Preparation,Characterization, and Application of L‐Cysteine Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as a Selective Sorbent for Separation and Preconcentration of Heavy Metals

L ‐cysteine functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs‐cysteine) are synthesized and characterized by XPS, FT‐IR, XRD, and TEM. The capability of MWCNTs‐cysteine for selective separation and preconcentration of heavy metal ions are statically and dynamically evaluated with Cd²⁺ as a model heavy metal ion. Unlike MWCNTs, the sorption of Cd²⁺ onto MWCNTs‐cysteine is not influenced by ionic strength in a wide range. The MWCNTs‐cysteine is demonstrated to be good column packings for on‐line microcolumn separation and preconcentration of Cd²⁺. Effective preconcentration of Cd²⁺ on the MWCNTs‐cysteine packed microcolumn is achieved in a pH range of 5.5 to 8.0. The retained Cd²⁺ is efficiently eluted with 0.5 mol L^?1 HCl for on‐line flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The MWCNTs‐cysteine exhibit fairly fast kinetics for the adsorption of Cd²⁺, and offer up to 1600‐fold improvement of the tolerable concentrations of co‐existing metal ions over the MWCNTs for on‐line solid‐phase extraction of Cd²⁺. With a preconcentration time of 60 s at a sample loading flow rate of 5.0 mL min^?1, an enhancement factor of 33 and a sample throughput of 36 h^?1 along with a detection limit (3s) of 0.28 µg L^?1 are obtained. The precision (RSD) for 11 replicate measurements is 1.6% at the 10 µg L^?1 level. The developed method using the MWCNTs‐cysteine as sorbent is successfully applied to determination of trace cadmium in a variety of biological and environmental materials.     

A Nanoselenium Sponge for Instantaneous Mercury Removal to Undetectable Levels

Selective removal of aqueous mercury to levels below 10 ng L^?1 or part per trillion remains an elusive goal for public health and environmental agencies. Here, it is shown that a low‐cost nanocomposite sponge prepared by growing selenium (Se) nanomaterials on the surface and throughout the bulk of a polyurethane sponge exhibits a record breaking‐mercury ion (Hg²⁺) removal rate, regardless of the pH. The exposure of aqueous solutions containing 10 mg L^?1–12 ng L^?1 Hg²⁺ to the sponge for a few seconds results in clean water with undetectable mercury levels (detection limit: 0.2 ng L^?1). Such performance is far below the acceptable limits in drinking water (2 µg L^?1), industrial effluents (0.2 µg L^?1), and the most stringent surface water quality standards (1.3 ng L^?1). The sponge shows a unique preference for Hg, does not retain water nutrients, and can significantly reduce the concentration of other heavy metal pollutants. Furthermore, the sponge shows no cytotoxic effect on human cells while exhibiting strong antimicrobial properties. The high affinity of Hg for Se results in irreversible sequestration and detoxification of mercury by the sponge, confirming the suitability for landfill disposal.     

A Universal,Label‐Free,and Sensitive Optical Enzyme‐Sensing System for Nuclease and Methyltransferase Activity Based on Light Scattering of Carbon Nanotubes

A label‐free, enzyme‐responsive nanosystem that uses a DNA/single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) assembly as the substrate is demonstrated for the sensitive, universal detection of restriction and nonrestriction endonucleases as well as methyltransferases in a homogeneous solution on the basis of light scattering (LS) of carbon nanotubes. This protocol is based on the different binding affinities of SWNTs to single‐ and double‐stranded DNA. This difference can lead to different LS signals that can be used for the detection of nuclease cleavage activity. The assay only requires a label‐free oligonucleotide probe, significantly reducing the typical cost. The LS technique and the use of a nuclease‐specific oligonucleotide probe impart extraordinarily high sensitivity and selectivity. This light scattering assay is universal and label‐free with a detection limit of 5 × 10^?6 U μL^?1 for S1 nuclease, 1 × 10^?4 U μL^?1 for EcoRI endonuclease, and 1 × 10^?2 U μL^?1 for EcoRI methylase. In principle, this assay can be used to detect any kind of nuclease by simply changing the DNA sequences of the specific probe.     

Ultrathin Highly Luminescent Two‐Monolayer Colloidal CdSe Nanoplatelets

Surface effects in atomically flat colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets (NLPs) are significantly and increasingly important with their thickness being reduced to subnanometer level, generating strong surface related deep trap photoluminescence emission alongside the bandedge emission. Herein, colloidal synthesis of highly luminescent two‐monolayer (2ML) CdSe NPLs and a systematic investigation of carrier dynamics in these NPLs exhibiting broad photoluminescence emission covering the visible region with quantum yields reaching 90% in solution and 85% in a polymer matrix is shown. The astonishingly efficient Stokes‐shifted broadband photoluminescence (PL) emission with a lifetime of ≈100 ns and the extremely short PL lifetime of around 0.16 ns at the bandedge signify the participation of radiative midgap surface centers in the recombination process associated with the underpassivated Se sites. Also, a proof‐of‐concept hybrid LED employing 2ML CdSe NPLs is developed as color converters, which exhibits luminous efficacy reaching 300 lm W_opt^?1. The intrinsic absorption of the 2ML CdSe NPLs (≈2.15 × 10⁶ cm^?1) reported in this study is significantly larger than that of CdSe quantum dots (≈2.8 × 10⁵ cm^?1) at their first exciton signifying the presence of giant oscillator strength and hence making them favorable candidates for next‐generation light‐emitting and light‐harvesting applications.     

Functionalized Cubic Mesoporous Silica as a Non‐Chemodosimetric Fluorescence Probe and Adsorbent for Selective Detection and Removal of Bisulfite Anions along with Toxic Metal Ions

Dual signaling and remediation systems for detection and adsorption of toxic analytes have gained more attention over sensory probes only. However, most of the sensors for bisulfites are chemodosimetric probes, which are irreversible and having drawbacks of absolute selectivity, recyclability, and solubility in a pure aqueous system. To address above drawbacks a new non‐chemodosimetric probe material with a strong hydrogen bonding pocket for bisulfites is developed. Synthesis of cubic mesoporous silica by a modified Stober process followed by functionalization with 2,2′‐(((((3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl)azanediyl)bis(methylene))bis(2,1‐phenylene))bis(oxy))bis(N‐(4‐((E)‐phenyldiazenyl)phenyl)acetamide) (AZOL) has given a fluorogenic silica probe material SiO₂@AZOL. This material shows selectivity toward bisulfite anion (limit of detection (LOD): 64 ppb) and Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ cations (LOD: 126, 95, 14, and 27 ppb, respectively) among various analytes. The adsorption studies for these toxic analytes (HSO₃ ^?, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) show an extraction efficiency of around 99% and adsorption capacities of 873, 630, 633, 260, and 412 mg g^?1, respectively. Spectroscopic studies along with adsorption, striping, and regeneration studies reveal that this material is a recyclable sensory cum adsorbent material for these toxic analytes. Moreover, this material can be used as a sensitive probe material for determination of HSO₃ ^? levels in various sugar samples.     

Optical Sensor Based on Nanomaterial for the Selective Detection of Toxic Metal Ions

A heterogeneous “naked‐eye” colorimetric and spectrophotometric cation sensor, SNT‐ 1 , was prepared by immobilization of the azo‐coupled macrocyclic receptor 1 on a silica nanotube (SNT) via sol–gel reaction. The optical sensing ability of SNT‐ 1 was studied by addition of metal ions such as Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ (all as nitrates) in water. Upon the addition of Hg²⁺ in suspension SNT‐ 1 resulted in a color change from yellow to violet. This is novel rare example for chromogenic sensing of a specific metal ion by inorganic nanotubes. On the other hand, no significant changes in color were observed in the parallel experiments with Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ag⁺. These findings confirm that SNT‐ 1 can be useful as chemosensors for selective detection of Hg²⁺ over a range of metal ions. More interestingly, after addition of NO₃^– and ClO₄^– SNT‐ 1 was observed to change color from yellow to violet and pink, respectively. However, no color changes were observed upon addition of Cl^–, Br^–, I^–, SCN^–, or SO₄^2–. Furthermore, the extraction ability of SNT‐ 1 was also estimated by measuring the amount of Hg²⁺ adsorbed by ion chromatography, showing that 95 % of the Hg²⁺ ion is extracted by SNT‐ 1 . This suggests that SNT‐ 1 is potentially useful as a stationary phase for the separation of Hg²⁺ in liquid chromatography. In order to extend the above performance to a portable chemosensor kit, SNT‐ 1 was coated as a thin film of 50 μm thickness onto a glass substrate. The supported SNT‐ 1 also changed from yellow to violet when dipped into Hg²⁺ solution. On the other hand, no significant change in color was observed in other metal‐ion solutions. The results imply that the supported SNT‐ 1 is applicable as a portable colorimetric sensor for detection of Hg²⁺ in the field.     

A Simple and Innovative Route to Prepare a Novel Carbon Nanotube/Prussian Blue Electrode and its Utilization as a Highly Sensitive H2O2 Amperometric Sensor

The utilization of iron‐based species (mainly metallic iron, hematite and magnetite) encapsulated into multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reactants in an electrochemical synthesis is reported for the first time in this work. Prussian blue (PB) is electrosynthesized in a heterogeneous reaction between ferricyanide ions in aqueous solution and the iron‐species encapsulated into CNTs, resulting in novel CNT/PB paste electrodes. This innovative preparation route produces an intimate contact between the PB and the CNTs, which improves the stability and redox properties of PB. The PB formation and the chemical interaction between the PB and the CNTs are confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The electrode is employed as a hydrogen peroxide amperometric sensor, resulting in a very low limit of detection (1.94 × 10^?8 mol L^?1) and very high sensitivity (15.3 A cm^?2 M ^?1).     

Ultrasensitive Detection of a Variety of Analytical Targets Based on a Functionalized Low‐Resistance AuNPs/β‐Ni(OH)2 Nanosheets/Ni Foam Sensing Platform

Simple, low‐cost and yet accurate, sensitive, and quantitative detection of a broad range of analytical targets by means of small footprint sensing devices has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring. This work demonstrates a functional nucleic acids (FNAs) tethered AuNPs/β‐Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets (NS)/Ni foam nanocomposite as a miniaturized electrode. Through the rational design of a low‐barrier ohmic contact of AuNPs to β‐Ni(OH)₂ NS and a target mediated nanochannel electron transfer effect, a variety of analytical targets, ranging from a disease marker (thrombin, 16.3 × 10^?12 m detection limit) to an important biological cofactor (adenosine, 3.2 × 10^?12 m detection limit), and to a toxic metal ion (Hg²⁺, 3.1 × 10^?12 m detection limit), are detected with ultrasensitivity. The presence of target triggers the conformational change of FNAs, introducing strong steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion to the diffusion of electron indicators toward the electrode surface, ultimately leading to the changes in impedance. A novel equivalent circuit considering the capacitive reactance is proposed to describe the 2D NS‐based impedance DNA bioelectrode. This sensing platform is easily applicable to the detection of many other targets in diverse sample matrices through the use of other suitable FNAs materials.     

Thermo‐Switchable Charge Transport and Electrocatalysis Using Metal‐Ion‐Modified pNIPAM‐Functionalized Electrodes

Metal ions (Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺) are incorporated into an electropolymerized, poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide), pNIPAM, thermosensitive polymer associated with an electrode using the “breathing‐in” method. The ion‐functionalized pNIPAM matrices reveal ion‐dependent gel‐to‐solid phase‐transition temperatures (28 ± 1 °C, 25 ± 1 °C, 40 ± 1 °C for the Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺‐modified pNIPAM, respectively). Furthermore, the ion‐functionalized polymers exhibit quasi‐reversible redox properties, and the ions are reduced to the respective Ag⁰, Cu⁰, and Hg⁰ nanocluster‐modified polymers. The metal‐nanocluster‐functionalized pNIPAM matrices enhance the electron transfer (they exhibit lower electron‐transfer resistances) in the compacted states. The electron‐transfer resistances of the metal‐nanocluster‐modified pNIPAM can be cycled between low and high values by temperature‐induced switching of the polymer between its contracted solid and expanded gel states, respectively. The enhanced electron‐transfer properties of the metal nanocluster‐functionalized polymer are attributed to the contacting of the metal nanoclusters in the contracted state of the polymers. This temperature‐switchable electron transfer across a Ag⁰‐modified pNIPAM was implemented to design a thermo‐switchable electrocatalytic process (the temperature‐switchable electrocatalyzed reduction of H₂O₂ by Ag⁰‐pNIPAM).     

Remarkable Acid Stability of Polypyrrole‐MoS4: A Highly Selective and Efficient Scavenger of Heavy Metals Over a Wide pH Range

The new material polypyrrole/MoS₄^2?(MoS₄‐Ppy), prepared by ion‐exchange of NO₃‐ of NO₃‐Ppy with MoS₄^2?, displays high acid stability and excellent uptake for heavy metal ions such as Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺. The different maximum adsorption capacities (q_m) for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Ag⁺ depend on the various binding modes arising from the different thiophilicity of these metal ions. The removals of Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ reach >99.6% within 5 min, and for highly toxic Hg²⁺, >98% removal achieves at 1 min. At strong acid limit, the exceptional q_m(Ag⁺) of 725 mg g^?1 places the MoS₄‐Ppy at the top of materials for such removal. Uptake kinetics of Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ is extremely fast: >99.9% removal rates at wide pH range (0.5–6) within 1–5 min. Also, at strongly acidic conditions (pH ≈ 1), for highly toxic Hg²⁺, <2 ppb concentration can be achieved, accepted as safe limit. The MoS₄‐Ppy demonstrates an outstanding ability to separate low‐concentrated Ag⁺ from high concentrated Cu²⁺ especially under strong acidic conditions (pH ≈ 1), showing a large separation factor SF_Ag/Cu (K_d^Ag/K_d^Cu) of 10⁵ (>100). MoS₄‐Ppy is a superior and novel sorbent material for water remediation applications as well as precious metals recovery.     

Tailoring Amino‐Functionalized Graphitic Carbon‐Encapsulated Gold Core/Shell Nanostructures for the Sensitive and Selective Detection of Copper Ions

The effective transfer of strong electromagnetic field from the gold core through the coating shell represents the most significant challenge for the applications of plasmonic nanoparticles. This study applies a one‐step arc discharge method to synthesize graphitic carbon‐encapsulated gold nanoparticles (Au@G NPs) functionalized with amino groups uniformly via adding NH₃ into He background gas. By tailoring the coating shell into few‐layered graphene, a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band is achieved. The NH₃ introduces H radicals to strengthen the LSPR characteristic by etching the coating graphitic shell, as well as provides dissociated NH or NH₂ species to functionalize the surfaces with amino groups. With an LSPR‐based colorimetric method, it is demonstrated that trace Cu²⁺ ions can be detected rapidly with excellent sensitivity (as low as 10 × 10^‐9m linearly) and selectivity against other metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions) by amino‐functionalized Au@G NPs in water samples.     

Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Material Used for Detection and Adsorption of Cu2+ in Aqueous Solution and Biological Applications in vitro and in vivo

An inorganic–organic silica material (SBA–P2), prepared by immobilization of the 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based receptor P2 within the channels of the mesoporous silica material SBA‐15, is characterized by transmission electron microscopy and several spectroscopic methods. SBA–P2 features a high affinity Cu²⁺‐specific fluorescence response in aqueous solution with a detection limit for Cu²⁺ of ca. 0.65 ppb (10 × 10^?9 M ) under optimized conditions. It can extract Cu²⁺ from the solution with only trace amounts remaining. Through isolating of the toxic ions within the mesopores of the silica, SBA–P2 has the potential to work as a toxicide for Cu²⁺ in living systems. The fluorogenical responses are reversible and do not vary over a broad (4.0 to 9.0) pH range suitable for application under physiological conditions. The fluorescence responses of Cu²⁺ in vitro (human breast cancer cells) and in vivo (five‐day‐old zebrafish) demonstrate the possibility of further application in biology.     

Bithienopyrroledione‐Based Copolymers,Versatile Semiconductors for Balanced Ambipolar Thin‐Film Transistors and Organic Solar Cells with V oc > 1 V

Conjugated polymer semiconductors P1 and P2 with bithienopyrroledione (bi‐TPD) as acceptor unit are synthesized. Their transistor and photovoltaic performances are investigated. Both polymers display high and balanced ambipolar transport behaviors in thin‐film transistors. P1‐ based devices show an electron mobility of 1.02 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and a hole mobility of 0.33 cm² V^?1 s^?1, one of the highest performance reported for ambipolar polymer transistors. The electron and hole mobilities of P2 transistors are 0.36 and 0.16 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively. The solar cells with PC₇₁BM as the electron acceptor and P1/P2 as the donor exhibit a high V _oc about 1.0 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 6.46% is observed for P1‐ based devices without any additives and/or post treatment. The high performance of P1 and P2 is attributed to their crystalline films and short π–π stacking distance (<3.5 Å). These results demonstrate (1) bi‐TPD is an excellent versatile electron‐deficient unit for polymer semiconductors and (2) bi‐TPD‐based polymer semiconductors have potential applications in organic transistors and organic solar cells.     

Inversion of Dominant Polarity in Ambipolar Polydiketopyrrolopyrrole with Thermally Removable Groups

A narrow bandgap polymeric semiconductor, BOC‐PTDPP , comprising alkyl substituted diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and tert‐butoxycarbonyl (t‐BOC)‐protected DPP, is synthesized and used in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). The polymer films are prepared by solution deposition and thermal annealing of precursors featuring thermally labile t‐BOC groups. The effects of the thermal cleavage on the molecular packing structure in the polymer thin films are investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV‐vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Upon utilization of solution‐shearing process, integrating the ambipolar BOC‐PTDPP into transistors shows p‐channel dominant characteristics, resulting in hole and electron mobilities as high as 1.32 × 10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and 2.63 × 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1, which are about one order of magnitude higher than those of the drop‐cast films. Very intriguingly, the dominant polarity of charge carriers changes from positive to negative after the thermal cleavage of t‐BOC groups at 200 °C. The solution‐sheared films upon subsequent thermal treatment show superior electron mobility (μ_e = 4.60 × 10^?2 cm² V^?1 s^?1), while the hole mobility decreases by one order of magnitude (μ_h = 4.30 × 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1). The inverter constructed with the combination of two identical ambipolar OFETs exhibits a gain of ～10. Reported here for the first time is a viable approach to selectively tune dominant polarity of charge carriers in solution‐processed ambipolar OFETs, which highlights the electronically tunable ambipolarity of thermocleavable polymer by simple thermal treatment.     

Tuning and Enhancing Photoluminescence of Light‐Emitting Polymer Nanotubes through Electron‐Beam Irradiation

A new method for the tuning and enhancing photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of light emitting poly (3‐methylthiopnehe) (P3MT) nanotubes through E‐beam irradiation under atmospheric environments is reported. An E‐beam generated from a linear electron accelerator (1 MeV, 1.6 × 10¹³–8.0 × 10¹⁶ electrons cm^–2) is irradiated onto P3MT nanotubes including an Al₂O₃ template. From laser confocal microscope (LCM) PL experiments, significant enhancements in the PL intensity—up to about 90 times of an isolated single strand of the E‐beam irradiated P3MT nanotubes—are observed. The luminescent color of the P3MT nanotubes changes from green to red color depending on the variation of E‐beam dosage. These results might originate from the de‐doping effect and the conformational modification through E‐beam irradiations. Conformational changes of the E‐beam irradiated P3MT nanotubes are confirmed by LCM single Raman and ultraviolet‐visible (UV/Vis) absorption spectra. From UV/Vis absorption spectra, it is observed that the π–π* transition peak and the doping induced bipolaron peaks of the P3MT nanotubes dramatically vary with E‐beam irradiating conditions.     

Porous Cu(I) Triazolate Framework and Derived Hybrid Membrane with Exceptionally High Sensing Efficiency for Gaseous Oxygen

Phosphorescent complexes of precious metal ions are widely studied as optical sensing materials for molecular oxygen. Combining the advantages of luminescent complexes and porous matrixes, porous coordination polymers show great potential for oxygen‐sensing, although their sensitivity, requirement of precious metal, and device fabrication remain challenging issues. In this work, the photoluminescence and oxygen‐sensing properties of the porous Cu(I) triazolate framework [Cu(detz)] (MAF‐2, Hdetz = 3,5‐diethyl‐1,2,4‐trizole) is studied in detail, which shows high chemical stability in moisture and water, very long phosphorescent lifetime (116 μs) and large Stokes shift (14 562 cm^?1), as well as considerable oxygen permeability (1.7 × 10^?11 mol cm^?1 s^?1 bar^?1) at ambient conditions, giving rise to exceptionally high luminescence quenching efficiency of 99.7% at 1 bar O₂ (I ₀/I ₁₀₀ = 356) with a perfectly linear Stern‐Volmer plot (K _SV = 356 bar^?1, R ² = 0.9998), fast response and good reversibility. Further, a counter‐diffusion crystal‐growth method was developed to fabricate MAF‐2 thin films protected by silicone rubbers as the first example of soft membrane oxygen sensor based on coordination polymer or metal‐organic framework, which exhibited extraordinary oxygen‐sensing performance (limit of detection = 0.047 mbar) and outstanding mechanical property, as well as outstanding chemical stability even in an acidic atmosphere.     

New Solution‐Processable Electron Transport Materials for Highly Efficient Blue Phosphorescent OLEDs

Several new solution‐processable organic semiconductors based on dendritic oligoquinolines were synthesized and were used as electron‐transport and hole‐blocking materials to realize highly efficient blue phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). Various substitutions on the quinoline rings while keeping the central meta‐linked tris(quinolin‐2‐yl)benzene gave electron transport materials that combined wide energy gap (>3.3 eV), moderate electron affinity (2.55‐2.8 eV), and deep HOMO energy level (<‐6.08 eV) with electron mobility as high as 3.3 × 10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Polymer‐based PhOLEDs with iridium (III) bis(4,6‐(di‐fluorophenyl)pyridinato‐N,C^2′)picolinate (FIrpic) blue triplet emitter and solution‐processed oligoquinolines as the electron‐transport layers (ETLs) gave luminous efficiency of 30.5 cd A^?1 at a brightness of 4130 cd m^?2 with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 16.0%. Blue PhOLEDs incorporating solution‐deposited ETLs were over two‐fold more efficient than those containing vacuum‐deposited ETLs. Atomic force microscopy imaging shows that the solution‐deposited oligoquinoline ETLs formed vertically oriented nanopillars and rough surfaces that enable good ETL/cathode contacts, eliminating the need for cathode interfacial materials (LiF, CsF). These solution‐processed blue PhOLEDs have the highest performance observed to date in polymer‐based blue PhOLEDs.     

H2xMnxSn3‐xS6 (x = 0.11–0.25): A Novel Reusable Sorbent for Highly Specific Mercury Capture Under Extreme pH Conditions

The H_2xMn_xSn_3‐xS₆ (x = 0.11–0.25) is a new solid acid with a layered hydrogen metal sulfide (LHMS). It derives from K_2xMn_xSn_3–xS₆ (x = 0.5–0.95) (KMS‐1) upon treating it with highly acidic solutions. We demonstrate that LHMS‐1 has enormous affinity for the very soft metal ions such as Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ which occurs via a rapid ion exchange process. The tremendous affinity of LHMS‐1 for Hg²⁺ is reflected in very high distribution coefficient K_d^Hg values (>10⁶ mL g^?1). The large affinity and selectivity of LHMS‐1 for Hg²⁺ persists in a very wide pH range (from less than zero to nine) and even in the presence of highly concentrated HCl and HNO₃ acids. LHMS‐1 is significantly more selective for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ than for the less soft cations Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The Hg²⁺ ions are immobilized in octahedral sites between the sulfide layers of the materials via Hg–S bonds as suggested by pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. LHMS‐1 could decrease trace concentrations of Hg²⁺ (e.g. <100 ppb) to well below the acceptable limits for the drinking water in less than two min. Hg‐laden LHMS‐1 shows a remarkable hydrothermal stability and resistance in 6 M HCl solutions. LHMS‐1 could be regenerated by treating Hg‐loaded samples with 12 M HCl and re‐used without loss of its initial exchange capacity.     

Solution‐Processed Highly Efficient Alternating Current‐Driven Field‐Induced Polymer Electroluminescent Devices Employing High‐k Relaxor Ferroelectric Polymer Dielectric

Organic thin‐film electroluminescent (EL) devices, such as organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), typically operate using constant voltage or direct current (DC) power sources. Such approaches require power converters (introducing power losses) and make devices sensitive to dimensional variations that lead to run away currents at imperfections. Devices driven by time‐dependent voltages or alternating current (AC) may offer an alternative to standard OLED technologies. However, very little is known about how this might translate into overall performance of such devices. Here, a solution‐processed route to creating highly efficient AC field‐induced polymer EL (FIPEL) devices is demonstrated. Such solution‐processed FIPEL devices show maximum luminance, current efficiency, and power efficiency of 3000 cd m^?2, 15.8 cd A^?1, and 3.1 lm W^?1 for blue emission, 13 800 cd m^?2, 76.4 cd A^?1, and 17.1 lm W^?1 for green emission, and 1600 cd m^?2, 8.8 cd A^?1, and 1.8 lm W^?1 for orange‐red emission. The high luminance and efficiency, and solution process pave the way to industrial roll‐to‐roll manufacturing of solid state lighting and display.     

Rising Mesopores to Realize Direct Electrochemistry of Glucose Oxidase toward Highly Sensitive Detection of Glucose

Direct electrochemistry, a direct electron transfer process between enzymes and electrode possesses, has important fundamental significance in bioelectrochemistry while offering very efficient electrocatalysis for enzyme‐based sensors. Herein, the pore structure of bacterial cellulose porous carbon nanofibers (BPCNFs) is tailored by controlled thermal carbonization. It is discovered that rising mesopores can realize a fast direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOx) for highly sensitive detection of glucose, achieving a sensitivity of 123.28 µA mmol L^?1 cm^?2 and a detection limit of 0.023 µmol L^?1. The enhancement mechanism for the mesopores is ascribed to the most adequate mesopores of BPCNF₉₀₀, which offer size‐matched “nests” to trap GOx for intimate contacts with the conductive carbon nanofiber enabling fast direct electrochemistry. In addition, with the BPCNF₉₀₀ sensing platform, the mechanisms for GOx‐direct‐electrochemistry‐catalyzed glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction are systematically investigated to further clarify the confusions of glucose sensing in air and N₂‐saturated solutions. This work demonstrates fundamental insights for the direct electrochemistry enabled by rationally designing a pore structure matching the target proteins, thus possessing universal significance in protein‐based electrochemical devices while offering a facile route to fabricate a highly sensitive glucose sensor for practical clinic diagnosis.