Cu-based S-scheme photocatalysts

S-scheme heterojunctions have become a hot topic in photocatalysis. Copper (Cu) compounds are a versatile family of photocatalytic materials, including oxides (CuO, Cu2O), binary oxides (CuBi2O4, CuFe2O4), sulfides (CuxS, (1 ≤ x ≤ 2)), selenides (CuSe), phosphides (Cu3P), metal organic frameworks (MOFs), etc. These materials are characterized by narrow bandgaps, large absorption coefficients, and suitable band positions. To further increase the efficiency of photoinduced charge separation, Cu-based photocatalytic materials are widely integrated into S-scheme heterojunctions and exploited for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), CO2 reduction, H2O2 generation, N2 fixation, and pollutant degradation. This review comprehensively discusses recent progress in Cu-based S-scheme heterojunctions, and highlights their considerable potential for targeted applications in sustainable energy conversion, environmental remediation, and beyond. The fundamentals of S-scheme charge transfer, the design principles and verification tools are summarized. Then, the review describes the Cu-based photocatalytic materials, categorized according to their chemical composition, and their integration in S-scheme heterojunctions for photocatalytic applications. In particular, the implications of the S-scheme charge transfer mechanism on promoting the catalytic activity of selected systems are analyzed. Finally, current limitations and outlooks are provided to motivate future studies on developing novel and advanced Cu-based S-scheme photocatalysts with high performance and studying the underlying photocatalytic mechanisms.

Preparation of gold nanoparticles decorated UiO-66-NH2 incorporated epichlorohydrin and cyclodextrin as novel efficient catalyst in cross coupling and carbonylative reactions

This study presents a new, highly effective, and reusable catalyst: UiO-66-NH2@Epichlorohydrin@Cyclodextrin@Au-NPs. This innovative catalyst starts with the Zr-based UiO-66 material, which is functionalized with amino groups (-NH2). We enhanced its surface compatibility by modifying it with epichlorohydrin and cyclodextrin via a post-synthesis modification method. Gold nanoparticles were then stabilized on this modified composite, resulting in the UiO-66-NH2@Epichlorohydrin@Cyclodextrin@Au-NPs complex. We used this catalyst for C-C coupling and Carbonylative Sonogashira reactions in mild conditions. Its effectiveness was underscored by various analytical techniques, including XRD, EDS, SEM, FT-IR, TEM, BET, ICP, TGA, and elemental mapping. The catalyst exhibited exceptional performance in Sonogashira, Heck, Suzuki coupling, and Carbonylative reactions, achieving good to excellent yields. It proved to be highly recyclable, maintaining its catalytic activity for up to nine cycles with minimal loss.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Multifunctional Platforms for Environmental Sustainability

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as versatile materials bridging inorganic and organic chemistry to address critical environmental challenges. Composed of metal nodes and organic linkers, these crystalline structures offer unique properties such as high surface area, tunable pore sizes, and structural diversity. Recent advancements in MOFs synthesis, particularly innovative approaches like mechanochemical, microwave-assisted, and ultrasonic synthesis, have significantly enhanced sustainability by utilizing non-toxic solvents, renewable feedstocks, and energy-efficient processes, offering promising solutions to reduce environmental impact. This review highlights these novel methods and their contributions to improving MOFs functionality for applications in environmental remediation, gas capture, and energy storage. We examine the potential of MOFs in catalysis for pollutant degradation, water purification, and hazardous waste removal, as well as their role in next-generation energy storage technologies, such as supercapacitors, batteries, and hydrogen production. Furthermore, we address challenges including scalability, stability, and long-term performance, underscoring the need for continued innovation in synthesis techniques to enable large-scale MOFs applications. Overall, MOFs hold transformative potential as multifunctional materials, and advancements in synthesis and sustainability are critical for their successful integration into practical environmental and energy solutions.

Applications of covalent organic frameworks (COFs)-based sensors for food safety: Synthetic strategies, characteristics and current state-of-art

Food safety is a pressing global public issue that has garnered significant attention worldwide, especially recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The use of emerging porous materials enables the development of effective and durable detection methods for the detection of food contaminants. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a class of emerging porous crystalline materials, rendered with the advantage of large specific surface area, highly controllable and ordered structures, diverse pore structures, high stability, and controllable surface functionalization. Especially in the development of sensors, COFs exhibit versatile roles as signal amplifiers, molecular recognizers, molecular transfer mediators, carriers, catalysts, and reporters, making them highly valuable in various applications. In the context of food safety, COFs-based sensing platforms have shown great potential. This review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of COFs-based sensors by discussing recent advancements in this field. It begins with a systemic introduction of the synthetic strategies of COFs and the pros and cons, followed by the distinctive characteristics of COFs and their diverse functional roles in sensing strategies, emphasizing their importance in analysing food safety risks. Then the review further presented a comprehensive summary of the applications of COFs in sensing, specifically highlighting significant breakthroughs in the detection of various food contaminants like foodborne pathogens, mycotoxins, pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, etc. Additionally, the review addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with COFs-based sensors in the detection of food safety issues. The aim of the review was to contribute to the ongoing development and advancement of COFs for ensuring food safety.

Ionic porous materials: from synthetic strategies to applications in gas separation and catalysis

Ionic porous materials possess a unique combination of tunable pore sizes and task-specific interactions between guest molecules and the charged frameworks, which endow them with versatility across diverse domains in chemistry and materials science. Significant advancements in their applications for gas separation and catalysis have been achieved in recent years due to the incorporation of ionic functionalities and ultra-microporous structures that enable molecular-scale recognition of guest molecules. This review summarizes recent advancements in the synthetic strategies of ionic porous materials, establishing design guidelines for the incorporation of ionic moieties into the backbone to fine-tune pore sizes and chemistry. It highlights the synergistic interplay of task-specific interactions with custom-designed pore structures in key applications, including adsorption separation, membrane separation, and gas conversion. Additionally, it examines structure-property relationships, offering deeper insights into enhancing performance. The report also addresses the current challenges in the practical application of these materials. Finally, the review provides future perspectives on ionic porous materials from both scientific and industrial viewpoints. Overall, this review aims to provide insights into pore structure and chemistry, supporting the precise placement of ionic functionalities.

Enhancing Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Photoactivation with a Stable Perylene Diimide Metal-Organic Framework

Electron donor-acceptor complexes are commonly employed to facilitate photoinduced radical-mediated organic reactions. However, achieving these photochemical processes with catalytic amounts of donors or acceptors can be challenging, especially when aiming to reduce catalyst loadings. Herein, we have unveiled a framework-based heterogenization approach that significantly enhances the photoredox activity of perylene diimide species in radical addition reactions with alkyl silicates by promoting faster and more efficient electron donor-acceptor complex formation. Besides offering broad substrate scope in alkene hydroalkylation, the newly developed heterogeneous photocatalysis substantially improves the catalyst turnover numbers in comparison to previous homogeneous photocatalytic systems and demonstrates outstanding catalyst recyclability. These research findings pave the way for the advancement of various efficient and practical organic transformations using framework-supported organocatalysts.

Lead free perovskite integrated metal organic framework as heterogeneous catalyst for efficient three component click reaction

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a novel CsCu2I3@UiO-66(Ce)-NH2 hybrid material through the state-of-the-art in-situ growth of the lead-free and non-toxic CsCu2I3 perovskite within the porous UiO-66(Ce)-NH2. The composite exhibits a high surface area with the CsCu2I3 nanostructures uniformly dispersed within the UiO-66(Ce)-NH2 framework. The host-guest CsCu2I3@UiO-66(Ce)-NH2 was considered as an effective and stable catalyst for the one-pot three-component copper(I)-catalyzed intermolecular alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) or click reaction. Under optimized conditions, utilizing water at room temperature, the nominal catalyst exhibited superior activity, outperforming its individual components. Remarkably, the CsCu2I3@UiO-66(Ce)-NH2 catalyst demonstrated good recyclability and reusability over several catalytic runs. Mechanistic studies unveiled a synergistic cooperation between the CsCu2I3 and MOF, leading to the enhanced catalytic performance and improved stability of the perovskite. The developed multifunctional porous solid offers potential applications in catalysis and related fields, paving the way for innovative and sustainable organic synthesis and beyond.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of Two 3D Difunctional Electrocatalytic Hybrid Vanadate-Containing Metal-Organic Motifs

Two novel 3D inorganic-organic hybrids based on [V6O18]6-/[V3O9]3- clusters, [Cu18(bbpy)18(V6O18)6]·3H2O (1) and [Cu4Ag4(pty)4(V3O9)4]·H2O (2) (bbpy = 3,5-bis(1-benzimidazole) pyridine, pty = 4'-(4″-pyridyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine), were isolated in the same POV/Cu/N-heterocycle ligand reaction systems. Hybrids 1 and 2 possess novel three-dimensional bimetallic frameworks derived from [V6O18]6-/[V3O9]3- clusters and Cu-organic complexes. In 1, bbpy ligands are grafted by Cu2+ to a grid ribbon 2D sheet, which are connected with benzene-like [V6O18]6- to yield a 3D framework. In 2, helical {O-V-O-V-}n chains are bridged by Cu(II) ions into a 2D layer including eight-membered rings {V6Cu2} and six-membered rings {V4Cu2}, and the adjoining sheets are joined by Ag-N coordination bonds to form a framework structure. Moreover, hybrid 1 has superior electrocatalytic properties for nitrite reduction and oxidation of ascorbic acid with electrocatalytic efficiencies of 397.2 and 96%, respectively. Hybrid 2 displays coordinated electrocatalytic performance toward oxidation reaction through V and Cu centers. Meanwhile, the corresponding theoretical studies were conducted to evaluate electrocatalytic active sites and charge distribution.

Boosting the Performance of Iridium Single Atom Catalyst in a Porous Organic Polymer for Glycerol Conversion to Lactic Acid

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) inherit the merit of both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems with atomically dispersed mononuclear metal centers on the solid supports. Herein, we developed an Ir-SAC catalyst via the polymerization of an active homogeneous 2-picolinylhydrazone ligand-based iridium (Ir) metal complex. Such catalysts provide great stabilization against migration and agglomeration due to the strong covalent C-C bond linkage of active complexes and the polymer matrix. This Ir-SAC catalyst shows excellent selectivity towards glycerol to lactic acid conversion with a remarkable recyclability to offer an unprecedentedly high TON of over 104 million under optimized conditions.

Nanomaterials evoke pyroptosis boosting cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy is currently a very promising therapeutic strategy for treating tumors. However, its effectiveness is restricted by insufficient antigenicity and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME). Pyroptosis, a unique form of programmed cell death (PCD), causes cells to swell and rupture, releasing pro-inflammatory factors that can enhance immunogenicity and remodel the ITME. Nanomaterials, with their distinct advantages and different techniques, are increasingly popular, and nanomaterial-based delivery systems demonstrate significant potential to potentiate, enable, and augment pyroptosis. This review summarizes and discusses the emerging field of nanomaterials-induced pyroptosis, focusing on the mechanisms of nanomaterials-induced pyroptosis pathways and strategies to activate or enhance specific pyroptosis. Additionally, we provide perspectives on the development of this field, aiming to accelerate its further clinical transition.

Advancements in framework materials for enhanced energy harvesting

Energy harvesting, the process of capturing ambient energy from various sources and converting it into usable electrical power, has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential to provide long-term and self-sufficient energy solutions. This comprehensive review thoroughly explores the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for energy harvesting by piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (PENGs and TENGs). It begins by classifying and outlining the structural diversity of MOFs and COFs, which is key to understanding their importance in energy applications. Key characterization techniques are focused on emphasizing their importance in optimizing material properties for efficient energy conversion. The working mechanisms of PENGs and TENGs are discussed, focusing on their ability to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy and their advantages in operation. The use of MOFs and COFs in energy harvesting applications is then discussed, including synthesis procedures, unique characteristics relevant to electricity conversion, and various practical applications such as self-powered sensors and wearable electronics. Current challenges such as stability, scalability, and performance improvements are explored, as well as proposed future improvements to help advance current research. Finally, the study highlights the importance of framework materials for the development of energy harvesting systems, providing an invaluable resource for academics and engineers seeking to exploit the potential of these materials for renewable energy sources. The goal of this article is to stimulate further invention and implementation of efficient materials-based energy harvesting framework devices by integrating recent advances and mapping future possibilities.

Improving Active Site Local Proton Transfer in Porous Organic Polymers for Boosted Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Improving proton transfer is vital for electrocatalysis with porous materials. Although several strategies are reported to assist proton transfer in channels, few studies are dedicated to improving proton transfer at the local environments of active sites in porous materials. Herein, we report on new Co-corrole-based porous organic polymers (POPs) with improved proton transfer for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By tuning the pore sizes and installing proton relays at Co corrole sites, we designed and synthesized POP-2-OH with improved proton transfer both in channels and at local Co active sites. This POP shows remarkable activity for both electrocatalytic ORR with E1/2=0.91 V vs RHE and OER with η10=255 mV. Therefore, this work is significant to present a strategy to improve active site local proton transfer in porous materials and highlight the key role of such structural functionalization in boosting oxygen electrocatalysis.

Incorporation of enzyme-mimic species in porous materials for the construction of porous biomimetic catalysts

The unique catalytic properties of natural enzymes have inspired chemists to develop biomimetic catalyst platforms for the intention of retaining the unique functions and solving the application limitations of enzymes, such as high costs, instability and unrecyclable ability. Porous materials possess unique advantages for the construction of biomimetic catalysts, such as high surface areas, thermal stability, permanent porosity and tunability. These characteristics make them ideal porous matrices for the construction of biomimetic catalysts by immobilizing enzyme-mimic active sites inside porous materials. The developed porous biomimetic catalysts demonstrate high activity, selectivity and stability. In this feature article, we categorize and discuss the recently developed strategies for introducing enzyme-mimic active species inside porous materials, which are based on the type of employed porous materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), molecular sieves, porous metal silicate (PMS) materials and porous carbon materials. The advantages and limitations of these porous materials-based biomimetic catalysts are discussed, and the challenges and future directions in this field are also highlighted.

Construction of Covalent Triazine Frameworks with Electronic Donor-Acceptor System for Efficient Photocatalytic C-H Hydroxylation of Imidazole[1,2-α]Pyridine Derivatives

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are promising heterogeneous photocatalyst candidates owing to their excellent stability, conjugacy, and tunability. In this study, a series of CTFs decorated with different substituents (H, MeO, and F) were synthesised and utilised as photocatalysts for C-H activation reactions. The corresponding optoelectronic properties could be precisely regulated by the electronic effects of different substituents in the nanopore channels of the CTFs; these CTFs were effective photocatalysts for C-H activation in organic synthesis due to their unique structures and optoelectronic properties. Methoxy-substituted CTF (MeO-CTF) exhibited extraordinary catalytic performance and reusability in C-H functionalization by constructing an electronic donor-acceptor system, achieving the highest yield in the photocatalytic C3-H hydroxylation of 2-phenylimidazole[1,2-α]pyridine. This strategy provides a new scaffold for the rational design of CTFs as efficient photocatalysts for organic synthesis.

Nitrogen-Site Engineering in Covalent Organic Frameworks for H2O2 Photogeneration via Dual Channels of Indirect Two-Electron O2 Reduction

Photocatalytic H2O2 production is a green and sustainable route, but far from meeting the increasing demands of industrialization due to the rapid recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers and the sluggish reaction kinetics. Effective strategies for precisely regulating the photogenerated carrier behavior and catalytic activity to construct high-performance photocatalysts are urgently needed. Herein, a nitrogen-site engineering strategy, implying elaborately tuning the species and densities of nitrogen atoms, is applied for H2O2 photogeneration performance regulation. Different nitrogen heterocycles, such as pyridine, pyrimidine, and triazine units, are polymerized with trithiophene units, and five covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with distinct nitrogen species and densities on the skeletons are obtained. Fascinatingly, they photocatalyzed H2O2 production via dominated two-electron O2 reduction processes, including O2-O2 •‒-H2O2 and O2-O2 •‒-O2 1-H2O2 dual pathways. Just in the air and pure water, the multicomponent TTA-TF-COF with the maximum nitrogen densities triazine nitrogen densities exhibited the highest H2O2 production rate of 3343 µmol g-1 h-1, higher than most of other reported COFs. The theoretical calculation revealed the higher activity is due to the easy formation of O2 •‒ and O2 1 in different catalytic process. This study gives a new insight into designing photocatalysis at atomic level.

Probing Defects in Covalent Organic Frameworks

Defects in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) play a pivotal role in determining their properties and performance, significantly influencing interactions with adsorbates, guest molecules, and substrates as well as affecting charge carrier dynamics and light absorption characteristics. The present review focuses on the diverse array of techniques employed for characterizing and quantifying defects in COFs, addressing a critical need in the field of materials science. As will be discussed in this review, there are basically two types of defects referring either to missing organic moieties leaving free binding groups in the material or structural imperfections resulting in lower crystallinity, grain boundary defects, and incomplete stacking. The review summarizes an in-depth analysis of state-of-the-art characterization techniques, elucidating their specific strengths and limitations for each defect type. Key techniques examined in this review include powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning tunneling microscope (STM), high resolution transmission electron microcoe (HRTEM), gas adsorption, acid-base titration, advanced electron microscopy methods, and computational calculations. We critically assess the capability of each technique to provide qualitative and quantitative information about COF defects, offering insights into their complementary nature and potential for synergistic use. The last section summarizes the main concepts of the review and provides perspectives for future development to overcome the existing challenges.

Two-dimensional nanomaterials based on rare earth elements for biomedical applications

As a kind of star materials, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention for their unique structures, excellent performance and wide applications. In recent years, layered rare earth-based or doped nanomaterials have become a new important member of the 2D nanomaterial family and have attracted significant interest, especially layered rare earth hydroxides (LREHs) and layered rare earth-doped perovskites with anion-exchangeability and exfoliative properties. In this review, we systematically summarize the synthesis, exfoliation, fabrication and biomedical applications of 2D rare earth nanomaterials. Upon exfoliation, the LREHs and layered rare earth-doped perovskites can be dimensionally reduced to ultrathin nanosheets which feature high anisotropy and flexibility. Subsequent fabrication, especially superlattice assembly, enables rare earth nanomaterials with diverse compositions and structures, which further optimizes or even creates new properties and thus expands the application fields. The latest progress in biomedical applications of the 2D rare earth-based or doped nanomaterials and composites is also reviewed in detail, especially drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, at the end of this review, we provide an outlook on the opportunities and challenges of the 2D rare earth-based or doped nanomaterials. We believe this review will promote increasing interest in 2D rare earth materials and provide more insight into the artificial design of other nanomaterials based on rare earth elements for functional applications.

Cu(I)-Glutathione Assembly Supported on ZIF-8 as Robust and Efficient Catalyst for Mild CO2 Conversions

The Cu-glutathione (GSH) redox system, essential in biology, is designed here as a supramacromolecular assembly in which the tetrahedral 18e Cu(I) center loses a thiol ligand upon adsorption onto ZIF-8, as shown by EXAFS and DFT calculation, to generate a very robust 16e planar trigonal single-atom Cu(I) catalyst. Synergy between Cu(I) and ZIF-8, revealed by catalytic experiments and DFT calculation, affords CO2 conversion into high-value-added chemicals with a wide scope of substrates by reaction with terminal alkynes or propargyl amines in excellent yields under mild conditions and reuse at least 10 times without significant decrease in catalytic efficiency.

Imprinted membrane-covalent organic framework platform for efficient label-free visual detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium in food samples

BACKGROUND

Rapid and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens in food plays a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of foodborne diseases, of which Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium are representative and notable pathogens. Thus, it's of great importance to achieve the effective detection of these pathogens. However, the most common detection methods (culture-based technique, Polymerase Chain Reaction and immunological methods) have disadvantages that cannot be ignored, such as time-consuming, laborious, complex sample preparation process, and the possibility of cross-reaction. Hence, it is essential to develop a facile detection method for the pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages.

RESULTS

We report a label-free visual platform for the simultaneous capture and detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium. For the first time, we have prepared polydimethylsiloxane-Chromotrope 2R membrane which serves as the substrate for bacterial capture and enrichment through the formation of specific recognition sites. The positively charged Pt-covalent organic framework combines with the pathogens through surface charge interaction, thereby the label-free sandwich platform is formed. Remarkable peroxidase activity of Pt-covalent organic framework converts the conversion of bacterial quantity into amplified color signal by catalyzing 3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine to oxidized 3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine. The platform demonstrates the capability to identify two representative food-borne pathogens within a time frame of 100 min, exhibiting high sensitivity and excellent specificity without the interference from non-target bacteria. The limit of detection of the visual platform toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 1.61 CFU mL-1 and 1.31 CFU mL-1, respectively. And the limit of quantification toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 4.94 CFU mL-1 and 2.47 CFU mL-1, respectively. The relative standard derivations of the visual platform for both bacteria were lower than 4.9 %. Furthermore, our proposed platform has obtained reliable and satisfactory results on analyzing diverse food samples.

SIGNIFICANCE

This research expands the application of a label-free platform combined with unlabeled nanocomponents in the rapid isolation and detection of diverse of food-borne pathogens. The platform possesses the advantages of simple operation and real-time monitoring, without complicated sample pretreatment process. The whole detection process can realize the simultaneous monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium within 100 min. Furthermore, it is also of reference significance for the detection of other common pathogens.

Halogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks (XOFs) Based on N⋅⋅⋅Br+⋅⋅⋅N Bonds: Robust Organic Networks Constructed by Fragile Bonds

Organic frameworks face a trade-off between the framework stability and the bond dynamics, which necessitates the development of innovative linkages that can generate stable frameworks without hindering efficient synthesis. Although iodine(I)-based halogen-bonded organic frameworks (XOFs) have been developed, constructing XOFs based on bromine(I) is desirable yet challenging due to the high sensitivity of bromine(I) species. In this work, we present the inaugural construction of stable bromine(I)-bridged two-dimensional (2D) halogen-bonded organic frameworks, XOF(Br)-TPy-BF4/OTf, based on sensitive [N⋅⋅⋅Br⋅⋅⋅N]+ halogen bonds. The formation of XOF(Br)-TPy-BF4/OTf was monitored by 1H NMR, XPS, IR, SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, SEAD. Their framework structures were established by the results from PXRD, theoretical simulations and SAXS. More importantly, XOF(Br) displayed excellent chemical and thermal stabilities. They exhibited stable two-dimensional framework structures in various organic solvents and aqueous media, even over a wide pH range (pH 3-12), while the corresponding model compounds BrPy2BF4/OTf decomposed quickly even in the presence of minimal water. Furthermore, the influence of the counterions were investigated by replacing BF4 with OTf, which improved the stability of XOF(Br). This characteristic enabled XOF(Br) to serve as an efficient oxidizing reagent in aqueous environments, in contrast with the sensitivity of BrPy2BF4/OTf, which performed well only in organic media. This study not only deepens our fundamental understanding of organic frameworks but also opens new avenues for the development and application of multifunctional XOFs.

Progress and challenges in nitrous oxide decomposition and valorization

Nitrous oxide (N2O) decomposition is increasingly acknowledged as a viable strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and addressing ozone depletion, aligning significantly with the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs) and carbon neutrality objectives. To enhance efficiency in treatment and explore potential valorization, recent developments have introduced novel N2O reduction catalysts and pathways. Despite these advancements, a comprehensive and comparative review is absent. In this review, we undertake a thorough evaluation of N2O treatment technologies from a holistic perspective. First, we summarize and update the recent progress in thermal decomposition, direct catalytic decomposition (deN2O), and selective catalytic reduction of N2O. The scope extends to the catalytic activity of emerging catalysts, including nanostructured materials and single-atom catalysts. Furthermore, we present a detailed account of the mechanisms and applications of room-temperature techniques characterized by low energy consumption and sustainable merits, including photocatalytic and electrocatalytic N2O reduction. This article also underscores the extensive and effective utilization of N2O resources in chemical synthesis scenarios, providing potential avenues for future resource reuse. This review provides an accessible theoretical foundation and a panoramic vision for practical N2O emission controls.

Zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks and their roles in electrocatalysis

Due to their exceptional chemical stability in water and high structural tunability, zirconium(IV)-based MOFs (Zr-MOFs) have been considered attractive materials in the broad fields of electrocatalysis. Numerous studies published since 2015 have attempted to utilise Zr-MOFs in electrocatalysis, with the porous framework serving as either the active electrocatalyst or the scaffold or surface coating to further enhance the performance of the actual electrocatalyst. Herein, the roles of Zr-MOFs in electrocatalytic processes are discussed, and some selected examples reporting the applications of Zr-MOFs in various electrocatalytic reactions, including several studies from our group, are overviewed. Challenges, limitations and opportunities in using Zr-MOFs in electrocatalysis in future studies are discussed.

Immobilization of europium and terbium ions with tunable ratios on a dispersible two-dimensional metal-organic framework for ratiometric photoluminescence detection of D2O

A two-dimensional zirconium-based metal-organic framework (2D Zr-MOF), ZrBTB (BTB = 1,3,5-tri(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene), is used as a platform to simultaneously immobilize terbium ions and europium ions with tunable ratios on its hexa-zirconium nodes by a post-synthetic modification. The crystallinity, morphology, porosity and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the obtained 2D Zr-MOFs with various europium-to-terbium ratios are investigated. With the energy transfer from the excited BTB linker to the installed terbium ions and the energy transfer from terbium ions to europium ions, a low loading of immobilized europium ions and a high loading of surrounding terbium ions in the 2D Zr-MOF result in the optimal PL emission intensities of europium; this phenomenon is not observable for the physical mixture of both terbium-installed ZrBTB and europium-installed ZrBTB. The role of installed terbium ions as efficient mediators for the energy transfer from the excited BTB linker to the installed europium ion is confirmed by quantifying PL quantum yields. As a demonstration, these materials with modulable PL characteristics are applied for the ratiometric detection of D2O in water, with the use of the stable emission from the BTB linker as the reference. With the strong emission of immobilized europium ions and the good dispersity in aqueous solutions, the optimal bimetal-installed ZrBTB, Eu-Tb-ZrBTB(1 : 10), can achieve the sensing performance outperforming those of the terbium-installed ZrBTB, europium-installed ZrBTB and the physical mixture of both.

Microwave Assisted Fast Synthesis of a Donor-Acceptor COF Towards Photooxidative Amidation Catalysis

The synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) at bulk scale require robust, straightforward, and cost-effective techniques. However, the traditional solvothermal synthetic methods of COFs suffer low scalability as well as requirement of sensitive reaction environment and multiday reaction time (2-10 days) which greatly restricts their practical application. Here, we report microwave assisted rapid and optimized synthesis of a donor-acceptor (D-A) based highly crystalline COF, TzPm-COF in second (10 sec) to minute (10 min) time scale. With increasing the reaction time from seconds to minutes crystallinity, porosity and morphological changes are observed for TzPm-COF. Owing to visible range light absorption, suitable band alignment, and low exciton binding energy (Eb=64.6 meV), TzPm-COF can efficaciously produce superoxide radical anion (O2 .-) after activating molecular oxygen (O2) which eventually drives aerobic photooxidative amidation reaction with high recyclability. This photocatalytic approach works well with a variety of substituted aromatic aldehydes having electron-withdrawing or donating groups and cyclic, acyclic, primary or secondary amines with moderate to high yield. Furthermore, catalytic mechanism was established by monitoring the real-time reaction progress through in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopic (DRIFTS) study.

Defect-enabling zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks for energy and environmental remediation applications

This comprehensive review explores the diverse applications of defective zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) in energy and environmental remediation. Zr-MOFs have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, and deliberate introduction of defects further enhances their functionality. The review encompasses several areas where defective Zr-MOFs exhibit promise, including environmental remediation, detoxification of chemical warfare agents, photocatalytic energy conversions, and electrochemical applications. Defects play a pivotal role by creating open sites within the framework, facilitating effective adsorption and remediation of pollutants. They also contribute to the catalytic activity of Zr-MOFs, enabling efficient energy conversion processes such as hydrogen production and CO2 reduction. The review underscores the importance of defect manipulation, including control over their distribution and type, to optimize the performance of Zr-MOFs. Through tailored defect engineering and precise selection of functional groups, researchers can enhance the selectivity and efficiency of Zr-MOFs for specific applications. Additionally, pore size manipulation influences the adsorption capacity and transport properties of Zr-MOFs, further expanding their potential in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Defective Zr-MOFs exhibit remarkable stability and synthetic versatility, making them suitable for diverse environmental conditions and allowing for the introduction of missing linkers, cluster defects, or post-synthetic modifications to precisely tailor their properties. Overall, this review highlights the promising prospects of defective Zr-MOFs in addressing energy and environmental challenges, positioning them as versatile tools for sustainable solutions and paving the way for advancements in various sectors toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Evaluation of hafnium oxide nanoparticles imaging characteristics as a contrast agent in X-ray computed tomography

This research aimed to compare the quantitative imaging attributes of synthesized hafnium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) derived from UiO-66-NH2(Hf) and two gadolinium- and iodine-based clinical contrast agents (CAs) using cylindrical phantom. Aqueous solutions of the studied CAs, containing 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL of HfO2NPs, gadolinium, and iodine, were prepared. Constructed within a cylindrical phantom, 15 cc small tubes were filled with CAs. Maintaining constant mAs, the phantom underwent scanning at tube voltage variations from 80 to 140 kVp. The CT numbers were quantified in Hounsfield units (HU), and the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated within delineated regions of interest (ROI) for all CAs. The HfO2NPs at 140 kVp and concentration of 2.5 mg/ml exhibited 2.3- and 1.3-times higher CT numbers than iodine and gadolinium, respectively. Notably, gadolinium consistently displayed higher CT numbers than iodine across all exposure techniques and concentrations. At the highest tube potential, the maximum amount of the CAs CT numbers was attained, and at 140 kVp and concentration of 2.5 mg/ml of HfO2NPs the CNR surpassed iodine by 114%, and gadolinium by 30%, respectively. HfO2NPs, as a contrast agent, demonstrated superior image quality in terms of contrast and noise in comparison to iodine- and gadolinium-based contrast media, particularly at higher energies of X-ray in computed tomography. Thus, its utilization is highly recommended in CT.

Metal-organic framework (MOF)/C-dots and covalent organic framework (COF)/C-dots hybrid nanocomposites: Fabrications and applications in sensing, medical, environmental, and energy sectors

Developing new hybrid materials is critical for addressing the current needs of the world in various fields, such as energy, sensing, health, hygiene, and others. C-dots are a member of the carbon nanomaterial family with numerous applications. Aggregation is one of the barriers to the performance of C-dots, which causes luminescence quenching, surface area decreases, etc. To improve the performance of C-dots, numerous matrices including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), and polymers have been composited with C-dots. The porous crystalline structures, which are constituents of metal nodes and organic linkers (MOFs) or covalently attached organic units (COFs) provide privileged features such as high specific surface area, tunable structures, and pore diameters, modifiable surface, high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stabilities. Also, the MOFs and COFs protect the C-dots from the environment. Therefore, MOF/C-dots and COF/C-dots composites combine their features while retaining topological properties and improving performances. In this review, we first compare MOFs with COFs as matrices for C-dots. Then, the recent progress in developing hybrid MOFs/C-dots and COFs/C-dots composites has been discussed and their applications in various fields have been explained briefly.

Photocatalytic toluene oxidation with nickel-mediated cascaded active units over Ni/Bi2WO6 monolayers

Adsorption and activation of C-H bonds by photocatalysts are crucial for the efficient conversion of C-H bonds to produce high-value chemicals. Nevertheless, the delivery of surface-active oxygen species for C-H bond oxygenation inevitably needs to overcome obstacles due to the separated active centers, which suppresses the catalytic efficiency. Herein, Ni dopants are introduced into a monolayer Bi2WO6 to create cascaded active units consisting of unsaturated W atoms and Bi/O frustrated Lewis pairs. Experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that these special sites can establish an efficient and controllable C-H bond oxidation process. The activated oxygen species on unsaturated W are readily transferred to the Bi/O sites for C-H bond oxygenation. The catalyst with a Ni mass fraction of 1.8% exhibits excellent toluene conversion rates and high selectivity towards benzaldehyde. This study presents a fascinating strategy for toluene oxidation through the design of efficient cascaded active units.

Quest for a Desolvated Structure Unveils Breathing Phenomena in a MOF Leading to Greener Catalysis in a Solventless Setup: Insights from Combined Experimental and Computational Studies

The crystal structure of the metal-organic framework (MOF), {Mn2(1,4-bdc)2(DMF)2}n (1) (1,4-bdcH2, 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid; DMF, N,N-dimethylformamide), is known for a long time; however, its desolvated structure, {Mn2(1,4-bdc)2}n (1'), is not yet known. The first-principles-based computational simulation was used to unveil the structure of 1' that shows the expansion in the framework, leading to pore opening after the removal of coordinated DMF molecules. We have used 1' that contains open metal sites (OMSs) in the structure in cyanosilylation and CO2 cycloaddition reactions and recorded complete conversions in a solventless setup. The pore opening in 1' allows the facile diffusion of small aldehyde molecules into the channels, leading to complete conversion. The reactions with larger aldehydes, 2-naphthaldehyde and 9-anthracenecarboxaldehyde, also show 99.9% conversions, which are the highest reported until date in solventless conditions. The in silico simulations illustrate that larger aldehydes interact with Mn(II) OMSs on the surfaces, enabling a closer interaction and facilitating complete conversions. The catalyst shows high recyclability, exhibiting 99.9% conversions in the successive reaction cycles with negligible change in the structure. Our investigations illustrate that the catalyst 1' is economical, efficient, and robust and allows reactions in a solventless greener setup, and therefore the catalysis with 1' can be regarded as "green catalysis".

A Tunable Cascade Reaction of Ureidomalonates and Alkenyl Azlactones for the Divergent Synthesis of Hydantoins with Distinct Functional Groups

A tunable cascade reaction of ureidomalonates and alkenyl azlactones was disclosed, which gave rise to the construction of N-aroyl α-amino acid ester and imide-functionalized hydantoins in moderate to good yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities. The reaction pathway was precisely manipulated by organocatalysis and phase-transfer/sunlight relay catalysis, respectively, to realize the divergent synthesis. The successful gram-scale preparation of representative products exhibited the application potential of this protocol. Mechanistic studies indicated that the exchange and phase transfer of ethoxy anion played a key role in altering the reaction pathway, and sunlight might accelerate the oxidation process at the late stage of the reaction triggered by phase-transfer catalysis.

Crystalline Dual-Porous Covalent Triazine Frameworks as a New Platform for Efficient Electrocatalysis

Crystalline covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) have gained considerable interest in energy and catalysis owing to their well-defined nitrogen-rich π-conjugated porosity and superior physicochemical properties, however, suffer from very limited molecular structures. Herein we report a novel solvent-free FeCl3 -catalyzed polymerization of 2, 6-pyridinedicarbonitrile (DCP) to achieve the first synthesis of crystalline, dual-porous, pyridine-based CTF (Fe-CTF). The FeCl3 could not only act as a highly active Lewis acid catalyst for promoting the two-dimensional ordered polymerization of DCP monomers, but also in situ coordinate with the tridentate chelators generated between pyridine and triazine groups to yield unique Fe-N3 single-atom active sites in Fe-CTF. Abundant few-layer crystalline nanosheets (Fe-CTF NSs) could be prepared through simple ball-milling exfoliation of the bulk layered Fe-CTF and exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with a half-wave potential and onset potential up to 0.902 and 1.02 V respectively, and extraordinary Zn-air battery performance with an ultrahigh specific capacity and power density of 811 mAh g-1 and 230 mW cm-2 respectively. By combining operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy with density functional theory calculations, we revealed a dynamic and reversible evolution of Fe-N3 to Fe-N2 during the electrocatalytic process, which could further accelerate the electrocatalytic reaction.

Enhancing the Properties of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Composites with Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-Derived Nanocarbons

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) reinforced with nanocarbon have attracted significant interest due to their potential to enhance mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Although the investigation of carbon-based materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes as additives for advanced ceramics has been widespread, the utilization of metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived nanocarbons in CMCs remains largely unexplored. We extended our previous proof-of-concept investigations by demonstrating the effectiveness of a different type of MOF-derived carbon as a reinforcing phase in an alternative ceramic matrix. We employed spark plasma sintering (SPS) to consolidate yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) powder blends at 1300 °C and a uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa. YSZ serves as the ceramic matrix, whereas ZIF-67 serves as the nanocarbon source. The composite exhibits a highly significant improvement in fracture toughness with an increase of up to 13% compared to that of the YSZ monolith. The formation of ZIF-derived nanocarbon interlayers is responsible for the observed enhancement in ductility, which can be attributed to their ability to facilitate energy dissipation during crack propagation and inhibit grain growth. Furthermore, the room-temperature electrical conductivity of the sintered samples demonstrates a substantial improvement, primarily due to the in situ formation of nanocarbon-based fillers, reaching an impressive 27 S/m with 10 wt % ZIF-67 content. Based on the results, it can be inferred that the incorporation of in situ MOF-derived nanocarbons into CMCs leads to a substantial improvement in both the mechanical and electrical properties.

Porphyrin/phthalocyanine-based porous organic polymers for pollutant removal and detection: Synthesis, mechanisms, and challenges

The growing global concern about environmental threats due to environmental pollution requires the development of environmentally friendly and efficient removal/detection materials and methods. Porphyrin/phthalocyanine (Por/Pc) based porous organic polymers (POPs) as a newly emerging porous material are prepared through polymerizing building blocks with different structures. Benefiting from the high porosity, adjustable pore structure, and enzyme-like activities, the Por/Pc-POPs can be the ideal platform to study the removal and detection of pollutants. However, a systematic summary of their application in environmental treatment is still lacking to date. In this review, the development of various Por/Pc-POPs for pollutant removal and detection applications over the past decade was systematically addressed for the first time to offer valuable guidance on environmental remediation through the utilization of Por/Pc-POPs. This review is divided into two sections (pollutants removal and detection) focusing on Por/Pc-POPs for organic, inorganic, and gaseous pollutants adsorption, photodegradation, and chemosensing, respectively. The related removal and sensing mechanisms are also discussed, and the methods to improve removal and detection efficiency and selectivity are also summarized. For the future practical application of Por/Pc-POPs, this review provides the emerging research directions and their application possibility and challenges in the removal and detection of pollutants.

Heterogenization of molecular catalysts within porous solids: the case of Ni-catalyzed ethylene oligomerization from zeolites to metal-organic frameworks

The last decade has seen a tremendous expansion of the field of heterogenized molecular catalysis, especially with the growing interest in metal-organic frameworks and related porous hybrid solids. With successful achievements in the transfer from molecular homogeneous catalysis to heterogenized processes come the necessary discussions on methodologies used and a critical assessment on the advantages of heterogenizing molecular catalysis. Here we use the example of nickel-catalyzed ethylene oligomerization, a reaction of both fundamental and applied interest, to review heterogenization methodologies of well-defined molecular catalysts within porous solids while addressing the biases in the comparison between original molecular systems and heterogenized counterparts.

Stepwise construction of multi-component metal-organic frameworks

Multi-component metal-organic frameworks (MC-MOFs) are crystalline porous materials containing multiple organic ligands or mixed metals, which manifest new properties beyond the linear combination of the single component. However, the traditional one-pot synthesis method for MOFs is not always applicable for synthesizing MC-MOFs due to the competitive coordination of multiple ligands and metals. Therefore, the stepwise construction of MC-MOFs has been explored, which enables more precise control of the heterogeneity within the ordered MC-MOFs. This review provides a summary of the synthesis strategies, namely, ligand exchange, coordinative modification, covalent modification, ligand metalation, cluster metalation, and use of mixed-metal precursors, for the stepwise construction of MC-MOFs. Furthermore, we discuss the applications of MC-MOFs with ordered arrangements of multiple functionalities, focusing on gas adsorption and separation, water remediation, heterogeneous catalysis, luminescence, and chemical sensing.

Schiff Base Reaction in a Living Cell: In Situ Synthesis of a Hollow Covalent Organic Polymer To Regulate Biological Functions

Artificially performing chemical reactions in living biosystems to attain various physiological aims remains an intriguing but very challenging task. In this study, the Schiff base reaction was conducted in cells using Sc(OTf)3 as a catalyst, enabling the in situ synthesis of a hollow covalent organic polymer (HCOP) without external stimuli. The reversible Schiff base reaction mediated intracellular Oswald ripening endows the HCOP with a spherical, hollow porous structure and a large specific surface area. The intracellularly generated HCOP reduced cellular motility by restraining actin polymerization, which consequently induced mitochondrial deactivation, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The presented intracellular synthesis system inspired by the Schiff base reaction has strong potential to regulate cell fate and biological functions, opening up a new strategic possibility for intervening in cellular behavior.

Sodium-alginate-laden MXene and MOF systems and their composite hydrogel beads for batch and fixed-bed adsorption of naproxen with electrochemical regeneration

Sodium alginate (SA)-laden two-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2Tx MXene (MX) and MIL-101(Fe) (a type of metal-organic framework (MOF)) composites were prepared and used for the removal of naproxen (NPX), following the adsorption and electrochemical regeneration processes. The fixed-bed adsorption column studies were also conducted to study the process of removal of NPX by hydrogels. The number of interactions via which the MX-embedded SA (MX@SA) could adsorb NPX was higher than the number of pathways associated with NPX adsorption on the MIL-101(Fe)-embedded SA (MIL-101(Fe)@SA), and the MX and MIL-101(Fe) composite embedded SA (MX/MIL-101(Fe)@SA). The optimum parameters for the electrochemical regeneration process were determined: charge passed and current density values were 169.3 C g-1 and 10 mA cm-2, respectively, for MX@SA, and the charge passed and current density values were 16.7 C g-1 and 5 mA cm-2, respectively, for both MIL-101(Fe)@SA and MX/MIL-101(Fe)@SA. These parameters enabled excellent regeneration, consistent over multiple adsorption and electrochemical regeneration cycles. The mechanism for the regeneration of the materials was proposed that the regeneration of MX@SA and MIL-101(Fe)@SA involved the indirect electrooxidation process in the presence of OH radicals, and the regeneration of MX/MIL-101(Fe)@SA involved the indirect oxidation process in the presence of active chlorine species.

The Effect of Linker-to-Metal Energy Transfer on the Photooxidation Performance of an Isostructural Series of Pyrene-Based Rare-Earth Metal-Organic Frameworks

The tetratopic linker, 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoic acid)pyrene (H4 TBAPy) along with rare-earth (RE) ions is used for the synthesis of 9 isostructures of a metal-organic framework (MOF) with shp topology, named RE-CU-10 (RE = Y(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III), Yb(III), and Lu(III)). The synthesis of each RE-CU-10 analogue requires different reaction conditions to achieve phase pure products. Single crystal X-ray diffraction indicates the presence of a RE9 -cluster in Y- to Tm-CU-10, while a RE11 -cluster is observed for Yb- and Lu-CU-10. The photooxidation performance of RE-CU-10 analogues is evaluated, observing competition between linker-to-metal energy transfer versus the generation of singlet oxygen. The singlet oxygen produced is used to detoxify a mustard gas simulant 2-chloroethylethyl sulfide, with half-lives ranging from 4.0 to 5.8 min, some of the fastest reported to date using UV-irradiation and < 1 mol% catalyst, in methanol under O2 saturation.

Thermocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to Valuable Products Activated by Noble-Metal-Free Metal-Organic Frameworks

Thermocatalysis of CO2 into high valuable products is an efficient and green method for mitigating global warming and other environmental problems, of which Noble-metal-free metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the most promising heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 thermocatalysis, and many excellent researches have been published. Hence, this review focuses on the valuable products obtained from various CO2 conversion reactions catalyzed by noble-metal-free MOFs, such as cyclic carbonates, oxazolidinones, carboxylic acids, N-phenylformamide, methanol, ethanol, and methane. We classified these published references according to the types of products, and analyzed the methods for improving the catalytic efficiency of MOFs in CO2 reaction. The advantages of using noble-metal-free MOF catalysts for CO2 conversion were also discussed along the text. This review concludes with future perspectives on the challenges to be addressed and potential research directions. We believe that this review will be helpful to readers and attract more scientists to join the topic of CO2 conversion.

Stabilized Chiral Organic Material Containing BINAP Oxide Units as a Heterogeneous Asymmetric Organocatalyst for Allylation of Aldehydes

Condensation of BINAPO-(PhCHO)₂ and 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene (TAPB) results in a new imine-based chiral organic material (COM) that can be further post-functionalized through reductive transformation of imine linkers to amines. While the imine-based material does not show the necessary stability to be used as a heterogeneous catalyst, the reduced amine-linked framework can be efficiently employed in asymmetric allylation of different aromatic aldehydes. Yields and enantiomeric excesses found are comparable to those observed for the molecular BINAP oxide catalyst, but importantly, the amine-based material also permits its recyclability.

Recent Advances in the Use of Covalent Organic Frameworks as Heterogenous Photocatalysts in Organic Synthesis

Organic photochemistry is intensely developed in the 1980s, in which the nature of excited electronic states and the energy and electron transfer processes are thoroughly studied and finally well-understood. This knowledge from molecular organic photochemistry can be transferred to the design of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as active visible-light photocatalysts. COFs constitute a new class of crystalline porous materials with substantial application potentials. Featured with outstanding structural tunability, large porosity, high surface area, excellent stability, and unique photoelectronic properties, COFs are studied as potential candidates in various research areas (e.g., photocatalysis). This review aims to provide the state-of-the-art insights into the design of COF photocatalysts (pristine, functionalized, and hybrid COFs) for organic transformations. The catalytic reaction mechanism of COF-based photocatalysts and the influence of dimensionality and crystallinity on heterogenous photocatalysis performance are also discussed, followed by perspectives and prospects on the main challenges and opportunities in future research of COFs and COF-based photocatalysts.

Synthesis and characterization of biological macromolecules double emulsion based on carboxymethylcellulose/gelatin hydrogel incorporated with ZIF-8 as metal organic frameworks for sustained anti-cancer drug release

The field of nanotechnology has introduced novel prospects for drug delivery systems, which have the potential to supplant conventional chemotherapy with reduced adverse effects. Despite being a promising porous material, ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, tends to agglomerate in water, which limits its applicability. In order to resolve this problem, we added ZIF-8 to hydrogels consisting of gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose. This improved their mechanical strength and stability while avoiding aggregation. We utilized double emulsions with the hydrogels' biological macromolecules to construct drug carriers with enhanced control over drug release. The nanocarriers were subjected to various analytical techniques for characterization, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), zeta potential, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The findings of our study revealed that the mean size of the produced nanocarriers were 250 nm, and their zeta potential was -40.1 mV, which suggests favorable stability. The synthesized nanocarriers were found to exhibit cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, as evidenced by the results of MTT assays and flow cytometry tests. The cell viability percentage was determined to be 55 % for the prepared nanomedicine versus 70 % for the free drug. In summary, our study illustrates that the integration of ZIF-8 into hydrogels produces drug delivery systems with improved characteristics. Furthermore, the prepared nanocarriers exhibit potential for future investigation and advancement.

Carbonized Aminal-Linked Porous Organic Polymers Containing Pyrene and Triazine Units for Gas Uptake and Energy Storage

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have plenteous exciting features due to their attractive combination of microporosity with π-conjugation. Nevertheless, electrodes based on their pristine forms suffer from severe poverty of electrical conductivity, precluding their employment within electrochemical appliances. The electrical conductivity of POPs may be significantly improved and their porosity properties could be further customized by direct carbonization. In this study, we successfully prepared a microporous carbon material (Py-PDT POP-600) by the carbonization of Py-PDT POP, which was designed using a condensation reaction between 6,6'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) (PDA-4NH₂) and 4,4',4'',4'''-(pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrayl)tetrabenzaldehyde (Py-Ph-4CHO) in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent. The obtained Py-PDT POP-600 with a high nitrogen content had a high surface area (up to 314 m² g^-1), high pore volume, and good thermal stability based on N₂ adsorption/desorption data and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Owing to the good surface area, the as-prepared Py-PDT POP-600 showed excellent performance in CO₂ uptake (2.7 mmol g^-1 at 298 K) and a high specific capacitance of 550 F g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1 compared with the pristine Py-PDT POP (0.24 mmol g^-1 and 28 F g^-1).

Triazine-Based Porous Organic Polymers: Synthesis and Application in Dye Adsorption and Catalysis

The scientific community has been developing promising materials to increase the sustainability and efficiency of production processes and pollutant environmental remediation strategies. Porous organic polymers (POPs) are of special interest, as they are insoluble custom-built materials at the molecular level, endowed with low densities and high stability, surface areas, and porosity. This paper describes the synthesis, characterization, and performance of three triazine-based POPs (T-POPs) in dye adsorption and Henry reaction catalysis. T-POPs were prepared by a polycondensation reaction between melamine and a dialdehyde (terephthalaldehyde (T-POP1) or isophthalaldehyde derivatives with a hydroxyl group (T-POP2) or both a hydroxyl and a carboxyl group (T-POP3)). The crosslinked and mesoporous polyaminal structures, with surface areas between 139.2 and 287.4 m² g^-1, positive charge, and high thermal stability, proved to be excellent methyl orange adsorbents, removing the anionic dye with an efficiency >99% in just 15-20 min. The POPs were also effective for methylene blue cationic dye removal from water, reaching efficiencies up to ca. 99.4%, possibly due to favorable interactions via deprotonation of T-POP3 carboxyl groups. The modification of the most basic polymers, T-POP1 and T-POP2, with copper(II) allowed the best efficiencies in Henry reactions catalysis, leading to excellent conversions (97%) and selectivities (99.9%).

Metal-organic frameworks and plastic: an emerging synergic partnership

Mismanagement of plastic waste results in its ubiquitous presence in the environment. Despite being durable and persistent materials, plastics are reduced by weathering phenomena into debris with a particle size down to nanometers. The fate and ecotoxicological effects of these solid micropollutants are not fully understood yet, but they are raising increasing concerns for the environment and people's health. Even if different current technologies have the potential to remove plastic particles, the efficiency of these processes is modest, especially for nanoparticles. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline nano-porous materials with unique properties, have unique properties, such as strong coordination bonds, large and robustus porous structures, high accessible surface areas and adsorption capacity, which make them suitable adsorbent materials for micropollutants. This review examines the preliminary results reported in literature indicating that MOFs are promising adsorbents for the removal of plastic particles from water, especially when MOFs are integrated in porous composite materials or membranes, where they are able to assure high removal efficiency, superior water flux and antifouling properties, even in the presence of other dissolved co-pollutants. Moreover, a recent trend for the alternative preparation of MOFs starting from plastic waste, especially polyethylene terephthalate, as a sustainable source of organic linkers is also reviewed, as it represents a promising route for mitigating the impact of the costs deriving from the widescale MOFs production and application. This connubial between MOFs and plastic has the potential to contribute at implementing a more effective waste management and the circular economy principles in the polymer life cycle.

Selective Methane Oxidation to Acetic Acid Using Molecular Oxygen over a Mono-Copper Hydroxyl Catalyst

Acetic acid is an industrially important chemical, produced mainly via carbonylation of methanol using precious metal-based homogeneous catalysts. As a low-cost feedstock, methane is commercially transformed to acetic acid via a multistep process involving energy-intensive methane steam reforming, methanol synthesis, and, subsequently, methanol carbonylation. Here, we report a direct single-step conversion of methane to acetic acid using molecular oxygen (O₂) as the oxidant under mild conditions over a mono-copper hydroxyl site confined in a porous cerium metal-organic framework (MOF), Ce-UiO-Cu(OH). The Ce-UiO MOF-supported single-site copper hydroxyl catalyst gave exceptionally high acetic acid productivity of 335 mmolg_cat^-1 in 96% selectivity with a Cu TON up to 400 at 115 °C in water. Our spectroscopic and theoretical studies and controlled experiments reveal that the conversion of methane to acetic acid occurs via oxidative carbonylation, where methane is first activated at the copper hydroxyl site via σ-bond metathesis to afford Cu-methyl species, followed by carbonylation with in situ-generated carbon monoxide and subsequent hydrolysis by water. This work may guide the rational design of heterogeneous abundant metal catalysts for the activation and conversion of methane to acetic acid and other valuable chemicals under mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions.

Fabrication of supported Pt/CeO2 nanocatalysts doped with different elements for CO oxidation: theoretical and experimental studies

Supported Pt/CeO₂ catalysts have been widely used in carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation; however, the high oxygen vacancy formation energy (E_vac) in the process leads to the poor performance of these catalysts. Herein, we explored different element (Pr, Cu, or N) doped CeO₂ supports using Ce-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as precursors via calcination treatment. The obtained CeO₂ supports were used to load Pt nanoparticles. These catalysts were systematically characterized by various techniques, and they showed superior catalytic activity for CO oxidation compared to undoped catalysts which could be attributed to the formation of Ce³⁺, and high amounts of O_ads/(O_ads + O_lat) and Pt^δ+/Pt_total. Moreover, density functional theory calculations with on-site Coulomb interaction correction (DFT+U) were performed to provide atomic-scale insights into the reaction process by the Mars-van Krevelen (M-vK) mechanism, which revealed that the element-doped catalysts could simultaneously reduce the adsorption energies of CO and lower reaction energy barriers in the *OOCO associative pathway.

Ultrathin 2D Cerium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheet That Boosts Selective Oxidation of Inert C(sp3 )H Bond through Multiphoton Excitation

The development of methodologies for inducing and tailoring activities of catalysts is an important issue in various catalysis. The ultrathin 2D monolayer metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with more accessible active sites and faster diffusion obtained by exfoliating 3D layered MOFs are of great potential as heterogeneous catalysts, but the rational design and preparation of 3D layered MOFs remains a grand challenge. Herein, a novel weak electrostatic interaction strategy to construct a 3D layered cerium-bearing MOF by coordinating chlorine-capped cerium nodes and linear photoactive methyl viologen (MV⁺ ) organic linkers is used. Under multiphoton excitation, the MV⁺ ligands and CeCl chromophores are triggered consecutively to form the high activity chlorine radical (Cl^• ) for activation of inert C(sp³ )H bond through a hydrogen atom transfer. Benefiting from framework confinement effects, synergistic effects of two active sites and/or flexibility of the ultrathin framework nanosheets with high surface utilization, the observed activities increase in the order CeCl₃ /MV⁺  < bulk 3D MOF crystals < 2D MOF nanosheets in photocatalysis. This work not only contributes a new strategy to construct 3D layered MOFs and their ultrathin nanosheets but also paves the way to use nanostructured MOFs to handle synergy of multiple molecular catalysts.

Computational design of the novel building blocks for the metal-organic frameworks based on the organic ligand protected Cu4 cluster

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are tunable porous network compounds composed of inorganic nodes bound by various organic linkers. Here we report the density functional theory (DFT) study of the MOF novel building blocks made of the Cu4 clusters protected by four organic ligands having two phenyl rings and terminated either with Cl or Br atom (precursors 1 and 2, respectively). The research was performed both in the gas phase and with the implicit effects of acetonitrile included, with two functionals, B3LYP and PBE, both with and without the second-order dispersion correction. We analyzed the structural features of the precursors 1 and 2, their electronic structures, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) distribution, and global reactivity parameters (GRPs). Both functionals resulted in the singlets of the precursors 1 and 2 as the most stable species. The precursor structures optimized with the hybrid functional were found to be quite similar for both halogens, both containing somewhat distorted from planarity Cu4 cluster, with the outer phenyls of the ligands rotated relative to the inner phenyls. With both halogens and both DFT approaches, the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of the precursors 1 and 2 were shown to have quite similar compositions. The change of the substituent from Br to Cl was found to cause slight stabilizations or destabilizations of the HOMOs and LUMOs. The central parts and especially the inner phenyl ring parts of the precursors 1 and 2 were suggested to play a role of nucleophile in various chemical reactions due to the significant accumulation of negative electrostatic potential. Also, weak intermolecular interactions might exist between the ligands of neighboring precursor molecules. Finally, with both substituents the precursors 1 and 2 should be relatively unreactive and demonstrate thermodynamic stability. Further, the precursors 1 and 2 should be quite stable in oxidation reactions and more active in reduction processes. Generally, the substituent nature was shown not to affect significantly the reactivity of the precursors 1 and 2, as well as their other properties.