Pure Materials Research Articles

Integrating Molecular Motions in Ternary Cocrystals for NIR-II Photothermal Conversion.

Organic photothermal conversion materials hold immense promise for various applications owing to their structural flexibility. Recent research has focused on enhancing near-infrared (NIR) absorption and mitigating radiative transition processes. In this study, we have developed a viable approach to the design of photothermal conversion materials through the construction of ternary organic cocrystals, by introducing a third component as a molecular blocker and motion unit into a binary donor-acceptor system. Superstructural and photophysical properties of the ternary cocrystals were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. The role of the molecular blocker in radical stabilization and photothermal conversion was demonstrated. Intriguingly, the motions of the entire pyrene molecules in the cocrystal have been observed by the results of variable temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The excellent performance of the ternary cocrystal as a photothermal material was validated through efficient NIR-II photothermal and solar-driven water evaporation experiments. The efficiency of water evaporation reached 88.7 %, with a corresponding evaporation rate of 1.29 kg m-2 h-1, representing excellent performance among pure organic small molecular photothermal conversion materials. Our research underscores the introduction of molecular blockers and motion units to stabilize radicals and produce outstanding photothermal conversion materials, offering new pathways for developing efficient and stable photothermal conversion materials.

Tuning structural and electrical properties of Co-precipitated and Cu-incorporated nickel ferrite for energy applications

Abstract The Ni1−x Cu x Fe2O4 (where x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) nano ferrite powder was synthesized through chemical co-precipitation method, NaOH and acid oleic as raw materials. The XRD patterns confirmed the spinal structure phase purity of materials. XRD results showed that lattice parameter decreases with the increase of copper concentration by increasing copper concentration in the parent material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the morphology and particle size. SEM analysis indicated that all the samples are in nano size and homogeneous. AC electrical properties of nanoparticles were investigated by employing impedance spectroscopy. The real and the imaginary parts of impedance, permittivity, modulus along with the real part of ac conductivity, and tan delta were measured and analyzed for all synthesized samples in 1 Hz to 7 MHz for different voltages at 300 K.

Nominal CaAl2Pt2 and Ca2Al3Pt – two new Intermetallic Compounds in the Ternary System Ca−Al−Pt

AbstractSingle crystals of CaAl2Pt2, Ca2Al3Pt and Ca2AlPt2 were initially observed in an attempt to synthesize Ca3Al4Pt4. Their structures were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments. While nominal CaAl2Pt2 (CaBe2Ge2 type, P4/nmm, a=426.79(2), c=988.79(6) pm, wR2=0.0679, 246 F2 values and 18 variables) and Ca2Al3Pt (Mg2Cu3Si type, P63/mmc, a=561.46(5), c=876.94(8) pm, wR2=0.0664, 214 F2 values and 13 variables) exhibit Al/Pt mixing, for Ca2AlPt2 (Ca2Ir2Si type, C2/c, a=981.03(2) b=573.74(1), c=772.95(2) pm, β=101.862(1)° wR2=0.0307, 2246 F2 values and 25 variables) no mixing was observed. Subsequently, the nominal compositions were targeted with synthetic attempts from the elements using arc‐melting and annealing techniques. For CaAl2Pt2 and Ca2Al3Pt always multi‐phase mixtures were observed while Ca2AlPt2 could be obtained as almost X‐ray pure material. Quantum‐chemical calculations were used to investigate the charge transfer in these compounds rendering them polar intermetallics with a designated [AlxPty]δ− polyanion and Caδ+ cations in the cavities of the polyanions.

High-performance Li-ion battery cathode: Mn-doped LiFePO4 via solution combustion synthesis method

The main drawbacks of LiFePO4, namely low electronic conductivity and slow lithium ion diffusion, are overcome by doping through solution combustion synthesis. This study focuses on altering the properties of LiFePO4 cathode material by introducing manganese (Mn) into the Fe site. Using solution combustion synthesis, we successfully created Mn-doped LiFe1-xMnxPO4 samples (where x = 0.04, 0.08, and 0.12) as it provides highly pure and crystalline material with homogeneous incorporation of dopants. Through various analyses including X-ray diffraction (XRD), RAMAN spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EDAX, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area measurement, charge/discharge tests (CD), stability assessments, and rate performance evaluations, we uncovered insights into the structure, morphology, elemental composition, surface area, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials. Notably, the LiFe0.92Mn0.08PO4 sample exhibited an average capacity of 166.34 mAh/g over 100 cycles at a 0.1C rate, slightly below its theoretical capacity of 170 mAh/g.

Facile fabrication of a cellulose-based photocatalytic membrane decorated with core-shell heterojunction microspheres for efficient and continuous wastewater remediation

Advanced oxidation processes have extensive applications in the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. However, conventional powder photochemical catalysts have limited utility due to their susceptibility to agglomeration, electron-hole recombination, and challenges in recycling. In this work, we herein propose an integration tactic to facilely fabricate a cellulose-based photocatalytic electrospun membrane (ZPP/CA-ENM) via synchronous electrospinning of acetate cellulose (CA) and electrospray of core-shell PMMA@PDA@ZIF-67 (ZPP) photocatalysts. This hybrid membrane is capable of synergistic PMS activation and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) and methylene blue (MB). For the ZPP catalysts, the PDA@ZIF-67 heterojunctions greatly promote the adsorption of visible light and the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, leading to excellent catalytic efficiency. The synchronous electrospinning and electrospray not only lead to the formation of porous and spiderweb-like membrane structure, but also facilitates the dispersion and recycling of these catalysts. Results reveal that under the presence of light irradiation and PMS, various oxidative species, including 1O2, SO4−, OH and O2− are generated, resulting in rapid degradations of TC (93.31 % within 30 min) and MB (99.90 % within 15 min), which also exhibits a rapid degradation and high efficiency in a cascade continuous lab setup. This work provides a new strategy for exploring novel and efficient material for wastewater purification.

Improved and easy method for long-term in vitro culture of rumen ciliates Dasytricha ruminantium

The rumen ciliates are a diverse group of protozoa residing in the rumen of ruminant animals. They are primarily found in the orders Entodiniomorphida and Vestibuliferida, playing crucial roles in the digestion and breakdown of feed within the host's rumen, closely intertwined with the host's nutrient absorption. In vitro monocultures of representatives of rumen ciliates are important to better study them. So far, Entodinium caudatum and Epidinium caudatum, representatives of the order Entodiniomorphida, have been successfully cultivated as a monoculture in vitro. However, for the order Vestibuliferida, no representative species has been established a stable monoculture in vitro up to date, which hampers to study their physiology and metabolism. Therefore, we have developed a simple method for the in vitro cultivation of Dasytricha ruminantium, a representative rumen ciliate in the order Vestibuliferida. Utilizing an optimized culture medium with easily obtainable components, and the cultivation process is simple. This will facilitate further research in metabolism and other studies requiring large pure live materials.1.Filtration and separation for enriching D. ruminantium.2.A culture medium (DRM) suitable for the growth of D. ruminantium, with easily obtainable components.3.Simple cultivation process, facilitating the obtainment of a large number of monocultured D. ruminantium.

Ultrasound-Assisted Recovery of Cathode Active Materials Using Green Solvents: A Comparative Study

The widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in various applications has led to an increasing demand for efficient and environmentally sustainable recycling processes. This necessity stems from the broader goal of establishing a sustainable and circular economy for LIBs while simultaneously addressing the challenges within the supply chain.One of the primary challenges in LIB recycling lies in the retrieval of valuable materials from end-of-life LIBs or electrode scraps in an environmentally benign manner. In particular, reclaiming the high purity of cathode active materials is a critical step to further development of direct recycling. The recovered materials need to be binder- and carbon black-free while retaining their inherent characteristics, including morphology, crystallinity, and electrochemical activity.Traditional methods for solvent-based cathode recovery involve energy-intensive processes and often employ hazardous solvents, leading to environmental concerns and safety issues. In response, recent studies have proposed several green solvents as environmentally friendly and economically viable alternatives for sustainable cathode recovery processes.In this study, we conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of various green solvents to assess their efficiency in recovering cathode materials from electrode scraps. We employ an ultrasound-assisted recovery process using different green solvents to compare the characteristics of the recovered cathode active materials in terms of morphology, purity, surface characteristics, and electrochemical performance. By evaluating the key challenges and advantages of each green solvent, we aim to provide valuable insights into the development of solvent-based cathode recovery.

Investigation of Piezoelectric Properties in Ca-Doped PbBa(Zr,Ti)O3 (PBZT) Ceramics.

The perovskite-structured materials Pb0.75Ba0.251-xCax(Zr0.7Ti0.3)O3 for x = 1 and 2 at.% were synthesized using the conventional mixed-oxide method and carbonates. Microstructural analysis, performed using a scanning electron microscope, revealed rounded grains with relatively inhomogeneous sizes and distinct grain boundaries. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the materials exhibit a rhombohedral structure with an R3c space group at room temperature. Piezoelectric resonance measurements were conducted to determine the piezoelectric and elastic properties of the samples. The results indicated that a small amount of calcium doping significantly enhanced the piezoelectric coefficient d31. The calcium-doped ceramics exhibited higher electrical permittivity across the entire temperature range compared to the pure material, as well as a significant value of remanent polarization. These findings indicate that the performance parameters of the base material have been significantly improved, making these ceramics promising candidates for various applications.

Mixed Metal Amide-Hydride Solid Solutions for Energy Storage Applications

Metal amide-hydride materials have been extensively studied for usage in energy applications, especially as solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries and as hydrogen storage. In specific cases, the formation of mixed metal amide hydride solid solutions promotes fast hydrogen sorption kinetics and tune the thermodynamics, allowing hydrogen absorption/desorption below 150 °C in hydrogen storage systems. In addition, these intermediates, such as Li2(BH4)(NH2) or Li4(BH4)(NH2)3 are potentially ionic conductors that can be used as solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries’ applications. In this work, a series of M-N-H solid solution structures based on mixed MNH2-MH materials of Group 1 elements (M = K, Rb, Cs and their combinations), such as KNH2-KH, KNH2-RbH, RbNH2-KH, RbNH2-CsH, RbNH2-CsNH2, etc., are reported. The results obtained by experimental determination (e.g., ex-situ XRD / in-situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, IR, 1H 2D solid-state MAS NMR, QENS) and theoretical calculations (e.g., molecular dynamics calculations) confirm the formation of mixed metal amide hydride solid solutions associated with an exchange between both anionic (NH2 - and H-) and cationic species (K, Rb and Cs). These structurally disordered solid solutions exhibit high ionic conductivity compared to the pure materials, e.g., mixed RbNH2-CsNH2 shows an ionic conductivity in the range of 4×10-5 S×cm-1 at 373 K compared to that of pure RbNH2 and CsNH2 (< 10-7 S×cm-1 at the same condition). Although this solid solution exhibits only moderate ionic conductivity, it offers the possibility of tuning the functional and physical properties of mixed metal amide-hydrides by structural modification.

A Perspective on Non‐Local Electronic Transport in Metals: Viscous, Ballistic, and Beyond

AbstractOhm's law for electrical conduction in metals is one of the first concepts taught in any physics curriculum. It is perfectly adequate in almost all practical circumstances, but breaks down in some special, interesting cases. To observe such breakdowns, one requires extremely pure materials, which are rare and often difficult to produce. Excitingly, forefront materials research is leading to the discovery of more and more examples in which one can break the ‘purity barrier’ and explore non‐Ohmic transport. The rapid development of the field is seeing equally rapid developments in the understanding of exotic non‐Ohmic regimes, but this is not always a smooth progression. New layers of insight often involve reversing what have previously been regarded as established facts. Indeed, the interpretations given of experimental data in many papers published less than a decade ago would (or should!) be different today. The goal of this article is to give an entry‐level guide to some of the pertinent issues that have emerged from this intense decade of research, attempting to keep the style of the presentation as informal and non‐mathematical as is practical. Although source literature will be cited, no attempt will be made at comprehensive citation, so the paper should not be regarded as a review. Rather, an effort will be made to identify and explain some issues that the authors believe are important but not sufficiently emphasized in the literature to date. In that sense the paper should be regarded as a kind of opinion piece, with, hopefully, some didactic value to a reader with a solid grounding in traditional condensed matter physics.

Preparation, Quality control and Standardization of a Destructive Distillate &lt;i&gt;Swasakasa Nei&lt;/i&gt; (SKN), A Traditional Siddha Herbal Pharmaceutic for &lt;i&gt;Swasakasam&lt;/i&gt; (Bronchial Asthma)

Standardization is essential to ensure the quality and reliability of traditional medicines. This study aimed to collect, authenticate and purification of raw materials, preparation of &lt;i&gt;Swasakasa Nei&lt;/i&gt; (SKN) according to SOP, and Quality evaluation and Standardization procedures following Pharmacopoeial Laboratory of Indian Medicine (PLIM) guidelines. SKN, prepared as &lt;i&gt;Kuzhithylam&lt;/i&gt;, is used to treat &lt;i&gt;Swasakasam&lt;/i&gt; (Bronchial Asthma) in the Siddha system of medicine. The organoleptic characters of &lt;i&gt;Swasakasa Nei&lt;/i&gt; reveal that SKN was a black, thick semisolid with a smoky odour, greasy consistency, and free-flowing nature drug. Physicochemical analysis showed values for Saponification Value (202.19), Iodine Value (30), Acid Value (7.25%), Peroxide Value (0.58%), Refractive Index (1.462), Specific Gravity (0.9131 g/ml), Loss on Drying (34.17%), Total Fatty Matter (60.18%), Free Fatty Acids (1.06%), and Unsaponifiable Matter (0.98%). The congealing point was 19°C, with no mineral oil and definite oxidation on rancidity. HPTLC fingerprint analysis revealed multiple prominent peaks at various wavelengths. Microbial contamination tests showed no specific microbes, and aflatoxin assays confirmed SKN was free from Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2. Pesticide residue analysis detected no organochlorine, organophosphorus, or pyrethroids, and heavy metal analysis showed no trace elements or heavy metals. These standards affirm the authenticity, genuineness, and safety of SKN, contributing to its scientific validation.

Investigation of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced ABS/Epoxy Blended Polymer Composite

This research investigates the formation of polymer blends by blending Epoxy LY556 with Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) at weight percentages ranging from 2 to 10% wt. The thermal properties, morphological characteristics, tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) characteristics of these composites were examined. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) studies confirmed the presence of binary blends. The miscibility of epoxy/ABS blends is shown by the presence of a single melting peak in the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) findings indicate that epoxy and ABS blends exhibit greater thermal stability than pure epoxy. The tensile strength increased from 183.6 to 380.6 MPa, flexural strength increased from 165.3 MPa to 335.6 MPa, ILSS increased from 32.4 MPa to 72 MPa for 8% wt. of ABS blending, and the laminates witnessed a decrease in density and hardness values. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate the commendable blending characteristics and the synergistic impact of the ABS/Epoxy composite, yielding superior outcomes to the pure epoxy material.

Integrating double-labeling HCR-FISH into a multidisciplinary pipeline for biofouling assessment on austenitic stainless steel in brackish seawater circuit

This study modified and integrated a bioimaging method of hybridization chain reaction fluorescence in situ hybridization (HCR-FISH) into a pipeline for assessing biofouling on stainless steel (SS). A modified protocol of double-labeling HCR-FISH was directly applied to two surface types of SS grade EN 1.4404 to detect localized bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) by targeting bacterial 16 S rRNA genes and dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrB) genes, respectively. The protocol was first validated using microbial pure cultures and materials before being integrated into a biofouling assessment pipeline of SS in a laboratory-scale brackish water circuit, incorporating electrochemical, surface, and molecular biology characterization analyses. The double-labeling HCR-FISH improved bioimaging of surface biofilm morphology and microbial distribution, surpassing monochrome staining methods. This method was compatible and complemented other microscopy techniques and molecular biological analyses, providing additional insights into the biofilms and deposits on the alloy surfaces. The implemented assessment pipeline for biofouling determination frequently detected the ennoblement phenomenon in the evolution of marine biofilm on SS surfaces. However, within the experimental timeframe, microbial activities in the brackish seawater circuit did not flourish significantly, resulting in minimal impact on the steel material. Additionally, surface type and roughness may correlate with microbial adhesion, biofilm growth, and the deformation of passivation layers in SS. Despite abundant sessile bacteria, particularly opportunistic microorganisms, on the steel surfaces, no direct correlations with biodeterioration phenomena or influences of surface roughness of an alloy and the presence of biofilm were conclusively established.

Assembly of primary secondary amine over magnetic graphitized carbon black material for selective cleansing of sample matrices

Pigments and organic acids are among the most common impurities in complex sample matrices. Their presence in the samples often interferes with the detection of trace analytes. This study aimed to design and develop magnetic materials (GCB/Fe3O4-PSA) for the efficient purification of organic acids and pigment impurities in sample matrices. We employed the acid modification method to enhance the modification of magnetic Fe3O4 by the primary secondary amine adsorption group (PSA), effectively boosting its adsorption performance. This modification technique not only retains the inherent adsorption characteristics of Fe3O4 but also avoids the irreversible damage to Fe3O4′s own adsorption by traditional grafting methods. Subsequently, Fe3O4-PSA and graphitized carbon black (GCB) were combined through a simple physical assembly method to prepare GCB/Fe3O4-PSA, which was used for the purification of pigments and organic acids in complex matrices. During the purification process, GCB/Fe3O4-PSA can be rapidly magnetically separated. After six reuses, the adsorption performance remains above 80 %, fully demonstrating the rapid purification ability and reusability potential of GCB/Fe3O4-PSA. Compared with unmodified Fe3O4, GCB/Fe3O4-PSA significantly enhanced the purification effect of complex matrices. Its adsorption capacities for chlorophyll and ascorbic acid increased by 276.9 % and 263.9 % respectively. After combining with the GCB/Fe3O4-PSA purification material, cathinones in complex matrix samples (tea, apples, carrots) were determined using UPLC-MS/MS. The recoveries in spiked samples ranged from 96.35 % to 104.17 %, with the RSDs < 3.02 %. Simultaneously, characterization methods such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, VSM, XPS, and BET were used to study the surface structure and chemical composition of GCB/Fe3O4-PSA. The above results highlight the outstanding performance of GCB/Fe3O4-PSA in the efficient purification of organic acids and pigments in complex matrices and also show its considerable application potential in the pretreatment of complex matrix samples.

Calix[2]azolium[2]benzimidazolone hosts for selective binding of neutral substrates in water

The separation and purification of chemical raw materials, particularly neutral compounds with similar physical and chemical properties, represents an ongoing challenge. In this study, we introduce a class of water-soluble macrocycle compound, calix[2]azolium[2]benzimidazolone (H), comprising two azolium and two benzimidazolone subunits. The heterocycle subunits form a hydrophobic binding pocket that enables H1 to encapsulate a series of neutral guests in water with 1:1 or 2:1 stoichiometry, including aldehydes, ketones, and nitrile compounds. The host-guest complexation in the solid state was further confirmed through X-ray crystallography. Remarkably, H1 was shown to be a nonporous adaptive crystal material to separate valeraldehyde from the mixture of valeraldehyde/2-methylbutanal/pentanol with high selectivity and recyclability in the solid states. This work not only demonstrates that azolium-based macrocycles are promising candidates for the encapsulation of organic molecules but also shows the potential application in separation science.

DFT study of optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of pure and doped double perovskite Cs2SnI6 for solar cell applications

The global need of energy is raising day by day. To meet this demand double perovskites (DPs) can play a vital role for energy conversion devices. In this letter, we formulated and examined lead-free defect perovskites using a combination of tellurium and tin, denoted as Cs2Sn1-xTexI6 (0, 0.25), utilizing density functional theory which include structural, optical and thermal behavior. Both the optimized volume and lattice parameter exhibit a linear increase with the Te content in Cs2Sn1-xTexI6 (CsSnTeI). The negative value of formation energy for both pure and doped materials along with their Poisson and Pugh ratio confirm the stability of these materials. The band structure analysis reveals its semiconducting behavior, with the band gap expanding proportionally to the increased Te concentration with band gap value of pure (1.20 eV) and doped 91.43 eV) double perovskites. Optical characteristics, including the dielectric function and absorption coefficient, were also analyzed. To expose their potential use of Cs2Sn1-xTexI6 (0, 0.25) in thermoelectric devices, temperature dependent thermoelectric features are investigated reveal that suitability of these materials for energy conversion purposes.

Bi-functional NiFe2O4/SrTiO3 S-scheme heterojunction for eminent performance photocatalytic treatment of sewage effluent and electrochemical hydrazine determination

Devising of materials that afforded dual applicability in decontamination and pollutant detection were still a towering challenge owing to the increasing flux of discharge toxic contaminants over the years. Herein, the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles-loaded on cube-like SrTiO3 (NiFe2O4/SrTiO3) composite was fabricated by a two-step hydrothermal approach providing remarkable photocatalytic treatment and electrochemical sensing of noxious pollutants in wastewater. The material traits of the fabricated composite were scrutinized by myriad characterization approaches. The NiFe2O4/SrTiO3 hybrid material demonstrated high surface area of 19.81 m2/g, adequate band gap energy of 2.75 eV, and prominent photoluminescence characteristics. In the presence of visible light, the NiFe2O4/SrTiO3 exhibited profound photocatalysis capability to eliminate sewage effluent-bearing chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTCH) with 88.6% COD removal in 120 min, outperforming other pure materials. Meanwhile, the toxicity examination of effluent, the possible degradation pathway of CTCH and the proposed photocatalysis mechanism were also divulged. More importantly, the glassy carbon electrode was modified with synergized NiFe2O4/SrTiO3 (NiFe2O4/SrTiO3−GCE) was adopted for the precise quantification of Hydrazine (Hz). The NiFe2O4/SrTiO3−GCE obeyed first-order response for the Hz detection within the range of 1–10 mM: cyclic voltametric: limit of detection (LOD) of 0.119 μM with sensitivity of 18.9 μA μM−1 cm−2, and linear sweep voltametric: LOD of 0.222 μM with a sensitivity of 12.05 μA μM−1 cm−2. The stability and interference of modified electrode were also inspected. This work furnished valuable insights to yield a composite with the prominent S-scheme heterojunction system for quenching of charge carrier recombination and consequently contributing to the future realization into the domains of environmental clean-up and toxic chemical detection.

Structural, morphological, and optical investigations of Mn-doped LaAlO3 perovskite obtained by microwave-assisted combustion and rapid calcination at low temperature

In this work, LaAlO3 perovskite was doped with 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 13 mol% of Mn using the microwave-assisted combustion method. The powders produced were heat treated at 700 °C and 900 °C for 10 min in an adapted microwave oven and then characterized by Thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, Ultraviolet–Visible Reflectance (UV–Vis), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The materials produced doped with the highest concentration of Mn (13 %) showed a single-phase reduced crystallite size compared to the pure sample. The unit cell volumes increased compared to the pure material, while the oxidation state of the dopant was mainly Mn3+. The refinement data for the volume of the different polyhedral that comprise the LaAlO3 unit cell revealed a local change at both sites, which may also indicate Mn substitution at the A site. The heat treatment temperature did not change significantly, demonstrating the method's efficiency in producing perovskites at temperatures and times below those reported in the literature. The morphology observed was porous and irregular agglomerates, and the bandgap was 2.90 eV.

Jupiter's Hotspots as observed by JIRAM-Juno: limb darkening in thermal infrared

ABSTRACT The Jupiter InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument onboard the Juno spacecraft performed repeated observations of Jupiter's North Equatorial Belt (NEB) around the time of 12th Juno pericenter passage on 2018 April 1. The data consist of thermal infrared images and show, among other atmospheric features, two bright Hotspots on the boundary between the NEB and the Equatorial Zone. Night-time images of the same areas at different emission angles were used to constrain the trend of the limb-darkening function. Comparison with simulated observations, computed for different emission angles, total opacities, single scattering albedo ω0, and asymmetry parameter g suggests that ω0 ∼ 0.90 ± 0.05 and g ∼ 0.37 ± 0.15 provide best match with data. Subsequently, we computed the ω0 and g resulting from different size distributions, taking into account the complex refractive indices of ammonium hydrosulfide (NH4SH) by Howett et al. [2007] and Ferraro et al. [1980]. Only the former data set is marginally consistent with JIRAM observations. Similarly, ammonia and hydrazine barely reproduce the experimental data. Tholin, although not usually considered a realistic component for Jupiter's aerosols, provides a better match for particle radii between 0.7 and 1 μm, both as a pure material as well as a thick coating over NH4SH cores. Notably, this radius range is consistent with the mean radius of aerosols as estimated by Ragent et al. [1998] on the basis of Galileo entry probe data. Comparison with literature suggests that similar results can be achieved by a large variety of contaminants bearing C–N bounds.

Self-polymerization silica nanoparticles based molecularly imprinted polymers for selective recognition of protein

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are promising for precise protein separation and purification. However, challenges persist due to their large size, variable configuration, and instability during preparation. Here, a simple silicon self-assembly program was designed to synthesize MIPs without any organic reagents and acid-base catalysis, avoiding the structural damage of protein under severe conditions. In this method, employing hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein, with tween-20 in emulsification, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the cross-linking agent, along with co-functional monomers 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and benzyl(triethoxy)silane (BnTES), enhanced binding efficacy was achieved. Successful imprinting was evidenced through surface morphology observation and physical/chemical property evaluations of the synthesized MIPs. A series of adsorption experiments were performed to investigate the recognition performance of Hb-MIPs. The Hb-MIPs not only exhibited large adsorption capacity (400 μg/mg) and good imprinting factor (6.09) toward template protein, but also showed satisfactory selectivity for reference proteins. Five cycles of adsorption proved that the Hb-MIPs had good reusability. In addition, the successful isolation of HB from bovine blood indicated that Hb-MIPs were an excellent separation and purification material. The mild preparation conditions and good adsorption capacity demonstrated the potential value of this method in separation and purification research.