Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Benzimidazole-4,7-dione-Based P2X3 Receptor Antagonists as Novel Anti-Nociceptive Agents

P2X3 receptors (P2X3R) are ATP-gated ion channels predominantly expressed in C- and Aδ-fiber primary afferent neurons and have been introduced as a novel therapeutic target for neurological disorders, including neuropathic pain and chronic cough. Because of its localized distribution, antagonism of P2X3R has been thoroughly considered, and the avoidance of issues related to CNS side effects has been proven in clinical trials. In this article, benzimidazole-4,7-dione-based derivatives were introduced as a new chemical entity for the development of P2X3R antagonists. Starting from the discovery of a hit compound from the screening of 8364 random library compounds in the Korea Chemical Bank, which had an IC₅₀ value of 1030 nM, studies of structure–activity and structure–property relationships enabled further optimization toward improving the antagonistic activities as well as the drug’s physicochemical properties, including metabolic stability. As for the results, the final optimized compound 14h was developed with an IC₅₀ value of 375 nM at P2X3R with more than 23-fold selectivity versus P2X2/3R, along with properties of metabolic stability and improved solubility. In neuropathic pain animal models evoked by either nerve ligation or chemotherapeutics in male Sprague-Dawley rats, compound 14h showed anti-nociceptive effects through an increase in the mechanical withdrawal threshold as measured by von Frey filament following intravenous administration.     

Facile Fabrication of PBS/CNTs Nanocomposite Foam for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

In order to reduce the pollutants of environment and electromagnetic waves, environment friendly polymer foams with outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding are imminently required. In this paper, a kind of electromagnetic shielding, biodegradable nanocomposite foam was fabricated by blending poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) followed by foaming with supercritical CO₂. The crystallization temperature and melting temperature of PBS/CNTs nanocomposites with 4 wt % of CNTs increased remarkably by 6 °C and 3.1 °C compared with that of pure PBS and a double crystal melting peak of various PBS samples appeared in DSC curves. Increasing the CNT content from 0 to 4 wt % leads to an increase of approximately 3 orders of magnitude in storage modulus and nearly 9 orders of magnitude in enhancement of electrical properties. Furthermore, CNTs endowed PBS nanocomposite foam with adjustable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding property, giving a specific EMI shielding effectiveness of 28.5 dB cm³/g. This study provides a promising methodology for preparing biodegradable, lightweight PBS/CNTs foam with outstanding electromagnetic shielding properties.     

Effect of crystallization on tensile mechanical properties of PET foam: Experiment and model prediction

Currently Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam is the most promising structural core materials, and the tensile mechanical properties are one of its important application indicators. Herein, environmental-friendly supercritical CO₂ (ScCO₂) extrusion foaming was adopted to prepare PET foam. Aiming at investigating the influence of crystals on the mechanical properties, isothermal treatment in the post-process was used to improve the crystallization process of PET foams. Due to the crystal perfection proceeds via migration and rejection of the structural defects at the crystallites induced by slow crystallization, the crystallinity increased rapidly with the rise of isothermal temperature, especially above the glass transition temperature (T_g). Qualitatively, it can be concluded that the crystalline phase contents have an intimate positive correlation with the tensile modulus, meanwhile, the shape ratio of the crystal have no significant effects on the tensile modulus. In addition, a coupling scheme of aggregate two-layered composite inclusion model and Simone-Gibson equation was first proposed to quantify the mathematical relationship between crystallization and tensile modulus of PET foam, which realized basic agreement.     

An ultrafast and clean method to manufacture poly(vinyl alcohol) bead foam products

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) foam is a promising environment‐friendly packaging material due to the good biodegradability and excellent mechanical properties. Besides, PVA can be produced on a large scale viathe non‐petroleum routes. However, the preparation of complex‐shaped PVA foam products has not been realized, because PVA is a water‐soluble and semi‐crystalline polymer with a high melting temperature (226°C), which cannot be welded through the conventional bead foaming technology. In this article, a clean and efficient strategy based on microwave foaming and sintering was innovatively developed to manufacture the PVA bead foam products. First, the expandable PVA beads were prepared through polar solvent‐plasticization, followed by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂)‐impregnation in solid‐state. The impregnated beads were then surface plasticized with polar solvent by simple coating. Thus, the incorporated polar solvent in the internal and superficial regions of PVA beads was rapidly heated upon exposure to the microwave irradiation, which simultaneously induced the CO₂ foaming and interfacial melting, respectively. In this way, the expansion and welding of PVA beads were completed in a one‐step procedure. Meanwhile, the complex‐shaped PVA bead foam products with excellent elasticity and intra‐bead adhesive strength were prepared within a short period of 30 seconds. Therefore, the microwave heating can be considered as an efficient strategy for preparing the high‐performance polymer bead foam products, especially for these high‐melting temperature or glass‐transition temperature polymers.     

Open-pore biodegradable foams prepared via gas foaming and microparticulate templating

Open-pore biodegradable foams with controlled porous architectures were prepared by combining gas foaming and microparticulate templating. Microparticulate composites of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and micrometric sodium chloride particles (NaCl), in concentrations ranging from 70/30 to 20/80 wt.-% of PCL/NaCl were melt-mixed and gas-foamed using carbon dioxide as physical blowing agent. The effects of microparticle concentration, foaming temperature, and pressure drop rate on foam microstructure were surveyed and related to the viscoelastic properties of the polymer/microparticle composite melt. Results showed that foams with open-pore networks can be obtained and that porosity, pore size, and interconnectivity may be finely modulated by optimizing the processing parameters. Furthermore, the ability to obtain a spatial gradient of porosity embossed within the three-dimensional polymer structure was exploited by using a heterogeneous microparticle filling. Results indicated that by foaming composites with microparticle concentration gradients, it was also possible to control the porosity and pore-size spatial distribution of the open-pore PCL foams.     

Boosting purely organic room-temperature phosphorescence performance through a host–guest strategy

The host–guest doping system has aroused great attention due to its promising advantage in stimulating bright and persistent room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Currently, exploration of the explicit structure–property relationship of bicomponent systems has encountered obstacles. In this work, two sets of heterocyclic isomers showing promising RTP emissions in the solid state were designed and synthesized. By encapsulating these phosphors into a robust phosphorus-containing host, several host–guest cocrystalline systems were further developed, achieving highly efficient RTP performance with a phosphorescence quantum efficiency (ϕ_P) of ∼26% and lifetime (τ_P) of ∼32 ms. Detailed photophysical characterization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were conducted to reveal the structure–property relationships in such bicomponent systems. It was verified that other than restricting the molecular configuration, the host matrix could also dilute the guest to avoid concentration quenching and provide an external heavy atom effect for the population of triplet excitons, thus boosting the RTP performance of the guest.

Several host–guest cocrystal systems with bright and persistent room-temperature phosphorescence were developed by utilizing a phosphorus-containing material as a robust host and newly developed isomeric organic phosphors as guests.     

Emulsification and Foaming Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Gelatin

Surface active gelatins were formed by covalent attachment of hydrophobic groups to gelatin molecules by reactingN-hydroxysuccinimide esters of various fatty acids (C₄–C₁₆) with the lysine groups. The surface activity was evaluated by emulsification and foaming properties, and by adsorption at the oil–water interface. It was found that, in general, the modified gelatins are more surface active than the native gelatin. The increase in hydrophobic chain length and the number of attached alkyl chains per gelatin molecule leads to a decrease in the emulsion droplet's size and to more stable emulsions. Adsorption isotherms, at the o/w interface, show much higher surface concentration, at saturation, of the modified gelatin than the native gelatin. The modified gelatins also have high foaming ability and a high foam stability, while the maximal foam activity is obtained by the C₈modified gelatin. The foaming properties of the surface-active gelatins were also compared to that of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and it was found that below the CMC of SDS, both foam activity and stability were higher for the modified gelatins. On the other hand, above the CMC the foam activity of SDS was higher, but the foam stability was lower than for C₈–C₁₆-modified gelatins.     

The effect of clay on foaming and mechanical properties of glass foam insulating material

In the current study, the main composition was prepared using soda-lime glass with dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂] as a foaming agent. The clay powder was added to the main composition in different ratios, and then, the mixtures were shaped by one-axial pressing. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used for the determination of crystallization temperatures, and the samples were heated according to the DTA results. Furthermore, heating microscopy was employed for studying the high-temperature behaviours of the mixtures. The samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and comprehensive strength testing. Porosity and bulk density were measured to assess the foaming capability of the mixtures. The results showed that clay addition has a positive role on the mechanical properties of glass foam.     

One-Pot Synthesis of Cellulose/MXene/PVA Foam for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene has attracted considerable interest as a new emerging two-dimensional material for environmental remediation due to its high adsorption capacity. However, its use is greatly limited by its poor mechanical properties, low processability and recyclability, and the low dispersity of such powder materials. In this work, a porous adsorbent (C–CMP) containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), Ti₃C₂T_x MXene and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was prepared by a simple and environmentally-friendly foaming method. Glutaraldehyde was used as crosslinker to improve the mechanical properties and boost the adsorption efficiency of methylene blue (MB) molecules. Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR), elemental analysis (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) further confirmed that the preparation of the C–CMP foam and cross-linking reaction were successful. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that the macropores were distributed homogeneously. The adsorption experiment showed that maximum adsorption capacity of MB can reach 239.92 mg·g⁻¹ which was much higher than anionic dye (methyl orange, 45.25 mg·g⁻¹). The adsorption behavior fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Based on FT–IR, EDX and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the adsorption mechanism between C–CMP and MB molecules was attributed to electrostatic interaction.     

Impact of ambient and vacuum pressure on the physico mechanical properties of flexible polyurethane foam reinforced with CaCO3

This study investigates the effects of variable pressure conditions (550 and 1013 mbar) on the physico-mechanical and structural properties of flexible polyurethane foam, incorporating different compositions of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) filler. The objective is to achieve sustained mechanical and structural properties of flexible polyurethane foam while reducing costs through variable pressure foaming technology. With CaCO₃ filler concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 parts per hundred (pphp) of polyol, it was found that foam produced at low pressure (550 mbar) demonstrated improved resilience and durability, particularly with CaCO₃ compositions up to 100 pphp. Conversely, foam produced at standard atmospheric pressure (1013 mbar) using compositions up to 100 pphp did not exhibit significant enhancements in physico-mechanical properties. The study employs various characterization techniques, including mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, to assess the flexible polyurethane foam. It provides a detailed examination of the effects of variable pressure on cellular structure, cell size, filler distributions, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of flexible polyurethane foam using CaCO₃ filler.     

Effects of Geomaterial-Originated Fillers on Microstructure and Mechanical/Physical Properties of α- and β-Chitosan-Based Films

Edible films and coatings with good mechanical/physical properties are highly required for carrying medical substances and food packaging. So, solvent-cast films of α- or β-chitosan filled with palygorskite, montmorillonite or geopolymer-containing material (GCM), were prepared, and the effects of their clay contents (up to 50 wt.%) on the mechanical/physical properties were assessed. The microstructure of the films was investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and thermal analysis. The results showed that, except for the films composed of GCM and β-chitosan, the mechanical properties of the films with limited (up to 5 wt.%) to moderate (5–25 wt.%) amounts of fillers increased as a result of the attractive electrostatic forces formed between the fillers and chitosan functional groups (–NH₃⁺, CH₂OH and NHCOCH₃). However, due to the occurrence of coarse aggregates, the strength of filler-rich films declined. The addition of fillers led to an increase in porosity and water absorption of the films, but it had irregular effects on their wettability and water vapor transmission rate. These observations as well as the thermal stability of the films were discussed in relation to the characterization results.     

新型孪尾Gemini两性离子表面活性剂应用性能

分别采用改进的Ross-Miles法及分水时间法,对3种新型孪尾Gemini两性离子表面活性剂(C8C8L3Sz、C8C8L4Sz和C10C8L3Sz)的泡沫性能及乳化性能进行了研究,并考察了表面活性剂浓度、分子结构和温度等对其的影响。 结果表明,该系列表面活性剂具有较好的泡沫性能,且随其浓度的增加,泡沫最大高度和半衰期均存在一个稳定值,疏水链越长,其起泡性能越差,泡沫稳定性越好;温度升高,起泡性能变好,泡沫稳定性变差;当表面活性剂浓度一定时,体系中加入低浓度的短链醇及无机盐均能提高泡沫的稳定性;C8C8L3Sz、C8C8L4Sz和C10C8L3Sz作乳化剂的最适宜的用量分别为6×10-4、6×10-4和4×10-4 mol/L,疏水基越长,乳化性能越好,而连接基对其影响较小;温度升高,乳化性能变差;当油相烷烃碳数相同时,环烷烃要比直连烷烃更易达到最佳乳化效果,但二者的乳状液稳定时间相当;对于油相烷烃碳数不同时,烷烃的碳链越长,乳状液的稳定性越差,乳化效果越不好。     

Direct air capture of CO2via crystal engineering

This article presents a perspective view of the topic of direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide and its role in mitigating climate change, focusing on a promising approach to DAC involving crystal engineering of metal–organic and hydrogen-bonded frameworks. The structures of these crystalline materials can be easily elucidated using X-ray and neutron diffraction methods, thereby allowing for systematic structure–property relationships studies, and precise tuning of their DAC performance.

A perspective view of direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂ and its role in mitigating climate change is presented. The article focuses on a promising approach to DAC involving crystal engineering of metal–organic and hydrogen-bonded frameworks.     

Novel Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Battery Applications

In this study, we address the fundamental question of the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of phosphonium-based ionic liquids containing the counter-ions bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([TFSI]⁻) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([FSI]⁻). To clarify these structure–property as well as structure–activity relationships, trimethyl-based alkyl- and ether-containing phosphonium ILs were systematically synthesized, and their properties, namely density, flow characteristics, alkali metal compatibility, oxidative stability, aluminum corrosivity as well as their use in Li-ion cells were examined comprehensively. The variable moiety on the phosphonium cation exhibited a chain length of four and five, respectively. The properties were discussed as a function of the side chain, counter-ion and salt addition ([Li][TFSI] or [Li][FSI]). High stability coupled with good flow characteristics were found for the phosphonium IL [P1114][TFSI] and the mixture [P1114][TFSI] + [Li][TFSI], respectively.     

Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of Co-polypropylene/GF/CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> hybrid nanocomposites

This study aimed to acquire a balance of mechanical properties comprising impact, tensile and flexural performances in PP based blend. In this respect, co-PP was employed as matrix because of its intrinsic high impact behavior. Hybrid nanocomposites based on co-PP and containing 10 wt % micron-sized short glass fibers (GF) and 2 to 8 wt % nano precipitated CaCO₃ (NPCC) particles were produced by applying a two-step melt compounding method. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as compatibilizer. Strong glass fiber-matrix adhesion and relatively uniform distribution of nano-CaCO₃ particles were observed in SEM images. The maximum tensile strength was observed in co-PP hybrid nanocomposite containing 10 wt % glass fiber and 5 wt % nano-CaCO₃ which was 58% more than that of neat co-PP. Flexural strength raised as much as 11% by adding glass fiber. The maximum flexural strength was obtained by incorporating 10 wt % glass fiber and 8 wt % nano-CaCO₃ into co-PP matrix which was 24% higher than that of neat co-PP. The impact strength decreased upon addition of 10 wt % glass fiber and 5 and 8 wt % nano-CaCO₃, this was attributed to the inherent high impact behavior of co-PP as well as strong interfacial interaction between dispersed phases and polymeric matrix.     

Hydrophobicity Enhances the Formation of Protein-Stabilized Foams

Screening proteins for their potential use in foam applications is very laborious and time consuming. It would be beneficial if the foam properties could be predicted based on their molecular properties, but this is currently not possible. For protein-stabilized emulsions, a model was recently introduced to predict the emulsion properties from the protein molecular properties. Since the fundamental mechanisms for foam and emulsion formation are very similar, it is of interest to determine whether the link to molecular properties defined in that model is also applicable to foams. This study aims to link the exposed hydrophobicity with the foam ability and foam stability, using lysozyme variants with altered hydrophobicity, obtained from controlled heat treatment (77 °C for 0–120 min). To establish this link, the molecular characteristics, interfacial properties, and foam ability and stability (at different concentrations) were analysed. The increasing hydrophobicity resulted in an increased adsorption rate constant, and for concentrations in the protein-poor regime, the increasing hydrophobicity enhanced foam ability (i.e., interfacial area created). At higher relative exposed hydrophobicity (i.e., ~2–5 times higher than native lysozyme), the adsorption rate constant and foam ability became independent of hydrophobicity. The foam stability (i.e., foam collapse) was affected by the initial foam structure. In the protein-rich regime—with nearly identical foam structure—the hydrophobicity did not affect the foam stability. The link between exposed hydrophobicity and foam ability confirms the similarity between protein-stabilized foams and emulsions, and thereby indicates that the model proposed for emulsions can be used to predict foam properties in the future.     

Elucidation of the reaction mechanism for the synthesis of ZnGeN2 through Zn2GeO4 ammonolysis

Ternary II–IV–N₂ materials have been considered as a promising class of materials that combine photovoltaic performance with earth-abundance and low toxicity. When switching from binary III–V materials to ternary II–IV–N₂ materials, further structural complexity is added to the system that may influence its optoelectronic properties. Herein, we present a systematic study of the reaction of Zn₂GeO₄ with NH₃ that produces zinc germanium oxide nitrides, and ultimately approach stoichiometric ZnGeN₂, using a combination of chemical analyses, X-ray powder diffraction and DFT calculations. Elucidating the reaction mechanism as being dominated by Zn and O extrusion at the later reaction stages, we give an insight into studying structure–property relationships in this emerging class of materials.

Combining chemical analyses with detailed structural work, we decipher the reaction pathway in the ammonolysis of Zn₂GeO₄ towards ZnGeN₂.     

以废玻璃制备泡沫玻璃及其性能研究

发泡玻璃是一种新兴的隔热、隔音材料,为了实现废玻璃资源化利用,以废玻璃为原料,以CaCO_3为发泡剂、以Na_3PO_4作为稳泡剂、以H_3BO_3作为助溶剂,经过高温熔化、发泡、退火等过程,制备出泡沫玻璃,并研究了发泡剂含量和发泡温度对泡沫玻璃表观性能、隔热性能和力学性能的影响。     

A multi point conductivity measurement system for characterisation of protein foams

Protein foams play an important role in both food and biotechnological processes. A sound understanding of foaming properties of proteins relevant to such processes is useful e.g. to allow adequate control of unwanted foams and appropriate choice of protein-physical system when foams of certain characteristics are required. In general, measurements of changes in foam volume (volumetric method) are used for foam characterisation. However, recently there has been increased interest in the use of measurement methods based on conductivity and capacitance. Simple relative techniques based on electrical conductivity measurements provide information on both foamability and foam stability. A multi point conductivity measurement system has been designed and used for characterisation of model protein foams (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml⁻¹ Bovine serum albumin, BSA). The solution of BSA was sparged with nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas at constant flow rate (90 cm³ min⁻¹) via a stainless steel sinter (0.5 or 2.0 μm in pore size). A comparison of foaming properties determined by volumetric and conductimetric techniques is provided. Both methods show that more stable foams are obtained for solutions at higher BSA concentrations. At all BSA concentrations, higher foamability and stability are achieved with a smaller sinter pore size. When nitrogen rather than carbon dioxide is used as a dispersed phase, higher foamability and foam stability are obtained. The conductivity measurements indicate that foamability is dependent on gas type, whereas, volumetric measurements do not show such differences.     

多壁碳纳米管/玻璃纤维/含邻苯二甲腈的苯并噁嗪树脂复合材料的电学与力学性质(英文)

采用溶液共混法及层压成型的方法制备了多壁碳纳米管/玻璃纤维/含双邻苯二甲腈的苯并噁嗪树脂复合材料,并考察了该纳米复合材料的力学及电学性质。材料的渗滤阀值为碳纳米管含量为0.7%,此时,材料也表现出最好的机械性能。通过扫描电镜对材料的断面进行了考察,发现在碳纳米管含量为0.7%时形成了网状结构,因此此时复合材料表现出最好的电学及力学性质。复合材料在碳纳米管含量低于7%时具有很低的吸水性。