In-situ synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures on Ti foil for enhanced and stable photocatalytic performance

TiO_2 nanostructures with strong interfacial adhesion and diverse morphologies have been in-situ grown on Ti foil substrate through a multiple-step method based on conventional plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO) technology, hydrothermal reaction and ion exchange process. The PEO process is critical to the formation of TiO_2 seeding layer for the nucleation of Na_2Ti_3O_7 and H_2Ti_3O_7 mediates that are strongly attached to the Ti foil. An ion exchange reaction can finally lead to the formation of H_2Ti_3O_7 nanostructures with diverse morphologies and the calcination process can turn the H_2Ti_3O_7 nanostructures into TiO_2 nanostructures with enhanced crystallinity. The morphology of the TiO_2 nanostructures including nanoparticles(NP), nanowhiskers(NWK), nanowires(NW) and nanosheets(NS) can be easily tailored by controlling the NaOH concentration and reaction time during hydrothermal process. The morphology, composition and optical properties of TiO_2 photocatalysts were analyzed using scanning electron microscope(SEM), X-ray diffraction(XRD), photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy and UV–vis absorption spectrum. Photocatalytic tests indicate that the TiO_2 nanosheets calcined at 500?C show good crystallization and the best capability of decomposing organic pollutants. The decoration of Ag cocatalyst can further improve the photocatalytic performance of the TiO_2 nanosheets as a result of the enhanced charger separation efficiency. Cyclic photocatalytic test using TiO_2 nanostructures grown on Ti foil substrate demonstrates the superior stability in the photodegradation of organic pollutant, suggesting the promising potential of in-situ growth technology for industrial application.     

Erratum to: High-purity helical carbon nanotubes by trace-waterassisted chemical vapor deposition: Large-scale synthesis and growth mechanism

Nano Research - The first author, Fanbin Meng, and the second author, Ying Wang, contributed equally to this work was unfortunately forgotten to write on the first pages of the main text and the...     

Entrapping multifunctional dendritic nanoparticles into a hydrogel for local therapeutic delivery and synergetic immunochemotherapy

Nano Research - Developing multifunctional nanoparticles to support new therapy models is a promising and challenging task to address the current dilemma on antitumor treatment. Herein, we...     

Escherichia coli prlC gene encodes a trypsin-like proteinase regulating the cell cycle

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mood disorders are common after stroke and may impede physical, functional, and cognitive recovery, making early identification and treatment of potential importance. We aimed to compare the accuracy of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale in detecting psychiatric morbidity after stroke and to determine the most suitable cutoff points for different purposes. METHODS: One hundred five hospital-referred stroke patients completed both the GHQ-30 and HAD Scale 6 months after onset before a blinded psychiatric assessment in which the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia with some supplementary questions was used to determine a DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) diagnosis. Measures were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the GHQ-30 and the HAD Scale in identifying those patients with any DSM-IV diagnosis (P=0.95), grouped depression (P=0.56), or anxiety (P=0.25) disorders. The previously recommended cutoff points for identifying "cases" for the GHQ (4/5) and for the HAD Scale (8/9 and 11/12) were found to be suboptimal in this population. CONCLUSIONS: The GHQ-30 and HAD scale exhibited similar levels of sensitivity and specificity. Data are presented, taking into account the "cost" of false-positives and negatives, to allow a choice of cutoff points suitable for differing situations.