Neutral 1D Perovskite-Type ABX3 Phase Transition Material with a Narrowband Emission and Semiconductor Property

Cyclic organic amines are emerging as excellent building blocks to assemble organic–inorganic hybrid phase transition materials due to their flexible cyclic structure. Here, we have assembled a 1D organic-inorganic hybrid dielectric material C₅H₆NOPbBr₃ ( 1 ) by alloying the cyclic organic amine 3-hydroxypyridine. 1 displays a remarkable switchable dielectric response induced by an order-disorder transformation of the organic moiety, this transformation behaviour is confirmed by DSC and Hirshfeld surface measurements. More interestingly, 1 has a narrowband emission (FWHM=4.64 nm) at 590 nm; FWHM is a major quality figure for narrowband photodetectors. In addition, 1 exhibits semiconducting properties with an indirect bandgap of 2.78 eV by the analysis of the UV-Vis absorption results.     

Solid-phase extraction techniques based on nanomaterials for mycotoxin analysis: An overview for food and agricultural products

Mycotoxin contamination is a globally concerned problem for food and agricultural products since it may directly or indirectly induce severe threats to human health. Sensitive and selective screening is an efficient strategy to prevent or reduce human and animal exposure to mycotoxins. However, enormous challenges exist in the determination of mycotoxins, arising from complex sample matrices, trace-level analytes, and the co-occurrence of diverse mycotoxins. Appropriate sample preparation is essential to isolate, purify, and enrich mycotoxins from complicated matrices, thus decreasing sample matrix effects and lowering detection limits. With the cross-disciplinary development, new solid-phase extraction strategies have been exploited and integrated with nanotechnology to meet the challenges of mycotoxin analysis. This review summarizes the advance and progress of solid-phase extraction techniques as the methodological solutions for mycotoxin analysis. Emphases are paid on nanomaterials fabricated as trapping media of solid-phase extraction techniques, including carbonaceous nanoparticles, metal/metal oxide-based nanoparticles, and nanoporous materials. Advantages and limitations are discussed, along with the potential prospects.     

Delocalized \begin{document}$\pi_3^6$\end{document} Bond in OX\begin{document}$_2$\end{document} (X=Halogen) Molecules

OX\begin{document}$_2$\end{document} (X=halogen) molecules was studied theoretically. Calculation results show that delocalized \begin{document}$\pi_3^6$\end{document} bonds exist in their electronic structures and O atoms adopt the sp\begin{document}$^2$\end{document} type of hybridization, which violates the prediction of the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory of sp\begin{document}$^3$\end{document} type. Delocalization stabilization energy is proposed to measure the contribution of delocalized \begin{document}$\pi_3^6$\end{document} bond to energy decrease and proves to bring extra-stability to the molecule. These phenomena can be summarized as a kind of coordinating effect.     

Pharmacokinetics,hepatic disposition,and heart tissue distribution of 14 compounds in rat after oral administration of Qi-Li-Qiang-Xin capsule via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry

In the present study, a specific and sensitive approach using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the quantitative analysis of 14 constituents in rat plasma, liver, and heart. The method was fully validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic, hepatic disposition, and heart tissue distribution studies of 14 compounds after the oral administration of Qi-Li-Qiang-Xin capsule. Ginsenoside Rb1, alisol A, astragaloside IV, and periplocymarin were found to be highly exposed in rat plasma, while toxic components such as hypaconitine, mesaconitine, and periplocin had low circulation levels in vivo. Moreover, sinapine thiocyanate, neoline, formononetin, calycosin, and alisol A exhibited significant liver first-pass effects. Notably, high levels of alisol A, periplocymarin, benzoylmesaconine, and benzoylhypaconine were observed in the heart. Based on high exposure and appropriate pharmacokinetic features in the systemic plasma and heart, astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rb1, periplocymarin, benzoylmesaconine, benzoylhypaconine, and alisol A can be considered as the main potentially effective components. Ultimately, the results provide relevant information for discovery of effective substances, as well as further anti-heart failure action mechanism investigations of Qi-Li-Qiang-Xin capsule.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Catalytic Reduction of U(VI) with Hydrazine on Platinum Catalysts in Nitric Acid Media

The kinetics of U(IV) produced by hydrazine reduction of U(VI) with platinum as a catalyst in nitric acid media was studied to reveal the reaction mechanism and optimize the reaction process. Electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to determine the influence of nitric acid oxidation. The effects of nitric acid, hydrazine, U(VI) concentration, catalyst dosage and temperature on the reaction rate were also studied. In addition, the simulation of the reaction process was performed using density functional theory. The results show that the influence of oxidation on the main reaction is limited when the concentration of nitric acid is below 0.5 mol/L. The reaction kinetics equation below the concentration of 0.5 mol/L is found as: -dc(UO₂²⁺)/dt)=kc^0.5323(UO₂²⁺)c^0.2074(N₂H₅⁺)c^-0.2009(H⁺). When the temperature is 50 ℃, and the solid/liquid ratio r is 0.0667 g/mL, the reaction kinetics constant is k=0.00199 (mol/L)^0.4712/min. Between 20 ℃ and 80 ℃, the reaction rate gradually increases with the increase of temperature, and changes from chemically controlled to diffusion-controlled. The simulations of density functional theory give further insight into the influence of various factors on the reaction process, with which the reaction mechanisms are determined according to the reaction kinetics and the simulation results.     

The metallic C6S monolayer with high specific capacity for K-ion batteries

K-ion batteries (KIBs) attract considerable attention due to the abundance of K, high-working voltages, and chemical similarity with Li, enabling the utilization of mature Li-ion technology. However, shortage of high-performance anode materials is a critical obstacle for the development of KIBs. Through first-principles swarm-intelligence structural search, we identify a potential anode material, the C₆S monolayer, which provides not only a remarkably high specific capacity of 1546 mAh/g but also a low diffusion barrier of 0.11 eV and a low open-circuit voltage of 0.21 V. Inherent metallicity originates from delocalized π electrons.     

Polymer Electrolytes – New Opportunities for the Development of Multivalent Ion Batteries

Batteries, as highly concerned energy conversion system, have a great development prospect in various fields, especially in the field of energy powered vehicles. Multivalent ion batteries are getting more attention due to their low cost, high abundance in earth crust, high capacity and safety compared with Lithium batteries. Despite above advantages, several problems still need to be solved before multivalent ion batteries achieve large-scale application, such as interfacial parasitic reaction, anode passivation, and dendrites. The replacement of liquid electrolytes with gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) which pose high safety, high mechanical strength and simplified battery system, is an effective strategy to inhibit dendrite growth and improve electrochemical performance. This review mainly discusses the advantages and challenges of multivalent ion batteries including zinc, magnesium, calcium and aluminum batteries. Meanwhile, the major targets of this review are introducing the recent developments and making a summary of the future trends of GPEs in the multivalent ion batteries.     

In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Nanoformulated Mono- and Di-nuclear Pt Compounds

Nanoformulations of mononuclear Pt complexes cis-PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂ ( 1 ), [Pt(PPh₃)₂(L−Cys)] ⋅ H₂O ( 3 , L−Cys=L-cysteinate), trans-PtCl₂(PPh₂PhNMe₂)₂ ( 4 ; PPh₂PhNMe₂=4-(dimethylamine)triphenylphosphine), trans-PtI₂(PPh₂PhNMe₂)₂ ( 5 ) and dinuclear Pt cluster Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ ( 2 ) have comparable cytotoxicity to cisplatin against murine melanoma cell line B16F10. Masking of these discrete molecular entities within the hydrophobic core of Pluronic® F-127 significantly boosted their solubility and stability, ensuring efficient cellular uptake, giving in vitro IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.87–11.23 μM. These results highlight the potential therapeutic value of Pt complexes featuring stable Pt−P bonds in nanocomposite formulations with biocompatible amphiphilic polymers.     

Cu2O-Catalyzed Conversion of Benzyl Alcohols Into Aromatic Nitriles via the Complete Cleavage of the C≡N Triple Bond in the Cyanide Anion

Nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an aldehyde is emerging as a promising method for the synthesis of aromatic nitriles. However, this method still suffers from a disadvantage that a use of stoichiometric Cu(II) or Cu(I) salts is required to enable the reaction. As we report herein, we overcame this drawback and developed a catalytic method for nitrogen transfer from cyanide anion to an alcohol via the complete cleavage of the C≡N triple bond using phen/Cu₂O as the catalyst. The present condition allowed a series of benzyl alcohols to be smoothly converted into aromatic nitriles in moderate to high yields. In addition, the present method could be extended to the conversion of cinnamic alcohol to 3-phenylacrylonitrile.     

Facile preparation of MgAl2O4/CeO2/Mn3O4 heterojunction photocatalyst and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Novel Mn₃O₄-promoted double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was constructed by one-step synthesis method and two-step synthesis method. The X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical and photoluminescence demonstrated that the MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized by the two-step synthesis method comprehends a high crystallinity, charge carrier migration and separation efficiency, and relatively low optical absorption coefficient. The MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunction photocatalysts were efficiently used as simulated sunlight-driven n-n and p-n double junction photocatalyst for the simultaneous degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The continuous double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunctions strengthened the function of single n-n or p-n junction and guided the charge carrier migration and separation direction; thus, the oxidation and reduction reactions occur at the active site of spatial separation and prevent the recombination of electrons and holes. The results suggest that the continuous double p?n junction MgAl₂O₄/CeO₂/Mn₃O₄ heterojunctions are very promising candidate material for enhancing the photocatalytic activity in the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye.