Zn or O? An Atomic Level Comparison on Antibacterial Activities of Zinc Oxides

For the first time, the influence of different types of atoms (Zn and O) on the antibacterial activities of nanosized ZnO was quantitatively evaluated with the aid of a 3D‐printing‐manufactured evaluation system. Two different outermost atomic layers were manufactured separately by using an ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. Interestingly, we found that each outermost atomic layer exhibited certain differences against gram‐positive or gram‐negative bacterial species. Zinc atoms as outermost layer (ZnO?Zn) showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect towards gram‐negative E. coli (Escherichia coli), whereas oxygen atoms (ZnO?O) showed a stronger antibacterial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). A possible antibacterial mechanism has been comprehensively discussed from different perspectives, including Zn²⁺ concentrations, oxygen vacancies, photocatalytic activities and the DNA structural characteristics of different bacterial species.     

Enhanced Peroxidase‐Like Properties of Graphene–Hemin‐Composite Decorated with Au Nanoflowers as Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor for the Detection of K562 Leukemia Cancer Cells

Graphene composites with hemin and gold nanoparticles show a better performance for hydrogen peroxide decomposition compared to that of the three components alone or duplex/hybrid complexes. Our previous studies showed that the morphology of the Au nanoparticles may greatly influence the catalytic activity of graphene‐family peroxidase mimics. Recently, we found that Au nanoflowers could grow in situ and form on the surface of hemin/RGO (reduced graphene oxide). The prickly morphology of this Au nanoflower brought a higher catalytic ability with enhanced kinetic parameters than traditional Au nanoparticles that showed a smooth surface. Therefore, based on this discovery, a smart electrochemical aptamer biosensor for K562 leukemia cancer cells was further presented with good performance in selectivity and sensitivity attributed to the excellent mimetic peroxidase catalytic activity of this newly synthesized Au nanoflower decorated graphene–hemin composite (H‐RGO‐Au NFs).     

基于四波混频过程和线性分束器产生四组份纠缠

多组份纠缠是量子信息处理的重要资源,它的产生通常涉及到许多复杂的线性和非线性过程.本文从理论上提出了一种利用两个独立的四波混频过程和线性分束器产生真正的四组份纠缠的方案,其中,线性分束器的作用是将两个独立的四波混频过程联系起来.首先应用部分转置正定判据研究了强度增益对四组份纠缠的影响,结果表明,在整个增益区域内都存在真正的四组份纠缠,并且随着强度增益的增加,纠缠也在增强.然后研究了线性分束器的透射率对四组份纠缠的影响,发现只要线性分束器的透射率不为0或1,该系统也可以产生真正的四组份纠缠.最后,通过研究该系统可能存在的三组份纠缠和两组份纠缠来揭示该系统的纠缠结构.本文理论结果为实验上利用原子系综四波混频过程产生真正的四组份纠缠提供了可靠的方案.     

Functional Zwitterionic Polymers on Surface: Structures and Applications

Zwitterionic polymers are important in a wide range of industrial, biological and medical fields. Their chemical structures include an equal amount of anion and cation groups, and such structures give rise to many unique functionalities, such as temperature response, anti‐polyelectrolyte effect, and strong hydration properties. In this review, we focus on the structures and applications of functional zwitterionic polymers on surfaces. We review three areas of applications according to the architecture of the polymeric systems: surface coating, complex solutions, and hydrogel. We review the simulation and theory work and highlight some outlooks for further development.     

Metal-Mediated Directional Capping of Rod-Packing Metal–Organic Frameworks

Two new rod-packing metal–organic frameworks (RPMOF) are constructed by regulating the in situ formation of the capping agent. In CPM-s7, carboxylate linkers extend 1D manganese-oxide chains in four additional directions, forming 3D RPMOF. The substitution of Mn²⁺ with a stronger Lewis acidic Co²⁺, leads to an acceleration of the hydrolysis-prone sulfonate linker, resulting in presence of sulfate ions to reduce two out of the four carboxylate-extending directions, and thus forming a new 2D rod-packing CPM-s8. Density functional theory calculations and magnetization measurements reveal ferrimagnetic ordering of CPM-s8, signifying the potential of exploring 2D RPMOF for effective low-dimensional magnetic materials.     

Direct Synthesis of Adipic Esters and Adiponitrile via Photoassisted Cobalt-Catalyzed Alkene Hydrodimerization

The direct hydrodimerization of acrylates and acrylonitrile offers a general streamlined access to industrially important intermediates to nylon 6,6. However, a practical catalytic method for this process has thus far underdeveloped owing to the challenges in regioselectivity and environmental compatibility of applied reagents. Here, we report a cobalt-catalyzed tail-to-tail hydrodimerization of activated alkenes driven by a visible-light photoredox catalysis at ambient temperature, which is applicable to both adipates and adiponitrile synthesis from potentially renewable feedstocks. This protocol utilizes half equivalent of hantzsch ester as a recyclable two-electron and two-proton donor with the assistance of catalytic amount of base as a proton shuttle, and has been shown to be highly regioselective and efficient for hydrodimerizing various activated alkenes to 1,4-difunctionalized butane derivatives.     

Convenient construction of unique bis-[1]rotaxanes based on azobenzene-bridged dipillar[5]arenes

Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry - A series of azobenzene-bridged dipillar[5]arenes were conveniently synthesized by coupling reaction of aminoalkyl-functionalized...