Metal–Organic Framework Membrane Nanopores as Biomimetic Photoresponsive Ion Channels and Photodriven Ion Pumps

Biological ion channels and ion pumps with sub-nanometer sizes modulate ion transport in response to external stimuli. Realizing such functions with sub-nanometer solid-state nanopores has been an important topic with wide practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a biomimetic photoresponsive ion channel and photodriven ion pump using a porphyrin-based metal–organic framework membrane with pore sizes comparable to hydrated ions. We show that the molecular-size pores enable precise and robust optoelectronic ion transport modulation in a broad range of concentrations, unparalleled with conventional solid-state nanopores. Upon decoration with platinum nanoparticles to form a Schottky barrier photodiode, photovoltage across the membrane is generated with “uphill” ion transport from low concentration to high concentration. These results may spark applications in energy conversion, ion sieving, and artificial photosynthesis.     

Holey Lamellar High-Entropy Oxide as an Ultra-High-Activity Heterogeneous Catalyst for Solvent-free Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The development of noble-metal-free heterogeneous catalysts is promising for selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols; however, the relatively low conversion of non-noble metal catalysts under solvent-free atmospheric conditions hinders their industrial application. Now, a holey lamellar high entropy oxide (HEO) Co_0.2Ni_0.2Cu_0.2Mg_0.2Zn_0.2O material with mesoporous structure is prepared by an anchoring and merging process. The HEO has ultra-high catalytic activity for the solvent-free aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Up to 98 % conversion can be achieved in only 2 h, to our knowledge, the highest conversion of benzyl alcohol by oxidation to date. By regulating the catalytic reaction parameters, benzoic acid or benzaldehyde can be selectively optimized as the main product. Analytical characterizations and calculations provide a deeper insight into the catalysis mechanism, revealing abundant oxygen vacancies and holey lamellar framework contribute to the ultra-high catalytic activity.     

Tumor Microenvironment Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence Imaging and Synergistic Cancer Therapy by Carbon-Dot–Cu2+ Nanoassemblies

A method is developed to fabricate tumor microenvironment (TME) stimuli-responsive nanoplatform for fluorescence (FL) imaging and synergistic cancer therapy via assembling photosensitizer (chlorine e6, Ce6) modified carbon dots (CDs-Ce6) and Cu²⁺. The as-obtained nanoassemblies (named Cu/CC nanoparticles, NPs) exhibit quenched FL and photosensitization due to the aggregation of CDs-Ce6. Their FL imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT) functions are recovered efficiently once they entering tumor sites by the stimulation of TME. Introducing of Cu²⁺ not only provides extra chemodynamic therapy (CDT) function through reaction with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), but also depletes GSH in tumors by a redox reaction, thus amplifying the intracellular oxidative stress and enhancing the efficacy of reactive oxygen species (ROS) based therapy. Cu/CC NPs can act as a FL imaging guided trimodal synergistic cancer treatment agent by photothermal therapy (PTT), PDT, and thermally amplified CDT.     

Cationic Lipid-based Intracellular Delivery of Bacterial Effectors for Rewiring Malignant Cell Signaling

The abundance of bacterial effectors have inspired us to explore their potential in rewiring malignant cell signaling. Their incapability for entering cells, however, hinders such application. Herein we developed a cationic lipid-based high throughput library screening platform for effective intracellular delivery of bacterial effectors. As the misregulated MAPK signaling is a hallmark of many types of cancer, we turned to the Shigella effector OspF which irreversibly inactivates ERK, the terminal component of MAPK cascade. We created a function-based screening assay to obtain AMPA-O16B lipid nanoparticles for effective OspF intracellular delivery, which inhibited the malignant MAPK signaling and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the optimized lipid nanoparticle formulation can deliver OspF to modulate the immunosuppressive responses in macrophages. Our work is a general strategy to explore the therapeutic potentials of naturally evolved bacterial effectors.     

Divergent Total Synthesis of Euphoranginol C,Euphoranginone D,ent-Trachyloban-3β-ol,ent-Trachyloban-3-one,Excoecarin E,and ent-16α-Hydroxy-atisane-3-one

A divergent synthetic approach to biogenetically related diterpenoids such as ent-kauranes, ent-trachylobanes, ent-beyerane, and ent-atisane has been developed. The unified synthetic route involves the De Mayo reaction to rapidly generate the bicyclo[3.2.1]-octane moiety of ent-kaurane. The key reactions also include bioinspired nucleophilic cyclopropanation generating the [3.2.1.0^2,7]-tricyclic core of ent-trachylobane and regioselective cyclopropane fragmentation furnishing ent-beyerane and ent-atisane through the nucleophilic attack and protonation of the cyclopropane ring. This strategy enables the asymmetric total syntheses of six diterpenoids from the commercially available geraniol.     

Zwitterionic Polydopamine Engineered Interface for In Vivo Sensing with High Biocompatibility

Electrochemical sensing performance is often compromised by electrode biofouling (e.g., proteins nonspecific binding) in complex biological fluids; however, the design and construction of a robust biointerface remains a great challenge. Herein, inspired by nature, we demonstrate a robust polydopamine-engineered biointerfacing, to tailing zwitterionic molecules (i.e., sulfobetaine methacrylate, SBMA) through Michael Addition. The SBMA-PDA biointerface can resist proteins nonspecific binding in complex biological fluids while enhancing interfacial electron transfer and electrochemical stability of the electrode. In addition, this sensing interface can be integrated with tissue-implantable electrode for in vivo analysis with improved sensing performance, preserving ca. 92.0% of the initial sensitivity after 2 h of implantation in brain tissue, showing low acute neuroinflammatory responses and good stability both in normal and in Parkinson′s disease (PD) rat brain tissue.     

碳化终温对β-Mo2C催化喹啉加氢脱氮性能影响

以MoO_3为前驱物,CH_4/H_2为碳源,采用程序升温直接还原碳化法制备不同碳化终温(640、660、680、700和720℃)的碳化钼催化剂,通过XRD、N_2吸附-脱附、SEM、TEM、XPS和Raman表征研究碳化钼的物理性质和结构性质,并研究不同碳化终温碳化钼对喹啉加氢脱氮的催化性能。结果表明,不同碳化终温的碳化钼催化剂均为β-Mo_2C,碳化终温可显著改变碳化钼表面物种含量、平均孔径和介孔分布。碳化终温为680℃时,催化剂碳化程度较高,表面氧物种含量最低,表面C/Mo物质的量比最高,对应的催化活性也最佳,在340℃、4 MPa条件下,喹啉的转化率和脱氮率均高达99%以上,芳香族类化合物的选择性可达37.8%,显示出较低的芳环破坏性。表面组成尤其是表面氧对于β-Mo_2C上喹啉加氢脱氮反应途径的调控至关重要。     

Hierarchically Ordered Porous Carbon with Atomically Dispersed FeN4 for Ultraefficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The low catalytic activity and poor mass transport capacity of platinum group metal free (PGM-free) catalysts seriously restrict the application of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Catalysts derived from Fe-doped ZIF-8 could in theory be as active as Pt/C thanks to the high intrinsic activity of FeN₄; however, the micropores fail to meet rapid mass transfer. Herein, an ordered hierarchical porous structure is introduced into Fe-doped ZIF-8 single crystals, which were subsequently carbonized to obtain an FeN₄-doped hierarchical ordered porous carbon (FeN₄/HOPC) skeleton. The optimal catalyst FeN₄/HOPC-c-1000 shows excellent performance with a half-wave potential of 0.80 V in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ solution, only 20 mV lower than that of commercial Pt/C (0.82 V). In a real PEMFC, FeN₄/HOPC-c-1000 exhibits significantly enhanced current density and power density relative to FeN₄/C, which does not have an optimized pore structure, implying an efficient utilization of the active sites and enhanced mass transfer to promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).     

Self-Assembly of Highly Stable Zirconium(IV) Coordination Cages with Aggregation Induced Emission Molecular Rotors for Live-Cell Imaging

The self-assembly of highly stable zirconium(IV)-based coordination cages with aggregation induced emission (AIE) molecular rotors for in vitro bio-imaging is reported. The two coordination cages, NUS-100 and NUS-101, are assembled from the highly stable trinuclear zirconium vertices and two flexible carboxyl-decorated tetraphenylethylene (TPE) spacers. Extensive experimental and theoretical results show that the emissive intensity of the coordination cages can be controlled by restricting the dynamics of AIE-active molecular rotors though multiple external stimuli. Because the two coordination cages have excellent chemical stability in aqueous solutions (pH stability: 2–10) and impressive AIE characteristics contributed by the molecular rotors, they can be employed as novel biological fluorescent probes for in vitro live-cell imaging.     

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.