Herein we report the synthesis of mesoporous ruthenium oxide (MP-RuO2) using a template-based approach. The catalytic efficiency of the prepared MP-RuO2 was compared to commercially available ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (C-RuO2) as heterogeneous catalysts for water oxidation. The results demonstrated superior performance of MP-RuO2 for oxygen evolution compared to the C-RuO2 with respect to recyclability, amount of generated oxygen, and stability over several catalytic runs.

NULL

Nanostructured molybdenum oxides are promising materials for energy storage, catalysis, and electronic-based applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of MoO3–x nanosheets (x stands for oxygen vacancy) via an environmentally friendly liquid exfoliation approach. The process involves the reflux of the bulk α-MoO3 precursor in water at 80 °C for 7 days. Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show that the MoO3–x nanosheets are a few nanometer thick. MoO3–x nanosheets exhibit near infrared plasmonic property that can be enhanced by visible light irradiation for a short time (10 min). Photocatalytic activity of MoO3–x nanosheets for organic dye decolorization is examined using two different dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue). Under visible light irradiation, MoO3–x nanosheets make a rapid decolorization for the dye molecules in less than 10 min. The simple synthesis procedure of MoO3–x …

Ionic liquids (ILs) have advanced a variety of applications, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry (MALDI–MS). ILs can be used as matrices and solvents for analyte extraction and separation prior to analysis using laser desorption/ionization–mass spectrometry (LDI–MS). Most ILs show high stability with negligible sublimation under vacuum, provide high ionization efficiency, can be used for qualitative and quantitative analyses with and without internal standards, show high reproducibility, form homogenous spots during sampling, and offer high solvation efficiency for a wide range of analytes. Ionic liquids can be used as solvents and pseudo-stationary phases for extraction and separation of a wide range of analytes, including proteins, peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, pathogenic bacteria, and small molecules. This review article summarizes the recent advances of ILs applications using MALDI–MS. The applications of ILs as matrices, solvents, and pseudo-stationary phases, are also reviewed.

Photoluminescent textiles emitted light in ultraviolet (UV)-radiation region has advanced a variety of applications including military and police clothes. The current study reports the preparation of photoluminescent viscose fabrics incorporated lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) and their applications for self-cleaning. In situ growth of Ln (Eu3+, Tb3+) MOF into viscose fabrics were achieved using Ln (NO3)3 and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride as organic ligand. The in-growth Ln-MOF within fabrics were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Under the UV lamb (345 nm), Eu-MOF@viscose fabric and Tb-MOF@viscose fabric visually emitted red and green color, respectively. The excitation-emission spectra showed the spectra for the 5D0→7F0-4 transitions and 5D4 …

Gene-based therapies, including the delivery of oligonucleotides, offer promising methods for the treatment of cancer cells. However, they have various limitations including low efficiency. Herein, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs)-conjugated chitosan-modified iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (CPPs-CTS@MNPs) with high biocompatibility as well as high efficiency were tested for the delivery of oligonucleotides such as plasmid pGL3, splice correction oligonucleotides, and small-interfering RNA. A biocompatible nanocomposite, in which CTS@MNPs was incorporated in non-covalent complex with CPPs-oligonucleotide, is developed. Modifying the surface of magnetic nanoparticles with cationic chitosan-modified iron oxide improved the performance of magnetic nanoparticles-CPPs for oligonucleotide delivery. CPPs-CTS@MNPs complexes enhance oligonucleotide transfection compared to CPPs@MNPs or …

NULL

Two isostructural series of lanthanide metal-organic frameworks denoted as SUMOF-7II (Ln) and SUMOF-7IIB (Ln) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) were synthesized using4,4′,4''-(pyridine-2,4,6-triyl)tris(benzoic acid) (H3L2) and a mixture of H3L2 and 4,4′,4′′-(benzene-1,3,5-triyl)tris(benzoic acid) (H3BTB) as linkers, respectively. Both series were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photoluminescence measurements show that Eu-MOFs demonstrate a red emission while Pr- and Nd-MOFs display an emission in the near-infrared (NIR) range. On the other hand, La-, Ce-, Sm- and Gd-MOFs exhibit only a ligand-centered emission. The average luminescence lifetimes in the SUMOF-7IIB series are 1.3–1.4-fold longer than the corresponding ones in the SUMOF-7II series. SUMOF-7IIs show a good photo- and thermal stability. Altogether, the properties of SUMOF-7II and SUMOF-7IIB render them promising materials for applications including sensing, biosensing, and telecommunications.

Hierarchical porous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs) were synthesized at room temperature via a template-free approach under dynamic conditions (stirring) using water as a solvent. The ZIF-8 NPs were evaluated as adsorbents for rare earth elements (La3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+). Adsorption equilibrium was reached after 7 h and high adsorption capacities were obtained for dysprosium and samarium (430.4 and 281.1 mg g−1, respectively) and moderate adsorption capacity for lanthanum (28.8 mg g−1) at a pH of 7.0. The high adsorption capacitiese, as well as the high stability of ZIF-8 NPs, make the hierarchical ZIF-8 materials as an efficient adsorbent for the recovery of La3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+ from aqueous solution

Boron (B) toxicity is an important environmental constraint that limits crop
productivity. Salicylic acid (SA) and thiamin participate in the processes
underlying plant adaptations to certain types of abiotic and biotic stress.
This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of SA
or thiamin and B on physiological attributes of wheat under normal and B toxicity
conditions. Seeds were soaked in SA or thiamin and excess B was
applied for 10-day after planting the seedlings. Growth parameters, photosynthetic
pigments, B and some elements concentrations, hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2), proline, other free amino acids, soluble proteins, and
carbohydrates were measured. Application of SA or thiamin showed an
increase in tolerance towards high B as indicated by H2O2, amino acids,
soluble proteins, and carbohydrates contents. The results support the conclusion
that SA and thiamin alleviate B toxicity not at the level of B content
but by affecting other elements and osmo-protective metabolite.