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    Cover and Content of Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities Vol.47 No.1(2026)
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (1): 1-6.  
    Abstract (2623)      PDF(pc) (26559KB)(229)       Save
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    A Novel Anthracene-based Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheet for Rapid Singlet Oxygen Capture and Controllable Release
    AN Jing, MIAO Bo, ZHAO Tongyi, SONG Jialong, ZHANG Wenyu, YUAN Bizhen, LIU Yaozu, ZHONG Tian, FANG Qianrong
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (12): 20250117-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250117
    Abstract (749)   HTML (85)    PDF(pc) (4477KB)(353)       Save

    Singlet oxygen(¹O₂) is a highly reactive species with strong oxidizing properties, making it valuable in various applications, including photodynamic therapy, organic synthesis and material science. However, its short lifetime and high reactivity present significant challenges in its practical use. To overcome these challenges, the development of efficient materials for ¹O₂ capture and controlled release has attracted considerable attention. Covalent organic frameworks(COFs), with their unique crystalline structure, high porosity and exceptional stability, have emerged as ideal candidates for ¹O₂ storage and transfer. In this study, we designed and synthesized a two-dimensional anthracene-based COF(2D An COF), which was further exfoliated into nanosheet(2D An COF-nanosheet) to enhance its performance. Fluorescence spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that the 2D An COF-nanosheet exhibited a significantly higher ¹O₂ capture rate compared to the bulk COF, which can be attributed to their more exposed active sites. Both the 2D An COF and its exfoliated nanosheet showed excellent reversibility in ¹O₂ release when exposed to external thermal or light stimuli, with no significant degradation in performance after multiple cycles. The results highlight the potential of 2D COF materials, particularly in nanosheet form, as efficient and stable platforms for ¹O₂ storage and release. This work provides new theoretical insights into the design of ¹O₂-responsive materials and opens new avenues for applications in photodynamic therapy, photocatalysis and other fields requiring precise control over reactive oxygen species.

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    Continuous Synthesis Process of Key Intermediates for the Herbicide Clethodim
    REN Shilun, HUANG Cheng, CHEN Jianai, LI Mimi, MA Jingrui, YUAN Qiliang, TAN Chengxia
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (12): 20250187-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250187
    Abstract (728)   HTML (17)    PDF(pc) (1490KB)(162)       Save

    Clethodim, known for its high efficacy, low toxicity, broad herbicidal spectrum, extended application window and safety to subsequent crops, has become a representative cyclohexenone herbicide. 5-[2-(Ethylthio) propyl]-2-propionyl-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one(abbreviated as Jing-Santong), a key intermediate of clethodim, faces challenges in traditional batch synthesis, such as low reaction efficiency and high energy consumption. This study developed a continuous-flow microchannel technology for the critical synthesis steps. By optimizing the cyclization and hydrolysis processes, the reaction time was reduced from 90 min to 4.8 min, achieving a 65.2% yield and 95.2% purity. The novel process significantly improves reaction efficiency and product quality, offering a promising approach for the industrial production of clethodim.

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    Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Microcrystals with Distinct Morphologies via Hydrothermal Method
    CHEN Yang, WANG Fuxiang, QIU Yiduo, HUANG Yutong, ZHAO Xiaojun, PAN Qinhe
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (2): 20250208-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250208
    Abstract (693)   HTML (14)    PDF(pc) (13734KB)(228)       Save

    A method of hydrothermal synthesis coupled with activation etching was employed to synthesize zinc oxide(ZnO) particles with six distinct morphologies: rod, tube, screw, rod-flower, tube-flower, and screw-flower. The controlled synthesis of ZnO from dispersed rods to aggregated rod-flower clusters was achieved by adjusting the parameters of the hydrothermal reaction. Moreover, by exploiting the differences in the stability of various crystal faces, a customized post-etching method was used to effectively control the morphological evolution of ZnO from rod-like structure to tubular and screw-like structures. The results of photoelectrochemical test indicated that the distinct morphology of ZnO played a significant role in its photoelectrochemical property. These findings offer valuable insights into the synthesis of ZnO with specific morphologies to tailor its properties for particular application.

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    Research Progress of MOF-SACs in Water Splitting for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
    HE Yutong, LI Hanxi, FAN Xiaoyan, YU Meihui, ZHANG Jijie
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (3): 20250333-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250333
    Abstract (665)   HTML (53)    PDF(pc) (10493KB)(30704)       Save

    The hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) from photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting is a pivotal technology of future green hydrogen economy, but the synthesis of low cost, high efficiency catalysts with high stability remains a critical scientific challenge to be addressed for both. Single-atom catalysts(SACs) are regarded as one of the most promising catalysts due to their unique electronic structure and maximum atomic utilization. The metal-organic framework materials(MOFs) are ideal single atoms carriers due to ultra-high specific surface area, tunable porous nanostructure, and abundant active sites, serving as SACs synthesis precursors owing to their unique pyrolysis characteristics. The composite system of MOFs and single atom catalysts(MOF-SACs) can take full advantage of the synergistic effect, thus improving the hydrogen evolution catalytic activity significantly. In this review, the recent applications and research progress of MOF-SACs in photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production progress are introduced, while the strategies for enhancing the catalytic activity are summarized. Moreover, the future research hotspots and trends are outlined, which can provide novel design models for HER catalysts.

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    Fabrication of High-reflectance and Low-thermal-conductivity HGM@TiO₂@ZnO Core-shell-shell Material via Rotational Coating
    QI Wenjia, ZHAO Kaiqing, WU Gang, WUMAIER·Yasen , TONG Gangsheng
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (11): 20250185-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250185
    Abstract (641)   HTML (25)    PDF(pc) (5376KB)(346)       Save

    Hollow glass microspheres(HGM) was utilized as the substrate and sequentially was coated with eggshell-like TiO₂ and needle-like nano-ZnO through a rotational coating process and a two-step heterogeneous precipitation method, constructing a high-reflectance, low-thermal-conductivity core-shell-shell material HGM@TiO2@ZnO. Research demonstrates that the obtained HGM@TiO₂@ZnO exhibits a hollow core structure that reduces heat transfer efficiency. The dual-shell structure, comprising high and low refractive index layers, induces multi-level reflection and scattering of light, while the cavity structures formed between the needle-like nano-ZnO further decrease the thermal conductivity of HGM@TiO₂@ZnO, achieving a dual synergistic effect of "reflection-thermal insulation". Results indicate that the HGM@TiO₂@ZnO material achieves an average solar reflectance up to 88.64% in the visible-near-infrared(380—2500 nm) range, representing improvements of 25.6%, 6.2%, and 10.0% compared to HGM, HGM@TiO₂, and physically blended material HGM&TiO₂&ZnO, respectively. When HGM@TiO₂@ZnO was added to an acrylic resin matrix at volume fraction of 40%, the resulting coating exhibited an average solar reflectance of 72.86% and a thermal conductivity as low as 0.08 W·m-1·K-1. Compared to coatings with the same volume fraction of HGM added to the acrylic resin, the reflectance increased by 5.4%, while the thermal conductivity decreased by 34%. Thus, this study elucidates the synergistic regulation mechanism of the core-shell-shell hierarchical structure on photothermal performance, providing theoretical support and material foundations for the development of high-efficiency thermal-reflective and insulating functional coatings.

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    Shear-induced Gelation Kinetics and Mechanisms of Silk Fibroin Hydrogels
    LU Jialin, ZHUANG Yaling, WANG Yanan, CHANG Fei, DING Jianxun, CHEN Xuesi
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (1): 20250327-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250327
    Abstract (580)   HTML (23)    PDF(pc) (8933KB)(201)       Save

    A shear-heating method was employed to induce the formation of silk fibroin hydrogels enrich in β-sheet structures. The effects of shear duration, incubation temperature, and protein concentration on the kinetics of β-sheet assembly and the mechanical properties of resulting hydrogels were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that a 0.03 g/mLsilk fibroin solution subjected to shear at 10000 r/min for 10 min and followed by incubation at 60 ℃ completed gelation within 30 min, yielding a physically cross-linked network containing 63.51% β-sheet structures, with a storage modulus of 25.70 kPa and a compressive strength of 108.29 kPa. Furthermore, the self-assembly kinetics of molecular chain transition from random coils to β-sheet structures and the corresponding evolution of mechanical properties were elucidated. This work provides optimized processing strategies and experimental evidence for the preparation of shear-induced silk fibroin hydrogels and supports their potential applications in tissue engineering.

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    One-step Preparation of Novel Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Cell Imaging
    FAN Hongting, XU Jiatong, QI Chunxuan, MA Hengchang
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (11): 20250166-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250166
    Abstract (572)   HTML (12)    PDF(pc) (6788KB)(180)       Save

    In this study, novel fluorescent carbon dots(CDs) were rapidly synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using 1,8-naphthalic anhydride(NA) and 1,2-phenylenediamine(OPD) as precursors. By optimizing reaction conditions, yellow fluorescent carbon dots(Y3-CDs) with superior luminescence performance were prepared. The particle sizes and morphology of the Y3-CDs were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM), revealing an average diameter of approximately 2.6 nm and an interlayer spacing of 0.21 nm. This spacing corresponds to the d-spacing of graphene(100) planes and is consistent with the diffraction peak observed at 42.88o in X-ray powder diffraction(XRD) analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) confirmed the presence of sp2 /sp3 hybridized carbons(C=C/C—C, 284.8 eV), carbon-nitrogen bonds(C—N, 286.5 eV), and carbonyl carbons(C=O, 288.4 eV). The optical properties of the Y3-CDs were further investigated using fluorescence spectrometry(FL), ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy(UV-Vis), and lifetime measurements. The fluorescence spectra exhibited non-excitation-dependent emission behavior, indicating a single emission center. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) provided detailed structural insights. Due to their high purity, the characteristic hydrogen(H) and carbon(C) atoms could be clearly resolved and analyzed. 1H NMR results demonstrated that all H atoms were located on the surface of the carbon core, exhibiting ortho-substitution patterns and coupling effects. 13C NMR and DEPT 135 spectra confirmed the presence of ten distinct tertiary carbon atoms. The cell-tracking and imaging performance of Y3-CDs were systematically evaluated. Results demonstrated that Y3-CDs possess excellent cell imaging capabilities and anti-photobleaching properties. Even after 180 minutes of continuous irradiation, Y3-CDs retained strong fluorescence, enabling long-term tracking of HeLa cells. Co-localization experiments further highlighted their selective lipid droplet imaging ability, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.846.

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    Preparation of a Chiral Polyimine Macrocycle Bonded Chiral Stationary Phase via Thiol-ene Click Reaction for Enantioseparation in High-performance Liquid Chromatography
    WU Jialei, YU Liqin, XIE Shengming, WANG Bangjin, ZHANG Junhui, YUAN Liming
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (11): 20250102-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250102
    Abstract (555)   HTML (10)    PDF(pc) (2038KB)(96)       Save

    In this study, a chiral polyimine macrocycle, BINOL-CPM, was synthesized via a one-step condensation of(S)-2,2′-dihydroxy-[1,1′-binaphthalene]-3,3′-dialdehyde and 1,2-phenylenediamine. After modification, it was bonded to the surface of thiolated silica via thiol-ene click reaction to fabricate a chiral stationary phase(CSP) for high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The CSP-packed column exhibits good chiral separation performance in both normal-phase(NP) and reversed-phase(RP) elution modes, with 12 racemates resolved in the NP mode and 6 racemates resolved in the RP mode. The chiral separation performance of this column for these resolved racemates was compared with two commonly used commercial columns, Chiralpak AD-H and Chiralcel OD-H. Among the 12 racemates resolved in the NP mode, 4 racemates, [1-(3-fluorophenyl)ethanol, 1-phenylethanol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and 1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethanol], could not be resolved on the Chiralpak AD-H column, and 3 racemates, [1-(3-fluorophenyl)ethanol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and 1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethanol], could not be resolved on the Chiralcel OD-H column. Among the 6 racemates resolved in the RP mode, one racemate(1-phenylethanol), could not be resolved on the Chiralpak AD-H column. Moreover, the resolution values(Rs) of some racemates on this column were higher than those on the two commercial columns. Therefore, this prepared column demonstrates good complementarity in chiral separation, enabling the separation of some chiral compounds that cannot be resolved or be well resolved by these two commercial columns. In addition, the column also demonstrates excellent reproducibility and stability in chiral separation. After hundreds of injections, the retention time(tR) and Rs of the two enantiomeric peaks for the separation of ethyl mandelate show no significant changes compared to the initial use of the column. The relative standard deviation(RSD, n=5) of tR for the chromatographic peaks of the two enantiomers was less than 0.49%, and the RSD of Rs(n=5) was less than 2.88%. Moreover, the column-to-column reproducibility was also good, with the RSD(n=3) of tR and Rs for the two enantiomeric peaks of ethyl mandelate separation on columns prepared from different batches being less than 1.09 % and 5.75 %, respectively. This study indicates that BINOL-CPM is a promising chiral separation material for HPLC and has good research significance and value. It also provides a reference for the development of novel HPLC CSP.

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    Study on Solvates and Polymorphs of Mometasone Furoate
    WANG Yixuan, LIU Qi, ZHOU Lei, CAI Baoli, WANG Xuezhong, HE Yunliang
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (12): 20250186-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250186
    Abstract (549)   HTML (12)    PDF(pc) (4689KB)(194)       Save

    Mometasone furoate(MF) is a potent synthetic corticosteroid widely used in the treatment of asthma, skin inflammation and pruritic diseases. This study discovered six solvates of MF(acetonitrile, methanol, acetone, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran solvates), and the crystal structure of the acetonitrile solvate and dichloromethane solvate were successfully resolved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure analysis showed that the acetonitrile solvate belongs to the same P212121 space group as the known Form 1, but its PXRD pattern differs significantly. The dichloromethane solvate belongs to a new space group different from the anhydrous Form 1 and the hydrate. The MF molecule has an irregular shape with two large rotatable groups, which can form large cavity structures with adjustable sizes during crystal packing, enabling it to accommodate solvent molecules of different sizes and thus form various solvates. The stability of the solvates under different environments and their polymorphic transformations were studied by PXRD. The solvates of dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate were unstable at room temperature, spontaneously desolvating and converting into a new metastable form, while the solvates of tetrahydrofuran, acetone, and methanol were relatively stable at room temperature. All these solvates and the new metastable forms converted to Form 1 upon heating.

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    Synthesis and Anti-lung Cancer Activity of 3-(1H-indol-4-yl)-1-(pyrimidin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one-spirooxindole Hybrid Derivatives
    YANG Jun, HUANG Dongyan, LIANG Guangping, LIU Xiongli
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (7): 20260072-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20260072
    Abstract (542)   HTML (9)    PDF(pc) (10498KB)(286)       Save

    Aiming to search for novel anti-lung cancer active compounds, 1,3-dipoles were obtained by decarboxy-lation of isatin with sarcosine, proline and thioproline, respectively, and then 1,3-dipole cycloaddition reactions were carried out with 3-(1H-indol-4-yl)-1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-2-propen-1-one as the dipole philophore to obtain a total of 33 target compounds. Their structures were characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance carbon spectrum and high Resolution mass spectrometry, and the relative configurations was determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The in vitro inhibitory activities of the target compound on cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line(A549/DDP) and human non-small cell lung cancer cell line(A549) were determined by the cell counting kit-8. This type of compound had good inhibitory activity against both A549 and A549/DDP cells, and had high selectivity against the drug-resistant strain A549/DDP. Compound 4cj showed excellent inhibitory activity[half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)=(0.037±0.002) μmol/L] and selectivity against A549/DDP, which was more than 60 times that of the positive control drug cisplatin[IC50=(2.496±0.117) μmol/L], and could significantly block the cell quiescence(G0) and DNA synthesis prophase(G1) of A549/DDP cells, induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell migration ability, its mechanism of action may be associated with the Janus kinase(JAK) and P-glycoprotein targets(P-gp). The above results indicated that compound 4cj can be used as a lead compound for further research and development into a highly efficient and selective anti-lung cancer drug.

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    Influence Mechanism of Carbonate Solvents on the Electrochemical Performance of Hard Carbon Anodes in Sodium-ion Batteries
    TAO Ruimin, LI Tianyi, RU Mengling, CHEN Shuang, CUI Yongli
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (2): 20250294-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250294
    Abstract (539)   HTML (15)    PDF(pc) (10842KB)(215)       Save

    In this article, the electrolytes of mixed solvents for the hard carbon(HC) negative of sodium-ion batteries were designed, using sodium hexafluorophosphate(NaPF6) as the sodium salt and adding propylene carbonate(PC) and dimethyl carbonate(DMC) in an ethylene carbonate(EC) based solvent. The effect and mechanism of different solvent synergistic combinations on the electrochemical performance of HC negative were explored. The sodium solvation structure and the diffusion coefficient of sodium ions in the electrolyte were analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation(MD). The electrochemical performance of HC negative electrode in EC based electrolyte was compared and analyzed through conductivity tests, charge-discharge tests, cycling performance tests, and rate capability tests. The kinetic behavior of sodium ions storage was also analyzed by cyclic voltammetry(CV), galvanostatic intermittent titration technique(GITT), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS). The surface morphology and composition of HC anodes before and after cycling were made by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and so on. As a result, the synergistic effect of DMC and PC can significantly improve the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte and diffusion coefficient of sodium ions in electrolyte, optimize the solvation structure, reduce organic by-products and increase anion coordination, promote the generation of inorganic substances in the solid electrolyte interface(SEI) film, effectively reduce the SEI film impedance and charge transfer impedance, and improve the diffusion coefficient of sodium ions in HC. Therefore, the HC anode achieves 362.0 mA·h/g initial capacity, in the 1 mol/L NaPF6-EC/PC/DMC electrolyte at 50 mA/g, and the capacity decays to 353.4 mA·h/g with a capacity retention rate of 97.6% after 50 cycles demonstrating superior rate capability and cycling performance. Thereby, EC/PC/DMC mixed solvents are one of the most promising solvents for the HC anode of sodium ion batteries.

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    Research Advances in Modification Strategies and Mechanisms for the Metallic Zinc Anode in Aqueous Zinc-ion Batteries
    LIANG Yukai, ZHUANG Yi, CHANG Ai, MA Yirui, LI Yuxuan, ZHU Boyuan, TANG Jiahao, ZHANG Wenyao, ZHU Junwu
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (7): 20260032-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20260032
    Abstract (505)   HTML (19)    PDF(pc) (48427KB)(616)       Save

    Aqueous zinc-ion batteries utilize environmentally friendly and inherently safe water-based electrolytes, aligning with the demands of large-scale sustainable energy storage, and have garnered widespread attention in recent years. However, their commercialization still faces multiple critical challenges. Among them, the zinc metal anode is prone to a series of side reactions during charge and discharge processes, such as dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction, and corrosion, which severely restrict the battery’s cycling life and Coulombic efficiency. To address these issues, researchers worldwide have proposed various modification strategies focused on optimizing the performance of zinc anodes, primarily in three aspects: structural design, interface modification, and electrolyte regulation. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in zinc anodes. In terms of structural design, it highlights the mechanisms of three-dimensional structured electrodes, alloy electrodes, and epitaxially grown zinc anodes in enhancing specific surface area and nucleation sites. Regarding interface modification, the regulatory mechanisms of functional materials such as carbon-based materials, metal-organic frameworks, and organic polymers on zinc deposition/stripping behavior are discussed. As for electrolyte modification, the critical role of zinc salt structural optimization, electrolyte additive development, and novel electrolyte design in improving the solvation structure and transport behavior of zinc ions is analyzed. Furthermore, by integrating mechanisms such as electrostatic shielding, adsorption effects, desolvation effects, in-situ interface films, and crystal plane regulation, this review systematically outlines the main strategies for optimizing the performance of zinc metal anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Finally, this discussion is further extended to the dimension of functional separator modification, with an emphasis on the indirect regulatory effects of functional separators on zinc deposition behavior through mechanisms such as homogenizing ion flux, constructing ion-sieving channels, and modulating the interfacial chemical environment. Finally, an outlook for future research directions toward high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries is provided.

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    Fe-N co-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots as Highly Active Peroxidase Mimics for Colorimetric Detection of Chlorogenic Acid
    ZHANG Min, ZHANG Wenhao, LI Guangying, WANG Limin, SHAN Guiye
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (2): 20250289-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250289
    Abstract (503)   HTML (20)    PDF(pc) (3192KB)(1319)       Save

    Fe-N-CDs nanopaticles were successfully prepared by one-step hydrothermal method using L-histidine and Fersulfate heptahydrate(FeSO₄·7H₂O) as precursors. The introduction of Fe atoms produced more active sites on the surface of carbon dots, promoted the electron transfer in the catalytic process, and thus improved the catalytic efficiency of the material. The Fe-N-CDs nanopaticles effectively catalyzed the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate hydroxyl radicals(•OH), which subsequently oxidized 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB) to form a blue oxidation product(oxTMB) with a characteristic absorption peak at 652 nm. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound widely found in plants, exhibits excellent antioxidant properties and antidepressant effects. Leveraging the ability of curcumin to reduce oxTMB and cause its color to fade, a quantitative relationship between the change in absorbance and the curcumin content was established. This enabled the development of a colorimetric sensing method for the detection of curcumin. The experimental results demonstrated that this method possesses good selectivity, anti-interference capability and rapid response characteristics. It can be applied for the colorimetric analysis of antioxidant components in pharmaceuticals and food products, offering a new analytical approach for quality assessment of related products and the development of antidepressant drugs.

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    Research Progress and Improvement Strategies of Phosphoric Acid-doped High-temperature Proton Exchange Membranes
    LIU Binghui, ZHAO Chengji
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (1): 20250262-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250262
    Abstract (500)   HTML (27)    PDF(pc) (9111KB)(272)       Save

    Proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC) has outstanding advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, fast start-up speed, easy operation and maintenance. In the temperature range of 120 to 250 ℃, the operation of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells(HT-PEMFC) does not rely on the presence of water for proton conduction. This can effectively simplify the water management system, enhance the kinetics of electrode reactions, and strengthen the anti-poisoning ability of platinum-based electrocatalysts. At present, phosphoric acid(PA)-doped polybenzimidazole(PBI) membrane is the preferred membrane material in HT-PEMFC, but it faces key challenges, such as poor antioxidant stability and PA loss. In this review, the transport mechanism of PA-doped high-temperature proton exchange membranes(HT-PEM) is first clarified, and such materials are systematically classified based on the research progress in the past 10 years. Finally, the key technical challenges and coping strategies of HT-PEM are analyzed, and the future development trend is prospected.

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    Discovery of a Novel Ginseng Polysaccharide: Structure Characterization, in vitro Fermentability and Anti-oxidative Mechanism of Fermented Product via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway on A β -induced-PC12 Cells
    DONG Binbin, HOU Zong, ZHENG Zhong, XING Junpeng, LIU Zhiqiang, LIU Shu
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (1): 20250314-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250314
    Abstract (499)   HTML (7)    PDF(pc) (5480KB)(133)       Save

    In this study, a novel polysaccharide GPA-G2-H was derived from ginseng. Furthermore, the coherent study of its structural characteristics, fermented characteristics in vitro, as well as antioxidant mechanism of fermented product FGPA-G2-H on Aβ25-35-induced PC12 cells were explored. The structure of GPA-G2-H was determined by means of zeta potential analysis, FTIR, HPLC, XRD, GC-MS and NMR. The backbone of GPA-G2-H was mainly composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ with branches substituted at O-3. Notably, GPA-G2-H was degraded by intestinal microbiota in vitro with total sugar content and pH value decreasing, and short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs) increasing. Moreover, GPA-G2-H significantly promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae and Weissella, thereby making positive alterations in intestinal microbiota composition. Additionally, FGPA-G2-H activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, enhanced HO-1, NQO1, SOD and GSH-Px, while inhabited Keap1, MDA and LDH, which alleviated Aβ-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells. These provide a solid theoretical basis for the further development of ginseng polysaccharides as functional food and antioxidant drugs.

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    Fabrication of Copper(I) Iodide Cluster-based Scintillator for Highly Efficient X-ray-excited Reactive Oxygen Species Generation
    XIAO Kang, XUE Chengwen, SHEN Jiacheng, LIU Xiangmei
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (11): 20250163-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250163
    Abstract (483)   HTML (11)    PDF(pc) (5179KB)(217)       Save

    Cuprous iodide cluster-based complexes exhibit significant potential in scintillator materials due to their structural diversity, strong X-ray absorption capacity and tunable excited-state properties. However, crystalline state is typically required to achieve efficient luminescence, and mechanical grinding often induces mechanochromic effects, which severely limit their biomedical applications. In this study, a series of Cu4I4Py4 complex-based scintillators was prepared via a facile solution processing method. The effects of crystal structure, co-crystallized solvent molecule, and polymer matrix on their luminescent performance were systematically investigated. In addition, polystyrene(PS) was employed as an encapsulation matrix to modulate the emission wavelength of the scintillators, enabling spectral overlap with the photosensitizer(methylene blue, MB) for enhanced energy transfer efficiency. The encapsulation simultaneously improved biocompatibility and bioenvironmental stability of the scintillation complex, yielding a type of photosensitizer nanoparticles(Cu4I4Py4-PS-MB) with high X-ray irradiation resistance. The results of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoacniline(RNO) bleaching(RNO-imidazole) experiments confirmed that this nanocomposite system exhibits exceptionally high singlet oxygen(1O2) yields under both UV light and X-ray irradiation, demonstrating its potential for constructing efficient and stable X-ray photodynamic therapy(X-PDT) nanoplatform. This work provides a novel solution for deep-tumor photodynamic therapy by overcoming the limitations of traditional scintillator materials.

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    Thermodynamic Property of Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage Materials Using Drop Calorimetric Technique
    WU Bing, YIN Nan, HU Jinling, WEI Xiaolan, ZHAO Hong, SHI Quan
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (11): 20250170-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250170
    Abstract (476)   HTML (9)    PDF(pc) (2346KB)(61)       Save

    As heat storage media, molten salt thermal storage materials have received considerable attention in the field of high-temperature thermal storage technology. Research and understanding of their thermodynamic properties are fundamental to advancing molten salt thermal storage materials. In this study, a high-temperature drop calorimeter was developed for investigating the thermodynamic properties of molten salt thermal energy storage materials. The accuracy of the drop calorimeter was determined to be ±0.5% by measuring the enthalpy of the standard material of α-Al2O3. By measuring the enthalpy values of high-purity Sn before and after its solid-liquid phase transition, the measurement deviations for phase transition temperature and enthalpy from the differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) measurement results were determined to be ±0.12% and ±1.3%, respectively. The enthalpy values of NaNO3, KNO3, and solar salt(60%NaNO3-40%KNO3) were measured by the drop calorimeter in the temperature range of 350—750 K. Polynomial equations for the enthalpy of both the solid and liquid phases were obtained through data fitting, and the phase transition temperatures and enthalpy values were calculated. The results of this study indicate that the drop calorimetry method can accurately measure the enthalpy, phase transition temperature, phase transition enthalpy, and other thermodynamic properties of molten salt thermal storage materials, providing a reliable calorimetric experimental method for their thermodynamic research.

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    Regulation of Macrophage Polarization by Ce-Cur Nanoenzymes
    XU Haiyan, LIU Qi, MENG He, LIU Fengqi, LIU Yuxin, LI Jiawei, LI Changyan
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2025, 46 (12): 20250188-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250188
    Abstract (468)   HTML (4)    PDF(pc) (5634KB)(469)       Save

    This study designed and synthesized an inorganic-organic composite Ce-Cur nanoenzyme using cerium chloride(CeCl3) and curcumin(Cur) as raw materials, with polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) as the dispersant. Systematic characterization of its microstructure and surface properties was performed using X-ray powder diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), zeta potential, and particle size analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated via ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, while DCFH-DA fluorescence probe-based assays assessed its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species(ROS) within macrophages. Results indicate that the Ce-Cur nanozyme exhibits excellent antioxidant capacity, significantly reducing intracellular ROS levels(fluorescence intensity MFI decreased by 53%). CCK8 assays and live/dead fluorescent staining experiments demonstrated excellent cellular compatibility of the nanozyme. Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence, and ELISA analyses revealed that Ce-Cur nanozyme effectively suppressed LPS+IFN-γ-induced inflammatory responses. It downregulated mRNA expression and protein secretion of M1-type inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6(M1 inhibition rates were 57%, 67%, and 82%, respectively.), while simultaneously promoting the expression of the M2 anti-inflammatory factor IL-10(M2 growth rate reached 351%). These results indicate synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects between curcumin and amorphous cerium oxide components, significantly regulating macrophage polarization from the M1 to the M2 phenotype. This study provides experimental evidence and potential strategies for the application of Ce-Cur nanoenzymes in immunomodulation and the treatment of related inflammatory diseases.

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    Recent Progresses in Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers in Large-scale and Some Functionalized Composites
    QU Kairu, GUO Lyuzhou, WANG Wenbin, YAN Xuzhou, CAO Xuezheng, YANG Zhenzhong
    Chem. J. Chinese Universities    2026, 47 (1): 20250212-.   DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20250212
    Abstract (466)   HTML (14)    PDF(pc) (11123KB)(261)       Save

    Among various architectures of polymers, end-group-free rings have attracted growing interests due to their distinct physicochemical performances over the linear counterparts which are exemplified by reduced hydrodynamic size and slower degradation. It is key to develop facile methods to large-scale synthesis of polymer rings with tunable compositions and microstructures. Recent progresses in large-scale synthesis of polymer rings against single-chain dynamic nanoparticles, and the example applications in synchronous enhancing toughness and strength of polymer nanocomposites are summarized. Once there is the breakthrough in rational design and effective large-scale synthesis of polymer rings and their functional derivatives, a family of cyclic functional hybrids would be available, thus providing a new paradigm in developing polymer science and engineering.

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