The proliferation of e-commerce and food delivery services has significantly increased the use of thermal paper for shipping labels and receipts, leading to the persistent release of endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) into aquatic environments, posing a serious threat to ecosystem integrity and human health. Advanced oxidation processes based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) offer a promising solution, yet their efficiency depends critically on high-performance catalysts. Although bimetallic spinel oxides are considered effective PMS activators, their practical application is often limited by insufficient active site exposure and sluggish electron transfer kinetics. To address these challenges, we developed a one-step molten-salt pyrolysis strategy to synthesize carbon-doped iron-cobalt spinel oxides (FeCoOx/C). The optimal catalyst (FeCoOx/C-400) demonstrated rapid degradation kinetics and high catalytic utilization efficiency. Mechanistic studies revealed that spontaneous electron transfer from Fe2+ to Co3+ (Delta E = 1.04 eV) significantly accelerates Co2+ regeneration, thereby enhancing PMS activation. The degradation process proceeds mainly through radical pathways, accompanied by the participation of non-radical singlet oxygen (1O2). Importantly, the catalyst demonstrated excellent recyclability, strong resistance to common anions, and effective BPA degradation in various real water matrices including leachates from discarded thermal paper, while also significantly reducing ecological toxicity. This study provides both a highly efficient and easily synthesized catalyst for PMS-based water purification and fundamental insights into the design of bimetallic redox catalysts, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable environmental remediation technologies.

Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) combined with visible-light photocatalysis offer a sustainable solution for water purification, although achieving exceptional efficiency remains challenging. In this study, a pyridine-embedded carbon nitride photocatalyst (MPY-CN) was synthesized via a simple thermal copolymerization of melamine (MA) and 2,4-diamino-6-(2′-pyridinyl) -triazine (PTZDA). The as-prepared MPY-CN enables efficient PMS activation for pollutant degradation under visible light. Under optimized conditions, the MPY-CN/PMS system demonstrates significantly enhanced degradation efficiency within just 20 min at a low PMS dosage (0.163 mM), achieving a reaction rate constant of 0.172 min−1, which is six times that of individual M-CN and PY-CN systems. Multiple characterization techniques and theoretical calculations confirm that the introduction of the pyridine ring (Py) optimizes the electronic structure, enhances carrier separation, and significantly improves photocatalytic performance. Mechanistic research suggests 1O2 is primary active species. Finally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) indicates that MPY-CN, a green, low-carbon and environmentally friendly photocatalyst, offers a sustainable solution. This study provides a reformatory tactic for crafting highly valid metal-free photocatalytic PMS activation systems.

Chiral, multi-substituted six-membered carbocycles with high sp3 character are privileged frameworks in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products, owing to their enhanced binding affinity, metabolic stability, and three-dimensional molecular recognition. However, the enantioselective construction of such densely functionalized all-carbon rings bearing multiple C(sp3) stereocenters remains a major synthetic challenge. Here, we report a cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric remote hydroalkylation of cyclohexene derivatives, enabling modular and enantioselective access to multisubstituted, chiral six-membered carbocycles. This transformation proceeds under mild conditions with excellent regio- and enantioselectivity, allowing for precise distal stereocontrol across a broad substrate scope. The resulting products feature high Fsp3 content and are readily amenable to diversification via radical C-C coupling, photoredox transformations, or Curtius rearrangement. This work provides a powerful strategy for the streamlined synthesis of sp3-rich, stereochemically complex carbocycles, expanding the synthetic toolbox for 3D molecular architectures in drug and materials discovery.

MXenes are a new class of two-dimensional (2D) materials that have attracted significant attention in numerous sensor applications due to their excellent properties. To address the urgent need for the efficient detection of toxic gases (such as CO, NO, SO2, and HF), the gas-sensing response mechanism of transition metal (TM)-doped MXene Ti2CO2 on oxygen-sealed surfaces has been systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT). In this study, three transition metal dopants, Fe, Co and Ni, are investigated and factors such as the band structure, density of states, adsorption energy and charge transfer are analyzed. Meanwhile, the key performance indicators of the sensor, desorption time and sensitivity are also evaluated. The results show that gas molecules undergo physical adsorption on the pristine Ti2CO2 surface. When vacancy defects and TM doping are introduced, physisorption transforms into chemisorption. The density of states analysis reveals that the hybridization between the dopant's 3d orbitals and gas molecules enhances adsorption stability. Vacancies and TM doping enhance the material's responsiveness to toxic gases, and the TM doped system can also selectively detect toxic gases. These research results not only provide a reference for the design and optimization of MXene-based gas sensors, but also have a certain impact on the theoretical model of gas adsorption.

An asymmetric synthesis of sex pheromone of smaller tea tortrix moth was synthesized from commercially available starting materials in 57-74% overall yield over 4-7 steps using protecting-group-free strategy. Furthermore, the construction of C-C bond was accomplished through Julia-Kocienski olefination coupling, and the chiral moiety was introduced by Evans' template and the chiral pool strategy as key steps. The synthetic sex pheromone of smaller tea tortrix moth serves as a reference for large-scale production and provides strong support for the development of pheromones in the control of pests and diseases in tea plants.

Bacterial infections and the persistent global spread of drug-resistant strains have become major impediments to effective wound healing. However, most existing Zn- and Ag-based antibacterial agents exhibit limited bactericidal efficiency and insufficient reactive oxygen species generation, restricting their broader biomedical application. In this study, a ZnO/ZnS@SiO2 carrier was rationally constructed via a layer-by-layer assembly strategy, and Ag nanoparticles with an average diameter of similar to 5 nm were subsequently immobilized through an adsorption process, yielding mesoporous ZnO/ZnS@SiO2@Ag nanocomposites. The introduction of a mesoporous architecture markedly increased the specific surface area, enhancing microorganism-material contact efficiency and overall antibacterial activity, while the stable immobilization of Ag nanoparticles further improved bactericidal efficacy against drug-resistant bacteria. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the composite synergistically released Zn(2 +)and Ag+ ions and significantly promoted reactive oxygen species generation, resulting in increased membrane permeability and intracellular component leakage. Concurrently, synergistic antibacterial effects were achieved via membrane disruption, ion efflux, and glutathione depletion. While maintaining excellent antibacterial performance, ZnO/ZnS@SiO2@Ag exhibited markedly reduced toxicity toward normal tissues and demonstrated favorable in vitro cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Moreover, in an in vivo wound model, the nanocomposite significantly accelerated inflammation resolution and promoted tissue regeneration, achieving wound-healing outcomes that were superior to those of the control groups and single-component counterparts. This study proposes a structural design strategy that integrates high antibacterial efficiency, low toxicity, and favorable biocompatibility, thereby providing important theoretical insights and practical guidance for the development and clinical translation of next-generation anti-infective wound-healing materials.

Infected skin wounds represent a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to the rising bacterial resistance and the complex wound microenvironment that triggers excessive inflammatory responses, both of which often lead to the failure of conventional therapeutic strategies. Based on the hard–soft acid–base (HSAB) theory, the researchers used a hydrothermal method for synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocarriers and the in situ adsorption and reduction of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs, average size ~4 nm) on their surface to successfully construct a rod-shaped ZnO@Ag nanocomposite. This design was intended to achieve the dual synergistic effects of antibacterial activity and immunomodulation. The as-prepared ZnO@Ag nanocomposite exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial mechanism was multifaceted, involving the release of reactive species, including hydroxyl radicals (·OH), singlet oxygen (1O₂), Zn2+, and Ag+. These components synergistically disrupted bacterial cellular structures and impaired membrane integrity, inducing membrane potential imbalance, intracellular content leakage, and, ultimately, bacterial death. Furthermore, the material showed excellent biocompatibility, as evidenced by its low hemolytic activity, minimal cytotoxicity, and capacity to promote cell migration. In an S. aureus-infected rat wound model, topical application of ZnO@Ag significantly accelerated wound closure. Mechanistic studies have revealed that the composite promotes the polarization of macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the pro-repair M2 phenotype. The immunomodulatory effect alleviated excessive inflammation, enhanced re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, and guided the orderly deposition of collagen. The work provides a potential strategy for developing wound dressings that integrate potent antibacterial capability with immunomodulatory function, offering a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of complex infected skin wounds.

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its reduction intermediates (2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-ADNT; 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-ADNT; and 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene, 2,4-DANT) pose a persistent threat to freshwater ecosystems, especially in conflict-affected regions. However, a systematic understanding of their ecotoxicological effects and effective remediation strategies remains limited. This study comprehensively investigated the impact of 120-day exposure to TNT and its intermediates on a freshwater microcosm. Results revealed that pollution significantly suppressed bacterial richness and evenness, while paradoxically increasing viral abundance, elevating ecological health risks. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated severe disruption of the aquatic metabolic network, with the order of toxicity being 2,4-DANT > TNT > 4-ADNT >2-ADNT. Exposure notably induced dysregulation of lipid metabolism and impaired nucleotide, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism. In response, microbial communities activated the nitrotoluene degradation pathway as a detoxification mechanism. Metagenomic sequencing further revealed that these pollutants interfered with the cell cycle-Caulobacter pathway, inhibited oxidative phosphorylation (thus disrupting ATP synthesis), and perturbed nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycling. Crucially, this study pioneers the application of a bicarbonate-activated peroxide (BAP) system for efficient remediation. The BAP system effectively degraded the pollutants primarily via ·OH and ·O2− radicals, significantly reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC). This work elucidates the ecotoxicological mechanisms of TNT and its intermediates and provides a novel, green strategy for remediating contaminated water bodies.

Multi-substituted benzo[b]thiophene skeleton is an important synthetic intermediate. A series of multi-substituted benzo[b]thiophene-4-ol derivatives were successfully constructed from 3-substituted 1-(thiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one and nitroso compound via organobase-promoted cycloaddition reactions. Optimization experiments showed that the best experimental conditions were as follows: using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) (2.5 mmol) as base, 3-substituted 1-(thiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (1.0 mmol) and nitroso compound (1.2 mmol) reacted in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature for 8 h, affording multi-substituted benzo[b]thiophen-4-ol derivatives in 88% yield. The compositions and structures have been characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS (ESI). The mechanism for the reaction was proposed. The menthod has the characteristics of mild conditions and practical efficiency.

The treatment of wounds caused by drug-resistant bacteria is a significant challenge in clinical medicine. Silver (Ag) nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention due to their ability to inhibit drug-resistant bacteria. Nevertheless, the propensity of Ag nanoparticles to aggregate as well as their elevated toxicity have restricted their practical application. To address this issue, this study involved the design of a core-shell-type ZnO@ZIF-8/Ag nanocomposite material that combines high antibacterial activity with excellent biocompatibility. The mean diameter of the Ag nanoparticles in this material was approximately 2.4 nm, and they were highly dispersed. Within the wound microenvironment, antibacterial factors, such as hydroxyl radicals (·OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), Zn2+, and Ag+, were generated. The material induced bacterial death by altering the structure of the cell wall of drug-resistant bacteria, thereby inhibiting respiration, lysing phospholipid layers, and causing cellular content leakage. The introduction of zinc oxide (ZnO) significantly reduced the toxicity of the Ag nanoparticles and regulated macrophage polarization, which inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by M1-type macrophages (M1) while concomitantly promoting the secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and vascular endothelial growth factor by M2-type macrophages (M2). The expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), type I collagen/fibronectin (COL-I/FN), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was significantly promoted, which significantly enhanced wound healing in infected wounds. This study thus offers a strategy for developing therapies against drug-resistant bacterial infections with the potential for clinical application.

Iron-based heterogenous catalysts play an important role in Fenton-like reactions, but their practical application is hindered by complex synthetic procedures and limited comprehension of reaction mechanisms. A straightforward impregnation and pyrolysis method was devised to synthesize a zero-valent iron (ZVI) modified carbonbased catalyst which significantly boosts PMS activation to degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), more importantly, it elucidated the correlation between the electronic structure and the production of nonradical reactive oxygen species (ROS). The optimized catalyst demonstrates exceptional performance, achieving 97 % removal of TCH within 30 min, with a remarkable apparent rate constant (kobs) of 0.1962 min-1, outperforming the pristine carbon catalyst by 11-fold. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the incorporation of ZVI facilitates redox cycling with PMS, thereby boosting the generation of diverse ROS. Theoretical calculations reveal that both radical and non-radical pathways synergistically enhance catalytic activity. This work presents a cost-effective and scalable approach to designing high-performance carbon-based catalysts for PMS activation, providing valuable insights into the development of sustainable water purification technologies for emerging contaminants.

X80 pipeline steel easily corrodes during acid pickling. However, existing corrosion inhibitors exhibit uncertain toxicity and limited industrialization potential, and few corrosion inhibitors have been specifically designed for X80 pipeline steel. Building on previous studies, this study innovatively proposed Uncaria laevigata extract (ULE) as a potential corrosion inhibitor to address these drawbacks. The main active components of ULE, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, were identified through spectroscopic characterization. Subsequently, comprehensive evaluation via weight loss and electrochemical tests revealed that ULE exhibited outstanding corrosion inhibition efficiency (>95%) and maintained excellent stability at various temperatures and during prolonged immersion for up to 196 h. Surface measurements (SEM, AFM, XPS, XRD and CA) confirmed that a protective film was generated by ULE on the steel surface, effectively isolating the corrosive medium. The adsorption behavior and corrosion inhibition mechanism of the main molecules from ULE were explained through molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical calculations. Importantly, a comprehensive toxicity assessment encompassing acute toxicity, antioxidant enzyme activities, and apoptosis-related gene expression levels was performed. ULE exhibited low acute toxicity (96 h-LC50 = 325.45 mg L-1) and caused no observable elevation in antioxidant-enzyme activities and apoptosis-related gene expression, demonstrating minimal oxidative stress and apoptotic impact and low toxicity for zebrafish. Compared to other plant extracts as well as synthetic and commercial corrosion inhibitors, this study presents ULE as a low cost, high efficiency, environmentally friendly alternative with excellent industrial potential.

Flexible multifunctional polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite films play a pivotal role in 5 G communication technology, smart wearables, automotive electronics, and aerospace. In this work, (Ti3 C2 Tx MXene/cellulose nanofibers (CNF)-(hydroxy-functionalized BNNS (BNNS-OH)/CNF) composite films (TBCF) with Janus structure are prepared via vacuum-assisted filtration of BNNS-OH/CNF and Ti3 C2 Tx /CNF suspension by one after another. Then ionic bonding-strengthened TBCF (ITBCF) is obtained by Ca2 + ion infiltration and cold-pressing technique. The Janus structure endows ITBCF with the unique "conductive on one side and insulating on the other" property. When the mass ratio of Ti3 C2 Tx and BNNS is 1:1 and the total mass fraction is 70 wt.%, the electrical conductivity ( Q) of the Ti3 C2 Tx /CNF side of ITBCF reaches 166.7 S/cm, while the surface resistivity of the BNNS-OH/CNF side is as high as 304 M Q. After Ca2 + ion infiltration, the mechanical properties of ITBCF are significantly enhanced. The tensile strength and modulus of ITBCF are 73.5 MPa and 15.6 GPa, which are increased by 75.9% and 46.2% compared with those of TBCF, respectively. Moreover, ITBCF exhibits outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 57 dB and thermal conductivity ( 7) of 9.49 W/(m K). In addition, ITBCF also presents excellent photothermal and photoelectric energy conversion performance. Under simulated solar irradiation with a power density of 120 mW/cm2 , the surface stabilization temperature reaches up to 65.3 degrees C and the maximum steady state voltage reaches up to 58.2 mV. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are characterized by their widespread environmental distribution and low concentrations, posing significant challenges for their effective removal from source wastewater. To better deal with the problems associated with ECs, we developed a robust Fe-Mn bimetallic catalyst supported on N-doped biochar (FM@NBC-8) for peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-mediated advanced oxidation system, in which bisphenol A (BPA) was investigated as a typical EC. Particularly, complete degradation of BPA in the FM@NBC-8/PMS system was achieved within 5 min, accompanying with a high TOC removal. The degradation rate of BPA with FM@NBC-8 was 143 times that of the initial biochar (BC-8), 20 and 91 times that of single metal-doped catalysts Fe (F@NBC-8) and Mn (M@NBC-8), respectively. The degradation rate of BPA was enhanced to 1.7337 min⁻1 with 0.6 g L⁻1 FM@NBC-8 utilized to activate PMS, achieving a superior performance in BPA degradation compared to most reported results in the literature (0.081∼1.43 min⁻1). The introduction of Fe, Mn, and N elements dramatically enhanced the specific surface area (from 46.285 to 218.541 m2 g⁻1) of the catalyst, thereby enhancing the adsorption capacity of PMS and pollutants on the catalyst. Moreover, the accelerated electron transfer between the catalyst and PMS favored the formation of low-valent metal intermediates (Fe(II)-O-O-SO3- and Mn(II)-O-O-SO3-), responsible for the generation of SO4•-and •OH. And 1O2 was generated mainly via the decomposition of SO5•- in FM@NBC-8/PMS system, thereby collectively enhancing the pollutant degradation. The stability of the catalyst was attributed to the synergistic effects of nitrogen doping and biochar encapsulation, which ensured effective operation of the FM@NBC-8/PMS system across a broad pH range of 3 to 10, while also providing resistance to interference from ubiquitous anions. This study indicates that the bimetal biochar-based materials for catalytic PMS activation have significant potential for practical application in green environmental remediation.

Apple leafminer is a significant pest that damages apple leaves, leading to the decline of quality and yield of apples and causing serious economic losses. A convergent asymmetric total synthesis of sex pheromone of apple leafminer was achieved from commercially available starting materials in 36-50 % overall yield over 11-14 steps. In addition, the chiral methyl group was successfully introduced via Evans' template, and the crucial C-C bond formation was efficiently accomplished through Julia-Kocienski coupling and Wittig reaction. The synthetic sex pheromone of apple leafminer will contribute to the subsequent evaluation and application of pheromones as environmentally friendly tools for pest management.

The efficient removal of refractory sulfides from fuels to achieve clean oil is a primary research focus in the petrochemical industry. This study introduces extraction and catalytic oxidation desulfurization (ECODS) as a technique for effective desulfurization. A cross-linking strategy was employed to construct structurally stable isotropic microreactors based on ionic liquid (IL)-modified liposomes (poly[MimA11, A11][heteropolyanions]), where exposed imidazolium cations anchor catalytic heteropolyanions (e.g., [PW12O40]3-) to ensure active site accessibility. In this interfacial catalytic reaction, the microreactor resembles an emulsified droplet with a spherical surface, significantly enhancing the catalytic interface. Additionally, the isotropic imidazolium cations of spherical vesicles provide the equivalent driving force for the attachment of heteropolyanions (such as [PW12O40]3- and [PMo12O40]3-), ensuring full exposure of active sites and reducing mass transfer resistance. The optimized poly[MimA11, A11][PW12O40] catalyst achieved complete dibenzothiophene (DBT) removal within 1.5 h and retained 92.4% efficiency after six cycles, demonstrating exceptional activity and recyclability. The morphology, structure, and properties of the microreactors were characterized, and optimal reaction conditions were established. Building on this foundation, the removal performances across various systems and sulfur-containing targets were assessed, thereby confirming the structure-activity relationship of this type of microreactor. Furthermore, the desulfurization mechanism was inferred from the identified oxidation products. Overall, this isotropic poly[MimA11, A11][heteropolyanion] demonstrates excellent desulfurization performance and holds significant potential for broad applications.

Flexible multifunctional polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite fabrics have important application values in 5G communication technology, wearable electronic devices and artificial intelligence. In this work, the flexible and multifunctional MXene/poly(3,4-ethyl-enedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (M-PPSS-PET) composite fabrics are prepared by constructing multilevel conductive networks through a stepwise impregnation process. The PEDOT:PSS acts as a bi-functional intermediate layer of "bonding and conduction". It not only improves the interface bonding strength of MXene and PET fabrics, but also optimizes carrier migration path through energy level matching. The M-PPSS-PET composite fabrics exhibit excellent comprehensive performance, with electrical conductivity (sigma) of up to 334.1 S/cm, EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 42 dB, and tensile strength of 101 MPa. Even after being folded for 300 times, EMI SE still remains at 93% of its initial value. When stacked with three pieces of M-PPSS-PET composite fabrics, the EMI SE is up to 69 dB. Moreover, M-PPSS-PET composite fabrics also present excellent Joule heating performance and photothermal conversion properties. When the applied voltage is 2 V, M-PPSS-PET composite fabrics quickly reach the surface stability temperature of 116 degrees C. Under simulated solar irradiation with a power density of 120 mW/cm2, the surface stability temperature is up to 85.7 degrees C. In addition, M-PPSS-PET composite fabrics also show excellent structural stability and flexibility. This work provides a novel and feasible strategy to prepare flexible multifunctional fabrics for applications in the fields of artificial intelligence, flexible wearable electronic devices and smart textiles.

In the field of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), the development of catalysts with environmental friendliness and economic benefits faces multiple difficulties, mainly reflected in the catalytic efficiency, selection specificity, and complexity of the synthesis process. This study, we reported a nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon catalyst (CANP800-1) synthesized by a one-step pyrolysis method. The co-doped catalyst was able to achieve 100 % removal of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in about 30 min and had a high apparent rate constant (kobs = 0.125 min-1), which is better than unmodified carbon and other single-doped comparative materials. Structural analyses pinpointed that N, P co-doped enhanced specific surface area (1179 m2/g), introduced abundant mesopores, and created a wealth of active sites (such as graphitic nitrogen, C-P bonds) synergistically promoting adsorption and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The CANP800-1/PMS system had significant adaptability to various water matrices, including pH, coexisting ions, natural organic matter, and real water conditions. A mechanistic investigation confirmed that singlet oxygen (1O2) was essential to the reaction process, while electrochemical studies and DFT simulations validated that N/P-induced enhancement of electron transfer and PMS adsorption took place. This study established an innovative metal-free catalytic system that exhibited remarkable effectiveness in sustainable water treatment, providing distinctive solutions and a theoretical basis for ongoing technical difficulties in industrial wastewater treatment.