Formaldehyde in the indoor environment

Highly exposed metal atomic active sites in Al2O3/CoNC: Modify reaction pathways by coupling oxygen species

The catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO) at ambient temperature is a highly efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach for formaldehyde removal. Reactive oxygen (O*) and reactive hydroxyl groups (OH*) are the main active species in the catalytic oxidation reaction of HCHO. Therefore, it is crucial to design catalysts that can simultaneously enhance the surface concentrations of O* and OH*, thereby improving their overall catalytic performance. The present study aimed to design an Al2O3/CoNC catalyst featuring layered carbon nitride coupled with metal oxides possessing domain-limited cobalt (Co) metal active sites, to efficiently remove HCHO (≈100 %, 100 ppm, RH=50 %, GSHV=20,000 mL/(g h)) and ensure stability (more than 90 % formaldehyde removal within 450 h) at ambient temperature. The characterization revealed that the interaction between Al2O3-supported metal and CoNC resulted in enhanced confinement of Co, leading to a higher abundance of edge structures exposing more active sites. Additionally, the presence of highly dispersed Co-NX active sites and increased oxygen vacancies effectively facilitated the adsorption and activation processes of HCHO and O2, as well as the adsorption and desorption dynamics of intermediates during the reaction. These factors collectively contributed to an improved catalytic activity. The results of in situ infrared spectroscopy revealed that the catalyst improved the adsorption and activation of O2 and H2O, leading to the rapid generation of substantial amounts of O* and OH*. This synergistic interaction between Al2O3 and CoNC plays a crucial role in the sustained production of O* and OH*, promoting efficient of intermediate decomposition, and ensuring excellent catalytic activity and stability for HCHO.

Carcinogenic formaldehyde in U.S. residential buildings: Mass inventories, human health impacts, and associated healthcare costs

Formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, is formulated into building materials in the U.S. and worldwide. We used literature information and mass balances to obtain order-of-magnitude estimates of formaldehyde inventories in U.S. residential buildings as well as associated exposures, excess morbidity, and healthcare costs along with other economic ramifications. Use of formaldehyde in building materials dates to the 1940s and continues today unabated, despite its international classification in 2004 as a human carcinogen. Global production of formaldehyde was about 32 million metric tons (MMT) in 2006. In the U.S., 5.7 ± 0.05 to 7.4 ± 0.125 MMT of formaldehyde were produced annually from 2006 to 2022, with 65 ± 5 % of this mass (3.7 ± 0.03 to 4.8 ± 0.08 MMT) entering building materials. For a typical U.S. residential building constructed in 2022, we determined an average total mass of formaldehyde containing chemicals of 48.2 ± 10.1 kg, equivalent to 207 ± 40 g of neat formaldehyde per housing unit. When extrapolated to the entire U.S. housing stock, this equates to 29,800 ± 5760 metric tons of neat formaldehyde. If the health threshold in indoor air of 0.1 mg/m3 is never surpassed in a residential building, safe venting of embedded formaldehyde would take years. Using reported indoor air exceedances, up to 645 ± 33 excess cancer cases may occur U.S. nationwide annually generating up to US$65 M in cancer treatment costs alone, not counting ~16,000 ± 1000 disability adjusted life-years. Other documents showed health effects of formaldehyde exist, but could not be quantified reliably, including sick building syndrome outcomes such as headache, asthma, and various respiratory illnesses. Opportunities to improve indoor air exposure assessments are discussed with special emphasis on monitoring of building wastewater. Safer alternatives to formaldehyde in building products exist and are recommended for future use.

Fluorescent probes for formaldehyde based on formaldehyde-promoted C-N cleavage of azanyl carbamates

Formaldehyde (FA) is an endogenous one-carbon metabolite and an environmental pollutant and carcinogen. Elevated FA levels are associated with many diseases. Methods for the convenient and in situ detection of FA levels are of great significance for understanding FA's biofunctions and signalling pathways. Herein, the NAP-FAP2 series of fluorescent probes for FA detection were developed based on FA-promoted C-N cleavage of 3-nitrophenylazanyl N-arylcarbamate via FA-induced intramolecularity, where the aryl group is the fluorophore 1,8-naphthalimide-4-yl. The 3-nitrophenylazanyl containing reactive group also functions as a fluorescence quenching group via a photo-induced electron transfer mechanism to generate turn-on fluorescence response upon reaction with FA. The probes were applied to explore FA level changes in erastin-induced ferroptosis, and it was found that the FA level increases intracellularly, but not in the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that the FA level increases in ferroptosis are not derived from lipid peroxidation.

Urinary Thioproline and Thioprolinyl Glycine as Specific Biomarkers of Formaldehyde Exposure in Humans

Assessment of personal formaldehyde (FA) exposure is most commonly carried out using formate as a biomarker, as it is the major product from FA metabolism. However, formate could also have originated from the metabolism of other endogenous and exogenous substances or from dietary intake, which may give rise to overestimated results with regard to FA exposure. We have developed and validated a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) coupled with an isotope-dilution method for rigorous quantitation of two major urinary FA conjugation products: thioproline (SPro) and thioprolinyl glycine (SPro-Gly), formed in the reaction between FA and endogenous cysteine or cysteinyl glycine, respectively, as marker molecules to assess personal FA exposure. Using this newly developed method, we measured the FA exposure levels in cigarette smokers, occupants of a chemistry research laboratory and typical domestic household, and visitors to a Chinese temple with a Pearson correlation coefficient greater than 0.94, showing a strong linear correlation between urinary adduct levels and the airborne FA level. It is believed that quantitation of urinary SPro and SPro-Gly may represent a noninvasive, interference-free method for assessing personal FA exposure.

Differences in impact on disease or lung injury depending on the physicochemical characteristics of harmful chemicals in the PAH model

The number of individuals with underlying medical conditions has been increasing steadily. These individuals are relatively vulnerable to harmful external factors. But it has not been proven that the effects of hazardous chemicals may differ depending on their physicochemical properties. This study determines the toxic effects of two chemicals with high indoor exposure risk and different physicochemical properties on an underlying disease model. A pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) model was constructed by a single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT; 60 mg/kg) into Sprague-Dawley rats. After three weeks, formaldehyde (FA; 2.5 mg/kg) and polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG; 0.05 mg/kg) were administered once via intratracheal instillation, and rats were necropsied one week later. Exposure to FA and PHMG affected organ weight and the Fulton and toxicity indices in rats induced with PAH. FA promoted bronchial injury and aggravated PAH, while PHMG only induced alveolar injury. Additionally, the differentially expressed genes were altered following exposure to FA and PHMG, as were the associated diseases (cardiovascular disease and pulmonary fibrosis, respectively). In conclusion, inhaled chemicals with different physicochemical properties can cause damage to organs, such as the lungs and heart, and can aggravate underlying diseases. This study elucidates indoor inhaled exposure-induced toxicities and alerts patients with pre-existing diseases to the harmful chemicals.

The catalytic efficacy of modified manganese-cobalt oxides for room-temperature oxidation of formaldehyde in air

Formaldehyde (FA) is a hazardous indoor air pollutant with carcinogenic propensity. Oxidation of FA in the dark at low temperature (DLT) is a promising strategy for its elimination from indoor air. In this light, binary manganese-cobalt oxide (0.1 to 5 mol L-1-MnCo2O4) is synthesized and modified in an alkaline medium (0.1-5 mol L-1 potassium hydroxide) for FA oxidation under room temperature (RT) conditions. Accordingly, 1-MnCo2O4 achieves 100 % FA conversion at RT (50 ppm and 7022 h-1 gas hourly space velocity (GHSV)). The catalytic activity of 1-MnCo2O4 is assessed further as a function of diverse variables (e.g., catalyst mass, relative humidity, FA concentration, molecular oxygen (O2) content, flow rate, and time on-stream). In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy confirms that FA molecules are adsorbed onto the active surface sites of 1-MnCo2O4 and oxidized into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through dioxymethylene (DOM) and formate (HCOO-) as the reaction intermediates. According to the density functional theory simulations, the higher catalytic activity of 1-MnCo2O4 can be attributed to the combined effects of its meritful surface properties (e.g., the firmer attachment of FA molecules, lower energy cost of FA adsorption, and lower desorption energy for CO2 and H2O). This work is the first report on the synthesis of alkali (KOH)-modified MnCo2O4 and its application toward the FA oxidative removal at RT in the dark. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the development of efficient and cost-effective non-noble metal catalysts against indoor FA at DLT.

Construction of a turn-on fluorescent probe for detecting formaldehyde in biological systems and real food samples

The monitoring of formaldehyde (FA) in biosystems and real foods is critical for ensuring human health and food safety. However, the development of effective and highly selective assays for sensing FA in organisms and real food samples remains challenging. Herein, a hydrophilic group-modified the probe (Nap-FA) was reported, which utilizes the specific chemical reaction between FA and hydrazino to trigger a "turn-on" fluorescence response. The probe Nap-FA displayed superior selectivity, high sensitivity, good photostability and a low detection limit in the reaction with FA. Notably, Nap-FA has been successfully used for imaging FA in cells, zebrafish, and plant root tissues. In addition, the rationally constructed probe Nap-FA could rapidly and visually detect FA in real food samples. This work provides a prospective approach for monitoring FA in complex biological systems and food fields.

Clarifying the Direct Generation of •OH Radicals in Photocatalytic O2 Reduction: Theoretical Prediction Combined with Experimental Validation

This work systematically studied thermocatalytic and photocatalytic pathways of formaldehyde degradation and H-assisted O2 reduction over a Pt13/anatase-TiO2(101) composite via DFT calculations together with constrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We show that photocatalytic O2 reduction on Pt/TiO2 can directly generate •OH radicals (*O2 → *OOH → •OH) via two hydrogenation steps with small barriers, and the product selectivity (*H2O2 or •OH) is decided by the relative position between catalyst Fermi level and •OH/*H2O2 redox potential (theoretical determination of 0.07 V referencing to the SHE). Such a novel reaction channel was furthermore validated at the liquid-solid interface via constrained MD simulations and experimental electron paramagnetic resonance detections, and a wide range of H resources, e.g., *HCHO, *HCO, *H (H+ + e-), can always drive the direct •OH generation. The additional portion of e--triggered •OH radicals are prone to diffuse into solution or the TiO2 surface and furthermore cooperate with the conventional h+-driven photooxidations.

Pd Nanoclusters-Sensitized MIL-125/TiO2 Nanochannel Arrays for Sensitive and Humidity-Resistant Formaldehyde Detection at Room Temperature

Among the various hazardous substances, formaldehyde (HCHO), produced worldwide from wood furniture, dyeing auxiliaries, or as a preservative in consumer products, is harmful to human health. In this study, a sensitive room-temperature HCHO sensor, MTiNCs/Pd, has been developed by integrating Pd nanoclusters (PdNCs) into mesoporous MIL-125(Ti)-decorated TiO2 nanochannel arrays (TiNCs). Thanks to the enrichment effect of the mesoporous structure of MIL-125 and the large surface area offered by TiNCs, the resulting gas sensor accesses significantly enhanced HCHO adsorption capacity. The sufficient energetic active defects formed on PdNCs further allow an electron-extracting effect, thus effectively separating the photogenerated electrons and holes at the interface. The resulting HCHO sensor exhibits a short response/recovery time (37 s/12 s) and excellent sensitivity with a low limit of detection (4.51 ppb) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. More importantly, the cyclic redox reactions of Pdδ+ in PdNCs facilitated the regeneration of O2-(ads), thus ensuring a stable and excellent gas sensing performance even under a high-humidity environment. As a proof-of-principle of this design, a wearable gas sensing band is developed for the real-time and on-site detection of HCHO in cigarette smoke, with the potential as an independent device for environmental monitoring and other smart sensing systems.

Insights into uncovered public health risks. The case of asthma attacks among archival workers: a cross-sectional study

Objective

To ascertain the prevalence of asthma attacks among archivists and identify the associated occupational factors in this understudied professional population.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study among 1,002 archival workers. A multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify the association between asthma attacks and occupational exposures. The Strobe Protocol was applied.

Results

999 workers were included in the final analysis with the asthma prevalence of 33.3%. Main factors associated with asthma attacks (OR [95% CI]) were the presence of chemically irritating odors (2.152 [1.532-3.024]), mold odors (1.747 [1.148-2.658]), and insects (1.409[1.041-1.907]). A significant synergistic effect was observed between chemical irritants and mold, the odds ratio was 7.098 (95% CI, 4.752-10.603).

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of asthma attacks among archival workers, an under-studied population. Chemical irritants, molds and insects were associated with their asthma attacks. Notably, this study's data analysis has revealed a strong synergy (OR = 7.098) between chemical odors and molds in the workplace. While the existing international literature on this specific interaction remains somewhat limited, previous studies have already demonstrated the potential for chemical irritants, such as sulfur dioxide and ozone, to synergistically interact with inhalable allergens, including fungi, molds and dust mites. Consequently, this interaction seems to exacerbate asthma symptoms and perpetuate untreated exposure. Furthermore, in damp and damaged buildings, the presence of microbial components, such as cellular debris or spores released during fungal growth can trigger an inflammatory response, potentially served as a shared pathway for the development of asthma among individuals exposed to these hazardous factors.

Insight into the effect of exposed crystal facets of anatase TiO2 on HCHO catalytic oxidation of Mn-Ce/TiO2

Indoor formaldehyde pollution seriously jeopardizes human health. The development of efficient and stable non-precious metal catalysts for low-temperature catalytic degradation of formaldehyde is a promising approach. In this study, TiO2 {001} and {101} supports were loaded with different ratios of Mn and Ce active components, and the effects of the ratios of the active components on the catalytic activity were investigated. The elemental oxidation states, redox capacities, active oxygen mobilities and acid site distributions of the catalysts were determined using characterization techniques such as XPS, H2-TPR, O2-TPD, and NH3-TPD. In situ infrared spectroscopy was utilized to reveal the differences in the two-step dehydrogenation reactions of dioxymethylene (DOM) in 5Mn1Ce/Ti-NS and 5Mn1Ce/Ti-NP. Density-functional theory was used to investigate the differences in the catalytic steps and maximum energy barriers of Mn-Ce/Ti-NS and Mn-Ce/Ti-NP for HCHO. The differences in catalytic activity due to the influence of the manganese and cerium active components on the {001} and {101} crystal faces of anatase titanium dioxide are comprehensively revealed. Exposure of the supported crystalline surfaces alters the catalytic activity centers and reaction pathways at the molecular level. This study provides experimental and theoretical guidance for the selection of exposed crystalline surfaces for loaded catalysts.

Three-dimensional Ni foam supported Pt/NiFe LDH catalyst with enhanced oxygen activation for room-temperature formaldehyde oxidation

Room-temperature catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO) has been extensively investigated due to its high efficiency, convenience, and environmental friendliness. Herein, nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) nanosheets were synthesized in-situ on a nickel foil (NF) using a facile one-step hydrothermal method, followed by the deposition of ultra-low content (0.069 wt%) of Pt nanoparticles through NaBH4 reduction. The resulting three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical Pt/NiFe-NF catalyst exhibited exceptional activity for the complete decomposition of formaldehyde to carbon dioxide (CO2) at room temperature (∼95 % conversion within 1 h), as well as remarkable cycling stability. The 3D porous structure of Pt/NiFe-NF provides fast transport channels for the diffusion of gas molecules, making the active catalyst surfaces more accessible. Moreover, abundant hydroxyl groups in NiFe LDH serve as adsorption centers for HCHO molecules to form dioxymethylene (DOM) and formate intermediates. Furthermore, electronic interactions between NiFe LDH and Pt enhance the adsorption and activation of O2 on Pt surfaces, leading to the complete decomposition of intermediates into non-toxic products. This work presents new insights into the design and preparation of Pt-based 3D hierarchical catalysts with surface-rich hydroxyl groups for the efficient removal of indoor HCHO.

Efficient catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde by defective g-C3N4-anchored single-atom Pt: A DFT study

Indoor volatile formaldehyde is a serious health hazard. The development of low-temperature and efficient nonhomogeneous oxidation catalysts is crucial for protecting human health and the environment but is also quite challenging. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) with active centers and coordination environments that are precisely tunable at the atomic level exhibit excellent catalytic activity in many catalytic fields. Among two-dimensional materials, the nonmagnetic monolayer material g-C3N4 may be a good platform for loading single atoms. In this study, the effect of nitrogen defect formation on the charge distribution of g-C3N4 is discussed in detail using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The effect of nitrogen defects on the activated molecular oxygen of Pt/C3N4 was systematically revealed by DFT calculations in combination with molecular orbital theory. Two typical reaction mechanisms for the catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde were proposed based on the Eley-Rideal (E-R) mechanism. Pt/C3N4-V3N was more advantageous for path 1, as determined by the activation energy barrier of the rate-determining step and product desorption. Finally, the active centers and chemical structures of Pt/C3N4 and Pt/C3N4-V3N were verified to have good stability at 375 K by determination of the migration energy barriers and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Therefore, the formation of N defects can effectively anchor single-atom Pt and provide additional active sites, which in turn activate molecular oxygen to efficiently catalyze the oxidation of formaldehyde. This study provides a better understanding of the mechanism of formaldehyde oxidation by single-atom Pt catalysts and a new idea for the development of Pt as well as other metal-based single-atom oxidation catalysts.

Progress in the Study of Optical Probes for the Detection of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, one of the simplest reactive carbonyl substances, is involved in many physiological and pathological processes in living organisms. There is a large amount of data showing that abnormal elevation of formaldehyde is associated with a variety of diseases in the body, such as neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and is also a representative carcinogen, so monitoring formaldehyde is of great importance for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, In this paper, we summarize and classify the last ten years of probes for the detection of formaldehyde according to different reaction mechanisms and discuss the structures and applications of the probes. Finally, we briefly describe the challenges and possible solutions in this field. We believe that more new probes provide powerful tools to study the function of formaldehyde in living systems.

A robust, eco-friendly, and biodegradable cellulose nanofiber composite film for highly effective formaldehyde removal at room temperature

Formaldehyde (HCHO) poses a significant threat as a common indoor air pollutant, leading to various health issues. However, effectively addressing HCHO removal at room temperature remains a considerable challenge. This paper presents the preparation of a robust, eco-friendly, and biodegradable composite cellulose nanofiber film, incorporating CeO2-Ag@MnO2 catalysts and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF), for high-efficiency HCHO removal at room temperature. A CeO2-Ag@MnO2 ternary catalyst with a core-shell structure was constructed to enhance the catalytic oxidation activity and stability. This structure increased the number of active sites on the catalyst surface and enhanced the interfacial synergistic effect of Ce-Ag-Mn. The TOCNF physically adsorbed HCHO in the composite film, while the catalyst oxidized it to CO2 and water. The composite films, particularly those with 20 wt% CeO2-Ag@MnO2 catalyst, exhibited high HCHO removal rates of 91.2 % at 20 °C and 99.6 % at 60 °C. Furthermore, the TOCNF/20 CAM composite films demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and degradability. This composite film offers an efficient and eco-friendly solution for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO at room temperature.

New Architecture Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Spin Crossover Complexes to Detect Volatile Organic Compounds

We present here the encapsulation of a spin crossover complex C1 [FeII(L)] (L: 4-amino-, 2-(2-pyridinylmethylene)hydrazide) inside MOF-808(Zr), a chemically robust Metal-Organic Framework. The compound C1⊂MOF-808 retains its crystallinity as well as a partial porosity compared to pristine MOF and shows solvatochromism under Volatile Organic compounds (VOCs) sorption associated to a spin state change of the guest complex. More specifically, this compound shows an interesting reversible color change under formaldehyde and formic acid vapor sorption and can therefore be considered as a new kind of optical VOCs chemosensor, opening new doors for developing a broad range of VOCs optical sensors.

The practical utility of ternary nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide-supported platinum catalysts for room-temperature oxidative removal of formaldehyde from the air

Formaldehyde (FA), a carcinogenic oxygenated volatile organic compound, is present ubiquitously in indoor air. As such, it is generally regarded as a critical target for air quality management. The oxidative removal of FA under dark and room-temperature (RT) conditions is of practical significance. A series of ternary nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide-supported platinum catalysts (Pt/NiCoMnO4) have been synthesized for FA oxidative removal at RT in the dark. Their RT conversion values for 50 ppm FA (XFA) at 5,964 h-1 gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) decrease in the following order: 1 wt% Pt/NiCoMnO4 (100 %) > 0.5 wt% Pt/NiCoMnO4 (25 %) > 0.05 wt% Pt/NiCoMnO4 (14 %) > NiCoMnO4 (6 %). The catalytic performance of 1 wt% Pt/NiCoMnO4 has been examined further under the control of various process variables (e.g., catalyst mass, flow rate, relative humidity, FA concentration, time on stream, and molecular oxygen content). The catalytic oxidation of FA at low temperatures (e.g., RT and 60 °C) is accounted for by Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism (single-site competitive-adsorption), while Mars van Krevelen kinetics is prevalent at higher temperatures. In situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy reveals that FA oxidation proceeds through a series of reaction intermediates such as DOM, HCOO-, and CO32-. Based on the density functional theory simulations, the unique electronic structures of the nearest surface atoms (platinum and nickel) are suggested to be responsible for the superior catalytic activity of Pt/NiCoMnO4.

Derivatives of Br-doped metal-organic framework for improved acetaldehyde adsorption-photocatalytic oxidation

Different Br-doped metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived (Brx@UiO-66) have been prepared by heat treatment using UiO-66 as the precursor. The experimental results showed that Br0.2@UiO-66 exhibited the best photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption performances toward acetaldehyde. In the dynamic system, the acetaldehyde removal rate and adsorption capacity of Br0.2@UiO-66 were 93.2 % and 230.59 mg/g, respectively. The improvement of the photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the presence of Br ions and CBr bonds, which facilitated the rapid separation of electrons and holes and the production of •O2-. In addition, Br0.2@UiO-66 had a better adsorption performance than 300UiO-66, mainly because of the increased Lewis acidity of the metal active sites due to Br doping. Radical capture experiments indicated that •O2- and e- were the primary active substances in acetaldehyde oxidation, and allowed establishing the possible mechanism of acetaldehyde oxidation. This work shows that MOFs can have high catalytic oxidation performances toward volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while retaining their adsorption capacity, and can be used for practical applications in the adsorption-catalytic integrated degradation of VOCs.

Preparation of Pt and bamboo charcoal co-modified TiO2 for formaldehyde sensing at room temperature

Anatase TiO2 has evolved into one of the most attractive materials for gas sensing owing to its strong oxidation activity and excellent sensing properties. In this study, we prepared Pt and bamboo charcoal co-modified nano-TiO2 using a one-pot hydrothermal process and applied it to detect formaldehyde. The successful incorporation of the precious metal Pt and bamboo charcoal onto TiO2 was confirmed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Detailed analysis revealed a homogeneous distribution of Pt nanoparticles and bamboo charcoal on the TiO2 surface, which significantly improved the surface area and facilitated gas adsorption. These modifiers significantly enhanced the response of TiO2 to formaldehyde, for instance, the response signal increased fourfold, while the response time decreased from 91 to 68 s. The sample with 0.5@Pt and 0.5@C bamboo charcoal performed the best, showcasing the synergistic effect of metal nanoparticles and carbonaceous materials on gas-sensing properties. Our work highlighted the potential of using biomass-derived carbon to enhance the detection of formaldehyde and demonstrated the importance of material characteristics in designing effective gas sensors.

Mechanisms of efficient indoor formaldehyde removal via electro-Fenton: Synergy in ·OH generation and utilization through a modified carbon cathode

Indoor formaldehyde poses a significant carcinogenic risk to human health, making its removal imperative. Electro-Fenton degradation has emerged as a promising technology for addressing this concern. In the electro-Fenton system, ·OH is identified as the primary active species responsible for formaldehyde removal. Hence, its generation and utilization are pivotal for the system's effectiveness and economy. Experimental and quantum chemical methods were employed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of nitrogen doping on various aspects influencing ·OH generation and utilization. Results indicate that nitrogen doping synergistically enhances the generation and utilization of ·OH, leading to an improved formaldehyde removal efficiency in nitrogen-doped cathodic systems. The dominant nitrogen type influencing ·OH generation and utilization varies across different stages. Pyridinic nitrogen facilitates H2O2 adsorption through hydrogen bonding, while pyrrolic and graphitic nitrogen contribute to formaldehyde adsorption and catalyze the conversion of H2O2 to ·OH. Both pyridinic nitrogen and pyrrolic nitrogen boost the degradation of formaldehyde by ·OH. In comparison to the unmodified system, the modified system with NAC-GF/700C as cathode exhibits remarkable improvements. The formaldehyde removal efficiency has increased twofold, and energy consumption reduced by 73.45%. Furthermore, the system demonstrates excellent cyclic stability. These advancements can be attributed to the activation temperature, which leads to the appropriate types and high content of nitrogen elements in NAC-GF/700C. The research represents an important step towards more economical and efficient electro-Fenton technology for indoor formaldehyde removal.

Modular development of organelle-targeting fluorescent probes for imaging formaldehyde in live cells

Formaldehyde (FA) is endogenously generated via fundamental biological processes in living systems. Aberrant FA homeostasis in subcellular microenvironments is implicated in numerous pathological conditions. Fluorescent probes for detecting FA in specific organelles are thus of great research interest. Herein, we present a modular strategy to construct diverse organelle-targeting FA probes by incorporating selective organelle-targeting moieties into the scaffold of a 1,8-naphthalimide-derived FA fluorescent probe. These probes react with FA through the 2-aza-Cope arrangement and exhibit highly selective fluorescence increases for detecting FA in aqueous solutions. Moreover, these organelle-targeting probes, i.e., FFP551-Nuc, FFP551-ER, FFP551-Mito, and FFP551-Lyso, allow selective localization and imaging of FA in the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lysosomes of live mammalian cells, respectively. Furthermore, FFP551-Nuc has been successfully employed to monitor changes of endogenous FA levels in the nucleus of live mammalian cells. Overall, these probes should represent new imaging tools for studying the biology and pathology associated with FA in different intracellular compartments.

Health risk assessment from inhalation exposure to indoor formaldehyde: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated studies on formaldehyde (FA) inhalation exposure in indoor environments and related carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic (HQ) risk. Studies were obtained from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databases without time limitation until November 21, 2023. Studies not meeting the criteria of Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes (PECO) were excluded. The 45 articles included belonged to the 5 types of sites: dwelling environments, educational centers, kindergartens, vehicle cabins, and other indoor environments. A meta-analysis determined the average effect size (ES) between indoor FA concentrations, CR, and HQ values in each type of indoor environment. FA concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 1620 μg/m3. The highest FA concentrations were stated in water pipe cafés and the lowest in residential environments. In more than 90% of the studies uncertain (1.00 ×10-6 1.00 ×10-4) due to FA inhalation exposure was reported and non-carcinogenic risk was stated acceptable. The meta-analysis revealed the highest CR values due to inhalation of indoor FA in high-income countries. As 90% of the time is spent indoors, it is crucial to adopt effective strategies to reduce FA concentrations, especially in kindergartens and schools, with regular monitoring of indoor air quality.

SiNx/SiO2-Based Fabry-Perot Interferometer on Sapphire for Near-UV Optical Gas Sensing of Formaldehyde in Air

Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs), comprising foundry-compatible dielectric thin films on sapphire wafer substrates, were investigated for possible use in chemical sensing. Specifically, structures comprising two vertically stacked distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), with the lower DBR between a sapphire substrate and a silicon-oxide (SiO2) resonator layer and the other DBR on top of this resonator layer, were investigated for operation in the near-ultraviolet (near-UV) range. The DBRs are composed of a stack of nitride-rich silicon-nitride (SiNx) layers for the higher index and SiO2 layers for the lower index. An exemplary application would be formaldehyde detection at sub-ppm concentrations in air, using UV absorption spectroscopy in the 300-360 nm band, while providing spectral selectivity against the main interfering gases, notably NO2 and O3. Although SiNx thin films are conventionally used only for visible and near-infrared optical wavelengths (above 450 nm) because of high absorbance at lower wavelengths, this work shows that nitride-rich SiNx is suitable for near-UV wavelengths. The interplay between spectral absorbance, transmittance and reflectance in a FPI is presented in a comparative study between one FPI design using stoichiometric material (Si3N4) and two designs based on N-rich compositions, SiN1.39 and SiN1.49. Spectral measurements confirm that if the design accounts for phase penetration depth, sufficient performance can be achieved with the SiN1.49-based FPI design for gas absorption spectroscopy in near-UV, with peak transmission at 330 nm of 64%, a free spectral range (FSR) of 20 nm and a full-width half-magnitude spectral resolution (FWHM) of 2 nm.

A call for action: Formalin exposure and broader occupational hazards and assessing the risk of glioblastoma in clinician scientists

Physicians and surgeons have a threefold increased risk of glioblastoma compared with population controls. We discuss the potential role of dermatology neurotoxin and carcinogenic occupational exposure, particularly to formalin/formaldehyde; how to reduce those exposures; and the ethical imperative for dermatologists to protect themselves, their staff, and their patients.

Household air pollution and attributable burden of disease in rural China: A literature review and a modelling study

Household air pollution prevails in rural residences across China, yet a comprehensive nationwide comprehending of pollution levels and the attributable disease burdens remains lacking. This study conducted a systematic review focusing on elucidating the indoor concentrations of prevalent household air pollutants-specifically, PM2.5, PAHs, CO, SO2, and formaldehyde-in rural Chinese households. Subsequently, the premature deaths and economic losses attributable to household air pollution among the rural population of China were quantified through dose-response relationships and the value of statistical life. The findings reveal that rural indoor air pollution levels frequently exceed China's national standards, exhibiting notable spatial disparities. The estimated annual premature mortality attributable to household air pollution in rural China amounts to 966 thousand (95% CI: 714-1226) deaths between 2000 and 2022, representing approximately 22.2% (95% CI: 16.4%-28.1%) of total mortality among rural Chinese residents. Furthermore, the economic toll associated with these premature deaths is estimated at 486 billion CNY (95% CI: 358-616) per annum, constituting 0.92% (95% CI: 0.68%-1.16%) of China's GDP. The findings quantitatively demonstrate the substantial disease burden attributable to household air pollution in rural China, which highlights the pressing imperative for targeted, region-specific interventions to ameliorate this pressing public health concern.

Human exposure to formaldehyde and health risk assessment: a 46-year systematic literature review

After confirming that formaldehyde (FA) is carcinogenic, many studies were conducted in different countries to investigate this finding. Therefore, according to the dispersion of related studies, a bibliometric review of the current literature was performed with the aim of better understanding the exposure to FA and the resulting health risk, for the first time, using the Scopus database and the two open-source software packages, Bibliometrix R package. After screening the documents in Excel, the data was analyzed based on three aspects including performance analysis, conceptual structure, and intellectual structure, and the results were presented in tables and diagrams. A total of 468 documents were analyzed over period 1977-2023, in which 1956 authors from 56 countries participated. The number of scientific publications has grown significantly from 1977 (n = 1) to 2022 (n = 19). Zhang Y., from the Yale School of Public Health (USA), was identified as the most impactful author in this field. The Science of the Total Environment journal was identified as the main source of articles related to exposure to formaldehyde by publishing 25 studies. The United States and China were the most active countries with the most international collaboration. The main topics investigated during these 46 years included "formaldehyde" and "health risk assessment", which have taken new directions in recent years with the emergence of the keyword "asthma". The present study provides a comprehensive view of the growth and evolution of studies related to formaldehyde and the resulting health risks, which can provide a better understanding of existing research gaps and new and emerging issues.

A first-principles study on Ni-decorated MoS2 for efficient formaldehyde degradation over a wide temperature range

The development of a high-efficiency, low-cost, and environmentally friendly catalyst for formaldehyde degradation is crucial for addressing the issue of indoor formaldehyde pollution. Given that modern individuals spend over 90% of their time indoors, effectively tackling indoor formaldehyde pollution holds significant importance. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient catalyst for formaldehyde degradation: surface modification of MoS2 by single-atom Ni, which can convert formaldehyde into harmless H2O and CO2. The DFT method is employed to systematically investigate the oxidative degradation pathways of formaldehyde on the surface of Ni-doped MoS2. The research focuses on two common oxidative degradation pathways in both the L-H mechanism and E-R mechanism. Our findings demonstrate that these four reaction paths occur spontaneously within the temperature range of 300-800 K with a reaction equilibrium constant greater than 105. Moreover, even under extreme temperature conditions (100 K), the reaction rate remains favorable. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the minimum activation energy is merely 0.91 eV and H2O and CO2 only need to overcome an energy barrier of 0.71 eV for desorption from the catalyst surface. This substantiates its potential application both in indoor environments and under extreme temperature conditions. This theoretical research provides innovative ideas and strategies for effectively oxidizing formaldehyde.

Citric acid/chitosan adhesive with viscosity-controlled for wood bonding through supramolecular self-assembly

Developing bio-based sustainable wood adhesives is significant as a substitute for petroleum-derived adhesives. However, the existing bio-based adhesives have disadvantages of complex fabrication, uncontrollable viscosity, and poor water resistance. Herein, we developed a citric acid/chitosan adhesive with viscosity-controlled and water-resistant features by one-step dissolution at room temperature based on the supramolecular self-assembly strategy. Different wood products (plywood, laminated veneer lumber and particleboard) with superior performance were prepared by applying that adhesive on veneer and wood particles (fine and rough particles). The plywood test results showed that the citric acid/chitosan adhesive had dry and wet shear strengths outperforming the China National Standard (GB/T 9846-2015, ≥0.7 MPa), reaching 2.1 and 1.1 MPa, respectively. The adhesion mechanism was mechanical interlocks and cross-linking of citric acid/chitosan in adhesives with those in the cell wall. This work provides high promise for alternatives to traditional unsustainable wood adhesives (urea-formaldehyde, melamine-urea-formaldehyde and phenolic resins) for fabricating different wood products.

Synergically regulated silver species and surface oxygen on manganese oxide for promoted activity of formaldehyde oxidation

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a common indoor pollutant that is detrimental to human health. Its efficient removal has become an urgent demand to reduce the public health risk. In this work, Ag-MnOx-based catalysts were prepared and activated under different atmosphere (i.e., air, hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO)) for efficient oxidation of HCHO. The catalyst activated with CO (Ag/Mn-CO) displayed the highest activity among the tested samples with 90% conversion at 100°C under a gas space velocity of 75,000 mL/(gcat·hr). Complementary characterizations demonstrate that CO reduction treatment resulted in synergically regulated content of surface oxygen on support to adsorb/activate HCHO and size of Ag particle to dissociate oxygen to oxidize the adsorbed HCHO. In contrast, other catalysts lack for either abundant surface oxygen species or metallic silver with the appropriate particle size, so that the integrate activity is limited by one specific reaction step. This study contributes to elucidating the mechanisms regulating the oxidation activity of Ag-based catalysts.

Efficient Photothermal Catalytic Oxidation Enabled by Three-Dimensional Nanochannel Substrates

Photothermal catalysis exhibits promising prospects to overcome the shortcomings of high-energy consumption of traditional thermal catalysis and the low efficiency of photocatalysis. However, there is still a challenge to develop catalysts with outstanding light absorption capability and photothermal conversion efficiency for the degradation of atmospheric pollutants. Herein, we introduced the Co3O4 layer and Pt nanoclusters into the three-dimensional (3D) porous membrane through the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, leading to a Pt/Co3O4/AAO monolithic catalyst. The 3D ordered nanochannel structure can significantly enhance the solar absorption capacity through the light-trapping effect. Therefore, the embedded Pt/Co3O4 catalyst can be rapidly heated and the O2 adsorbed on the Pt clusters can be activated to generate sufficient O2- species, exhibiting outstanding activity for the diverse VOCs (toluene, acetone, and formaldehyde) degradation. Optical characterization and simulation calculation confirmed that Pt/Co3O4/AAO exhibited state-of-the-art light absorption and a notable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry (in situ DRIFTS) studies demonstrated that light irradiation can accelerate the conversion of intermediates during toluene and acetone oxidation, thereby inhibiting byproduct accumulation. Our finding extends the application of AAO's optical properties in photothermal catalytic degradation of air pollutants.

Multi-Functional Formaldehyde-Nitrate Batteries for Wastewater Refining, Electricity Generation, and Production of Ammonia and Formate

As bulky pollutants in industrial and agricultural wastewater, nitrate and formaldehyde pose serious threats to the human health and ecosystem. Current purification technologies including chemical and bio-/photo-/electro-chemical methods, are generally high-cost, time-consuming, or energy-intensive. Here, we report a novel formaldehyde-nitrate battery by pairing anodic formaldehyde oxidation with cathodic nitrate reduction, which simultaneously enables wastewater purification, electricity generation, and the production of high-value-added ammonia and formate. As a result, the formaldehyde-nitrate battery remarkably exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 0.75 V, a peak power density of 3.38 mW cm-2 and the yield rates of 32.7 mg h-1  cm-2 for ammonia and 889.4 mg h-1  cm-2 for formate. In a large-scale formaldehyde-nitrate battery (25 cm2 ), 99.9 % of nitrate and 99.8 % of formaldehyde are removed from simulated industrial wastewater and the electricity of 2.03 W⋅h per day is generated. Moreover, the design of such a multi-functional battery is universally applicable to the coupling of NO3 - or NO2 - reduction with various aldehyde oxidization, paving a new avenue for wastewater purification and chemical manufacturing.

Indoor Air Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution: Health Consequences, Policy, and Recommendations: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report

Indoor sources of air pollution worsen indoor and outdoor air quality. Thus, identifying and reducing indoor pollutant sources would decrease both indoor and outdoor air pollution, benefit public health, and help address the climate crisis. As outdoor sources come under regulatory control, unregulated indoor sources become a rising percentage of the problem. This American Thoracic Society workshop was convened in 2022 to evaluate this increasing proportion of indoor contributions to outdoor air quality. The workshop was conducted by physicians and scientists, including atmospheric and aerosol scientists, environmental engineers, toxicologists, epidemiologists, regulatory policy experts, and pediatric and adult pulmonologists. Presentations and discussion sessions were centered on 1) the generation and migration of pollutants from indoors to outdoors, 2) the sources and circumstances representing the greatest threat, and 3) effective remedies to reduce the health burden of indoor sources of air pollution. The scope of the workshop was residential and commercial sources of indoor air pollution in the United States. Topics included wood burning, natural gas, cooking, evaporative volatile organic compounds, source apportionment, and regulatory policy. The workshop concluded that indoor sources of air pollution are significant contributors to outdoor air quality and that source control and filtration are the most effective measures to reduce indoor contributions to outdoor air. Interventions should prioritize environmental justice: Households of lower socioeconomic status have higher concentrations of indoor air pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources. We identify research priorities, potential health benefits, and mitigation actions to consider (e.g., switching from natural gas to electric stoves and transitioning to scent-free consumer products). The workshop committee emphasizes the benefits of combustion-free homes and businesses and recommends economic, legislative, and education strategies aimed at achieving this goal.

Structure-Function Relationship of Highly Reactive CuOx Clusters on Co3 O4 for Selective Formaldehyde Sensing at Low Temperatures

Designing reactive surface clusters at the nanoscale on metal-oxide supports enables selective molecular interactions in low-temperature catalysis and chemical sensing. Yet, finding effective material combinations and identifying the reactive site remains challenging and an obstacle for rational catalyst/sensor design. Here, the low-temperature oxidation of formaldehyde with CuOx clusters on Co3 O4 nanoparticles is demonstrated yielding an excellent sensor for this critical air pollutant. When fabricated by flame-aerosol technology, such CuOx clusters are finely dispersed, while some Cu ions are incorporated into the Co3 O4 lattice enhancing thermal stability. Importantly, infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction in H2 identified Cu+ and Cu2+ species in these clusters as active sites. Remarkably, the Cu+ surface concentration correlated with the apparent activation energy of formaldehyde oxidation (Spearman's coefficient ρ = 0.89) and sensor response (0.96), rendering it a performance descriptor. At optimal composition, such sensors detected even the lowest formaldehyde levels of 3 parts-per-billion (ppb) at 75°C, superior to state-of-the-art sensors. Also, selectivity to other aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and inorganic compounds, robustness to humidity and stable performance over 4 weeks are achieved, rendering such sensors promising as gas detectors in health monitoring, air and food quality control.

Investigation into the roles of interfacial H2O structure in catalytic oxidation of HCHO and CO over CuMnO2 catalysts

The rapid deactivation of cost-effective MnO2-based catalysts in humid air limits their application in practice, and the identification of the role of water in an oxidation process is significant for developing water-resistant MnO2-based catalysts. Here, CuMnO2 showed a 20.3% HCHO conversion in 10 hr at room temperature in humid air with relative humidity of 40%, but deactivated in 3 hr in dry air. The excellent activity and stability of HCHO oxidation in humid air were attributed to the positive effect of H2O on HCHO oxidation to the H2O-HOCH2OH supermolecule assemblies via hydrogen bonds formed on CuMnO2. H2O-HOCH2OH supermolecule assemblies tend to be oxidized to carbonate, which is further oxidized to CO2. Furthermore, CuMnO2 exhibited a much poorer activity of CO oxidation in humid air, but the CO conversion was still 100% in 10 hr in dry air. H2O showed a competitive adsorption effect to CO on CuMnO2. CuMnO2 could be applied in HCHO elimination in humid air and CO elimination in dry air.

Real-time, noise and drift resilient formaldehyde sensing at room temperature with aerogel filaments

Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, is a common indoor air pollutant. However, its real-time and selective recognition from interfering gases remains challenging, especially for low-power sensors suffering from noise and baseline drift. We report a fully 3D-printed quantum dot/graphene-based aerogel sensor for highly sensitive and real-time recognition of formaldehyde at room temperature. By optimizing the morphology and doping of printed structures, we achieve a record-high and stable response of 15.23% for 1 part per million formaldehyde and an ultralow detection limit of 8.02 parts per billion consuming only ∼130-microwatt power. On the basis of measured dynamic response snapshots, we also develop intelligent computational algorithms for robust and accurate detection in real time despite simulated substantial noise and baseline drift, hitherto unachievable for room temperature sensors. Our framework in combining materials engineering, structural design, and computational algorithm to capture dynamic response offers unprecedented real-time identification capabilities of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds at room temperature.

Evaluation of the adsorption performance and thermal treatment-associated regeneration of adsorbents for formaldehyde removal

Indoor air pollution remains a major concern, with formaldehyde (HCHO) a primary contributor due to its long emission period and associated health risks, including skin allergies, coughing, and bronchitis. This study evaluated the adsorption performance and economic efficiency of various adsorbents (biochar, activated carbon, zeolites A, X, and Y) selected for HCHO removal. The impact of thermal treatment on adsorbent regeneration was also assessed. The experimental apparatus featured an adsorption column and HCHO concentration meter with an electrochemical sensor designed for adsorption analysis. Zeolite X exhibited the highest adsorption performance, followed by zeolite A, zeolite Y, activated carbon, and biochar. All adsorbents displayed increased HCHO removal rates with an extended length/diameter (L/D) ratio of the adsorption column. Zeolite A demonstrated the highest economic efficiency, followed by zeolite X, activated carbon, zeolite Y, and biochar. Higher L/D ratios improved economic efficiency and prolonged the replacement cycle (the optimal timing for adsorbent replacement to maintain high adsorption performance). Sensitivity analysis of adsorbent regeneration under varying thermal treatment conditions (150, 120, and 80°C) and durations (60, 45, and 30 min) revealed minimal changes in adsorption efficiency (±3%). The results indicated the potential of adsorbent regeneration under energy-efficient thermal treatment conditions (80°C, 30 min). In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of a comprehensive assessment, considering factors such as adsorption performance, replacement cycle, economic efficiency, and regeneration performance for the selection of optimal adsorbents for HCHO adsorption and removal.Implications: This study underscores the importance of adsorption technology for the removal of formaldehyde and similar volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highlighting the potential of alternative adsorbents, such as environmentally friendly biochar, in addition to traditional strategies, such as activated carbon and zeolites. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of adsorbent regeneration under energy-efficient thermal treatment conditions. These results hold promise for improving indoor air quality, reducing environmental pollutants, and enhancing responses to air contaminants like fine dust and VOCs.

Constructing α-MnO2/Mn2O3 heterojunction for formaldehyde oxidation

Constructing heterojunctions with oxygen defect-rich structures and abundant phase interfaces poses an appealing yet challenging task in the development of non-precious metal oxide catalysts for formaldehyde (HCHO) oxidation. Herein, we present a simple and efficient method for fabricating highly active manganese oxide heterojunction catalysts for HCHO oxidation. This method involves the hydrothermal synthesis of a nanostructured α-MnO2/γ-MnOOH composite, followed by mechanical milling-induce phase transformation of γ-MnOOH to Mn2O3. Importantly, mechanical milling not only creates the heterojunction but also imparts oxygen defect-rich structures and an abundant phase interface to the catalyst. The resulting α-MnO2/Mn2O3 heterojunction exhibits outstanding performance in HCHO oxidation, comparable to the best non-precious metal oxide catalysts reported thus far. It achieves a 100% conversion of 100 ppm HCHO under a gas hourly space velocity of 120 L gcat-1 h-1 at 80 °C, corresponding to a mass-specific reaction rate of 8.92 μmol g-1 min-1 and an area-specific reaction rate of 0.18 μmol m-2 min-1. Based on the control experiments using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy combined with online gas chromatography, we gained insights into the mechanism of HCHO oxidation over the α-MnO2/Mn2O3 catalyst and the functional roles played by its component phases.

Enhanced and Sustainable Removal of Indoor Formaldehyde by Naturally Porous Bamboo Activated Carbon Supported with MnOx: Synergistic Effect of Adsorption and Oxidation

Novel bamboo activated carbon (BAC) catalysts decorated with manganese oxides (MnOx) were prepared with varying MnOx contents through a facile one-step redox reaction. Due to the physical anchoring effect of the natural macropore structure for catalyst active components, homogeneous MnOx nanoparticles (NPs), and high specific surface area over catalyst surface, the BAC@MnOx-N (N = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) catalyst shows encouraging adsorption and catalytic oxidation for indoor formaldehyde (HCHO) removal at room temperature. Dynamic adsorption and catalytic activity experiments were conducted. The higher Smicro (733 m2/g) and Vmicro/Vt (82.6%) of the BAC@MnOx-4 catalyst could facilitate its excellent saturated and breakthrough adsorption capacity (5.24 ± 0.42 mg/g, 2.43 ± 0.22 mg/g). The best performer against 2 ppm HCHO is BAC@MnOx-4 catalyst, exhibiting a maximum HCHO removal efficiency of 97% for 17 h without any deactivation as RH = 0, which is higher than those of other MnOx-based catalysts. The average oxidation state and in situ DRIFTS analysis reveal that abundant oxygen vacancies on the BAC@MnOx-4 catalyst could be identified as surface-active sites of decomposing HCHO into the intermediate species (dioxymethylene and formate). This study provides a potential approach to deposit MnOx nanoparticles onto the BAC surface, and this hybrid BAC@MnOx material is promising for indoor HCHO removal at room temperature.

A novel low sampling rate and cost-efficient active sampler for medium/long-term monitoring of gaseous pollutants

Active sampling is a dependable approach for gaseous pollutants monitoring, offering high accuracy and precision that is unaffected by environmental factors such as wind and temperature in comparison to passive sampling. To measure long-term average concentrations while minimizing the use of materials, a reduced sampling rate is necessary. Thus, this study aims to develop a novel low sampling rate (down to 1 mL/min) and cost-efficient active sampler (LASP) for medium/long-term monitoring of gaseous pollutants. The LASP mainly consisted of a syringe pump, a Y-shaped fitting with two one-way valves, and a control unit for intermittent operation. Results showed that LASP can obtain a sampling rate of less than 1 mL/min and sampling rate exhibited a high level of stability. Daily average concentrations measurements for nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde by LASP had normalized mean biases of 2.8% and 5.2%, respectively. These numbers were - 5.8% and 6.1% for weekly-average samplings. This study demonstrated applications of LASP in real outdoor (daily-average) and indoor (weekly-average) air quality measurements. It worked well with low noise levels, and without interfering with occupants' daily activities. LASP can assist in improving our ability to monitor air quality and pollutants emissions, thereby supporting health research and policy development. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Gaseous air pollution is an important hazardous factor threatening human health. Medium/long-term air quality monitoring is essential for outdoor and indoor air quality assessment and control. However, air sampler for medium/long-term sampling is lacking. This study developed a novel low sampling rate and cost-efficient active sampler and applied it to medium/long-term air sampling. The sampler can work at a sampling rate of less than 1 mL/min. This technology provides a feasible strategy for medium/long-term monitoring of gaseous air pollutants in both environments and emission hotspots.

Electrospun microcrystalline cellulose/chitosan porous composite nanofibrous membranes modified by non-thermal plasma for gaseous formaldehyde adsorption

To develop a green and facile adsorbent for removing indoor polluted formaldehyde (HCHO) gas, the biomass porous nanofibrous membranes (BPNMs) derived from microcrystalline cellulose/chitosan were fabricated by electrospinning. The enhanced chemical adsorption sites with diverse oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N)-containing functional groups were introduced on the surface of BPNMs by non-thermal plasma modification under carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. The average nanofiber diameters of nanofibrous membranes and their nanomechanical elastic modulus and hardness values decreased from 341 nm to 175-317 nm and from 2.00 GPa and 0.25 GPa to 1.70 GPa and 0.21 GPa, respectively, after plasma activation. The plasma-activated nanofibers showed superior hydrophilicity (WCA = 0°) and higher crystallinity than that of the control. The optimal HCHO adsorption capacity (134.16 mg g-1) of BPNMs was achieved under a N2 atmosphere at a plasma power of 30 W and for 3 min, which was 62.42 % higher compared with the control. Pyrrolic N, pyridinic N, CO and O-C=O were the most significant O and N-containing functional groups for the improved chemical adsorption of the BPNMs. The adsorption mechanism involved a synergistic combination of physical and chemical adsorption. This study provides a novel strategy that combines clean plasma activation with electrospinning to efficiently remove gaseous HCHO.

Engineering of two thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzymes for the regioselective condensation of C1-formaldehyde into C4-erythrulose

A number of carboligases, which catalyze condensation of C1- and/or C2-aldehydes into multi-carbon products, have been reported. However, their catalytic activities and/or regioselectivities remained rather low. Thereby, this study has focused on engineering of C1 and C2 carboligases for the regioselective condensation of C1-formaldehyde into C4-erythrulose via C2-glycolaldehyde. The crystal structure of the glyoxylate carboligase from Escherichia coli (EcGCL) was elucidated in complex with glycolaldehyde. A structure-guided rationale generated several mutants, one of whose catalytic activity reached 15.6 M-1·s-1, almost 10 times greater than the wild-type enzyme. Another variant (i.e., EcGCL_R484M/N283Q/L478M/M488L/R284K) has shown significantly increased stability to the glycolaldehyde toxicity, enabling production of glycolaldehyde to 31 mM from 75 mM formaldehyde (conversion: 83 %). Besides, the E1 subunit of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex from Vibrio vulnificus (VvSucA) was engineered as a regiospecific C2 carboligase for condensation of glycolaldehyde into erythrulose. The combination of EcGCL_R484M/N283Q/L478M/M488L/R284K and VvSucA_K228L led to the cascade production of erythrulose to 8 mM from 90 mM formaldehyde via glycolaldehyde without byproduct formation. This study will contribute to valorization of C1 gases into industrially relevant multi-carbon products in an environment-friendly way.

M-Encapsulated Be12O12 Nano-Cage (M = K, Mn, or Cu) for CH2O Sensing Applications: A Theoretical Study

DFT and TD-DFT studies of B3LYP/6-31 g(d,p) with the D2 version of Grimme's dispersion are used to examine the adsorption of a CH2O molecule on Be12O12 and MBe12O12 nano-cages (M = K, Mn, or Cu atom). The energy gap for Be12O12 was 8.210 eV, while the M encapsulation decreased its value to 0.685-1.568 eV, whereas the adsorption of the CH2O gas decreased the Eg values for Be12O12 and CuBe12O12 to 4.983 and 0.876 eV and increased its values for KBe12O12 and MnBe12O12 to 1.286 and 1.516 eV, respectively. The M encapsulation enhanced the chemical adsorption of CH2O gas with the surface of Be12O12. The UV-vis spectrum of the Be12O12 nano-cage was dramatically affected by the M encapsulation as well as the adsorption of the CH2O gas. In addition, the adsorption energies and the electrical sensitivity of the Be12O12 as well as the MBe12O12 nano-cages to CH2O gas could be manipulated with an external electric field. Our results may be fruitful for utilizing Be12O12 as well as MBe12O12 nano-cages as candidate materials for removing and sensing formaldehyde gas.

Rational Integration of SnMOF/SnO2 Hybrid on TiO2 Nanotube Arrays: An Effective Strategy for Accelerating Formaldehyde Sensing Performance at Room Temperature

Formaldehyde is ubiquitously found in the environment, meaning that real-time monitoring of formaldehyde, particularly indoors, can have a significant impact on human health. However, the performance of commercially available interdigital electrode-based sensors is a compromise between active material loading and steric hindrance. In this work, a spaced TiO2 nanotube array (NTA) was exploited as a scaffold and electron collector in a formaldehyde sensor for the first time. A Sn-based metal-organic framework was successfully decorated on the inside and outside of TiO2 nanotube walls by a facile solvothermal decoration strategy. This was followed by regulated calcination, which successfully integrated the preconcentration effect of a porous Sn-based metal-organic framework (SnMOF) structure and highly active SnO2 nanocrystals into the spaced TiO2 NTA to form a Schottky heterojunction-type gas sensor. This SnMOF/SnO2@TiO2 NTA sensor achieved a high room-temperature formaldehyde response (1.7 at 6 ppm) with a fast response (4.0 s) and recovery (2.5 s) times. This work provides a new platform for preparing alternatives to interdigital electrode-based sensors and offers an effective strategy for achieving target preconcentrations for gas sensing processes. The as-prepared SnMOF/SnO2@TiO2 NTA sensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, flexibility, and convenience, showing excellent potential as a miniaturized device for medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and other intelligent sensing systems.

Source apportionment for indoor air pollution: Current challenges and future directions

Source apportionment (SA) for indoor air pollution is challenging due to the multiplicity and high variability of indoor sources, the complex physical and chemical processes that act as primary sources, sinks and sources of precursors that lead to secondary formation, and the interconnection with the outdoor environment. While the major indoor sources have been recognized, there is still a need for understanding the contribution of indoor versus outdoor-generated pollutants penetrating indoors, and how SA is influenced by the complex processes that occur in indoor environments. This paper reviews our current understanding of SA, through reviewing information on the SA techniques used, the targeted pollutants that have been studied to date, and their source apportionment, along with limitations or knowledge gaps in this research field. The majority (78 %) of SA studies to date focused on PM chemical composition/size distribution, with fewer studies covering organic compounds such as ketones, carbonyls and aldehydes. Regarding the SA method used, the majority of studies have used Positive Matrix Factorization (31 %), Principal Component Analysis (26 %) and Chemical Mass Balance (7 %) receptor models. The indoor PM sources identified to date include building materials and furniture emissions, indoor combustion-related sources, cooking-related sources, resuspension, cleaning and consumer products emissions, secondary-generated pollutants indoors and other products and activity-related emissions. The outdoor environment contribution to the measured pollutant indoors varies considerably (<10 %- 90 %) among the studies. Future challenges for this research area include the need for optimization of indoor air quality monitoring and data selection as well as the incorporation of physical and chemical processes in indoor air into source apportionment methodology.

Unveiling the intrinsic role of water in the catalytic cycle of formaldehyde oxidation: a comprehensive study integrating density functional theory and microkinetic analysis

Previous research is predominantly in consensus on the reaction mechanism between formaldehyde (HCHO) and oxygen (O2) over catalysts. However, water vapor (H2O) always remains present during the reaction, and the intrinsic role of H2O in the oxidation of HCHO still needs to be fully understood. In this study, a single-atom catalyst, Al-doped C2N substrate, Al1/C2N, can be adopted as an example to investigate the relationship and interaction among O2, H2O, and HCHO. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and microkinetic simulations were carried out to interpret the enhancement mechanism of H2O on HCHO oxidation over Al1/C2N. The outcome demonstrates that H2O directly breaks down a surface hydroxyl group on Al1/C2N, considerably lowering the energy required to form crucial intermediates, thus promoting oxidation. Without H2O, Al1/C2N cannot effectively oxidize HCHO at ambient temperature. During oxidation, H2O takes the major catalytic responsibility, delaying the entrance of O2 into the reaction, which is not only the product but also the crucial reactant to initiate catalysis, thereby sustaining the catalytic cycle. Moreover, this study predicts the catalytic behavior at various temperatures and presents feasible recommendations for regulating the reaction rates. The oxidation mechanism of HCHO is explained at the molecular level in this study, emphasizing the intrinsic role of water on Al1/C2N, which fills in the relevant studies for HCHO oxidation on two-dimensional carbon materials.

Effect of ligand substitution in UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks on the photocatalytic oxidation of acetaldehyde

A series of functionalized X-UiO-66 (X = NH2, H, Br and NO2) materials were prepared using a hydrothermal method and modified with various ligands. Their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the oxidation of acetaldehyde. Experimental results show that the introduction of different ligands significantly influences the physicochemical properties of UiO-66. Br-UiO-66 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity and CO2 selectivity of 85.6% and 85.7%, respectively. Photochemical properties reveal that -Br functional group facilitate the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, significantly improving their transfer and oxygen reduction. As a result, an increased number of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals can form, improving the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction. Br-UiO-66 accumulates fewer intermediates on its surface and still shows excellent photocatalytic activity and structural stability after 24 h of dynamic reaction. This work demonstrates the excellent adsorption and catalytic oxidation performance of Br-UiO-66 towards acetaldehyde and may provide new ideas for researching catalysts in the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

Perspectives for the creation of a new type of vaccine preparations based on pseudovirus particles using polio vaccine as an example

Traditional antiviral vaccines are currently created by inactivating the virus chemically, most often using formaldehyde or β-propiolactone. These approaches are not optimal since they negatively affect the safety of the antigenic determinants of the inactivated particles and require additional purification stages. The most promising platforms for creating vaccines are based on pseudoviruses, i.e., viruses that have completely preserved the outer shell (capsid), while losing the ability to reproduce owing to the destruction of the genome. The irradiation of viruses with electron beam is the optimal way to create pseudoviral particles. In this review, with the example of the poliovirus, the main algorithms that can be applied to characterize pseudoviral particles functionally and structurally in the process of creating a vaccine preparation are presented. These algorithms are, namely, the analysis of the degree of genome destruction and coimmunogenicity. The structure of the poliovirus and methods of its inactivation are considered. Methods for assessing residual infectivity and immunogenicity are proposed for the functional characterization of pseudoviruses. Genome integrity analysis approaches, atomic force and electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and bioelectrochemical methods are crucial to structural characterization of the pseudovirus particles.

Reaction-based energy level modulation of a cyclometalated iridium complex for electrochemiluminescent detection of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a toxic compound present in both the environment and living systems, and its detection is important due to its association with various pathological process. In this study, we report a new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) probe based on a cyclometalated iridium complex (IrHAA) for the selective detection of formaldehyde. The homoallylamine moiety in IrHAA reacts with formaldehyde, undergoing a 2-aza-Cope-rearrangement reaction to form a formyl group. Significant changes in the electronic properties and molecular orbital energies of the iridium complex through the functional group transformation result in enhanced ECL and radiometric phosphorescence changes, enabling the quantitative and selective detection of formaldehyde. The energetic requirements for ECL sensing were investigated, highlighting the importance of the excited state energy for achieving efficient ECL. The sensing mechanism was elucidated using NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF analysis.

Robust and facile detection of formaldehyde through transition metals doped olympicene sensors: a step forward DFT investigation

Formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC) released by building and decoration materials, has many applications in the chemical feedstock industry. Excessive release of formaldehyde can cause serious health issues, such as chest tightness, cough, cancer, and tissue damage. Therefore, detection of formaldehyde is required. Herein transition metal (Fe, Ni, and Pd) doped olympicene is evaluated as a gas sensor for the detection of formaldehyde. The performance of the designed electrochemical sensor is evaluated through interaction energy, natural bond orbital (NBO) non-covalent interaction (NCI), electron density differences (EDD), electrostatic potential (ESP), quantum theory of atom in molecule (QTAIM), frontier molecular orbital (FMO), and density of states (DOS) analysis. Interaction energies obtained at B3LYP-D3/def-2 TZVP level of theory shows that formaldehyde is physiosorbed over the surface of transition metal doped olympicene. The trend for interaction energy is OLY(Ni)/HCHO > OLY(Fe)/HCHO > OLY(Pd)/HCHO. The presence of non-covalent interactions is confirmed by the QTAIM and NCI analyses, while transfer of charges is confirmed by natural bond orbital analysis. The reduced density gradient (RDG) approach using noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis demonstrates that electrostatic hydrogen bonding interactions prevail in the complexes. Recovery time is calculated to check the reusability of the sensor. This study may provide a deep insight for the designing of highly efficient electrochemical sensor against formaldehyde with transition metals doped on olympicene.

Species-Selective Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds by Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte Using Electrochemical Methods

The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is an important topic for environmental safety and public health. However, the current commercial VOC detectors suffer from cross-sensitivity and low reproducibility. In this work, we present species-selective detection for VOCs using an electrochemical cell based on ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes with features of high selectivity and reliability. The voltammograms measured with the IL-based electrolyte absorbing different VOCs exhibited species-selective features that were extracted and classified by linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The detection system could identify as many as four types of VOCs, including methanol, ethanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and additional water. A mixture of methanol and formaldehyde was detected as well. The sample required for the VOCs classification system was 50 μL, or 1.164 mmol, on average. The response time for each VOC measurement is as fast as 24 s. The volume of VOCs such as formaldehyde in solution could also be quantified by LDA and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The system showed a tunable detection range for 1.6 and 16% (w/v) CH2O solution by adjusting the composition of the electrolyte. The limit of detection was as low as 1 μL. For the 1.6% CH2O solution, the linearity calibration range was determined to be from 5.30 to 53.00 μmol with a limit of detection at 0.53 μmol. The mechanisms for VOCs determination and quantification are also thoroughly discussed. It is expected that this work could provide a new insight into the concept of electrochemical detection of VOCs with machine learning analysis and be applied to both VOCs gas monitoring and fluid detection.