In-situ interaction of nano-PbS with gelatin

Water-soluble gelatin–PbS bionanocomposites(BNCs)were synthesized via a facile one-pot chemical reaction method at pH7.40.The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),UV-vis absorption spectra(UV-vis),Fourier transform infrared spectra(FT-IR)and circular dichroism(CD).FT-IR data were used to envisage the binding of PbS particles with oxygen atoms of carbonyl groups of gelatin molecule.The possible integration mechanism between gelatin and PbS was discussed in detail.The effect of Pb2+and PbS on the conformations of gelatin has also been analyzed by means of UV-vis,CD and FT-IR spectra,resulting in less-helix content and more open structures(-sheet,β-turn,or expanded).A new formula to calculate the association constant was proposed according to the relationship between the absorbance of gelatin–PbS BNCs and the free concentration of PbS,and apparent association constants K(298/303/308 K:3.11/2.00/1.60×106mol/L)at three different temperatures were calculated based on this formula.Thermodynamic parameters such asΔGθ,ΔHθ andΔSθ were also determined.The results of the thermodynamic investigations indicated that the reaction was spontaneous(ΔGθ<0),and enthalpy-driven(ΔHθ<0).     

Determination of trace Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) using differential pulse stripping voltammetry without Hg modification

In this work,we reported a simultaneous determination approach for Pb(II),Cd(II)and Zn(II)atμg L 1concentration levels using differential pulse stripping voltammetry on a bismuth film electrode(BiFE).The BiFE could be prepared in situ when the sample solution contained a suitable amount of Bi(NO)3,and its analytical performance was evaluated for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II),Cd(II)and Zn(II)in solutions.The determination limits were found to be 0.19μg L 1for Zn(II),and0.28μg L 1for Pb(II)and Cd(II),with a preconcentration time of 300 s.The BiFE approach was successfully applied to determine Pb(II),Cd(II)and Zn(II)in tea leaf and infusion samples,and the results were in agreement with those obtained using an atomic absorption spectrometry approach.Without Hg usage,the in situ preparation for BiFE supplied a green and acceptability sensitive method for the determination of the heavy metal ions.     

Design, synthesis and in vitro antitumor evaluation of novel diaryl urea derivatives bearing sulfonamide moiety

A novel series of diaryl urea derivatives bearing sulfonamide moiety have been designed and synthesized.Their in vitro antitumor effect against human cancer cell lines MX-1,A375,HepG2,Ketr3 and HT-29 was screened and evaluated by the standard MTT assay with sorafenib as the positive control.Some of the compounds showed significant inhibitory activity against multiple cell lines compared to sorafenib.In particular,2,6-dimethyl-4-{6-[3-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)urea]naphthalen-2-yl}sulfonyl morpholine(10d)was found to be the most potent against A375,HepG2 and Ketr3 with IC50values of 0.65–0.97mol/L,which were 5–20-fold more potent than sorafenib.Compound 10d emerged as a valuable lead for further optimization.     

Construction of deep-blue AIE luminogens with TPE and oxadiazole units

In this paper, two AIE-active luminogens (Oxa-pTPE and Oxa-mTPE) constructed from tetraphenylethene and oxadiazole units were successfully synthesized and their thermal, optical and electronic properties were investigated. By linking TPE to the oxadiazole core through meta-or para-position, the intramolecular conjugation is effectively controlled. Thanks to the intelligent molecular design and specific AIE feature, when fabricated as emissive layers in non-doped OLEDs, they exhibit blue or deep-blue emission with CIE coordinates of (0.17, 0.23) and (0.15, 0.12), and good efficiencies with ηC, max and ηP, max up to 1.52 cd A-1 and 0.84 Im W-1 , shedding some light on the construction of deep-blue AIE fluorophores.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of Discrete,Uniform, and Monodispersed Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Spheres in Double‐Layered Supercapacitors

Core–shell‐structured mesoporous silica spheres were prepared by using n‐octadecyltrimethoxysilane (C18TMS) as the surfactant. Hollow mesoporous carbon spheres with controllable diameters were fabricated from core–shell‐structured mesoporous silica sphere templates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By controlling the thickness of the silica shell, hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) with different diameters can be obtained. The use of ethylene as the carbon precursor in the CVD process produces the materials in a single step without the need to remove the surfactant. The mechanism of formation and the role played by the surfactant, C18TMS, are investigated. The materials have large potential in double‐layer supercapacitors, and their electrochemical properties were determined. HCSs with thicker mesoporous shells possess a larger surface area, which in turn increases their electrochemical capacitance. The samples prepared at a lower temperature also exhibit increased capacitance as a result of the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) area and larger pore size.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Nitrocyclopropanes through the Organocatalyic Michael‐Addition‐Initiated Cyclization of Bromonitromethane and β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Ketoesters

A highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective cyclopropanation of β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters with bromonitromethane has been successfully developed through a domino Michael‐addition/intramolecular‐alkylation strategy. Acceptable yields (up to 89 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 96 % ee) have been obtained.     

Two lanthanum(III) complexes containing η2‐pyrazolate and η2‐1,2,4‐triazolate ligands: intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions and coordination geometries

The lanthanum(III) complexes tris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazolato‐κ²N,N′)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [La(C₁₅H₁₁N₂)₃(C₄H₈O)₃]·C₄H₈O, (I), and tris(3,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N¹,N²)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III), [La(C₁₄H₁₀N₃)₃(C₄H₈O)₃], (II), both contain La^III atoms coordinated by three heterocyclic ligands and three tetrahydrofuran ligands, but their coordination geometries differ. Complex (I) has a mer‐distorted octahedral geometry, while complex (II) has a fac‐distorted configuration. The difference in the coordination geometries and the existence of asymmetric La—N bonding in the two complexes is associated with intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions between the ligands.     

Facile synthesis of nanoscaled α-Fe2O3, CuO and CuO/Fe2O3 hybrid oxides and their electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties

A facile and easily controlled route was designed to synthesize nano-structured Fe₂O₃, CuO, and CuO/Fe₂O₃ hybrid oxides with different Cu/Fe molar ratios via a hydrothermal procedure. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results showed that the morphologies of the samples changed with different Cu/Fe ratios. The electrocatalytic properties of the samples modified on a glassy carbon electrode for p-nitrophenol reduction in a basic solution were investigated. The results indicated that CuO/Fe₂O₃ hybrids with lower Cu/Fe ratio exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic performances of the samples for methyl orange degradation with assistance of oxydol under irradiation of visible light were studied. The results revealed that CuO/Fe₂O₃ hybrids with higher Cu/Fe ratio showed efficient photocatalytic activity.      

Facile Assembly of Graphene on Anion Exchange Resin Microspheres for Electrochemical Sensing and Biosensing

Graphene sheets were assembled on anion exchange resin (AER) microspheres based on the electrostatic interactions between graphene oxide and AER and subsequent chemical reduction. The prepared graphene‐coated AER microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. They were then embedded in the bores of pipette tips to fabricate disposable electrodes for electrochemical sensing. The workability and performance of the novel electrodes were examined by analyzing the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes for the sensing of ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, acetaminophen, aniline, and glucose by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The advantages of the electrodes include ease of fabrication, low cost, pronounced electrocatalytic activity, and rapid response. Thus, they hold great promise for a wide range of applications.     

Sulfonated carbon catalyzed oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids by hydrogen peroxide

Sulfonated carbon as a strong and stable solid acid catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance in various acid-catalyzed reactions. Here, sulfonated carbon, as catalyst for oxidation reaction, was prepared via the carbonization of starch followed by sulfonation with concentrated sulfuric acid. N₂ physisorption, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and acid-base titration were used to characterize the obtained materials. The catalytic activity of sulfonated carbon was studied in the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids using 30 wt% H₂O₂ as oxidant. This oxidation protocol works well for various aldehydes including aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. The sulfonated carbon can be recycled for three times without obvious loss of activity.