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This study explores the mechanism of enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) due to the coupling effect in gold nanodimers (Au NDs) with precisely controlled interparticle distances via electrochemiluminescence microscopy (ECLM). Our research revealed that the enhancement in ECL was predominantly attributed to increased charge density and elevated electric fields resulting from overlapping electrochemical double layers. These findings offer new insights into the fundamental processes that govern nanostructure-mediated electrocatalysis, opening up exciting possibilities for future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a straightforward, yet effective strategy to combat the performance decline of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells in low-humidity environments. Our method centers on air-oxidizing carbon supports, significantly improving proton and oxygen transport within the cathode catalyst layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores plasmon-induced electrochemical reactions on single nanoparticles using electrogenerated chemiluminescence microscopy (ECLM). Under laser irradiation, real-time screening showed lower plasmon-induced reaction efficiency for bimetallic Au@Pt nanoparticles compared to monometallic Au nanoparticles. ECLM offers a high-throughput imaging and precise quantitative approach for analyzing photo-electrochemical conversion at single nanoparticle level, valuable for both theoretical exploration and optimization of plasmonic nanocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of oxygen-containing groups in the proton conductivity of carbon materials is still a blind area although it is of great importance in the development of proton conductors with ultrahigh proton conductivity. Here, we for the first time investigate the essential role of oxygen-containing groups in the proton conductivity of graphdiyne oxides (GDYO). GDYO with similar O/C ratios but different contents of various oxygen-containing groups were prepared and used for investigations. The results demonstrate that each type of oxygen-containing group has a distinctive role in proton conduction, showing different influences towards the proton conductivity of GDYO. Specifically, C–O–C and C＝O play key roles in facilitating fast proton propagation, which determines the exchange rate of protons between two active sites. O＝C–OH and C–OH are essential for water adsorption, which dominate the formation of proton transport pathways and influence proton concentration. This work not only reveals the roles of oxygen-containing groups on proton conductivity but also paves a new avenue in the design of proton conductors with advanced performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-valence Ti(IV)-based metallocalixarene coordination cages that are linked by oriented ancillary ligands are unknown so far. Herein, the first family of tunable calixarene-based coordination cages of Ti(IV) with a framework formula [Ti12(OiPr)12(TBC[4])6L6] have been assembled from six {Ti2(OiPr)2(TBC[4])}2+ nodes and six pyridinedicarboxylic ligands. Furthermore, the {Ti12L6} cage showed strong photocatalytic H2 evolution activity, and DFT studies were performed to explore its electronic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhedral metallocalixarene nanocage clusters based on pure Ti(IV) ions are to our knowledge unknown hitherto. Herein we report the first Ti(IV)-based metallocalixarene nanocage cluster by assembling a [Ti13O14] cage with six t-butylcalix[4]arene molecules. Notably, the cluster exhibits extraordinary stability in high-concentration acid/alkali solutions and can act as a stable photocatalyst to catalyze the oxidation of ammonia to imines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric sensors with good flexibility and high sensitivity have attracted extensive interest in wearable electronics. Here, we report a novel frequency-response behaviour of piezoelectric voltage of a sensor that is based on a piezoelectric enhanced composite film of P(VDF-TrFE) and BaTiO3. The piezoelectric voltage enhances with the increase of frequency and becomes stable beyond the critical frequency. Such a demonstrated sensing characteristic of the piezoelectric sensor depends on the inner resistance of the voltmeter, which is determined by whether the loading of stimuli can be completed within the period of piezoelectric voltage measurement in the testing circuit. By utilizing the frequency-response behaviour in different frequency ranges, the flexible piezoelectric device exhibits excellent capabilities to quantitatively detect the magnitude and loading rate of stimuli. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, a flexible pressure sensor is successfully integrated with a bionic bee to monitor the flight status (i.e., strain rate and strain) of the vibrating wings. This work demonstrates that flexible piezoelectric sensors have great prospects for application in the field of bionic flying robots, thus paving the way forward for the development of smart self-sensing flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of surface density and distribution of ligands on their recognition and binding is critical for the regulation of cellular behaviors. However, the correlation of spatial distribution of ligands particularly with cell binding and subsequent entry has been rarely explored. Here, we describe the use of DNA origami mediated spatial distribution of aptamers to regulate receptor ligand binding. Aptamers with tunable yet accurate density and orientation are anchored by virtue of the convenience and precision of DNA origami nanoboxes (DONs) to tailor their attachments. Cell assays demonstrate that the binding of DONs depends on both the density and orientation of aptamers, in which two adjacent aptamers exhibit the highest cellular uptake. The spatial distribution dependent uptake is further validated by utilizing two human cancer cell lines expressed with different levels of membrane receptors. Additionally, anticancer doxorubicin loaded DONs show internalization dependent proliferation inhibition of tumor cells. DNA origami mediated spatial distribution of ligands not only provides a unique method to tune cellular behaviors, but also offers new insights for the optimization of targeted drug delivery for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a wet chemical epitaxial growth method was employed to fabricate a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for the photocatalytic reduction of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol. The 1D ZnO nanorods in the heterojunction make contact with the 2D CuFeO2 nanoflakes at the atomic level, therefore providing a fast charge transfer channel along the direction parallel to the CuFeO2c-axis, leading to efficient charge separation and improved photocatalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid–liquid–liquid three-phase microfluidics provides abundant flow patterns and attractive characteristics that substantially extend the applications of liquid–liquid two-phase microfluidics. Although the manipulation of stable interfaces between adjacent liquid phases is a prerequisite for the successful utilization of three-phase flows, it is challenging. In this study, we develop a novel liquid–liquid–liquid three-phase microsystem that is a hybrid slug flow–laminar flow microchip, in which one aqueous phase makes contact with one organic phase containing slugs of another aqueous phase. The organic phase separates the two aqueous phases, and the three phases co-currently flow. The microchip can simultaneously provide a stable continuous water–oil interface and multiple segregated oil–water interfaces. The design guideline, flow pattern map, and influence rules for the flow rates and the interfacial tension are discussed in detail. Furthermore, a hybrid slug flow–laminar flow microchip is demonstrated for simultaneous extraction/stripping. This three-phase microsystem presents the advantages of slug flow and laminar flow and has potential in various applications such as sample purification, analysis, synthesis, and micro-reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy technique to image the structure-dependent electrocatalytic reactivity of bimetallic Pd–Au nanorods (NRs) at the single-particle level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-sought mechanisms for the conversion of diammoniate of diborane ([NH3BH2NH3]+[BH4]−) into NH3BH3 and [NH2BH2]n as well as ammonium aminodiborane ([NH4]+[BH3NH2BH3]−) into a butane analogue, NH3BH2NH2BH3, have been elucidated on the basis of extensive experimental and theoretical studies. The [NH4]+ ammonium cation and the (η2-H2)BH2R moiety are found to be critical in B/N chain expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate an approach using a plasmon-accelerated electrochemical reaction to improve the performance of scanning electrochemical microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is desirable to develop strain sensors with large stretchability, high sensitivity, and good anti-corrosive properties, due to their promising applications in wearable electronics. Here, a facile spraying method is used to prepare superhydrophobic and conductive coatings on elastic tape with a hierarchical fluorinated carbon nanotube (FCNT)/SiO2 nanoparticle structure. The uniformly distributed FCNTs construct a conductive network, while hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles enhance the surface roughness, contributing to the superhydrophobicity. The superhydrophobic coating possesses excellent stability and durability when subjected to external forces such as repeated stretching and abrasion, and it also exhibits superior anti-corrosive properties. The superhydrophobic coating based strain sensors display an extremely low detection limit of strain (＜0.1%) with a large strain sensing range (＞80%), high sensitivity with a gauge factor as high as 1766, and excellent reliability and recyclability. The strain sensor could realize the full range monitoring of human motion including large and subtle body movements even in a harsh environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel hexanuclear 3d–4f complexes formulated as {[Ln2Zn4(μ3-OH)2L4(AcO)2(NO3)2(DMF)2]·2(CH3OH), LnIII = Dy3+ (1), Nd3+ (2), Tb3+ (3)} have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes 1–3 show excellent catalytic performance for the cycloaddition of CO2 and epoxides to obtain cyclic carbonates. The catalytic system has a wide substrate scope with high turnover numbers (9700) and high turnover frequencies (808 h−1) under mild conditions. Additionally, the catalysts could be conveniently prepared on a large scale and recycled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile approach to fabricate a gold nanocone electrode for monitoring dopamine release from individual vesicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mimicking nature seems to be one of the smartest strategies to design novel catalysts for CO2 conversion under mild conditions. Herein, we report a facile and efficient method to construct two amide-functionalized heterometallic helicate cages as “enzyme mimic” catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates. These helicate cages show high thermal stability and exceptionally high catalytic activity and size-dependent selectivity toward small epoxides in catalytic CO2 cycloaddition to obtain cyclic carbonates even under ambient conditions. The construction of this novel functionalized cage provides an efficient approach for realizing CO2 conversion under mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel highly efficient 3d/4d–4f one-dimensional (1D) double-chain coordination polymer catalysts with unique structures were synthesized for the first time. An X-ray single crystal structure analysis revealed that the two compounds are isomorphous and have a 1D metal–organic network coordination polymer structure. Both compounds also showed significant thermal stability and their structures remained stable up to 325 °C. The reaction conditions, type of substrate, amount of catalyst and its catalytic mechanism were investigated. The catalysts ([Dy2M2L4 (OAc)2 (MeOH)5 (H2O)]) (M = Zn, Cd) exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the cycloaddition of CO2 and styrene oxide (C8H8O, SO). High product yields, high selectivity, and the highest turnover frequency (TOF) of 28 400 h−1 were achieved. Additionally, the catalysts can significantly enhance the application of the present types of 3d/4d–4f catalysts in catalysis for transformations involving the fixation of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanide coordination polymers (Ln-CPs) ([Eu(L)2(H2O)]Br·H2O)n (EuBr) and ([TbL2(H2O)2]Br·H2O)n (TbBr) have been synthesised and photoluminescence studies revealed that EuBr and TbBr exhibit a sensitive and fast luminescence quenching response to Fe3+ and picric acid (PA). The quenching effect constant (Ksv) of EuBr for Fe3+ can reach 3974 M−1 and that of TbBr can reach 4249 M−1. The Ksv of PA is calculated for EuBr as 17 000 M−1 and TbBr as 20 200 M−1. The recyclability experiment of the quenching ability of EuBr and TbBr in water can be tested at least 3 times. Thus, the lanthanide based coordination polymers are a good candidate for use as a multi-response luminescent sensor for the quantitative detection of toxic and hazardous substances in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new two-dimensional (2D) terbium(iii) coordination polymer (1) was successfully fabricated by a solvothermal reaction. Luminescence spectra measurements show that 1 can selectively and sensitively detect Fe3+, CrVI (CrO42−/Cr2O72−), and picric acid (PA) in aqueous solution. The limits of detection (LODs) of 1 toward Fe3+, CrVI, and PA are calculated to be 50, 100, and 50 nM, which are significantly lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) proposed concentrations in drinking water. More significantly, 1 can be easily recycled at least 5 times in the detection process of CrVI (CrO42−/Cr2O72−) and PA through simple processing. For all we know, 1 is the first multifunctional and recyclable Tb-CP, which displays highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+, CrVI (CrO42−/Cr2O72−), and PA in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PPCPs and pesticides have been documented throughout the world over the years, yet relatively little is known about the factors affecting their spatial distribution and temporal change in order to know their potential risk to the ecosystem or human health in the future. In our study, 5 PPCPs and 9 pesticides were selected to study their occurrence, impact variables and potential risk in a drinking water reservoir in Yangtze Estuary and related drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in China. The detection results showed the presence of PPCPs and pesticides reflected in a large part of croplands and urban and built-up land in the adjacent basin. The discrepancy of concentration among the different PPCPs and pesticides was mainly decided by their application amount or daily usage. Then, the major factors regulating the occurrence of these contaminants in the surface water were found as the living expenditure attributed to food and medicine based on a correlation analysis. Also, the PPCPs were found to negatively correlate to the effectiveness of sewage management. The detection of the PPCPs and pesticides in DWTPs indicated that, except for atrazine and simazine, the removal percentages were increased significantly in advanced DWTPs. Moreover, risk assessment estimated by a Risk Quotient and Hazard Quotient showed that while caffeine, bisphenol A, estrone and simazine were at a high-risk level in the reservoir water, all of the contaminants detected posed no risk to human health through drinking water. It's possible that atrazine could pose a high risk to the ecosystem while simazine could pose a risk to human health in the future considering the increasing expenditure attributed to food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 2D lanthanide coordination polymer {Eu-CP (1)} based on a 3-bis(3-carboxyphenyl)imidazolium (L) ligand was successfully assembled through a solvothermal method. Luminescence tests indicate that 1 has excellent selectivity and sensitivity to detect Fe3+/Fe2+, Cr2O72−, and a series of nitroaromatic explosives. Interestingly, 1 can effectively distinguish CrVI anions (CrO42−/Cr2O72−), which is difficult for most of the reported CPs. Furthermore, in the detection process, 1 can be simply and quickly regenerated and reused at least five times. As far as we know, 1 is the first multifunctional Eu-CP used as a luminescent probe to detect Fe3+/Fe2+, Cr2O72−, and a series of nitroaromatic explosives (NAEs) based on the imidazolium derivative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of anion-induced 3d–4f luminescent clusters ZnII2LnIII2L4 (LnIII = Eu3+, Tb3+, Er3+, Yb3+, Nd3+) and ZnII4LnIII2L4 (LnIII = Tb3+, Nd3+) based on μ3-OH group were synthesized and characterized. The difference in anions not only leads to significant structural changes, but also changes the luminescent properties of the 3d–4f coordination clusters. These complexes show excellent catalytic performance for CO2 conversion to obtain cyclic carbonates with wide substrate scopes and high selectivity under mild conditions. Turnover numbers were up to 9000, and turnover frequencies obtained were 660 h−1. The ligand is simple and the complexes are easily obtained even on a large scale. Moreover, these complexes also feature lanthanide-characterized luminescence both in visible and near infrared regions with relatively long luminescence lifetimes and high quantum yields, suggesting promising multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]