Efficient and robust coatings using poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and its copolymers for marine and bacterial fouling prevention

Molecular design, fabrication, and properties of thin-film coatings based on poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMOX) and its copolymers were investigated to tackle problem of marine and bacterial fouling prevention. The ultraviolet crosslinkable macromonomer poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) dimethylacrylate was synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization in a microwave reactor initiated by 1,4-dibromobutane. In order to study the charge effect of the PMOX coatings on the adhesion of fouling organisms, PMOX surfaces with negative, neutral, and positive ζ-potential values were prepared by copolymerization with the positively charged monomer [2-(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride. The coatings were stable in sea water for at least 1 month without significant reduction in the film thickness. The marine antifouling activity was evaluated against barnacle cyprids Amphibalanus amphitrite and algae Amphora coffeaeformis. Results showed that PMOX coatings provide effective reduction of the settlement regardless of the molar mass and surface charge of the polymer. Bacterial adhesion test showed that PMOX coatings effectively reduce Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli adhesion. Owing to its good stability and antifouling activity PMOX has a great potential as antifouling coating for marine antifouling applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 275–283     

Selective Catalytic Behavior of a Phosphine‐Tagged Metal‐Organic Framework Organocatalyst

Steric hindrance by a metal–organic framework (MOF) is shown to influence the outcome of a catalytic reaction by controlling the orientation of its intermediates. This is demonstrated using an organocatalyst, phosphine MOF LSK‐3, which is evaluated with the aid of molecular modeling and NMR spectroscopy techniques. This report is the first application of phosphine MOFs in organocatalysis and explores the potential of a framework steric hindrance to impose selectivity on a catalytic reaction. These findings expand the opportunities for control and design of the active site in the pocket of heterogeneous catalysts.     

CuS/Fe: a novel and highly efficient catalyst system for coupling reaction of aryl halides with diaryl diselenides

The CuS catalyzed coupling reactions of aryl halides and diaryl diselenides were accelerated by the addition of Fe powder in only 3-12 h with good to excellent yields. SEM-EDX indicated that the in situ iron oxides as support against catalyst agglomeration accelerated the reaction. This catalyst system was also demonstrated recyclable without significant loss of catalytic activity.     

A Trinuclear Cobalt–Organic Framework: Solvatochromic Sensor towards CH2Cl2, and its Derivative as an Anode of Lithium-Ion Batteries with High Performance

Here, a porous cobalt–organic framework with pillared layer structures, namely [Co₃OBA₃PTD(H₂O)₂ ⋅ 2 DMA ⋅ H₂O]_n ( 1 , H₂OBA=4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid); PTD=6-(pyridin-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), was fabricated by using cobalt trinuclear nodes, low-cost carboxylic linker, and accessible nitrogen heterocyclic ligands. This compound exhibited a highly efficient solvatochromism towards CH₂Cl₂ within one minute and can be used 200 times at least. The corresponding dropper detector was assembled as a practical sensor. Meanwhile, the porous Co₃O₄ was obtained by a simple but effective annealing treatment. Electrochemical measurements confirm that this Co₃O₄ material derived from compound 1 shows high and stable lithium storage capabilities (1081.75 mA h g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹ after 115 cycles) and excellent rate properties.     

3D-Printed Nanocellulose-Based Cushioning–Antibacterial Dual-Function Food Packaging Aerogel

Cushioning and antibacterial packaging are the requirements of the storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables, which are essential for reducing the irreversible quality loss during the process. Herein, the composite of carboxymethyl nanocellulose, glycerin, and acrylamide derivatives acted as the shell and chitosan/AgNPs were immobilized in the core by using coaxial 3D-printing technology. Thus, the 3D-printed cushioning–antibacterial dual-function packaging aerogel with a shell–core structure (CNGA/C–AgNPs) was obtained. The CNGA/C–AgNPs packaging aerogel had good cushioning and resilience performance, and the average compression resilience rate was more than 90%. Although AgNPs was slowly released, CNGA/C–AgNPs packaging aerogel had an obvious antibacterial effect on E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, the CNGA/C–AgNPs packaging aerogel was biodegradable. Due to the customization capabilities of 3D-printing technology, the prepared packaging aerogel can be adapted to more application scenarios by accurately designing and regulating the microstructure of aerogels, which provides a new idea for the development of food intelligent packaging.     

一例对二硫化碳具有荧光传感性能的Mg-金属有机框架化合物

通过溶剂热合成了一例Mg-MOF化合物[Mg₄(1,4-NDC)₄(DMA)₂(CH₃OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·DMA·CH₃OH(1,1,4-H₂NDC=1,4-萘二酸,DMA=N,N'-二甲基乙酰胺),并对其结构表征及荧光性能进行了研究。 单晶X射线研究结果表明,化合物结晶于P2₁/c空间群,其晶体学数据为a=2.06090(12) nm, b=2.21014(13) nm, c=1.50385(10) nm, β=111.399(3)°, V=6.3776(7) nm³, Z=4, D_c=1.403 g/cm³, F(000)=2824, R=0.0596, wR=0.1225(I>2σ(I))。 化合物1中,二核的镁作为次级构筑单元通过桥连配体1,4-NDC连接形成沿c轴方向拓展的一维链。 一维链间进一步通过配体连接形成3D框架的化合物。 荧光性能研究表明,化合物1对CS₂具有灵敏的荧光传感性能,在0.4%的体积分数条件下可引起CS₂荧光的完全淬灭。 此外,化合物1的热稳定性也通过热重分析进行了研究,发现其可稳定到140 ℃左右。     

Non-enzymatic sensing of uric acid using a carbon nanotube ionic-liquid paste electrode modified with poly(β-cyclodextrin)

We describe a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for uric acid. It is based on a carbon nanotube ionic-liquid paste electrode modified with poly(β-cyclodextrin) that was prepared in-situ by electropolymerization. The functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the surface morphology of the modified electrodes were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical response of uric acid was studied by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The effects of scan rate, pH value, electropolymerization cycles and accumulation time were also studied. Under optimized experimental conditions and at a working voltage of 500 mV vs. Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl), response to uric acid is linear in the 0.6 to 400 μΜ and in the 0.4 to 1 mΜ concentration ranges, and the detection limit is 0.3 μΜ (at an S/N of 3). The electrode was successfully applied to the detection of uric acid in (spiked) human urine samples.

SEM images of (a) carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) (b) MWNT-CILE (c) β-CD/CILE (d) β-CD/ MWNT-CILE. The surfaces of carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) (a) and MWNT-CILE (b) were homogenous and no separated carbon layers can be observed; After β- cyclodextrin (CD) was modified on CILE and MWNT-CILE, the surfaces of β-CD modified electrodes (c and d) exhibited loose and porous morphologies.

     

A note on estimating the bent line quantile regression model

This paper considers a new estimating method for the bent line quantile regression model. By a simple linearization technique, the proposed method can simultaneously obtain the estimates of the regression coefficients and the change-point location. Moreover, it can be readily implemented by current software. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method has good finite sample performance. Two empirical applications are also presented to illustrate the method.