Facile Synthesis of Sub-Nanometric Copper Clusters by Double Confinement Enables Selective Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

Previous density-functional theory (DFT) calculations show that sub-nanometric Cu clusters (i.e., 13 atoms) favorably generate CH₄ from the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), but experimental evidence is lacking. Herein, a facile impregnation-calcination route towards Cu clusters, having a diameter of about 1.0 nm with about 10 atoms, was developed by double confinement of carbon defects and micropores. These Cu clusters enable high selectivity for the CO₂RR with a maximum Faraday efficiency of 81.7 % for CH₄. Calculations and experimental results show that the Cu clusters enhance the adsorption of *H and *CO intermediates, thus promoting generation of CH₄ rather than H₂ and CO. The strong interactions between the Cu clusters and defective carbon optimize the electronic structure of the Cu clusters for selectivity and stability towards generation of CH₄. Provided here is the first experimental evidence that sub-nanometric Cu clusters facilitate the production of CH₄ from the CO₂RR.     

Spatially Responsive Multicolor Lanthanide-MOF Heterostructures for Covert Photonic Barcodes

Micro/nanoscale photonic barcodes based on multicolor luminescent segmented heterojunctions hold potential for applications in information security. However, such multicolor heterojunctions reported thus far are exclusively based on static luminescent signals, thus restricting their application in advanced confidential information protection. Reported here is a strategy to design responsive photonic barcodes with heterobimetallic (Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺) metal—organic framework multicolor heterostructures. The spatial colors could be precisely controlled by thermally manipulating the energy-transfer process between the two lanthanides, thus achieving responsive covert photonic barcodes. Also demonstrated is that spatially resolved responsive barcodes with multi-responsive features could be created in a single heterostructure. These findings offer unique opportunities to purposely design highly integrated responsive microstructures and smart devices toward advanced anti-counterfeiting applications.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indoleamide derivatives as antioxidative and antitumor agents

Novel indole amide derivatives C1-C10 were successfully synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis, and their molecular formulas were C₁₄H₁₀N₆O, C₁₃H₁₀N₄O, C₁₆H₁₃N₃O₂, C₁₉H₁₄N₂O₂, C₁₆H₁₁N₃OS, C₁₅H₁₃N₃O, C₁₂H₉N₅O, C₁₆H₁₀ClN₃OS, C₁₅H₁₇N₃O₂, and C₁₃H₁₄N₂O₃, respectively. The primary biological activities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro by the DPPH assay, H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury assay, and cytotoxicity assay. The results indicated that compounds C1, C2, C4, C7, and C9 exhibited DPPH·scavenging ability, while C3, C4, C5, and C8 showed potent growth-inhibitory activities against various human tumor cells, including MDA-MB-231, Hela, A549, and HT29. Interestingly, compound C4 showed potent scavenging effects on the DPPH radical and possessed protective effect on H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells at low concentrations; however, C4 exhibited significant toxicity against four human tumor cells at a higher concentration in all treatments, and the range of IC₅₀ value was 7.91 to 13.35 μM.     

Metal ions Directed Self-assembly based on Mixed Ligands: From 2D hcb Net to 3D cds Framework

Two coordination polymers (CPs), namely, [Zn(BPDC)(3-bpdb)_0.5(H₂O)₂]_n ( 1 ), and [Ni(BPDC)(3-bpdb)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ) (where H₂BPDC = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 3-bpdb = 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) have been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, elemental analyses, PXRD, and SEM. CP 1 possesses a 2D 3-connected hcb net, and weak hydrogen bonding and π ··· π stacking contacts further link the 2D networks to form 3D supramolecular structure. The structure of 2 presents a 4-connected threefold interpenetrated cds framework. Through structural analysis, it is found that the coordination geometry of metal ions significantly affects the binding behaviors of the ligands and the resultant extended networks of the CPs. Besides, the Hirshfeld surface analyses detailed the surface characteristics of the two CPs. In addition, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties were also investigated.     

Strong,Self-Healable,and Recyclable Visible-Light-Responsive Hydrogel Actuators

The most pressing challenges for light-driven hydrogel actuators include reliance on UV light, slow response, poor mechanical properties, and limited functionalities. Now, a supramolecular design strategy is used to address these issues. Key is the use of a benzylimine-functionalized anthracene group, which red-shifts the absorption into the visible region and also stabilizes the supramolecular network through π–π interactions. Acid–ether hydrogen bonds are incorporated for energy dissipation under mechanical deformation and maintaining hydrophilicity of the network. This double-crosslinked supramolecular hydrogel developed via a simple synthesis exhibits a unique combination of high strength, rapid self-healing, and fast visible-light-driven shape morphing both in the wet and dry state. As all of the interactions are dynamic, the design enables the structures to be recycled and reprogrammed into different 3D objects.     

Demystifying terms for understanding bioelectrochemical systems towards sustainable wastewater treatment

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been intensively studied in the past decade, but precise understanding of BESs performance is hindered by unclear definition of several key parameters. Herein, we analyze and discuss three sets of terms about conversion efficiency, energy performance, and pilot scale. It is suggested that ‘Coulombic recovery’ can avoid the misleading results because of different organic removals, compared with ‘Coulombic efficiency.’ Power density is not a suitable term to describe energy performance of BESs, and energy production/consumption should be reported in the energy unit such as kWh. Pilot-scale BESs should meet several criteria, including hydraulic capacity, use of actual wastewater, non-laboratory condition, and long-term operation. Proper use of those terms is strongly encouraged and will be critically important to BESs research and development.     

Conjugated Copper–Catecholate Framework Electrodes for Efficient Energy Storage

A conjugated copper(II) catecholate based metal–organic framework (namely Cu‐DBC) was prepared using a D₂‐symmetric redox‐active ligand in a copper bis(dihydroxy) coordination geometry. The π‐d conjugated framework exhibits typical semiconducting behavior with a high electrical conductivity of ca. 1.0 S m^?1 at room temperature. Benefiting from the good electrical conductivity and the excellent redox reversibility of both ligand and copper centers, Cu‐DBC electrode features superior capacitor performances with gravimetric capacitance up to 479 F g^?1 at a discharge rate of 0.2 A g^?1. Moreover, the symmetric solid‐state supercapacitor of Cu‐DBC exhibits high areal (879 mF cm^?2) and volumetric (22 F cm^?3) capacitances, as well as good rate capability. These metrics are superior to most reported MOF‐based supercapacitors, demonstrating promising applications in energy‐storage devices.     

Photoredox‐Catalyzed Isomerization of Highly Substituted Allylic Alcohols by C−H Bond Activation

Photoredox‐catalyzed isomerization of γ‐carbonyl‐substituted allylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds was achieved for the first time by C?H bond activation. This catalytic redox‐neutral process resulted in the synthesis of 1,4‐dicarbonyl compounds. Notably, allylic alcohols bearing tetrasubstituted olefins can also be transformed into their corresponding carbonyl compounds. Density functional theory calculations show that the carbonyl group at the γ‐position of allylic alcohols are beneficial to the formation of their corresponding allylic alcohol radicals with high vertical electron affinity, which contributes to the completion of the photoredox catalytic cycle.     

Effect of methoxy position on dynamic mechanical and shape memory properties of methoxyphenol-based polybenzoxazines

Abstract

Two series of benzoxazines were synthesized from o-, m-, and p-methoxyphenols, two polyetheramines with different molecular weights, and formaldehyde. The glass transition temperatures (T _gs) of m-methoxyphenol-based polybenzoxazines are respectively higher than those of o- and p-methoxyphenol-based counterparts. The polybenzoxazines exhibit thermally induced one-way dual-shape memory behavior based on T _g, and the o- and p-methoxyphenol-based polybenzoxazines exhibit higher shape memory performance than m-methoxyphenol-based counterparts under motion constraints.     

Precise Size‐Selective Sieving of Nanoparticles Using a Highly Oriented Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Polymer

The development of size‐selective membranes with well‐defined nanopores towards the precise separation of nanometer‐sized substances is a challenging task to achieve. Here a supramolecular membrane is presented that comprises a highly oriented, honeycomb‐like, 2D supramolecular polymer on a polycarbonate filter support. It enables precise size‐selective sieving of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs). Owing to the uniform parallel‐aligned nanocavities within the 2D supramolecular polymers, the composite membrane shows a high size‐selectivity with a sub‐nanometer accuracy in the cutoff size of about 4.0 nm. In principle, the species of size‐separable particles are unlimited, as demonstrated by quantum dots, noble metal, and metal oxide NPs. This supramolecular membrane combined with filtration advances the potential of NPs in terms of their monochromatic emission and size monodispersity, and also enables rapid removal of small magnetic NP adsorbents that are otherwise difficult to capture.