Solvent Research Articles

Plant-mediated synthesis of biocompatible ZnO NPs: comprehensive characterisation and investigation of their catalytic, corrosion inhibition, antibacterial, scavenging and anti-oncogenic activities

ABSTRACT In this study, we present a novel method for synthesising zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from the dried Caesalpinia sappan seeds powder. Comprehensive characterisation using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX techniques was employed to elucidate the surface and morphological properties of these ZnO NPs. We showcase the versatile application of ZnO NPs as heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of 5-arylmethylidene-pyrimidin-2,4,6-triones. Notably, this eco-friendly approach eliminates the need for organic solvents, offering a sustainable route to producing 5-arylmethylidene-pyrimidin-2,4,6-triones in high yields. Furthermore, we investigate the corrosion inhibition properties of ZnO NPs on mild steel in 5% sodium chloride solution. Our findings reveal the ZnO NPs’ significant inhibition efficiency against corrosion, promising potential for practical applications. In addition to their chemical applications, we delve into the biological activities of ZnO NPs, including their antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, anti-oncogenic activity against DU-145 cells, and scavenging activities against oxidative stress.

A Method to Determine Metoclopramide Hydrochloride in Oral Dosage Forms by Micellar Liquid Chromatography

Background: Metoclopramide is a widely prescribed antiemetic drug. Its analysis in pharmaceutical formulations often involves procedures using high amounts of toxic chemicals. Objective: A method based on micellar liquid chromatography to determine metoclopramide hydrochloride in several oral dosage forms has been developed. Methods: The drug was resolved from matrix compounds within 6 min using a C18 column with isocratic elution at 1 mL/min utilizing a solution of 0.10 mol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate – 6 % 1- pentanol phosphate buffered at pH 7 as mobile phase, and detection by absorbance at 210 nm. Samples were dissolved or diluted in the mobile phase and directly injected; thus, only one solution had to be prepared for the entire procedure. Besides, it contained mainly harmless chemicals and a minimal amount of organic solvent. Results The procedure was validated by the International Council of Harmonization guidelines and the results were: specificity, calibration range (0.5 – 5.0 mg/L), linearity (r2 > 0.9990), trueness (98.1 – 100.3 %), precision (< 0.7%), robustness, carry-over effect, and system suitability. It was used to analyze commercial samples. Otherwise, it was found the influence of the surfactant on elution strength was nearly three times stronger than that of 1-pentanol. Conclusion: The procedure was reliable, easy-to-conduct, safe, eco-friendly, short-time, widely available and highly sample-throughput, and then useful for routine analysis of metoclopramidebased dosage forms in pharmaceutical quality control.

Efficient Triplet Harvesting via Hot Exciton Utilization in Solution Processed OLEDs Employing Tetraphenyl Buta‐1,3‐Diene Based AIE Emitters

AbstractHigh photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) especially in solid‐state together with harvesting radiative triplet excitons are essential to achieve efficient organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Herein, the aggregation induced emission (AIE) active tetraphenyl buta‐1,3‐diene (TPB) moiety has been employed and tactfully modified to obtain orthogonally oriented donor‐acceptor (D‐A‐π‐A‐D) type derivatives (namely, TPB‐CHO‐TPA and TPB‐CN‐TPA) which possess additionally the hybridized local and charge transfer (HLCT) type excited‐state. Moreover, computational studies have revealed the possibility of triplet harvesting through hot exciton mechanism in these designed emitters. These key features along with excellent solubility in most of the organic solvents have encouraged to utilize these as light emitting materials for solution processed non‐doped and doped OLED devices. The optimal OLED device using TPB‐CHO‐TPA exhibits yellow light emission (ELmax = 572 nm and CIEx,y = 0.48, 0.51) having maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 7.6% with power and current efficiency of 6.1 lm W−1 and 8.9 cd A−1 where the calculated exciton utilization efficiency (EUE) approaches to 97%, indicating efficient triplet harvesting in electroluminescence process. This work signifies a novel design strategy for AIE‐based HLCT type emitters having efficient hot exciton utilization which can pave the way for future development of TPB based highly efficient OLED devices.

Selective oxidation and removal of hydrocarbons from carbon nanotubes using reactive yttrium films

Wrapping polymers are useful for sorting high purity suspensions of semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in organic solvents, but for many microelectronic applications the wroapping polymer needs to be removed. Coating wrapped CNTs with yttrium metal, followed by oxidation and removal with dilute aqueous acid, has been used to etch wrapping polymer, but the mechanism, selectivity, extent of etching, and range of conditions over which etching occurs have not been reported. We use spectroscopic and physical measurements to characterize this process on thin films of an archetypical conjugated wrapping polymer (PFO-BPy), its amorphous char residue, CNTs (average diameter 1.5 nm), graphene, and other organic films. Exposure of a yttrium overcoated film of PFO-BPy to ambient air at 20 °C oxidizes a ∼0.5 nm layer of polymer, forming carbonate, carboxylate, and/or carbonyl groups that dissolve in dilute acid. Thicker layers of polymer are removed by repeated cycles. Similar results are observed for other organic films at 20 °C whereas CNTs and graphene are unaltered, providing the selectivity needed to remove carbon-based contaminants from sp2 carbon based nanostructures. Increasing temperature to 250 °C increases polymer oxidation and removal to ∼2.5 nm per cycle; however, the CNTs and graphene are damaged.

Simulation and optimization of DMC synthesis process based on conventional and advanced exergy analyses

Dimethyl carbonate has received more and more attentions as an organic solvent in electrolytes. Aiming at the problem of high energy consumption in the process of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) production, the root of the problem was analyzed by using exergy analysis, which provides a theoretical basis for the construction of energy-saving process. Firstly, the overall process of DMC production was constructed, including propylene carbonate (PC) synthesis, DMC synthesis, azeotrope separation and propylene glycol (PG) purification processes. Secondly, the conventional and advanced exergy analyses of the four proposed processes were carried out. The distributions of exergy and exergy destruction were obtained through conventional exergy analysis. The exergy destructions were further divided through advanced exergy analysis, and the avoidable parts were focused on. Based on the above analyses, the corresponding heat integration processes were proposed. Finally, the conventional processes and the heat integration processes were evaluated with the performance indicators of the exergy destruction, total annual cost (TAC), total energy consumption (TEC) and CO2 emissions.

Understanding the molecular structure of natural anthocyanins during recovery with ionic liquids: A combined COSMO-RS and experimental study

Anthocyanins, water-soluble vacuolar pigments found in various fruits and vegetables, exhibit vibrant red, purple, or blue hues contingent upon their pH levels. The stability of these pigments depends on pH. Due to that, conventional extraction methods use volatile organic acidic solvents in solid-liquid extractions (SLE). Despite the widespread use of such solvents, the molecular mechanisms governing the stability of anthocyanins during SLE with different solvents remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to enhance the understanding of anthocyanin stability by identifying alternative neoteric solvents, specifically hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs). A COSMO-RS prescreening was conducted to evaluate the impact of solvent cations and anions on the anthocyanin skeleton during extraction from grape pomace. The results revealed that acetate-based ILs exhibited the highest affinity for anthocyanins. However, experimental validation demonstrated that hydrogen sulfate anion-based ILs, particularly [bmim][HSO4], yielded the most favorable outcomes, with approximately 4 mg/g of total anthocyanin equivalent at 298.15K while maintaining low pH values ensuring stability for anthocyanin molecules. Interestingly, the choice of cations within the ILs did not significantly influence the results. The main extraction mechanism is attributed to hydrogen bonding interaction. Thus, this research not only identifies an effective solvent for anthocyanin extraction but also sheds light on the crucial role of the neoteric solvent's acid characteristics in maintaining the structural integrity of these valuable pigments.

Enhanced Extraction of Tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza Using Natural-Surfactant-Based Cloud Point Extraction

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) contains the tanshinones, a compound with various pharmacological effects, and has been extensively studied as a pharmaceutical material. However, conventional methods for extracting tanshinones face challenges such as environmental hazards and high cost. In this study, we aimed to effectively extract tanshinones from SM using cloud point extraction (CPE) with lecithin, a natural surfactant. By optimizing various extraction conditions including the solid-to-liquid ratio, lecithin concentration, NaCl concentration, pH, and equilibrium temperature, the optimal extraction efficiency was achieved using 20 mL of solvent per 1 g of sample, 3% lecithin (w/v), 2% NaCl (w/v), pH 6, and room temperature (25 ± 2 °C). The CPE method, which minimizes the use of organic solvent and is eco-friendly, demonstrated improvements in extraction efficiency, with a 4.55% increase for dihydrotanshinone I, 8.32% for cryptotanshinone, 15.77% for tanshinone I, and 6.81% for tanshinone IIA compared to the conventional water extraction method. These results suggest that CPE is a promising, environmentally friendly, and efficient approach for extracting hydrophobic components from pharmacologically active materials such as SM, with potential applications across various fields of natural product extraction.

Stability Assessment in Aqueous and Organic Solvents of Metal-Organic Framework PCN 333 Nanoparticles through a Combination of Physicochemical Characterization and Computational Simulations.

Mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recognized as powerful platforms for drug delivery, especially for biomolecules. Unfortunately, the application of MOFs is restricted due to their relatively poor stability in aqueous media, which is crucial for drug delivery applications. An exception is the porous coordination network (PCN)-series (e.g., PCN-333 and PCN-332), a series of MOFs with outstanding stability in aqueous media at the pH range from 3 to 9. In this study, we fabricate PCN-333 nanoparticles (nPCN) and investigate their stability in different solvents, including water, ethanol, and methanol. Surprisingly, the experimental characterizations in terms of X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that nPCN is not as stable in water as previously reported. Specifically, the crystalline structure of nPCN lost its typical octahedral shape and even decomposed into an irregular amorphous form when exposed to water for only 2 h, but not when ethanol and methanol were used. Meanwhile, the porosity of nPCN substantially diminished while being exposed to water, as demonstrated by the BET measurement. With the assistance of computational simulations, the mechanism behind the collapse of PCN-333 is illuminated. By molecular dynamics simulation and umbrella sampling, we elucidate that the degradation of PCN-333 occurs by hydrolysis, wherein polar solvent molecules initiate the attack and subsequent breakage of the metal-ligand reversible coordination bonds.

A novel merocyanine photoacid for visible light-controlled pH modulation

Merocyanine-based photoacids generate high proton concentrations under visible light irradiation. In the past decade, it has been established that these photoacids offer significant advantages over photoacid generators (PAGs) and hydroxyaryl photoacids, enabling better spatiotemporal control of proton transfer reactions in bulk media. In this study, we modified the core structure of the first generation of meroyanine photoacids. We developed a novel photoacid with color tuning capabilities and high solubility in polar organic solvents. Specifically, by incorporating a cationic benzoindolium moiety as an acceptor, we have altered the photoacid’s light absorption properties. Unlike the first generation of indolium-based merocyanine photoacids, this photoacid can now be activated with green light (λmax = 525 nm) as well as blue (λmax = 450 nm) and ultraviolet (λmax = 365 nm) lights. Furthermore, the novel photoacid exhibits high photo stability, photo-acidity (Π = 3.28 ± 0.08) and moderate reverse reaction rate (k = 1.08 × 10−3 ± 0.00017 s−1) in solution. We envision that with improved color tuning capabilities, this class of photoacids will be a more versatile tool for controlling proton-induced reactions in different systems, including biological reactions.

Electroformation of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles from Damp Films in Conditions Involving High Cholesterol Contents, Charged Lipids, and Saline Solutions.

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are frequently used as membrane models in studies of membrane properties. They are most often produced using the electroformation method. However, there are a number of parameters that can influence the success of the procedure. Some of the most common conditions that have been shown to have a negative effect on GUV electroformation are the presence of high cholesterol (Chol) concentrations, the use of mixtures containing charged lipids, and the solutions with an elevated ionic strength. High Chol concentrations are problematic for the traditional electroformation protocol as it involves the formation of a dry lipid film by complete evaporation of the organic solvent from the lipid mixture. During drying, anhydrous Chol crystals form. They are not involved in the formation of the lipid bilayer, resulting in a lower Chol concentration in the vesicle bilayer compared to the original lipid mixture. Motivated primarily by the issue of artifactual Chol demixing, we have modified the electroformation protocol by incorporating the techniques of rapid solvent exchange (RSE), ultrasonication, plasma cleaning, and spin-coating for reproducible production of GUVs from damp lipid films. Aside from decreasing Chol demixing, we have shown that the method can also be used to produce GUVs from lipid mixtures with charged lipids and in ionic solutions used as internal solutions. A high yield of GUVs was obtained for Chol/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) samples with mixing ratios ranging from 0 to 2.5. We also succeeded in preparing GUVs from mixtures containing up to 60 mol% of the charged lipid 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (POPS) and in NaCl solutions with low ionic strength (<25 mM).

Study of the Feasibility of Extracting Babassu Seed Oil by Extraction in an Ultrasonic Bath Using Organic Solvents

Introduction: Orbignia speciosa or phalerata (babassu) is an oilseed plant of great economic importance. The structure of the babassu fruit is similar to that of a coconut, and is composed of four parts: epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and the seed, which contains approximately 60% oil, where lauric acid predominates in its composition, which is mainly responsible for the antiviral, antifungal and bactericidal activities of babassu oil. Babassu oil is a vegetable oil widely used in the food industry, and it also has wide application in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The objective of this work will be to use organic solvents in the extraction of oil from the babassu seed by the ultrasonic bath method with hexane, and with less toxic solvents such as ethyl acetate, isopropanol and ethanol. The kinetic curve of the extraction process will be determined to define the time required to reach saturation, establishing the time found as the ideal for the process. The fatty acid composition will be determined by gas chromatography. The antioxidant activity will be analyzed according to the adapted method of free radical capture by ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-VIS). This method is based on the capture of the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical by antioxidants, producing a decrease in absorbance. After the interpretation and correlation of the results, it will be possible to establish the factors that present the best performance for the extraction of babassu oil and its chemical properties and compare them with the oil obtained using hexane. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the extraction of babassu seed oil with different organic solvents in order to evaluate the possibility of replacing hexane with a less toxic alternative solvent using the ultrasound extraction method. Theoretical Framework: A large amount of waste is produced by the food and agricultural industries, such as pulp, skins, seeds and fruit peels, some of which are considered by-products with a certain economic value. Babassu seed oil is rich in lauric acid, which has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, among others. Method: The methodology used is experimental and applied in stages; the ideal oil extraction conditions were verified, the extraction was carried out using different organic solvents, the oil content obtained was quantified, the fatty acids were characterized, the antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH method and finally the results obtained were compared. Results and Discussion: The oils obtained from the babassu seed through extraction in an ultrasonic bath with different organic solvents proved to be a promising by-product due to the characteristics evaluated. Research Implications: The oils obtained through organic solvents presented similar characteristics to those obtained with hexane, thus enabling its replacement due to it being a more toxic solvent. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on vegetable oils extracted through green technologies with organic solvents, adding value to a by-product of a native fruit.

Ionising and ultraviolet radiation induce the secretion of melanin in Tetrahymena pyriformis

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ionising and ultraviolet radiation on stimulating melanin secretion in Tetrahymena pyriformis. Cell cultures were exposed to different doses of radiation for 48, 72 and 96 h. After incubation, melanin was extracted and analysed. Our results showed that melanin concentration increased with increasing irradiation dose and exposure duration. Melanin was insoluble in water and organic solvents but soluble in alkaline and acidic solutions. A linear correlation between the logarithm of melanin absorbance and wavelength ranging from 400 to 600 nm was observed. The HPLC chromatograms of melanin degradation products by the alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation method revealed the existence of four peaks. The natural melanin standard extracted from the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis was used as a reference compound of eumelanin markers. These markers were detected in control cells, irradiated cells and black human hair but with different intensities.

Aqueous-based assembly of plant-derived proteins yields a crosslinker-free biodegradable bioplastic consistent with green chemistry principles.

Plastics are an indispensable part of modern life. Due to the harmful environmental consequences of petroleum-based plastic usage, there is an urgent need to replace them with biodegradable bioplastics that meet the sustainability standards required for a low environmental footprint. Here, we use plant-derived proteins to produce bioplastics. Since most plant-derived proteins are not water-soluble, there has always been a need to use acidic or basic solutions or organic solvents with plasticizers and crosslinkers to produce bioplastic. Here, we present a counterintuitive approach for using water-insoluble plant-derived soy and pea proteins to manufacture large-scale bioplastics using only water as a solvent without common plasticizers or crosslinkers. We show that bioplastics can form via a self-assembly process initiated by a small molecular initiator while maintaining favourable mechanical properties. The lack of crosslinking and the protein nature of the bioplastic leads to a rapid biodegradation process under various conditions. Overall, the approach we present is highly attractive in terms of cost and time, and most importantly, it obeys all the relevant principles of green chemistry in bioplastics production.

In Silico Analysis of Vitamin D Interactions with Aging Proteins: Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Solvation Free Energy Studies

Aging is a natural process that is also influenced by some factors like the food someone eats, lifestyle decisions, and impacts on general health. Despite the recognized role of nutrition in modulating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying aging, there is a lack of comprehensive exploration into potential interventions that can effectively mitigate these effects. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-aging properties of vitamin D by examining its interactions with key molecular targets involved in aging-related pathways. By using molecular docking and dynamics techniques, we evaluate the interactions and stability of vitamins D2 and D3 with key proteins involved in aging pathways, such as SIRT1, mTOR, AMPK, Klotho, AhR, and MAPK. Our results reveal promising binding affinities between vitamin D and SIRT1 forms, with energy values of −48.33 kJ/mol and −45.94 kJ/mol for vitamins D2 and D3, respectively, in aqueous environments. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the vitamin D3–SIRT1 complex exhibited greater stability compared with the vitamin D2–SIRT1 complex. The study calculated the solvation free energy to compare the solubility of vitamins D2 and D3 in water and various organic solvents. Despite their strong interactions with water, both vitamins exhibited low solubility, primarily due to the high energy cost associated with cavity formation in the aqueous environment. Compared with other solvents, water demonstrated particularly low solubility for both vitamins. This suggested that vitamins D2 and D3 preferred binding to aging receptors over dissolving in bulk aqueous environments, supporting their strong therapeutic interactions with these receptors. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying vitamin D’s potential anti-aging effects and lay the groundwork for developing nutraceuticals targeting aging and associated diseases. Understanding these mechanisms holds promise for future interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging and enhancing overall well-being.

Exploring the Application of Advanced Chromatographic Methods to Characterize the Surface Physicochemical Properties and Transition Phenomena of Polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine)

The linear diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-P4VP) is an important copolymer recently used in many applications such as optoelectronics, sensors, catalysis, membranes, energy conversion, energy storage devices, photolithography, and biomedical applications. (1) Background: The surface thermodynamic properties of PS-P4VP copolymers are of great importance in many chemical and industrial processes. (2) Methods: The inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution was used for the experimental determination of the retention volumes of organic solvents adsorbed on copolymer surfaces as a function of temperature. This led to the variations in the free energy of interaction necessary to the evaluation of the London dispersive and polar acid–base surface energies, the polar enthalpy and entropy, the Lewis acid–base constants, and the transition temperatures of the PS-P4VP copolymer. (3) Results: The application of the thermal Hamieh model led to an accurate determination of the London dispersive surface energy of the copolymer that showed non-linear variations versus the temperature, highlighting the presence of two transition temperatures. It was observed that the Lewis acid–base parameters of the copolymer strongly depend on the temperature, and the Lewis base constant of the solid surface was shown to be higher than its acid constant. (4) Conclusions: An important effect of the temperature on the surface thermodynamic properties of PS-P4VP was proven and new surface correlations were determined.

Techno-Economic Analysis of a Carbon Molecular Sieve-Based Xylene Isomer Purification Process.

The separation and purification of xylene isomers is critical to the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These separations are complex to operate and demand tremendous amounts of energy and thus are an opportunity for reducing industrial energy consumption. Membranes provide a low-energy footprint technology with simpler operation, and recently, membrane materials have been developed that are capable of separating xylene isomers. While these materials have demonstrated the ability to separate xylenes, they have yet to be commercially deployed. This work conducts a techno-economic analysis (TEA) to provide insight on the commercial attractiveness of a p-xylene selective carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane from both a cost and energy standpoint. This TEA was conducted through the pairing of a Maxwell-Stefan transport framework for rigid microporous materials with process modeling. Single-stage organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO) and pervaporation processes were used to evaluate the effects of recovery, selectivity, and diffusivity on the energy intensity and cost of the xylene separation. The final analysis used two systems, a single pervaporation stage followed by two OSRO stages, which was compared against a three-stage OSRO cascade. These were benchmarked against the commercial Parex process. We estimate that the membrane processes have the potential to enable impressive cost savings compared to the Parex process. While both systems outperformed the Parex process in terms of cost, the pervaporation/OSRO hybrid process was able to achieve the lowest cost of all due to its reduced membrane surface area compared to standalone OSRO. These findings demonstrate the potential of membrane systems in the field of difficult small molecule solvent separations.

Novel Bis(4-aminophenoxy) Benzene-Based Aramid Copolymers with Enhanced Solution Processability.

Aramid copolymers have garnered significant interest due to their potential applications in extreme environments such as the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. Recent developments in aramid copolymers have moved beyond their traditional use in high-strength, high-temperature resistant fibers. There is now a demand for new polymers that can easily be processed into thin films for applications such as electrical insulation films and membranes, utilizing the inherent properties of aramid copolymers. In this work, we demonstrate two novel aramid copolymers that are capable of polymerizing in polar organic solvents with a high degree of polymerization, achieved by incorporating flexible bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzene moieties into the chain backbone. The synthesized MBAB-aramid and PBAB-aramid have enabled the fabrication of exceptionally thin, clear films, with an average molecular weight exceeding 150 kDa and a thickness ranging from 3 to 10 μm. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveal that the thin films of MBAB-aramid and PBAB-aramid exhibited glass transition temperatures of 270.1 °C and 292.7 °C, respectively, and thermal decomposition temperatures of 449.6 °C and 465.5 °C, respectively. The mechanical tensile analysis of the 5 μm thick films confirmed that the tensile strengths, with elongation at break, are 107.1 MPa (50.7%) for MBAB-aramid and 113.5 MPa (58.4%) for PBAB-aramid, respectively. The thermal and mechanical properties consistently differ between the two polymers, which is attributed to variations in the linearity of the polymer structures and the resulting differences in the density of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions. The resulting high-strength, ultra-thin aramid materials offer numerous potential applications in thin films, membranes, and functional coatings across various industries.

Eco-friendly solvents in liquid-liquid microextraction techniques for biological and environmental analysis: a critical review.

In recent years, green solvents have emerged as promising alternatives in the field of analytical chemistry, replacing conventional organic solvents known for their toxicity, volatility, and flammability. The combination of these solvents with liquid-liquid microextraction techniques has facilitated the development of simpler, faster, more economical, and environment-friendly methodologies for the analysis of samples of varying complexity. This review discusses the fundamental physicochemical properties and advantages of using deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, switchable-hydrophilicity solvents, supramolecular solvents, and surfactants as extractants. Furthermore, analytical methods based on liquid-liquid microextraction techniques developed in the last 5years for the determination of organic compounds and metals in biological and environmental samples are presented and discussed, highlighting their applications and benefits to improve analytical performance and sustainability.

Optimizing the aggregate structure and charge carrier transport performance of D‐A conjugated polymer films using nonpolar solvents

Optimizing the aggregate structure and charge carrier transport performance of D‐A conjugated polymer films using nonpolar solvents

A Versatile InF3 Substituted Argyrodite Sulfide Electrolyte Toward Ultrathin Films for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries

AbstractAll‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) incorporating sulfide solid electrolytes capture great attention due to their intrinsic safety features and high energy density. Nevertheless, the implementation of sulfide solid electrolytes faces significant challenges, including moisture sensitivity, narrow intrinsic electrochemical windows, and excessively thick solid electrolyte layers. Here, the substitution of In for P and F for Cl in argyrodite sulfide Li5.7PS4.7Cl1.3 is presented. With appropriate elemental substitutions, the Li symmetric cells exhibit a high critical current density value of 2.5 mA cm−2 and deliver prolonged plating/stripping over 1000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 25 °C. Further, the Li5.82P0.94In0.06S4.7Cl1.12F0.18 displays high chemical stability toward organic solvents, which is further demonstrated by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Using polyisobutylene as a binder, a uniform sulfide film (35 µm) is prepared by slurry casting and hot pressing process, delivering a high ionic conductivity of 1.4 mS cm−1 at 25 °C. Coupled with FeS2 and LiCoO2 cathode, the all‐solid‐state lithium metal cell exhibits a long cycling life and excellent rate performance. This study provides a design strategy and reveals the importance of high‐performance sulfide SEs in the scalable production of sulfide film.