TiO2 Nanoparticles Research Articles

Titanium dioxide/graphene oxide synergetic reinforced composite phase change materials with excellent thermal energy storage and photo-thermal performances

The development of advanced composite solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) is urgent to explore for improving solar energy harvesting and storage. Herein, novel composite SSPCMs with synergetic cross-linking structure were fabricated through polymerization using GO and TiO2 constructed on the polyurethane framework skeleton. GO and TiO2 synergetic enhanced polymer framework played a role as skeletal structure to encapsulate PEG in the molecular chains, and provided as highly thermal conductive pathways for the composite SSPCMs. TiO2 nanoparticles performed as extended surface on the skeletal structure for further improvement in thermal conductivity. The composite SSPCMs exhibited a remarkably improved thermal conductivity as high as 0.7 W/(m‧K) and fast thermal response rate. The good light adsorption property of TiO2 enhanced the light absorbance efficiency of the composite SSPCMs by 94.4%. And the photo-thermal conversion efficiency of the composite SSPCMs highly reached 93.5%. Meanwhile, the composite SSPCMs exhibited excellent anti-leakage performance and shape stability under high temperature. Consequently, the as-prepared composite SSPCMs possessed a potential for applications in thermal energy storage and solar energy utilization systems.

P19-83 Employing QSAR modeling for regulatory assessment of TiO2 nanoparticle safety

P19-83 Employing QSAR modeling for regulatory assessment of TiO2 nanoparticle safety

P05-07 Physicochemical properties and transcriptomic pathways analysis of TiO2 nanoparticles exposure through computer-aided approaches to provide a new öook at their pulmonary safety

P05-07 Physicochemical properties and transcriptomic pathways analysis of TiO2 nanoparticles exposure through computer-aided approaches to provide a new öook at their pulmonary safety

Repeated marine heatwaves aggravate the adverse effects of nano-TiO2 on physiological metabolism of the thick-shelled mussel Mytilus coruscus

Global climate change is a major trigger of unexpected temperature fluctuations. The impacts of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on marine organisms have been extensively investigated. However, the potential mechanisms underlying their interactive effects on physiological processes and metabolism remain poorly understood, especially regarding periodic MHWs in real-world conditions. In this study, the effects of nano-TiO2 (at concentrations of 0, 25, and 250 μg/L) and periodic MHWs on the condition index (CI) and underlying metabolic mechanisms were investigated in mussels (Mytilus coruscus). The results showed that mussels try to upregulate their respiration rate (RR) to enhance aerobic metabolism (indicated by elevated succinate dehydrogenase) under short-term nano-TiO2 exposure. However, even at ambient concentration (25 μg/L), prolonged nano-TiO2 exposure inhibited ingestion ability (decreased clearance rate) and glycolysis (inhibited pyruvate kinase, hexokinase, and phosphofructokinase activities), which led to an insufficient energy supply (decreased triglyceride, albumin, and ATP contents). Repeated thermal scenarios caused more severe physiological damage, demonstrating that mussels are fragile to periodic MHWs. MHWs decreased the zeta potential of the nano-TiO2 particles but increased the hydrodynamic diameter. Additionally, exposure to nano-TiO2 and periodic MHWs further affected aerobic respiration (inhibited lactate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities), metabolism (decreased RR, activities of respiratory metabolism-related enzymes, and expressions of PEPCK, PPARγ, and ACO), and overall health condition (decreased ATP and CI). These findings indicate that the combined stress of these two stressors exerts more detrimental impact on the physiological performance and energy metabolism of mussels, and periodic MHWs exacerbate the toxicological effects of ambient concentration nano-TiO2. Given the potential worsening of nanoparticle pollution and the increase in extreme heat events in the future, the well-being of mussels in the marine environment may face further threats.

Characterization of Food-Additive Titanium Dioxide and Dietary Exposure to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles among the Chinese Population.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a prevalent food additive, yet comprehensive data on particle size and dietary exposure are lacking in China. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the quantitative proportion of nanoparticles (NPs) in food-additive TiO2 was 37.7%, with a mass fraction of 9.89%. Laboratory test results showed that among the domestic products surveyed, candies excluding gum-based candies contained the highest content of TiO2. Using consumption data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey in 2018, the average dietary exposure for TiO2 and TiO2 NPs in the Chinese population were calculated at 34.84 and 3.44 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. The primary dietary sources were puffed food and powdered drinks. Exposure varied significantly across age and region, with children and Inner Mongolia residents having the highest intake. TiO2 NP exposure showed a negative correlation with age. Despite this, the dietary exposure risk of TiO2 NPs for the Chinese population remains deemed acceptable.

Combine Improvement for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye Sensitized-Solar Cells (DSSC) represent a third-generation solar cell technology based on photoelectrochemical principles. This study explores the use of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) extract as an organic dye for DSSCs, focusing on its ability to absorb sunlight effectively. Excitation of electrons triggered by light in photocatalysis is strongly influenced by the position of the band gap. To be effective as a photocatalyst, the material must have a conduction band with a high positive potential compared to the electron accepting potential. Doping metal oxides such as CuO, MgO, Fe2O3, and ZnO into TiO2 can change the band edge properties or surface states which can increase light absorption. This research presents the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles as photoanodes doped using metal oxides to evaluate characteristic that can influence DSSC performance. TiO2 nanoparticles doped with metal oxide were synthesized using the solvothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis. Comprehensive analysis of samples doped with metal oxides significantly affects the crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties of the material. The results showed that Cu-doped TiO2 samples allowed for the most significant performance improvement in DSSC, followed by Fe-doped TiO2, Mg-doped TiO2, and Zn-doped TiO2, with pure TiO2 having the lowest performance potential. These results provide important insights into material optimization to improve DSSC efficiency.

Green synthesis of Zn-doped TIO2 nanoparticles from Zanthoxylum armatum

Green synthesis is an easy, safe, and environmentally beneficial nanoparticle creation method. It is a great challenge to simultaneously improve the capping and stabilizing agent carrier separation efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, Zn-doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with high exposure of 360 nm using a UV/visible spectrophotometer were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal decomposition method. A detailed analysis reveals that the electronic structures were modulated by Zn doping; thus, the responsive wavelength was extended to 600 nm, which effectively improved the visible light absorption of TiO2. We have optimized the different parameters like concentration, time, and temperature. The peak for TiO2 is located at 600 cm-1 in FTIR. A scanning electron microscope revealed that TiO2 has a definite shape and morphology. The synthesized Zn-doped TiO2NPs were applied against various pathogens to study their anti-bacterial potentials. The anti-bacterial activity of Zn-doped TiO2 has shown robust against two gram-ve bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and two gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus). Synthesized Zn-doped TiO2 has demonstrated strong antifungal efficacy against a variety of fungi. Moreover, doping TiO2 nanoparticles with metal oxide greatly improves their characteristics; as a result, doped metal oxide nanoparticles perform better than doped and un-doped metal oxide nanoparticles. Compared to pure TiO2, Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit considerable applications including antimicrobial treatment and water purification.

Comprehensive analysis of a CI engine fuelled with blends of diesel fuel/safflower seed oil biodiesel/ TiO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles produced by green synthesis technique

It can be confidently stated that there is limited research on the usability of nanoparticles as alternative fuel additives for diesel fuel (DF), particularly those produced from organic substances through the green synthesis method. On this basis, the present research focused on the usability of the fuels formed by adding metal-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles produced through green synthesis technique at different ratios to safflower oil biodiesel and commercial DF blends considering the thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analyses. In this sense, performance and emission tests were carried out in a single-cylinder diesel engine at four ranging loads (25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 %) at a fixed speed of 1500 rpm. To conclude, the exergy efficiency enhanced as the load increased. Actually, for B10Si50 blend at 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 % loads, the exergy efficiency was calculated to be 16.46 %, 19.48 %, 21.08 %, and 21.95 %, respectively. As the amount of biodiesel infused to DF increased, the cost of losses went up gradually. In this context, the cost of losses for DF was calculated as 2.099 USD/h at the maximum engine load, meanwhile the cost of losses for B10 and B20 was figured out to be 2.326 USD/h and 2.487 USD/h, respectively. At the peak load, the ratio of the power taken from the engine shaft to the cost achieved for DF was 129.76 USD/GJ, while it was found to be 151.55 USD/GJ for B20. In addition, it was determined as 191.21 USD/GJ for B20Si250 fuel and 197.97 USD/GJ for B20Ti250. As stated in the exergoenviroeconomic analysis findings, the cost of monthly CO2 emissions ascended as the amount of nanoparticles augmented regardless of the type of fuel blends. At 75 % engine load, the cost of CO2 emissions for B20Si50 fuel was notified as 43.89 USD/month whereas it was found to be 47.74 USD/month for B20Si250.

Comparative Study on the Tribological Performance of Conventional and Metal Matrix Composite Brake Pads in Automotive Applications

Abstract: This study investigates the wear and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy composites reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Aluminum-based composites are increasingly favored in engineering due to their excellent properties, and incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles presents a promising method for further enhancement. The composites were produced using a powder metallurgy technique, and their mechanical performance—including tensile strength, hardness, and impact resistance—was thoroughly assessed. Additionally, wear tests under various conditions were conducted to evaluate the composites' wear resistance. The findings indicate that incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles significantly enhances both the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the aluminum alloy.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Titania Particles Synthesized with Gelatin as a Template Before and After Regeneration and Their Performance in Photocatalytic Methylene Blue

TiO2 material has an important position in the processing of methylene blue waste because it is economical, has abundant polymorphs, high sustainability and supports green chemistry applications. Mesoporous TiO2 is a porous material that has higher effectiveness than other TiO2 because the pore structure has a large diameter at the nano scale (2-50 nm) with a regular shape so that the surface area and pore volume are greater than the average for other TiO2. The synthesis of mesopore TiO2 material has so far used the sol-gel route with synthetic pore directing agents such as P123 which can be replaced with gelatin as a cheaper and safer pore directing agent with high sustainability and abundance. Based on the description above, this research aims to photodegrade methylene blue using mesoporous TiO2 (m-TiO2) nanoparticles which were prepared by the sol–gel method using gelatin and P123 as template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Electron dispersive X-Ray (EDX), and UV–vis spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the samples. Photocatalytic activities of samples for methylene blue degradation were investigated. The catalyst before and after regeneration will be studied so that the effect of regeneration on the results of methylene blue photocatalysis with m-TiO2 can be determined. XRD results confirmed the formation of the anatase and rutile phase for the TiO2 nanoparticles, with crystallite sizes larger after regeneration in the range of 9–21 nm. The large particle size was after regeneration due to the promotion by high temperature treatment. TiO2 nanoparticles showed the best photocatalytic activity on the first use to 91% and remained stable after four cycles with photodegradation efficiency up to 76% based on the measured UV-Vis spectroscopy. TiO2 as synthesis could be the best candidate for catalyst with the high performance after multicycle regeneration. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

A Facile and Rapid Immobilization Method of Titanium Dioxide-Alginate Composite for The Photocatalytic Removal of Reactive Black-5

A facile and rapid approach to immobilize nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) using a renewable biopolymer (i.e. alginate) has been successfully demonstrated. TiO2 exhibits a positively charged surface in acidic environment due to the presence of hydroxyl groups. Meanwhile, alginate polymer is negatively charged at any pH due to the presence of carboxylic group in the polymer chain. The negatively charged alginate polymer and positively charged TiO2 formed composite instantaneously when the alginate polymer was introduced into the TiO2 nanoparticles suspension. The TiO2-alginate (TiO2-A) composite photocatalyst was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that incorporating TiO2 into sodium alginate increases its decomposition temperature due to the stability of TiO2 at elevated temperatures, with the TiO2 content estimated in the composite being 55.6%, lower than the theoretical calculation of 62.8%. FTIR analysis revealed a shift in the peak of the carboxylic group of sodium alginate, suggesting composite formation through electrostatic interactions with TiO2 nanoparticles, while FESEM analysis showed that the TiO2-A composite surface exhibited more pores compared to protonated alginate. The TiO2-A composite was able to remove 90% of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) in less than 200 min under Ultra-violet (UV) illumination. The optimal pH to remove RB5 was found to be pH 2 due strong electrostatic attraction of negatively charged RB5 on the positive surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. The photocatalyst can be recovered by simple separation method, i.e. gravitational settling, and reused for 10 consecutive cycles with efficiency greater than 90% consistently. The TiO2-A composite is a promising immobilized photocatalyst for practical application in wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Study of hybrid nanoscatterer for enhancing light efficiency of quantum dot-converted light-emitting diodes

Optical scatterer additives play a critical role in enhancing the light conversion efficiency and uniformity of quantum dot-converted light-emitting diodes (Qc-LEDs). This study investigates the impact of optical characteristics and morphology of nanoscatterer on the light conversion and extraction efficiency of Qc-LEDs. Various metal oxides and boron nitride nanoparticles and nanoplates with different diffraction index were selected to carry out the study. Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation was employed to evaluate the scattering effect of various nanosphere and nanoplate scatterers on the optical performance of the Qc-LEDs. The simulation results revealed that the hybrid nanoscatterer integrates the forward-scattering from the nanosphere and backward-scattering of blue light from the nanoplate. Spectral analysis was conducted to examine the optical performance of Qc-LEDs with varying combinations and concentrations of nanoscatterers. TiO2 nanoparticles and Al2O3 nanoplates were found to be the best combination for maximal light conversion and extraction efficiency within Qc-LEDs. The results indicate an optimal light efficiency is obtained with the optimal ratio of 1:2:2 for quantum dots, TiO2 nanoparticles, and Al2O3 nanoplates. These findings reveal the relationship between optical properties, morphology, and light conversion efficiency in Qc-LEDs, highlighting the advantages of the hybrid nanoscatterers for improving optical performance of Qc-LEDs.

S-scheme mechanism in the TiO2/Cu2O@Cu system toward selective degradation of an electron-rich dye pollutant under solar light

This research aims to reach a selective nanocomposite based on Cu and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) through a sol–gel followed by chemical reduction. Various methods such as XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, BET, Raman, FTIR, DRS, XPS and PL analysis were used to characterize the prepared NPs. The reduced nature of Cu in nanocomposite was evidenced by its X-ray photoelectron spectral characteristics and its HRTEM image. Due to the presence of Cu NPs, light absorption in solar radiation by nanocomposite was considerably enhanced and caused more efficient charge carriers separation. A CCD was used to evaluate the photoactivity of the solar-driven photocatalyst by degrading methylene blue (MB) as a single model electron-rich organic pollutant. In optimal conditions, the highest photocatalytic activity reached 95.64 %. In this study, band structure and reactive species scavenging results confirmed an S-scheme mechanism for charge carrier transfer during photodegradation. The plasmonic S-scheme TiO2/Cu2O@Cu heterojunction photocatalyst exhibited remarkably strong photocatalytic selectivity toward MB in binary mixtures of MB with eosin B and rhodamine B. A preference for degradation of MB over safranin (Saf) is confirmed by the faster degradation rate of MB than that of Saf. S-scheme mechanism, Cu doping and dye sensitization all contributed to outstanding selective photodegradation performance.

Titanium nanoparticles released from orthopedic implants induce muscle fibrosis via activation of SNAI2

Titanium alloys represent the prevailing material employed in orthopedic implants, which are present in millions of patients worldwide. The prolonged presence of these implants in the human body has raised concerns about possible health effects. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of titanium implants and surrounding tissue samples obtained from patients who underwent revision surgery for therapeutic reasons. The surface of the implants exhibited nano-scale corrosion defects, and nanoparticles were deposited in adjacent samples. In addition, muscle in close proximity to the implant showed clear evidence of fibrotic proliferation, with titanium content in the muscle tissue increasing the closer it was to the implant. Transcriptomics analysis revealed SNAI2 upregulation and activation of PI3K/AKT signaling. In vivo rodent and zebrafish models validated that titanium implant or nanoparticles exposure provoked collagen deposition and disorganized muscle structure. Snai2 knockdown significantly reduced implant-associated fibrosis in both rodent and zebrafish models. Cellular experiments demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) induced fibrotic gene expression at sub-cytotoxic doses, whereas Snai2 knockdown significantly reduced TiO2 NPs-induced fibrotic gene expression. The in vivo and in vitro experiments collectively demonstrated that Snai2 plays a pivotal role in mediating titanium-induced fibrosis. Overall, these findings indicate a significant release of titanium nanoparticles from the implants into the surrounding tissues, resulting in muscular fibrosis, partially through Snai2-dependent signaling.Graphical

Sericin-TiO2 nanocomposite treated cotton fabrics for enhanced antibacterial and self-cleaning properties

The valorization of industrial byproducts is rising as a new dawn and has become a creative area of research for the scientists. Sericin is being a good resource of starting materials since it can be recovered and recycled. The research aimed to modify cotton fabric by sericin-TiO2 nanocomposite (STNc) for enhancement its antibacterial and self-cleaning properties. STNc were prepared using tetraisopropylorthotitanate (TIOT) and sericin with proportions 2:1, 2:2 and 1:2. The obtained STNc possesses anatase phase of TiO2 nanoparticles having an average 22.9 nm particle sizes. The STNc coated cotton samples were prepared with three different weight fractions of STNc and citric acid (2:1:2, 2:2:1 and 1:2:2). The incorporation of STNc onto cotton fabric was examined by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The antibacterial activity of STNc coated cotton fabrics was investigated against drug resistant bacterium viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas 4A and Escherichia coli. The STNc coated cotton fabric exhibited effective resistance against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial properties of STNc coated cotton fabrics were depended with the fraction of STNc. The uncoated and STNc coated cotton fabrics were stained with coffee and then irradiated on sunlight for 0, 30, 60, 90 h and UV light for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 h. A noticeable decrease in the coffee stain's appearance was observed after 90 h sunlight and 10 h UV light exposure for STNc coated cotton fabric. The reusability of photo exposed samples was evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy.

Nano-TiO2 regulates the MAPK (ERK, P38) pathway to promote apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of human colon cells

BackgroundNano titanium dioxides (TiO2) are widely used in drug development, food additives and packaging materials. Although several studies have demonstrated the poisonousness of TiO2 in vivo and in vitro, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully revealed. MethodsCharacterization of TiO2 by FTIR, XRD, TEM and DLS. The NCM460 cell line, representing normal colon epithelial cells, was utilized as a model to assess the impact of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) on cell proliferation and apoptosis. The potential molecular mechanisms underlying its toxic effects were investigated through transcriptome analysis, RT-qPCR, and western blot experiments. ResultsThe particle size of the TiO2-NPs used is about 25 nm, which has typical characteristics of anatase. TiO2-NPs at a concentration of 30–60 μg/mL will cause changes in colon cell morphology, decreased proliferation ability, and increased number of apoptotic cells. TiO2-NPs at a concentration of 6 μg/mL did not significantly modify the transcriptome expression profile of colon cells; while 30 μg/mL had a significant effect, leading to up-regulation of gene expression. The differentially expressed genes predominantly modulate the MAPK signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and other related pathways. Further, western blot analysis revealed that higher concentrations of TiO2-NPs (30–60 μg/mL) could up-regulate the expression of P53, P21 and Bax, while down-regulating the expression of Bcl2 by regulating the MAPK (ERK, P38) signaling pathway. Simultaneously, it also promoted the decreased in Fos protein expression and inhibited the phosphorylation of Jun and Fos. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that TiO2-NPs may exert potential toxic effects on colon cells, and therefore the intake of TiO2-NPs should be strictly regulated in practical applications.

Electronic and Atomic Structural Properties Associated with Enhanced Photodegradation Activity in Mo-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles.

The efficacy and structural evolution of Mo-doped titania nanoparticles (MTNPs) as advanced photocatalysts for degrading methyl blue (MB) are investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The 3 wt % MTNP, characterized by uniform size and anatase structure, exhibits higher efficiency. The spectral analyses unveiled structural variations in the TiO6 octahedral structure and revealed an active site of the distorted square pyramidal structure symmetry (C4v). The in situ XAS spectra illustrate that MTNPs, particularly at 3 wt % doping, effectively enhanced the hole carriers in Ti 3d orbitals with a charge transfer to Mo 4d orbitals and impeded electron-hole pair merging, significantly enhancing the photodegradation under light illumination. This study deepens our understanding of the crucial role of Mo doping in optimizing TiO2 nanoparticle performance for efficient environmental remediation, showcasing the potential of MTNPs as sustainable photocatalytic materials.

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the dielectric, thermal, and corrosion resistance properties of polyimide (PI) nanocomposites

In the present study, the effect of varying titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the dielectric, thermal, and corrosion characteristics of PI-based composites prepared by spark plasma sintering was investigated. The results obtained revealed that the TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed within the PI matrix. Addition of TiO2 into the neat PI markedly reduced its dielectric constant and electrical conductivity by 72.7% and 82.3%, respectively, as well as enhancing its breakdown strength by 16.7% at 8 wt% TiO2 loading. The nanocomposites depict better thermal stability and heat-resistance index characteristics when compared to the PI. Additionally, the produced nanocomposites exhibit improved corrosion resistance than that of the neat PI. The remarkable improvement in the dielectric, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance of the nanocomposites is achieved by better dispersion of the TiO2 particles in the polymer matrix. The enhancement in properties suggests TiO2/PI-based nanocomposites potential for a variety of applications in electrical insulation, thermal management, and harsh environment.

Transcriptomics Reveals the Pathway for Increasing Brassica chinensis L. Yield under Foliar Application of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles.

In this study, Brassica chinensis L seedlings after 6 weeks of soil cultivation were treated with foliar application of TiO2 NPs (20 mg/L) for different times. Transcriptomics analysis was employed to investigate the impact of TiO2 NPs on the physiology, growth, and yield of B. chinensis L. Results showed that TiO2 NPs' exposure significantly increased the biomass, total phosphorus, and catalase enzyme activity by 23.60, 23.72, and 44.01%, respectively, compared to the untreated ones (not bulk or ion).TiO2 NPs increased the leaf chlorophyll content by 4.9% and photosynthetic rate by 16.62%, which was attributed to the upregulated expression of seven genes (PetH, PetF, PsaF, PsbA, PsbB, PsbD, and Lhcb) associated with electron transport in photosystem I and light-harvesting in leaves. The water balance of B. chinensis was improved correlating with the altered expressions of 19 aquaporin genes (e.g., PIP2;1 and NIP6;1). The expressions of 58 genes related to plant hormone signaling and growth were dysregulated, with notable downregulations in GA20, SnRK2, and PP2C and upregulations of DELLAs, SAM, and ETR. Moreover, the 11 tricarboxylic acid cycle genes and 13 glycolysis genes appear to stimulate pathways involved in promoting the growth and physiology of B. chinensis. This research contributes valuable insights into new strategies for increasing the yield of B. chinensis.

A multifunctional coating with switchable wettability for efficient oil-water and emulsions separation

Superwettable materials with switchable wettability have been attracting tremendous attention in the field of oil-water separation. In this work, a multifunctional coating with switchable wettability was designed for efficient oil-water and emulsions separation. Fe3O4 was combined with TiO2 nanoparticles and hydrophobically modified by low surface energy stearic acid (SA) to form the Fe3O4/TiO2@SA coating with uniform micro-nanostructures. The introduction or removal of amino group via ammonia treatment or heating treatment endowed the coating with reversible conversion between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. By switching hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, the coating could separate oil/water/oil ternary mixtures in sequence with high separation efficiency of more than 99.9 %. More importantly, it displayed excellent separation efficiency with oil rejection above 99.5 % for oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions and water rejection above 98.7 % for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. Moreover, this coating showed reliable reusability and mechanical stability after 10 cycles of O/W and W/O emulsions separation and 20 cycles of sandpaper abrasion. Fe3O4 and TiO2 imparted magnetic and photocatalytic properties to the coating, allowing it to be used for magnetic navigation of oil absorption and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. The unique features of multifunctional coating with switchable wettability provide the blueprint for treating oily wastewater and marine oil spills.