Azulene‐Based Macrocyclic Receptors for Recognition and Sensing of Phosphate Anions

Herein we report the synthesis and detailed studies of the anion‐binding properties of two 20‐membered macrocyclic tetramide receptors: one symmetrical, containing two identical azulene‐based bisamide units, the other a hybrid, containing a dipicolinic bisamide unit and an azulene‐based bisamide unit. Analysis of the crystal structures of the macrocyclic receptors revealed their preference for adopting similar well‐preorganized bent‐sheet conformations, both as free receptors and in their complexes with anions. Studies of the optical properties of both receptors revealed abilities to selectively sense phosphate anions (H₂PO₄^?, HP₂O₇^3?), allowing for naked‐eye detection of the presence of these guests in DMSO. Binding studies in solution confirmed that the receptors bind strongly to a series of anions even in highly demanding media, such as mixtures of DMSO with water or with methanol. Comparison of the anion affinity of linear analogues with that of the macrocyclic receptors evidenced the importance of macrocyclic topology. Quantitative analysis revealed that the macrocyclic receptors are selective for H₂PO₄^? over other anions. The affinity to H₂PO₄^? seen for the symmetrical receptor, containing two azulene‐based subunits, is much higher than for the hybrid macrocycle containing both the azulene‐based and pyridine‐derived subunits. This highlights that the azulene‐based building block serves efficiently as both a binding site and a structure‐preorganizing motif.     

Miscible blends of poly(ethylene oxide) with brush copolymers of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(l‐lactide)

Even though poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is immiscible with both poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), this article shows a working route to obtain miscible blends based on these polymers. The miscibility of these polymers has been analyzed using the solubility parameter approach to choose the proper ratios of the constituents of the blend. Then, PVA has been grafted with l ‐lactide (LLA) through ring‐opening polymerization to obtain a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐graft‐poly(l ‐lactide) (PVA‐g‐PLLA) brush copolymer with 82 mol % LLA according to ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. PEO has been blended with the PVA‐g‐PLLA brush copolymer and the miscibility of the system has been analyzed by DSC, FTIR, OM, and SEM. The particular architecture of the blends results in DSC traces lacking clearly distinguishable glass transitions that have been explained considering self‐concentration effects (Lodge and McLeish) and the associated concentration fluctuations. Fortunately, the FTIR analysis is conclusive regarding the miscibility and the specific interactions in these systems. Melting point depression analysis suggests that interactions of intermediate strength and PLOM and SEM reveal homogeneous morphologies for the PEO/PVA‐g‐PLLA blends. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1217–1226     

Tracking the Electrocatalytic Activity of a Single Palladium Nanoparticle for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts’ performance is directly related to their working conditions. In general, a number of nanoparticles are uncontrollably fixed on a millimetre-sized electrode for electrochemical measurements. However, it is hard to reveal the maximum electrocatalytic activity owing to the aggregation and detachment of nanoparticles on the electrode surface. To solve this problem, here, we take the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyzed by palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) as a model system to track the electrocatalytic activity of single Pd NPs by stochastic collision electrochemistry and ensemble electrochemistry, respectively. Compared with the nanoparticle fixed working condition, Pd NPs in the nanoparticle diffused working condition results in a 2–5 orders magnitude enhancement of electrocatalytic activity for HER at various bias potential. Stochastic collision electrochemistry with high temporal resolution gives further insights into the accurate study of NPs’ electrocatalytic performance, enabling to dramatically enhance electrocatalytic efficiency.     

A model for the stabilization of atomic hydrogen centers in borate glasses

A previously proposed model describing the trapping site of the interstitial atomic hydrogen in borate glasses is analyzed. In this model the atomic hydrogen is stabilized at the centers of oxygen polygons belonging to B–O ring structures in the glass network by van der Waals forces. The previously reported atomic hydrogen isothermal decay experimental data are discussed in the light of this microscopic model. A coupled differential equation system of the observed decay kinetics was solved numerically using the Runge Kutta method. The experimental untrapping activation energy of 0.7×10⁻¹⁹ J is in good agreement with the calculated results of dispersion interaction between the stabilized atomic hydrogen and the neighboring oxygen atoms at the vertices of hexagonal ring structures.     

基于代数滑移模型的光催化反应器内催化剂颗粒分布特性研究

针对光催化制氢反应器内液固两相流的特点,运用代数滑移模型,对反应器内的催化剂颗粒-水两相流动进行了数值模拟。采用分块的结构化网格,并运用多重网格方法进行求解。通过与前人实验中压力梯度结果的比较,对模型进行了验证,并最终得到了反应器内催化剂颗粒的典型分布及相应的类型图。     

Readily Accessible and Predictable Naphthalene‐Based Two‐Photon Fluorophore with Full Visible‐Color Coverage

Herein we report 22 acedan‐derived, two‐photon fluorophores with synthetic feasibility and full coverage of visible wavelength emission. The emission wavelengths were predicted by computational analysis, which enabled us to visualize multicolor images by two‐photon excitation with single wavelength, and to design a turn‐on, two‐photon fluorescence sensor for endogenous H₂O₂ in Raw 264.7 macrophage and rat brain hippocampus ex vivo.