Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Song, Zhibin Xu, Hao Li, Yu Chen, Jiaqing Guo
Summary: Stable and biocompatible carbon dots (R-CDs) capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) were synthesized and successfully eradicated harmful algae within 27 hours. The findings highlight the potential of R-CDs as effective anti-algal agents and inspire the development of other such agents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Cristina Coromelci, Maria Ignat, Liviu Sacarescu, Mariana Neamtu
Summary: The photocatalytic activity of four mesoporous RE metal doped titania was compared, with Sm-TiO2 showing the highest activity and Ce-TiO2 the lowest.
MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thaiane Robeldo, Lucas S. Ribeiro, Lida Manrique, Andressa Mayumi Kubo, Elson Longo, Emerson Rodrigues Camargo, Ricardo Carneiro Borra
Summary: Low oxygen concentration in the tumor microenvironment is a major obstacle for photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors. Titanium dioxide (Ti(OH)(4)) shows potential as a photosensitizer for bladder cancer treatment due to its ability to produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) regardless of oxygen concentrations. In this study, exposure of Ti(OH)(4) to visible light stimulated ROS production and dose-dependently induced necrosis in tumor cells. Ti(OH)(4) also inhibited cell proliferation and migration in low concentrations. Mechanistically, Ti(OH)(4) may initiate type II cell death through autophagic dysfunction mechanisms associated with high ROS production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenyan Zhang, Hangmin Guan, Yingfei Hu, Wei Wang, Linyun Hao, Xiaoli Yang, Wenjie Tian
Summary: The study presents a novel approach to utilize waste toner powder as a photocatalyst by activating it with cheap Ni species. The activated waste toner@Ni-species showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, with a 62-fold increase in hydrogen evolution rate and a 64-fold increase in apparent quantum efficiencies. Additionally, the waste toner@Ni-species exhibited higher charge separation efficiency, faster interfacial charge transfer rate, and a lower barrier for proton reduction compared to pristine waste toner.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kun Lin, Shahzad Afzal, Liheng Xu, Tao Ding, Feng Li, Ming Zhang
Summary: This study synthesized a Fe-containing red mud biochar (RMBC) as a photo-Fenton catalyst for degrading acid orange 7 (AO7). Results showed that RMBC had excellent degradation performance with a decolorization efficiency of nearly 100% and a mineralization efficiency of 87% under visible light irradiation. The study also revealed the reaction mechanism of RMBC, including the activation of H2O2 by Fe2+ provided by RMBC and the production of more reactive oxygen species (ROS) for AO7 degradation under light irradiation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongyang He, Hao Yang, Dexin Jin, Jiao Qu, Xing Yuan, Ya-nan Zhang, Mingxin Huo, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg
Summary: Research demonstrates that by tuning reaction parameters, the synthesized g-C3N4 can achieve extremely high photocatalytic activity, outperforming P25 TiO2 and other g-C3N4-based nanocomposites with lower catalyst consumption, and requiring only short ultrasonic pretreatment for excellent performance.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Manman Zhang, Kun Wang, Shaohua Zeng, Ying Xu, Wangyan Nie, Pengpeng Chen, Yifeng Zhou
Summary: Molybdenum disulfides (MoS2) prepared through different methods exhibited varying levels of photo-induced antibacterial properties, with intercalation method showing the highest antibacterial effect due to its higher metal phase content, better light responsiveness, and smaller size. The main active substance in the photo-induced antibacterial process was found to be electrons, as determined through capture agent experiment and ESR test.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yue Yang, Hao Chen, Jinfeng Lu
Summary: Harmful algal blooms pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Visible light-driven photocatalysis has gained attention for algae inactivation due to its low cost, stability, and high removal efficiency. However, the limited utilization of visible light and the rapid electron-hole recombination are challenges for traditional photocatalysts. This review summarizes the recent modifications made to enhance the anti-algae performance of visible light-driven photocatalysts. It also discusses the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species-induced damage to algal cells and photocatalytic degradation of organic matter. Additionally, factors such as photocatalyst dosage, algal concentration and species, and water matrix properties that affect the efficacy of visible light-driven catalytic oxidation for algae removal are outlined. The review concludes with perspectives on the emerging field of visible light-driven photocatalytic inactivation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinyu Xiao, Ying Han, Chao Liu, Yao Li, Guangwei Sun, Xing Wang
Summary: The photocatalytic technology to break 13-O-4 linkages in lignin is a green strategy to obtain small molecular oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Surface engineering can shorten the bandgap width of TiO2, while modifying the surface with SiO2 enhances its catalytic performance and achieves efficient utilization of PV illumination per unit area.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhibin Yang, Hui Zhang, Liping Zhou, Zhonghu Dong, Yanyu Wang, Dong Liu, Tianjun Ni
Summary: A NiCo2O4/SnO2 complex was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and demonstrated excellent catalytic degradation performance for metronidazole (MNZ) using peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as the activator. The improved PMS activation was attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between NiCo2O4 and SnO2, enhancing light response ability and electron conduction efficiency. The composite catalyst exhibited nearly 100% MNZ degradation efficiency within 30 minutes under visible light. The catalytic process was influenced by catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, and MNZ concentration, while anions and water substrates had minimal effects. Various active groups, such as superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and sulfate radicals, contributed to the MNZ degradation process. The intermediate products and their biological toxicity were identified, showing reduced toxicity compared to MNZ. Overall, this study provides a feasible scheme for treating organic contaminants in water.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianjun Ni, Zhibin Yang, Hui Zhang, Liping Zhou, Wei Guo, Likun Pan, Zhijun Yang, Kaiwen Chang, Chunpo Ge, Dong Liu
Summary: In this study, a Co3O4/SnO2 catalyst was prepared and applied for the degradation of ofloxacin. The catalyst showed high efficiency in degrading ofloxacin and maintained stability over a wide pH range. Furthermore, the study investigated the active species of the catalyst and analyzed the degradation pathway and intermediate toxicity of ofloxacin.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Junli Tian, Lianxue Wei, Jiaqi Hu, Jinfeng Lu
Summary: This study established a coupling system by integrating sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with photocatalysis to enhance the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under visible light. The researchers developed a novel catalyst, 5%Bi3O4Br/CuBi2O4, for the rapid and efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC). The degradation rate constant in the 5%Bi3O4Br/CuBi2O4 + PMS + Vis system was significantly higher than that of photocatalysis and (SO4-)-S-center dot-AOPs alone. The study provides insights into the degradation pathways of TC and demonstrates the potential of this environmentally-friendly system for the efficient degradation of antibiotics.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Huimin Zhang, Xinyue Cao, Rongliang Liu, Wei Chen, Jiahui Sun, Xiaoning Tang
Summary: Efficient photocatalytic antimicrobial agents have been developed as a low-cost and environmentally friendly treatment strategy for microbial contamination in water bodies. In this study, different morphologies of layered Bi5O7NO3 photocatalysts were synthesized through hydrothermal synthesis by adjusting the pH value of the solution. The samples were tested for their selective adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of anionic and cationic dyes under visible light irradiation, as well as their antibacterial effect on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The results showed that controlling the morphological size, oxygen vacancy defect concentration, and relative content of multivalent bismuth was crucial for improving the photocatalytic activity of these Bi5O7NO3 photocatalysts.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianjun Ni, Zhibin Yang, Hui Zhang, Liping Zhou, Wei Guo, Dong Liu, Kaiwen Chang, Chunpo Ge, Zhijun Yang
Summary: The hybrid of NiO/SnO2 was synthesized and used for peroxymonosulfate activation in tetracycline degradation. The NiO/SnO2 heterojunction greatly improved the activation performance, resulting in a high degradation rate of 90.2% within 20 minutes. The catalyst also showed good stability and resistance to interference.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jean Michel Merkes, Tarushyam Mukherjee, Silvia Chiera, Olli-Ville Laukkanen, Joerg Bruenke, Tim Brust, Francesco Tessarolo, Fabian Kiessling, Magnus Rueping, Srinivas Banala
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of polypropylene fleece-based PPEs increased significantly. To minimize plastic waste and explore reusable materials, a visible light-activatable antimicrobial photodynamic dye coating technique was developed. This coating, using thiomorpholino-methylene blue, showed high antibacterial activity and did not affect the filter performance of PPEs. It offers a promising solution for safer and extended use of PPEs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Poppy O. Smith, Dominic J. Black, Robert Pal, Joao Avo, Fernando B. Dias, Victoria L. Linthwaite, Martin J. Cann, Lars-Olof Palsson
Summary: A new method for delivering TADF complexes using liposomes was developed, showing successful uptake and intracellular localisation in HepG2 cells. The study demonstrated the removal of molecular oxygen during liposome preparation without disrupting their structure. Time-resolved fluorescence microscopy revealed a weak but detectable delayed fluorescence component in internalised liposomal TADF in HepG2 cells.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
King-Him Yim, Chi-Tung Yeung, Michael R. Probert, Wesley Ting Kwok Chan, Lewis E. Mackenzie, Robert Pal, Wing-Tak Wong, Ga-Lai Law
Summary: The study investigates the impact of ionic radii and linker length on the formation of lanthanide supramolecular complexes, revealing that the supramolecular transformation is governed by both the ionic radii as well as the ligand design. Controlled formation of helicates or tetrahedron shaped cages is achieved by adjusting the interplay between the metal ionic radius and the ligand composition.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrycja Stachelek, Lewis MacKenzie, David Parker, Robert Pal
Summary: The authors introduce a live-cell imaging system using chiroptical contrast, enabling the study of chiral interactions. They demonstrate simultaneous imaging of enantiomeric pairs of molecular probes emitting circularly polarised light, using both single and two-photon excitation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lewis E. MacKenzie, Diana Alvarez-Ruiz, Robert Pal
Summary: In this study, alpha-phase NaYF4:Yb,Er,Mn upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were synthesized using a more convenient method. The synthesis requires lower temperatures and reaction time, and the resulting UCNPs can disperse in water and organic solvents and undergo further surface modification. The optimized co-doping level greatly enhances red emission.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Monika Schied, Deborah Prezzi, Dongdong Liu, Peter Jacobson, Stefano Corni, James M. Tour, Leonhard Grill
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana L. Santos, Dongdong Liu, Anna K. Reed, Aaron M. Wyderka, Alexis van Venrooy, John T. Li, Victor D. Li, Mikita Misiura, Olga Samoylova, Jacob L. Beckham, Ciceron Ayala-Orozco, Anatoly B. Kolomeisky, Lawrence B. Alemany, Antonio Oliver, George P. Tegos, James M. Tour
Summary: Researchers have discovered a new antibacterial therapy that utilizes visible light-activated synthetic molecular machines to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a matter of minutes. This treatment method can also eliminate persister cells and bacterial biofilms. It is unlikely to develop resistance, and shows promising results in treating bacterial infections.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca G. Clarke, Jake Weatherston, Rafid A. Taj-Aldeen, Paul G. Waddell, William McFarlane, Thomas J. Penfold, Jonathan Bogaerts, Wouter Herrebout, Lewis E. Mackenzie, Robert Pal, Michael J. Hall
Summary: A method for the synthesis of helically chiral BODIPY dyes and preparation of a series of helically chiral BODIPYs with different substituents has been reported in this study. Absolute stereochemistry was determined by comparing experimental and calculated spectra, and solution phase chiroptical properties were characterized.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana L. Santos, Jacob L. Beckham, Dongdong Liu, Gang Li, Alexis van Venrooy, Antonio Oliver, George P. Tegos, James M. Tour
Summary: 405-nm-visible-light-activated synthetic molecular machines (MMs) effectively eliminate fungal infections without resistance development. They bind to fungal mitochondrial phospholipids and produce a drilling effect upon visible light activation, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Additionally, they enhance the effectiveness of conventional antifungals by impairing energy-dependent efflux pumps.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monika Schied, Deborah Prezzi, Liu Dongdong, Stefan Kowarik, Peter A. Jacobson, Stefano Corni, James M. Tour, Leonhard Grill
Summary: This study investigates the behavior of molecular motors on solid surfaces. Single motor molecules adsorbed on a Cu(111) surface are excited by voltage pulses from an STM tip, leading to their rotation around a fixed pivot point. The rotation direction of each molecule is found to be enantiomer-specific, determined by its chirality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide F. De Rosa, Patrycja Stachelek, Dominic J. Black, Robert Pal
Summary: Circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) has gained popularity in life and material sciences. CPL active luminescent lanthanide complexes are being developed due to their unique properties, but their application in intelligent security inks is limited due to lack of suitable instrumentation. This study presents a solution: an all solid-state CPL camera for ad hoc time-resolved enantioselective differential chiral contrast-based photography.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ross Birch, Jochen Bruckbauer, Marta Gajewska, Grzegorz Cios, Robert Pal, Lewis E. MacKenzie
Summary: This research indicates that the molecular weight and relative amount of PVP can greatly influence the morphology and diameter of NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Reducing the quantity of PVP can result in a greater range of UCNP diameters and the production of unexpected rhombus-shaped UCNPs. The study highlights the importance of carefully considering PVP content in the synthesis of UCNPs.
METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN FLUORESCENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Osama El-Zubir, Pablo Rojas Martinez, Gema Dura, Cameron Doherty, Fabio Cucinotta, Lewis E. E. Mackenzie, Robert Pal, Benjamin R. R. Horrocks, Andrew Houlton
Summary: An RNA-based coordination polymer [Cu-I(mu(3)-S-thioG)](n) 1 is formed by aqueous reaction of Cu-I ions with (-)6-thioguanosine (6tGH). The polymer has a one-dimensional structure based on a [Cu-4-S-4] core and undergoes hierarchical self-assembly from oligomeric chains -> rod -> cable -> bundle, resulting in the formation of a fibrous gel that syneresises to form a self-supporting mass. The assembly involves the formation of helical cables/bundles and, together with the intrinsic photoemission of the polymer, exhibits circularly polarised luminescence (CPL).
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Davide F. De Rosa, Matthieu Starck, David Parker, Robert Pal
Summary: This article investigates the factors affecting the circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) emission profiles of europium(III)-based CPL emitters. It highlights the importance of solvent polarity, ligand field changes, and the nature of coordinating donor atoms in these complexes. The research shows that these complexes can accurately probe local polarity.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josue Jimenez, Ruth Prieto-Montero, Sergio Serrano, Patrycja Stachelek, Esther Rebollar, Beatriz L. Maroto, Florencio Moreno, Virginia Martinez-Martinez, Robert Pal, Inmaculada Garcia-Moreno, Santiago de la Moya
Summary: The development from BINOL moieties to O-BODIPY dyes paves the way for photonics applications based on triplet excited states of BODIPY dyes.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Osama El-Zubir, Pablo Rojas Martinez, Gema Dura, Lamia L. G. Al-Mahamad, Thomas Pope, Thomas J. Penfold, Lewis E. Mackenzie, Robert Pal, Jackie Mosely, Fabio Cucinotta, Liam F. McGarry, Benjamin R. Horrocks, Andrew Houlton
Summary: This article discusses the properties of a one-dimensional coordination polymer formed by the reaction of Ag(i) ions with the thionucleoside enantiomer. The study found that the resulting polymer has a left-handed helical chain structure and exhibits enhanced chiro-optical response compared to the parent ligand. Experimental results also show that at higher concentrations, the reaction forms a self-repairing hydrogel that exhibits circularly polarised luminescence.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
