α- and ß-[Bmim][BiCl4 (2,2'-bpy)]: Two Polymorphic Bismuth-Containing Ionic Liquids with Crystallization-Induced Phosphorescence.

This work reports the syntheses, structures, and luminescence properties of two supramolecular polymorphic compounds composed of a hybrid bismuth(III) chloride anion and an imidazolium cation, namely α- (1) and ß- (2) [Bmim][BiCl4 (2,2'-bpy)] (Bmim=1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium; 2,2'-bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). They are the first two examples of Bi3+ -containing ionic liquids (ILs). Their different packing modes may be ascribed to the rotational flexibility of the butyl group on the [Bmim]+ cation. A comparative study of the weak intermolecular interactions present in the two polymorphs has been performed by Hirshfeld surface and two-dimensional fingerprint analyses. Investigations of the luminescence properties revealed that crystallization induced greenish-yellow phosphorescence with quantum yields of 26.07 % for 1 and 36.59 % for 2, which are among the highest hitherto reported for hybrid halobismuthate compounds. The difference in phosphorescence may be attributed to the different weak interactions in 1 and 2, especially π-π contacts. This work opens the way to further research on new types of polymorphism-dependent luminescent materials based on a combination of rotationally isomeric IL cations with organic decorated bismuth(III) chloride anions.

Ferroptosis-Related Genes in IgA Nephropathy: Screening for Potential Targets of the Mechanism.

Aims: Exploring key genes and potential molecular pathways of ferroptosis in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: The IgAN datasets and ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were obtained in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and FerrDb database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using R software and intersected with FRGs to obtain differentially expressed FRGs (DE-FRGs). After that, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis (PEA) and Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation were performed on DE-FRGs. In the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) website, we construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The PPI network was further investigated with screening hub genes with Cytoscape software. The core genes were then subjected to gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Finally, the samples were analyzed for immune infiltration in R, and the correlation between hub genes and immune cells was analyzed. Results: A total of 347 DEGs were identified. CD44, CDO1, CYBB, IL1B, RRM2, AKR1C1, activated transcription factor-3 (ATF3), CDKN1A, GDF15, JUN, MGST1, MIOX, MT1G, NR4A1, PDK4, TNFAIP3, and ZFP36 were determined as DE-FRGs. JUN, IL1B, and ATF3 were then screened as hub genes. GSEA and immune infiltration analysis revealed that the hub genes were closely associated with immune inflammatory responses such as NOD-like receptor signaling, IL-17 signaling, and TNF signaling. Conclusions: Our results show that JUN and ATF3 are possibly critical genes in the process of IgAN ferroptosis and may be related with immune cell infiltration.

Transient Metal Centers at the Covalent Heterointerface Favor Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Semiconductor heterostructures effectively promote the transfer and separation of interfacial photoinduced charges for the photocatalytic process. Herein, we constructed a direct Z-scheme SnSe2/CdS heterojunction photocatalyst. N-type SnSe2 semiconductors are suitable candidate materials for oxidation half-reactions in Z-scheme heterojunctions. The intimate atomic-level interfacial contact through Cd-Se bonds provides a better interfacial charge transport channel for the photoinduced charges. Moreover, the transient Sn4+/Sn0 centers caused by the photoredox process boost the interfacial charge transport/separation at the interface. Besides, the presence of S vacancies acting as electron enrichment centers further enhances the redox ability for hydrogen production. Therefore, the SnSe2/CdS heterostructure showed a superior visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity of 13.6 mmol·g-1·h-1 using ascorbic acid as a sacrificial agent, which is 9.7 times higher than that of pristine CdS. The apparent quantum yield reaches 10.5% at λ = 420 nm. This work provides a useful way to improve charge transfer in the Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for hydrogen production.

Bionic Polyurethane with a Reversible Core-Sheath for Real-Time On-Demand Performance Adjustment and Fluorescence Self-Reflection.

Smart materials that can respond to external stimuli have attracted considerable scientific interest and achieved fruitful results with the advancement of research. However, materials with adjustable performance and which could be intervened on-demand through stimulation are still rarely mentioned. Furthermore, most of these materials published so far usually require high temperature or the assistance of catalysts to change the structure and adjust their performance, and the process is always irreversible. Herein, we proposed an anthracene-functionalized novel polyurethane with adjustable performance and fluorescence self-reflection inspired by shellfish. Anthracene was used as a dynamic group to make the polymer chain structure topologically isomerize after UV exposure, finally constructing a reversible core-sheath in a homogeneous polymer. Moreover, this process is catalyst-free and has strong spatiotemporal controllability. The appearance of the reversible core-sheath structure could achieve the performance adjustment of materials, and the strength can be increased easily in real time and on-demand by UV light exposure. Through selective irradiation, spatial control stiffening of this material can also be realized. In addition, the performance can also be self-reflected through the fluorescence to realize the performance that is visualizable. This work dramatically simplifies the requirements and conditions for material performance adjustment while expanding the versatility and applications in intelligent materials such as artificial muscles, variably flexible electronic devices, heterogeneous materials, 4D printing, and what may be discovered in the future.

Two novel selenidostannates from mixed structure-directing systems: the large ten-membered ring of [Sn3Se4] semicubes and the 3D [Sn4Se9]n(2n-) with multi-channels.

Ionothermal syntheses, characterization and properties of two selenidostannate compounds with two- or three-dimensional (D) skeletons by utilizing the synergistic structure-directing effects of the ionic liquid (IL) [Bmmim]Cl (Bmmim = 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium) and in-situ generated metal-amine complexes (MACs), namely, 2D-(Bmmim)2[Ni(teta)(en)][Sn3Se7]2 (1, teta = triethylenetetramine, en = ethylenediamine) and 3D-(Bmmim)1.5(dienH)0.5Ni(dien)2[Sn4Se9]2 (2, dien = diethylenetriamine) are presented. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that compound 1 possesses a lamellar anionic [Sn3Se7]n(2n-) structure comprising a large ten-membered ring with a window size of 24.85 × 13.38 Å when considering the [Sn3Se4] semicube as a member. While 2 features a 3D [Sn4Se9]n(2n-) framework with orthogonally intersecting channels where the three different types of cations are filled. The successful isolation of these two compounds demonstrated again that the mixed SDA strategy is promising for the synthesis of novel crystalline selenidostannates.