Electrochemical Sensors Using Two‐Dimensional Layered Nanomaterials

Two‐dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials, e.g. graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), have rapidly emerged in material sciences due to their unique physical, chemical and mechanical properties. In the meanwhile, there is a growing interest in constructing electrochemical sensors for a wide range of chemical and biological molecules by using these 2D nanomaterials. In this review, we summarize recent advances on using graphene and MoS₂ for the development of electrochemical sensors for small molecules, proteins, nucleic acids and cells detection. We also provide our perspectives in this rapidly developing field.     

The effect of disulfide bonds on protein folding,unfolding, and misfolding investigated by FT–Raman spectroscopy

Disulfide bond is relevant to many protein folding/unfolding functions and conformational diseases. To elucidate the effects of disulfide bonds on protein folding, unfolding, and misfolding, we performed Fourier transform–Raman measurements on serial chemical‐induced denaturations of bovine serum albumin (BSA). By directly monitoring Raman stretching at S–S (~507 cm⁻¹), S–H (~2566 cm⁻¹), amide I (1655 cm⁻¹ for α‐helix; 1667 cm⁻¹ for β‐sheet structure), and amide III (>1300 cm⁻¹ for α‐helix; 1246 cm⁻¹ for β‐sheet structure), the status of disulfide bonds and secondary structure of BSA at different states were elucidated. Both disulfide bonds and secondary structure (mostly in α‐helix) of BSA appeared relatively stable even when the protein was unfolded by urea solution. However, disulfide bonds were completely reduced and protein secondary structure changed from α‐helix to a relatively β‐sheet dominant when the protein was modified by the mixed solution of urea and dithiothreitol (urea/DTT). Adhering to these structural changes, the protein proceeded to different degrees of polymerization. BSA would aggregate into a high molecular mass (over 700 kDa) of protein ensemble when it was exposed to the mixed urea/DTT solution. An irreversible change in S–S/S–H conversion and secondary structure was responsible for protein misfolding. We demonstrate here that Fourier transform–Raman directly probe S–S/S–H conversion and secondary structural change of BSA at different states, and these results clearly indicate that disulfide bonds and secondary structure of BSA serve as concrete frameworks to stabilize protein structure. As the frameworks collapse, the protein undergoes an irreversible structural change and results in protein misfolding. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MoS2 nanosheet arrays supported on hierarchical porous carbon with enhanced lithium storage properties

MoS₂ nanosheet arrays supported on hierarchical nitrogen-doped porous carbon(MoS₂@C)have been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach combined with high-temperature calcination.The hierarchical nitrogen-doped porous carbon can serve as three-dimensional conductive frameworks to improve the electronic transport of semiconducting MoS₂.When evaluated as anode material for lithium-ion batteries,the MoS₂@C exhibit enhanced electrochemical performances compared with pure MoS₂ nanosheets,including high capacity(1305.5 mA h g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1),excellent rate capability (438.4 mA h g^-1 at 1000 mA g^-1).The reasons for the improved electrochemical performances are explored in terms of the high electronic conductivity and the facilitation of lithium ion transport arising from the hierarchical structures of MoS₂@C.     

基于“分子胶”的新型两亲性嵌段共聚物β-CD-PLA的合成及其胶束化

以二重氢键为引导,二硫键连接疏水性聚乳酸(PLA)和亲水性β-环糊精(β-CD)合成了嵌段共聚物β-CD-PLA。采用1 H-NMR和GPC对嵌段共聚物β-CD-PLA的结构进行了表征,以芘作为荧光分子探针对嵌段共聚物β-CD-PLA自组装胶束的性质进行了表征,采用动态光散射纳米粒度仪(DLS)对自组装胶束的粒径进行了测试。结果表明:在二重氢键的引导作用力和碘的氧化作用下,中间体脱去保护基形成双二硫键,形成目标嵌段共聚物β-CD-PLA,该嵌段共聚物能够在水中自组装形成纳米胶束,临界胶束浓度(CMC)为0.089mg/mL,在稀溶液中具有良好的稳定性,自组装形成空白胶束的粒径为31nm,阿霉素盐酸盐(DOX)载药胶束的粒径为42nm。     

Multiblock Copolymer‐Based Dual Dynamic Disulfide and Supramolecular Crosslinked Self‐Healing Networks

A new multiblock copolymer self‐healing strategy is reported that centers on the synthesis of block copolymers designed with different self‐healing motifs incorporated into individual blocks. As a proof of concept, a novel pentablock copolymer (ABCBA) consisting of a poly(ethylene glycol) middle block and self‐healable symmetric blocks of a polymethacrylate with pendant disulfide linkages and carboxylic acids is synthesized by a combination of consecutive controlled radical polymerization with hydrolytic cleavage. Disulfide exchange reactions of pendant disulfide linkages and metal–ligand interactions of pendant carboxylic acids with ferric ions allow for the formation of dual crosslinked networks with dynamic disulfide and supramolecular crosslinkages. The resultant networks possessing self‐healing viscoelasticity enable self‐healing on macroscale damages through supramolecular metal–ligand interactions and disulfide exchange reactions at room or moderate temperatures. These preliminary results suggest that the strategy can offer the versatility in the development of multifunctional self‐healable materials in dual or multiple self‐healable mechanisms.

     

异相成核和拉伸诱导对生物基PHBV复合纤维结晶结构与力学性能的影响

采用熔融纺丝法制备了聚(3-羟基丁酸酯-co-3-羟基戊酸酯)(PHBV)/二硫化钨(WS_2)复合纤维.利用示差扫描量热仪(DSC)、热台偏光显微镜、二维广角射线衍射仪(2D-WXRD)、纤维强力仪研究了WS_2异相成核作用和牵伸诱导作用对纤维的结晶结构和力学性能的影响.研究表明,WS_2显著提高了PHBV的结晶温度,当使用2 wt%WS_2时,复合材料的结晶温度提高到115~130oC,比纯PHBV(99~105oC)提高了约25oC.WS_2不仅没有影响PHBV球晶的径向生长速率,且明显提高了PHBV/WS_2复合材料的晶核密度,熔体成核活性Φ由1.0降低为0.49.随着牵伸倍率和WS_2用量的增加,纤维的拉伸强度呈现出先增加后减小的趋势.当添加1 wt%WS_2并采用单向牵伸3.8倍时,纤维中的晶体取向产生了β晶结构,使复合纤维的拉伸强度由纯PHBV的37 MPa提高至155 MPa,断裂伸长率由2.4%增加至45%.     

尺寸效应对二硫化钼量子点光学性能的影响

通过油溶法成功地制备出不同粒径大小的二硫化钼,并探究了单层二硫化钼尺寸效应对荧光性质的影响。其中反应时间为3 h制备出的二硫化钼量子点为单层结构,3种尺寸的二硫化钼的荧光光谱和拉曼光谱研究表明,当粒径或激发波长增大时,荧光谱图中峰位发生红移。     

Self-Optimization of the Active Site of Molybdenum Disulfide by an Irreversible Phase Transition during Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The metallic 1T-MoS₂ has attracted considerable attention as an effective catalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). However, the fundamental mechanism about the catalytic activity of 1T-MoS₂ and the associated phase evolution remain elusive and controversial. Herein, we prepared the most stable 1T-MoS₂ by hydrothermal exfoliation of MoS₂ nanosheets vertically rooted into rigid one-dimensional TiO₂ nanofibers. The 1T-MoS₂ can keep highly stable over one year, presenting an ideal model system for investigating the HER catalytic activities as a function of the phase evolution. Both experimental studies and theoretical calculations suggest that 1T phase can be irreversibly transformed into a more active 1T′ phase as true active sites in photocatalytic HERs, resulting in a “catalytic site self-optimization”. Hydrogen atom adsorption is the major driving force for this phase transition.