Clar Rules the Electronic Properties of 2D π-Conjugated Frameworks: Mind the Gap

The key electronic properties of a family of 2D frameworks structurally convergent with holey graphenes were studied. The bandgap of these materials decreases monotonically with size, showing a common trend with anthracenes and kekulenes. This was rationalized by Clar's sextet rule, which reveals a direct relationship between the molecular systems and the 2D frameworks. In addition, a detailed benchmark against experimental data showcased the high quality of the models, which reproduce accurately available electronic properties. Overall, it was shown that DFT can be used to screen and understand the intrinsic bandgaps and electrochemistry potentials for technological applications prior to the synthesis of π-conjugated porous materials.     

Si-doped C3N monolayers as efficient single-atom catalysts for the reduction of N2O: a computational study

Density functional theory calculations are performed to probe reaction pathways of N₂O reduction by CO molecule catalysed over Si-doped C₃N (Si-C₃N) nanosheets. According to our results, a single Si atom can be stabilised above the C- or N-vacancy site of C₃N due to the formation of strong Si-N or Si-C covalent bonds. The reduction of N₂O over Si-C₃N is characterised as a two-step process. First, N₂O is dissociated to N₂ and an activated oxygen atom (O_ads) without an energy barrier. Then, the O_ads moiety is removed by CO molecule by overcoming negligible activation energy.     

金属衬底上石墨烯的红外近场光学

对石墨烯/铜体系开展了系统性的近场光学实验研究,成功观测到了区别于铜衬底的、来自石墨烯的近场光学响应信号,发现在表面台阶几何参数相同的铜衬底上的不同石墨烯样品表现出了截然不同的近场光学响应.     

Layered MoS2@graphene functionalized with nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots as an enhanced electrochemical hydrogen evolution catalyst

Layered MoS₂@graphene functionalized with nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (MoS₂@NGQDs-GR) was obtained by one-pot hydrothermal method, as an enhanced electrochemical hydrogen evolution catalyst.     

Coral reef-like zinc niobate nanostructures decorated functionalized carbon nanofiber as electrode modifier for detection of oxidative stress biomarker: 3-nitro-L-tyrosine

Oxidative stress can transform immunologic disorders to malignancy by enhancing the effect of pathogenic factors associated with adverse health problems. Biomarkers generated during oxidative stress are essential in assessing the in vivo condition of the cell for evaluating health and diagnosing the disease at an early stage, prognosis, benign and effectual drug development, and testing the drug efficacy. 3-Nitro-L-tyrosine is an oxidative stress biomarker produced from L-tyrosine through nitration mediated by active metabolites. Thus, precise detection of 3-NO₂-Tyr in the biological medium is significantly important to monitor the cell environment. Consequently, a novel electrochemical sensing platform had been designed using ZnNb₂O₆ nanostructures anchored f-CNF as a glassy carbon electrode modifier. The crystalline and structural features, morphology, and elemental composition of ZnNb₂O₆/f-CNF nanocomposite were keenly verified. The synchronic activation of ZnNb₂O₆/f-CNF nanocomposite for effective detection of 3-NO₂-Tyr is mainly due to the synergic effect between its counterparts. Accordingly, the fabricated sensor possesses a remarkably low limit of detection (0.021 μM) with a good linear range, and sensitivity is noted to be 7.745 μA/μM?cm?². The consistency of this sensor was evinced through real-time monitoring of 3-NO₂-Tyr in urine and saliva samples which is beneficial in monitoring the pathological situation.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex covalently attached to amino‐modified graphene oxide: heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes

Transition metal salen complex MoO₂–salen was successfully tethered onto amino‐functionalized graphene oxide (designated as MoO₂–salen–GO), which was tested in the epoxidation of various alkenes using tert‐butylhydroperoxide or H₂O₂ as oxidant. Characterization results showed that dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex was successfully grafted onto the amino‐functionalized graphene oxide and the structure of the graphene oxide was well preserved after several stepwise synthesis procedures. Catalytic tests showed that heterogeneous catalyst MoO₂–salen–GO was more active than its homogeneous analogue MoO₂–salen in the epoxidation of cyclooctene due to site isolation. In addition, the MoO₂–salen–GO catalyst could be reused three times without significant loss of activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photophysical and Electrochemical Studies of Anchored Chromium (III) Complex on Reduced Graphene Oxide via Diazonium Chemistry

Covalently anchored chromium complex on reduced graphene oxide (rGO‐Cr) is successfully synthesised through trimethoxy silyl propanamine (TMSPA) and phenyl azo salicylaldehyde (PAS) coupling. The rGO‐Cr is characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron dispersive analysis of X‐rays (EDAX), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Absorption and emission properties of rGO‐TMSPA‐PAS are studied by excitation dependent photoluminescence emissions at room temperature. Electrochemical sensing activity of rGO‐Cr is monitored for paracetamol using modified glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated that rGO‐Cr substantially enhance the eletrochemical response of paracetamol. The experimental factors are investigated and optimized.     

Engineered Targeted Hyaluronic Acid–Glutathione‐Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters/Graphene Oxide–5‐Fluorouracil as a Smart Theranostic Platform for Stimulus‐Controlled Fluorescence Imaging‐Assisted Synergetic Chemo/Phototherapy

A theranostic platform with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions as well as specific targeted and controlled combination therapy to enhance treatment efficacy is of great importance for a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we first attempted to develop biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA)–glutathione (GSH) conjugate stabilized gold nanoclusters (GNCs) combined with graphene oxide (GO), accompanied by loading 5‐fluorouracil (5FU), as a novel theranostic platform (HG‐GNCs/GO‐5FU, HG refers to HA‐GSH). Multifunctional HG‐GNCs possessed excellent fluorescence, photosensitivity and specific targeting ability to the cancer cells while their fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation could be strongly inhibited by GO and then effectively restored by lysosomal hyaluronidase in tumor cells. The sustained and complete release of 5FU from HG‐GNCs/GO could also be stimulated successively by enzymatic degradation of HA and light‐induced heat effect of GO under laser irradiation so that turn‐on cell imaging‐assisted synergistic therapeutic strategies associated with triple enzyme/light‐controlled chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy could be achieved at the same time, reducing greatly the side effects of materials to normal cells. Our study presents a novel strategy to combine targeting and bioimaging with triple therapies to enhance the antitumor effect.     

Phosphomolybdic acid supported on Schiff base functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets: Preparation,characterization, and first catalytic application in the multi‐component synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones

New Schiff base (SB) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets containing phosphomolybdic counter‐anion H₂PMo₁₂O₄₀^¯ (H₂PMo) were successfully prepared by grafting of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) on GO nanosheets followed by condensation with benzil and finally reaction with phosphomolybdic acid (H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀, denoted as H₃PMo) and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), particle size distribution, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, EDX elemental mapping, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). The prepared new nanomaterial, denoted as GO‐SB‐H₂PMo, was shown to be an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in one‐pot, three‐component reaction of β‐naphthol, aldehydes, and dimedone, giving high yields of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐ones within short reaction times. The catalyst is readily recovered by simple filtration and can be recycled and reused several times with no significant loss of catalytic activity.