Identification of potential antioxidant compounds in the essential oil of thyme by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and multivariate calibration techniques

Thyme species are used in traditional medicine throughout the world and are known for their antiseptic, antispasmodic, and antitussive properties. Also, antioxidant activity is one of the interesting properties of thyme essential oil. In this research, we aim to identify peaks potentially responsible for the antioxidant activity of thyme oil from chromatographic fingerprints. Therefore, the chemical compositions of hydrodistilled essential oil of thyme species from different regions were analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and antioxidant activities of essential oils were measured by a 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging test. Several linear multivariate calibration techniques with different preprocessing methods were applied to the chromatograms of thyme essential oils to indicate the peaks responsible for the antioxidant activity. These techniques were applied on data both before and after alignment of chromatograms with correlation optimized warping. In this study, orthogonal projection to latent structures model was found to be a good technique to indicate the potential antioxidant active compounds in the thyme oil due to its simplicity and repeatability.     

Design of a microfluidic device for comprehensive spatial two‐dimensional liquid chromatography

This study discusses the design aspects for the construction of a microfluidic device for comprehensive spatial two‐dimensional liquid chromatography. In spatial two‐dimensional liquid chromatography each peak is characterized by its coordinates in the plane. After completing the first‐dimension separation all fractions are analyzed in parallel second‐dimension separations. Hence, spatial two‐dimensional liquid chromatography potentially provides much higher peak‐production rates than a coupled column multi‐dimensional liquid chromatography approach in which the second‐dimension analyses are performed sequentially. A chip for spatial two‐dimensional liquid chromatography has been manufactured from cyclic olefin copolymer and features a first‐dimension separation channel and 21 parallel second‐dimension separation channels oriented perpendicularly to the former. Compartmentalization of first‐ and second‐dimension developments by physical barriers allowed for a preferential flow path with a minimal dispersion into the second‐dimension separation channels. To generate a homogenous flow across all the parallel second‐dimension channels, a radially interconnected flow distributor containing two zones of diamond‐shaped pillars was integrated on‐chip. A methacrylate ester based monolithic stationary phase with optimized macroporous structure was created in situ in the confines of the microfluidic chip. In addition, the use of a photomask was explored to localize monolith formation in the parallel second‐dimension channels. Finally, to connect the spatial chip to the liquid chromatography instrument, connector ports were integrated allowing the use of Viper fittings. As an alternative, a chip holder with adjustable clasp locks was designed that allows the clamping force to be adjusted.     

New peak broadening parameter for the characterization of separation capability in capillary electrophoresis

The influence of separation conditions on peak broadening is usually estimated by the number of theoretical plates. Using the data available in literature and experimental data, it is shown that in pressure‐assisted capillary electrophoresis the plate number is not directly related to the separation capability of conditions used. The experiments at different electrolyte flow velocities demonstrate that a higher plate number (the best separation efficiency) can be obtained with a lower peak resolution. Since ions are separated by electrophoresis due to the difference in electrophoretic mobilities, the peak width in terms of electrophoretic mobility is suggested as a new peak broadening parameter describing the separation capability of the conditions used. The parameter can be calculated using the tailing factor and the temporal peak width at 5% of the peak height. A simple equation for the resolution calculation is derived using the parameter. The advantage of the peak width in terms of mobility over other parameters is shown. The new parameter is recommended to be used not only in pressure‐assisted capillary electrophoresis but also in general capillary electrophoresis when in a number of runs the virtual separative migration distance and separation capability of the conditions used change widely.     

Trajectory on-the-fly molecular dynamics approach to tunneling splitting in the electronic excited state: A case of tropolone

The semiclassical tunneling method is applied to evaluate the tunneling splitting of tropolone due to the intramolecular proton transfer in the electronic excited state, first time, in a framework of the trajectory on-the-fly molecular dynamics (TOF-MD) approach. To prevent unphysical zero-point vibrational energy transfer among the normal modes of vibration, quantum zero-point vibrational energies are assigned only to the vibrational modes related to intramolecular proton transfer, whereas the remaining modes are treated as bath modes. Practical ways to determine the tunnel-initiating points and tunneling path are introduced. It is shown that the tunneling splitting decreases as the bath-mode energy increases. The experimental tunneling splitting value is well reproduced by the present TOF-MD approach based on the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation.     

可控合成具有氧化还原分区的Au-TiO2纳米哑铃光催化剂（英文）

太阳能因其环保清洁和来源丰富的特性被认为是最理想的资源之一.而光催化水分解是将太阳能转化为化学能的众多转换技术中,使用最广泛的策略之一.但H2和O2的逆反应显著降低了光催化水分解的效率,并且在实际应用中需要高昂的气体分离成本.因此,找到一种既可实现光催化有效水分解,同时抑制逆反应的策略具有十分重要的意义.到目前为止,为了实现光生电荷的有效分离,构建一维(1D)异质纳米结构光催化剂,被认为是抑制逆反应最有效的策略之一.其中哑铃状纳米结构,如Au-SiO2,Au-Fe3O4,Cu1.94S-CuS,Au-PbS(PbSe),Cu-Ag,Ag-Fe3O4,在促进光生电荷有效分离方面具有很大优势.但关于上述哑铃状纳米结构材料合成条件相对复杂,生长机理尚不清楚.对此,我们通过一种简便的合成策略制备了Au纳米棒/TiO2纳米哑铃结构光催化剂(Au NRs/TiO2 NDs).TiO2纳米颗粒(NP)仅包裹在Au NRs的两端.由于其独特的结构,可以实现电子空穴的定向分离,并减少它们在光照射下的复合,从而显著地提高电荷分离效率.同时,形成了氧化和还原反应的空间分离区域,从而有效地抑制了逆反应.通过SEM,XRD,和UV-Vis研究了可控合成哑铃状结构形态的关键因素.发现反应温度和酸度对Au NRs末端TiO2的包裹量有显著影响.基于此,我们提出了Au NRs/TiO2 NDs结构光催化剂的合成机理.并且通过改变加入的NaHCO3含量精准调节TiO2在Au NRs两端的包覆量,从而逐步提高Au NRs/TiO2 NDs光催化剂的产氢活性.在不断优化条件下,H2产率可达60264μmol/g/h,大约是报道的Au/TiO2光催化剂6倍.而电化学测试结果显示,在UV光照射下,Au NRs末端TiO2的包裹量越大,光电流相应越大.进一步证明光生电子定向从TiO2注入到Au NRs中,发生还原反应,而空穴留在TiO2上,发生氧化反应,从而实现氧化还原反应的分区.     

光催化全解水助催化剂的设计与构建

能源和环境危机是当今社会面临的两大关键课题,利用太阳光驱动化学反应、将太阳能转化为化学能是解决上述问题的重要措施。通过光催化分解水是直接利用太阳能生产氢燃料的有效策略。光催化水分解过程可以分为三个基元步骤:光吸收、电荷分离与迁移、以及表面氧化还原反应。助催化剂可有效提高电荷分离效率、提供反应活性位点并抑制催化剂光腐蚀的发生,进而提高水分解效率。助催化剂也可以通过活化水分子以提高表面氧化还原动力学,进而提升整体光催化反应的太阳能转换效率。本文综述了助催化剂在光催化反应中的重要作用以及目前常用的助催化剂类型,详细说明了在光催化全解水过程中双助催化剂体系的构建及作用机理,并根据限制全解水的关键因素提出了新型助催化剂的设计策略。     

Understanding Surface Recombination Processes Using Intensity-Modulated Photovoltage Spectroscopy on Hematite Photoanodes for Solar Water Splitting

Converting solar energy into hydrogen through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a promising route towards a fully renewable energy economy. A fundamental understanding of photogenerated charge recombination processes in semiconducting photoelectrodes is a key consideration in optimizing solar water splitting cells and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS) has recently emerged as a promising technique for gaining new insight. However, the interpretation of IMVS data under various conditions (that is, when photoelectrodes are in sacrificial electrolytes or employ catalytic overlayers) is not complete. Using IMVS data we present herein an analysis of charge recombination processes under open circuit conditions on a model photoanode system: nanostructured hematite. Employing two sacrificial oxidation conditions compared to standard water oxidation conditions, our IMVS results establish a direct correlation between surface recombination processes and the low frequency IMVS response. We found that surface intermediate states for water oxidation under open circuit condition exhibit a lifetime of 229 ms under standard illumination conditions. Applying a nickel iron oxide overlayer also gives insight into surface passivation effects through IMVS analysis of photoanode system.     

Transition Metal Ion-Directed Coordination Polymers with Mixed Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production and Rhodamine B Degradation

Three mixed-ligand transition metal coordination polymers with the formula of {[Cu^I₂Cu^II(tpt)₂(L)] · 15H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and {[M₂(H₂O)₅(tpt)(L)] · 6H₂O}_n [M = Ni for 2 and Co for 3 ; tpt = 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine and L = 3,3'-disulfonyl-4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylate] were hydrothermally synthesized by varying the cheap paramagnetic metal ions and used as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water splitting and rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. Single-crystal structural determinations reveal that 1 is a robust pillared-layer framework with unusual 72-membered {Cu₆(tpt)₆} macrocycle-based layers supported by tetratopic L^4– connectors. Both 2 and 3 are isostructural (4 4) sheets with octahedral Ni^II and Co^II ions extended by ditopic L^4– and tpt linkages, in which the third pyridyl group of tpt is capped by pentahydrated metal ions. Due to the narrowed bandgap and good charge transport of the mixed-valence Cu^I/II centers, 1 exhibits improved dual-functional catalytic activities than 2 and 3 with the visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution rate and RhB degradation efficiency up to 588 μmol · g^–1 · h^–1 and 72 % after 180-minute irradiation. These interesting results indicate the importance of the metal ions and the dimensionality of the coordination polymers on the activity of the non-Pt coordination polymer photocatalytic systems.     

Multifunctional Active-Center-Transferable Platinum/Lithium Cobalt Oxide Heterostructured Electrocatalysts towards Superior Water Splitting

Designing cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts plays a pivotal role in advancing the development of electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation. Herein, multifunctional active-center-transferable heterostructured electrocatalysts, platinum/lithium cobalt oxide (Pt/LiCoO₂) composites with Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) anchored on LiCoO₂ nanosheets, are designed towards highly efficient water splitting. In this electrocatalyst system, the active center can be alternatively switched between Pt species and LiCoO₂ for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. Specifically, Pt species are the active centers and LiCoO₂ acts as the co-catalyst for HER, whereas the active center transfers to LiCoO₂ and Pt turns into the co-catalyst for OER. The unique architecture of Pt/LiCoO₂ heterostructure provides abundant interfaces with favorable electronic structure and coordination environment towards optimal adsorption behavior of reaction intermediates. The 30 % Pt/LiCoO₂ heterostructured electrocatalyst delivers low overpotentials of 61 and 285 mV to achieve 10 mA cm⁻² for HER and OER in alkaline medium, respectively.     

Heterostructured Inter-Doped Ruthenium–Cobalt Oxide Hollow Nanosheet Arrays for Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting

The development of transition-metal-oxides (TMOs)-based bifunctional catalysts toward efficient overall water splitting through delicate control of composition and structure is a challenging task. Herein, the rational design and controllable fabrication of unique heterostructured inter-doped ruthenium–cobalt oxide [(Ru–Co)O_x] hollow nanosheet arrays on carbon cloth is reported. Benefiting from the desirable compositional and structural advantages of more exposed active sites, optimized electronic structure, and interfacial synergy effect, the (Ru–Co)O_x nanoarrays exhibited outstanding performance as a bifunctional catalyst. Particularly, the catalyst showed a remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with an overpotential of 44.1 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 23.5 mV dec⁻¹, as well as an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with an overpotential of 171.2 mV at 10 mA cm⁻². As a result, a very low cell voltage of 1.488 V was needed at 10 mA cm⁻² for alkaline overall water splitting.