Visible light active Cu-doped iron oxide for photocatalytic treatment of methylene blue

In recent work, pure α-Fe₂O₃ (F-1) and series of 5% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-5) , 10% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-10) and 15% Cu doped Fe₂O₃ (CF-15) nanoparticles by facile chemical coprecipitation method were synthesized to study the effect of concentration of doping for photocatalytic activity. As prepared F-1, CF-5, CF-10, CF-15 nanoparticles were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) techniques to analyse the structural and functional groups features. These characterization techniques confirmed the successful doping of Cu ²⁺ ions in α-Fe₂O₃. The crystallite size of synthesized samples was calculated by Scherrer formula. Gradually decline in crystallite size from 18 to 15 nm was observed for undoped to doped samples. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis expressed that doping of Cu reduced the aggregation of particles and enhanced the surface area of nanoparticles. UV–Visible spectroscopic analysis of synthesized samples was used to calculate the bandgap energy of F-1, CF-5, CF-10, CF-15 nanoparticles i.e., 2.0, 1.7, 1.5, 1.4eV respectively. Narrowing bandgap energy of doped hematite supported to perform excellent photocatalytic activity. Maximum degradation of methylene blue was recorded via CF-10 within 140 min. Higher degradation rate of methylene blue by optimal concentration of CF-10 is due to effective electron trapping ability of photocatalyst.     

New food safety challenges of viral contamination from a global perspective: Conventional,emerging, and novel methods of viral control

Food- and waterborne viruses, such as human norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses, are major contributors to all foodborne illnesses. Their small size, structure, and ability to clump and attach to inanimate surfaces make viruses challenging to reduce or eliminate, especially in the presence of inorganic or organic soils. Besides traditional wet and dry methods of disinfection using chemicals and heat, emerging physical nonthermal decontamination techniques (irradiation, ultraviolet, pulsed light, high hydrostatic pressure, cold atmospheric plasma, and pulsed electric field), novel virucidal surfaces, and bioactive compounds are examined for their potential to inactivate viruses on the surfaces of foods or food contact surfaces (tools, equipment, hands, etc.). Every disinfection technique is discussed based on its efficiency against viruses, specific advantages and disadvantages, and limitations. Structure, genomic organization, and molecular biology of different virus strains are reviewed, as they are key in determining these techniques effectiveness in controlling all or specific foodborne viruses. Selecting suitable viral decontamination techniques requires that their antiviral mechanism of action and ability to reduce virus infectivity must be taken into consideration. Furthermore, details about critical treatments parameters essential to control foodborne viruses in a food production environment are discussed, as they are also determinative in defining best disinfection and hygiene practices preventing viral infection after consuming a food product.     

基于人工神经网络的智能化架空线路应变快速解调方法北大核心

为了提高智能化光纤复合架空线路态势感知的实时性,将人工神经网络方法应用于光纤沿线应变解调,确定了神经网络的结构。编程实现了基于洛伦兹模型的最小二乘谱拟合方法和神经网络方法,采用不同信噪比和布里渊频移的布里渊谱训练神经网络,将它们应用于某光纤复合架空线路沿线光纤应变的测量,从不同角度比较了两种方法的计算结果。计算结果表明,神经网络方法能有效获得光纤沿线的布里渊频移进而获得应变,具有与谱拟合方法相似的准确性,但应变解调时间仅约为谱拟合方法的1/20000。研究结果为提高智能光纤复合架空线路态势感知的实时性提供了参考。     

Evaluation of in-situ formed La2O3–TiO2–La2O2CO3 nanocomposite photocatalyst for H2 production

The photocatalytic evolution of H₂ over La₂O₃ decorated TiO₂ catalyst was examined under solar light. It was observed that during the course of the reaction, the transformation of La₂O₃/TiO₂ into La₂O₃–TiO₂–La₂O₂CO₃ occurred and these species effectively suppressed electron-hole pair recombination by forming electron trapping centres on the surface, resulting in an increased visible light absorption and improved H₂ yield. The 2 wt%La₂O₃/TiO₂ nanocomposite demonstrated better H₂ yield (～8.76 mmol (g_cat)^?1) than the bare TiO₂ (～1.1 mmol (g_cat)^?1). The catalyst was stable even after several consecutive recycles with no substantial loss of hydrogen production rate. The H₂ rates were correlated with the physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts examined by BET–SA, H₂-TPR, XRD, UV-DRS, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, HRTEM, EPR and PL spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of Diamond@SiO2@Ag composite materials for high SERS effect

Among various carbon materials, diamond stands out due to excellent physical and chemical properties. In this work, we designed Dia@SiO₂@Ag composites combining diamond micropowder and Ag nanoparticles by a simple chemical method and obtained stable substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) owing to its high surface-to-volume ratio, low density, as well as close bond between diamond and Ag. As-prepared Dia@SiO₂@Ag presented high activity to detect crystal violet and rhodamine 6G molecules, which was demonstrated by significantly enhanced SERS spectra and high enhancement factor values (10⁸-10⁹). Moreover, Dia@SiO₂@Ag also showed desired sensitivity, which was investigated by detection limit. Therefore, our study provided more theoretical support and broadened the functional applications of diamond, particularly in Raman detection.     

Human DDX17 Unwinds Rift Valley Fever Virus Non-Coding RNAs

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted virus from the Bunyaviridae family that causes high rates of mortality and morbidity in humans and ruminant animals. Previous studies indicated that DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) restricts RVFV replication by recognizing two primary non-coding RNAs in the S-segment of the genome: the intergenic region (IGR) and 5′ non-coding region (NCR). However, we lack molecular insights into the direct binding of DDX17 with RVFV non-coding RNAs and information on the unwinding of both non-coding RNAs by DDX17. Therefore, we performed an extensive biophysical analysis of the DDX17 helicase domain (DDX17_135–555) and RVFV non-coding RNAs, IGR and 5’ NCR. The homogeneity studies using analytical ultracentrifugation indicated that DDX17_135–555, IGR, and 5’ NCR are pure. Next, we performed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments, which suggested that DDX17 and both RNAs are homogenous as well. SAXS analysis also demonstrated that DDX17 is globular to an extent, whereas the RNAs adopt an extended conformation in solution. Subsequently, microscale thermophoresis (MST) experiments were performed to investigate the direct binding of DDX17 to the non-coding RNAs. The MST experiments demonstrated that DDX17 binds with the IGR and 5’ NCR with a dissociation constant of 5.77 ± 0.15 µM and 9.85 ± 0.11 µM, respectively. As DDX17_135–555 is an RNA helicase, we next determined if it could unwind IGR and NCR. We developed a helicase assay using MST and fluorescently-labeled oligos, which suggested DDX17_135–555 can unwind both RNAs. Overall, our study provides direct evidence of DDX17_135–555 interacting with and unwinding RVFV non-coding regions.     

The thermochromic characteristics of Zn-doped VO2 that were prepared by the hydrothermal and post-annealing process and their polyurethane composite films

In this paper, Zn-doped VO₂ nanoparticles have been successfully fabricated by a two-step hydrothermal-annealing process, and the thermally induced visible light transmittance enhancement of Zn-doped VO₂ has been studied for the first time. It is found that Zn-doped VO₂ not only exhibits excellent solar modulation ability (ΔT_sol = 15.27%) but also can reduce the phase transition temperature and increase the visible light transmittance after the heat-induced phase transition (ΔT_lum=+5.78%). Moreover, with the increase of Zn doping concentration, the phase transition temperature (T_c) and phase transition hysteresis (ΔT) both decrease. It is shown that the Zn-doped VO₂-PU films not only have good solar light modulation ability and properties of improving visible light transmission after phase transition, but also have good durability. The research result is of great significance for improving the visible light transmittance after phase transition and realizing the practical application of VO₂ in the field of smart windows.     

Alkylated indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazoles as new building blocks for solution processable organic electronics

A facile strategy for the introduction of tert-butyl and hexyl chains to the indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole scaffold is presented. With these building blocks six materials based on three different 4,4′-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1-biphenyl derivatives with varying degree of planarization were prepared. Characterization of the materials showed that the alkyl chains have only minor effects on the photophysical properties of the compounds. In contrast, thermal robustness towards decomposition and electrochemical stability are increased by the introduced alkyl chains. Detailed investigation of the solubility in five different solvents revealed that the incorporation of the alkyl chains increases the solubility significantly. The increased solubility of the materials allowed the application as host materials in red, green and sky-blue solution processed phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes. Hence, this work presents the first solution processed light emitting devices based on the indolo[3,2,1-jk]carbazole scaffold.     

Nanoraspberry-like palladium/spongy nickel oxide for electrooxidation of five light fuels

The spongy nickel oxide (SNO) was synthesized the solution combustion method. The SNO was selected as a promoter to boost the catalytic activity of nanoraspberry-like palladium (NRPd) toward electrooxidation of five light fuels (LFs): methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, and ethylene glycol. The X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscope techniques were used for the materials characterization. In comparison with nonpromoted Pd, the NRPd-SNO electrocatalyst shown an excellent efficiency in parameters like the electrochemical active surface area and anti-CO poisoning behavior. The turnover data and the parameters, including reaction order, activation energy, and the coefficients of electron transfer and diffusion, were evaluated for the each process of LFs electrooxidation. The outcome for NRPd-SNO activity toward LFs electrooxidation was compared to some reported electrodes. The SNO increases the removal of intermediates created in the oxidation of LFs that can poison the surface of palladium catalyst. This is due to the presence of the lattice oxygens in SNO structure and Ni switching between its high and low valances. The compatibility of the adsorption process of LFs on the surface of the NRPd-SNO catalyst with different isotherms was determined by studying the Tafel polarization and calculating the surface coverage.     

Resolving Deep Sub-Wavelength Scattering of Nanoscale Sidewalls Using Parametric Microscopy

The quantitative optical measurement of deep sub-wavelength features with sub-nanometer sensitivity addresses the measurement challenge in the semiconductor fabrication process. Optical scatterings from the sidewalls of patterned devices reveal abundant structural and material information. We demonstrated a parametric indirect microscopic imaging (PIMI) technique that enables recovery of the profile of wavelength-scale objects with deep sub-wavelength resolution, based on measuring and filtering the variations of far-field scattering intensities when the illumination was modulated. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical simulation was performed, and the experimental results were compared with atomic force microscopic (AFM) images to verify the resolution improvement achieved with PIMI. This work may provide a new approach to exploring the detailed structure and material properties of sidewalls and edges in semiconductor-patterned devices with enhanced contrast and resolution, compared with using the conventional optical microscopy, while retaining its advantage of a wide field of view and relatively low cost.