Ha Tran Nguyen

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), particularly nitrophenol derivatives, pose significant threats to environmental safety and national security due to their high toxicity and explosive nature. In this study, two novel chiral π ‐conjugated polymers, poly(( S ) ‐ BINOL‐BT‐ alt ‐OF) and poly(( R ) ‐ BINOL‐BT‐ alt ‐OF), were successfully synthesized via aerobic Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling polycondensation. These polymers possess a donor–acceptor architecture integrating twisted 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL) units, electron‐deficient benzothiadiazole, and fluorene moieties. The resulting polymers exhibited strong intramolecular charge transfer characteristics and pronounced solvatochromic effects in various organic solvents. Fluorescence quenching experiments showed high sensitivity toward trace‐level NACs, with quenching efficiencies exceeding 90% for 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP). The Stern–Volmer constants ( K _SV ) were determined to be 1.66 × 10 ⁴ and 1.95 × 10 ⁴ L mol ⁻¹ for the S ‐ and R ‐enantiomers, respectively, with a limit of detection as low as 14.08 and 11.99 μmol L ⁻¹ . Mechanistic investigations revealed an analyte‐dependent quenching mechanism, involving synergistic contributions from photoinduced electron transfer and the primary inner filter effect (Primary‐IFE) for picric acid, whereas strong Primary‐IFE appears to be a major contributing factor in the quenching of 4‐NP because of its pronounced absorption at the excitation wavelength. Furthermore, paper‐based sensors were developed to enable rapid and visual detection. This study confirms that these chiral polymers serve as sensitive and reliable platforms for the detection of nitrophenolic analytes in both solution and solid phases. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nitroaromatic compounds, particularly nitrophenol derivatives, pose significant threats to environmental safety and national security due to their high toxicity and explosive nature. In this study, two novel chiral π-conjugated polymers, poly((S)-BINOL-BT-alt-OF) and poly((R)-BINOL-BT-alt-OF), were successfully synthesized via aerobic Suzuki cross-coupling polycondensation. These polymers possess a donor-acceptor architecture integrating twisted 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) units, electron-deficient benzothiadiazole, and fluorene moieties. The resulting polymers exhibit strong intramolecular charge transfer characteristics and pronounced solvatochromic effects in various organic solvents. Fluorescence quenching experiments demonstrated exceptional sensitivity toward trace-level NACs, with quenching efficiencies exceeding 90% for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The Stern–Volmer constants (KSV) were determined to be 1.66 × 104 M-1 and 1.95 × 104 M-1 for the S- and R-enantiomers, respectively, with a limit of detection as low as 14.08 μM and 11.99 μM. Mechanistic investigations revealed a coordinated dual-mode mechanism: a synergy between photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and the Emission Inner Filter Effect (Emission-IFE) for picric acid (PA), while the Excitation Inner Filter Effect (Excitation-IFE) plays an important role in quenching of 4-NP due to its massive optical shielding at the excitation wavelength. Furthermore, paper-based sensors were developed to enable rapid and visual detection. This study confirms that these chiral polymers serve as sensitive and reliable platforms for the detection of nitrophenolic analytes in both solution and solid phases

The remediation of viscous oil spills and organic contaminants in harsh environments requires sorbents that possess not only adsorption capability but also exceptional thermal and chemical stability. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of a novel class of fluorinated copolyimine xerogels (XG-CoPI) following the solvent exchange method via the polycondensation of terephthalaldehyde (PA), 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA), and 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (6FAPB). To enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability, the material was cross-linked using tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TREN). The copolyimine xerogel with 10 wt% solid content (XG-CoPI10) exhibits an optimum porous xerogel structure with a low density of 0.229 g cm⁻³, and exceptional thermal stability, exhibiting a decomposition temperature exceeding 300 °C. Notably, XG-CoPI10 achieved a superior hot-oil adsorption capacity of 3.83 g g⁻¹ at 150 °C, which outperformed its room-temperature capacity (3.21 g g⁻¹). Furthermore, the xerogel demonstrated outstanding cyclic durability, maintaining a high adsorption efficiency over 10 high-temperature adsorption–desorption cycles. Additionally, it exhibited excellent chemical stability, with a mass retention exceeding 96% in organic solvents, including DMF and NMP. These quantitative results demonstrate XG-CoPI as a high-performance candidate for high-temperature oil spill remediation and industrial wastewater purification.

Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using agricultural by-products is not only a strategy to develop sustainable nanoparticle synthesis methods but also helps address environmental pollution caused by agricultural waste.

A novel hybrid flame-retardant system, named MOF-DOPO, was developed by chemically grafting 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) to an Fe-based metal–organic framework (Fe-MOF-NH₂). The combination of MOF-DOPO and urea–melamine–formaldehyde microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (APP@UMF) markedly enhanced the fire resistance of epoxy resin. Comprehensive analyses indicated a synergistic flame-retardant mechanism between MOF-DOPO and APP@UMF operating in both gas and condensed phases. In the gas phase, phosphorus-centered radicals from DOPO effectively captured flame-propagating radicals, while nonflammable gases (NH₃, CO₂, H₂O) diluted and cooled the combustion zone. In the condensed phase, a compact intumescent char reinforced by thermally stable iron phosphate species (Fe₂P₂O₇, Fe₂P₄O₁₂, Fe(PO₃)₂) served as an efficient physical barrier to heat and mass transfer. Moreover, the formation of the spherical particulate network of iron phosphate species covering the surface of the burning material imparted a “lotus-leaf effect”, minimizing flame impingement and retarding further degradation. Additionally, the incorporation of MOF-DOPO significantly mitigated the mechanical deterioration induced by APP@UMF. This study provides a feasible and effective strategy for developing epoxy nanocomposites with superior flame retardancy and good mechanical properties.

The detection of lead ions (Pb²⁺) in water is of critical importance due to the harmful effects of lead on human health and the environment. Traditional detection methods often require high user expertise, expensive equipment, and complex analytical procedures. Electrochemical sensors have emerged as effective alternatives due to their portability and affordability. In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor was developed for the sensitive and selective detection of Pb²⁺ based on glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The bimetallic MOFs were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method, combining two metal centers Fe and Mg linked to a 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate ligand (FeMg-BDC). The synthesized FeMg-BDC has higher conductivity and surface area than monometallic Fe-BDC or Mg-BDC MOFs. Thanks to the synergistic effects between FeMg-BDC and rGO, the rGO/FeMg-BDC electrode has a larger electrochemically active surface area and faster electron transfer rate than the bare GCE. This enhancement facilitated the accumulation of lead onto the electrode surface, thereby improving the sensitivity of Pb²⁺ ion detection. Using the square wave anodic stripping voltammetry method, the sensor based on rGO/FeMg-BDC electrode exhibited two linear ranges: 0.01 to 0.5 μg L⁻¹ and 0.5 to 50.0 μg L⁻¹, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 9 ng L⁻¹. Furthermore, the external rGO thin film protects the FeMg-BDC material on the electrode surface, ensuring high durability and repeatability of the sensor. The developed sensor was successfully applied to accurately determine lead ion concentrations in various real water samples.

We report an efficient protocol to synthesize rod-coil diblock copolymers of an α-helical polypeptide and poly(4-vinyl pyridine) via a combination of “living” ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides at 0 °C, polymer end-group modification and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP). Due to the competent effect of the pyridine groups with the ATRP ligand and the low initiation efficacy of the rigid polypeptide macroinitiator at mild temperatures, the challenge on ATRP of 4-VP was overcome by performing the ATRP process at 100 °C. Relatively well-defined poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate)-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) diblock copolymers were successfully synthesized and characterized. Upon solvent vapor annealing, thin films of the diblock copolymers showed micro-phase separation behavior.