Impact of defects on the decomposition of chemical warfare agent simulants in Zr-based metal organic frameworks

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) containing zirconium secondary building units (SBUs) in UiO-67 and related MOFs, are highly active for neutralizing both the chemical warfare agents and simulants, such as dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). However, two recent publications gave conflicting reports of DMMP reaction with UiO-67 under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions, with one reporting chemisorption and reaction (Wang et al., J Phys Chem C, 2017, 121, 11261–11272) and the other reporting only physisorption and reversible desorption (Ruffley et al., J Phys Chem C, 2019, 123, 19748–19758) from very similar temperature programmed desorption experiments. We show that the discrepancy between these experiments may be explained by different levels of missing linker defects in the UiO-67 samples. We present density functional theory calculations showing that SBU sites having two-adjacent missing linkers exhibit reaction barriers that are about 30 kJ/mol lower than SBU sites having a single missing linker. We also show that topology of the undercoordinated sites plays an important role in the reaction barrier under UHV conditions.     

Achieving fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3 ceramics via air pre-sintering by deionization treatment of suspension

An easy albeit quite effective deionization suspension treatment was adopted to alleviate the detrimental effects related to the hydrolysis of Y₂O₃ in an aqueous medium. Fabrication of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with a fine grain size via air pre-sintering and post–hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment without using any sintering additive was achieved using the treated suspensions. The hydrolysis issue of Y₂O₃ powder in an aqueous medium was effectively alleviated by using deionization treatment, and a well-dispersed suspension with a low concentration of dissolved Y³⁺ species was obtained. The dispersed suspensions were consolidated by the centrifugal casting method, and the green bodies derived from the suspension of 35.0 vol% solid loading showed an improved homogeneity with a relative density of 52.1%. Fully dense Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic with high transparency was obtained by pre-sintering consolidated green compacts at a low temperature of 1400°C for 16 h in air followed by a post-HIP treatment at 1550°C for 2 h under 200 MPa pressure. The sample had a fine average grain size of 690 nm. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 83.3% and 81.8% at 1100 nm and 800 nm, respectively, very close to the theoretical values of Y₂O₃.     

Application of Polyimide-based Microfluidic Devices on Acid-catalyzed Hydrolysis of Dimethoxypropane

Microfluidic devices intensify transport phenomena and can improve chemical processes. New manufacturing processes and materials are perpetually developed due to constantly growing interest in process intensification. In this contribution, the authors present the design and application of polyimide-foil-based microfluidic mixing devices manufactured by reactive ion etching. As appropriate model reaction system, acid-catalyzed 2,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP) hydrolysis was chosen and investigated in three different mixing structure with varying flow rate. Energy dissipation rates were calculated to estimate mixing performances. The results show good mixing quality for Reynolds numbers between 10 and 100 and similar mixing times scales for all investigated microstructured mixers.     

Mechanistic implications of the solvent kinetic isotope effect in the hydrolysis of NaBH4

The sodium borohydride, NaBH₄, hydrolysis mechanism is studied via the H₂O/D₂O kinetic isotope effect (KIE). This reaction is of importance as NaBH₄ is considered as a hydrogen storage material. Nowadays, hydrogen is thought to be one of the most promising and efficient clean energy carriers. In order to control the rate of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), one has to understand the mechanism of its production. The H₂O/D₂O KIE of the reactions of NaBH₄ and NaBD₄ with water was studied in solutions containing a ratio of H₂O/D₂O = 1.00. The separation factor, α, of both reactions is α = 5.0 ± 1.0. The rate of the hydrolysis of BD₄^? in H₂O is faster than that of BH₄^?. The results point out that the rate-determining step in all hydrolysis stages is the H–OH bond scission.     

Tungsten(VI) oxide supported rhodium nanoparticles: Highly active catalysts in hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Herein, we report the use of tungsten(VI) oxide (WO₃) as support for Rh⁰ nanoparticles. The resulting Rh⁰/WO₃ nanoparticles are highly active and stable catalysts in H₂ generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). We present the results of our investigation on the particle size distribution, catalytic activity and stability of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalysts with 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% wt. Rh loadings in the hydrolysis reaction. The results reveal that Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5% wt. Rh) is very promising catalyst providing a turnover frequency of 749 min^?1 in releasing 3.0 equivalent H₂ per mole of AB from the hydrolysis at 25.0 °C. The high catalytic activity of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalyst is attributed to the reducible nature of support. The report covers the results of kinetics study as well as comparative investigation of activity, recyclability, and reusability of colloidal(0) nanoparticles and Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5 % wt. Rh) catalyst in the hydrolysis reaction.     

鲟鱼肝酶解条件优化及酶解液对双歧杆菌增殖效果的研究

为提高鲟鱼肝脏的加工附加值，使用碱性蛋白酶，以水解度为评价指标，在单因素试验的基础上，通过Plackett-Burman试验、响应面分析法优化鲟鱼肝蛋白酶解条件。在此条件下，进一步探究了酶解液对双歧杆菌的促生长效果。结果表明，最优酶解条件为碱性蛋白酶添加量10 540 U/g鱼肝蛋白、体系初始pH值10.0、酶解时间8.6 h、酶解温度45 ℃、料液比1∶10（g∶mL），此条件下水解度（81.7%）是优化前（40.4%）的1.02倍。鲟鱼肝蛋白酶解液对青春双歧杆菌、两歧双歧杆菌、动物双歧杆菌、长双歧杆菌、短双歧杆菌和婴儿双歧杆菌6种均具有显著的促生长效果。研究结果为鲟鱼加工副产物利用提供了新途径，同时也为双歧杆菌促生长因子的研发提供新思路。     

Optimization of selective acidolysis pretreatment for the valorization of wheat straw by a combined chemical and enzymatic process

The cover image is based on the Original Article Optimization of selective acidolysis pretreatment for the valorization of wheat straw by a combined chemical and enzymatic process by Yong Xu, Jianming Guo, Shizhong Zhang et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6251 .

     

洋葱蛋白及多肽的制备及其体外抗氧化活性评价

对洋葱蛋白、4种不同水解度的粗洋葱多肽、4种分子量范围的纯化多肽组分的水解度、分子量、氨基酸组成、DPPH·清除能力进行了研究。结果表明,洋葱蛋白酶解后分子量大幅降低,必需氨基酸组分和支链氨基酸组分均有所提高,DPPH·清除能力大幅提高,且与水解度成正比;在4种水解度的粗洋葱多肽的纯化组分中,P-III(分子量为1~5kDa)的DPPH·清除能力均为最强,这归功于其合适的分子量分布。该研究为洋葱的高值化利用提供了理论依据。     

Lignin from Annual Plants as Raw Material Source for Flavors and Basic Chemicals

The enzymatic conversion of lignins, possibly in combination with electrochemical oxidation, makes aromatics such as syringol, guaiacol, vanillin and catechol available in the qualities required by the fragrance industry. The lignins were obtained by soda digestion from wheat straw and Miscanthus, characterized and then converted with laccases. The overall yield amounted up to 9 wt % with a product spectrum confined to four substances. Catechol was the major product, with a fraction of ≈75 %. It can easily be isolated by extraction with acetone.