Facile synthesis of a novel CeCO3OH@(H/C-CdS) catalyst with synergistic effect of heterophase junction and heterojunction for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic degradation efficiency at room temperature.

A new CeCO3OH@(hexagonal/cubic phases-CdS) (CeCO3OH@(H/C-CdS)) composite catalyst was facilely synthesized by a simple microinjection titration-stirring method, in which CdS nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of CeCO3OH nanolines. The optimal conditions for the preparation of composite catalysts with high photocatalytic performance were determined by single-factor experiments and response surface experiments. Under these conditions, the degradation rate of 30 mL 2.000 g/L rhodamine B (Rh B) by CeCO3OH@(H/C-CdS) in a photocatalytic reaction for 1 h at 25 °C was up to 86.81 % and its degradation rate in a photocatalytic reaction for 150 min was up to 99.62 %. The degradation rate could be maintained above 80 % even after six times recycling. Especially, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 2.000 g/L Rh B on the composite catalyst under sunlight and at room temperature for 30 min reached 97.66 %. Meanwhile, the large size of CeCO3OH considerably alleviated the agglomeration of CdS, providing more adsorption and active sites for visible light-mediated degradation of Rh B. Importantly, the Z-scheme charge transfer realized by CdS and CeCO3OH enhanced the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, and successfully inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electrons with holes. At the same time, owing to the low energy band difference between the two phases of CdS, charge was transferred between the hexagonal and cubic phases, leaving more effective photogenerated charge to participate in the degradation of Rh B. The synergism of the heterophase junction and heterojunction and the presence of oxygen and sulfur vacancies considerably enhanced the degradation performance of the catalyst. Thus, this study provides a new strategy for the modification and enhanced visible-light catalysis performance of CdS-based catalysts.

Revisited UV- spectra of chlorohydroxoaurate anions.

The most important ionic precursor of gold, [AuCl4]-, is used in aqueous solution leading to chlorohydroxoaurates species, [AuCl4-x(OH)x]- (x = 1-4) due to partial hydrolysis. Their UV spectral signatures are still relatively unknown though very useful in many domains of application. Individual spectra of each of them are determined for the first time thanks to a thorough experimental investigation comprising the range 200-250 nm, surpringly ignored up to now. New isosbestic points useful for species partition analysis are evidenced. Electronic transition attribution is obtained from quantum chemical calculations based on TD-DFT. The prediction of the experimental blueshifted bands of the [AuCl4-x(OH)x]-1 anions was possible only after applying energy corrections calibrated on the full UV range two-band spectrum of the [AuCl4]- complex.

Efficient photodegradation of perfluoroalkyl substances under visible light by hexagonal ZnIn2S4 nanosheets.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are typical persistent organic pollutants, and their removal is urgently required but challenging. Photocatalysis has shown potential in PFASs degradation due to the redox capabilities of photoinduced charge carriers in photocatalysts. Herein, hexagonal ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) nanosheets were synthesized by a one-pot oil bath method and were well characterized by a series of techniques. In the degradation of sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS), one kind of representative PFASs, the as-synthesized ZIS showed activity superior to P25 TiO2 under both simulated sunlight and visible-light irradiation. The good photocatalytic performance was attributed to the enhanced light absorption and facilitated charge separation. The pH conditions were found crucial in the photocatalytic process by influencing the OBS adsorption on the ZIS surface. Photogenerated e- and h+ were the main active species involved in OBS degradation in the ZIS system. This work confirmed the feasibility and could provide mechanistic insights into the degradation and defluorination of PFASs by visible-light photocatalysis.

Unveiling the photocatalytic marvels: Recent advances in solar heterojunctions for environmental remediation and energy harvesting.

In the quest for effective solutions to address Environ. Pollut. and meet the escalating energy demands, heterojunction photocatalysts have emerged as a captivating and versatile technology. These photocatalysts have garnered significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications, including wastewater treatment, air purification, CO2 capture, and hydrogen generation via water splitting. This technique harnesses the power of semiconductors, which are activated under light illumination, providing the necessary energy for catalytic reactions. With visible light constituting a substantial portion (46%) of the solar spectrum, the development of visible-light-driven semiconductors has become imperative. Heterojunction photocatalysts offer a promising strategy to overcome the limitations associated with activating semiconductors under visible light. In this comprehensive review, we present the recent advancements in the field of photocatalytic degradation of contaminants across diverse media, as well as the remarkable progress made in renewable energy production. Moreover, we delve into the crucial role played by various operating parameters in influencing the photocatalytic performance of heterojunction systems. Finally, we address emerging challenges and propose novel perspectives to provide valuable insights for future advancements in this dynamic research domain. By unraveling the potential of heterojunction photocatalysts, this review contributes to the broader understanding of their applications and paves the way for exciting avenues of exploration and innovation.

Efficient chlorination reaction of Pt/RuO2/g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation for simultaneous removal of ammonia and bacteria from mariculture wastewater.

The removal of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and bacteria from aquaculture wastewater holds paramount ecological and production significance. In this study, Pt/RuO2/g-C3N4 photocatalysts were prepared by depositing Pt and RuO2 particles onto g-C3N4. The physicochemical properties of photocatalysts were explored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrometer (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalysts were then applied to the removal of both NH4+-N and bacteria from simulated mariculture wastewater. The results clarified that the removals of both NH4+-N and bacteria were in the sequence of g-C3N4 < RuO2/g-C3N4 < Pt/g-C3N4 < Pt/RuO2/g-C3N4. This magnificent photocatalytic ability of Pt/RuO2/g-C3N4 can be interpreted by the transfer of holes from g-C3N4 to RuO2 to facilitate the in situ generation of HClO from Cl- in wastewater, while Pt extracts photogenerated electrons for H2 formation to enhance the reaction. The removal of NH4+-N and disinfection effect were more pronounced in simulated seawater than in pure water. The removal efficiency of NH4+-N increases with an increase in pH of wastewater, while the bactericidal effect was more significant under a lower pH in a pH range of 6-9. In actual seawater aquaculture wastewater, Pt/RuO2/g-C3N4 still exhibits effective removal efficiency of NH4+-N and bactericidal performance under sunlight. This study provides an alternative avenue for removement of NH4+-N and bacteria from saline waters under sunlight.

Rationalizing iron-gall ink recipes from antiquity until the 19th century. A kinetic study.

Iron-gall inks, a vital part of our written cultural heritage, are at risk of complete loss due to degradation, a potential loss that we must urgently address. These inks are based on Fe3+-complexes with phenolic compounds, which grow to form a complex network of iron oxyhydroxides. Over time, these black inks turn into brownish tones, with extensive degradation in paper support leading to extensive breaking. The kinetics of iron-gall ink preparation explains the use of iron sulfate, FeSO4, in all ancient recipes to obtain a stable amorphous ink. The novelty of this work shows that a low ratio of Fe3+/polyphenol is a crucial factor in allowing the ink's growth without its degradation. This ratio also prevents the formation of superoxide. This was achieved through a comprehensive research methodology involving spectroscopic techniques in the visible and the near-infrared regions, stopped-flow spectrometry and electrochemical studies.

Nanoarchitectonics of vanadium nanoparticles decorated mesoporous carbon nitride in photocatalytic systems: A study on ethylbenzene oxidation reaction.

In this work, we have described the synthesis of vanadium (V) nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (V@mpg-C3N4) and their uses in photocatalytic ethylbenzene oxidation to the respective acetophenones. The mpg-C3N4 serves as the support for the decoration of V NPs, through a simple impregnation method. Various advanced techniques, such as XRD, UV-vis spectrometry, HRTEM, HAADF-STEM, AC-STEM, elemental mapping, and BET surface area analysis, were employed for the characterization of V@mpg-C3N4. The detailed characterization studies reveal that the V@mpg-C3N4 catalyst has a medium band gap (2.78 eV), a high surface area (76.7 m2g-1), and a mesoporous nature. The V@mpg-C3N4 photocatalysts demonstrated excellent performance in the light-assisted oxidation of ethylbenzene, achieving over 99 % conversion and selectivity for acetophenone in an environmentally friendly solvent (water) using a domestic light source (50 W white light). This developed synthesis strategy will be useful for synthesizing various noble and non-noble metal-based catalysts and their applications in organic transformation and environmental remediation.

Early appearance concerns after burns: Investigating the roles of psychological flexibility and self-compassion.

Few qualitative studies have explored appearance concerns soon after burn injuries. This study aimed to understand the early experiences of appearance concerns after burns, through the lens of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Template analysis informed data collection and analysis. Fifteen adults (nine female, six male) with appearance concerns were interviewed within three months of their burns. Three superordinate themes were identified: (1) Need for social connection; (2) Distress through difference; and (3) Experiential avoidance and self-criticism in response to early appearance concerns. Findings highlighted that early appearance concerns are influenced by the need for social acceptance and the desire to conform to societal ideals. Internalised gender and appearance ideals and concerns about rejection and stigma were activated by the burn, and individuals had difficulty responding to their early appearance concerns with psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Instead, attempts to avoid distress (experiential avoidance) occurred. Self-criticism in response to distress was evident which, for some, extended to the event leading to their burns. Early interventions to enhance psychological flexibility and self-compassion (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy, mindful self-compassion), to help individuals respond to appearance concerns with less experiential avoidance and self-criticism, would likely promote adjustment to changes in appearance after burns.

Serotonin drives aggression and social behaviors of laboratory male mice in a semi-natural environment.

Aggression is an adaptive social behavior crucial for the stability and prosperity of social groups. When uncontrolled, aggression leads to pathological violence that disrupts group structure and individual wellbeing. The comorbidity of uncontrolled aggression across different psychopathologies makes it a potential endophenotype of mental disorders with the same neurobiological substrates. Serotonin plays a critical role in regulating impulsive and aggressive behaviors. Mice lacking in brain serotonin, due to the ablation of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin synthesis, could serve as a potential model for studying pathological aggression. Home cage monitoring allows for the continuous observation and quantification of social and non-social behaviors in group-housed, freely-moving mice. Using an ethological approach, we investigated the impact of central serotonin ablation on the everyday expression of social and non-social behaviors and their correlations in undisturbed, group-living Tph2-deficient and wildtype mice. By training a machine learning algorithm on behavioral time series, "allogrooming", "struggling at feeder", and "eating" emerged as key behaviors dissociating one genotype from the other. Although Tph2-deficient mice exhibited characteristics of pathological aggression and reduced communication compared to wildtype animals, they still demonstrated affiliative huddle behaviors to normal levels. Altogether, such a distinct and dynamic phenotype of Tph2-deficient mice influenced the group's structure and the subsequent development of its hierarchical organization. These aspects were analyzed using social network analysis and the Glicko rating methods. This study demonstrates the importance of the ethological approach for understanding the global impact of pathological aggression on various aspects of life, both at the individual and group levels. Home cage monitoring allows the observation of the natural behaviors of mice in a semi-natural habitat, providing an accurate representation of real-world phenomena and pathological mechanisms. The results of this study provide insights into the neurobiological substrate of pathological aggression and its potential role in complex brain disorders.

How Metarhizium robertsii's mycelial consciousness gets its conidia Zen-ready for stress.

This memoir takes a whimsical ride through my professional adventures, spotlighting my fungal stress research on the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii, which transformed many of my wildest dreams into reality. Imagine the magic of fungi meeting science and me, a happy researcher, arriving at Utah State University ready to dive deep into studies with the legendary insect pathologist, my advisor Donald W. Roberts, and my co-advisor Anne J. Anderson. From my very first "Aha!" moment in the lab, I plunged into a vortex of discovery, turning out research like a mycelium on a mission. Who knew 18 h/day, seven days a week, could be so exhilarating? I was fueled by an insatiable curiosity, boundless creativity, and a perhaps slightly alarming level of motivation. Years later, I managed to bring my grandest vision to life: the International Symposium on Fungal Stress-ISFUS. This groundbreaking event has attracted 162 esteemed speakers from 29 countries to Brazil, proving that fungi can be both fun and globally fascinating. ISFUS is celebrating its fifth edition in 2024, a decade after its 2014 debut.

The language of inclusion: A randomized trial of how DEI statements influence hiring practices for people with visible and invisible disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Companies are increasingly motivated to ensure that they are effective at hiring people with disabilities, but bias in the process remains a challenge. While Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements are generally crafted as external-facing signaling devices, little is known about their potential effect on the employees themselves with regard to internal decisions, such as hiring. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore whether various DEI statements may encourage more positive hiring decisions for job candidates with both visible and invisible disabilities. METHODS: An experiment with a 2 × 4 × 2 design was used (DEI Language: legal/traditional or heartfelt; Disability Type: none, visible, and two types of invisible disabilities; Candidate's Tone: warm or overconfident). Quantitative and qualitative items measured general reactions to the candidate as well as perceptions about his employability, degree of risk as a new hire, skills at negotiating for his salary, and integrity. Statistical tests include analyses of variance and z-tests for proportions. RESULTS: Heartfelt statements improved ratings of candidates with disabilities in general, and more so for those with invisible disabilities. In addition, the two types of invisible disability were distinct from each other, with the mental health disability more stigmatized than the neurological one. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the DEI language that a company uses is an important signaling device not just for external constituents but also for internal employees. In addition, it is among the first to demonstrate differences in types of invisible disabilities, indicating that more nuance is needed to understand bias in this context.

A novel ZnO-TiO2-Bi2WO6/Carboxymethyl chitosan composite with high antimicrobial activity and visible-light catalytic degradation of ethylene towards banana preservation in hot and humid environments.

In order to solve the problem of significantly shortened storage time of bananas in hot and humid environment (e.g., 30 °C and 90 % relative humidity), this paper reports the preparation of ZnO-TiO2-Bi2WO6 (ZTB) ternary heterojunction antimicrobial photocatalysts composite carboxymethyl chitosan film (ZTB/CMCS). ZTB were prepared by hydrothermal method and composited with CMCS by surface deposition method to construct ZTB/CMCS edible nano-preservation film. It is noteworthy that the ZTB/CMCS composite film exhibited excellent antibacterial efficiency (>99.99 %) against E. coli and S. aureus suspensions (106 CFU/mL) after 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy showed that the incorporation of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into the ZTB structure led to a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. Moreover, the interfacial interaction between ZnO and TiO2/Bi2WO6 inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, promoting carrier separation and improving photocatalytic activity. The combination of high antibacterial activity, photocatalytic degradation of ethylene and inhibition of gas exchange provided multiple protections for fruit preservation. Therefore, this work provides a novel, effective and safe method for prolonging the preservation of bananas in hot and humid environments.

Bismuth Oxyiodide-based Composites for Advanced Visible-Light Activation of Peroxymonosulfate in Pharmaceutical Mineralization.

The presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in water bodies represents a significant environmental and public health concern, largely due to their inherent persistence and potential to induce antibiotic resistance. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that employ peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation have emerged as an effective means of degrading these contaminants. Bismuth oxyiodides (BiOI), which are known for their visible-light photocatalytic properties, demonstrate considerable potential for removal of pharmaceutical pollutants. This study examines the synthesis and performance of BiOI-based composites with barium ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles for enhanced PMS activation under visible light. BiOI and Bi5O7I were synthesized via solvothermal and electrodeposition methods, respectively, and their morphologies and crystalline structures were observed to exhibit distinctive characteristics following annealing. The formation of the composite with BFO resulted in an improvement in the catalytic properties, which in turn enhanced the surface area and availability of active sites. The objective of the photocatalytic studies was to evaluate the degradation and mineralization of tetracycline (TC) under visible light, PMS, and combined conditions. The Bi5O7I(ED)-BFO catalyst was identified as the optimal candidate, achieving up to 99.8% TC degradation and 99.4% mineralization within 90 minutes at room temperature. The synergistic effect of BFO in BiOI-based composites significantly enhanced performance across all conditions, indicating their potential for efficient remediation of pharmaceutical pollutant. The material's performance was further evaluated in tap water, where the degradation efficiency decreased to 56.4% and mineralization to 38.2%. These results reflect the challenges posed by complex water matrices. However, doubling the PMS concentration to 5 mM led to improved outcomes, with 93.8% degradation and 81.4% mineralization achieved. These findings demonstrate the material's robust potential for treating pharmaceutical pollutants in real-world conditions, advancing sustainable water treatment technologies.

Multi-Color Spaceplates in the Visible.

The ultimate miniaturization of any optical system relies on the reduction or removal of free-space gaps between optical elements. Recently, nonlocal flat optic components named "spaceplates" were introduced to effectively compress space for light propagation. However, space compression over the visible spectrum remains beyond the reach of current spaceplate designs due to their inherently limited operating bandwidth and functional inefficiencies in the visible range. Here, we introduce "multi-color" spaceplates performing achromatic space compression at three distinct color channels across the visible spectrum to markedly miniaturize color imaging systems. In this approach, we first design monochromatic spaceplates with high compression factors and high transmission amplitudes at visible wavelengths based on a scalable structure and dielectric materials widely used in the fabrication of meta-optical components. We then show that the dispersion-engineered combination of monochromatic spaceplates with suitably designed transmission responses forms multicolor spaceplates that function achromatically. The proposed multicolor spaceplates, composed of amorphous titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide layers, efficiently replace free-space volumes with compression ratios as high as 4.6, beyond what would be achievable by a continuously broadband spaceplate made of the same materials. Our strategy for designing monochromatic and multicolor spaceplates, along with the presented theoretical and computational results, show that strong space-compression effects can be achieved in the visible range. Our findings may ultimately enable a new generation of ultrathin optical devices for various applications.

'Where is the diversity in this facility?' Experiences of emergency care among visible minority individuals in Kingston, Ontario.

INTRODUCTION: Visible minorities, a growing segment of Canada's population, have voiced concerns about experiencing racism while receiving care in the emergency department (ED). Understanding the ED care experiences of visible minorities is crucial to improving care and reducing health disparities. METHODS: From June to August 2021, we collected data from participants in Kingston, Ontario using a sensemaking approach. Individuals who had accessed emergency care or accompanied someone else to the ED in the prior 24 months were eligible to participate. After sharing a brief narrative about their care experience, participants interpreted the experience by plotting their perspectives on a variety of pre-determined questions. Here, we conducted a thematic analysis of narratives involving patients who identified as visible minorities and complemented it with quantitative analysis of the participants' interpretative responses. This mixed-methods approach highlighted the distinct experiences of visible minority participants in relation to a comparison group. RESULTS: Of the 1973 unique participants, 117 identified as a visible minority and 949 participants did not identify with an equity-deserving group (comparison group). Visible minority participants were more likely to report that too little attention was paid to their identity and more likely to express a desire for a balance between receiving the best medical care and being treated with kindness and respect. Visible minorities' ED experiences were also more likely to be impacted by how emergency staff behaved. Qualitative analysis revealed negative experiences of feeling uninformed and disempowered, facing judgement and discrimination, and experiencing language barriers. Positive experiences of receiving compassionate care from staff also emerged. CONCLUSION: Visible minority perceptions of ED care were often negative and mainly focused on staff treatment. Cultural competency and language translation services are key areas for improvement to make ED care more accessible and equitable.

Optical Methods for the Study of Brain Metabolism In Situ.

From its inception, the International Society of Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT) included several core members who were intrigued by the possibility of using light to probe the metabolic state of the cerebral cortex. This 50th anniversary review will focus on optical methods (UV, Visible, NIR) used to study brain oxygen metabolism in the intact brain. Chance, Lübbers, and Jöbsis did fundamental work in the 1970s and 1980s. These investigators spearheaded the use of fluorescence of pyridine nucleotides (e.g., NADH) and flavoprotein, and visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of haemoglobin amount and saturation, as well as the mitochondrial cytochrome chain. Two of our society awards are named for these pioneers and founders. By the new millennium, their many scientific descendants (although still too few for the task at hand) have been productive and moved the field forward. Technical advances in materials, detectors, devices, and computer power have made great advances possible. Physiological theory and understanding of cell and molecular mechanisms still lag, providing fertile territory for future goals. There are at least two major directions currently that will certainly continue to illuminate brain metabolism (obvious-and well worn-pun intended). These are the burgeoning NIR instrumentation variations, and second, the tremendous potential of two-photon phosphorescence lifetime microscopy. These advances have been introduced through the years and continue to be advanced at our annual ISOTT symposia.

A Dataset of Visible Light and Thermal Infrared Images for Health Monitoring of Caged Laying Hens in Large-Scale Farming.

Considering animal welfare, the free-range laying hen farming model is increasingly gaining attention. However, in some countries, large-scale farming still relies on the cage-rearing model, making the focus on the welfare of caged laying hens equally important. To evaluate the health status of caged laying hens, a dataset comprising visible light and thermal infrared images was established for analyses, including morphological, thermographic, comb, and behavioral assessments, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the hens' health, behavior, and population counts. To address the issue of insufficient data samples in the health detection process for individual and group hens, a dataset named BClayinghens was constructed containing 61,133 images of visible light and thermal infrared images. The BClayinghens dataset was completed using three types of devices: smartphones, visible light cameras, and infrared thermal cameras. All thermal infrared images correspond to visible light images and have achieved positional alignment through coordinate correction. Additionally, the visible light images were annotated with chicken head labels, obtaining 63,693 chicken head labels, which can be directly used for training deep learning models for chicken head object detection and combined with corresponding thermal infrared data to analyze the temperature of the chicken heads. To enable the constructed deep-learning object detection and recognition models to adapt to different breeding environments, various data enhancement methods such as rotation, shearing, color enhancement, and noise addition were used for image processing. The BClayinghens dataset is important for applying visible light images and corresponding thermal infrared images in the health detection, behavioral analysis, and counting of caged laying hens under large-scale farming.

Performance Evaluation of the Two-Input Buck Converter as a Visible Light Communication High-Brightness LED Driver Based on Split Power.

This work proposes a high-efficiency High-Brightness LED (HB-LED) driver for Visible Light Communication (VLC) based on a Two-Input Buck (TIBuck) DC/DC converter. This solution not only outperforms previous approaches based on Buck DC/DC converters, but also simplifies previous proposals for VLC drivers that use the split power technique with two DC/DC converters: one is in charge of the communication tasks and the other controls the biasing of the HB-LED (i.e., lighting tasks). The real implementation of this scheme requires either two input voltage sources, one of which is isolated, or one DC/DC converter with galvanic isolation. The proposed implementation of splitting the power is based on a TIBuck DC/DC converter that avoids the isolation requirement, overcoming the major drawback of this technique, keeping high-efficiency and high communication capability thanks to the lower voltage stress both across the switches and at the switching node. This fact allows for the operation at very high frequency for communication purposes, minimizing switching power losses, achieving high efficiency and providing lower filtering effort. Moreover, the duty ratio range can also be adapted to the useful voltage range of the HB-LED load to maximize the resolution on the tracking of the output volage. The power is split by means of an auxiliary Buck DC/DC converter operating at low switching frequency, which generates the secondary voltage source needed by the TIBuck DC/DC converter. This defines a natural split of power by only processing the power delivered for communications purposes at high frequency. A 7 W output-power experimental prototype of the proposed VLC driver was built and tested. Based on the experimental results, the prototype achieved 94% efficiency, reproducing a 64-QAM digital modulation scheme and achieving a bit rate of 1.5 Mbps with error in communication of 12%.

Acridone Derivatives for Near-UV Radical Polymerization: One-Component Type II vs. Multicomponent Behaviors.

In this work, two novel acridone-based photoinitiators were designed and synthesized for the free radical polymerization of acrylates with a light-emitting diode emitting at 405 nm. These acridone derivatives were employed as mono-component Type II photoinitiators and as multicomponent photoinitiating systems in the presence of an iodonium salt or an amine synergist (EDB) in which they achieved excellent polymerization initiating abilities and high final conversions of the acrylate group. Photoinitiation mechanisms through which reactive species are produced were investigated employing different complementary techniques including steady-state photolysis, steady-state fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Finally, these molecules were also used in the direct laser writing process for the fabrication of 3D objects.

Gadolinium doped carbon dots for anti-gram-negative bacteria and visible light photodynamic enhancement of antibacterial effect.

Infection with gram-negative bacteria is the main source of the most serious infectious pathogens. Developing new antibacterial materials that break through their external membranes and stay in the bacterial body to result in an antibacterial effect is the key to achieving high efficiency against Gram-negative bacteria. A Gd-doped carbon dot (GRCD) was prepared using the approved therapeutic diagnostic agents Rose Bengal (RB) and gadolinium ions (Gd3+), which was used to resist Gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Escherichia coli). GRCD not only showed strong antibacterial activity by destroying the external membranes of E. coli (inhibition rate against E. coli was 92.0 % at 20 µg/mL) but also bound to E. coli DNA and generated single oxygen (1O2) (quantum yield was 0.50) through visible light-driven catalysis, thus decomposing the DNA of E. coli and further enhancing the antibacterial performance of GRCD. Under visible light conditions, the inhibition rate against E. coli reached 95.8 % at a low concentration of 2.5 µg/mL, without obvious cytotoxicity to NIH3T3 cells. The use of GRCD in treating wound infections in mice caused by E. coli was quite good, without side reactions on the mice's essential organs. In this study, a new approach has been provided to the design and synthesis of carbon dot nanocomposites for use against Gram-negative bacteria.