BiVO4/TiO2 heterojunction with rich oxygen vacancies for enhanced electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction

The large-scale production of ammonia mainly depends on the Haber–Bosch process, which will lead to the problems of high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission. Electrochemical nitrogen fixation is considered to be an environmental friendly and sustainable process, but its efficiency largely depends on the activity and stability of the catalyst. Therefore, it is imperative to develop highefficient electrocatalysts in the field of nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). In this paper, we developed a BiVO₄/TiO₂ nanotube (BiVO₄/TNT) heterojunction composite with rich oxygen vacancies as an electrocatalytic NRR catalyst. The heterojunction interface and oxygen vacancy of BiVO₄/TNT can be the active site of N₂ dynamic activation and proton transition. The synergistic effect of TiO₂ and BiVO₄ shortens the proton transport path and reduces the over potential of chemical reaction. BiVO₄/TNT has high ammonia yield of 8.54 μg·h⁻¹·cm⁻² and high Faraday efficiency of 7.70% in −0.8 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution.     

Effect of biaxial strain and hydrostatic pressure on the magnetic properties of bilayer CrI3

Two-dimensional van der Waals magnetic materials are intriguing for applications in the future spintronics devices, so it is crucial to explore strategy to control the magnetic properties. Here, we carried out first-principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the effect of biaxial strain and hydrostatic pressure on the magnetic properties of the bilayer CrI₃. We found that the magnetic anisotropy, intralayer and interlayer exchange interactions, and Curie temperature can be tuned by biaxial strain and hydrostatic pressure. Large compressive biaxial strain may induce a ferromagneticto-antiferromagnetic transition of both CrI₃ layers. The hydrostatic pressure could enhance the intralayer exchange interaction significantly and hence largely boost the Curie temperature. The effect of the biaxial strain and hydrostatic pressure revealed in the bilayer CrI₃ may be generalized to other two-dimensional magnetic materials.     

Synthesis,characterization and α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies of novel vanadyl chalcone complexes

A series of chalcone ligands and their corresponding vanadyl complexes of composition [VO (L^I–IV)₂(H₂O)₂]SO₄ (where L^I = 1,3‐Diphenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one, L^II = 3‐(2‐Hydroxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^III = 3‐(3‐Nitro‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone, L^IV = 3‐(4‐Methoxy‐phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐propenone) have been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic (Fourier‐transform infrared, electrospray ionization mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer) and physico‐analytic techniques. Antidiabetic activities of synthesized complexes along with chalcones were evaluated by performing in vitro and in silico α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition studies. The obtained results displayed moderate to significant inhibition activity against both the enzymes by vanadyl chalcone complexes. The most potent complexes were further investigated for the enzyme kinetic studies and displayed the mixed inhibition for both the enzymes. Further, antioxidant activity of vanadyl chalcone complexes was evaluated for their efficiency to release oxidative stress using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate assay, and two complexes (Complexes 2 and 4 ) have demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity. All the complexes were found to possess promising antidiabetic and antioxidant potential.     

Highly sensitive perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl) based colorimetric and ratiometric probes for fluorine detection

Fluoride anion (F^?) affects environmental, biological, and chemical processes significantly. Therefore, its detection has received increasing attention, and sensitive, effective, and convenient probes for F^? detection need to be developed urgently. In this work, two perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl) (PTAC) based colorimetric and ratiometric probes, P1 and P2, were developed for the detection of F^?. The interactions between F^? and these two probes were investigated by absorption, electrochemistry, ¹H NMR, and density functional methods. Both the two probes were complexed with F^? with a ratio of 1:1. The detection limits of P1 and P2 were 0.22 μM and 0.87 μM, respectively. It was worth noting that the absorption peak of P1 showed a 190 nm red shift when sensing F^?, and P1 is the largest red shift value reported in F^? probes based on PTAC derivatives. This phenomenon was resulted from the unique configuration and deprotonation of P1 that can promote the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). This strategy provides an example for the development of other ion probes based on D-A type ICT mechanism.     

Modifying the physicochemical properties,solubility and foaming capacity of milk proteins by ultrasound-assisted alkaline pH-shifting treatment

This study investigated the effects of different treatment of alkaline pH-shifting on milk protein concentrate (MPC), micellar casein concentrate (MCC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) assisted by the same ultrasound conditions, including changes in the physicochemical properties, solubility and foaming capacity. The solubility of milk proteins had a significant increase with gradual enhancement of ultrasound-assisted alkaline pH-shifting (p < 0.05), especially for MCC up to 99.50 %. Also, treatment made a significant decline in the particle size of MPC and MCC, as well as the turbidity of the proteins (p < 0.05). The foaming capacity of MPC, MCC, and WPI was all improved, especially at pH 11, and at this pH, the milk protein also showed the highest surface hydrophobicity. The best foaming capacity at pH 11 was the result of the combined effect of particle size, potential, protein conformation, solubility, and surface hydrophobicity. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted pH-shifting treatment was found to be effective in improving the physicochemical properties and solubility and foaming capacity of milk proteins, especially MCC, with promising application prospect in food industry.     

一种新型双吡啶悬臂Mn(Ⅱ)配合物的合成、晶体结构及DNA结合能力研究

通过3,3′-((乙烷-1,2-二基双(2-甲基吡啶杂氮二基)双(亚甲基))双(2-羟基-5-甲基苯甲醛)与2-羟基-1,3-丙二胺的缩合反应得到一种具有双吡啶悬臂的双核锰配合物。通过X射线单晶衍射确定了该配合物结构,结果显示其分子式为[Mn₂(C₃₇H₄₃N₆O₆)]·(ClO₄)₂。该配合物属于单斜晶系,P2₁/c空间群,晶胞参数为:a=1.096 50(19) nm, b=1.419 5(3) nm, c=3.109 4(5) nm, β=108.153(5)°。进一步分析表明两个二价锰离子分别与(N_amine)₂(N_imine)₂O₃和(N_imine)₂O₄体系配位,它们与配位原子形成的几何构型分别是十面体和扭曲的八面体。两个中心锰离子距离为0.331 6 nm,由酚氧原子和醋酸根共同桥联。另外,本文也利用伏安法和黏度法对该配合物与小牛胸腺DNA的结合能力进行研究,实验结果表明它们之间的结合方式为弱的插入作用。     

Coupling characteristics of laterally coupled gratings with slots

Laterally-coupled ridge-waveguide distributed feedback lasers fabricated without epitaxial regrowth steps have the advantages of process simplification and low cost. We present a laterally coupled grating with slots. The slots etched between the ridge and grating area are designed to suppress the lateral diffusion of carriers and to reduce the influence of the aspect-ratio-dependent-etching effect on the grating morphology in the etching process. Moreover, the grating height in this structure can be decreased to lower the aspect ratio significantly, which is advantageous over the conventional laterally coupled ridge waveguide gratings. The effects of five main structural parameters on the coupling characteristics of gratings are studied by MODE Solutions. It is found that varying the lateral width of the grating can be used as an effective way to tune the coupling strength; narrow slots (100 nm and 300 nm) and wide ridge (2 μm-4 μm) promote the stability of grating coupling coefficient and device performance. It is important to note that the grating bottom should be fabricated precisely. The comparative study of carrier distribution and mode field distribution shows that the introduction of narrow slots can strengthen the competitive advantage and stability of the fundamental mode.     

两个基于2,5-二甲氧基对苯二甲酸和咪唑衍生物的超分子钴配位聚合物的结构及光催化反应

本文以咪唑衍生物为配体,通过水热合成法与钴离子制备出两个配位聚合物:{[Co(DTA)(1,4-DIB)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n(1)和[Co(DTA)(1,3-BMIB)]_n(2)(1,4-DIB=1,4-二(1H-咪唑-1-基)苯; 1,3-BMIB=1,3-二(4-甲基-1H-咪唑-1-基)苯;H₂DTA=2,5-二甲氧基对苯二甲酸)。利用X射线单晶衍射、粉末衍射、热失重、元素分析、红外光谱以及固体紫外-可见光谱等对两个配合物进行了表征。结构分析证实配合物1和2是通过二维结构堆积成的三维超分子化合物。粉末衍射测试则显示两个配合物在水中有很好的稳定性。固体紫外-可见光谱显示两个配合物属半导体材料,对紫外-可见光有很强的吸收作用。在光催化实验中,配合物1和2可加快亚甲基蓝的降解速度。