Preparation of Polyaniline/Au0 Nanocomposites Modified Electrode and Application for Hydrazine Detection

The PANI/Au₀ nanocomposite films were successfully prepared on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using a simple alternate adsorption of water soluble polyaniline (PANI) and . The growth of the films was monitored by UV? Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. was in‐situ reduced in the film due to the redox interaction between PANI and , without extra reductant. The ultrafine Au nanoparticles with the size of 2–4 nm were observed by transmission electron spectroscopy. The existence of zero‐valence Au nanocrystals (Au₀) was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray Diffraction and FTIR. PANI in the nano‐structured PANI/Au₀ composite films displayed a good redox activity in neutral pH solution. The as‐obtained PANI/Au₀/GCE presents an excellent electrocatalytic activity to hydrazine oxidation, and the mechanism of hydrazine oxidation was studied. The calibration curve on (PANI/Au₀)₅/GCE was obtained in the concentration range of 0.01–6 mM with the detection limit of 1 µM (S/N>3). The modified electrode has a great potential for hydrazine sensor application due to its ease of fabrication, good reproducibility and high stability.     

Improving the flame retardancy of polyamide 6 by incorporating hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene modified MWNT

A nitrogen‐, phosphorus‐ and chlorine‐containing flame retardant, hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCTP), has been covalently grafted onto the surface of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) to obtain MWNT‐HCTP. Polyamide 6 (PA6)/MWNT composites were then prepared via melt compounding. The flammability of PA6/MWNT composite was characterized by cone calorimetry, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 tests. The results showed that peak heat release rate of samples containing 3 wt% MWNT‐HCTP was only 460 kW/m², which decreased by 35.2% compared with that of a neat PA6 sample. The LOI value was increased from 22.7% to 26.5%, and UL‐94 test performance was also significantly improved by the presence of MWNT‐HCTP. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope analysis showed that modified MWNT had a better dispersion and compatibility in PA6 than unmodified MWNT. The composition of residue chars and volatile products was investigated by SEM/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric‐FTIR, respectively. It was proposed that grafted HCTP was mainly functioned in the condensed phase, where P, N can synergistically promote char formation and Cl element can catch free radicals to terminate the chain reaction during combustion of the PA6 composite. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Degradation of Structurally Defined Graphene Nanoribbons by Myeloperoxidase and the Photo-Fenton Reaction

As an emerging member of the graphene family, structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have shown promising applications in various fields. The evaluation of the degradability of GNRs is particularly important for assessing the persistence level and risk of these materials in living organisms and the environment. However, there is a void in the study of the degradation of GNRs. Here, we report the degradation behavior of GNRs in the presence of human myeloperoxidase (hMPO) or treated with the photo-Fenton (PF) reaction. With the assistance of potassium hydroxide or imidazole, which facilitates the dispersion of GNRs in the aqueous solution, GNRs underwent only partial degradation after 25-hour incubation with hMPO, while, the PF reaction degraded GNRs almost completely after 120 hours. These results indicate that structurally precise GNRs can be efficiently degraded under suitable conditions, providing more opportunities for future applications in different fields.     

两亲性嵌段共聚物PMnEOS-b-PAA的可控合成及与PS-b-PAA共组装体的形貌

在苯乙烯单体的对位引入具有亲水性链段的乙二醇单元, 利用可逆加成断裂链转移聚合方法(RAFT), 可控合成了几种新的两亲性嵌段共聚物聚(4-乙烯基苄基乙二醇单甲醚)-b-聚丙烯酸(PMnEOS-b-PAA, n=1~3), 对其温敏和pH敏性质进行了初步研究. 同时, 研究了PMnEOS-b-PAA分别在亲水性环境下(四氢呋喃/水)和亲脂性环境下(四氢呋喃/甲苯)自组装体的形貌. 将聚对二乙二醇单甲醚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酸与聚苯乙烯-b-聚丙烯酸按质量比1:1[m(PMDEOS-b-PAA)/m(PS-b-PAA)=1:1]共混进行共组装, 在四氢呋喃/甲苯体积比为2∶1的混合溶剂中, 发现了一类新型具有均匀分布内部孔道且表面光滑的球形组装体. 进一步研究了该组装体的可重复性和组装机理, 为其后期应用于工业上的负载催化、 小分子识别与释放提供了一种新的策略.     

Rationally Designed Three-Layered Cu2S@Carbon@MoS2 Hierarchical Nanoboxes for Efficient Sodium Storage

Hybrid materials, integrating the merits of individual components, are ideal structures for efficient sodium storage. However, the construction of hybrid structures with decent physical/electrochemical properties is still challenging. Now, the elaborate design and synthesis of hierarchical nanoboxes composed of three-layered Cu₂S@carbon@MoS₂ as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries is reported. Through a facile multistep template-engaged strategy, ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets are grown on nitrogen-doped carbon-coated Cu₂S nanoboxes to realize the Cu₂S@carbon@MoS₂ configuration. The design shortens the diffusion path of electrons/Na⁺ ions, accommodates the volume change of electrodes during cycling, enhances the electric conductivity of the hybrids, and offers abundant active sites for sodium uptake. By virtue of these advantages, these three-layered Cu₂S@carbon@MoS₂ hierarchical nanoboxes show excellent electrochemical properties in terms of decent rate capability and stable cycle life.     

氮掺杂碳点的制备及其对阿莫西林高灵敏检测

以天然物质石斛为原料,一步水热法合成高荧光量子产率的氮掺杂碳点(NCDs),通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、紫外-可见光吸收图谱(UV-Vis)及荧光光谱(PL)对合成的NCDs进行表征。 实验结果显示合成的NCDs发强烈的蓝色荧光,呈现为球形或准球形,均匀分散,尺寸范围在1~5 nm;其表面含有丰富的COOH、OH和NH₂等水溶性基团,最佳激发和发射波长分别为350和435 nm,且具有良好的发光稳定性。 通过测定,合成的NCDs的荧光量子产率高达29.19%。在pH=7.4的缓冲溶液中测定不同物质对NCDs的荧光影响,相同条件下发现只有阿莫西林能够对NCDs荧光进行明显猝灭,表明合成的NCDs可选择性的识别阿莫西林,通过NCDs的荧光强度变化构建一种可灵敏检测阿莫西林的传感器,检测线性范围为2.6~30 μmol/L,检出限为0.15 μmol/L。     

Catalytic epoxidation of propylene over a Schiff-base molybdenum complex supported on a silanized mesostructured cellular foam

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A Schiff-base molybdenum complex (MoO2–salen) supported on mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) was initially prepared by an in situ synthesis method under...     

Recent Progress on 2D Transition Metal Compounds-based Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrogen Reduction

Ammonia is a commodity chemical with high added value. Electrochemical reduction of nitrogen has great promise for the sustainable synthesis of ammonia in recent years. Because of its rich resources and unique electronic structure and characteristics, 2D transition metal compounds have been used as electrocatalysts for electrochemical reduction of nitrogen for clean and sustainable production of ammonia. This review outlines the latest development in the use of 2D transition metal compounds as high-efficiency electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction(NRR). First, we introduce the N₂ reduction mechanism, and briefly summarize the performance indicators of the catalyst. Then, we focused on the functionalization of unique 2D materials to design high-performance 2D electrocatalysts in respect of simulation calculation and experimental development. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities for NRR electrocatalysts are introduced.     

Polyether Natural Product Inspired Cascade Cyclizations: Autocatalysis on π‐Acidic Aromatic Surfaces

Anion‐π catalysis functions by stabilizing anionic transition states on aromatic π surfaces, thus providing a new approach to molecular transformation. The delocalized nature of anion–π interactions suggests that they serve best in stabilizing long‐distance charge displacements. Aiming therefore for an anionic cascade reaction that is as charismatic as the steroid cyclization is for conventional cation‐π biocatalysis, reported here is the anion‐π‐catalyzed epoxide‐opening ether cyclizations of oligomers. Only on π‐acidic aromatic surfaces having a positive quadrupole moment, such as hexafluorobenzene to naphthalenediimides, do these polyether cascade cyclizations proceed with exceptionally high autocatalysis (rate enhancements k_auto/k_cat >10⁴ m ^?1). This distinctive characteristic adds complexity to reaction mechanisms (Goldilocks‐type substrate concentration dependence, entropy‐centered substrate destabilization) and opens intriguing perspectives for future developments.