The Royal Society of Chemistry最新文献

Lead (Pb²⁺) and hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) are highly toxic pollutants with no safe exposure levels, posing significant health risks globally, especially in developing countries. Current detection methods for these metals are often complex and inaccessible, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches. In this study, we present a rapid, cost-effective colorimetric assay utilizing ascorbic acid-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the selective detection of Pb²⁺ and Cr^3+/6+ ions at levels recommended by regulatory bodies such as the WHO and EPA. The synthesis of our AuNPs was achieved by reducing gold(III) chloride with ascorbic acid, resulting in stable, negatively charged nanoparticles, as characterized by dynamic light scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Our method demonstrated high sensitivity, with limits of detection (LOD) of 5.4 ± 0.25 ppb for Pb²⁺, and 6.3 ± 0.23 ppb for Cr⁶⁺, confirming specificity towards these ions in various water samples. The assay's efficacy was validated in real-world applications, including testing drinking water from multiple sources and assessing the performance of filtration systems. This straightforward assay offers a promising tool for monitoring water quality, enhancing public health initiatives and accessibility to critical environmental testing.

Warfarin (WA), the most prescribed oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation, is widely utilized for the treatment of various diseases, such as vascular disorders, venous thrombosis, and atrial fibrillation. However, its abnormal concentration is linked to a variety of disorders and diseases, namely bleeding while brushing teeth, skin tissue issues, hair loss, and chest pain. Therefore, WA monitoring in blood serum is vital due to its narrow therapeutic window. Accordingly, WA determination has been conducted using various methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, fluorescent, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and electrochemical methods. Electrochemical methods have received considerable attention due to their outstanding selectivity, remarkable sensitivity, great time efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Herein, a comprehensive literature survey on electrochemical methods for determining WA is presented. This review discusses the development of various chemically modified electrodes (CMEs). These CMEs, such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes, molecularly imprinted polymers, metal oxide nanoparticles, and polymer nanocomposites, owing to their morphology and structure, high selectivity, high conductivity, and high volume/area ratio, are designed to overcome the limitations of bare electrodes, which include reduced electrocatalytic activity, slower electron transfer rates, and poor sensitivity. Also, this review presents the advantages and disadvantages of various modified electrodes applied in WA detection.

Ni-rich oxides are attractive high-energy cathodes for lithium-ion batteries but suffer from inherent instability. Herein, we employed an ectopic Zr⁴⁺/Mo⁶⁺ dual-doping strategy to reinforce the layered structure through robust M-O bonds and the pillar effect. This strategy mitigates lattice distortion during cycling and inhibits the interface side reactions.

Improving the high-temperature performance of polymer dielectrics is critical for the development of advanced electrical systems. The deterioration of the capacitive performance of polymer dielectrics at high electric fields and elevated temperatures is attributable to the exponentially increased conduction loss. Herein, a synergistic strategy of molecular trap and aggregation structure optimization is developed to suppress the conduction loss of polymer dielectrics. A molecular semiconductor - HAT-CN with high electron-affinity (EA) and special distribution of electrostatic potential is designed in this work. The theoretical calculation and experimental results show that HAT-CN can introduce electron traps and simultaneously interrupt the conjugation between aromatic rings in molecular chains via electrostatic interaction with polyetherimide (PEI). Consequently, the collective effect of electron trap and aggregation structure optimization reduces the leakage current density of PEI by nearly an order of magnitude at 200 °C and improves the mechanical properties of films. Finally, the HAT-CN/PEI all-organic composite achieves a discharge energy density of 3.8 J cm^-3 with efficiencies above 90% (U_η>90%) and long-term reliability over 100 000 cycles at 200 °C, outperforming most current polymer dielectrics. This work provides a new idea for the design of high-temperature polymer dielectrics based on molecularly engineered organic semiconductors.

An unconventional yet facile low-energy method for uniquely synthesizing neat poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films for energy harvesting applications by utilizing nanoelectromechanical vibration through a 'piezo-to-piezo' (P2P) mechanism is reported. In this concept, the nanoelectromechanical energy from a piezoelectric substrate is directly coupled into another polarizable material (i.e., PVDF) during its crystallization to produce an optically transparent micron-thick film that not only exhibits strong piezoelectricity, but is also freestanding-properties ideal for its use for energy harvesting, but which are difficult to achieve through conventional synthesis routes. We show, particularly through in situ characterization, that the unprecedented acceleration associated with the nanoelectromechanical vibration in the form of surface reflected bulk waves (SRBWs) facilitates preferentially-oriented nucleation of the ferroelectric PVDF β-phase, while simultaneously aligning its dipoles to pole the material through the SRBW's intense native evanescent electric field . The resultant neat (additive-free) homopolymer film synthesized through this low voltage method, which requires only -orders-of-magnitude lower than energy-intensive conventional poling methods utilizing high kV electric potentials, is shown to possess a 76% higher macroscale piezoelectric charge coefficient d₃₃, together with a similar improvement in its power generation output, when compared to gold-standard commercially-poled PVDF films of similar thicknesses.

Correction for 'Controllable biomolecule release from self-assembled organic nanotubes with asymmetric surfaces: pH and temperature dependence' by Naohiro Kameta et al., Soft Matter, 2008, 4, 1681-1687, https://doi.org/10.1039/B803742F.

Ocular burns due to accidental chemical spillage pose an immediate threat, representing over 20% of emergency ocular traumas. Early detection of the ocular pH is imperative in managing ocular chemical burns. Alkaline chemical burns are more detrimental than acidic chemical burns. Current practices utilize litmus, nitrazine strips, bromothymol blue, fluorescent dyes, and micro-combination glass probes to detect ocular pH. However, these methods have inherent drawbacks, leading to inaccurate pH measurements, less sensitivity, photodegradation, limited pH range, and longer response time. Hence, there is a tremendous necessity for developing relatively simple, accurate, precise ocular pH detection methods. The current review aims to provide comprehensive coverage of the conventional practices of ocular pH measurement during accidental chemical burns, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Besides, it delves into cutting-edge technologies, including pH-sensing contact lenses, microfluidic contact lenses, fluorescent scleral contact lenses, fiber optic pH technology, and pH-sensitive thin films. The study meticulously examines the reported work since 2000. The collected data have also helped propose future directions, and the research gap needs to be filled to provide a more rapid, sensitive, and accurate measurement of ocular pH in eye clinics. For the first time, this review consolidates current techniques and recent advancements in ocular pH detection, offering a strategic overview to propel ophthalmic-related research forward and enhance ocular burn management during a chemical spillage.

Photochemically induced generation of aryl fluorocarbenes from aryl fluorodiazirines and their subsequent [2+1] cycloaddition with alkenes was developed in continuous flow. The in situ generated electrophilic aryl fluorocarbene reacted with a range of alkenes enabling the synthesis of the corresponding 3-fluoro-3-aryl-cyclopropanes in a 5-minute residence time under 380-nm LED irradiation in continuous flow (20 examples). The scaled-up reaction of 3-fluoro-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3H-diazirine with styrene under irradiation at 380 nm led to the fluorocyclopropane with a 77% yield, providing a throughput yield of 0.945 g h^-1.

Phyllanthi Fructus (PF) is a tropical fruit with the potential to effectively reduce postprandial blood glucose. However, the lack of quantitative evaluation methods and comprehensive understanding of hypoglycemic active compounds has hindered the development and application of functional foods and dietary supplements derived from PF. In this study, based on the "mass reaction parallel line method", with acarbose as the control and PF extract as the test material, a biological evaluation method for PF hypoglycemic activity based on α-glucosidase inhibition was established for the first time. The in vitro and in vivo validation experiments showed that the coefficient (r) of correlation between the biological evaluation results and the AUC of rat postprandial blood glucose concentration was as high as 0.866, which confirmed the reliability of the evaluation method. The analysis of 20 batches of PF samples showed that the hypoglycemia potency of PF ranged from 2.66 to 8.39 U mg^-1, with an average value of 4.00 U mg^-1, and the standard deviation was 1.5. UF-LC-MS was used to identify 36 components of PF capable of binding to α-glucosidase. Molecular docking results showed that the binding energy was between -3.5 and -14.3 kJ mol^-1. The hypoglycemic activity of 17 available control products was tested, and 8 inhibitors were found, including hyperoside, gallic acid, and corilagin. Dose-effect analysis suggested that flavonoids and polyphenols with a phenolic hydroxyl structure could inhibit α-glucosidase. In short, this study provides a basis for the development of PF hypoglycemic functional foods.

This study employs zero-cost (≈0.01 $) and durable thread-based devices to evaluate the quality of simulated and commercial sanitizer samples through dye displacement assay (DDA). A diverse range of sanitizer compositions, including ethanol concentrations of 55%, 75%, and 95% (v/v), were analysed. This investigation encompasses an assessment of the marker type (Doms and Hauser brands) on the migration distance of the dye region marked on thread devices. Our results demonstrate a proportional increase in the migration distance of the dye with increasing ethanol concentrations due to a decrease in the coefficient of viscosity and solvation power of ethanol on dye molecules. Additionally, a field trial for the thorough assessment of commercial sanitizer quality using thread-based devices further underscores the efficacy of this methodology. A calibration plot for a braided thread with Doms marker dye provides a reliable means to quantitatively assess the ethanol content in different commercial sanitizer compositions. Our findings collectively highlight the significance of this innovative method as a valuable tool for quality control and assessment for public health and hygiene as well as for preparing us for another pandemic.