A polyoxometalate-cyanometalate multilayered coordination network

The reaction of the ε-Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) [PMo(12)O(36)(OH)(4){La(H(2)O)(4)}(4)](5+) with Fe(II)(CN)(6)(4-) under typical bench conditions at room temperature and ambient pressure has afforded the novel [ε-PMo(12)O(37)(OH)(3){La(H(2)O)(5)(Fe(CN)(6))(0.25)}(4)] network, which exhibits a three-dimensional multilayered structure. The compound has been fully characterized by synchrotron-radiation X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. This coordination network constitutes the first example of a cyanometalate bonded to a POM unit.     

Flux-Assisted Synthesis of Y2Ti2O5S2 for Photocatalytic Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Photocatalytic water splitting is an ideal means of producing hydrogen in a sustainable manner, and developing highly efficient photocatalysts is a vital aspect of realizing this process. The photocatalyst Y₂Ti₂O₅S₂ (YTOS) is capable of absorbing at wavelengths up to 650 nm and exhibits outstanding thermal and chemical durability compared with other oxysulfides. However, the photocatalytic performance of YTOS synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) process is limited owing to the large particle sizes and structural defects associated with this synthetic method. Herein, we report the synthesis of YTOS particles by a flux-assisted technique. The enhanced mass transfer efficiency in the flux significantly reduced the preparation time compared with the SSR method. In addition, the resulting YTOS showed improved photocatalytic H₂ and O₂ evolution activity when loaded with Rh and Co₃O₄ co-catalysts, respectively. These improvements are attributed to the reduced particle size and enhanced crystallinity of the material as well as the slower decay of photogenerated carriers on a nanosecond to sub-microsecond time range. Further optimization of this flux-assisted method together with suitable surface modification is expected to produce high-quality YTOS crystals with superior photocatalytic activity.     

Nonthrombogenic polymers - designs and evaluation

New nonthrombogenic polymers were designed with attention to the surface of biological membranes, that is, the surface was completely covered with phospholipids adsorbed from plasma. The polymers with phospholipid polar group, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers, could interact with phospholipids in plasma selectively and strongly. The adsorbed phospholipids on the polymer surface were concentrated, organized each other and then formed a self-assembled biomimetic membrane surface. The surface showed excellent resistance for both protein adsorption and blood cell adhesion.