Synthesis of Long‐Sought C66 with Exohedral Stabilization

Previously reported fused‐pentagon fullerenes stabilized by exohedral derivatization do not share the same cage with those stabilized by endohedral encapsulation. Herein we report the crystallographic identification of ^#4348C₆₆Cl₁₀, which has the same cage as that of previously reported Sc₂@C₆₆. According to the geometrical data of ^#4348C₆₆Cl₁₀, both strain relief (at the fused pentagons) and local aromaticity (on the remaining sp²‐hybrided carbon framework) contribute to the exohedral stabilization of this long‐sought 66 carbon atom cage.     

混合基质水处理膜:材料、制备与性能

以反渗透、纳滤为代表的膜技术已广泛应用于海水和苦咸水脱盐等水处理过程。通过将纳米颗粒添加到传统复合膜基质中,可以制备具有高分离性能和耐污染性的新型膜材料。混合基质膜结合了无机材料及有机聚合物各自的优点,是新型水处理膜材料的发展方向。本文综述了添加无机纳米颗粒的混合基质反渗透、纳滤及正渗透膜的研究进展,详细讨论了不同类型纳米材料的性质和功能,分析了表面有机改性对改善纳米材料分散性以及与聚合物基质相容性的作用,探讨了纳米材料添加方式和膜制备方法对膜结构和性能的影响。在此基础上,进一步探究了混合基质膜的成膜及分离机理,归纳了目前研究中存在的主要问题,并对未来水处理膜材料的研发方向提出了建议。     

纤维素纳米晶体薄膜的制备与表征

讨论了两种新型纤维素纳米晶体(Cellulose nanocrystal,CNC)薄膜的制备方法:浸没法和旋涂法,并利用红外反射吸收光谱(Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy,IRRAS)和原子力显微镜(Atomic force microscopy,AFM)对其进行表征。AFM高度图显示两种工艺制备的CNC薄膜均由棒状的CNC纳米颗粒交错叠加而成。实验结果显示,旋涂法制备的薄膜更加光滑,粗糙度RMS约为2.7 nm。由于带电颗粒间斥力的存在,浸没法制备的CNC膜厚度最大约为15 nm,而旋涂法可以得到更厚的CNC薄膜,其厚度可达50 nm以上。研究CNC悬浮液浓度与旋涂法CNC膜厚之间的关系后发现,可以通过改变CNC溶液的浓度对薄膜厚度进行控制。IRRAS结果也证实随着CNC悬浮液浓度的增加,旋涂薄膜的厚度随之增加。     

Micellization of anionic gemini surfactants and their interaction with polyacrylamide

A series of anionic gemini surfactants have been synthesized. The surface properties and micellization process of as-prepared sulfonate gemini surfactants (SGS) and carboxylate gemini surfactant (CGS) have been studied by surface tension measurement and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. Meanwhile, the interaction of these five surfactants with polyacrylamide (PAM) was investigated using surface tension, steady-state fluorescence measurement, and isothermal titration microcalorimetry. The results show that the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of above-mentioned surfactants are more than 1 order of magnitude lower than those of corresponding single chain surfactants. Moreover, the enthalpy of micelle formation (ΔH _mic) for the investigated gemini surfactants is negative. In the surfactant–PAM systems, the thermodynamic parameters of binding have also been determined. The conclusion may be drawn that the binding strength of SGS onto PAM is stronger than that of CGS, resulting from more compact structure of SGS aggregates. With increasing surfactant hydrophobicity, the values of ΔH _agg become more exothermic and a ΔS _agg decrease was observed. Therefore, the interaction between SGS and PAM is enthalpy-driven.     

Fabrication of anisotropic silica hollow microspheres using polymeric protrusion particles as templates

Anisotropic polystyrene/poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS/P(S-DVB)) protrusion particles with various morphologies such as eyeball-like, snowman-like, and raspberry-like were synthesized using a modified seeded polymerization method by dynamically controlling and stabilizing the phase separation. The effects of swelling agent, crosslinker, and monomer concentrations on the particle morphologies were studied. Using the PS/P(S-DVB) protrusion particles as templates, anisotropic silica (SiO₂) hollow microspheres were fabricated facilely. The obtained anisotropic silica hollow spheres had a potential application in rapid waste removal and detoxification extraction with a very simple procedure.     

Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of poly(l-lactide) nanocomposites assisted by polydopamine-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Herein, a facile and noncovalent modification for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) is adopted by the self-polymerization of dopamine (DOPA). And, the polydopamine-coated MWNTs (D-MWNTs) were further incorporated into poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) matrix through the solvent-casting method. It is found that the D-MWNTs tend to be well dispersed in PLLA matrix than the pristine MWNTs and the D-MWNTs that can act as heterogeneous nucleators that evidently affect the morphology and crystallization behavior of PLLA. In addition, the significant improvement of dispersion and the interface interaction of PLLA/D-MWNTs, via dopamine coating between the MWNTs and PLLA matrix, results in enhanced mechanical and thermal properties and electrical conductivity. This facile methodology is believed to afford broad application potential in carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based polymer nanocomposites.     

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels: synthesis and rapid thermoresponsive properties

In this contribution, we reported the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PNIPAAm-b-PAA) copolymer networks via sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The PNIPAAm-b-PAA block copolymer networks were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The volume phase transition (VPT) temperatures of the PNIPAAm-b-PAA hydrogels were measured by means of micro-differential scanning calorimetry (micro-DSC). It was found that the block copolymer hydrogels displayed the VPT temperatures lower than the control PNIPAAm hydrogel. Compared to the control PNIPAAm hydrogel, the deswelling and reswelling properties of the block copolymer hydrogels were significantly improved. The improved thermoresponsive properties of the PNIPAAm-b-PAA hydrogels have been interpreted on the basis of the formation of the architecture of the block copolymer networks.     

硫脲络合–火焰原子吸收光谱法测定低硅铝合金中的银含量

采用硫脲络合–火焰原子吸收光谱法测定低硅铝合金中的银元素含量。实验探讨了酸度及硫脲用量对银测定的影响及铝合金中基体元素与共存元素对银元素分析线的干扰情况。结果表明:选用9%的盐酸和3%的硝酸溶解试样最好,加入5 mL 50 g/L硫脲溶液可消除氯离子对试验结果的影响,基体铝元素和其它共存元素不干扰银的测定。根据低硅铝合金中银元素的含量范围,合成系列标准溶液,建立工作曲线,工作曲线的线性范围为0.05%~0.50%。银元素含量为0.30%的样品测定结果的相对标准偏差为0.15%(n=8),标准加入回收率为96.8%~98.5%。该方法操作简便、重现性好、测量结果准确可靠。     

A Hydrogen-Deficient Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Developing highly efficient and low-cost photocatalysts for overall water splitting has long been a pursuit for converting solar power into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we demonstrate that a nonstoichiometric nickel–cobalt double hydroxide can achieve overall water splitting by itself upon solar light irradiation, avoiding the consumption of noble-metal co-catalysts. We employed an intensive laser to ablate a NiCo alloy target immersed in alkaline solution, and produced so-called L-NiCo nanosheets with a nonstoichiometric composition and O²⁻/Co³⁺ ions exposed on the surface. The nonstoichiometric composition broadens the band gap, while O²⁻ and Co³⁺ ions boost hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. As such, the photocatalyst achieves a H₂ evolution rate of 1.7 μmol h⁻¹ under AM 1.5G sunlight irradiation and an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 1.38 % at 380 nm.     

Water-Insensitive Synthesis of Poly-β-Peptides with Defined Architecture

Biocompatible and proteolysis-resistant poly-β-peptides have broad applications and are dominantly synthesized via the harsh and water-sensitive ring-opening polymerization of β-lactams in a glovebox or using a Schlenk line, catalyzed by the strong base LiN(SiMe₃)₂. We have developed a controllable and water-insensitive ring-opening polymerization of β-amino acid N-thiocarboxyanhydrides (β-NTAs) that can be operated in open vessels to prepare poly-β-peptides in high yields, with diverse functional groups, variable chain length, narrow dispersity and defined architecture. These merits imply wide applications of β-NTA polymerization and resulting poly-β-peptides, which is validated by the finding of a HDP-mimicking poly-β-peptide with potent antimicrobial activities. The living β-NTA polymerization enables the controllable synthesis of random, block copolymers and easy tuning of both terminal groups of polypeptides, which facilitated the unravelling of the antibacterial mechanism using the fluorophore-labelled poly-β-peptide.