Ethylene Oxide Research Articles

Nano-delivery of a novel inhibitor of ERCC1-XPF for targeted sensitization of colorectal cancer to platinum-based chemotherapeutics.

In this study, a novel inhibitor of ERCC1/XPF heterodimerization, A4, was used as an inhibitor of repair for DNA damage by platinum-based chemotherapeutics. Nano-formulations of A4 were developed, using self-assembly of the following block copolymers: methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(α-benzyl carboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PBCL), methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL), or methoxy-poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly (D, L, lactide) (PEO-b-PDLA 50-50). The nano-formulations were characterized for their average diameter, polydispersity, morphology, A4 encapsulation and in vitro release. The activity of A4 and its nano-formulation on the inhibition of ERCC1/XPF dimerization was investigated. The cytotoxicity of carboplatin and oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, without or with pre-treatment with A4 or its nanoparticle formulation was assessed by conducting colony forming as well as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Among the three nano-formulations of A4 under study, optimum properties were achieved with PEO-b-PBCL nanocarriers, showing an encapsulation efficiency of 83.1 ± 5.83%, loading content of 11.5 ± 0.37w/w %, < 50% drug release within 24 hs, and an average diameter of < 150nm. The chemo sensitizing effect of A4 and its nano-encapsulated counterparts were more noticeable when A4 was combined with carboplatin versus oxaliplatin. The results of cytotoxicity studies in HCT116 XPF-/- cells confirmed the specificity of A4 through an XPF-dependent mechanism in the sensitization of these cells to carboplatin at concentrations below 0.5μM. The result of the study shows great potential for A4 and its PEO-b-PBCL nano-formulation in sensitization of CRC to platinum-based chemotherapeutics.

Association between ethylene oxide exposure and cognitive function in older adults from NHANES data

Ethylene Oxide (EO), a volatile organic compound, has garnered considerable attention for its potential impact on human health. Yet, the ramifications of EO exposure on the cognitive functionality of the elderly remain unclear. The aim of this study is to determine whether EO exposure in the elderly correlates with cognitive function. In this cross-sectional study, an analysis was conducted on 471 participants from the 2013 to 2014 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). T1, T2, and T3 was used to represent the low, moderate, and high tertiles of log10-transformed HbEO levels, respectively. Weighted linear regression analysis, weighted logistic regression analysis, and restricted cubic spline models were employed to assess the association between HbEO and standardized z-scores of four cognitive tests. Firstly, analysis of variable characteristics across the different log10-transformed HbEO groups revealed that HbEO was higher in males, non-Hispanic whites, and smokers and that Z scores for Delayed Recall Test (DRT), Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) decreased as HbEO increased (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, the log10-transformed HbEO levels were found to be negatively correlated with DRT-Z scores (T3 vs. T1 in Model 3: β (95% CI) = − 0.35 (− 0.54, − 0.15), p = 0.002, p for trend = 0.002). In addition, Stratified analyses showed that the four cognitive scores were negatively correlated with HbEO levels in those under 80 years of age. And men had worse AFT scores compared to women. Overall, the four Z-scores roughly trended downward as log10-transformed HbEO rose. Based on the findings of this research, EO exposure may be associated with adverse performance in the DRT among elderly individuals in the United States.

Photocatalysis by Mixed Oxides Containing Niobium, Vanadium, Silica, or Tin

Nb-Sn, V-Sn mixed-metal oxides and Nb-Si, V-Si metal oxide–silicas were successfully synthesized through a “soft” templating method, in which appropriate amounts of metal salts (either niobium(V) chloride, or vanadium(IV) oxide sulfate hydrate or tin(II) chloride dihydrate) or tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were mixed with hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (HDTA) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solutions to obtain a new series of mesoporous oxides, followed by calcination at different temperatures. As-obtained samples were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and UV-Vis spectra techniques. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange II (MO) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The effects of metal species and calcination temperature on the physicochemical characteristic and photocatalytic activity of the samples were investigated in detail. The results indicated that, compared to pure oxides, mixed-metal oxide showed superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MO. A maximum photocatalytic discoloration rate of 97.3% (with MO initial concentration of 0.6·10−4 mol/dm3) was achieved in 300 min with the NbSiOx material, which was much higher than that of Degussa P25 under the same conditions. Additionally, the samples were tested in the photochemical oxidation process, i.e., advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to treat the commercial non-ionic surfactant: propylene oxide ethylene oxide polymer mono(nonylphenyl) ether (N8P7, PCC Rokita). A maximum of 99.9% photochemical degradation was achieved in 30 min with the NbSiOx material.

Improved interfacial li-ion transport in composite polymer electrolytes via surface modification of LLZO

Composite polymer electrolytes that incorporate ceramic fillers in a polymer matrix offer mechanical strength and flexibility as solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries. However, fast Li+ transport between polymer and Li+-conductive filler phases is not a simple achievement due to high barriers for Li+ exchange across the interphase. This study demonstrates how modification of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) nanofiller surfaces with silane chemistries influences Li+ transport at local and global electrolyte scales. Anhydrous reactions covalently link amine-functionalized silanes [(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)] to LLZO nanoparticles, which protects LLZO in air. APTES functionalization lowers the poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-LLZO interphase resistance to half that of unmodified LLZO and increases effective Li+ transference number, while insulating Al2O3 completely blocks ion exchange and lowers transference number and conductivity in PEO-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-LLZO composites. Modeling an inner resistive interphase between LLZO and PEO surrounded by an outer conductive interphase explains non-linear conductivity trends. Solid-state 7Li &amp; 6Li nuclear magnetic resonance shows Li+ only exchanges between PEO-LiTFSI and some LLZO interphase, with no appreciable Li+ transport through bulk LLZO. Surface functionalization is a promising path toward lowering the polymer-ceramic interphase resistance. This work demonstrates that local changes in Li+ transport affect macroscopic performance, highlighting the intricate relationships between all interfaces in inherently heterogeneous composite polymer electrolytes.

Unraveling the Role of Polyoxometalates-Based Superchaotropes on the Photophysics of Organic Molecules and Modulation of Water Dynamics in a Hydrophilic Block Copolymer Solution.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are composed of nanometric metal-oxide anions and have rich solution chemistry. In this class, Keggin POMs have been identified as the most influential inorganic additives for aqueous nonionic soft matter systems. POMs being at the borderline of classical ions and charged colloids possess fascinating solution properties; the present work aims to delve deeper into the interactions between nanoions and nonionic soft matters from a spectroscopic point of view. Our studies reveal that although of the same structural makeup, silicotungstic acid hydrate (SiW) and phosphotungstic acid hydrate (PW) affect the photophysics of Coumarin-480 (C-480) in poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) ((PEO)76-(PPO)30-(PEO)76, F-68) copolymeric media in a dissimilar manner. From time-resolved studies, we find a preference for SiW toward the intramolecular charge transfer state of C-480, whereas PW favors the locally emissive state of the probe. Further, from rotational relaxation studies, it appears that SiW renders a rigid environment around the probe molecule, while PW relaxes the copolymeric environment. Finally, the dynamic quenching mechanism of the added nanoions was unraveled, which showed a straightforward Förster mechanism for SiW but a short-range interaction was operative for PW. From Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR, it can be concluded that both the nanoions interacted with the PPO moiety of the copolymer; yet, their contrasting effect on the photophysics has been rationalized as a consequence of charge density on the ions.

Multifunctional Polar Polymer Boosting PEO Electrolytes toward High Room Temperature Ionic Conductivity, High-Voltage Stability, and Excellent Elongation.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been widely studied as an electrolyte owing to its excellent lithium compatibility and good film-forming properties. However, its electrochemical performance at room temperature remains a significant challenge due to its low ionic conductivity, narrow electrochemical window, and continuous decomposition. Herein, we prepare a multifunctional polar polymer to optimize PEO's electrochemical properties and cycling stability. PEO's crystallinity is disrupted with the addition of polar polymer, and the amorphous polymer segments create more transfer pathways for Li-ion. More importantly, the polar groups enhance PEO's Li-ion transference number by facilitating lithium salt dissociation through Lewis acid-base interactions and weaken the coordination between Li-ion and ether oxygen, thereby expediting Li-ion migration. In addition, the trifluoromethyl groups promote TFSI- defluorination, forming LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase layers that prevent continuous decomposition of PEO. The resulting composite electrolyte exhibits excellent room temperature ionic conductivity (2.06 × 10-4 S cm-1) and Li-ion transference number (0.30) and outstanding voltage (4.9 V). The assembled symmetric lithium battery could perform stably for 620 h at 0.1 mA cm-2. Li||LiFePO4 cells exhibit excellent capacity retention (87.81%) and Coulombic efficiency (100.0%) at 0.5 C over 700 cycles.

Acidity Reversal Enables Site-Specific Ring-Opening Polymerization of Epoxides from Biprotonic Compounds.

Polyethers are versatile materials extensively used in advanced as well as everyday applications. The incorporation of primary amine functionality into polyethers is particularly attractive due to its well-established coupling chemistries. However, the inherent nucleophilicity of amine group poses a challenge in the anionic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides and requires the use of robust protecting groups that can withstand the harsh conditions of ROP without triggering undesirable side reactions. In this work, we present streamlined synthesis of amino-functionalized polyethers using classic N-carbamate-protected aminoalcohols as initiators for the ROP of epoxides. A Lewis acid-excess two-component organocatalytic system is found to trigger efficient anionic ROP of epoxides while preserving the integrity of the carbamate protection. Despite the higher intrinsic acidity of the carbamate group compared to the hydroxyl group, it is noncompetitive in both the deprotonation and ring-opening steps. This is due to an intriguing acidity-reversing effect of the catalyst, which allows site-specific ethoxylation to proceed exclusively from the hydroxyl group. The resulting poly(propylene oxide) and poly(ethylene oxide) exhibit the targeted molar mass, low dispersity, and well-defined end groups. The fidelity of the amino functionalities is further corroborated and utilized in construction of polypeptoide-based hybrid block copolymers using the synthesized polyethers as macroinitiators.

Hazards in Products from Northern Mediterranean Countries Reported in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) in 1997–2021 in the Context of Sustainability

The European Green Deal attaches great importance to sustainability, including food security, which is also linked to food safety. This is particularly relevant in such a sensitive region as the Mediterranean. The goal of this study was to investigate Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications of hazards reported in 1997–2021 (a 25-year period) in products from northern Mediterranean countries considering products and other variables. A two-way joining cluster analysis was used. The most notable hazards in the latter years of the reported period were as follows: ochratoxin A and pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables imported from Turkey and ethylene oxide in various products, as well as Salmonella in chicken, Listeria in cheese, Escherichia coli in cheese and mussels from France, mercury in swordfish from Spain, and Anisakis in seafood from France and Morocco. The increasing number of notifications of ochratoxin A and pathogenic micro-organisms in recent years may be caused by climate change. This also results in the need to use more pesticides and the appearance of related hazards, i.e., residues of such compounds in food products. It is, therefore, vitally important that border posts and control authorities in particular European Union countries are vigilant.

A Pseudo-Block Copolymerization Access to Cyclic Alternating Copolymers through Segment-Selective Transesterification.

Efficient synthesis of cyclic polymers remains a frontier challenge. We report here that macromolecular transesterification during a pseudoblock copolymerization process can be utilized for such a purpose. Organobase-catalyzed ring-opening alternating copolymerization of 3,4-dihydrocoumarin and epoxide is conducted with four-armed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a macroinitiator. Intramolecular transesterification (backbiting) occurs selectively on the newly formed polyester segments. The disconnected cyclic alternating copolymers can be easily isolated by precipitation owing to their substantial solubility difference from the PEO-containing acyclic parts. The obtained cyclic alternating copolymers exhibit low dispersity (<1.2) and a molar mass of around 3 kg mol-1, irrespective of the monomer-to-initiator feed ratio, indicating thermodynamic control over the ring size. The macrocyclic structure is confirmed by both mass spectroscopy and microscopic visualization and then utilized to prepare cyclic-brush terpolymer by thiol-ene modification, followed by graft polymerization of propylene oxide.

Water-Resistant Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrospun Membranes Enabled by In Situ UV-Cross-Linking for Efficient Daytime Radiative Cooling.

Daytime radiative cooling, based on selective infrared emissions through atmospheric transparency windows to outer space and the reflection of solar irradiance, is a zero-energy and environmentally friendly cooling technology. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun membranes have both selective mid-infrared emissions and effective sunlight reflection, inducing excellent daytime radiative cooling performance. However, PEO is highly water soluble, which makes electrospun PEO membranes unable to cope with rainy conditions when used for outdoor daytime radiative cooling. Herein, we report an in situ UV-crosslinking strategy for preparing PEO electrospun membranes with water resistance for the application of daytime radiative cooling. Acrylate-terminated PEO was synthesized and mixed together with cross-linking agents and photoinitiators to prepare the electrospinning solution. During electrospinning, the nanofibers were irradiated with UV light to initiate the cross-linking. For a membrane with a thickness of 200 μm, the average solar reflectance was 89.6%, and the infrared emissivity (8-13 μm) was 96.3%. Although slight swelling happens to the cross-linked membrane once it comes into contact with water, the fibrous morphology shows no obvious change when prolonging the water soaking time, indicating excellent water resistance. The outdoor cooling performance test results showed that compared to the average temperature of the air in the test box, the average temperature drop in the membrane before and after water soaking was 13.8 °C and 11.5 °C, respectively. Crosslinked PEO-based electrospun membranes with both water resistance and radiative cooling performance may have real applications for outdoor daytime radiative cooling.

Enhancing ionic conductivity and expanding the electrochemical window in polymer electrolytes via ferroelectric-metal-organic-frameworks to manipulate charge spatial distribution.

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based polymer electrolytes have promising applications in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. However, their wide range of practical applications is severely limited by their relatively low room temperature lithium ion conductivity and narrow electrochemical window. In this paper, based on the ability of spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric materials to generate polarization field under applied electric field and the characteristics of Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) materials with regular adjustable pore structure, a Nano material combining ferroelectric materials and MOF (NUS-6(Hf)-MOF) was first proposed to be added to PEO polymer electrolyte as a filler. NUS-6(Hf)-MOF can provide rapid transport channel for lithium ion, born under the applied electric field of the latter's consistent dipole polarization field can adjust the interface of the space charge distribution, the composite polymer electrolyte (NUSCPE) modified with NUS-6(Hf)-MOF has high ionic conductivity (1.16×10-3Scm-1) and lithium ion mobility (0.33) at 60°C. Simultaneously, the phenomenon of self-polarization causes the surface electronization, this results in a higher susceptibility to oxidation compared to PEO, thereby expanding the electrochemical window to 4.7V, and when paired with commercial LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode, the capacity is maintained at 85% after 50 stable cycles at 0.2C at 60°C. The polymer electrolyte NUSCPE modified by NUS-6(Hf)-MOF provides a novel design idea for all solid-state lithium batteries with excellent electrochemical performance.

Reactions of Surface Peroxides Contribute to Rates and Selectivities for C2H4 Epoxidation on Silver.

Partial oxidation of ethylene over silver catalysts produces more than 30 million metric tons of ethylene oxide (EO) annually. However, the form of active silver surfaces, reactive oxygen species, and dominant pathways of this chemical reaction remains controversial despite decades of research. Here, we use operando Raman spectroscopy and transient kinetic measurements to demonstrate that higher coverages of peroxide species, present only upon Ag oxide surfaces that form in situ, correlate with greater selectivities to EO. Ab initio calculations reveal that the reconstructed Ag oxides preferentially stabilize diatomic oxygen species (peroxide and superoxide) under relevant conditions, and these species contribute to the selective formation of EO. The dominant reaction pathways change with surface coverages; however, bound O2 consistently activates by reaction with C2H4, and products form subsequently through peroxo- and oxometallacycle surface complexes. Taken together, density functional theory calculations and kinetic and transient experimental measurements show that the formation of peroxide intermediates requires oxidation of the Ag surface (via subsurface oxygen), and an increase in surface peroxides coincides with the highest EO selectivity for the unpromoted Ag catalyst. These findings suggest that the promoters ubiquitous for ethylene epoxidation (e.g., chlorine, transition metals, and alkali metals) may succeed by oxidation of Ag and increasing coverages of peroxides at industrial conditions.

Confocal Raman Microscopy for Measuring In Situ Temperature-Dependent Structural Changes in Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Thin Films.

Crystallization from the melt is a critical process governing the properties of semi-crystalline polymeric materials. While structural analyses of melting and crystallization transitions in bulk polymers have been widely reported, in contrast, those in thin polymer films on solid supports have been underexplored. Herein, in situ Raman microscopy and self-modeling curve resolution (SMCR) analysis are applied to investigate the temperature-dependent structural changes in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) films during melting and crystallization phase transitions. By resolving complex overlapping sets of spectra, SMCR analysis reveals that the thermal transitions of 50 µm thick PEO films comprise two structural phases: an ordered crystalline phase and a disordered amorphous phase. The ordered structure of the crystalline PEO film entirely disappears as the polymer is heated; conversely, the disordered structure of the amorphous PEO film reverts to the ordered structure as the polymer is cooled. Broadening of the Raman bands was observed in PEO films above the melting temperature (67 °C), while sharpening of bands was observed below the crystallization temperature (45 °C). The temperatures at which these spectral changes occurred were in good agreement with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, especially during the melting transition. The results illustrate that in situ Raman microscopy coupled with SMCR analysis is a powerful approach for unraveling complex structural changes in thin polymer films during melting and crystallization processes. Furthermore, we show that confocal Raman microscopy opens opportunities to apply the methodology to interrogate the structural features of PEO or other surface-supported polymer films as thin as 2 µm, a thickness regime beyond the reach of conventional thermal analysis techniques.

Toward Optimization of Polymer Electrolytes by Electrochemical Characterization: Poly(pentyl malonate) versus Poly(ethylene oxide)

Toward Optimization of Polymer Electrolytes by Electrochemical Characterization: Poly(pentyl malonate) versus Poly(ethylene oxide)

A Quest To Find a New Reactant To Replace Ethylene Oxide in Reactive–Extractive Distillation for Ternary Azeotropic Separation

A Quest To Find a New Reactant To Replace Ethylene Oxide in Reactive–Extractive Distillation for Ternary Azeotropic Separation

Electrochemical Performance of Guanidinium Salt-Added PVP/PEO Solid Polymer Electrolyte with Superior Power Density.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for symmetrical supercapacitors are proposed herein with activated carbon as electrodes and optimized solid polymer electrolyte membranes, which serve as the separators and electrolytes. We propose the design of a low-cost solid polymer electrolyte consisting of guanidinium nitrate (GuN) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Using the solution casting approach, blended polymer electrolytes with varying GuN weight percentage ratios of PVP and PEO are prepared. On the blended polymer electrolytes, structural, morphological, vibrational, and ionic conductivity are investigated. The solid polymer electrolytes' morphology and level of roughness are examined using an FESEM. The interlinking bond formation between the blended polymers and the GuN salt is verified by FTIR measurements, indicating that the ligands are chemically complex. We found that, up to 20 wt.% GuN, the conductivity value increased (1.84 × 10-6 S/cm) with an increase in mobile charge carriers. Notably, the optimized PVP/PEO/20 wt.% solid polymer electrolyte was fabricated into a solid-state symmetrical supercapacitor device, which delivered a potential window of 0 to 2 V, a superior energy density of 3.88 Wh kg-1, and a power density of 1132 W kg-1.

Delivery of N-Cadherin Targeting Peptides to Vascular Tissues by Surface-Modified Polyurethane Nanoparticles via a Drug-Coated Balloon.

Restenosis remains a long-standing limitation to effectively maintain functional blood flow after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). While the use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) containing antiproliferative drugs has improved patient outcomes, limited tissue transfer and poor therapeutic targeting capabilities contribute to off-target cytotoxicity, precluding adequate endothelial repair. In this work, a DCB system was designed and tested to achieve defined arterial delivery of an antirestenosis therapeutic candidate, cadherin-2 (N-cadherin) mimetic peptides (NCad), shown to selectively inhibit smooth muscle cell migration in vitro and limit intimal thickening in early animal PTA models. To enable successful tissue transfer in the current work, a nanoparticle excipient system previously demonstrated to be an effective carrier of NCad in vitro was integrated with customized DCB coating methodologies designed to prevent therapeutic loss during delivery. DCB design took into consideration four components: (1) the angioplasty balloon; (2) a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) monolayer acting as a hydrophilic spacer between the balloon surface and the nanoparticles to assist with improved nanoparticle release; (3) surface-modified degradable polar hydrophobic ionic polyurethane (D-PHI) nanoparticles loaded with NCad to facilitate the transport of the therapeutic peptide into vascular tissue; and (4) a PEO sacrificial coating applied over the nanoparticle excipient layer to prevent premature losses during transit to the artery. The nanoparticle-DCB platform successfully delivered NCad to rat carotid tissue, with superior efficacy and increased permeation within the vessel wall compared with soluble NCad infusion alone. Nanoscale technologies in conjunction with enhanced DCB design properties hold promise in advancing the localized delivery of preventive restenosis therapies in vascular disease.

Highly Tension-Strained Copper Concentrates Diluted Cations for Selective Proton-Exchange Membrane CO2 Electrolysis.

Electrolysis of carbon dioxide (CO2) in acid offers a promising route to overcome CO2 loss in alkaline and neutral electrolytes, but requires concentrated alkali cations (typical ≥3 M) to mitigate the trade-off between low pH and high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rate, causing salt precipitation. Here we report a strategy to resolve this problem by introducing tensile strain in a copper (Cu) catalyst, which can selectively reduce CO2 to valuable multicarbon products, particularly ethylene, in a pH 1 electrolyte with 1 M potassium ions. We find that the tension-strained Cu creates an electron-rich surface that concentrates diluted potassium ions, contributing to CO2 activation and HER suppression. With this catalyst, we show constant ethylene Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 44.3% over 100 hours at 400 mA cm-2 and a cell voltage of 3.1 volts in a proton-exchange membrane electrolyser. Moreover, selective electrosynthesis of ethylene oxide using the as-produced ethylene was demonstrated in an integrated system.

Highly Tension‐Strained Copper Concentrates Diluted Cations for Selective Proton‐Exchange Membrane CO2 Electrolysis

Electrolysis of carbon dioxide (CO2) in acid offers a promising route to overcome CO2 loss in alkaline and neutral electrolytes, but requires concentrated alkali cations (typical ≥3 M) to mitigate the trade‐off between low pH and high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) rate, causing salt precipitation. Here we report a strategy to resolve this problem by introducing tensile strain in a copper (Cu) catalyst, which can selectively reduce CO2 to valuable multicarbon products, particularly ethylene, in a pH 1 electrolyte with 1 M potassium ions. We find that the tension‐strained Cu creates an electron‐rich surface that concentrates diluted potassium ions, contributing to CO2 activation and HER suppression. With this catalyst, we show constant ethylene Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 44.3% over 100 hours at 400 mA cm‐2 and a cell voltage of 3.1 volts in a proton‐exchange membrane electrolyser. Moreover, selective electrosynthesis of ethylene oxide using the as‐produced ethylene was demonstrated in an integrated system.

Exploring the Impact of Minor Water Content on Polymer Electrolytes with Molecular Dynamics.

Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are increasingly favored over liquid electrolytes for emerging energy storage devices due to their safety features, enhanced stability, and multifunctionality. Minor solvents (such as water) are often introduced unintentionally or intentionally into SPEs. Although it can significantly affect SPEs' electrochemical and mechanical properties, the fundamental role of such solvent content has rarely been studied. Here, we investigate the effects of minor water content on two representative SPEs through molecular dynamics simulations. Focusing on SPEs composed of different base polymers, namely, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and the same salt, lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), our simulations reveal that slight hydration facilitates an increase in ionic conductivity while preserving the mechanical integrity of the SPEs. Notably, these water contents appear to affect ionic conductivity more effectively in certain systems than others, which is attributed to the unique interactions among ions, water, and the polymer matrix. Moreover, small amounts of water can maintain the stiffness of SPEs rather than reducing it. Such results suggest a facile approach to developing SPEs with balanced ionic conductivity and mechanical properties, suitable for a range of energy storage applications.