Soft MatterPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1039/d5sm00576k
Amrutha S V, Oliver Steinbock
{"title":"Co-motion of catalytic tubes and host droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces.","authors":"Amrutha S V, Oliver Steinbock","doi":"10.1039/d5sm00576k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5sm00576k","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ability to convert chemical energy into directed motion is a defining feature of living systems and a central goal in the design of synthetic active matter. Here, we report a self-propelling system in which a millimeter-sized tube is confined within a hydrogen peroxide droplet on a superhydrophobic surface. The tubes are synthesized <i>via</i> chemical garden self-assembly and catalyze the decomposition of the peroxide to water and oxygen gas. The resulting droplet-tube cell exhibits diverse dynamic behaviors, including propeller-like spinning, orbital rotation, and long-range translational jumps, driven by the asymmetric growth and bursting of internally generated gas bubbles. These motions are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide concentration, which governs both the internal gas production rate and the system's active lifetime. This system offers a simple yet versatile platform for exploring confined catalysis, emergent motility, and the design of soft, fuel-containing active materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":103,"journal":{"name":"Soft Matter","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in the synthesis of multiple helicenes.","authors":"Zhen Chen, Wei-Chen Guo, Chuan-Feng Chen","doi":"10.1039/d5ob00966a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ob00966a","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple helicenes, as helically twisted polycyclic frameworks with extended π-conjugated systems, have attracted growing attention due to their unique topologies, tunable chiroptical properties, and potential applications in chiral materials and organic electronics. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of the recent advances in the field of multiple helicenes and propose a concise classification strategy that classifies them into linear, cyclic, and cross-linked types. Based on this classification, we further summarize and highlight a range of efficient synthetic strategies that facilitate the construction of multiple helicenes. We hope this review will provide the design inspiration of multiple helicenes and further be helpful for the development of helicene chemistry.</p>","PeriodicalId":96,"journal":{"name":"Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yangyang Hu, Chunlei Yu, Ya'nan Ran, Miao Yu, Jingwen Sun, Huiying Liu, Jiahui Zhang, Haijun Wang, Lei Liu
{"title":"Electrochemical [3 + 2] cycloaddition of anilines and enamine ketones: construction of 3-benzoylindole derivatives.","authors":"Yangyang Hu, Chunlei Yu, Ya'nan Ran, Miao Yu, Jingwen Sun, Huiying Liu, Jiahui Zhang, Haijun Wang, Lei Liu","doi":"10.1039/d5ob00831j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ob00831j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article describes an eco-friendly and atom-economical electrochemical protocol for the intermolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition to synthesize 3-benzoylindole derivatives in synthetically viable yields. The oxidative cycloaddition proceeds under transition-metal-free and strong-oxidant-free conditions, generating H<sub>2</sub> and (Me)<sub>2</sub>NH as the byproducts, thereby aligning with green chemistry principles. Furthermore, the methodology exhibits exceptional synthetic versatility through successful late-stage diversification and compatibility with structurally diverse substrates. Preliminary cytotoxic evaluation <i>via</i> CCK-8 assays against two human carcinoma cell lines revealed potent bioactivity profiles, establishing a foundation for systematic exploration of indole-based pharmacophores. This protocol offers a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic strategies while expanding the functionalization landscape of heteroaromatic systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":96,"journal":{"name":"Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RSC AdvancesPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1039/D5RA00390C
Aiying Song, Rong Liu, Xinghe He and Linlin Wei
{"title":"Fabrication of robust polyimide-coated solid phase microextraction fibers for efficient extraction of fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water†","authors":"Aiying Song, Rong Liu, Xinghe He and Linlin Wei","doi":"10.1039/D5RA00390C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA00390C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A novel supporting material was developed by pulling melted glass onto stainless steel, providing a mechanically robust and chemically stable substrate. A polyimide-coated fiber for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was then fabricated using a simple dipping method. The strong interactions between the polyimide coating and analytes, attributed to abundant unshared electron pairs in the p orbitals of O and N atoms, as well as π electrons in the C<img>O bond and benzene ring, contributed to the high extraction efficiency for sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The developed polyimide-coated fiber-based SPME method, coupled with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection, exhibited low limits of detection (0.11–1.23 μg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>) and a wide linear range (1–500 μg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples. The method demonstrated excellent repeatability, with single-fiber repeatability ranging from 2.9% to 6.9% and fiber-to-fiber reproducibility between 3.9% and 11.5%. The recoveries of the analytes were between 82.7% and 107.2%. Additionally, the fiber exhibited outstanding durability, maintaining its extraction performance after more than 150 uses. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in river, pond, and sewage water samples, highlighting its potential as a sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective tool for environmental analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":102,"journal":{"name":"RSC Advances","volume":" 15","pages":" 11826-11834"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/ra/d5ra00390c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144695678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RSC AdvancesPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1039/D5RA03487F
Md. Ferdous Rahman, Abu Saiyed, Md. Faruk Hossain, Latha Marasamy, Tanvir Al Galib, Mahabur Rahman and Mutasem Z. Bani-Fwaz
{"title":"First-principles investigation and photovoltaic assessment of Cs2SnZ6 (Z = Cl, Br, I) lead-free perovskites for future solar technologies","authors":"Md. Ferdous Rahman, Abu Saiyed, Md. Faruk Hossain, Latha Marasamy, Tanvir Al Galib, Mahabur Rahman and Mutasem Z. Bani-Fwaz","doi":"10.1039/D5RA03487F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA03487F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >This study presents a comprehensive first-principles and device-level investigation into the structural, electronic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of vacancy-ordered lead-free perovskites Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnZ<small><sub>6</sub></small> (Z = Cl, Br, I) for next-generation solar energy conversion. Using density functional theory (DFT), we examined the structural stability, band structure, density of states, and optical response of Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnCl<small><sub>6</sub></small>, Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnBr<small><sub>6</sub></small>, and Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnI<small><sub>6</sub></small>. The calculated direct bandgaps are 2.652 eV for Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnCl<small><sub>6</sub></small>, 1.358 eV for Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnBr<small><sub>6</sub></small>, and 0.228 eV for Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnI<small><sub>6</sub></small>, demonstrating significant tunability through halide substitution. Optical analyses reveal strong absorption in the visible spectrum, with a redshift in absorption onset from Cl to I, enhancing light-harvesting capabilities. To assess device performance, SCAPS-1D simulations were employed with four different electron transport layers (ETLs): CdS, IGZO, SnS<small><sub>2</sub></small>, and ZnS. The Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnBr<small><sub>6</sub></small>-based PSC with IGZO ETL achieved the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.22%, driven by optimal band alignment and balanced charge transport. Meanwhile, Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnI<small><sub>6</sub></small>, despite exhibiting ultrahigh short-circuit current densities (<em>J</em><small><sub>SC</sub></small> > 70 mA cm<small><sup>−2</sup></small>) due to its narrow bandgap, showed poor performance with ZnS ETL due to mismatched energy levels. These results highlight the potential of Cs<small><sub>2</sub></small>SnZ<small><sub>6</sub></small> perovskites as promising lead-free absorber materials and emphasize the critical role of ETL compatibility and absorber optimization in achieving high-efficiency solar cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":102,"journal":{"name":"RSC Advances","volume":" 32","pages":" 26515-26536"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/ra/d5ra03487f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lattice plainification flattens the crystal structure of nickel-rich layered cathodes.","authors":"Pengcheng Li, Zhuo Peng, Zhihao Sun, Chengyu Li, Jianjun Ma, Jun Wang, Run Yu, Cairong Jiang, Xiang Gao, Wenge Yang, Dongliang Chao, Yongjin Chen","doi":"10.1039/d5mh00975h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5mh00975h","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The extremely fast charging/discharging of nickel-rich LiNi<sub><i>x</i></sub>Co<sub><i>y</i></sub>Mn<sub>1-<i>x</i>-<i>y</i></sub>O<sub>2</sub> (NCM) cathodes has raised concerns about rapid capacity decay. The birth defects and fragile lattice result in the sluggish Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion kinetics and unfavorable structural degradation. Moreover, lattice strain, mechanical failures, surface reconstruction, and interfacial side reactions accelerate the decay process. Here, a proof-of-principle study of the lattice plainification (LP) strategy in a high-nickel NCM cathode is reported. The introduction of Al and Zr in transition metal layers by a wet chemistry and calcination method enables the simplification of the complex lattice structures to obtain an order phase and repair the various defects of NCM, thereby enhancing the lithium-ion transport. The modified LP-NCM exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 157.3 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> with a capacity retention of 81% after 300 cycles at a 5C rate, significantly outperforming the pristine counterpart (50.9%). The LP-NCM/Gr pouch cells presented impressive cycling performance, achieving 80% capacity retention over 1000 cycles at 1C, which far surpasses the performance of the pristine NCM. Our method eliminates the rocksalt and disordered phases, and suppresses oxygen, lithium, and transition metal vacancies, as well as Li/Ni mixing. LP-NCM after cycling exhibits nanopores rather than cracks of pristine NCM. Our investigations reveal that the lattice plainification design approach flattens and toughens up the crystal lattice, which contributes to robust structural stability and improves the structure degradation, mechanical failures, and gas release. Our findings underscore the importance of lattice engineering and demonstrate the potential of the lattice plainification strategy for designing high-performance cathodes.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Soft MatterPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1039/d5sm00406c
Sebastian Hendrickx-Rodriguez, Reinhold H Dauskardt
{"title":"How to flatten and microbuckle a rough surface with polymer films: biomechanical mechanisms underlying skin anti-wrinkle formulations.","authors":"Sebastian Hendrickx-Rodriguez, Reinhold H Dauskardt","doi":"10.1039/d5sm00406c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5sm00406c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human skin degrades with age, developing undesirable wrinkles and folds that many individuals prefer to conceal. In response, a market of anti-wrinkle formulations has emerged that claims to restore skin's youthful appearance. However, the biomechanical mechanisms behind this wrinkle reduction remain poorly understood due to the complex mechanics of multi-layer, furrowed structures. Using a combination of digital microscopy and thin-film mechanics techniques, we show that polymers contained in anti-wrinkle formulations form contracting films on the skin surface. This contraction leads to the appearance of fewer wrinkles in two synergistic ways. First, the amplitude of large wrinkles is reduced as the skin surface tries to match the polymer's reduction in length. Second, the skin-now in compression-microbuckles. These microbuckles diffusely reflect light, helping mask larger wrinkles. Using a simplified theoretical model, we explore how the mechanical properties of the skin and polymer alter both processes. By carefully selecting the chemical composition, novel anti-wrinkle formulations can control the amount of wrinkle reduction, while ensuring that the product remains comfortable throughout use.</p>","PeriodicalId":103,"journal":{"name":"Soft Matter","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
RSC AdvancesPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1039/D5RA03460D
Ngan Nguyen Le, Ngan Tuan Nguyen, Hoang Long Ngo, Thanh Tung Nguyen and Cong Chien Truong
{"title":"One-pot production of bio-based 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran: a review of heterogeneous catalytic approaches","authors":"Ngan Nguyen Le, Ngan Tuan Nguyen, Hoang Long Ngo, Thanh Tung Nguyen and Cong Chien Truong","doi":"10.1039/D5RA03460D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA03460D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The valorisation of biomass into value-added products plays an important role in the establishment of sustainable chemistry and a circular economy. Leveraged as renewable feedstocks, furfural (FF), 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF), carbohydrates, and lignocellulose can be transformed into bio-based 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) and 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (2,5-DMTHF) under specific conditions. This article presents a comprehensive discussion of the one-pot manufacture of renewable 2-MTHF and 2,5-DMTHF through the heterogeneous catalytic cascade of hydrodeoxygenation–hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation-transfer hydrogenation using H<small><sub>2</sub></small> and alcohols as green reductants. Particularly, this review provides a thorough understanding of catalyst design, reaction optimization, operation mode (batchwise <em>vs.</em> continuous flow), catalyst reusability, and mechanistic pathways to access the target products. Furthermore, an elaborate analysis of the outlook and constraints related to these straightforward and eco-friendly approaches is also presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":102,"journal":{"name":"RSC Advances","volume":" 32","pages":" 26537-26551"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/ra/d5ra03460d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144695679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}