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Delicate pore environment regulation in pillar–layered metal–organic frameworks for enhanced C2H2/CO2 separation
Nan Lu, Lan Lan, Qiang Gao, Ming Liu, Tong-Liang Hu, Na Li, Xian-He Bu
2026, 37(6): 110887  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110887
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Controlling gas sorption via pore environment regulation is of significance yet challenging in the adsorption and separation process. Herein, we report a pillar modification strategy in the pillar–layered metal–organic frameworks for enhancing C2H2/CO2 separation by controlling host-guest interactions. Altering pillars from aromatic ligand to aliphatic ligand in the prototype MOF (Ni-MOF-1) not only manufactures an aliphatic pore environment conducive to generate multiple van der Waals interactions with C2H2 but also increases adsorption sites for C2H2 verified by theoretical calculations. The pore environment optimized Ni-MOF-2 exhibits 3.5-fold enhanced equimolar C2H2/CO2 selectivity and practical separation performance evidenced by dynamic breakthrough experiments. This work provides an example for the in-depth investigation of delicate pore environment regulation and offers an alternative for the C2H2/CO2 separation.
Three birds with one stone: A multifunctional water-soluble binder for enhanced the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries
Wenyang Lei, Zhenwei Li, Hao He, Lan Yang, Xuebu Hu, Wei Liao, Xiaowen Yu, Zhongli Hu
2026, 37(6): 110985  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110985
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Though polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is commonly employed as a binder for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, it still faces the challenge of serious electrode fracture caused by dramatic volume changes during cycling, and lacks extended functions such as capturing dissolved lithium polysulfides (LIPSs) and promoting Li+ transfer. Herein, a multifunctional water-soluble binder lithium sulfonated cellulose (Cel-SO3Li) is designed and prepared. The Cel-SO3Li binder can capture LIPSs due to nucleophilic substitution reaction between -SO4Li and dissolved LIPSs. Its abundant hydroxyl groups provide excellent electrode mechanical properties, which effectively alleviate sulfur volume changes during cycling. Furthermore, the -SO3Li groups also enhance the diffusion of Li+ in the electrodes. In addition, density functional theory calculations reveal that the Cel-SO3Li exhibits strong affinity and catalytic ability for LIPSs, indicating that it can effectively suppress the shuttle effect and enhance their reaction kinetics. Therefore, the electrode using Cel-SO3Li binder reach a high initial discharge capacity of 1165 mAh/g at 0.5 C, remain 545 mAh/g after 1000 cycles with a low capacity decay rate of 0.053% per cycle. This study proposes the concept of a multifunctional and environmentally friendly binder with the ability of "three birds with one stone" (high adhesion, fast Li+ diffusion, effective capture and even catalysis for LIPSs), which will contribute to accelerating applications of Li-S batteries.
Carbon-constrained heterogeneous Ni-Mo telluride for efficient urea oxidation
Chun Yin, Shuli Wang, Fulin Yang, Ligang Feng
2026, 37(6): 110999  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110999
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Exploring multiphase interfaces to modulate the electronic structure of catalysts is critical for energy conversion catalysis processes. Herein, we demonstrated the carbon-constrained heterogeneous NiTe-MoTe2 microsphere catalysts with high performance induced by heterostructure charge redistribution for energy-saving hydrogen generation from urea electrolysis. The hybrid NiTe-MoTe2 generated the optimized Gibbs adsorption-free energy for reducing the reaction energy barrier and enhancing catalytic kinetics. The high-valence Mo created a favorable chemical environment for positively charged Ni species formation by modulating the electronic structure. The NiTe-MoTe2 composites exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity compared to the pure-phase NiTe or MoTe2 catalysts, achieving a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at 1.40 V for urea oxidation, along with rapid catalytic kinetics and robust stability. The NiTe-MoTe2Pt/C electrolyzer achieves a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a cell potential of 1.49 V and maintains excellent long-term durability over 120 h at 1.60 V for urea electrolysis. The promoted spontaneous dehydrogenation and CO2 desorption ability catalyzed by NiTe-MoTe2 largely improved the reaction kinetics and performance. The current work showed new insights for the development of advanced energy conversion catalytic mate.
Interface effect induced electron-deficient Ni sites for efficient glycerol electrooxidation
Lan Tang, Ji Chen, Yucheng Wu, Linxin Qi, Xingyi Tian, Ming Li, Wenbin Wang, Rongxing He
2026, 37(6): 111001  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111001
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Glycerol oxidation reaction has got lots of attention in an electrocatalytic system of simultaneous hydrogen production and valuable chemicals generation. However, the lack of electrochemical dehydrogenation capability of the active phase is hard to deliver a large current density at a low potential. Furthermore, high selectivity of products is also still far from being completed due to the adsorption-desorption disequilibrium of glycerol and the obtained products, reducing the economic feasibility and limiting the practical application. Here, we propose a strategy to boost the electrocatalytic glycerol oxidation through electron-deficient Ni sites induced by electron transfer of heterojunction interface. Taking Ni3S2/Cu2S as a pre-catalysts, we demonstrate that the electron-deficient Ni site can favor the dehydrogenation of the active phase to facilitate the rapid transformation of Ni2+/Ni3+ in the electrooxidation process of glycerol. Furthermore, electron deficient Ni sites balance competitive adsorption of active species, improving the activity and selectivity of glycerol oxidation. As expected, the electrocatalysts exhibit selectivity of 93.3% for formate at the 1.35 V, and require only 1.45 V to drive an industrial-level current densities of 600 mA/cm2. This work provides valuable insights into constructing highly active and selective electrocatalysts for organic electrosynthesis in hybrid water electrolysis.
One-pot synthesis of Ni–Co nanoparticles@Ni0.19Co0.26P nanowires core/shell arrays on Ni foam for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction at all pH values
Lei Zhang, Kaimin Chen, Luchang Li, Xiu Wei, Xianxin Cai, Yaohui Yu, Yixian Yang, Renping Cao, Fenghua Wei, Bang Lan, Yanhua Li, Xiaohu Luo, Hui Liang, Deshuai Zhen
2026, 37(6): 111002  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111002
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Developing non-precious electrocatalysts with high-efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity for hydrogen production at all pH values is crucial for the application and promotion of water electrolysis. Herein, a unique structure of nickel-cobalt (Ni–Co) nanoparticles@Ni0.19Co0.26P nanowires core/shell arrays on Ni foam as a pH-universal electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution is synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process and thermal reduction treatment. The morphological analysis reveals that numerous Ni–Co nanoparticles are densely packed inside the hollow interior of Ni0.19Co0.26P nanowires. This unique structure integrates the advantages of high surface area from the nanowires and enhanced electronic conductivity from the Ni–Co nanoparticles, effectively addressing the conventional issue of slow charge transfer rate in 3D metal-based compounds, which is typically caused by a long transfer distance. The electrocatalysts provide an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction performance in alkaline, neutral, and acidic media with an overpotential of 35, 36, and 23 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA/cm2, respectively. This study highlights the potential of Ni–Co nanoparticles@Ni0.19Co0.26P nanowires as a cost-effective and pH-universal HER electrocatalyst, offering promising prospects for sustainable hydrogen production.
Molecular tweezers in thiolate-protected Cu(Ⅰ) clusters: A framework platform for investigating ligand effects in cluster catalysis
Jiaojiao Zhang, Yifan Wu, Yifei Li, Fuxing Lin, Shengchang Xiang, Xi Fan, Zhangjing Zhang
2026, 37(6): 111003  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111003
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Scarce investigations have focused on coinage metal clusters possessing fixed cores but varying binding ligands in the context of catalysis. Here in this work, we successfully employed two types of carboxylic acid-based molecular tweezers to selectively capture two Cu6 clusters (Cu6-a and Cu6-b). Cu6-a and Cu6-b have identical cluster cores but different protected ligands, therefore provide accurate platform for investigating ligand effects in cluster catalysis. Notably, Cu6-b represents a rare example of a two-directional rod framework, marking the first instance of such a structure in coinage metal cluster-based MOFs. The integration of oxygen within OBB significantly enhances local spatial polarization, facilitating the charge separation and ROS generation efficiency of Cu6-b under visible-light irradiation. Consequently, the oxygen-containing Cu6-b exhibits superior photocatalytic performance in the aerobic oxidation of sulfide, achieving both high yield and selectivity. This work provides a valuable approach for precisely control the Cu clusters structures to regulate their properties.
Design of rare earth borate short-wave UV nonlinear optical crystals with strengthened second harmonic generation activities via cationic modification strategy
Huijian Zhao, Jie Song, Shuaifeng Li, Xianghao Kong, Conggang Li, Ning Ye, Zhanggui Hu
2026, 37(6): 111011  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111011
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Ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals have received substantial interest in advanced laser technology. However, tailoring a UV NLO material with a large second harmonic generation (SHG) response and good UV transparency remains a challenge. Here, inspired by the classic A3-RE2-[BO3]3 parent template, two new rare-earth borate NLO crystals, RbNa2La2(BO3)3 (RNLBO-Ⅰ) and Rb0.681Na2.319La2(BO3)3 (RNLBO-Ⅱ), were extracted by merging larger ionic radius cations Rb+ and La3+ simultaneously using a chemical substitution-oriented strategy. As expected, both compounds achieve significant enhancements in SHG activities, reaching 4.5 × and 4.3 × KDP, respectively, exceeding three times that of the isomorphic Na3Gd2B3O9. Notably, RNLBO-Ⅰ displayed the highest SHG response among alkali metal RE-borate NLO crystals containing isolated [BO3] groups in the short-wave UV region. Moreover, RNLBO-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ demonstrated short UV cutoff edges at 213 and 207 nm, corresponding to wide bandgaps of 5.3 and 5.6 eV, respectively. Additionally, theoretical calculations and dipole moment analysis were conducted to clarify the origin of the enhanced SHG activities of RNLBO-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ. The optimal balance between SHG intensity and UV transparency in RNLBO-Ⅰ and -Ⅱ underscores their potential as UV NLO candidates and offers valuable insights for fabricating new advanced UV NLO materials.
Size regulation from single-crystal to nanoscale of a polyoxometalate-based Cu-triazole complex for catalytic oxidation reaction of phenols
Yang Chu, Xiao-Hui Li, Zhong Zhang, Na Xu, Dan-Feng He, Xiu-Li Wang
2026, 37(6): 111012  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111012
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Polyoxometalate-based metal-organic complexes (POMOCs) which combine the structural features and performance advantages of MOCs and POMs, have a wide application in the field of catalysis. However, the catalytic capacity of POMOCs commonly cannot be fully utilized due to their imporosity and low surface area of single-crystals. In this work, a new POMOC with a formula of [Cu3O(4-atrz)6(PO3)(PMo12O40)] (POMOC 1, 4-atrz = 4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole) was synthesized. And the size regulation of POMOC 1 from single-crystal to nanoscale was achieved by using citric acid as a modulator and adjusting the reaction temperature. Nano-sized POMOC 1 exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the oxidation reaction of phenols owing to the synergistic catalysis of POM and coordinatively unsaturated Cu(Ⅱ), and more surface-accessible catalytic sites of nano-catalyst.
Effect of oxygen doping sources on enhancing air stability and lithium metal compatibility of Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 electrolyte
Linfeng Peng, Cong Liao, Jiayue Peng, Shuai Chen, Tianyu Lei, Shijie Cheng, Jia Xie
2026, 37(6): 111015  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111015
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Oxygen (O) doping is a promising strategy for enhancing the air stability and lithium metal compatibility of sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs). However, the impact of various O sources on the structure and properties of SSEs remains unclear. In this study, we synthesized a series of O-doped electrolytes, Li5.5PS4.5-xOxCl1.5 (LPSCOx, 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), using Li2O and P2O5 as O sources, and systematically investigated their differences in structure, air stability, and electrochemical properties. O preferentially substitutes sulfur (S) at the 16e site and begins to replace S at the 4d site once a certain O concentration is reached. Notably, the P2O5-doped electrolytes (P-LPSCOx) exhibit a greater oxygen tolerance content (0.24) at the 16e site, along with better air stability, higher ionic conductivity, and superior lithium metal compatibility. XRD, SEM, and XPS analyses reveal that the P2O5-doped electrolytes exhibit larger cell parameters, higher densification, and fewer side reactions with lithium metal compared to the Li2O-doped counterparts. This study provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance O-doped sulfide electrolytes.
Mo, B-induced local structure and electron redistribution of RuO2 for efficient acidic oxygen evolution
Ziang Shang, Heyu Sui, Zeyi Huang, Xueting Feng, Guanzhen Chen, Jiena Weng, Yu Xiong, Yaqiong Su, Yunhu Han
2026, 37(6): 111016  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111016
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Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key reaction in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Therefore, developing cost-effective acid-stable electrocatalysts to drive efficient OER is crucial. Here, we constructed a RuO2 electrocatalyst (MoB-RuO2) co-doped Mo and B atoms, which exhibits excellent OER performance in acidic media. In 0.5 mol/L H2SO4, MoB-RuO2 exhibited a very low overpotential (166 mV) and could be operated stably for more than 550 h at 10 mA/cm2 current density without significant loss of activity. More than 240 h of stable operation at 200 mA/cm2 current density was achieved when using MoB-RuO2 as a PEMWE anode. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrated that the excellent OER activity and stability of MoB-RuO2 mainly originated from the incorporation of B atoms leading to the coordination unsaturation of the active centre Ru, and the simultaneous doping of Mo and B atoms modulated the electronic structure of Ru, which lowered the covalency of the Ru-O bond, thus making the catalyst exhibit excellent stability.
Exceptional one-dimensional hybrid lead halide for high-performance X-ray detection through hydrogen bond enhanced charge transport
Xue-Na Tang, Qingshun Fan, Guang-Ning Liu, Cuncheng Li, Zhihua Sun
2026, 37(6): 111036  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111036
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The immense potential of one-dimensional (1D) hybrid lead halide perovskites (HLHPs) in single crystal X-ray detection is hindered by their relatively low charge transport abilities and needle-like morphology. Alloying mixed cations in 1D HLHP is expected to realize superior charge mobility and large single crystals. Herein, we report a 1D HLHP of (ATZ)(EA)4Pb3I11 (1) with thiazol-2-aminium (ATZ)+ and ethanaminium (EA)+ as the mixed cations, demonstrating an exceptional 1D HLHP for high-performance X-ray detector. The H···I hydrogen bonds with a fraction of 69.7% are stronger than those in 1D HLHPs containing solely (ATZ)+ or (EA)+ cations. The single crystal of 1 posesses remarkable semiconducting properties, including a high resistivity (1.94 × 1011 Ω cm) and a large mobility-lifetime product (2.22 × 10−4 cm2/V), which contribute to the outstanding X-ray detection, manifested by a high sensitivity of 1356 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 and an ultra-low dark current drift of 5.01 × 10−8 nA cm−1 s−1 V−1.
Solvothermal domino synthesis of an ER-targeted iron(Ⅱ) complex for inducing immunogenic cell death
Ning Tian, Haoyu Ju, Qian Hu, Qifeng Hou, Yiping Lu, Yu Liu, Jinmei Huang, Zhong-Hong Zhu, Bin Zhang, Jin Huang, Ming-Hua Zeng
2026, 37(6): 111038  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111038
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Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a prerequisite for the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD), and the development of metal-based ICD inducers has garnered significant attention. However, the drug-target mechanisms of ICD inducers still require further exploration. Herein, we reported an ER-targeting iron(Ⅱ) complex (Fe-NBM) as an ICD inducer, which was obtained through a solvothermal domino reaction. Accordingly, pyridin-2-ylmethanamine and 1-methyl-2-formylbenzimidazole underwent consecutive covalent transformations to form a novel N-heterocyclic ligand, which subsequently coordinated with ferrous chloride to directly yield the crystalline Fe-NBM in one pot. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) showed that Fe-NBM could specifically target the ER by binding to the IRE1α (Inositol requiring kinase enzyme 1 alpha) and induce ICD by generating ROS-based ER stress. In an immunocompetent mouse model, Fe-NBM could significantly inhibit tumor growth and stimulate anti-tumor immunity, and exhibit an enhanced effect when combined with anti-PD1 therapy, leading to near-complete tumor elimination. To gain deeper understanding of how to synthesize such effective ICD inducers at the molecular level, a combination of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and crystallography was employed for thoroughly tracking the step-economy synthetic process. To the best of our knowledge, Fe-NBM is the first iron-based ICD inducer that directly targets ER through binding to IRE1α. We believe that the ICD-related target information presented in this work will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ICD and facilitate the design of new ICD inducers.
Enable high-power fluorinated graphite cathode for lithium primary batteries by metallic ionic liquid-derived surface activation engineering
Bingxu Chen, Lei Yi, Ruixi Xie, Rui Gao, Jia Yu, Siqi Shi
2026, 37(6): 111040  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111040
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Lithium/fluorinated graphite (Li/CFx) primary batteries with great energy density advantages still struggle to realize large-scale applications, due to the sluggish cathode reaction kinetics accompanied by poor rate capability and power density. One key challenge arises from the inert electronic structure of CFx predominated by covalent C–F bond, which results in poor intrinsic electronic conductivity. To address this issue, cathode surface activation engineering is proposed to modify CFx with hybrid transitional metal oxide/carbon layer, which is derived by one-pot pyrolysis of structurally designable metallic ionic liquids (Bmim[MCln], M = Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, etc.). Generally, the presence of metal oxides induces generation of highly conductive semi-ionic C–F species, cooperating with abundant oxygen vacancies and carbon matrix to synergistically improve electronic/ionic conduction and accelerate CFx conversion kinetics, while the Bmim[FeCl4]-derived system is the optimal solution. As expected, the surface activated CFx cathode achieves nearly 4 times the power density (22,581 W/kg at 14 C) of pristine CFx and higher conversion depth. This metallic ionic liquid-derived surface activation design efficiently regulates the intrinsically inert electronic structure of CFx cathode, and widens its chemical design space of metal oxides as composite components, furthermore, providing a universal solution for electrodes faced with electronic conduction challenges.
N-3 of 1-methylimidazole: Enhancing proton conduction in COF under humidity conditions
Kun Zhang, Lei Wu, Kaixi Lan, Yanting Zhang, Wenxin Zhang, Huanhuan Li, Guoji Huang, Dongshuang Wu, Long Chen, Manni Li
2026, 37(6): 111043  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111043
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The proton conduction mechanism of imidazole and its homologues within confined spaces has attracted much attention from researchers, which is highly beneficial for the development of novel proton exchange membranes. Traditionally, the hydrogen at the 1-position (H-1) on the nitrogen (N-1) of imidazole is seen as the exclusive source of mobile protons. However, we suggest that the 3-position nitrogen atom (N-3) can also generate mobile protons under hydrous conditions. This is because N-3 can form hydrogen bonds with water, which are particularly robust in confined spaces, thereby enhancing proton ionization from water and facilitating proton transfer. Based on this concept, 1-methylimidazole was introduced into a covalent organic framework (COF), resulting in a remarkable proton conductivity of 2.40 × 10–3 S/cm at 70 ℃ and 100% relative humidity. This performance is on par with that of COFs doped with imidazole, demonstrating the key role of N-3···H2O interactions within the framework in producing mobile protons and facilitating proton diffusion. Furthermore, this challenges the conventional viewpoint that H-1 of imidazole is the sole contributor to proton concentration, offering a new strategy for the preparation of high-performance proton conductors.
TaOx-C supported ultra-small platinum nanoparticles as efficient and durable catalysts for PEMFCs
Nanshu Zhang, Liting Yang, Jingsen Bai, Chang Lan, Meiling Xiao, Wei Xing, Changpeng Liu
2026, 37(6): 111044  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111044
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The limited stability of Pt-based catalysts as a result of irreversible support corrosion and Pt dissolution/aggregation remains a major barrier to the widespread deployment for Proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To overcome the issues, amorphous TaOx with corrosion-resistance was introduced to stabilize Pt nanoparticles in this work. Benefiting from the strong metal-support interaction, Pt oxidation and dissolution is suppressed through efficient electron transfer from the support. Optimized Pt/TaOx-C catalyst shows remarkable stability with voltage loss @0.8 A/cm2 of only 29 mV after 50k cycles accelerated durability test, which is much lower than the goal for DOE 2025 (30 mV after 30k cycles). Besides, the strong anchoring effect of the amorphous TaOx enables well dispersion of Pt with an ultra-small particle size of approximately 1.3 nm, reducing the local mass transfer resistance towards superior fuel cell performance of 2.29 W/cm2, which is higher than the commercial Pt/C of 1.56 W/cm2. This study offers a highly active and durable cathode electrocatalyst for fuel cells.
Ni3N2 clusters anchored on biomass derived N-doped carbon nanostructures for efficient hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis
Ziyun Li, Di Shen, Qi Liu, Hongtu Shi, Tianyu Han, Jie Jiang, Xu Zhang, Yu Fu, Lei Wang
2026, 37(6): 111045  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111045
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The electrocatalytic two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e– ORR) offers an environmentally friendly method for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, yet the development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts remains a significant challenge. Herein, we have synthesized Ni3N2 clusters anchored on N-doped carbon nanostructures (Ni3N2/NC) through a straightforward biomass-derived modification-pyrolysis method for efficient H2O2 production. Theoretical calculations reveal that the D-band center of Ni sites in Ni3N2/NC shows a downshift and successive state, which is beneficial to the formation of key *OOH intermediates and occurrence of subsequent reactions. Remarkably, Ni3N2/NC achieves a 2e– ORR selectivity of 91.65% and an onset potential of 0.69 V. When tested in a practical flow cell, Ni3N2/NC exhibits a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 91.42% and attains a maximum H2O2 yield of 3.26 mol gcat−1 h−1 at 100 mA/cm2. Additionally, the FE remains above 85% during a 12 h constant current stability test at 40 mA/cm2, highlighting its potential for sustainable H2O2 production.
Designing oxide-ion conductor in superstructural barium tellurate
Wei Wang, Guohong Cai, Guanqun Cai, Junliang Sun, Man-Rong Li
2026, 37(6): 111046  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111046
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Searching for new oxide-ion conductors is of great significance in energy-related technologies. Here we identified a novel barium tellurate, Ba10.55Te4.45O23.90, by chemical screening for superstructural oxide-ion conductors. Its crystal structure, solved from polycrystalline specimen by the combination of three-dimension electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction, adopts a quadruple (4 × 4 × 4) cubic superstructure (Fm-3m, a = 17.30612(2) Å) and can be regarded as a derivative of ABO3 perovskite like (Ba1.75□0.25)ABaBWB'O5.75□0.25. The ordered A-site metal vacancies and disordered oxygen vacancies are responsible for the enlarged superstructure. The titled compound is indeed an oxide-ion conductor but shows rather low ionic conductivity, owing to the high inter-polyhedral energy barrier of ionic migration. The discoveries unveil a new structural type for oxide-ion conductor exploration, and will evoke performance improvement by chemical modification such as aliovalent substitution.
Structural changes and reaction pathway during alloying−dealloying of violet phosphorus
Yongchao Shi, Wenda Zhang, Ligang Xu, Chenjie Lou, Shengru Han, Jie Liu, Chengxin Xu, Huajie Luo, Xiaojun Kuang, Jipeng Fu, Haiyan Zheng, Mingxue Tang
2026, 37(6): 111077  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111077
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This study reveals the unique electrochemical mechanism of violet phosphorus (VP) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we detail the alloying reaction mechanism of VP during lithiation. While alloying behavior in black and red phosphorus has been widely studied, intermediate phases remain poorly understood due to complex phase transitions. Our precise NMR assignments link specific signals in VP to distinct atomic sites. The results show that [P8] cage atoms preferentially react with lithium in the early stages, while [P9] cages provide structural support. VP layered structure allows lithium ions to first intercalate between layers, followed by alloying reactions. These findings offer new insights into VP alloying mechanism, advancing the fundamental understanding of its potential in next-generation energy storage systems.
Hydrogen bonding-reinforced multi-component cross-linked hydrogel electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and stretchability for stabilized zinc anodes
Yu Wang, Kun Ding, Xuerong Gong, Shou Chen, Ao Sun, Junxi Zhang, Baofeng Wang
2026, 37(6): 111078  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111078
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Hydrogel electrolytes are widely used in zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) due to their advantages of regulating zinc deposition/stripping process, and limiting dendrite growth. However, their relatively poor ionic conductivity and mechanical properties remain significant obstacles to their practical application in ZIBs. Herein, the multi-component cross-linked polyacrylamide/carboxymethyl cellulose/agarose (PCA) hydrogel polymerized electrolytes are designed via a heat-initiated polymerization approach. The PCA hydrogel electrolytes exhibit high ionic conductivity of 38.78 mS/cm and excellent mechanical strength from 2.9 MPa to 5.6 MPa. Meanwhile, the ample hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups on the PCA hydrogel electrolytes chain can capture and anchor H2O molecules via hydrogen bonding, thus fundamentally regulating the coordination environment of Zn2+ and inhibiting side reactions. The combined effect of carboxyl (-COOH) groups and amino (-NH2) groups in PCA hydrogel electrolytes can induce the uniform deposition of zinc ions. Consequently, The Zn//Zn symmetrical cell assembled with this hydrogel electrolytes demonstrate excellent cycling stability over 2500 h at the current density of 1 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the Zn//MnO2/CNT full cell retains a specific capacity of 127.2 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at 1 A/g, with 97.8% capacity retention.
Tuning chiral-inversion temperature of protonated cystamine in perovskite compounds through halogen substitution
Chuan-Xin Bao, Yu-Xia Li, Kai-Ge Gao, Cheng-Dong Liu, Jie-Sheng Hu, Hui Ai, Jun Tao, Zi-Shuo Yao
2026, 37(6): 111386  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111386
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Tuning molecular chirality through external stimuli stands at the forefront of chemical science. Here, we systematically examine the stereodynamic properties of a series of Cu(Ⅱ)-based perovskite single crystals, CystaH2[CuCl(4-x)Brx] (CystaH2 = protonated cystamine cation, x = 0.74, 0.80, 1.05, 1.11, 1.18), which undergo a polar-to-nonpolar ferroelectric phase transition. In these compounds, the symmetry breaking structural change is governed by an unusually thermally driven P ↔ M helical inversion of the helical CystaH22+ organic cations. The conformational inversion can be substantially modulated by bromide doping. As the bromide content increases, the phase-transition temperature progressively shifts closer to room temperature, decreasing by up to 49 K. Detailed structural analyses reveal that the chiral inversion of CystaH22+ is highly sensitive to local chemical environments, and this doping strategy offers an effective route for precisely governing temperature-mediated chiral transformations, thereby expanding the design space for advanced chiral materials.
Photo-bioactivated azido fluorophores for passive and active cell imaging
Huihui Wei, Yiming Niu, Mingli Xie, Weining He, Min Chen, Tenghui Wang, Qinhong Jiang, Panfei Xing, Chunming Wang
2026, 37(6): 111409  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111409
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Azido molecules (azidos) have been extensively investigated for their potential as biomedical tools. However, the precise mechanism underlying their intracellular activation remains elusive. In this study, we adopted experimental and computational approaches to demonstrate that this activation mechanism is a photo-bioactivation process, facilitated by intracellular proteins that interact with azidos. Building on these findings, we developed a passive cell-specific fluorescence imaging tool for non-invasive cell tracking within three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, an active-targeting subcellular organelle imaging system, and a controllable prodrug delivery platform that enables the spatiotemporal regulation of intracellular release and distribution of therapeutic agents. Overall, our study provides the first comprehensive elucidation of the cellular activation mechanism of azidos, which has significant implications for the development of a diverse array of photo-bioactivated tools and prodrugs.
Vaccination of STING agonists-loaded nanoemulsions for cancer immunotherapy
Xue Ma, Anning Li, Zhiliang Gao, Ning Wang, Mengqi Li, Kanaparedu P.C. Sekhar, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Shumei Zhai, Jiwei Cui, Qun Yu
2026, 37(6): 111410  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111410
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摘要:
Cancer vaccines have proven to be a powerful tool in anti-tumor immunotherapy, leveraging antigen-specific T-cell responses. The effective activation of the stimulator of the interferon gene (STING) protein signal pathway by natural or synthetic agonists leads to the creation of a pro-immune tumor microenvironment. Here, we report the preparation of ovalbumin (OVA) loaded cancer vaccines based on nanoemulsions, denoted as DMMF59-OVA, for the co-delivery of antigens and a STING agonist (MSA-2). The nanovaccines were obtained via encapsulation of MSA-2 into squalene phase, which was stabilized by surfactants and coated with OVA. Upon intramuscular administration, the engineered nanovaccine facilitates antigen internalization, maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and efficient activation of the STING pathway. These results in enhanced antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses that significantly inhibit tumor growth in an E.G7-OVA mouse model. The studies provide an avenue for the application of nanovaccine in tumor immunotherapy. Given the ease of preparation and tunable physicochemical properties, DMMF59-OVA represents a promising therapeutic nanovaccine for biomedical applications
Oral administration of Bacillus spores for mitigation of radiation-induced intestinal injury by regulating gut microbiota
Cuixia Zheng, Yueyue Kong, Xinxin Liu, Mengya Niu, Shuang Li, Yang Liu, Lei Wang, Chen Hong
2026, 37(6): 111422  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111422
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 13992KB] (0)
摘要:
Radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity during abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy for solid malignancies remains a global clinical challenge, with current radioprotective agents demonstrating suboptimal efficacy and systemic toxicity. This study systematically investigates the radioprotective efficacy and mechanisms of purified spores derived from three clinically approved Bacillus species (B. coagulans, B. subtilis, and B. licheniformis). All the three spores exhibit significantly superior X-ray resistance and colonization efficiency to their parent probiotics. Based on this, it is found that these spores significantly reduce X-ray induced injury in intestine and colon tissues by rescuing radiation-induced crypts/villi damage, preventing apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, alleviating inflammation level and enhancing the intestinal barrier functions. Moreover, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing results demonstrate that Bacillus spores can inhibit harmful bacteria while increase relative abundance of probiotics, especially Lactobacillus. Consequently, oral administration of these spores obviously alleviates bodyweight loss and promotes weight gain of mice received total abdominal X-ray radiation, among which mice in the BCS (spores of B. coagulans) group achieves full bodyweight recovery. This work may provide promising radioprotectants for efficiently attenuating radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome.
A coacervate-based redox-responsive cytoplasmic delivery system for antioxidant macromolecule to rescue sensorineural hearing loss
Penghui Chen, Jianmian Fu, Shule Hou, Jifang Zhang, Tianyu Gong, Jingyi Zhu, Sihan Huang, Yuxuan Wu, Qing Zhang, Maoli Duan, Jiarui Chen, Jin Xie, Yangyang Yang, Jun Yang, Xuhong Qian
2026, 37(6): 111447  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111447
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 3796KB] (0)
摘要:
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a prevalent global health issue, primarily caused by excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to acoustic trauma, aging, and ototoxic drugs. Natural antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), possess remarkable ROS scavenging capabilities and hold significant potential for SNHL treatment. However, their clinical application is hindered by inefficient delivery and limited stability. Here, we introduce a novel peptide-oligosaccharide conjugate, sELP-ON, which forms coacervate microdroplets via liquid–liquid phase separation. These microdroplets efficiently encapsulate and stably carry CAT, releasing it in a glutathione-triggered, redox-responsive manner. The CAT-loaded sELP-ON (sELP-ON@CAT) enhanced cellular uptake through direct cytoplasmic internalization and demonstrates a more robust ROS scavenging activity than naked CAT treatment. Local administration of sELP-ON@CAT in an acoustic injury mouse model effectively rescues hearing loss by reducing cochlear ROS levels, thereby mitigating hair cell loss, ribbon synapse depletion, stria vascularis shrinkage and spiral ganglion neuron degeneration. In summary, our innovative coacervate microdroplet system enables targeted, redox-responsive cytoplasmic delivery of macromolecular antioxidants, offering a novel and effective strategy for treating SNHL.
In-situ photopolymerization hydrogel bioadhesive for on-demand rapid sealing of kidney wounds
Yaling Wang, Huiting Zhang, Yu Zhao, Mingyang Liu, Ming-Jie Yin, Quan-Fu An, Yansheng Li
2026, 37(6): 111483  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111483
[摘要]  (34) [HTML全文] (34) [PDF 5553KB] (0)
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Hydrogel bioadhesives, known for their ability to rapidly inhibit bleeding and minimize damage to surrounding tissues, are revolutionizing traditional surgical procedures. The interfacial force between hydrogel bioadhesives and tissue is critical for achieving strong adhesion in wound healing applications. However, preformed hydrogel bioadhesives cannot achieve seamless closure of irregular shape wounds and tend to detach in bleeding environments, limiting their practical applications. In this study, we developed an in-situ photopolymerization hydrogel bioadhesive (IPHB) method to fully seal irregular shape wounds in bleeding conditions within 5 min, eliminating the need for risky artery-blocking procedures. The fluidic hydrogel precursor solution can infiltrate micro- and nanostructured wound, penetrate tissues, and rapidly form an adhesive hydrogel under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation through strong topological entanglement at the interface. The resulting hydrogel demonstrates excellent stretchability, low swelling, and intrinsic antibacterial properties. The IPHB method was successfully employed to seal kidney wounds in a living pig, achieving rapid hemostasis and promoting wound healing without harming healthy tissues. This innovative approach significantly reduces surgical duration and enhances safety. Notably, this study marks the first application of a hydrogel bioadhesive for kidney wound treatment in a living pig, paving the way for safer and more efficient surgical practices.
g-C3N4/ZnO nano-reinforced polysulfonate-PVA dual-network hydrogels for enhanced antibacterial ability and breathable wound healing
Zhenyu Liu, Hizbullah Malik, Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi, Umer Shahzad Malik, Zaib Jahan, Muhammad Salman Haider, Suhaib Umer Ilyas, Rayed S. Alshareef, Honghao Hou, Dong Yang
2026, 37(6): 111494  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111494
[摘要]  (41) [HTML全文] (41) [PDF 2213KB] (0)
摘要:
Wound healing remains a significant challenge in medical science due to the complexity of the process. Hydrogels have emerged as promising materials for wound management, yet achieving non-cytotoxicity, biodegradability, and mechanical robustness in a single formulation continues to be a research focus. This study aims to develop polysulfonate-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPs) membranes reinforced with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and g-C3N4 to meet these requirements. The fabricated membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and were subjected to various biological evaluations including swelling ratios, water vapor transmission rates (WVTR), antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and in-vivo wound healing in a mouse model. The membranes exhibited mechanical strengths of 42.6 MPa and strains up to 183.35%. XRD and FTIR confirmed the successful incorporation of ZnO NPs and g-C3N4, while SEM and AFM revealed a rough surface morphology conducive to cell adhesion. The membranes achieved moisture retention rates over 90%, WVTR values up to 71.66 h g−1 m−2, and swelling ratios as high as 116.06%. Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated cellular viability exceeding 84.37%, and antibacterial assays showed significant inhibition zones. In vivo studies indicated an 88.26% wound healing rate within 9 days, surpassing traditional dressings and saline treatments. These results suggest that PAMPs/PVA/g-C3N4/ZnO membranes are found to be highly effective for wound dressing applications, combining superior mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and enhanced healing efficacy.
Thienothiadiazole-based NIR-Ⅱ D-A-D dye for fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging-navigated photothermal therapy
Xu Sun, Mengchen Luo, Xinyu Xie, Mengyao Liu, Weili Wang, Tian Zhang, Lei An, Jinjun Shao, Xiaochen Dong, Yu Cai
2026, 37(6): 111509  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111509
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 3427KB] (0)
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The development of organic dyes with fluorescence in the second near-infrared (NIR-Ⅱ, 1000–1700 nm) biological window is crucial for deep-tissue tumor phototheranostics. Herein, we synthesized a thienothiadiazole-based NIR-Ⅱ fluorescent dye TTDOC with donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) molecular architecture for photoacoustic/fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT). NIR-Ⅱ dye TTDOC, taking electron-deficient thienothiadiazole as an acceptor and triphenylamine as a donor, exhibited a high fluorescence quantum yield of 1.7% in dichloromethane (IR-1061 as standard, 1.7% in dichloromethane). Upon encapsulation in biocompatible polymer F-127, TTDOC nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated with NIR absorption and fluorescence band covering 900–1150 nm, and demonstrated an outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of 51.6% upon 808 nm photoirradiation. In vivo studies, including fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging, revealed that TTDOC NPs effectively accumulated in tumor tissues, reaching maximal tumor enrichment at 20 h post-injection. In vitro and in vivo results confirmed the ability of TTDOC NPs to enable efficient photoacoustic/fluorescence imaging-guided PTT, offering a promising strategy for deep-tissue tumor treatment.
Computer-aided discovery of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 inhibitors to suppress NETosis and accelerate diabetic wound healing
Huijuan Luo, Haiyue Zuo, Jianzhong Zhu, Juanjuan Zhao, Roufen Chen, Xinle Yang, Fangqi Cao, Ruohan Lou, Xiaowu Dong, Yangyang Bian, Ligen Lin
2026, 37(6): 111510  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111510
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 6959KB] (0)
摘要:
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a significant unfavorable factor for wound healing in diabetes. Citrullination of histone by peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) is the prerequisite for NETs formation. Therefore, PAD4 inhibitors are a promising NETs-targeting strategy to accelerate diabetic wound healing. Herein, a virtual screening workflow incorporating molecular docking and molecular dynamics was performed on a library of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, resulting in the identification of gliquidone as a new PAD4 inhibitor. Gliquidone binds directly to PAD4, inhibits its activity, and interrupts NETs formation in neutrophils, which in turn rescues functional impairment in fibroblasts. Furthermore, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, gliquidone accelerates wound healing. Taken together, gliquidone was successfully identified as a new PAD4 inhibitor through a computer-aided virtual screening pipeline, which might be a therapeutic agent against diabetic foot ulcers.
Structure-activity relationship studies of 3,4-disubstitued indole-2-ketone derivatives identify a potent glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor with antitumor activity against breast cancer
Hui Lei, Yingying Jiang, Jiayu Liu, Weifeng Zhang, Fanbo Meng, Jun Mou, Wenyi Liu, Pengcheng Lei, Rui Xiong, Zan Xu, Hang Zhang, Yanjun Wang, Guo-Bo Li, Lingling Yang, Hua-Li Wang
2026, 37(6): 111511  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111511
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 5743KB] (0)
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Glutaminyl cyclase (QC), a key enzyme catalyzing the pyroglutamate modification of bioactive peptides, has emerged as a promising pharmacological target in cancer and other human diseases. Inhibition of QC activity represents a potential therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with QC dysregulation, suggesting that QC inhibitors might be as promising therapeutic approach for these diseases. Building upon our previous lead compound 1 (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50): Golgi resident QC (gQC), 3.22 µmol/L; secretory QC (sQC), 4.04 µmol/L), we performed systematic structural optimization to develop novel 3,4-disubstituted indole-2-ketone derivatives. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies identified highly active gQC and sQC inhibitors (compounds 24, 28, and 29) with significantly enhanced QC inhibitory activity. Among them, 28 exhibited superior inhibitory activity against gQC (IC50 = 0.095 µmol/L) compared to sQC (IC50 = 1.33 µmol/L), and could most significantly improve the thermal stability of gQC protein. Using compound 17 with similar structure but 130 times lower gQC inhibitory activity than 28 as a negative control, the in vitro anti-tumor activity study found that 28 can bind to gQC in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and significantly inhibit the growth and migration, by affecting cell proliferation and inducing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In nude mice bearing MDA-MB-231 cell xenograft, intratumor injection of 28 (25 mg/kg) produced 40.6% inhibition rates. This work not only provides structural basis and new leads for drug discovery targeting QC, but also presents compelling evidence supporting QC, especially gQC as a potential target for breast cancer therapy.
Rational design of phenanthridine-based AIEgens for organelle-specific imaging: A dual-functional strategy via free amine modulation and carbon-insertion π-extension
Si-Fu Gao, Qiang-Qiang Li, Xing Li, Zi-Qiang Zhang, Huanan Huang, Jun Xuan
2026, 37(6): 111519  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111519
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 3700KB] (0)
摘要:
Phenanthridine-based luminogens are known for their exceptional opto-electronic properties. They have been used in fluorescent materials as well as in biological fields. However, traditional methods for constructing the phenanthridine scaffold typically require pre-functionalized starting materials, photosensitizers or noble transition metals, which will complicate the synthesis and increase the cost. In this study, we introduce an efficient and metal-free approach to synthesize the phenanthridine derivates from free amines under visible-light irradiation. The phenanthridine ring is formed through a carbon insertion π-extension strategy. Significantly, rational design of the leaving group for the carbon-insertion reactions plays a crucial role. We successfully synthesized phenanthridine-based luminogens (DPA-Phen, MeO-DPA-Phen, and DMA-DPA-Phen). These luminogens display robust aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. Notably, they selectively localize within the lipid droplets (LDs) of tumor cells, demonstrating the potential of phenanthridine-based frameworks as viable LDs-selective fluorescent probes.
NIR-Ⅱ PTT and PA agents achieved by engineering D-A-D structure based on aza-BODIPY for tumor treatment
Siyi Hu, Wenze Zhang, Zhigang Ni, Liang Tian, Jiangwei Tian, Hua Lu, Lizhi Gai
2026, 37(6): 111523  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111523
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 4539KB] (0)
摘要:
Near-infrared Ⅱ (NIR-Ⅱ) absorbing dye have garnered significant attention for deep-tissue tumor phototherapy and photoacoustic (PA) imaging. However, NIR-Ⅱ dyes often suffer from poor photostability due to extensive conjugated systems, and J-aggregation type typically exhibit narrow absorption spectra, posing significant challenges in matching laser wavelengths. In this work, we propose a mechanism where charge transfer (CT)-type J aggregation, driven by enhanced intramolecular charge transfer, enables the broad NIR-Ⅱ absorption peak and high photostability. The resulting dyes exhibit strong NIR-Ⅱ absorption, low dark toxicity and high phototoxicity as well as improved biocompatibility. Upon 1064 nm excitation, BDP2-NPs achieve a photothermal conversion efficiency of 34.2% and a maximum temperature of 47 ℃, indicating moderate photothermal performance. In addition, PA imaging was assessed by different laser wavelength. This study underscores the potential of aza-boron-dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY)-based dyes for developing advanced NIR-Ⅱ agents in photothermal therapy and PA imaging.
Albumin-based fluorescent sensor array for differentiating of tetracyclines through host-guest recognitions
Zhongyong Xu, Jun Peng, Wenxing Zhang, Lei Wang, Xiongzhi Xiang, Bin Liu
2026, 37(6): 111525  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111525
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 3386KB] (0)
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The overuse and improper disposal of tetracyclines raise significant environmental and public health concerns due to their persistent ecotoxicological effects. However, there is still a lack of simple, readily available, and effective method for simultaneously detecting multiple tetracyclines. Herein, we present a simple fluorescent sensor array for the detection and identification of multiple tetracyclines (including tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, and doxycycline) based on host-guest recognitions between albumin (host) and tetracycline (guest). Upon entering the hydrophobic cavity of albumin, tetracycline exhibits a significant enhancement in its intrinsic fluorescence. The differential binding affinity of two albumins to four tetracyclines resulted in different fluorescent responses, creating distinct fluorescence patterns for each tetracycline. With the assistance of machine learning technique, including linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), this sensor array demonstrated the significant discrimination and classification capabilities for four common tetracyclines and their mixtures with 100% accuracy. Additionally, the array has been successfully applied to differentiate tetracyclines in real food samples. The spiked antibiotics in water sample were determined with a satisfactory recovery of 96.33%–106.5%. This work offers a simple but promising method for differentiating tetracycline antibiotics and presents a versatile strategy for sensor array design.
Icaritin-incorporated dual-sensitizing hydrogel for osteosarcoma doxorubicin treatment and bone regeneration
Qing-Ri Jin, Tian-Jiao Zhou, Ya-Ting Yao, Hai-Qing Yu, Hao-Bin Che, Meng-Meng Zhang, Chun-Hui Cui, Yi Wang, Cheng-Jun Li, Lei Xing, Hu-Lin Jiang
2026, 37(6): 111539  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111539
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 8224KB] (0)
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Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy. However, treatment remains challenging due to multidrug resistance, toxic side effects from high-dose and frequent chemotherapy, and surgery-induced bone defects. Herein, we report a double-sensitizing chemotherapeutic hydrogel for efficient OS treatment and bone regeneration, which is constructed by loading doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and icaritin (ICT) into Pluronic F127 (F127) and Pluronic F68 (F68) hydrogel matrix (DOX/ICT-gel). Both ICT and Pluronics can sensitize cancer cells to DOX treatment and enhance intracellular DOX accumulation, thereby boosting the cytotoxic activity of DOX. The addition of ICT can not only downregulate the required dose of DOX and reduce the toxic side effects of DOX, but also induce osteoblast differentiation, contributing to bone regeneration. In the in-situ anti-OS study, the DOX/ICT-gel was shown to stay locally for 7 days, and effectively inhibits OS tumor growth and metastasis, providing robust anticancer efficacy with low toxicity from a single injection for long-lasting treatment. This research provides a novel dual-sensitive DOX strategy for localized OS therapy, potentially advancing the clinical management of this challenging disease.
Aptamer-targeted and pH-responsive DNA tetrahedron for survivin mRNA fluorescence imaging and chemo/gene therapy
Mengyue Li, Yue Zheng, Zhijun Lu, Yu Yang, Jiangping Lei, Yi Teng, Wanyi Zhou, Yiman Ge, Chunhui Wu, Hong Yang, Yiyao Liu
2026, 37(6): 111541  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111541
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 4492KB] (0)
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In situ stimuli-responsive nanodevices have gained substantial attention in recent years owing to their remarkable potential to enhance tumor imaging and therapeutic effects. Herein, we formulated a pH-responsive, aptamer-functionalized DNA tetrahedral nanoplatform (ASTD) for improved visualization of survivin mRNA and chemo/gene therapy. ASTD, assembled by four single-stranded DNA, integrates pH-responsive i-motif sequences, survivin mRNA-targeted molecular beacons and AS1411 aptamers. Taking advantage of the tumor-targeting ability of AS1411 aptamer, ASTD monomers self-assemble into a multifunctional DNA polymeric tetrahedron (ASPD) on the tumor cell surface upon exposure to acidic tumor microenvironment. ASPD exhibits enhanced cellular uptake, superior survivin mRNA imaging, and efficient survivin gene silencing. Furthermore, Dox-loaded ASPD shows a significant antitumor effect, resulting in approximately 66% apoptosis of tumor cells. This study develops a dynamic DNA tetrahedral nanoplatform with diagnostic and therapeutic dual-functionalities, offering a promising strategy for advancing precise cancer theranostics.
Regulating electron transfer between valence-variable Fe and Cu sites in bimetallic MOFs to enhance ROS generation for day-night antibacterial efficacy
Shanshan Cheng, Lingjing Yu, Siqi Liu, Hongyi Gao, Changan Wang, Zeyang Song, Supakorn Boonyuen, Muye Niu, Ge Wang
2026, 37(6): 111553  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111553
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 7218KB] (0)
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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated oxidative stress represents a pivotal mechanism in antimicrobial activity, but most ROS-releasing materials require external stimuli, restricting their efficacy for continuous day-night applications. In this study, we present a novel substitution strategy to synthesize Cu-doped bimetallic organic frameworks with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (CUMS), aiming to enhance ROS-mediated antimicrobial efficacy by regulating electron transfer between Cu and valence-variable Fe sites through Cu doping. The incorporation of Cu sites effectively modifies the electronic structure of Fe sites and optimizes the energy band structure of Fe-MIL-101, facilitating the effective electron transfer between the metal sites. Furthermore, the thermal treatment promotes the formation of coordinatively unsaturated electron-rich Fe active sites, significantly enhancing the O2 adsorption and activation, which in turn boosts ROS generation. Notably, the 0.5Cu-Fe-MIL-101(CUMS) exhibits remarkable ROS generation capability, demonstrates a 99.99% antibacterial effectiveness against Escherichia coli (E. coli) within 30 min of light exposure, and maintains a 99.99% antimicrobial efficacy after 4 h in darkness, thus achieving robust day-night antimicrobial activity. Density functional theory calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirm that the enhanced electron transfer between Cu and Fe sites facilitates the adsorption of O2 and H2O2 on the valence-variable Fe sites, promoting the spontaneous generation of ·O2− and ·OH, which induce oxidative stress and membrane damage in bacterial cells. This study highlights the potential of strategically tailoring the electronic properties surrounding the coordinatively unsaturated metal sites in bimetallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for advanced antibacterial applications.
Hypertaxoids A and B, two unique meroterpenoids from Hypericum elatoides as microtubule stabilizers and their antiproliferative effects on cervical cancer
Jin-Yan Xie, Yu-Qi Gao, Wu-Yang Liu, Sheng-Yong Zhang, Ding Li, Wen-Ji Wang, Jiang-Jiang Tang, Jin-Ming Gao
2026, 37(6): 111580  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111580
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 3467KB] (0)
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Hypertaxoids A (Hyp A, 1) and B (Hyp B, 2), two highly modified benzoyl polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) with an unprecedented carbon skeleton, were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum elatoides. Compounds 1 and 2 share a bicyclo[5.3.1]hendecane motif fused a 1,1-dimethylcyclohexane unit, with a taxoid-like 6/8/6 tricyclic core, while compound 1 possesses a new 6/8/6/5 tetracyclic ring system. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analysis, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS), X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. A key cation-anion progress in formation mechanism of 1 and 2 was revealed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Among them, hypertaxoid B displayed selective inhibition on cell growth of human cervical cancer lines. The mechanism of action revealed that Hyp B could stabilize tubulin polymerization and disrupt the microtubule network, leading to apoptosis in C-33A cells through the mitochondria signaling pathway. Moreover, Hyp B significantly suppressed the C-33A tumor growth, brain metastasis, and angiogenesis in zebrafish xenograft models. Compound 2 represents the first tubulin polymerization-promoting natural product of PPAPs, which highlights it as a promising lead compound with a new type of skeleton for antineoplastic drug development for cervical cancer treatment.
Achieving photo-controlled reversible multicolor luminescent supramolecular assembly by multicharged β-cyclodextrin
Rong Zhang, Zhiyi Yu, Hengyi Zhang, Yu Liu
2026, 37(6): 111633  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111633
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 8715KB] (0)
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Multivalent supramolecular assemblies not only can efficiently enhance the photophysical properties of functional molecules, but also are able to intelligently modulate the luminescence behavior. Herein, the photo-controlled reversible multicolor luminescent supramolecular assembly was constructed on agarose substrate by non-covalent interactions, which was composed of multicharged β-cyclodextrin (AMCD) with adamantane-modified spiropyrane derivative (Adam-SP) and tetraphenylethene derivatives (TPE). Firstly, the positively charged AMCD and negatively charged TPE form a binary assembly AMCD@TPE through electrostatic interaction, significantly enhancing the luminescence of TPE at 480 nm with a quantum yield (QY) jump from 0.68% to 31.24%. Moreover, the binary assembly AMCD@TPE and Adam-SP further formed a ternary assembly Adam-MC@AMCD@TPE through strong host-guest interaction, which not only achieved photo-regulated multicolor reversible fluorescence in both aqueous solution and agarose hydrogel under alternating visible light irradiation and dark treatment, but also produced adjustable luminescence changes under thermal stimulation. The ternary assembly Adam-MC@AMCD@TPE was successfully applied to photo-controlled multiple anti-counterfeiting.
Synthesis, characterization and hydride reduction of PNP-pincer molybdenum and tungsten carbyne complexes
Xiwen Yu, Haiqi Xu, Tao Xu, Tongling Liang, Yunhui Yang, Congyang Wang
2026, 37(6): 111672  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111672
[摘要]  (34) [HTML全文] (34) [PDF 2595KB] (0)
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The first synthesis, characterization, and hydride reduction reactions of a series of PNP-pincer ligand supported molybdenum and tungsten carbyne complexes [(PNP)M(≡CAr)X(CO)] [M = Mo, W; PNP = Ph2P(CH2)2N(CH3)(CH2)2PPh2, R2P(CH2)2N(H)(CH2)2PR2, R = Ph, Cy] are reported. Treatment of [(PNP)M(≡CAr)X(CO)] with LiAlH4 led to full reduction of the carbyne carbon, giving PP-bidentate η6-arene molybdenum and tungsten complexes. Alternatively, when NaBH4 was used as a reductant, the carbyne ligand completely dissociated from the molybdenum center to yield toluene and dimolybdenum biscarbonyl complex [(PNP)Mo(CO)]2. These PNP-pincer molybdenum and tungsten carbyne complexes showed unique reactivity with hydride reagents preferably at the carbyne carbons, in contrast to the metal centers of non-pincer molybdenum and tungsten carbyne complexes in previous reports.
Electrophotocatalytic decarbonylative [4+2] cyclization of indenones
Guo-Cai Yuan, Ming-Gang Li, Sha Yang, Kanghui Song, Chen-Xu Gong, Shuang-Jun Zhu, Yuanming Li, Ke-Yin Ye
2026, 37(6): 111709  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111709
[摘要]  (32) [HTML全文] (32) [PDF 3410KB] (0)
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A neutral Diels-Alder reaction lacking enough electronic bias typically requires forcing conditions to proceed owing to the enlarged energy gap between HOMO and LUMO. We herein report an electrophotocatalytic decarbonylative [4 + 2] cyclization of indenones under mild reaction conditions for facile access toward various benzo[c]fluorenones. Mechanistic investigations revealed that this reaction first underwent photocatalytic decarbonylative [4 + 2] cyclization followed by an electrocatalytic oxidation. Consistent with their photophysical properties and DFT calculations, the obtained benzo[c]fluorenones displayed remarkable photocatalytic activity both in the current electrophotocatalytic decarbonylative [4 + 2] cyclization of indenones and in the oxidation of benzhydrol.
A blood–brain barrier-penetrative fluorescent probe revealing brain hypoxia damage in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Yuxun Lu, Ning Zhu, Gui Zhang, Huan Liu, Le Yu, Qisi Sun, Ruqiu Zhang, Xiaojuan Su, Yinuo Li, Zhenhui Li, Fan Li, Ying Zhou
2026, 37(6): 111712  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111712
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 7775KB] (0)
摘要:
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of infant mortality and permanent neurological abnormalities, highlighting the importance of early identification and accurate diagnosis. Fluorescence sensing provides various benefits over traditional diagnostic methods, including real-time detection of hypoxia, which is often linked to HIE, and molecular-level insights. Herein, a novel hypoxia-responsive fluorescent probe, BOD, was created to overcome the difficulties associated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration for brain damage imaging using a HIE model. BOD can be cleaved by azoreductase to produce a red fluorescent signal, with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and biocompatibility. Crucially, BOD effectively monitors neural cells across varying oxygen concentrations, particularly in hypoxic microenvironments, providing vital insights into the impact of oxygen deprivation on neural cell function during HIE. In both cellular and ex vivo mouse brain tissue models, the effectiveness of BOD was confirmed: it outperformed conventional techniques in the reliable identification of hypoxic injury sites, differentiating between mild, moderate, and severe injury. Thanks to its excellent permeability due to its lipophilicity and positive charge, BOD can pass through the BBB, with strong fluorescence in the periventricular white matter (PWM) and cortex strongly correlated with injury severity. This study is novel in its application of a hypoxia-responsive fluorescent probe for brain damage imaging in an HIE model, highlighting the substantial potential of BOD for real-time, in vivo imaging, representing a promising tool for early diagnosis and investigation of HIE.
Bromo nitrile oxide-mediated disulfide formation and capping of N-terminal cysteine in peptides
Jingrong Huang, Xin Ding, Zihan Lin, Yu Lin, Yongqi Liao, Wang Gu, Fa-Jie Chen, Fen-Er Chen
2026, 37(6): 111715  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111715
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 5096KB] (0)
摘要:
Nitrile oxide is a highly reactive species used for organic synthesis and bioconjugation. Herein, we developed a novel approach for disulfide formation and capping of N-terminal cysteine in peptides mediated by bromo nitrile oxide. 1,1-Dibromoformaldoxime acts as the precursor for bromo nitrile oxide. This transformation proceeds under mild conditions with rapid kinetics, efficiently converting a broad range of thiophenols, thiols, and cysteine-containing native peptides into disulfides, cyclic disulfides, or thiazolidin-2-one oximes. Notably, oxidant-sensitive residues such as methionine, tyrosine, and tryptophan are well tolerated without over-oxidation. The compatibility with aqueous media further highlights its potential for the late-stage modification of native peptides and the derivatization of biologically active molecules.
Selective synthesis of [6-6-7]/[6-6-6] core polycyclic heterocycles via Lewis acid-mediated cascade annulation of 1,6-enynols with aminonitriles
Zan Chen, Yi Wang, Yuxuan Zhou, Yunlang Li, Rong Xiong, Wenting Huang, Huanfeng Jiang, Wanqing Wu
2026, 37(6): 111718  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111718
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 2106KB] (0)
摘要:
Polycyclic heterocycles are prevalent in medicines, functional materials and natural products, making their synthesis a significant focus in modern organic chemistry. Herein, we present a Lewis acid-mediated cascade annulation of 1,6-enynols with o-aminobenzonitriles for the chemoselective synthesis of oxepino[3,4,5-de][1,6]naphthyridine and chromeno[2,3,4-de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives. This reaction design enables selective control over the carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond formation in an efficient, atom-economical manner, allowing the one-step synthesis of rare [6-6-7] and [6-6-6] core polycyclic heterocycles containing three heteroatoms. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and control experiments reveal that the reaction's high selectivity is achieved by modulating the reactivity of electron-rich alkenyl groups in the enynols, which selectively directs the intramolecular dehydroaromatization and cyclization processes.
Two-fold gold(I)-catalyzed 7-endo-dig annulation toward synthesis of curved azepine-embedded nanographenes
Chenwei Li, Yijian Ma, Jun Yu, Jing Liu, Jiang Wang, Jiajia Liu, Kailiang Ding, Manman Sun, Chengshuo Shen, Xunshan Liu, Maozhong Miao
2026, 37(6): 111719  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111719
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 3874KB] (0)
摘要:
Nanographenes (NGs) incorporating N-doped heptagonal units demonstrate intriguing physicochemical properties, attributed to their negatively curved structure induced by the angular strain of the heptagons and the electronic effects of nitrogen atoms, while their precise synthesis remains a challenging task. Herein, we developed an efficient approach for the construction of azepine-embedded NGs via two-fold SNAr/gold(I)-catalyzed 7-endo-dig annulation from commercially available 4,7-dibromo-5,6-difluorobenzo[2,1,3]thiadiazole. The fusion of two heptagonal rings dramatically increases the intramolecular strain and forces the central skeleton to twist, giving rise to a unique packing mode in the crystal. The incorporation of thiadiazole leads to a pronounced bathochromic shift in the fluorescence emission, which causes the typical product to display NIR-emission. Furthermore, it is found that the backbone core of these NGs with thiadiazole exhibits excellent single-molecule conductivity as well.
A periodically ordered cruciform DNA nanowire guided-localized HCR for simultaneous and rapid detection and imaging of dual-microRNAs
Hongmin Lei, Jie Zhou, Yichen Han, Yaqin Chai, Ruo Yuan
2026, 37(6): 111737  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111737
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 3748KB] (0)
摘要:
In this work, a periodically ordered cruciform DNA nanowire (POCDN) guided-localized hybridization chain reaction (LHCR) was designed for the simultaneous and rapid detection and imaging of dual-miRNAs in cancer cells. In the presence of the targets miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 associated with breast cancer, the hairpins on both sides of the DNA nanowire were opened to undergo a LHCR, and the trace amount of the target miRNAs were converted into numerous 5-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) and Cy5 signals, which in turn enabled the simultaneous and sensitive detection and visualization of dual-miRNAs targets in malignant tumor cells. Impressively, folic acid (FA) labelled on the structural backbone of DNA nanowires could be specifically targeted to malignant tumor cells with overexpressing the folate receptor, which greatly improved the efficiency of delivery into the cell and enabled precise imaging of intracellular miRNAs without the liposomal transfection. Compared with conventional hybridization chain reaction (HCR), the POCDN-guided LHCR confined the reactants in a compact space, greatly improving the sensitivity of the assay and the reaction rate, with a 5.3-fold reduction in reaction time to just 5 min and detection limits as low as 0.97 and 0.58 pmol/L for miRNA-21 and miRNA-155, respectively. This strategy provides a programmable platform for simultaneous rapid and sensitive detection and precise visualization of multi-miRNAs with eventual applications in bioanalytical studies and potential for future clinical diagnostics of diseases.
Atroposelective transformation of vinyl cations by chiral Brønsted acid catalysis
Da-Qiu Cui, Quan-Xin Li, Jia-Bo Huang, Ying-Qi Zhang, Xuan Wang, Shao-Fei Ni, Long-Wu Ye, Bo Zhou
2026, 37(6): 111738  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111738
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摘要:
Over the past decades, vinyl cations have been developed as versatile synthetic intermediates in organic chemistry, that allow the construction of various C–C and C–X bonds. However, the catalytic enantioselective transformation of vinyl cations remains one of the major challenges in asymmetric catalysis, especially for the organocatalytic enantioselective reaction. Herein, we report a chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed atroposelective reaction of vinyl cations by combining organocatalytic diyne cyclization with C(sp2)–H functionalization of diphenols. The effective chiral induction model of vinyl cations enables the streamlined synthesis of axially chiral acyclic tetrasubstituted alkenes with the simultaneous control of chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, E/Z selectivity and enantioselectivity. Further derivatizations and applications demonstrate the potential utility of constructed axially chiral skeletons in asymmetric catalysis. Computational mechanistic studies reveal the reaction mechanism and origin of selectivities. Notably, this protocol represents the first organocatalytic asymmetric intermolecular reaction of vinyl cations, as well as the first organocatalytic enantioselective diyne cyclization.
Palladium catalyzed tandem Heck/Tsuji-Trost and 6-endo cyclization reactions of aryl iodides, vinylacetic acid, and aryl amines
Xiaoya Zhuo, Xiangwen Tan, Yi Wang, Wanqing Wu, Huanfeng Jiang
2026, 37(6): 111777  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111777
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 1032KB] (0)
摘要:
Heck/Tsuji-Trost reaction and cyclization reactions have been established as efficient and practical strategies for constructing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. However, it is challenging to achieve a direct cascade of Heck/Tsuji-Trost and 6-endo cyclization reactions in one-pot synthesis, primarily due to the reactivity of intermediates and the regioselectivity control of the reaction. In this work, a palladium-catalyzed, Heck/Tsuji-Trost and 6-endo cyclization tandem reaction of aryl iodides, vinylacetic acid, and aryl amines has been developed, providing an effective approach for one-pot synthesis of substituted quinolines in moderate to good yields. The broad functional group tolerance, high regioselectivity, gram-scale experiments, and successful late-stage modification of natural products and pharmaceuticals proved the versatility and practicality of this method. Additionally, mechanistic experiments demonstrate that the branched amination product serves as a key intermediate in this reaction.
Fluoride-induced sign inversion of circularly polarized luminescence of B,N-thia[8]helicene
Shuai Qiu, Jia Tang, Wan Xu, Zhiying Ma, Chao Zhang, Sheng Zhang, Chunli Li, Wei Tian, Hua Wang
2026, 37(6): 111778  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111778
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 2319KB] (0)
摘要:
A novel thia[8]helicene (BN[8]H) with B, N heteroatoms incorporated in the molecular skeleton was synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction and intramolecular direct electrophilic C-H borylation. Its helical structure was confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis. Enantiomers BN[8]H showed the interesting responses to fluoride ion stimulation with novel sign inversion of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). TD-DFT calculations revealed that the fluoride ions significant influence the transition dipole moments and θu,m, resulting in circularly polarized luminescence reversal.
A predictable supramolecular strategy overcomes the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) problem in sensitive bioimaging of plant signaling species
Juan Liu, Tian Wang, Jinghan Yang, Peiyi Wang
2026, 37(6): 111782  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111782
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 7384KB] (0)
摘要:
Conventional aromatic fluorophores in fluorescent probes can easily initiate molecular aggregation via π–π stacking, which drastically quenches fluorescence and hinders cellular permeability. To address this challenge, we developed an ingenious host-guest recognition strategy that converted detrimental π-π stacking into a relaxed molecular aggregation state, enabling the creation of a rhodamine-based supramolecular fluorescent probe called RAO@2CB[8]. This ternary conjugate, assembled by encapsulating adamantyl-modified rhodamine (RAO) with two cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), showcased enhanced fluorescence properties for the precise detection of salicylic acid (SA). Intriguingly, in intricate biological systems, RAO@2CB[8] demonstrated exceptional cell permeability, facilitating susceptible detection and imaging of SA in HEK-293 cells, radish roots, and salt-stressed white pea seedlings. This facile supramolecular strategy not only mitigates aggregation-induced quenching, but also provides profound insights for the precise modulation of molecular aggregation behavior.
Imination enables efficient formation of a pillararene-inspired host with endo-cavity hydrogen-bonding capability
Sem Bleus, Sergio Ribone, Renny Maria Losus, Liliana Dobrzańska, Luc Van Meervelt, Wim Dehaen
2026, 37(6): 111792  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111792
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 2160KB] (0)
摘要:
The efficient design of novel macrocycles with enhanced properties over their parent scaffold represents a major challenge in supramolecular chemistry. Here, we exemplify imination as a purification-free method to develop novel pillar[n]arene-like macrocycles with partial-belt nitrogen functionalization. Compared to similarly sized pillar[n]arene-inspired arenes, the strategy provides an increased scalability and an up to 16-fold improvement in macrocyclization yield. X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations reveal a similar electron density and cavity size as pillar[5]arene. The altered geometry and enhanced flexibility, however, permit complexing di-, tri- and tetrasubstituted cyanobenzenes, generating guest complementarity to all-carbon pillar[n]arenes. The suitable positioning of hydrogen bond acceptors facilitates binding based on endo-cavity hydrogen bonding, a feature largely unreported in peralkylated pillar[n]arenes. Reduction straightforwardly afforded a polyamine macrocycle of modified geometry.
Exploring the composition space of quinary metal oxides for oxygen evolution reaction on an automated platform
Zhongyin Zhao, Yunfan Fu, Sihui Chen, Zhenye Liang, Shaoru Cheng, Xueshan Hu, Yunchao Yin, Jinlong Yang, Yang Liu, Jiayu Wan
2026, 37(6): 111829  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111829
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 4618KB] (0)
摘要:
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for renewable energy systems, such as water splitting and metal air batteries. However, the slow kinetics of OER significantly limits the overall energy conversion efficiency, necessitating effective catalysts. The multielement transition metal oxides offer a promising alternative compared to precious metal oxides, yet their composition optimization remains challenging due to the vastness of the combinatorial space. Traditional trial-and-error approaches are labor-intensive and inefficient. To address this challenge, we develop an innovative automated platform integrating machine learning (ML) with Bayesian optimization for rapid and cost-effective synthesis and evaluation of electrocatalysts. This platform allows the automation of the entire experimental process, from synthesis to evaluation, enabling real-time feedback and guiding subsequent experiments. In a continuous operation of 32 h, the platform conducted 96 experiments to optimize the composition of (Ni-Fe-Co-Mn-Mo)Ox, resulting in an electrocatalyst with an overpotential of 231 mV at 10 mA/cm2. This automated approach significantly reduces manual intervention and enhances efficiency, proving to be a valuable tool for optimizing materials in complex, multidimensional spaces.
Constructing high-performance quasi-solid-state sodium-air batteries with water-soluble discharge products using heterogeneous hydrogel electrolytes
Bowen Xu, Hongkun Zhang, Xuantian Feng, Da Zhang, Bin Yang, Feng Liang
2026, 37(6): 111880  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111880
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 5490KB] (0)
摘要:
The construction of quasi-solid-state sodium-air batteries (SABs) by replacing traditional liquid electrolytes with gel electrolytes has become one of the future focus areas in the SABs field. However, the currently developed quasi-solid-state SABs inevitably produce insoluble discharge products during the discharge process, which leads to limited rate capability and poor cycling stability. In this study, a hydrogel electrolyte (PANa-NCNT) containing nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) and sodium polyacrylate (PANa) was designed, and a quasi-solid-state SAB with highly water-soluble NaOH as the main discharge product was constructed. The physical entanglement between NCNT and PANa in the PANa-NCNT hydrogel electrolyte leads to the heterogeneous structure of gel, which effectively enhances the thermodynamic stability of the hydrogel electrolyte. In addition, the aqueous components of electrolyte determine the reaction pathway of battery. During discharge, the oxygen reduction reaction proceeds via 2e- pathway to generate soluble NaOH, while during charging, the oxygen evolution reaction exhibits a mixed 2e-/4e- reaction pathway. Benefiting from the good thermodynamic stability of PANa-NCNT hydrogel electrolyte and the water-soluble discharge products, the fabricated quasi-solid-state SAB demonstrates stable cycling for 330 cycles (187 h) at 0.5 mA/cm2 in ambient air. These findings reveal the influence of the liquid-phase components in the gel electrolyte on the reaction pathways, which is conducive to promoting the application of hydrogels in quasi-solid-state SABs.
Multivariate MOF-derived single-atom catalyst with enhanced site accessibility as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc-air batteries
Guoxin Zhang, Shaoqing Feng, Kairen Cheng, Xingxing Li, Jiangxia Tian, Kai Chen, Huile Jin, Shun Wang
2026, 37(6): 111918  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111918
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 4262KB] (0)
摘要:
High-performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts are urgently required for rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) due to sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER) at the air cathode. In this study, an iron single-atom catalyst (Fe-SAC, FeTCPP@UiO-66–800) is synthesized by direct pyrolysis of a metalloporphyrin-incorporated multivariate MOF. The spatial separation effect of the framework linkers endows Fe-SAC with hierarchical porosity, improved metal utilization efficiency, and enhanced site accessibility by suppressing the metal agglomeration during pyrolysis. Moreover, the possible formation of di- or tri-atomic iron sites facilitates the OER activity via the oxide pathway mechanism (OPM), contributing to the excellent bifunctional ORR/OER performance with a ΔE of 0.59 V. Both liquid and flexible ZAB assembled with FeTCPP@UiO-66–800 demonstrate enhanced activity, long-term durability, and anti-deformation ability (340.5 mW/cm2 peak power density in liquid device). This study presents a novel strategy for preparing MOF-derived SACs with highly accessible single-atom sites, offering a promising route to high-performance energy conversion devices.
N-B-O-crosslinker-induced mechanochemical conversion of carbon phase unlocks efficient hydrogen peroxide electrosynthesis
Leping Xie, Caihong Liang, Huazhang Guo, Kang Wang, Shihao Zhang, Jiye Zhang, Yeng Ming Lam, Zheng Liu, Liang Wang
2026, 37(6): 111934  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111934
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Metal-free carbon materials are effective catalysts for electrochemical H2O2 synthesis. Here, we employ a hydrothermal-ball milling tandem strategy to convert nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot (N-CQD) into N, B, O-codoped carbon nanosheets via mechanochemical crosslinking. The formation of covalent N–B–O linkages correlate with nanosheet thickness and boosts 2e− ORR performance. The optimized CN-B-3 catalyst achieves 98.4% selectivity at 0.68 V vs. RHE, a low Tafel slope of 73.5 mV/dec, and a high ring current density of 0.46 mA/cm2. It maintains 92.2% and 88.7% of initial ring and disk currents after 18 h, with exceptional long-term stability demonstrated over 50 h in both flow and solid-state electrolyte cells, yielding up to 213 mmol/L H2O2. DFT calculations reveal that covalent bonds formed by dehydration of two -OH groups (BO2HN-, B(OH)2-PyN- and B(OH)-PyN-) are key to nanosheet formation. Linkages between B and nitrogen atoms on the carbon ring favor H2O2 generation more than B–pyridinic-N connections. This study paves an avenue for converting 0D CQD to 2D carbon nanosheets and highlights the catalytic role of N–B–O linkers in sustainable H2O2 electrosynthesis.
Targeted delivery of nitidine chloride inducing ferroptosis and necroptosis as a novel anti-lung squamous cell carcinoma strategy
Xiaoqin Pan, Changsheng Li, Xinyi Ai, Changqing Tao, Jingchuan He, Tingting Li, Zhihua Deng, Xiaocheng Mo, Ya Chen, Xiumei Qin, Dongmei Wang, Ronghua Jin, Jie Yang
2026, 37(6): 111968  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111968
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摘要:
Nitidine chloride (NC) exhibits potent antitumor activity through ferroptosis induction. However, its clinical application is limited by poor aqueous solubility and non-selective cytotoxicity. To overcome these challenges, we developed a pH-responsive delivery system (HD@NC@MOF), combining a hyaluronic acid (HA)-cloaked and mixed-valence iron-based metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF), enabling strategic targeting of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) cells via CD44 receptor recognition. Within the acidic intracellular microenvironment, HD@NC@MOF co-releases NC and iron ions, triggering a profound reactive oxygen species (ROS) surge, and ultimately inducing ferroptosis and necroptosis through the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)/receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) pathways. In vitro, HD@NC@MOF exhibited significantly enhanced selective cytotoxicity towards LUSC cells compared to free NC (selectivity index improved from 0.54 to 2.58). Mechanistic studies revealed that NC stimulated mitochondrial ROS production, synergizing with Fe-MOF-derived iron to amplify oxidative stress. In vivo, HD@NC@MOF achieved a 69.02% tumor inhibition rate (1.72-fold higher than free NC) with minimal systemic toxicity. This work highlighted the potential of HD@NC@MOF as an efficient and targeted carrier for NC in LUSC chemotherapy.
Efficient degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride via high-redox S-scheme MOF-on-MOF heterojunction catalyst
Yu Wang, Changjiang Lu, Danhua Jiao, Fei Wang, Xiaojian Gong, Tianhua Yu, Anping Wang, Chong-Chen Wang
2026, 37(6): 111979  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111979
[摘要]  (33) [HTML全文] (33) [PDF 7791KB] (0)
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The strategic engineering of heterointerface architecture is demonstrating its critical pathway for optimizing charge dynamics in metal-organic framework (MOF)-based photo-Fenton systems. This work presents a novel ZIF-8@NH2−MIL-101(Fe) heterostructure with precisely controlled MOF-on-MOF configuration, which exhibits exceptional catalytic performance in the degradation of antibiotics. Experimental results revealed desired catalytic capacity with 91.4% tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation within a short time and satisfactory stability across pH 3.0–9.0 under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). Ecotoxicological assessment exhibits that the ecological risks of degradation intermediates diminish significantly when compared with those of the parent TCH. Comprehensive mechanistic investigation indicates that TCH decomposition is governed by superoxide radical (•O2−) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) as the primary reactive species. The proposed S-scheme charge transfer mechanism is verified by Mott–Schottky analysis and in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the enhanced interfacial charge separation efficiency is confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This work not only advances the development of Fe-based MOF heterojunctions for photo-Fenton catalysis but also provides critical insights into the relationship between heterostructure engineering and catalytic efficiency.
Selective nitrate photoreduction to ammonia on photo-induced halogen vacancies with promoted hydrogen atom transfer
Fuqiang Guo, Xian Shi, Xing'an Dong, Chunyu Li, Shanshan Xu, Wendong Zhang, Weidong Dai, Wenjie He, Xin Jin, Peng Yu, Fan Dong
2026, 37(6): 111980  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111980
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The efficient removal and conversion of nitrate (NO3-) from wastewater is an urgent environmental issue. The catalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) process, which involves transferring eight electrons and nine protons, poses significant challenges in improving hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). In this study, we synthesized Bi4O5X2 (BOX, X = Cl, Br, I) nanosheets to enhance HAT efficiency by managing halogen vacancies and optimizing oxidation half-reactions. This approach significantly increased ammonia selectivity. We found that larger halogen radii and higher vacancy concentrations improve water dissociation, boosting HAT efficiency. Additionally, replacing the challenging water oxidation half-reaction with ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation aligned with NO3- reduction further improved HAT efficiency, achieving an NH4+ selectivity of 97.2%. Rapid-scan in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed that iodine-rich vacancy surfaces accelerated the conversion of EG hydroxyl groups into carbonyls, releasing active hydrogen atoms and suppressing NO2- formation. This process efficiently converted nitrate to ammonia, presenting a promising method for photocatalytic NO3RR pollutant resourcing. These findings offer valuable strategies for enhancing the production of reactive hydrogen atoms and effectively managing nitrate-nitrogen pollution.
Self-cleaning MOFs (CoBDC-NH2)/GO nanofluidic membranes via interfacial cooperative assembly for high-performance wastewater treatment
Siyuan Chen, Hongjun Lin, Zhiyu Zhao, Cheng Chen, Wei Yu, Boya Wang, Jing Ma, Leihong Zhao, Guanhua Jin, Liguo Shen
2026, 37(6): 111982  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111982
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Despite the compelling potential of metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes for water remediation, their poor membrane-forming crystallinity, limited solution-processability, and propensity to aggregate have impeded industrial deployment. Through interfacial cooperative assembly, we construct a well-dispersed 2D/3D nanofluidic composite membrane by coupling novel three-dimensional CoBDC-NH2 nanocrystals (one-dimensional channels, 7 Å × 8.6 Å) with two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO). The synergistic interfacial interactions between flexible GO and rigid MOF components create a highly uniform architecture while furnishing rapid electron-transfer pathways and strong electrostatic repulsion; the rigid CoBD-CNH2 imparts angstrom-scale molecular sieving, ultrafast water-transport channels, and catalytically active Co sites. This interfacial synergy delivers an exceptional pure-water flux of 737.5 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 together with 99.8% rejection of bulky anionic dyes, decisively breaking the canonical flux-selectivity trade-off. XDLVO theory analysis confirms pronounced antifouling propensity, and density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations show that interfacial cooperative effects between GO and MOF lower the activation barrier for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, enabling a self-cleaning cycle that restores 90.3% of the initial flux after fouling. By integrating molecular-precision sieving, charge-regulated transport, and in-situ catalytic regeneration within a scalable platform via interfacial cooperative assembly, this work offers a versatile blueprint for next-generation high-performance MOF membranes and signals broad opportunities in sustainable wastewater treatment and beyond.
Synergistic disinfection by microwave electrodeless ultraviolet light and in situ generated O3: Characteristics of bacterial inactivation, reactivation and disinfection mechanism
Jun-Jie Wang, Jue-Lin Xiang, Hai-Sheng Du, Jian Zhao, Li Li, Ming-Qi Ye, Ye Du
2026, 37(6): 111984  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111984
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Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection has some disadvantages such as unstable disinfection effect and bacterial revival. The UV/ozone (O3) co-disinfection process can be capable of solving the above-mentioned problems, but the current technology has the disadvantages of high costs and high operational risk. In this study, a new type of simultaneous O3-producing microwave electrodeless UV lamp (O3−MWUVL) was developed. The device can emit 254 nm and 185 nm UV, which can produce O3 while disinfecting. The O3−MWUVL exhibited significant disinfecting effects against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). The disinfection effect of MWUV/O3 was better than that of MWUV or O3. The inactivation rate of E. coli disinfected by MWUV/O3 can reach 3.44 log when the UV dose was 16 mJ/cm2, and the inactivation rate of B. subtilis disinfected by MWUV/O3 can reach 4.64 log when the UV dose was 30 mJ/cm2. At the same time, the MWUV/O3 treatment can effectively inhibit the photoreactivation of E. coli. The maximum photoreactivation rate of E. coli treated by MWUV/O3 was only 0.11%. Additionally, the disinfection efficacy of the O3−MWUVL on actual wastewater was investigated, revealing that O3 pretreatment enhanced the UV inactivation capacity significantly. Furthermore, it was found that sequential disinfection using O3−MWUV or MWUV/O3 synergistic approach yielded superior results compared to MWUV-O3 sequential disinfection. Finally, investigation into the disinfection mechanism in the MWUV/O3 disinfection process substantiated the generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) within the system, while observations from scanning electron microscopy and laser confocal scanning microscopy also demonstrated that O3 plays an important role in dismantling cellular structures.
Synergistic steric hindrance and multiple resonance effect for efficient TADF with narrowband emission and accelerated upconversion
Xilin Mu, Tong Wang, Deli Li, Denghui Liu, Jiahui Wang, Jiuyan Li, Shijian Su, Wei Li, Ziyi Ge
2026, 37(6): 111986  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111986
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Herein, we propose a synergistic regulation strategy that combines steric hindrance with the multiple resonance (MR) effect to design and synthesize a thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitter, SF-PhDABNA. This is achieved by incorporating spirofluorene units and introducing meta-position phenyl linkages into the DABNA-1 core. As a result, SF-PhDABNA exhibits narrowband pure blue emission centered at 472 nm with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 23 nm. The unique steric hindrance structure of the material effectively suppresses π-π interaction, while maintaining a tightly ordered molecular arrangement through C–H···π and C–H···B weak intermolecular interactions. This special packing pattern ensures a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 86% in the doped film. Moreover, the significant directionality of the transition dipole moment (TDM) further enhances the light output coupling efficiency, thereby significantly improving the electroluminescence (EL) performance. The corresponding TADF-sensitized (TSF) OLED based on SF-PhDABNA achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 23.9% with CIE coordinates of (0.121, 0.284).
1-Azaazulene constructs: Overcoming the weak fluorescence of azulene derivatives via S1-S0 transitions
Zijian Zhang, Fangxin Du, Lijia Liu, Yixiang Sun, Jie Xue, Hanshen Xin
2026, 37(6): 111987  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111987
[摘要]  (32) [HTML全文] (32) [PDF 2594KB] (0)
摘要:
Azulene derivatives are promising for optoelectronics but suffer from weak fluorescence due to anti-Kasha behavior. This study designed and synthesized four asymmetric 1-azaazulene-based BF2 complexes (Ph-NN, Ph-ON, Ca-NN, Py-NN) to explore their optoelectronic potential. Unlike azulene derivatives, which predominantly exhibit S2→S0 emission, 1-azaazulene constructs demonstrate effective S1-S0 transitions, resulting in enhanced fluorescence. Py-NN, incorporating a pyrrole group, achieved a remarkable photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 19.3% at 560 nm, attributed to enhanced HOMO-LUMO orbital overlap with an oscillator strength (f) of 0.4973, resulting in a high radiative rate (kr = 9.51 × 107 s−1) and suppressed non-radiative decay (knr = 0.40 × 109 s−1). OLEDs employing Py-NN as an emitter exhibited orange electroluminescence at 565 nm with a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 3.0%. The results demonstrate that 1-azaazulene can serve as a versatile platform for developing efficient fluorescent materials with applications in optoelectronics.
Synergistic optimization of charge transfer and active sites in Bi12O17Br2/CuTCPP for efficient CO2 photoreduction
Tiange Wei, Mengxia Ji, Yi Zhang, Keke Wang, Meng Wang, Yuanbin She, Jiexiang Xia, Huaming Li
2026, 37(6): 111988  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111988
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摘要:
Utilizing sunlight to directly convert CO2 into value-added chemicals presents a pivotal strategy for sustainable CO2 conversion and mitigating environmental challenges. Herein, a surface-mounted 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin copper(Ⅱ) (CuTCPP) anchoring on Bi12O17Br2 nanotubes (CuTCPP/Bi12O17Br2) heterojunction was employed as an operable platform for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The built-in electric field at the interface facilitates the efficient electron transfer from Bi12O17Br2 to CuTCPP, significantly enhancing photoexcited charge separation and transfer kinetics. Besides, the Cu(Ⅱ) sites in CuTCPP act as supplementary catalytic centers that reduce the adsorption and activation energy barrier of CO2, thus accelerating the formation of *CO intermediates. The CuTCPP/Bi12O17Br2 heterojunction exhibits enhanced photoreduction activity of CO2, achieving a CO evolution rate of 92.2 μmol g-1 h-1, which represents a 4.0-fold enhancement over Bi12O17Br2. This work offers new insights into the development of heterojunctions with synergistically optimized charge transfer and active sites.
Molecularly-engineered zwitterionic micelles for adaptive lubrication
Yihan Fu, Xinyi Wang, Sen Li, Weifeng Lin, Mingjie Liu
2026, 37(6): 111991  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111991
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 6193KB] (0)
摘要:
Water-based lubrication systems incorporating nanoparticles as highly promising additives are of great importance for enabling sustainable and environmentally benign tribological solutions. However, persistent limitations encompass pronounced substrate dependence, inadequate dynamic responsiveness under operating conditions, and intrinsically constrained lubrication performance, collectively impeding their transition from laboratory potential to robust industrial deployment. To tackle these challenges, we have developed a substrate-adaptable and dual-responsive lysine-based surfactant (LBS) as a cutting-edge water-based lubrication additive. LBS achieves substrate-independent adsorption through multiple interactions between its head group and substrates of varying properties. LBS maintains consistent lubrication performance with minimal COF variation across substrates with divergent surface charges, confirming its adaptability to diverse tribological substrates. Notably, the engineered surfactant demonstrates outstanding lubricating properties, achieving a coefficient of friction (COF) of ~0.06 under extreme pressure condition (~500 MPa), a 95% reduction in COF compared to pure water and maintaining stable lubrication over 25,000 cycles without significant wear or interfacial degradation. Additionally, by leveraging the pH sensitivity of the molecular structure and the temperature responsiveness of the micellar assembly, the COF can be rapidly modulated over a 10-fold range in response by changes pH and temperature. By synergistically integrating universal substrate adaptability with stimuli-responsive behavior, this work not only ensures stable lubrication in complex substrates, but also opens new avenues for the intelligent design of surfactants, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in intelligent lubrication.
Nitrogen-defective carbon nitride nanorod arrays for continuous-flow photosynthesis of H2O2
Bin Lei, Zongxing Tu, Dou Chen, Qin Luo, Xiaoying Peng, Suqin Wu, Guiming Peng
2026, 37(6): 112004  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112004
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摘要:
The surface activity and continuous photosynthesis with easy product separation are two main concerns for practical H2O2 photogeneration which calls for integration of efficient photocatalyst with specifically designed reactor. Taking advantage of the intrinsic superior charge separation and electron transfer of the one-dimensional CN, herein, N-vacancy abundant carbon nitride nanorod arrays (CNNRs) were demonstrated as an efficient photocatalyst either in convention photocatalysis or in emerging flow photocatalytic H2O2 production. The N-vacancies multifunctionally enhance light harvesting, elevate conduction band, adsorb and activate O2 molecules. As a result, the N-defective CNNRs delivered 5.2 and 2.1 times higher H2O2 yield in its powder form than common CN nanosheets and defect-free CNNRs, reaching 18.8 mmol g-1 h-1 with AQY of 13.4% at 400 nm in ethanol-containing solution. Moreover, the CNNRs on glass, as a photocatalyst panel, exhibits remarkable fixed-bed and continuous flow photocatalytic H2O2 production performances, with yield up to 23.6 and 14.2 mmol m-2 h-1, respectively. Mechanism investigation discloses the sequential two-step 1e oxygen reduction pathway that accounts for H2O2 photogeneration, with further thermal-dynamical confirmation by DFT calculation. This work introduces a new paradigm by combining photocatalyst design with advanced flow reactors to achieve continuous photosynthesis of H2O2, which may inspire many other photo-to-chemical conversions as well.
Hybrid lignin-intercalated MXene membranes for enhanced osmotic energy conversion
Xing Zhang, Yumei Wang, Yuntao Zhao, Yue Sun, Yasong Chen, Lei Nie, Zhenglong Li
2026, 37(6): 112025  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112025
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 3760KB] (0)
摘要:
Two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit great potential for osmotic power generation due to their high membrane selectivity. However, performance enhancement remains hindered by substantial resistance arising from tortuous ion transport pathways within 2D nanofluidic membranes. MXenes, a novel class of 2D layered materials, have garnered significant attention as promising candidates for reverse electrodialysis (RED) membranes due to their laminated nanochannels and surface-charged functional groups. Although MXene-derived ion-exchange membranes display exceptional ionic discrimination capabilities and enhanced charge transport properties, their implementation in practical systems is limited by structural fragility and compromised performance under hydrated conditions, primarily due to weak interlayer interactions, restricting their RED performance. This study demonstrates an MXene-sodium ligninsulfonate (MSL) lamellar architecture to feature record-low internal resistance, achieving breakthrough osmotic energy conversion efficiency through synergistic interfacial engineering. In addition, the well-aligned MXene framework significantly shortens ion permeation pathways, thus lowering internal resistance. As a result, the MSL membrane delivers a high power density of approximately 22.15 W/m2 when mixing artificial seawater and river water, representing a 6.78-fold improvement over pristine MXene membranes. This interfacial engineering protocol addresses the longstanding trade-off between ion selectivity and membrane durability in nanofluidic systems, paving the way for the practical implementation of MXene-based technologies in marine energy conversion.
Engineering semiconductor/electrocatalyst interface for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting
Fangming Zhao, Xingming Ning, Li Xu, Pei Chen, Zhongwei An, Xinbing Chen
2026, 37(6): 112026  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112026
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 4038KB] (0)
摘要:
Loading transition metal oxyhydroxides (TMOH) electrocatalyst on semiconductors (SC) improves the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. However, the inevitable interface charge recombination between SC and TMOH hinders the PEC efficiency. Herein, differing from the conventional charge transfer process, a novel charge modulation layer, i.e., Ce-CoOx, like a "hole transporter" has been incorporated into the SC/TMOH system. A series of electrochemical characterizations confirm that the "hole transporter" can directly and rapidly transfer holes from BiVO4 to FeNiOOH, resulting in a highly efficient charge separation. As expected, the BiVO4/Ce-CoOx/FeNiOOH photoanode presents a desirable photocurrent of 6.0 mA/cm2 and good stability. More importantly, the smart approach can also be extended to BiVO4/Ce-NiOx/FeNiOOH system, proving its universality. This work opens up a new avenue for designing efficient photoanode for PEC water splitting.
Gradient crosslinking of anisotropic hydrogels for programmable shape morphing and actuation
Yi Zhang, Xin Yao, Jiaxin Yu, Haili Qin, Huaiping Cong
2026, 37(6): 112041  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112041
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 7127KB] (0)
摘要:
Biological systems exploit their sophisticated hierarchical anisotropic architectures to achieve complex shape morphing under external stimuli. However, artificial soft intelligent actuators often suffer from limited response speeds and poor programmability of deformation, primarily due to densely crosslinked network designs and insufficient anisotropic resolution. Here, we report a synergistic method combining directional freezing-induced self-assembly and dynamic metal coordination crosslinked mechanical alignment to fabricate anisotropic hydrogels with fast multiple responsiveness and programmable three-dimensional (3D) deformation. Benefiting from an interconnected lamellar network and open-oriented mass transport channels, the hydrogel exhibits rapid anisotropic stimuli-responsive deformations with a shrinkage along the lamellar direction that is 1.9 times greater than that in the perpendicular direction in 5 s of thermal stimulation, and a complete recovery within 4 s upon cooling. By developing a spatially modulated coordination photodissociation strategy, a gradient crosslinking network is further constructed within the hydrogel, enabling diverse and programmable 3D deformations in response to external stimuli, which facilitate complex actuation behaviors such as object grasping, biomimetic gestures, and light-driven lifting. Thus, the hydrogel with hierarchically anisotropic structure and porous dynamic crosslinked network is potential for intelligent soft robotics requiring flexible controllable deformation.
Energy-resolved in-source dissociation spectra by tunable pulsed arc plasma ionization for the differentiation of structural isomers
Ming-Mai Bao, Ying-Chao Liu, Hao-Nan Xu, Jing Zhang, Yin-Long Guo
2026, 37(6): 112060  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112060
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 3311KB] (0)
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Differentiating structural isomers in mass spectrometry (MS) poses significant challenges due to the difficulties in generating fragment ions by atmospheric pressure ionization and the spectral similarities encountered in tandem MS/MS analysis. The continuous arc plasma enables in-source dissociation fingerprinting analysis of isomers but presents a risk of solvent ignition during sample introduction because of high temperatures, posing safety concerns. To address these challenges, the tunable pulsed arc plasma (TPAP) ionization and dissociation device has been developed. The TPAP device converts continuous arc plasma into a pulsed mode, reduces plasma temperatures, enhances discharge stability and safety, and enables adjustable plasma energy for in-source compound dissociation. Programmable control over the pulsed arc plasma voltage allows the scanning of compounds under varying dissociation energies, facilitates the construction of compound-specific energy-resolved spectra. Validation experiments with disubstituted benzene species, chlorogenic acid derivatives, disaccharide and diacylglycerol have demonstrated the capability of TPAP-MS to effectively differentiate isomers through distinct energy-resolved spectra. The TPAP-MS requires minimal instrumental modifications and provides rapid and precise structural annotations directly from the ion source, offering broad potential applications in the analysis of structural isomers.
A dual-signal amplification strategy combining DNA-functionalized covalent organic frameworks and CRISPR-Cas12a for early detection of ovarian cancer biomarkers
Yuzhen Wang, Wenxiu Long, Bangshun He, Mengqiu Xiong, Jingjing Li, Yanfeng Gao
2026, 37(6): 112061  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112061
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 6247KB] (0)
摘要:
Ovarian cancer is among the deadliest cancers, with the highest mortality rate among gynecological cancers; thus, highly sensitive early diagnosis is of paramount importance. In this study, we developed an innovative biosensor that integrates DNA-functionalized covalent organic frameworks with CRISPR-Cas12a technology for dual-signal amplification to achieve ultra-sensitive detection of ovarian cancer biomarkers. The COFs were co-functionalized with aptamers specific to target protein biomarkers and a larger number of activators. Upon recognition and binding to target proteins, the activators anchored on the COF surface become accessible in the detection system, converting low-abundance protein signals into amplified nucleic acid signals, which represents the first stage of signal amplification. These activators subsequently trigger the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR-Cas12a, leading to the cleavage of fluorophore–quencher reporters and resulting in further amplified fluorescence output, constituting the second stage of amplification. This dual-signal amplification strategy, integrated with a microfluidic chip, enabled the sensitive detection of CA125 and HE4, with detection limits as low as 0.001 U/mL and 0.2 pg/mL, respectively, providing a robust, accurate, and scalable platform for ovarian cancer diagnostics and demonstrating potential applications in clinical bioanalysis and diagnosis.
Mimicking tollgate-highway systems by cellulose-MXene networks in MMMs for enhancing CO2 separation
Yong Zhang, Jiangnan Yu, Chao Liang, Zhaomin Li, Xueqin Li
2026, 37(6): 112065  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112065
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 7380KB] (0)
摘要:
In gas separation mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), the interlayer stacking of nanosheet fillers directly leads to tortuous transport pathways that significantly reduce both membrane permeability and selectivity. To solve this issue, this study employs cellulose (MC) to interweave MXene for preparing cellulose-MXene (MC-MX) networks, which are then mixed with Pebax MH 1657 to prepare MMMs for enhancing CO2 separation performance. The MC-MX network mimics the tollgate-highway system within the MMMs. In this system, MX acts as a selective tollgate that preferentially recognizes CO2 through hydrogen bond interactions while improving CO2/CH4 selectivity in MMMs. Meanwhile, the hydroxyl–rich surfaces of MC provide low-resistance transport highway for accelerated CO2 transport within the MMMs. Compared to the pure Pebax membrane, the CO2 permeability of the Pebax/MC-MX-1wt% MMM increases to 580.46 Barrer (97%), and the CO2/CH4 selectivity increased to 41.48 (70%). Furthermore, the separation performance of the Pebax/MC-MX-1wt% MMM approaches the 2019 upper bound. The research results indicate that the tollgate-highway strategy effectively improves CO2/CH4 separation performance in MMMs, offering practical implications for the rational design of high-performance membranes.
Constructing Fe-S bond enhanced charge transfer in α-Fe2O3/Cd0.9Zn0.1S S-scheme heterojunction for simultaneous oxidation of ciprofloxacin and reduction of Cr(Ⅵ)
Qiuwen Wang, Linlin Liang, Zexun Li, Jinyu Zhu, Kang Wang, Fuqiang Zhang, Zhijun Ren, Pengfei Wang
2026, 37(6): 112066  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112066
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 6543KB] (0)
摘要:
The simultaneous removal of antibiotics and heavy metals from wastewater remains a complex and challenging task. A stable α-Fe2O3/Cd0.9Zn0.1S catalyst with rod structure is constructed for simultaneous oxidation of ciprofloxacin and reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) via the in situ growth of α-Fe2O3 nanodots on Cd0.9Zn0.1S nanorod using lattice matching. The unique in situ growth pattern not only strengthens light absorption but also improves electron transfer capacity. The formed iron-sulfur (Fe-S) bonds improved the poor contact at the heterojunction interface, effectively promoted charge separation, and successfully suppressed photocorrosion. Consequently, the S-scheme heterojunction with the synergistic effect of rod structure and chemical bonds significantly enhances photocatalytic performance. Under the coexisting pollutant system, photocatalytic reaction rate constants of α-Fe2O3/Cd0.9Zn0.1S under optimal composite ratio conditions were 1.5-times (ciprofloxacin) and 5.1-times (Cr(Ⅵ)) higher than Cd0.9Zn0.1S. Benefiting from the dual action of active free radicals and the internal electric field stimulating electron transfer and utilization, the photocatalytic membrane technology has demonstrated the possibility of practical wastewater in a photocatalytic system.
Flexible hydrogels with in-situ grown cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks for high-performance electrochemical detection of 2,4,6-trichloropshenol
Xiang Huang, Na Wang, Junyan Liu, Wang Sun, Guorong Sun, Zhou Zhang, Shun Lu, Yang Wang
2026, 37(6): 112067  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112067
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 3418KB] (0)
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Herein, a novel type of flexible network hydrogel was formed by cross-linking of chitosan (CS) and acrylamide (AM) monomer through non-covalent bond, and was named CS/PAM/hydrogel (CPH). Subsequent functional modification of the CPH was then undertaken through the implementation of in-situ green growth technology, and the cobalt organic framework (ZIF-67) was successfully grown on the hydrogel. Ultimately, the composite hydrogel CS/PAM/ZIF-67/hydrogel (CPZH) was prepared. Subsequently, an electrochemical sensor was developed by combining a composite hydrogel with a glassy carbon electrode, and it was demonstrated that this combination exhibited excellent performance, especially in the electrochemical detection of the target molecule 2,4.6-trichlorophenol. Excellent linear ranges (0.01–10 and 10–1000 μmol/L) and low detection limit (0.003 μmol/L) were achieved. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to (ⅰ) 3D network structure of the hydrogel provides an effective mass transfer channel for the electrochemical reactants; (ⅱ) The MOF layer provides a wealth of catalytic active sites, resulting in electrochemical signal amplification of the CPZH composite, (ⅲ) The growth of ZIF-67 in the original location of the hydrogel network successfully solved the problem that traditional ZIF-67 particles are prone to agglomeration and exhibit weak bonding force with the substrate, which significantly improved the stability and electrochemical performance.
FeB-activated peracetic acid for carbamazepine degradation: Generation of multiple reactive oxygen species and a two-stage activation mechanism
Jiali Peng, Yu Mei, Shihuai Deng, Yanjun Li, Chenye Fu, Yi Ren, Guochun Lv, Zehua Wang, Xiaoxun Xu, Xiaohui Lu, Bo Lai
2026, 37(6): 112068  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112068
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 4197KB] (0)
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Recently, iron-based heterogenous catalysts have attracted widespread attention in the activation of peracetic acid (PAA) for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to degrade pollutants. However, in heterogeneous PAA activation systems, the role of coexisting H2O2 in PAA is often overlooked. To clarify the dynamic roles of both PAA and H2O2, herein, iron boride (FeB) was employed as a heterogeneous activator of PAA for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation. The generation of high valent iron (Fe(Ⅳ)), hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and organic radicals (RO•) in the FeB/PAA system were identified through quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and semi-quantitative analysis. At the initial stage of the reaction, the active sites of FeB preferentially reacted with PAA, rather than H2O2, primarily generating Fe(Ⅳ) to oxidize CBZ. Subsequently, PAA was gradually depleted, dissolved Fe(Ⅱ) slowly released from FeB reacts with H2O2 in the solution to generate •OH. Besides, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and masking experiments revealed that the surface Fe(Ⅱ) (≡Fe(Ⅱ)) acts as the dominant active center for PAA activation. Moreover, the selective oxidation of various pollutants by these ROS is governed by the differing sensitivities of the contaminants to ROS. The electron-donating B–B bonds in FeB can effectively promote the Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) redox cycling, exhibiting exceptional catalytic performance. Additionally, the possible degradation pathways of CBZ were proposed by combining ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and DFT calculations. This work provides new insights into the activation mechanism of PAA by FeB, offering a sustainable and efficient approach for the treatment of emerging pollutants.
Home-built LC-MiniMS system for quantification of tacrolimus in whole blood
Wenke Liu, Di Zhang, Ziyu Qu, Keke Yi, Shumin Wan, Zihong Ye, Xinhua Dai, Jie Xie, You Jiang, Xiang Fang
2026, 37(6): 112109  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112109
[摘要]  (39) [HTML全文] (39) [PDF 3511KB] (0)
摘要:
Precise assessment of tacrolimus (TAC) concentrations is critical in clinical diagnostics, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the preferred approach due to its high specificity and sensitivity. However, classic LC-MS/MS systems are frequently enormous, costly, and need expert operation, which restricts its applicability in numerous industries. In this paper, a liquid chromatography–miniature mass spectrometry (LC-MiniMS) system was designed and developed. The miniature linear ion trap spectrometer had a footprint of 59 × 38 × 27 cm3, which substantially reduced the instrument size and cost while maintaining quantitative performance. The LC-MiniMS system's circuit boards were integrated and the software automation was optimized, so it was more convenient to use and maintain. Results demonstrated excellent linearity over the range of 0.5–50 ng/mL with R2 > 0.99. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.1 and 0.3 ng/mL, respectively. The accuracy ranged from 99.67% to 106.10%, intraday precision was between 0.70% and 2.61%, and interday precision was between 0.90% and 2.90%, all within acceptable limits, and matrix effects were negligible. The method was successfully applied to quantify TAC in 32 clinical whole-blood samples, and the results strongly agreed with those from a conventional LC-MS/MS system (QTRAP 6500+). The LC-MiniMS system can efficiently quantify TAC in whole blood and provide a tiny, cost-effective, and uncomplicated option for therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical settings, especially in decentralized or resource-limited scenarios.
Highly efficient and ultralong organic phosphorescence by doping crown ether derivatives into polymer
Kejia Ling, Shunjie Li, Yuefei Wang, Huanyu Yang, Zhicheng Song, Xian Li, Suzhi Cai, Xiao Wang, Zhongfu An
2026, 37(6): 112110  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112110
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摘要:
Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) materials have attracted increasing attention due to its potential applications in opto-electronics, bioelectronics, and security protection. However, it is still a formidable challenge to develop a material with simultaneous efficiency and lifetime enhancement under ambient conditions. Here, highly efficient UOP is achieved by doping crown ether derivatives into rigid poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. Two crown ether derivatives exhibited weak yellow UOP. Impressively, after doped into PVA films, the resultant PVA films demonstrated bright blue UOP with a long lifetime of 595.9 ms and high phosphorescence efficiency of 13.3%. The sharp enhancement of efficiency and lifetime can be ascribed to abundant hydrogen bonding between the crown ether derivatives and PVA polymer chains. This work provides a new avenue for developing highly efficient UOP materials.
Surface oxygen vacancy trigger peroxymonosulfate activation with cobalt modified montmorillonite for ofloxacin degradation: The synergistic effect of 1O2 and Co(Ⅳ)=O
Xiao-qiang Cao, Xingyao Liu, Yaqi Wang, Haining Wang, Bo Wei, Yanan Shang, Yizhen Zhang, Yujiao Kan, Yang Zhang, Xing Xu, Longlong Zhang
2026, 37(6): 112112  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112112
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 6812KB] (0)
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Oxygen vacancy engineering in heterogeneous catalysts has attracted considerable interest for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. In this study, nano-Co3O4-encapsulated montmorillonite catalysts with tunable oxygen vacancy (OV) concentrations (denoted as Co3O4−Mt-xOV, x = 2, 4, 6) were synthesized for enhanced PMS activation. These OV defects not only modulate the electronic structure of Co3O4 but also strengthen PMS and contaminant adsorption. The optimized Co3O4−Mt-xOV/PMS system exhibited exceptional ofloxacin (OFL) degradation efficiency, achieving 2.74–3.43-fold enhancement over OV-free Co3O4−Mt. Density functional theory calculations and experimental studies revealed that the performance improvement stemmed from OV formation, which synergistically enhanced redox pair cycling, strengthened PMS adsorption, and promoted active species generation during electron transfer. Further studies demonstrated that OV sites selectively drive PMS decomposition to generate high-valent cobalt-oxo species (Co(Ⅳ)=O) and singlet oxygen (1O2) as the dominant reactive species for OFL oxidation. The in-depth investigation into the catalytic mechanism revealed that the Co(Ⅳ)=O species facilitated O2•− generation in surpassing the reaction energy barrier, which subsequently converted to 1O2. This non-radical pathway endowed the system with robust anti-interference capability against complex water matrices. The critical role of OV in PMS activation was mechanistically confirmed through experimental and theoretical analyses. Furthermore, Co3O4−Mt-4OV demonstrated outstanding chemical stability and recyclability, highlighting its practical potential. This work provides fundamental insights into vacancy defect engineering for advanced PMS activation and offers strategic guidance for designing high-performance catalysts.
Insights into PMS activation mechanism by Te-Co3O4-α for levofloxacin removal: Role of interstitial and substitutional doping
Jianke Tan, Xiaodan Zhang, Yuming Huang
2026, 37(6): 112124  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112124
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 5879KB] (0)
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The correlation between the distinct doping modalities of heteroatoms in metal oxides and the activation pathways of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) remains underappreciated. To address the issue, herein, we synthesized Te-doped Co3O4-α via a simple hydrothermal method and employed it as a heterogeneous catalyst for PMS activation to degrade levofloxacin (LEV). The incorporation of Te via both interstitial and substitutional doping synergistically enhanced the activity of Co3O4 toward PMS activation, resulting in a 66-fold increase in the LEV degradation kinetics. Various characterizations and trial results revealed that the coexistence of these doping configurations unlocked multiple pathways for reactive species generation. Interstitial Te dominates the formation of radicals and singlet oxygen (1O2), and synergistically cooperates with the generated oxygen vacancies to promote the cyclic regeneration of low-valent Co sites. On the other hand, substitutional Te primarily tailors the electron density of Co atoms through Co-O-Te sites, driving the formation of high-valent Co(Ⅳ)=O species. The factors affecting the LEV degradation were investigated, and the potential applications of the Te-Co3O4-α/PMS system were explored. Also, LEV degradation pathways were discussed. This work elucidates the correlation between doping modalities and PMS activation pathways, rendering a novel strategy to develop high performance catalysts for PMS activation.
Surface hydroxylation engineering of pyrene-based COFs to promote oxygen activation for visible-light-catalyzed degradation of antibiotics
Ruixiang Wang, Jiajie Hou, Jinze He, Junyao Huang, Li Zhao, Ravi Naidu, Dionissios Mantzavinos, Grigorios Beligiannis, Nikolaos Andritsos, Fei Shen, Yongjia Lei
2026, 37(6): 112143  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112143
[摘要]  (32) [HTML全文] (32) [PDF 6611KB] (0)
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Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with structural designability and functional predictability display great potential as emerging metal-free semiconductor catalysts in the field of photocatalytic degradation for antibiotics. However, the disadvantages of COFs, such as weak interfacial contact with antibiotics, light response limitation, charge-carrier recombination, and low oxygen activation efficiency, limit their practical application in the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics. On this basis, PyTTA-COF-OH via good crystallinity and hydrophilicity was constructed through the synergistic strategy combining hydroxylation modulation of the surface microenvironment and expansion of the π-conjugated structure. Simultaneously, Surface hydroxyl functionalization of PyTTA-COF-OH not only reduced the band gap width but also enhanced the light absorption in the visible band. Significantly, theoretical calculations indicated that the introduction of hydroxyl groups widened the electrostatic potential difference within the molecular structure, further promoting exciton dissociation and charge separation. PyTTA-COF-OH removed sulfadiazine (SDZ) up to 99% in 10 mg/L SDZ solution. Besides, the results of the interference experiments and the cycling experiments proved that PyTTA-COF-OH had better anti-interference and stability. Based on the mechanistic analysis, the surface hydroxyl–functionalized PyTTA-COF-OH effectively promoted the adsorption of oxygen and the transfer of electrons to the adsorbed oxygen, thus increasing the efficiency of the O2•- generation, aiming at the efficient degradation of antibiotics under the visible light conditions.
Premature termination in streptovaricin biosynthesis reveals unnatural short-chain analogues
Zi-Ru Wang, Pei-Yi Liu, Chao Zhang, Zhang-Yuan Yan, Hui-Ming Ge, Ren-Xiang Tan, Zi-Fei Xu
2026, 37(6): 112171  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112171
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 1382KB] (0)
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This study reports the discovery of three shortened streptovaricin analogues, prestreptovaricins A–C (2–4), from Streptomyces spectabilis NA07477. Through comprehensive NMR and HRMS analysis, we elucidated their structures as a linear C13-polyketide (2), a 15-membered (3), and a 17-membered macrolactam (4), representing the first divergence from the character-istic C23 ansa chain in this antibiotic family. Gene inactivation experiments demonstrated that these truncated metabolites result from premature chain release at modules 5–7 of the polyketide synthase, rather than module skipping. Notably, the cyclized products 3 and 4 persisted upon knockout of the dedicated amide synthase stvF, implying catalysis by promiscuous cyclases. Our findings uncover premature termination as a previously unrecognized pathway for structural diversification in ansamycin biosynthesis.
Catalytic synthesis of quinones and visual intelligent portable colorimetric detection of phenols by a [Ag-AlMo6]-nanosheet-based hybrid
Lian Yang, Guo-Cheng Liu, Na Xu, Zhong Zhang, Xiu-Li Wang, Yong-Ge Wei
2026, 37(6): 112344  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112344
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 5269KB] (0)
摘要:
Phenolic compounds are highly toxic environmental pollutants, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Designing multifunctional catalysts capable of detecting, discriminating, and transforming these hazardous phenolics into valuable products represents a promising "waste-to-treasure" strategy. In this work, a novel Anderson-type polyoxometalate-based hybrid [Ag(AlMo6(OH)6O18)]·H2L·2H2O (1) (L = N,N'-bis(3-menthylpyridin-yl)naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxamide), was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The assembly of AlMo6(OH)6O183− (AlMo6) anion with Ag+ ions formed a unique anionic inorganic [Ag-AlMo6] nanosheet, further extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular by protonated H2L2+ cations in an "S"-shaped arrangement. Compound 1 exhibits excellent peroxidase-like activity, enabling highly sensitive colorimetric detection of phenolic compounds with LODs ranging from 9.5 nmol/L to 63 nmol/L. Taking 2,3,6-TMP as a model analyte, smartphone-assisted visual detection was established with an LOD of 370 nmol/L. Moreover, a colorimetric sensor array combined with principal component analysis (PCA), successfully discriminated five structure similar phenolic compounds (2,3,6-trimethylphenol, 3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, o-chlorophenol, and o-bromophenol), demonstrating its potential for environmental monitoring. Beyond detection, compound 1 serves as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of phenols to their corresponding quinones, achieving high conversion rates and selectivity. The catalytic mechanism and stability were systematically investigated using PXRD, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), free radical trapping experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS). This work not only provides a robust platform for phenolic pollutant detection and discrimination but also advances the sustainable transformation of harmful waste into valuable chemical feed-stocks.
Macrocycle-confined dimeric cobalt-porphyrin for boosted transport of anions
Fei Zeng, Xinrui Pan, Zihong Yang, Jie Shen, Wenju Chang, Huaqiang Zeng
2026, 37(6): 112355  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112355
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We demonstrate here a macrocyclic host capable of simultaneously binding two Co2+-porphyrin complexes in its adaptive giant cavity. Such a geometrically confined porphyrin dimer promotes highly efficient transport of anions across the lipid membrane by virtue of dynamic metal-anion bonding interactions, which is in sharp contrast to the most studied class of anionphores that mediates anion transport through intermolecular H-bonds. The transport activity increases in the order of Br−, Cl−, ClO4− and NO3−, with the corresponding EC50 values of 0.57, 0.69, 0.74 and 1.30 µmol/L, and transport rate enhancements by up to ~35 folds over the monomeric Co2+-porphyrin complex. The determined binding constants suggest 1-mediated cooperative binding toward G3 molecules might account for the unique behavior by Co2+ with respect to other metal ions.
Hybridtube with endo-functionalized cavity for highly selective recognition: Subtle structure changes in guest lead to significant binding affinity variations
Yan-Fang Wang, Jia Liu, Wei Li, Song-Meng Wang, Jian Qin, Cheng-Da Zhao, Liu-Pan Yang, Li-Li Wang
2026, 37(6): 112368  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112368
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 4398KB] (0)
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Achieving highly selective recognition of structurally similar substrates in water has been, and still remains, challenging. Herein, we report highly selective recognition of adenosine (A) and its analogs by using a hybridtube (HT) with endo-functionalized cavity. Fluorescence titration data and density-functional theory calculations reveal that the macrocycle's hydrophobic cavity and its internal hydrogen-bonding sites are crucial for attaining this high binding selectivity to A and its analogs. Decreasing the number of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups on the ribose ring while increasing the number of hydrophobic methyl groups on the purine ring can significantly enhance the hydrophobic effect between host and guest, thereby strengthening the binding affinity. Furthermore, different hydrogen bond acceptors on the guest can greatly affect host-guest binding, leading to a substantial enhancement in binding selectivity (A/dA up to 61.7-fold). Based on the high binding selectivity of HT, a substrate-selective fluorescent supramolecular tandem assay was developed for real-time and continuous monitoring of the enzyme activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA). Finally, we demonstrated the potential of this tandem assay for inhibitor screening, which holds significant implications for drug design and medical diagnostics.
Review
The role of bonding energy between atom, support and reactants in single atom catalysis
Xuebin Qiao, Lei Zhang
2026, 37(6): 110998  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110998
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摘要:
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with their maximized atomic efficiency, unique atomic structure and electronic properties, have attracted widespread research interest. The systematic understanding of reaction mechanism for single atom catalysis is an important frontier in catalysis research. The bonding energy and electron transfer between a single metal atom and its neighboring coordinating atoms can determine the charge density and distribution of the central metal sites, thereby affecting the overall catalytic performance of SACs. This review describes recent progress on understanding the electronic micro-environment for single atom sites, the bonding energy and electron transfers among the single atoms/supports/reactants during chemical/electrochemical reactions. We firstly introduce the theoretical insights in single atom catalysis, and then three characterization methods for characterizing the electronic structure and coordination environments of SACs are demonstrated. The detailed information about the bonding energy and electron transfer in SACs are emphasis described in three parts: (1) Bonding energy between SACs and substrates; (2) bonding energy between neighboring metal atoms; (3) bonding energy between SACs and reactants during reactions. The systematic summary of the microelectronic structure change of single atoms could provide a deep understanding of the catalytic mechanism during single atom catalysis.
Zinc-air battery-H2O2 generation system: Current progress, key challenges, optimization strategies and future developments
Junjie Wang, Shulin Gao, Sujuan Hu
2026, 37(6): 111000  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111000
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 9077KB] (0)
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The zinc-air battery (ZAB)-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation system produces H2O2 through a 2-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the ZAB air cathode while simultaneously providing external electrical power. This system offers a promising, eco-friendly solution for both energy storage and chemical production. Despite its promise, a comprehensive review of this topic is still scarce. To fill this void, this review discusses the background and mechanisms of the ZAB-H2O2 generation system and covers approaches to achieving efficient and stable operation through 2e− ORR catalyst design and optimization, the regulation of the electrolyte, cathode configuration design, and electrochemical operating conditions. From the perspective of the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and their integration with energy systems, this review systematically analyzes the key challenges and optimization strategies. In addition, this review summarizes the main technical bottlenecks this system faces and proposes potential solutions and development suggestions for future research and practical applications.
Engineered stimuli-responsive MOFs: Toward intelligent drug delivery systems for precision biomedicine
Wenting Wu, Zhao Chen, Man Zhe, Peiyun Yu, Sujan Shakya, Fei Xing, Ulrike Ritz
2026, 37(6): 111448  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111448
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 6219KB] (0)
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Nanotechnological advancements have established stimuli-responsive nanomaterials as a pivotal strategy for spatiotemporally controlled drug delivery in precision biomedicine. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), crystalline porous materials constructed from metal ions/clusters and organic ligands through coordination bonds, exhibit exceptional drug delivery potential owing to their high surface area, tunable pore size, and facile functionalization. This review systematically analyzes recent advances in MOF-based drug delivery, with a focus on synthesis strategies, stimulus-responsive mechanisms, and biomedical applications. A key contribution of this review is the systematic classification of stimuli-responsive mechanisms, covering triggers such as pH, temperature, magnetic fields, humidity, and biological stimuli (e.g., redox factors, enzymes, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ions, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)). This framework provides a blueprint for designing targeted drug delivery platforms. By synthesizing cutting-edge research and emerging trends, this review offers actionable insights to advance stimuli-responsive MOF drug delivery systems (DDS).
Marine bioactive compounds: Sustainable sources, green extraction, and healthcare applications
Rita Favas, Marta Monteiro, Hugo Almeida, Domingos Ferreira, Andreia Filipa Peixoto, Ana Catarina Silva
2026, 37(6): 111482  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111482
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 620KB] (0)
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Marine ecosystems represent one of the most valuable yet underexplored sources of diverse bioactive compounds with significant potential for economic, healthcare, and environmental applications. Marine-derived bioactive compounds have emerged as promising active ingredients, exhibiting antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, among others, with growing use in cosmetics and food supplements. Ongoing research in this area is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 12, which relates to responsible production and consumption. The environmentally friendly extraction of these bioactive compounds from marine sources offers a path toward greener industrial practices and a more sustainable global economy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art on the main classes of marine bioactive compounds, their natural sources, green extraction methods, and their applications in health-related fields, including cosmetics and food supplements. Despite their potential, the use of marine bioactive compounds remains limited. Current research is largely based on in vitro studies using compound mixtures, with limited data on regulatory frameworks and human safety. To unlock their full therapeutic potential, future research should focus on: the standardization of clinical trial protocols, the isolation and characterization of individual compounds, and the expansion of in vivo studies in both animals and humans.
Biomaterials for regulating the micro-environment of diabetic foot ulcers
Qun Zhang, Zhengkun Liu, Keke Wu, Zhipeng Zhang, Weisheng Guo, Xiaoying Guan
2026, 37(6): 111493  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111493
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose substantial clinical challenges due to their high prevalence, intricate pathophysiology, and recalcitrance to conventional therapeutic interventions. Traditional treatment paradigms frequently overlook the multidimensional aspects of DFUs, resulting in protracted healing trajectories and escalated risks of adverse sequelae. To address this critical diabetes-related complication, this comprehensive review delves into the pioneering application of biomaterials as microenvironmental modulators, underscoring their transformative potential in accelerating wound repair. By synthesizing in vivo, in vitro, and clinical evidence, we elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings and translational promise of these advanced materials. Our objective is to engage scholarly readers with state-of-the-art advancements in biomaterial engineering, emphasizing their pivotal contribution to paradigm shifts in DFU management strategies.
Nanobody-based radiotracers in nuclear medicine: Advances, challenges, and future perspectives
Ying Yao, Juan Tian, Ran Zhang, Ping Liu, Xiang Gao, Wenhu Zhou, Longlong Luo
2026, 37(6): 111517  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111517
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Nuclear medicine imaging plays a critical role in early diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring by enabling real-time, non-invasive visualization of molecular processes. Conventional radiotracers, such as [18F]F-FDG, often suffer from limited specificity and unfavorable pharmacokinetics. Nanobodies, with their small size, high affinity, deep tissue penetration, and low immunogenicity, have emerged as valuable tools for molecular imaging. Nanobody-based radiotracers have shown promise across oncology, neurology, and immune-related diseases, supporting precision diagnostics and individualized treatment monitoring. However, challenges such as renal retention and short plasma half-life still hinder clinical translation. In this review, we present the structural and functional advantages of nanobodies and summarize the key advances, challenges, and future prospects of nanobody-based radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine imaging.
Fluorescence excitation strategies driven by different energy sources: Mechanism, molecular/materials design, and cross-applications
Jingwen Zheng, Yubo Tan, Dazhuang Xu, Gang Liu, Zhixiang Lu
2026, 37(6): 111552  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111552
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As a technique with high sensitivity and resolution, fluorescence imaging is widely used in biomedical research, disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring, etc. Traditional fluorescence imaging mostly relies on photoexcitation paradigms, but with the deepening of multidisciplinary cross research, fluorescence excitation strategies based on multiple energy sources have gradually become an emerging frontier. These innovative strategies achieve diversified excitation of fluorescent probes by using multiple external stimuli, such as electric energy, magnetic energy, chemical energy, electromagnetic radiation, optical energy and mechanical energy, providing more flexible choices for different application scenarios, which not only broaden the application scope of fluorescence technology but also provide a new way of thinking for the design of highly efficient and tunable fluorescence systems. To track the latest advancements in fluorescence excitation techniques, this review systematically summarizes the recent multiple energy sources, focusing on their mechanisms, design principles, application prospects and challenges. By synthesizing recent research progress, this work aims to highlight emerging excitation strategies and offer valuable insights for developing next-generation fluorescent probes and broadening the technological applications of fluorescence-based systems.
From innovation to application: Pioneering advances in mass spectrometry imaging for spatially resolved single-cell omics
Xiaopin Lai, Hao Xu, Xing Chen, Jiayi Ke, Shu-Hai Lin
2026, 37(6): 111932  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111932
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 4963KB] (0)
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Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a rapidly advancing field in omics research, offering spatially resolved localization of biomolecules such as metabolites, lipids, and proteins within tissue sections. Recent advancements in high-resolution MSI instrumentation have significantly enhanced the visualization of cellular structures, enabling molecular mapping at the single-cell level. Current single-cell MSI techniques can be broadly categorized into label-free approaches and multiplexed antibody-based strategies, both of which are continuously evolving to support comprehensive molecular profiling with subcellular precision. These technologies have become particularly valuable in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research, where they facilitate the characterization of cellular heterogeneity, metabolic reprogramming, and microenvironmental changes associated with disease progression. To meet the increasing demands of high-content spatial biology, multiple single-cell MSI platforms have been employed to detect low-abundance molecules, distinguish phenotypically distinct cell populations, and uncover region-specific molecular alterations in complex tissues. Moreover, emerging capabilities such as three-dimensional MSI are further extending the potential of this technology to reconstruct tissue biochemical architecture and capture spatially resolved molecular dynamics. In this review, we highlight pioneering advancements in single-cell MSI techniques and their applications in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research, with a particular emphasis on their role in elucidating disease mechanisms at the cellular level. We also discuss current challenges and future perspectives for expanding the utility of single-cell MSI in subcellular imaging and deeper biological discoveries.
Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)-triggered photochromic materials
Hao Sun, Chenzi Li, Wanting Yu, Yang Chen, Zhe Sun, Zhuofei Li, Wei Huang, Dayu Wu, Liangliang Zhu
2026, 37(6): 111971  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111971
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Photochromic materials have drawn considerable interest in chemical and material sciences, owing to their unique photo-responsive properties and transformative potential in smart material applications. Among these, ESIPT-triggered photochromic systems stand out as a particularly promising subclass because of their exceptional photochromic property. However, existing reviews have primarily concentrated on Schiff base derivatives within this category, largely overlooking critical advancements in three key dimensions: (1) The discovery of novel ESIPT-triggered structural frameworks beyond traditional systems, (2) innovative synthetic methodologies enabling precise control of photochromic behaviors in both solid and solution states, and (3) the emergence of unprecedented functional properties driving cutting-edge applications. These oversights have created a significant knowledge gap in comprehensively understanding the rapid evolution of ESIPT-triggered photochromic materials. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes recent breakthroughs through three analytical lenses: First, we establish a structural taxonomy of ESIPT photochromophores, elucidating design principles that govern their performance. Second, we summarize advanced construction strategies that can synthesize tailored ESIPT photochromophores in different phase states. Third, we summarize the expanding application landscape of ESIPT photochromic materials in various functional domains. By integrating fundamental understanding with application-oriented perspectives, this work is expected to inspire the development of smart materials and photoresponsive systems.
In-situ polymerization technology for all-solid state lithium batteries: Current status and future development
Zhaojun Chen, Yongqi Wang, Yongshun Liang, Liang Shan, Ying Wang, Jiyue Hou, Ziyi Zhu, Xue Li, Yiyong Zhang
2026, 37(6): 112020  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112020
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The utilization of solid electrolytes as substitutes for flammable liquid electrolytes represents a crucial strategy for enhancing both the safety and energy density of lithium metal batteries. However, the poor solid-solid contact between electrodes/electrolytes and the inherent difficulties of Li dendrite growth have seriously hindered their practical applications. Among the various types of solid electrolytes, polymer electrolytes are highly regarded for their potential high ionic conductivity, good deformability, and wide electrochemical window. In-situ curing technology has been demonstrated to be an effective solution to these problems and shows great application prospects in polymer electrolyte all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries. This paper will provide a comprehensive review of the three primary types of polymerization methods: free radical polymerization, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and ionic polymerization. The technical principles, research progress, and performance optimization of in-situ polymerized solid state electrolytes will be reviewed, and the review will look forward to the future development of in-situ curing. The emerging challenges faced by the field and the potential opportunities in practical applications will be pointed out. As research progresses and technology advances, in-situ curing technology is poised to reinvigorate the development of all-solid-state batteries, propelling them towards enhanced safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Covalent organic frameworks-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production and in-situ application
Zihui Liu, Xiaolin Liu, Lin Tang, Houhe Pan, Xi Liu, Jianzhuang Jiang
2026, 37(6): 112024  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112024
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 2261KB] (0)
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Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a green and mild oxidant, exhibits unique application advantages in several fields, including catalytic systems for organic synthesis and environmental pollutant degradation. In recent years, semiconductor-based photocatalytic strategies for H2O2 production have attracted extensive attention due to their sustainable characteristics, which utilize H2O/O2 as primary reactants to achieve solar-driven chemical energy conversion. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their stable crystalline porous structures, highly ordered π-conjugated systems, modular designability, and ultra-large specific surface areas, provide an ideal platform for photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis. Hybridizing COFs with other functional materials has emerged as an effective strategy to address challenges commonly faced by single-component COFs systems, such as low light utilization efficiency, insufficient redox capability, and rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. This review summarizes research progress in COFs-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis, beginning with a concise introduction to the photosynthesis mechanism of H2O2 and fundamental principles of common heterojunctions in the field, followed by a focused review of reported COFs-based heterojunctions. In addition, the various in-situ applications of H2O2 in the context of photosynthesis by COFs-based heterojunctions were discussed, including sterilization, organic pollutants degradation, biomedical applications and organic synthesis. Then concluding with an overview of current challenges and future prospects in this emerging research area. This work aims to promote practical applications of COFs in green energy sectors while providing insights for developing efficient photocatalysts to advance photocatalytic H2O2 production.
Microenvironment engineering of covalent organic frameworks for hydrogen peroxide synthesis via photocatalytic oxygen reduction
Kun Zhao, Bing Chen, Luwen Liang, Yaze Chen, Shan Yao, Qun Peng, Yuhao Liu, Bin Han
2026, 37(6): 112032  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112032
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Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a vital oxidant and a promising liquid fuel, serving as one of the 100 most essential chemicals. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as ideal candidates for pure H2O2 photosynthesis due to their fully designable structures and well-defined active sites. The microenvironment engineering of COFs presents exciting opportunities to optimize both selectivity and efficiency in H2O2 photosynthesis, while their precisely identifiable active sites enable rational design of next-generation high-performance COFs. Although significant progress has been made in regulating COFs’ active sites for H2O2 photosynthesis, a comprehensive review systematically analyzing this specific and significant area remains absent. Here, we provide a thorough overview of the recent advances and persistent challenges in the microenvironment engineering of COFs for H2O2 photosynthesis. To begin with, the basic principles of O2-to-H2O2 photocatalytic conversion and outline general strategies for microenvironment engineering of COFs are presented. Subsequently, we critically examine the current research progress in this field. The urgent challenges and the future development of the microenvironment engineering of COFs in H2O2 photosynthesis are finally proposed. This review will provide valuable theoretical guidance for developing the next generation of COF photocatalysts that promote H2O2 photosynthesis.
Research progress on the evolution of antidepressant-type pollutants during biological treatment of municipal wastewater
Chaofan Zhang, Hongyu Dong, Xueyang Zhao, Cheng Fang, Yanbin Tong, Junfeng Niu
2026, 37(6): 112038  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112038
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Antidepressants (ATDs) have negative impacts on the ecosystem and have been detected globally in concentrations ranging from approximately 0.17 ng/L to 4237 ng/L in municipal wastewater treatment plant influent. However, the removal of ATDs by biological methods is still unsatisfactory at present, due to the extremely complex removal pathway and various removal processes for different ATDs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a systematic compendium to help people understand the biodegradation process of ATDs. This work provides an overview of the classification, physicochemical properties, and environmental sources of ATDs; systematically reviews the adsorption behaviors and transformation processes of various ATDs during biological treatment; examines the removal efficiency, degradation mechanisms, and critical operating conditions of bioreactors; and discusses the mechanism of ATD adsorption and removal by extracellular polymers secreted by microbial cells during the biological treatment of municipal wastewater. This work clarifies the evolution of different types of ATDs during municipal wastewater biological treatment and proposes future research avenues for the more efficient removal of ATDs.
Chemical recovery of waste sulfur-vulcanized carbon-chain rubbers by selective chain scission: Current status, challenges and perspectives
Peng Liu
2026, 37(6): 112086  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112086
[摘要]  (34) [HTML全文] (34) [PDF 1324KB] (0)
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Carbon-chain rubbers have been widely used in many fields including transportation, medicine, construction, and everyday life, owing to their excellent flexibility. Now, waste rubbers have caused serious environmental pollution and resource waste. Chemical recovery is expected to provide a solution to solve these problems fundamentally. Here, the recent progress in selective chain scissions of the waste sulfur-vulcanized carbon-chain rubbers for reuse was reviewed. Based on the different devulcanization approaches, the polysulfide crosslinking chains or carbon chains were broken and the linear or branched degraded products could be obtained as structural prepolymers for new rubber products. After a comprehensive literature review on the effect of the molecular composition and topology of the devulcanized and degraded products on the new rubbers, the future perspectives were proposed.
Recent research progress on metal-organic frameworks and their derivatives heterostructure for photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Yingjin Li, Jiaming Li, Hongjun Dong, Wenli Zhang, Liqiu Zhang, Xiulian Yin, Yun Wang, Zuoyi Liu, Chunmei Li
2026, 37(6): 112101  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112101
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Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have emerged as promising platforms for constructing heterojunctions in photocatalytic CO2 reduction (PCR). This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress in MOFs and their derivative heterostructures for PCR, focusing on material design, underlying mechanisms, and diverse applications. Besides, this review, by introducing various synthesis methods, emphasizes the significance of controllable synthesis strategies. Furthermore, the in-situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations in photocatalysis are introduced and summarized, including the study of the morphology and chemical structure of photocatalysts, the transfer of photogenerated charges, spatial distribution, and surface reaction pathways. Systematic reviews of the advantages and disadvantages, features, and applications of various types of MOFs and their derivative heterostructures are conducted in accordance with the band arrangement characteristics. In addition, the discussion scope is expanded to related catalytic systems, including electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis, fully demonstrating the multifunctionality of MOFs and their derivative heterostructures. Finally, future research directions are proposed from aspects such as material design and synthesis, performance optimization and mechanism research, correlation with practical applications, as well as the interdisciplinary collaboration. We hope it can provide valuable references for the rational design of high-performance MOFs and their derivative heterostructures materials with the wide range of applications.
Reuse emerging pollutants towards the circular economy
Shuai Yue, Zhiyong Zhao, Mengxue Yang, Yixiao Liu, Pengfei Wang, Chenxin Xie, Sihui Zhan
2026, 37(6): 112108  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112108
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Emerging pollutants—including PFAS, microplastics, antibiotics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)—pose escalating ecological and health risks while embodying untapped elemental value. Traditional remediation strategies focus on destruction, often overlooking opportunities for resource recovery. In contrast, catalytic upcycling leverages advances in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, mechanochemistry, and hybrid bio-abiotic systems to selectively convert pollutants into value-added products, aligning with circular economy goals. This review synthesizes overarching catalytic principles—such as C–F and C–C bond activation, ROS selectivity, and redox synergies—that are applicable across pollutant classes. We also contrast pollutant-specific challenges: the chemical inertness of PFAS, the heterogeneity of microplastics, the toxicity and complexity of antibiotic intermediates, and the trace-level persistence of EDCs. Despite these differences, recent breakthroughs demonstrate promising upcycling pathways: PFAS into fluorochemicals, microplastics into olefins and graphitic materials, antibiotics into hydrogen and organic acids, and EDCs into polymeric and pharmaceutical precursors. We further highlight emerging techno-economic and life-cycle assessments, showing that upcycling can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% and generate substantial economic returns. By reframing pollutants as chemical feedstocks, this review outlines a transformative strategy for pollution control, resource recovery, and sustainable chemical production.
Research progress of core-shell catalysts in the deNOx field
Tao He, Chunxue Wang, Yifei Liang, Tingjie Fu, Kunlin Li, Xin Sun, Kai Li, Ping Ning, Fei Wang
2026, 37(6): 112113  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112113
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Core-shell structured materials exhibit superior stability and catalytic performance in catalytic applications. The unique microenvironment of the core-shell catalyst facilitates efficient enrichment and adsorption of low-concentration, high-mobility atmospheric pollutants. Furthermore, these catalysts have found widespread application in the control of atmospheric contaminants attributed to the synergistic interplay between core-shell components and the protective barrier function of the shell architecture. This paper comprehensively reviews the preparation method of core-shell catalysts and their application in the control of air pollutants. This paper focuses on the advantages of core-shell catalysts and the main types of core-shell catalysts employed in deNOx processes. Recognition of the relationship between the structural composition of core-shell catalysts and their catalytic performance, as well as exploring the synergistic effects, heat and mass transfer, and underlying catalytic mechanism. This review offers critical guidance for the design and development of application-oriented core-shell catalysts to abate atmospheric pollutants.
Micro/nanomotors: From design to biomedicine applications
Xuan Hu, Ziyan Shen, Shuang Chao, Yuxin Pei, Shoupeng Cao, Zhichao Pei
2026, 37(6): 112127  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112127
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Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are miniature devices capable of autonomous movement and execution of specific tasks at the micro/nano scale. Compared with traditional drugs, nanomedicines can achieve precise drug delivery through targeting, thereby reducing toxic and side effects on normal tissues. MNMs can utilize inherent fuels in biological systems or absorb external energy and convert it into kinetic energy, which enables them to address the issue that nanomedicines fail to act on the core of lesions due to insufficient tissue penetration. Therefore, they are regarded as excellent candidates for constructing efficient targeted delivery and diagnosis-treatment systems. This review introduces the design and driving strategies of different types of MNMs. Through functionalization of materials and optimization of driving modes, the dual designed objectives of reducing toxic side effects and improving therapeutic efficiency are achieved. In terms of applications, this review mainly introduces the research progress of MNMs in the biomedical field (such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, wound healing, antibacterial and disease diagnosis-treatment). Finally, the challenges and limitations faced by the practical application of MNMs are discussed, and the future development directions of MNMs are prospected.
Living therapeutics: Colorectal related diseases precision therapy with engineered organisms
Jiahao Huang, Yongfeng Lan, Lifa Chen, Xiaoxuan Guan, Rong Liang, Jiatong Liang, Ming Gao, Jialiang Gan, Yun Guo, Sen Zhang
2026, 37(6): 112151  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112151
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Colorectal related diseases are generally benign and malignant diseases that occur within the colon, causing psychological disorders, nutrient absorption disorders, anemia, and life threatening conditions. The current treatment strategies for colorectal related diseases have been seriously hampered by unpredictable behaviors, safety risks and limited efficacy. Recent advances in the fields of synthetic biology and materials fabrication have enabled the development of engineered organisms with great controllability, targeted delivery capabilities, and high safety and efficacy for their therapy. In this review, we first analyze the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of colorectal related disease. Subsequently, we delved into the latest developments in the application of engineered organisms in the treatment of colorectal diseases, covering the potential regulatory mechanisms, and the exploration of clinical feasibility. Finally, we discuss the key challenges and future perspectives of this biotherapeutic approach, with a focus on achieving precise targeted therapy through the engineering design of organisms. This review aims to provide the valuable insights into the development of precision therapies for colorectal related diseases, and lay the foundation for their clinical management.
Synthesis of multi-substituted 9,9′-spirobifluorenes and their applications in organic light-emitting diodes
Zhanhui He, Zheng Liu, Hongji Li, Lijun Yang, Guodong Yin, Jingbo Lan
2026, 37(6): 112155  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112155
[摘要]  (36) [HTML全文] (36) [PDF 11339KB] (0)
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9,9′-Spirobifluorene (SBF) derivatives, as a unique class of conjugated frameworks, have been extensively investigated in the field of organic electronics. The introduction of diverse substituents to various positions on SBF can modulate the photoelectric properties of SBF derivatives. Multisite substitution endows SBF derivatives with structural diversity, thus providing more opportunities for adjusting the photoelectric properties of materials. However, the synthesis of multi-substituted SBFs is more difficult, and their structure-activity relationships are also more unpredictable. This review focuses on multi-substituted SBFs, detailing their synthesis methods, photoelectric properties, thermal stabilities, and applications in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Multi-substituted SBFs are typically synthesized using multi-halogenated or multi-boronate ester-substituted SBF precursors. In addition, transition metal-catalyzed C–H arylation reactions represent an exceptionally efficient approach for preparing multi-substituted SBFs. The effects of the type, number, and position of substituents on the thermal stability, photophysical and electrochemical properties, and carrier mobility of these SBF derivatives are systematically reviewed. Their roles as emitters, hosts, electron-transport materials, and hole-transport materials in OLED devices are summarized and discussed.
The bio-applications of low-valence-selenium-substituted glucoses
Hongen Cao, Xinrui Xiao, Xu Zhang, Lei Yu
2026, 37(6): 112197  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112197
[摘要]  (38) [HTML全文] (38) [PDF 1693KB] (0)
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Low-valence-selenium-substituted glucose, a novel organoselenium compound, has emerged as a promising candidate with significant biological application potential. This review highlights its role as an efficient and low-toxicity selenium source in agriculture, livestock farming, and medicine. In agriculture, it enhances selenium uptake in crops, improves plant stress resistance, and reduces heavy metal toxicity. In animal feed, it boosts selenium levels and antioxidant capacity in livestock, thereby improving their health and productivity. Additionally, its medical applications include the development of selenium catalysts for pharmaceutical synthesis and selenium-enriched materials with antibacterial and anticancer properties. This article provides a comprehensive review of its synthesis, biological efficacy, and future prospects.
Recent advances of heterogeneous manganese catalysis in organic synthesis
Tianyi Zhou, Heng Yang, Guangbin Zhou, Feng Chen, Pan Gao
2026, 37(6): 112223  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112223
[摘要]  (59) [HTML全文] (59) [PDF 4718KB] (0)
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In recent years, heterogeneous manganese catalysis has emerged as a significant area of research in catalytic chemistry, leveraging manganese-based materials to facilitate a wide range of chemical transformations. This review explores the fundamental principles, recent advances, applications, and prospects of heterogeneous manganese catalysis in organic synthesis. These catalysts are widely employed in C–C bond formation, C–N bond formation, C–O bond formation, oxidation. Despite this, manganese catalysts have not received as much attention as other metals, such as iron and cobalt, often resulting in their excellent catalytic activity being overlooked. This review focuses on the mechanisms and capabilities of heterogeneous manganese catalysts in various aspects of organic synthesis, highlighting the latest research advancements.
Density functional theory assists in promoting advanced oxidation processes: Toward efficient antibiotic degradation in waters
Zhihao Li, Zhiruo Zhou, Yuan Qin, Dan Huang, Meizhen Wang
2026, 37(6): 112318  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112318
[摘要]  (30) [HTML全文] (30) [PDF 7334KB] (0)
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Antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments poses a serious threat to ecological safety and public health. However, traditional advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) face critical bottlenecks due to unclear microscopic reaction mechanisms, including ambiguous reactive species generation pathways and a lack of theoretical guidance for catalyst design. This review systematically elucidates the pivotal role of density functional theory (DFT) in antibiotic degradation via AOPs: (1) By accurately simulating catalyst electronic structures, adsorption energies, and reaction energy barriers, DFT reveals the evolution rules of active sites (e.g., multi-element doping reduces the O–O bond cleavage energy barrier by 36%), thereby optimizing reaction pathways across photocatalysis, electrochemical oxidation, and persulfate activation systems; (2) Combined with Fukui index and molecular orbital analyses, DFT enables precise identification of vulnerable sites in antibiotic molecules (e.g., C8/C13 of ofloxacin and O23/N15 of ciprofloxacin), and predicts the thermodynamics and kinetics of reactive species (e.g., 1O2, SO4•‒) formation; (3) Under a closed-loop "computational guidance — experimental validation" framework, DFT drives catalyst structure optimization and reaction pathway regulation, significantly enhancing AOP mineralization efficiency (e.g., 2.5-fold increase in tetracycline removal rate). Future directions should focus on integrating non-adiabatic molecular dynamics, machine learning-assisted screening, and toxicity prediction of degradation products to promote the intelligent design and green engineering of AOPs, thereby building an efficient and precise antibiotic pollution control system.
Solar-driven hydrogen peroxide production on designed g-C3N4: Strategies, mechanisms, and perspectives
Zhimin Yuan, Xingling Zhao, Xianglin Zhu, Kaili Wang, Ya-Qian Lan, Zaiyong Jiang
2026, 37(6): 112572  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112572
[摘要]  (42) [HTML全文] (42) [PDF 17527KB] (0)
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The photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) utilizing graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) offers a sustainable alternative to the conventional, energy-intensive anthraquinone method. Nevertheless, the practical deployment of pristine g-C3N4 is constrained by its limited absorption of visible light, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, and low surface catalytic activity. This review critically examines various modification strategies aimed at enhancing the H2O2 generation efficiency of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts. Prominent approaches encompass elemental doping, defect modification, and the junction engineering. These modifications synergistically enhance light absorption, facilitate charge separation, and accelerate oxygen reduction reaction kinetics. Consequently, such engineered photocatalysts have achieved H2O2 production rates reaching millimolar concentrations per hour under visible-light irradiation, alongside marked improvements in selectivity and apparent quantum efficiency. Despite these significant advancements, challenges persist in realizing broad-spectrum solar energy utilization, ensuring long-term operational stability, and developing scalable synthesis methods for catalyst fabrication. This review delineates prospective research directions aimed at advancing efficient and practical photocatalytic systems for sustainable hydrogen peroxide synthesis.
Editorial
Deciphering the HIV reservoir: From epigenetic regulators to RNA-mediated regulation
Xiaojia Xue, Xiangyi Jiang, Jiaojiao Dai, Xinyong Liu, Eline Pellaers, Debyser Zeger, Peng Zhan
2026, 37(6): 112019  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112019
[摘要]  (33) [HTML全文] (33) [PDF 502KB] (0)
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C60-based ionic salt electron shuttle enables chemical bonding with perovskite surface for inverted photovoltaic
Zhenglong Hu, Liang Chu
2026, 37(6): 112053  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112053
[摘要]  (35) [HTML全文] (35) [PDF 1703KB] (0)
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Engineering MOF superstructures for enhanced environmental applications
Zhi-Bo Wang, Lu Zhang, Xuedong Du, Chong-Chen Wang
2026, 37(6): 112070  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112070
[摘要]  (34) [HTML全文] (34) [PDF 2980KB] (0)
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Direct asymmetric α-alkylation of β-ketocarbonyl compounds with simple olefins by photoredox-nickel-hydrogen atom transfer triple catalysis
Cui Xin, Wei-Min He
2026, 37(6): 112351  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112351
[摘要]  (32) [HTML全文] (32) [PDF 867KB] (0)
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Light-fueled multicolor luminescent supramolecular driver enabled by cucurbituril-mediated allostery
Wei-Lei Zhou, Fanxu Zeng, Yong Chen
2026, 37(6): 112486  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112486
[摘要]  (37) [HTML全文] (37) [PDF 2649KB] (0)
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2026 Vol.37
2025 Vol.36
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2009 Vol.20
2008 Vol.19
2007 Vol.18
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2000 Vol.11
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1992 Vol.3
1991 Vol.2
1990 Vol.1

栏目

  

Communication
Rational synthesis of highly charged E9 (E = Ge, Sn) dimer and trimer with Nb/Au bridges
Ya-Shan Huang, Wen-Juan Tian, Jing-Xuan Zhang, Zhong-Ming Sun
2026, 37(5): 110827  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110827
[摘要]  (351) [HTML全文] (351) [PDF 796KB] (351)
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Oxidation-coupled clusters of [E9]4– are rarely synthesised, and the investigation of their reactivity is profoundly hindered by their high charge and limited yield. In this study, we successfully synthesized two Nb-containing clusters [(Ge9–Ge9)(NbCp2)2]4– (1a) and [(Ge9=Ge9=Ge9)NbCp2]5– (2a), by reacting [Ge9–Ge9]6– and [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]6– with NbCp4. Theoretical calculations indicate that the formation of 1a and 2a from dimer and trimer is thermodynamically favorable. Furthermore, a Au-containing cluster incorporating the dimeric [Sn9–Sn9]6– cluster, [Au(Sn9–Sn9)]5– (3a), was successfully synthesized, despite the inability to independently synthesize [Sn9–Sn9]6–. A systematic bonding analysis was conducted on these newly synthesized clusters and their parent structures to investigate their bonding patterns.
Construction of near-infrared active nickel(Ⅱ) nanoplatform for treating wound bacterial infection
Ruijing Zhang, Yangyuting Zhou, Song Gao, Jun-Long Zhang
2026, 37(5): 110829  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110829
[摘要]  (326) [HTML全文] (326) [PDF 1805KB] (326)
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The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the formation of biofilms are significant challenges in surgical practice, posing a serious threat to public health due to postoperative wound infections. A promising approach to tackle this issue is the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which has shown remarkable effectiveness in treating both cancer and wound infections. In our study, we developed an innovative artificial nanoplatform called Ni-2@F127 by encapsulating Ni-2 in a biocompatible Pluronic. When exposed to 880 nm laser irradiation, Ni-2@F127 exhibited exceptional photothermal performance, achieving a photothermal conversion efficiency of 60.4%, along with significant photocatalytic capabilities. This platform activates a Fenton-like reaction that catalyzes hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), producing toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) effectively. The synergistic effects of hyperthermia and •OH not only destroy tumor cells but also demonstrate powerful antimicrobial activity, significantly inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in vitro under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Importantly, in animal models, Ni-2@F127 effectively eliminates S. aureus from deep tissues in cases of subcutaneous abscesses and knife injuries, significantly accelerating abscess resolution and promoting wound healing. The compelling evidence suggests that Ni-based metal complexes could serve as transformative antibacterial agents in phototherapy, unlocking vast potential for their application in wound healing and the treatment of bacterial infections.
Oxygen defect-mediated Li-ion transport for long-cycle solid-state lithium metal batteries
Zi-Hao Zuo, Jiang-Kui Hu, Xi-Long Wang, Shi-Jie Yang, Wei-Qi Mai, Yao-Hui Zhu, Zheng Liao, Jia Liu, Hong Yuan, Jia-Qi Huang
2026, 37(5): 110851  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110851
[摘要]  (322) [HTML全文] (322) [PDF 986KB] (322)
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Solid-state lithium (Li) metal batteries have attracted significant attention due to their high energy density and improved safety performance. However, sluggish Li-ion transport and rapid anion migration in solid-state electrolytes often result in heterogeneous Li-ion flux distribution and thus Li dendrite growth. Herein, we developed a highly conductive composite solid electrolyte with an elevated Li-ion transference number through incorporating Gd-doped CeO2 (GDC) nanofillers with abundant surface oxygen defects into poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) matrices. The defect concentrations were effectively controlled by regulating the Gd doping ratio in CeO2. As a result, the highest oxygen concentration of 12.2% is achieved for the GDC with 10% Gd doping (GDC-10). The GDC-10 electrolyte demonstrated a high Li-ion transference number of 0.59 and an improved ionic conductivity of 0.40 mS/cm at room temperature, attributed to anion immobilization and enhanced Li-salt dissociation. This was due to the strong interactions between positively charged oxygen vacancies and anions, which effectively reduces surface concentration polarization and homogenizes Li-ion flux. Therefore, LiLi symmetric cells exhibited exceptional cycling stability of 1500 h without noticeable Li dendrite growth at 1 mA/cm2 and 1 mAh/cm2. Furthermore, LiLiFePO4 full cell also stably cycles for 500 cycles with a capacity retention of 90.44% at 1 C. This work provides new insights into the design of composite solid electrolytes through the defect regulation of fillers.
Ultrafast synthesis of tetragonal-distorted FeCoNiCuCr high-entropy alloy nanoparticles for enhanced OER performance
Xindong Zhu, Wen Huang, Lan Tan, Zhongzheng Yao, Xiao Yang, Ruoyu Song, Mingxiao Chen, Dong Liu, Jianrong Zeng, He Zhu, Si Lan
2026, 37(5): 110852  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110852
[摘要]  (332) [HTML全文] (332) [PDF 921KB] (332)
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High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as promising electrocatalysts due to their unique compositional complexity and tunable electronic structures. However, achieving rapid and efficient synthesis of HEA nanoparticles (NPs) with high electrocatalytic activity and understanding their structural and electronic characteristics remains challenging. Here, we report the synthesis of FeCoNiCuCr HEA NPs via an ultrafast carbon thermal shock (CTS) method. Local structural investigations combining synchrotron pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that incorporating Cr introduces local tetragonal distortions, resulting in residual strain that enhances catalytic performance. This local distortion could be attributed to atomic-scale elemental segregation between Cr and Cu, further stabilizing the structure and improving activity. These synergistic effects, combined with uniform carbon-loaded NPs morphology achieved by the CTS process, enable superior OER performance. This study highlights the role of structural and electronic modulation in HEA catalysts, offering valuable insights for the design of next-generation electrocatalysts.
Emission regulation in 0D hybrid copper halides via structural transformation: From defect to non-defect states for information encryption and storage
Lin Yang, Xia Liu, Bohan Li, Zhuo Liu, Yani Li, Canzhi Shi, Yan Xu
2026, 37(5): 110858  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110858
[摘要]  (339) [HTML全文] (339) [PDF 1229KB] (339)
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Zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid copper halides have attracted significant attention owing to their unique photophysical properties and remarkable structural diversity. In this work, two 0D self-assemblies compounds of copper iodide dimers were synthesized, namely, (4-MBTP)2(Cu2I4)0.5I (1) and (4-MBTP)(Cu2I4)0.5 (2) (4-MBTP = (4-methylbenzyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride). Compound 1 exhibits blue emission centered at 474 nm, while compound 2 shows yellow emission centered at 559 nm at room temperature. The results combined with crystal structure, spectroscopy analysis, characterization, and theoretical studies reveal that the blue light of compound 1 stems from multiple defect states caused by the presence of I vacancies, while the yellow emission of compound 2 is attributed to through-space charge-transfer (TSCT) and cluster-centered (CC) excited state. Strikingly, the crystal structure can transform from compound 1 into compound 2 with luminescence color change from blue to yellow through treating with methanol. This work provides a structural transformation strategy of hybrid copper halides, as well as realizes the regulation of light emission from defect states to non-defect states, making them feasible candidates for information encryption and optical data storage.
Alkaline lysine additive enables highly stable Zn anode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Guangbin Wang, Binrui Xu, Bo Zhao, Yifei Pei, Haoming Li, Wanhong Zhang, Yong Liu
2026, 37(5): 110859  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110859
[摘要]  (317) [HTML全文] (317) [PDF 1159KB] (317)
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Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (RAZIBs) have been considered as viable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries in electrochemical energy storage due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the further practical application of RAZIBs is restricted by the growth of zinc dendrites and severe side reactions during cycling. To address these issues, we proposed a new lysine (Lys) additive to the ZnSO4 electrolyte, the hydrolyzed Lys+ cations can be adsorbed on the Zn anode's surface to modify the interface between the zinc electrode and the ZnSO4 electrolyte. This modification helps weaken the "tip effect" and guides the uniform zinc deposition, effectively alleviating the formation of zinc dendrites. Additionally, introducing alkaline Lys can regulate the pH value of the ZnSO4 electrolyte and suppress side reactions, thereby decreasing the production of by-products. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell with Lys additive stably cycled for 4500 h at 1 mA/cm2, and the Zn||NH4V4O10 full cell with Lys additive exhibited improved performance (with a capacity retention of 72% after 1000 cycles) at 5 A/g. This strategy provides valuable insights for developing stable Zn anode toward high-performance RAZIBs.
NbN as cathode catalysis for lithium-sulfur batteries: Unlocking sulfur conversion kinetics
Rongjin Lin, Shuiping Cai, Chen Cheng, Changyong Zhao, Yingkang Tian, Xiaofei Yang, Xuejie Gao, Runcang Sun
2026, 37(5): 110862  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110862
[摘要]  (342) [HTML全文] (342) [PDF 827KB] (342)
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The dissolution of lithium polysulfides (Li2Sx, 4 ≤ x ≤ 8, LiPSs) intermediates and slow redox kinetics are the main factors leading to the rapid capacity degradation of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs), significantly limits the practical development of LSBs. To overcome challenges, NbN embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NbN@NCNT) composites were synthesized here as sulfur hosts by taking advantage of the superior electrical conductivity and excellent catalytic activity of the metal nitride NbN. The incorporation of NbN enhanced the polysulfides conversion efficiency and suppressed the shuttling effect, thereby enhancing cycling stability in LSBs. XPS results revealed the formation of Li2S, indicating that Li2S8 was sufficiently effectively reduced and catalytically converted to the Li2S. Consequently, after 100 cycles, the capacity retention rate of LSBs using the S/NbN@NCNT electrode reached 71.5% at a current density of 2 mA/cm2 with a high sulfur loading of 3 mg/cm2. More importantly, even at high current density of 8 mA/cm2, the battery assembled with NbN@NCNT was still able to reach the high capacity of 878.14 mAh/g, demonstrating outstanding rate capability. This study offered novel insights into the potential for enhancing the sulfur reaction kinetics in LSBs.
MOF-derived porous Co3O4 nanosheets array assembled on SnO2 nanofibers for humidity-resistant high efficiency acetone detection
Jinwu Hu, Feng Wang, Jiejie Yu, Zijun Hong, Wenhui Zhang, Hui-Jun Li, Zhuangchai Lai, Ding Wang, Yonghui Deng, Guisheng Li
2026, 37(5): 110863  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110863
[摘要]  (318) [HTML全文] (318) [PDF 1368KB] (318)
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Semiconducting metal oxide based gas sensors exhibit great promise for convenient detection of acetone, a biomarker gas in the exhaled breath of type-Ⅰ diabetes patients. However, the detection usually suffers the interference from exhaled moisture. To overcome this challenge, in this work, a novel hierarchical heterojunction structure consisting of SnO2 nanofiber core and Co3O4 nanosheet shell (denoted as SnO2@Co3O4 core-shell composite) was proposed for fabricating acetone sensor with excellent humidity resistance. Compared with SnO2 nanofibers and Co3O4 nanosheets, the SnO2@Co3O4 showed the highest sensing response, with a response value (Rg/Ra) of 11.27-50 ppm acetone at 110 ℃. In addition, the hierarchical SnO2@Co3O4 core-shell structure shows fast response/recovery speed (19/43 s), lower detection limit (125 ppb), excellent selectivity and stability in a humidity environment (relative humidity 30%-90%) with a relative change of only 3%. The enhanced gas sensing performance toward acetone is attributed to the synergistic effect between the two components, the unique core-shell hierarchical structure and the rich oxygen vacancy density. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the SnO2@Co3O4 has higher acetone adsorption energy than the two components. In addition, a novel SnO2@Co3O4 gas sensing module and smart portable sensor device enable efficient real-time monitoring of acetone concentrations on a smartphone via Bluetooth communication.
Elucidation of the CO2 adsorption mechanism of [Zn2(mtz)2(ox)] using neutron powder diffraction
Lingxiang Bao, Jing-Hong Li, Rui-Biao Lin, Jianyuan Wu, Zhenhong Tan, Wu Xie, Wenhai Ji, Dong Zhang, Anucha Koedtruad, Jingjing Ma, Wang Hay Kan, Feng Pan, Toru Ishigaki, Takashi Kamiyama, Ping Miao
2026, 37(5): 110864  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110864
[摘要]  (326) [HTML全文] (326) [PDF 534KB] (326)
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Metal-organic framework [Zn2(tz)2(ox)] (CALF-20) has attracted great attention due to its excellent ability to capture carbon dioxide. There are great interests to develop similar adsorbents for gas adsorption and separation. To develop more efficient porous adsorbent, it is essential to study the relationship between these structures and properties. Neutron diffraction has been proved to be an excellent tool for determining both the structural details of MOF host and the precise locations of adsorbed gas within the pore, offering unique opportunities for understanding the structure-properties relationship. Herein, we report the synthesis and structure characterization of MOF [Zn2(mtz)2(ox)], which exhibits high CO2 adsorption capacity. Neutron powder diffraction experiment on the solvated, the activated and CO2 loaded samples unveils the preferred binding sites of CO2 within the MOFs, where CO2 locates toward the center of the pore and interacts with methyl group or triazole via CH···O hydrogen bonding. The adsorption process of CO2 in [Zn2(mtz)2(ox)] is accompanied by the cell volume expansion, so [Zn2(mtz)2(ox)] with more compact structure can show a better adsorption performance. The structure-properties relationship in [Zn2(mtz)2(ox)] elucidated by present study offer a path to develop more advanced porous physisorbent materials.
Dynamically stabilized PtCuNi/C catalyst enabled by oxygen vacancies in WO3-x
Zihou Zhang, Haozhe Xu, Yuxiang Wang, Pin Fang, Olga Demidenko, Yujing Li
2026, 37(5): 110889  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110889
[摘要]  (354) [HTML全文] (354) [PDF 1343KB] (354)
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The replacement of Pt/C catalysts with Pt-based alloy catalysts was considered a promising strategy to reduce platinum-group-metal (PGM) content in proton exchange membrane fuel cell. However, inexpensive transition metal atoms in Pt-based alloy catalysts are subject to metal dissolution issues, leading to stability issues of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. In this work, a PtCuNi/C-WO3-x catalyst is designed employing non-stoichiometric WO3-x with abundant oxygen vacancies (Ovac). The WO3-x can dramatically improve the stability of PtCuNi without sacrificing the activity. Theoretical calculation suggests a decreased vacancy formation energy of W in WO3-x at the presence of Ovac, as well as increased vacancy formation energies of Pt/Cu/Ni in PtCuNi alloy particles with the existence of surface W dopant. Combined with the experimental discovery of slower dissolution rates of metals in PtCuNi/C-WO3-x catalyst, a dissolution-induced stability enhancement mechanism is proposed, whereby facilitated dissolution of W atoms from WO3-x bulk could re-deposit on Pt-alloy surface and inhibit the dissolution of catalytically active metal atoms, revealing a dynamic process that enhances the stability. The PtCuNi/C-WO3-x also shows great potential to be used as cathode catalyst in membrane electrode assembly for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Theoretical simulation and experimental study toward the isomerization of dibenzothiophene based hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
Ruiqin Wang, Lei Yang, Jiayi Qi, Xin Chen, Ming Li, Yong Hua, Rongxing He, Xiaorui Liu
2026, 37(5): 110891  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110891
[摘要]  (355) [HTML全文] (355) [PDF 1023KB] (355)
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Structural design is an effective way to realize the functional construction of hole transporting materials (HTMs). In order to have an insight into the relationship between molecular structure and function of HTMs, three isomeric HTMs (RQ1, RQ2 and RQ3) are constructed with functional group of dibenzothiophene which is connected to different positions on the side chains of carbazole-aromatic derivatives. In combination with computational simulation and experimental study, although the isomeric RQ1–RQ3 with the same molecular formula exhibit similar frontier molecular orbital energy levels and optical absorption, their hole transporting ability and interaction at perovskite/HTMs interface in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are completely different. In comparison with the RQ2 (18.69%) and RQ3 (22.56%), the results indicate that the molecule RQ1 in PSCs application can yield higher power conversion efficiency (23.50%) because of its higher hole mobility and effective charge transfer at perovskite/HTMs interface. Moreover, the mutually corroborating between the computational simulation and the experimental results demonstrate the reliability of the theoretical model for molecular design of isomeric HTMs. This strategy of obtaining high-performance HTMs through simple structural design is expected to inspire researchers to further optimize the efficiency of PSCs.
Single crystal P2-type layered cathodes with optimized crystal plane orientation improved high voltage stability for sodium-ion batteries
Jiaxuan Liu, Nan Zhang, Huiming Shi, Zhipeng He, Zhiyu Zhang, Dianlong Wang, Huakun Liu, Shixue Dou, Bo Wang
2026, 37(5): 110892  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110892
[摘要]  (356) [HTML全文] (356) [PDF 1196KB] (356)
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Traditional polycrystalline P2 layered oxides face challenges such as irreversible phase transitions, poor air stability, and structural distortion, which negatively impact their electrochemical performance. In this study, a single-crystal material, P2-Na2/3Ni1/4Mn2/3Mg1/12O2 (SC-NMM), was synthesized using co-precipitation coupled with the molten salt method. Owing to the strong integrity and high thermal stability of the main {001} planes of the large-sized single crystal, SC-NMM exhibits a high reversible specific capacity (173.5 mAh/g at 20 mA/g) and stable cycle performance (93.38% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 100 mA/g) at high voltage. Additionally, the Na-ion full cell constructed with the SC-NMM cathode and hard carbon anode demonstrates a cathode energy density of 397.4 Wh/kg. The excellent electrochemical performance of SC-NMM originates from the reversible anion redox and single-phase solid solution reaction mechanism. This work provides a reference for synthesizing single-crystal layered transition metal oxides with high electrochemical performance by eliminating irreversible phase transitions through crystal orientation modulation.
Synergy of constructing robust hybrid interphase and weakly solvating electrolyte for low-temperature aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Wen Liu, Qiwen Zhao, Hongli Qi, Dongping Chen, Fengcheng Tang, Xiaoyu Liu, Huaming Yu, Gang Zhou, Yuejiao Chen, Libao Chen
2026, 37(5): 110893  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110893
[摘要]  (343) [HTML全文] (343) [PDF 1177KB] (343)
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Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as strong contenders for large-scale energy storage solutions, attributed to their cost-effectiveness and enhanced safety profiles. Nevertheless, their widespread adoption is currently hindered by their poor performance in low-temperature conditions. Herein, an electrolyte is developed by utilizing weakly solvated and film-forming molecule dimethyl sulfite (DMS) to achieve smooth de-solvation and high ionic conductivity at low temperature. The DMS disrupts the hydrogen bonding network of water and lowers the freezing point of the electrolyte to -40.9 ℃. The designed electrolyte achieves ionic conductivity up to 10.75 mS/cm at -30 ℃. Due to the chemical reactivity of DMS and trifluoromethanesulfonate anions in the Zn2+-solvation shell, a ZnF2-ZnS hybrid solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is successively generated on Zn metal surface. Mechanistic studies reveal that such robust hybrid interphase can promote Zn2+ desolvation and rapid Zn2+ transport. In addition, the addition of DMS effectively suppresses the dendritic growth, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and corrosion-induced passivation on the anode surface, facilitating long-term cycling at subzero temperatures. At -40 ℃, the Zn//Zn symmetrical cell cycles for 1200 h at 0.5 mA/cm2 and 0.5 mAh/cm2, and the Zn//NVO cell achieves an ultra-long cycle life of 1000 cycles with a high capacity retention of 82.89% at 1 A/g.
Intelligent structure modulator for enhancing wide-temperature compatibility of aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Xiaoxi Zhao, Qingyun Dou, Bingjun Yang, Qunji Xue, Xingbin Yan
2026, 37(5): 110952  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110952
[摘要]  (354) [HTML全文] (354) [PDF 1447KB] (354)
摘要:
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are the low-cost and safe secondary battery technology with great application prospects, but remain hindered by the severe Zn-electrolyte interface compatibility, especially in extreme environmental temperature. Innovative electrolyte design is the key to solving the above problems. Here, we introduce an electrolyte additive of Poloxamer 407 (P407) as a solvation restructuring agent and H2O cluster modulator, effectively stabilizing H2O molecules and suppressing parasitic reactions. Meanwhile, P407 facilitates the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) composed of organic-inorganic composite, thereby improving the interfacial chemistry. More importantly, the thermoreversible gelation property of P407 enhances the system’s high-temperature stability by forming micelle network structures that effectively retains H2O molecules, while at low temperature, it maintains the fluidity of the electrolyte, ensuring efficient ion transport. By using P407-containing electrolyte, the Zn anode achieves long cycling life of 4000, 850, and 1000 h at 30, 60 and −30 ℃, respectively. Moreover, the modified electrolyte enables the Zn-V2O5 full cells to achieve excellent rate performance and cycling stability in a wide temperature range from −30 ℃ to 60 ℃. This study highlights a simple yet effective strategy for electrolyte modification using P407, providing a pathway toward the development of high-performance AZIBs with broad temperature adaptability.
Size effect of graphite anode with boosted capacitive solvated-Na+ co-intercalation for high-power sodium-ion capacitors
Xiaojuan Huang, Zerui Yan, Xiaoqing Chang, Dafu Tang, Qiulong Wei
2026, 37(5): 110953  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110953
[摘要]  (355) [HTML全文] (355) [PDF 956KB] (355)
摘要:
Solvated-ion co-intercalation mechanism with high-rate capability properties makes graphite anode reconsider as optional anode for sodium-ion batteries and capacitors. The size effect has been widely investigated for various transition metal oxide materials, but such influences on the co-intercalation mechanism remain largely unexplored. In this study, natural graphite anodes with different particle sizes ranging from 25 µm to 1.7 µm for [Na(diglyme)x]+ co-interaction are systematically investigated through detailed kinetics analysis and in-situ X-ray diffraction characterization. Importantly, we find that the reaction pathways of the co-intercalation and co-extraction are quite different. The reduced graphite size results in the loss of phase transitions during the co-extraction process and then the disappearance of the sharp anodic redox peak. The small-sized graphite anodes display boosted capacitor-like responses and provide additional surface adsorption with a slightly increased capacity. Finally, a hybrid sodium-ion capacitor (SIC), using graphite anode and activated carbon cathode, is assembled without complex presodiation treatments. Such optimized hybrid SICs deliver high energy densities of 60 Wh/kg at 240 W/kg and high power density of ~16,000 W/kg with 32 Wh/kg, and ultralong 30,000 stable cycles. This work provides fundamental insights into the Na+-solvent co-intercalation mechanism with tunable capacitor-like kinetics, representing a promising direction for high-power sodium-ion storage.
Rational construction of hollow NiCoCd-S nanoprisms for high-performance supercapacitor
Haiying Zhou, Jian Wen, Guanghui Wu, Pinghua Chen, Qi Ke, Yonghui Deng, Xibao Li, Xinming Zhou, Shaoning Yu, Hualin Jiang
2026, 37(5): 110954  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110954
[摘要]  (325) [HTML全文] (325) [PDF 1104KB] (325)
摘要:
High-performance electrode materials are of paramount significance for practical applications in energy storage devices, and the design of hollow-structured active electrode materials is a simple effective strategy. Herin, a three-dimensional nickel cobalt cadmium ternary sulfide hollow nanoprism material (NiCoCd-S) was successfully synthesized by combination of refluxing, hydrothermal and calcination methods. The co-existence and synergism of Ni, Co and Cd endow the material surface with abundant catalytic active sites, facilitating the progress of the reaction, enabling it to exhibit better performance than single-metal or bimetallic compounds. The unique hollow structure facilitates increased contact between the electrolyte and more electroactive sites, while the shorter diffusion pathways enable rapid ion/electron transfer rates within the material, synergistically generating enhanced supercapacitive activity. The synthesized NiCoCd-S shows a high specific capacitance (Cg) of 1643.7 F/g@1 A/g, along with a prolonged cycling life (81.6% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles). When assembling the NiCoCd-S//AC asymmetric supercapacitor, it demonstrates an impressive energy/power density of 105.9 Wh/kg and 919.2 W/kg, respectively. After 10,000 charging-discharging cycles, the initial capacitance can still be maintained at 88.5%. The present work offers a strategy for the rational design of hollow nanostructured polymetallic sulfides with high electrochemical performance and stability.
Unveiling the electrocatalytic potential of main-group metal-embedded BC3 monolayer for highly efficient NO reduction to NH3
Jiajun Wang, Chen Sun, Li Sheng, Zhiwen Zhuo, Shujuan Li, Jiayao Wang, Weiyi Wang, Jinbo Sun, Juqian Yang, Ke Xu, Shulai Lei
2026, 37(5): 110974  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110974
[摘要]  (328) [HTML全文] (328) [PDF 905KB] (328)
摘要:
Electrochemical NO reduction reaction (NORR) has gained extensive attention as a promising approach to achieve both harmful NO removal and ambient NH3 production. Main-group metal-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) hold great promise for electrocatalysis but still lack adequate investigation. Herein, by means of the first-principles calculations, we systematically explore the potential of main-group metal-embedded BC3 monolayer (denoted as M@VB and M@VC, M = Mg, Ca, Al, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Sb, and Bi) as highly efficient SACs for the NORR toward NH3 synthesis. After examining the structural stability, NO adsorbability, NORR catalytic performance, and NH3 selectivity, we screen Al@VB, Ga@VB, and Ge@VC out of 18 candidate systems. Remarkably, NO can be adsorbed and activated on them with moderate ΔG*NO of -1.27~-1.90 eV, and spontaneously reduced into NH3 without any limiting potential. Moreover, the three screened candidates can effectively inhibit the production of N2O/N2 byproducts under high NO converge, as well as the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Our work not only offers several high-efficiency NORR electrocatalysts, but also guides the rational design of potential main-group metal-based SACs.
Hourglass-shaped organophosphomolybdate(Ⅴ) as photoelectrochemical sensor for selective detection of trace levofloxacin
Meng-Si Guo, Chun-Xiao Yin, Zi-Yi Zhang, Yuan-Yuan Ma, Jing Du, Zhan-Gang Han
2026, 37(5): 111158  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111158
[摘要]  (357) [HTML全文] (357) [PDF 910KB] (357)
摘要:
Phenylphosphonate functionalized fully-reduced hourglass-shaped organophosphomolybdate(V) hybrid (H2bib){Ni[Mo6(PO3C6H5)4O15H6]2}·9H2O (bib = 4,4′-bis(imidazolyl)bibpheny) was synthesized as a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor. Benefiting from the electron transfer interaction between organic phenyl groups and inorganic {P4Mo6} skeleton, compound achieved a low detection limit of 4.61 nmol/L and high sensitivity of 264.02 µA L/µmol toward the PEC detection of levofloxacin in aqueous solution, together with excellent practicality in milk sample.
Plasma metabolites-based drug design: Discovery of novel and highly selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors
Deyan Wu, Qingjiang Ma, Yanquan Chen, Guofeng Yang, Fengcai Zhang, Meiyan Jiang, Xue Wang, Xingfu Liu, Qian Zhou, Yi-You Huang, Zhe Li, Hai-Bin Luo
2026, 37(5): 111236  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111236
[摘要]  (350) [HTML全文] (350) [PDF 1529KB] (350)
摘要:
In drug discovery, it is extremely important to identify highly potent leads with desirable drug-like profiles. Almost all the marketed phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have poor selectivity over PDE6 or PDE11 and leading to several side effects. Herein, a metabolites-based scaffold hopping strategy was performed to discover selective PDE5 inhibitors with remarkable metabolic stability. The Eu(OTf)3-catalyzed Mannich-type reaction followed by l-selectride catalyzed reduction was used to prepare chiral 2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-1H-benzo[b]pyrido[2,3,4-de][1,6] naphthyridines as novel PDE5 inhibitors with high enantioselectivity (> 99% ee and > 30:1 dr). Lead L9 exhibited a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.03 nmol/L with higher selectivity (> 898-fold) over PDE6 or PDE11 than sildenafil and tadalafil, implying the potential relief from side effects. Especially, the co-crystal binding pattern of L9 with PDE5 is revealed to be different from that of sildenafil, which possibly explain the former's high selectivity. And oral administration of L9·HCl (5.0 mg/kg) exhibited better therapeutic effects than pirfenidone (150 mg/kg) in a bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) rat model, highlighting the potential of L9·HCl for the treatment of IPF.
Intranasal pterostilbene nanoparticles delivery alleviates neuroinflammation and brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage
Zhongxin Duan, Yue Wang, Yunchu Zhang, Xia Liu, Wanyu Wang, Hua Li, Qingyang Lu, Chao You, Yongzhong Cheng, Cong Wu, Xiang Gao
2026, 37(5): 111248  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111248
[摘要]  (336) [HTML全文] (336) [PDF 1229KB] (336)
摘要:
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype of stroke with high mortality and poor prognosis among survivors. Neuroinflammation after ICH plays a critical role in both secondary brain injury and repair. In the early stages of ICH, excessive activation of microglia triggers pro-inflammation, leading to the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines that exacerbate neuronal damage and worsen neurological deficits. Pterostilbene (PTE), a natural polyphenol with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is an ideal neuroprotective agent. However, its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability and low blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetrability following oral administration. Here, we developed PTE-loaded methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) nanoparticles (PTE-NPs) to enhance the bioavailability of PTE and performed an intranasal delivery strategy for non-invasive and efficient transport to the ICH lesion. PTE-NPs significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory microglia activation and cytokine release, thereby reducing inflammation-mediated neuronal damage in the peri–hematomal region. In the two ICH mouse models, PTE-NPs demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in improving neurological function with good biosafety. This study provides a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ICH and its future clinical translation.
Systemic study on anti-tumor activity of HER2 induced peptide-drug conjugate clustering in xenograft tumor models
Qing-Hua Chen, Da-Yong Hou, Ni-Yuan Zhang, Jia-Qi Wang, Rui Zheng, Xing-Jie Hu, Xiu-Hai Wu, Li Yi, Ying-Jin Zhang, Guang-Xu Zhang, Yu-Juan Gao, Ben-Li Song, Rui Wang, Jian-Xiao Liang, Ming-Ze Cai, Yu Wang, Jia-Yuan Niu, Li-Ying Wang, Yang Yang, Hao-Ze Li, Hong-Wei An, Lei Wang, Yuliang Zhao, Hao Wang
2026, 37(5): 111257  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111257
[摘要]  (369) [HTML全文] (369) [PDF 875KB] (369)
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Target therapy represents a paradigm shift to a precise and personalized approach. Unlike the great success of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in clinical practice, peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) with good tissue penetration and drug loading capacity exhibits poor stability, quick blood clearance and cellular internalization that limit their translation. In this study, a feasible approach for constructing an in vivo self-assembling peptide-drug conjugate (sPDC) was proposed by rationally designing the combination of tumor-specific targeting peptide module, responsive self-assembling peptide module, and therapeutic drug. Two optimized sPDCs (sPDC1 and sPDC2) capable of specifically targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) on the surface of tumors were reported. sPDCs could selectively target HER2-positive tumors and effectively kill HER2 overexpressing tumor cells. In addition, weak but significant efficacy of sPDCs was also observed in HER2-negative tumors, which was likely by-stander effect due to the release of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, in HER2-positive xenograft mouse models, sPDC1 showed superior therapeutic efficacy over the clinical HER2-targeted therapeutic agents trastuzumab and lapatinib, and roughly equivalent therapeutic efficacy compared with RC48 even in large tumor-bearing mouse models. Therefore, sPDC1 was promising to serve as a lead compound for further clinical development for oncology therapy.
Tailoring anode properties with carbon nanofiber-interpenetrated graphene aerogels for high-performance bioelectrochemical systems
Tingli Ren, Yuanfeng Liu, Congju Li
2026, 37(5): 111274  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111274
[摘要]  (327) [HTML全文] (327) [PDF 952KB] (327)
摘要:
The poor biofilm colonization, charge transfer, and storage at the anode have long been major obstacles to achieving high power generation in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). To overcome this challenge, we developed electrospun carbon nanofiber-interpenetrated reduced graphene oxide aerogels (CNF/rGO-x, where x denotes the mass ratio of CNF to rGO, with x = 2, 4, 6) to modify the surface of carbon cloth (CC), significantly enhancing its electrochemical performance. The CNF/rGO-6 aerogel featured a porous, interconnected conductive scaffold, endowing the CC electrode with a larger electrochemically active area, higher specific capacitance, and a rougher surface. These properties significantly improved biofilm adhesion, extracellular electron transfer, and charge storage capabilities. As a result, the BES equipped with a CNF/rGO-6 electrode achieved an impressive power density of 3080.3 mW/m2, significantly higher than those of BES with CNF/rGO-4 (2426.3 mW/m2), CNF/rGO-2 (2717 mW/m2), rGO (1978.3 mW/m2), and pure CC (1050.4 mW/m2) electrodes. Furthermore, the CNF/rGO-6 electrode supported a high abundance of electroactive bacteria and enhanced their viability. With its simple fabrication, low weight, and exceptional electrochemical performance, the CNF/rGO-6 aerogel demonstrates significant potential as an electrode material for high-performance and cost-effective BES.
Overcoming the drug retention barrier with photosensitive hydrogel for sustained photodynamic therapy of oral leukoplakia
Zhengzheng Lv, Xin Xia, Peisheng Cao, Qi Han, Hang Zhao, Ronghui Zhou, Peng Wu
2026, 37(5): 111282  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111282
[摘要]  (341) [HTML全文] (341) [PDF 1205KB] (341)
摘要:
Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is a common and representative malignant disease of oral mucosa, and possess a higher risk of cancer. Compared with traditional surgical treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has great potential in OLK treatment, due to its advantages of minimally invasiveness and low toxic side effects. However, traditional photosensitizer administration suffers from short retention time due to the fluid environment of saliva and extensive tongue movement, leading to poor drug (photosensitizer) utilization and limited therapeutic outcome. To address such issue, here a photosensitive guanosine (G)-based hydrogel system (G@GQD) was constructed, in which graphene quantum dots (GQDs) featuring high photosensitization activity was loaded through three dimensional (3D) fiber network physical encapsulation. The favorable adhesion of the G@GQD hydrogel on the tongue, together with sustained GQDs release, significantly enhanced the retention of GQDs within the oral cavity. As a result, G@GQD hydrogel could continuously generate high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under irradiation, demonstrating a sustained therapeutic efficiency in vitro. Compared with free GQDs, G@GQD exhibited significantly improved PDT efficiency in treating 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-induced OLK animals. This study presented a promising strategy in overcoming the drug retention barrier that caused by saliva and tongue movement, which has far-reaching significance for the future PDT therapies.
Orthogonal upconversion nanoplatform for in situ hydrogelation and photo-activatable chemotherapy
Minfei Yu, Yueyan Yang, Xin Cheng, Shicheng Pei, Man Wu, Fangling Cao, Yaxin Zheng, Shuyao Zhou, Keming Xu, Lei Zhou, Wenying Zhong
2026, 37(5): 111284  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111284
[摘要]  (342) [HTML全文] (342) [PDF 745KB] (342)
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Light is a powerful tool for controlling hydrogel formation and drug release, which are essential in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Achieving orthogonal control over hydrogelation and drug release using different wavelengths of light offers precise spatiotemporal regulation but is challenged by limited penetration depth and spectral crosstalk of commonly used visible light. Herein, this work develops an orthogonal light-responsive hydrogel based on dual-wavelength upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for controlled hydrogelation and drug release. Upon 808 nm excitation, these UCNPs emit green light, triggering the photopolymerization of hyaluronic acid-2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrogels. While 980 nm induces ultraviolet emission, enabling controlled and sustained drug release. Through structural design, the emissions under dual-wavelength excitation exhibit no spectral crosstalk, enabling orthogonal light control of both processes. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that both hydrogel formation and drug release processes can be finely tuned by controlling the power density and excitation durations, significantly enhancing the spatiotemporal precision of drug delivery. This orthogonal light-responsive hydrogel holds significant potential for precise, spatiotemporally controlled drug delivery.
PROTAC degraders of FSP1 act as potent GPX4 sensitizers to induce ferroptosis for hepatoma treatment
Jiangmin Zhu, Qimei Tan, Shiying Fan, Yalin Li, Ling Zhu, Lihong Hong, Yuxia Wang, Chuzhen Zhang, Chen Chen, Lingyi Kong, Jianguang Luo
2026, 37(5): 111285  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111285
[摘要]  (364) [HTML全文] (364) [PDF 652KB] (364)
摘要:
Induction of ferroptosis is a promising strategy for tumor treatment. In light of the fact that the inhibition of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) can enhance the susceptibility of hepatoma cells to glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibitors, we hypothesized that FSP1 degraders may conspicuously improve the therapeutic efficacy of GPX4 inhibitors against hepatoma. Here, we developed a strategy using an iFSP1 analog (FSP1 inhibitor) and the pomalidomide (E3 ligase ligand) to construct proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for degrading FSP1. Among these, C7, the first-in-class PROTAC degrader of FSP1, induced FSP1 degradation with a half-maximal degradation concentration (DC50) value of 0.66 µmol/L. The synergistic application of C7 (1 µmol/L) and the GPX4 inhibitor ML162 (100 nmol/L) markedly induced ferroptosis and effectively inhibited hepatoma cells viability. Further mechanism studies revealed that C7 targets FSP1 and down-regulates it through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the therapeutic alliance of C7 and ML162 markedly surpassed the efficacy of iFSP1 (FSP1 inhibitor) and ML162 in suppressing tumor proliferation. Collectively, these findings indicated that PROTAC degraders of FSP1 function as potent sensitizers of GPX4 inhibitors to induce ferroptosis, thus representing a promising strategy for hepatoma treatment.
Fabrication and characteristics of decellularized amniotic membrane-based nanofiber composite for tissue repair
Jinwen Xiao, Xiaojun Ai, Conglai Zhou, Ruiqi Feng, Junrong Chen, Juan Wu, Xiongbo Song, Long Chen
2026, 37(5): 111291  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111291
[摘要]  (340) [HTML全文] (340) [PDF 1253KB] (340)
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Decellularized amniotic membrane (dAM) holds significant potential in tissue engineering; however, its inherent mechanical limitations and rapid degradation hinder its clinical translation. This study integrates dAM with high molecular weight polymer polycaprolactone (PCL) and natural gelatin (Gel) nanofibers using electrospinning technology and a 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) covalent crosslinking system to produce two composite biomaterials. Both PCL-dAM and Gel-dAM composites demonstrate enhanced strain, tensile strength, and elasticity compared to pure dAM, showcasing improved mechanical properties and significantly reduced degradation rates, with Gel-dAM exhibiting superior overall performance. Gel-dAM also shows considerably better compatibility with fibroblasts, macrophages, and tendon stem cells than PCL-dAM, suggesting that it more effectively supports cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, thus providing a more favorable microenvironment for tissue repair. In macrophage immune modulation, Gel-dAM significantly promotes the polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype, exhibiting potential anti-inflammatory and repair-enhancing effects, thereby offering new insights into the use of dAM in tissue regeneration. These advancements open new possibilities for the clinical application of dAM, particularly in tissue repair and wound dressing.
Colon-targeted pellets encapsulating patchouli oil cocrystal for inflammatory bowel disease treatment
Zeyu Li, Huan Shen, Wenli Cai, Quangang Xu, Wei Xia, Keke Ning, Ergang Liu, Yongzhuo Huang
2026, 37(5): 111292  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111292
[摘要]  (328) [HTML全文] (328) [PDF 1111KB] (328)
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Patchouli oil (PAO), a traditional herbal remedy with notable anti-inflammatory properties, has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in gastrointestinal diseases. However, its instability in acidic environments and low bioavailability hinder PAO's clinical application. In this study, we developed a pharmaceutical solid-state form of PAO using a β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-based inclusion cocrystal technology, thus obtaining PAO-βCD cocrystals. PAO-βCD cocrystals exhibited enhanced dissolution and stability. We further encapsulated them in pH-sensitive Eudragit-coated pellets (PAO-βCD@pellet) to achieve site-specific delivery of PAO to the inflamed colon. In vivo results from the dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model showed that PAO-βCD@pellet significantly improved the colonic release of PAO, as evidenced by fluorescence tracking and quantitative analysis of patchouli alcohol, the main active compound of PAO. Furthermore, PAO-βCD@pellet demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy, reducing disease activity index, preventing intestinal barrier damage, and modulating the gut microbiome. Histological examination confirmed alleviating intestinal epithelial cell damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings suggest that PAO-βCD@pellet offers a promising targeted treatment strategy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with enhanced stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic outcomes.
Discovery of α-mangostin derivatives as novel PDE4 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: An artificial intelligence-driven synergized strategy
Zhi-Pei Sang, Teng Xue, Qian-Ru Xing, Qi-Yao Zhang, Hong-Song Chen, Xue Wang, Fu-Rong Zhang, Wen-Ling Fu, Wu Dong, Shu-Heng Huang, Yi-You Huang, Hai-Bin Luo
2026, 37(5): 111318  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111318
[摘要]  (332) [HTML全文] (332) [PDF 1465KB] (332)
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no effective therapeutic agents currently available. Inhibiting phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) has emerged as a promising strategy for AD treatment. In this study, we employed a synergistic approach combining generative recurrent neural network (RNN)-driven combinatorial compound design, virtual screening, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis to discover novel PDE4 inhibitors. Utilizing α-mangostin as a hit compound (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 1.31 µmol/L), we identified a novel PDE4 inhibitor, 13d (IC50 = 72.8 nmol/L) with moderate liver microsomal stability (rat liver microsomes (RLM), t1/2 = 32.4 min). In vitro activity results indicated that 13d exhibited favorable anti-inflammatory effects and promising neuroprotective activity. In vivo experiments demonstrated that 13d significantly improved AlCl3-induced zebrafish AD model by inhibiting PDE4 and reducing inflammatory cytokine. Further, 13d significantly alleviated AlCl3/d-galactose-induced AD mouse model. These findings highlight the potent PDE4 inhibitor 13d with promising anti-AD activity, underscoring the potential of artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery for novel therapeutic agents for AD.
Enhancing tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen vaccine efficacy through synergistic antibody recruitment: A combined strategy targeting TACA heterogeneity
Dan Li, Haofei Hong, Han Lin, Teng Xu, Zhifang Zhou, Zhimeng Wu
2026, 37(5): 111324  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111324
[摘要]  (345) [HTML全文] (345) [PDF 905KB] (345)
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Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA)-based cancer vaccines face clinical challenges due to heterogeneous TACA expression, which compromises antibody-mediated tumor recognition and leads to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. To address this limitation, we report a combined strategy that integrates vaccination with TACA-based antibody-recruiting molecules. This approach simultaneously redirects anti-TACA antibodies to tumor cells expressing a secondary target, thereby enhancing the efficacy of TACA-based vaccines. Using sialyl-Tn (sTn) as a model TACA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as model protein targets, we designed two nanobody (Nb)-sTn conjugates as TACA-based antibody-recruiting molecules: EGFR-targeting 7D12-sTn and HER2-targeting C7b-sTn. These conjugates were synthesized via sortase A-mediated ligation and demonstrated strong binding profiles. Importantly, they effectively redirected anti-sTn antibodies, generated by the Theratope vaccine, to target cells in situ, significantly improving the recognition of tumor cells by anti-sTn antibodies. The synergistic potential of these conjugates in amplifying the therapeutic effect of the sTn-KLH vaccine was further validated through complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays. This innovative strategy represents a highly promising approach to overcome the clinical challenges posed by TACA heterogeneity in cancer vaccine development.
Dual-activated fluorescent sensor visualizes energy metabolism pathways under ferroptosis-mediated oxidative stress relevant to cancer therapy
Jiao Lu, Bin Yang, Zhou Wu, Yong Li, Jun Wang, Ruihong Yao, Yanli Li, Zhihao Lu, Yufei Jiang, Fabiao Yu, Zhirong Geng, Zhilin Wang
2026, 37(5): 111334  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111334
[摘要]  (350) [HTML全文] (350) [PDF 883KB] (350)
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The rapid proliferation of tumor cells is driven by metabolic reprogramming and redox regulation. Real-time monitoring of glutathione (GSH)/adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) provides a dynamic perspective for tumor metabolism and is crucial for guiding precision treatment. We report a dual-site activatable fluorescent probe M901 for simultaneously detecting GSH and ATP without spectral overlap, and the detection range (GSH: 0–7 mmol/L, ATP: 0–6.5 mmol/L) matching the physiological concentration range. Based on this, M901 visualizes a bidirectional regulatory relationship between ATP synthesis↓ (energy imbalance) ↔ electron transport chain dysfunction ↔ reactive oxygen species (ROS)↑ ↔ GSH↓ (oxidative stress). Additionally, M901 reveals for the first time the dynamic compensatory mechanism between GSH and ATP in cellular oxidative stress induced by the inhibition of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) or glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In vivo imaging further confirms oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are core pathological mechanisms leading to liver injury, with treatment efficacy positively correlated with GSH/ATP levels. Importantly, the dynamic visualization of GSH/ATP by M901 enables real-time evaluation of the anti-tumor effects of ferroptosis inducers and cisplatin, guiding successful precision resection of invasive malignant tumors (negative margins <0.2 mm). This study confirms the potential of M901 as a clinical visualization tool for diagnosing, treating and monitoring a variety of diseases.
Malbrumpenoids A-N, unusually cyclized triterpenoids from the Euphorbia endophyte Malbranchea umbrina D16
Shu-Qi Wu, Xinying Zhu, Fang-Yu Yuan, Han-Zhuang Weng, Lei Li, Dong Huang, Gui-Hua Tang, Sheng Yin
2026, 37(5): 111336  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111336
[摘要]  (345) [HTML全文] (345) [PDF 1158KB] (345)
摘要:
Molecular networking-guided chemical investigation of the Euphorbia endophyte Malbranchea umbrina D16 led to the isolation of 14 novel unusually cyclized triterpenoids (UCT) involving three different skeletal types. Compounds 1–10 are tricyclic triterpenoids featuring a 1-cyclohexyloctahydro-1H-indene core, in which 1 incoporates an unusual 7,7-dimethyl-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.1.2]octane motif. Compounds 11–13 represent a rare class of bicyclic triterpenes (6/5 ring system) containing various O-heterocycles at the side chain. Compound 14 is an acyclic triterpenoid with O-heterocycles at both ends. Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic, chemical, computational, and crystallographic means, which also allowed the stereochemical revisions of three previously reported analogues. Compound 1 significantly inhibited the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling.
A BODIPY-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for imaging of Zn2+ in ferroptosis
Yaheng Li, Weijiang He, Yuncong Chen, Zijian Guo
2026, 37(5): 111337  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111337
[摘要]  (358) [HTML全文] (358) [PDF 1018KB] (358)
摘要:
Ferroptosis is a cell death pathway that plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes. Although closely related to ferrous ion, the execution of ferroptosis was found to be impacted by zinc ion (Zn2+) in recent years. However, most of the related researches focused on the effects of exogenously added Zn2+, while the fundamental understanding of endogenous Zn2+ during ferroptosis still needs further exploration. Herein, a ratiometric fluorescent probe based on pyridine-substituted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore (BDP-p) was designed to track the endogenous Zn2+ in cells during ferroptosis process. Zn2+ coordination induced an enhancement on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), leading to an obvious red shift from 563 nm to 594 nm. In A549 cells, we found fluorescence ratio of the probe elevated in some discrete regions during erastin induced ferroptosis, and this change followed the same trend as the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The results suggested that the Zn2+ would be localized in some discrete areas in A549 cells during ferroptosis. This work not only provided a reliable design strategy for developing ratiometric probes of Zn2+, but also supplemented the current understanding of the non-negligible role of Zn2+ in ferroptosis.
Substrate-independent nano-coating with persistent antibacterial and tooth whitening activities for dental health
Yi Liu, Xiaolin Yu, Wenyun Mu, Minsi Meng, Baixue Li, Jie Liu, Haixin Qian, Lin Weng, Tingting Yu, Nan Hu, Xin Chen, Yi Hao
2026, 37(5): 111338  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111338
[摘要]  (340) [HTML全文] (340) [PDF 1170KB] (340)
摘要:
Bacteria and stains on tooth and various dental materials severely harm dental health and beauty and require feasible solutions. In this study, a simple strategy was developed to produce nano-coating on different substrates for persistent antibacterial and whitening. The coating is formed by the lysozyme (Lys), hemoglobin (Hb), and glucose oxidase (GOD) via co-assembly, in which the phase transition of Lys initiated the co-assembly to anchor other two proteins. During therapy, the GOD continuously oxidizes glucose in the oral environment to cut off the nutrition of bacteria meanwhile generating H2O2, which would be further catalyzed by the ferrous ions in Hb to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) for effective decomposition of surrounding bacteria and stains. Moreover, the Hb can perform persistent release of oxygen, which not only enhances the efficiency of glucose oxidation to produce more ROS but directly suppresses anaerobic bacteria via reversing the local hypoxia environment in the mouth. The experimental results indicated that our strategy is able to form nano-film of proteins both on the surface of dental orthosis and human tooth, which further causes obvious reduction of the bacteria not only on the coated substrate but in the surrounding tissue with up to 100% of the bacteriostatic rate. In addition, both the dental orthosis and human tooth were also rapidly cleaned due to the local ROS generation, leading to a sustained anti-staining property in the long term.
Spirobixanthene surpasses spirobifluorene as key backbone for molecular negative photoresists
Yu Yan, Chenfei Zhao, Jingwen Hui, Xinfu Zhang, Linlin Zhao, Lujia Yang, Zhipeng Ning, Pengzhong Chen, Lingcheng Chen, Xiaojun Peng, Yi Xiao
2026, 37(5): 111343  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111343
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摘要:
Molecular glass refers to amorphous rigid small molecules with certain polymer-like properties. Herein, spirobixanthene is first adopted as the backbone to develop negative photoresist X4Ep with four epoxy moieties. F4Ep based on classical spirobifluorene is also synthesized as a benchmark against X4Ep. Both exhibit good thermostability and similar sensitivity. However, in e-beam lithography, performances of X4Ep completely surpass F4Ep. F4Ep lithography shows inevitably minor bridges no matter how we optimize process conditions. The relatively poor performances of F4Ep may be probably ascribed to its partial crystallization tendency inducing uneven photoacid generator (PAG) distribution and uneven acid diffusion, which thus promotes nonuniform epoxy crosslink to form rough patterns. X4Ep readily achieves dense lines without any defects. The superiority of X4Ep to F4Ep can be ascribed to the exceptional yet apparent structural distortion and asymmetry of spirobixanthene, which guarantees a perfect amorphous state and uniform crosslink. Finally, the optimal line/space (L/S) pattern with half pitch (HP) of 25 nm and line edge roughness (LER) of 2.7 nm is achieved. Therefore, spirobixanthene is a valuable molecular glass backbone for high-performance photoresists in the future.
Hierarchical carbon nanofiber-based NiCo2S4/NiCo-LDH/C nanostructure array with efficient charge transfer for flexible solid-state supercapacitors
Yan Gao, Ying Huang, Boming Lu, Meng Zong, Zheng Zhang
2026, 37(5): 111347  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111347
[摘要]  (375) [HTML全文] (375) [PDF 1379KB] (375)
摘要:
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) hold great promise for flexible solid-state supercapacitors owing to their high theoretical capacitance and distinctive architecture. However, their proneness to agglomeration and poor electrical conductivity have long hindered the manifestation of outstanding electrochemical performance. In a groundbreaking approach, we have engineered a hierarchical carbon nanofiber-based NiCo2S4/NiCo-LDH/C nanostructure array. The meticulously crafted hierarchical structure not only imparts remarkable stability to the electrode but also ingeniously harnesses the synergistic interplay among materials. Through density functional theory calculations, we have precisely identified and verified the active sites for charge transfer, unveiling a new understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This unique structure significantly facilitates ion transfer in the vicinity of NiCo-LDH, substantially elevates electrical conductivity, and notably increases the adsorption capacity of OH-. Moreover, it gives a substantial boost to the quantum capacitance. As a result, the electrode showcases a high specific capacitance of 1838.3 F/g. This research pioneers an effective and versatile strategy that can be readily applied to the majority of LDHs, opening up new avenues for enhancing their efficiency of supercapacitor materials.
Redox-triggered prodrug nanoassemblies with high tumor selectivity and biocompatibility break through antitumor dilemma of paclitaxel
Yaqi Li, Yixin Sun, Qinglong Yan, Wenjing Wang, Shuo Wang, Qing Wang, Danping Wang, Jun Yuan, Jin Sun, Zhonggui He, Zhenbao Li, Bingjun Sun
2026, 37(5): 111350  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111350
[摘要]  (344) [HTML全文] (344) [PDF 990KB] (344)
摘要:
The advent of the most representative commercially available formulations of paclitaxel, Taxol and Abraxane®, resolved the intravenous challenge of paclitaxel by increasing the water solubility. However, the severe excipient-related toxicity and poor stability of Taxol, along with the low drug loading (10%), complex preparation processes, and poor tumor selectivity of Abraxane®, present significant clinical dilemma. To overcome the challenges, 16-methylheptadecanoic acid (16-MH), with excellent biocompatibility was selected as the assembly module. The paclitaxel-16-MH prodrug nanoassemblies (PSSMH NPs) were constructed by conjugating 16-MH with redox-sensitive disulfide bonds and paclitaxel through an ethylene glycol. PSSMH NPs featured the advantages of easy preparation, high drug loading (> 50%) and superior stability (stable storage for 60 days at 25 ℃). Notably, the area under the concentration−time curve (AUC0–24 h) of PSSMH NPs was 14.95-fold compared with Taxol, indicating a significant improvement in the in vivo fate of paclitaxel. Moreover, the existence of redox-sensitive disulfide bonds endowed PSSMH NPs with increased tumor selectivity, resulting in exceptional tolerance and antitumor efficacy. Overall, the redox-triggered prodrug nano-system with high tumor selectivity and biocompatibility exhibits substantial potential for clinical translation.
Tuning fluorescence of polyphenol-based carbon dots for tetracycline and quinolone selective detection
Shuyun Li, Taoyang Wang, Yajing Zhang, Wenqi Wei, Qiuping Xie, Yiran Pu, Gonghua Hong, Xiaoling Wang, Yunxiang He, Junling Guo
2026, 37(5): 111356  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111356
[摘要]  (348) [HTML全文] (348) [PDF 1554KB] (348)
摘要:
The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates advanced tools for rapid and selective antibiotic detection in environmental systems. Herein, we report polyphenol-derived carbon dots (P-CDs) synthesized via a one-step solvothermal method using polyphenols and citric acid, enabling dual-mode detection of tetracyclines and quinolones through pH-tunable fluorescence. The P-CDs exhibit distinct fluorescence quenching for tetracyclines (e.g., oxytetracycline (OTC)) and enhancement for quinolones (e.g., norfloxacin (NOR)), driven by synergistic multiple molecular interactions facilitated by surface phenolic groups. With detection limits of 8.19 µmol/L (OTC) and 5.27 µmol/L (NOR), P-CDs achieve 6-fold higher sensitivity compared to conventional carbon dots. Their pH adaptability (pH 2–12), specificity (> 90% selectivity against seven antibiotic classes), and robust performance in real water matrices (e.g., river water and wastewater) underscore their potential as eco-friendly sensors for on-site environmental monitoring. This work highlights a versatile platform to address antibiotic contamination and advance public health safety.
Inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder approach to densely substituted bicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes: Discovery of an autophagy regulator
Jiulong Li, Pengxin Ren, Lin Wang, Yuting Zhang, Peng Yang, Weiwei He, Ang Li
2026, 37(5): 111381  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111381
[摘要]  (337) [HTML全文] (337) [PDF 832KB] (337)
摘要:
Natural products bearing a bicyclo[3.2.2]nonane motif pose a considerable challenge to chemical synthesis. We developed a europium-promoted inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of benzo[2,3]tropone derivatives with electron-rich olefins, which offers an expeditious approach to densely substituted bicyclo[3.2.2]nonanes. This method enabled the concise synthesis of a tetracyclic amine, subsequently identified as a downstream suppressor of autophagy.
Dual-gated delivery of melittin combined with moderate photothermal treatment using NIR-responsive Pd nanosheets for enhanced cancer immunotherapy
Dongsheng Zhang, Tingting Wang, Cheng-Ao Li, Yi Tang, Fangyang Wang, Qiang Wang, Hongqing Li, Xun Zhang, Duo Sun, Yueying Zhang, Jiang Ming, Xiao Chen, Xiaolan Chen, Jingchao Li, Xinhui Su
2026, 37(5): 111399  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111399
[摘要]  (354) [HTML全文] (354) [PDF 1164KB] (354)
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Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for combating tumor metastasis and recurrence, however, its efficacy is often hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The integration of nanomedicine-based photothermal therapy (PTT) with immunotherapy offers great potential to reshape the immune landscape, thereby enhancing immune responses and therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, conventional hyperthermia may induce heat-related damage and excessive inflammation in normal tissues. To address this challenge, we developed a novel therapeutic platform that combines tumor-specific delivery of melittin (MLT) with mild PTT using two-dimensional palladium nanosheets (Pd NSs). This approach allows for selective accumulation of MLT at tumor sites via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and TME-responsive release, thereby maximizing antitumor efficacy while minimizing off-target toxicity. The resulting nanocomposite, MLT@Pd@PEG, exhibits excellent biocompatibility and efficient photothermal conversion under 808 nm laser irradiation. The acidic pH and localized heat in the TME synergistically trigger the controlled release of MLT, which disrupts cancer cell membranes and promotes tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, this treatment facilitates the release of tumor-associated antigens and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), thereby activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. In vivo studies demonstrate that the combination of immune checkpoint blockade and MLT@Pd@PEG not only eradicates primary and distant tumors in bilateral tumor-bearing mouse models but also prevents tumor recurrence and metastasis by inducing durable immune memory. This comprehensive strategy integrating precise MLT delivery with mild PTT holds significant promise for advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
Black phosphorus nanosheets-based platform for B-cell lymphoma chemo-photothermal therapy
Xiaoyan Liu, Cong Xu, Ruhe Zhang, Yilu Zheng, Hengyu Liu, Haolin Chen, Meng Zhao, Jun Wu, Dongjun Lin
2026, 37(5): 111401  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111401
[摘要]  (339) [HTML全文] (339) [PDF 1306KB] (339)
摘要:
In the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, chemotherapy as a monotherapy encounters significant challenges like drug resistance, side effects, and limited cytotoxicity. A novel strategy combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy uses nanomaterials to convert light into heat, locally heating tumor tissues to induce thermal ablation while enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents and reducing toxic side effects on normal cells. Here, we developed a multifunctional black phosphorus nanosheets (BP NSs) for chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of lymphoma. BP NSs were synthesized from bulk black phosphorus crystal powders utilizing a modified liquid exfoliation technique and functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve stability. The PEGylated BP NSs were loaded with two chemotherapeutic agents, gemcitabine (Gem) and doxorubicin (DOX), forming GD-BP@PEG NSs. The nanosheets exhibit excellent physical stability, efficient photothermal conversion, and pH/near-infrared (NIR) dual-responsive drug release. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that GD-BP@PEG NSs significantly increased cytotoxicity and apoptosis, especially with NIR laser irradiation. Furthermore, in vivo studies in A20 lymphoma-bearing BALB/c nude mice revealed GD-BP@PEG NSs passively accumulated with high concentrations at the tumor site, efficiently inhibiting lymphoma growth with minimal systemic toxicity, demonstrating significant advantages over single treatments of chemotherapy or photothermal therapy alone. In summary, this pH/NIR dual-triggered BP NSs system could serve as a promising nanoplatform for chemo-photothermal synergistic treatment of B-cell lymphoma.
A multi-pronged approach to activate and amplify cGAS-STING for boosted photoimmunotherapy by drug-free nano-assembly
Chuangxin Zhang, Yunxia Wang, Ruipeng Li, Sirong Zhou, Liheng Feng
2026, 37(5): 111403  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111403
[摘要]  (327) [HTML全文] (327) [PDF 1520KB] (327)
摘要:
The low tumor immunogenicity, high immunosuppressive microenvironment, and off-target toxicity severely limit the efficiency of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway that plays an important role in tumor immunotherapy. We herein develop a multifunctional nano-assembly with tumor targeting, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) releasing, Mn2+ sensitizing and immune microenvironment reprogramming capabilities for improving cGAS-STING to bridge innate and adaptive immunity. The drug-free nano-assembly composed of organic AIE-type photosensitizer and MnO2 can improve the tumor immune microenvironment by consuming glutathione and producing oxygen in the presence of H2O2, concurrently enhancing the release of damaged dsDNA and sensitizing the cGAS by controlled release of Mn2+ to magnify cGAS-STING immunity. In vivo experiments reveal that the multi-mode synergistic activation of STING pathway at the headstream can not only damage the primary tumors to amplify innate immunity, but also facilitate the maturation of dendritic cells, infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and expansion of adaptive immunity to inhibit primary tumor metastasis and recurrence in the long term.
Stereoconvergent synthesis of chiral sulfonyl phthalide containing two chiral centers from Z/E mixed alkenes via copper catalysis
Zhiqian Chang, Xiaochun He, Xuemei Zhang, Zhong Lian
2026, 37(5): 111405  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111405
[摘要]  (351) [HTML全文] (351) [PDF 2767KB] (351)
摘要:
Chiral phthalides are present in numerous natural products and bioactive molecules. Synthesizing phthalides from alkenes is an effective strategy. However, the challenges of facial-selectivity in the addition to Z/E mixed alkenes and diastereoselectivity at vicinal stereogenic centers have prevented the achievement of a highly selective stereoconvergent synthesis of chiral sulfonyl phthalides from Z/E alkene mixtures. Therefore, we have developed an efficient methodology for the stereoconvergent synthesis of chiral sulfonyl phthalides, using the Cu/PyBim catalytic system. This method enables the asymmetric construction of sulfonyl phthalides with multiple stereocenters for the first time. It exhibits broad applicability across various terminal and internal alkene substrates, and accommodates a diverse array of aryl, alkyl, and nitrogen radical precursors, all under exceptionally mild reaction conditions. The experimental results indicate that the reaction utilizes a Curtin-Hammett kinetic control strategy, leading to the stereoconvergent synthesis of Z/E internal alkene substrates with significant enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity in the asymmetric construction of chiral sulfonyl phthalides.
Monofluoroiodane(Ⅲ) reagent mediated Wagner−Meerwein rearrangement fluorination: Construction of quaternary C(sp3)−F bond
Jing Ren, Feng-Huan Du, Xiaowei Chen, Chi Zhang
2026, 37(5): 111407  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111407
[摘要]  (346) [HTML全文] (346) [PDF 1552KB] (346)
摘要:
Fluoroorganic chemistry is one of the most hectic areas of current chemical research, exerting a profound effect on the most vital industries such as medicine, pesticide, and material science. Synthesis of fluorine-containing organic molecules, particularly those that bear C(sp3)−F bonds, remains a great challenge in modern chemical synthesis. Herein, we disclose a new strategy for the construction of a carbon−fluorine quaternary center, which was accomplished with the silver(Ⅰ)-catalyzed intramolecular Wagner−Meerwein rearrangement fluorination of allylic gem-disubstituted alkene derivatives by using a hypervalent monofluoroiodine(Ⅲ) reagent 1 (AFBI). Interestingly, the tunable five/six-membered heterocycle selectivity is achieved by the intramolecular Wagner−Meerwein rearrangement fluorination via a judicious choice of the group R1 attached to the C−C double bond. This versatile strategy features simple starting materials, mild reaction conditions, good functional-group compatibility, high bond-forming efficiency (e.g., one C−F and one C−O bond), and excellent chemoselectivity. The proposed reaction mechanisms and the roles of the catalyst AgBF4 were understood by control experiments and density functional theory calculations.
Cucurbit[7]uril-confined cascade assembly of cyclodextrin phosphor derivative achieving multicolor delayed luminescence for information encryption
Jie Niu, Xuan Wu, Jie Yu, Zhuo Lei, Ying-Ming Zhang, Li-Hua Wang, Yu Liu
2026, 37(5): 111419  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111419
[摘要]  (374) [HTML全文] (374) [PDF 1138KB] (374)
摘要:
Macrocyclic cascade supramolecular assembly could significantly enhance the fluorescence/phosphorescence resonance energy transfer (F/PRET) efficiency through macrocyclic and spatial dual confinement effect. Herein, we reported a cascade supramolecular assembly containing 6-bromoisoquinolinium-modified permethylated cyclodextrin (BQ-PCD), cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), and tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS), in which the enhanced PRET from 6-bromoisoquinolinium (BQ) to TPPS could be achieved through the dual macrocyclic confinement for multicolor delayed luminescence and information encryption. In TPPS$\subset$BQ-PCD$\subset$CB[7], pure organic room temperature phosphorescence of BQ-PCD at 530 nm is induced by CB[7] macrocyclic confinement, which further transferred to TPPS via spatial confinement, achieving delayed fluorescence at 645 and 715 nm with high PRET efficiency and quantum yield (17.9%). Meanwhile, reversible TPPS concentration-dependent multicolor luminescence was achieved in presence of competitive guest (methionine peptide), followed by porphyrin-photosensitization process, being applied in information encryption. This research presents a facile strategy for efficient PRET through macrocyclic cascade confinement assembly.
Construction of donor-acceptor supramolecular organic framework with enhanced superoxide anion radical generation for photocatalytic synthesis of benzimidazole
Xianya Yao, Ning Han, Hui Liu, Lingbao Xing
2026, 37(5): 111426  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111426
[摘要]  (341) [HTML全文] (341) [PDF 877KB] (341)
摘要:
The fabrication of three-component supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs) is a considerable difficulty owing to the intricate noncovalent interactions and the constraints of current synthesis techniques. In this study, we designed and synthesized two photosensitive modules: a naphthalene-modified triphenylamine derivative (NA-TPA) as the donor unit, and a trimethylated viologen-modified triphenylamine (MV-TPA) as the acceptor unit. These modules can self-assemble into a novel two-dimensional SOF via encapsulation-enhanced donor-acceptor interactions with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) in the aqueous solution. The resulting donor-acceptor SOF forms stable two-dimensional nanosheet structures in water. Compared to the individual monomers NA-TPA and MV-TPA, the SOF enhances electron transfer and significantly improves the generation of superoxide anion radicals (O2•−), which in turn effectively promotes the photocatalytic cyclization reaction between o-phenylenediamine and benzaldehyde in water, achieving a yield of up to 94%. This work offers valuable insights into the design and construction of three-component SOFs based on encapsulation-enhanced donor-acceptor interactions for photocatalytic applications.
Carbon–metal bond homolysis-recombination enabling enantioconvergent carboxylation with CO2: A theoretical study
Qi Zhou, Cefei Zhang, Hui-Lin Luo, Chuan-Xi Nie, Changwei Hu, Jian-Heng Ye, Zhishan Su, Li-Li Liao, Da-Gang Yu
2026, 37(5): 111429  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111429
[摘要]  (345) [HTML全文] (345) [PDF 1506KB] (345)
摘要:
The generation of transient radical species via carbon–metal bond homolysis is extremely useful, which can be harnessed to promote useful and selective radical-type transformations by the combination of transition metal catalysis. We herein establish a carbon–metal bond homolysis/recombination model for the formation of enantiomerically enriched carbon-metal species, which accounts for the Ni-catalyzed enantioconvergent carboxylation of racemic benzyl ammonium salts with CO2. Theoretical studies suggest a distinct pathway involving a stereoinvertive nucleophilic substitution-type oxidative addition of racemic benzyl ammonium salts to Ni(0), forming a racemic benzyl Ni(Ⅱ) intermediate. Subsequent C–Ni bond homolysis of one enantiomer enables the formation of a transient radical, followed by a dynamic rotation along C–C· bond and radical recombination forming another more thermodynamically favored enantiomer. Geometry analysis suggests less H–H repulsion between the benzyl group and chiral ligand in the more stable isomer. After the reduction and stereoretentive inner-sphere nucleophilic attack on CO2 process, the desired enantiomerically enriched carboxylic acid product is generated. ETS-NOCV analysis reveals a significant back-donation interaction between the dx2-y2 orbital of Ni atom and the unoccupied π* orbital of CO2 in inner-sphere transition state, thus effectively stabilizing the Ni–CO2 complex and facilitating subsequent C–C bond formation. The theoretical calculations provide critical insights into the systematic development of transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric carboxylation, highlighting significant potential for broad applications in synthetic organic chemistry.
C2-Symmetric N–N atropisomeric diphosphines: Synthesis and application in enantioselective dearomatization of heteroaryls
Xiao-Kai Li, Si-Hao Fu, Yi Yue, Rui-Jing Pang, Jia Feng, Ren-Rong Liu
2026, 37(5): 111430  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111430
[摘要]  (347) [HTML全文] (347) [PDF 1101KB] (347)
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Although C2-symmetric C–C atropisomeric diphosphines such as BINAP and SEGPHOS, have achieved tremendous success in enantioselective catalysis in recent centuries, developing diphosphines based on new structural scaffolds is still highly desirable. Here, C2-symmetric N–N atropisomeric diphosphines have been synthesized and comprehensively analyzed. These diphosphines exhibit excellent substituent-dependent tunable dihedral angles comparable to other useful electron-enriched diphosphines. With the aid of these newly developed diphosphines, the transition-metal catalyzed enantioselective dearomatization of heteroaryls is carried out to yield final products with excellent enantioselectivities, indicating their exceptional stereoinduction abilities.
Enantioselective intramolecular C–H alkylation of pyridine derivatives with alkene by rare-earth catalysts: Facile synthesis of chiral tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines
Jing Zhang, Lichao Ning, Yong Qiu, Minghui Ji, Shiyu Wang, Yuji Wang, Fei Wang, Xiaoming Feng, Shunxi Dong
2026, 37(5): 111442  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111442
[摘要]  (376) [HTML全文] (376) [PDF 1468KB] (376)
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Chiral 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines are frequently encountered in many bioactive compounds. However, the methods for their asymmetric synthesis are quite limited. Herein, we developed a straightforward and efficient route to enantioenriched tetrahydro-1,5-naphthyridines from pyridine derivatives tethered with alkene moieties (34 examples, up to 99% yield, 93% ee). The reaction proceeded via Csp2–H activation pathway initiated by site-selective deprotonation with the assistance of La[N(SiMe3)2]3/PyBox, followed by alkene insertion into the resulting La-aryl bond. The potential utility of the current method in organic synthesis was highlighted by scale-up synthesis of chiral product and its further transformations. Moreover, some of the products show a pronounced inhibitory effect on A549 cell activity. In addition, experimental studies and DFT calculations were carried out to elucidate the origin of enantiocontrol.
Inherently chiral molecular barrels via directional cascade hooping
Hao Zhou, Xu-Dong Wang, Yu-Fei Ao, De-Xian Wang, Qi-Qiang Wang
2026, 37(5): 111443  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111443
[摘要]  (347) [HTML全文] (347) [PDF 1001KB] (347)
摘要:
A kind of inherently chiral molecular barrels were efficiently constructed by a directional cascade hooping strategy. This strategy involves the anchoring of three nonsymmetric connecting arms onto a cap-dissymmetric bis(tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine) cage core, followed by hooping via imine condensation and reduction to afford the target molecular barrels with well-defined connectivity. The precise and high-yielding synthesis stems from both the bidirectional Ctriazine-N bond flipping dynamics and the reversible nature of imine formation. The molecular barrels comprise a bis(tetraoxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine) core encircled by a 72-membered loop, forming three fan-shaped cavities with inherent chirality and multiple endo-functionalized sites. The existence of multiple diastereoisomeric conformers due to the restricted Ctriazine-N bond flipping by the constrained loop structure was revealed by variable-temperature NMR studies and DFT calculations.
Solvent-regulated mesoporous terbium-perylenetetracarboxylate metal organic framework with enhanced electrochemiluminescence for ultrasensitive cTnI bioanalysis
Li Song, Shuchun Bu, Yilan Ding, Pu Zhang, Ya-Qin Chai, Yingzi Fu, Ruo Yuan
2026, 37(5): 111454  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111454
[摘要]  (335) [HTML全文] (335) [PDF 934KB] (335)
摘要:
The typical organic perylenetetracarboxylate (PTC) luminophore suffers from limited bio-application due to its aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) induced undesirable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) efficiency in aqueous solution. Herein, the ECL emission of PTC was highly improved through the ingenious coordination of PTC (ligand) with Tb3+ (metal ion) to prepare the Tb-PTC metal-organic framework (Tb-PTC MOF), which prevented the π-π stacking and the aggregation of PTC molecules in a homogeneous phase. Moreover, we found that the ECL emission of Tb-PTC MOF was further enhanced by regulating its morphology, pore size and electron transfer ability using different solvents during its synthesis procedure. Notably, under the mixture of DMF, EtOH, and H2O (v/v/v, 1:1:1), a mesoporous Tb-PTC MOF exhibited an outstanding ECL intensity, which may be attributed to two reasons. Firstly, the mesopore and rough surface of Tb-PTC MOF (luminophore) provided abundant active sites and enlarged contact surfaces for S2O82– (coreactant). Secondly, Tb-PTC MOF with higher electron transfer ability could accelerate electron/hole recombination to enhance its ECL emission. Additionally, Tb-PTC MOF with excellent ECL performance was applied as a luminophore to fabricate an ultrasensitive ECL immunosensor for cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnI) detection, related to acute myocardial infarction. The constructed ECL immunosensor exhibited a satisfactory linear range (1 fg/mL − 20 ng/mL) and a low detection limit of 0.48 fg/mL. This study provides a new trend for the preparation of PTC-based nanomaterials with highly efficient ECL performance, broadening the scope for sensitive immunoassay in disease diagnosis.
PⅢ/PⅤ-catalytic platform enabling N-fluoro-thiocarbonylation of diaryl amines for modular synthesis of tertiary N-trifluoromethylamines
Dongke Zhang, Li-Ao Ding, Qiuyu Xiang, Zhuojun Li, Qian Wu
2026, 37(5): 111461  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111461
[摘要]  (320) [HTML全文] (320) [PDF 1442KB] (320)
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Tertiary N–CF3 compounds have attracted intensive attention due to their great significance in discovery of new lead compounds, however, the synthesis of tertiary diaryl N–CF3 derivatives is still challenging. Herein, we successfully edit diaryl N–H into thiocarbamoyl fluorides with trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride by use of a PⅢ/PⅤ redox catalyst, leading to the formation of series of diaryl N–CF3 with silver fluoride. In addition, this process is also highly efficient to dialkyl and alkylaryl secondary amines. The mechanism investigation illustrated that the use of hydrosilane is crucial to the success of this transformation. It acts as both terminal reductants to cycle the PⅢ/PⅤ couple and fluoride acceptor to promote the reaction between less reactive amine and thiocarbonyl difluoride intermediate.
γ-C(sp3)-H acylation of aliphatic amines enabled by cooperative photoredox NHC/Pd catalysis
Xin-Han Wang, Ying Huang, Chun-Lin Zhang, Song Ye
2026, 37(5): 111484  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111484
[摘要]  (331) [HTML全文] (331) [PDF 1113KB] (331)
摘要:
The site-selective C(sp3)-H functionalization is of great importance in synthetic chemistry. However, γ-amino C(sp3)-H functionalization of aliphatic amines remains challenging. Herein, we develop an efficient γ-C(sp3)-H acylation of aliphatic amines by cooperative photoredox NHC/Pd catalysis. The process entails the following key steps: (ⅰ) photoinduced palladium-promoted formation of aryl radical, (ⅰ) generation of transient γ-amino alkyl radical through aryl radical-mediated 1,7-HAT, (ⅲ) single-electron oxidation of Breslow enolate intermediate to persistent ketyl radical, and (ⅳ) radical/radical coupling of γ-amino alkyl radical with ketyl radical. The synthetic utility of this γ-amino C(sp3)-H acylation is illustrated by the conversion of readily available aliphatic amines to a diverse collection of γ-aminoketones, which serve as versatile building blocks to enable the synthesis of pyrrolines of interest in medicinal chemistry. The radical mechanism is supported by the results of various control experiments, in situ EPR analysis, radical trapping experiment, and isotopic labeling studies.
[7]Cyclophenoxathiin: A heptagonal frustum-shaped nanobelt container for fullerenes
Zhenglin Du, Weijie Zhang, Yisong Tang, Xia Li, Jialin Xie, Kelong Zhu
2026, 37(5): 111499  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111499
[摘要]  (370) [HTML全文] (370) [PDF 1024KB] (370)
摘要:
Nanobelts have attracted significant attention in both synthetic and supramolecular chemistry due to their distinctive structures and promising applications. However, their synthesis remains challenging due to the high strain inherent in their ribbon-like configurations. A promising approach to mitigate this strain involves incorporating heteroatoms, such as sulfur and oxygen, which not only alleviate strain but also introduce new functionalities. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel C2-symmetric nanobelt, [7]cyclophenoxathiin ([7]CP), through a multi-step process. The structure of [7]CP was confirmed using NMR, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing a heptagonal frustum-shaped geometry. Host-guest interactions between [7]CP and selected fullerenes were investigated using UV–vis absorption, 1H NMR, and X-ray crystallography. Our findings demonstrate that [7]CP forms 1:1 complexes with fullerenes, exhibiting moderate binding through π−π interactions, with binding constants of 1638, 2534, and 3682 L/mol for C60, C70, and PC61BM, respectively. The reduced cavity size of [7]CP prevents the formation of dimeric complexes observed with [7]cyclophenoxathiin, while still allowing it to function effectively as a molecular container.
Red and near-infrared emissive nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbonized nanoparticles for red laser-induced synergistic photothermal and photodynamic tumor therapy
Zhenjian Li, Xue Wu, Lingyun Li, Bingzhe Wang, Guichuan Xing, Yupeng Liu, Songnan Qu
2026, 37(5): 111501  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111501
[摘要]  (334) [HTML全文] (334) [PDF 1250KB] (334)
摘要:
Metal-free nanoparticles capable of executing synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under the action of a single-wavelength laser have garnered considerable attention. Here, a novel type of nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon nanoparticles (TG-CNPs) was synthesized from taurine and genipin using a solvothermal method in dimethylformamide. The TG-CNPs, with an average size of approximately 25 nm, demonstrated red and near-infrared absorption/emission in aqueous solution. TG-CNPs exhibited negligible dark cytotoxicity, excellent biocompatibility, and remarkable lysosomal localization ability. Upon 655-nm laser irradiation, TG-CNPs exhibited strong photothermal performance with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 30% along with the efficient generation of superoxide radicals (•O2−). Leveraging the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, TG-CNPs facilitated passive targeting and accumulation at the tumor site. Notably, following a single round of 655-nm laser treatment, the tumors in the mice were completely eradicated, with no evidence of recurrence observed over the subsequent five months. This study introduces a promising metal-free, heteroatom-doped carbon nanoparticle platform for effective synergistic PTT/PDT in tumor treatment.
Divergent site-selective synthesis of deuterated pyrroles from radical initiated cyclizations of N-propargyl enamines
Baihui Zheng, Dandan Zhang, Baoping Ren, Yifei Li, Qun Liu, Ling Pan
2026, 37(5): 111544  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111544
[摘要]  (326) [HTML全文] (326) [PDF 2290KB] (326)
摘要:
Although the incorporation of deuterium has been widely researched, controlled deuterium labelling at precise sites is still very challenging. Herein, efficient catalytic synthesis of deuterated pyrroles is focused, the radical cyclizations of N-propargyl enamines were achieved from photoredox-mediated deuterated water splitting, giving deuterated pyrroles with deuterations at the C(sp2) and C(sp3) precisely. One or two-sites-deuterium incorporation as well as the controllable deuteration label at multi-H/D-exchange-sites, such as a methyl group, have been realized in high selectivity and efficiency via the solvent-controlled divergent deuterations. A halogen effect between solvents and substrates was proposed to initiate different catalytic cycles for the deuterations. The broad tolerance to substrates, the gram scale synthesis under natural sunlight irradiation and its applications in the synthesis of drug analogues further verified their practicality.
A concise asymmetric synthesis of (–)-oseltamivir phosphate via a biphasic Pd-catalyzed Heck-type cyclization
Qi Wang, Bichu Cheng, Minjie Liu, Fen-Er Chen
2026, 37(5): 111555  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111555
[摘要]  (352) [HTML全文] (352) [PDF 792KB] (352)
摘要:
A concise asymmetric synthesis of the anti-influenza drug (–)-oseltamivir phosphate (1) has been accomplished in 9 steps with an overall yield of 24%, starting from ethyl propiolate. The key features in this synthesis include an efficient biphasic Pd-catalyzed regioselectively intramolecular Heck-type cyclization to provide access to the highly valued chiral six-membered carbocyclic architecture, a regioselective and diastereoselective nitroso hetero-Diels-Alder reaction to construct the bicyclic oxazine 4 as well as a Cu(OTf)2-mediated regioselective and diastereoselective nucleophilic substitution reaction of bicyclic oxazine 4 with 3-pentanol to yield the trans-1,2-substituted diamino cyclohexyl amyl ether 16 with the correct three contiguous stereocenters. This rapid functionalization of the advanced molecular framework would offer an effective strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of other oseltamivir phosphate analogues.
Flexible two-dimensional uranium-organic framework with upgraded radiation resistant for X-ray imaging
Jueqiong Wang, Liwei Cheng, Yang Yang, Dewen He, Yingtong Fan, Zhiwei Li, Junhao Lu, Yumin Wang, Jia Lei, Zhiyong Peng, Aiping Jin, Dan Zhou, Zhizai Li, Shuaihua Wang, Lixi Chen, Yaxing Wang, Yanlong Wang, Shuao Wang
2026, 37(5): 111614  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111614
[摘要]  (384) [HTML全文] (384) [PDF 573KB] (384)
摘要:
The intrinsic scintillation property of uranium has recently endowed this heaviest naturally occurring element with new opportunities for X-ray radiation detection and visualization. However, the low radiation stability of most uranium compounds hinders their practical application, particularly in X-ray imaging. Here, we presented a flexible two-dimensional uranium-organic framework (UOF, SCU-334) as an air-stable scintillating material for X-ray detection and, for the first time, a systematic investigation of X-ray imaging in UOFs. Following continuous high dose rate X-ray irradiation exceeding 50 Gy, which equals thousands of chest X-ray diagnoses, SCU-334 retains over 90% of its initial performance, representing a significant improvement over previously reported scintillating UOFs. The upgraded radiation resistance of SCU-334 is attributed to its flexible structure that dissipates energy more efficiently under high-energy particle bombardment through conformation fluctuation and relaxation. This work offers a promising approach to improve the radiation resistance of uranium-based scintillators.
Photo-induced stereoselective 2-deoxyglycoside synthesis from glycals with carboxylic acids and alcohols
Xianrong Zeng, Hui-Ying Shi, Huiqian Huang, Zhaobin Wang
2026, 37(5): 111615  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111615
[摘要]  (322) [HTML全文] (322) [PDF 2036KB] (322)
摘要:
Synthesizing 2-deoxyglycosides, prevalent motifs in bioactive molecules, presents significant challenges in stereocontrol and functional group tolerance. We report a metal-free, photo-induced O-glycosylation of glycals using acridinium salts under visible light. This method effectively couples diverse glycals with both carboxylic acids and alcohols, providing facile access to α-2-deoxyglycosides under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and functional group compatibility. The protocol exhibits high α-stereoselectivity with carboxylic acids and moderate α-selectivity with alcohols, enabling late-stage functionalization of complex molecules, including amino acids, peptides, and drugs. Mechanistic experiments implicate the possible involvement of radical intermediates, potentially operating via a chain reaction. Notably, 2-deoxyglycosylation of NSAIDs using this method enhanced their neuroprotective properties in vitro. This photo-induced strategy offers a practical and versatile platform for accessing complex 2-deoxyglycans relevant to medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.
Screening of glial fibrillary acidic protein specific aptamer and application in the development of fluorescent biosensor based on isothermal amplification strategy
Yue Cao, Yue Lin, Li Chen, Huimin Niu, Renli Wei, Shuqian Qiu, Anjie Wang, Xiaoai Cao, Xiaofeng Lai, Yongshou Chen, Juanjuan Lin, Shuiliang Wang, Zhenyu Lin, Shenghang Zhang
2026, 37(5): 111616  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111616
[摘要]  (335) [HTML全文] (335) [PDF 577KB] (335)
摘要:
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) can serve as a promising early blood biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Existing assays mostly rely on antibody-based detection technologies, the preparation of antibodies is relatively complex, costly, and requires high storage conditions. In this study, we screened an aptamer specifically targeting GFAP (KD = 0.621 µmol/L) through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technique for the first time and then applied which to develop a simple but sensitive fluorescent sensor by combining isothermal exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) with hybridization chain reaction (HCR). The platform achieved a broad linear detection range (10 pg/mL to 10 µg/mL) and a low detection limit (0.24 pg/mL). The results detected by the proposed sensor were highly correlated with that detected by ELISA method (R = 0.9989, P < 0.0001). The work overcomes the limitations of antibody-based technologies and provides a promising solution for early diagnosis of AD.
Facile and regioselective B–H bond functionalization of carboranes via cage···Ⅰ(Ⅲ) interaction
Ping Zhang, Hongyuan Ren, Zhaofeng Sun, Hou-Ji Cao, Deshuang Tu, Chang-Sheng Lu, Jordi Poater, Miquel Solà, Hong Yan
2026, 37(5): 111617  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111617
[摘要]  (357) [HTML全文] (357) [PDF 1165KB] (357)
摘要:
The development of innovative strategies for inert B–H bond functionalization of carboranes and exploration of their potential applications represents a central task in organic chemistry. Here, we demonstrate the facile B–H bond functionalization in carboranes through a cage···Ⅰ(Ⅲ) interaction between a nido-carborane cluster and a hypervalent iodine(Ⅲ) unit. Both experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the cage···Ⅰ(Ⅲ) interaction induces a charge transfer from the boron cage to the iodine moiety, which leads to a significant decrease of the negative charge at the B(9)–H site of nido-carborane. This facilitates the activation of the B–H bond and subsequent chemical transformations. The unprecedented cage···Ⅰ(Ⅲ) interaction offers a similar B–H bond activation mode as metal mediation. Furthermore, the treatment of nido-carboranes with the iodide(Ⅲ) reagent of PhI(OAc)2 affords nido-carborane-phenyl iodonium zwitterions as versatile synthons, which enable the modular construction of exopolyhedral B–O, B–N, B–P, and B–S bonds of carborane derivatives. This approach provides an efficient and scalable synthetic platform for metal-free and site-selective B–H bond functionalization of nido-carboranes under mild conditions. Notably, the developed 2D-3D fused structures can be used as ligands for the facile construction of novel boron cluster-fused hetero-polycyclic metal complexes in one step. These compounds demonstrate intriguing photophysical properties including aggregation-induced emission, tunable emission wavelength, and oxygen sensing.
Handheld integrated needle sensor based on arginine-engineered Cu-MOF with boosted enzyme-mimicking activity for sensitive detection of glyphosate
Yifei Chen, Yu Wu, Weiqing Xu, Yinjun Tang, Yujia Cai, Wenhong Yang, Wenxuan Jiang, Xin Yu, Jian Li, Ying Zhou, Yiwei Qiu, Wenling Gu, Chengzhou Zhu
2026, 37(5): 111649  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111649
[摘要]  (381) [HTML全文] (381) [PDF 1230KB] (381)
摘要:
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with tunable structures provide a versatile platform for exploring active sites and show great potential in enzyme-like catalysis. In this study, arginine was employed as a modulator to synthesize an arginine-copper metal-organic framework (Arg-Cu-MOF), which demonstrated superior peroxidase-like activity and stability in comparison to unmodified Cu-MOF. The improved activity resulted from an increased density of Cu+ active sites, facilitating efficient •OH generation through H2O2 decomposition. Glyphosate interacts with the copper sites in a way that affects •OH generation and chromogenic substrate oxidation, leading to detectable colorimetric changes. By integrating Arg-Cu-MOF into a needle sensor, we allowed sample handling, reagent mixing, and signal readout, enabling both precise instrumental measurements and semi-quantitative visual detection of glyphosate. This sensor offers a detection range of 0.05–200 µg/mL with a detection limit of 0.049 µg/mL. This work highlights the potential of MOF modulation strategies and integrated detection platforms to enhance analytical performance, improve user-friendliness, and expand the application scope of biomimetic nanomaterials.
Enhancing the phosphorescence performance of organic doped system by carbonylation of guests
Lei Wang, Jianing Zhang, Jin Xiong, Wenbo Dai, Miaochang Liu, Xiaobo Huang, Yuye Chai, Yunxiang Lei, Zhengxu Cai, Minyu Zhu
2026, 37(5): 111706  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111706
[摘要]  (332) [HTML全文] (332) [PDF 1399KB] (332)
摘要:
The host-guest doped strategy has become the main method for constructing organic phosphorescence materials. In the doped system, guest molecules emit phosphorescence, therefore, improving the luminescence performance of guests is the key to optimizing the phosphorescence property of the doped materials. Herein, we designed to introduce the carbonyl group on the guest molecules. Carbonyl group can effectively promote n-π* transitions, thereby increasing the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) constant of the guests, ultimately improving the phosphorescence performance of the doped materials. Using the indazole derivative (IZ) as the initial guest, two other guests containing carboxyl group (IZ-CG) or ethoxycarbonyl group (IZ-EG) were successfully obtained. Further selected two small molecules and two polymers as the hosts to construct four doped systems. Among these doped systems, the phosphorescence performance of doped materials with IZ-CG or IZ-EG as the guest is significantly better than that of doped materials with IZ as the guest. The phosphorescence lifetime has increased by 2.3-5.0 times, and the phosphorescence quantum yield has increased by 3.0-5.7 times. Theoretical calculations and single crystal structures indicated that carbonyl groups can not only increase the SOC constant, but also enhance the intermolecular interactions of the guests. In addition, doped material can be effectively used for imaging subcutaneous and lymph nodes in mice, achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Synergistic H2 production and tetracycline degradation: Unveiling the mechanism of a one-pot synthesized CeO2/CdS photocatalyst
Yufeng Gan, Deqian Zeng, Shunyan Ning, Ningchao Zheng, Xinpeng Wang, Yuezhou Wei, Jizhou Jiang
2026, 37(5): 111717  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111717
[摘要]  (326) [HTML全文] (326) [PDF 2717KB] (326)
摘要:
Coupling photocatalytic H2 generation with antibiotic degradation offers a promising strategy for addressing energy and environmental challenges, leveraging the synergistic benefits of these processes. Herein, a novel heterojunction photocatalyst consisting of ultrafine CeO2 nanoparticles anchored onto CdS nanosheets was prepared using a simple one-pot in-situ hydrothermal method, enabling the simultaneous photocatalytic H2 generation and tetracycline (TC) degradation. The H2 generation efficiency of the optimal CeO2/CdS (CC-0.10) is 3544 µmol g-1 h-1, which surpasses pure CdS by 29.3 times. Additionally, TC is degraded by CC-0.10 at a rate constant (k value) of 0.0352 min-1, 2.73 times faster than CdS (0.0129 min-1). The free radical quenching and electron spin resonance experiments revealed the active involvement of •OH and •O2- radicals in the TC degradation process. Moreover, the unique CeO2/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst was also effective in degrading TC wastewater with an H2 yield of 1374 µmol g-1 h-1, displaying its dual performance in simultaneously degrading antibiotic wastewater and producing H2. The CeO2/CdS type Ⅱ charge transfer mechanism is confirmed by XPS, EPR, KPFM, fs-TAS, and DFT calculations. This work introduces a promising approach to constructing rare-earth oxide/metal sulfide nanocomposites for addressing the interconnected challenges of energy production and environmental pollution.
Bioinspired underwater gas diffusion enhanced by superaerophilic stripe
Lingyao Zhang, Chunhui Zhang, Yingjia Sun, Qinglin Yang, Ziwei Guo, Xiaoqi Wang, Kang Wang, Lin Zhang, Kesong Liu, Shichao Niu, Cunming Yu, Lei Jiang
2026, 37(5): 111720  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111720
[摘要]  (322) [HTML全文] (322) [PDF 555KB] (322)
摘要:
Regulating gas diffusion is essential for a range of natural and industrial processes, including underwater breathing, aeration reactor and energy device. Natural organisms, e.g., water boatman, utilize their superaerophilic (SAL) abdomen to create a plastron underwater, enabling efficient gas exchange with dissolved oxygen. Herein, inspired by nature, we have developed a superaerophilic stripe that can form an air film underwater to enhance gas diffusion. Increasing the width (w) of the superaerophilic stripe and height (h) of water, along with decreasing the distance between the bubble and the stripe (d), can improve gas diffusion. Due to the improved dissolved gas diffusion, an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction driven by enhanced H2 diffusion was successfully achieved, resulting in an electrode potential decrease ~13 mV at the same current density of 1 mA/cm2 compared to that without the SAL stripe. This research offers important theoretical insights into the dynamics of gas diffusion and presents practical methods for enhancing gas mass transfer.
Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor arrays combined with machine learning for simultaneous determination of three neonicotinoid insecticides
Dongshi Feng, Jiangdong Dai, Zhi Zhu, Pengwei Huo, Yongsheng Yan, Chunxiang Li
2026, 37(5): 111789  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111789
[摘要]  (347) [HTML全文] (347) [PDF 1063KB] (347)
摘要:
Exposure to different neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) can cause varying degrees of harm to mammals and may even be carcinogenic. Due to their similar molecular structures, it is not only difficult to distinguish NNIs in analysis, but also cross-reactions can also occur. These cross-reactions cause the calibration curves to exhibit strong nonlinearities that cannot be fitted by usual mathematical models. Here, we present an electrochemical sensor array comprising three sensing units for the simultaneous determination of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and nitenpyram. The method eliminates cross-reaction with the aid of machine learning. The machine learning model comprises three components: the Douglas-Peucker algorithm for data compression, principal component analysis for classification, and an artificial neural network for quantification. The randomly assigned validation set showed a classification accuracy of 96.3% for the model. The prediction accuracy was 98.77%. The limit of detection was < 0.037 µmol/L, with a detection range from 0.1 µmol/L to 200 µmol/L. Finally, the spiked tea samples were tested, and a satisfactory agreement was obtained between the expected and predicted values.
Bis-trimethylammonium pillar[5]arene and biphenyldisulfonic acid-based ionic pair assembled single crystals for iodine adsorption
Ting Zhang, Jia Chen, Mingxia Sun, Juanjuan Wang, Lulu Wang, Shuzhe Guan, Hongdeng Qiu
2026, 37(5): 111790  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111790
[摘要]  (334) [HTML全文] (334) [PDF 975KB] (334)
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In this work, bis-trimethylammonium pillar[5]arene (TP5) was synthesized for ionic pair assembly with 4,4′-biphenyldisulfonic acid (BA) to prepare a new kind of ionic single crystals (TP5-BA). The single crystal structure revealed that TP5-BA adopted an ordered cross-stacked arrangement under the combined influence of electrostatic interactions and π-π stacking forces. It is worth noting that TP5-BA exhibited exceptional performance in the adsorption of iodine vapor, with an adsorption capacity as high as 3.27 g/g. After 6 days, its retention rate remained at a high level of 99.71%. This finding may open up a new direction in supramolecular chemistry with ionic pair self-assembly, not only for the development of novel iodine adsorbent materials but also for many other potential applications such as catalysis and energy.
Fenton-like catalysis of single-atom Co-N4 for polymeric transformation and recovery of benzohydroxamic acid in mineral processing wastewater
Wensheng Li, Zhiqiang Sun, Yidi Chen, Xiaoguang Duan, Chuling Guo, Zhi Dang, Shih-Hsin Ho, Shishu Zhu
2026, 37(5): 111791  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111791
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摘要:
Benzohydroxamic acid (BHA) occurs as recalcitrant organic pollutant discharged from mining industry. While Fenton-like oxidation based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) has been extensively applied for organic contamination mitigation, its conventional reaction pathway dependent on free radicals needs high energy input with elevated carbon emission. Here, we meticulously developed a novel single-atom catalyst featuring Co-N4 coordination (Cox@NC) to initiate a non-radical Fenton-like oxidation for BHA treatment. Results showed single-atom Co-N4 with the considerable Co content (>2 wt%) and quantitative N coordination displayed exceptional reactivity to activate PMS for BHA degradation with a turnover frequency > 16 min−1. Such single-atom Co-N4 formed a surface-reactive complexes with mild oxidation potential by coordinating with PMS to mediate electron transfer for oxidation of BHA. The mediated ETP further triggered polymerization transformation pathway of BHA through formation and coupling of phenoxy-like radicals, resulting in a considerable recovery yield of BHA polymers (~43%) and superior utilization efficiency of PMS (~434%). Combined with ultrahigh-resolution mass analysis, the identified polymerized products illustrated the related polymerization mechanisms of BHA including hydroxylation, monomer radical generation, dimerization, and chain extension. Such Fenton-like catalysis of single-atom Co-N4 exhibited more remarkable application potentials in mineral processing wastewater treatment compared to traditional Fenton reaction, reducing oxidant consumption and increasing organic carbon recovery. This study enhances development of resource-efficient Fenton-like oxidation technologies for mineral processing wastewater treatment.
Metallocene-based molecule junctions: Electron transport across Au||Au and Au||graphene electrodes
Chang Liu, Jianbo Li, Yijia Wang, Chenguang Liu, Sylvain Pitie, Mahamadou Seydou, Chun Zhao, Paul J. Low, Yannick J. Dappe, Li Yang
2026, 37(5): 111811  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111811
[摘要]  (362) [HTML全文] (362) [PDF 787KB] (362)
摘要:
Metallocenes are a wide family of organometallic compounds, in which two cyclopentadienyl ligands "sandwich" a metal ion, M(η5-C5R5)2, and have considerable potential for use as components in molecular electronics applications. Here we have studied the electronic transport properties of the matallocenes MCp2 (M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru; Cp = η5-C5H5) and MCp*2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co; Cp* = η5-C5Me5). Molecular junctions have been fabricated using either two gold, or one gold and one graphene electrode(s), giving rise to single-molecule conductance values of the order of -4 to -3 log(G/G0)) depending on both the nature of the metallocene and the electrode materials. Calculations on model junctions at the density functional theory level of theory reveal significant charge transfer from the metallocene to the junction electrodes and changes in the nature of the primary charge transport pathways in response to the nature of the metal, supporting ligands, molecular oxidation state and electrode composition.
High-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst (NiFe-LDH/MoNi4) with enhanced chloride corrosion resistance for achieving seawater overall-splitting at industrial temperature
Gang Zhao, Wenbo Liao, Lan Mu, Baojie Zhang, Ning Zhao, Tianyong Zhang, Xijin Xu
2026, 37(5): 111825  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111825
[摘要]  (378) [HTML全文] (378) [PDF 1406KB] (378)
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Nickel-iron double hydroxides are corroded by Cl− during seawater electrolysis, which reduces their catalytic activity and stability. Here, a high-performance bifunctional electrocatalyst (NiFe-LDH/MoNi4) with enhanced chloride corrosion resistance was synthesized. In the OER process, Mo element in the catalyst was reconstructed to form MoO42−, which repelled Cl− to prevent the catalyst from being corroded. Besides, the heterostructure of NiFe-LDH/MoNi4 decreased the reduction of HER active site during HER process (Mo element dissolves easily in alkaline media due to thermodynamic instability). Therefore, based on in-situ self-reconstruction of Mo element and heterostructure in alkaline seawater, NiFe-LDH/MoNi4 delivered a current density of 10 mA/cm2 for the HER (OER) at industrial temperatures (80 ℃) with an overpotential of merely 32 mV (139 mV). Additionally, when NiFe-LDH/MoNi4 is employed as both the anode and cathode, a battery voltage of just 1.39 V (3.13 V) is sufficient to attain a current density of 10 mA/cm2 (1 A/cm2). The system is also capable of sustained operation at a high current density of 500 mA/cm2 for a period of 50 h.
Amorphous-boron boosted Fenton-like activation of periodate for water remediation: Multiple routes for generating reactive oxygen species
Shuo Chen, Yuxuan Xiang, Qiulin Yang, Shuang Meng, Chuanshu He, Yang Liu, Jing Zhang, Zhaokun Xiong, Peng Zhou, Bo Lai
2026, 37(5): 111838  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111838
[摘要]  (359) [HTML全文] (359) [PDF 1050KB] (359)
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Although periodate (PI) activation via iron-based Fenton-like reactions effectively generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) for pollutant degradation, Fe(Ⅲ) accumulation poses a major challenge to sustained ROS generation. Here, amorphous-boron (AB) was employed as a co-catalyst for boosting Fenton-like activation of PI (primarily Fe(Ⅲ)/PI) towards water decontamination, and the AB/Fe(Ⅲ)/PI process can promptly and steadily oxidize sulfamethoxazole (SMX) during 5 cycling tests. Through integrated qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of ROS, including EPR, quenching, and chemical probes, AB can directly activate PI to produce hydroxyl radical and indirectly accelerate Fenton-like activation of PI to produce Fe(Ⅳ) by reducing Fe(Ⅲ). The synergetic routes of radical (hydroxyl radical) and non-radical (Fe(Ⅳ)) ensure the high capability of AB/Fe(Ⅲ)/PI for degrading a wide variety of contaminants with diversiform molecular structures. Moreover, characterizations (XPS, EPR, HAADF-STEM, HRTEM, Raman, and XRD) reveals the stepwise boron oxidation via B-B bond cleavage can sustainably donate electron for direct and indirect activation of PI. The self-cleaning surface caused by the synergetic stepwise oxidation of boron and dissolution of boron oxide maintains the high stability of AB for co-catalyzing Fenton-like activation of PI during long-term operation. Therefore, this study proposes a novel Fenton-like technique for eliminating organic contaminants with low iron sludge output and long-term stability.
Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction photoanode coupled with natural air diffusion electrode for efficient organic pollutants degradation and H2O2 generation
Jiangli Sun, Chaohui Zhang, Yican Zhang, Chunhong Fu, Ruiheng Liang, Zhongzheng Hu, Ge Song, Minghua Zhou
2026, 37(5): 111839  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111839
[摘要]  (371) [HTML全文] (371) [PDF 1531KB] (371)
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The utilization of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) technology for water pollution treatment and value-added chemical production is important in sustainable development strategies. A system combining Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 S-scheme heterojunction photoanodic oxidation with natural air diffusion electrode (NADE) reduction was designed. The PEC system could remove 94.5% of tetracycline (TC) with the first-order kinetic rate constant of 0.148 min-1, while the H2O2 yield in the cathodic chamber reached 4.3 µmol-1 h-1 cm-2 under 2.0 V cell voltage. The rate constant of TC degradation by the Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 coupled NADE PEC system was 4.4 times that of Ag3PO4/g-C3N4 coupled Pt PEC system (0.034 min-1). This was attributed to the synergistic effect between accelerated photoanode carrier transfer and increased H2O2 yield. The production of H2O2 in the cathode chamber of the PEC system with the presence of TC was 2.3 times that of absence of TC (1.9 µmol-1 h-1 cm-2). The active substances playing a major role in this PEC system were mainly h+ followed by •OH. Significantly, the efficient operation of the PEC system under actual sunlight will be conducive to the exploration of practical applications in the future. This study provides new insights for constructing efficient cathode-anode coupled PEC systems for water purification and simultaneous H2O2 production.
Peroxymonosulfate activation by Fe(Ⅲ)-phytate co-precipitation for efficient water treatment at circumneutral pH: The critical role of direct electron transfer
Lijuan Huang, Rui Gan, Xin Han, Meilin Sun, Li Chen, Wen Liu, Xiaoxin Zhang, Fei Pan
2026, 37(5): 111840  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111840
[摘要]  (351) [HTML全文] (351) [PDF 947KB] (351)
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Improving the reactivity of Fe(Ⅲ) is the bottleneck in the catalytic activity of persulfate-based Fenton-like chemistry. In this study, the Fe(Ⅲ)-PA catalyst was prepared for the activation of persulfate (PMS) by co-precipitation of phytate with iron ions. In particular, the Fe(Ⅲ)-PA/PMS system achieved efficient degradation of the target pollutant TCH under a wide range of pH conditions from 3.0 to 9.0. In the Fe(Ⅲ) PA/PMS/TCH system, the oxidative degradation of TCH was mainly via the direct electron transfer pathway. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the mechanism of PMS activation potentiation, that is, phytate reduced the adsorption energy of the catalyst for PMS from -0.43 eV to -2.72 eV by coordination with the ferrihydrite. Moreover, Fe(Ⅲ)-PA functions as an electron shuttle and accelerates the electron transfer process between TCH and PMS. The removal of TCH under the electron transfer process (ETP) mediated by Fe(Ⅲ)-PA was selective, thereby demonstrating less sensitivity to the presence of co-existing ions and natural organic matter (NOMs). This work provides a viable case for ligand-enhanced Fe(Ⅲ) activation of PMS and reveals the critical role of direct electron transfer in pollutant elimination.
Aqueously dispersed homopolypeptide nanotoroids with tunable circularly polarized luminescence
Yuanpeng Ye, Xinke Hu, Dong Yang, Qianxi Gu, Shangning Liu, Jinhui Jiang, Guofeng Liu, Jianzhong Du
2026, 37(5): 111844  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111844
[摘要]  (384) [HTML全文] (384) [PDF 845KB] (384)
摘要:
Aqueously dispersed nanomaterials exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) hold great potentials in biological fields due to the inherent chirality of biological systems and its excellent biocompatibility. However, the limited availability of biodegradable CPL nanoparticles in aqueous media has severely constrained the development of biomedical CPL. Here, we present a facile strategy for achieving tunable CPL of aqueously dispersed nanotoroids through the co-assembly of a homopolypeptide with three achiral triphenylamine derivatives, showing a CPL performance depending on the architecture and doping content of small molecules. Remarkably, a deep-red CPL can be achieved with a record luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum = 1.1 × 10−2) among aqueously polypeptide-based nanoparticles. Furthermore, the densely packed nanostructure completely suppressed the intrinsic reactive oxygen species generation of the chromophores by restricting oxygen diffusion and quenching exciton-energy transfer, thereby eliminating phototoxic risks while preserving imaging fidelity. Overall, this work not only provides a facile method for achieving aqueous CPL from achiral molecules but also establishes a structure-property relationship between chromophore geometry and supramolecular CPL performance, advancing their potential in biological fields.
Boosting the photodynamic therapy efficiency by modulating lactate-fueled respiration using a hollow MOF nanostructure
Bei Liu, Weizhe Xu, Wenfei Xu, Lirong Sun, Fanling Zhang, Zhaogang Sun, Yucheng Cheng, Hongqian Chu
2026, 37(5): 111851  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111851
[摘要]  (334) [HTML全文] (334) [PDF 1428KB] (334)
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Lactate (LA) is now recognized as a critical carbon source for tumor metabolism, making its transport blockade a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy. In this study, we incorporated α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC) into hollow-structured CuS@PCN nanoparticles to inhibit LA influx by suppressing the expression of the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in tumor cells. This intervention shifted tumor cell metabolism from LA-fueled oxidative phosphorylation towards anaerobic glycolysis, consequently elevating intratumoral oxygen (O2) levels. The photosensitizer-based metal-organic framework (PCN) component was then able to efficiently convert this elevated O2 into abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby enhancing photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. Notably, the hollow mesoporous CuS nanoparticle core functioned dually as a high-capacity CHC carrier and a photothermal agent that enables CHC release under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Further surface conjugation with folic acid-polyethylene glycol (FA-PEG) imparted tumor-targeting specificity via folate receptor recognition and prolonged systemic circulation. Both in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility and significantly improved PDT performance of the synthesized CHC-CuS@PCN-FA (CHC-CP-FA) nanoplatform. These findings underscore the considerable potential of CHC-CP-FA for future cancer treatment applications.
Beyond the bench: Evaluating the reliability of chemical scavengers in radical-based advanced oxidation processes
Ruiyang Xiao, Zonghao Luo, Zongsu Wei, Daisuke Minakata, Richard Spinney, Stanisław Wacławek, Weizhi Zeng, Chongjian Tang
2026, 37(5): 111853  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111853
[摘要]  (354) [HTML全文] (354) [PDF 1044KB] (354)
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Chemical scavengers are frequently used to quantify the contribution of target radicals to contaminant removal in natural and engineered waters. While favored for their ease of use and versatility across systems, improper selection can lead to significant kinetic and mechanistic misinterpretations. This study presents a critical evaluation of chemical scavengers in radical-induced reactions across various environmental scenarios. Specifically, we demonstrate that in systems containing both target and coexisting radicals, commonly used scavengers can react with both species, complicating the measurement of reaction kinetics and leading to misinterpretation of target radical contributions. In addition, we discuss the challenges associated with applying scavengers in heterogeneous systems, where the distribution of scavengers and target compounds across interfaces significantly impacts the evaluation of radical contributions. Further, our insights from non-steady-state systems into radicals' dynamic behavior and transient phenomena are often overlooked in other steady-state conditions. We address interactions between scavengers and triplet excited-state compounds in photochemical systems, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate scavengers to ensure accurate kinetic profiling and radical quantification. These findings hold significant implications for advancing scavenger research across a broad range of chemical research and practical applications.
Interlaced nanosheet-structured Co3O4/Ti anode for efficient chlorine evolution for in-situ environmental remediation
Yican Zhang, Jiangli Sun, Shasha Li, Xueying Ren, Jiana Jing, Jiatong Zhang, Yujie Chen, Minghua Zhou
2026, 37(5): 111857  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111857
[摘要]  (365) [HTML全文] (365) [PDF 2894KB] (365)
摘要:
Chlorine is not only widely used as an important basic chemical, but also shows promising in-situ electrochemical remediation. Unfortunately, its electrochemical production usually relies on expensive noble-metal dimensionally stable anode (DSA). Herein, a high-performance non-noble metal Co3O4/Ti anode was developed by a simple electrodeposition-calcination method, demonstrating a high efficiency in producing active chlorine in a wide pH range (3–11) and at relatively low Cl- concentration close to different real environmental requirements due to its abundant surface area and active sites provided by the interlaced nanosheet structure anode. Compared with commercial DSA, the Co3O4/Ti anode offered significant advantages in terms of Faraday efficiency, electric energy consumption and economic cost, achieving the rate of active chlorine production of 14.97 mg L-1 min-1 in 0.5 mol/L NaCl electrolyte solution (pH 6) with a Faraday efficiency of 96.8% and low energy consumption of 2.49 kWh/kg. Moreover, the robust backbone structure of the anode enabled the Faraday efficiency to be maintained at about 92.2% without deactivation after ten cycles of reaction. In addition, this Co3O4/Ti electrode demonstrated effectiveness in treating organic pollutants and mariculture wastewater and seawater rapid sterilization. This study provides new inspirations for the construction of highly efficient, low-cost, and low energy consumption non-noble metal cobalt-based anode for the in-situ environmental remediation application.
Enhanced PFOA removal via defect engineering in NH2-UiO-66
Shiyu Wei, Xiang Li, Chao Huang, Dongmei Chen, Shunlin Zhang, Bixue Zhu
2026, 37(5): 111858  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111858
[摘要]  (392) [HTML全文] (392) [PDF 1257KB] (392)
摘要:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), especially perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human health due to their extreme persistence and bioaccumulative properties. Although metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show potential for adsorption, their efficiency is limited by insufficient active sites and the inability to control the design of adsorption centers, which is a key bottleneck for practical application. In this study, defect engineering was employed to synthesize NH2-UiO-66 derivatives with gradient defect densities (NH2-UiO-66, -LD, -HD), exposing unsaturated Zr sites to enhance PFOA capture. The optimized NH2-UiO-66-HD exhibited ultrafast kinetics, achieving 95% removal within 30 min and a theoretical adsorption capacity of up to 739.31 mg/g, surpassing most MOFs and traditional adsorbents. Mechanistic studies revealed that defect-induced unsaturated Zr sites act as high-affinity anchors, strongly coordinating with the -COO- group of PFOA, while forming a triple interaction mechanism with N–H···F hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions (-NH3+), a synergy not previously reported. The material maintained over 90% efficiency through seven cycles, addressing long-standing regenerability challenges in PFAS remediation. This research pioneers a programmable defect-control approach to create hierarchical active sites in MOFs and first demonstrates the synergy of Zr coordination, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction for ultra-efficient PFAS removal.
Vanadium nitride-assisted electronic engineering of platinum for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation and CO tolerance
Xu Zhang, Bin Cai, Tianyu Han, Ziyun Li, Ying Xie, Lei Wang
2026, 37(5): 111860  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111860
[摘要]  (349) [HTML全文] (349) [PDF 1165KB] (349)
摘要:
The high sensitivity of platinum (Pt)-based catalysts to CO during the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) at the anode is one of the key issues for the long-term stable development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Modulating the electronic structure of Pt is considered an effective approach to enhancing HOR activity and improving CO tolerance. Herein, we utilized the synergistic effect between the transition metal interstitial compounds (TMICs) of VN and Pt to develop a Pt-VN heterojunction-loaded carbon nanofiber catalyst (Pt-VN/NCNF) for CO tolerance in HOR. The introduction of VN causes electronic orbitals rearrangement of Pt, thereby optimizing the adsorption of H on the Pt surface. Meanwhile, the overlap of the d-band of the electron-deficient Pt with the 1π and 5σ bonding orbitals of CO was significantly reduced, which suppresses the strong CO adsorption on Pt surfaces and leave more active sites for H2 adsorption and oxidation. As a result, Pt-VN/NCNF exhibits a mass activity of 1.26 mA/µgPt, 41 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C. Encouragingly, Pt-VN/NCNF maintains 96.7% of its original activity even in the presence of 1000 ppm CO. As anticipated, Pt-VN/NCNF-based PEMFCs demonstrate superior CO tolerance to Pt/C in H2/CO mixtures with CO concentrations ranging from 10 ppm to 1000 ppm.
Influence of the interlayer properties on the thin-film composite membrane performance based on UiO-66 and its derivatives
Hao Liu, Pin Zhao, Yao Jiang, Subo Xu, Weilong Song, Xinhua Wang
2026, 37(5): 111862  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111862
[摘要]  (347) [HTML全文] (347) [PDF 925KB] (347)
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To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of interlayers on interfacial polymerization (IP) dynamics and thin-film composite (TFC) membrane performance, UiO-66 and its derivatives with tailored properties were synthesized and employed as interlayers to fabricate TFC membranes. The influence of interlayer's charge and porosity on IP reaction was systematically investigated based on the forward osmosis (FO) system. Results showed that the introduction of the UiO-66 interlayer promoted the diffusion of the reactive monomer during the initial stage of the IP reaction, resulting in a wrinkled and thin polyamide (PA) layer. Compared to the pristine TFC membrane, the UiO-66–0% interlayered TFC membrane exhibited 2.7-fold enhanced water permeability (21.67 L m−2 h−1 (LMH)) but reduced salt rejection (3.69 g m−2 h−1 (gMH)). Incorporation of amino-functionalized UiO-66–30% with enhanced positive charge induced a double-layer PA structure, reducing water flux to 15.13 LMH. Engineering hierarchically porous UiO-66 (HP-UiO-66–30%) achieved balanced performance, maintaining high flux (21.04 LMH) while significantly improving rejection (1.39 gMH). This study demonstrates that strategic modulation of nanomaterial functionality and porosity enables precise PA layer engineering for high-performance TFC membranes with simultaneously enhanced permeability and selectivity.
Chiral porous liquid D-his-ZIF-8-[Bpy][NTf2] for capillary gas chromatographic separation
Xiao-Yan Ran, Tian-Jian Xiong, Yu-Ping Yang, Zong-Hong Luo, Cheng Liu, Yu-Lan Zhu, Jun-Hui Zhang, Bang-Jin Wang, Sheng-Ming Xie, Li-Ming Yuan
2026, 37(5): 111864  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111864
[摘要]  (356) [HTML全文] (356) [PDF 551KB] (356)
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Porous liquids (PLs), as a new class of porous materials with permanent porosity and liquid fluidity, have attracted extensive research interest due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. Herein, we synthesized a chiral porous liquid D-his-ZIF-8-[Bpy][NTf2] based on a metal-organic framework (MOF) and used it as a new stationary phase to investigate its separation performance by high-resolution gas chromatography. The porosity of this porous liquid system was verified through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and positron (e+) annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The results showed that the D-his-ZIF-8-[Bpy][NTf2] coated capillary column (column A) exhibited excellent separation performance for n-alkanes, n-alcohols, alkylbenzens, isomers, and racemic compounds. Among them, fifteen pairs of enantiomers including alcohols, esters, epoxides, ketones, haloalkanes, and amino acid derivatives were well separated on column A with good reproducibility and stability. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the retention time and peak area of two analytes (3-butyne-2-ol and dichlorobenzene) were <1.80% and 0.80%, respectively. By comparing the chiral recognition ability of D-his-ZIF-8-[Bpy][NTf2] coated column A with D-his-ZIF-8 coated column B, the column A has better separation efficiency for chiral compounds than column B. In addition, the chiral recognition ability of column A is complementary to that of commercially available β-DEX 120 column (column C). Compared with the commercial HP-35 column and the previously reported P5A-C10–2NH2 column for the separation of organic mixtures and/or isomers, column A exhibits similar separation performance and has a good separation complementarity to these two columns. Hence, this work opens up a new way for the practical application of porous framework solid materials in gas chromatography.
Disorder–order transition of two-dimensional molecular networks by selenium doping
Liangliang Cai, Xinyi Zhang, Jiayi Lu, Juan Xiang, Qiang Sun, Andrew T.S. Wee
2026, 37(5): 111874  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111874
[摘要]  (335) [HTML全文] (335) [PDF 1088KB] (335)
摘要:
Geometrical configurations at the nanometer scale are inherently linked to electronic properties, offering exciting opportunity to engineer the latter through precise structural control. The honeycomb structure, a prominent geometry in two-dimensional materials like graphene, has become a versatile platform for advancing energy technologies, quantum computing, and nanoscale sensing. Achieving a perfect honeycomb network at large scale remains challenging but desired, especially when atomic defects and disorder can severely impact materials' properties and performances. Intrinsic topological defects often persist due to the conformational flexibility of the precursor skeletons, which allows precursor monomers to deform despite variations in preparation parameters. To address this challenge, we employ a tripod molecular precursor, pTBPT, combined with ultrahigh vacuum on-surface synthesis. Networks comprising rings of different edges are initially formed after deposition of pTBPT on Cu (111) at room temperature to 420 K. At low coverage (~0.015 monolayer) selenium doping, we achieve the fabrication of ordered honeycomb networks with much improved structural homogeneity. Selenium doping facilitated the formation of ordered two-dimensional metal-organic nanostructure from 360 K to 480 K. The disorder−order transition of molecular networks through selenium doping on Cu (111) is explored through high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). A persistent homology method is resorted to quantify the degree of order of our patterns. The regulation of energy diagrams in the absence or presence of the selenium atom is revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These findings can enrich the on-surface synthesis toolbox of conformationally flexible precursors, for the design of ordered nanoarchitectures, and for future development of engineered honeycomb nanomaterials.
Synergy between Si-O-C bonding and graphitic N enables exceptional Fenton-like activity rivaling single-atom catalysis
Lifei Hou, Siyuan You, Rui Li, Haoyun Lu, Yanan Shang, Xing Xu
2026, 37(5): 111903  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111903
[摘要]  (323) [HTML全文] (323) [PDF 1515KB] (323)
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In light of the prevalent issues associated with metal ion dissolution, secondary pollution, and poor stability in traditional metal-based Fenton catalysts, this study innovatively developed a metal-free carbon-based catalyst co-doped with Si-O bonds and graphitic nitrogen using natural diatomite as the precursor. By leveraging the synergistic effects of Si-O bonds and graphitic nitrogen, the electronic structure of the carbon matrix was effectively modulated, establishing an efficient electron transport channel for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Results showed that the Fenton-like performance of the resulting catalysts was far superior to those of traditional metal catalysts and can be comparable to various single-atom catalysts. Both the radical and 1O2 pathways exhibited a negligible role in the metal-free Si-O/N@DM/PMS systems. In contrast, electron transfer process (ETP) was the predominate oxidation pathway for acetaminophen (PCM) degradation in the Si-O/N@DM/PMS systems. To facilitate engineering applications, we further designed a proton membrane reactor integrated with a four-channel PMS system, which could introduce an enlarged ETP pathway for pollutant degradation; this addresses the key issues of both sulfate pollution and metal leaching in water caused by traditional metal-based Fenton systems.
Efficient copper sorption from saline wastewater using citrate-modified biochar with robust anti-salt interferences
Xianxin Luo, Jianhao Xu, Qi Luo, Yan Xiao, Feng Wei, Meitong Li, Wenjiao Yuan, Penghui Shao, Shenglian Luo
2026, 37(5): 111914  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111914
[摘要]  (351) [HTML全文] (351) [PDF 716KB] (351)
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Eliminating heavy metals from industrial high-salinity wastewater is imperative for sustainable industrial development and environmental protection. Herein, a citrate-modified biochar that demonstrated robust anti-salt interference was developed. The sorbent achieved an adsorption capacity of 252.14 mg/g in 4.1 mol/L NaCl solution and 232.55 mg/g in 1.4 mol/L Na2SO4 solution, maintaining efficient Cu(Ⅱ) adsorption over four cycles. It retained an adsorption capacity of 236.89 mg/g in real waste salt-derived brine. Adsorption followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.0901 min-1) and conformed to the Langmuir isotherm (qmax = 251.21 mg/g) model, indicating that physical adsorption on a homogeneous surface primarily governs the adsorption mechanisms. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic, with enhanced affinity for Cu(Ⅱ) at higher temperatures. Oxygen-containing groups, especially the hydroxyl group, drove adsorption via surface precipitation/complexation, ultimately generating posnjakite (Cu4(SO4)(OH)6·2H2O). Cost analysis showed that the total expenditure for treating 1000 L of wastewater (300 mgCu/L) was ＄28.89 (＄0.0963/gCu(Ⅱ)) and the treatment capacity using fixed-bed columns was 120 L/kg. These findings offer a viable and cost-effective strategy for Cu(Ⅱ) elimination from high-salinity wastewater.
Surface engineering of perovskite oxides via in-situ cobalt exsolution for catalytic toluene oxidation
Mudi Wu, Selvi Mushina, Mingwu Tan
2026, 37(5): 111923  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111923
[摘要]  (335) [HTML全文] (335) [PDF 1456KB] (335)
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Non-noble metal catalysts have garnered significant attention as sustainable alternatives to precious metal catalysts for the abatement of hydrocarbon emissions and mitigating environmental pollution. In this study, we employed an in-situ exsolution strategy coupled with oxidation stabilization to engineer the surface of cobalt-doped LaFeO3-δ catalysts, successfully extending their application in an oxygen-rich scenario. The formed unique socket-like structure facilitates the exposure of highly reactive CoOx particles with superior homogeneity in both size and distribution. The optimized catalyst, CoOx@LFCO-3, achieved 90% toluene conversion at a notably lower temperature of 237 ℃ with a space velocity of 20,000 mL g−1 h−1. Mechanistic studies revealed that the enhanced interaction between exsolved cobalt oxides and the perovskite support, along with abundant active sites, significantly improved the catalyst's performance in low-temperature toluene oxidation. This work presents a scalable approach for developing cost-effective, high-performance perovskite oxide catalysts for environmental applications.
Construction of porous molecularly imprinted polymer on amylose for selective adsorption of estradiol
Xu Guo, Dandan Yang, Zhongyu He, Jie Ding, Lan Ding, Daqian Song
2026, 37(5): 111927  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111927
[摘要]  (337) [HTML全文] (337) [PDF 841KB] (337)
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The preparation of porous molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) from starch, a natural product, presents significant challenges. In this study, we developed a straightforward method for preparing porous MIPs (DFP-MIPs) by crosslinking short amylose as a functional monomer with decafluorobiphenyl (DFP) as a cross-linker. Experimental results indicated that DFP-MIPs exhibited a larger specific surface area (14.06 m2/g) and adsorption capacity (26.3 mg/g), and a high imprinting factor of 3.14 for estradiol (E2), compared to MIPs prepared using tetrafluorobenzenediamine with a single benzene ring as the cross-linker. A method for detecting E2 in milk and meat samples was also established using DFP-MIPs as the adsorbent in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography. Under optimal conditions, this method demonstrated a linear range of 0.0200–0.400 µg/g, a detection limit of 0.00300 µg/g, and a recovery rate of 85.2% to 101.4%. The proposed method for preparing DFP-MIPs is expected to provide a new pathway for the development of porous and highly selective MIPs using amylose.
A universal strategy based carbonized polymer dots self-assembled supramolecular oleogel lubricants via chain entanglement for friction reduction and anti-wear
Pai Yu, Chenchen Wang, Hualin Lin, Sheng Han
2026, 37(5): 111931  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111931
[摘要]  (390) [HTML全文] (390) [PDF 1087KB] (390)
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Developing a supramolecular polymer gel based on carbonized polymer dots with highly efficient lubrication properties is very challenging. Here, we obtained a kind of carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) by thermal reflux of long-chain aliphatic amines in halogenated benzene solvents. The CPDs nano-gel achieved high lubrication performance due to entangling effect of long chain and reversible thixotropic behavior after gel formation. Two-dimensional correlation synchronous (2D-COS) showed the CPDs connect small carbon dots into large hydrophobic structures through their own dense chain entanglement, thus trapping oil to form gel. Chain entanglement, as a non-permanent crosslinking, can slide under stress, and this flexible and dynamic characteristic allows it to maintain efficient and long-lasting lubrication without hysteresis during friction. The tribological test results showed a significant reduction of 38.14% in the coefficient of friction and 93.71% in wear scar diameter after lubrication with CPDs nano-gel. Moreover, the serial analysis for the friction interface and computational methodologies revealed that the formation of tribochemical film between friction pairs is the key to reduce wear. This study underscored the possibility of utilizing carbonized polymer dots for self-assembly applications, and we anticipate that supramolecular carbonized polymer dots gels have great potential in lubrication and emission reduction, ultimately contributing to the development of a sustainable society.
Heteroatom synergy in N/O dual-doped biochar enhances non-radical degradation in Fenton-like reactions: Mechanisms, practical performance and ecological sustainability
Enyu Zhao, Xin Tan, Ran Liu, Zihan Yu, Runbin Zeng, Wei Hong, Haiqiang Qi, Xuguang Li, Liangguo Yan, Xing Xu, Wen Song
2026, 37(5): 111935  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111935
[摘要]  (348) [HTML全文] (348) [PDF 1856KB] (348)
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Rational design of nonmetallic heteroatom-doped biochar catalysts for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation faces dual challenges in regulating electronic structures and clarifying non-radical pathways. This study addressed this through a nitrogen-oxygen co-doped biochar (NOBCBM) synthesized via mechanochemical ball milling and chemical doping. Co-doping of C=O, pyridinic N, and graphitic N synergistically enhanced electron transfer and PMS activation efficiency compared to single N-doped biochar systems. The optimized NOBCBM removed 94% oxytetracycline (OTC) (20 mg/L) in 30 min, with a kinetic constant (kobs = 0.1523 min−1) over twice that of NSBCBM (0.0664 min−1). Radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance identified singlet oxygen (1O2) and electron transfer as dominant non-radical pathways. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed oxygen doping elevates local electrostatic potential and redistributes electron density at N-active sites, amplifying catalytic activity. The system demonstrated robust catalytic performance across pH 3–11, high salinity, and complex water matrices, maintaining > 80% OTC removal over 72 h. Plant growth assays and life cycle assessment (LCA) confirmed minimal ecological impacts, with purified water supporting normal seedling development. This work elucidates the critical role of N/O co-doping in steering PMS activation toward non-radical mechanisms while establishing a sustainable paradigm for metal-free biochar catalysis in water remediation.
Recyclable construction of chiral hydrogen-bonded frameworks via inducer-modulated spontaneous resolution for enantioselective sensing
Bin Zhao, Wenyue Cui, Wenhao Huang, Zongsu Han, Zhonghang Chen, Peng Cheng, Wei Shi
2026, 37(5): 111975  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111975
[摘要]  (363) [HTML全文] (363) [PDF 689KB] (363)
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Spontaneous resolution is a way for constructing chiral compounds from achiral modules, but the products are usually stochastic, which is unsuitable for enantioselective applications. Herein, a pair of chiral hydrogen-bonded frameworks assembled from achiral modules was reported. By introducing reusable chiral inducers, enantiomerically enriched NKU-777-xD/xL were obtained and exhibited superior enantioselective sensing performance. Notably, the amount of chiral inducer shows a positive correlation with the enantioselective sensing function, reflecting the degree of enantiomeric excess of NKU-777-xD/xL. Molecular-level mechanism studies reveal that competitive absorption governs the sensing functions of NKU-777-xD/xL, and the enantioselectivity is due to the enantioselective interactions of the hydrogen-bonded frameworks with targeting chiral molecules. This work not only provides a facile way to synthesize enantiomerically enriched chiral hydrogen-bonded frameworks from achiral modules using reusable chiral inducer but also gains insights into the inducer-controlled enantiomerically enriched chiral compounds for enantioselective applications.
Development of visible-light photocaged molecular glues (vc-MGs) for B-cell malignancies therapy with improved safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in vivo
Wei Yan, Naizhen Zhang, Xiao Liu, Qiyu He, Xucheng Lv, Jianghui Sun, Lili Zhuang, Yuexin Zou, Yajie Zhang, Yuhang Liang, Yanjie Wang, Siyuan Li, Yonghui Sun
2026, 37(5): 112064  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112064
[摘要]  (361) [HTML全文] (361) [PDF 1192KB] (361)
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Molecular glues (MGs) represent a promising approach in protein regulation, especially for "undruggable" targets. Despite the advantages over traditional protein inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), MGs show various off-target effects, inducing general toxicities in patients. Herein, we describe a structure-guided design of visible-light photocaged MGs (vc-MGs), which precisely and spatiotemporally control the G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) protein level and Burkitt's lymphoma through visible-light irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Notably, activated VL-MG-9 showed a potent antitumor effect in the RAMOS xenograft mouse model, while VL-MG-9 alone has no GSPT1 degradation activity or general toxicity in various organs even at high dose. Furthermore, proteomics assay and apoptosis analysis confirmed the selectivity and safety of VL-MG-9. Significantly, pharmacokinetic results demonstrated the enhanced permeability and bioavailability (F%) of VL-MG-9. These data clearly reveal the practicality and importance of vc-MGs as preliminary tool for the targeted therapy of malignancies with reduced systemic toxicity and improved druggability.
Photocatalytic free radical geminal carboamination of α-diazo esters toward chromone-derived α-amino acids
Jingyan Liu, Wanting Liang, Changfeng Wan, Jie-Ping Wan
2026, 37(5): 112202  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112202
[摘要]  (345) [HTML全文] (345) [PDF 870KB] (345)
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The visible light photocatalytic gem‑carboamination reactions of α-diazo esters by using o-hydroxyaryl enaminones and amines as reaction partners have been realized, leading to the straightforward synthesis of chromone derived α-amino esters which could be easily hydrolyzed to functionalized α-amino acids. The reactions mediated by molecular iodine proceed via free radical pathway under metal-free conditions. Unlike the conventional carbene-based functionalization of diazo compounds involving nucleophilic/electrophilic or two electron neutral groups, the current protocol allows the installation of two nucleophilic functional structures to the carbon center, providing practical new tool for the synthesis of amino acids.
Construction of stabilizing solid electrolyte interphase with rapid Na+ transport kinetics via flame retardant for safe and high-performance sodium-ion batteries
Yan Meng, Yuanheng Wang, Qingjiang Liu, Xingyu Chen, Hongji Pan, Jinghao Zhao, Lin Han, Xin Li, Jia-Yan Liang
2026, 37(5): 112348  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112348
[摘要]  (379) [HTML全文] (379) [PDF 886KB] (379)
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The unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) characterized by sluggish ion transport kinetics and consecutive side reactions poses a major challenge to the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Here, ethoxy (pentafluoro) cyclotriphosphazene (PFPN) as a multifunctional electrolyte additive is reported to construct stable and highly ion-conductive SEI. PFPN decomposes preferentially to form the NaF, Na3N-rich SEI with fast Na+ migration kinetics due to its low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy and strong adsorption on hard carbon (HC) anode. Meanwhile, the incorporation of PFPN effectively suppresses exothermic reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway. As expected, the HCNa cell with PFPN additive demonstrates homogeneous sodium deposition on HC anode and delivers a high reversible capacity of 248.5 mAh/g with negligible capacity decay after 1000 cycles at 0.1 A/g. The NaNi0.33Fe0.33Mn0.33O2 (NFM)HC full cell also yields enhanced cycling stability under -20 ℃. This study proposes a simple and effective SEI regulation strategy for high-performance and safe SIBs.
Synergistic homogeneous photochemical and halogen-bond catalysis toward antitumor sulfonylated fused (hetero)arenes
Jia-Sheng Wang, Lin-Heng He, Yan-Ting Liu, Yu-Ting Wu, Hai-Tao Zhu, Sheng-Hua Wang, Yu-Yu Tan, Wei-Min He, Yong-Hong Zhang
2026, 37(5): 112373  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112373
[摘要]  (344) [HTML全文] (344) [PDF 880KB] (344)
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A homogeneous dual catalytic system that synergistically merges photochemical and halogen-bond catalysis has been developed for the radical sulfonylation-annulation of (hetero)arene-tethered alkynes and alkenes with RSO2Cl. This protocol efficiently constructs a variety of sulfonylated fused-(hetero)arenes with good functional group compatibility under mild and eco-friendly conditions. The process is initiated by halogen-bond activation of RSO2Cl, which facilitates subsequent photocatalyzed heterolytic S-Cl cleavage via a SET pathway to generate RSO2 radicals; an alternative EnT pathway for radical generation was also identified.
Enhanced Na+ adsorption by S-N Co-doped porous carbon from sodium gallate toward high-performance dual-carbon sodium-ion hybrid capacitors
Haoyang Peng, Rumeng Ji, Zehui Liu, Yongjie Bai, Minjie Wang, Xiaodan Huang
2026, 37(5): 112417  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112417
[摘要]  (354) [HTML全文] (354) [PDF 1327KB] (354)
摘要:
Despite the enormous potential of heteroatom-doped carbon materials for sodium storage applications, direct doping strategies still face two critical unresolved challenges: Elucidating the modulation mechanism of heteroatom doping on the hybrid energy storage behavior of sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs), and maintaining structural integrity while achieving high sulfur-nitrogen (S, N) co-doping levels. Herein, we report a facile and controllable synthetic approach for preparing highly S, N co-doped porous carbon (denoted as SNGN-1), using sodium gallate, pre-synthesized via the neutralization reaction of gallic acid with sodium hydroxide, as the precursor. The as-fabricated SNGN-1 possesses a high nitrogen content of 4.02 at% and a sulfur content of 1.31 at%, coupled with abundant structural defects, a large specific surface area, superior electronic conductivity, exceptional sodium storage capability and robust cycling stability. Computational results demonstrate that the Na+ adsorption energy (Ead) of SNGN-1 is -1.936 eV, corresponding to a substantial increase in the absolute value relative to its undoped counterpart; additionally, the incorporation of heteroatoms leads to a marked intensification of the valence and conduction band peaks near the Fermi level. When employed as the anode for sodium-ion half-cells, SNGN-1 delivers a high reversible capacity of 585 mAh/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g, and retains stable cycling performance even after 1000 cycles at 2 A/g. More impressively, the SIHC device assembled with SNGN-1 as the anode achieves remarkable energy/power density metrics, delivering a high energy density of 165.2 Wh/kg at a power density of 218.6 W/kg. These findings highlight the great potential of SNGN-1 as a high-performance anode material for advanced sodium-ion batteries and SIHCs, thereby paving the way for the development of next-generation low-cost energy storage systems.
Corrigendum to "Enhancing the stability of 68Ga-labeled RNA aptamers for pancreatic β-cell and insulinoma imaging through nucleoside modifications" [Chinese Chemical Letters 36 (2025) 110804]
Zhe Li, Haozhi Lei, Zhiqiang Ren, Cheng Wang, Qian Xia, Weihong Tan
2026, 37(5): 112514  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2026.112514
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Review
Porous carbon derived from biomass-based polymers: Innovative applications in supercapacitors
Qiqi Lv, Zhiwei Tian, Weijun Li, Gaigai Duan, Xiaoshuai Han, Chunmei Zhang, Shuijian He, Haimei Mao, Chunxin Ma, Shaohua Jiang
2026, 37(5): 110860  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110860
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In the context of the continuously increasing energy demand, the ongoing advancement of innovative energy storage technologies is regarded as an important strategy to alleviate the energy crisis. Among various energy storage technologies, supercapacitors (SCs) demonstrate significant potential in the future energy storage sector due to their exceptional high-power density and long cycle life. As the core component of SCs, the choice of electrode materials is crucial to their performance, with carbon materials being favored for their excellent electrical conductivity and large specific surface area. In particular, porous carbon materials derived from biomass-based polymers have become a research hotspot due to their unique advantages. Through chemical modification and high-temperature carbonization, these materials can form more stable and optimized porous structures, significantly enhancing their electrochemical performance while meeting environmental protection requirements, thereby highlighting their superiority as electrode materials. This article aims to review the sources, production, and applications of carbon materials derived from biomass-based polymers. We have deeply summarized the preparation and activation methods of carbon from different biomass-based polymer sources. In addition, a comprehensive analysis and systematic comparison of novel modification techniques, such as heteroatom doping, copolymerization, and the incorporation of nanomaterials, were performed to enhance the performance of SCs. Finally, according to the technical challenges to be solved, the goal of large-scale development of biomass-based polymer-derived porous carbon in the field of energy storage is proposed, which is crucial for coping with the global energy crisis and reducing environmental impact.
A review of multiscale characterization methods of ion transport in solid-state electrolytes
Shanyan Huang, Shijie Li, Zheng Huang, Kailun Zhang, Wei-Li Song, Shuqiang Jiao
2026, 37(5): 110973  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110973
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Solid-state batteries that present lower risk factors and higher energy density are promising for advanced energy storage and applications. In particular, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are the critical components that responsible for ionic transport between negative electrodes and positive electrodes. It is crucial to fundamentally understand the ionic transport models and behaviors in the SSEs, with purpose of enhancing ion transport rate and stability of SSEs. To rationally improve the solid-state ion transport behavior of electrolytes, this review summarizes recent progresses on the transport principles and multiscale characterization methods of ion transport in SSEs, including traditional electrochemical methods, frequency-dependent spectroscopy, two-dimensional morphological imaging and three-dimensional morphological imaging. It is emphasized that combination of multiscale and multiple methods would be a developing trend for fundamentally understanding the mechanism of ion transport in SSEs. According to comprehensive transport principle and behaviors, hierarchical fillers are designed for composite electrolytes with fast ionic transport abilities. The remaining challenges for establishing advanced multiscale characterization methods are also discussed.
Nanotechnology-based natural remedies: Advancing inflammatory bowel disease treatment through targeted drug delivery
Luqing Zhao, Dan Dou, Di Zhang, Shuqing Wang, Xihan Zhu, Ning Ding, Shengsheng Zhang, Chao Li
2026, 37(5): 111262  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111262
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, represents a significant health challenge due to its intricate interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. While current treatments are effective at managing symptoms, they are not without drawbacks, such as potential side effects, the financial strain on patients, and the risk of complications. Nanotechnology presents an innovative solution to these challenges, offering the potential to improve the bioavailability, stability, and precise delivery of natural compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties. This review examines the array of nanoparticle (NP) delivery systems that are revolutionizing IBD treatment, including lipid-based NPs, polymeric NPs, metallic NPs, plant-derived exosomes, and mesoporous silica NPs. Furthermore, the review explores the various responsive mechanisms of NPs, including pH-responsive, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive, enzyme-responsive, charge-mediated, ligand-receptor targeted, and multi-responsive systems. The therapeutic potential of nanomedicines derived from natural products is highlighted, with a focus on their roles in immunomodulation, reducing inflammation, repairing the intestinal barrier, and modulating the gut microbiota. Nanotechnology boosts IBD treatment with novel natural NPs. NPs delivery systems offer notable benefits, such as improving drug solubility, increasing the efficiency of absorption, alongside providing a controlled and sustained release of therapeutic agents directly at the inflammation site. Despite the promising capabilities of nanotechnology in IBD treatment, obstacles remain. These include the necessity for comprehensive toxicological assessments, formulating strategies to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of these innovative treatments. Therefore, this review provides a systematic analysis that provides guidance for the research and development of NPs based natural products.
Targeting the immune microenvironment: A novel strategy for treating infected bone defects with hydrogels
Peizhang Zhao, Mengmeng Li, Jingwen Wang, Jun Li, Yunfeng Lin
2026, 37(5): 111319  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111319
[摘要]  (352) [HTML全文] (352) [PDF 754KB] (352)
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Infected bone defects (IBD) are intricate and formidable conditions characterized by elevated rates of infection recurrence and delayed healing, resulting from dysregulation of the bone immune microenvironment (IME) mediated by microbes. The conventional approaches including surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy encounter challenges such as antibiotic resistance and susceptibility to postoperative infections. Considering the diverse impacts of various immune cells (ICs) and cytokines, the investigations into the IME have been conducted to offer potential strategies for treating IBD by addressing the requirements of infection eradication and bone regeneration (BREG). However, there is still a lack of review discussing the impacts of IME on IBD in light of its diverse components. Hydrogels, as promising materials in the treatment of IBD, can mimic the extracellular matrix of natural tissues, providing an optimal environment for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Recent studies have focused on investigating immune modulation through hydrogel delivery for treating IBD. This review aims to discuss the effects of different types of ICs and cytokines on the IME in IBD while summarizing current progress and strategies targeting this microenvironment using hydrogels. The insights gained from this review will aid the development of future immunomodulatory approaches for IBD treatment.
Micro-nanomaterials-engineered delivery systems for reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma
Mengmeng Miao, Yisheng Peng, Hui Liu, Hu Chen, Xu Cheng, Shangqing Chen, Kaifei Yan, Hongwei Cheng, Gang Liu
2026, 37(5): 111390  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111390
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Immunotherapy strategies targeting HCC are widely used in clinical practice. However, the pronounced immunosuppressive characteristics of the tumor microenvironment in HCC significantly hinder the efficacy of immunotherapy, often leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Innovative immunomodulatory delivery systems offer a promising path for HCC therapy by enabling precise targeting of tumor sites and significantly reducing the chances of systemic toxicity and side effects. This study describes the immune microenvironment of HCC and the mechanisms leading to immune evasion. This study then explores the issues and restrictions of current mainstream immunotherapies, highlighting the breakthroughs achieved through drug delivery systems crafted with innovative micro-nanomaterials for HCC immunotherapy. Besides, the application scenarios and challenges encountered by micro-nanomaterials in clinical translational applications were also discussed, and future development trends in this field were prospected, offering a theoretical foundation for the design of efficient HCC treatment strategies.
Nanotherapeutics for ocular posterior segment diseases therapy: Towards its advances and challenges
Mengdie Li, Shundong Cai, Hongjin Li, Yuhang Cheng, Jinfa Ye, Lang Ke, Yun Han, Min Su, Gang Liu, Chengchao Chu
2026, 37(5): 111392  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111392
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Ocular posterior segment diseases (OPSDs), including uveitis, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), fundus neovascular diseases (FNDs), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are major causes of global blindness. The eye's biological barriers often prevent conventional drugs from reaching the posterior segment effectively, while potentially causing adverse effects. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems (DDS) offer promising solutions, with their small size, tunable properties, and high biocompatibility enhancing drug permeability, stability, and targeted delivery. These systems may reduce administration frequency, prolong therapeutic effects, minimize side effects, and improve patient compliance. Unlike previous reviews, this article comprehensively examines novel nanocarriers for OPSD treatment. We first analyze small molecules, their nanocarriers, and administration methods based on recent two-decade research. Next, we compare nanocarrier stability, biocompatibility, ocular penetration, drug release kinetics, and formulation ease, emphasizing recent advances in design, preparation, and functional modification. Finally, by evaluating clinical applications and challenges, we discuss translational hurdles and future prospects for OPSD nanotherapeutics. Greater research efforts are needed to realize nanocarriers' full potential in OPSD treatment.
Multi-scale delivery dynamics of tetrahedral framework nucleic acids: From organ accumulation to subcellular targeting and precision engineering strategies
Wen Chen, Hao Wang, Qiang Sun, Shaojingya Gao, Yunfeng Lin, Yun Wang, Xiaoxiao Cai
2026, 37(5): 111396  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111396
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Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), a novel class of nanodelivery carriers, demonstrate significant potential due to their well-defined topological structure, programmable molecular recognition capabilities, and exceptional biocompatibility. This article systematically reviews the dynamic behavior of tFNAs across multi-scale delivery processes. At the macroscale, it elucidates the organ accumulation and metabolism of tFNAs following various routes of administration. At the microscale, it delves into the transmembrane transport mechanisms and subcellular localization characteristics of tFNAs. Furthermore, this review discusses the current research status of strategies aimed at improving the delivery efficiency of tFNAs through active targeted modifications and proposes cutting-edge approaches to developing precision delivery systems leveraging engineering modifications and intelligent response designs.
Crystal hydrogels: Strategies, properties, and applications
Qianwei Liu, Xinhong Xiong, Numan Ahmed, Peisong Tang, Jiaxi Cui
2026, 37(5): 111707  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111707
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Hydrogels, soft materials made from polymer networks capable of absorbing water, demonstrate remarkable compatibility in diverse hybridizations. When the fillers that can undergo reversible crystallization are used for incorporation, the materials’ mechanical properties and functions would be significantly improved. Therefore, these hydrogels, named crystal hydrogels, are emerging as a class of new advanced functional materials. This review offers a comprehensive examination of these materials from five distinct angles. We first discuss their fundamental characteristics and then elaborate on the synthesis methods of crystal hydrogels, categorizing them into three types based on their crystal formation mechanisms. The third section is dedicated to describing the properties of crystal hydrogels. Furthermore, we explore the diverse and remarkable applications that have emerged with the advancement of crystal hydrogels. The review concludes by summarizing the core concepts and assessing the recent opportunities and challenges faced by crystal hydrogels.
Research progress on nanobiomedicine targeting mitochondrial homeostasis for improving myocardial ischemia
Jing Qian, Guoxing Ling, Yue Li, Yan Liu, Xiaoxuan Guan, Zuyuan Huang, Ming Gao, Cheng Luo, Baoshi Zheng
2026, 37(5): 111843  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111843
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Myocardial infarction (MI) is a disease with a very high mortality rate among cardiovascular diseases. It causes extensive damage to myocardial cells due to prolonged and repeated ischemia and hypoxia. Early coronary revascularization is the best method for treating MI. However, the reperfusion process in MI can produce reactive oxygen species, further damaging myocardial tissue, and triggering MI-reperfusion injury (MI/RI). Although various traditional treatment strategies exist, the treatment of myocardial ischemia including MI and MI/RI remain a significant challenge. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the emergence and development of myocardial ischemia. In recent years, with the advancement of nanobiomedicine, therapeutic strategies for targeting mitochondria have gained increasing attentions in diseases' therapy. Thus, nanobiomedicine targeting mitochondria has shown great promise in the treatment of myocardial ischemia. This review first comprehensively elaborates on the mechanisms of mitochondrial homeostasis in MI and MI/RI, and then focuses on the application progress of nanomaterials targeting mitochondrial homeostasis (oxidative stress, mitophagy, mitochondrial fusion and fission, etc.) in improving myocardial ischemia. Ultimately, this article looks forward to the prospects of nanomaterials in the targeting treatment of MI and MI/RI, aiming to provide more effective and innovative ideas for clinical treatments.
Mitigating the carbonate issues in electrochemical CO2 reduction: Fundamental understanding and design strategies
Yan Qiao, Yanan Wang, Mengfan Li, Dun Li, Wenchuan Lai, Hongwen Huang
2026, 37(5): 111861  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111861
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The electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) holds the potential to manufacture carbon-based chemicals and fuels while advancing toward carbon neutrality. On the path to achieving practical CO2R, a significant challenge lies in the formation of carbonate salts due to the interplay between CO2, local alkalinity and metal cations. The carbonate issue leads to the wastage of CO2 reactant, thus resulting in low carbon utilization efficiency and high costs for carbonate regeneration. Additionally, such salt formation can threaten the operation stability of the CO2R in electrolyzers equipped with gas diffusion electrodes (GDE). These challenges motivate us to conduct the present review, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding and propose solution strategies for the carbonate problem. We start from the mechanism insights into carbonate formation with specific analysis on the kinetics of carbonate formation, mass transfer process, and the influence of interfacial pH, followed by the exposition of advanced techniques to monitor the carbonate accumulation. Next, the design strategies to solve the carbonate problem including the optimization of electrolyte, electrode, membranes and operation conditions, are presented, with a highlight on acidic CO2 electrolysis system without introducing metal cations into electrolyte systems. We finally end up by offering future opportunities in this evolving field. These timely and inspiring perspectives can guide researchers in addressing carbonate-related issues and advance CO2R toward practical feasibility.
Recent development in fluorescent probes for monitoring organophosphorus pollutants
Kun Song, Lijia Zhang, Yunhui Meng, Jiantong Ding, Xiaobai Li, Yongpeng Liu, Hongwei Ma
2026, 37(5): 111902  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111902
[摘要]  (359) [HTML全文] (359) [PDF 2813KB] (359)
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Organophosphorus (OPs) compounds are extensively utilized in pesticides, chemical warfare agents, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications due to their distinctive chemical properties, including biological activity, persistence, and hydrophobicity. However, their excessive use has led to significant environmental toxicity and pollution concerns, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable methods to monitor OPs pollutants. Traditional detection relies on bulky instruments, whereas organic fluorescent probes present advantages such as high selectivity, sensitivity, and portability. This review summarizes recent advancements in these probes for OPs detection, outlines characterization strategies based on underlying mechanisms, discusses challenges and future directions, and introduces OPs’ features, probe mechanisms, and design guidelines, providing theoretical insights and technical references for the development of novel organic fluorescent probes.
Bismuth-based architectures engineering for selective CO2 electroreduction to formate
Xiaoli Zhao, Lijuan Yang, Yong Hao, Yi Cheng, Fei Li, Xinghua Zhu, Ming Huang
2026, 37(5): 111904  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111904
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Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to formate using renewable energy offers a promising route for sustainable chemical production and carbon utilization. Bismuth-based catalysts stand out for their exceptional selectivity towards formate, combining intrinsic advantages with practical viability. This review critically examines recent advances in strategically tailoring bismuth-based catalysts for selective CO2-to-formate conversion. Moving beyond conventional material classifications, we emphasize mechanistic understanding of the reaction pathways and active sites governing formate generation. Crucially, we dissect the synthesis strategies enabling precise control over catalyst properties—ranging from metallic bismuth nanostructures and single atoms to tailored compounds, heterostructures, and alloys—and link these design principles to performance optimization. In addition, we incorporate operando characterization and computational insights within catalyst-specific case studies to examine selected dynamic reaction mechanisms and key enhancement mechanisms under operational conditions. Finally, we outline forward-looking research trajectories, addressing critical challenges like achieving industrially relevant performance and stability, and proposing innovative pathways focused on advanced catalyst architectures, microenvironment engineering, and predictive frameworks for scalable implementation.
Recent advances of analytical methods for intermediates of reactive oxygen species in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions
Mengyi Xi, Kaiqing Wu, Jingjing Chen, Yanfei Shen, Songqin Liu, Ran Chen, Yuanjian Zhang
2026, 37(5): 111915  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111915
[摘要]  (367) [HTML全文] (367) [PDF 1985KB] (367)
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Electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key sustainable energy process, but its efficiency and durability are severely affected by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions. Understanding the kinetics of these transient intermediates is crucial for revealing the ORR mechanism and designing novel electrocatalysts. Many new in situ and operando characterization techniques have emerged in ROS detection. This article reviews recent progress in the detection and quantification methods for ROS during the electrocatalytic ORR, including fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic spectroscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and electrochemiluminescence related technologies. The aim is to provide latest references for researchers in this field and promote further development of electrocatalytic ORR related research.
Recent advances on asymmetric reduction via dynamic kinetic resolution
Ao Zhou, Mostafa M.K. Amer, Qin Yin
2026, 37(5): 111929  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111929
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Asymmetric reduction of unsaturated compounds via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has significantly enhanced the efficiency and selectivity of synthesizing enantiomerically pure compounds from racemic substrates. This approach combines the simultaneous racemization of substrates with enantioselective reduction, enabling quantitative yields and high enantiomeric excess. In the past several years, remarkable advances in this field have been achieved, ranging from the development of innovative catalytic systems, novel synthetic strategies, expansion of substrate scope, deeper mechanistic understanding, and their applications. These advancements offer alternative and efficient methods in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral molecules bearing multiple consecutive stereogenic centers, particularly beneficial for the synthesis of natural products or chiral intermediates in pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. In this review, we summarize the recent advances during the last several years according to the substrate types in this powerful and productive field, with an emphasis on the development of new catalytic systems and the insight into the DKR process.
Current advances in heterogeneous catalysts based on hypercrosslinked polymers for transesterification in biodiesel production: A comprehensive review
Yuheng Wen, Zeyu Wang, Jingli Li, Chengyao Xue, Haobo Wang, Xingrui Li, Hao Zhang, Yang Lu, Yu Zhang, Qing Hou, Wenliang Song
2026, 37(5): 111960  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111960
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The growing global demand for sustainable energy makes biodiesel an important renewable alternative to alleviate the energy crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient, environmentally friendly and economically viable biodiesel production methods. Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs), as aromatic porous organic polymers, are solid frameworks that can be used as heterogeneous catalyst, and they are a promising platform for biodiesel catalytic conversion due to their low cost, highly accessible active site, tunable catalytic site types. In addition, innovative green synthesis strategies make environmentally begin production of HCPs possible. In recent years, HCPs has developed rapidly in the field of biomass catalysis. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, there are no publications focusing on the green synthesis and application of HCPs-based materials for biodiesel production. This review provides an update on the synthesis and utilisation of green and efficient HCPs for catalytic biodiesel production. Initially, the green routes for HCPs synthesis are described, followed by a comprehensive summary of the various approaches to biodiesel production. The primary focus is on the utilisation of HCPs as carriers of active sites in the catalytic conversion of biodiesel, with particular emphasis on catalyst design, morphology control, and intelligent management in terms of application extension. Ultimately, thought-provoking recommendations are proposed to utilize improved green HCPs in combination with advanced production processes to achieve more efficient and sustainable development.
Understanding hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks in the separation of noble gases and lighter hydrocarbons
Brij Mohan, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Matlab Khamiyev, Xiaoping Zhang, Ismayil M. Garazade, M. Fátima C. Guedes da Silva, Armando J.L. Pombeiro, Wei Sun
2026, 37(5): 112142  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112142
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Hydrogen-bonded frameworks (HOFs) are attracting interest for industrial and environmental applications. This review emphasizes recent developments in HOFs, concentrating on their structural characteristics, types of hydrogen bonding, and the connections that affect their mechanical properties and environmental responsiveness. It highlights hinge-like flexibility, rigidity, and framework retention, which enhance adaptability and structural integrity while trapping gases. A proposed mechanism for the selective adsorption of noble gases and light hydrocarbons emphasizes their potential in gas storage and environmental remediation. Overall, HOFs are presented as versatile materials ready to tackle emerging industrial challenges.
Chemical strategies for the stereoselective construction of 1,2-cis-galacturonic and aminogalacturonic acid glycosides
Juntao Cai, Qian Wang, Xu Shen, Lifeng Zhu, Shiqing Jiang, Jian Yin, Chunhong Dong
2026, 37(5): 112235  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112235
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The stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-cis-galacturonic acid and 2-amino-2-deoxy-galacturonic acid glycosides remains a critical challenge in carbohydrate chemistry owing to the electronic and steric effects imposed by the C5-carboxyl group and C2 substituents. The available synthetic strategies can be divided into two divergent pathways: the construction of the glycan backbone before introducing the carboxyl group and the use of pre-formed uronic acid donors during glycosylation. Key advances include the use of remotely participating acyl groups, conformational control via 3,6-lactone intermediates, chelation-directed anomerisation and steric shielding by bulky protecting groups such as 4,6-O-di-tert-butylsilylene and 4,6-O-benzylidene. This review comprehensively overviews the current strategies that overcome stereo-chemical challenges in the synthesis of 1,2-cis-galacturonic and aminogalacturonic acid–containing glycans. In addition, the application of these methodologies to the synthesis of biologically relevant carbohydrates is examined.
Editorial
Decoding Nipah virus polymerase: Cryo-EM reveals key targets for antiviral drug discovery
Xiaoyi Hu, Shenghua Gao, Peng Zhan
2026, 37(5): 111876  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111876
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Photoexcited Ni-catalyzed regioselective cross-coupling of aryl chlorides with multifluoroarenes
Jie Liu, Jialin Ming, Da-Gang Yu
2026, 37(5): 112260  doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.112260
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