Light-Induced Self-Assembled Polydiacetylene/Carbon Dot Functional "Honeycomb"

The design of functional supramolecular assemblies from individual molecular building blocks is a fundamental challenge in chemistry and material science. We report on the fabrication of "honeycomb" films by light-induced coassembly of diacetylene derivatives and carbon dots. Specifically, modulating noncovalent interactions between the carbon dots, macrocyclic diacetylene, and anthraquinone diacetylene facilitates formation of thin films exhibiting a long-range, uniform pore structure. We show that light irradiation at distinct wavelengths plays a key role in the assembly process and generation of unique macro-porous morphology, by both initiating interactions between the carbon dots and the anthraquinone moieties and giving rise to the topotactic polymerization of the polydiacetylene network. We further demonstrate utilization of the macro-porous film as a photocatalytic platform for water pollutant degradation and as potential supercapacitor electrodes, both applications taking advantage of the high surface area, hydrophobicity, and pore structure of the film.

Rapid extraction of BTEX in water and milk samples based on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes by dispersive homogenized-micro-solid phase extraction

An advanced synthesis based on the phenylalanine (Phe) and task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL) functionalized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Phe/TSIL@MWCNTs), was used to extract benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene (BTEX) from cow's milk, powdered milk, and farm water samples. The BTEX was efficiently extracted by ultrasound-assisted dispersive homogenized-micro-solid phase extraction (USA-DH-µ-SPE) between 95.1% and 103.4%. By procedure, 50 mg of Phe/TSIL@MWCNTs was added to 0.2 mL of acetone and injected into 10 mL of the samples. The upper aqueous solution was vacuumed, the vial heated to 80 °C, and the BTEX desorbed in the vial. Then, using a Hamilton syringe, 1-20 µL of gas in the headspace vial was determined by injecting it into the gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The linear range, LOD, and LOQ for BTEX in milk and water samples were obtained at 0.05-500 µg L^-1, 15 ng L^-1, and 50 ng L^-1, respectively (r = 0.9997, RSD% = 2.27).

Investigation into the adsorption of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide onto in situ formed magnesium hydroxide particles

Robust, fast method treating wastewater containing HPAM and the detailed adsorption mechanism of HPAM onto in situ formed Mg(OH)₂ was proposed.