Stephen Sunday Emmanuel, Charles Somtochukwu Nwankwo, Hamza Badamasi, Ademidun Adeola Adesibikan, Ebenezer Temiloluwa Abimbola, Olumide James Oluwole, Miracle Adeyeni Ajayi
{"title":"Recent advances in molecularly imprinted polymer-based nano-architecture as smart functional materials for photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater","authors":"Stephen Sunday Emmanuel, Charles Somtochukwu Nwankwo, Hamza Badamasi, Ademidun Adeola Adesibikan, Ebenezer Temiloluwa Abimbola, Olumide James Oluwole, Miracle Adeyeni Ajayi","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70163","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In search of advanced smart functional materials, molecularly imprinted polymer-based nano-architectures (MIPBNs) have emerged as promising candidates for various applications, including photocatalysis. Thus, this review focused on recent advances and emerging trends in the performance of MIPBNs for the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in both simulated and real effluents. Notably, the study findings revealed that MIPBNs achieve ≥80% degradation efficiency at pH ~4–11 and an average dose of 20–500 mg in 2.5–360 min. A dominant operational trend of •OH and •O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> was also observed. Additionally, the study shows that MIPBNs can be reused for 3–11 cycles while retaining over 75% of their original degradation efficiency and morphology. Recent advances include the application of Z-scheme heterojunction/metal-free MIPBNs like MIP/g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and incorporation of CQDs to boost redox potential, improve charge separation, reduce the rate of e−/h<sup>+</sup> recombination, and introduce more oxygen vacancies for enhanced radical generation and photocatalytic degradation activities. In addition, the use of natural sunlight for photocatalytic degradation operations and automatic in-situ photocatalytic regeneration is gaining popularity, reducing chemical consumption, saving energy usage, time, and costs. Overall, findings here indicate that MIPBNs have potential for real pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 4","pages":"529-544"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147686361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Weiwei Wang, Zhengyun Tian, Peifeng Chi, Guochen Li, Tejin Ba, Shuanglin Zhang, Li Kong
{"title":"An advanced nanocarrier-based drug delivery approach utilizing vancomycin-loaded cerium oxide nanoparticles with dual antibiotic and anti-inflammatory activities for the management of pulmonary-associated sepsis","authors":"Weiwei Wang, Zhengyun Tian, Peifeng Chi, Guochen Li, Tejin Ba, Shuanglin Zhang, Li Kong","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70161","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Pulmonary sepsis remains a major clinical challenge, requiring innovative therapeutic approaches for treating lung infection and inflammation. In this work, vancomycin-loaded cerium oxide nanoparticles (V-CeO<sub>2</sub>NPs) were fabricated and their potential for antimicrobial applications was analyzed. The physicochemical properties of V-CeO<sub>2</sub>NPs were confirmed by the formation of well-distributed cubic NPs. The in vitro analysis shows the efficiency of the drug by antibacterial activity and anti-biofilm assay. The V-CeO<sub>2</sub>NPs show strong antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 40 and 50 μg/mL, respectively. Cytoprotective efficacy was analyzed by inducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and flow cytometry assays. In addition, in vivo studies in an LPS-induced septic animal model confirm significant effects, largely attributed to modulation of inflammatory mediators. Overall, these findings suggest that the therapeutic potential of V-CeO<sub>2</sub>NPs represents a promising strategy for the treatment of pulmonary sepsis.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 4","pages":"645-660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147686789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Local structure and optical and zero field splitting of Mn2+ intoxicated Cd Cs2 (SO4)2·6H2O single crystals","authors":"Maroj Bharati, Vikram Singh, Ram Kripal","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70144","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Mn<sup>2+</sup> intoxicated Cd Cs<sub>2</sub> (SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O (CCS) single crystals' splitting parameters of zero field are computed utilizing the superposition model. The determined parameters match well with those obtained from EPR. The inference of EPR experiment that in CCS, the Mn<sup>2+</sup> ion takes the position of the Cd<sup>2+</sup> site is verified by theoretical study. The crystal's optical spectra are found by utilizing the crystal field parameters evaluated from the superposition model and crystal field analysis program. A fair match between the calculated and experimental band positions is noted. Therefore, the experimental findings are confirmed by the theoretical calculations.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"427-432"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147570011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cover: Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society 03/2026","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>Focus of the figure:</b> Modern Solid-State Lighting (SSL) and colour display systems rely on phosphor materials and specifically RE ion doped phosphors. This study report on the optimization in the preparation of Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: Sm<sup>3+</sup> (1 mol%) phosphor material by varied methods for orange-red LED applications. More information about this picture will be discussed by Dr. Balakrishna Avula and his co-workers on page 433–446 in this issue.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jccs.70178","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI) via para-toluene sulfonic acid doping on polypyrrole-coupled g-C3N4 nanosheet","authors":"Neda Seyedi, Zohreh Akbari Jonoush, Negin Nasseh, Farzaneh Fanaei, Moslem Azqandi, Neda Seyedi Marghaki","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70154","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The main goal of this study was to synthesize a two-step composite of para-toluene sulfonic acid-doped polypyrrole-coupled with g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheet (CNns/PPy). First, the g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheet was synthesized and then polymerized with para-toluene sulfonic acid-doped polypyrrole, and to utilize this photocatalyst for the reduction of chromium (VI) [Cr (VI)] to chromium (III) [Cr (III)] from an aqueous solution. To achieve this objective, the photocatalyst was examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The removal effectiveness of Cr (VI) reached 100% under optimal conditions, which included a pH of 3, a concentration of 10 mg/L (VI), and 1.0 g/L of CNns/PPy nanocomposite at ambient temperature for 60 min. The kinetic model was adjusted to the pseudo-first-order kinetics. In conclusion, the CNns/PPy photocatalyst, characterized by favorable physical and electrical conductivity attributes such as a high specific surface area and a reduced band gap energy, shows significant potential as an efficient photocatalyst for the reduction of Cr (VI) in water or wastewater.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"496-508"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147570197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rania Kara, Meriem Lakhdari, Ibtissem Nahar, Ikram Khemamil, Rahal Abdelghani
{"title":"Synthesis and characterization of SnO2 photocatalysts: Impacts of Al doping approach on structural, optical, and electrical properties","authors":"Rania Kara, Meriem Lakhdari, Ibtissem Nahar, Ikram Khemamil, Rahal Abdelghani","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70149","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Doped tin oxide (SnO<sub>2</sub>) thin films (Sn<sub>1−<i>x</i></sub>O<sub>2</sub>:Al<sub><i>x</i></sub> where <i>x</i> = 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6 at.%) were synthesized by electrochemical deposition method. The impact of Al doping on the structural, optical, electrical, and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized films was mainly investigated. The Mott Schottky analysis revealed the increase of the major charges density with the decrease of the space charge width by the inclusion of Al doping. X-ray diffraction results showed that the films possess tetragonal lattice structures. The intensities of the XRD peaks were increased with Al doping. UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometry analysis revealed that Sn<sub>1−<i>x</i></sub>O<sub>2</sub>:Al<sub><i>x</i></sub> films exhibited high transmittance reach up to 90% in the visible region. The optical bandgap gradually increased with higher Al doping concentration and lay within the range of 3.7 and 3.83 eV. Electrical characterization revealed that Al doping content enhanced the electrical conductivity of tin oxide films. The photodegradation rate increased to 94.7% by increasing the Al doping concentration.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"447-456"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultrasound-enhanced delivery of donepezil and poly (β-amino ester) nanoparticles via astrocyte-derived exosomes in promoting amyloid-β clearance and supporting neuronal regeneration","authors":"Xing Li, Baoan Di, Jindong Niu, Hongyan Hou","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70132","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study examined the combined therapeutic advantages of ultrasound-enhanced delivery of DPZ with astrocyte-derived exosomes (ADEs) loaded with poly (β-amino ester) (PBAE) nanoparticles (NPs) in an SH-SY5Y cell-based model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). PBAE-DPZ NPs were synthesized with excellent yield and later encapsulated into ADEs using electroporation to create stable nanocomposites with pH- and ultrasound-responsive drug release kinetics. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to Aβ42 led to significant upregulation of amyloidogenic genes (APP, BACE1) and downregulation of neuroprotective and regenerative genes (NEP, BDNF, GAP43, SOD1). These molecular alterations were associated with reduced cell viability, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and disrupted neurite extension. Administration of ADE-PBAE-DPZ nanocomposites effectively reversed these pathological changes. The therapeutic effects were further improved with co-treatment with focused ultrasound (FUS) as reflected by restoration of gene expression patterns, stimulation of Aβ clearance, improvement of cell viability, decrease in oxidative stress, and induction of neurite regeneration. FUS remarkably promoted exosome uptake, thus further increasing intracellular delivery of DPZ and improving overall efficacy. Additionally, the use of ADE-PBAE-DPZ and FUS independent of Aβ42 resulted in favorable results, suggesting a potential role for these treatments in preventive use. These outcomes further justified the potential application of ultrasound-assisted ADE-mediated delivery of PBAE-DPZ as a novel and efficient strategy for targeting key pathological features of AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"410-426"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A reactive molecular dynamic study on the decomposition mechanisms of TNT/1-nitronaphthalene cocrystal at high temperatures","authors":"Umair Afzal, Weihua Zhu","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70151","url":null,"abstract":"<p>ReaxFF/lg reactive molecular dynamics was used to study how the 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene/1-nitronaphthalene (TNT/1-NN) cocrystal breaks down at high temperatures from 2000 to 3500 K. It is found that the decomposition begins with the rapid breaking of the C–NO<sub>2</sub> bond in TNT, releasing NO<sub>2</sub> as the main initial species. As the reaction continues, the bonds shift and produce stable species, with H<sub>2</sub>O forming more at lower temperatures and H<sub>2</sub> forming more at higher temperatures. Arrhenius analysis confirmed that the decomposition reaction rates increase with the temperature, and the formation of NH<sub>3</sub> is the most sensitive to heat. Cluster analysis indicated that the decomposition results in carbon-rich residues due to the emission of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms from the carbon clusters. Our results may enhance the knowledge of cocrystal decomposition and provide the information for the development of safer and more stable cocrystal explosives in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"457-471"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Siyalo, L. Reddy, K. Sunil kumar, A. Balakrishna, K. Venkata Subba Reddy, H. C. Swart, S. Halindintwali
{"title":"Impact of different chemical techniques on the structural and photoluminescence properties of Zn4B6O13: Sm3+ phosphor","authors":"A. Siyalo, L. Reddy, K. Sunil kumar, A. Balakrishna, K. Venkata Subba Reddy, H. C. Swart, S. Halindintwali","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70145","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: Sm<sup>3+</sup> (1%) phosphors were synthesized using various methods, such as the sol–gel, combustion and solid-state reaction techniques. The study mainly focuses on a comparative study in achieving the best synthesis technique among them through structural and photoluminescence measurements. In this study, we aim to enhance the PL properties for Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: Sm<sup>3+</sup> phosphor materials via the appropriate synthesis route, which could be used as a benchmark for future researchers in solid-state lighting (SSL) systems. The XRD results showed that materials were formed in a cubic crystal structure in all synthesis routes, while the largest crystallite particle size was obtained through the solid-state method. FE-SEM findings revealed the dominance of hexagonal morphologies together with some irregularly shaped particles of the prepared samples. The UV–VIS measurements confirmed an increase in the bandgap of the Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: xSm<sup>3+</sup> (<i>x</i> = 0, 1 mol%) phosphor synthesized through the solid-state reaction method. The Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: xSm<sup>3+</sup> material prepared via the combustion method exhibited intense photoluminescence properties upon two different 228 and 352 nm excitation wavelengths. From the results, high-intensity orange-red colour emission at 618 nm, attributed to the <sup>4</sup>G<sub>5/2</sub> → <sup>6</sup>H<sub>9/2</sub> transition, with the shortest lifetime decay of about 244 ms, was observed using the combustion method. Optical and PL results of the Zn<sub>4</sub>B<sub>6</sub>O<sub>13</sub>: xSm<sup>3+</sup> (<i>x</i> = 0, 1 mol%) phosphor indicated that the synthesized phosphors could be promising candidates for various LED applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":"433-446"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preview: Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society 3/2026","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/jccs.70180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jccs.70180","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17262,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Chinese Chemical Society","volume":"73 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jccs.70180","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}