Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samar Batool, Marcel Langer, Stephen Nagaraju Myakala, Magdalena Heiland, Dominik Eder, Carsten Streb, Alexey Cherevan
Summary: This review summarizes prominent examples of thiomolybdate-based electro- and photocatalysis and provides a comprehensive analysis of their reactivities under homogeneous and heterogenized conditions. The study examines the active sites of thiomolybdates relevant for the hydrogen evolution reaction and discusses the shift from solution-phase to surface-supported thiomolybdates with a focus on applications in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ke Guo, Jinyu Zheng, Jianchun Bao, Yafei Li, Dongdong Xu
Summary: Surface modification of electrocatalysts is a key strategy for designing advanced nanocatalysts with improved electrocatalytic performance. This study develops highly dispersed amorphous molybdenum trisulfide-anchored Platinum nanodendrites (Pt-a-MoS3 NDs) as efficient hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Pt catalysts is attributed to the highly dispersed a-MoS3, which acts as a preferred adsorption site for the efficient conversion of H+ to H2. Furthermore, the anchoring of highly dispersed clusters to Pt substrate significantly enhances the electrocatalytic stability.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miroslav Mrlik, Jozef Kollar, Katarina Borska, Marketa Ilcikova, Danila Gorgol, Josef Osicka, Michal Sedlacik, Alena Ronzova, Peter Kasak, Jaroslav Mosnacek
Summary: In this study, the conducting polymer PPEMA was synthesized using conventional atom transfer radical polymerization, and a conducting shell was successfully grown on the magnetic core using surface-bonded method. The molar mass and dispersity of the polymers can be controlled, providing a system with a tailorable structure and brush-like morphology. Short polymer chains grafted to the CI particles exhibited a plasticizing effect and enhanced electromagnetic shielding. The SE materials containing the CI-PPEMA hybrid particles showed improved damping factor and mechanical performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yerzhan S. Zholdassov, Daniel J. Valles, Samiha Uddin, Joanna Korpanty, Nathan C. Gianneschi, Adam B. Braunschweig
Summary: The study utilizes a photochemical printer equipped with a digital micromirror device to rapidly investigate the kinetics of photopolymerization of two monomers, revealing conditions for growing polymer brushes of identical heights. Hidden images are created on substrates, and a new method for encrypting data within hypersurfaces is demonstrated.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Shuaijie Chen, Peng Wang, Haitao Zhao, Weiwei He, Lifen Zhang, Zhenping Cheng
Summary: This study developed a facile and efficient method for preparing grafted polyesters by combining photocontrolled BIT-RDRP and ROP in flow reactors at room temperature for the first time. Polymethacrylate macroinitiators were synthesized in the first tube and employed for TBD-catalyzed ROP in the second tube to provide tailored grafted polyesters. The use of flow tube reactors significantly improved the polymerization rates and allowed for the production of grafted polyesters with controlled molar mass and narrow dispersity.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aruna K. Kunhiraman, M. Bradha, R. Ajay Rakkesh
Summary: Ni-doped MoS2 synthesized by a facile solvothermal method exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance, with Ni2xMo1-xS2 at x = 0.05 showing the best efficiency and highest number of active sites. This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of MoS2, NiS, and Ni3S4 leading to increased electronic modulation and active sites.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Ran Yang, Xiaodan Wang, Shunjie Yan, Alideertu Dong, Shifang Luan, Jinghua Yin
Summary: In recent decades, abundant research has been conducted on surface modifications of hierarchical polymer brushes for various biomedical applications. The rational design and spatial structural characteristics of these brushes can minimize interference and maximize smart performance, making them particularly attractive for biomedical applications. While there are still challenges, especially in achieving advanced self-adaptability in biomedical materials, hierarchical polymer brushes show great potential in addressing complex biological scenarios.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucas W. Teunissen, Andriy R. Kuzmyn, Francesco S. Ruggeri, Maarten M. J. Smulders, Han Zuilhof
Summary: In this study, thermoresponsive poly(N-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)pyrrolidone) brushes were synthesized and polymerized on silicon oxide substrates via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The reversible thermoresponsive behavior of the brushes was demonstrated, and their antifouling properties were tested in aqueous media.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daria Ryaboshapka, Laurent Piccolo, Mimoun Aouine, Pascal Bargiela, Valerie Briois, Pavel Afanasiev
Summary: In this study, ultradispersed molybdenum-based catalysts were successfully prepared by sulfidation of thiomolybdates and showed higher HDS activity than conventional MoS2 reference catalysts. Mixing with cobalt further increased the turnover frequencies, exceeding those of benchmark CoMoS catalysts.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Biwen Wang, Peng Wang, Baoluo He, Shuanhong Ma, Shujuan Liu, Qian Ye, Feng Zhou
Summary: A double-network hydrogel was prepared by embedding an initiator (HHy-Br) and reinforcing with Fe3+, followed by grafting the antifouling polymer (PSBVI) onto the HHy-Br substrate via subsurface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (sSIATRP) to obtain HHy-PSBVI. Fe3+ increased the crosslinking density of HHy-Br, resulting in improved tensile strength and anti-swelling properties of the hydrogel. The presence of Fe3+ also promoted the sSIATRP process. HHy-PSBVI exhibited decreased friction coefficient and excellent antibacterial and antifouling properties due to the hydration of the zwitterionic polymer and the bactericidal effect of the cationic imidazole group.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kai Zhang, Chunlei Liu, Nigel Graham, Gong Zhang, Wenzheng Yu
Summary: A research study presented a facile strategy for the controllable fabrication of the bimetallic active Co2Mo3O8 electrocatalyst for alkaline urea splitting. The synergistic effect of the Co-Mo dual sites was confirmed, and theoretical calculations revealed key features determining high reactivity for urea oxidation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Natalia Sergienko, Elizabeth Cuervo Lumbaque, Jelena Radjenovic
Summary: MnxOy coated TiO2 nanotube array substrate doped with Mo and PANI exhibited excellent activity and stability for electrochemical desulfurization in basic pH conditions. The introduction of Mo and PANI co-dopants increased the electrochemically active surface area, improved coating conductivity, and reduced charge transfer resistance. The catalytic oxidation of sulfide showed minimal impact from different operational parameters, and long-term anode usage requires periodic removal of the formed sulfur layer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Wang, Sushant P. Sahu, Alec J. Clay, Amanda J. Gildersleeve
Summary: By combining nitroxide radicals and ATRP active halogens into a functional reagent, simultaneous ATRP-NRC relay polymerization was successfully achieved, allowing for tailored macromolecular architecture and functionality by using different functional reagents.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amr Elgendy, Athanasios A. Papaderakis, Conor Byrne, Zhaozong Sun, Jeppe Lauritsen, Elliot P. C. Higgins, Andinet Ejigu, Robert Cernik, Alex S. Walton, David J. Lewis, Robert A. W. Dryfe
Summary: This study presents a simple and efficient method for synthesizing nanoparticulate ternary Chevrel phases without using hydrogen gas as a reducing agent. The successful formation of Cu2Mo6S8 CP with homogeneous nanoscale structure was confirmed through various analyses. The synthesized CP exhibited promising electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic media, showing potential for applications in electrocatalysis.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Monojit Ghosal Chowdhury, Lipipuspa Sahoo, Subarna Maity, Dipankar Bain, Ujjal K. Gautam, Amitava Patra
Summary: This study demonstrates the design of a heterostructure of Ag/MoS2 for efficient hydrogen generation through electrocatalysis. The enhanced charge-transfer kinetics resulting from electronic interactions between Ag NCs and MoS2 NFs contribute to the improved performance of HER.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingyu Wu, Nanjun Chen, Harm-Anton Klok, Young Moo Lee, Xile Hu
Summary: The research team has successfully prepared high-molecular-weight branched poly(aryl piperidinium) AEMs, which exhibit high OH- conductivity and dimensional stability. The optimized membrane b-PTP-2.5 performs well at 80 degrees Celsius, with high mechanical strength and alkaline stability, as well as achieving good peak power densities in both H-2-O-2 and H-2-air.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seunghwa Lee, Aliki Moysiadou, You-Chiuan Chu, Hao Ming Chen, Xile Hu
Summary: By conducting operando UV-Vis, X-ray absorption, and Raman spectroscopy, it has been revealed that the concentration of Fe4+ species at the surface, rather than Co4+ in the bulk, scales with the catalytic activity of CoFeOxHy during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These results suggest the presence of an Fe4+-containing active site in CoFeOxHy.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristiana Berti, Michele Graciotti, Alice Boarino, Chakradhar Yakkala, Lana E. Kandalaft, Harm-Anton Klok
Summary: Cancer vaccination using oxidized tumor lysate delivered by PLGA nanoparticles enhances antigen uptake and dendritic cell maturation. In vitro experiments show activated dendritic cells stimulated autologous PBMCs when cocultured with melanoma cells. In vivo therapeutic vaccination study in mice indicates that animals treated with PLGA nanoparticle-based oxidized tumor lysate survive longer than those treated with free oxidized tumor lysate.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Guido W. M. Vandermeulen, Alice Boarino, Harm-Anton Klok
Summary: Developing sustainable material solutions is a key challenge today, with the impact on the environment being an important aspect. Biodegradable materials can have a positive impact on risk assessment. Water-soluble and water-dispersible polymers are widely used, but there is a need to replace the currently used non-biodegradable polymers with sustainable alternatives. This review provides an overview of the current polymers used in detergent formulations, water treatment, and crop protection, and discusses the challenges and opportunities in introducing biodegradable alternatives.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Suzhe Liang, Xiaoyan Wang, Ruoxuan Qi, Ya-Jun Cheng, Yonggao Xia, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Xile Hu
Summary: This review discusses the potential and challenges of using titanium dioxide of bronze phase (TiO2(B)) as an anode material in lithium/sodium-ion batteries. It provides insights into the evolution of research on TiO2(B) anodes and suggests future directions for their practical application.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alice Boarino, Aigoul Schreier, Yves Leterrier, Harm-Anton Klok
Summary: Blending lignin nanoparticles with PLA can improve the antioxidant and UV-barrier properties of PLA. PLA-grafted lignin nanoparticles, prepared via organocatalyzed lactide ring-opening polymerization, can be uniformly dispersed in PLA and enhance the optical properties and antioxidant activity of the blend films.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingyu Wu, Nanjun Chen, Chuan Hu, Harm-Anton Klok, Young Moo Lee, Xile Hu
Summary: A fluorination strategy is reported to create a phase-separated morphological structure in poly(aryl piperidinium) anion-exchange membranes (AEMs). The fluorinated AEMs possess high conductivity and dimensional stability, as well as excellent mechanical and chemical stability. AEMFCs using these fluorinated AEMs achieve outstanding peak power density and remain stable over extended operation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miyeon Chang, Wenhao Ren, Weiyan Ni, Seunghwa Lee, Xile Hu
Summary: In this study, the effects of three different ionomers (Nafion, Sustainion-type XA-9, and poly(terphenyl piperidinium) (PTP)) on the electrochemical reduction of CO2 using Cu-based electrocatalysts were investigated. It was found that Nafion had little influence on the performance, XA-9 promoted CO formation, and PTP favored hydrogen and formate production. The observed effects were attributed to charge transfer and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the ionomers. This study highlights the structure-sensitive nature of the ionomer-catalyst interaction in CO2RR.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weijin Wang, Ryo Tachibana, Zhi Zou, Dongping Chen, Xiang Zhang, Kelvin Lau, Florence Pojer, Thomas R. Ward, Xile Hu
Summary: In this study, manganese transfer hydrogenases based on the biotin-streptavidin technology were designed and developed for organic synthesis. These artificial enzymes exhibit high catalytic activity and enantioselectivity, and can be utilized for a wide range of substrates and functional groups.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lara Lavrencic, Uttam Dhawa, Arthur Blumenstein, Xile Hu
Summary: Significant research efforts have been focused on the development of catalytic methods for lignocellulose depolymerization in the field of lignin biorefining. However, the conversion of obtained monomers into higher value-added products remains a key challenge in lignin valorization. In this study, copper-catalyzed reactions were utilized for benzylic functionalization of lignin-derived phenolics via the formation of hexafluoroisopropoxy-masked para-quinone methides (p-QMs). By controlling the rates of copper catalyst turnover and p-QM release, various unsaturated fragments suitable for further synthetic applications were successfully installed onto lignin-derived monomers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weiyan Ni, Josephine Lederballe Meibom, Noor Ul Hassan, Miyeon Chang, You-Chiuan Chu, Anna Krammer, Songlan Sun, Yiwei Zheng, Lichen Bai, Wenchao Ma, Seunghwa Lee, Seongmin Jin, Jeremy S. Luterbacher, Andreas Schuler, Hao Ming Chen, William E. Mustain, Xile Hu
Summary: Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) are promising devices for energy conversion. Now, a porous nitrogen-doped carbon-supported PtRu catalyst for the hydrogen oxidation reaction is presented, consisting of Pt single atoms and PtRu nanoparticles that work synergistically. The catalyst enables a fuel cell that exceeds the US Department of Energy 2022 performance target.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenhao Ren, Wenchao Ma, Xile Hu
Summary: Electrochemical CO reduction can be used to efficiently convert CO2 to chemical fuels. However, current membrane electrode assembly (MEA) CO electrolyzers suffer from low energy efficiency. This study shows that the transport of water and hydroxide ions at the quasi-two-phase interface of the cathode limits the performance of MEA electrolyzers at high current densities. By improving interfacial mass transport, the researchers achieved a lower cell voltage, higher stability, and higher Faradaic yield.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tong Liu, Rohan Parekh, Piotr Mocny, Brian P. Bloom, Yuqi Zhao, So Young An, Bonian Pan, Rongguan Yin, David H. Waldeck, Jay F. Whitacre, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
Summary: In this study, a new synthetic route was developed to engineer PVDF binders for high-nickel layered oxides, leading to improved flexibility, adhesion strength, ionic conductivity, and transition metal chelation capability. The NCM811 half-cells using the designed binders showed excellent cycling stability and rate capability, outperforming nonmodified PVDF.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alice Boarino, Justine Charmillot, Monique Bernardes Figueiredo, Thanh T. H. Le, Nicola Carrara, Harm-Anton Klok
Summary: In the study, glyoxylic acid lignin (GA lignin) extracted directly from biomass was used to prepare thermoset films and coatings as a substitute for commonly used petroleum-based plastics. The films and coatings showed antioxidant properties, excellent UV barrier activity, and high visible transparency, making them suitable for sustainable food packaging.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Albert Claude Jean-Pierre Daubry, Zhuijun Xu, Ming Yang, Ya-Jun Cheng, Yonggao Xia, Xile Hu
Summary: This paper introduces a new concept to enhance the rate capability of lithium-ion batteries by incorporating a small amount of metal species into the electron conductive agent. Experimental results show that the Si/C composite anode with oxidized Ketjen black (KJB) incorporated with cobalt (Co-ox-KJB) exhibits improved capabilities at high current densities. The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to enhanced electron conductivity, improved affinity towards the electrolyte, and an enhanced desolvation process.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)