Miniaturized electrochemical sensors and their point-of-care applications

Most of the current analytical methods depend largely on laboratory-based analytical techniques that require expensive and bullky equipment,potentially incur costly testing,and involve lengthy detection processes.With increasing requirements for point-of-care testing(POCT),more attention has been paid to miniaturized analytical devices.Miniaturized electrochemical(MEC)sensors,including different material-based MEC sensors(such as DNA-,paper-,and screen electrode-based),have been in strong demand in analytical science due to their easy operation,portability,high sensitivity,as well as their short analysis time.They have been applied for the detection of trace amounts of target through measuring changes in electrochemical signal,such as current,voltage,potential,or impedance,due to the oxidation/reduction of chemical/biological molecules with the help of electrodes and electrochemical units.MEC sensors present great potential for the detection of targets including small organic molecules,metal ions,and biomolecules.In recent years,MEC sensors have been broadly applied to POCT in various fields,including health care,food safety,and environmental monitoring,owing to the excellent advantages of electrochemical(EC)technologies.This review summarized the state-of-the-art advancements on various types of MEC sensors and their applications in POCT.Furthermore,the future perspectives,opportunities,and challenges in this field are also discussed.     

Machine Learning towards Screening Solid-state Lithium Ion Conductors

Machine learning is an emerging method to discover new materials with specific characteristics.An unsupervised machine learning research is highlighted to discover new potential lithium ionic conductors by screening and clustering lithium compounds,providing inspirations for the development of solid-state electrolytes and practical batteries.     

Vanadium-based polyanionic compounds as cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries:Toward high-energy and high-power applications

Sodium ion batteries(SIBs)have been regarded as one of the alternatives to lithium ion batteries owing to their wide availability and significantly low cost of sodium sources.However,they face serious challenges of low energy&power density and short cycling lifespan owing to the heavy mass and large radius of Na⁺.Vanadium-based polyanionic compounds have advantageous characteristic of high operating voltage,high ionic conductivity and robust structural framework,which is conducive to their high energy&power density and long lifespan for SIBs.In this review,we will overview the latest V-based polyanionic compounds,along with the respective characteristic from the intrinsic crystal structure to performance presentation and improvement for SIBs.One of the most important aspect is to discover the essential problems existed in the present V-based polyanionic compounds for high-energy&power applications,and point out most suitable solutions from the crystal structure modulation,interface tailoring and electrode configuration design.Moreover,some scientific issues of V-based polyanionic compounds shall be also proposed and related future direction shall be provided.We believe that this review can serve as a motivation for further development of novel V-based polyanionic compounds and drive them toward high energy&power applications in the near future.     

Surface defect-rich ceria quantum dots anchored on sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes with enhanced charge separation for solar hydrogen production

Designing defect-engineered semiconductor heterojunctions can effectively promote the charge carrier separation.Herein,novel ceria(CeO2) quantum dots(QDs) decorated sulfur-doped carbon nitride nanotubes(SCN NTs) were synthesized via a thermal polycondensation coupled in situ depositionprecipitation method without use of template or surfactant.The structure and morphology studies indicate that ultrafine CeO2 QDs are well distributed inside and outside of SCN NTs offering highly dispersed active sites and a large contact interface between two components.This leads to the promoted formation of rich Ce³⁺ ion and oxygen vacancies as confirmed by XPS.The photocatalytic performance can be facilely modulated by the content of CeO2 QDs introduced in SCN matrix while bare CeO2 does not show activity of hydrogen production.The optimal catalyst with 10% of CeO2 loading yields a hydrogen evolution rate of 2923.8 μmol h-1 g-1 under visible light,remarkably higher than that of bare SCN and their physical mixtures.Further studies reveal that the abundant surface defects and the created 0 D/1 D junctions play a critical role in improving the separation and transfer of charge carriers,leading to superior solar hydrogen production and good stability.     

Superfast and solvent-free core-shell assembly of sulfur/carbon active particles by hail-inspired nanostorm technology for high-energy-density Li-S batteries

The demand on low-carbon emission fabrication technologies for energy storage materials is increasing dramatically with the global interest on carbon neutrality.As a promising active material for metal-sulfur batteries,sulfur is of great interest due to its high-energy-density and abundance.However,there is a lack of industry-friendly and low-carbon fabrication strategies for high-performance sulfur-based active particles,which,however,is in critical need by their practical success.Herein,based on a hail-inspired sulfur nano-storm(HSN)technology developed in our lab,we report an energy-saving,solvent-free strategy for producing core-shell sulfur/carbon electrode particles(CNT@AC-S)in minutes.The fabrication of the CNT@AC-S electrode particles only involves low-cost sulfur blocks,commercial carbon nanotubes(CNT)and activated carbon(AC)micro-particles with high specific surface area.Based on the above core-shell CNT@AC-S particles,sulfur cathode with a high sulfur-loading of 9.2 mg cm^-2 delivers a stable area capacity of 6.6 mAh cm^-2 over 100 cycles.Furthermore,even for sulfur cathode with a super-high sulfur content(72 wt%over the whole electrode),it still delivers a high area capacity of 9 mAh cm^-2 over50 cycles in a quasi-lean electrolyte condition.In a nutshell,this study brings a green and industryfriendly fabrication strategy for cost-effective production of rationally designed S-rich electrode particles.     

Total synthesis of TRADD death domain with arginine N-GlcNAcylation by hydrazide-based native chemical ligation

TNFR1-associated death domain protein(TRADD)with arginine N-GlcNAcylation is a novel and structurally unique posttranslational modification(PTM)glycoprotein that blocks the formation of death-inducing signaling complex(DISC),orchestrating host nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)signaling in entero-pathogenic Escherichia coli(EPEC)-infected cells.This particular glycosylated modification plays an extremely vital role for the effective colonization and pathogenesis of pathogens in the gut.Herein we describe the total synthesis of TRADD death domain(residues 195-312)with arginine235 NGlcNAcylation(Arg-GIcNAc TRADD(195-312)).Two longish peptidyl fragments of the wild-type primary sequence were obtained by robust,microwave-assisted,highly efficient,solid-phase peptide synthesis(SPPS),the N-GlcNAcylated sector was built by total synthesis and attached specifically to resinbound peptide with an unprotected ornithine residue via silver-promoted on-resin guanidinylation,ArgGlcNAc TRADD(195-312)was constructed by hydrazide-based native chemical ligation(NCL).The facile synthetic strategy is expected to be generally applicable for the rapid synthesis of other proteins with Arg-GIcNAc modification and to pave the way for the related chemically biological study.     

Steam activation of Fe-N-C catalyst for advanced power performance of alkaline hydrazine fuel cells

Alkaline hydrazine liquid fuel cells(AHFC) have been highlighted in terms of high power performance with non-precious metal catalysts.Although Fe-N-C is a promising non-Pt electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),the surface density of the active site is very low and the catalyst layer should be thick to acquire the necessary number of catalytic active sites.With this thick catalyst layer,it is important to have an optimum pore structure for effective reactant conveyance to active sites and an interface structure for faster charge transfer.Herein,we prepare a Fe-N-C catalyst with magnetite particles and hierarchical pore structure by steam activation.The steam activation process significantly improves the power performance of the AHFC as indicated by the lower IR and activation voltage losses.Based on a systematic characterization,we found that hierarchical pore structures improve the catalyst utilization efficiency of the AHFCs,and magnetite nanoparticles act as surface modifiers to reduce the interracial resistance between the electrode and the ion-exchange membrane.     

Unraveling the stabilization mechanism of solid electrolyte interface on ZnSe by rGO in sodium ion battery

Transition metal selenides have been widely studied as anode materials of sodium ion batteries(SIBs),however,the investigation of solid-electrolyte-interface(SEI)on these materials,which is critical to the electrochemical performance of SIBs,remains at its infancy.Here in this paper,ZnSe@C nanoparticles were prepared from ZIF-8 and the SEI layers on these electrodes with and without reduced graphene oxide(rGO)layers were examined in details by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies at varied charged/discharged states.It is observed that fast and complicated electrolyte decomposition reactions on ZnSe@C leads to quite thick SEI film and intercalation of solvated sodium ions through such thick SEI film results in slow ion diffusion kinetics and unstable electrode structure.However,the presence of rGO could efficiently suppress the decomposition of electrolyte,thus thin and stable SEI film was formed.ZnSe@C electrodes wrapped by rGO demonstrates enhanced interfacial charge transfer kinetics and high electrochemical performance,a capacity retention of 96.4%,after 1000 cycles at 5 A/g.This study might offer a simple avenue for the designing high performance anode materials through manipulation of SEI film.     

CXN天然沸石的研究2: 吸附性质

采用N~2,NH~3,CO~2,乙烯,丙烯,水,甲醇,乙醇,丙醇等作为吸附剂,研究了由我国CXN天然沸石改性制得的H-STI和Na-STI沸石的吸附性质,H-STI和Na-STI沸石的BET表面积及微孔孔体积约为420m^2/g和0.20m^3/g。根据NH~3和CO~2在H-STI沸石上的吸附等温线计算得到它们的吸附热分别为44.8和26.5kJ/mol。乙烯,丙烯,甲醇,乙醇,丙醇等在Na-STI沸石上的吸附等温线表明该沸石对有机分子的吸附具有链长选择性。在低分压下水相对于甲醇的吸附量表明沸石具有一定的疏水性质。     

常温常湿条件下Au/MeO~x催化剂上CO氧化性能

利用共沉淀法制备了Au/MeO~x催化剂(Me=Al,Co,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,Zn)。在常温常湿条件下,考察了不同氧化物负载的金基催化剂的CO氧化性能。结果表明,氧化物种类对催化剂的活性和稳定性均有较大的影响。Cu,Mn,Cr等氧化物负载的金基催化剂的活性较差,而Zn,Fe,Co,Ni,Al等金属氧化物负载的金基催化剂可将CO完全氧化,又具有一定的稳定性,在相同反应条件下,CO完全转化时的稳定性顺序为Au/ZnO>Au/α-Fe~2O~3>Au/Co~3O~4>Au/γ-Al~2O~3≈Au/NiO。还发现水对Au/MnO~x催化剂的活性和稳定性有负作用,而对180℃焙烧制备的Au/ZnO-180催化剂的活性和稳定性均有明显的湿度增强作用。     

二氧化碳和丙烯直接合成甲基丙烯酸的NiPMo/TiO2催化剂的研究

用溶胶-凝胶法以磷钼酸(MPA)的镍盐溶液水解钛酸四丁酯制备了NiPMo/TiO2催化剂.使用ICP、 XRD、 TG-DTA、 IR、 TPD-MS和微反应技术研究了催化剂的化学组成、热稳定性、化学吸附性质和催化反应性能.杂多钼酸盐与TiO2通过O2-在TiO2表面发生了键合.在623 K下,杂多阴离子仍保持原有的Keggin结构.CO2在Lewis酸位Ni(Ⅱ)和Lewis碱位Ni-O-Mo的桥氧协同作用下生成CO2卧式吸附态Ni(Ⅱ)←O-(CO)←(O--Ni).丙烯有多种吸附态在催化剂上吸附.在563 K、 1 MPa和空速1500 h-1的反应条件下,丙烯的摩尔转化率为3.2%,产物MAA选择性为95%.     

CoFe2O4自形成磁性液体场致结构化对磁化的影响

The Langevin paramagnetic theory can’t describe the relation between magnetization of ferrofluids and applied magnetic field. The structuralization of ferrofluids, which is considered the main influence factor of the magnetization, is regarded. The part of magnetization works is deposited when the structure is forming. This action influences the magnetization of ferrofluids directly or indirectly. On the base of the “compressing” model, the Langevin function that usually describes the magnetization of ferrofluid is modified, and a well-fitted curve is obtained. An equation of the relation between the equivalent volume fraction after being “compressed” and the intensity of magnetic field is discovered, which approximately describes the process of magnetization. The relation between the approximate initial susceptibility and the volume fraction can be obtained from modified formula.     

Highly regioselective Buchwald–Hartwig amination at C-2 of 2,4-dichloropyridine enabling a novel approach to 2,4-bisanilinopyridine (BAPyd) libraries

The highly regioselective Buchwald–Hartwig amination at C-2 of the cheap and readily accessible reagent, 2,4-dichloropyridine with a range of anilines and heterocyclic amines is described. This new methodology is robust and provides a facile access to 4-chloro-N-phenylpyridin-2-amines on 0.25 mol scale. These intermediates undergo a further Buchwald–Hartwig amination at higher temperature to enable rapid exploration of the chemical space at C-4 and to provide a library of 2,4-bisaminopyridines.     

Sulfur-directed metal-free and regiospecific methyl C(sp3)–H imidation of thioanisoles

Regiospecific and direct imidation of the methyl C(sp³)–H bond of thioanisoles is realized under mild and metal-free conditions with N-fluorobis(benzenesulfonyl)imide as an oxidant and nitrogen source. Proposed mechanism suggests that thionium ion intermediates and a Pummerer-type reaction are involved. The imidation has advantages such as high step-economy, excellent functionality tolerance, and regiospecificity, giving structurally diverse imidation products.     

Selective syntheses of 2H-1,3-oxazines and 1H-pyrrol-3(2H)-ones via temperature-dependent Rh(II)-carbenoid-mediated 2H-azirine-ring expansion

The Rh(II)-catalyzed reaction of 2-carbonyl-substituted 2H-azirines with ethyl 2-cyano-2-diazoacetate or 2-diazo-3,3,3-trifluoropropionate provides an easy access to 2H-1,3-oxazines and 1H-pyrrol-3(2H)-ones. These compounds can be selectively prepared from the same starting material using temperature as the only varied parameter. The 2-azabuta-1,3-diene intermediate, a common precursor for both heterocyclic products, isomerizes into 2H-1,3-oxazine under kinetic control, while 1H-pyrrol-3(2H)-one is the sole product of the reaction at elevated temperatures. According to DFT-calculations a one-atom oxazine ring contraction involving ring-opening to a 2-azabuta-1,3-diene intermediate, followed by a 1,5- and 1,2-prototropic shift leads to the consecutive formation of imidoylketene and azomethine ylide, which then further undergo cyclization to the pyrrole derivative.     

Copper catalyzed/mediated synthetic methodology for ebselen and related isoselenazolones

Scope of the copper catalyzed/mediated selenium-nitrogen coupling reaction has been studied for the synthesis of isoselenazolones. It is noticed that the 2-chloro, 2-bromo-, and 2-iodo-aryl amides substrates can be exploited in the selenium-nitrogen coupling reaction by employing 25-100 mol % of CuI/1,10-phenanthroline (L) and potassium carbonate as a base in DMF. Furthermore, electron rich 2-chloro-arylamides also underwent selenium-nitrogen coupling reaction to give biologically important selenium-nitrogen heterocycles. Also, copper-catalyzed selenium-nitrogen coupling reaction has been meticulously applied for the synthesis of diaryl diselenides having methoxy, amine, and amide functionality from respective aryl iodides in the presence of stoichiometric amount of succinimide as an external Se-N coupling partner.     

Knoevenagel condensation catalyzed by novel Nmm-based ionic liquids in water

A series of novel N-methyl morpholine (Nmm) based ionic liquids with 1,2-propanediol group were synthesized and used as catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation at room temperature in water. Under the effect of the catalyst, various aldehydes or aliphatic ketones could react with a wide range of activated methylene compounds well, including malononitrile, alkyl cyanoacetate, cyanoacetamide, β-diketone, barbituric acid, 2-arylacetonitrile and thiazolidinedione. Furthermore, most of the products could be separated just by filtrating and washing with water. Additionally, the catalyst is recyclable and applicable for the large-scale synthesis.     

Construction of polyheterocyclic spirotetrahydrothiophene derivatives via sulfa-Michael/aldol cascade reaction

A series of polyheterocyclic spirotetrahydrothiophene derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields via a catalyst-free sulfa-Michael/aldol cascade reaction of chalcones 1 and commercially available 1,4-dithiane-2,5-diol 2 under mild conditions. We also present the first asymmetric sulfa-Michael/aldol cascade reaction of chalcones 1 and commercially available 1,4-dithiane-2,5-diol 2 with moderate to good enantioselectivities catalyzed by readily available chiral phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs).     

Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor NS2028: a non-product specific route to C-8 substituted analogues

Both soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitors ODQ 1 and NS2028 2 are synthesized via improved protocols. In the former case treating 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one oxime 8, which can be prepared in two steps from 1,2-benzenediamine, with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) gives the dihydro-ODQ 10 that in the presence of KMnO₄ oxidises to give ODQ 1 in an overall yield of 46% starting from 1,2-benzenediamine. In the latter case, the synthesis affords NS2028 2 from 2-amino-4-bromophenol 3 in three steps with an overall yield of 85% and avoids the need for chromatography. Furthermore, Suzuki-Miyaura reaction conditions are described that enable the preparation of 8-aryl and 8-heteroaryl derivatives of NS2028 directly from NS2028 2. Finally, demethylation of the 8-(methoxyphenyl) substituted analogues afforded the 8-(hydroxyphenyl) derivatives 40-42. All new products are fully characterised.