Article
Energy & Fuels
Narudee Srisawang, Amorn Chaiyasat, Piyalak Ngernchuklin, Preeyaporn Chaiyasat
Summary: Microcapsules containing bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared by microsuspension iodine transfer polymerization (ms ITP) for dye treatment in wastewater. These microcapsules showed high efficiency in removing dyes, especially under alkaline conditions, and could be reused for at least five treatment times with the help of an external magnetic field.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jian-Yu Wang, Feng Jin, Xian-Zi Dong, Jie Liu, Ming-Xia Zhou, Teng Li, Mei-Ling Zheng
Summary: This study demonstrates a dual-stimuli cooperative responsive hydrogel microactuator by asymmetric fabrication via femtosecond laser direct writing. The dual response of the hydrogel microstructure is achieved through the use of responsive hydrogel with functional monomer 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. Raman spectra of the hydrogel microstructures suggest that the pH and temperature response of the hydrogel is generated by the changes in tertiary amine groups and hydrogen bonds, respectively. The asymmetric hydrogel microstructures show opposite bending direction when being heated to high temperature or exposed to acid solution, and can independently accomplish the grasp of polystyrene microspheres.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Donghun Shin, Seungki Lee, Hyun Sung Jang, Ji Bong Joo, Inhee Choi
Summary: In this study, dual-responsive hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) capped with hyaluronic acid (HA) were designed as drug carriers, exhibiting enhanced targeting efficiency and drug release efficiency. This research provides a new possibility for further improving drug delivery efficiency.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Kadambari Bairagi, Jiang Tian Liu, Anna Thinphang-nga, Jung Kwon Oh
Summary: Stimuli-responsive degradable amphiphilic block copolymers (SRD-ABPs) have been extensively investigated for the construction of smart nanoassemblies with controlled release of encapsulated molecules. A new approach using conjugated benzoic imine chemistry was developed to achieve dual acidic pH/light responses with a single labile linkage. The synthesized SRD-ABP self-assembled into stable nanoassemblies which degraded upon dual responses to acidic pH and UV/visible light. This work demonstrates the versatility of the new approach for designing advanced nanoassemblies for intracellular drug delivery.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinjing Wang, Yi Wu, Hongzhou Shang, Xiaoran Sun, Kexin An, Qian Zhang, Ning Qiao
Summary: A pH/photosensitive drug carrier, PEG-PDMAEMA-PNBAE, was successfully synthesized by ATRP. The synthesized polymer could self-assemble into homogeneous and stable spherical micelles with a particle size of about 100nm and effective light sensitivity. Curcumin was used as a model drug to investigate the adsorption and release abilities of the micelles, showing high encapsulation rate and drug loading capacity. The in vitro hemolysis and cytotoxicity test demonstrated the good biosafety of the carrier.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hiroaki Yoshida, Zhenhua Pan, Ryota Shoji, Vikas Nandal, Hiroyuki Matsuzaki, Kazuhiko Seki, Takashi Hisatomi, Kazunari Domen
Summary: In this study, charge separation in Y2Ti2O5S2 was improved by heterogeneous doping with Sc3+ ions. The optimized Sc-doped Y2Ti2O5S2 exhibited 3.4 times higher activity in photocatalytic H-2 evolution compared to the pristine material. This enhancement was attributed to the shallower trap state distribution and improved hole detrapping provided by Sc doping.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Chen, Mingyang Ma, Qingteng Lai, Yanke Zhang, Zhengchun Liu
Summary: A simple pH and redox dual stimuli-responsive diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-Cu2+ complexes gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were prepared for precise drug delivery and controlled drug release. The MSN-DPP-Cu2+ showed good blocking effect under physiological conditions and responded well to the pH and redox glutathione (GSH) dual stimuli. In vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that the MSN-DPP-Cu2+ had good biocompatibility and efficient drug release in Hep G2 cells.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weixian Jiao, Zhe Wang, Tongqing Liu, Xuefeng Li, Jinfeng Dong
Summary: This study focused on a novel pH and light dual-responsive Gemini surfactant N3C14AZOC14N3. The self-assembly behaviors of this surfactant in aqueous solutions were highly dependent on pH, and the concentration also affected its physicochemical properties. Additionally, wormlike micelles formed by this surfactant showed pH and light dual-responses, with pH causing protonation variation of amino headgroups and light-induced reversible transition attributed to the isomerization between trans- and cis-azobenzene.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
A. Jafarabadi, M. Sobhani, H. Koohestani
Summary: In this study, TiO2/Fe2TiO5 ceramic was synthesized by reacting iron (III) hydroxide with dispersed suspension of TiO2 particles. Suspensions at different pH values were prepared, and subsequent calcination resulted in the formation of Fe2TiO5 on the surface of TiO2 particles. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of pseudobrookite Fe2TiO5, while TEM images showed the coexistence of Fe2TiO5 and TiO2 with rutile structure. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra revealed two direct band gap energies associated with the Fe2TiO5 coating and TiO2 support.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Guang-Lin Fan, Shu-Wei Wang, Ying-Ying Zhang, Zhao-Tie Liu, Zhong-Wen Liu, Lei Wang, Jin-Qiang Jiang, Guo Li
Summary: This study reports on the development of programmable hydrogel shapes and actuating trajectories by controlling light-initiated polymerization of active hydrogel layers on shape memory hydrogel substrates. The demonstrated strategy enables the tuning of actuating temperatures and amplitudes by controlling layer thickness and composition, opening up possibilities for versatile and complex actuating behaviors.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pichapak Srikamut, Treethip Phakkeeree, Farzad Seidi, Supitchaya Iamsaard, Daniel Crespy
Summary: Active protection coatings have been developed to mitigate the corrosion of metallic substrates by encapsulating and releasing corrosion inhibitors through responsive particles. Coatings prepared with polymer-inhibitor conjugates, featuring acetal and immolative disulfide linkers, show higher anticorrosion performance than single-responsive polymers. Unlike previous conjugates, the release of inhibitors can be activated not only by a change in pH value but also by a change in electrochemical potential.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingxu Hu, Shiwen Du, Beibei Dong, Yu Qi, Zhaochi Feng, Fuxiang Zhang
Summary: In this study, a novel dual-ion doping strategy was introduced to modulate the structure and water oxidation activity of bismuth yttrium oxychloride. The dual ion-doped sample exhibited a significantly higher O2 evolution rate compared to a single ion-doped sample. The activity was also observed to strongly depend on the content of dual ions, and the optimized sample showed remarkable visible-light-responsive O2 production rate.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yu-Xuan Zhang, Jie Huang, Jun Zhang, Ning Ren, Gang-Sheng Tong, Xin-Yuan Zhu
Summary: A series of polypeptoids with dual photo/thermo-responsiveness were prepared by incorporating both azobenzene (Azo) group and oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) segment into the side chains. UV/Vis photo-responsive behaviors were achieved by cis-trans photoisomerization of the Azo group, while the thermo-responsive behaviors were realized by both OEG segment and Azo group. This study demonstrates the potential of polypeptoids as smart materials that can respond to different environmental stimuli.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangyao Song, Shiwen Du, Xiangying Xing, Beibei Dong, Zhaochi Feng, Fei Cheng
Summary: Ba2Bi3Ta2O11Cl was successfully prepared via a simple one-step molten salt method, and its crystal morphology and structure were adjusted, leading to a significant improvement in its O-2-evolving activity. In addition, W doping enhances the charge separation efficiency and reduces the energy barrier for water oxidation reaction, thereby improving the activity. Finally, the optimized W-doped sample after molten salt treatment exhibits the highest O-2 production activity (55 μmol h(-1)) without any cocatalyst, which is 6 times higher than that of pristine Ba2Bi3Ta2O11Cl and 2 times higher than that of the undoped Ba2Bi3Ta2O11Cl treated with molten salt, respectively.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Artem S. Belousov, Evgeny Suleimanov, Diana G. Fukina
Summary: Heterogeneous photocatalysis is considered an attractive alternative route for converting solar energy into chemical energy, with a focus on new materials sensitive to visible light. Pyrochlore oxides have shown promise as visible light-responsive photocatalysts due to their compositional flexibility and opportunities for enhancing electron/hole mobility, with recent progress in various applications and strategies for improving their photocatalytic activity.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Casey Onggowarsito, An Feng, Shudi Mao, Luong Ngoc Nguyen, Jiangtao Xu, Qiang Fu
Summary: Solar steam generator (SSG) systems have gained increasing attention for their simple manufacturing, material abundance, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly freshwater production. This article provides an overview of the SSG concept, reviews recent progress in different SSG systems, and discusses important factors for performance optimization. The challenges of cost-performance ratio, filtration of untreatable micropollutants/microorganisms, and the need for standardization testing are also addressed to advance future SSG studies.
Article
Polymer Science
Zhibang Liu, Jun Li, Zipeng Zhang, Jianzhi Liu, Chenyu Wu, Yueqin Yu
Summary: This study introduces reversible yet strong non-covalent interactions into a poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) temperature-sensitive hydrogel through the use of non-covalent chitosan (CS) crosslinkers, resulting in desirable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and high-level self-healing capability. By optimizing the formulation of CS, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), acrylic acid (PAA), and acrylamide (AM), the best overall performance is achieved. The hydrogel system is synthesized using a simple one-pot procedure, ensuring low cost and ease of production process. The hydrogel with NIPAM/AM = 7/1 exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) near body temperature, remarkable elongation at break, strain recovery ratio, stress recovery ratio, biocompatibility, and stable drug loading and release platform.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Optics
Xu Liu, Bolin Zheng, Lei Shi, Shujie Zhou, Jiangtao Xu, Ziheng Liu, Jae Sung Yun, Eunyoung Choi, Meng Zhang, Yinhua Lv, Wen-Hua Zhang, Jialiang Huang, Caixia Li, Kaiwen Sun, Jan Seidel, Mingrui He, Jun Peng, Xiaojing Hao, Martin Green
Summary: This study presents a facile approach for doping spiro-OMeTAD hole-transport materials using a low-cost alkylthiol additive DDT. The incorporation of DDT allows for a more efficient and controllable doping process with reduced duration. Coordination between DDT and LiTFSI increases the dopant concentration, enhances the structural integrity of the material, and improves device performance under wetting, heat, and light stress.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniele Melodia, Abhirup Bhadra, Kenny Lee, Rhiannon Kuchel, Dipan Kundu, Nathaniel Corrigan, Cyrille Boyer
Summary: Tunable solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with enhanced mechanical properties and conductivities were prepared via digital light processing 3D printing. The polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS) technique allowed for the fabrication of nanostructured ion-conducting materials, with a rigid crosslinked scaffold providing high shear modulus and soft domains containing an ionic liquid contributing to high ionic conductivity. These 3D-printed SPEs are promising for use in all solid energy storage devices, including supercapacitors.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenjian Liu
Summary: This article discusses the challenges of including relativistic, correlation, and quantum electrodynamics effects in electronic structure calculations of many-electron systems, as well as the difficulties arising from spin-orbit interaction and the treatment of electron correlation. Possible solutions to these issues are highlighted.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yingnan Wu, Yanliang Zhao, Haoran Hou, Gaobo Hong, Yanhui Guo, Ruiling Zhang, Wenlong Chen, Jiarui Tian, Shibo Lv, Honglei Wang, Meishan Wang, Chenyu Wu, Fengling Song
Summary: Delayed fluorescence molecules have important applications in time-resolved luminescence imaging systems. However, current approaches using triplets as intermediate states are oxygen-sensitive. In this study, a new pathway for oxygen-insensitive delayed fluorescence, produced within the singlet manifold, is reported. The study demonstrates successful time-resolved imaging of living cells in the presence of oxygen.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jieying Liang, Juanfang Ruan, Bosiljka Njegic, Aditya Rawal, Jason Scott, Jiangtao Xu, Cyrille Boyer, Kang Liang
Summary: Selecting an appropriate support material for enzyme immobilization is crucial in the development of functional biosystems. Covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) with metal-free and highly stable properties are found to be ideal supports. COF-LZU1, among three COFs developed in this study, is found to retain the highest activity when horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is incorporated. The structural analysis reveals that COF-LZU1 has the weakest interaction with the hydrated enzyme, easiest accessibility to the substrate, and optimal conformation of enzyme, which promote the bioactivity of HRP-COF-LZU1. COF-LZU1 also serves as a versatile nanoplatform for encapsulating multiple enzymes, providing superior protection under harsh conditions and during recycling. The understanding of interfacial interactions, substrate diffusion, and enzyme conformation alteration within COF matrices opens up possibilities for designing ideal biocatalysts and broad applications of these nanosystems.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Haishuo Liu, Zipeng Zhang, Chenyu Wu, Kang Su, Xiaonan Kan
Summary: Superhydrophobicity, observed in natural organisms like lotus leaves and desert beetles, has inspired extensive research on biomimetic materials. Two main superhydrophobic effects have been identified: the lotus leaf effect and the rose petal effect, both with water contact angles larger than 150°. In recent years, 3D printing has gained significant attention for its rapid, low-cost, and precise construction of superhydrophobic materials, and this mini-review provides a comprehensive overview of biomimetic superhydrophobic materials fabricated through 3D printing.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joel Yong, Karen Hakobyan, Jiangtao Xu, Albert S. S. Mellick, John Whitelock, Kang Liang
Summary: The use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as delivery systems for biologically functional macromolecules has been widely explored. Optimizing encapsulation efficiency is important for different biological applications. In this study, protein quantitation methods were compared to assess the encapsulation efficiency of ZIF-8 MOFs for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and catalase (CAT). Variances were observed among the methods, with fluorometric quantitation providing the most consistent results. BCA and Bradford assays were sensitive to background interference from the MOF linker 2-methylimidazole.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin He, Tian Lu, Chunying Rong, Shubin Liu, Paul W. Ayers, Wenjian Liu
Summary: Considerable research interest has been observed in recent literature regarding the development and applications of information-theoretic approach (ITA) quantities in density functional theory. These ITA quantities are explicit density functionals with continuous and well-behaved local distributions in real space. By systematically analyzing the topological behavior of four representative ITA quantities, namely Shannon entropy, two forms of Fisher information, and relative Shannon entropy, our work further develops ITA. The topological analyses for 103 molecular systems provide new insights into bonding interactions and physiochemical properties, such as electrophilicity, nucleophilicity, acidity, and aromaticity. Comparisons with results from other functions demonstrate the potential of our results as a methodological approach and practical tool for elucidating chemical bonding and reactivity propensity.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ru Wang, Hao Wang, Wenjian Liu, Ron Elber
Summary: This study investigates the application of Milestoning in rare event kinetics calculation. Two algorithms, LPT-M and BI-M, are proposed to accurately and efficiently approximate the initial distribution of the system. The results demonstrate that both methods outperform the classical Milestoning method in terms of accuracy and computational cost.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zeyu Shao, Karen Hakobyan, Jiangtao Xu, Renxun Chen, Naresh Kumar, Mark Willcox, Edgar H. H. Wong
Summary: This study reports the development of a smart antimicrobial polymer that can be activated under UV light to exhibit antimicrobial activity. The polymer showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria, as well as the ability to disrupt bacterial membranes and kill biofilms. Furthermore, the polymer effectively killed cancer cells, demonstrating its potential in cancer therapy.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jueyi Xue, Mengnan Zhang, Joel Yong, Qianfan Chen, Joseph Wang, Jiangtao Xu, Kang Liang
Summary: This study reports a biocatalytic nanomotor based on a covalent-organic framework (COF) that exhibits intelligent and switchable motion triggered by a blue-to-red light switch. The nanomotor enhances contaminant removal in aqueous solutions when exposed to blue light, but deactivates its motion and contaminant removal under red light. The study explores the assembly strategy of the COF-based nanomotor and its light-controlled propulsion performance, providing insights for the design and practical applications of nanomotors.
Article
Polymer Science
Karen Hakobyan, Benjamin B. Noble, Jiangtao Xu
Summary: This article introduces a solid-phase methodology for synthesizing iterative RAFT single unit monomer insertion (SUMI) adducts. The method features a reversible thiocarbonylthio protecting group and radical chain growth of vinyl monomers, requiring minimal purification during the synthesis. By immobilizing the RAFT chain transfer agent on a common peptide synthesis resin, and using an oxygen-tolerant PET-RAFT methodology, the iterative synthesis of indene-maleimide SUMI adducts was extended to 18 units with minimal dispersity, which is unprecedented in SUMI chemistry. Furthermore, the solid-phase methodology can be applied to other maleimide derivatives and other solid-phase resins.
Review
Polymer Science
Karen Hakobyan, Benjamin B. Noble, Jiangtao Xu
Summary: This review surveys the developments in synthetic methods, characterization techniques, simulation workflows, and applications related to the control of molecular-level complexity in macromolecules. It emphasizes the significance of characterization in connecting synthesis with applications.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)