Highly Conjugated Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient Iodine Uptake.

Radioactive iodine in nuclear waste would be harmful to nature and human health. The design of adsorbents for iodine capture with high efficiency still remains a challenge. Herein, two highly conjugated two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (TFPB-BPTA-COF and TFPB-PyTTA-COF) have been successfully constructed. Both COFs possess high porosity, stability, and a high π-conjugated framework. Impressively, TFPB-PyTTA-COF exhibits an excellent iodine uptake value of up to 5.6 g g-1 , which is superior to most reported COF-based adsorbents for iodine capture.

Synthesis of Sulfonated Porous Organic Polymers with a Hydrophobic Core for Efficient Acidic Catalysis in Organic Transformations.

Synthesis of sulfonated porous polymers with improved hydrophobicity and stability is of extreme importance in both academic research and industrial applications. However, there is often a trade-off between acidity and surface hydrophobicity of sulfonated polymers. In this study, we report a strategy for the synthesis of sulfonated porous organic polymers (S-PT) with improved hydrophobicity via free radical polymerization method by using a rigid and large multidentate monomer, 1,3,5-tri(4-vinylphenyl)-benzene, having a hydrophobic core. The results of vapor adsorption measurement show that S-PT has more hydrophobic properties than sulfonated poly(divinylbenzene) (S-PD), attributed to the hydrophobic core of its multidentate monomer. Furthermore, the optimization of sulfonation time established a balance between surface acidity and hydrophobicity. Under optimized conditions, S-PT afforded up to 113 mmol g-1 h-1 TOF in the esterification of oleic acid with methanol, more active than commercial Amberlyst-15 with TOF of 15 mmol g-1 h-1 and Nafion NR50 with TOF of 7 mmol g-1 h-1 . We believe that the findings of this study will provide useful insights to advance the design and synthesis of solid acid catalysts for organic transformations.

Green and facile synthesis of an Au nanoparticles@polyoxometalate/ordered mesoporous carbon tri-component nanocomposite and its electrochemical applications.

The one-pot synthesis of a well-defined Au nanoparticles@polyoxometalates/ordered mesoporous carbon (Au@POMs/OMC) tri-component nanocomposite is reported, which is facile, green and rapid. The polyoxometalates were used as both reductant and bridging molecules. The formation of these composite materials was verified by a comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The novel nanohybrids of Au@POMs/OMC can provide new features of electrocatalytic activities, because of the synergetic effects of Au nanoparticles and OMC materials. Most importantly, the amperometric measurements show that the Au@POMs/OMC nanohybrids have a high catalytic activity with a good sensitivity, long-term stability, wide linear range, low detection limit, and fast response towards acetaminophenol, H2O2, and NADH detection for application as an enzyme-free biosensor.