Double S‐Scheme Polydopamine/TiO2/Chlorophyll as Stable and Efficient Green Photoelectrocatalyst

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Double S-Scheme Polydopamine/TiO2/Chlorophyll as Stable and Efficient Green Photoelectrocatalyst

Anodization of titanium plated in ethylene glycol forms high surface area TiO2 nanotubes with a hierarchical structure. Combining the properties of TiO2 nanotubes obtained by anodization, Chlorophyll-a extracted from spirulina, and Polydopamine derived from mussels, a new photocatalyst is developed. This new photocatalyst has remarkable properties in photocatalysis applications.


Abstract

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, a new green catalyst with better photocatalytic properties was obtained. Nanostructured TiO2, a cheap cost natural Chlorophyll-a as an electron promotor and a mussel-inspired polydopamine (PD) bio adhesive were synergistically combined in the double S-scheme hybrid photocatalysts The role of PD as a bridging molecule between the pigments of Chl and TiO2 was clearly demonstrated by improved charge transfer and recombination rate. Methylorange as a probe molecule was used to test the stability and efficiency of the new photocatalyst. This challenging approach on obtaining new green bioinspired catalysts avoiding critical raw materials is in line with the new vision on catalysts. The results of this study show the effectiveness and stability of the new photocatalyst. Based on the combined effect of PD functionalization and Chl sensitization, the NT/PD-Chl heterostructure photocatalyst had the best photo(electro)catalytic performance for MO degradation which was shown to be 97.74 % after 180 min.

DNA Mismatch Repair Assessment in Gastric and Colon Cancers Using Stochastic Microdisks

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DNA Mismatch Repair Assessment in Gastric and Colon Cancers Using Stochastic Microdisks

Assessing of DNA mismatch repair in gastric and colon cancers was done by molecular recognition and quantification of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and KRAS in whole blood, urine, saliva, and tumor tissues, using two stochastic microdisks. The design of the stochastic microdisks was based on a graphene layer adorned with nitrogen, boron, and sulfur, modified with solutions of inutec (SP) and frutafit (FT).


Abstract

Two stochastic microdisks were designed and validated for the DNA mismatch repair assessment in gastric and colon cancers, through determining simultaneously the concentrations of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and of KRAS in whole blood, urine, saliva, and tumoral tissues. The active surface of the stochastic microdisks was composed of a thin layer of graphene paste decorated with nitrogen, boron, and sulfur and modified with inutec (SP) and with frutafit (FT), respectively. High sensitivities were recorded when the SP was used as modifier. All limits of determination were of fg mL−1 magnitude order. The paired student-t-test done at 99.00 % confidence level revealed that there are no significative differences between the results obtained using the two stochastic microdisks. Validation of the screening tests of whole blood, urine, saliva, and tumoral tissues was also done using the recovery tests when % recovery was higher than 87.00 %, with %RSD values lower than 1.00 %.

Insights into the biological activity and cytotoxic mechanism of Epimedium pubigerum

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In this work, the phytochemical characterization, biological activity, and cytotoxic mechanism of aerial and rhizome methanol extracts (SME and RME) of Epimedium pubigerum were investigated to demonstrate its potential usage in the treatment of lung cancer. LC-HRMS analysis, total phenolic/flavonoid content assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay, DNA interaction, cytotoxicity, and western blotting were investigated using different methods. Fumaric acid was found to be the most abundant compound in both extracts. SME and RME were cytotoxic on A549 cells concentration-dependently. Also, in vitro scratch assay showed that SME and RME led to a significant anti-migratory effect at 1 mg/mL. Cytochrome c, p53, and caspase 3 expression significantly increased in the presence of RME compared to the control. All of these results claimed that RME might be suggested as a theoretically more effective phytotherapeutic agent for lung cancer compared to the effect seen with the SME.

Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 nanomaterials as efficient photocatalysts used for hydrogen and biogas production toward a sustainable environment

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Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 nanomaterials as efficient photocatalysts used for hydrogen and biogas production toward a sustainable environment

By using the sol–gel process, yttrium titanate nano-photocatalysts modified with europium (x mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7) have been created and used to produce photocatalytic biogas and hydrogen using acetic acid. The maximum photocatalytic activity for the generation of biogas and hydrogen is found in 0.03 mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7. The maximum photocatalytic activity is correlated with higher lattice defects (OV, Ti3+) and reduced charge carrier recombination. According to the findings, Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 nano-photocatalyst is a promising nanomaterial for the generation of energy.


The main focus of this research is on energy production by clean photocatalytic technology. By using the sol–gel process, yttrium titanate nano-photocatalysts modified with europium (x mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7) have been created and used to produce photocatalytic biogas and hydrogen using acetic acid. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of cubic Y2Ti2O7 phase. Microscopic study has indicated that Eu doping improved the shape, size, and dispersity of Y2Ti2O7 photocatalyst. Different crystal defects, including oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Ti3+ species, are demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Compared with pure Y2Ti2O7, 0.03 mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 has the highest proportion of lattice defects. The band gap energies have increased as a result of doping on Y2Ti2O7 size. Urbach energy calculations confirm that Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 nano-photocatalyst has the highest degree of distortion. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements have shown that 0.03 mol. Eu3+ dopant can effectively separate the active charge carriers. Electron spin resonance proved the progressive increase of defect states (OV and Ti3+) by doping, which promoted the photocatalytic activity of the nano-photocatalyst. These photocatalysts have generated biogas and hydrogen gas via photocatalytic oxidation of acetic acid under inert conditions. The maximum photocatalytic activity for the generation of biogas and hydrogen is found in 0.03 mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7. The maximum photocatalytic activity of 0.03 mol. Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 is correlated with higher lattice defects (OV, Ti3+) and reduced charge carrier recombination. The proposed photocatalytic mechanism has been discussed. According to the findings, Eu3+:Y2Ti2O7 nano-photocatalyst is a promising nanomaterial for the generation of energy.

Ring expansion reactions via intramolecular transamidation

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Synthetic methodologies based on cycle expansion reactions have proven to be highly effective in delivering valuable medium-sized cycles and macrocycles. A primary method of ring expansion relies on intramolecular transamidation reactions. These reactions typically employ N-aminoalkyl and N-aminoacyl derivatives of lactams and their analogues as starting materials, yielding a diverse spectrum of unique nitrogen-containing heterocycles. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the research outcomes related to intramolecular transamidation reactions that lead to cycle expansion. This will offer the reader a perspective on the potential applications of such reactions in generating novel and intriguing types of heterocyclic systems.

From the Lab to the Field: Organic Materials for Industrial Applications and Environmental Remediation

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Many new achievement developments for different industries have their origin in the basic science. Within the last years, this trend is gaining much attention since the interaction between both fields (scientific and industry) is increasing. This article presents some rational materials chemical modifications that were developed by the basic science and were, then, transferred to the productive sector. Conducting hydrophobic coatings for aerospace applications, hydrogels for the oil & gas industry as well as polymers for removal of heavy metal were some of the topics approached in the lab to solve industrial problems. Many times, nature is a great source of inspiration to produce new materials. In this sense, superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity (concepts closely related to our everyday life) were the bioinspiration for the development of membranes. These membranes were able to separate hydrocarbons and water, which found application in the treatment of subterranean water for oil & gas industry.