New Journal of Chemistry最新文献

In this study, TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized through anodic oxidation and subsequently coated with Ag and Cu₂O nanoparticles via a two-step photochemical deposition process. The photocatalytic performance of the samples was further analyzed by the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and photodegradation of Rhodamine B. The Ag/Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanotubes (4.34 at% of Ag and 0.13 at% of Cu) showed optimal photocatalytic performance. The nanocomposite catalyst delivered a photoinduced current density of 0.335 mA cm⁻² and achieved 96.7% RhB degradation within 120 minutes of the reaction. The theoretical hydrogen production rate was 5.06 µmol cm⁻² h⁻¹, showing a 1.9-fold enhancement over that of pure TiO₂. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and LSV tests further revealed that the Ag/Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanotubes exhibited improved charge transfer properties and hydrogen evolution activity. The performance is ascribed to the built-in p–n heterojunction between Cu₂O and TiO₂ that promotes carrier separation, further amplified by the intense local electromagnetic field generated through the LSPR effect of Ag, which collectively accelerates both photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen production rate over the Ag/Cu₂O/TiO₂ nanotubes. The methodology developed herein offers a practical guide for constructing novel multifunctional photocatalysts with controlled heterojunctions for diverse applications.

The establishment of catalysts for organic pollutant degradation is essential for advancing wastewater remediation techniques. In this study, a combination of 2D layered reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and 1D vanadium dioxide (VO₂) nanorods (rGV) was developed using a hydrothermal method for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). To improve the sonocatalytic pollutant degradation activity of rGV, boron was incorporated into the rGV composites (BrGV). The structural formation and modification of rGV after the inclusion of boron were successfully verified through systematic characterization techniques, which confirmed the presence of VO₂ and the modification of the electronic structure of the rGV by boron. Microscopy analysis confirmed the excellent formation of rGO sheets with VO₂ nanorods in the BrGV nanostructure. The BrGV-2 nanocomposite exhibited excellent sonocatalytic activity, achieving 91.66% degradation of MO in 60 minutes. Optimal catalytic performance was observed at a BrGV-2 concentration of 0.4 g L⁻¹ at pH 6. Mechanistic studies revealed that superoxide radical anions and hydroxyl radicals were the primary reactive species involved in the sonocatalytic degradation of MO. Furthermore, the catalyst showed stability during repeated cycling, emphasizing its potential for reuse in pollutant degradation, thereby contributing to the fields of advanced nanocomposite materials and environmental science.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. is a popular condiment and medicinal resource that requires effective drying processes to preserve its quality and functional efficacy. This study comprehensively evaluated the impact of hot air drying (HAD: 60 °C, 12.21 hours), vacuum freeze drying (VFD: cold trap temperature −45 °C, vacuum pressure 35 Pa, shelf temperature 35 °C, 22.07 hours), and microwave-assisted vacuum freeze drying (MVFD: cold trap temperature −45 °C, vacuum pressure 35 Pa, shelf temperature 35 °C, microwave treatment 1000 W, 7.42 hours) on the process-related parameters, bioactive components, flavor-active components, and antioxidant capacity (DPPH˙, ABTS˙, FRAP, and superoxide anion (˙O₂⁻) scavenging) of Z. bungeanum Maxim. The results revealed that MVFD-processed samples exhibited the lowest moisture content (10.44 ± 0.27%), highest drying rate (90.13 ± 4.95 g (h kg)⁻¹), minimum specific energy consumption (15.19 ± 0.97 kWh kg⁻¹), and superior retention of bioactive components, including total anthocyanins (820.66 ± 25.16 nmol g⁻¹, d.w.b.), total alkaloids (1.23 ± 0.04 mg g⁻¹, d.w.b.), total phenols (31.78 ± 0.19 mg g⁻¹, d.w.b.), and total flavonoids (57.33 ± 0.22 mg g⁻¹, d.w.b.). MVFD also outperformed HAD and VFD in preserving flavor-active components, yielding higher free amino acids (4599.95 ± 5.94 µg g⁻¹, d.w.b.), pungent agents (45.72 ± 1.05 mg g⁻¹, d.w.b.), and volatile diversity (40 identified constituents). Antioxidant assessment consistently demonstrated the following ranking: MVFD > VFD > HAD, aligning with phytochemical retention trends. These findings underscored MVFD as an advanced industrial processing method for Z. bungeanum Maxim., effectively maintaining its bioactive components, flavor properties, and functional performance while providing technical references for the manufacturing of high-quality Z. bungeanum Maxim. products.

Herein, we present a mild C(sp²)–C(sp³) coupling methodology from alkyl alcohol and aryl bromide under blue-light irradiation. The triphenylphosphine-mediated alkyl radical generated under photochemical conditions was coupled with aryl bromide in the presence of Ni/dtbpy as a catalyst system to provide the C–C coupled product in moderate to good yields. Optimization of substrate scope under these conditions showed that a range of aryl and hetero aryl bromides could be coupled successfully with functionalized benzyl alcohols and other aliphatic alcohols.

Fast electron and ion transport, along with cycling stability of anode materials, are crucial for achieving high-performance rates in batteries. Here, we successfully fabricated a lithium-ion battery (LIB) anode material WC-Co/N-C consisting of cobalt (Co) and tungsten carbide (WC) with nitrogen-doped carbon by calcination of PW₁₂@ZIF-67 at 700 °C. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the WC-Co/N-C electrode demonstrates excellent cycling stability at a high current density of 2 A g⁻¹, maintaining a usable reversible capacity of 283 mA h g⁻¹ over 1500 cycles. In comparison, the reversible capacity of Co/N-C after the same number of cycles is significantly lower at only 99.0 mA h g⁻¹. In addition, the average diffusion coefficient value of WC-Co/N-C is significantly larger than that of Co/N-C during the charging and discharging stages. These results are primarily attributed to the fact that the presence of WC enhances the rate capability and lithiation capacity of materials through multi-electron reaction mechanisms. In addition, the multifunctionality of the MOF-derived carbon layer enables effective synergies by combining high electrical conductivity, cycling stability, and the additional capacity of Co and WC components. Overall, the superior comprehensive performance of WC-Co/N-C (i.e., fast charge transfer, stable cycling) underscores its significant potential for boosting the development of high-rate and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.

Bisphenols have a wide range of effects on human systems, including the reproductive, immune, and nervous systems, and have been identified as endocrine-disrupting substances. Bisphenols are also ubiquitous in the environment. Therefore, it is of great significance to rapidly and sensitively monitor and detect trace amounts of bisphenols in environmental samples. In this study, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) material—COF-DhaTph@SiO₂, with a porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (COF) as the shell and silica as the core—was synthesized via a one-pot method. This material was then applied to the separation and enrichment of three bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol S) in real samples. The maximum adsorption capacities for bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol S reached 275.73 mg g⁻¹, 252.38 mg g⁻¹, and 122.36 mg g⁻¹, respectively. This can be attributed to the fact that the composite material can form multiple types of hydrogen bonds with bisphenols, while the porphyrin molecules with a large π-system in the composite provide π–π stacking interactions. In addition, conditions such as adsorption time, adsorption temperature, pollutant concentration, and pH were explored and optimized. Under the optimal adsorption conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) values ranged from 0.140 to 1.010 µg mL⁻¹, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) values were between 0.424 and 3.061 µg mL⁻¹. The spiked recovery rates of real samples were in the range of 89.33%–97.33%. After five adsorption–desorption cycles, the maximum adsorption capacity remained above 85%, indicating that the method established using this material is suitable for the enrichment of the three bisphenols in complex samples.

Metformin (MET) has emerged as a contaminant of concern, prompting regulatory bodies' vigilance due to its potential detrimental impacts on both the ecosystem and human health. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of rapid, portable, and cost-effective sensors capable of detecting MET in environmental samples. In this study, we successfully constructed a rapid and highly selective electrochemical sensor for MET using CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles/γ-cyclodextrin loaded reduced graphene oxide (CuFe₂O₄/γ-CD/rGO) nanomaterials. The incorporation of γ-CD facilitated the dispersion of rGO, while the large surface area, good conductivity and adsorption properties of rGO enhanced the loading capacity of CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, thereby improving the conductivity of the composite material. Various spectral and analytical techniques were employed to thoroughly characterize the morphology and structure of the synthesized nanocomposites. The electrocatalytic performance of the CuFe₂O₄/rGO/γ-CD modified electrode towards MET was evaluated through differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), Cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance (EIS). Under optimal conditions, the CuFe₂O₄/rGO/γ-CD electrode exhibited a satisfactory linear range from 2 µM to 60 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.6 µM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the developed sensor demonstrated several advantages, including low cost, excellent accuracy, simple structure, high selectivity and reproducibility. It was successfully employed for the detection of MET in environmental river water and soil samples, yielding satisfactory recovery rates and consistent results compared to the UV-vis method.

Copper-based agents have been utilized widely in a range of commercial antibacterial products due to their superior release-killing antibacterial properties. However, the environmental concerns associated with the release of Cu²⁺ ions have restricted their application in textiles. In this study, Cu₃P–ZnO nanocomposites with enzyme-like properties were synthesized through the phosphating of CuO–ZnO, and were employed to functionalize the surface of cotton fabrics using a dipping–padding–drying method. The physicochemical properties of the functional cotton fabrics were characterized using various techniques. The antibacterial efficacy of Cu₃P–ZnO/cotton was assessed against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria. Remarkably, Cu₃P–ZnO/cotton demonstrated significant antibacterial activity and stability without necessitating auxiliary conditions, achieving >99% antibacterial effectiveness against both E. coli and S. aureus, while retaining 94.7% efficiency after 50 washing cycles. The underlying antibacterial mechanism was elucidated, revealing that reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially singlet oxygen (¹O₂), plays a crucial role in mediating the antibacterial action of Cu₃P–ZnO/cotton in the absence of light, whereas direct contact between Cu₃P–ZnO and bacteria plays a secondary role in this process. This research provides valuable insights into the design of ROS-mediated antibacterial agents for applications in antibacterial textiles.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are among the most widely used power storage technologies today, yet challenges such as the development of efficient anode materials persist. To address this, researchers continue to explore novel anode candidates. In this work, we investigate RuClF/AlN van der Waals heterostructures as a potential LIB anode material using density functional theory. Two distinct stacking configurations, FRuCl/AlN and ClRuF/AlN heterostructures, are examined. Their structural and dynamical stability is confirmed through binding energy and phonon calculations. Results reveal that the most favourable stacking exhibits exceptional lithium adsorption properties, suggesting promising applicability in high-performance LIB anodes. Furthermore, the measured diffusion barrier was as low as 0.33 eV, highlighting their significance in facilitating rapid ion mobility. The open circuit voltage and theoretical capacity of 0.78 V and 564.29 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, indicate that this heterostructure holds significant promise as a competitive high-capacity anode material.

Photocatalytic preferential dechlorination of high-environmental-risk 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) is highly desired. Although Bi₂O₃ has previously displayed a preferential dechlorination pathway of 2-CP, the phase-effect of Bi₂O₃ remains ambiguous. Here, one dimensional (1D) α- and β-Bi₂O₃ photocatalysts were prepared by using bismuth metal organic framework (CAU-17) microrods as the template, of which β-Bi₂O₃ microrods were obtained via a bicarbonate-induced transformation route and α-Bi₂O₃ microrods were prepared through a direct pyrolysis route. Multi-pronged characterization confirmed that β-Bi₂O₃ microrods have a larger surface area and a narrower band gap compared with α-Bi₂O₃ microrods. As expected, β-Bi₂O₃ microrods showed a 2-fold higher photocatalytic activity for degrading 2-CP under white-light LED irradiation, with higher mineralization than α-Bi₂O₃ microrods. According to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, radical trapping experiments and ion chromatography, both α-Bi₂O₃ and β-Bi₂O₃ displayed a hole-induced photocatalytic preferential dechlorination of 2-CP, resulting in the conversion of chlorine into chloride ions.