In(1–x)Al(x)Sb films with four Al relative concentrations (0, 20, 30 and 40%) were deposited using magnetron sputtering onto a SiO2/Si substrate and subsequently irradiated with 14 MeV Au6+ ions with fluences in the range of 1 × 1012–3 × 1014 cm−2. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of a polycrystalline compound structure with a zinc blende phase for all of the In(1–x)Al(x)Sb

Dual functional Sm3+ ion doped SiO2@TiO2 composites were designed to investigate their luminescence properties and photocatalytic activities under ultraviolet and simulated solar light excitation, respectively. The TiO2:Sm3+ nanoparticles, SiO2@TiO2:Sm3+ nanospheres and SiO2@TiO2:Sm3+ nanorods were successfully fabricated via the solvothermal method followed by the calcination at 700, 800 and 900 °C

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have received substantial interest in recycling waste heat via the thermoelectric approach in recent years. In this article, we investigate the thermoelectric response of two novel 2D polymorphs of ZnO derived from the zinc-blende phase (ZnO(zb)) and 5-5 phase (ZnO(5-5)) for advance thermoelectric applications by first-principles. The thermoelectric behavior of these

Supported bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) are promising catalysts, but study on their compositional and structural changes under reaction conditions remains a challenge. In this work, the structure of PtNi BNPs supported on UiO-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst (i.e., [email protected]) was investigated by in situ by near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS). The results

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbide, known as MXene, has recently received enduring attention for solar energy conversion by virtue of its pivotal role as efficient interfacial charge transfer mediator for photocatalysis. However, controllable design of MXene-based heterostructured photosystems is still in the infant stage and MXene-dominated photoredox mechanism in photoredox selective organic

The performance of oxide photoanodes constructed with hematite (Fe2O3) nanostructures is among the best for low-cost photoelectrochemical water-splitting cells. However, due to limited light absorption capacity, a high photogenerated charge carrier recombination rate, and sluggish surface oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetic on the surface, the photocurrent density generated by bare hematite is

Despite being considered as one of the most promising semiconductor photocatalysts, BiVO4 still suffers the problems of inefficient light harvesting, multiple charge recombination channels and back reactions, restricting its application for solar energy conversion. Here, we demonstrate a unique Bi2O4(400)/BiVO4(040) heterojunction prepared via an oxidation conversion process, which dramatically accelerated

A mild and efficient base promoted, microwave assisted, green synthesis of 2-amino-2-ene-1,4-diones has been described by the decomposition of phenacyl azides followed by treatment with pyridinium salts of phenacyl bromides in aqueous media. A diverse range of substrates bearing electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing substituents were well tolerated and delivered corresponding 2-amino-2-ene-1

Selective catalytic reduction of NO x with NH 3 (NH 3 ‐SCR) is one of the widely used process to abate NO x emission from both stationary and mobile sources. Recently, CeO 2 ‐TiO 2 NH 3 ‐SCR catalysts, due to their excellent medium and high temperature activities, high N 2 selectivity and environmentally friendly, have attracted much attention as great candidate to replace the commercial VO x ‐TiO

The inquiries of highly practical and stable catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) retains challenging to accomplish continuable H 2 production through water electrolysis. In this work, the porous network Co‐B‐P amorphous‐crystalline catalyst was synthesized through a hydrothermal‐alternating immersion boronization‐phosphidation pathway. The Co‐B‐P nanocomposite is consisted of the amorphous

Abstract The paper presents the results of a study of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of goldenrod grass. Using the method of spectrophotometry and reaction with the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, the antioxidant activity of the alcohol-water extraction of Canadian goldenrod grass is determined. An aqueous-water extraction from the grass of the Canadian goldenrod also exhibits antibacterial

Abstract We study the factors affecting the size of two-layer polyionic bienzyme SOD1/catalase conjugates: the nature and concentration of the buffer solution, the pH maintained during particle synthesis, and the initial molar ratio of the enzymes. The optimal conditions for obtaining conjugates of the minimum size are determined. The conjugates obtained under these conditions demonstrate the high

Abstract Cryochemical modification methods are used to obtain hybrid composites of the antibacterial drug gentamicin sulfate, as well as copper and iron nanoparticles, which are promising precursors of the targeted drug delivery systems. The resulting systems are antibiotic nanoparticles of 50 to 300 nm, including copper and iron nanoparticles of 1 to 20 nm (according to the results of physicochemical

Abstract We study the effect of the nature of the substituent in the β-cyclodextrin derivative on the physicochemical properties of the antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin (CF). CF can form guest–host inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin derivatives, characterized by dissociation constants (Kdis) in the range of 10–3 to 10–4 M. A ligand with a small polar uncharged substituent (2-hydroxypropyl) form

Abstract We optimize the procedure for synthesizing gold nanoshells for their use as a sensitive label in an immunochromatographic assay (ICA). An immunochromatographic test system is developed to visually determine the concentration of an early cardio marker, a heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP). Visual detection yields the detection limit of the procedure with gold nanoshells to be more

Abstract Magnetite-gold hybrid magnetic nanoparticles of the dumbbell type were used to immobilize two proteins: α-chymotrypsin and the Bowman–Birk inhibitor. It is shown that under the influence of a low-frequency magnetic field (50 Hz), the activity of chymotrypsin bound in a complex with an inhibitor is drastically reduced depending on the magnetic field induction. We hypothesize that this effect

Abstract The cas9 gene of the Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium, which encodes Cas9 nuclease of the class 2 CRISPR/Cas system, is expressed in the filamentous fungus Penicillium verruculosum under the control of the constitutive autologous promoter of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gpdA gene, which is cloned and sequenced for the first time in the present work. The functionality of the

Abstract Magnetic anionic liposomes (MALip) conjugated with magnetite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are developed for the controlled release of a protease inhibitor (BBI) under exposure to a low-frequency nonheating magnetic field (LF AMF). It is shown that an increase of up to 35% of the protein release rate occurred when the MALip are exposed to the LF AMF (frequency 110 Hz, intensity 75–150 kA/m)

Abstract We present a comprehensive study of the receptor–ligand interaction by spectral methods on the example of Concanavalin A lectin and 5 kDa chitosan modified with D-mannose. An improved method for the modification of chitosan with D-mannose and purification of these conjugates is developed. A novel approach to calculate the constants of the Concavalin A binding with the mannose-containing ligand

Abstract NAD(P)+-dependent formate dehydrogenase (FDH, EC 1.2.1.2.) is actively used in processes of chiral synthesis by oxidoreductases with systems of reduced cofactor regeneration. The efficient use of FDH in such systems requires simple and fast enzyme purification. Metal-chelate affinity chromatography is widely used for such purposes. The method requires the presence of at least six His residues

Abstract In this paper, the effect of ultrasonic wave was evaluated on viscosity and pour point of heavy oil. The effects of time, temperature and power on the viscosity reduction of heavy oil were tested at first. The results showed that ultrasonic wave can reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil from Jinghe Oilfield effectively with the highest viscosity reduction of 87.2%. Then the pour point depressing

Abstract Optimal formulations of low-viscosity marine fuel (LMF) involving heavy diesel fractions of secondary origin and containing cold flow improvers and antioxidants have been found by mathematical modeling using the pour point, sulfur content, and density as critical parameters. The experimentally obtained characteristics of laboratory LMF samples prepared according to the calculated formulations

Abstract Molybdenum and tungsten catalysts, PAF-30-Mo and PAF-30-W, synthesized based on a porous aromatic framework PAF-30 have been tested in the epoxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The influence of the temperature and the substrate to oxidant ratio on the characteristic features of the process has been studied. It has been shown that the catalysts exhibit high activity and

Abstract The mechanism of interaction of adamantane with propylene has been studied by quantum-chemical calculations within the density functional theory (DFT). It has been shown that the main products of adamantane alkylation with propylene in the presence of acid catalysts are hydrocarbons with unbranched (normal-chain) substituents, 1-n-propyl- and 1-n-propenyladamantanes. The main stages of adamantane

Abstract In the present study, a typical metal-organic framework has been employed for preparation of a novel active Fischer–Tropsch Co–Ni catalyst. Co–Ni catalyst was prepared by glycine–MOF combustion method and was heated in a tube furnace (2°C min–1) under air at 750°C for 6 h. Scanning electron micrograph of metal-organic framework shows regularly cubic shaped crystals and they were being deformed

Abstract The paper presents a review of scientific research in the field of oxidative desulfurization of petroleum fractions with atmospheric oxygen (as an oxidizing agent) published over the past 15–20 years. A comparative analysis of various catalytic systems in this field has been carried out. Promising areas for the development of an effective catalytic system for oxidative desulfurization processes

Abstract M7 block of Santanghu oilfield is an abnormal low temperature tight oil reservoir. The effective development is very difficult. In this paper, we develop a new composite viscosity reducer called CSY-1. The synergistic effect of these agents provides the reducer with both dispersion and emulsification capacities. Based on orthogonal experiment and cost evaluation, the optimum formula of CSY-1

Abstract A comprehensive study of urea greases obtained on the basis of Group I distillate oils, which have a viscosity in the range from 24.4 to 342.0 mm2/s at 40°C, has been carried out. The results obtained have made it possible to reveal the dependence of various physicochemical parameters of greases (dropping point, ultimate strength, colloidal stability, wear rate) on the viscosity of the base

Abstract The distribution of vanadium and nickel upon hydroconversion of vacuum tower bottoms in the presence of slurried MoS2, Ni7S6, (NH4)0.25 ⋅ WO3, and Fe1 − xS nanoparticles has been studied. The experiments have been performed in an autoclave reactor and in a flow-through hydroconversion unit. It has been shown that the coke yield in hydrocracking reactions increases in the order MoS2, Ni7S6

Abstract New methane degradation nickel catalysts based on original and modified layered double hydroxides and multilayer carbon nanotubes have been synthesized. The synthesized systems have been characterized by a set of physicochemical methods, namely, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the thermal method. The catalytic activity of the synthesized

Abstract Results of a single-stage heterogeneous catalytic synthesis of zingerone and dehydrozingerone have been described. The prospects of the proposed approach have been shown; the main kinetic laws governing the reaction have been revealed. Optimum conditions for zingerone and dehydrozingerone synthesis providing a yield of the target products of 45.8 and 76.2%, respectively, have been found.

Abstract Results of the microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis of lignin have been described. It has been shown that, in a medium of an inert gas (argon) and a hydrogen–argon mixture, the following maximum liquid yield is achieved: 33 and 36% for iron-containing catalyst samples and 45% for nickel-containing catalysts. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method has been used to determine

Abstract The features of the liquid-phase hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propylene glycol over Cu/Al2O3 catalysts (Cu = 2–80 wt %) and individual copper particles have been studied. It has been shown that the main factor determining the activity of the catalysts is the specific surface area of copper. It has been found that the Cu/Al2O3 catalyst containing 60 wt % Cu is the most efficient. A new

Abstract Highly efficient binder-free catalysts, based on zeolite Y, for the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with ethylene have been synthesized. The catalysts have been modified by treating with aqueous solutions of hydrochloric and citric acids to remove extra-framework aluminum formed during the partial dealumination of zeolite Y. The synthesized catalysts have been tested in the alkylation of

Abstract The composition of sulfur-bound compounds of asphaltic–resinous substances of bitumen from oil shale sampled from the Dmitrievskoe deposit (Kuzbass) has been studied using the technique of selective chemical destruction. It has been shown that the structure of asphaltenes and resins contains moieties represented by alkanes, phenylalkanes, phenanthrenes, fluoranthenes, pyrenes, and methyl esters

Abstract The article highlights one of the important problems in oil refining, the compatibility of components in the formation of feedstock blends and marketable petroleum products. The principles of determining and controlling the kinetic stability of oil blends to phase separation are set out. Examples of incompatibility of components (crude oils, components of light and dark products, fuel additives)

Abstract From near-infrared spectrophotometry measurements, flocculation onset for an Algerian asphaltene in different toluene/non-solvent solutions were detected. The Hansen solubility parameters of the extracted asphaltene and sub-fractions were calculated and compared to ones of a set of good and bad solvents. The ranking of the different solvents according to Hansen solubility sphere method shows

Abstract Features of dry reforming of methane over perovskite-type complex oxide GdFeO3 synthesized by several methods (solid-phase, citrate–nitrate sol–gel, glycine–nitrate sol–gel syntheses) have been studied. It has been found that the use of the sol–gel method leads to the formation of porous catalysts consisting of nanosized particles. Significant differences in morphology and texture affect the

Silicon anodes are promising for high energy batteries because of their excellent theoretical gravimetric capacity (3579 mAh/g). However, silicon’s large volume expansion and poor conductivity hinder its practical application; thus, binders and conductive additives are added, effectively diluting the active silicon material. To address this issue, reports of 2D MXene nanosheets have emerged as additves

Due to an increasing requirement of clean and sustainable hydrogen energy economy, it is significant to develop new highly effective catalysts for electrochemical water splitting. In alkaline electrolyte, Platinum (Pt) shows a much slower hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics relative to acidic condition. Here we show a versatile synthetic approach for combining different noble metals, such as

The propensity of broad-spectrum antibiotics to indiscriminately kill both pathogenic and beneficial bacteria has a profound impact on the spread of resistance across multiple bacterial species. Alternative approaches that narrow antibacterial specificity towards desired pathogenic bacterial population are of great interest. Here, we report an enzyme-responsive antibiotic-loaded nanoassembly strategy

Subwavelength light-guiding optical devices have gained great attention in the photonics community because they provide unique opportunities for miniaturization and functionality of the optical interconnect technology. On the other hand, high-refractive-index dielectric nanoparticles working at their fundamental Mie resonances have recently opened new venues to enhance and control light-matter interactions