Micro-/Mesoporous conjugated polymer based on star-shaped triazine-functional triphenylamine framework as the performance-improved cathode of Li-organic battery

A novel organic conjugated polymer based on star-shaped triazine-functional triphenylamine framework poly[1,3,5-tris(4-diphenylamino-phenyl)triazine] (PTDAPTz) is designed and synthesized successfully by FeCl₃-catalysted chemical oxidative polymerization. The polymer PTDAPTz powder exhibits a compactly packed pleated skirt shape-like morphology with a high surface area (~930 m² g⁻¹) and a bimodal pore size distribution ranging from micropores (~0.55 nm) to small diameter mesopores (~2–6 nm). As explored as the cathode material, the obtained PTDAPTz presents the double charge–discharge process characteristics of both the free radical redox of triphenylamine unit and the bipolar redox of triazine unit in the polymer and a well-defined multistage charge/discharge voltage plateau (~3.8 V for p-doped and ~2.0 V for n-doped) during the charge–discharge process. Also, the PTDAPTz demonstrates an improved capacity (stabilized at 123 mA h g⁻¹ until 50th cycle) and the enhanced rate performance compared to polytriphenylamine (PTPAn). Specially, the discharge curve for the part of triphenylamine unit presents an obviously improved discharge plateau (~3.8 V for PTDAPTz compared to ~3.6 V for PTPAn) due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the triazine unit to triphenylamine. The elaborate structural design and created micro-/mesoporous morphology with the double charge–discharge process make PTDAPTz a potential candidate as the performance-improved cathode of Li-organic battery. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2574–2583     

Improvement of multistep WENO scheme and its extension to higher orders of accuracy

This paper presents an efficient procedure for overcoming the deficiency of weighted essentially non‐oscillatory schemes near discontinuities. Through a thorough incorporation of smoothness indicators into the weights definition, up to ninth‐order accurate multistep methods are devised, providing weighted essentially non‐oscillatory schemes with enhanced order of convergence at transition points from smooth regions to a discontinuity, while maintaining stability and the essentially non‐oscillatory behavior. We also provide a detailed analysis of the resolution power and show that the solution enhancements of the new method at smooth regions come from their ability to render smoothness indicators closer to uniformity. The new scheme exhibits similar fidelity as other multistep schemes; however, with superior characteristics in terms of robustness and efficiency, as no logical statements or mapping function is needed. Extensions to higher orders of accuracy present no extra complexity. Numerical solutions of linear advection problems and nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws are used to demonstrate the scheme's improved behavior for shock‐capturing problems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plasmonic sensing of CTAB in gold nanorods solution based on Cu(II) ions-mediated H2O2 etching effect

Controlled release formulation of pesticides is highly desirable for attaining the most effective utilization of the pesticide as well as reducing environmental pollution. Nano-sized controlled release formulations can provide better penetration through cuticle and deliver the active ingredients efficiently to the targeted tissue. In this study, a novel strategy for the preparation of a nanoconjugate derived from kasugamycin with amino-modified silica was developed. The kasugamycin was connected with amino-modified silica matrix by an amide bond, which could avoid the initial burst release effectively and prolong the duration remarkably. The results showed the kasuga-silica can protect kasugamycin against photo-degradation effectively and the release rate of the active ingredient of nanoconjugate was related to the temperature, pH value, and the particle size (52.5–315.4 nm). With reduced particle size as well as increased temperature and acidity, the release of the active ingredient was faster. This amide linkage of kasuga-silica could be degraded by amidase effectively. This nanoconjugate displayed a better and a sustained bactericidal efficacy against E. coli than kasugamycin technical, which makes it a potential candidate as a controlled release conjugate for kasugamycin in the future.     

Transfer hydrogenation of imines with carboxyl-tailed benzothiazoline as readily removable hydrogen donor

A benzothiazoline bearing 4-carboxyphenyl group at 2-position was developed as an efficient hydrogen donor for the transfer hydrogenation reaction. Introduction of the carboxyl group significantly facilitated the removal of the residual benzothiazoline and benzothiazole by washing with aqueous basic solution. The present approach provides a convenient and straightforward access to various amines with broad substrate scope and in good yields.     

Coherence resonance in a noise-driven gene network regulated by small RNA

Small RNA has recently drawn more and more attention. In this paper, we concentrate on the influence of noises on gene network regulated by small RNA using chemical Langevin equation. It shows that the noise can cause oscillation when the oscillate does not occur in the corresponding deterministic system. The coherence of the noise induced oscillation reaches a maximum for an optimal intensity of noise, and the coherence resonance appears accordingly. The findings imply probably omnipresent importance of noise in the functioning process of living organism.