464 — Bioelectrochemistry and bioenergetics an interdisciplinary survey

Bioelectrochemistry can be defined as that branch of interdisciplinary research which investigates biological phenomena by using experimental and electrochemical tools. It has been growing for about two centuries through the groundwork by Galvani, Volta, Ritter, Michaelis, Wurmser, Keilin, Szent György, Prigogine (to mention only some of the most important contributors) to the present fluorishing state.The concept of bioelectrochemistry as defined above is illustrated on the basis of a few examples from the fields of redox metabolic reactions in living organims (which provide the energy required by them), the semiconductors, working of biomembranes and transport of matter through them, energetics under conditions far from equilibrium, transfer of information along organized structures, photosynthesis, vision, effect of electromagnetic fields on growth and repair of living tissues, etc.     

A highly sensitive colorimetric and ratiometric sensor for fluoride ion

A new benzoimidazole-naphthalimide derivative 4 was synthesized and its photophysical properties were studied. This compound showed highly selectively and sensitive colorimetric and ratiometric sensing ability for fluoride anion.     

Sugar surfactants — aggregation,interfacial, and adsorption phenomena

The latest research work provides us with basic knowledge about some selected properties of systems containing sugar surfactants. Now we are able to understand the behavior of aqueous solutions reasonably well and very recently progress was made with respect to the properties of microemulsions. However, little is still known about the adsorption properties. Apart from the need for more fundamental research, the future task will be to handle more complex systems. Here complex refers to multi-component mixtures used in technical applications, but also to biotechnological applications where the structure of the surfactant is more complex. Promising future developments in this field are outlined.     

A study of peptide—Peptide interactions using MALDI ion mobility o-TOF and ESI mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization ion mobility coupled to orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-IM-oTOF MS) is evaluated as a tool for studying non-covalent complex (NCX) formation between peptides. The NCX formed between dynorphin 1-7 and Mini Gastrin I is used as a model system for comparison to previous MALDI experiments (Woods, A. S.; Huestis, M. A. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 2001, 12, 88-96). The dynorphin 1-7/Mini Gastrin I complex is stable after more than a ms drift time through the He filled mobility cell. Furthermore, the effects of solution pH on NCX ion signal intensity is measured both by MALDI-IM-MS analysis and by nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry. When compared to the previous MALDI study this work shows that all three techniques give similar results. In addition, fragmentation can be observed from of the non-covalent complex parent ion that occurs prior to TOF mass analysis but after mobility separation, thus providing NCX composition information.     

A non-linear equilibrium analysis of blowdown policy in pressure—swing—adsorption separation

Using the local non-linear equilibrium approach, we investigated pressure—swing—adsorption (PSA) cycles directed toward the removal of an adsorbable impurity present in large amounts in an inert substance. Three blowdown policies are compared (the blowdown is the part of the PSA cycle in which the pressure of a column is released by rejecting gas). In one such policy, the gas resulting from blowdown is rich in the impurity and is rejected as waste. In a second policy in contrast, the production is adjusted so that the blowdown gas is pure and is considered as a product or is reused to recompress or purge another column. The third policy is intermediate, in the sense that part of the blowdown gas is pure and recovered, and part is impure and rejected.The equilibrium approach presented neglects mass-transfer and dispersion effects, but accounts for non-linear equilibria and variations in gas velocity. It thus allows analytical or semi-analytical expressions to be obtained for quantities such as the inert recovery ratio, and hence an easy qualitative discussion of the effects of operating parameters on the recovery. It is shown that the intermediate policy (partial recovery of the blowdown gas) is optimal. The adsorption of methane and ethane on activated carbon from helium or hydrogen are presented as illustrations.     

Positive ion — negative ion coincidence spectroscopy of O2 and H2 using synchrotron radiation

Kinetic studies of the reactions of neutral lead clusters with NO₂, NO and O₂ were performed at 300 K. Reaction with NO₂ is rapid, with the observed second-order rate constants for most clusters being between 0.2 and 5 × 10^?11 cm³/s. There is a general trend of increasing rate with cluster size, although a few clusters display unusually high or low rates compared to ones of neighboring size. The reactions with NO are considerably slower by factors ranging from about 5 to 10. Reaction products are observed by laser ionization at 193 and 222 nm in conjunction with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. At lower fluence, the association products Pb _x (NO₂)⁺ and Pb _x (NO₂) ₂ ⁺ are observed in the case of reactions with NO₂. At higher laser fluence, Pb _x ⁺ and Pb _x O _x ^?1+ dominate the mass spectra of Pb _x reactions with NO₂, showing that the products fragment to more stable oxides. No reaction with oxygen was observed for any cluster, setting upper limits on the rates of 5 × 10^?14 cm³/s.     

Electrochemical analysis Aβ42 peptide adsorption and aggregation on spectroscopic graphite

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly - Formation of pathological amyloid fibrils in brain accompanies a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD)...     

In situ NMR diffusion coefficients assessment of lithium ion conductor using electrochemical priors and Arrhenius constraint——A computational study

In situ NMR measurements of the diffusion coefficients,including an estimate of signal strength,of lithium ion conductor using diffusion-weighting pulse sequence are performed in this study.A cascade bilinear model is proposed to estimate the diffusion sensitivity factors of pulsed-field gradient using prior information of the electrochemical performance and Arrhenius constraint.The model postulates that the active lithium nuclei participating electrochemical reaction are relevant to the NMR signal intensity,when discharge rate or temperature condition is varying.The electrochemical data and the NMR signal strength show a highly fit with the proposed model according our simulation and experiments.Furthermore,the diffusion time is constrained by temperature based on Arrhenius equation of reaction rates dependence.An experimental calculation of Li_4Ti_5O_(12)(LTO)/carbon nanotubes(CNTs) with the electrolyte evaluating at 20 ℃ is presented,which the b factor is estimated by the discharge rate.     

Low-cost synthesis of flowerlike α-Fe2O3 nanostructures for heavy metal ion removal: adsorption property and mechanism

Flowerlike α-Fe(2)O(3) nanostructures were synthesized via a template-free microwave-assisted solvothermal method. All chemicals used were low-cost compounds and environmentally benign. These flowerlike α-Fe(2)O(3) nanostructures had high surface area and abundant hydroxyl on their surface. When tested as an adsorbent for arsenic and chromium removal, the flowerlike α-Fe(2)O(3) nanostructures showed excellent adsorption properties. The adsorption mechanism for As(V) and Cr(VI) onto flowerlike α-Fe(2)O(3) nanostructures was elucidated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis. The results suggested that ion exchange between surface hydroxyl groups and As(V) or Cr(VI) species was accounted for by the adsorption. With maximum capacities of 51 and 30 mg g(-1) for As(V) and Cr(VI), respectively, these low-cost flowerlike α-Fe(2)O(3) nanostructures are an attractive adsorbent for the removal of As(V) and Cr(VI) from water.     

Reactions of O−. with methyl benzoate: A negative ion chemical ionization and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance study

The reactions of O*- with methyl benzoate have been examined by the measurement of negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectra using a CI source, with confirmatory studies carried out on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Reaction mechanisms have been elucidated using isotopically labeled esters. Nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl carbon and the aromatic ring were important reaction pathways. Nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl carbon was followed by the production of products (C6HsCO2- and CH3OCO2-) characteristic of radical, beta-fragmentation. Using 18O-labeled methyl benzoate, the SN2 reaction was found to account for a smaller percentage, 21(+/-1)%, of the benzoate product. Aromatic ring attack resulted in formation of [M + O - H]- and [M - 2H]*- ions. Although aryl hydrogens accounted for most H2*+ abstracted by O*-, evidence for abstraction of HarylH*+alkyl and HalkylH*+alkyl was also found. Although present at much lower abundance, dehydrobenzoate, dehydrophenoxy, and C7H6*- ([M - 2H - CO2]*-) radical anions were also observed. An Haryl/Halkyl exchange associated with formation of the benzoate anion was attributed to an Halkyl abstraction that occurred within the methanol/dehydrobenzoate ion-dipole complex. The [M - 2H]*-, dehydrobenzoate, dehydrophenoxy, and [M - 2H - CO2]*- ion signals were quenched by reaction with O2. Conditions required for production of O*- spectra under NICI conditions were also examined.     

Transfer of lanthanum ion across the adsorption of emulsifier OP at the water-nitrobenzene interface

The transfer of lanthanum ion facilitated by diantipyrylmathane (DAM) across the water/nitrobenzene (w/nb) interface and the adsorption of emulsifier OP at the w/nb interface has been studied by the cyclic voltammetry.The mechanism of the charge transfer reactions is discussed.It has been concluded that the transfer of rare earth metal ion (La3+) facilitated by neutral ionophore (DAM) at the w/nb interface is E mechanism and the nonionic surfactant (emulsifier OP) can participate in the charge transfer process as an ionophore,charge transfer catalyst and inhibitor.     

Effect of pH on the Rheology of A1-Mg M iteed Meta1 Hydroxide——Montmorillonite Aqueous Suspension

The effects of the pHs of Mtsuspension(pH_Mt),AMH sol(pH_A)and mixedsuspension(pH_mix)on the rheology of mixed su sp en sion w ere studied.The mixed suspension consisted of the alum in ium magnesium mixed metal hydroxide(AM H) colloidal prt icles which possessed permanent positive charges and the Na-montmorillon ite(M t)particles which po ssessed permanent nega tive charges.The results showed that the pHs did not affect the Bingham yield poin t(YP)of the mixed suspen sionsin the various pHs(i.e.,pH_Mt,pH_A and pH_mix)range of 8—10 almost. When the pH values were above 10 the YPs increased ma rked ly w ith increa sing pH_Mt and pH_mix,but decreased sharply with increasing pH_A.The mechanisms of the effect of pH on the rheology of mixed suspensions were also investigated.     

Fluoride and lead adsorption on carbon nanotubes

The properties and applications of CNT have been studied extensively since Iijima discovered them in 1991[1,2]. They have exceptional mechanical properties and unique electrical property, highly chemical stability and large specific surface area. Thus far, they have widely potential applications in many fields. They can be used as reinforcing materials in composites[3], field emissions[4], hydrogen storage[5], nanoelectronic components[6], catalyst supports[7], adsorption material and so on.…     

A Green and Facile Solid-state Synthesis Method for the Preparation of Diazenecarboxamide Azo Compounds with Potassium Ferricyanide and Sodium Hydroxide System

Eleven new-typed azo compounds were synthesized in good yields by dehydrogenating the corresponding aryl substituted semicarbazides using potassium ferricyanide and sodium hydroxide system under solid-state conditions.     

Preparation of three-dimensional macroporous–mesoporous lithium ion sieve with high Li+ adsorption capacity

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A three-dimensionally macroporous–mesoporous lithium ion sieve (3DM-H4Ti5O12) was transformed from 3DM-Li4Ti5O12 through washing with HCl solution, which...     

What determines MALDI ion yields? A molecular dynamics study of ion loss mechanisms

Ion recombination in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is as important as any ion formation process in determining the quantity of ions observed but has received comparatively little attention. Molecular dynamics simulations are used here to investigate some models for recombination, including a Langevin-type model, a soft threshold model and a tunneling model. The latter was found to be superior due to its foundations in a widespread physical phenomenon, and its lack of excessive sensitivity to parameter choice. Tunneling recombination in the Marcus inverted region may be a major reason why MALDI is a viable analytical method, by allowing ion formation to exceed ion loss on the time scale of the plume expansion. Ion velocities, photoacoustic transients and pump-probe measurements might be used to investigate the role of recombination in different MALDI matrices, and to select new matrices.     

A Hydrogen-Deficient Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Developing highly efficient and low-cost photocatalysts for overall water splitting has long been a pursuit for converting solar power into clean hydrogen energy. Herein, we demonstrate that a nonstoichiometric nickel–cobalt double hydroxide can achieve overall water splitting by itself upon solar light irradiation, avoiding the consumption of noble-metal co-catalysts. We employed an intensive laser to ablate a NiCo alloy target immersed in alkaline solution, and produced so-called L-NiCo nanosheets with a nonstoichiometric composition and O²⁻/Co³⁺ ions exposed on the surface. The nonstoichiometric composition broadens the band gap, while O²⁻ and Co³⁺ ions boost hydrogen and oxygen evolution, respectively. As such, the photocatalyst achieves a H₂ evolution rate of 1.7 μmol h⁻¹ under AM 1.5G sunlight irradiation and an apparent quantum yield (AQE) of 1.38 % at 380 nm.     

High energy Au+ ion implantation of polar and nonpolar ZnO—Structure modification and optical properties

The paper presents a study of 5-MeV energy Au⁺ ion implantation in polar c-plane (0001), nonpolar a-plane (11-20) and m-plane (10–10) ZnO crystallographic cuts using fluences of 5 × 10¹⁴ and 1 × 10¹⁵ cm⁻². The implanted samples were subsequently annealed in O₂ atmosphere at 600°C. It was shown that a-plane ZnO exhibited a lowest level of Zn sublattice disorder evidenced by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in channelling mode (RBS-C); in contrast, m-plane ZnO showed the highest disorder. The disorder in the Zn sublattice grew progressively in the subsurface as well as in the implanted layer in c-plane and m-plane ZnO, while a-plane has shown slight increase of disorder just in the implanted layer. Angular scans provided using RBS-C have shown the preservation of channelling effect in the subsurface layer in a-plane ZnO. On the contrary, the narrowed and shallow angular scan dips were seen in m-plane ZnO. Raman spectroscopy has shown significant O-sublattice disorder and O rearrangement mainly in a-plane and m-plane ZnO compared to c-plane. After ion implantation, the exciton-related luminescence band at 375 nm vanished almost completely, and the defect-related band ‘shifted’ to shorter wavelengths. Annealing has beneficial influence on near-band-edge (NBE) luminescence recovery, whereas deep-level-emission (DLE) luminesce has been shifted to lower wavelengths than appeared after implantation.     

A two-dimensional microporous metal–organic framework for highly selective adsorption of carbon dioxide and acetylene

Solvothermal reaction of 3-aminoisonicotinic acid(Haina) and Cu(NO_3)_2·2.5H_2O gave a novel twodimensional(2D) microporous metal–organic framework, [Cu(aina)_2(DMF)]·DMF(1, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic study of compound 1 revealed that Cu(II)ions are linked by ainaàligands forming square grid-like layers, which stack together via multiple hydrogen bonding interactions. The solvent-free framework of 1a displayed considerable porosity(void = 46.5%) with one-dimensional(1D) open channels(4.7 ? ? 4.8 ?) functionalized by amino groups.Gas sorption measurements of 1 revealed selective carbon dioxide(CO_2) and acetylene(C_2H_2) adsorption over methane(CH_4) and nitrogen(N_2) at ambient temperature.