Surface engineering of TiO nanotubes with tantalum for improved electrochemical performance.

In this work, TiO anatase nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized using a straightforward, two-step anodic oxidation method. To tackle with the optical and electrical properties of the material, a thin layer of tantalum was sputtered onto the nanotube surface. The microstructure of the modified material was analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), while changes in chemical bonding were examined by utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Antidiabetic properties of dihydrooxazole Derivatives: In vitro and in silico evaluation as potential aldose reductase and α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Proteins included in type 2 diabetes mellitus are potential targets for minimizing the disease progression. In this contribution, fourteen cinnamoyl compounds were synthesized and characterized, leading to five new oxazole derivatives. Their structures were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory, and the global and local reactivity parameters were calculated.

Cation Vacancies in Ti-Deficient TiO Nanosheets Enable Highly Stable Trapping of Pt Single Atoms for Persistent Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

The stabilization of single-atom catalysts on semiconductor substrates is pivotal for advancing photocatalysis. TiO, a widely employed photocatalyst, typically stabilizes single atoms at oxygen vacancies-sites that are accessible but prone to agglomeration under illumination. Here, we demonstrate that cation vacancies in Ti-deficient TiO nanosheets provide highly stable anchoring sites for Pt single atoms, enabling persistent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Advances in Nickel-Based Catalysts for Alkaline Water Electrolysis: Comprehensive Review of Current Research Direction for HER and OER Applications.

Nickel-based catalysts are among the most promising materials for electrocatalytic water splitting, particularly for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Their abundance, cost-effectiveness, and tunable electrochemical properties make them attractive alternatives to precious metal catalysts. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in nickel-based catalysts, including pure nickel, alloys, oxides, hydroxides, and spinels, emphasizing their synthesis methods, structural properties, and electrocatalytic performance.

Polydisperse Pt Deposits Over TiO-Nanotube-Array-Supported Ru Nanoparticles: Harnessing the Interfacial Synergy for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysis.

Developing cost-effective precious metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is key to realizing the economic viability of acidic water electrolysis. Herein, galvanic displacement is employed for in situ formation of bimetallic Pt/Ru deposits on H-intercalated TiO nanotube arrays. It is found that a two-step procedure yields polydisperse deposits with a dominant fraction of Ru nanoparticles coated with atomic and subnanometric Pt islands.

Enhanced electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion using AgNPs@IL/GO nanocomposites in aqueous matrices.

Methyl parathion (MP) is a widely used pesticide; it is recognized as being toxic to both target and non-target species, posing serious risks to environmental and human health. Monitoring and controlling MP residues is thus essential, necessitating the development of innovative sensors that are highly sensitive, selective, and reproducible. In the present study, an efficient electrochemical MP sensor is proposed based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in conjunction with graphene oxide/ionic liquid (GO/IL) on screen printed electrodes (AgNPs@GO/IL@SPCE).

Sustainable carbon materials from biowaste for the removal of organophosphorus pesticides, dyes, and antibiotics.

This study investigates the potential of spent coffee grounds (SCG) as a precursor for functional carbon materials to remediate diverse pollutants. SCG, a globally abundant biowaste, offers a sustainable resource for addressing environmental challenges while reducing waste. Carbonized at 900 °C and activated using KOH, HPO, and CO, SCG biochars were analyzed for their ability to adsorb organophosphorus pesticides (malathion, chlorpyrifos), organic dyes (methylene blue, rhodamine B), and antibiotics (amoxicillin, ceftriaxone).

Single-Atom Catalysts: Are You Really Single?

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted the attention of the scientific community due to a number of attractive properties allowing their application in different catalytic processes, including electrochemical ones. Due to the nature of the active site, consisting of only a few atoms, SACs are also very attractive for theoretical modeling as the active site can be directly translated into the computational model. However, as a rule, the possibility of the active site change induced by pH and electrode potential is disregarded in theoretical models.

Correction: Density functional theory study of crown ether-magnesium complexes: from a solvated ion to an ion trap.

Correction for 'Density functional theory study of crown ether-magnesium complexes: from a solvated ion to an ion trap' by Katarina Ćeranić , , 2023, , 32656-32665, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP03991A.

The adsorption of chlorpyrifos and malathion under environmentally relevant conditions using biowaste carbon materials.

Water bodies face persistent contamination from organophosphorus pesticides like chlorpyrifos and malathion, which pose substantial environmental and health hazards due to their toxicity and resilience in ecosystems. This study explores the potential of spent coffee grounds, a common agricultural byproduct, as an eco-friendly adsorbent for eliminating these pesticides from polluted water. Spent coffee grounds underwent carbonization at 400 °C and various activation treatments using KOH, HPO, CO, and their combinations.

Chemometrically-aided general approach to novel adsorbents studies: Case study on the adsorption of pharmaceuticals by the carbonized leaves.

A chemometrically based approach was applied to select the most efficient drug adsorbent among the biochars obtained from the novel feedstock, the leaves of the invasive plant (). The representative target adsorbates (atenolol, paracetamol, ketorolac and tetracycline) were selected on the basis of their physicochemical properties to cover a wide chemical space, which is the usual analytical challenge. Their adsorption was investigated using design of experiments as a comprehensive approach to optimise the performance of the adsorption system, rationalise the procedure and overcome common drawbacks.

Revealing the Role of Mo Leaching in the Structural Transformation of NiMo Thin Film Catalysts upon Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

NiMo alloys are considered highly promising non-noble Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) catalysts. Besides the synergistic effect of alloying elements, recent attention is drawn to the Mo leaching from the catalyst. This work investigates the role of Mo in NiMo alloys during HER, aiming to understand the interplay between compositional, structural, and electronic factors on the activity, and their effects on the electrode material and catalyst properties.

Acetamiprid's degradation products and mechanism: Part II - Inert atmosphere and charge storage.

Reuse and/or recycling of spent adsorbents is taking a central role in modern thinking and catalyzed carbonization is the way forward. Herein we explore the carbonization of adsorbed acetamiprid, in an inert atmosphere, as a way of recycling and producing nitrogen-rich carbon material for potential use in supercapacitors. Added value material and the reuse of the adsorbent were achieved by carbonization at 700 °C under argon.

Laser-induced graphene on cross-linked sodium alginate.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) possesses desirable properties for numerous applications. However, LIG formation on biocompatible substrates is needed to further augment the integration of LIG-based technologies into nanobiotechnology. Here, LIG formation on cross-linked sodium alginate is reported.

Density functional theory study of crown ether-magnesium complexes: from a solvated ion to an ion trap.

Metal ion detection rests on host-guest recognition. We propose a theoretical protocol for designing an optimal trap for a desired metal cation. A host for magnesium ions was sought for among derivatives of crown ethers 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6.

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Ultra-Smooth Sputtered Nanocrystalline Ni Thin Films in Alkaline Media-From Intrinsic Activity to the Effects of Surface Oxidation.

Highly effective yet affordable non-noble metal catalysts are a key component for advances in hydrogen generation via electrolysis. The synthesis of catalytic heterostructures containing established Ni in combination with surface NiO, Ni(OH), and NiOOH domains gives rise to a synergistic effect between the surface components and is highly beneficial for water splitting and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, the intrinsic catalytic activity of pure Ni and the effect of partial electrochemical oxidation of ultra-smooth magnetron sputter-deposited Ni surfaces are analyzed by combining electrochemical measurements with transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy.

Activation of Osmium by the Surface Effects of Hydrogenated TiO Nanotube Arrays for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance.

Efficient cathodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic water electrolysis rely on the use of expensive platinum group metals (PGMs). However, to achieve economically viable operation, both the content of PGMs must be reduced and their intrinsically strong H adsorption mitigated. Herein, we show that the surface effects of hydrogenated TiO nanotube (TNT) arrays can make osmium, a so far less-explored PGM, a highly active HER electrocatalyst.

Spectral evidence of acetamiprid's thermal degradation products and mechanism.

Herein we unequivocally identify the mechanism of zeolite-catalysed thermal degradation of pesticide, employing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and mass spectrometry following temperature decomposition (TPDe/MS). We demonstrate that Y zeolite can effectively adsorb a significant amount of acetamiprid both in a single trial (168 mg/g) and in 10 cycles (1249 mg/g) with intermittent thermal regeneration at 300 °C. Sectional vibrational analysis of acetamiprid two-stage thermal degradation is performed for pristine and supported pesticide.

Ultra-Sensitive and Fast Humidity Sensors Based on Direct Laser-Scribed Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotubes Composites.

In this paper, the relative humidity sensor properties of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide/multiwalled nanotubes (GO/MWNTs) composites have been investigated. Composite sensors were fabricated by direct laser scribing and characterized using UV-vis-NIR, Raman, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopies, electron scanning microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and impedance spectroscopy (IS). These methods confirm the composite homogeneity and laser reduction of GO/MWNT with dominant GO characteristics, while ISresults analysis reveals the circuit model for rGO-GO-rGO structure and the effect of MWNT on the sensor properties.

Can Zeolite-Supporting Acridines Boost Their Anticancer Performance?

Acridine and its derivatives (9-chloroacridine and 9-aminoacridine) are investigated here, supported on FAU type zeolite Y, as a delivery system of anticancer agents. FTIR/Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy revealed successful drug loading on the zeolite surface, while spectrofluorimetry was employed for drug quantification. The effects of the tested compounds on cell viability were evaluated using in vitro methylthiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric technique against human colorectal carcinoma (cell line HCT-116) and MRC-5 fibroblasts.

Layer-by-Layer Deposited Multi-Modal PDAC/rGO Composite-Based Sensors.

Different environmental parameters, such as temperature and humidity, aggravate food spoilage, and different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released based on the extent of spoilage. In addition, a lack of efficient monitoring of the dosage of pesticides leads to crop failure. This could lead to the loss of food resources and food production with harmful contaminants and a short lifetime.

The Local Coordination Effects on the Reactivity and Speciation of Active Sites in Graphene-Embedded Single-Atom Catalysts over Wide pH and Potential Range.

Understanding the catalytic performance of different materials is of crucial importance for achieving further technological advancements. This especially relates to the behaviors of different classes of catalysts under operating conditions. Here, we analyzed the effects of local coordination of metal centers (Mn, Fe, Co) in graphene-embedded single-atom catalysts (SACs).

Galectin-3 Involvement in Cognitive Processes for New Therapeutic Considerations.

Cognitive impairment may be a consequence of the normal aging process, but it may also be the hallmark of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Early identification of individuals at particular risk for cognitive decline is critical, as it is imperative to maintain a cognitive reserve in these neuropsychiatric entities. In recent years, galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of the galectin family, has received considerable attention with respect to aspects of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.