A new oxygen sensitivity and its potential application in photosynthetic H2 production

We have discovered a new competitive pathway for O₂ sensitivity in algal H₂ production that is distinct from the O₂ sensitivity of hydrogenase per se. This O₂ sensitivity is apparently linked to the photosynthetic H₂ production pathway that is coupled to proton translocation across the thylakoid membrane. Addition of the proton uncoupler carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone eliminates this mode of O₂ inhibition on H₂ photoevolution. This newly discovered inhibition is most likely owing to background O₂ that apparently serves as a terminal electron acceptor in competition with the H₂ production pathway for photosynthetically generated electrons from water splitting. This O₂-sensitive H₂ production electron transport pathway was inhibited by 3[3,4-dichlorophenyl]1,1-dimethylurea. Our experiments demonstrated that this new pathway is more sensitive to O₂ than the traditionally known O₂ sensitivity of hydrogenase. This discovery provides new insight into the mechanism of O₂ inactivation of hydrogenase and may contribute to the development of a more-efficient and robust system for photosynthetic H₂ production.     

Formation of different products during photo-catalytic reaction on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> suspension in water with and without 2-propanol under diverse ambient conditions

Studies on photo-catalytic reduction of CO₂ using TiO₂ photo-catalyst (0.1%, w/v) as a suspension in water was carried out at 350 nm light. CO₂ from both commercially available source, as well as generated in situ through 2-propanol oxidation, was used for this study. The photolytic products such as hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO) andmethane (CH₄) generated were monitored in TiO₂ suspended aqueous solution with and without a hole scavenger, viz., 2-propanol. Similar photolytic experiments were also carried out with varying ambient such as air, O₂, N₂ and N₂O. The yields of CO and CH₄ in all these systems under the present experimental conditions were found to be increasing with light exposure time. H₂ yield in N₂-purged systems containing 2-propanol was found to be more as compared to the without 2-propanol system. The rate of H₂ production in N₂-purged aqueous solutions containing 0.1% TiO₂ suspension were evaluated to be 0.226 and 5.8 μl/h, without and with 0.5 M 2-propanol, respectively. This confirmed that 2-propanol was an efficient hole scavenger and it scavenged photo-generated holes (h⁺), allowing its counter ion, viz., e⁻, to react with water molecule/H⁺ to yield more H₂. The formation of both CO and CH₄ in the photolysis of CO₂-purged aqueous solutions containing suspended TiO₂ in absence of 2-propanol reveal that the generation of CH₄ is taking place mainly through CO intermediate. In presence of air/O₂, the yield of H₂ in the system without 2-propanol was observed to be negligible as compared to the system containing 2-propanol in which low yield of H₂ was obtained with a formation rate of approx. 0.5 μl/h.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on the Electrochemistry of the Myoglobin‐TATP Composite Film

Abstract

Direct electrochemistry of the myoglobin‐triacetone triperoxide (Mb‐TATP) composite on carbon paste (CP) electrode is reported. This electrode gives a well‐defined and quasi‐reversible cyclic voltammogram for the Mb Fe^III/Fe^II redox coupled with the formal potential (E?′) of ?0.302 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 6.92 phosphate buffer. Electronic and vibrational spectroscopies show that the Mb in the composite retains a structure similar to its native form. The enzymatic reactivity to the reduction of H₂O₂ has been studied for the Mb‐TATP film. The analytical performances have been obtained with the linear range of 78.32–1135.64 µM, the detection limit of 55 µM (S/N=3), and the apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (K _m) of 662.8 µM. This H₂O₂ biosensor based on the electrocatalysis of the immobilized Mb presents a higher stability within two weeks.     

Effect of ionic interactions on the rates of reduction of Cu(II) with H2O2 in aqueous solutions

The rates of reduction of Cu(II) with H₂O₂ have been measured in NaCl and NaBr solutions and mixtures with NaClO₄ as a function of pH (6 to 9), temperature (5 to 45°C) and ionic composition (0.1 to 6M). The effect of pH on the rates was found to be independent of temperature and ionic composition. The rates increased as a function of [H⁺] raised to the power of 1.3 to 1.6. Speciation calculations indicate that this pH dependence can be attributed to Cu(OH)₂ being the reactive species. The rate constants in NaCl and NaBr and mixtures with NaClO₄ were independent of ionic strength, but proportional to the halide concentration raised to the power of 2.0 (0.2 to 2.6M). These results can be attributed to Cu(OH)₂Cl ₂ ²⁻ being the reactive species to reduction with H₂O₂. The Cu(I) halide complexes formed from the reduction are not easily oxidized with O₂ or H₂O₂. The faster rates in Br⁻ solutions, which form stronger complexes with Cu⁺, support this contention. Measurements made in NaCl with added NaHCO₃, NaB(OH)₄ EDTA, NTA and glycine were also made. These measurements indicate that the CuL complexes (L=B(OH) ₄ ⁻ , CO ₃ ²⁻ , EDTA, NTA, and glycine) are not very reactive to reduction with H₂O₂. The addition of Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺ caused the rates to increase due to the formation of MgL or CaL complexes and the resultant release of reactive Cu²⁺.     

A pseudopotential study of the hydrogen bond in H2O·H2S,H2S·H2S and H2O·H2Se systems

Intermolecular potential energy curves for the hydrogen bonded systems H₂O·H₂S, H₂O·H₂Se and H₂S·H₂S were calculated with nonempirical pseudopotentials using optimized-in-molecules basis sets augmented by polarization functions. The H₂O·H₂O interaction energy curve has been also considered as a test case. The present results for H₂O·H₂S and H₂S·H₂S indicate much weaker intermolecular interactions than those found in previous ab initio calculations. The H₂O·H₂Se interaction was found to be quite similar to H₂O·H₂S.This work was partly supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences within the Project PAN-09, 7.1.1.1On leave from Quantum Chemistry Laboratory, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, 02-093. Warsaw, Poland     

Nucleation and growth of Cu onto polycrystalline Pt electrode from acidic CuSO4 solution in the presence of H2SeO3

The early stages of Cu electrodeposition onto Pt(poly) have been investigated in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 0.01 M CuSO₄ solution without or with H₂SeO₃ when a molar concentration ratio [Cu(II)]/[Se(IV)] ≥ 2×10² using electrochemical and ex situ AFM techniques. The overpotential deposition of Cu has been performed onto a Pt surface precovered independently with Cu in amount close to an equivalent monolayer. Chronoamperometric results have been shown to follow an instantaneous 3D nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth model. The values of diffusion coefficient D for Cu²⁺, number of nuclei N and average nuclei radius r _av have been calculated. In the local regions of the surface, the separate large agglomerates composed of the different diameter clusters have been revealed in both cases, but, in the presence of the H₂SeO₃, they attained a distinct chain-like configuration. Some morphological characteristics have been reported.     

A novel H(2)O(2) amperometric biosensor based on gold nanoparticles/self-doped polyaniline nanofibers

A new kind of gold nanoparticles/self-doped polyaniline nanofibers (Au/SPAN) with grooves has been prepared for the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The ratio of gold in the composite nanofibers was up to 64%, which could promote the conductivity and biocompatibility of SPAN and increase the immobilized amount of HRP molecules greatly. The electrode exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity in the reduction of H₂O₂ in the presence of the mediator hydroquinone (HQ). The effects of concentration of HQ, solution pH and the working potential on the current response of the modified electrode toward H₂O₂ were optimized to obtain the maximal sensitivity. The proposed biosensor exhibited a good linear response in the range from 10 to 2000 μM with a detection limit of 1.6 μM (S/N = 3) under the optimum conditions. The response showed Michaelis–Menten behavior at larger H₂O₂ concentrations, and the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant K_m was estimated to be 2.21 mM. The detection of H₂O₂ concentration in real sample showed acceptable accuracy with the traditional potassium permanganate titration.     

Amperometric biosensor with HRP immobilized on a sandwiched nano-Au / polymerized m-phenylenediamine film and ferrocene mediator

An amperometric biosensor has been developed for the determination of H₂O₂ in plant samples. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is immobilized on a sandwiched nano-Au particle / m-phenylenediamine polymer film by glutaraldehyde cross-linking. The film is formulated on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) blended with ferrocene as an electron transfer mediator. On the low concentration range, the current response is related to the H₂O₂ concentration linearly from 0 to 8×10^-6 M with a detection limit of 1.3×10^-7 M. On a wider concentration range of 8×10^-6 to 1.4×10^-4 M, the reciprocal of current response is linearly related to the reciprocal of H₂O₂ concentration. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m^app) was calculated to be 0.0334 mM. The sensor has been tested by determining H₂O₂ concentration in plant leaf samples.     

Thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sulfuric acid

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is popularly employed as a reaction reagent in cleaning processes for the chemical industry and semiconductor plants. By using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), this study focused on the thermal decomposition reaction of H₂O₂ mixed with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) with low (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 N), and high concentrations of 96 mass%, respectively. Thermokinetic data, such as exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), pressure rise rate (dP/dt), and self-heating rate (dT/dt), were obtained and assessed by the DSC and VSP2 experiments. From the thermal decomposition reaction on various concentrations of H₂SO₄, the experimental data of T ₀, ΔH, dP/dt, and dT/dt were obtained. Comparisons of the reactivity for H₂O₂ and H₂O₂ mixed with H₂SO₄ (lower and higher concentrations) were evaluated to corroborate the decomposition reaction in these systems.     

Near infrared study of aqueous rare-earth ethylsulfates

The near infrared spectra of aqueous solutions of the ethylsulfates of La, Nd, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb, Lu, Y, and Na have been determined from about 0.2 mol-dm^–3 to nearly saturation. The extinction coefficients of water have been calculated taking into account the absorption of ethylslfate anions determined in separate experiments. Their values appeared to be nearly the same as that of pure water. The relative contents of free OH groups in 0.5 and 0.7M solutions have been estimated from the absorbances at 1160 nm. They were lower in solutions of the heavy rare-earth ethylsulfates (Tb, Er, Yb, Lu) than in equimolar solutions of the lighter ones (La, Nd), confirming our previous view that secondary hydration of the heavy trivalent rare-earth cations is distinctly stronger than that of the lighter ones. A comparison of the spectra of these aqueous ethylsulfates with those of perchlorates shows that the structure-breaking ability of the C₂H₅SO ₄ ^– ion is much smaller than that of perchlorate anion.     

Some kinetic parameters and inactivation of catalase immobilized on modified polyvinylalcohol

Polyvinylalcohol crosslinked with terephthaldicarboxaldehyde and was modified with 2-amino-4,6-dichloro-s-triazine. Optimum conditions for immobilization of catalase on modified and gelatine-coated modified polyvinylalcohol were investigated. Activity variations with respect to pH, temperature, stability behavior, andk _m(appl) values were investigated for the native and immobilized catalases. Rate constants for H₂O₂ decomposition and for inactivation of immobilized catalase were determined using a discontinuous batch-type reactor. The influence of H₂O₂ concentration on the catalase inactivation was investigated.     

Concurrent oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation in sulfuric acid solutions on platinized platinum electrodes

Steady-state polarization curves are compared in solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + O₂ (saturated), 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (0.005–0.1) M CH₃OH, and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (0.005–0.1) M CH₃OH + O₂ (saturated) on a Pt/Pt electrode. A considerable difference is found between the currents in mixed solutions and those expected based on the principle of additivity of currents in CH₃OH and O₂ individual solutions. The surface coverages with the CH₃OH and O₂ adsorption products are determined in the potential range of 0.2–0.9 V (RHE). Open-circuit potentials are measured in mixed solutions. The obtained results suggest that the direct heterogeneous interaction between methanol and oxygen occurs alongside with faradaic reactions. This is assumed to lead to a decrease in methanol electrooxidation currents at E ≥ 0.8 V and their increase at E ≤ 0.65 V.     

Use of hydrogen-sensitive Pd-MOS materials in biochemical analysis

A metal oxide semiconductor sensitive to hydrogen was used to monitor H₂ production from immobilizedClostridium acetobutylicum cells and from immobilized hydrogenase on a continuous basis.     

Vibrational spectra of cyclooctatetraenyl alkali metal complexes [C8H8M2 (M = Na, K)]: A theoretical study

The cyclooctatetraenyl dianion (C₈H₈²⁻) π-conjugated system forms a stable complex system with alkali and some transition metals. The results of vibrational analysis for C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K) complexes were reported here. The geometries of C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K) were optimized using ab initio (HF, MP2, CCSD(T)) and DFT (B3LYP) methods with 6-311G** and 6-311++G** basis sets and the harmonic frequencies were obtained. To reproduce and compare with the experimental values the structurally similar molecules C₅H₅M (M = Na, K) and benzene were studied. The scale factors obtained from these systems were applied to predict the experimental frequencies of C₈H₈M₂ (M = Na, K). The force field and vibrational spectra are analyzed and the most probable assignments are proposed for all the fundamentals based on the potential energy distribution.     

Thermodynamic properties of transition metals in aqueous solution. 2. The enthalpies of mixing of aqueous solutions of CoCl2, CuCl2, and MnCl2 with NaCl at varying ionic strength at 25°C

Enthalpies of mixing (_m H) aqueous solutions of CoCl₂, CuCl₂, and MnCl₂ with NaCl solutions were measured at constant ionic strengths of 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 molal at 25°C. The excess enthalpy equations of Pitzer were then fit to the resulting _m H data. The resulting parameters are the temperature derivatives of the activity coefficient mixing parameters in the Pitzer system. The heat of mixing data for CoCl₂ and CuCl₂ were in agreement with earlier isomolal results by other workers.     

H2SO4-SiO2: Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for per-O-Acetylation of Carbohydrates Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Sulfuric acid immobilized on silica gel (H₂SO₄-SiO₂) was used as an efficient promoter for per-O-acetylation of carbohydrates with acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions. The substrates include not only monosaccharides and disaccharides, but also glycosides. The catalyst is recyclable and stable at room temperature, and the reaction protocol is simple, is cost-effective, and gives good isolated yield with high purity. The large-scale reactions also proceeded conveniently and in high yields.     

Colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide and lactate based on the etching of the carbon based Au-Ag bimetallic nanocomposite synthesized by carbon dots as the reductant and stabilizer

In this report, carbon-based gold core silver shell Au-Ag bimetallic nanocomposite (Au-Ag/C NC) was synthesized using carbon dots (C-dots) as the reductant and stabilizer by a facile green sequential reduction approach. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposite are characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as synthesized Au-Ag/C NC exhibits good optic response toward hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) without adding any other chromogenic agents. The characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbance peak of Au-Ag/C NC declined and red-shifted with the solution color changing from reddish orange to light pink when adding H₂O₂ owing to the etching effect of H₂O₂ towards Ag. Thus, a simple colorimetric and UV strategy for sensitive detection of H₂O₂ is proposed. It provides the wide linear range for detection of H₂O₂ from 0.8–90 μM and 90–500 μM, and the detection limit was as low as 0.3 μM (S/N = 3). In addition, this colorimetric strategy can also be applied to directly distinguish and detect of lactate by naked eye and UV–Vis. The linear range of colorimetric sensing towards lactate was 0.1–22 μM and 22–220 μM, which was successfully applied in the analysis of lactate in human serum.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence from CdS nanotubes and its sensing application in aqueous solution

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of CdS nanotubes in aqueous solution and its sensing application were studied by entrapping the CdS nanotubes in carbon paste electrode. Two ECL peaks were observed at −0.9 V (ECL-1) and −1.2 V (ECL-2), respectively, when the potential was cycled between 0 and −1.6 V. The electrochemically reduced nanocrystal species of CdS nanotubes could collide with the oxidized species in an annihilation process to produce the peak of ECL-1. The electron-transfer reaction between the reduced CdS nanocrystal species and oxidant coreactants such as S₂O₈²⁻, H₂O₂, and reduced dissolved oxygen led to the appearance of the ECL-2 peak. Based on the enhancing effect of H₂O₂ on ECL-2 intensity, a novel CdS ECL sensor was developed for H₂O₂ detection. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 0.1 μM and a linear range from 0.5 μM to 0.01 mM. The relative standard deviations of five replicate determinations of 5 μM H₂O₂ was 2.6%. In addition, the ECL spectrum in aqueous solution also exhibited two peaks at 500 and 640 nm, respectively.     

Theoretical study on H2 elimination pathways of silylenoid H2SiLiF with CH4, NH3, H2O, HF, SiH4, PH3, H2S, and HCl

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been performed to explore the reaction potential energy surfaces of silylenoid H₂SiLiF with XH _n hydrides, where XH _n = CH₄, NH₃, H₂O, HF, SiH₄, PH₃, H₂S, and HCl. We have identified a previously unreported reaction pathway on each reaction surface, H₂SiLiF + H-XH _{n − 1} → H _n XSiLiF + H₂, which involves H₂ elimination following the initial formation of an association complex via a four-membered ring transition state to form the substituted three-membered ring silylenoid H _n XSiLiF and a H₂ molecule. This theoretical calculations suggest that (i) for H₂ eliminations there is a very clear trend toward lower activation barriers and more exothermic interactions on going from left to right along a given row in periodic table, and (ii) for the second-row hydrides, the H₂ elimination reactions are less exothermic than for the first-row hydrides and the reaction barriers are lower for X–S and Cl. Compared to the insertions of H₂SiLiF into XH _n , the H₂ elimination pathways should be unfavorable with higher barrier and lower exothermic.