RSC Advances最新文献

Ethyl 3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate reacts with phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methanamine to afford a selective product via the site-selective C–C bond cleavage of ethyl 3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate by adjusting reaction parameters, and a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines can be effectively prepared using this method. This study enables controllable site-selectivity in both C–C bond cleavage and C–C bond formation, which may offer new insights for chemists in the C–C bond cleavage research field.

Although multi-kinase inhibitors like sorafenib remain an important treatment option for advanced malignancies, their toxicity and resistance to treatment are problems. Enhancing its structure by making changes to the scaffold offers a viable way to boost safety and effectiveness. In this study, 2-(4-chlorobenzylamino)-6-(pyridin-4-yloxy) quinolin-4(1H)-one (KA7), a novel sorafenib analogue, is synthesized and biologically evaluated. KA7 was synthesized by replacing the urea component of sorafenib with a quinolone scaffold. Then, KA7 was characterized by NMR and HRMS. MTT tests were used to calculate the IC₅₀ and assess cytotoxicity against breast (MDA-231, MCF-7), glioblastoma (U87), and lung (A549) cancer cells. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell death induction (apoptosis/necrosis), cell cycle analysis, and autophagic activity. The analysis of cytokine release in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages allowed for the determination of KA7's immunomodulatory potential. Our results indicated that KA7 exhibited IC₅₀ values lower than those of sorafenib in both U87 and A549 cells, with similar effects observed in MCF-7 cells, demonstrating dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Flow cytometry also revealed a significant increase in apoptosis and G1 phase cell cycle arrest across all cancer cell lines tested. Autophagy induced by KA7 was confirmed through acridine orange staining. In the macrophage model, KA7 increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and IL-10) while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), supporting an immunomodulatory profile akin to that of sorafenib. In conclusion, KA7 exhibits strong anticancer properties, inducing apoptosis, arresting the G1 cell cycle, stimulating autophagy, and displaying positive immunomodulatory effects. According to these results, KA7 is a promising lead chemical for additional preclinical testing as a potent sorafenib substitute.

This review explores the transformative impact of smart nanomaterials on modern dentistry, a field where precision at the molecular level is unlocking innovative solutions. Nanodentistry leverages the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as their enhanced mechanical, optical, and chemical characteristics, to significantly improve oral healthcare. We delve into recent advancements in restorative dentistry, where novel nanocomposites are offering superior strength, wear resistance, and polish retention, while also minimizing polymerization shrinkage. In orthodontics, we highlight the use of nanomaterials with shape memory and antibacterial properties, which not only accelerate tooth movement but also actively reduce plaque formation and related complications. The article also examines the development of multifunctional nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including highly effective antimicrobial agents designed to target and eliminate resilient biofilms. The use of nanoencapsulation is discussed for its ability to improve the efficacy, biocompatibility, and durability of dental treatments. Finally, we address the critical need for comprehensive biocompatibility assessments to ensure patient safety, emphasizing the development of materials that closely mimic natural tooth structure, such as hydroxyapatite-based enamel. Ultimately, this review emphasizes how these smart nanomaterials are not merely improving existing dental practices but are paving the way for a revolutionary approach to oral health diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care.

Urea, as an important organic compound, plays significant role in promoting the development of agriculture, industry and biological sciences. Conventional urea synthesis process requires harsh reaction conditions (high temperature and pressure), making it energy-intensive, emission-intensive, and costly. Photocatalytic C–N coupling is a potentially green and promising alternative strategy for synthesizing valuable urea from CO₂ and inexpensive nitrogen sources (such as N₂, nitrates, ammonia) as feedstocks under ambient conditions using solar energy. However, the specific details of urea photosynthesis have not been systematically reviewed so far. This article reviews the basic principles of photocatalytic urea synthesis, including the fundamentals, key intermediates, product identification and quantification. Meanwhile, it comprehensively summarizes research advances in photocatalytic urea synthesis, with a focus on the application and design principles of photocatalysts in urea production. Finally, the major challenges and prospective research directions in the field of photocatalytic urea synthesis are thoroughly discussed. We hope that this review will provide useful insights to inspire future research and discoveries.

Styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) is an attractive block copolymer for Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) for labels, tapes, and hygiene products due to its good tack and easy processability. A key challenge in PSA formulation is overcoming the inherent trade-off between adhesion (tack) and cohesion (shear strength). This study is aimed to explore the potential of coumarone resin as a dual-phase tackifier for SBS based PSA. Owing to its aromatic structure and flexible side groups, cumarone-SBS blend offers a unique viscoelastic spectrum. Our findings confirmed strong resin–polymer compatibility and improved thermal stability. Rheological studies further showed that SBS formulations with coumarone develop a broader viscoelastic plateau and achieve a well-balanced relationship between elasticity (G′) and viscosity (G″) across frequencies relevant to PSA applications. Optimal formulation satisfies the Dahlquist criterion, achieving maximum peel strength (∼27 N/25 mm) and SAFT (∼70 °C), thus enabling tailored, cost-effective removable PSA.

This work demonstrates a strategy to tailor the ethanol selectivity of SnO₂-based MEMS gas sensors by combining WO₃ loading with a pulse-driven heating mode. This dynamic operating mode separates the sensing signal, allowing for the distinction between an initial transient response in the target gas atmosphere (S_p) and a total response (S_i). WO₃-loaded SnO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment and impregnation methods. The optimal 1.5 mol% WO₃-loaded SnO₂ (1.5–W–Sn) exhibited highly dispersed WO₃ species and an enhanced specific surface area. At measurement temperature of 350 °C, the 1.5–W–Sn sensor showed selectivity toward 10 ppm ethanol with an S_p value significantly higher than those for other VOCs. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements confirmed that the 1.5–W–Sn sample enhanced ethanol adsorption at low-temperature. More critically, results of the temperature programmed reaction after ethanol adsorption confirmed that WO₃ loading altered the ethanol reaction pathway, which was evidenced by ethylene desorption. This altered pathway, coupled with the rapid combustion of its byproducts during the measurement step is responsible for the high S_p value. The combination of pre-adsorption and an altered reaction pathway, enables the sensor's marked selectivity to ethanol. These findings underscore a powerful design strategy, where material properties and dynamic operation modes are tailored the selective detection.

Energy loss at the interface between the subcells limits the efficiency of existing tandem solar cells. In this work, we propose a novel two-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with vertically aligned silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs) incorporated between the two subcells. The sub-wavelength dimensions of the embedded Si NWs, grown on top of the Si bottom subcell, allow efficient light trapping and lead to guided resonant modes. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis shows that, across the entire spectrum, these guided modes effectively couple the incident light between the subcells, reducing reflection losses in the interlayer and enhancing absorption in the underlying bottom c-Si cell. To evaluate the performance of the proposed tandem solar cell, we performed electrical simulations using the enhanced carrier generation profile obtained from the FDTD simulations. The proposed embedded NW tandem configuration yields 22.6% enhancement in short-circuit current density compared to conventional architectures, boosting the power conversion efficiency from 26.98% to 32.11%. These findings offer the necessary theoretical framework for experimentalists, providing a clear pathway towards realizing high-performance perovskite/Si tandem solar cells.

Global energy demand and environmental concerns have intensified the search for renewable fuels, with biodiesel emerging as a sustainable substitute for petroleum diesel. Efficient catalysis remains the bottleneck for large-scale biodiesel production. While heterogeneous catalysts offer advantages of reusability and separation, their performance is limited by stability, active sites availability, and reduced activity under harsh conditions. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their high surface area, tunable porosity, and structural versatility, have recently attracted increasing attention as next-generation catalysts. This work reviewed advances in the design and application of each common MOF type for biodiesel synthesis through esterification and transesterification process. MOF composites, MOF derivatives, and MOF composite materials exhibit superior catalytic performance and recyclability compared to pristine MOFs, making them highly recommended for future research and applications. Beyond summarizing yields and reaction conditions, we highlight mechanistic insights, stability issues, and catalysis performance. Special attention is given to functionalized and composite MOFs, bifunctional systems, and enzyme-MOF hybrids, which demonstrate superior performance compared to pristine MOFs. While UiO- and ZIF-based MOFs dominate current research, emerging systems such as Ca- and Cu-MOFs remain underexplored yet promising. We analyze the key features required in MOF materials for efficient biodiesel production and provide a comprehensive review and categorization of recent advancements. By contrasting MOFs with conventional heterogeneous catalysts and positioning this review against existing literature, we provide a comprehensive and critical perspective on the opportunities and challenges of MOFs in biodiesel catalysis.

The improper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant environmental challenges but also presents an opportunity for sustainable material recovery. Simultaneously, dopamine (DA) is a vital neurotransmitter involved in numerous physiological processes, and its sensitive detection is essential for diagnosing neurological disorders. In this study, we report a cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategy to synthesize a reduced graphene oxide–magnetite (rGO–Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite from e-waste-derived precursors for DA sensing. Graphite was recovered from spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes via ultrasonication, while Fe₂O₃ was obtained from waste toner powder (WTP) through thermal decomposition. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from the purified graphite using an improved Hummers' method and subsequently reduced in the presence of Fe₂O₃ to form the rGO–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. The resulting materials were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XRD analyses. The rGO–Fe₃O₄-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for DA detection, as evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and amperometry. The sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range (10–450 µM), high sensitivity (42.35 µA mM⁻¹), and a low detection limit (0.0639 µM). It also showed outstanding selectivity, repeatability, and stability, along with successful DA quantification in human urine samples. This work presents a circular materials approach for converting e-waste into functional nanocomposites and underscores their potential in the development of affordable, high-performance electrochemical biosensors.

This study presents the creation of an innovative bioadsorbent a porous carbon–polymer composite, referred to as TACGC, was synthesized utilizing residues from tobacco processing and subsequently assessed for its efficacy as an adsorbent of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions. The composite was fabricated by integrating tobacco-derived activated carbon into a matrix composed of guar gum and carboxymethyl cellulose, which was chemically cross-linked with itaconic acid, resulting in a stable and functional sponge-like structure. The structural and surface characteristics were investigated through various analytical techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, XPS, SEM–EDX, and BET analysis. These analyses collectively confirmed the development of a mesoporous network characterized by an abundance of oxygenated functional groups. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that factors such as pH, adsorbent dosage, initial Cr(VI) concentration, contact time, and temperature significantly impacted the removal efficiency. The observed adsorption behavior adhered to the Langmuir isotherm model, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 404.87 mg g⁻¹, while the kinetic data conformed to the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that the uptake mechanism is predominantly chemisorption-driven. Thermodynamic analysis (ΔH° = 93.45 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS° = 325.7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) established that the adsorption process is both spontaneous and endothermic. Moreover, TACGC demonstrated sustained efficiency over five cycles of adsorption–desorption, underscoring its structural integrity and reusability. The robustness of the system was further corroborated through statistical optimization employing the Box–Behnken design. These results underscore the significant potential of TACGC as an effective and sustainable solution for Cr(VI) remediation in wastewater treatment contexts.