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Many applications involving plasma–liquid interactions depend on the reactive processes occurring at the plasma–liquid interface. We report on a falling liquid film plasma reactor allowing for in situ optical absorption measurements of the time-dependence of the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox reactivity, complemented with ex situ measurement of the decomposition of formate. We found excellent agreement between the measured decomposition percentages and the diffusion-limited decomposition of formate by interfacial plasma-enabled reactions, except at high pH in thin liquid films, indicating the involvement of previously unexplored plasma-induced liquid phase chemistry enabled by long-lived reactive species. We also determined that high pH facilitates a reduction-favoring environment in ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox solutions. In situ conversion measurements of a 1:1 ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox mixture exceed the measured ex situ conversion and show that conversion of a 1:1 ferricyanide/ferrocyanide mixture is strongly dependent on film thickness. We identified three dominant processes: reduction faster than ms time scales for film thicknesses >100 µm, •OH-driven oxidation on time scales of <10 ms, and reduction on 15 ms time scales for film thickness <100 µm. We attribute the slow reduction and larger formate decomposition at high pH to HO 2 − formed from plasma-produced H2O2 enabled by the high pH at the plasma–liquid interface as confirmed experimentally and by computed reaction rates of HO 2 − with ferricyanide. Overall, this work demonstrates the utility of liquid film reactors in enabling the discovery of new plasma-interfacial chemistry and the utility of atmospheric plasmas for electrodeless electrochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cacumen platyclade extracts were utilized as the reducing agent to prepare Au/Al2O3 composites. XRD, BET, SEM, TEM were employed to characterize the properties of the catalyst. The catalytic activity of Au/Al2O3 was studied by using NaBH4 as the reducing agent and nitrophenol as the pollutant. The results showed that the Au/Al2O3 catalyst, calcinated at 400 °C, exhibited the highest catalytic activity. With a catalyst dosage of 1 g L−1, 2 mL NaBH4 of 0.15 mol L−1 could degrade 96.5 % nitrophenol in 21 min at 298 K, with a reaction constant of 0.16 min−1. Furthermore, the p-nitrophenol degradation ratio decreased by 0.8 % after ten cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diosmetin (Dio) has attracted much attention because of its good pharmacological effects, thus it is necessary to determine its content in scientific research and production. In the study, stable orange‐red copper nanoclusters with 4‐hydroxy‐2‐mercapto‐6‐propylpyrimidine (PTU) as reducing agent and ligand (PTU‐CuNCs) was prepared by a simple approach with superior quantum yield (18.03 %), and the PTU‐CuNCs with red fluorescence could improve the anti‐interference ability of detection. Meanwhile, the synthesis conditions of PTU‐CuNCs were optimized and analyzed in detail. Through a series of experiments, it was found that inner filter effect (IFE) and dynamic quenching might become the main reasons for the fluorescence quenching of PTU‐CuNCs by Dio. Based on the mechanism, a fluorescence probe for the determination of Dio was established. In the range of 0.33–31.67 μmol L−1, the fluorescence quenching efficiency of PTU‐CuNCs was linearly related to the contents of Dio, and corresponding limit of determination (LOD) was estimated to be 101.3 nmol L−1, and limit of quantitation (LOQ) was calculated to be 337.4 nmol L−1. Furthermore, the method could be used effectively for the assay of Dio in practical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a C–CoFe 2 O 4 composite is proposed for reduction in an induction heating reactor with a continuous argon flow. An impressive conversion efficiency of 87% is achieved at a maximum temperature of 325 °C in just 8 min without the need for vacuum. The impact of the molar ratio of metal oxide to reducing agent (acetylacetone) is also examined. Results indicate that a 1:1 ratio favours the reduction towards cobalt and iron monoxides, while a 1:3 ratio yields a 31% metal phase. The highest conversion (87%) is seen with a 1:17 ratio, indicating the need for excess reducing agent for effective conversion of CoFe 2 O 4 oxide. The molar ratio influences the induction heating temperature, with the 1:17 ratio having a lower temperature of 325 °C compared to 450 °C for other ratios. These operating temperatures (≤450 °C) are significantly lower than those reported in the literature for carbothermal reduction in an induction reactor (>1700 °C), which often requires vacuum and very high temperatures for high conversion efficiency. The proposed process offers advantages such as high conversion efficiency, fast processing, and simpler operational conditions. Additionally, the metallic phases produced are utilized for H 2 production in thermochemical water splitting, showcasing these materials potential for energy generation applications. [Display omitted] • Induction heated C–CoFe 2 O 4 achieves 87 % metal oxide-to-metal conversion at 325 °C. • This method results in a faster and more efficient reduction process at lower T. • Reduction efficiency is influenced by molar ratio of metal oxide to reducing agent. • The metallic phase is applied for thermochemical H 2 production (3.905 mmol H 2 g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N,N-diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) is a new salt-free reducing agent applied in the separation of Pu from U in the reprocessing of irradiated fuel from nuclear power plants. The effect of monomethylhydrazine (MMH) on the γ-rays radiolysis of DEHA-HNO3 solution is presented in this paper. MMH can effectively enhance DEHA stability against radiation, and the main radiolytic products are H2, CH4, CH3CHO, CH3COOH and HNO2. The content of H2, CH4, CH3CHO and CH3COOH is raised with the dose. The amount of H2, CH4 and CH3CHO enhances with the MMH concentration, but CH3COOH concentration is reduced when MMH concentration is raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric antigen receptor-Natural Killer-92 (CAR-NK-92) cell therapy has broad prospects as an effective cellular immunotherapy. Efficient CAR-NK-92 cell expansion ex vivo is crucial for its development and wide use. Unlike NK-92 cells, CAR-NK-92 cells need to maintain the stability of CAR expression during culture, besides keeping cell function. This work compared the growth and metabolism between NK-92 cells and CAR-NK-92 cells and found that the expansion efficiency of CAR-NK-92 cells was significantly lower than that of NK-92 cells. Meanwhile, the amino acid metabolism related to reducing agent production in CAR-NK-92 cells was weaker than in NK-92 cells, resulting in higher intracellular oxidation levels. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used to regulate the intracellular redox status of CAR-NK-92 cells. Under 1 mM NAC, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of CAR-NK-92 cells was down-regulated, and the cell expansion ability was improved. Furthermore, the addition of NAC has increased the levels of GSH and NADPH in CAR-NK-92 cells, elevated GSH/GSSG ratio and NADPH/NADP+ ratio, enhanced the antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function of cells, and promoted cell expansion. This study aims to promote CAR-NK-92 cell expansion ex vivo by regulating intracellular redox levels to facilitate its clinical application. [Display omitted] • The proliferation and redox-related amino acids metabolism of CAR-NK-92 cells were significantly weaker than NK-92 cells. • N-acetylcysteine regulates the intracellular redox state by reducing the level of ROS in CAR-NK-92 cells. • 1 mM NAC can promote CAR-NK-92 cell expansion ex vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) in microbial cell factories is a very common process occurring during recombinant protein production. Different protocols have been developed for the extraction of soluble proteins from IBs using several strategies, ranging from the use of harsh denaturing and high concentrations of chaotropic agents and reducing agents to the use of mild protocols based on the use of non-denaturing detergents. However, in recent years, the biological vision of IBs has changed and research studies have demonstrated that these protein aggregates contain biologically active and properly folded recombinant proteins. This drives us to redefine the methodologies currently used to obtain soluble protein using IB as a protein source. Hence, we propose the extraction of IB protein via the simple spontaneous solubilization of IB as a strategy broadly applicable to all kinds of recombinant proteins without the negative effects of detergents and chaotropic agents on final biological activity. We prove the wide applicability of spontaneous solubilization processes to different types of IBs and that protocols can be easily customized for each protein in terms of timing and incubation temperature by monitoring the protein activity of the solubilized fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a field of science that deals with manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, on a scale of one billionth of a meter. This review paper highlights using a microwave-assisted green approach to synthesize metallic nanostructures in a smaller, finer and cost-effective manner using metallic salt and plant-based extract solutions. The metallic salt solution acts as a reaction precursor, while the plant-based extract is a capping, reducing and stabilizing agent. This process can synthesize various metallic nanostructures and metal oxide nanocomposites, including silver, nickel, copper, sulphur, iron, etc. Synthetic nanostructures have numerous applications due to their small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio. They act as catalysts, anticancer, antibacterial, electro-catalytic, phytochemical, physiochemical and antimicrobial agents. These synthesized nanostructures are characterized using various microscopic instruments such as SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, XPS, DLS and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one-step direct laser writing process has been an efficient strategy for constructing flexible metal structures. However, the effect of laser wavelength on the structuring process remains unclear, thus restricting the universal manufacturing process development. In this work, the feasibility of one-step writing of flexible Cu structures with different wavelength continuous diode lasers has been verified. Here, photothermal reactions dominate in the decomposition of the reducing agent to form copper structures. Differences in the wavelength primarily affect the photothermal reaction amplitude for structuring, resulting in a variation in the formation of Cu structures. Under our processing conditions, the photothermal reaction induced by 532 nm laser is higher than 808 nm laser, a higher reduced-joining degree of the Cu structure can be achieved by 532 nm laser. This results in a superior conductivity, adhesion, and bendability of Cu structures fabricated by 532 nm laser than that of 808 nm laser. Furthermore, strain sensors that can detect different bending angles and bending frequencies have been fabricated by 532 nm laser-written structures to demonstrate their practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we disclosed a protocol for the deoxygenation of allyl arylsulfones to access the corresponding thioethers under photoredox conditions by a "cut-sew" strategy. The key to the success of the deoxygenation process is using triarylphosphines not only as the terminal reductants, but also as the reaction initiators. Deeper understanding of this deoxygenation process enabled the intermolecular deoxygenative allylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green method provides stable, rapid, and eco-friendly methods for synthesis nanoparticles with plant extract as capping and reducing agents. This method renders biocompatibility, scalability, and potential medical applications of nanoparticles. This study green synthesized CuO/TiO 2 and ZnO/TiO 2 nanocomposites using Parkia timoriana bark extract. The synthesized nanocomposites were determined utilizing UV–vis DRS FTIR, XRD, TGA, AFM, FE-SEM, E -DAX, HR-TEM, and XPS. Antioxidant assay and antidiabetic studies revealed the biological activity of nanocomposites. The antioxidant property in ZnO/TiO 2 (84.07 %) was higher than in CuO/TiO 2 nanocomposites (72.76 %). The IC 50 value of CuO/TiO 2 and ZnO/TiO 2 in α-amylase inhibition assay was 72.12 μg/mL and 75.95 μg/mL, respectively and IC 50 value of CuO/TiO 2 and ZnO/TiO 2 in α-glucosidase inhibition assay was 30.80 μg/ml and 25.69 μg/ml. Thus, it concludes ZnO/TiO 2 nanocomposites exhibited higher antioxidant and antidiabetic activity than CuO/TiO 2 nanocomposites. These results show that biosynthesized nanocomposites can be used for treating diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) has been identified as one of the promising chemotherapeutic targets in cancer cells. Therefore, a novel TXNRD1 inhibitor could accelerate chemotherapy in clinical anticancer research. In this study, glaucocalyxin A (GlauA), a natural diterpene extracted from Rabdosia japonica var. glaucocalyx, was identified as a novel inhibitor of TXNRD1. We found that GlauA effectively inhibited recombinant TXNRD1 and reduced its activity in gastric cancer cells without affecting the enzyme's expression level. Mechanistically, the selenocysteine residue (U498) of TXNRD1 was irreversibly modified by GlauA through a Michael addition. Additionally, GlauA formed a covalent adduct with glutathione (GSH) and disrupted cellular redox balance by depleting cellular GSH. The inhibition of TXNRD1 and depletion of GSH by GlauA conferred its cytotoxic effects in spheroid culture and Transwell assays in AGS cells. The disulfide stress induced cytotoxicity of GlauA could be mitigated by adding reducing agents, such as DTT and β‐ME. Furthermore, the FDA‐approval drug auranofin, a TXNRD1 inhibitor, triggered oligomerization of the cytoskeletal protein Talin‐1 in AGS cells, indicating that inhibiting TXNRD1 triggered disulfide stress. In conclusion, this study uncovered GlauA as an efficient inhibitor of TXNRD1 and demonstrated the potential of TXNRD1 inhibition as an effective anticancer strategy by disrupting redox homeostasis and inducing disulfide stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major therapeutic barrier in melanoma is the coexistence of diverse cellular states marked by distinct metabolic traits. Transitioning from a proliferative to an invasive melanoma phenotype is coupled with increased ferroptosis vulnerability. However, the regulatory circuits controlling ferroptosis susceptibility across melanoma cell states are unknown. In this work, we identified Apolipoprotein E (APOE) as the top lipid-metabolism gene segregating the melanoma MITFhigh/AXLlow proliferative/ferroptosis-resistant from MITFlow/AXLhigh invasive/ferroptosis-sensitive state. Mechanistically, ApoE secreted by the MITFhigh/AXLlow cells protects the invasive phenotype from ferroptosis-inducing agents by reducing the content of peroxidation-prone polyunsaturated fatty acids and boosting GPX4 levels both in vitro and in vivo. Whole-exome sequencing indicates that APOEhigh expression in patients with melanoma is associated with resistance to ferroptosis, regardless of APOE germline status. In aggregate, we found a ferroptosis-resistance mechanism between melanoma cell states relying on secreted ApoE and APOEhigh expression as a potential biomarker for poor ferroptosis response in melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the progress in the research on polyoxometalate (POM)-decorated gold (Au) and silver (Ag) core–shell structures (Au/Ag@POMs), emphasizing their substantial application potential in catalysis, medicine, and biology. It outlines the central strategies for fabricating Au/Ag@POMs with diverse morphologies and dimensions, leveraging POMs as protective ligands and reducing agents as well as for ligand exchange. Of particular note is the focus on the analysis of the nanoparticle size, shape, and intricate architecture of POM shells using cryo-electron microscopy techniques. By integrating recent findings on atomically precise POM-stabilized nanoclusters, this review delves deeper into understanding surface interface structures, intrinsic atomic architectures, and electronic interactions between POM shells and metallic cores. Collectively, advancements in this field underscore significant strides in the controllable synthesis and precise structural manipulation of Au/Ag@POM architectures, thus paving the way for engineering high-performance metal catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The [PdCl2(Xantphos)] complex, in comparison with several [PdCl2(P–P)] complexes having different diphosphine chelating ligands (P–P), is very active as a catalyst for the carbonylation of iodobenzene to methyl benzoate. The run conditions and the influence of several cocatalysts have been also studied to further improve the catalytic activity. The optimization of the catalytic system allowed to obtain TOFs of ca. 260,000 h−1. The addition of some additives able to reduce the possible catalyst deactivation allowed to increase the TOF of ca. 15%. The best positive results were obtained by adding reducing agents such as ferrocene, which leads to a TOF higher than 300,000 h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex environmental conditions at Cr-contaminated sites, characterized by uneven ion distribution, oxidants competition, and limited solid-phase mobility, lead to inadequate mixing of Fe-based reducing agents with Cr, posing significant challenges to the effectiveness of Cr remediation through Cr-spinel precipitation. This study investigates the distinct roles of Fe(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) in Cr-spinel crystallization under ambient temperature and pressure. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy were employed to elucidate the phase composition, microstructure, and ion coordination within the precipitates. Our findings indicate that Fe(II) acts as a catalyst in the formation of the spinel phase, occupying octahedral sites within the spinel structure. Under the catalytic influence of Fe(II), Fe(III) transitions into the spinel phase, occupying both the tetrahedral and the remaining octahedral sites. Meanwhile, Cr(III), due to its high octahedral site preference energy, preferentially occupies the octahedral sites. When Fe(II) or Fe(III) is present but does not meet the ideal stoichiometric ratio, a deficiency in Fe(II) leads to low yield and poor crystallinity of Cr-spinel, whereas a deficiency in Fe(III) can completely inhibit its formation. Conversely, when either Fe(II) or Fe(III) is in excess, the formation of Cr-spinel remains feasible. Furthermore, metastable Cr phases can be transformed into stable Cr-spinel by adjusting the Fe(II)/Fe(III)/Cr(III) ratio. These results highlight the broad range of conditions under which Cr-spinel mineralization can occur in environmental settings, enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms driving Cr-spinel formation in Cr-contaminated sites treated with Fe-based reducing agents. This research provides critical insights for optimizing Cr remediation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An oxidase (OXD) -like AuAg@AuNPs nanozyme was prepared by Au seeds growth using dopamine carbon dots as reducing and capping agents. The AuAg@AuNPs show excellent OXD-like and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) activities and can oxidize the non-Raman-active leucomalachite green (LMG) into the Raman-active malachite green (MG). The research displays that D-penicillamine (D-PA) can effectively inhibit the OXD-like activity of Au@AgNPs and enhance the SERS signals as substrate. It is attributed to the formation of S–Au bond due to thiol (-SH) in D-PA. Therefore, a highly sensitive and specific SERS dual-readout sensing platform was proposed to assay D-PA with a limit of detection of 0.1 μg/mL (direct SERS mode) and 6.64 μg/L (indirect SERS mode). This approach was successfully used to determine D-PA in actual pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections can lead to bacterial resistance, necessitating other antibacterial agents as alternatives. This research combined charcoal and activated charcoal with metal oxide, namely copper oxide (Cu2O), which has antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, thus producing an antibacterial composite for water treatment processes. Furthermore, this study also examined the effect of different types of sugar as reducing agents on the produced Cu2O and identified the antibacterial activity of Cu2O and its composites. Synthesis of Cu2O through the Tollens-like reaction method using Cu(NO3)2 as a precursor, then adding NaOH, NH4OH, and sugar. The sugars were sucrose, white sugar, and brown sugar. The type of sugar used as a reducing agent affected the size and morphology of the Cu2O produced. Adding Cu2O to charcoal and activated charcoal increased antibacterial properties to charcoal and activated charcoal. Copper oxide, Cu2O/charcoal, and Cu2O/activated charcoal exhibited high antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (Gram- negative), as of 5.69 ± 0.02 mm and 6.23 ± 0.03 mm, respectively, due to their thinner cell walls compared to Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The Cu2O synthesized using white sugar as the reducing agent showed the best antibacterial activity, with an 8.26 ± 0.19 mm inhibition zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of reducing agents on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of ZnO- and Ni-doped ZnO nanocrystals, which were synthesized via the chemical precipitation method without any capping agent. The morphological and compositional analyses were conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results suggested that the reducing agent influenced the particle size and morphology, and 6–7 at% Ni was found in the doped ZnO nanocrystals. Crystallographic characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), where the crystallinity of the samples was slightly influenced by Ni doping, and wurtzite hexagonal polycrystalline nanocrystals with average crystal sizes between 17 and 25 nm, where the average crystal size increases with Ni doping. Moreover, Raman spectra analyses showed that all samples have the characteristic Raman modes of the ZnO, and the asymmetry ratio analyses of the E2 (high) mode decreased for the Ni-doped ZnO compared to pristine ZnO for both reducing agents. The electrochemical behavior of the ZnO- and Ni-doped ZnO samples was examined through cyclic voltammetry, and the nanocrystals synthesized via NaOH solution had a higher current density. The results showed that using different reducing agents and doping with Ni significantly impacted the morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the ZnO-based nanocrystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal InSb quantum dots (QDs) are a potential alternative to toxic Pb‐ and Hg‐chalcogenide QDs for covering the technologically important near‐infrared/shortwave infrared (NIR/SWIR) spectral range. However, appropriate Sb precursors are scarce and obtaining narrow size distributions is challenging. Tris(dimethylamido)antimony (Sb(NMe2)3) is an appealing choice due to its commercial availability and non‐pyrophoric character but implies the reduction of antimony from the +3 to the required –3 state. In reported works, strong reducing agents such as lithium triethylborohydride are used, which lead to the fast co‐reduction of both Sb3+ and In3+. The downsides of this approach are reproducibility issues and the risk of forming metal nanoparticles due to the different reduction kinetics of Sb3+ and In3+. Here, indium(I) halides are explored as simultaneous indium source and mild reducing agent for the antimony precursor. The wavelength of the excitonic absorption peak of the phase‐pure InSb QDs obtained with this approach can be tuned from 630 to 1890 nm, which corresponds to a size range of ≈2–7 nm. The synthesis can also be conducted in a heat‐up manner, which facilitates the scale‐up and paves the way for the use of InSb QDs in applications such as NIR/SWIR photodetectors, cameras, biological imaging, and telecommunications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energetic characteristics of a novel ionic cocrystal composed of 1H-tetrazole/sodium perchlorate and differences of properties between the cocrystal and simple mixture are reported herein. Cocrystals containing reductants and oxidizers exhibit enhanced energy release rate compared with their simple mixture owing to their short molecular distances. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, sensitivity tests and humidity tests are performed to clarify the properties of the cocrystals and simple mixture. The calculated detonation velocity of the cocrystal was higher than that of 1H-tetrazole. The cocrystal achieves high deflagration performance, as evaluated via a pressure vessel test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Residual C and Al from spent NCM powder were utilized as reducing agents. • Water-insoluble LiAlO 2 was dissolved to improve Li recovery by NaHCO 3 leaching. • Li was selectively leached, while Al, Ni, Co, and Mn was retained in the residue. Lithium supply risk is increasing and driving rapid progress in lithium recovery schemes from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, a facile recycling process consisting mainly of reduction roasting and NaHCO 3 leaching was adopted to improve lithium recovery. The Li of spent LiNi x Co y Mn 1− x − y O 2 powder were converted to Li 2 CO 3 and LiAlO 2 with the reduction effect of C and residual Al in the roasting process. NaHCO 3 leaching was utilized to selectively dissolve lithium from Li 2 CO 3 and water-insoluble LiAlO 2. The activation energy of NaHCO 3 leaching was 9.31 kJ∙mol−1 and the leaching of lithium was a diffusion control reaction. More than 95.19 % lithium was leached and recovered as a Li 2 CO 3 product with a purity of 99.80 %. Thus, this approach provides a green path to selective recovery of lithium with good economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glistening is the condensation of water that forms within the intraocular lens (IOL) materials. In this study, a new approach was attempted to reduce the glistening using various types and content of crosslinking agents. Hydrophobic acrylic IOL materials were prepared from 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate using three different crosslinking agents: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA), and glycerol 1,3-diglycerolate diacrylate (GDGDA). The IOL material cross-linked with the GDGDA showed the least amount of glistening. However, the IOL materials exhibited the largest amount of glistening when cross-linked with the EGDMA, indicating that the glistening decreased in the order of GDGDA > BDDA > EGDMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This review article gives an overview of the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles (mNPs) while using Litchi chinensis extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The subtropical fruit tree i.e lychee contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenolic compounds which act as reducing agents and convert the metal ions into metal atoms that coagulate to form mNPs. Methodology: Different methodologies adopted for the synthesis of lychee extract and its use in the fabrication of mNPs under different reaction conditions such as solvent, extract amount, temperature, and pH of the medium have also been discussed critically in detail. Techniques: Different techniques such as FTIR, UV–visible, XRD, SEM, EDX, and TEM adopted for the analysis of biogenic synthesis of mNPs have also been discussed in detail. Applications of mNPs: Applications of these prepared mNPs in various fields due to their antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, anticancer, and catalytic activities have also been described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biologically produced silver nanoparticles are becoming a more appealing option than chemically produced antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, because they are safer, easier to manufacture and have medicinal properties at lower concentrations. In this work, we employed the aqueous pomegranate peel extract (PPE) to synthesize silver nanoparticles (PPE-AgNPs), as peel extract is a rich source of phytochemicals which functions as reducing agent for the synthesis of PPE-AgNPs. Additionally, the PPE was examined quantitatively for total phenolics and total flavonoids content. PPE-AgNPs were characterized using analytical techniques including UV–Vis spectroscopy, DLS, FTIR, XRD, HRTEM and FESEM, evaluated in vitro against the plant pathogenic microbes and also for antioxidant activities. Analytical techniques (HRTEM and FESEM) confirmed the spherical shape and XRD technique revealed the crystalline nature of synthesized PPE-AgNPs. Quantitative analysis revealed the presence of total phenolics (269.93 ± 1.01 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoids (119.70 ± 0.83 mg CE/g). Biosynthesized PPE-AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Klebsiella aerogenes and Xanthomonas axonopodis, antifungal activity against Colletotrichum graminicola and Colletotrichum gloesporioides at 50 µg/mL concentration. The antioxidant potential of biosynthesized PPE-AgNPs was analysed via ABTS (IC50 4.25 µg/mL), DPPH (IC50 5.22 µg/mL), total antioxidant (86.68 g AAE/mL at 10 µg/mL) and FRAP (1.93 mM Fe(II)/mL at 10 µg/mL) assays. Cytotoxicity of PPE-AgNPs was valuated using MTT assay and cell viability of 83.32% was determined at 100 µg/mL concentration. These investigations suggest that synthesized PPE-AgNPs might prove useful for agricultural and medicinal purposes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the direct carbonylation of glycerol using a composite photocatalyst (TiO2 loaded with cellulose) and 2-cyanopyridine as a waterreducing agent. In this research, the performance of the photocatalytic system was evaluated under different conditions, including various concentrations of 2-cyanopyridine, glycerol, and catalyst dosage, as well as changing the molar ratios of CO2 to glycerol and reaction times. The optimal conditions for achieving high glycerol conversion and GlyCO3 performance were determined, resulting in a glycerol conversion of 92.43% and a yield of 91.12% towards glycerol carbonate under these conditions. Increasing the concentration of 2-cyanopyridine up to 30 mmol enhanced GlyCO3 production. However, excessive amounts led to decreased yields due to catalyst site blockage. The influence of the CO2 to glycerol molar ratio on GlyCO3 yield was marginal within a certain concentration range, indicating a non-limiting CO2 supply. Catalyst loading significantly affected product yield, with higher concentrations promoting greater GlyCO3 formation. However, catalyst reusability tests revealed a decline in activity after recycling, attributed to drying-induced deactivation. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing the cellulose-TiO2 photocatalyst for efficient glycerol carbonylation, contributing to the advancement of sustainable chemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Principal‐agent theorizing is based on the idea of a linear inverse relationship between principal control and agency slack: the higher the control over the agent, the less likely is the agent to slack. In this paper, we challenge this assumption by explicitly taking the varying nature of agents into account. While control may reduce the agent's room for maneuver, it does not explain the extent to which different agents are inclined to put efforts in circumventing these obstacles. Focusing on international organizations (IOs), we measure member states' as principals' control over IO administrations as their agents as well as the latter's intrinsic propensity to slack across eight major IOs. The analysis shows that low control by the principal is not necessarily associated with run‐away agents, whereas high control is not necessarily associated with servant‐like agents. The assumed control–slack relationship can thus be distorted and determining an ideal level of control is not possible without considering the agent's entrepreneurialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid oxidation of Sn2+ in tin‐based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) restricts their efficiency and stability have been main bottleneck towards further development. This study developed a novel strategy which utilizes thiosulfate ions (S2O32−) in the precursor solution to enable a dual‐stage reduction process. In the solution stage, thiosulfate acted as an efficacious reducing agent to reduce Sn4+ to Sn2+, meanwhile, its oxidation products were able to reduce I2 to I− during the film stage. This dual reduction ability effectively inhibited the oxidation of Sn2+ and passivated defects, further promising an excellent stability of the perovskite devices. As a result, thiosulfate‐incorporated devices achieved a high efficiency of 14.78 % with open‐circuit voltage reaching 0.96 V. The stability of the optimized devices achieved a remarkable improvement, maintaining 90 % of their initial efficiencies after 628 hours at maximum‐power‐point (MPP). The findings provid research insights and experimental data support for the sustained dynamic reduction in TPSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an eco-friendly method for synthesising iron nanoparticles (TA-FeNPs) using Tamarix articulata as a reducing and stabilising agent. Characterisation techniques, including UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, revealed micrometre-sized, irregularly shaped nanoparticles with an amorphous structure. The Fe content was measured at 2.16%. The Cr (VI) removal efficiency dropped from 99.06% to 35.85% as pH increased from 2 to 5. Complete reduction was achieved at 25 mg/L concentration, pH 5.2, using 1 g/L over 60 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Phenylhydroxylamine and its derivates (PHAs) are important chemical intermediates. Phenylhydroxylamines are mainly produced via the catalytic reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. However, this catalytic reduction method prefers to generate thermodynamically stable aromatic amine. Thus, designing suitable catalytic systems, especially catalysts to selectively convert aromatic nitro compounds to PHAs, has received increasing attention but remains challenging. In this review, we initially provide a brief overview of the various strategies employed for the synthesis of PHAs, focusing on reducing aromatic nitro compounds. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis is presented on the catalytic reduction process, encompassing discussions on catalysts, reductants, hydrogen sources, and a comprehensive assessment of the merits and drawbacks of various catalytic systems. Furthermore, a concise overview is provided regarding the progress made in comprehending the mechanisms involved in this process of catalytic reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. Finally, the main challenges and prospects in PHAs' production via catalytic reduction are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-domain antibodies, including variable domains of the heavy chains of heavy chain-only antibodies (VHHs) from camelids and variable domains of immunoglobulin new antigen receptors (VNARs) from cartilaginous fish, show the therapeutic potential of targeting antigens in a cytosol reducing environment. A large proportion of single-domain antibodies contain non-canonical cysteines and corresponding non-canonical disulfide bonds situated on the protein surface, rendering them vulnerable to environmental factors. Research on non-canonical disulfide bonds has been limited, with a focus solely on VHHs and utilizing only cysteine mutations rather than the reducing agent treatment. In this study, we examined an anti-lysozyme VNAR and an anti-BC2-tag VHH, including their non-canonical disulfide bond reduced counterparts and non-canonical cysteine mutants. Both the affinity and stability of the VNARs and VHHs decreased in the non-canonical cysteine mutants, whereas the reduced-state samples exhibited decreased thermal stability, with their affinity remaining almost unchanged regardless of the presence of reducing agents. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the decrease in affinity of the mutants resulted from increased flexibility of the CDRs, the disappearance of non-canonical cysteine–antigen interactions, and the perturbation of other antigen-interacting residues caused by mutations. These findings highlight the significance of non-canonical cysteines for the affinity of single-domain antibodies and demonstrate that the mutation of non-canonical cysteines is not equivalent to the disruption of non-canonical disulfide bonds with a reducing agent when assessing the function of non-canonical disulfide bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, pyroligneous acid, also known as wood vinegar, has been employed as reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) anchored on nanocellulose (NC). The idea is to confer the latter bactericidal properties for its typical uses such as in cosmetics and food-packing. It has been demonstrated that AgNPs can be directly produced onto NC in one-pot fashion while dramatically enhancing the kinetics of AgNPs synthesis (2 h for reaction completion) in comparison to the NC-less counterpart (10 days for reaction completion). Furthermore, NC allowed for a narrower size distribution of AgNPs. NC-supported and non-supported AgNPs had sizes of 5.1 ± 1.6 nm and 16.7 ± 4.62 nm, respectively. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCat) cells were then employed as model to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the AgNPs-NC compound. The latter was found not to impact cell proliferation at any formulation, while decreasing the viability by only 6.8% after 72 h. This study contributes to the development of more environmentally benign routes to produce nanomaterials and to the understanding of their impact on cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are macrocycles that are well suited for forming inclusion complexes for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of analytes due to their low Raman activity, which minimizes background SERS signals and enhances the detection of target molecules without interference. In this paper, we systematically investigated the synthesis of both silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) using CDs as reducing and capping agents in a basic environment using microwave (MW), ultrasound (US), and room temperature (RT) synthesis. We found that replacing NaOH with K2CO3 as an alkaline environment almost doubles the size (from <10 nm to around 20 nm) of AgNPs in the MW-assisted synthesis. Synthesis using the US produces less stable particles due to the sample evolution after US irradiation. Ag (20 nm) and Au (11 nm) were successfully obtained at room temperature in the presence of CDs and K2CO3. All synthesized particles present SERS activity. CD capping allowed us to detect hydrophobic molecules like naphthalene and melamine. In the case of methylene blue, the CD capping prevents the changes induced in the SERS by a basic pH. We also demonstrate that the newly synthesized NPs can discriminate by SERS the propranolol enantiomers. Moreover, propranolol inclusion in CDs leads to a dramatic change in its SERS spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An organophotocatalytic method has been described towards the synthesis of indolines and oxindoles starting from unusual α-chloro amide and N-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-alkyl methacrylamide substrates. This marks a notable improvement since the earlier syntheses utilized iridium and gold catalysts, and involved C–I or C–Br bond cleavage as the initial step. Our photocatalyst is a pincer ligand that can be easily deprotonated to make a very strong reducing agent. The reductive cleavage of the carbon–chloride bond, and subsequent 5-exo-trig ring cyclization, followed by hydrogen atom abstraction, prepare the desired heterocycles under very mild reaction conditions. An atom economic use of KOtBu has been shown to demonstrate the unusual trifunctional role of the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial properties of modified silk fibroin microfibers (SF MFs) have been widely studied. Among various modifications, integration of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and SF MFs has garnered significant attention due to the broad‐spectrum antibacterial activities and long‐term antibacterial effect of Ag nanomaterials. However, the traditional introduction of reducing agents or other additives during the synthesis of Ag‐SF composite MFs potentially affects their structure and antibacterial properties. Facile, green and effective methods for the preparation of Ag‐SF MFs with enhanced antibacterial properties are therefore highly desired. In this study, Ag NPs were uniformly in‐situ deposited onto the optimized SF MFs by adjusting the pH and duration conditions under the guidance of green chemistry. The loaded Ag NPs have a good dispersibility and an average size of ~10 nm. The stability of SF MFs after the deposition of Ag NPs and the crystalline features of the loaded Ag NPs have been carefully investigated. Moreover, antibacterial experiments confirmed that Ag‐SF MFs exhibited superior antibacterial activities. After co‐incubating Ag‐SF MFs with L929 cells, the cell viability reached 90 %, demonstrating the great biocompatibility of the modified fibers. This green in‐situ synthetic method will promote the further medical use of Ag‐SF MFs in antibacterial fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of gelation in the Activators Regenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ARGET ATRP) of styrene, using a bifunctional initiator and no crosslinking agents are investigated. By applying the method of moments, we develop a system of differential equations that accounts for the formation of polymer rings. The kinetic rate constants of this model are optimized on the experimentally determined kinetics, varying the reaction temperature and ethanol fraction. Subsequently, we explore how variations in the amounts of catalyst, initiator, and reducing agents affect the simulated equilibria of ARGET ATRP, the emergence of gelation, and the swelling properties of the resulting networks. These findings suggest that favoring ring formation enhances the gelation phenomenon, supporting the hypothesis that the networks formed under the reported reaction conditions are olympic gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between Pt nanoparticles and their supports, and the Pt nanoparticle size influence the performance and stability of Pt catalysts. Polyaniline (PANI) serves as an effective support for Pt catalysts owing to its abundant functional groups and high electron conductivity. Strong chemical interactions exist between the Pt nanoparticles and the functional groups on PANI. In this study, through the use of different reducing agents, the sizes of Pt nanoparticles on PANI nanofibers are adjusted, resulting in the preparation of three Pt/PANI catalysts. Owing to the strong reducibility of sodium borohydride, its use as a reducing agent leads to rapid heterogeneous nucleation, and the obtained Pt/PANI catalyst exhibits the smallest Pt nanoparticle size among the three Pt/PANI catalysts. Consequently, many Pt nanoparticles are not deposited on the PANI nanofibers, which reduces the activity of the Pt/PANI catalyst. Conversely, when ethylene glycol is used as the reducing agent, the resulting catalyst exhibits the largest Pt nanoparticle size among the three Pt/PANI catalysts owing to the slow reduction rate of Pt4+. The Pt/PANI catalyst prepared using formic acid (Pt/PANI-FA) achieves an optimal reaction rate owing to the moderate reducibility of the reducing agent. Consequently, the Pt nanoparticles on PANI nanofibers in Pt/PANI-FA have a diameter of 3.32 nm, which is comparable to that of Pt nanoparticles in Pt/C catalysts. The half-wave potential of Pt/PANI-FA in the oxygen reduction reaction reaches 840 mV (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode), which surpasses the 801 mV achieved by Pt/C catalysts. [Display omitted] • Polyaniline nanofiber is used as Pt support to prepared three Pt/PANI catalysts. • The size of Pt nanoparticles is tuned by using three different reducing agents. • Compared to sodium borohydride and ethylene glycol, formic acid has optimized reducibility. • The half-wave potential of optimized Pt/PANI catalyst is 840 mV, higher than that of Pt/C. • Chemical interaction between Pt and PANI improves the Pt/PANI catalyst performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of spent lithium‐ion batteries by traditional acid leaching is limited by serious pollution, complicated technology, and the low purity of Li2CO3. To address the problems of the traditional acid leaching process and increasing demand for decarbonization, a technique for the selective carbonation leaching of Li and the recovery of battery‐grade Li2CO3 by a simple concentration precipitation process without acids or bases was developed. The coupling of CO2 and reducing agents could effectively promote the precipitation of MCO3 (M=Ni/Co/Mn) and the selective leaching of Li by decreasing the reducing capability needed for transition metals and decreasing the pH of the solution. The optimal selective leaching process of Li was obtained under 1 MPa CO2 with 20 g/L Na2S2O3 at an L/S ratio of 30 mL/g for 1.5 h. FT‐IR, XRD, ICP‐MS and other methods were used to reveal the multiphase interfacial reaction mechanism of the carbonation reduction of layered cathode materials, which indicated that the reducing agent Na2S2O3 could promote lattice distortion of the cathode materials and effective separation of Li. In summary, a green and economical method for the selective recovery of battery‐grade Li2CO3 using a one‐step method of CO2 carbonation recovery in a near‐neutral environment was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The re-evaluation of animals, plants, and microorganisms for green synthesis has revolutionized the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs). Green synthesis provides more biocompatibility compared to chemically synthesized MNPs, which make them ideal for diverse biological applications, especially in biomedicine. Various organisms have been extensively studied for green synthesis. Interestingly, angiosperms, algae, and animal-derived biomaterials like chitin and silk have shown a prominent role in synthesizing these nanoparticles. Moreover, bacteria, viruses, and fungi serve as sources of reducing agents, further expanding green synthesis possibilities. Despite progress, research on natural reducing agents remains relatively limited, with only a few exceptions such as tea and neem plants receiving attention. Green-synthesized nanoparticles have diverse applications in various fields. In biomedicine, they enable drug delivery, targeted therapies, and bio-imaging due to their enhanced biocompatibility. Some MNPs also exhibit potent antimicrobial properties, aiding in disease control and eco-friendly disinfection. Furthermore, green nanoparticles contribute to environmental remediation by purifying water and serve as sensitive biosensors for diagnostics and environmental monitoring. This review will provide the recent progress and advancements in the field of green synthesis (GS) of nanoparticles. It will also analyze the key characteristics and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of GS compared to chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid hydrogen (H 2) sensor operating at room temperature is fabricated using covalent organic framework (COF), namely Pyromellitic dianhydride and tris(4-aminophenyl)amine (PMDA-TAPA), PT COF that has a unique ability to spontaneously reduce Pd2+ into Pd0 nanoparticles without the aid of external reducing agents. The presence of surface redox sites in COF enable the rapid formation of Pd nanoparticles on COF surface under ambient conditions. The generated material, hitherto named as Pd@ amic PT portrayed remarkable H 2 sensing characteristics with a rare combination of high response % (67.3 ± 1) and rapid response/recovery times (5.3/3.5 s, respectively) for 1 % H 2 under ambient conditions. Our results demonstrated appreciable reproducibility, repeatability, and long term stability of sensor that remained unaffected by relative humidity and a high selectivity towards H 2. Further, sensor performance is found to be superior when compared to many Pd loaded 2D material based chemiresistive H 2 gas sensors. [Display omitted] • A room temperature rapid hydrogen sensor was developed using electroless deposition of Pd on a redox active covalent organic framework (Pd@amicPT). • Device fabrication was straightforward and efficient through simple drop casting of colloidal dispersion of Pd@amicPT onto interdigitated electrodes. • Device exhibited rare combination of high response67.3 ± 1% and quick reaction times (5.3/3.5 s) for 1% H 2 under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have unique characteristics with applications in different fields of industry and medicine. There are several methods for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles, mostly according economic and environmental criteria. On this contribution, it is presented a review on zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by "green route" methods and their biomedical advantages such as anticancer and antibacterial properties. To obtain this type of environment-friendly nanoparticles with different morphologies, zinc salts are used as precursor and as reductants. Plants as biological media are used as well, that is because naturally occurs within their systems reduction processes and/or phytochemical extracts of some part of plants. Thankfully to these green routes, the exposure and final disposal of toxic substances that involve conventional chemical methods are mitigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To eliminate the harm of nitrogen oxides to human health and ecological environment, selective catalytic denitrification using methane as a reducing agent (CH4-SCR) has received widespread attention. Developing highly active CH4-SCR denitrification catalysts has become a research focus of this technology. In this article, Co(x)/ZRP catalysts were prepared by impregnation method, and the effects of Co(x)/ZRP catalysts with different cobalt loading amounts on the denitrification performance of CH4-SCR were investigated. The physicochemical properties of Co (x)/ZRP catalysts were characterized using XRD, H2-TPR, Py-IR, NH3-TPD and NO-TPD methods. The CH4-SCR denitrification performance of Co(x)/ZRP catalysts was evaluated on fixed bed micro-reactor under atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the cobalt species in the Co(x)/ZRP catalyst were Co3O4. With the increase of cobalt loading, the Co3O4 grains became larger, the redox ability and NO adsorption and desorption performance of the catalyst were improved. With the increase of cobalt loading, the denitrification activity of Co(x)/ZRP catalyst first increased and then decreased, which was consistent with the variation of medium strong acid amount in the total acid of the catalyst. Among them, the Co(20)/ZRP catalyst had a higher amount of medium strong acid, and the CH4-SCR denitrification performance was good, with Tm of 342 °C, XNomax of 39.2%. The L-acid and medium strong acid content of the catalyst played an important role in the CH4-SCR catalytic denitrification activity of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enormous advances have been made in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) affording a high degree of control over their size, shape, and composition. In recent years, a growing effort has been dedicated to incorporating principles of green chemistry in different aspects of NPs, ranging from reagents/solvents to their fate in the environment. In this report, we focus on the use of Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone) as an alternative green solvent for the synthesis of metal NPs. We begin with the synthesis of Ag NPs, given their prominence in the literature. Through control reactions, we show that Cyrene has a dual role of solvent and reducing agent. Additionally, the conversion yield for the Ag NPs synthesis was studied with respect to temperature and the Ag precursor. We then expand on the synthetic methodology to access Pd, Pt, and Bi NPs. The functionality of the synthesized NPs is assessed by employing them as electrocatalysts for furfural reduction and the hydrogen evolution reaction. We envision the use of Cyrene as a green solvent can be extended toward the synthesis of NPs of other metals and classes of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the manufacturing cost of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), tests targeting the decrease of reaction temperature and the amount of reducing agent in the polyol method for the synthesis of Pt/C catalysts were conducted. The reaction temperature in the polyol method was changed from 50 to 160 °C. Through XRD and TGA, it was determined that the reduction of platinum ions by the oxidation of ethylene glycol started at 70 °C. Below a 60 °C reaction temperature, Pt (1 1 1) peaks in XRD were barely visible, indicating that no deposition occurred. TEM revealed that Pt particles were well-dispersed above a 100 °C reaction temperature. For manufacturing platinum catalysts using the polyol method, it was found that 100 °C is the optimal synthesis temperature. Additionally, it was found that similar performance can be achieved by adding water to decrease the amount of ethylene glycol during synthesis. Finally, considering various analyses, it is evident that the dispersion, size, and crystallinity of platinum particles had the most significant impact on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel synthesis method. Ag-TiO 2 NPs are synthesized using chestnut extract as both a template and a reducing agent. • Multifunctional properties. The synthesized Ag-TiO 2 NPs possess excellent UV shielding, self-cleaning capacity, antibacterial ability, and antioxidant capacity. • Effective leather artifact preservation. This effective preservation strategy ensures the long-term protection of leather artifacts, safeguarding the cultural significance for future generations. The deterioration of leather artifacts can be caused by exposure to light, pollutants, microbes, and oxidation. In this work, silver-titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag-TiO 2 NPs) were synthesized using chestnut extract as both a template and a reducing agent, providing UV light shielding, self-cleaning capacity, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant capacity. The results indicated that the addition of chestnut extract and Ag significantly enhanced the UV light shielding capability of Ag-TiO 2 NPs by enhancing the light absorption efficiency, as well as reduced the band gap from 3.20 eV to 2.82 eV, and improved the self-cleaning capability as evidenced by an increase in Congo red (CR) dye degradation rate from 26 % to 55 %. Additionally, Ag-TiO 2 NPs also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity, as evidenced by a significant increase in the inhibition zone against bacteria, as well as enhanced antioxidant capability with the DPPH free radical scavenging capability increased from 22 % to 88 %. After Ag-TiO 2 NPs treatment, there was no obvious change in the appearance of leather, while the antibacterial activity of leather was significantly increased. The Ag-TiO 2 NPs produced through a green approach could offer robust UV light shielding, self-cleaning capacity, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant capacity to prevent the deterioration of leather artifacts, making a significant contribution to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage. The green synthesis of Ag-TiO 2 NPs using chestnut extract as both a template and a reducing agent was conducted, with excellent UV light shielding, self-cleaning capacity, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant capacity for the long-term preservation of leather artifacts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the decarbonization of industries with high carbon dioxide emissions, specifically focusing on the steel industry. It discusses the replacement of traditional blast furnaces with MIDREX® reactors operated with hydrogen as a reducing agent. However, the article presents an alternative method using ammonia that is cost-effective. It introduces three industrial projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in steel production and discusses different methods of direct reduction of iron oxide to produce iron, including the use of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, as well as ammonia. The text also mentions the optimization of high-temperature electrolysis of water and collaborations between companies and universities for hydrogen production. The use of ammonia as a means of transporting hydrogen is highlighted for its lower cost. The article concludes with a description of a laboratory experiment for students to explore the direct reduction of iron oxide using ammonia, providing safety considerations and potential applications in the context of decarbonizing steel production. [Extracted from the article]

The present study aims to evaluate the use of cranberry bush fruit pomace (CBFP) (Viburnum opulus L.), which has recently become popular raw material, as a substrate in the presence of a reducing agent to increase biobutanol production by Clostridium beijerinckii DSMZ 6422. For this purpose, some factors were optimized, including the pretreatment, initial concentration of CBFP (5–20%), different types of reducing agents (ascorbic acid, L-cysteine, sodium dithionite and sodium sulfite), different concentrations of sodium dithionite (2.5–15 mM), inoculum concentration (5%, 10%, and 20%), and fermentation time (24–96 h). The maximum biobutanol, total ABE, biobutanol yield, and biobutanol productivity were 9.45 g/L, 12.08 g/L, 0.21 g/g, and 0.13 g/L/h in the medium containing enzymatically hydrolyzed 10% CBFP, 10 mM sodium dithionite, and 20% inoculum at the end of 72 h, respectively. These findings demonstrate that CBFP can be considered as a sustainable, economical, and viable substrate on biobutanol production for the first time in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different chemical pre-desulfurization processes were compared to achieve the utilization of high sulfur coal efficiently and economically and its total sulfur content is 2.19%. The major influence factors were the reagent dosage, desulfurization temperature, and time. Compared with single-factor experiments, orthogonal experiments can greatly reduce the number of experiments and ensure the rationality of experimental data. The desulfurization rate of acid leach, alkali leach, oxidation, and catalytic reduction were 41.67%, 17.16%, 26.96%, and 27.45%, respectively, and the total sulfur after the pre-desulfurization process were 1.19%, 1.69%, 1.49%, and 1.48%, respectively. Range analysis and variance analysis were employed for the crucial operational parameters. In acid and alkali leaching desulfurization process, the acid/alkali concentration had the greatest influence on the desulfurization effect. In oxidation desulfurization process, the desulfurization time had the greatest influence on the desulfurization effect. In catalytic reduction desulfurization, the reducing agent dosage was the most important factor. The main factor for the results above was that the desulfurization mechanisms were different. Therefore, the research of different desulfurization mechanisms is the main direction of future work. The consequence of this paper would provide data support for the selection of the desulfurization method for high sulfur coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruthenium (Ru) is an important platinum group metal for the manufacture of advanced materials owing to its chemical and physical properties. Generally, it is extremely difficult to dissolve Ru metal by using acidic solutions containing strong oxidizing agents. Therefore, pretreatments like alkali fusion roasting at high temperature are practiced to render the Ru metal soluble in aqueous solution. In this work, a simple procedure was proposed to dissolve Ru metal at room temperature without any pretreatments. The dissolution procedure consisted of two steps: (i) oxidation of Ru metal to RuO4– by using pure NaClO solution; (ii) reduction of RuO4– to stable Ru2OCl104– by using HCl as a reducing agent. The role of NaClO and HCl in the dissolution of Ru metal was discussed on the basis of the potential-pH diagram and the corresponding oxidation and reduction reactions. The effect of several parameters like the concentration of NaClO and HCl, temperature, time, and pulp density was investigated. Optimum conditions were obtained to completely dissolve Ru metal by using NaClO and HCl solution without alkali fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]