An increasing number of chemicals with endocrine disrupting effects, such as environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), have been emerging in the environment. Diverse molecules, such as natural chemicals existing in food and synthetic chemicals used in daily products, are identified as endocrine disruptors. With the inevitable release of EDCs, these chemicals are found to be distributed in various environmental matrixes including water, soil and sediments, posing a threat to wildlife and humans. The universal contamination of EDCs may disturb the endocrine system of the wildlife and human beings, potentially causing toxicological effects on multiple targets, like cardiovascular, reproductive and nervous systems, and probably inducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome, obesity, neurological disorder, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and even cancer. Among investigations about mechanisms underlying endocrine disrupting effect, the estrogen receptors (ERs) mediated pathway is one of the hotly-discussed aspects in EDC studies. In this review, the basic characteristics of ERs, analytical techniques for ERs expression and transactivation, and biological significance of EDCs via the regulation of ERs in different organisms were systemically introduced, intending to provide promising strategies for screening the endocrine disrupting effects of emerging chemicals of concern and evaluating their hazardous risks from the aspects of ERs agonistic and antagonistic activities.

In recent years, strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction has been widely used in many fields such as biomedicine and materials science due to its high efficiency, rapidity, high selectivity, and bioorthogonality. SPAAC reaction does not require additional stimuli such as light, heat, ultrasound or catalysts. The driving force of the reaction comes from the active cyclic alkynes with high strain. Therefore, the rational design of the cycloalkynes is the key to the SPAAC reaction. In this review, the stability and reactivity of cycloalkynes with different ring numbers are discussed, and the stable cycloalkynes participating in SPAAC smoothly as well as their second-order reaction rate constants in the SPAAC reaction are summarized. The research progress in the preparation methods of representative cyclic alkynes that are currently widely used is also introduced. Moreover, the application, challenge and future outlook of SPAAC without copper catalysis are discussed and prospected.

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have attracted significant attention due to their promising performance in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with theoretical 100% internal quantum efficiency through upconversion of triplet excitons into singlet excitons via reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process. However, the experimental development of high-performance TADF materials is complicated and time-consuming. Theoretical calculations could intrinsically establish the structure-performance relationship, predict the properties and provide molecular design strategies. In this paper, aiming to develop high-performance TADF materials, started from the principle of luminescence, we systematically expound the molecular design strategies, and the calculation principles, methods and research progress of the photophysical parameters such as the single-triplet energy gap (ΔE_ST), the (reverse) intersystem crossing rate, absorption/emission spectrum and radiation/non-radiation rate. Finally, the opportunities and challenges faced by the theoretical research of TADF materials are discussed. Through the overview of the theoretical research of TADF materials and the outlook of the research prospects, we look forward to attracting more researchers and promoting the development and breakthrough of this field.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are one kind of low-transition-temperature mixture composed of two or several components mixed in a certain ratio. The melting points of DES are significantly lower than that of each pure component, and they can be considered as a new type of ionic liquid. Compared with traditional organic solvents, DES possess the advantages of broad resource of raw materials, low cost, easy preparation, low toxicity and biodegradability. These characteristics make them become a promising green reaction media, which have been widely used in many areas including extraction and separation, inorganic synthesis, organic synthesis and ion gels. In recent years, the applications of DES in polymer chemistry have attracted broad research interests. Starting from a brief description of DES and their applications in organic synthesis, this review mainly focuses on the applications of DES in polymerizations, such as condensation polymerization, free radical polymerization, anionic polymerization, electrochemical polymerization, ring-opening polymerization and oxidative polymerization. In the meantime, the prospects of DES in polymer synthesis are also discussed.

As one of the most potential renewable resources to replace fossil energy, biomass has received increasing attention. Cellulose-based biomass is important feedstocks for catalytic conversion into various fuels and chemicals. In recent years, glycols (including ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butanediol, etc.) have been widely used in various fields as fuels and chemicals, which is huge market demand. The traditional method to produce diols was using fossil fuels as raw materials, and there are disadvantages such as non-renewable and large environmental pollution. Therefore, the production of diols by non-fossil feedstocks has attracted great attention. Among them, catalysis conversion of cellulose-based biomass to diols is one of the important approaches to overcome the shortage of fossil fuels and reduce environmental pollution. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances of cellulose-based biomass (cellulose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol) as feedstocks for catalytic conversion of diols, and the reaction pathways, reaction mechanisms, catalytic stability, and reaction solvent categories are in-depth discussed. Based on the above discussion, a future research direction for catalysis conversion of cellulose-based biomass to diols is prospected, which might be helpful for researchers.

Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N_x-C), possessing prominent advantages of high reactivity, high selectivity, facile synthesis, have presented potential to replace the conventional platinum-based catalysts. However, when these catalysts are used in the oxygen reduction process of fuel cells, the low active site density and insufficient durability restrict application. It is found that modulating the electronic structure and spatial configuration of the active site by doping with various metal/nonmetal elements can significantly enhance the oxygen reduction activity and stability of M-N_x-C catalysts, which has become a popular research topic in the field. This article reviews the main research works in recent years at home and abroad on the doping of various metal/nonmetal elements to enhance the performance of M-N_x-C carbon-based catalysts, including the studies on doping of metal elements and doping of nonmetal elements. The article also summarizes and points out the problems and challenges faced by M-N_x-C carbon-based catalysts, and gives an outlook on their development prospects and future research directions.

The flexible pressure sensor with high flexibility, easy conformality, high sensitivity and fast response is a novel flexible electronic device. It is also the critical device for the development of tactile artificial intelligence, internet of things, wearable electronics and relative technologies. The strategies based on development of sensitive functional materials, device structure design and construction, and optimization of fabrication methods have been widely used to improve the comprehensive performance of flexible pressure sensors. Among them, utilizing the microstructure of functional layer of flexible pressure sensor to enhance its performance is generally considered to be one of the most effective ways. In this paper, the latest research progress of microstructured flexible pressure sensors in recent years is summarized. It mainly focuses on the performance enhancement mechanism of microstructured flexible pressure sensor, microstructure construction and fabrication methods, new sensitive functional materials, as well as its applications in human-machine interaction, medical and health and other relative fields. Finally, the future development of microstructured flexible pressure sensor is prospected.

Polymeric chains undergo re-conformation, reorientation, slippage and even bond cleavage upon mechanical stimuli, which may lead to macro-deformation and further grow into damage of the material. Therefore, it is of great importance to sensitively detect or visualize the local mechanical states in polymers. Mechano-responsive luminescent (MRL) polymers are a class of materials that respond to mechanical stimuli with a detectable change of their optical properties. At present, MRL polymers have been attracting numerous attention in both fundamental research and a range of applications including the study of polymer mechano-chemistry, stress-mapping, polymer damage-monitoring, and special high-performance packaging materials. Generally, MRL polymers are created by using MRL mechanophores as dopants or building blocks that serve as predefined weak linkages, to which mechano-stimuli is conducted through the backbones of the polymer substrates and triggers responsive emission. The MRL behavior can help understand the stress transduction and identify the processes that may lead to mechanical failure. From the intrinsic point of view, the MRL approaches are originated from covalent-bonds scission or noncovalent-interactions disruption of the mechanophores, of which the different mechanisms lead to differences in responsive threshold, reversibility as well as specificity. In addition, the preparation methods including physically doping dispersed or microencapsulated fluorophores into polymer matrix, and chemically linking mechanophores in polymer chains also result in different stress-transfer process efficiency. In this article, the recent progress of MRL polymers based on the MRL mechanisms of the mechanophores in combination with the preparation of the materials is reviewed. The MRL approaches are elaborated discussed, representative examples are highlighted, and the potential applications are indicated. It is expected to provide insights for developing novel MRL polymers with desired functionality through rational molecular design.

MXene is a new type of two-dimensional layered nanomaterial obtained by delamination of M_n+1AX_n phase material (MAX phase), which is constructed with transition metal carbide, nitride or carbonitride. MXenes have attracted ever-increasing interest due to their unique characteristics such as high surface area, excellent metal conductivity, mechanical stability, as well as their magnetic properties, and have been widely applied in the field of energy storage, catalysis, adsorption, and many other fields. Herein, we summarize the recent advances in MXenes preparation strategies and their applications in terms of environmental purpose, including adsorption of heavy metals, radioactive metals and organic compound, selective adsorption of carbon dioxide, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, membrane separation, sensor, biological activity, electromagnetic absorption and shielding, and so on. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities of MXenes to put forwards real applications are discussed.

The conversion of synthesis gas into fuel and high value-added chemicals through the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTs) process is a crucial way to solve the problem of clean utilization of resources such as coal, which has been an important part of the modern coal chemical industry in China. It can reduce the dependence on petroleum imports and ensure national energy strategy security. Cobalt-based catalysts have become one of the most widely studied Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts due to their outstanding catalytic activity, high chain growth factor, low CO₂ selectivity, and long life. How to adjust the surface and interface properties of the catalyst to break the dependence of reduction and dispersion, and improve the reaction activity and product selectivity within a certain carbon chain range is still a significant challenge for the development of high-performance cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts. In this paper, the latest research progress in the regulation of the surface and interface properties of cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts is reviewed from three aspects: structure sensitivity (size and crystal effect), metal-support interaction, and confinement effect, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the design of catalyst microstructure and regulation of reaction performance.

Protein-polysaccharide complex system, as the wall material of bioactive ingredient delivery systems, have multiple advantages that other materials such as synthetic polymers or inorganic materials do not have. The connection mode between protein and polysaccharide, the various forms of protein-polysaccharide complex forming delivery system are reviewed, and the development trend of this field is prospected. According to the structural characteristics of proteins and polysaccharides, the linking methods between the two are divided into non-covalent binding such as physical copolymerization, and covalent binding such as Maillard coupling, chemical cross-linking, and enzyme-catalyzed cross-linking. The binding mechanism of the above connection methods and the influencing factors are expounded. The delivery forms of active ingredients with protein polysaccharide complexes as wall materials are generally divided into emulsion systems, micelles, nanogels, molecular complexes, and shell-core structure systems. According to the characteristics and delivery requirements of different active ingredients, proteins and polysaccharides with suitable structures and types, as well as their connection methods and delivery systems, can be selected in a targeted manner. Moreover, with the gradual development and advancement of research, the development trend in this field is moving towards the direction of intelligence and targeting. At present, the protein-polysaccharide complexes delivery system of active ingredients still faces many challenges in system design, evaluation and application. This requires us to design and evaluate the delivery system of active ingredients in a safe and reasonable manner based on a more comprehensive and in-depth study of its impact and efficacy on active ingredients.

Palladium-catalyzed X—H (X=C, O, N, B) functionalization reaction is an important organic synthesis strategy, which can build C—C and C—X (X=O, N, B) bonds in an atomically economical way by employing small molecules such as aryl halides, alkenes or alkynes as substrates. Due to its high yield, good reactivity and wide substrate compatibility, Cs₂CO₃-assisted palladium-catalyzed X—H (X=C, O, N, B) functionalization reaction has become one of the hot spots in the field of organic synthesis in recent years, and has played a crucial role in constructing C—C and C—X bonds in polycyclic natural product skeletons. Based on previous experimental results, density functional theory (DFT) has been employed to study the Cs₂CO₃-assisted palladium-catalyzed X—H (X=C,O,N,B) functionalization reaction in detail, so as to help people understand the essence of this type of reaction at microscopic level, and provide inspiration for designing new experimental synthetic routes. Herein, the latest density functional theory research results on Cs₂CO₃-assisted palladium-catalyzed X—H (X=C,O,N,B) functionalization reactions have been summarized, with corresponding computational results about microcosmic reaction mechanism and role of Cs₂CO₃ additive emphasized. The present issues and prospects of future development in this field are also summarized and forecast in the end.

With the continuous developing of industrial society, higher requirements for the functions of superwetting materials have been put forward in different industries. In this circumstances, the transformation to multi-function or intelligent for superwetting materials has become an inevitable trend. Meanwhile, under the background of people’s increasing attention to the environmental issue, new technologies with sustainable environmental protection, high efficiency and low consumption has been concerned. Superwetting materials with photothermal effect have become a research hotpot at home and abroad, which could be as the emerging products to achieve seawater desalination, solar evaporator and other fields. In this review, we firstly introduced the research status for constructing superwetting photothermal materials, including carbon-based, organic-based or semiconductor-based substrates and compound type. Besides, the limitation of these materials were analyzed. Then, the research progress and mechanism of superwetting photothermal materials, which are applied in anti-icing, seawater desalination, oil/water separation and etc, are teased and elaborated. Furthermore, the problems such as environmental hazards in the process of preparation were summarized. At last, the development tendency and research route of functional and intelligent superwetting materials with photothermal effect were prospected.

Mesoporous carbons with unique features, such as high specific surface area, regular pore channels, homogeneous nano-framework, and tunable pore size, stand out from carbonaceous materials and are applied in a wide range of fields, including energy storage and conversion, catalyst, adsorption as well as drug delivery. Microemulsion method is characterized by simple preparation process, environmental friendliness, feasibility for large-scale production, and controllable product structure, which has made a breakthrough in preparation of mesoporous carbon with controllable pore structure and special morphology. Herein, the research progress of microemulsion preparation of mesoporous carbon is reviewed and the reaction mechanisms are analyzed. Besides, influencing factors controlling the pore morphology and internal structure of mesoporous carbon materials are further investigated. Finally, applications of novel mesoporous carbon materials in the fields of energy storage, catalyst, adsorption and drug delivery are summarized, and the future development prospects are put forward.