Techno-Economic Assessment of a Closed-Loop Circular Economy for Polylactic Acid.

As the global demand for polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic, continues to increase, both its production and consumption have been increasing steadily each year. This growth poses challenges for managing PLA waste disposal, highlighting the need for innovative solutions. In this study, techno-economic simulations were performed to recycle waste PLA using three distinct processes across seven different scenarios.

Cost-effective poly(3-alkylthiophene)-based organic photovoltaics: advancing solar energy conversion and photodetection technologies.

Poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3ATs), particularly poly(3-hexylthiophene) are cornerstone materials for organic photovoltaics, bridging efficiency, scalability, and solution processability. This article systematically outlines advancements in P3AT-based organic solar cells (OSCs) and photodetectors (OPDs), focusing on materials physics principles, structure-property relationships, and application-driven optimization. Innovations in polymerization methods enable high regioregularity and eco-friendly production.

Polyphenol-mediated assembly of peptides for engineering functional materials.

Peptide-based functional materials have garnered significant interest because of their exceptional physicochemical characteristics and diverse functions. In this study, we identified four amino acids (arginine, lysine, histidine, and tryptophan) that exhibit high affinity with polyphenols. By adjusting the amount and location of these amino acids within peptides, the pH of the solution, and the assembly ratio, it is possible to achieve controlled assembly of peptides with polyphenols, including whether or not it can be assembled as well as the size and morphology of the assemblies.

Highly stretchable, self-adhesive, and biocompatible cellulose/chitosan based double network hydrogel for wound dressing.

Hydrogels are widely recognized for their excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, making them promising materials for skin regeneration and wound care. However, the practical application of traditional hydrogels is limited by their inadequate mechanical strength and poor adhesive properties, hindering their effectiveness in wound healing. In this study, we designed a cellulose-based composite hydrogel, which overcomes these limitations by combining cellulose dialdehyde (DAC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and polymerizable acrylamide (AM).

Lignin-regulated MOF@lignocellulose aerogels for enhanced selective carbon dioxide adsorption.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely used in gas adsorption due to their microporous structure and high performance. However, MOFs have limitations, including poor mechanical properties and difficulties with recovery. To address these limitations, we used a lignocellulose composite aerogel as a substrate to enhance the properties of MOFs.

Preparation of Tung Oil Microcapsules Coated with Chitosan-Arabic Gum and Its Effect on the Properties of UV Coating.

Tung oil, as dry oil, can quickly dry and polymerize into tough and glossy waterproof coatings, with a very high application value. Tung oil was used as a core material to prepare Tung oil microcapsules coated with chitosan-Arabic gum, and the preparation process of the microcapsules was optimized. The effect of adding a UV coating on the performance of the microcapsules was explored.

Quinoxaline-based double responsive fluorescent probe: An effective tool for detection of aniline and p-nitroaniline in the environment.

Aniline and p-nitroaniline, as crucial intermediates in organic synthesis, find extensive applications in the fields of medicine, pesticides, and beyond. However, due to their significant toxicity and carcinogenic potential, these compounds pose severe risks to both ecological environments and human health. In this work, a novel fluorescent probe PAMD for the detection of aniline and p-nitroaniline was constructed and synthesized from camphorquinone.

Identification, Cloning, and Functional Characterization of Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase (CCD) from and .

The aromatic C apocarotenoid β-ionone is a high-value natural-flavor and -fragrance compound derived from the oxidative cleavage of carotenoids. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) play a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of volatile apocarotenoids, particularly β-ionone. In this study, we report the identification, cloning, and functional characterization of two CCD1 homologs: from and from .

Characterization and Modification of a Novel, Highly Soluble Flavonoid 3'-OH Glycosyltransferase from and Its Application in the Efficient Biosynthesis of flavonoid-3'-glucoside.

Luteolin-3'-glucoside, a rare glycosylated form of luteolin, exhibits diverse biological activities. However, its natural abundance in plants is extremely low, which hampers its application potential in the food and medical fields. Biological transformation is an effective way, but the scarcity of glycosyltransferases capable of catalyzing flavonoid 3'-OH poses a challenge to the biotransformation of this functional group.

Advances in anaerobic digestate management: functions and impacts of carbon and iron-based additives.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as a core technology for renewable energy production and organic waste management, generating biogas with a significant volume of digestate. To optimize AD performance, various carbon- and iron-based additives have been widely employed in recent years. However, their effects on downstream digestate management remain underexplored.

Development of a cationic photodynamic antibacterial agent based on gallic acid and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and enriched with hydroxyl groups for effective antimicrobial therapy.

In recent years, various antibiotic-resistant bacterial species have emerged, thereby complicating bacterial infection treatment. Hence, the development of nontraditional, multifunctional, cationic photodynamic antibacterial agents is imperative and valuable to inhibit normal and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Here, by performing ring-opening reactions, we successfully synthesized an antibacterial polycation (EY-QEGDM-MG) based on gallic acid, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and eosin Y and enriched with various functional components, namely a photosensitizer, quaternary ammonium (QA), and hydroxyl species.

Hierarchical Design of 2D Carbon Nitride and Derivatives for Next-Generation Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies.

Two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride (2D g-CN) has attracted extensive attention in energy conversion and storage due to its unique visible-light response, tailorable band gap, favorable electrical properties, facile functionalization, and high physicochemical stability. However, there are few reviews on the comprehensive applications of 2D g-CN and its derivatives for energy conversion and storage. To address this gap, this review provides an in-depth examination of the structural features and physicochemical properties of g-CN.

Additive-Free EDA Photochemical Arylative Trifluoromethylation of Enamides with Trifluoromethyl Benzothiazole Sulfones.

An additive-free trifluoromethylation-heteroarylation of enamides with trifluoromethyl heteroaryl sulfones via EDA photochemistry is reported. Under visible-light irradiation, diverse enamides and sulfones undergo efficient difunctionalization to afford CF-heteroaryl amides in moderate to excellent yields, without the need for photocatalysts or additives. Mechanistic studies support the formation of a photoexcited EDA complex that triggers C-S bond cleavage, generating CF and heteroaryl anions.

Influences of Reservoir Conditions on the Performance of Cellulose Nanofiber/Laponite-Reinforced Supramolecular Polymer Gel-Based Lost Circulation Materials.

Lost circulation during drilling has significantly hindered the safe and efficient development of oil and gas resources. Supramolecular polymer gel-based lost circulation materials have shown significant potential for application due to their unique molecular structures and superior performance. Herein, a high-performance supramolecular polymer gel was developed, and the influence of reservoir conditions on the performance of the supramolecular polymer gel was investigated in detail.

Fast Li₂O₂ Electrochemistry Enabled by Co-N/Co (111) with Optimized Intermediate Adsorption.

The practical development of Li-O batteries (LOBs) urgently needs to explore robust cathode catalysts to boost the sluggish LiO reaction kinetics and parasitic reactions despite their theoretically high specific energy. Profound understanding of the cathode properties and the battery performance is rather critical in developing rational-designed electrocatalysts. In this study, a Co-N/Co (111) decorated N-doped hierarchical carbon framework (Co-N/Co@NHCF) is proposed as an efficient cathode in LOBs.

Design, synthesis and antifungal evaluation of perillaldehyde derivatives as potential laccase inhibitors.

The development of novel fungicides has still been a hot topic in the field of pesticide research. In this study, three series of new perillaldehyde hydrazide, amide and acylthiourea derivatives (3a-3n, 4a-4f, and 6a-6f) were designed and synthesized. The in vitro antifungal activity of the title compounds against seven plant pathogens was evaluated.

Pyrene-based aggregation-induced emission: A bridge model to regulate aggregation.

The aggregation process plays a significant role in regulating the aggregate structures from molecules toward macroscopic photophysical properties. Pyrene (Py), as the simplest dimer candidate, serves as a suitable model for studying the aggregation. Herein, a series of Py-based aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials have been investigated by clarifying the comprehensive roles of oxygen, substituents, molecular motion, and packing during aggregation, initially realizing the aim of controlling aggregate structures.

Research on the design of smartwatch health information visualization presentation under different motion scenarios.

Investigating how to adapt smartwatches to meet the distinct needs of users across various motion scenarios, while optimizing visual presentation design to enhance user experience, is an area that deserves thorough exploration. Three experiments were conducted to assess the impact of form, animation, and color on visual presentation. A total of 45 participants took part in each experiment and were divided into three groups.

RSM-Optimized Extraction and Evaluation of Bioactivities of Polyphenols From Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston Fruits.

Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston fruits, a traditional medicinal species in the Myrtaceae family, are rich in polyphenolic compounds. This study optimized polyphenol extraction from S.

A dual crosslinking strategy to fabricate hemicellulose-based tough hydrogels for flexible sensors and triboelectric nanogenerator applications.

Conductive hydrogels have emerged as auspicious materials for applications in flexible sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Nevertheless, enhancing mechanical robustness, adhesive properties, electrochemical performance, and signal stability under extreme strain conditions remains a significant challenge, particularly for specialized sensor applications and energy harvesting through TENGs. Herein, we report the synthesis of double cross-linked network conductive hydrogels employing divinylbenzene‑sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles and esterified hemicellulose as cross-linking agents, in conjunction with MXene as the conductive filler.

A Promising Strategy for Solvent-Regulated Selective Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over Porous Carbon-Supported Ni-ZnO Nanoparticles.

Developing biomass platform compounds into high value-added chemicals is a key step in renewable resource utilization. Herein, we report porous carbon-supported Ni-ZnO nanoparticles catalyst (Ni-ZnO/AC) synthesized via low-temperature coprecipitation, exhibiting excellent performance for the selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A linear correlation is first observed between solvent polarity (E(30)) and product selectivity within both polar aprotic and protic solvent classes, suggesting that solvent properties play a vital role in directing reaction pathways.

Functionalization of amino acids and peptides rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation.

The great potential of transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation has been used in the construction of natural products, bioactive molecules and functional materials. Due to the high efficiency, selectivity and functional-group tolerance of rhodium, rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation reactions have been widely explored. Recently, rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation was successfully employed in the late-stage diversification of amino acids and peptides, providing an important complementary strategy.

Rapidly making biodegradable and recyclable paper plastic based on microwave radiation driven dynamic carbamate chemistry.

In response to the looming concerns of plastic pollution, replacing plastic with paper is a very promising way, but its realization seems a long way off due to the poor water resistance and unsatisfied mechanical strength of cellulose fibril-based materials. Herein, we develop a versatile functionalizing material consisting of mainly biobased cyclic carbonate-bearing compounds and amine compound, which can enable the rapid transformation (within 2 min under microwave radiation) of the cellulose paper into plastic-like material (named paper plastic) having an unprecedently high tensile strength of ~126 MPa. Through a systematic experimental and theoretical study, the paper plastic's combination of excellent mechanical properties and water/solvent resistance is attributed to the easy formation of carbamate abundant non-isocyanate polyurethane cooperated with the intermolecular bond exchange mechanism between the dynamic carbamate moiety and hydroxyl of the cellulose.

A Heptagon-Embedded Structural Isomer of Azacorannulene.

A nitrogen-doped heptagon-embedded bowl-shaped molecule that can be viewed as a structural isomer of azacorannulene was synthesized and characterized. The presence of a seven-membered ring significantly alters the molecular electronic structure and results in a distinct optical property. The pyramidalized geometry of nitrogen is crucial for releasing the molecular strain as well as rendering the fused pentagonal rings aromaticity to enhance the molecular stability.

Enhancing fast-growing wood properties via rosin-modified cellulose: superior hydrophobicity and dimensional stability.

Fast-growing wood is rich in hydroxyl groups, which are sensitive to water and readily absorb moisture in humid environments, leading to a reduction in the mechanical properties of the wood and limiting its applications. Herein, a silicone modified rosin-based hydrophobic agent (SRA) was synthesized from a biomass resource, tetrahydro rosin acids (TRA), and (3-glycidyloxypropyl)triethoxysilane (KH-561) through a ring-opening reaction. The triethoxy groups in the SRA structure facilitate the formation of covalent bonds with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose in the wood, effectively anchoring the active components within the wood matrix and filling its porous structure.