Themed collection Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Sun Yat-Sen University


Phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes in the marine environment: current status and future trends
This review delves into the application of phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) in underwater optical communication and marine fishery, exploring the development strategies of phosphors tailored for the marine environment.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 2089-2104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06605G
Constructing bottom-up n–p perovskite homojunctions for enhanced performance of electron transport layer-free solar cells
Successful construction of a bottom-up n–p homojunction within perovskite bulk films enables to enhance the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells without relying on an electron transport layer.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 3520-3523
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05174B
Host–guest recognition-mediated reversible and orthogonal regulation of DNAzyme activity
The host–guest recognition system is incorporated into the core region of the 10–23 DNAzyme for precise regulation of its cleavage functionality in test tubes and living cells.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 1890-1893
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05330C
A ternary composite nanofiber-derived thin membrane electrolyte for solid-state Li metal batteries
We develop a novel membrane electrolyte comprising h-BN-doped PEO modified PVDF-HFP-nanofibers with high ionic conductivity (3.3 × 10−4 S cm−1) and Li+ transference number (0.74), endowing solid LiFePO4//Li batteries with excellent cyclability.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 13530-13533
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC04550E
Stereodivergent atom transfer radical addition of α-functionalized alkyl iodides to alkynes: a strategy for selective synthesis of both E- and Z-iodoalkenes
A photo-redox stereodivergent atom transfer radical addition of α-functionalized alkyl iodides to alkynes allows the selective and efficient synthesis of both E- and Z-iodoalkenes.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 13251-13254
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC04948A
Synergetic spin crossover and fluorescence in a mononuclear iron(III) complex
The synergetic effect between abrupt spin crossover and fluorescence is observed for the first time in an iron(III) complex.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 13227-13230
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05036C
Simultaneous production of CO and H2O2 by paired electrolysis coupling CO2 reduction and water oxidation
This work introduces a rare example of CO2R-to-CO coupled with 2e−WOR-to-H2O2, giving a total energy efficiency of 34%.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 12718-12721
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC04436C
Engineering heterostructured Mo2C/MoS2 catalyst with hydrophilicity/aerophobicity via carbothermal shock for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution
Mo2C/MoS2 heterostructure catalysts with hydrophilicity/aerophobicity are rapidly synthesized via carbothermal shock, demonstrating the accelerating alkaline HER kinetics.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 11112-11115
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03757J

Initiating photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under ultra-low light intensity via oxygen-centered organic radicals
The authors pioneer a photocatalytic system employing long-lived organic radicals for efficient organic pollutant degradation under ultralow light intensities, providing a foundation for practical photochemistry applications in pollution remediation.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3964-3977
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06339B

Introducing halogen-bonded gates into zeolitic frameworks for efficient benzene/cyclohexene/cyclohexane separation
The introduction of a halogen-bonded gate into a zeolite framework achieved molecular-sieving-like benzene separation from C6 cyclic hydrocarbon mixtures.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3307-3312
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06624C

Innocuous solvent-based, low-temperature curable, and highly transparent photosensitive polyimides developed using soluble polyimides containing bio-based magnolol moieties
The low-temperature photopatterning of soluble polyimide was realized by the photoinitiated thiol–ene reaction, providing a promising strategy for the development of high-performance, green and energy-saving PSPI materials.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3157-3167
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07952C

Evolution from [Zn9] to a record-high [Zn54] subblock and engineering a hierarchical supramolecular framework for enhanced iodine uptake
The design of a carboxylate–pyridine–triazole integrated ligand, coupled with a strategy of “rivet” substitution and “hinge” linkage, facilitates the construction of the largest [Zn54] cluster in a hierarchical supramolecular framework.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 1730-1736
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04474F

Switchable modes of azulene-based single molecule–electrode coupling controlled by interfacial charge distribution
The coupling modes between azulene-based single molecule and electrode can be switched by the ion distribution in the electrochemical electric double layer.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 1353-1363
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06614F

Regulation of STING G-quadruplex for rescuing cellular senescence and Aβ phagocytic capacity of microglia
A highly conserved G-quadruplex in STING promoter region has been verified and precisely targeted by CRISPR-mediated specificity, which can restrain STING expression and restore Aβ phagocytic capacity of microglia for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 693-699
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04453C

Rare-earth element doped NiFe-MOFs as efficient and robust bifunctional electrocatalysts for both alkaline freshwater and seawater splitting
The doping of rare-earth element into NiFe-MOFs regulated the electronic property of active sites and optimized the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates, leading to superior performance for both alkaline freshwater and seawater splitting.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 685-692
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06574C

Remote C–H bond cooperation strategy enabled silver catalyzed borrowing hydrogen reactions
Metal–ligand cooperation (MLC) is an essential strategy in transition metal catalysis. Herein, we demonstrate a remote C–H bond cooperation strategy that enables the unprecedented homogeneous Ag(I)-catalyzed BH/HA reaction.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 163-170
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05486E

An effective design strategy for thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters with aggregation-induced emission to enable sky-blue OLEDs that achieve an EQE of nearly 30%
Efficient indolocarbazole based blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters with aggregation-induced emission are presented, affording OLEDs with a high external quantum efficiency of 29.9%.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 156-162
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06613H

SynAsk: unleashing the power of large language models in organic synthesis
SynAsk is a chemistry-specific LLM platform, fine-tuned with domain data and integrated with in-house tools. It supports tasks like reaction prediction, retrosynthesis, and literature retrieval, advancing organic synthesis research.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 43-56
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04757E

Diphosphaenones: beyond the phosphorus analogue of enones
N-heterocyclic vinyl (NHV) substituted diphosphaenones 3a,b [R–PP–C(O)–R, R
NHV] have been isolated and crystallographically characterized. They not only exhibit a planar trans P
P–C
O configuration, but also show conjugated 1,4-addition.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 20030-20038
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06462C

Molecular brush-based ultrathin polymer electrolytes with stable interfaces for high-voltage large-areal-capacity lithium metal batteries
An ultrathin polymer electrolyte with superior ionic conductivity and stable electrolyte/electrode interfaces enables a high-loading Li/NCM811 cell with a capacity retention of up to 71% after 400 cycles at a high cut-off voltage of 4.5 V.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 18327-18334
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04454A

Enhancing the performance of molecule-based piezoelectric sensors by optimizing their microstructures
A molecule-based ferroelectric [(CH3)3NCH2CH2Br][GaBr4] (1), with a d33 value of 331 pC N−1, was synthesized. The power density of the 1@S-PDMS piezoelectric sensor, featuring optimized microstructures, is up to 490 μW cm−2.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 18060-18066
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05442C

Long-persistent luminescence by host–guest Förster resonance energy transfer
An unexpected finding of organic afterglow triggered by a paper (cellulose)-matrixed strategy was reported, which offers a novel host–guest afterglow system attributed to the Förster resonance energy transfer mechanism.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 17600-17607
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04746J

Highly efficient circularly polarized electroluminescence based on chiral manganese(II) complexes
Eco-friendly chiral Mn complexes with Binapo ligands show red CPL (glum = 5.1 × 10−3) and efficient (EQE > 4% and gEL = −8.5 × 10−3), outperforming many Pt and Ir-based devices, paving the way for sustainable materials.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 16698-16704
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04748F

Optical activity levels of metal centers controlling multi-mode emissions in low-dimensional hybrid metal halides for anti-counterfeiting and information encryption
The optical activity levels of metal centers govern the multi-mode emissions by manipulating the band alignments in hybrid metal halides.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 16536-16545
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05041J

Bisphosphonium cation based metal halide glass scintillators with tunable melting points
Chain elongation and halogen substitution strategies are employed to synthesize low-melting-point bisphosphonium cation based metal halides, which can be used to fabricate highly stable glass scintillators.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 16338-16346
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04229H

A nanocarbon-enabled hybridization strategy to construct pharmacologically cooperative therapeutics for augmented anticancer efficacy
We propose a nanocarbon-enabled hybridization strategy to construct pharmacologically cooperative nanodrugs for augmented cancer therapy based on pharmacophore hybridization in medicinal chemistry and the synthetic principles of nanocarbons.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 16156-16168
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05280C

Achievement of a giant electromechanical conversion coefficient in a molecule-based ferroelectric
A molecule-based ferroelectric, possessing the highest d33 × g33 values recorded to date, achieves a record power density of 120 μW cm−2 in ferroelectric@PDMS PEGs, offering a viable method to enhance the electromechanical conversion coefficient.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 15192-15197
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04185B

A compact chemically driven [2]catenane rotary motor operated through alternate pumping and discharging
A compact chemically driven [2]catenane rotary motor was designed for precise 360° unidirectional rotation utilizing a molecular pumping system. It operates in two phases: pumping induces a 180° rotation and discharging resets the motor.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 14721-14725
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04292A

A cyclic trinuclear silver complex for photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide
A BODIPY-based silver cyclic trinuclear complex can be used as a photocatalyst for producing H2O2 either from pure water or from sea water with high photocatalytic activities in the absence of any additives.
Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 14513-14520
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC04098H
About this collection
Sun Yat-Sen University is celebrating its 100th anniversary in November 2024 since establishing in 1924 in Guangzhou, China, and to celebrate the occasion, we are pleased to present this joint themed collection between Chemical Science and ChemComm. This collection showcases original research and review articles from Sun Yat-Sun University researchers and alumni across all areas of chemistry, including materials chemistry, energy conversion and storage, analytical chemistry, catalysis, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, machine learning and more.
This joint themed collection is guest edited by Professors Song Gao (Sun Yat-Sen University, China), Xiao-Ming Chen (Sun Yat-Sen University, China), Chengyong Su (Sun Yat-Sen University, China), Wei-Xiong Zhang (Sun Yat-Sen University, China).