Dendrite‐Free Sodium Metal Anodes Enabled by a Sodium Benzenedithiolate‐Rich Protection Layer

Sodium metal is an ideal anode material for metal rechargeable batteries, owing to its high theoretical capacity (1166 mAh g^?1), low cost, and earth‐abundance. However, the dendritic growth upon Na plating, stemming from unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, is a major and most notable problem. Here, a sodium benzenedithiolate (PhS₂Na₂)‐rich protection layer is synthesized in situ on sodium by a facile method that effectively prevents dendrite growth in the carbonate electrolyte, leading to stabilized sodium metal electrodeposition for 400 cycles (800 h) of repeated plating/stripping at a current density of 1 mA cm^?2. The organic salt, PhS₂Na₂, is found to be a critical component in the protection layer. This finding opens up a new and promising avenue, based on organic sodium slats, to stabilize sodium metals with a protection layer.     

On‐Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Triply Fused Porphyrin–Graphene Nanoribbon Hybrids

On‐surface synthesis offers a versatile approach to prepare novel carbon‐based nanostructures that cannot be obtained by conventional solution chemistry. Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have potential for a variety of applications. A key issue for their application in molecular electronics is in the fine‐tuning of their electronic properties through structural modifications, such as heteroatom doping or the incorporation of non‐benzenoid rings. In this context, the covalent fusion of GNRs and porphyrins (Pors) is a highly appealing strategy. Herein we present the selective on‐surface synthesis of a Por–GNR hybrid, which consists of two Pors connected by a short GNR segment. The atomically precise structure of the Por–GNR hybrid has been characterized by bond‐resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc‐AFM). The electronic properties have been investigated by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), in combination with DFT calculations, which reveals a low electronic gap of 0.4 eV.     

Sequence‐Dependent DNA Functionalization of Upconversion Nanoparticles and Their Programmable Assemblies

DNA‐modified lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (DNA‐UCNPs) that combine the functions of DNA and the optical features of UCNPs have shown great promise in a wide range of fields. However, challenges remain in precisely tethering and orienting the DNA strands on the UCNP surface. Herein, we systematically investigate the sequence dependence of DNAs in their interactions with UCNPs, and reveal that poly‐cytosine (poly‐C) has high affinity for the UCNP surface. A general approach to synthesize monodispersed DNA‐UCNP conjugates is developed using poly‐C‐containing diblock DNA strands. The poly‐C segment of the DNA strand binds to the surfaces of UCNPs and the second segment is oriented perpendicularly on the UCNP surface, making the DNA‐UCNPs highly stable and monodispersed in aqueous solution. The dense layer of DNA on the UCNP surface enables the programmable assembly of UCNPs with other DNA‐functionalized nanoparticles or DNA origamis through hybridization, resulting in the formation of well‐organized complex structures.     

2D sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Photocatalysis with TEMPO

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are receiving ongoing attention in semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we present a photocatalytic selective chemical transformation by combining sp² carbon‐conjugated porphyrin‐based covalent organic framework (Por‐sp²c‐COF) photocatalysis with TEMPO catalysis illuminated by 623 nm red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly selective conversion of amines into imines was swiftly afforded in minutes. Specifically, the π‐conjugation of porphyrin linker leads to extensive absorption of red light; the sp² ?C=C? double bonds linkage ensures the stability of Por‐sp²c‐COF under high concentrations of amine. Most importantly, we found that crystalline framework of Por‐sp²c‐COF is pivotal for cooperative photocatalysis with (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO). This work foreshadows that the outstanding hallmarks of COFs, particularly crystallinity, could be exploited to address energy and environmental challenges by cooperative photocatalysis.     

3‐O‐Sulfation of Heparan Sulfate Enhances Tau Interaction and Cellular Uptake

Prion‐like transcellular spreading of tau in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is mediated by tau binding to cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). However, the structural determinants for tau–HS interaction are not well understood. Microarray and SPR assays of structurally defined HS oligosaccharides show that a rare 3‐O‐sulfation (3‐O‐S) of HS significantly enhances tau binding. In Hs3st1^?/? (HS 3‐O‐sulfotransferase‐1 knockout) cells, reduced 3‐O‐S levels of HS diminished both cell surface binding and internalization of tau. In a cell culture, the addition of a 3‐O‐S HS 12‐mer reduced both tau cell surface binding and cellular uptake. NMR titrations mapped 3‐O‐S binding sites to the microtubule binding repeat 2 (R2) and proline‐rich region 2 (PRR2) of tau. Tau is only the seventh protein currently known to recognize HS 3‐O‐sulfation. Our work demonstrates that this rare 3‐O‐sulfation enhances tau–HS binding and likely the transcellular spread of tau, providing a novel target for disease‐modifying treatment of AD and other tauopathies.     

Supramolecular self‐assembly modification of ammonium polyphosphate and its flame retardant application in polypropylene

In order to improve its water resistance and compatibility with polymer matrix, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) is modified with melamine‐trimesic acid (MEL‐TA) aggregates by supramolecular self‐assembly technology. Chemical structure and morphology of APP@MEL‐TA are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Intumescent flame retardant system of APP@MEL‐TA and charring‐foaming agent is introduced into polypropylene (PP) matrix. The flammability and combustion behavior of PP composites are investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning, and cone calorimetry tests. In terms of LOI values and cone combustion results, APP@MEL‐TA performs better than pristine APP. Char residue of PP composites is investigated by SEM and Raman spectra. Flame retardant mechanisms are proposed based on thermal decomposition, combustion results, and analysis on char residue.     

Synthesis of Zinc Tetraaminophthalocyanine Functionalized Graphene Nanosheets as an Enhanced Material for Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid

A new electrochemical sensor material has been fabricated via the non‐covalent functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and soluble tetramino zincphthalocyanines (ZnPc‐NH₂). Immobilization of uricase onto the synthesized nanohybrids can evidently improve the electrocatalytic activity and selectivity. The obtained composite membrane possesses a great enhancement of electron transfer rate and excellent synergistic electrocatalytic effect toward uric acid (UA) oxidation under the working potential at 0.620 V vs. Ag/AgCl with a scan rate of 0.125 V/s. The effects of the experimental parameters on the electrochemical oxidation responses of UA were investigated and optimized in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the peak currents were proportional to the UA concentration in a range from 0.5 to 100 μmol/L with detection limit of 0.15 μmol/L. Moreover, the developed sensor was applied for UA determination in human urine samples with high accuracy and satisfactory recovery, which is envisioned to have promising applications in monitoring UA in clinical research.     

A Keggin-Type Tungstovanadate-Based Hybrid Compound: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - A new V-centered Keggin polyoxometalate-based inorganic-organic hybrid (HPpz)3[VW12O40] (I) (Ppz = piperazine) has been hydrothermal synthesized and...     

New phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing poly(methyl methacrylate)-based copolymer

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) always exhibits high flammability and low thermal stability. To address that, a novel reactive comonomer...     

Thermal decomposition behaviour and kinetics of a mixed solution: n-propyl nitrate and nitric acid solution

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - To provide a theoretical basis for improving the thermal safety of spent acid, its decomposition behaviour was studied. A mixed solution of n-propyl...