The photocatalysis of alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acids usually involves UV or visible light, but a group of scientists from China has discovered that carbon quantum dots can catalyse such reactions using near-infrared wavelengths.
Conventional UV/visible-light approaches involve expensive, toxic heavy metals, whereas the carbon quantum dots are more environmentally friendly and stable under the near-infrared operating conditions. The researchers report the transformation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with 100% selectivity and 92% conversion, and identify OH radicals as the main active oxygen species.
New coating is self-defence for seeds
Scientists in Switzerland have developed a protective coating for seeds that poisons pests with cyanide when they bite into it. The coating is a system of two layers and only becomes toxic when the layers are mixed, eliminating the problem of environmental contamination that is associated w ... more
Using bacteria to make electrodes
Scientists in France have produced hematite using a bacterial pathway for use as an electrode material in Li-ion technologies. Currently, most commercial electrode materials for Li-ion technologies are prepared using the ceramic method, which requires long heating periods at high temperatur ... more
Marine plant replacement for platinum in solar cells
An international research team has shown that that the power conversion efficiency of sea tangle extract is comparable to platinum in solar cell electrodes. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are quickly becoming a widespread and affordable alternative to photovoltaic solar cells. The electr ... more
Royal Society of Chemistry – About us
With more than 51,000 members and an international publishing and knowledge business we are the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists, supporting and representing our members and bringing together chemical scientists from all over the world. more
Hear from RSC member Vicki Stone talk about her role as a Nanotoxicologist. more
When Food met Pharma: Delivery Strategies for Nutraceuticals
With growing prevalence of lifestyle-associated diseases, including obesity, Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, there is an urgent need and demand to try to prevent the onset of these diseases within our growing population. Nutraceuticals, along with appropriate diet and exercise, ... more
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
The RSC is a leading international publisher of highly regarded journals and books in the chemical sciences. The RSC is also the professional body for chemists with a global membership of over 46,000. more
Stabilizing sulfur cathode by single Li-ion channel polymer binder
The growing demands on the high-performance energy-storage system for emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence drive the development of high-performance batteries. As a promising candidate of next-generation batteries, Li-S batteries have been drawn much a ... more
Semiconductors Combine Forces in Photocatalysis
A significant advance in the photocatalytic activity of conventional materials is demonstrated by a two-dimensional heterostructure comprising nanolayers of two semiconductors: black phosphorus and bismuth tungstate. As researchers have reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie, this cataly ... more
The Making of Biorelevant Nanomaterials
The interactions of biological macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharide–protein conjugates can be mimicked by artificial polyelectrolytes. Such synthetic polyionic complexes are expected to serve as novel platforms to stabilize and deliver drugs, proteins, or nucle ... more
