Studying the bonding nature of uranyl ion and graphene oxide (GO) is very important for understanding the mechanism of the removal of uranium from radioactive wastewater with GO-based materials. We have optimized 22 complexes between uranyl ion and GO applying density functional theory (DFT) combined with quasi-relativistic small-core pseudopotentials. The studied oxygen-containing functional groups include hydroxyl, carboxyl, amido, and dimethylformamide. It is observed that the distances between uranium atoms and oxygen atoms of GO (U-OG) are shorter in the anionic GO complexes (uranyl/GO(-/2-)) compared to the neutral GO ones (uranyl/GO). The formation of hydrogen bonds in the uranyl/GO(-/2-) complexes can enhance the binding ability of anionic GO toward uranyl ions. Furthermore, the thermodynamic calculations show that the changes of the Gibbs free energies in solution are relatively more negative for complexation reactions concerning the hydroxyl and carboxyl functionalized anionic GO complexes. Therefore, both the geometries and thermodynamic energies indicate that the binding abilities of uranyl ions toward GO modified by hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are much stronger compared to those by amido and dimethylformamide groups. This study can provide insights for designing new nanomaterials that can efficiently remove radionuclides from radioactive wastewater.

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The UO(2)(2+) and NpO(2)(+) extraction complexes with n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylmethylcarbamoyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) and diphenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl phosphine oxide (Ph(2)CMPO) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with relativistic small-core pseudopotentials. For these extraction complexes, especially the complexes of 2:1 (ligand/metal) stoichiometry, UO(2)(2+) and NpO(2)(+) predominantly coordinate with the phosphoric oxygen atoms. The CMPO and Ph(2)CMPO ligands have higher selectivity for UO(2)(2+) over NpO(2)(+), and for all of the extraction complexes, the metal-ligand interactions are mainly ionic. In most cases, the complexes with CMPO and Ph(2)CMPO ligands have comparable metal-ligand binding energies, that is, the substitution of a phenyl ring for the n-octyl group at the phosphoryl group of CMPO has no obvious influence on the extraction of UO(2)(2+) and NpO(2)(+). Moreover, hydration energies might play an important role in the extractability of CMPO and Ph(2)CMPO for these actinyl ions.

Efficient and selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction was obtained within a hybrid system that is formed in situ via a Schiff base condensation between a molecular iron quaterpyridine complex bearing an aldehyde function and carbon nitride. Irradiation (blue LED) of an CH3CN solution containing 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (BIH), triethylamine (TEA), Feqpy‐BA (qpy‐BA=4‐([2,2′:6′,2′′:6′′,2′′′‐quaterpyridin]‐4‐yl)benzaldehyde) and C3N4 resulted in CO evolution with a turnover number of 2554 and 95 % selectivity. This hybrid catalytic system unlocks covalent linkage of molecular catalysts with semiconductor photosensitizers via Schiff base reaction for high‐efficiency photocatalytic reduction of CO2, opening a pathway for diverse photocatalysis.

A series of extraction complexes of Eu(III) and Am(III) with CMPO (n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-methylcarbamoyl phosphine oxide) and its derivative Ph2CMPO (diphenyl-N,N-diisobutyl carbamoyl phosphine oxide) have been studied using density functional theory (DFT). It has been found that for the neutral complexes of 2:1 and 3:1 (ligand/metal) stoichiometry, CMPO and Ph2CMPO predominantly coordinate with metal cations through the phosphoric oxygen atoms. Eu(III) and Am(III) prefer to form the neutral 2:1 and 3:1 type complexes in nitrate-rich acid solutions, and in the extraction process the reactions of [M(NO3)(H2O)7](2+) + 2NO3(-) + nL → ML(n)(NO3)3 + 7H2O (M = Eu, Am; n = 2, 3) are the dominant complexation reactions. In addition, CMPO and Ph2CMPO show similar extractability properties. Taking into account the solvation effects, the metal-ligand binding energies are obviously decreased, i.e., the presence of solvent may have an significant effect on the extraction behavior of Eu(III) and Am(III) with CMPOs. Moreover, these CMPOs reagents have comparable extractability for Eu(III) and Am(III), confirming that these extractants have little lanthanide/actinide selectivity in acidic media.

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Nanomaterials, including gold, silver, and magnetic nanoparticles, carbon, and mesoporous materials, possess unique physiochemical and biological properties, thus offering promising applications in biomedicine, such as in drug delivery, biosensing, molecular imaging, and therapy. Recent advances in nanotechnology have improved the features and properties of nanomaterials. However, these nanomaterials are potentially cytotoxic and demonstrate a lack of cell-specific function. Thus, they have been functionalized with various polymers, especially polysaccharides, to reduce toxicity and improve biocompatibility and stability under physiological conditions. In particular, nanomaterials have been widely functionalized with hyaluronan (HA) to enhance their distribution in specific cells and tissues. This review highlights the most recent advances on HA-functionalized nanomaterials for biotechnological and biomedical applications, as nanocarriers in drug delivery, contrast agents in molecular imaging, and diagnostic agents in cancer therapy. A critical evaluation of barriers affecting the use of HA-functionalized nanomaterials is also discussed, and insights into the outlook of the field are explored.

Physically cross-linked hydrogels from hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid, HA) were prepared by a freeze−thaw technique at low pH. The effect of the freezing−thawing of HA solutions on the formation of physical cryogels is typical for the processes of noncovalent cryostructuration that takes the advantages of mild fabrication conditions and the absence of organic solvents and toxically cross-linking agents. The effects of processing steps (freezing time and number of freeze−thaw cycles), HA molecular weight (M w ), and the addition of typical polycarboxylic and polyhydric small molecules such as dicarboxylic acids and polyols on the formation of HA cryotropic hydrogels were investigated. Results verified that long freezing time and repeated freeze−thaw cycles benefited the alignment of polymer chains in the unfrozen liquid microphase, thereby promoting the formation of intermolecular aggregations and dense fibrillar network structures. High M w of HA endowed the cryogel with strong mechanical strength. The influences of various small molecules on the cryogelation of HA revealed the different intermolecular association patterns in the gel network. Both succinic and glutaric acids participated in HA cryogelation, whereas oxalic, malic, and tartaric acids as well as some polyols (glycol, butanediol, and glycerol) inhibited the cryostructuration of HA. Hydrogen bonding and intermolecular interactions in acidic cryogels and in neutral cryogels obtained by in situ neutralizing the acidic cryogel were discussed at the molecular level in correlation with intermolecular associations and molecular conformation. A gelation mechanism for HA cryogel was proposed. In addition, experimental findings showed that the neutral HA cryogels possessed enhanced thermostability, resistance to acid decomposition, and enzyme degradation which are essentially important properties for biomaterials.