Highly fluorescent polycaprolactones decorated with di(thiophene‐2‐yl)‐diketopyrrolopyrrole: A covalent strategy of tuning fluorescence properties in solid states

Well‐defined 1,4‐diketo‐3,6‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole (DTDPP) labeled polycaprolactones (PCL) with different chain lengths were synthesized and characterized. The effect of polymer chain lengths on the optical properties of DTDPP in solid states was studied by UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy as well as steady‐state and dynamic fluorescence spectroscopies. Our results indicate that when the PCL side chain is extended to a certain length, the intermolecular aggregation of DTDPP units can be reduced significantly due to segregation effect of PCL. This approach offers a new facile strategy to address the common problem of aggregation‐caused quenching existing in organic fluorophores. These highly fluorescent biodegradable PCL polymers may find broad biomedical applications such as fluorescence‐based bioimaging and tissue engineering. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1032–1042     

A new strategy for synthesis of branched cyclic peptide by Asn side-chain hydrazide ligation

Here, we report a new strategy for rapid synthesis of branched peptide by side-chain hydrazide ligation at Asn. The hydrazide was converted to thioester at Asn side chain by NaNO₂ and thiol reagent, and sequential ligation with an N-terminus Cys-peptide efficiently afforded the branched peptide. A branched cyclic peptide was successfully synthesized by side-chain ligation with a two-Cys-peptide and formation of a disulfide bond. This approach provides a new way for expeditious synthesis of branched peptides and facilitates the design of neopeptides as functional bio-mimics.     

Ultrathin Co3S4 Nanosheets that Synergistically Engineer Spin States and Exposed Polyhedra that Promote Water Oxidation under Neutral Conditions

Development of efficient and affordable electrocatalysts in neutral solutions is paramount importance for the renewable energy. Herein, we report that the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of Co₃S₄ under neutral conditions can be enhanced by exposed octahedral planes and self‐adapted spin states in atomically thin nanosheets. A HAADF image clearly confirmed that the active octahedra with Jahn–Teller distortions were exposed exclusively. Most importantly, in the atomically thin nanosheets, the spin states of Co³⁺ in the octahedral self‐adapt from low‐spin to high‐spin states. As a result, the synergistic effect endow the Co₃S₄ nanosheets with superior OER performance, with exceptional low onset overpotentials of circa 0.31 V in neutral solutions, which is state‐of‐the‐art among inorganic non‐noble metal compounds.     

Hierarchical‐Structured Anatase‐Titania/Cellulose Composite Sheet with High Photocatalytic Performance and Antibacterial Activity

Bulk hierarchical anatase‐titania/cellulose composite sheets were fabricated by subjecting an ultrathin titania gel film pre‐deposited filter paper to a solvo‐co‐hydrothermal treatment by using titanium butoxide as the precursor to grow anatase‐titania nanocrystallites on the cellulose nanofiber surfaces. The titanium butoxide specie is firstly absorbed onto the nanofibers of the cellulose substance through a solvothermal process, which was thereafter hydrolyzed and crystallized upon the subsequent hydrothermal treatment, leading to the formation of fine anatase‐titania nanoparticles with sizes of 2–5 nm uniformly anchored on the cellulose nanofibers. The resulting anatase‐titania/cellulose composite sheet shows a significant photocatalytic performance towards degradation of a methylene blue dye, and introduction of silver nanoparticles into the composite sheet yields an Ag‐NP/anatase‐titania/cellulose composite material possessing excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.     

Temperature memory effect and its stability revealed via differential scanning calorimetry in ethylene‐vinyl acetate within glass transition range

In this article, we reveal the temperature memory effect (TME) in a commercial thermoplastic polymer, namely ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA), within its glass transition range via a series of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) tests. In addition, we investigate the influence of heating holding time and also compare the observed TME in current study with that of shape memory alloys (SMAs). It is concluded that the TME via DSC (without any macroscopic shape change) is achievable within the glass transition range of a polymer. Conversely, although the observed TME shares the many similar features as those in SMAs, due to the nature of micro‐Brownian motion in the glass transition of polymers, the resulted TME is strongly affected by the heating holding time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1731–1737     

Catalytic carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methane: A review of recent studies

Recently,various efforts have been put forward on the development of technologies for the synthesis of methane from CO₂ and H₂,since it can offer a solution for renewable H₂ storage and transportation.In parallel,this reaction is considered to be a critical step in reclaiming oxygen within a closed cycle.Over the years,extensive fundamental research works on CO₂ methanation have been investigated and reported in the literatures.In this updated review,we present a comprehensive overview of recent publications during the last 3 years.Various aspects on this reaction system are described in detail,such as thermodynamic considerations,catalyst innovations,the influence of reaction conditions,overall catalytic performance,and reaction mechanism.Finally,the future development of CO₂ methanation is discussed.