The development of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens has made marked and diverse impacts in the areas of bioimaging and theragnostics. While virtually every class of traditional aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) fluorophores have been investigated for the purposes of establishing the sought after ACQ to AIE transformation, the prolific xanthene family has remained largely overlooked. A recent brief report of simple derivatized fluoresceins exhibiting AIE characteristics upended the prevailing perception of fluoresceins as fixed ACQ species but limited progress has taken place in the years following. In this study we take the first step towards highly functional xanthene AIEgens, exploring both the nuances of aggregation and translation to applications in imaging and sensing. The synthetic modification of seminaphthofluoresceins (benzo[c]xanthenes, π-extended fluorescein derivatives) yields luminogens exhibiting high Stokes shifts, bathochromically shifted emission, and aggregation-induced emission behaviour. The optical properties of the seminaphthofluorescein propargyl ethers, possessing terminal alkyne moieties for facile customization, are assessed both in the dissolved state and throughout the aggregation process. As a result of their controlled response to non-solvents over a broad range of solution compositions, the luminogens are suited for the optical sensing of water content in organic solvents. The aggregates were utilized for organelle imaging in microglia, the immune cells of the brain, and accumulated predominantly in the mitochondria. When coupled with their limited reliance on membrane potential, these findings suggest the luminogens as novel and versatile tools for intracellular visualization, tracking, and interactions of mitochondria with other organelles.

Interface-active, metal-organic complexes (MOCs) have been extensively exploited for interface engineering due to their material-independent coating properties. However, the MOC-based films often face some challenges, such as dark coloration and synthetic difficulty in organic-ligand derivatives, limiting their functional potential and expandability. This paper reports the fabrication of transparent MOC films, composed of Zr4+ ions and trimesic acid (BTC), under mild aqueous conditions and their facile chemical functionalization. In situ supramolecular self-assembly of Zr-BTC MOCs resulted in robust films on diverse substrates, regardless of their physicochemical properties, which exhibited remarkable stability under acidic conditions and in organic solvents. Notably, the simple chemical structure of BTC enabled a straightforward preparation of functional derivatives, exemplified by the incorporation of polymerization initiator-conjugated BTC ligands into Zr-BTC MOC films. Subsequent surface-initiated polymerization led to the formation of zwitterionic polymer brushes, imparting antifouling properties. Overall, this work provides the potential usage of Zr-BTC MOCs as a versatile molecular toolbox for interface engineering.

A gradient-boosting based atomic-charge scheme, BoostCha, is introduced. The BoostCha model operates in three steps: it first predicts pseudo-charges for individual atoms based on their local environments, represented by three-dimensional descriptors of Kocer-Mason-Erturk type, then refines these values using global molecular information, and finally restores the charge conservation. The BoostCha charges are employed as input features in two independent machine-learning models for predicting solvation free energies in organic solvents: ESE-Boost, a gradient-boosting model, and ESE-ANN, a dense artificial neural network. Both approaches yield strong predictive performance, with average root-mean-square errors of 0.49 and 0.52 kcal/mol, respectively. The methods demonstrate consistent performance across diverse solvent classes and are particularly accurate for alkanes, alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, and aromatic and haloaromatic solvents.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals found worldwide in several industrial and consumer products. The extensive use of these fluorinated organic compounds, together with their high stability, has led to a broad contamination of water and soil resources. Among the technologies under development for their remediation, sonochemistry stands out. Propagation of ultrasounds in aqueous media results in sonophysical and sonochemical effects, able to collaboratively mineralize most of PFAS. Oxidative additives, as well as surfactants, may enhance the performance of the technique, which is also affected by organic matter, residual solvents, pH and temperature of the solution. PFAS concentration is a crucial factor in terms of treatment efficiency since it defines the rate order, while differences in functional group, chain length, and extent of fluorination affect hydrophobicity, surface activity and thermal activation energy of PFAS. Reaction pathways, solution chemistry, reactor configuration, and operational parameters including flowrate, atmosphere condition, US frequency and power density are discussed within this critical review, with the aim of boosting the implementation of this technology for PFAS remediation.

Ferromagnetic ferrofluids in aqueous and low-polar media.

Membrane nanofiltration provides a sustainable and energy-efficient platform for precise molecular separation. However, highly permselective and chemically stable membrane materials capable of operating under harsh conditions are currently lacking. Here we report a generalizable monomer-solvent dual engineering strategy that enables the one-step synthesis of chemically robust thiazole-linked polycrystalline covalent organic framework (COF) membranes via scalable interfacial polymerization under ambient conditions for ultraselective molecular separation. The fully π-conjugated aromatic skeleton and the spatially exposed heteroatoms on the irreversible thiazole linkages establish a lone-pair electron network, which not only forms an atomic hydration layer to protect the framework but also confers long-range regulation of electrostatic interactions. The thiazole-linked COF membranes exhibit remarkable structural stability in strong acids (e.g., 12 M HCl), good resistance to organic solvents and chlorine, and high pharmaceutical desalination permselectivity, achieving ion/pharmaceutical separation factors up to 690. This versatile thiazole-linked framework structure offers potential for the development of chemically stable aromatic conjugated COF membranes for diverse vital applications.

Efficient exfoliation of montmorillonite (MMT) into single or few-layer nanosheets is essential for its high-value applications in gels, membrane separation, and composite reinforcement. In this study, Na + -exchanged bentonite underwent solvent-free, high-energy ball milling for 2 hours, with the ball-to-powder mass ratio as the sole variable. This method reduces the average layer thickness from >7 nm to 1-2 nm concomitantly enhancing surface charge, colloidal stability, gel viscosity, and 24 h water uptake. In contrast to conventional chemical intercalation and ultrasonic protocols, the proposed approach eliminates the need for organic solvents and costly intercalants, reduces energy consumption by more than 60%, and is characterized by simplicity, scalability, and user-friendliness. This work offers a green, low-cost pathway for the large-scale production of high-performance two-dimensional clay nanosheets and their multifunctional composites.

We report the synthesis of racemic macrocyclic molecular carbon imides, (±)-C[2]BNDI and (±)-C[3]BNDI, using 1,1'-bi(naphthyl-4,5-dicarboximides) (BNDI) as a building block. Single-crystal analysis revealed a twisted saddle-shaped π-framework for (±)-C[2]BNDI. Both macrocycles exhibit strong emission, with (±)-C[2]BNDI showing strong fluorescence (quantum yield = 100%) in nonpolar solvents. After chiral resolution, enantiopure (+)- and (-)-C[2]BNDI is found to exhibit a |glum| value of 3.3 × 10-3 and a high CPL brightness of 63.9 M-1cm-1. This study introduces a new class of chiral conjugated macrocycles with outstanding luminescent and chiroptical properties, offering promising opportunities for future applications in photonic and optoelectronic materials.

The rapid expansion of China’s photovoltaic (PV) industry has led to a significant increase in decommissioned PV modules. To address the high energy consumption and environmental impact of traditional recycling techniques, this study proposes a novel method that integrates DMPU solvent recycling with pyrolysis for recovering PV cell sheets. DMPU, an organic solvent with low volatility, non-toxicity, and excellent recyclability, was used in this study. The effects of temperature and treatment duration on the structural integrity of silicon cell sheets were systematically evaluated, establishing optimal parameters: immersion in DMPU at 200 °C for 60 min, followed by pyrolysis at 480 °C for 60 min. A case study was conducted on a small-scale recycling facility with a daily processing capacity of 200 standard PV panels, encompassing system boundaries such as transportation, pretreatment, and pyrolysis. The recycling process consumed 2.14 × 109 kJ of energy annually, reducing CO2 emissions by 9357.2 tons. Compared to conventional methods such as pyrolysis, mechanical dismantling, and chemical dissolution, the proposed approach employing a green, recyclable solvent markedly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, offering notable environmental benefits.

In this study, high-aspect-ratio cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are extracted from sea squirt tunic via acid hydrolysis and use as nanofillers in the cathode catalyst layers (CLs) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Because of the aqueous-based extraction process, CNFs possess numerous hydrophilic functional groups on their surfaces, enabling their excellent dispersibility in organic solvents. By leveraging both the high aspect ratio and hydrophilic surface characteristics of CNFs, membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) incorporating 9 wt.% CNFs exhibit significantly enhanced power performance at low current densities compared to pristine MEAs. This improvement is attributed to the reduction in the agglomerate size within the cathode CL, which facilitates oxygen transport to the catalyst surface and consequently enhances the catalytic activity. Furthermore, surface and interfacial cutting analysis system (SAICAS) measurements confirm that the incorporation of CNFs improves the mechanical integrity of the cathode CLs. Geodict simulation results further reveal that CNFs promote favorable changes in the pore structure, improving gas diffusion and thus supporting efficient catalyst activation. Collectively, these findings suggest that the introduction of properly functionalized 1D nanofibers is a highly effective approach for developing high-performance CLs for PEMFCs.

Supercritical water is found inside Earth's mantle, where water is subjected to very high temperatures and pressures. It exhibits extraordinary properties, such as having a low dielectric constant and high reactivity, which stems from the breakdown of the hydrogen bond network in a supercritical state. This makes supercritical water a non-polar solvent and the basis for many innovative technologies. We investigate supercritical water at ten densities (0.1-1.0 gr/cc) at 1000K to study the structural correlations, such as atom-resolved partial pair distributions, co-ordination numbers, bond-angle distributions and neutron scattering, and x-ray structure factors. Among the dynamical correlations, we investigate the velocity autocorrelation function, current-current correlation function, and their Fourier transforms-vibrational density-of-states and frequency dependent dielectric constant. Structural and dynamical correlations are computed from time-trajectories of the positions and velocities calculated abinitio molecular dynamics within the density functional theory framework using the SCAN exchange-correlation functional. Our results for structural correlations are compared with the neutron scattering experiments on supercritical water by Soper and collaborators [J. Chem. Phys. 106, 247-254 (1997)] and dynamical correlations in the supercritical state are compared with the inelastic neutron scattering results by Car and collaborators [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 9461-9467 (2020)].

Several ortho-phenyl-phosphonate-boranes 1-BR2-2-{P(O)(OEt)2}C6H4 (R = Cy (cyclohexyl, 2a), Ipc ((+)-isopinocampheyl, 2b), and nHx (n-hexyl, 2c)) have been prepared and characterized. Compounds 2a-c can be selectively mono-dealkylated to afford the corresponding lithium ortho-phenyl-boratophosphonate salts [Li(S)n][1-BR2-2-{P(O)2(OEt)}C6H4] (S = MeCN or EtOAc). All compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H}). Reactions of 2a with NaI or KI yielded the respective [Na(MeCN)][1-BCy2-2-{P(O)2(OEt)}C6H4] ([Na(MeCN)][3]) and [K(MeCN)][1-BCy2-2-{P(O)2(OEt)}C6H4] ([K(MeCN)][3]) salts. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 2a and [Li(MeCN)2][1-BCy2-2-{P(O)2(OEt)}C6H4] ([Li(MeCN)2][3]) document the presence of intramolecular P═O···B interactions that form pseudo-heterocyclic rings. In the solid state, [Li(MeCN)2][3] exists as a lithium-bridged dimer. Thermogravimetric analysis of [Li(MeCN)2][3] reveals high thermal stability with a decomposition onset above 200 °C. [Li(MeCN)2][3] displays good to excellent solubility in many organic solvents. Reactions of [Li(MeCN)2][3] with chlorotrimethylsilane, methyl triflate, and HCl·Et2O yielded the new ortho-phenyl-phosphonate-boranes 1-BCy2-2-{P(O)(OE)(OEt)}C6H4 (E = Me3Si, Me, H). Compounds 2a and [Li(MeCN)2][3] are weakly emissive in solution and in the solid state, with evidence of solvent-dependent dual emission.

In nature, cationic tail-to-head cyclizations of the diphosphates of a few linear sesquiterpenols generate a vast array of structurally diverse polycyclic sesquiterpenes. However, in normal organic solvents, cationic cyclizations of linear sesquiterpenols stop after the first ring closure and give mainly elimination product bisabolenes. We found that in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), β-hydrogen elimination of the carbocation intermediates formed during tail-to-head cyclization could be minimized. In HFIP, the bisabolyl cation generated by the first cyclization of (2Z,6E)-farnesol could rearrange and then cyclize completely to produce polycyclic sesquiterpenes such as α-cedrenes, isocalamenenes, and 6-epi-amorphadiene.

High-performance membrane materials serve as the cornerstone for advancing the industrial application of membrane separation technology and the development of membrane science theory. The swelling of polymer membranes by organic solvents results in a reduced separation performance, which limits the application of polymer materials in organic separation systems. A series of cross-linked benzimidazole-and-imine-linked polymer (BIILP) membranes with high separation performance were fabricated via interfacial polymerization accompanied by facile post-treatment. The membrane exhibited a total flux of 2.80 kg·m-2·h-1 and an exceptionally high separation factor of 4.80 × 104 during the pervaporation (PV) separation of a 50 wt % methanol (MeOH)/methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) organic mixture at 50 °C. The membrane maintained its separation performance with only a marginal reduction after a 120 h PV stability test. The outstanding separation performance and high stability position BIILP membranes as strong candidates for scalable production and industrial application among polymer membranes.

Latanoprostene bunod has recently emerged as a promising ocular antihypertensive agent due to its potent ability to lower intraocular pressure and its favorable safety profile observed in clinical trials. In this study, a new, simple, and selective HPLC method was developed for quantifying latanoprostene bunod in pharmaceutical formulations. A Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to optimize the chromatographic parameters, including flow rate, organic solvent, and acid content in the mobile phase. The analysis was performed on an C18 column (4.6 × 50 mm, 3.5 µm), with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.01% formic acid (45:55, v/v). Chromatographic conditions were set at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min, a column temperature of 40 °C, and detection at 260 nm. Method validation, following the ICH Q2(R1) guideline, demonstrated excellent linearity over the concentration range of 0.50–20.00 µg/mL, with LOD and LOQ values of 0.052 µg/mL and 0.157 µg/mL, respectively. Precision and accuracy were confirmed with recovery rates between 100-102% and RSD values below 3%, respectively. The validated method was then successfully applied to the analysis of latanoprostene bunod in a commercially available ophthalmic formulation, confirming its suitability for routine quality control use.

Polymer-based organic mixed ion-electron conductors (OMIECs) are a class of materials offering unique coupled dual charge transport characteristics along with appealing properties including mechanical softness, biocompatibility, tunability, volumetric capacitance, and stability. These features have been exploited in devices including organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), neuromorphic computing, energy storage, sensors, neural electrodes, and actuators. Conventionally, OMIEC polymers are prepared through chemical, vapor-phase, electrochemical, or enzymatic polymerization, typically relying on oxidants, metal catalysts, and/or organic solvents, significantly limiting their scalability, sustainability, and biocompatibility. Here, we introduce an initiator-free, visible-light-induced polymerization of water-soluble conducting polymer precursors, enabling facile formation of high-performance and inherently biocompatible OMIECs. This novel approach allows direct photopatterning and seamless film deposition and manufacturing of OECTs across rigid, flexible, and biological substrates, exemplified by glass, textiles, and mouse skin (in vivo). Through careful optimization of the photopolymerization process, resulting OMIECs possess state-of-the-art electrical, electrochemical, and device properties along with exceptional compatibility and conformability with various flexible and biological surfaces. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of these photopatterned electrodes, manufactured directly on mouse skin in vivo, where they significantly enhance the recording efficacy and signal-to-noise ratio of low-frequency brain activity in anesthetized mice.

Gold nanoparticles decorated with fluorinated poly(ethylene oxide): structural and functional insights.

Chitosan beads were prepared with phytic acid to develop a biocompatible matrix for enzyme immobilization. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized on phytic acid-modified chitosan beads, and its catalytic activity was measured using 2-methoxyphenol. The concentration of phytic acid used was varied, with optimal enzyme activity at a concentration of 25 mM phytic acid. The phytic acid/chitosan beads were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and their swelling behavior was investigated at room temperature. The beads exhibited slightly higher levels of water absorption, 20 ± 2 of mass for phytic acid/chitosan versus 18.6 ± 1.5 for chitosan beads. The activity of HRP (free and immobilized) was examined in aqueous-nonaqueous mixtures (5:95) of dimethylformamide (DMF), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), methanol (MeOH), acetonitrile (ACN), ethanol (EtOH), acetone, and propanol. Immobilized HRP showed good stability in DMF, MeOH, ACN, EtOH, and acetone, maintaining over 40% of its initial activity after 6 h incubation in the solvent mixtures, demonstrating the successful use of phytic acid-chitosan as an enzyme support.

ABSTRACT Nanocellulose composite gels have emerged as promising materials owing to their high mechanical strength and biocompatibility, enabling applications in flexible electronics, biomedical devices, and energy storage systems. Nevertheless, conventional designs relying solely on polymer‐nanocellulose networks often fail to achieve all desirable properties. Recent studies demonstrate that incorporating a rationally selected liquid phase, including organic solvents to ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents, can significantly improve the mechanical robustness, environmental stability, and multifunctionality of nanocellulose gels. This review summarizes recent advances in the structural design and functional enhancement of nanocellulose composite gels, with a particular focus on liquid‐phase engineering. First, we introduce the structures and types of nanocellulose and their properties relevant to gel formation. Second, fabrication strategies for pure nanocellulose gels and nanocellulose composite gels are described, focusing on physical and chemical interactions that determine network stability. Third, this review highlights how tailored liquid phases generate hydrogels, organohydrogels, ionogels, and eutectogels with distinct properties. Fourth, the review summarizes advanced functional properties enabled by liquid‐phase engineering, including self‐adhesion, high ionic conductivity, self‐healing capability, and environmental adaptability. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges and future opportunities, providing perspectives on the rational design of next‐generation high‐performance nanocellulose gel materials.

The newly fabricated fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) with size 80.94nm as renowned contender has facile synthesis, robust tunable fluorescence, unique optical properties and great potential in sensing at trace level. The optical properties of fluorescent organic probe depend on the experimental parameters e.g. synthesis routes, doping, solvatochromism, temperature, pH and the types of precursors, which influence the surface state and graphitic carbon-cluster. The incorporation of N-atom modified the intrinsic properties (π-π∗, n-π∗ electronic transition) and caused the change in energy level Δ[Formula: see text] from 2.81eV to 2.43eV. The fluorescent intensity decreased as increasing or decreasing from pH ~ 7 due to change in extended delocalization. The temperature-dependent florescence response showed differently in different solvents owing to various interactions between surface state of fluorescent organic probe and solvents. The fluorescent organic probe demonstrated excellent qualitative and visual detection of water content in organic solvents due to solvatochromism. This strategy enables the bathochromic shift Δλem in fluorescent organic probe for the generation of multicolor. Moreover, the fluorescent organic probe can be used as a fluorescent ink for anti-counterfeiting. This research aims to provide a detailed examination of experimental parameters as a valuable tool for the synthesis of fluorescent organic nanoparticles FONs.