-situ ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy

Size-controlled flow synthesis of nanoporous particles are of considerable interest for future industrial applications,however,is facing challenges due to lack of in-situ method for size-characterization in fluidic environment.We present that ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy can be integrated into a flow-synthesis system which was produced by femtosecond laser micro machining.The shift of the absorption peak position of the ex-situ and in-situ UV-vis spectra correlates to variation of size of porous metal-organic frameworks crystals.ZIF-67 crystals with a size in the range from 200 nm to1025 nm are fabricated with the assistance of tri-ethylamine under monitoring of in-situ UV-vis spectra.The ZIF-67 crystals are converted into nanoporous carbons particles with controlled sizes.These materials show size-dependent performance in Na-ion battery and size-independent performance in metal/H_2 O seawater battery.     

FER分子筛中铝原子的受限落位

分子筛是一类具有规则孔道或笼状结构的多孔材料,因其独特的结构和可调的酸性而广泛用于石油化工、精细化学品合成、现代煤化工等诸多行业.2006年Iglesia等在具有8元环孔道结构/侧口袋的FER和MOR分子筛上实现了无卤素添加、无贵金属存在条件下,由二甲醚羰基化合成乙酸甲酯的反应.乙酸甲酯通过进一步加氢可实现煤基乙醇的绿色生产.MOR分子筛通常具有较高的催化活性,但失活迅速;FER分子筛表现出良好的催化稳定性,但活性较低.如何在保证FER分子筛稳定性的前提下,进一步提升其羰基化活性是目前研究的热点.前期理论和实验研究发现,二甲醚羰基化反应活性与分子筛8元环孔道中的Br?nsted酸位密度存在正相关.因此,通过优化合成条件,选择性调控铝原子分布在"ferrierite"笼中,可以提高FER分子筛的羰基化反应活性.尽管研究者已在调节FER分子筛铝分布方面进行了大量研究,但对于不同T位上Al原子的精准识别以及对应Br?nsted酸位的可接触性还缺少系统和深入的认识.本文选取了几种代表性模板剂,分别在碱性和含氟体系下制备了系列FER分子筛样品,利用Rietveld精修和模拟退火算法,在原子水平揭示了模板剂种类以及合成介质变化对Al原子在不同T位分布的影响,并结合二甲醚羰基化反应进行了结构和性能的关联.首先选取不同尺寸大小的环状胺(环己胺、哌啶、吡啶、吡咯烷)和链状胺(乙二胺)合成了具有相似形貌、孔结构、酸密度的系列FER分子筛样品.以CHA-Na-FER为例,PXRD精修结果显示,Na+(平衡35％的骨架负电荷)分布在10元环孔道中与O1形成氢键,质子化的环己胺分布在"ferrierite"笼中,并且环己胺上的N与O3形成氢键.这说明与O1相连的T3位以及与O3相连的T1位都有可能是Al富集的位置.为了进一步验证该结论,本文还精修了吸附探针分子吡啶的样品CHA-Na-FER-Py-60h.原粉以及吸附吡啶样品的精修结果表明,T1位和T3位是样品中铝富集的位置.随后,运用相同方法研究了Py-Na-FER,PI-Na-FER,En-Na-FER和Pyrr-HF-FER样品中的Al落位,发现T1/T3位均是样品中Al富集的位置.此外,理论计算结果表明T1/T3位上Al原子的取代能较低,说明Al优先取代T1/T3位上的Si,这与精修结果相一致.前期理论模拟结果表明,FER分子筛中T2-O5和T4-O7位点的CO插入反应能垒较低,是二甲醚羰基化反应的活性位.本文吡啶吸附实验、热重分析以及PXRD精修结果表明,FER分子筛中大部分Al富集在T1/T3位,与T2/T4位相关的Br?nsted酸约占18％～30％.最后,对各样品进行了二甲醚羰基化反应评价,结果显示PI-Na-FER,Py-Na-FER,En-Na-FER和CHA-Na-FER催化剂的乙酸甲酯生成速率相近,约为0.10 mol/(mol H+?h).Pyrr-HF-FER催化剂的乙酸甲酯生成速率最高,可达到0.16 mol/(mol H+?h),这可能是由于Pyrr-HF-FER催化剂具有更多T2/T4位相关的Br?nsted酸.虽然Pyrr-HF-FER催化剂的乙酸甲酯生成速率较其他四个催化剂有一定提升,但其仍远低于MOR分子筛上乙酸甲酯生成速率(0.40 mol/(mol H+·h)).综上,有机模板剂的选择与合成介质的改变对FER分子筛中Al分布的调控作用是有限的,即Al原子总是优先分布于T1/T3位.而与T1和T3位相关的Br?nsted酸位不是二甲醚羰基化反应的活性位点.因此与MOR相比,FER分子筛在二甲醚羰基化反应中表现出较低的催化活性.     

A cosolvent pretreatment: effect of solvent–water on enzymatic hydrolysis of glucan,lignin structure,and dynamics

Cellulose - In this study, a biomass pretreatment strategy with a recyclable cosolvent (toluene sulfonic acid/ethanol) was developed. The low boiling point solvent (78.15 °C),...