The Royal Society of Chemistry最新文献

Square-planar complexes were synthesized by the reaction of 2′,6′-di(thiazol-2-yl)-2,4′-bipyridine with either Na₂[PdCl₄] or K₂[PtCl₄], and these were thoroughly structurally characterized using some analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Density functional theory computations, including natural bond orbital analysis, were used to complement the experimental work to gain insight into the natural charge and electronic arrangement of the metal ion, as well as the strength of the metal–ligand bonds. The Pd(II) complex exhibited exceptional cytotoxicity against the A549 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 60.1 ± 3.45 and 23.8 ± 1.48 μM, respectively. Unfortunately, the Pd(II) complex was harmful to the Vero normal cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 24.5 ± 2.13 μM. The Pt(II) complex is unstable and has a high likelihood of exchanging the chlorido ligand for solvent molecules such as DMSO. The fluorescent-stain photos of the treated HCT-116 cells with the Pd(II) complex showed increased apoptotic bodies, indicating both early (18%) and late apoptosis (32%), as well as a necrosis ratio of about 10%. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that a cell arrest was induced by the Pd(II) complex on HCT-116 cells in the G₂/M phase.

An efficient iodine-catalyzed thio-arylation reaction of aniline was developed under electrochemical conditions. A variety of diaryl sulfide compounds can be obtained under metal-free and chemical oxidant-free conditions. The reaction features a broad substrate scope, regulation of product distribution, and scalable preparation.

Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction offers a promising pathway for achieving sustainable development. However, the effectiveness of this method faces challenges related to imbalanced charge transfer/utilization. To address these issues, this paper reports on cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Co-ZnO NPs). The cobalt doping not only increases light absorption but also improves charge transfer/separation kinetics and modulates the reduction reaction dynamics. Notably, photocatalytic tests show that cobalt-doped zinc oxide (Co-ZnO) achieves a CO yield of 143.90 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is 15.73 times higher than that of undoped ZnO, and exhibits excellent stability. This study emphasizes the importance of polarization states induced by doping for achieving efficient charge separation, providing a new approach to enhance the efficiency of photoredox catalysis.

Soil contamination by heavy metals presents a substantial environmental challenge. Remediation strategies employing biochar and apatite offer promise for restoring compromised sites. However, the efficacy of apatite and biochar derived from various biomass sources remains an under-investigated area. Taro stem-derived biochar produced at 300 and 500 °C (TSB300 and TSB500) and apatite amendments were incubated in contaminated soil for one month at various ratios (biochar 3%, 6%, 10%, mixture of biochar/apatite 3 : 3%, and 6 : 6% w/w) to investigate their potential to immobilize Pb and Zn. The initial concentrations of Pb and Zn in the contaminated soil were 4165.1 ± 19.6 mg kg⁻¹ and 3424.9 ± 20.4 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Soil samples were subjected to Tessier's sequential extraction for analysis of Pb and Zn in five chemical fractions (F1: exchangeable fraction; F2: carbonate fraction; F3: Fe/Mn oxide fraction; F4: organic carbon fraction and F5: residual fraction). The results indicated that one-month biochar and/or apatite amendment significantly increased soil pH, organic carbon (OC), and electrical conductivity (EC) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Amendments also notably reduced exchangeable fractions of Pb and Zn (F1) up to 71.8% and 61.5%, respectively, while enhancing their presence in more stable fractions (F4 and F5). This immobilization effect peaked at the 10% biochar application and 6 : 6% biochar–apatite combination. These findings suggest that TSB300, TSB500, and their blends with apatite hold promise for immobilizing Pb and Zn in heavily contaminated soil, potentially mitigating environmental risks.

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation is a forward-looking technology for zero-carbon nitrogen fixation, which is crucial for alleviating the energy crisis and achieving carbon neutrality. Based on research into the structural regulation of nitrogen-fixing photocatalysts, this review summarizes the latest progress and challenges in photocatalytic ammonia synthesis from three dimensions: active sites, crystal structures, and composite structures. In terms of active site construction, common types of active sites, including metal sites, non-metal sites, vacancies, and single atoms, are discussed. Their characteristics and methods for improving photocatalytic nitrogen fixation performance are analyzed. Furthermore, starting from the mechanism of nitrogen activation, a general strategy for active sites to promote the electron exchange process and thereby enhance nitrogen activation efficiency is explored. In terms of crystal structure construction, the design of nitrogen-fixing photocatalysts is described from three perspectives: crystal form, crystal facet, and morphology control. In terms of composite structure construction, this review discusses the key role of structures such as semiconductor–metal composites and semiconductor–semiconductor composites in promoting carrier separation. It is hoped that this review can provide new insights for the design and preparation of efficient nitrogen-fixing photocatalysts and inspire practical applications of photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.

The development of environmentally friendly oil-absorbing fibrous materials is crucial, as conventional separation materials contribute to secondary pollution due to their nondegradability. In this study, highly hydrophobic and superoleophilic porous polylactic acid (PLA) fibers were fabricated via centrifugal spinning combined with nonsolvent-induced phase separation. The fiber porosity was controlled by adjusting the ratio of good solvents to nonsolvent in the spinning solution. The morphology and physical properties of the PLA fibers were systematically analyzed. Among the prepared samples, PLA fibrous membranes spun from a chloroform/dimethylformamide (80/20 w/w) solution exhibited a high water contact angle and superior oil absorption capacity. These results demonstrate the potential of porous PLA fibers as sustainable materials for environmental applications.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are light-activated cancer treatments. PDT involves the administration of a photosensitizing agent, which is activated by light of a specific wavelength to generate reactive oxygen species. Alternatively, PTT involves the use of photothermal agents, which are materials that absorb light and convert it into heat. Gold nanoparticles are often used as photothermal agents owing to their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), a key optical property, which allows them to efficiently absorb light and convert it into heat. Graphene, which is a 2D material with extraordinary optical and physical properties and a large surface area, shows great promise both in PDT and PTT as an intrinsic nanoheater or a versatile platform for the immobilization of gold nanoparticles and other functional molecules, including photosensitizers. Moreover, graphene-based derivatives, i.e. graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), exhibit intrinsic optical/spectroscopic signals, which can be used in fluorescence, Raman and thermal imaging. By combining gold nanoparticles with graphene derivatives, a higher increase in temperature can be achieved under light irradiation owing to the synergistic effect of these two materials and the drug delivery efficiency and multimodal imaging techniques can be enhanced. This review provides insights into graphene-based nanoplatforms, focusing on multimodal therapy and imaging techniques. Furthermore, future perspectives in the field of graphene-based- and hybrid-nanoplatforms are suggested.

Silicone polyurea typically exhibits inferior mechanical properties due to the microphase separation between the siloxane and polyurea segments. To address this issue, we propose a method to enhance the mechanical properties through interfacial reactions. The mechanical properties and microphase separation of silicone polyurea we synthesized were studied. And poly(isobutene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PBAM) and γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (KH550) which are capable of interfacial reactions were respectively introduced into polyurea and siloxane segments to reduce the degree of microphase separation and enhance the mechanical properties of silicone polyurea. The mechanism behind the improvement was elucidated through experimental results. FT-IR spectra confirmed that the maleic anhydride groups in PBAM and the amino groups in KH550 undergo rapid reactions. Additionally, it was observed that the rapid interaction of PBAM and KH550 at the interface made interfacial tension decrease fast through the pendant-drop method. Stability analysis and light microscope observations revealed that PBAM and KH550 can stabilize the two-phase interface, forming stable droplets within the mixture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated a reduction in the degree of microphase separation in the silicone polyurea. Consequently, the introduction of PBAM and KH550 decreases interfacial tension and the dispersion size of the silicone phase within the carbon phase, thereby reducing the degree of microphase separation and enhancing the mechanical properties of the silicone polyurea.

Most current commercial humidity sensors rely on precious metals and chemicals. In this study, alkali lignin produced in the paper industry was utilized to form a film with hydroxyethyl cellulose to generate laser-induced graphene (LIG) as an electrode material for a sensor by the laser-induction technique. LIG exhibits excellent conductivity, and the experimental results demonstrate that its resistivity can be adjusted by laser power without the necessity for additional conductive materials. A solution comprising a blend of graphene oxide and sodium lignosulfonate was introduced to the LIG surface in a dropwise manner, thereby establishing a sensing surface. This process resulted in the introduction of hydrophilic groups, including carboxyl, phenolic hydroxyl, and sulfonic acid. The integration of these hydrophilic groups enhanced the surface's sensitivity to humidity, thereby facilitating the precise capture of alterations in ambient air humidity. The humidity sensor, which employs alkali lignin and lignin laser-induced graphene as electrodes and graphene oxide (GO) as the humidity-sensitive layer, exhibits an exceptionally high degree of sensitivity to humidity. The response reached 42.74 (R_RH/R₀) at 80% relative humidity and 133.96 (R_RH/R₀) at 90% humidity with a sensitivity of 147.73%/% RH. Moreover, the sensor displays an impressively brief recovery period, which remains unaltered even after multiple cycles. Additionally, the humidity sensor exhibits excellent stability for a period of up to 30 days. This study has successfully developed a simple and efficient method for preparing graphene, and has produced a flexible resistive sensor with high sensitivity, repeatability, and stability, thereby opening up new avenues for the high-value utilisation of lignin.

Growing environmental concerns and the pressing need to combat plastic pollution have led to extensive research on sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Human blood sample analysis discovered microplastics which has caused health concerns regarding their influence on proper functioning of the human body. The compound polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) has gained popularity due to its comparable structure with synthetic polymers like polypropylene because it belongs to the category of biodegradable alternatives. Different PHA molecules have distinct properties because of their composition of monomers and production parameters. The current market offers an array of biopolymers but they do not satisfy industrial requirements regarding thermostability. The industrial heat-stability of materials comes from green biomass-derived polyethylene and extrudable cellulose biopolymers. The research analyses PHAs' suitability as synthetic plastic substitutes and addresses barriers to their industrial production and proposes modifications to improve performance. It underscores the importance of harnessing crop residue streams to produce valuable biopolymers, promoting resource efficiency and mitigating the environmental impact of plastic waste. This work aligns with the UN's sustainability goals, including SDG 3 good health, SDG 11 sustainable cities, SDG 12 responsible consumption, SDG 13 climate action, and SDG 14 sea and ocean protection.