On U(n)-invariant strongly convex complex Finsler metrics

Science China Mathematics - In this paper, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for a U(n)-invariant complex Finsler metric F on domains in ?n to be strongly convex, which also...     

The induction of PANoptosis in KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by a multispecific platinum complex

Science China Chemistry - Oncogenic KRAS reprograms pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells to a state that is awfully resistant to apoptosis. An alternative coping strategy is to trigger a...     

Multi-emissive 1D Cd(II) polymers with a biphenyl bridged bisazamacrocycle for ratiometric discrimination of nitroaromatics and selective visual detection of picric acid

Three one-dimensional ladder-like coordination polymers consisting of Cd₆ metalloring as the building unit, {[Cd₄LCl₄]·3H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Cd₃L(ClO₄)(H₂O)]ClO₄·3H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and {[Cd₆(L)₂(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)(H₂O)](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH·5H₂O}_n ( 3 ), were solvothermally constructed from a carboxylic functionalized bisazamacrocyclic ligand 4,4′-bis((4,7-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)methyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (H₄L). These compounds dispersed in ethanol show the multiple emissions originating from the monomeric and intramolecularly overlapping biphenyl moieties which could be sensitively quenched by picric acid (PA) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) through the effective fluorescence resonance energy transfer process. The differential fluorescent responses of each compound on exposure to PA and 4-NP individually make the convenient ratiometric discrimination of two analytes based on the fluorescent intensity ratio (I₃₂₀/I₃₆₀) attainable, and 1 and 2 as ratiometric chemosensors for PA present a broad linear detection range from 4 to 300 μM with detection limits of 0.84 and 0.93 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the blue light emission of 1 under an ultraviolet lamp could be selectively quenched by PA even in the presence of all other interfering nitroaromatic pollutants, which empowers the fast visual detection of PA by naked eye.     

Self-supported metal sulphide nanocrystals-assembled nanosheets on carbon paper as efficient counter electrodes for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells

Developing efficient counter electrodes (CEs) and quantum dots made of earth-abundant and non-toxic elements is essential but still challenging for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Here, we report a facile strategy to prepare self-supported and robust CoS₂ and NiS nanocrystals-assembled nanosheets directly grown on carbon paper (MSx NS@CP) as efficient counter electrodes for QDSSCs. Such CEs integrate the merits of fast electron transfer from interconnected conductive scaffold, efficient mass transfer from hierarchically vertical nanosheet on 3D open substrate, as well as abundant highly active catalytic sites from metal sulphide nanocrystal units. As a result, QDDSCs based on such CoS₂ NS@CP and NiS NS@CP CEs achieve a PCE of 8.88% and 7.53%, respectively. The detailed analyses suggest that CoS₂ NS@CP has the highest catalytic activity and shows the lowest charger transfer resistance, leading to the highest PCE. These findings may inspire the design and exploration of other self-supported efficient CEs by integrating highly active catalysts onto 3D conductive networks for efficient QDSSCs.     

Advantageous Interfacial Effects of AgPd/g-C3N4 for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: Electronic Structure and H2O Dissociation

Bimetallic AgPd nanoparticles have been synthesized before, but the interfacial electronic effects of AgPd on the photocatalytic performance have been investigated less. In this work, the results of hydrogen evolution suggest that the bimetallic AgPd/g-C₃N₄ sample has superior activity to Ag/g-C₃N₄ and Pd/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts. The UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, CO adsorption diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy, and FTIR results demonstrate that in the AgPd/g-C₃N₄, the surface electronic structures of Pd and Ag are changed, which is beneficial for faster photogenerated electron transfer and greater H₂O molecule adsorption. In situ ESR spectra suggest that, under visible light irradiation, there is more H₂O dissociation to radical species on the AgPd/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst. Furthermore, DFT calculations confirm the interfacial electronic effects of AgPd/g-C₃N₄, that is, Pd^δ−⋅⋅⋅Ag^δ+, and the activation energy of H₂O molecule dissociation on AgPd/g-C₃N₄ is the lowest, which is the main contributor to the enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution.     

Elucidating Molecule–Plasmon Interactions in Nanocavities with 2 nm Spatial Resolution and at the Single‐Molecule Level

The fundamental understanding of the subtle interactions between molecules and plasmons is of great significance for the development of plasmon‐enhanced spectroscopy (PES) techniques with ultrahigh sensitivity. However, this information has been elusive due to the complex mechanisms and difficulty in reliably constructing and precisely controlling interactions in well‐defined plasmonic systems. Herein, the interactions in plasmonic nanocavities of film‐coupled metallic nanocubes (NCs) are investigated. Through engineering the spacer layer, molecule–plasmon interactions were precisely controlled and resolved within 2 nm. Efficient energy exchange interactions between the NCs and the surface within the 1–2 nm range are demonstrated. Additionally, optical dressed molecular excited states with a huge Lamb shift of ≈7 meV at the single‐molecule (SM) level were observed. This work provides a basis for understanding the underlying molecule–plasmon interaction, paving the way for fully manipulating light–matter interactions at the nanoscale.     

The concept of dual roles design in clean organic preparation

Herein we summarized some clean preparation examples to emphasize the concept of dual roles design (or named as “two birds one stone strategy”) in green and sustainable chemistry. In those examples, the reactants and/or solvent play dual roles rendering a cleaner organic preparation process. Consequently, both the chemical waste and manufacturing cost could be reduced.     

Surface modification of hollow microsphere Li1.2Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode by coating with CoAl2O4

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Li1.2Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was synthesized as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries and coated with various amounts of CoAl2O4 (0–5 wt%)...