Loss of PEG chain in routine SDS‐PAGE analysis of PEG‐maleimide modified protein

SDS‐PAGE represents a quick and simple method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of protein and protein‐containing conjugates, mostly pegylated proteins. PEG‐maleimide (MAL) is frequently used to site‐specifically pegylate therapeutic proteins via free cysteine residue by forming a thiosuccinimide structure for pursuing homogeneous products. The C–S linkage between protein and PEG‐MAL is generally thought to be relatively stable. However, loss of intact PEG chain in routine SDS‐PAGE analysis of PEG‐maleimide modified protein was observed. It is a thiol‐independent thioether cleavage and the shedding of PEG chain exclusively happens to PEG‐MAL modified conjugates although PEG‐vinylsulfone conjugates to thiol‐containing proteins also through a C–S linkage. Cleavage kinetics of PEG40k‐MAL modified ciliary neurotrophic factor showed this kind of degradation could immediately happen even in 1 min incubation at high temperature and could be detected at physiological temperature and pH, although the rate was relatively slow. This may provide another degradation route for maleimide‐thiol conjugate irrespective of reactive thiol, although the specific mechanism is still not very clear for us. It would also offer a basis for accurate characterization of PEG‐MAL modified protein/peptide by SDS‐PAGE analysis.     

Multicomponent Self‐Assembly with a Shape‐Persistent N‐Heterotriangulene Macrocycle on Au(111)

Multicomponent network formation by using a shape‐persistent macrocycle ( MC6 ) at the interface between an organic liquid and Au(111) surface is demonstrated. MC6 serves as a versatile building block that can be coadsorbed with a variety of organic molecules based on different types of noncovalent interactions at the liquid–solid interface. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals the formation of crystalline bicomponent networks upon codeposition of MC6 with aromatic molecules, such as fullerene (C₆₀) and coronene. Tetracyanoquinodimethane, on the other hand, was found to induce disorder into the MC6 networks by adsorbing on the rim of the macrocycle. Immobilization of MC6 itself was studied in two different noncovalently assembled host networks. MC6 assumed a rather passive role as a guest and simply occupied the host cavities in one network, whereas it induced a structural transition in the other. Finally, the central cavity of MC6 was used to capture C₆₀ in a complex three‐component system. Precise immobilization of organic molecules at discrete locations within multicomponent networks, as demonstrated here, constitutes an important step towards bottom‐up fabrication of functional surface‐based nanostructures.     

Tuning the Basicity of Cyano‐Containing Ionic Liquids to Improve SO2 Capture through Cyano–Sulfur Interactions

A new approach has been developed to improve SO₂ sorption by cyano‐containing ionic liquids (ILs) through tuning the basicity of ILs and cyano–sulfur interaction. Several kinds of cyano‐containing ILs with different basicity were designed, prepared, and used for SO₂ capture. The interaction between these cyano‐containing ILs and SO₂ was investigated by FTIR and NMR methods. Spectroscopic investigations and quantum chemical calculations showed that dramatic effects on SO₂ capacity originate from the basicity of the ILs and enhanced cyano–sulfur interaction. Furthermore, the captured SO₂ was easy to release by heating or bubbling N₂ through the ILs. This efficient and reversible process, achieved by tuning the basicity of ILs, is an excellent alternative to current technologies for SO₂ capture.     

Fluorescent In Situ Targeting Probes for Rapid Imaging of Ovarian‐Cancer‐Specific γ‐Glutamyltranspeptidase

γ‐Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is a tumor biomarker that selectively catalyzes the cleavage of glutamate overexpressed on the plasma membrane of tumor cells. Here, we developed two novel fluorescent in situ targeting (FIST) probes that specifically target GGT in tumor cells, which comprise 1) a GGT‐specific substrate unit (GSH), and 2) a boron–dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moiety for fluorescent signalling. In the presence of GGT, sulfur‐substituted BODIPY was converted to amino‐substituted BODIPY, resulting in dramatic fluorescence variations. By exploiting this enzyme‐triggered photophysical property, we employed these FIST probes to monitor the GGT activity in living cells, which showed remarkable differentiation between ovarian cancer cells and normal cells. These probes represent two first‐generation chemodosimeters featuring enzyme‐mediated rapid, irreversible aromatic hydrocarbon transfer between the sulfur and nitrogen atoms accompanied by switching of photophysical properties.     

Wrinkled Graphene Monoliths as Superabsorbing Building Blocks for Superhydrophobic and Superhydrophilic Surfaces

Superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces are of great interest because of a large range of applications, for example, as antifogging and self‐cleaning coatings, as antibiofouling paints for boats, in metal refining, and for water–oil separation. An aqueous ink based on three‐dimensional graphene monoliths (Gr) can be used for constructing both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces on arbitrary substrates with different surficial structures from the meso‐ to the macroscale. The surface wettability of a Gr‐coated surface mainly depends on which additional layers (air for a superhydrophobic surface and water for a superhydrophilic surface) are adsorbed on the surface of the graphene sheets. Switching a Gr‐coated surface between being superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic can thus be easily achieved by drying and prewetting with ethanol. The Gr‐based superhydrophobic membranes or films should have great potential as efficient separators for fast and gravity‐driven oil–water separation.     

One Step Preparation of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Pd–Fe3O4@Polypyrrole Composites and Their Application in Catalysis

The simple preparation of catalysts with superior catalytic activity and good reusability is highly desirable. Herein, we report a novel strategy to construct reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Pd–Fe₃O₄@polypyrrole (PPy) catalysts with Pd and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles anchored on a rGO nanosheet surface and wrapped in a PPy shell. The synthesis and assembly of both the Pd and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the preparation of the PPy layer, and the reduction of graphene oxide nanosheets were finished in one step. In the system, the PPy layer not only prevented aggregation of Pd and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, but also generated a synergistic effect with precursor Pd²⁺ ions, which led to a high dispersity of as‐prepared Pd nanoparticles. Although the procedure was simplified to one step, the catalytic activity and reusability were not sacrificed. In the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, their catalytic performance was better than that in recent reports. Moreover, the catalysts showed good reusability owing to their magnetic properties.     

TiO2修饰La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ用于中温固体氧化物燃料电池的阴极

纳米TiO2修饰的La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ(LSCF)阴极被直接应用于YSZ电解质电池上. TiO2可阻止LSCF和YSZ间的化学反应,抑制SrZrO3的形成. LSCF-0.25 wt% TiO2阴极电池在0.7 V和600°C下的电流密度是LSCF阴极电池的1.6倍.电化学阻抗谱结果表明, TiO2修饰显著加快了氧离子注入电解质的过程,这可能与TiO2抑制了阴极/电解质界面处高电阻SrZrO3层的形成有关.本文为在ZrO2基电解质上使用高性能的(La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3阴极材料提供了一种简单有效的方法.     

类石墨相C3N4复合光催化剂

利用半导体光催化技术将太阳能转化为化学能或直接降解和矿化有机污染物,是解决能源短缺和环境污染等问题的有效途径。聚合物类石墨相氮化碳(g-C₃N₄)具有类似石墨烯的结构,由于其优异的化学稳定性和独特的电子能带结构,可作为太阳能转化、环境污染物降解的催化剂而得到了广泛关注。g-C₃N₄制备原料便宜易得、制备方法简单,可作为廉价、稳定、不含金属的可见光光催化剂应用于光催化降解污染物、水分解制氢制氧及有机合成领域。然而光生电荷易复合,使得g-C₃N₄的催化活性还不能满足大规模应用的需求。本文针对g-C₃N₄光催化活性的提高,综述了国内外在g-C₃N₄复合改性方面的重要研究进展,如金属/非金属掺杂、半导体复合、表面金属沉积等,并讨论了复合物的催化机理。     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/GO-MMT nanocomposites: Preparation,structure and properties

A facile, efficient and environment friendly method is established to prepare poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) based graphene oxide-montmorillonite(GO-MMT) nanocomposites in aqueous media. GO-MMT nanohybrid is obtained by the combination of GO and MMT in water without any reducing or stabilizing agents. The formation of GO-MMT nanohybrid is due to the hydrogen bonding and crosslinking effects. The sodium ions within MMT sheets act as crosslinkers between GO sheets and MMT platelets. The resultant nanocomposites are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) and mechanical testing. Compared to that of pure PVA, PVA nanocomposites show enhanced thermal stabilities and mechanical properties, which results from strong interfacial adhesion of the nanoadditives in PVA matrix. The further increase in the tensile strength and modulus results from strong interaction between PVA chains and layered GO-MMT as well as good mechanical properties of GO-MMT hybrid, compared to PVA/GO and PVA/MMT nanocompsoites.     

性能优异的Rh改性的Pd/Al2O3密偶催化剂

采用等体积浸渍法制备了Pd/Al2O3和Rh-Pd/Al2O3密偶催化剂,运用H2程序升温还原、CO化学吸附和X射线光电子能谱等手段对催化剂进行了表征,并考察了催化剂对丙烷总包反应和单反应的转化活性.总包反应结果表明, Rh的添加使起燃温度和完全转化温度分别降低了23和18oC.单反应结果证明,添加Rh能提高各单反应丙烷的转化活性,尤其是有NO参与的反应.表征结果证明,掺杂Rh不仅可以抑制活性组分PdOx的烧结,提高PdOx的分散度,而且可以改变其电子状态.