Large Surface Area Research Articles

Vinylene-Linking of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to π-Extended Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Photocatalyst for H2O2 Synthesis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) hold the predominant role either as individual molecules or building blocks in the field of organic semiconductors or nanocarbons. Connecting PAHs via sp2-carbon bridges to form high-crystalline p-extended structures is highly desired not only for enlarging the regimes of two-dimensional materials but also for achieving exceptional properties/functions. In this work, we developed 5,10-dimethyl-4,9-diazapyrene as a key monomer, whose two methyl groups at the positions adjacent to nitrogen atoms, can helpfully increase the solubility, and serve as the active connection sites. In the presence of organic acids, this monomer enables smoothly conducting Knoevenagel condensation to form two vinylene-linked PAH-cored COFs, which show high-crystalline honeycomb structures with large surface areas up to 1238 m2 g-1. Owing to the direct connection mode of PAH building blocks with vinylene, the as-prepared COFs possess spatially extended p-conjugation and substantial semiconducting properties. Consequently, their visible-light photocatalysis with exceptional activity and durability was manifested to generate H2O2 up to 3820 µmol g-1 h-1 in pure water, and even 17080 µmol g-1 h-1 using benzyl alcohol as a hole sacrificial agent.

Vinylene‐Linking of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to π‐Extended Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Photocatalyst for H2O2 Synthesis

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) hold the predominant role either as individual molecules or building blocks in the field of organic semiconductors or nanocarbons. Connecting PAHs via sp2‐carbon bridges to form high‐crystalline π‐extended structures is highly desired not only for enlarging the regimes of two‐dimensional materials but also for achieving exceptional properties/functions. In this work, we developed 5,10‐dimethyl‐4,9‐diazapyrene as a key monomer, whose two methyl groups at the positions adjacent to nitrogen atoms, can helpfully increase the solubility, and serve as the active connection sites. In the presence of organic acids, this monomer enables smoothly conducting Knoevenagel condensation to form two vinylene‐linked PAH‐cored COFs, which show high‐crystalline honeycomb structures with large surface areas up to 1238 m2 g−1. Owing to the direct connection mode of PAH building blocks with vinylene, the as‐prepared COFs possess spatially extended π‐conjugation and substantial semiconducting properties. Consequently, their visible‐light photocatalysis with exceptional activity and durability was manifested to generate H2O2 up to 3820 μmol g−1 h−1 in pure water, and even 17080 μmol g−1 h−1 using benzyl alcohol as a hole sacrificial agent.

Synthesis of Urchin-Like Au@TiO2 Nano-Carriers as a Drug-Loading System Toward Cancer Treatment.

In recent years, improving the pharmaceutical properties of drug delivery for anti-cancer treatment has become increasingly important. This is necessary to address challenges related to absorption, distribution, and stability. One potential approach solution is to attach the drug to a carrier system, such as functional noble nanomaterials, in order to improve the control of drug release and stability. Core-satellite nanoparticles (CSN) with an anisotropic morphology have enormous potential for targeted drug delivery and cancer treatment because of their large surface area, exceptional stability, and biocompatibility. We used a simple seed-mediated approach to synthesize urchin-like gold nanoparticles (ULGNPs) with a high aspect ratio and a dense network of 49 nm-sized branches, using seed solution, silver nitrate, and ascorbic acid. The ULGNPs were synthesized without a surfactant and then encapsulated with thin layers of amorphous TiO2 (ULGNPs@TiO2), resulting in an average overall size of 136±15 nm with a 27.5 nm TiO2 layer. Doxorubicin (Dox) was chosen as a model drug to assess the distribution carrier ability of ULGNPs@TiO2 core-satellite nanoparticles. The results showed 86.5 % Dox loading and 72.3 % release capacity at pH 5. The anti-cancer ability of ULGNPs@TiO2-Dox was meticulously assessed using breast cancer MCF-7 cells in the WST-1 assay. The results revealed that ULGNPs@TiO2-Dox exhibited approximately 92 % toxicity in MCF-7 cells compared to the free Dox of 89.6 % at low concentrations (5 ppm). Based on the simulation results for loading ULGNPs@TiO2 with Dox, it was observed that a structure containing five layers of Au (111) with three fixed bottom layers and two relaxed top layers, in addition to six TiO2 (100) layers, was analyzed using Grimme's DFT-D3 dispersion corrections (Scheme 1). The density functional theory (DFT) adsorption energy (Eads) shows that the amorphous TiO2 increases the Dox loading activity of ULGNPs, with Eads=-3.85 eV, negatively higher than isolated ULGNPs (Eads=-2.87 eV) and TiO2 alone (Eads=-3.61 eV). This drug carrier design has the potential to revolutionize anti-cancer treatment.

Hydrophilic Ultra-Fine SiC Nanowires Enhance the Performance of Hydrated Salt Phase-Change Energy Storage Materials.

In this study, ultrafine linear nanostructured SiC with high wettability and large specific surface area were synthesized via the carbothermal reduction method. These nanowires were impregnated with Na2SO4 ⋅ 10H2O, CaCl2 ⋅ 6H2O, MgCl2 ⋅ 6H2O, and CaMg2Cl6 ⋅ 12H2O to obtain composite phase change materials (CPCMs), which demonstrated improved phase separation and significantly reduced supercooling. In particular, the supercooling degree of CaCl2 ⋅ 6H2O was minimized to 0.1 °C. The SiC nanowires effectively prevented issues of dehydration and deliquescence in hydrated salts. The thermal storage capacities of the CPCMs exceeded 90 %, with Na2SO4 ⋅ 10H2O and MgCl2 ⋅ 6H2O reaching 107.10 % and 103.35 %, respectively. Furthermore, the CPCMs exhibited greater sensitivity to changes in temperature compared with the pure hydrated salt phase change materials (PCMs). These results indicate that ultra-fine SiC nanowires can act as a versatile carrier for hydrated salt PCMs at low and intermediate temperatures.

Rational design of MoS2/CNT heterostructure with rich S-vacancy for enhanced HER performance.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to excellent stability and low cost. However, the utilization in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution is constrained by inherent shortcomings, including fewer edge active sites, poor dispersion, and electrical conductivity. In this work, MoS2 was compounded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are known for their high specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. These CNTs, laden with oxygen-containing functional groups, provided nucleation sites that facilitated the rapid assembly of MoS2 nanoflowers under hydrothermal conditions within 3h. Due to their diminutive size (∼300nm), these nanoflowers possess a large specific surface area and numerous active sites at their edges. Furthermore, MoS2 nanoflowers exhibited a high concentration of intrinsic S-vacancies. This heterojunction material exhibited superior HER properties. In addition, density functional theory simulation further confirmed that the MoS2 with S vacancy and CNT heterojunction electrocatalysts (VS-M/C) provided a fast charge transfer pathway for water electrolysis, and analysis showed that the conduction band minimum and valence band maximum were mainly contributed by the d orbits of Mo and the p orbits of C. This study proffered a novel approach for the engineering of high-performance MoS2-based HER electrocatalysts.

3D Ternary Hybrid of VSe2/e‐MXene/CNT with a Promising Energy Storage Performance for High Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor

AbstractMXene and TMDs are two of the emerging electrode materials for supercapacitors owing to their unique physicochemical properties such as high conductivity, large surface area, and rich redox active sites. However, sheet restacking, volume expansion and oxidation hinder these materials from being used in practical applications. In this work, a 3D ternary hybrid structure of metallic VSe2, Ti3C2Tx MXene and carbon nanotube was designed to address some of the challenges in 2D materials‐based electrodes for supercapacitor application. The exfoliated MXene and CNT decorated VSe2 3D structure showed excellent synergy between each component to deliver promising energy storage and cycling performance. The ternary hybrid structure also can suppress the surface oxidation of MXene sheets during the hydrothermal reaction. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor fabricated with VSe2/e‐MXene/CNT and MoS2/MXene delivered the highest energy density of 35.91 Wh/kg at a power density of 1280 W/kg and a remarkable cycle life.

Optimization Strategies of Hybrid Lithium Titanate Oxide/Carbon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, due to their high energy density, compact size, long lifetime, and low environmental impact, have achieved a dominant position in everyday life. These attributes have made them the preferred choice for powering portable devices such as laptops and smartphones, power tools, and electric vehicles. As technology advances rapidly, the demand for even more efficient energy storage devices continues to rise. In lithium-ion batteries, anodes play a crucial role, with lithium titanate oxide standing out as a highly promising material. This anode is favored for its exceptional cycle stability, safety features, and fast charging capabilities. The impressive cycle stability of lithium titanate oxide is largely due to its zero-strain nature, meaning it undergoes minimal volume changes during lithium-ion insertion and extraction. This stability enhances the anode's durability, leading to longer battery life. In addition, the lithium titanate oxide anode operates at a voltage of approximately 1.55 V vs. Li+/Li, significantly reducing the risk of dendrite formation, a major safety concern that can cause short circuits and fires. The material's spinel structure, with its large active surface area, further allows fast electron transfer and ion diffusion, facilitating fast charging. This review explores the characteristics of lithium titanate oxide, the various synthesis methods employed, and its integration with carbon materials to enhance cycle stability, coulombic efficiency, and safety. It also proposes strategies for optimizing lithium titanate oxide properties to create sustainable anodes with reduced environmental impact using eco-friendly routes.

A two-pronged strategy to boost the capacitive deionization performance of nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanofiber membranes

Carbon-based capacitive deionization (CDI) systems are universally subject to the limited desalination capacity, due to the electrosorption characteristics and undesirable pore structures. Herein, a two-pronged strategy is proposed to boost the desalination performance of the electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs), where silicalite-1 nanoparticles as the internal porogen create mesopores and macropores, and layered zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-L) leaves as the external carbon source provide micropores and mesopores. This combination results in the large surface area, well-developed graded pore structure, and increased nitrogen content of the core-shell polyacrylonitrile/silicalite-1@ZIF-L-derived CNFs (defined as PCNFs-SZ) electrode, which delivers a superior specific capacitance of 145.4 F g−1 in a neutral electrolyte. The symmetric CDI cell assembled by the self-supporting PCNFs-SZ membrane electrodes holds a prominent desalination capacity of 37.09 mg g−1 and a rapid salt removal rate of 10.36 mg g−1 min−1 at 1.2 V (initial NaCl concentration: 500 mg L−1), and demonstrates significant potential for real-world applications in the desalination and purification of reclaimed water. Furthermore, theory calculations confirm the enhanced Na+-capture capability of PCNFs-SZ. The present work highlights an effective and viable approach to enhance the desalination performance of carbon-based CDI cells.

Role of synthetic process parameters of nano-sized cobalt/nickel oxide in controlling their structural characteristics and electrochemical energy performance as supercapacitor electrodes

The synthesis of nano-sized bimetallic Cobalt/Nickel oxides (Ni1.5Co1.5O4) with a 1:1 Co/Ni atomic ratio has been achieved using a surfactant-free co-precipitation/hydrothermal process. The growth mechanism of Cobalt/Nickel oxides Ni1.5Co1.5O4 is elucidated by tuning the synthesis process parameters, including co-precipitation pH and hydrothermal time. The formation of Cobalt/Nickel oxides Ni1.5Co1.5O4 oxide began with the nucleation of cobalt nickel hydroxide nanoplates through the co-precipitation process, followed by dissolution-recrystallization, stacked hexagonal nano-flakes, and a flower-like microstructure. The electrochemical performances of the oxides were evaluated, with the largest surface area observed at pH 9 being the main factor for the best super-capacitive performance. As hydrothermal time increased, the structural directing growth forward, resulted in the formation of a nano-flower structure with a larger surface area. The as-prepared cobalt nickel oxide exhibited a maximum specific capacitance value of 525.5 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and energy and power densities of 88.2 WhKg-1 and 606 WKg-1, respectively.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Potential Toxicity of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Medical Applications: Cellular Mechanisms and Systemic Effects.

Owing to recent advancements in nanotechnology, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs), particularly magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), are currently widely employed in the field of medicine. These MNPs, characterized by their large specific surface area, potential for diverse functionalization, and magnetic properties, have found application in various medical domains, including tumor imaging (MRI), radiolabelling, internal radiotherapy, hyperthermia, gene therapy, drug delivery, and theranostics. However, ensuring the non-toxicity of MNPs when employed in medical practices is paramount. Thus, ongoing research endeavors are essential to comprehensively understand and address potential toxicological implications associated with their usage. This review aims to present the latest research and findings on assessing the potential toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles. It meticulously delineates the primary mechanisms of MNP toxicity at the cellular level, encompassing oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, disruption of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane perturbation, alterations in the cell cycle, dysregulation of gene expression, inflammatory response, disturbance in ion homeostasis, and interference with cell migration and mobility. Furthermore, the review expounds upon the potential impact of MNPs on various organs and systems, including the brain and nervous system, heart and circulatory system, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, skin, urinary, and reproductive systems.

The application of semiconductor nanomaterials in renewable energy

Abstract. In the development of renewable energy, the usage of solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen energy, thermoelectric energy, and thermal energy has become a significant focus of research and development. Semiconductor nanomaterials play important roles in these fields. This paper focuses on the usage of TiO2 and In2O3 in renewable energy and finds out the trends and outlook of semiconductor nanomaterials in this field. TiO2 nanomaterials have attracted widespread attention due to their unique structure and excellent properties, such as their large specific surface area, high surface activity, and sensitivity. TiO2 nanomaterials are highly active in photovoltaic applications and play an important role in the search for renewable, clean energy technologies. In2O3 is an excellent n-type transparent semiconductor functional material, characterized by high sensitivity, low resistivity, good conductivity, high catalytic activity, and wide bandgap width. It has shown good competitiveness in gas sensors, solar cells, and photocatalysis fields. Although these semiconductor nanomaterials have many advantages, there are still some drawbacks that hinder their development. There is still much work to be done for the wider application of semiconductor nanomaterials in the field of renewable energy.

Graphene-based Nanomaterials As Catalysts for the Synthesis of Medicinally Privileged Heterocycles: Importance and Outlook

: Catalysis is an integral part of sustainable and green chemical processes. During the last two decades, the wonder 2D carbon material with honeycomb structure, graphene, and other functionalized graphenes have emerged as extremely versatile and robust nanomaterials in heterogeneous catalysis. The incredible catalytic efficacy of such carbon nanomaterials relies on their unique physicochemical properties, including large surface area, diverse catalytic active sites, multiple chemical functionalities, tunable electron density, synergistic effect, etc., making them noteworthy as metal-free catalysts and catalytic supports. : The article presents an overview of the catalytic applications of various graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs), either metal-free or embedded with metal/metal oxide NPs, in synthesizing medicinally privileged heterocyclic compounds. It also summarizes the general methodologies for preparing graphene and various GBNs, their chemical structures, characterization techniques, and discussions on the potential active sites that are responsible for wider catalytic activity. Overall discussions unequivocally establish a promising paradigm for uncovering more innovative graphene-based materials and their subsequent applications in diverse fields, including heterogeneous catalysis.

Carbon dots modified hydrange-shaped ZnCo(OH)F used as a flexible electrode for sensitive detection of dopamine and uric acid

Dopamine (DA), widely recognized as the most prevalent catecholamine neurotransmitter in the brain, functions as a vital regulator of various physiological processes within the central nervous system. Meanwhile, uric acid (UA) serves as the terminal product of purine metabolism, and hyperuricemia emerges as a significant risk factor for gout, with a steep escalation in risk as blood uric acid levels surge. Consequently, monitoring the concentrations of DA and UA in biological fluids is crucial not only for the treatment of related disorders but also for enhancing disease prevention strategies. In this work, the blooming hydrangea shaped ZnCo(OH)F/carbon dots (CDs) composite was grown on carbon cloth (CC) substrate by a simple hydrothermal method, which was used as a flexible sensor for the detection of DA and UA. The unique open structure and morphologic adjustment strategy of ZnCo(OH)F/CDs/CC provided a large surface area and highly exposed active site. After screening the experimental variables that affect the sensor performance, the optimal ZnCo(OH)F/CDs/CC flexible electrode achieved individual and simultaneous detection for DA and UA in the concentration ranges of 1.0220.0 µM and 1.0500.0 µM, the detection limits (LOD) of DA and UA were 0.0129 and 0.044 μM, respectively (S/N=3). In addition, the sensor exhibited good repeatability, stability and selectivity, realizing the detection of DA and UA in human serum with recovery rate of 95.20 % 105.3 %. Also, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to explore the interaction between electrode material and detected substrate. A simple hydrothermal method was utilized to grow the ZnCo(OH)F/CDs composite onto the CC substrate. The presence of F− in ZnCo(OH)F can increase the charge mobility and improve the conductivity. ZnCo(OH)F/CDs/CC as flexible electrode material can determine DA and UA simultaneously in human serum with a satisfactory recovery rate. This flexible sensor has a broad application prospect in the manufacture of wearable devices.

Efficient UV-Vis-NIR Responsive CO2 Reduction Photocatalyst with Black Pinecone-Shaped Carbon Nitride Loaded with Lanthanum Oxide.

Photothermal catalysis combines the advantages of photocatalysis and thermal activation, which provides a new research angle for CO2 catalytic reduction. In this study, Black carbon nitride with a three-dimensional (3D) pinecone-shaped structure (BPCN) was prepared by a simple solvothermal method using melamine as a precursor without the aid of a template. Lanthanum oxide doping on the BPCN catalysts (BPCN-La) was achieved by ultrasonic impregnation. This unique pinecone-shaped structure consists of self-assembled and interlaced carbon nitride rods (by SEM). The lanthanum element was distributed on the surface of the CN framework in the form of La2O3 (by XPS). The chemical structures of the samples were characterized by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) and elaborated by density functional theory (DFT) analysis. This black carbon nitride expanded the light absorption band edge into the near-infrared (NIR) (300-1400 nm, by UV-vis absorption spectra) and had excellent photothermal conversion activity. La atom doping can significantly boost photogenerated electron excitation (by photocurrent test) and promote carrier separation and transfer (by PL). Upon incorporation of La atoms into BPCN, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) orbital is more concentrated on the oxygen atoms of La2O3. BPCN-La considerably narrowed the band gap width, exhibited an exceptional photothermal effect, and provided a large surface area, which significantly enhanced the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 reactions. The yields of CO reached 58.2 and 104.9 μmol·h-1·g-1 for BPCN and BPCN-La, respectively, with GCN as the control (6.3 μmol·h-1·g-1). Theoretical reaction pathways and selectivity for the photoreduction of CO2 on BPCN and BPCN-La were studied by DFT simulation. This work provides a new vision for the design of photothermal synergistic without extra-thermal input and full spectral response photocatalysts with high efficiency.

Membrane-Targeted Quantum Dot-Based BACE1 Activity Sensors for In Vitro and In Cellulo Assays.

The need for the development of specific and robust methodologies to elucidate the intricate pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and discover effective treatments for prevention and remediation is evident. Alzheimer's disease, in particular, has become more prevalent as the global population has aged. β-Secretase, the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE1), is the protease that produces the β-amyloid peptide, which is considered one of the driving factors of Alzheimer's disease and an important target for treatment development. However, an understanding of its activity, modulation, and regulation is far from complete. This is in large part due to the complex nature of following its activity. Beyond the common requirements for all biosensors (ease of preparation and use), BACE1 probes also demand both stability at acidic pH and membrane localization. To overcome these hurdles, we exploit the modular self-assembly provided by fluorescent quantum dot (QD) sensors. As compared to other fluorophores, QDs provide enhanced fluorescence brightness and photostability, and their large surface area enables functionalization with peptide substrates together with targeting elements that localize the sensor to the areas of maximal BACE1 activity, all achieved through His-tag self-assembly. In vitro, the sensor demonstrated stability under acidic conditions, and using high-throughput plate reader assays, we determined BACE1 activity in-line with literature values and enabled the obtainment of the inhibitor constant of verubecestat, a small molecule inhibitor. The sensor was also transitioned to cellular experiments, where it demonstrated sensitivity to BACE1 activity and its modulation upon inhibitor treatment in a neuroblastoma cell line.

Transparent and Mechanically Robust Janus Nanofiber Membranes for Open Wound Healing and Monitoring.

The electrospun nanofiber membrane has demonstrated great potential for wound management due to its porous structure, large surface area, mechanical strength, and barrier properties. However, there is a need to develop transparent bioactive nanofibers with strong mechanical properties to facilitate the monitoring of the healing process. In this study, we present an electrospinning-based method for creating transparent (∼80-90%), strong (∼11-13 MPa), and Janus nanofiber membranes. The innovative square pattern architecture of the membrane includes a thin hydrophobic polycaprolactone layer on top of a layer of hydrophilic ethylene-vinyl alcohol nanofiber, which enables the absorption of excess biofluid from the wound and exhibits Janus wettability for water. Furthermore, incorporating 5% chitosan into the composition of the nanofibers accelerates the healing process through its antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. The developed membrane also demonstrates skin-repairing function, quick blood clotting (around 145 ± 12 s), and biocompatibility with keratinocyte (≥90%), as well as in vitro quick cell migration (∼24 h). With a tensile strength of 11-13 MPa, the membrane effectively adheres to the knee joint even after running 4 km. These optimal properties of the electrospun nanofiber membrane make it suitable for effective wound management and inspection of the healing process, without the need for frequent dressing changes.

Exploring the role of graphene-metal hybrid nanomaterials as Raman signal enhancers in early stage cancer detection

Molecular diagnosis plays a significant role in detection of biomolecules linked to early stage cancer since it offers greater sensitivity and reliability for identification of biomarker level changes as the disease progresses. The application of vibrational spectroscopy in biomarker detection is defined by the fingerprint spectrum of a molecule originating from single-molecule vibrations. This characteristic makes surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) a promising tool for identification of biomarkers. The performance of the SERS technique largely depends on the material being used as the SERS substrate. Graphene, with its large surface area and abundance of aromatic regions, is considered advantageous as SERS substrate. Combining graphene with metal nanomaterials considerably increases SERS signal intensity, thereby enhancing detection sensitivity. Therefore, this review emphasizes the significance of selecting graphene-metal nanohybrids as suitable SERS substrates for signal amplification. The detail understanding of the mechanism of graphene-metal hybrid in SERS based detection of early stage cancer is also presented. Furthermore, several examples demonstrated the application of graphene-metal hybrid nanomaterials in detecting biomarkers and cancer cell differentiation using SERS imaging.

Amino acid assisted-construction of 2D-hierarchical MFI zeolites for adsorption of rhodamine B

Hierarchical and two-dimensional (2D) zeolites have drawn much attention in catalysis and separation process due to their fast mass transfer. However, the facile manipulation in controllable mesopore volumes and morphologies for hierarchical nanozeolites is full of challenges. Herein, a facile strategy is presented for the synthesis of single-crystalline 2D hierarchical MFI zeolite nanosheets (HNSs) with tunable mesopore volumes through the amino acid-assisted crystallization of nucleated amorphous silicon precursors (NASPs). The tailored synthesis of HNSs with controllable aspect ratios ((Lc + La)/Lb), b-axis thicknesses (a few tens of nanometers) and mesopore volumes is achieved by adjusting the preparation of the NASPs and the amount of amino acid in the synthesis mixture. The HNSs exhibit large BET surface area (>400 m2 g-1), high micropore volume (0.16–0.18 cm3 g−1) as well as rich mesopore volume (>0.10 cm3 g−1), indicating the high crystallinity of the hierarchical zeolite nanosheets. Specially, the higher adsorption capability and faster adsorption rate for the dye (Rhodamine B) adsorption demonstrate the excellent performance of the hierarchical zeolite nanosheets, which exhibits the maximum adsorption capacity of 115.7 mg g−1. The controllable manipulation of mesoporous volumes and morphologies in MFI zeolites represents a significant contribution to the field of zeolite microstructure engineering.

Review and prospect on Metal-organic framework-based Separators for Lithium–Sulfur Battery

With the continuous advancement of technology, wearable smart devices and electric vehicles (EVs) have become an integral part of our daily lives. The increasing demand for energy from these devices and vehicles has driven the pursuit of high-performance rechargeable battery technology. In particular, the widespread adoption of electric vehicles has set higher standards for the energy density and cycle life of batteries. However, the energy density of the widely used lithium-ion batteries is currently limited by the theoretical capacity of commercial cathode materials, and there are certain challenges in terms of safety and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the development of a new generation of rechargeable batteries with higher energy density, better safety, and more economical cost is particularly urgent. Lithium-sulfur batteries, due to their high energy density, high economic benefits, and high environmental friendliness, are considered to be one of the most promising successors to the widely used lithium-ion batteries. However, in practical applications, the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries still needs to be improved. In particular, the poor conductivity of sulfur/lithium and the shuttle effect of polysulfides make the cycle life of the battery less than ideal, and lithium-sulfur batteries (LSB) are still far from achieving large-scale commercialization. The separator used in lithium-sulfur batteries plays a crucial role in its cycle performance and safety. The current commercial separator lacks the ability to effectively regulate the shuttle of polysulfides and is prone to thermal runaway at high temperatures. Therefore, to improve these issues, various functional materials have been used to modify the separator. Among them, as a new type of porous coordination polymer, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have become a promising material for modifying separators due to their large specific surface area and highly ordered tunable nano-holes.At the same time, their rich inorganic nodes and designable organic ligands allow for the customization of pore chemistry at the molecular level, which can interact with the electroactive components in lithium-sulfur batteries in a tunable manner. This article reviews the reaction mechanism of lithium-sulfur batteries and the structural advantages of MOFs in terms of pore chemistry and morphology and briefly introduces the research progress of MOF-based interfacial layers for the functionalization of LSB separators in recent years. It elaborates on the mechanisms by which various modified separators improve electrochemical performance and provides a prospect for the development prospects of the field.

Benzobisoxazole-based covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic oxidation

Covalent organic frameworks, as an emerging porous crystalline material, have attracted significant interest in heterogeneous photocatalysis, due to their tunable structure, large specific surface area, high chemical stability, and extendable π-conjugated skeleton. In this study, 4,4′-(2,6-dimethylbenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bis(oxazolyl)-4,8-diyl)dianiline (OZDL) and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxaldehyde (BTCA) were utilized to construct 2D covalent organic frameworks OZBT-COF through aldehyde-amine polycondensation reaction under solvothermal conditions. Considering the high crystallinity, chemical stability, and outstanding photophysical properties, the benzobisoxazole-containing OZBT-COF was further employed as a photocatalyst for the synthesis of the benzothiazole derivatives and the oxidation of N-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines. The catalyst system exhibited high photocatalytic activity, moderate substrate applicability, excellent stability and recyclability. The suitable band gap, efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhancing mass transport inside the porous catalyst could be contributed to superior photocatalytic performance. This work provides valuable insights into the structure–function correlations of COFs-based photocatalysts, and further demonstrates promising opportunities for developing COF photocatalysts with practical applications.