Reduction Of Precursors Research Articles

Disc-Like Silver Nanocluster Ag93 Built with Bicapped Hexagonal Prismatic Ag15 and Ino Decahedral Ag13 Units.

The reduction of alkynyl-silver and phosphine-silver precursors with a weak reducing reagent Ph2 SiH2 led to the formation of a novel silver nanocluster [Ag93 (PPh3 )6 (C≡CR)50 ]3+ (R=4-CH3 OC6 H4 ), which is the largest structurally characterized cluster of clusters. This disc-shaped cluster has a Ag69 kernel consisting of a bicapped hexagonal prismatic Ag15 unit wrapped by six Ino decahedra through edge-sharing. This is the first time that Ino decahedra are used as a building block to assemble a cluster of clusters. Moreover, the central silver atom has a coordination number of 14, which is the highest in metal nanoclusters. This work provides a diverse metal packing pattern in metal nanoclusters, which is helpful for understanding metal cluster assembling mechanisms.

Global sensitivities of reactive N and S gas and particle concentrations and deposition to precursor emissions reductions

Abstract. The reduction of fine particles (PM2.5) and reactive N (Nr) and S (Sr) species is a key objective for air pollution control policies because of their major adverse effects on human health, ecosystem diversity, and climate. The sensitivity of global and regional Nr, Sr, and PM2.5 to 20 % and 40 % individual and collective reductions in anthropogenic emissions of NH3, NOx, and SOx (with respect to a 2015 baseline) is investigated using the EMEP MSC-W (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Meteorological Synthesizing Centre – West) atmospheric chemistry transport model with WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) meteorology. Regional comparisons reveal that the individual emissions reduction has multiple co-benefits and small disbenefits on different species, and those effects are highly geographically variable. A 40 % NH3 emission reduction decreases regional average NH3 concentrations by 47 %–49 % but only decreases NH4+ by 18 % in Euro_Medi, 15 % in East Asia, 12 % in North America, and 4 % in South Asia. This order follows the regional ammonia richness. A disbenefit is the increased SO2 concentrations in these regions (10 %–16 % for 40 % reductions) because reduced NH3 levels decrease SO2 deposition through altering atmospheric acidity. A 40 % NOx emission reduction reduces NOx concentrations in East Asia by 45 %, Euro_Medi and North America by ∼ 38 %, and South Asia by 22 %, whilst the regional order is reversed for fine NO3-, which is related to enhanced O3 levels in East Asia (and also, but by less, in Euro_Medi) and decreased O3 levels in South Asia (and also, but by less, in North America). Consequently, the oxidation of NOx to NO3- and of SO2 to SO42- is enhanced in East Asia but decreased in South Asia, which causes a less effective decrease in NO3- and even an increase in SO42- in East Asia but quite the opposite in South Asia. For regional policy making, it is thus vital to reduce three precursors together to minimize such adverse effects. A 40 % SOx emission reduction is slightly more effective in reducing SO2 (42 %–45 %) than SO42- (34 %–38 %), whilst the disbenefit is that it yields a ∼ 12 % increase in total NH3 deposition in the four regions, which further threatens ecosystem diversity. This work also highlights important messages for policy makers concerning the mitigation of PM2.5. More emissions controls focusing on NH3 and NOx are necessary for regions with better air quality, such as northern Europe and eastern North America. In East Asia, the three individual reductions are equally effective, whilst in South Asia only SOx reduction is currently effective. The geographically varying non-one-to-one proportionality of chemical responses of Nr, Sr, and PM2.5 to emissions reductions revealed by this work show the importance of both prioritizing emissions strategies in different regions and combining several precursor reductions together to maximize the policy effectiveness.

Metal–support interface engineering of Ni catalysts for improved H2 storage performance: Grafting alkyltriethoxysilane onto commercial alumina

Tuning metal–support interface in supported Ni catalysts is a promising approach for overcoming the agglomeration of Ni particles and the low reducibility of Ni species. This study describes a facile two-step method to produce active Ni catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzyltoluene. In the first step, alkyltriethoxysilanes (CnTES, n = 1, 3, and 8) were grafted onto the surface of commercial Al2O3. The maximum Si/Al ratio of the prepared CnTES-on-Al2O3 materials was determined to be approximately 2.9 mol.%, which can vary depending on the surface properties of Al2O3. The second step was H2 reduction of the Ni precursor loaded on the CnTES-on-Al2O3 materials to remove alkyl substituents from the grafted CnTES and form Ni particles on the surface of silica grafted onto alumina (SGA). The hydrogenation performance of the obtained Ni/SGA_CnTES catalysts was improved with increasing Si/Al ratio owing to higher Ni dispersion and more abundant metallic Ni. The activity of the Ni/SGA_2.9CnTES (Si/Al = 2.9 mol.%) catalysts exhibited a volcano-shaped relationship with the length of the alkyl substituent of grafted CnTES, reaching the maximum for C3TES. Notably, Ni/SGA_2.9C3TES showed excellent ability for the adsorption of H2 and substrate, as well as high stability, resulting from the reduced agglomeration of Ni particles and the modulated metal–support interface. Therefore, the demonstrated synthesis approach can render Ni catalysts servable to promote the commercialization of liquid organic hydrogen carrier system.

Unveiling the effect of shapes and electrolytes on the electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation activity of self-standing Pd nanostructures

Morphologically controlled Pd-based nanocrystals are the most efficient strategies for improving the electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) performance; however, their morphological-EOR activity relationship and effect of electrolytes at a wide pH range are still ambiguous. Here, we have synthesized porous self-standing Pd clustered nanospheres (Pd-CNSs) and Pd nanocubes (Pd-NCBs) for the EOR in acidic (H2SO4), alkaline (KOH), and neutral (NaHCO3) electrolytes compared to commercial spherical-like Pd/C catalysts. The fabrication process comprises the ice-cooling reduction of Pd precursor by sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and l-ascorbic acid to form Pd-CNSs and Pd-NCBs, respectively. The EOR activity of Pd-CNSs significantly outperformed those of Pd-NCBs, and Pd/C in all electrolytes, but the EOR activity was better in KOH than in H2SO4 and NaHCO3. This is due to the 3D porous clustered nanospherical morphology that makes Pd active centers more accessible and maximizes their utilization during EOR. The EOR specific/mass activities of Pd-CNSs reached (8.51 mA/cm2/2.39 A/mgPd) in KOH, (2.98 mA/cm2/0.88 A/mgPd) in H2SO4, and (0.061 mA/cm2/0.0083 A/mgPd) in NaHCO3, in addition to stability after 1000 cycles. This study affirms that porous 3D spherical Pd nanostructures are preferred for the EOR than those of 0D spherical-like and multi-dimensional cube-like nanostructures.

High-efficient Pt@COF nanospheres-based electrochemical-chemical-chemical redox cycling for ultrasensitive microRNAs biosensing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been perceived as important regulators in multifarious biological processes as well as potential biomarkers in clinical diagnosis. Exploring high-efficient sensing platforms for tracing miRNAs in complex biological samples is of great vital. Herein, an ultrasensitive and enzyme-free electrochemical biosensor was constructed based on integration of efficiently catalytic electrochemical−chemical−chemical (ECC) redox cycling with target-induced magnetic DNAzyme walker. Employing porous and easily functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) as carriers, Pt@COF nanospheres (Pt@COF NSs) were facilely prepared by in-situ reduction of platinum precursors in the nanopores-structure of COF. This not only addressed the inevitable migration of pure Pt nanoparticles, but endowed Pt@COF NSs with desirable stability and excellent catalytic activity to boost ECC redox cycling for effective signal enhancement. On this basis, a target-induced magnetic DNAzyme walker was obediently induced to recognize, separate and convert low-abundant miRNA-21 targets into plentiful output DNA chains for accumulated signal amplification. Finally, the as-prepared robust biosensor manifested highly sensitive and selective determination of miRNA-21 with a wide detection range from 100 aM to 10 pM and a low detection limit of 47.5 aM. Meanwhile, the credible detectability and anti-interference were also demonstrated in serum and cell samples, indicating its promising application toward diseases warning.

Diselenide Dianion’s Dual Powers: PdSe2Polymorph Control and Pd3Se10Superatomic Crystal Creation

There is a diverse family of palladium selenide compounds, including semiconducting orthorhombic PdSe2 (O-PdSe2) and monoclinic PdSe2 (M-PdSe2), which are unusual among transition-metal dichalcogenides as they are composed of diselenide dianions Se22–. Thus far, the solution syntheses of materials with Se–Se bonds typically require the in situ reduction of Se precursors. Here, we explore the use of electrochemically precise reactions between Na2Se2 and a Pd2+ source, Na2PdCl4, as a solution-phase route to selectively form different PdSe2 polymorphs in the absence of surfactants. By altering the reactant molar ratios and time, we map out a synthetic phase space diagram that shows how to create a wide variety of palladium selenide phases. With increasing Se22–/Pd2+ molar ratios, regions are identified where Pd17Se15, M-PdSe2, and O-PdSe2 exist as the dominant or exclusive thermodynamic product. Additionally, we discover Pd3Se10, a superatomic crystal composed of Pd6Se20 cube-shaped clusters held together by van der Waals forces, which forms as a kinetic product under short reaction times. In total, the use of the diselenide dianion precursor allows for the selective solution-phase synthesis of M-PdSe2 or O-PdSe2, as well as the discovery of a previously unreported palladium selenide phase.

Photoresponse of surface modified graphene oxide by green synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles

In the current work, graphene oxide nanocomposites containing silver and gold nanoparticles i.e., Ag-GO and Au-GO, were formed by reducing Ag+ and Au+ cations with black tea extract. The precise reduction of precursors is facilitated by the water-soluble, highly reactive reducing agent referred as tea polyphenols. To confirm the morphological, structural, and optical properties of the synthesized GO, Ag-GO and Au-GO samples, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy are carried out. The accumulation of Ag and Au NPs on the surface of graphene oxide is observed by scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of the current–voltage (I-V) and transient photocurrent (I-t) at illumination intensities of 5 mW/cm2 by varying bias voltage in the range of 10–30 V with different wavelengths are examined. A bias voltage of 30 V and a monochromatic light of wavelength (480 nm) having intensity of 5 mW/cm2 at room temperature provided detectivities for Ag-GO and Au-GO nanocomposites of 4.96 × 108 (Jones) and 0.75 × 108 (Jones), respectively. According to the analysed photoresponse properties, Ag-GO and Au-GO nanocomposites have shown the potential for use in future optoelectronic device applications.

Crinecerfont, a CRF1 Receptor Antagonist, Lowers Adrenal Androgens in Adolescents With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Crinecerfont, a corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor antagonist, has been shown to reduce elevated adrenal androgens and precursors in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cortisol deficiency and androgen excess due to elevated adrenocorticotropin. To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of crinecerfont in adolescents with 21OHD CAH. This was an open-label, phase 2 study (NCT04045145) at 4 centers in the United States. Participants were males and females, 14 to 17 years of age, with classic 21OHD CAH. Crinecerfont was administered orally (50 mg twice daily) for 14 consecutive days with morning and evening meals. The main outcomes were change from baseline to day 14 in circulating concentrations of ACTH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), androstenedione, and testosterone. 8 participants (3 males, 5 females) were enrolled; median age was 15 years and 88% were Caucasian/White. After 14 days of crinecerfont, median percent reductions from baseline to day 14 were as follows: ACTH, -57%; 17OHP, -69%; and androstenedione, -58%. In female participants, 60% (3/5) had ≥50% reduction from baseline in testosterone. Adolescents with classic 21OHD CAH had substantial reductions in adrenal androgens and androgen precursors after 14 days of oral crinecerfont administration. These results are consistent with a study of crinecerfont in adults with classic 21OHD CAH.

Sequentially Pitching Lactic Acid Bacteria and Active Dry Yeasts for Sour Beer Production

Lactic acid bacteria are key constituents in the souring process of traditional acidic beers, resulting from spontaneous or mixed fermentations. The development of such beer styles provides a balanced and complex-flavored beverage but is time-consuming and not easily repeatable. New time-efficient alternatives include successively pitching a souring bacteria and yeast, such that both have optimal fermentation conditions. In this study, each microorganism is assessed to comprehend its individual impact on the fermentation process (acidification and fermentation rates, attenuation, ethanol production) and its influence on physicochemical and organoleptic parameters. Lactic acid bacteria are responsible for the wort’s acidification, reaching a pH of 3.5 within 48 h, by converting up to 5 g/L of simple sugars into organic acids and other by-products. The two-step acidification and fermentation process alters the color and bitterness, the latter decreasing from an initial iso-α-acid concentration of 29 mg/L to an average of 13 mg/L. The sequential method shows that the decarboxylation and subsequent reduction of hydroxycinnamic acid precursors into their vinyl and ethyl derivatives is strain dependent. All tested lactic acid bacteria appear to possess the decarboxylation enzymes. However, only Lactiplantibacillus plantarum can reduce vinylphenols into ethylphenols.

Noteworthy biocompatibility of effective microorganisms (EM) like microbial beneficial culture formulation with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles

The present study evaluates the biocompatibility of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles with various effective microorganisms (EM), like beneficial microbial formulations. The respective nanoparticle was synthesised by chemical reduction of metal precursor with reducer via simple route green technology principles. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by UV visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies, revealing highly stable, nanoscale particles with marked crystallinity. EM-like beneficial cultures composed of viable cells of Lactobacillus lactis, Streptomyces sp, Candida lipolytica, and Aspergillus oryzae were formulated with rice bran, sugarcane syrup, and groundnut cake. The respective formulation was inoculated into the nanoparticles amalgamated pots raised with green gram seedlings. Biocompatibility was determined by measuring plant growth parameters of a green gram at pre-determined periods associated with enzymatic antioxidants like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S transferase (GST) levels. Most significantly, the expression level of these enzymatic antioxidants level was also investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The impact of the soil conditioning effect on soil nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, organic carbon, soil enzymes glucosidases, and β-xylosidases activity was also studied. Among the formulation, rice bran-groundnut cake-sugar syrup formulation recorded the best biocompatibility. This formulation showed high growth promotion, soil conditioning effect and no impact on the oxidative stress enzymes genes that revealed the best compatibility of nanoparticles. This study concluded that biocompatible, eco-friendly formulations of microbial inoculants could be used for the desirable agro active properties that show extreme tolerance or biocompatibility to the nanoparticles. This present study also suggests the utilisation of the above said beneficial microbial formulation and metal-based nanoparticles with desirable agro active properties in a synergistic manner due to their high tolerance or compatibility towards the metal or metal oxide nanoparticles.

Local structure of solid and liquid Au as a function of temperature by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

Accurate Au $L$-edge EXAFS (extended x-ray absorption fine structure) spectra of elemental Au have been collected and analyzed in a wide range of temperatures from 80 to 1400 K in the solid and liquid phases. Suitable samples for high-temperature measurements in the liquid phase were obtained by in situ reduction of an organic precursor. The data analysis was carried out using reliable multiple-scattering calculations including relativistic corrections (GnXAS), especially important for this heavy element. Simultaneous ${L}_{1}$-, ${L}_{2}$-, and ${L}_{3}$-edge refinements were performed and local structural results were compared with those obtained in previous studies based mainly on x-ray diffraction experiments. In the solid phase, an increased asymmetry of the first-neighbor distribution is observed for increasing temperatures while the average distance is found to be compatible with present thermal expansion data. The structure refinement of liquid Au was carried out considering the short-range contribution to the pair distribution function $g(r)$, using available x-ray diffraction data as a constraint for long-range order. We have shown that EXAFS is extremely sensitive to the local structure and that the $g(r)$ of liquid Au is characterized by a clear shift of the foot of the $g(r)$ and a slight shortening of the position of the maximum as compared with the previous data. The present data put to a test advanced computer simulations based on embedded atom models.

Engineered polymer–clay–copper oxides catalyst for the oxidation and reduction of organic molecules: synergy of degradation and instinctive interface stability by polymer self-healing function

Although many applications of clay–polymer composites have been suggested in recent years, their potential use in water treatment processes has received relatively little attention. This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and application of supramolecular polymer–montmorillonite clay–copper oxide (MPC) as an efficient catalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B (RB), a model organic molecule (OM). MPC was synthesized by incorporating branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) into layered montmorillonite K10 (MK10) through a simple wet impregnation method, followed by the incorporation of a copper precursor and direct reduction of the metal precursor. The resulting MPC was characterized using ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, TEM, BJH, XRD, and SAXS. The results confirmed the incorporation of PEI and nano-copper oxides into MK10. The MPC chemically degraded RB (>99% at 5 mg L−1, pH 7) in the aqueous phase (10 mL), and the degradation followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a high correlation coefficient. The synthesized MPC degraded RB (7 h) in the presence of H2O2 and adsorbed RB (>98%) without H2O2. The completeness of RB degradation was validated using liquid–liquid extraction and solid–liquid phase extraction of the aqueous phase and solid MPC after the degradation reaction, respectively. The degradation proceeded through reactive active species (hydroxide radical, •OH), which remained in the solution and are active for 72 h or more. This indicates that the synthesized MPC can degrade trace amounts of RB in larger aqueous volumes. PEI exhibited self-healing behavior (network remodeling) after by mechanical or chemical stress to the PEI/PEI-Cu species during RB degradation, which included the re-formation of RnN–Cu oxides as well as the synergistic effect of charge transfer/recombination between N, Cu, and other reactive species in the reaction mixtures. The post-degradation characterization of MPC confirmed that MPC could be reused for more than five cycles without the loss of copper species. The high catalytic performance of MPC towards the other four organic pollutants in the aqueous phase indicates that MPC is a promising environmental catalyst.

Green Nanoformulations of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Capped Metal Nanoparticles: A Study at the Hybrid Interface with Biomimetic Cell Membranes and In Vitro Cell Models.

Noble metal nanoparticles (NP) with intrinsic antiangiogenic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties have great potential as potent chemotherapeutics, due to their unique features, including plasmonic properties for application in photothermal therapy, and their capability to slow down the migration/invasion speed of cancer cells and then suppress metastasis. In this work, gold (Au), silver (Ag), and palladium (Pd) NP were synthesized by a green redox chemistry method with the reduction of the metal salt precursor with glucose in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as stabilizing and capping agent. The physicochemical properties of the PVP-capped NP were investigated by UV-visible (UV-vis) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), to scrutinize the optical features and the interface between the metal surface and the capping polymer, the hydrodynamic size, and the morphology, respectively. Biophysical studies with model cell membranes were carried out by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSM) with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques. To this purpose, artificial cell membranes of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) made with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (POPC) dye-labeled with 7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl (NBD, FRET donor) and/or lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl (Rh, FRET acceptor) were prepared. Proof-of-work in vitro cellular experiments were carried out with prostate cancer cells (PC-3 line) in terms of cytotoxicity, cell migration (wound scratch assay), NP cellular uptake, and cytoskeleton actin perturbation.

Environmentally friendly molten salt synthesis of high-entropy AlCoCrFeNi alloy powder with high catalytic hydrogenation activity

A molten salt synthesis method was used to prepare high-entropy AlCoCrFeNi alloy powder with a high specific surface area of 67.5 m2/g, exhibiting remarkable catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol by NaBH4. The life cycle assessment of the proposed method indicated that AlCoCrFeNi production was associated with greenhouse gas emission of 125 kgCO2e/kg-product, whose main contributors were CaH2 and citric acid used during the precursor's reduction and formation, respectively. On the other hand, that for a previously reported dealloying method was 277 kg CO2e/kg-product. Thus, a minimum of 54% greenhouse gas emission reduction compared to the conventional dealloying method is achievable in the proposed molten salt method. The results indicated the possible environmentally friendly production of high-surface-area, high-entropy alloy powders suitable for industrial applications.

Large Modeling Uncertainty in Projecting Decadal Surface Ozone Changes Over City Clusters of China

AbstractClimate policies will affect future surface ozone pollution in China. Here, we simulate changes in summertime ozone across China by 2030 under four emission scenarios reflecting different levels of climate action. We also contrast results obtained with two different chemical mechanisms employed in the chemical transport model (WRF‐Chem). With emission reductions in ozone precursors introduced by climate policies, both mechanisms show promising ozone mitigation for most parts of China. However, they disagree starkly in China's three main city clusters, where one mechanism projects worsening ozone pollution by 2030 despite the emission reductions. We analyze possible drivers of this important discrepancy, in particular the role of varying ozone chemical regimes affecting its sensitivity to emission changes. We recommend an intercomparison project to examine this critical modeling uncertainty among other models/mechanisms, which would be invaluable for informing local and regional emission control strategies that are based on single‐model results.

High‐Resolution Patterning of Organic–Inorganic Photoresins for Tungsten and Tungsten Carbide Microstructures

Tungsten is an important material for high‐temperature applications due to its high chemical and thermal stability. Its carbide, that is, tungsten carbide, is used in tool manufacturing because of its outstanding hardness and as a catalyst scaffold due to its morphology and large surface area. However, microstructuring, especially high‐resolution 3D microstructuring of both materials, is a complex and challenging process which suffers from slow speeds and requires expensive specialized equipment. Traditional subtractive machining methods, for example, milling, are often not feasible because of the hardness and brittleness of the materials. Commonly, tungsten and tungsten carbide are manufactured by powder metallurgy. However, these methods are very limited in the complexity and resolution of the produced components. Herein, tungsten ion‐containing organic–inorganic photoresins, which are patterned by two‐photon lithography (TPL) at micrometer resolution, are introduced. The printed structures are converted to tungsten or tungsten carbide by thermal debinding and reduction of the precursor or carbothermal reduction reaction, respectively. Using TPL, complex 3D tungsten and tungsten carbide structures are prepared with a resolution down to 2 and 7 μm, respectively. This new pathway of structuring tungsten and its carbide facilitates a broad range of applications from micromachining to metamaterials and catalysis.

A Review of the Use of Carbon Nanostructures and Other Reducing Agents During Auto-reduction for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis and Other Applications

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is an important process in the production of liquid fuels in the energy sector, due to its flexibility for use with other technologies that can produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen. Catalysts have found substantial use in FTS to improve the process efficiency. However, the use of conventional FTS catalyst reduction techniques using (hydrogen (H2), CO and syngas) to activate the metal precursor has been accompanied by strong metal-support interactions. Such limitations have driven the quest for better technologies to ensure FTS catalysis reaches its full capacity. In this article, we review the activation techniques used, with emphasis on the contemporary auto-reduction technique, which has revealed energy-saving merits. Auto-reduction has the advantage of reducing the number of steps involved in catalyst preparation prior to FTS as well as eliminating costly reducing agents such as H2, CO and syngas. Auto-reduction in this article refers to the reduction of the metal precursor using a carbon support. We firstly provide a comprehensive review of the traditional reducing agents, followed by a review of the contemporary auto-reduction technique. A comparison of the conventional FTS catalyst reduction and auto-reduction techniques is provided to allow for a fundamental understanding of the merits and demerits of both techniques. The different types of nanostructured carbon materials used in aiding auto-reduction for the FTS process are reviewed.Graphical

Noble-Metal Nanoparticle-Embedded Silicon Nanogratings via Single-Step Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structuring.

Here, we show that direct femtosecond laser nanostructuring of monocrystalline Si wafers in aqueous solutions containing noble-metal precursors (such as palladium dichloride, potassium hexachloroplatinate, and silver nitrate) allows for the creation of nanogratings decorated with mono- (Pd, Pt, and Ag) and bimetallic (Pd-Pt) nanoparticles (NPs). Multi-pulse femtosecond-laser exposure was found to drive periodically modulated ablation of the Si surface, while simultaneous thermal-induced reduction of the metal-containing acids and salts causes local surface morphology decoration with functional noble metal NPs. The orientation of the formed Si nanogratings with their nano-trenches decorated with noble-metal NPs can be controlled by the polarization direction of the incident laser beam, which was justified, for both linearly polarized Gaussian and radially (azimuthally) polarized vector beams. The produced hybrid NP-decorated Si nanogratings with a radially varying nano-trench orientation demonstrated anisotropic antireflection performance, as well as photocatalytic activity, probed by SERS tracing of the paraaminothiophenol-to-dimercaptoazobenzene transformation. The developed single-step maskless procedure of liquid-phase Si surface nanostructuring that proceeds simultaneously with the localized reduction of noble-metal precursors allows for the formation of hybrid Si nanogratings with controllable amounts of mono- and bimetallic NPs, paving the way toward applications in heterogeneous catalysis, optical detection, light harvesting, and sensing.

Abstract 6525: Colon cancer screening and treatment with engineered probiotics

Abstract Bioengineered probiotics enable new opportunities to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, prevention and treatment strategies. Here, we demonstrate selective colonization of CRC tumors with the orally-delivered probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in genetically-engineered and orthotopic murine models of CRC, and human CRC patients. We subsequently engineer EcN to produce screening and therapeutic molecules, resulting in non-invasive detection of precursor CRC lesions and reduction of tumor burden through local induction of robust anti-tumor immunity. Citation Format: Candice R. Gurbatri, Georgette Radford, Jongwon Im, Courtney Coker, Nicholas Arpaia, Susan L. Woods, Daniel L. Worthley, Tal Danino. Colon cancer screening and treatment with engineered probiotics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6525.

Air quality changes in Taiwan over the past decades and during the COVID-19 crisis

Over the past decades, Taiwan has achieved remarkable goals in air pollution reduction with the concentrations of several common air pollutants such as CO, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, and SO2 going down. In contrast to these achievements, the mitigation of O3 remains extremely tough due to the complexity of its formation process involving synergistic effects of precursor reductions and meteorological influences. During the local COVID-19 crises in Taiwan and the Level 3 alert in 2021, air pollutants directly emitted from the traffic such as CO and NOx present clear relationships with the drop of the recorded freeway traffic volume due to the alert, while PM10 and PM2.5 which are also relevant to the traffic do not show indications of being greatly influenced by the decrease of the traffic flow. Although road traffic is not regarded as a main source of SO2 by current understanding, the unusual SO2 variation patterns found in this study suggest a prolonged impact for months from the changes of travel behavior during the epidemic. In contrast, the epidemic did not exert influences on industrial SO2 concentration which accounts for a large portion of total SO2 in Taiwan, and a similar scenario is also seen in each type of O3 monitoring. Although some results discussed in this study are not in line with current consensuses and understandings in terms of the nation of certain air pollutants, these findings may disclose new perspectives which could be a potential benefit to air quality improvement projects in the future.