Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) has great potential to meet the increasing global demand for propylene, but the widely used Pt‐based catalysts usually suffer from short‐term stability and ...unsatisfactory propylene selectivity. Herein, we develop a ligand‐protected direct hydrogen reduction method for encapsulating subnanometer bimetallic Pt–Zn clusters inside silicalite‐1 (S‐1) zeolite. The introduction of Zn species significantly improved the stability of the Pt clusters and gave a superhigh propylene selectivity of 99.3 % with a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 3.6–54 h−1 and specific activity of propylene formation of 65.5 molC3H6
gPt−1 h−1 (WHSV=108 h−1) at 550 °C. Moreover, no obvious deactivation was observed over PtZn4@S‐1‐H catalyst even after 13000 min on stream (WHSV=3.6 h−1), affording an extremely low deactivation constant of 0.001 h−1, which is 200 times lower than that of the PtZn4/Al2O3 counterpart under the same conditions. We also show that the introduction of Cs+ ions into the zeolite can improve the regeneration stability of catalysts, and the catalytic activity kept unchanged after four continuous cycles.
A lean, mean, propylene machine: Subnanometer bimetallic Pt–Zn clusters are encapsulated inside silicalite‐1 (S‐1) zeolite via a ligand‐protected direct hydrogen reduction method. In the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) reaction, the PtZn4@S‐1‐H catalyst exhibited a very high propylene selectivity of 99.3 % and specific activity of propylene formation of 65.5 molC3H6
gPt−1 h−1 at 550 °C. Moreover, no obvious deactivation was observed over catalyst even after 13000 min on stream.
Zika virus (ZIKV) has evolved into a global health threat because of its unexpected causal link to microcephaly. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that contemporary epidemic strains have accumulated ...multiple substitutions from their Asian ancestor. Here we show that a single serine-to-asparagine substitution Ser139→Asn139 (S139N) in the viral polyprotein substantially increased ZIKV infectivity in both human and mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and led to more severe microcephaly in the mouse fetus, as well as higher mortality rates in neonatal mice. Evolutionary analysis indicates that the S139N substitution arose before the 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia and has been stably maintained during subsequent spread to the Americas. This functional adaption makes ZIKV more virulent to human NPCs, thus contributing to the increased incidence of microcephaly in recent ZIKV epidemics.
A convenient and rapid detection method for methanol in ethanol remains a major challenge due to their indistinguishable physical properties. Herein, a novel fluorescence probe based on perovskite ...was successfully designed to overcome this bottleneck. We report a new zero‐dimensional (0D) hybrid perovskite of MP2InxSb1−xCl7 ⋅ 6 H2O (MP=2‐methylpiperazine) displaying an unusual green light emission with near‐unity photoluminescence quantum yield. Remarkably, this 0D perovskite exhibits reversible methanol‐response luminescence switching between green and yellow color but fail in any other organic vapors. Even for blended alcohol solutions, the luminescent probe exhibits excellent sensing performance with multiple superiorities of rapid response time (30 s) and ultra‐low detection limit (40 ppm), etc. Therefore, this 0D perovskite can be utilized as a perfect fluorescence probe to detect traces of methanol from ethanol with ultrahigh sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first perovskite as fluorescence probe for methanol with wide potential in environmental monitoring and methanol detection, etc.
0D hybrid lead‐free halide displays highly efficient broadband green light emission with a near‐unity photoluminescence quantum yield, and acts as a unique fluorescence sensor for methanol in ethanol with ultrahigh selectivity, sensitivity and repeatability as well as fast response time.
Designing high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts toward oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions in water-alkali electrolyzers is pivotal for large-scale and sustainable ...hydrogen production. Earth-abundant transition metal oxide-based catalysts are particularly active for oxygen evolution reaction; however, they are generally considered inactive toward hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, we show that strain engineering of the outermost surface of cobalt(II) oxide nanorods can turn them into efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. They are competitive with the best electrocatalysts for this reaction in alkaline media so far. Our theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the tensile strain strongly couples the atomic, electronic structure properties and the activity of the cobalt(II) oxide surface, which results in the creation of a large quantity of oxygen vacancies that facilitate water dissociation, and fine tunes the electronic structure to weaken hydrogen adsorption toward the optimum region.
The laurel family within the Magnoliids has attracted attentions owing to its scents, variable inflorescences, and controversial phylogenetic position. Here, we present a chromosome-level assembly of ...the Litsea cubeba genome, together with low-coverage genomic and transcriptomic data for many other Lauraceae. Phylogenomic analyses show phylogenetic discordance at the position of Magnoliids, suggesting incomplete lineage sorting during the divergence of monocots, eudicots, and Magnoliids. An ancient whole-genome duplication (WGD) event occurred just before the divergence of Laurales and Magnoliales; subsequently, independent WGDs occurred almost simultaneously in the three Lauralean lineages. The phylogenetic relationships within Lauraceae correspond to the divergence of inflorescences, as evidenced by the phylogeny of FUWA, a conserved gene involved in determining panicle architecture in Lauraceae. Monoterpene synthases responsible for production of specific volatile compounds in Lauraceae are functionally verified. Our work sheds light on the evolution of the Lauraceae, the genetic basis for floral evolution and specific scents.
Boron–nitrogen units were incorporated into thiophene‐fused polycyclic aromatic compounds. Organic field‐effect transistors based on these azaborine compounds were fabricated, demonstrating a novel ...engineering concept of organic semiconductors and providing opportunities of a broad class of BN‐containing compounds for application in future organic electronic devices (see picture; μFET=hole mobility).
Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries (RAZBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage because of their superiority in addressing cost and safety concerns. However, their practical realization is ...hampered by issues including dendrite growth, poor reversibility and low coulombic efficiency (CE) of Zn anodes due to parasitic reactions. Here, we report a non-concentrated aqueous electrolyte composed of 2 m zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (Zn(OTf)
2
) and the organic dimethyl carbonate (DMC) additive to stabilize the Zn electrochemistry. Unlike the case in conventional aqueous electrolytes featuring typical ZnH
2
O
6
2+
solvation, a solvation sheath of Zn
2+
with the co-participation of the DMC solvent and OTf
−
anion is found in the formulated H
2
O + DMC electrolyte, which contributes to the formation of a robust ZnF
2
and ZnCO
3
-rich interphase on Zn. The resultant Zn anode exhibits a high average CE of Zn plating/stripping (99.8% at an areal capacity of 2.5 mA h cm
−2
) and dendrite-free cycling over 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the H
2
O + DMC electrolytes sustain stable operation of RAZBs pairing Zn anodes with diverse cathode materials such as vanadium pentoxide, manganese dioxide, and zinc hexacyanoferrate. Rational electrolyte design with organic solvent additives would promote building better aqueous batteries.
Involvement of dimethyl carbonate and trifluoromethanesulfonate anions in a hybrid aqueous electrolyte enables the formation of a new Zn
2+
-solvation structure and a ZnF
2
-ZnCO
3
-rich interphase that stabilizes the Zn battery chemistry.
The lithium (Li)–air battery has an ultrahigh theoretical specific energy, however, even in pure oxygen (O2), the vulnerability of conventional organic electrolytes and carbon cathodes towards ...reaction intermediates, especially O2−, and corrosive oxidation and crack/pulverization of Li metal anode lead to poor cycling stability of the Li‐air battery. Even worse, the water and/or CO2 in air bring parasitic reactions and safety issues. Therefore, applying such systems in open‐air environment is challenging. Herein, contrary to previous assertions, we have found that CO2 can improve the stability of both anode and electrolyte, and a high‐performance rechargeable Li–O2/CO2 battery is developed. The CO2 not only facilitates the in situ formation of a passivated protective Li2CO3 film on the Li anode, but also restrains side reactions involving electrolyte and cathode by capturing O2−. Moreover, the Pd/CNT catalyst in the cathode can extend the battery lifespan by effectively tuning the product morphology and catalyzing the decomposition of Li2CO3. The Li–O2/CO2 battery achieves a full discharge capacity of 6628 mAh g−1 and a long life of 715 cycles, which is even better than those of pure Li–O2 batteries.
CO2 can do: CO2 makes Li–O2 batteries more stable. On the anode side, CO2 can facilitate the formation of a protective and self‐healing Li2CO3 film, which can expel the H2O and aggressive intermediates during cycling. The cathode and electrolyte are also protected because the O2− intermediate is captured by CO2 to prevent the formation of 1O2.
Colon cancer is one of the most life‐threatening malignancies worldwide. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is a cancer‐associated biomarker involved in the metastasis ...and prognosis of several cancers. However, whether and how HOTAIR affects colon cancer progression is still unclear. Consequently, we used RNA interference to knock down HOTAIR to explore its effects on human colon cancer cells. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was initially used for testify the regulating relationship between lncRNA HOTAIR and insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2). We determined the expressions of HOTAIR, IGF2BP2, E‐cadherin, and vimentin. Meanwhile, cell growth, cycle and apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assayed. LoVo cells were transplanted into nude mice, and tumor formation and microvessel density were evaluated. LncRNA HOTAIR positively regulated IGF2BP2. Besides, the expressions of HOTAIR and E‐cadherin and the apoptosis were increased, while the expressions of IGF2BP2 and vimentin, the growth, invasion and migration of LoVo cells, the average tumor weight, and microvessel density value were decreased. Of importance, overexpressed IGF2BP2 could reverse the above impacts. Taken together, the current study indicates that silencing of HOTAIR could inhibit the invasion, proliferation, and migration, and promote apoptosis of colon cancer LoVo cells through suppressing IGF2BP2 and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition.
Silencing of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) could inhibit the invasion, proliferation, and migration, and promote apoptosis of colon cancer LoVo cells through suppressing insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition.
We describe a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable N‐hydroxyphthalimide(NHP)‐type esters of racemic alkyl carboxylic acids with terminal ...alkynes, which provides a flexible platform for the construction of chiral C(sp3)−C(sp) bonds. Critical to the success of this process are not only the use of the copper catalyst as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst but also tuning of the NHP‐type esters to inhibit the facile homodimerization of the alkyl radical and terminal alkyne, respectively. Owing to the use of stable and easily available NHP‐type esters, the reaction features a broader substrate scope compared with reactions using the alkyl halide counterparts, covering (hetero)benzyl‐, allyl‐, and aminocarbonyl‐substituted carboxylic acid derivatives, and (hetero)aryl and alkyl as well as silyl alkynes, thus providing a vital complementary approach to the previously reported method.
Two in one: A photoinduced asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable racemic carboxylic acid derivatives with easily available terminal alkynes provides expedient access to diverse enantioenriched alkynes. The chiral copper catalyst serves as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst to achieve stereocontrol over the highly reactive prochiral alkyl radical intermediates.
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