Thermally treated bare gold nanoparticles for colorimetric sensing of copper ions

We demonstrate a sensitive and rapid colorimetric assay for selective detection of copper ions based on the strong coordination between Cu(II) ions and the tetrahydroxyaurate anions [Au(OH)₄]^? on the surface of thermally treated bare gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The method for making the unmodified GNPs is simple and results in a nanomaterial with a highly specific response to Cu(II). The thermal treatment of the bare GNPs and the recognition of Cu(II) ions is accomplished in a single step within 5 min. The presence of Cu(II) causes the color to change from red to purple-blue. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.04 μM of Cu(II) when using UV–vis spectrometry and ratioing the absorbances at 650 and 515 nm, respectively. The method also is amenable to bare eye (visual) inspection and in this case has an LOD of 2.0 μM of Cu(II).

Theory assisted design of N-doped tin oxides for enhanced electrochemical CO2 activation and reduction

Clearly understanding the structure-function relationship and rational design of efficient CO_2 electrocatalysts are still the challenges.This article describes the molecular origin of high selectivity of formic acid on N-doped SnO_2 nanoparticles,which obtained via thermal treatment of g-C_3N_4 and SnCl_2·2H_2O precursor.Combined with density functional theory(DFT)calculations,we discover that N-doping effectively introduces oxygen vacancies and increases the charge density of Sn sites,which plays a positive role in CO_2 activation.In addition,N-doping further regulates the adsorption energy of*OCHO,*COOH,*H and promotes HCOOH generation.Benefited from above modulation,the obtained N-doped SnO_2 catalysts with oxygen vacancies(Ov-N-SnO_2)exhibit faradaic efficiency of 93% for C_1 formation,88% for HCOOH production and well-suppression of H_2 evolution over a wide range of potentials.     

Low temperature fabrication of efficient porous carbon counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Porous carbon counter electrodes have been fabricated at low temperature by coating an organic binder free carbon slurry onto F-doped tin oxide conducting glass. The carbon slurry is prepared by ball-milling a dispersion of activated carbon in aqueous SnCl₄ solution. During ball-milling, SnCl₄ hydrolyzes and transforms into stannic acid gel, which acts as an inorganic “glue” to connect the carbon particles during film preparation. Dye-sensitized solar cells employing this carbon electrode achieve efficiency as high as 6.1% which is comparable to that of the cells using sputtering Pt as counter electrode.     

A novel threefold‐interpenetrating primitive cubic network based on a dinuclear Zn2 node

In the mixed‐ligand metal–organic polymeric compound poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene](μ₂‐terephthalato)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₈H₄O₄)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)]_n or [Zn₂(bdc)₂(bib)]_n [H₂bdc is terephthalic acid and bib is 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene], the asymmetric unit contains one Zn^II ion, with two half bdc anions and one half bib molecule lying around inversion centers. The Zn^II ion is in a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment, coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three different bdc anions and by one bib N atom. The crystal structure is constructed from the secondary building unit (SBU) [Zn₂(CO₂)₂N₂O₂], in which the two metal centers are held together by two bdc linkers with bis(syn,syn‐bridging bidentate) bonding modes. The SBU is connected by bdc bridges to form a two‐dimensional grid‐like (4,4)‐layer, which is further pillared by the bib ligand. Topologically, the dinuclear SBU can be considered to be a six‐connected node, and the extended structure exhibits an elongated primitive approximately cubic framework. The three‐dimensional framework possesses a large cavity with dimensions of approximately 10 × 13 × 17 Å in cross‐section. The potential porosity is filled with mutual interpenetration of two identical equivalent frameworks, generating a novel threefold interpenetrating network with an α‐polonium topology [Abrahams, Hoskins, Robson & Slizys (2002). CrystEngComm, 4 , 478–482].     

Enhanced photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction and diclofenac sodium degradation under simulated sunlight irradiation over MIL-100(Fe)/g-C3N4 heterojunctions

Metal-organic framework MIL-100(Fe) and g-C₃N₄ heterojunctions (MG-x, x = 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, x is the mass fraction of MIL-100(Fe) in the hybrids) were facilely fabricated through ball-milling and annealing, and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible diffuse-reflectance spectrometry, and photoluminescence emission spectrometry. The photocatalytic activities of the series of MG-x heterojunctions toward Cr(VI) reduction and diclofenac sodium degradation were tested upon irradiation with simulated sunlight. The influence of different organic compounds (ethanol, citric acid, oxalic acid, and diclofenac sodium) as hole scavengers and the pH values (2, 3, 4, 6, and 8) on the photocatalytic activities of the series of MG-x heterojunctions was investigated. MG-20% showed superior photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction and diclofenac sodium degradation performance than did the individual MIL-100(Fe) and g-C₃N₄ because of the improved separation of photoinduced electron-hole charges, which was clarified via photoluminescence emission and electrochemical data. Moreover, the MG-x exhibited good reusability and stability after several runs.     

Synthesis of 2-cyclopropyl-4-pyrones and 5-cyclopropyl-2-alkylene-3(2H)-furanones based on tandem cyclization-cyclopropanation strategy

In AgSbF₆/Rh₂(OAc)₄/DCE system, two-component diastereoselective reactions of 2-diazo-3,5-dioxo-6-ynoates (phosphonates and sulphones) and alkenes provided easy access to 2-cyclopropyl-γ-pyrones through 6-endo-dig cyclization-cyclopropanation. In AgOAc/Rh₂(OAc)₄/Et₃N/DCE system, two-component reaction of 2-diazo-3,5-dioxo-7-aryl-6-ynoates and alkenes afforded 2-cyclopropyl-2-alkylene-3(2H)-furanones through 5-exo-dig cyclization-cyclopropanation. The possible mechanism of reaction is discussed. A simple procedure and mild conditions are significant features of this strategy.     

1,2,6,7-四氢-8H-茚并[5,4-b]呋喃-8-酮的合成新方法

发展了一条1,2,6,7-四氢-8H-茚并[5,4-b]呋喃-8-酮的新合成方法,以价廉、易得的对溴苯酚为原料,在无水碳酸钾作用下与2-溴乙醛缩二乙醇缩合后用多聚磷酸(PPA)环合得5-溴苯并呋喃,该中间体与丙烯酸甲酯在Pd(OAc)2催化下,经Heck偶合反应得3-(苯并呋喃-5-基)丙酸甲酯,在氢氧化钠水溶液中经Raney Ni催化氢化和水解一锅反应得3-(2,3-二氢苯并呋喃-5-基)丙酸,再经二溴代、Friedel-Crafts酰化反应和氢解脱溴,得1,2,6,7-四氢-8H-茚并[5,4-b]呋喃-8-酮,7步反应总收率49.9%.该方法原料易得、反应条件温和、操作简便、产物分离纯化容易,收率良好,适合大规模制备1,2,6,7-四氢-8H-茚并[5,4-b]呋喃-8-酮.     

On-line removal of redox-active interferents by a porous electrode before amperometric blood glucose determination

A porous reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrode and a disk electrode coupled in tandem in an electrochemical flow cell has been used for electrolytic removal of interferents before amperometric glucose detection. The electrolytic efficiency at the upstream RVC electrode is 100% at a flow rate of 0.1 mL min⁻¹ or lower. Potential interferents such as acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, and uric acid can be completely eliminated by electrolysis at the RVC electrode. A mixed monolayer comprising glucose oxidase (GOD) and ferrocenyl-1-undecanethiol preformed at the downstream gold disk electrode was used as a mediator-based amperometric glucose sensor. The dependence of the amperometric current on the glucose concentration exhibits good linearity across over three orders of magnitude. The glucose measurements were also found to be reproducible (RSD < 3.5%) and accurate. Unlike the chemiluminescence method, this device obviates the use of carcinogenic substrates and the glucose sensor performance is independent of the oxygen present in sample. On the basis that the RVC electrode requires minimal cleanup and the GOD-modified electrode remains stable for a week, the electrochemical flow cell should be amenable for automated on-line removal of redox interferents for other types of enzyme-based biosensors.