Cytotoxicity of ZnO Nanoparticles Can Be Tailored by Modifying Their Surface Structure: A Green Chemistry Approach for Safer Nanomaterials

ZnO nanoparticles (NP) are extensively used in numerous nanotechnology applications; however, they also happen to be one of the most toxic nanomaterials. This raises significant environmental and health concerns and calls for the need to develop new synthetic approaches to produce safer ZnO NP, while preserving their attractive optical, electronic, and structural properties. In this work, we demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of ZnO NP can be tailored by modifying their surface-bound chemical groups, while maintaining the core ZnO structure and related properties. Two equally sized (9.26 ± 0.11 nm) ZnO NP samples were synthesized from the same zinc acetate precursor using a forced hydrolysis process, and their surface chemical structures were modified by using different reaction solvents. X-ray diffraction and optical studies showed that the lattice parameters, optical properties, and band gap (3.44 eV) of the two ZnO NP samples were similar. However, FTIR spectroscopy showed significant differences in the surface structures and surface-bound chemical groups. This led to major differences in the zeta potential, hydrodynamic size, photocatalytic rate constant, and more importantly, their cytotoxic effects on Hut-78 cancer cells. The ZnO NP sample with the higher zeta potential and catalytic activity displayed a 1.5-fold stronger cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. These results suggest that by modifying the synthesis parameters/conditions and the surface chemical structures of the nanocrystals, their surface charge density, catalytic activity, and cytotoxicity can be tailored. This provides a green chemistry approach to produce safer ZnO NP.

Distribution and speciation of ambient selenium in contrasted soils, from mineral to organic rich

Selenium adsorption onto oxy-hydroxides mainly controls its mobility in volcanic soils, red earths and soils poor in organic matter (OM) while the influence of OM was emphasized in podzol and peat soils. This work aims at deciphering how those solid phases influence ambient Se mobility and speciation under less contrasted conditions in 26 soils spanning extensive ranges of OM (1-32%), Fe/Al oxy-hydroxides (0.3-6.1%) contents and pH (4.0-8.3). The soil collection included agriculture, meadow and forest soils to assess the influence of OM quality as well. Trace concentrations of six ambient Se species (Se(IV), Se(VI) and 4 organo-Se compounds) were analyzed by HPLC-ICP-MS in three extractants (ultrapure water, phosphate and sodium hydroxide) targeting Se associated to different soil phases. The Kd values determined from ultrapure water extraction were higher than those reported in commonly used short-term experiments after Se-spiking. Correlations of ambient Se content and distribution with soil parameters explained this difference by an involvement of slow processes in Se retention in soils. The 26 Kd values determined here for a wide variety of soils thus represent a relevant database for long-term prediction of Se mobility. For soils containing less than 20% OM, ambient Se solubility is primarily controlled by its adsorption onto crystalline oxy-hydroxides. However, OM plays an important role in Se mobility by forming organo-mineral associations that may protect adsorbed Se from leaching and/or create anoxic zones (aggregates) where Se is immobilized after its reduction. Although for the first time, inorganic Se(IV), Se(VI) and organo-Se compounds were simultaneously investigated in a large soil collection, high Se proportions remain unidentified in each soil extract, most probably due to Se incorporation and/or binding to colloidal-sized OM. Variations of environmental factors regulating the extent of OM-mineral associations/aggregation may thus lead to changes in Se mobility and bio-availability.

Effects of laser energy and wavelength on the analysis of LiFePO₄ using laser assisted atom probe tomography

The effects of laser wavelength (355 nm and 532 nm) and laser pulse energy on the quantitative analysis of LiFePO₄ by atom probe tomography are considered. A systematic investigation of ultraviolet (UV, 355 nm) and green (532 nm) laser assisted field evaporation has revealed distinctly different behaviors. With the use of a UV laser, the major issue was identified as the preferential loss of oxygen (up to 10 at%) while other elements (Li, Fe and P) were observed to be close to nominal ratios. Lowering the laser energy per pulse to 1 pJ/pulse from 50 pJ/pulse increased the observed oxygen concentration to nearer its correct stoichiometry, which was also well correlated with systematically higher concentrations of (16)O₂(+) ions. Green laser assisted field evaporation led to the selective loss of Li (~33% deficiency) and a relatively minor O deficiency. The loss of Li is likely a result of selective dc evaporation of Li between or after laser pulses. Comparison of the UV and green laser data suggests that the green wavelength energy was absorbed less efficiently than the UV wavelength because of differences in absorption at 355 and 532 nm for LiFePO₄. Plotting of multihit events on Saxey plots also revealed a strong neutral O2 loss from molecular dissociation, but quantification of this loss was insufficient to account for the observed oxygen deficiency.

Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with ESKD Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a compound derived from byproducts of intestinal bacteria, has been shown to accelerate atherosclerosis in rodents. To date, there are conflicting data regarding the association of serum TMAO with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ESKD, a population exhibiting both high serum TMAO and excessive atherosclerosis.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We measured baseline serum TMAO concentrations in a subset of participants (n=1243) from the Evaluation of Cinacalcet Hydrochloride Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events (EVOLVE) trial and conducted post hoc analyses evaluating the association between baseline serum TMAO and cardiovascular outcomes.

RESULTS

We observed a wide distribution of serum TMAO in our cohort, with approximately 80% of participants exhibiting TMAO concentrations ≥56 µM and a maximum TMAO concentration of 1103.1 µM. We found no association between TMAO and our primary outcome, a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular event, stroke, and hospitalization for unstable angina. Moreover, in unadjusted and adjusted analyses, we observed no relation between TMAO and all-cause mortality, the independent components of our composite outcome, or the original EVOLVE primary outcome. Although we did observe higher TMAO concentrations in white participants, further subgroup analyses did not confirm the previously identified interaction between TMAO and race observed in a prior study in patients receiving dialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence linking TMAO to adverse clinical outcomes in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Tuning DNA adsorption affinity and density on metal oxide and phosphate for improved arsenate detection

Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater presents a major health and environmental concern in developing countries. Typically, As is found in two oxidation states. Most chemical tests for inorganic arsenic are focused on As(III), and few have been developed for As(V). We are interested in developing biosensors for As(V) based on its similarity with phosphate. Building upon previous work involving DNA-capped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for As(V) detection, we investigated two other nanomaterials: CeO₂ and CePO₄ in terms of DNA adsorption and As(V) induced DNA desorption. Fluorescently labeled DNA is physically adsorbed to the surface sites on the nanoparticle surface via its phosphate backbone. In the cases of CeO₂ and Fe₃O₄, the fluorescence was quenched due to electron transfer, whereas for the insulating CePO₄, no quenching was observed. Arsenate, being similar to phosphate, can also bind to the surface of the nanoparticles and displace the DNA, increasing the fluorescence signal. The length and sequence of DNA were systematically studied. Using this method, CeO₂ performed significantly better than Fe₃O₄, lowering the detection limit by almost 10-fold. In addition, for CeO₂ and CePO₄, using shorter DNA was more effective for As(V) detection than using the longer DNA since they both adsorb DNA more tightly than Fe₃O₄ does. Overall, CeO₂ has the best performance since it has an intermediate adsorption affinity of DNA, while CePO₄ adsorbs DNA too strongly.

From Two-Phase to Three-Phase: The New Electrochemical Interface by Oxide Electrocatalysts

Electrochemical reactions typically occur at the interface between a solid electrode and a liquid electrolyte. The charge exchange behaviour between these two phases determines the kinetics of electrochemical reactions. In the past few years, significant advances have been made in the development of metal oxide electrocatalysts for fuel cell and electrolyser reactions. However, considerable gaps remain in the fundamental understanding of the charge transfer pathways and the interaction between the metal oxides and the conducting substrate on which they are located. In particular, the electrochemical interfaces of metal oxides are significantly different from the traditional (metal) ones, where only a conductive solid electrode and a liquid electrolyte are considered. Oxides are insulating and have to be combined with carbon as a conductive mediator. This electrode configuration results in a three-phase electrochemical interface, consisting of the insulating oxide, the conductive carbon, and the liquid electrolyte. To date, the mechanistic insights into this kind of non-traditional electrochemical interface remain unclear. Consequently conventional electrochemistry concepts, established on classical electrode materials and their two-phase interfaces, are facing challenges when employed for explaining these new electrode materials.

Biomimetic Water-Oxidation Catalysts: Manganese Oxides

The catalytic oxidation of water to molecular oxygen is a key process for the production of solar fuels. Inspired by the biological manganese-based active site for this reaction in the enzyme Photosystem II, researchers have made impressive progress in the last decades regarding the development of synthetic manganese catalysts for water oxidation. For this, it has been especially fruitful to explore the many different types of known manganese oxides MnOx. This chapter first offers an overview of the structural, thermodynamic, and mechanistic aspects of water-oxidation catalysis by MnOx. The different test systems used for catalytic studies are then presented together with general reactivity trends. As a result, it has been possible to identify layered, mixed Mn (III/IV)-oxides as an especially promising class of bio-inspired catalysts and an attempt is made to give structure-based reasons for the good performances of these materials. In the outlook, the challenges of catalyst screenings (and hence the identification of a "best MnOx catalyst") are discussed. There is a great variety of reaction conditions which might be relevant for the application of manganese oxide catalysts in technological solar fuel-producing devices, and thus catalyst improvements are currently still addressing a very large parameter space. Nonetheless, detailed knowledge about the biological catalyst and a solid experimental basis concerning the syntheses and water-oxidation reactivities of MnOx materials have been established in the last decade and thus this research field is well positioned to make important contributions to solar fuel research in the future.

Extended Duration Nocturnal Hemodialysis and Changes in Plasma Metabolite Profiles

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In-center, extended duration nocturnal hemodialysis has been associated with variable clinical benefits, but the effect of extended duration hemodialysis on many established uremic solutes and other components of the metabolome is unknown. We determined the magnitude of change in metabolite profiles for patients on extended duration nocturnal hemodialysis.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

In a 52-week prospective, observational study, we followed 33 patients receiving conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis who converted to nocturnal hemodialysis (7-8 hours per session, three times per week). A separate group of 20 patients who remained on conventional hemodialysis (3-4 hours per session, three times per week) served as a control group. For both groups, we applied liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling on stored plasma samples collected from all participants at baseline and after 1 year. We examined longitudinal changes in 164 metabolites among those who remained on conventional hemodialysis and those who converted to nocturnal hemodialysis using Wilcoxon rank sum tests adjusted for multiple comparisons (false discovery rate <0.05).

RESULTS

On average, the nocturnal group had 9.6 hours more dialysis per week than the conventional group. Among 164 metabolites, none changed significantly from baseline to study end in the conventional group. Twenty-nine metabolites changed in the nocturnal group, 21 of which increased from baseline to study end (including all branched-chain amino acids). Eight metabolites decreased after conversion to nocturnal dialysis, including l-carnitine and acetylcarnitine. By contrast, several established uremic retention solutes, including p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, and trimethylamine N-oxide, did not change with extended dialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Across a wide array of metabolites examined, extended duration hemodialysis was associated with modest changes in the plasma metabolome, with most differences relating to metabolite increases, despite increased dialysis time. Few metabolites showed reduction with more dialysis, and no change in several established uremic toxins was observed.

Construction of Ni-doped SnO2-SnS2 heterojunctions with synergistic effect for enhanced photodegradation activity

Construction of heterostructures with proper band alignment and effective transport and separation of photogenerated charges is highly expected for photocatalysis. In this work, Ni-doped SnO₂-SnS₂ heterostructures (NiSnSO) are simply prepared by thermal oxidation of Ni-doped hierarchical SnS₂ microspheres in the air. When applied for the photodegradation of organic contaminants, these NiSnSO exhibit excellent catalytic performance and stability due to the following advantages: (1) Ni doping leads to the enhancement of light harvesting of SnS₂ in the visible light regions; (2) the formed heterojunctions promote the transport and separation of photogenerated electrons from SnS₂ to SnO₂; (3) Ni-SnO₂ quantum dots facilitate the enrichment of reactants, provide more reactive centers and accelerate product diffusion in the reactive centers; (4) the SnS₂ hierarchical microspheres constituted by nanoplates provide abundant active sites, high structural void porosity and accessible inner surface to faciliate the catalytic reactions. As a result, the optimized NiSnSO can photodegrade 92.7% methyl orange within 80 min under the irradiation of simulated sunlight, greatly higher than those of pure SnS₂ (29.8%) and Ni-doped SnS₂ (52.1%). These results reveal that the combination of heteroatom doping and heterostructure fabrication is a very promising strategy to deliver nanomaterials for effectively photocatalytic applications.

Copper and cobalt mobility in soil and accumulation in a metallophyte as influenced by experimental manipulation of soil chemical factors

The influence of Fe oxides, Mn oxides and organic matter (OM) on the Cu and Co mobility in soil and accumulation in the metallophyte Anisopappus chinensis (Ac), as compared with Helianthus annuus (Ha), was experimentally investigated. Growth and accumulation response when increasing the exchangeable Cu and Co concentrations in soil were also investigated. Plants were cultivated on soil where concentrations of Cu, Co, Fe oxides, Mn oxides and OM content were varied according to 36 treatments. The OM supply decreased the Cu mobility and increased the Co mobility, resulting in decreasing the foliar Cu of Ac and increasing the foliar Co of Ha. The Fe oxides supply could increase the Cu accumulation for Ac, but was not verified for Ha. Compared with Ha, Ac increasingly accumulated Cu and Co without negative effect on plant growth while increasing Cu and Co mobility to phytotoxic concentrations. The results revealed promising perspectives for the use of Ac in Cu-contaminated environment phytoremediation applications.

Kinetic processes of copper and lead remobilization during sediment resuspension of marine polluted sediments

Contaminated sediments could act as a source of contamination to the surrounding environments by several processes (e.g., diffusive flux, sediment resuspension). This study aimed at highlighting the mechanisms of copper and lead mobilization from resuspended particles to the aqueous phase using laboratory experiments and a kinetic model. Three sediments, differed by their compositions and metal partition from Toulon Bay (SE France) were used. In addition, three solid/liquid ratios (0.1, 1 and 10 g L^-1) allowed simulating at best natural and anthropogenic scenarios (e.g., storm, nautical traffic, dredging). We monitored metal concentrations, physicochemical parameters (pH, Eh, [O₂]) and organic matter concentration along with their optical properties. Experimental results showed successive reactions over short and long terms (hour and day scale, respectively) that controlled Cu and Pb exchanges between particles and the aqueous phase over 4 weeks. The quick Cu removal was attributed to the implications of newly formed oxides while the long-term Cu release in the dissolved fraction from the more refractory solid pool is more likely related to organic complexation. In fact, we observed a transformation of the dissolved organic matter: an increase in molecular weight and in humic fluorescence properties. However, the Pb removal toward the end of the experiment could be explained by a migration toward the exchangeable sites of higher energy, which could correspond to the particulate organic matter or a combination with organic-coating carrier phases. Both kinetic rate and system response times (τ_i) were coherent despite the variability of parameters intrinsic to sediments (e.g., sediment composition and initial metal repartition) but also extrinsic parameters (solid/liquid ratios). Such a coherence would imply the universality of the obtained constants to be used in a more predictive approach to assess the potential of metal mobility using metal repartition in contaminated sediments when combined with hydrological and sedimentological models.

Fate and mechanistic insights into nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) activation of sludge derived biochar reacted with Cr(VI)

While nanoscale zero-valent iron modified biochar (nZVI-BC) have been widely investigated for the removal of heavy metals, the corrosion products of nZVI and their interaction with heavy metals have not been revealed yet. In this paper, nZVI-BC was synthesized and applied for the removal of Cr(VI). Batch experiments indicated that the adsorption of Cr(VI) fit Langmuir isotherm, with the maximum removal capacity at 172.4 mg/g at pH 2.0. SEM-EDS, BET, XRD, FT-IR, Raman and XPS investigation suggested that reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was the major removal mechanism. pH played an important role on the corrosion of nZVI-BC, at pH 4.5 and 2.0, FeOOH and Fe₃O₄ were detected as the major iron oxide, respectively. Therefore, FeOOH-BC and Fe₃O₄-BC were further prepared and their interaction with Cr were studied. Combining with DFT calculations, it revealed that Fe₃O₄ has higher adsorption capacity and was responsible for the effective removal of Cr(VI) through electrostatic attraction and reduction under acidic conditions. However, Fe₃O₄ will continue to convert to the more stable FeOOH, which is the key to for the subsequent stabilization of the reduced Cr(III). The results showed that the oxide corrosion products of nZVI-BC were subjected to the environment, which will eventually affect the fate and transport of the adsorbed heavy metal.

Interpreting atom probe data from chromium oxide scales

Picosecond-pulsed ultraviolet-laser (UV-355 nm) assisted atom probe tomography (APT) was used to analyze protective, thermally grown chromium oxides formed on stainless steel. The influence of analysis parameters on the thermal tail observed in the mass spectra and the chemical composition is investigated. A new parameter termed "laser sensitivity factor" is introduced in order to quantify the effect of laser energy on the extent of the thermal tail. This parameter is used to compare the effect of increasing laser energy on thermal tails in chromia and chromite samples. Also explored is the effect of increasing laser energy on the measured oxygen content and the effect of specimen base temperature and laser pulse frequency on the mass spectrum. Finally, we report a preliminary analysis of molecular ion dissociations in chromia.

Key Strategies for Enhancing H2 Production in Transition Metal Oxide Based Photocatalysts

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) were one of the first photocatalysts used to produce hydrogen from water using solar energy. Despite the emergence of many other genres of photocatalysts over the years, TMO photocatalysts remain dominant due to their easy synthesis and unique physicochemical properties. Various strategies have been developed to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TMOs, but the solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of TMO photocatalysts is still very low (<2 %), which is far below the targeted STH of 10 % for commercial viability. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of several widely used strategies, including oxygen defects control, doping, establishing interfacial junctions, and phase-facet-morphology engineering, that have been adopted to improve TMO photocatalysts. By critically evaluating these strategies and providing a roadmap for future research directions, this article serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals seeking to develop efficient energy materials for green energy solutions.

Correlation between hydrogen production rate, current, and electrode overpotential in a solid oxide electrolysis cell with La0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ thin-film cathode

Abstract

A solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) with a model-type La_0.6Sr_0.4FeO_3−δ thin-film cathode (working electrode) on an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte and a porous La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ counterelectrode was operated in wet argon gas at the cathode. The hydrogen formation rate in the cathode compartment was quantified by mass spectrometry. Determination of the current as well as outlet gas composition revealed the electrochemical reduction of some residual oxygen in the cathodic compartment. Quantitative correlation between gas composition changes and current flow was possible. At 640 °C a water-to-hydrogen conversion rate of ca. 4 % was found at −1.5 V versus a reversible counterelectrode in 1 % oxygen. Onset of hydrogen formation could already be detected at voltages as low as −0.3 V. This reflects a fundamental difference between steam electrolysis and electrolysis of liquid water: substantial hydrogen production in a SOEC is already possible at pressures much below ambient. This causes difficulties in determining the cathodic overpotential of such a cell.

Graphical Abstract

Visible upconversion in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped LaAlO3 phosphors

The Er³⁺ doped and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped LaAlO₃ phosphors have been synthesized by the combustion method and characterized their structural, morphological, elemental, vibrational and optical properties. The optical absorption and upconversion properties of the synthesized phosphors have been studied. Upon co-doping Yb³⁺ ions into Er³⁺:LaAlO₃, the blue, green and red upconversion emissions of Er³⁺ ions have been enhanced about ~20, ~54 and ~22 times, under 978nm laser excitation. The observed upconversion emissions could be due to excited state absorption in Er³⁺:LaAlO_3, whereas energy transfer is dominant mechanism in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺:LaAlO₃ phosphors. The tuning in the color emitted from the synthesized phosphors towards the green region has been found due to incorporation of the Yb³⁺ ions. With increase in the pump power, the color emitted from the co-doped phosphor is not tuned significantly, showing its applicability in making the green display devices.

Eco-friendly and cost-efficient inks for screen-printed fabrication of copper indium gallium diselenide photoabsorber thin films

Given the societal concerns about the use of toxic chemicals and costly fabrication of functional materials and devices for photovoltaic applications, it is important to develop alternative sustainable methodologies. Previous studies have shown that cost-effective printing fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ thin film photovoltaics represents an interesting alternative to energy-demanding vacuum-based deposition methods, commonly used to produce Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ photovoltaics. To enrich the field of printed Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ photoabsorber thin films and to develop associated eco-friendly solutions, two novel inks, consisting of non-toxic reagents and readily available oxide materials, are reported. Screen printing of the inks over fluorine-doped tin oxide conductive substrates followed by swift selenization of the resultant patterns provides a straightforward route to phase-pure, uniform, and compact Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ films with thickness and band gap energies ranging from 2.5 µm to 3.5 µm and from 0.97 eV to 1.08 eV, respectively. The present approach represents an important step forward in the sustainable fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ photovoltaics, where the physical properties of the photoabsorber can be easily adjusted by tuning the conditions of the screen printing process and the metal ratios in the inks.

The intrinsic origin of the grain-boundary resistance in Sr-doped LaGaO3

ABSTRACT

In this paper I summarize our recent investigations (Park and Kim, Phys Chem C 111:14903, 2007; Solid State Ionics 179:1329, 2008) on the origin of the grain-boundary resistance in a doped LaGaO₃, a perovskite-structured solid electrolyte. The partial electronic and ionic resistances of the bulk and the grain boundaries, as well as the total resistance, in 1 mol% Sr-doped LaGaO₃ were measured separately by means of a dc-polarization method and ac-impedance spectroscopy. Both of the partial resistances at the grain boundaries were greater than the bulk counterparts, indicating that the grain boundaries impede the ionic as well as the electronic transport in this material. The transference number of the partial electronic conductivity at the grain boundary was however greater than that in the bulk. This fact strongly suggests that both electronic and ionic charge carriers deplete at the grain boundaries to form the space-charge zones and that the grain-boundary cores in this material are positively charged. In light of the fact that the effective charge of the oxygen vacancy (+2) is greater than that of the electron hole (+1), the oxygen vacancies deplete more sharply in the space-charge zones compared to the electron holes such that the grain boundaries become more mixed conducting relative to the bulk. These observations verify that the electrical conduction across the grain-boundaries in 1 mol% Sr-doped LaGaO₃ is governed by the space charge.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Immobilization of Eu and Ho from synthetic acid mine drainage by precipitation with Fe and Al (hydr)oxides

Use of lime to mitigate acid mine drainage is, in general, accompanied by precipitation of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al) (hydr)oxides which may increase the removal of trace elements from water. This work aimed to evaluate the precipitation of Fe/Al (hydr)oxides to remove rare earth elements (REE) from contaminated water and the stability of precipitates. Two sets of 60-day syntheses were carried out using different Fe/Al/REE molar ratios, for europium (Eu) and holmium (Ho). The pH was periodically adjusted to 9.0, and the stability of the resulting precipitates was evaluated by water-soluble and BCR extractable phases, namely (1) acid soluble, extracted by 0.11 mol L^-1 acetic acid; (2) reducible, extracted with 0.5 mol L^-1 hydroxylamine hydrochloride; and (3) oxidisable, extracted with 8.8 mol L^-1 hydrogen peroxide efficiencies of the water treatments for both Eu and Ho that were higher than 99.9% irrespective to the Fe/Al/REE molar ratios. Water-soluble phases of Eu and Ho were lower than 0.01% of the total contents in the precipitates. Recoveries from precipitates by Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) sequential extractions increased with increasing concentrations of Eu and Ho. Acetic acid extracted higher amounts of REE, but Eu recovery was superior to Ho. Lepidocrocite was formed as Eu concentration increased which decreased its stability in the precipitates.

The geochemistry model of the surface sediment determined by using ED-XRF technique: a case study of the Boka Kotorska bay, Adriatic Sea

The spatial distribution of major oxides (Na2O, K2O, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, MnO, TiO2, P2O5) and numerous elements (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Pb, Sn, Sb, Ba, Sr, Br, Rb, Zr, Mo, Cs, Y, V, Ga, La, U, Th, Nb, W, Sc, Ge, Gd, Yb, Hf, and Ce) was determined by using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on the basis of previously measured organic matter and carbonates. The optimal measuring variables for the investigated oxides and elements were determined by using five standard reference materials. The carbonated sediment type can be determined on the basis of the highest Sr, Sc, La, Nb, Hf, and Yb concentrations followed with the lowest concentrations of the remaining elements and the negative Ce anomaly. The complexity of the obtained data was also examined by principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) in the identifying geochemical composition of the surface sediment. Boka Kotorska bay's geographical position, orographical configuration, and hydrographic characteristics influence the geochemistry model of the surface sediment, quite different from the open sea.

Temperature and high pressure effects on the structural features of catalytic nanocomposites oxides by Raman spectroscopy

Structural characterizations of nanostructured oxides were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The oxides catalysts namely, SnO2, ZrO2, CeO2, MnOx, Al2O3 and TiO2 were prepared by a nanocasting route and the effect of the temperature and pressure on the stability of the solids was evaluated. Raman spectra showed that ZrO2 and TiO2 exhibited phase transitions at moderate temperatures whereas CeO2, SnO2 and MnOx had an effective creation of defects in their structures upon annealing at elevated temperatures. The results suggested also that the effect of the temperature on the particles growth is related to the type of oxide. In this regard, phase transition by up to 600°C accelerated the sintering of ZrO2 and CeO2 grains compared to TiO2, SnO2 and MnOx counterparts. Under hydrostatic pressures lower than 10GPa, rutile TiO2 and tetragonal ZrO2 exhibited pressure induced phase transition whereas CeO2 and SnO2 were stable at pressures close to 15GPa. The experiments revealed that the nanostructured SnO2 oxide exhibited stable performance at relatively high temperatures without phase transition or sintering, being suitable to be used as catalysts in the range of temperature and pressure studied.

Influence of field conditions on quantitative analysis of single crystal thorium dioxide by atom probe tomography

Atom probe tomography (APT), a 3D microscopy technique, has great potential to reveal atomic scale compositional variations, such as those associated with irradiation damage. However, obtaining accurate compositional quantification by APT for high bandgap materials is a longstanding challenge, given the sensitivity to field evaporation parameters and inconsistent behaviors across different oxides. This study investigates the influence of APT laser energy and specimen base temperature on compositional accuracy in single crystal thoria (ThO₂). ThO₂ has a broad range of applications, including advanced nuclear fuels, sensors, lasers and scintillators, electrodes, catalysis, and photonics and optoelectronics. The expected stoichiometry of ThO₂ is achieved at APT base temperature of 24 K and laser energy of 100 pJ. To overcome mass resolution limitations associated with significant thermal tails, Bayesian methods are applied to deconvolute ion identity within the mass spectra. This approach affirms that the parameters chosen are appropriate for APT analysis of ThO₂.

Influence mechanisms of iron, aluminum and manganese oxides on the mineralization of organic matter in paddy soil

The mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) is closely related to the emission of greenhouse gas into atmosphere and the stability of organic carbon in soil. The influence of minerals on SOM mineralization in the specific soil received very few attentions. The influence characteristics and potential mechanisms of oxides on the mineralization of SOM in the paddy soil were observed in this study by incubating soil with the addition (dosage: 10 g kg^-1) of prepared gibbsite, goethite, ferrihydrite or birnessite for 60 days. A sequence control treatment (753 mg CO₂-C kg^-1) > goethite treatment (656 mg CO₂-C kg^-1) ≈ gibbsite treatment (649 mg CO₂-C kg^-1) > birnessite treatment (529 mg CO₂-C kg^-1) > ferrihydrite treatment (441 mg CO₂-C kg ^-1) was found in the cumulative amount of released CO₂ in 60 days of incubation. Oxides especially ferrihydrite significantly decreased the content of dissolved organic matter (DOM) but tended to increase the content of microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The molecular structure of DOM in the paddy soil was simplified by gibbsite, ferrihydrite and birnessite after the incubation. Oxides especially birnessite and ferrihydrite reduced soil pH and the content of soil available N but increased soil redox potential (Eh). All examined oxides especially Fe oxides enhanced soil bacterial abundance but only birnessite significantly affected bacterial composition at phyla level. The stimulation on the immobilization and/or microbial assimilation of labile organic carbon, the modulation on soil basic properties (available N, pH, Eh), and the decrease of the relative abundance of some decomposing bacteria phyla such as Actinobacteria were the potential pathways of oxides in decreasing SOM mineralization.

Mechanochemical synthesis of ternary heterojunctions TiO2(A)/TiO2(R)/ZnO and TiO2(A)/TiO2(R)/SnO2 for effective charge separation in semiconductor photocatalysis: A comparative study

TiO₂, ZnO, and SnO₂ metal oxides were synthesized by the sol-gel method and heterojunctions were fabricated by combining TiO₂ with either ZnO or SnO₂ in a 1:1 ratio using mechanochemical ball milling process. The ball milling process promotes phase transition of TiO₂ from anatase to rutile and yields ternary heterojunction of the type TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/ZnO and TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/SnO₂ (A-anatase and R-rutile). These ternary heterojunctions were characterized by various analytical techniques and its photocatalytic efficiency is evaluated using 4-Chloro Phenol as a model compound under UV and solar light. The enhanced catalytic activity of TiO₂(A)/TiO₂(R)/ZnO heterojunction is attributed to the formation of Ti³⁺-V_o defect states which leads to the efficient charge carrier separation. During the ball milling process severe crystal deformation takes place in TiO₂ and ZnO lattices by creating crystal lattice distortion which leads to the formation of defects due to valency mismatch between Ti⁴⁺ and Zn²⁺. A mechanistic pathway is proposed for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ternary heterojunctions.

Titanium-benzene complex as a molecular oxide adsorbent: a first principles approach

CO, SO, NO, CO₂, SO₂, and NO₂ gas sensing properties of Ti-benzene (C₆H₆Ti) complex are studied with first principles calculations by analyzing change in structural parameters, electronic properties, and charge transfer. Adsorption of all six oxide molecules on C₆H₆Ti complex is found to be thermodynamically favorable at ambient conditions. The Gibbs free energy-corrected adsorption energy range for oxide molecules is found be 0.6-5.9 eV. The SO₂ transfers maximum charge to Ti metal, i.e., 0.36 (e^-) as compare to other oxides. The binding energy of Ti atom to benzene ring remains higher even after adsorption of oxide gas molecules. The higher values of HOMO-LUMO gap show that oxide-adsorbed complexes are chemically stable. The ADMP-MD simulations show that all oxide molecules remain adsorbed on Ti-benzene complex during the simulations for the temperature range 300-500 K. The Ti-benzene complex shows considerable gas sensing properties at ambient conditions.