Utilizing the Space‐Charge Region of the FeNi‐LDH/CoP p‐n Junction to Promote Performance in Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis

The modulation of electron density is an effective option for efficient alternative electrocatalysts. Here, p‐n junctions are constructed in 3D free‐standing FeNi‐LDH/CoP/carbon cloth (CC) electrode (LDH=layered double hydroxide). The positively charged FeNi‐LDH in the space‐charge region can significantly boost oxygen evolution reaction. Therefore, the j at 1.485 V (vs. RHE) of FeNi‐LDH/CoP/CC achieves ca. 10‐fold and ca. 100‐fold increases compared to those of FeNi‐LDH/CC and CoP/CC, respectively. Density functional theory calculation reveals OH^? has a stronger trend to adsorb on the surface of FeNi‐LDH side in the p‐n junction compared to individual FeNi‐LDH further verifying the synergistic effect in the p‐n junction. Additionally, it represents excellent activity toward water splitting. The utilization of heterojunctions would open up an entirely new possibility to purposefully regulate the electronic structure of active sites and promote their catalytic activities.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of the First Isolated Hydrogen‐Bridged Silanol–Silanolate Anions

We report on the first examples of isolated silanol–silanolate anions, obtained by utilizing weakly coordinating phosphazenium counterions. The silanolate anions were synthesized from the recently published phosphazenium hydroxide hydrate salt with siloxanes. The silanol–silanolate anions are postulated intermediates in the hydroxide‐mediated polymerization of aryl and alkyl siloxanes. The silanolate anions are strong nucleophiles because of the weakly coordinating character of the phosphazenium cation, which is perceptible in their activity in polysiloxane depolymerization.     

Synthesis,Electronic Properties and WOLED Devices of Planar Phosphorus‐Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

We describe the synthesis and the physical properties of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing a phosphorus atom at the edge. In particular, the impact of the successive addition of aromatic rings on the electronic properties was investigated by experimental (UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry) and theoretical studies (DFT). The physical properties recorded in solution and in the solid state showed that the P‐containing PAHs exhibit properties expected for an emitter in white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs).     

Supramolecular Tuning Enables Selective Oxygen Reduction Catalyzed by Cobalt Porphyrins for Direct Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide

We report a supramolecular strategy for promoting the selective reduction of O₂ for direct electrosynthesis of H₂O₂. We utilized cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin (Co-TPP), an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst with highly variable product selectivity, as a building block to assemble the permanently porous supramolecular cage Co-PB-1(6) bearing six Co-TPP subunits connected through twenty-four imine bonds. Reduction of these imine linkers to amines yields the more flexible cage Co-rPB-1(6). Both Co-PB-1(6) and Co-rPB-1(6) cages produce 90–100 % H₂O₂ from electrochemical ORR catalysis in neutral pH water, whereas the Co-TPP monomer gives a 50 % mixture of H₂O₂ and H₂O. Bimolecular pathways have been implicated in facilitating H₂O formation, therefore, we attribute this high H₂O₂ selectivity to site isolation of the discrete molecular units in each supramolecule. The ability to control reaction selectivity in supramolecular structures beyond traditional host–guest interactions offers new opportunities for designing such architectures for a broader range of catalytic applications.     

Amphiphilic block copolymer self‐assemblies of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐vinyl esters): Tunable dimensions and functionalities

Functional, degradable polymers were synthesized via the copolymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) and 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (MDO) using a macro‐xanthate CTA, poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone), resulting in the formation of amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(NVP)‐b‐poly(MDO‐co‐VAc). The behavior of the block copolymers in water was investigated and resulted in the formation of self‐assembled nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic corona. The size of the resultant nanoparticles was able to be tuned with variation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of the core and corona by changing the incorporation of the macro‐CTA as well as the monomer composition in the copolymers, as observed by Dynamic Light Scattering, Static Light Scattering, and Transmission Electron Microscopy analyses. The concept was further applied to a VAc derivative monomer, vinyl bromobutanoate, to incorporate further functionalities such as fluorescent dithiomaleimide groups throughout the polymer backbone using azidation and “click” chemistry as postpolymerization tools to create fluorescently labeled nanoparticles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2699–2710     

Characterization of new Pt(IV)–thiazole complexes: Analytical,spectral, molecular modeling and molecular docking studies and applications in two opposing pathways

New thiazole derivatives were synthesized and fully characterized, then coordinated with PtCl₄ salt. Also, the newly synthesized Pt(IV) complexes were investigated analytically (elemental and thermogravimetric analyses), spectrally (infrared, UV–visible, mass, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, X‐ray diffraction) as well as theoretically (kinetics, modeling and docking). The data extracted led to the establishment of the best chemical and structural forms. Octahedral geometry was the only formula proposed for all complexes, which is favorable for d⁶ systems. The molecular ion peaks from mass spectral analysis coincide with all analytical data, confirming the molecular formula proposed. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed discrimination of features between crystalline particles and other amorphous morphology. By applying Gaussian09 as well as HyperChem 8.2 programs, the best structural forms were obtained, as well as computed significant parameters. Computed parameters such as softness, hardness, surface area and reactivity led us towards application in two opposing pathways: tumor inhibition and oxidation activation. The catalytic oxidation for CO was conducted over PtO₂, which was yielded from calcination of the most reactive complex. The success of catalytic role for synthesized PtO₂ was due to its particulate size and surface morphology, which were estimated from XRD patterns and SEM images, respectively. The antitumor activity was tested versus HCT‐116 and HepG‐2 cell lines. Mild toxicity was recorded for two of the derivatives and their corresponding complexes. This degree of toxicity is more favorable in most cases, due to exclusion of serious side effects, which is coherently attached with known antitumor drugs.     

Anti-neuraminidase activity of chemical constituents of Balanophora involucrata

Balanophora involucrata J. D. Hooker has been known to possess potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities; however, its antiviral activity has not been evaluated so far. In order to find new neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), the neuraminidase (NA) inhibition activity of different B. involucrata extracts was evaluated. In this study, an in vitro NA inhibition assay was performed to identify which extract of B. involucrata exhibits (maximal) inhibitory activity against NA. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight–tandem mass spectroscopy (MS/MS) and molecular docking techniques were used to identify the specific compounds responsible for the anti-influenza activity of the extract, and to explore the potential natural NAIs. The ethyl acetate extract of B. involucrata exhibited significant inhibitory activity against NA with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 159.5 μg/mL. Twenty compounds were identified according to the MS/MS spectra; among them two compounds (quercitrin and phloridzin) showed obvious inhibitory activity against NA, with IC₅₀ of 311.76 and 347.32 μmol/L, respectively. This study suggested that B. involucrata can be a potential natural source of NAIs and may be useful in the fight against ferocious influenza viruses.     

Recent Progress on Nickel-Based Oxide/(Oxy)Hydroxide Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing clean and sustainable energies as alternatives to fossil fuels is in strong demand within modern society. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency-limiting process in plenty of key renewable energy systems, such as electrochemical water splitting and rechargeable metal–air batteries. In this regard, ongoing efforts have been devoted to seeking high-performance electrocatalysts for enhanced energy conversion efficiency. Apart from traditional precious-metal-based catalysts, nickel-based compounds are the most promising earth-abundant OER catalysts, attracting ever-increasing interest due to high activity and stability. In this review, the recent progress on nickel-based oxide and (oxy)hydroxide composites for water oxidation catalysis in terms of materials design/synthesis and electrochemical performance is summarized. Some underlying mechanisms to profoundly understand the catalytic active sites are also highlighted. In addition, the future research trends and perspectives on the development of Ni-based OER electrocatalysts are discussed.