Chemo‐ and Magnetotaxis of Self‐Propelled Light‐Emitting Chemo‐electronic Swimmers

Miniaturized autonomous chemo‐electronic swimmers, based on the coupling of spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions at the two poles of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), are presented as chemotactic and magnetotactic devices. In homogeneous aqueous media, random motion caused by a bubble‐induced propulsion mechanism is observed. However, in an inhomogeneous environment, the self‐propelled devices exhibit positive chemotactic behavior, propelling themselves along a pH or ionic strength gradient (?pH and ?I, respectively) in order to reach a thermodynamically higher active state. In addition, the intrinsic permanent magnetic moment of the LED allows self‐orientation in the terrestrial magnetic field or following other external magnetic perturbations, which enables a directional motion control coupled with light emission. The interplay between chemotaxis and magnetotaxis allows fine‐tuning of the dynamic behavior of these swimmers.     

α‐FeOOH−MoO3 Nanorod for Effective Photo‐Fenton Degradation of Dyes and Antibiotics at a Wide Range of pH

It's highly significant to develop a novel catalyst, which can be active at a wide range of pH, for an effective photo‐Fenton reaction. In this work, α‐FeOOH?MoO₃ nanorod was prepared by a one‐step hydrothermal method and applied in photo‐Fenton degradation of organic pollutants. Benefit from the electron migration mechanism of Z‐scheme and excellent photoelectric performance, the catalyst exhibited superior photo‐Fenton activity in degradation of organic pollutants. In addition, the catalyst holds good stability after 5 recycles. These results demonstrated that this catalyst has wide application prospect in organic wastewater treatment.     

pH reversible micelle transition of a tertiary amine-based gemini surfactant in aqueous solution

In this work, we prepared a tertiary amide-based gemini surfactant (DSTAPA), which contained two pH-sensitive tertiary amide head groups. Then the molecule state distribution and self-assembly transition of the surfactant in aqueous solution were investigated under different pH conditions. The DSTAPA molecules were on the states of double cationic (DSTAPAH²⁺), single cationic (DSTAPAH⁺), and double tertiary amine groups (DSTAPA) under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions, respectively. With the variation of the molecule states, the sample was water-like below pH of 6.8 and immediately transformed to gel-like fluid between pH of 6.8 and 7.8, then changed to white precipitate with the further increase of pH value. Furthermore, the microstructure and regulation mechanism were investigated by rheological measurements, dynamic light scattering, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The appearance and micelle transitions of the DSTAPA aqueous solution are actually owing to the spherical–worm-like micelle transition, leading to dramatic viscosity increase and hydrogel formation. This transition was completely reversible and repeated for at least three cycles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism of the transition was proposed based on the viewpoints of the molecular states and micelle structures. The DSTAPA aqueous system with pH-reversible property has a great potential application in oil and gas production.     

Dynamic Ion Speciation during the Hydrolysis of Aryltrifluoroborates**

Organotrifluoroborates serve as coupling partners during transmetalation in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction but require hydrolysis prior to the coupling reaction. Their anionic nature allows study of their hydrolysis by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) through real-time monitoring, complemented by pH analysis. The induction period varied according to the borates employed, and a dynamic series of equilibria for numerous ions was observed during hydrolysis. We found that the induction periods and reaction rates were sensitive to the R group of the borates, the shape of the reaction vessel, and stir rate.     

Enzyme‐Induced Matrix Softening Regulates Hepatocarcinoma Cancer Cell Phenotypes

The progression of cancer is often accompanied by changes in the mechanical properties of an extracellular matrix. However, limited efforts have been made to reproduce these biological events in vitro. To this end, this study demonstrates that matrix remodeling caused by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 regulates phenotypic activities and modulates radiosensitivity of cancer cells exclusively in a 3D matrix. In this study, hepatocarcinoma cells are cultured in a collagen‐based gel tailored to present an elastic modulus of ≈4.0 kPa. The subsequent exposure of the gel to MMP‐1 decreases the elastic modulus from 4.0 to 0.5 kPa. In response to MMP‐1, liver cancer cells undergo active proliferation, downregulation of E‐cadherin, and the loss of detoxification capacity. The resulting spheroids are more sensitive to radiation than the spheroids cultured in the stiffer gel not exposed to MMP‐1. Overall, this study serves to better understand and control the effects of MMP‐induced matrix remodeling.     

离子交换法在净水剂制备中的应用研究

本文进行了Ａｌ２（ＳＯ４）３＋ＲＣｌ＋Ｈ２Ｏ体系的理论分析和跟踪测试，确认该体系的主要交换反应是：该交换反应促进了铝离子的水解，提高了硫酸铝的盐基度和混凝沉降速度，制得性能优于精制硫酸铝的聚硫氯化铝净化剂。     

Enhanced Ratiometric pH Sensing Using SNAFL-2 on Silver Island Films: Metal-enhanced Fluorescence Sensing

We have explored the opportunities for enhanced ratiometric pH sensing using the well-known carboxy seminaphthofluorescein (SNAFL-2) and silver island films (SiFs). Our results show that the metallic surfaces can provide up to a 40-fold increase in probe fluorescence intensity as compared to nonmetallic surfaces with the same probe coverage. However, while the S/N is significantly better for pH sensing, the emission wavelength ratiometric values are similar to that obtained in solution, due to the fact that the emission of both the acidic and basic forms of the probe are enhanced to similar extents. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of enhanced ratiometric fluorescence sensing on metallic surfaces.     

A functionalized dianthryl tetraaza macrocycle having the recognizing and switching ability

The synthesized macrocycle L is the novel fluorescent receptor having the switching ability by the external stimuli as well as having the recognizing ability of various metal ions. In particular, this macrocycle L shows the possibility of the selectivity of metal ions even in the same charge ions of a different metal, and the values of association constant (M⁻¹) of that for metal ions are consistent with the tendency of increasing charge number of metal ion. In addition, the values of quantum yield (Φ_F) of metal complexes of macrocycle L were ranged from 0.021 to 0.111 enough to recognize the metal ions in macrocycle L. We know from the fluorescent pH titration of macrocycle L by acid/base that the change of fluorescence intersects at about pH=5.     

A Polymer-Based All-Solid-State Internal Reference System for pH Glass Electrodes – Performance and Charge Transfer

An all-solid-state internal reference system for pH glass electrodes employing polypyrrole (PPy)-Nafion® composites is described. pH sensors based on this reference system are characterised at 23±3°C. The observed characteristics of the resulting all-solid-state sensors, i.e. slope and linearity of the calibration plot, response behaviour, and signal stability, are very promising, and the differences with respect to the parameters of conventional liquid filled sensors are negligible. The values of the zero potential point, which differ from those of conventional pH glass electrodes, could be controlled within limits via the composition of the PPy-Nafion composite.The excellent sensor performance observed seems to be the consequence of a reversible charge transfer between the ion-conducting membrane, the mixed conducting PPy-Nafion interlayer, and the metal wire. A first discussion of the mechanism of this charge transfer is given.