The Vital Role of Buffer Anions in the Antioxidant Activity of CeO2 Nanoparticles

Cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles display excellent antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals. However, some studies have indicated that they can cause an adverse response by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hence, it is important to clarify the factors that affect the oxidant/antioxidant activities of CeO₂ nanoparticles. In this work, we report the effects of different buffer anions on the antioxidant activity of CeO₂ nanoparticles. Considering the main anions present in the body, Tris‐HCl, sulfate, and phosphate buffer solutions have been used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of CeO₂ nanoparticles by studying their DNA protective effect. The results show that CeO₂ nanoparticles can protect DNA from damage in Tris‐HCl and sulfate systems, but not in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) systems. The mechanism of action has been explored: cerium phosphate is formed on the surface of the nanoparticles, which interferes with the redox cycling between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺. As a result, the antioxidant activity of CeO₂ nanoparticles is greatly affected by the external environment, especially the anions. These results may provide guidance for the further practical application of CeO₂ nanoparticles.     

Synthesis of Er3+:Y3Al5O12 and its effects on the solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2–ZrO2 composite

The Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ as an upconversion luminescence agent, which can transform visible light into ultraviolet light, was synthesized by nitrate?Ccitrate acid and calcined method. Then, a novel photocatalyst, Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂?CZrO₂, was prepared using ultrasonic dispersion and liquid boiling method. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In succession, the degradation process of organic dye was monitored by UV?CVis spectrum and ion chromatography for verifying the photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂?CZrO₂. The influences on its photocatalytic activity such as Ti/Zr molar ratio, heat-treated temperature, and time were studied. In addition, the influences of initial concentration, Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂?CZrO₂ amount, solar light irradiation time, and organic dye category on the photocatalytic degradation efficiency were also investigated. It was found the photocatalytic activity of Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂?CZrO₂ was superior to Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂ and Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/ZrO₂. Therefore, the Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂?CZrO₂ is a useful photocatalytic material for the wastewater treatment duo to efficient utilization of solar light.     

Chains of (4,4′‐bipyridyl)copper(I) bridged by dimolybdate units

The crystal structure of the title compound, poly­[bis‐[copper(I)‐μ‐(4,4′‐bipyridyl)‐N:N′]‐μ‐dimolybdato‐O:O′],[Cu₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂{Mo₂O₇}]_n, consists of {Mo₂O₇}^2? units (with the central O atom lying on twofold symmetry axes) and [Cu(4,4′‐bipy)]_nⁿ⁺ chains (bipy = bipyridyl); the chains are generated by a c‐glide‐plane operation. The {Mo₂O₇}^2? units are covalently bridged to two [Cu(4,4′‐bipy)]_nⁿ⁺ chains, forming a complex with a bridged double‐chain structure. The Cu—O and Cu—N distances are 2.191 (3) and 1.933 (3) Å, respectively.     

A hydrated ethyl­ene­di­ammonium salt of a new polymeric polyoxoanion: (H2en)4[Co(H2O)2(OH)2(VO)6(HPO4)4(PO4)4]·3H2O

The title compound, tetrakis­(ethyl­enedi­ammonium) tetra‐μ‐hydrogenphosphato‐di‐μ‐hydro­xo‐ tetra‐μ‐phosphato‐bis­(aqua­cobalt)­hexakis­(oxovanadium) trihydrate, was synthesized hydro­thermally at moderate temperature. The structure consists of diprotonated ethyl­enedi­ammonium cations and layers of the polyanions. The polyanion contains four PO₄ tetrahedra and three VO₅ square pyramids that are linked through corner‐sharing by alternating P—O—V, which gives rise to a chain. The chains, connected by CoO₄(H₂O)₂ octahedra, form layers, resulting in a two‐dimensional layered structure. The Co—O distances are in the range 1.984 (3)–2.038 (4) Å, the P—O distances 1.508 (3)–1.575 (3) Å and the V—O distances 1.585 (3)–2.010 (3) Å.     

Interfacial Design of Dendrite‐Free Zinc Anodes for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries have rapidly developed recently as promising energy storage devices in large‐scale energy storage systems owing to their low cost and high safety. Research on suppressing zinc dendrite growth has meanwhile attracted widespread attention to improve the lifespan and reversibility of batteries. Herein, design methods for dendrite‐free zinc anodes and their internal mechanisms are reviewed from the perspective of optimizing the host–zinc interface and the zinc–electrolyte interface. Furthermore, a design strategy is proposed to homogenize zinc deposition by regulating the interfacial electric field and ion distribution during zinc nucleation and growth. This Minireview can offer potential directions for the rational design of dendrite‐free zinc anodes employed in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.     

Fabrication of Heterostructured Fe2TiO5–TiO2 Nanocages with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance for Solar Energy Conversion

Photocatalysts with well‐designed compositions and structures are desirable for achieving highly efficient solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion. Heterostructured semiconductor photocatalysts with advanced hollow structures possess beneficial features for promoting the activity towards photocatalytic reactions. Here we develop a facile synthetic strategy for the fabrication of Fe₂TiO₅–TiO₂ nanocages (NCs) as anode materials in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting cells. A hydrothermal reaction is performed to transform MIL‐125(Ti) nanodisks (NDs) to Ti–Fe–O NCs, which are further converted to Fe₂TiO₅–TiO₂ NCs through a post annealing process. Owing to the compositional and structural advantages, the heterostructured Fe₂TiO₅–TiO₂ NCs show enhanced performance for PEC water oxidation compared with TiO₂ NDs, Fe₂TiO₅ nanoparticles (NPs) and Fe₂TiO₅–TiO₂ NPs.     

Structure Determination of Alkynyl‐Protected Gold Nanocluster Au22(tBuC≡C)18 and Its Thermochromic Luminescence

An alkynyl‐protected gold nanocluster, Au₂₂(^tBuC≡C)₁₈ ( 1 ), has been synthesized and its structure has been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of a Au₁₃ cuboctahedron kernel and three [Au₃(^tBuC≡C)₄] trimeric staples. The cluster 1 has strong luminescence in the solid state with a 15 % quantum yield, and it displays interesting thermochromic luminescence as revealed by temperature‐dependent emission spectra. The enhanced room‐temperature emission is characterized as thermally activated delayed fluorescence.     

Two new xanthones from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana

Two new xanthones, designated garcimangosxanthone F (1) and garcimangosxanthone G (2), were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of ethanolic extract from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana. Their structures were established as 1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano[2′,3′:3,2]xanthone and 1,6,7-trihydroxy-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-8-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-6′,6′-dimethyl-4′,5′-dihydropyrano[2′,3′:3,2]xanthone, respectively, on the basis of their 1D, 2D NMR and MS data interpretation.     

Effect of ethyl‐bridged diphenylphosphine oxide on flame retardancy and thermal properties of epoxy resin

Three commercialized flame retardants, 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)ethane (EDPO), 6,6‐(1,2‐phenethyl)bis‐6H‐dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin‐6,6‐dioxide (HTP‐6123), and hexa‐phenoxy‐cyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP), were used to prepare the flame retardant diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin (EP) under the same experimental conditions. The effects of T_g, thermal stability, and water absorption properties of EP caused by the three flame retardants were investigated and compared, together with their flame retardant efficiency. Results showed that the introduction of the three flame retardants improved the flame retardant performance of EP but led to decreases in T_g and decomposition temperature. EDPO showed higher flame retardant efficiency than the other two flame retardants. EP/EDPO showed higher thermal stability, better flame retardant performance, higher T_g value, and lower water absorption than EP/HTP‐6123 and EP/HPCTP. The study discovered that EDPO and HTP‐6123 primarily act through the gas phase flame retardant mechanism, while HPCTP is primarily driven by the condensed phase mechanism.