Efficient photoanode with a MoS2/TiO2/Au nanoparticle heterostructure for ultraviolet-visible photoelectrocatalysis.

Green energy technology is generally becoming one of hot issues that need to be solved due to the adverse effects on the environment of fossil fuels. One of the strategies being studied and developed by theorists and experimentalists is the use of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells, which are emerging as a candidate to produce hydrogen from water splitting. However, creating photoelectrodes that meet the requirements for PEC water splitting has emerged as the primary obstacle in bringing this technology to commercial fruition. Here, we construct a heterostructure, which consists of MoS2/TiO2/Au nanoparticles (NPs) to overcome the drawbacks of the photoanode. Owing to the dependence on charge transfer, the bandgap of MoS2/TiO2and the utilization the Au NPs as a stimulant for charges separation of TiO2by localized surface plasmon resonances effect as well as the increase of hot electron injection to cathode, leading to photocatalytic activities are improved. The results have recorded a significant increase in the photocurrent density from 2.3µAcm-2of TiO2to approximately 16.3µAcm-2of MoS2/TiO2/Au NPs. This work unveils a promising route to enhance the visible light adsorption and charge transfer in photo-electrode of the PEC cells by combining two-dimensional materials with metal NPs.

Iron Sulfide Microspheres Supported on Cellulose-Carbon Nanotube Conductive Flexible Film as an Electrode Material for Aqueous-Based Symmetric Supercapacitors with High Voltage.

Nanostructured iron disulfide (FeS2) was uniformly deposited on regenerated cellulose (RC) and oxidized carbon nanotube (CNT)-based composite films using a simple chemical bath deposition method to form RC/CNT/FeS2 composite films. The RC/CNT composite film served as an ideal substrate for the homogeneous deposition of FeS2 microspheres due to its unique porous architecture, large specific surface area, and high conductivity. Polypyrrole (PPy), a conductive polymer, was coated on the RC/CNT/FeS2 composite to improve its conductivity and cycling stability. Due to the synergistic effect of FeS2 with high redox activity and PPy with high stability and conductivity, the RC/CNT/FeS2/PPy composite electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. The RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 composite electrode tested with Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte could achieve an excellent areal capacitance of 6543.8 mF cm-2 at a current density of 1 mA cm-2. The electrode retained 91.1% of its original capacitance after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the ion transfer channels with a pore diameter of 5-30 µm were formed in the RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 film after a 10,000 cycle test. A symmetrical supercapacitor device composed of two identical pieces of RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 composite electrodes provided a high areal capacitance of 1280 mF cm-2, a maximum energy density of 329 µWh cm-2, a maximum power density of 24.9 mW cm-2, and 86.2% of capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 40 mA cm-2 when tested at a wide voltage window of 1.4 V. These results demonstrate the greatest potential of RC/CNT/FeS2/PPy composite electrodes for the fabrication of high-performance symmetric supercapacitors with high operating voltages.

Covalent-Organic-Framework-Modified Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor for Selective Detection of Hazardous Formic Acid.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a novel family of porous crystalline materials utilized in various advanced applications. However, applying COFs as a hazardous organic acid gas sensor is substantial but still challenging. Herein, a phenylenediamine-based covalent organic framework (TPDA-TPB COF) featuring excellent crystallinity, ultrastable thermal stability, and high surface area was successfully constructed. Then, the TPDA-TPB COF-modified quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor is fabricated by immobilizing the TPDA-TPB COF thin film on the gold-QCM chip. The fabricated TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor demonstrates a rapid response, excellent reproducibility, high selectivity, and sensitivity to formic gas, arising from hydrogen-bonding interactions between formic acid and the outermost layer of the TPDA-TPB COF, as determined by extensive analysis and density functional theory calculations. The basic sites of the TPDA-TPB COF, which are numerous due to its high nitrogen content, and the carboxylic acid groups present in formic acid exhibit efficient interactions. The sensitivity of the TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor was found to be 7.75 Hz ppm-1 at standard room temperature and pressure conditions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of formic acid down to 1.18 ppm, which is significantly below the workplace olfactory threshold limit of 5.0 ppm established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor exhibits remarkable detecting capabilities, making it highly attractive for detecting organic acid vapors in diverse applications that require superior performance.

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks using Gamma-Irradiation in Open-Air Conditions.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which have layered stacking structures, extended π-conjugation, and periodic frameworks have become a promising class of materials for a wide range of applications. However, their synthetic pathways frequently need high temperatures, enclosed systems under high pressures, an inert atmosphere, and extended reaction time, which restrict their practicality in real-world applications. Herein, the use of gamma irradiation is presented to synthesize highly crystalline COFs at room temperature under an open-air condition within a short time. This is demonstrated that there is no significant difference in crystallinity of COFs by gamma irradiation under air, N2 or Ar atmosphere conditions. Moreover, this approach can successfully fabricate COFs in the vessel with different degrees of transparency or even in a plastic container. Importantly, this strategy is applicable not only to imine linkage of COFs but also effective to the imide linkages of COFs. Most importantly, these COFs demonstrate improved crystallinity, surface area, and thermal stability in comparison to the corresponding materials synthesized via the solvothermal method. Finally, a COF synthesized through gamma irradiation exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity in promoting the sacrificial hydrogen evolution from water, displaying a more catalytic efficiency compared with that of its solvothermal analogue.

π-Electron-Extended Triazine-Based Covalent Organic Framework as Photocatalyst for Organic Pollution Degradation and H2 Production from Water.

Herein, we report the efficient preparation of π-electron-extended triazine-based covalent organic framework (TFP-TPTPh COF) for photocatalysis and adsorption of the rhodamine B (RhB) dye molecule, as well as for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water. The resultant TFP-TPTPh COF exhibited remarkable porosity, excellent crystallinity, high surface area of 724 m2 g-1, and massive thermal stability with a char yield of 63.41%. The TFP-TPTPh COF demonstrated an excellent removal efficiency of RhB from water in 60 min when used as an adsorbent, and its maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of 480 mg g-1 is among the highest Qm values for porous polymers ever to be recorded. In addition, the TFP-TPTPh COF showed a remarkable photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye molecules with a reaction rate constant of 4.1 × 10-2 min-1 and an efficiency of 97.02% under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation. Furthermore, without additional co-catalysts, the TFP-TPTPh COF displayed an excellent photocatalytic capacity for reducing water to generate H2 with a hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 2712 µmol g-1 h-1. This highly active COF-based photocatalyst appears to be a useful material for dye removal from water, as well as solar energy processing and conversion.

The Bioactive Value of Tamarix gallica Honey from Different Geographical Origins.

This study was conducted to assess the bioactive value of Tamarix gallica honey samples collected from three countries. In total, 150 Tamarix gallica honey samples from Saudi Arabia (50), Libya (50), and Egypt (50) were collected and compared, based on the results of the melissopalynological analysis, their physicochemical attributes, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and biochemical properties, together with their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Depending on the geographical origin, we observed different levels of growth suppression for six resistant bacterial strains. The pathogenic microorganisms tested in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was a strong correlation between the polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as significant (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activities. The melissopalynological analysis and physicochemical properties complied with the recommendation of the Gulf and Egyptian Technical Regulations on honey, as well as the Codex Alimentarius of the World Health Organization and the European Union Normative related to honey quality. It was concluded that Tamarix gallica honey from the three countries has the capacity to suppress pathogenic bacterial growth and has significant radical scavenging activities. Moreover, these findings suggest that Tamarix gallica honey may be considered as an interesting source of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants for therapeutical and nutraceutical industries or for food manufacturers.

Effective remediation of Pb2+ polluted environment by adsorption onto recyclable hydroxyl bearing covalent organic framework.

The removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater has attracted considerable interest because of their toxicity. Adsorption is one of the most promising methods for the removal of heavy metal ions due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Recently, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have become promising adsorbents for effective wastewater remediation. However, many building blocks have been developed, and the design of COFs with high adsorption efficiency remains a challenge. Here, a covalent organic framework (DHTP-TPB COF) decorated with hydroxyl groups was developed for the efficient removal of Pb2+ ions. The DHTP-TPB COF showed excellent performance in adsorbing Pb2+ from aqueous solution. More importantly, DHTP-TPB COF exhibited high selectivity for Pb2+ compared to other competing ions, capturing Pb2+ ions with a removal efficiency of over 96% at pH 4. The results show that the DHTP-TPB COF exhibits excellent adsorption capacity at pH 4 of up to 154.3 mg/g for Pb2+ ions; the value is comparable to many previously reported COFs. Moreover, the adsorbed Pb2+ ions could be easily eluted with a 0.1 M EDTA solution, and the DHTP-TPB COF can be reused for more than five adsorption-desorption cycles without significant loss of adsorption capacity. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism was revealed using XPS analysis, indicating the formation of strong coordination-bonding interactions between hydroxyl and Pb2+ ions. Therefore, the DHTP-TPB COF prepared herein has high potential for the treatment of Pb2+-contaminated wastewater and is promising for the adsorption of Pb2+ ions in practical applications.

Design and synthesis of metal-free ethene-based covalent organic framework photocatalysts for efficient, selective, and long-term stable CO2 conversion into methane.

The efficient and selective photocatalytic CO2 conversion into higher-valued hydrocarbon products (e.g., methane and ethane) over covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remains a challenge, with all previously reported attempts producing carbon monoxide as the dominant product. Herein, we report a new ethene-based COF, through polycondensation of electron-rich (E)-1,2­diphenylethene and 1,3,6,8­tetraphenylpyrene units. The synthesized ethene-based COF functioned as an efficient metal-free photocatalyst for the conversion of CO2 into methane under visible light irradiation, with a selectivity of 100 %, a production rate of 14.7 µmol g-1h-1, and an apparent quantum yield of c.a. 0.99 % at 489.5 nm, which are the most promising values reported for CO2 conversion by a metal-free COF photocatalyst, without any support from a co-catalyst. The carbon origin of CH4 product is confirmed by isotope tracer 13CO2 experiment. Moreover, the photocatalytic system consistently produces methane for > 14 h with recyclability.

High Thermal Resistance of Epoxy/Cyanate Ester Hybrids Incorporating an Inorganic Double-Decker-Shaped Polyhedral Silsesquioxane Nanomaterial.

In this study, we prepared a difunctionalized cyanate ester double-decker silsesquioxane (DDSQ-OCN) cage with a char yield and thermal decomposition temperature (Td) which were both much higher than those of a typical bisphenol A dicyanate ester (BADCy, without the DDSQ cage) after thermal polymerization. Here, the inorganic DDSQ nanomaterial improved the thermal behavior through a nano-reinforcement effect. Blending the inorganic DDSQ-OCN cage into the epoxy resin improved its thermal and mechanical stabilities after the ring-opening polymerization of the epoxy units during thermal polymerization. The enhancement in the physical properties arose from the copolymerization of the epoxy and OCN units to form the organic/inorganic covalently bonded network structure, as well as the hydrogen bonding of the OH groups of the epoxy with the SiOSi moieties of the DDSQ units. For example, the epoxy/DDSQ-OCN = 1/1 hybrid, prepared without Cu(II)-acac as a catalyst, exhibited a glass transition temperature, thermal decomposition temperature (Td), and char yield (166 °C, 427 °C, and 51.0 wt%, respectively) that were significantly higher than those obtained when applying typical organic curing agents in the epoxy resin. The addition of Cu(II)-acac into the epoxy/BADCy and epoxy/DDSQ-OCN hybrids decreased the thermal stability (as characterized by the values of Td and the char yields) because the crosslinking density and post-hardening also decreased during thermal polymerization; nevertheless, it accelerated the thermal polymerization to a lower curing peak temperature, which is potentially useful for real applications as epoxy molding compounds.

Hydroxyl-Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks as High-Performance Supercapacitors.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted significant interest because of their heteroatom-containing architectures, high porous networks, large surface areas, and capacity to include redox-active units, which can provide good electrochemical efficiency in energy applications. In this research, we synthesized two novel hydroxy-functionalized COFs-TAPT-2,3-NA(OH)2, TAPT-2,6-NA(OH)2 COFs-through Schiff-base [3 + 2] polycondensations of 1,3,5-tris-(4-aminophenyl)triazine (TAPT-3NH2) with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dicarbaldehyde (2,3-NADC) and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene-1,5-dicarbaldehyde (2,6-NADC), respectively. The resultant hydroxy-functionalized COFs featured high BET-specific surface areas up to 1089 m2 g-1, excellent crystallinity, and superior thermal stability up to 60.44% char yield. When used as supercapacitor electrodes, the hydroxy-functionalized COFs exhibited electrochemical redox activity due to the presence of redox-active 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene in their COF skeletons. The hydroxy-functionalized COFs showed specific capacitance of 271 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 with excellent stability after 2000 cycles of 86.5% capacitance retention. Well-known pore features and high surface areas of such COFs, together with their superior supercapacitor performance, make them suitable electrode materials for use in practical applications.

Metal Complexes of the Porphyrin-Functionalized Polybenzoxazine.

New porphyrin-functionalized benzoxazine (Por-BZ) in high purity and yield was synthesized in this study based on 1H and 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopic analyses through the reduction of Schiff base formed from tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) and salicylaldehyde and the subsequent reaction with CH2O. Thermal properties of the product formed through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of Por-BZ were measured using DSC, TGA and FTIR spectroscopy. Because of the rigid structure of the porphyrin moiety appended to the benzoxazine unit, the temperature required for ROP (314 °C) was higher than the typical Pa-type benzoxazine monomer (ca. 260 °C); furthermore, poly(Por-BZ) possessed a high thermal decomposition temperature (Td10 = 478 °C) and char yield (66 wt%) after thermal polymerization at 240 °C. An investigation of the thermal and luminescence properties of metal-porphyrin complexes revealed that the insertion of Ni and Zn ions decreased the thermal ROP temperatures of the Por-BZ/Ni and Por-BZ/Zn complexes significantly, to 241 and 231 °C, respectively. The metal ions acted as the effective promoter and catalyst for the thermal polymerization of the Por-BZ monomer, and also improved the thermal stabilities after thermal polymerization.

One-Pot Synthesis of Some New s-Triazole Derivatives and Their Potential Application for Water Decontamination.

A rapid, efficient, and one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of cyclized 2,6-dimethyl-5-substituted-thiazolo[3,2-b]-s-triazoles (3a-c) through the interaction of 5-methyl-1H-s-triazole-3-thiol (1) with aliphatic ketones (2a-d) in refluxing acetic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid (AcOH/H+) while with aromatic ketones (5a-d), a mixture of uncyclized 3-methyl-s-triazolylthioacetophenone derivatives (6a-d) and cyclized 6-aryl-2-methyl-thiazolo[3,2-b]-s-triazoles (7a-d) has been produced. With this catalytic system, inexpensive sulfuric acid was utilized as a catalyst, which prevented the production of poisonous and irritating halo carbonyl compounds. On the other hand, the interaction of s-triazole 1 with cyano compounds (9a,b) afforded the corresponding 6-amino-2-methyl-5-substituted-thiazolo[3,2-b]-s-triazoles (10a,b). Similarly, treatment of 4-amino-3-methyl-s-triazole-5-thiol (12) with aliphatic and aromatic ketones (2c and 5a-e) afforded directly 3-methyl-7H-s-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazines (13a and 14a-e). Further, reaction of 12 with cyano compounds (9a,b) under the same reaction conditions yielded the corresponding 3-methyl-s-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives (15a,b). The reaction mechanism was studied, and the structures of all novel compounds were verified using spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Moreover, the potential application of the synthesized compounds toward heavy metal ions and inorganic anion removal from aqueous solution has been investigated. The removal effectiveness for metal ions reached up to 76.29%, while for inorganic anions it reached up to 100%, indicating that such synthesized compounds are promising adsorbents for water remediation.

Carbazole- and thiophene-containing conjugated microporous polymers with different planarity for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

We report the synthesis of two carbazole-thiophene-based conjugated microporous polymers (Cz-3Th and Cz-4Th CMPs) with different degrees of planarity for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water. Depending upon the building linker's planarity, we found that the porous structure, hydrogen-evolution rate, and photocatalytic stability of the resultant CMPs varied.

Anti-Viral and Immunomodulatory Properties of Propolis: Chemical Diversity, Pharmacological Properties, Preclinical and Clinical Applications, and In Silico Potential against SARS-CoV-2.

Propolis, a resin produced by honeybees, has long been used as a dietary supplement and folk remedy, and more recent preclinical investigations have demonstrated a large spectrum of potential therapeutic bioactivities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties. As an antiviral agent, propolis and various constituents have shown promising preclinical efficacy against adenoviruses, influenza viruses, respiratory tract viruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Over 300 chemical components have been identified in propolis, including terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, with the specific constituent profile varying widely according to geographic origin and regional flora. Propolis and its constituents have demonstrated potential efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 by modulating multiple pathogenic and antiviral pathways. Molecular docking studies have demonstrated high binding affinities of propolis derivatives to multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins, including 3C-like protease (3CLpro), papain-like protease (PLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein (S-protein), and helicase (NSP13), as well as to the viral target angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Among these compounds, retusapurpurin A has shown high affinity to 3CLpro (ΔG = -9.4 kcal/mol), RdRp (-7.5), RBD (-7.2), NSP13 (-9.4), and ACE2 (-10.4) and potent inhibition of viral entry by forming hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues within viral and human target proteins. In addition, propolis-derived baccharin demonstrated even higher binding affinity towards PLpro (-8.2 kcal/mol). Measures of drug-likeness parameters, including metabolism, distribution, absorption, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) characteristics, also support the potential of propolis as an effective agent to combat COVID-19.

High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes Prepared From Dispersions of Tetrabenzonaphthalene-Based Conjugated Microporous Polymers and Carbon Nanotubes.

In this study, we prepared a series of conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) through Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-couplings of a tetrabenzonaphthalene (TBN) monomer with pyrene (Py), tetraphenylethylene (TPE), and carbazole (Car) units and examined their chemical structures, thermal stabilities, morphologies, crystallinities, and porosities. TBN-TPE-CMP possessed a high surface area (1150 m2 g-1) and thermal stability (Td10 = 505 °C; char yield = 68 wt %) superior to those of TBN-Py-CMP and TBN-Car-CMP. To improve the conductivity of the TBN-CMP materials, we blended them with highly conductive single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Electrochemical measurements revealed that the TBN-Py-CMP/SWCNT nanocomposite had high capacitance (430 F g-1) at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 and outstanding capacitance retention (99.18%) over 2000 cycles; these characteristics were superior to those of the TBN-TPE-CMP/SWCNT and TBN-Car-CMP/SWCNT nanocomposites.

Wasp Venom Biochemical Components and Their Potential in Biological Applications and Nanotechnological Interventions.

Wasps, members of the order Hymenoptera, are distributed in different parts of the world, including Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Argentina. The lifestyles of the wasps are solitary and social. Social wasps use venom as a defensive measure to protect their colonies, whereas solitary wasps use their venom to capture prey. Chemically, wasp venom possesses a wide variety of enzymes, proteins, peptides, volatile compounds, and bioactive constituents, which include phospholipase A2, antigen 5, mastoparan, and decoralin. The bioactive constituents have anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the limited quantities of wasp venom and the scarcity of advanced strategies for the synthesis of wasp venom's bioactive compounds remain a challenge facing the effective usage of wasp venom. Solid-phase peptide synthesis is currently used to prepare wasp venom peptides and their analogs such as mastoparan, anoplin, decoralin, polybia-CP, and polydim-I. The goal of the current review is to highlight the medicinal value of the wasp venom compounds, as well as limitations and possibilities. Wasp venom could be a potential and novel natural source to develop innovative pharmaceuticals and new agents for drug discovery.

A Tröger's Base-Derived Covalent Organic Polymer Containing Carbazole Units as a High-Performance Supercapacitor.

Porous organic polymers have been received considerable attention due to their heteroatom-containing structures and high surface areas, which can offer high electrochemical performance in energy applications. The majority of reported Tröger's base-functionalized porous organic polymers have been applied as effective candidates for sensing and gas separation/adsorption, while their use as electrode materials in supercapacitors is rare. Here, a novel covalent microporous organic polymer containing carbazole and Tröger's base CzT-CMOP has been successfully synthesized through the one-pot polycondensation of 9-(4-aminophenyl)-carbazole-3,6-diamine (Cz-3NH2) with dimethoxymethane. The polycondensation reaction's regioselectivity was studied using spectroscopic analyses and electronic structure calculations that confirmed the polycondensation occurred through the second and seventh positions of the carbazole unit rather than the fourth and fifth positions confirmed by first-principles calculations. Our CzT-CMOP exhibited high thermal stability of approximately 463.5 °C and a relatively high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 615 m2 g-1 with a nonlocal density functional theory's pore size and volume of 0.48 cm3 g-1 and 1.66 nm, respectively. In addition, the synthesized CzT-CMOP displayed redox activity due to the existence of a redox-active carbazole in the polymer skeleton. CzT-CMOP revealed high electrochemical performance when used as active-electrode material in a three-electrode supercapacitor with an aqueous electrolyte of 6 M KOH, and it showed specific capacitance of 240 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1 with excellent stability after 2000 cycles of 97% capacitance retention. Accordingly, such porous organic polymer appears to have a variety of uses in energy-related applications.

Multifunctional Hypercrosslinked Porous Organic Polymers Based on Tetraphenylethene and Triphenylamine Derivatives for High-Performance Dye Adsorption and Supercapacitor.

We successfully prepared two different classes of hypercrosslinked porous organic polymers (HPPs)-the tetraphenylethene (TPE) and (4-(5,6-Diphenyl-1H-Benzimidazol-2-yl)-triphenylamine (DPT) HPPs-through the Friedel-Crafts polymerization of tetraphenylethene and 4-(5,6-diphenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-triphenylamine, respectively, with 1,4-bis(chloromethyl)benzene (Ph-2Cl) in the presence of anhydrous FeCl3 as a catalyst. Our porous materials exhibited high BET surface areas (up to 1000 m2 g-1) and good thermal stabilities. According to electrochemical and dyes adsorption applications, the as-prepared DPT-HPP exhibited a high specific capacitance of 110 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1, with an excellent cycling stability of over 2000 times at 10 A g-1. In addition, DPT-HPP showed a high adsorption capacity up to 256.40 mg g-1 for the removal of RhB dye from water.

High-Molecular-Weight PLA-b-PEO-b-PLA Triblock Copolymer Templated Large Mesoporous Carbons for Supercapacitors and CO2 Capture.

High-molecular-weight PLA440-b-PEO454-b-PLA440 (LEL) triblock copolymer was synthesized through simple ring-opening polymerization (ROP) by using the commercial homopolymer HO-PEO454-OH as the macro-initiator. The material acted as a single template to prepare the large mesoporous carbons by using resol-type phenolic resin as a carbon source. Self-assembled structures of phenolic/LEL blends mediated by hydrogen bonding interaction were determined by FTIR and SAXS analyses. Through thermal curing and carbonization procedures, large mesoporous carbons (>50 nm) with a cylindrical structure and high surface area (>600 m2/g) were obtained because the OH units of phenolics prefer to interact with PEO block rather than PLA block, as determined by FTIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, higher CO2 capture and good energy storage performance were observed for this large mesoporous carbon, confirming that the proposed approach provides an easy method for the preparation of large mesoporous materials.

Direct synthesis of nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbons from triazine-functionalized resol for CO2 uptake and highly efficient removal of dyes.

In this study we synthesized a triazine-formaldehyde phenolic resin as a nitrogen-containing resol (N-resol) through the condensation of 2,4,6-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)triazine and formaldehyde. We then used this N-resol as a carbon and nitrogen atom source, mixing it with a diblock copolymer of PEO-b-PCL as the soft template, for the direct synthesis of N-doped mesoporous carbons. Interestingly, the self-assembled N-resol/PEO-b-PCL blends underwent a mesophase transition from cylinder to gyroid and back again to cylinder structures upon increasing the N-resol concentration (i.e., cylinder at 50/50; gyroid at 60/40; cylinder at 70/30). After removing the soft template at 700 °C, the resultant N-doped mesoporous carbons possessed high N atom contents (up to 13 wt%) and displayed gyroid and cylinder nanostructures. The synthesized N-doped mesoporous carbons exhibited excellent CO2 uptake capacities (up to 72 and 150 mg g-1 at 298 and 273 K, respectively). Furthermore, the N-doped mesoporous gyroid carbon structure displayed high adsorption capacities toward organic dyes in water. The maximum adsorption capacities of rhodamine B and methylene blue in water reached as high as 204.08 and 308.64 mg g-1, respectively; furthermore, these N-doped mesoporous carbons also maintained up to 98 % of their maximum adsorption capacities within 45 min.