Development of innovative polymer electrolytes that simultaneously possesses high mechanical stiffness as well as liquid-like ion motions is desirable for safer lithium-ion secondary batteries. Herein, bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) based cross-linked network polymer electrolytes (PE) plasticized by tetraglyme at various lithium salt concentrations were fabricated via solvent-free

In this study, calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) nanorod thin films are synthesized using the molten salt method and applied to photocathodes. SEM observation showed nanorod structure was constructed on Pt substrate by this method with lower temperature than conventional process. Moreover, photoelectrochemical results demonstrate that the synthesized CaFe2O4 nanorods exhibited higher photo response as compared

Anionic polymerization of methacrylate-functionalized ionic monomers, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (MTAC) and 3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate (MAPS), was performed using conventional alkyl lithium as an initiator in ionic liquid, leading to poly(MTAC) (PMTAC) and poly(MAPS) (PMAPS). During an anionic polymerization, ionic liquid acts as solvent

Cell membranes are fluidic, and the fluidic properties give the unique biological functions to the membranes. Here, we review the application of fluorescence lifetime correlation analyses to elucidate the leaflet-specific lipid diffusion in a model cell membrane supported on a glass surface. Utilization of fluorescence lifetime enables us to discriminate the signals from each leaflet of the lipid bilayer

The effects of addition of LiPF6 and various solvents to the electrolyte comprising lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) and sulfolane (SL) (LiFSI/SL) are investigated to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. A partial replacement of LiFSI in LiFSI/SL by LiPF6 does not considerably affect the cycle performance of LiCoO2/graphite cells. The addition of solvents with low dielectric constants

The surface structure of copper (Cu) electrodes is a key factor determining product selectivity during electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2ERR). We investigated the influence of the chemical etchant on the Cu surface morphology as well as the product selectivity by CO2ERR. The hydrocarbon selectivity in CO2ERR was strongly dependent on the chemical etchant. Moreover, the construction

The electronic properties of graphene-based electrode systems have been extensively studied for developing electronic devices and electrocatalysis. However, electronic structure under bias voltage has not been investigated in detail due to the difficulty of theoretically describing electrode systems. In this paper, we study a graphene-organic molecule complex under bias voltage using an original theoretical

The synthesis of unstable aryl difluorovinyl pinacolboronates was achieved by the dehydrofluorination of α-trifluoromethyl arylmethyl pinacolboronates with LDA. These aryl difluorovinyl pinacolboronates can be used for Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with various aryl halides under Pd-catalysis to furnish diaryl gem-difluorovinyl compounds.

The separation of oil-water mixture attracted widespread attention for increasing oil spillage or oil-polluted water. In this study, a novel and low-cost oil-water separation coating material composed of epoxy (EP) and modified sepiolite (SEP) by poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and sodium perfluorooctanoate (SPFO) was fabricated. The as-prepared coating showed excellent superhydroph

The protein stability of the Met16Leu pseudoazurin (PAz) variant was examined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and the protein stability was similar to that of WT, which has an S-π interaction in the second coordination sphere. The stability of Met16Leu PAz was remarkably higher than that of the aliphatic amino acid variants Met16Val and Met16Ile PAz. The CH-π interactions between

Healing ability extends the lifetime of polymers. Polymeric materials, which are healable under light irradiation, have attracted a lot of attention. Although optically healable polymers have been extensively investigated, mechanically robust yet optically healable polymers are rare. Two types of mechanically robust yet optically healable polymers are introduced in this Highlight Review: (1) healable

In this paper, activated carbon models with different pore size distribution (PSD) and oxidation degree were constructed, and the adsorption processes of benzene on models under 303.15K were analyzed by molecular simulation technology. The adsorption mechanisms including adsorption isotherms, energy changes, PSD changes after benzene adsorption, radial distribution functions (RDFs), and diffusion coefficients

Zinc cis-7,8-dihydroxy-pyrobacteriochlorophyll-a lacking the 7,8-dihydrogen atoms and 132-methoxycarbonyl group was prepared by chemical modification of naturally occurring chlorophyll-a as a model of bacteriochlorophyll-a essential to anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. This semi-synthetic bacteriochlorin model is readily available and chemically stable to give similar optical properties to those

A topologically chiral [2]catenane was synthesized and resolved by a diastereomer method. The [2]catenane consisted of a Cs symmetrical crown ether and a Cs symmetrical ammonium macrocycle was obtained as a racemic mixture. Introduction of a chiral auxiliary to the [2]catenane gave a diastereomeric mixture which was successfully resolved. Removal of the chiral auxiliary from both enantiomers of the

Intramolecular proton transfers in the cationic and anionic states of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives were investigated by using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and computational chemistry. The hyperfine structures observed in the ESR spectra for these states were analyzed. From a comparison between the experimental and computational results, it is considered that these states are not

Organoselenium compounds, Phenylseleno N-acetyl α-amino acid (PhSeCH2CONHCH2COOH and PhSeCH2CONHCH (CH2OH) COOH) synthesized in our laboratory have been covalently conjugated to Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) through amide linkage. These organoselenium conjugated MNPs showed good aqueous colloidal stability and magnetic field responsivity, thus can be targeted to site of interest by external magnetic

A new bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF)-based salt with an organic magnetic anion, PO-CONHCH(cyclopropyl)SO3−, has been prepared (PO = 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolin-1-oxyl free radical). The magnetic susceptibility obeys a combination of the Curie-Weiss (θ = +0.27 K) and Singlet-Triplet (J = 220 K) models, indicating that both the radical spins and holes on the BEDT-TTF layers are localized

WO3 nanosheets were synthesized by an acidification method and Cr was loaded on the surface of nanosheets via an impregnation procedure. The morphologies of pristine and Cr-loaded WO3 nanosheets were analyzed. Gas sensors based on pristine and Cr-loaded WO3 nanosheets were fabricated by the scree-printing technique and their sensing properties were also investigated. It was found that the catalytic

A strategy for easily constructing a sensor array that mimics the biological sensory mechanism, i.e., a so-called chemical tongue, based on a single material is reported. An array of aqueous solutions of a cationic block-copolymer modified with an environmentally responsive fluorophore can convert information from the pH-dependent polymer–protein interactions into patterns of fluorescence change. This

The synthesis of the first examples of cyano-substituted low-symmetry ball-shaped ruthenium complexes is reported. Systematic mixed condensation reactions of benzonitrile, terephthalonitrile, 1,3-diiminoisoindoline, and a ruthenium salt afforded ball-shaped complexes that contain zero to four cyano groups. The absorption spectra of these complexes revealed that the red to NIR band was blue-shifted

This highlight review describes the deoxygenative coupling of carbonyl compounds, starting with a brief historical presentation of stoichiometric reactions (McMurry coupling), then highlighting the efforts to develop catalytic reactions, and finally several examples of reactions without the use of transition metals. When available, intermolecular reactions and cross-coupling reactions of two different

A new synthetic method of alkyl sulfones through C–C bond formation between alkenes and tosylmethylphosphonium iodide is reported. A tosylmethyl radical is generated from the phosphonium iodide under irradiation of visible light with the aid of fac-Ir(ppy)3. It undergoes regioselective 1,2-addition across the carbon–carbon double bond to afford an elongated alkyl radical, which abstracts a hydrogen

In the past few decades, synthetic organic chemistry has been invigorated with the development of transition metal catalyzed directing group assisted regioselective C−H functionalization. Although this approach started its journey with ortho-C−H functionalization its steady advancement succeeds to give the feat in distal para-C−H activation. All the challenges to reach out distal para-C−H bond through

We propose a new direct anodic electrodeposition process for carbon coatings that is possible at room temperature in ionic liquid (IL) with phenylsilane derivatives, which include dimethylphenylsilane (DMPh-Si), methyldiphenylsilane (MDPh-Si), and triphenylsilane (TriPh-Si). Amongst them, MDPh-Si was found to most efficiently result in the electrodeposition of graphite carbon films even within the

A novel molecular gyrotop with a furan-2,5-diyl was synthesized. The furan-diyl rotor showed rotation inside the cage in a solution. However, no furan-rotor dynamics was observed in a crystalline state, while a corresponding thiophene-diyl derivative showed rotation in the same condition. The lack of dynamics in the furan derivative resulted from the deformed structure of the cage caused by the small

A donor–acceptor copolymer, poly[(2,5-bis(2-hexyldecyloxy)phenylene)-alt-(5,6-difluoro-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]-thiadiazole)] (PPDT2FBT), was used as a hole-transport layer (HTL) in mesoporous-type perovskite solar cells. To suppress carrier recombination, we introduced a passivation layer between the perovskite–HTL interface. As a result, the fill factor for the PPDT2FBT-based device was

The Li10GeP2S12-type solid electrolyte was obtained by a liquid-phase process. A small amount of solids (1–3 wt%) in MeOH solvent formed a homogeneous solution. Stirring for 2 h and subsequent drying provided an amorphous Li-Ge-P-S. Sintering of the powder at 550 °C for 8 h crystallized the Li10GeP2S12 providing a superionic conductivity of over 10−3 S cm−1. The further study of this liquid-phase synthesis

Site-specific positioning of photoelectric material (i.e., MoS2) on fabric weaves have emerged as an attractive topic due to their fascinating wearable properties. The MoS2, synthesized by hydrothermal process, was anchored on fabric weaves by post treatment or in-situ method. The resistance to water droplet spread out on MoS2 site positioning fabric weaves with regard to external compression were

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been extensively studied as separation membranes due to the high permeability of gases and organic solvents. Here we report about 60-nm-thick PDMS membranes prepared by interfacial crosslinking of PDMS solution using N2-plasma. It was found that the presence of hydrocarbon in PDMS accelerates the crosslinking reaction, giving mechanically tough ultrathin membranes with

The transferability of the sigma enlarging bridge (SEB) function from Lennard-Jones (LJ) monatomic solute to LJ diatomic one is studied under the utilization of the solvent-solvent correlation function that is obtained using the MD simulation. For the two-dimensional Ornstein-Zernike theory, we have confirmed its transferability. For the reference interaction site model theory, on the other hand, we

Millimeter-sized polystyrene particles coated with a hydrophobic polypyrrole overlayer were successfully synthesized by aqueous chemical oxidative seeded polymerization. The dried particles could efficiently adsorb to air-water interface and worked as an effective liquid marble stabilizer visible to the naked eye. The shape of the liquid marbles could be controlled by application of external mechanical

The adsorption capacity of SiO2 aerogel has been greatly improved with the cross-linking of graphene and composition of PTFE fabric via sol-gel method and CO2 supercritical drying technique. The effects of MTMS/GO molar ratios are investigated, it can be obtained that the GO/SiO2 aerogel has a large specific surface area of 551m2/g and high pore volume of 2.2 cm3/g. Meanwhile, as an excellent adsorbent

A hydrido(dihydrosilyl) platinum(II) complex having PMe3 ligands, [cis-PtH(SiH2Trip)(PMe3)2] (2) (Trip = 9-triptycyl) was prepared by the ligand-exchange reaction of [PtH(SiH2Trip)(PMe3)(PPh3)] (1) with an excess amount of free PMe3 in hexane. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2 revealed that the platinum center adopts a twisted square-planar geometry; the dihedral angle between the P–Pt–P and Si–Pt–H

Dual-functional Janus nanosheets were prepared by growing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hydroxymethyl-acrylamide) chains on one face of individual negatively-charged nanosheets derived from K4Nb6O17·3H2O via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. They exhibited aggregation behavior in water upon heating based on the thermo-responsiveness of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-hy

We report the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) covered with a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-7). The hybrid materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy, showing that Pt NPs were homogeneously distributed in ZIF-7 crystals without an obvious change in the NP size.

We found dramatically increased binding between cyclodextrins (CDs) and alpha-mangostin (MGS) when CDs were incorporated into nanoparticles with polymerized epichlorohydrin. In this study, based on the 1:1 association model of MGS/CD, the binding constant was evaluated. Surprisingly, the binding constant was increased by almost 100 times and reached the same level of ligand–receptor interactions as

Nanoporous materials with anionic pentacoordinate organosilicon frameworks were prepared using organoalkoxysilanes, tris-catechol linkers (2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene, HHTP), and primary diamines as a cation source. The products have both microporous and mesoporous frameworks with some crystallinity. Design of novel catalysts, adsorbents, and ion-exchangers based on the charged frameworks

Atomic configuration of La2-xSrxNiO4+δ (x = 1/4) with a layered perovskite structure was investigated by a molecular dynamics simulation and a reverse Monte Carlo modelling using a Faber-Ziman structure factor in addition to a Bragg profile. It is confirmed that the Sr-substituted material conducts interstitial oxide ions through the rock-salt layer as in the case of La2NiO4+δ, and thus it is supposed

We report a facile approach for preparing hollow mesoporous silica nanoplates using layered double hydroxide (LDH). MgAl-LDH nanoplates with well-defined hexagonal morphology are synthesized with a basic amino acid (arginine) via a fast coprecipitation followed by controlled hydrothermal treatment. Such LDH nanoplates are used as a hard template to prepare novel hollow mesoporous silica nanoplates

Using two types of liquid membranes having Na+- and Cl−-permselectivities, novel power generation devices were composed. Electric power was generated based on salinity gradient energy conversion. Since the electric resistance of the dilute solution of NaCl was reduced by the addition of NaCl, the power generation capability of the electrical generator was improved compared with that in the absent of

Herein, we report the synthesis of various 9-hydroxytriptycenes bearing a functionalized substituent at the C-10 position through a one-pot triple cycloaddition reaction of ynolates with arynes, followed by their functional transformation. Ynolates bearing a functionalized substituent were generated through a double deprotonation method utilizing various readily available sterically hindered esters

Intracellular delivery of biomacromolecules offers opportunities for molecular and materials design, based on an understanding of their chemical properties and their modes of cellular responses. Peptides are advantageous as a delivery tool because of their ease in functional design and synthesis. This review highlights our approaches for the intracellular delivery of biomacromolecules using peptides

A superhydrophobic paper with excellent robustness was prepared by roll coating with micro/nano SiO2 modified by γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane as pigments and epoxy resin as adhesives. The coated surfaces exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity, anti-fouling and self-cleaning performances. Furthermore the mechanical wear-resisting of the superhydrophobic

Substrate scope of the thiolate-mediated reductive cyclization of keto-enones was studied, revealing the applicability and novel mechanistic insights.

1-D cobalt(II) complex of type [Co(pyterpy)(NO3)2] (1) (pyterpy = 4′-(4′′′-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′2′′-terpyridine) has been synthesized and discussed its crystal structure and magnetic property. 1 shows magnetic anomaly caused by a structural change that reduces the distortion and alters the orbital angular momentum crossover to magnetic susceptibility. 1 also exhibits SMM behavior with derivation from large

For high sensitive analysis for anionic lipid membrane, we developed membrane surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy with different sized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The employed AuNPs did not disturb and retained native lipid membrane properties such as fluidity and polarity, and enhanced Raman signals of anionic lipid membrane. Furthermore, enhanced part of lipid membrane was modulated by different

A 2p-3d heterospin macrocyclic adduct from 5-t-butyl-1,3-phenylene bis(t-butyl nitroxide) and nickel(II) 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionate with a molar ratio of 2/2 was practically diamagnetic below room temperature. Notably strong antiferromagnetic coupling is assigned to the 3d-2p exchange couplings through the severe torsion with the Ni-O-N-C(sp2) angles of 80.1(4)-89.8(3)°, being totally

Two-wavelength-selective near-infrared responses of thermosensitive hydrogels consisting of acrylic acid/N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) copolymers coordinated with rare-earth ions Nd3+ and Yb3+ were demonstrated. The transparency of the gels coordinated independently with Nd3+ and Yb3+ was reversibly changed by on/off switching of 808-and 980-nm light irradiation, respectively, because of the phase

The effectiveness of a catalytic amount of bromide ions for significantly accelerating the palladium-catalyzed allylation of carbonyl compounds with allylic carbonates is reported. In particular, the utilization of an ammonium–phosphine hybrid ligand bearing a bromide ion is uniquely effective for promoting allylation under mild, base-free conditions, thus obviating the need to use polar solvents and

Supramolecular extraction refers to an application of supramolecular chemistry, in particular host-guest chemistry, toward extraction. It has led to new approaches, inter alia, in so-called solvent extraction that is of great importance for separation science and technology. The past two decades or so have witnessed a rapid and spectacular development of this field and seen the implementation of many

We developed the regioselective anti-carbometalation of alkynyl sulfides via the use of InBr3 and organosilicon nucleophiles to give β-mercaptoalkenylindium compounds. The structure of β-mercaptoalkenylindium was characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis. A variety of disubstituted alkenyl sulfides were regio- and stereoselectively obtained by either halogenation or Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling

A chiral tetra-armed cyclen having four biphenyl groups, (S)-2 and (R)-2, were prepared. The Ag+-induced 1H NMR and CD spectral changes of the new ligands showed that the conformation of the four biphenyl groups is controlled and the side-arms cover the Ag+ incorporated in the cyclen ring. Besides, drastic enhancements of CD intensities at a longer wavelength were observed. The exciton coupling of

Electrochemical reduction of samarium triiodide (SmI3) into samarium diiodide (SmI2) is investigated as a model reaction to reuse samarium compounds in catalytic ammonia production under ambient reaction conditions. Potentiostatic electrolysis of SmI3 with carbon electrode as a cathode in the presence of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion based ionic liquids as electrolytes in tetrahydrofuran

Platinum-catalyzed reactions of layered polysilane (Si6H6)n with arylacetylenes provided arylethenyl-substituted polysilanes. The polymers exhibited σ-π conjugation between the arylethenyl units and a catenated polysilane backbone, which was confirmed by UV-vis and PL spectral analysis. Photo-energy transfer from the arylethenyl substituents to the polysilane backbone and photocurrent generation observed

This review highlights the latest research on protein-based smart microtubes (MTs) and nanotubes (NTs) as ultrasmall biomaterials that are designed for use in biochemical and biomedical applications. These practical cylinders were prepared using an alternate layer-by-layer assembly of proteins (including enzymes and antibodies) and oppositely charged poly(amino acids) into a track-etched micro/nanoporous

YH2 (111) epitaxial thin films with two and four rotational crystal domains were directly grown both on CaF2 (111) and (001) substrates, respectively, at various growth temperature by reactive magnetron sputtering. The low growth temperature and the small number of crystal domains led to low resistivity in YH2 (111) epitaxial thin films, probably attributed to less hydrogen deficiency in the films

Highly efficient and stable blue-green thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules with trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups were developed. Partial modification with CF3 groups at the appropriate position of the donor moiety improved the luminescence efficiency and excited state stability. OLEDs using modified emitters showed improved EQE and operational lifetime compared with unmodified one

Hydrogen boride sheets (HB sheets) were efficiently synthesized through wet chemical exfoliation of bulk MgB2. High production yield of HB sheets over 50% was achieved in 2 h reaction time by the addition of formic acid into the organic media with the presence of proton-exchange resin. Synthesized HB sheets exhibited two dimensional nanostructure with sp2-like bonds.

Seebeck coefficient of a thermocell consisting of [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− undergoes salient change from −1.43 to +3.5 mV K−1 by the addition of dodecyl tetramethylammonium bromide (DTAB) micelles. This is originated from the unexpected binding affinity of [Fe(CN)6]3− to DTAB micelles as compared to that of [Fe(CN)6]4−, which was confirmed by spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements. This result provides

Transition-metal-catalyzed C–H functionalizations have been extensively studied as atom- and step-economical methods in organic synthesis. Oxidative C–H functionalization is one of the most extensively studied reactions in this area, but it is often necessary to deactivate the remaining oxidants and to remove the wastes derived from chemical oxidants. During the past few years, a combination of tr