Stable conformations of 12-crown-O3N and its Li+ complex in aqueous solution

Stable conformations of 12-crown-O3N and its Li complexes in aqueous solution were investigated. To calculate the free energy differences of conformers of 12-crown-O3N and its Li+ complex, our procedure was to make use of two programs, CONFLEX and BOSS. The former generates conformers, and the latter calculates the differences in free energy of solvation between two conformers in aqueous solution. It was confirmed that the present procedure is applicable in solving the question of what is the most stable conformation of 12-crown-O3N in aqueous solution. Results of the calculations suggest that the order of stability for conformers in a vacuum is different from that in aqueous solution. It was also confirmed that the coordination geometry of solvent waters to Li+ changes depending on the distance between the cation and the crown ring.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long‐term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT‐66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT‐66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.     

Dielectric scaling in polyelectrolyte solutions with different solvent quality in the dilute concentration regime

In this note, we present a set of radiowave dielectric spectroscopy measurements of two dilute, differently-charged polyelectrolyte solutions, under different solvent conditions. We have found that both the dielectric strength, Delta epsilon, and the relaxation time, tau(ion), of the dielectric relaxation process associated with the counterion polarization along a length scale of the order of the correlation length obey the scaling laws with the polyion concentration, according to the Ito model. This is verified with good accuracy independently of the quality of the solvent, which has been varied from poor to good solvent conditions. This finding supports evidence to the fact that, in dilute solutions, the counterion polarization is independent of the polyion concentration, in spite of what occurs at the semi-dilute concentrations.     

A gold-based nanobeacon probe for fluorescence sensing of organophosphorus pesticides

A nanomaterials-based novel molecular beacon has attracted growing attentions in fluorescent assays as many nanomaterials possess excellent quenching efficiency. In this work, a gold-based nanobeacon probe was established to detect organophosphorus pesticides for the first time. The constructed gold-based nanobeacon acted as a signal indicator and could display the decreasing of the intensity in the presence of targets, which competitively bound to single strand DNA. To achieve a high sensitive probe, some parameters including solution pH, temperature and reaction time were investigated and optimized. The gold-based nanobeacon probe assay was proved to be rapid and sensitive to achieve a detection limit of 0.035 μM for isocarbophos, 0.134 μM for profenofos, 0.384 μM for phorate and 2.35 μM for omethoate, respectively. The prepared nanobeacon effectively reduced the background and improved the detection sensitivity and selectivity. The probe is stable, easy to operate and does not need sophisticated instruments. These features makes the probe feasible for screening trace organophosphorus pesticides in real samples.     

A new myrsinol-type diterpene polyester from Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam

A new myrsinol-type diterpene polyester, 14-deoxo-3β-O-propinoyl-2α,5α,7β,15β-tetra-O-acetyl-14α-O-benzoyl-myrsinol (1), and its known analogue, 14-deoxo-3β-O-prorionyl-5α,15β-di-O-acetyl-7β-O-nicotinoyl-myrsinol-14β-acetate (2), together with a monoterpenoid, pubinernoid A (3), two indole alkaloids, neoechinulin A (4) and dihydroxyisoechinulin A (5), two benzene derivatives, siringin (6) and (3-methoxyphenyl) acetic acid (7), were isolated from the 70% acetone extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and comparison with literature reports. The absolute configuration of 1 was deduced by comparing experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Among them, compounds 4 and 5 were first obtained from the plant source. In addition, the ¹³C NMR data of compound 2 was reported for the first time.     

A Cation and Anion Dual Doping Strategy for the Elevation of Titanium Redox Potential for High-Power Sodium-Ion Batteries

Titanium-based polyanions have been intensively investigated for sodium-ion batteries owing to their superior structural stability and thermal safety. However, their low working potential hindered further applications. Now, a cation and anion dual doping strategy is used to boost the redox potential of Ti-based cathodes of Na₃Ti_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N as a new cathode material for sodium ion batteries. Both the Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ and V³⁺/V⁴⁺ redox couples are reversibly accessed, leading to two distinctive voltage platforms at ca. 3.3 V and ca. 3.8 V, respectively. The remarkably improved cycling stability (86.3 %, 3000 cycles) can be ascribed to the near-zero volume strain in this unusual cubic symmetry, which has been demonstrated by in situ synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction. First-principles calculations reveal its well-interconnected 3D Na diffusion pathways with low energy barriers, and the two-sodium-extracted intermediate NaTi_0.5V_0.5(PO₃)₃N is also a stable phase according to formation energy calculations.     

Ternary Sn-Ti-O Electrocatalyst Boosts the Stability and Energy Efficiency of CO2 Reduction

Simultaneously improving energy efficiency (EE) and material stability in electrochemical CO₂ conversion remains an unsolved challenge. Among a series of ternary Sn-Ti-O electrocatalysts, 3D ordered mesoporous (3DOM) Sn_0.3Ti_0.7O₂ achieves a trade-off between active-site exposure and structural stability, demonstrating up to 71.5 % half-cell EE over 200 hours, and a 94.5 % Faradaic efficiency for CO at an overpotential as low as 430 mV. DFT and X-ray absorption fine structure analyses reveal an electron density reconfiguration in the Sn-Ti-O system. A downshift of the orbital band center of Sn and a charge depletion of Ti collectively facilitate the dissociative adsorption of the desired intermediate COOH* for CO formation. It is also beneficial in maintaining a local alkaline environment to suppress H₂ and formate formation, and in stabilizing oxygen atoms to prolong durability. These findings provide a new strategy in materials design for efficient CO₂ conversion and beyond.     

Conducting poly(aniline) nanotubes and nanofibers: controlled synthesis and application in lithium/poly(aniline) rechargeable batteries

The primary aim of this work was to synthesize aligned perchloric-acid-doped poly(aniline) (HClO(4)-doped PANI) nanotubes by a simple alumina template method and to investigate their application in lithium/poly(aniline) rechargeable batteries. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis were used to characterize the nanostructures obtained. The second aim addressed the preparation of HClO(4)-doped PANI microspheres and nanofibers on a large scale through a modified spraying technique, since the template synthesis has limitations in mass production. The present synthesis methods are simple and can be extended to the preparation of a broad range of one-dimensional conductive polymers. Furthermore, electrochemical measurements showed that the as-prepared HClO(4)-doped PANI nanotubes exhibit better electrode performances than their commercial counterparts because they possess more active sites, higher conductivity, and relative flexibility. This indicates that HClO(4)-doped poly(aniline) nanomaterials are promising in the application of lithium/polymer rechargeable batteries.     

A Hydrolytically Stable Vanadium(IV) Metal–Organic Framework with Photocatalytic Bacteriostatic Activity for Autonomous Indoor Humidity Control

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with long-term stability and reversible high water uptake properties can be ideal candidates for water harvesting and indoor humidity control. Now, a mesoporous and highly stable MOF, BIT-66 is presented that has indoor humidity control capability and a photocatalytic bacteriostatic effect. BIT-66 (V₃(O)₃(H₂O)(BTB)₂), possesses prominent moisture tunability in the range of 45–60 % RH and a water uptake and working capacity of 71 and 55 wt %, respectively, showing good recyclability and excellent performance in water adsorption–desorption cycles. Importantly, this MOF demonstrates a unique photocatalytic bacteriostatic behavior under visible light, which can effectively ameliorate the bacteria and/or mold breeding problem in water adsorbing materials.