Parijat Borah

A Vanadyl Complex Grafted to Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica: A Green Catalyst for Selective Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol

Selective benzene hydroxylation: A periodic mesoporous organosilica embedded with a vanadyl(IV) acetylacetonate complex has been synthesized through a co-condensation method. This system is a catalyst for direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol, presenting a selectivity of 100 % towards the phenol formation as well as an excellent catalytic recyclability (see scheme).

Near-Infrared Squaraine Dye Encapsulated Micelles for in Vivo Fluorescence and Photoacoustic Bimodal Imaging

Combined near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging techniques present promising capabilities for noninvasive visualization of biological structures. Development of bimodal noninvasive optical imaging approaches by combining NIR fluorescence and photoacoustic tomography demands suitable NIR-active exogenous contrast agents. If the aggregation and photobleaching are prevented, squaraine dyes are ideal candidates for fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. Herein, we report rational selection, preparation, and micelle encapsulation of an NIR-absorbing squaraine dye (D1) for in vivo fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging. D1 was encapsulated inside micelles constructed from a biocompatible nonionic surfactant (Pluoronic F-127) to obtain D1-encapsulated micelles (D1(micelle)) in aqueous conditions. The micelle encapsulation retains both the photophysical features and chemical stability of D1. D1(micelle) exhibits high photostability and low cytotoxicity in biological conditions. Unique properties of D1(micelle) in the NIR window of 800-900 nm enable the development of a squaraine-based exogenous contrast agent for fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging above 820 nm. In vivo imaging using D1(micelle), as demonstrated by fluorescence and photoacoustic tomography experiments in live mice, shows contrast-enhanced deep tissue imaging capability. The usage of D1(micelle) proven by preclinical experiments in rodents reveals its excellent applicability for NIR fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging.

Functional Silica Nanoparticles for Redox-Triggered Drug/ssDNA Co-delivery

A mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) based co-delivery system is developed in order to deliver simultaneously drug and single strand DNA (ssDNA) in a controlled manner. Negatively charged ssDNA as a model gene is immobilized onto the surface of positively charged ammonium-functionalized MSNPs through electrostatic interaction, effectively blocking the loaded drugs within the mesopores of MSNPs. When the pre-installed disulfide bond on the ammonium unit is broken by the addition of the reducing agent such as dithiothreitol or glutathione, the ssDNA network on the surface is freed, leading to the release of the loaded drug molecules from the mesopores. The cell investigations indicate that the functional nanoparticles have a very low cytotoxicity under the concentrations measured. The doxorubicin-loaded and ssDNA-coated nanoparticles show an enhanced cellular internalization, leading to a successful drug/ssDNA co-delivery in vitro for significant apoptosis of Hela cancer cells as compared with that of free doxorubicin. The obtained experimental results indicate promising applications of the functional nanoparticles in cancer treatment.

Size-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Palladium Nanoparticles Fabricated in Porous Organic Polymers for Alkene Hydrogenation at Room Temperature

Ultrafine palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) with 8 and 3 nm sizes were effectively fabricated in triazine functionalized porous organic polymer (POP) TRIA that was developed by nonaqueous polymerization of 2,4,6-triallyoxy-1,3,5-triazine. The Pd NPs encapsulated POP (Pd-POP) was fully characterized using several techniques. Further studies revealed an excellent capability of Pd-POP for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of alkenes at room temperature with superior catalytic performance and high selectivity of desired products. Highly flammable H2 gas balloon at high pressure and temperature used in conventional hydrogenation reactions was not needed in the present synthetic system. Catalytic activity is strongly dependent on the size of encapsulated Pd NPs in the POP. The Pd-POP catalyst with Pd NPs of 8 nm in diameter exhibited higher catalytic activity for alkene hydrogenation as compared with the Pd-POP catalyst encapsulating 3 nm Pd NPs. Computational studies were undertaken to gain insights into different catalytic activities of these two Pd-POP catalysts. High reusability and stability as well as no Pd leaching of these Pd-POP catalysts make them highly applicable for hydrogenation reactions at room temperature.

Fabrication of Ruthenium Nanoparticles in Porous Organic Polymers: Towards Advanced Heterogeneous Catalytic Nanoreactors.

A novel strategy has been adopted for the construction of a copolymer of benzene-benzylamine-1 (BBA-1), which is a porous organic polymer (POP) with a high BET surface area, through Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzylamine and benzene by using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal as a cross-linker and anhydrous FeCl3 as a promoter. Ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) were successfully distributed in the interior cavities of polymers through NaBH4, ethylene glycol, and hydrothermal reduction routes, which delivered Ru-A, Ru-B, and Ru-C materials, respectively, and avoided aggregation of metal NPs. Homogeneous dispersion, the nanoconfinement effect of the polymer, and the oxidation state of Ru NPs were verified by employing TEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, cross polarization magic-angle spinning (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analytical tools. These three new Ru-based POP materials exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of nitroarenes at RT (with a reaction time of only ≈ 30 min), with high conversion, selectivity, stability, and recyclability for several catalytic cycles, compared with other traditional materials, such as Ru@C, Ru@SiO2, and Ru@TiO2, but no clear agglomeration or loss of catalytic activity was observed. The high catalytic performance of the ruthenium-based POP materials is due to the synergetic effect of nanoconfinement and electron donation offered by the 3D POP network. DFT calculations showed that hydrogenation of nitrobenzene over the Ru (0001) catalyst surface through a direct reaction pathway is more favorable than that through an indirect reaction pathway.

Photoinduced Charge Transfer within Polyaniline-Encapsulated Quantum Dots Decorated on Graphene

A new method to enhance the stability of quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution by encapsulating them with conducting polymer polyaniline was reported. The polyaniline-encapsulated QDs were then decorated onto graphene through π-π interactions between graphene and conjugated polymer shell of QDs, forming stable polyaniline/QD/graphene hybrid. A testing electronic device was fabricated using the hybrid in order to investigate the photoinduced charge transfer between graphene and encapsulated QDs within the hybrid. The charge transfer mechanism was explored through cyclic voltammetry and spectroscopic studies. The hybrid shows a clear response to the laser irradiation, presenting a great advantage for further applications in optoelectronic devices.

VOPO4·2H2O encapsulated in graphene oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst for selective hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

A novel heterogeneous hybrid catalyst (VPO@GO) was prepared through a strong interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and exfoliated VOPO4·2H2O. V4+-rich VPO@GO can selectively oxidize benzene to phenol at 60 °C using H2O2 as the oxidant, affording 100% selectivity with a benzene conversion of ∼33% up to 5 catalytic cycles.

Morphology‐Tuned Exceptional Catalytic Activity of Porous‐Polymer‐Supported Mn3O4 in Aerobic sp3 CH Bond Oxidation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Alcohols

Mn3O4 nanomaterials with different morphologies (sphere, nanowire, and octahedron) embedded into functionalized nanoporous polymers were developed by a facile one‐pot solvothermal technique at different temperatures. These Mn3O4‐based hybrid materials could behave as heterogeneous nanocatalysts to perform sp3 CH bond oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohols with molecular oxygen as an economic oxidant. Catalytic activity could be effectively tuned by changing the morphology of incorporated Mn3O4 in nanoporous polymer. These Mn3O4‐based hybrid materials exhibited remarkable catalytic performance for sp3 CH bond oxidation as compared with bare Mn3O4 nanoparticles. Mn3O4 with octahedral morphology in nanoporous polymer exhibited the highest catalytic activity on account of its more exposed crystallographic planes and edges. These Mn3O4‐based nanocatalysts could be recycled and reused for consecutive catalytic cycles without a significant loss of catalytic activity.

Near-IR squaraine dye-loaded gated periodic mesoporous organosilica for photo-oxidation of phenol in a continuous-flow device.

A study of dye-loaded organosilica for photo-oxidation. Periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) has been widely used for the fabrication of a variety of catalytically active materials. We report the preparation of novel photo-responsive PMO with azobenzene-gated pores. Upon activation, the azobenzene gate undergoes trans-cis isomerization, which allows an unsymmetrical near-infrared squaraine dye (Sq) to enter into the pores. The gate closure by cis-trans isomerization of the azobenzene unit leads to the safe loading of the monomeric dye inside the pores. The dye-loaded and azobenzene-gated PMO (Sq-azo@PMO) exhibits excellent generation of reactive oxygen species upon excitation at 664 nm, which can be effectively used for the oxidation of phenol into benzoquinone in aqueous solution. Furthermore, Sq-azo@PMO as the catalyst was placed inside a custom-built, continuous-flow device to carry out the photo-oxidation of phenol to benzoquinone in the presence of 664-nm light. By using the device, about 23% production of benzoquinone with 100% selectivity was achieved. The current research presents a prototype of transforming heterogeneous catalysts toward practical use.

Crystalline Li3V6O16 rods as high-capacity anode materials for aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries (ARLB)

We report the preparation of highly crystalline Li3V6O16 rods (LVO-1 rods) and their use as anode materials in aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries (ARLBs) for the first time. Half-cell ARLBs with LVO-1 as an anode material deliver a higher initial capacity of >120 mA h g−1 at high current rates and a higher round trip efficiency of 52% at the end of 100 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. ARLBs with LVO-1 rods as anodes exhibited an excellent rate and cycling performance.