Cosmic Blueprint to Nanoscale Design: Hoag's Object-Like Polyoxovanadate Encapsulated by a Hierarchical Silver Nanocluster.

The pervasive presence of toroidal architectures across scales, from molecular assemblies to cosmic formations, reveals a universal design principle that integrates aesthetic symmetry with functional topology in nature. Yet, constructing such hierarchical toroidal organization at the nanoscale, particularly for metal nanoclusters, remains an unmet challenge. We present an unprecedented wheel-shaped silver nanocluster, [(VO⊂VO)@Ag(BuPhC≡C)(SO)(DMF)] (), encapsulating an unparalleled hierarchical toroidal [VO⊂VO] polyoxovanadate (POV).

Ligand and Metal Exchanges between [(AuAg)(SR)] Clusters via Bimolecular Superatomic Collision.

Reported herein is a study of intercluster exchanges of ligands and/or metals between [(AuAg)(SR)] nanoclusters via a combination of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results revealed that ligand exchange reactions are instantaneous, giving rise to the standard Gaussian distribution indicative of a random exchange or substitution process. In sharp contrast, metal exchange reactions are slow (hours to days), resulting in fractal-like patterns.

Eight-electron copper-hydride nanoclusters: synthesis, structure, alloying chemistry and photoluminescence.

The first copper-hydride nanocluster featuring eight free valence electrons has been successfully isolated and characterized spectroscopically. The structure of the nanocluster, represented by the chemical formula [Cu(PhSe)(PPh)(CFCOO)H] (referred to as CuH, where PPh denotes triphenylphosphine), has been precisely determined through single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Several distinguishing features differentiate the CuH clusters from previously reported examples.

Electrosynthesis of Atomically Precise Au Nanoclusters.

Innovation in synthesis methodologies is crucial for advancing the discovery of new materials. This work reports the electrosynthesis of a [Au(4-BuPhC≡C)(Dppe)]Cl nanocluster (Au NC) protected by alkynyl and phosphine ligands. From simple precursor, HAuCl and ligands, the whole synthesis is driven by a constant potential in single electrolytic cell.

Ligand-Targeted Ag Cluster Self-Cascade Antioxidants for Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species Clearance in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MNCs) with flexible peripheral ligands provide selective channels and unique electronic structures to the rigid metal core, showing great application potential in many fields such as biomimetic nanozymes. In this study, we developed cost-effective, low-toxicity, and water-soluble MNC based self-cascade antioxidants for enhanced reactive oxygen species clearance. Compared to Ag nanoparticles, the Ag NCs with a monovalent Ag core coordinated by nonmetallic S and O show superior superoxide dismutase-like (inhibition 86.

Buckling cluster-based H-bonded icosahedral capsules and their propagation to a robust zeolite-like supramolecular framework.

Hydrogen-bonded assembly of multiple components into well-defined icosahedral capsules akin to virus capsids has been elusive. In parallel, constructing robust zeolitic-like cluster-based supramolecular frameworks (CSFs) without any coordination covalent bonding linkages remains challenging. Herein, we report a cluster-based pseudoicosahedral H-bonded capsule Cu, which is buckled by the self-organization of judiciously designed constituent copper clusters and anions.

Bottom-up construction of chiral metal-peptide assemblies from metal cluster motifs.

The exploration of artificial metal-peptide assemblies (MPAs) is one of the most exciting fields because of their great potential for simulating the dynamics and functionality of natural proteins. However, unfavorable enthalpy changes make forming discrete complexes with large and adaptable cavities from flexible peptide ligands challenging. Here, we present a strategy integrating metal-cluster building blocks and peptides to create chiral metal-peptide assemblies and get a family of enantiopure [R-/S-NiL] (n = 2, 3, 6) MPAs, including the R-/S-NiL capsule, the S-NiL trigonal prism, and the R-/S-NiL octahedron cage.

Ln/Cu Bimetallic Nanoclusters with Enhanced NIR-II Luminescence.

Coinage-metal clusters with excellent luminescence properties have attracted considerable interest due to their intriguing structures and potential applications. However, achieving strong near-infrared (NIR) luminescence in these clusters is highly challenging. Here, we have successfully synthesized the first Ln/Cu bimetallic clusters, formulated as [LnCuOCl(2-MeO-PhC≡C)] (ClO) (Ln = Yb for , Er for , and Gd for ).

Comparative analysis of tracking and behavioral patterns between wild-type and genetically modified fruit flies using computer vision and statistical methods.

Collective animal behavior occurs in groups and swarms at almost every biological scale, from single-celled organisms to the largest animals on Earth. The intriguing mysteries behind these group behaviors have attracted many scholars, and while it is known that models can reproduce qualitative features of such complex behaviors, this requires data from real animals to demonstrate, and obtaining data on the exact features of these groups is tricky. In this paper, we propose the Hidden Markov Unscented Tracker (HMUT), which combines the state prediction capability of HMM and the high-precision nonlinear processing capability of UKF.

Ag-Induced Assembly of Pt Clusters for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

Cluster-assembled nanowires provide a unique strategy for the preparation of high-performance nanostructures. However, existing preparations are limited by complex processes and harsh reaction conditions. Here, Ag ions were utilized as a novel structure-directing agent to generate the self-assembly of Pt clusters to form ultrafine nanowires with a diameter of less than 5 nm.

Full quantitative resource utilization of raw mustard waste through integrating a comprehensive approach for producing hydrogen and soil amendments.

Background: Pickled mustard, the largest cultivated vegetable in China, generates substantial waste annually, leading to significant environmental pollution due to challenges in timely disposal, leading to decomposition and sewage issues. Consequently, the imperative to address this concern centers on the reduction and comprehensive resource utilization of raw mustard waste (RMW). To achieve complete and quantitative resource utilization of RMW, this study employs novel technology integration for optimizing its higher-value applications.

Supracluster Assembly of Archimedean Cages with 72 Hydrogen Bonds for the Aldol Addition Reaction.

Clusters that can be experimentally precisely characterized and theoretically accurately calculated are essential to understanding the relationship between material structure and function. Here, we propose the concept of "supraclusters", which aim to connect "supramolecules" and "suprananoparticles" as well as reveal the unique assembly behavior of "supraclusters" with nanoparticle size at the molecular level. The implementation of supraclusters is full of challenges due to the difficulty in satisfying the ordered connectivity of clusters due to their abundant and dispersed hydrogen bonding sites.

Nanoarmor: cytoprotection for single living cells.

Single cell modification or hybridization technology has become a popular direction in bioengineering in recent years, with applications in clean energy, environmental stewardship, and sustainable human development. Here, we draw attention to nanoarmor, a representative achievement of cytoprotection and functionalization technology. The fundamental principles of nanoarmor need to be studied with input from multiple disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and material science.

Photochemical Synthesis of Atomically Precise Ag Nanoclusters.

Photochemical methods are effective for controllable synthesis of silver nanoparticles with specific sizes and shapes. Whether they are capable of fabricating Ag nanoclusters (NCs) with atomic precision is yet to be proved. In this work, we synthesize an atomically precise Ag NC, [Ag(4-MePhC≡C)(Dpppe)](SbF) (), a process mediated by visible light.

Plasmon-Mediated Photoelectrochemical Hot-Hole Oxidation Coupling Reactions of Adenine on Nanostructured Silver Electrodes.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely applied in the identification and characterization of DNA structures with high efficiency. Especially, the SERS signals of the adenine group have exhibited high detection sensitivity in several biomolecular systems. However, there is still no unanimous conclusion regarding the interpretation of some special kinds of SERS signals of adenine and its derivatives on silver colloids and electrodes.

Monocarboxylate-protected two-electron silver nanoclusters with high photothermal conversion performance.

The first series of monocarboxylate-protected silver nanoclusters was synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Specifically, compounds [Ag(L)(9-AnCO)] (L = PhP (I), (4-ClPh)P (II), (2-furyl)P (III), and PhAs (IV)) were prepared by a solvent-thermal method under alkaline conditions. These clusters exhibit a similar unprecedented structure containing a [Ag@Ag] metal kernel, of which the 2-electron [Ag] inner core shows a flattened and puckered hexagonal bipyramid of symmetry.

Real-Time Sniffing Mass Spectrometry Aided by Venturi Self-Pumping Applicable to Gaseous and Solid Surface Analysis.

Based on the Venturi self-pumping effect, real-time sniffing with mass spectrometry (R-sniffing MS) is developed as a tool for direct and real-time mass spectrometric analysis of both gaseous and solid samples. It is capable of dual-mode operation in either gaseous or solid phase, with the corresponding techniques termed as R-sniffing MS and R-sniffing MS, respectively. In its gaseous mode, R-sniffing MS is capable of analyzing a gaseous mixture with response time (0.

Toxic effect of fracturing flow-back fluid on Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia, and specific industry microorganisms Aspergillus niger and S. cerevisiae.

Previous studies have shown that the soil microbial population and soil enzyme activity are seriously affected by fracturing flow-back fluid (FFBF) from the shale gas mining process. However, the toxic effect of FFBF on specific bacteria, fungi, and plankton has not been systematically confirmed in detail. In this paper, a toxic effect evaluation of FFBF was conducted using the representative toxicity test organisms Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia, Aspergillus niger, and S.

Stepwise Assembly of Ag Nanocalices Based on a Mo-Anchored Thiacalix[4]arene Metalloligand.

Metalloligand strategy has been well recognized in the syntheses of heterometallic coordination polymers; however, such a strategy used in the assembly of silver nanoclusters is not broadly available. Herein, we report the stepwise syntheses of a family of halogen-templated Ag nanoclusters (-) based on Mo-anchored --butylthiacalix[4]arene (HTC4A) as a metalloligand (hereafter named MoO-TC4A). X-ray crystallography demonstrates that they are similar -symmetric silver-organic nanocalices capped by six MoO-TC4A metalloligands, which are evenly distributed up and down the base of 42 silver atoms.

A Giant 3d-4f Polyoxometalate Super-Tetrahedron with High Proton Conductivity.

The assembly of gigantic heterometallic metal clusters remains a great challenge for synthetic chemistry. Herein, based on the slow release strategy of lanthanide ions and in situ formation of lacunary polyoxometalates, two giant 3d-4f polyoxometalate inorganic clusters [LaNi W Sb P O (OH) ] (LaNi ) and [La Ni W Sb P O (OH) (H O) ] (La Ni ) are obtained. The nanoscopic inorganic cluster La Ni possesses a super tetrahedron structure, which can be viewed as assembly from four LaNi molecules encapsulating a central [La (SbO ) (H O) ] octahedron core.

Employing gene chip technology for monitoring and assessing soil heavy metal pollution.

Soil heavy metals pollution can cause many serious environment problems because of involving a very complex pollution process for soil health. Therefore, it is very important to explore methods that can effectively evaluate heavy metal pollution. Researchers were actively looking for new ideas and new methods for evaluating and predicting levels of soil heavy metal pollution.

Toxic effects of shale gas fracturing flowback fluid on microbial communities in polluted soil.

A large amount of shale gas fracturing flowback fluid (FFBF) from the process of shale gas exploitation causes obvious ecological harm to health of soil and water. However, biological hazard of soil microbial populations by fracturing flowback fluid remains rarely reported. In this study, the microbiological compositions were assessed via analyzing diversity of microbial populations.

Hydrolysis-Promoted Building Block Assembly: Structure Transformation from Wheel and Ship to Cage.

Accurately controlling the hydrolysis of metal ions can not only yield the desired structure of metal hydroxide clusters but also provide a deeper understanding of the formation process of natural hydroxide minerals. However, the capture of hydrolysis intermediates remains a significant challenge, and metal hydroxide clusters are mainly obtained by employing adventitious hydrolysis. In this study, we realized a hierarchical building block assembly from Y ions to large , , and clusters by controlling the hydrolysis process of lanthanide ions under different pH conditions.

Constructing π-Stacked Supramolecular Cage Based Hierarchical Self-Assemblies via π···π Stacking and Hydrogen Bonding.

Constructing supramolecular cages with multiple subunits via weak intermolecular interactions is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. So far, π-stacked supramolecular cages still remain unexplored. Here, we report a series of π-stacked cage based hierarchical self-assemblies.