Genetic Fusion of Thermoresponsive Polypeptides with UCST-type Behavior Mediates 1D Assembly of Coiled-Coil Bundlemers

Thermoresponsive resilin-like polypeptides (RLPs) of various lengths were genetically fused to two different computationally designed coiled coil-forming peptides with distinct thermal stability, to develop new strategies to assemble coiled coil peptides via temperature-triggered phase separation of the RLP units. Their successful production in bacterial expression hosts was verified via gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and amino acid analysis. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) turbidimetry, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed the stability of the coiled coils and showed that the thermosensitive phase behavior of the RLPs was preserved in the genetically fused hybrid polypeptides. Cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy and coarse-grained modeling revealed that functionalizing the coiled coils with thermoresponsive RLPs leads to their thermally triggered noncovalent assembly into nanofibrillar assemblies.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation by Interfacial Phase Transition and Photothermal Effect in Multiply Heterostructured Co9S8/Co3S4/Cu2S Nanohybrids

The rational design of advanced nanohybrids (NHs) with optimized interface electronic environment and rapid reaction kinetics is pivotal to electrocatalytic schedule. Herein, we developed a multiple heterogeneous Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S nanoparticle in which Co₃S₄ germinates between Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S. Using high-angle annular-dark-field imaging and theoretical calculation, it was found that the integration of Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S tends to trigger the interface phase transition of Co₉S₈, leading to Co₃S₄ interlayer due to the low formation energy of Co₃S₄/Cu₂S (−7.61 eV) than Co₉S₈/Cu₂S (−5.86 eV). Such phase transition not only lowers the energy barrier of oxygen evolution reaction (OER, from 0.335 eV to 0.297 eV), but also increases charge carrier density (from 7.76×10¹⁴ to 2.09×10¹⁵ cm⁻³), and creates more active sites. Compared to Co₉S₈ and Cu₂S, the Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S NHs also demonstrate notable photothermal effect that can heat the catalyst locally, offset the endothermic enthalpy change of OER, and promote carrier migrate, reaction intermediates adsorption/deprotonation to improve reaction kinetics. Profiting from these favorable factors, the Co₉S₈/Co₃S₄/Cu₂S catalyst only requires an OER overpotential of 181 mV and overall water splitting cell voltage of 1.43 V to driven 10 mA cm⁻² under the irradiation of near-infrared light, outperforming those without light irradiation and many reported Co-based catalysts.     

A Dissipative Reaction Network Drives Transient Solid–Liquid and Liquid–Liquid Phase Cycling of Nanoparticles

Transient states maintained by energy dissipation are an essential feature of dynamic systems where structures and functions are regulated by fluxes of energy and matter through chemical reaction networks. Perfected in biology, chemically fueled dissipative networks incorporating nanoscale components allow the unique properties of nanomaterials to be bestowed with spatiotemporal adaptability and chemical responsiveness. We report the transient dispersion of gold nanoparticles in water, powered by dissipation of a chemical fuel. A dispersed state that is generated under non-equilibrium conditions permits fully reversible solid–liquid or liquid–liquid phase transfer. The molecular basis of the out-of-equilibrium process is reversible covalent modification of nanoparticle-bound ligands by a simple inorganic activator. Activator consumption by a coupled dissipative reaction network leads to autonomous cycling between phases. The out-of-equilibrium lifetime is tunable by adjusting the pH value, and reversible phase cycling is reproducible over several cycles.     

Alternate synthesis of olanexidine base employing phase transfer catalysis

The traditional methods of synthesis of biguanide drugs generally result in the formation of high levels of waste. In this study, we have developed a simple and green route for the synthesis of olanexidine, the novel antimicrobial compound developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc. This molecule has been clinically explored in Japan for pre-operative skin preparations. The proposed synthesis scheme is beneficial as it has obviated the use of harmful sodium dicyanamide and has employed the readily available dicyandiamide to facilitate cyanoguanidylation of 3,4-dichlorobenzylamine into 3,4-dichlorobenzylbiguanide. This intermediate was further condensed with 1-bromooctane, using tetrabutyl ammonium bromide as the phase transfer catalyst, in a biphasic solvent system comprising of water and ethyl acetate. The developed method resulted in an overall yield of 76% of olanexidine.     

压缩CO2中Co-N-C催化3-硝基苯乙烯选择性加氢反应动力学及相行为

对于苯环上含有各种可还原基团(如–C=C,–CN,–C≡C)的硝基芳烃,通过选择性加氢来制备芳香胺类化合物依然充满挑战.负载型纳米催化剂通常存在过度加氢的缺陷,虽然通过覆盖部分金属位点等方法可改善其选择性,但多是以牺牲催化活性为代价.得益于较高的原子利用率以及孤立的活性位结构,单原子催化剂在硝基芳烃选择性加氢反应中崭露头角.例如Pt1/FeOx单原子催化剂在3-硝基苯乙烯加氢反应中对目标产物的选择性高于99％,且转化频率(TOF)是Pt纳米催化剂的20倍以上.然而,已报道的单原子催化体系中,活性组分多为Pt族贵金属,且以有机溶剂为反应介质,不符合绿色化学理念.本文以环境友好型溶剂——压缩CO2为反应介质,以氮掺杂碳负载非贵金属Co单原子(Co-N-C)为催化剂,实现了3-硝基苯乙烯的选择性加氢,且反应体系中无任何有机溶剂和助剂.在温和(60 oC,3 MPa H2(RT),总压8.1 MPa)的反应条件下,3-硝基苯乙烯可完全转化,目标产物3-乙烯基苯胺的选择性达到>99％,且产物可通过简单卸压直接分离.Co-N-C单原子催化剂表现出较高的稳定性,循环使用4次以后活性并无明显降低.HAADF-STEM表征发现反应后的催化剂中,Co仍然呈单原子分散.研究发现,通过改变CO2压力(即CO2相行为)可调变H2在其中的溶解度以及在加氢反应中的反应级数,进而调变反应速率.通常认为,催化活性会随CO2压力增大呈线性增加,而本文中转化率却随CO2压力增加呈现"倒V型"曲线关系,即当体系总压为8.1 MPa(PCO2=5.0 MPa)时,转化率达到最大值(100％),而升高或降低CO2压力均会显著降低催化活性.为解释"倒V型"曲线的成因,通过含可视窗的高压釜研究了3-硝基苯乙烯/CO2/H2三元体系的相行为.发现当总压为13.4 MPa时,体系为均匀的一相(即3-硝基苯乙烯完全溶解在CO2中);而当总压为8.1 MPa时,却形成了气-液两相.用激光笔照射高压釜上部的气相时,出现了明显的丁达尔现象,说明其中溶解有少量的3-硝基苯乙烯,呈胶体分散;底部为CO2膨胀的3-硝基苯乙烯液相,且该膨胀行为通过硝基苯-CO2二元相行为研究得到证实(即在一定CO2压力下,6 mL硝基苯可被CO2膨胀至充满整个高压釜(容积为29.3 mL)).动力学研究发现,在不含CO2以及总压为11.2 MPa时,H2的反应级数为～0.5;而当总压为8.1 MPa(CO2压力为5.0 MPa)时,H2的级数降为0,说明该压力下H2的溶解度显著增加.通过Peng-Robinson方程计算了不同CO2压力下H2的溶解度,发现H2溶解度与CO2压力也呈"倒V型"曲线关系,且最高点对应的CO2压力与上述转化率-PCO2曲线一致.因此,当总压为8.1 MPa,CO2分压为5.0 MPa时形成了CO2膨胀的3-硝基苯乙烯液体,溶解入该膨胀液体的CO2促进了H2的溶解,进而使H2的反应级数降为0,从而促进了加氢反应的进行.综上,本文以压缩CO2为溶剂,以非贵金属基Co-N-C为催化剂,发展了一种3-硝基苯乙烯绿色选择性加氢途径.同时发现,改变CO2压力可调变反应体系的相行为及反应动力学行为,进而调变催化性能.该研究结果可为调变压缩CO2介质中进行的其它催化转化反应性能提供借鉴.     

基于快速热释放功能的相变偶氮苯/织物复合材料

针对偶氮基光敏分子存在放热速率慢和温度难以控制的难点,在分子结构设计基础上,采用氧化偶合法制备了具有固-液相变功能的4,4′-对-二正己基偶氮苯(AZO-L6).由于分子间作用力较低,偶氮苯分子呈现低熔、快异构化的特点,在发生反-顺异构化转变时大幅降低分子的熔点.固-液相变过程实现了光热能和相变焓的存储,在结构回复时同时放出储存的能量(231.8 kJ/kg),并将相变偶氮苯应用于可穿戴聚合物复合织物中.结果显示储能后的相变偶氮苯分子在蓝光(440 nm)刺激下在60 s内可将材料温度提升0.8℃,获得了具有自加热功能的可穿戴复合织物,为探索多功能自保温可穿戴装置提供了研究思路.     

Experimental Investigation on Binary Phase Diagram of the Thermotropic Phase Transitions Compounds (n‐CnH2n+1R3)2ZnCl4

The thermotropic phase transitions compounds (n‐C_nH_2n+1R₃)₂ZnCl₄ as well as a series of their binary mixtures were prepared by a solution reflux method from their ethanol solutions. The experimental subsolidus binary phase diagram of [n‐C₁₈H₃₇N(CH₃)₃]₂ZnCl₄‐[n‐(C₁₈H₃₇)₂N(CH₃)₂]₂ZnCl₄ is constructed over the entire composition range by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and X‐ray. Experi‐ mental results indicate one stable intermediate phase [n‐C₁₈H₃₇N(CH₃)₃] [n‐(C₁₈H₃₇)₂N(CH₃)₂]ZnCl₄ at W_C18C3Zn %=59.75 %, and two invariant three phase equilibria, which shows two eutectoid temperatures: Te₁ at 310±1 K for eutectoid point W_C18C3Zn %=36.24 %, Te₂ at 313±1 K for eutectoid point W_C18C3Zn %=80.17 %. These three noticeable solid‐solution ranges are α‐phase at the left, ?‐phase at the right, and ψ‐phase in the middle of the phase diagram. It is (n‐C_nH_2n+1R₃)₂ZnCl₄ systems as phase change materials that are characterized the phase transition temperatures T in the range of 310 to 340 K, the transition enthalpies ΔH in the range of 38.40 and 168.72 J/g between two polymorphic forms.     

(Liquid + liquid), (solid + liquid), and (solid + liquid + liquid) equilibria of systems containing cyclic ether (tetrahydrofuran or 1,3-dioxolane), water,and a biological buffer MOPS

Two liquid phases were formed as the addition of a certain amount of biological buffer 3-(N-morpholino)propane sulfonic acid (MOPS) in the aqueous solutions of tetrahydrofuran (THF) or 1,3-dioxolane. To evaluate the feasibility of recovering the cyclic ethers from their aqueous solutions with the aid of MOPS, we determined experimentally the phase diagrams of the ternary systems of {cyclic ether (THF or 1,3-dioxolane) + water + MOPS} at T = 298.15 K under atmospheric pressure. In this study, the solubility data of MOPS in water and in the mixed solvents of water/cyclic ethers were obtained from the results of a series of density measurements, while the (liquid + liquid) and the (solid + liquid + liquid) phase boundaries were determined by visually inspection. Additionally, the tie-line results for (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) and for (solid + liquid + liquid) equilibrium (SLLE) were measured using an analytical method. The reliability of the experimental LLE tie-line results data was validated by using the Othmer–Tobias correlation. These LLE tie-line values were correlated well with the NRTL model. The phase diagrams obtained from this study reveal that MOPS is a feasible green auxiliary agent to recover the cyclic ethers from their aqueous solutions, especially for 1,3-dioxolane.     

(Solid + liquid) phase diagram for (indomethacin + nicotinamide)-methanol or methanol/ethyl acetate mixture and solubility behavior of 1:1 (indomethacin + nicotinamide) co-crystal at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K

(Solid + liquid) equilibrium data for indomethacin (IMC) and nicotinamide (NCT) in both methanol (MeOH) and methanol/ethyl acetate (EA) mixture were determined using a static method at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K under atmospheric pressure. The 1:1 (IMC + NCT) co-crystal and IMC·MeOH were found in both systems under conditions investigated. The solubility of the 1:1 (IMC + NCT) co-crystal was correlated using a mathematical model consisting of both solubility product and a complexation process. Solubility of (IMC + NCT) co-crystals as a function of co-former (NCT) concentration was evaluated. It was found that temperature has a significant effect on the formation of methanol solvate in the systems investigated. Solvate formation could be suppressed either by increasing temperature or using solvent mixtures. Additionally, the solvent mixture could level out the solubility differences between IMC and NCT, resulting in larger and more symmetric regions for the (IMC + NCT) co-crystal, which would be helpful to the development of the co-crystallization process for the 1:1 (IMC + NCT) co-crystal.     

The stereocomplex formation and phase separation of PLLA/PDLA blends with different optical purities and molecular weights

In this study, the poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide)(PLLA/PDLA) blends with different optical purities of PLLA and various molecular weights of PDLA are prepared by solution mixing, and the stereocomplex formation and phase separation behaviors of these blends are investigated. Results reveal that optical purity and molecular weight do not vary the crystal structure of PLA stereocomplex(sc) and homochiral crystallites(hc). As the optical purity increasing in the blends, the melting temperature of sc(Tsc) and the content of sc(ΔHsc) increased, while the melting temperature of hc(Thm) hardly changes, although the content of hc(ΔHhm) decreased gradually. The Tsc and ΔHsc are also enhanced as the molecular weight of PDLA reduces, and the ΔHhm reduces rapidly even though the Thm does not vary apparently. With lower optical purities of PLLA and higher molecular weights of PDLA, three types of crystals form in the blends, i.e., PLA sc, PLLA hc and PDLA hc. As molecular weight decreases and optical purity enhances, the crystal phase decreases to two(sc and PDLA hc), and one(sc) finally. This investigation indicates that the phase separation behavior between PLLA and PDLA in the PLLA/PDLA blends not only depends on molecular weights, but also relies on the optical purities of polymers.