The current practice in molecular imprinting requires additional functional groups to be introduced into imprinted cavities of low or noncrystalline organic and inorganic matrices through covalent and noncovalent interactions with target molecules. In this research, molecular imprinting is further achieved in a highly crystalline inorganic matrix (WO3·H2O) for the first time without the need of introducing additional functional groups. Target molecules, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) have been molecularly imprinted with much stronger binding affinities to the orthorhombic WO3·H2O matrix compared to common covalent bindings such as C–C, C–H, and N–H. Also, target molecules have strong multiple interactions in the crystalline matrix so as to firmly interact with the matrix for embedding partially/completely. The effective removal of targets at an optimal temperature of 400 °C can ensure the integrity of imprinted sites of WO3·H2O nanoplates, which is important for acquiring excellent performance in ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical sensing compared to those treated at lower or higher temperatures. More targets of interest were molecularly imprinted and tested to demonstrate their excellent sensitivity/selectivity. This general photoelectrochemical platform simplifies the preparation of molecularly imprinted systems and lays the foundation for imprinting organics in visible light-responsive inorganic matrices, which is more feasible for further deviceization and miniaturization in various sensing applications such as environmental monitoring/treatment.

This work seeks for a better understanding on how the gas treatment process affected the structure of metal loaded zeolite Y (MY, M = Ag, Cu) adsorbants and how the structural changes affected the performances of the adsorbents for adsorptive desulfurization. A series of characterization tools including solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance were employed. Compared to the N2 treatment, the H2 treatment on the MY adsorbents led to the reduction of the loaded M components to their metallic state and, consequently, brought several structural changes to the zeolitic framework. The structural changes brought by the H2 treatment can be accounted for the decreased Brönsted acidity over the Lewis acidity of the adsorbents and thus helped in improving their adsorption capacity. This paper provides new insights on how the zeolitic framework changes affected the sulfur adsorption capacity of MY, which is helpful for designing better adsorbents for sulfur removal from oil.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Rhynchocinetes durbanensis (Rhynchocinetidae: Rhynchocinetes) was sequenced in this study. The genome sequence was 17,695 bp in size, with the base composition of 35.14% A, 32.98% T, 20.34% G and 11.55% C of the light strand. The gene order and genes were the same as that found in other previously reported shrimps, including 13 protein-coding genes, 24 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. Except for ND5 , ND4 , ND4L , ND1 genes and eight tRNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes were encoded on the heavy strand. The start codon of COX1 gene was not determined. These complete mitogenome data provide the basis for taxonomic and conservation research of Rhynchocinetes durbanensis , and closely related species.

To explore the origin of magnetism, the effect of light Cu-doping on ferromagnetic and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanocrystals was investigated. These Cu-doped ZnO nanocrystals were prepared using a facile solution method. The Cu2+ and Cu+ ions were incorporated into Zn sites, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At the Cu concentration of 0.25 at.%, the saturated magnetization reached the maximum and then decreased with increasing Cu concentration. With increasing Cu concentration, the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy indicated the distribution of VO+ and VO++ vacancies nearly unchanged. These results indicate that Cu ions can enhance the long-range ferromagnetic ordering at an ultralow concentration, but antiferromagnetic “Cu+-Vo-Cu2+” couples may also be generated, even at a very low Cu-doping concentration.

As a promising technique to potentially address the energy crisis and environmental issues, photocatalysis has been reported widely to exhibit various outstanding behaviors in production of new fuels/chemicals and treatment of contaminants. The photocatalytic performance is extremely dependent on the used photocatalysts, so that the design and preparation of efficient photocatalysts are critically important for significantly improving the photocatalytic activity. Among various strategies, the hybridization of metal with semiconductors has recently been attracting more and more research interest owing to their expended spectral absorption, promoted transferring rate of charge carriers and Plasmon‐enhanced effect. In this minireview, the metal‐facilitated hybrid photocatalysts are overviewed comprehensively to first reveal unique functions of metals in improvement of photoactivity and summarize the emerging metal‐involved hybrid systems. Subsequently, the synthetic methods towards hybrid photocatalysts are introduced and their practical applications are emphasized in environmental remediation including degradation of organic pollutants, conversion of harmful gases, treatment of heavy metal ions and sterilization of bacteria. At the end, the challenges for industrializing these hybrid photocatalysts are discussed carefully and future development is suggested rationally.