An amine-reactive fluorogenic molecule specifically turned on by superoxide radicals (O2˙(-)) was synthesized and coupled to a mitochondrial (MT) targeting peptide. The obtained probe showed superior uptake and MT targeting capabilities; and successfully detected the change in O2˙(-) levels in cells treated with chemical stimuli or single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Rechargeable disinfectant performance of a microfiber fabric grafted with a halamine precursor, 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (ADMH), was tested in an actual use situation in a university student dining hall. The precursor was successfully incorporated onto the surfaces of polyester fibers by using a radical graft polymerization process through a commercial finishing facility. The N⁻H bonds of ADMH moieties on the fibers can be converted to biocidal N⁻Cl bonds, when the fabrics are washed in a diluted chlorine bleach containing 3000 ppm available chlorine, providing a refreshable disinfectant function. By wiping the surfaces of 30 tables (equivalent to 18 m²) with wet chlorinated fabrics, both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in concentrations of 10⁵ CFU/mL were totally killed in a contact time of 3 min. The disinfectant properties of the fabrics were still superior after 10 times successive machine washes (equivalent to fifty household machine washes), and rechargeable after wiping 30 tables before each recharge. Recharging conditions, such as temperature, time, active chlorine concentration and pH value of sodium hypochlorite solution, as well as the addition of a detergent, were studied. The product has the potential to improve public safety against biological contaminations and the transmission of diseases.

Maleic acid (MA) has been explored to replace formaldehyde-based dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) for cotton anti-crease finishing. However, the resilience of treated fabrics was not satisfactorily improved. In this study, acryloyl malic acid (AMA) was synthesized and applied on fabrics as a novel crosslinking agent. The results showed that both crease recovery angle and whiteness index of treated samples were higher than those of MA in the presence/absence of catalyst sodium hypophosphite (SHP). Chemical structure of AMA was confirmed by NMR and MS spectra. The possible crosslinking mechanism between AMA and cellulose was investigated by means of (13)C NMR, MS, FTIR and phosphorus content analyses. It was found that AMA could form ester bonds with cellulose by formation of anhydride intermediate. Meanwhile, additional reaction of double bonds on AMA with another molecule or PH of SHP residual has also contributed to the crosslinking. A reaction equation was proposed based on the analyses.