Two Bisupporting Keggin-Type POM-Based Hybrids Decorated by [Zn(phen)2]2+ Fragments

Two bisupporting Keggin-type polyoxoanion-based hybrids decorated by [Zn(phen)₂]²⁺ complexes, [Zn(phen)₂]₂(PW ₁₁ ^VI W^VO₄₀) (1) and K[Zn(phen)₂(H₂O)]₂(OH) (SiW₁₂O₄₀)·H₂O (2) (phen = 1,10′-phenanthroline), have been hydrothermally synthesized, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV–Vis spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural analyses reveal that compound 1 consists of a 0D bisupporting Keggin-type heteropoly blue cluster obtained by using reductant glucose, which is grafted by two [Zn(phen)₂]²⁺ fragments; compound 2 presents a 1D infinite chain, which is constructed from bisupporting [SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4? polyoxoanions decorated by [Zn(phen)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ fragments and K⁺ ions. Additionally, the electrochemical behaviors of two compounds were studied.     

Crystal Structure and Magnetic Property of a 2-D Hexa-Circular Ring Cu(II)/Na(I)-Substituted Sandwich-Type Arsenotungstate

A new compound H₈[NaCu₅Cl(H₂O)₃(B-α-AsW₉O₃₃)₂] 24H₂O (1) is synthetized by the reaction of the CuCl₂ 2H₂O and Na₂₇[NaAs₄W₄₀O₁₄₀] 60H₂O in aqueous solution, which is constructed from a {Cu₅Na} hexagon moiety sandwiched by two trilacunary [B-α-AsW₉O₃₃]^9? units. The structure is determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique and further characterized by IR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 is built by two trilacunary [B-α-AsW₉O₃₃]^9? units incorporating a {Cu₅Na} hexagon moiety and further linked to each other to form an infinitely extended 2-D network via Cu–O–W bridges. Notably, magnetic measurement demonstrates that the occurrence of intramolecular ferromagnetic Cu–Cu interactions within {Cu₅Na} hexagon moiety.     

Comparison of two ultrasound‐enhanced microextractions combined with HPLC for determining acaricides in water

An ultrasound‐enhanced in situ solvent formation microextraction has been developed first time and compared with ultrasound‐enhanced ionic‐liquid‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the HPLC analysis of acaricides in environmental water samples. A ionic liquid ([C₈MIM][PF₆]) was used as the green extraction solvent through two pathways. The experimental parameters, such as the type and volume of both of the extraction solvent disperser solvent, ultrasonication time, and salt addition, were investigated and optimized. The analytical performance using the optimized conditions proved the feasibility of the developed methods for the quantitation of trace levels of acaricides by obtaining limits of detection that range from 0.54 to 3.68 μg/L. The in situ solvent formation microextraction method possesses more positive characteristics than the ionic‐liquid‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method (except for spirodiclofen determination) when comparing the validation parameters. Both methods were successfully applied to determining acaricides in real water samples.     

Tuning the solid-state emission of the analogous GFP chromophore by varying alkyl chains in the imidazolinone ring

New analogues of green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore mGFP-Cn (n = 1, 3, 5, 11) with alkyl chains of different lengths in the imidazolinone rings were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. These GFP-like chromophores are all emissive in the solid state. And the solid-state emission quantum yields of increase by extending the lengths of alkyl chains, owing to the fact that the intermolecular pi-pi interactions are significantly weakened based on their crystal structures.     

Comparison on effect of hydrophobicity on the antibacterial and antifungal activities of α-helical antimicrobial peptides

HPRP-A1, a 15-mer α-helical cationic peptide, was derived from N-terminus of ribosomal protein L1 (RpL1) of Helicobacter pylori. In this study, HPRP-A1 was used as a framework to obtain a series of peptide analogs with different hydrophobicity by single amino acid substitutions in the center of nonpolar face of the amphipathic helix in order to systematically study the effect of hydrophobicity on biological activities of -helical antimicrobial peptides. Hydrophobicity and net charge of peptides played key roles in the biological activities of these peptide analogs; HPRP-A1 and peptide analogs with relative higher hydrophobicity exerted broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and pathogenic fungi, but also showed stronger hemolytic activity; the change of hydrophobicity and net charge of peptides had similar effects with close trend and extent on antibacterial activities and antifungal activities. This indicated that there were certain correlations between the antibacterial mode of action and the antifungal mode of action of these peptides in this study. The peptides exhibited antimicrobial specificity for bacteria and fungi, which provided potentials to develop new antimicrobial drugs for clinical practices.     

Selective DNA detection at Zeptomole level based on coulometric measurement of gold nanoparticle-mediated electron transfer across a self-assembled monolayer

A selective DNA sensing with zeptomole detection level is developed based on coulometric measurement of gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-mediated electron transfer (ET) across a self-assembled monolayer on the gold electrode. After immobilization of a thiolated hairpin-structured DNA probe, an alkanethiol monolayer was self-assembled on the resultant electrode to block [Fe(CN)6 ]-3-/4in a solution from accessing the electrode. In the presence of DNA target, hybridization between the DNA probe and the DNA target breaks the stem duplex of DNA probe. Consequently, stem moiety at the 3′-end of the DNA probes was removed from the electrode surface and made available for hybridization with the reporter DNA-AuNPs conjugates (reporter DNA-AuNPs). The thiolated reporter DNA matches the stem moiety at the 3′-end of the DNA probe. AuNPs were then enlarged by immersing the electrode in a growth solution containing HAuCl 4 and H2O2 after the reporter DNA-AuNPs bound onto the electrode surface. The enlarged AuNPs on the electrode restored the ET between the electrode and the [Fe(CN)6]3 -/4- , as a result, amplified signals were achieved for DNA target detection using the coulometric measurement of Fe(CN)6 3- electro-reduction by prolonging the electrolysis time. The quantities of ET on the DNA sensor increased with the increase in DNA target concentration through a linear range of 3.0 fM to 1.0 pM when electrolysis time was set to 300 s, and the detection limit was 1.0 fM. Correspondingly, thousands of DNA (zeptomole) copies were detected in 10L samples. Furthermore, the DNA sensor showed excellent differentiation ability for single-base mismatch.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of a star-shaped molecule based on a triphenylamine core and branched terthiophene end groups

A new star-shaped donor-acceptor molecule has been synthesized for application as the donor material in solution-processed bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs). The molecule consists of a triphenylamine (TPA) unit as the core and a donor unit with three arms containing benzo[1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT) acceptor units and 5,5’’-dihexyl-2,2′:3′,2″-terthiophene (tTh) end groups. The molecule, denoted S(TPA-BT-tTh), exhibits a broad absorption band in the wavelength range 300-650 nm and high hole mobility of 1.1×10 -4 cm2 V -1 s 1 . An OSC device based on S(TPA-BT-tTh) as donor and [6,6]-phenyl C71 -butyric acid methyl ester (PC 70 BM) as the acceptor (1:3, w/w) exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 2.28% with a short circuit current density of 6.39 mA/cm2 under illumination of AM.1.5, 100 mW/cm2 .     

Polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells: Recent developments to stabilize the p-i-n junction and explore novel device applications

Polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) employ a thin layer of a luminescent conjugated polymer admixed with an ionic source and an ionic conductor for the in-situ formation of p-i-n junction and subsequent efficient injections of both electrons and holes.The junction formation enables the use of air-stable conductors as the cathode and a relatively thick emissive polymer layer that is more compatible with low-cost solution-based processes.This paper overviews the operation mechanism of the PLECs,the properties and drawbacks of the devices.The employment of crosslinkable ionic conductors to stabilize the p-i-n junction is reviewed.The resulting static junction electroluminesces light at high brightness,high efficiency,and prolonged lifetime.Silver paste and carbon nanotubes can be used as the cathode,thus,PLECs were fabricated by lamination.Using single wall carbon nanotubes coated elastic substrate as both anode and cathode,the PLECs can be made highly stretchable.     

Characterization of cellulose-based electrospun nanofiber membrane and its adsorptive behaviours using Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) as models

Science China Chemistry - Nanofiber membranes from the composite of cellulose acetate/polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared using electrospinning technique. After treated with water and alcoholic KOH...