Oxygen vacancy-rich K-Mn3O4@CeO2 catalyst for efficient oxidation degradation of formaldehyde at near room temperature.

Synthesis of catalysts with high catalytic degradation activity for formaldehyde (HCHO) at room temperature is highly desirable for indoor air quality control. Herein, a novel K-Mn3O4@CeO2 catalyst with excellent catalytic oxidation activity toward HCHO at near room temperature was reported. In particular, the K addition in K-Mn3O4@CeO2 considerably enhanced the oxidation activity, and importantly, 99.3 % conversion of 10 mL of a 40 mg/L HCHO solution at 30 °C for 14 h was achieved, with simultaneous strong cycling stability. Moreover, the addition of K species considerably influenced the chemical valence state of Mn from +4 (ε-MnO2) to +8/3 (Mn3O4) on the surface of CeO2, which obviously changed the tunnel structure and the number of oxygen vacancies. One part of K species is uniformly dispersed on K-Mn3O4@CeO2, and the other part exists in the tunnel structure of Mn3O4@CeO2, which is mainly used to balance the negative charge of the tunnel and prevent collapse of the structure, providing enough active sites for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO. We observed a phase transition from tunneled KMnO2 to Mn3O4 to tunneled MnO2 with the decreasing K+ content, in which K-Mn3O4@CeO2 exhibited higher HCHO oxidation activity. In addition, K-Mn3O4@CeO2 exhibited lower oxygen vacancy formation and HCHO adsorption energies in aqueous solution based on density functional theory calculations. This is because the K species provide more active oxygen species and richer oxygen vacancies on the surface of K-Mn3O4@CeO2, promote the mobility of lattice oxygen and the room-temperature reduction properties of oxygen species, and enhance the ability of the catalyst to replenish the consumed oxygen species. Finally, a possible HCHO catalytic oxidation pathway on the surface of K-Mn3O4@CeO2 catalyst is proposed.

Strong interaction between promoter and metal in Pd-Ba/TiO2 catalysts for formaldehyde oxidation.

As our previous works found, alkali metals have a common promotion effect on supported noble metals catalysts for formaldehyde (HCHO) oxidation. As second-group elements, alkaline earth metals (AEMs) are neighbors to the first-group elements and share some properties in common. However, detailed investigations into the specific mechanisms underlying AEMs' effects on HCHO oxidation remain limited. In this study, we found that Ba addition showed a similar promotion effect on HCHO oxidation for Pd/TiO2. Ba species stabilized Pd groups, improved the dispersion, and even caused a large number of monatomic-like Pd sites to appear, which may be attributed to the electronic interaction between promoter and metal (EIPM) between Ba and Pd. Besides, AEM loading had the important effect of increasing the electron density of metallic Pd nanoparticles, which further improved the ability for O2 activation and so enhanced the mobility of chemisorbed oxygen on the catalyst surface. For Pd/TiO2, the HCHO oxidation path is mainly HCHO→HCOOH→HCOO→H2O+CO2. By contrast, for Pd-Ba/TiO2, with more surface-active species, the formate intermediate was more likely to be directly oxidized into H2O and CO2, which is a more effective reaction pathway. The details of the EIPM between Pd and Ba were investigated by GPAW (DFT calculation module) in ASE (Atomic Simulation Environment). The AEM Ba acted as an electron donor and could interact with Pd d orbital electrons through BaO sp orbital electrons. Ba species were highly dispersed on the carrier due to the Ba-Ti interaction. Ba species dispersed over large areas stabilized the Pd particles and donated electrons to Pd. Therefore, adding an AEM is an efficacious strategy to improve the performance of the catalytic oxidation of HCHO.

Preparation of phenol-formaldehyde composite modified with chitosan for the simultaneous removal of antibiotics and heavy metal ions in waters.

In current study, a new adsorbent based on aminated phenol-formaldehyde composite was prepared using chitosan as modifier. Various techniques were adopted to characterize the morphology and structure of the prepared adsorbent. Due to the abundant amino groups, the obtained adsorbent presented satisfactory adsorption performance towards fluoroquinolones (FQs) and heavy metal ions (including Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) by means of multiple forces including electrostatic, H-bonding, π-π stacking interactions (for FQs) and chelating force (for heavy metal ions). Studies about the adsorption kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics were performed to inspect the adsorption behaviors of studied FQs and heavy metal ions on the new adsorbent. After optimizing the adsorption parameters, the obtained adsorbent were employed to remove FQs, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ in various environmental waters. The removal rates for FQs and heavy metal ions were 91.8-98.6 % and 94.4-98.5 %, respectively, which were significantly higher than that obtained on unmodified phenol-formaldehyde resin (20.7-49.0 % for FQs and 35.1-43.0 % for heavy metal ions). At the same time, the adsorbent exhibited good preparation repeatability in different batches, acceptable stability and reusability. The current study well demonstrated the potential application of the new adsorbent in the simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous waters.

Optimization of the electro-photocatalytic process for the removal of formaldehyde from water using the Taguchi model.

The most significant environmental issue in many nations across the world is industrial wastewater contamination with formaldehyde (a priority pollutant). Any natural water that has had industrial effluent discharged into with formaldehyde concentrations between 100 and 1000 mg/l is deemed toxic to humans. This is an applied analytical research project aimed at examining formaldehyde removal from urban drinking water using a batch electro-photocatalytic (EPC) reactor that uses ultraviolet-A (UV-A) lamp dynode and immobilized ZnO NPs on a zinc sheet-copper electrode. pH, formaldehyde content, lamp intensity, radiation duration, lamp-electrode distance, ZnO NP stacking, and current density are the factors under investigation. They were found to be in the ranges 3-11, 110-330 mg/l, 480-720 mW/cm2, 8-32 min, 1.5 cm, 1-3, and 4-12 mA/cm2, respectively. The findings demonstrate the relationship between UV-A lamp intensity, radiation duration, and current density with the elimination of formaldehyde. The experimental data better fit a first-order reaction (R2 = 0.9982). The most optimal conditions elimination (0 mg/l) of formaldehyde are achieved at pH = 11, radiation period = 8 min, two layers of ZnO NPs, and current density = 8 mA/cm2 by the Taguchi model. The results show that increasing pH, radiation period, lamp intensity, and current density all increase removal efficiency. The results show that EPC is a practical and efficient method for treating formaldehyde-contaminated drinking water at high concentrations.

Formaldehyde: An Essential Intermediate for C1 Metabolism and Bioconversion.

Formaldehyde is an intermediate metabolite of methylotrophic microorganisms that can be obtained from formate and methanol through oxidation-reduction reactions. Formaldehyde is also a one-carbon (C1) compound with high uniquely reactive activity and versatility, which is more amenable to further biocatalysis. Biosynthesis of high-value-added chemicals using formaldehyde as an intermediate is theoretically feasible and promising. This review focuses on the design of the biosynthesis of high-value-added chemicals using formaldehyde as an essential intermediate. The upstream biosynthesis and downstream bioconversion pathways of formaldehyde as an intermediate metabolite are described in detail, aiming to highlight the important role of formaldehyde in the transition from inorganic to organic carbon and carbon chain elongation. In addition, challenges and future directions of formaldehyde as an intermediate for the chemicals are discussed, with the expectation of providing ideas for the utilization of C1.

Highly sensitive and selective rGO-LaFeO3 nanocomposite based formaldehyde sensors towards air quality monitoring.

Formaldehyde (HCHO), a ubiquitous volatile organic compound and recognized human carcinogen, is extensively used in industrial applications such as resin and adhesive production. Even minimal exposure to HCHO can induce serious health effects, including respiratory distress and dermal irritation. Thus, the advancement of highly sensitive and selective sensors for HCHO detection is imperative for safeguarding environmental and indoor air quality. Herein, we report the development of a very sensitive, highly selective, and stable HCHO sensor based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and lanthanum ferrite (LaFeO3). LaFeO3 and rGO-LaFeO3 nanocomposites with different compositions were synthesized through an affordable and straightforward sol-gel process. Among them, the LFGO(50:1) sensor demonstrated the highest response and selectivity towards HCHO, with a detection limit (theoretically) as low as 19 ppb (1.5 fold). Notably, it exhibited approximately 15-fold p-type response to 1 ppm of HCHO, while operating at 260°C. The sensor also showed quick response and recovery times of around 1.5 seconds and 36 seconds, respectively while having negligible response to other VOCs, including ethanol, methanol, and NH3. A synergistic effect of rGO and LaFeO3 is attributed to this improved sensing behavior. rGO offers a large surface area that facilitates the adsorption of HCHO molecules, while LaFeO3 acts as a catalyst for the oxidation of HCHO. The sensor also showed good selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, making the material a promising candidate for practical applications towards environment monitoring, indoor air quality control, and industrial safety.

Exploring the protective effect and molecular mechanism of betulin in Alzheimer's disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs learning and memory, with high rates of mortality. Birch bark has been traditionally used in the treatment of various skin ailments. Betulin (BT) is a key compound of birch bark that exhibits diverse pharmacological benefits and therapeutic potential in AD. However, the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of BT in AD remain unclear. The present study aimed to predict the potential therapeutic targets of BT in the treatment of AD, and to determine the specific underlying molecular mechanisms through network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation. PharmMapper was used to predict the target genes of BT, and four disease databases were searched to screen for AD targets. The intersection targets were identified using the jveen website. Drug­disease target protein­protein interaction networks and hub genes were obtained and visualized using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database and Cytoscape. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and AutoDock was used for molecular docking analysis of BT and hub genes. Subsequently, the network­predicted mechanisms of BT in AD were verified in vitro. A total of 495 BT and 1,386 AD targets were identified, and 120 were identified as potential targets of BT in the treatment of AD. The results of the molecular docking analysis revealed a strong binding affinity between BT and the hub genes. In addition, enrichment analyses of GO and KEGG pathways indicated that the neuroprotective effects of BT mainly involved the 'PI3K­Akt signaling pathway'. The results of in vitro experiments demonstrated that pretreatment with BT for 2 h may ameliorate formaldehyde (FA)­induced cytotoxicity and morphological changes in HT22 cells, and decrease FA­induced Tau hyperphosphorylation and reactive oxygen species levels. Furthermore, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was activated and the expression levels of downstream proteins, namely GSK3ß, Bcl­2 and Bax, were modified following pre­treatment with BT. Overall, the results of network pharmacology and in vitro analyses revealed that BT may reduce FA­induced AD­like pathology by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, highlighting it as a potential multi­target drug for the treatment of AD.

Marine sources of formaldehyde in the coastal atmosphere.

Elevated concentrations of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds are frequently observed in the marine atmosphere but are often significantly underestimated by atmospheric models. To evaluate the potential impact of marine sources on atmospheric formaldehyde, high-resolution measurements were conducted at a coastal site (∼15 m from the sea) during the summer in Qingdao, China. Observed formaldehyde levels averaged 2.4 ± 0.9 ppbv (1 ppbv = 10-9 L L-1), with peaks reaching 6.8 ppbv. Backward trajectories indicate that formaldehyde concentrations remained high in marine air masses. Formaldehyde exhibited weak correlations with primary pollutants such as NO and CO but showed strong correlations with marine tracers, notably methyl ethyl ketone and 1-butene. Chamber experiments confirmed that the photodecomposition of Enteromorpha released large amounts of formaldehyde and marine tracer species. When normalized to acetylene, the levels of formaldehyde, 1-butene, and MEK increased by factors of 3.8, 8.1, and 3.5, respectively. Results from an observation-based chemical box model simulation, which utilizes the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM), revealed that formaldehyde contributes 56% to the primary source of HO2 radicals, while neglecting formaldehyde chemistry would lead to a 15% reduction in coastal ozone production rates. This study interlinks oceanic biology and atmospheric chemistry, advancing the understanding of the ocean's role as a significant source of organic compounds and its contribution to carbon cycling.

Covalent and hydrophobic interactions play important roles in the formaldehyde scavenging ability of banana condensed tannins in aqueous solution.

To characterize the interaction between banana condensed tannins (BCT) and formaldehyde as well as elucidate the involving mechanism, different techniques were utilized in the present study. Our results showed that BCT were a mixture of procyanidins and prodelphinidins with the degree of the polymerization of 2-9. With the increasing condensed tannin concentration (0.125-0.625 mg CE/mL), the formaldehyde scavenging ability of BCT (32.16-78.64 %) continuously enhanced. It was shown that formaldehyde could quench the fluorescence of BCT through a dynamic mechanism, while the binding of BCT and formaldehyde was a spontaneous process. According to the data of scavenging ability and spectroscopic analyse, the hydrophobic and covalent interactions between BCT and formaldehyde mainly contributed to the formaldehyde scavenging ability of BCT Moreover, the morphologies of BCT-formaldehyde complexes confirmed the interactions between BCT and formaldehyde as well. Therefore, BCT could be developed as promising formaldehyde scavengers during food production and processing in the future.

Exogenous and endogenous formaldehyde-induced DNA damage in the aging brain: mechanisms and implications for brain diseases.

Exogenous gaseous formaldehyde (FA) is recognized as a significant indoor air pollutant due to its chemical reactivity and documented mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, particularly in its capacity to damage DNA and impact human health. Despite increasing attention on the adverse effects of exogenous FA on human health, the potential detrimental effects of endogenous FA in the brain have been largely neglected in current research. Endogenous FA have been observed to accumulate in the aging brain due to dysregulation in the expression and activity of enzymes involved in FA metabolism. Surprisingly, excessive FA have been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and brain cancers. Notably, FA has the ability to not only initiate DNA double strand breaks but also induce the formation of crosslinks of DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA, and DNA-protein, which further exacerbate the progression of these brain diseases. However, recent research has identified that FA-resistant gene exonuclease-1 (EXO1) and FA scavengers can potentially mitigate FA toxicity, offering a promising strategy for mitigating or repairing FA-induced DNA damage. The present review offers novel insights into the impact of FA metabolism on brain ageing and the contribution of FA-damaged DNA to the progression of neurological disorders.

Evaluation the effects of Omega-3 and vitamin C alone or in combination on Methotrexate-Induced hepatotoxicity (in mice).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of pretreatment with omega-3 alone or in combination with vitamin C on hepatotoxicity raised by methotrexate. Method: The experimental study was conducted at the animal house of the Iraqi Centre of Cancer Research and Medical Genetics and the Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq, from November 2020 to July 2021, and comprised Swiss albino mice who were divided into 5 groups. Group A was treated with normal saline, group B was injected with methotrexate 20mg/kg intraperitoneally, group C was pretreated with omega 3 100mg/kg, group D was pretreated with vitamin C 100mg/kg, and group E was pretreated with concomitant vitamin C and omega 3 100mg/kg. The intervention lasted 9 days in each group, and were injected with methotrexate on day 10. The mice were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia after 48 hours. Blood sample was taken for biochemical examination. One part of liver was preserved in formalin 10% for histopathological study. Results: Of the 35 mice, there were 7(20%) in each of the 5 groups. There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase levels and a decrease in the superoxide dismutase and glutathione (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with omega-3 and vitamin C ameliorated the hepatotoxicity induced by methotrexate due to strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Effects of protein diet on expression of Anoctamin1 of Cajal cell in the nervous plexus of the stomach in male mice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between a protein-rich diet and the expression of anoctamin 1 in Interstitial cells of Cajal within the muscle layer of the stomach wall in male mice. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted at the Anatomy Department of the College of Medicine, Al- Nahrain University, Iraq, from November 2020 to April 2021, and comprised male adult healthy male mice. They were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A was fed a high protein diet, while control group B was fed a standard pellet diet. The tissue samples were harvested at day 30 post-surgery. The stomach samplings were placed in 10% neutral formalin for 24 hours to obtain paraffin sections for routine histological and immunohistochemical staining. The protein expression in stomach smooth muscle of each group was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 20 mice, 10(50%) were in each of the two groups. Group A exhibited significant weight-gain compared to group B (p≤ 0.05). There was significant elevation in muscle wall thickness in group A, compared to group B (p≤0.05). Tunica muscularis of the stomach in group A significantly thickened compared to group B (p≤0.05). The expression of anoctamin 1 was significantly more intense in group A compared to group B (p≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Unbalanced food had a significant impact on the stomach, affecting the thickness of the muscularis layer and the expression of anoctamin 1 in cajal cells in the muscularis externa.

Histological and histochemical study of effect of dietary fibre in motility of stomach in male mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between dietary fibres and muscularis externa layer. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted at the Anatomy Department of the College of Medicine, Al- Nahrain University, Iraq, from November 2020 to April 2021, and comprised adult healthy males. They were divided randomly into experimental group A and control group B. Group A was fed high-fibre diet, and group B was fed standard pellet diet. The tissue samples were harvested at day 30 post-surgery. The stomach samplings were placed in 10% neutral formalin for 24 hours to obtain paraffin sections for routine histological and immunohistochemical staining. The protein expression in stomach's smooth muscle of each group was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 20 mice, 10(50%) were in each of the two groups. Group A exhibited significant weight-gain compared to group B (p≤0.01). There was significant reduction in the thickness of the muscularis layer in group A compared to group B (p≤0.01). Anoctamin 1 expression in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (p≤0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The stress induced by an unstable fibre diet significantly affected the stomach by decreasing the muscularis layer thickness and Anoctamin 1 expression in interstitial cells of Cajal.

Evaluation of concurrent use of Vitamin C and Niclosamide against methotrexate-induced liver injury in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of using vitamin C and niclosamide together on liver damage caused by methotrexate. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Pharmacology Department and the Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research, College of Medicine, Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq, from November 2020 to July 2021, and comprised albino mice who were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Group 1 comprised controls, groups 2 to 5 was received methotrexate, niclosamide 70mg/kg/day, vitamin C 100mg/kg/day, and a combination of niclosamide and vitamin C, respectively. Mice in groups 3, 4 and 5 also received an intraperitoneal injection of methotrexate 20mg/kg to induce hepatotoxicity. After 48 hours of the injection, the mice were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Cardiac blood samples were drawn for biochemical examination. The liver, after being washed, was divided into two parts; one part was taken for histological examination, and the other was preserved in formalin 10% for histopathological analyses. Data was analysed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: Of the 35 mice, there were 7(20%) in each of the 5 groups. The overall age ranged between 9-12 weeks and weight between 18-38gm. The results show significant hepatoprotection ( p-value <0.05) produced by both niclosamide and Vitamin C separately, reflected by a decrease in ALP, ALT, and LDH, while the combination of (niclosamide and Vitamin C) showed no additive effect (p>0.05) on enhancement of liver function. CONCLUSIONS: Niclosamide alone was found to be superior than in combination with vitamin C for treating methotrexate-induced liver damage.

Deciphering farnesol's anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory potential by targeting multiple pathways: a combination of network pharmacology guided exploration and experimental verification.

OBJECTIVE: Farnesol (FAR), a sesquiterpene alcohol, has documented FAR's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Current study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and mechanism of FAR in arthritis by employing network pharmacology and experimental models. METHODS: Two experimental models comprising formaldehyde- and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis evaluated the efficacy of FAR in treating arthritis. Various parameters were assessed. Then, a network pharmacology approach was applied to gain further insight into the potential mechanism and signaling pathways. KEY FINDINGS: FAR significantly reduced paw volume and the arthritic score and improved the hematological and biochemical changes. Radiographic and histological examination showed the anti-arthritic efficacy of FAR, which was associated with down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that FAR may exert its anti-arthritic effects by targeting specific genes associated with arthritis. Pathway analysis revealed the involvement of three key signaling pathways (IL-17 signaling, TNF signaling, and toll-like receptor signaling) in the development and progression of arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: The results pointed out the protective attributes of farnesol against formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritis via modulation of multiple targets. This study provides a valuable reference for the development of a new treatment or complementary therapy for arthritis.

Efficient Formaldehyde Gas Sensing Performance via Promotion of Oxygen Vacancy on In-Doped LaFeO3 Nanofibers.

Perovskite oxide LaFeO3(LFO) emerges as a potential candidate for formaldehyde (HCHO) detection due to its exceptional electrical conductivity and abundant active metal sites. However, the sensitivity of the LFO sensor needs to be further enhanced. Herein, a series of LaxIn1-xFeO3 (x = 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, and 0.7) nanofibers (LxIn1-xFO NFs) with different ratios of La/In were obtained via the electrospinning method followed by a calcination process. Among all these LxIn1-xFO NFs sensors, the sensor based on the L0.8In0.2FO NFs possessed the maximum response value of 18.8 to 100 ppm HCHO at the operating temperature of 180 °C, which was 4.47 times higher than that based on pristine LFO NFs (4.2). Furthermore, the L0.8In0.2FO NFs sensor also exhibited a rapid response/recovery time (2 s/22 s), exceptional repeatability, and long-term stability. This excellent gas sensing performance of the L0.8In0.2FO NFs can be attributed to the large number of oxygen vacancies induced by the replacement of the A-site La3+ by In3+, the large specific surface area, and the porous structure. This research presents an approach to enhance the HCHO gas sensing capabilities by adjusting the introduced oxygen vacancies through the doping of A-sites in perovskite oxides.

Ambient Air-Synthesized CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals Coupled with TiO2 Film as an Efficient Hybrid Photoanode for Photoelectrochemical Methanol-to-Formaldehyde Conversion.

Due to its exceptional optoelectronic properties in the visible spectrum, cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite has attracted considerable attention in solar-driven organic transformations via photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells. However, the performance of the devices is adversely affected by electron-hole recombination occurring between a transparent conductive substrate, such as fluorine-doped tin dioxide (FTO), and a perovskite layer. Herein, to mitigate this issue, a compact layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) was employed as both an electron transport layer and a hole blocking layer to diminish charge recombination while facilitating electron transfer in such perovskite material. At the oxidation peak potential of 0.70 V vs Ag/AgNO3, a hybrid photoanode of CsPbBr3/TiO2/FTO exhibited a significant increase in photocurrent density, from 15 to 41 µA/cm2, compared to a configuration without a TiO2 layer. Furthermore, the introduction of methanol as a hole scavenger in the PEC system using the hybrid photoanode facilitated the separation of electron-hole pairs, which led to an enhanced photocurrent density of 60 µA/cm2 and promoted the production of formaldehyde. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the generation of formaldehyde at a concentration of 26.69 µM with a Faradaic efficiency of 92% under an applied potential of 0.50 V vs Ag/AgNO3 for 60 min of PEC reaction. In addition to the enhanced PEC performance achieved from this hybrid photoanode, CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) in this work were synthesized by the modified one-pot method under ambient air, where highly uniform and high-purity NCs were obtained. This work signifies the groundbreaking exploration of CsPbBr3 NCs with TiO2 as a photoelectrode material in the organic-based PEC cells, which efficiently improved the interfacial charge transfer within the photoanode for the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde, marking a significant advancement in the field.

Jingle bells, what are those smells? Indoor VOC emissions from a live Christmas tree.

Every year in the United States conifers are purchased to serve as Christmas trees in homes where they emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the indoor environment. Although many studies have measured the ecosystem-level emissions of VOCs from conifers outdoors (characterizing monoterpene, isoprene, and aldehyde emissions), little is known about VOC emission rates once a conifer is brought indoors. Using a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer we characterized the VOCs emitted from a freshly cut Douglas Fir for 17 days in an environmentally controlled chamber. Ozone injections were also performed to analyze indoor chemistry that may occur. Introduction of the tree into the chamber increased the response of 52 mass spectra signals detected by the PTR-MS by at least 500 counts per second (cps) compared to background levels, with concentrations sharply decreasing after the first two days. Monoterpenes were emitted from the tree at a rate of 12.4 mg h-1 the first day and fell to 1 mg h-1 by day three. Overall, monoterpene emissions from this Douglas fir were initially comparable to other strong indoor monoterpene sources (fragranced products and air fresheners) but decayed quickly and, within days, were smaller than other common indoor sources. Addition of ozone to the chamber resulted in decreased monoterpene concentrations that coincided with modest increases in formaldehyde. Four other emitted VOCs were tentatively identified due to their large increase within the first few hours of the tree placed in the chamber, behavior during ozonation, or pattern of accumulation over time.

The Synthesis of a New Glycoluryl-Melamine-Formaldehyde Polymer under the Action of HEDP and the Investigation of the Content of Methylol Groups and Free Formaldehyde.

This study outlines a method for preparing a complex involving glycoluril and melamine (GU-ME). The structure of the resultant complex was analyzed using IR and NMR spectroscopy. In the subsequent phase, the polymer GUMEFA was derived from the resultant complex, employing hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) as a sustainable plasticizer, with a proposed chemical mechanism for its formation. The molecular weight of the resulting GUMEFA was analyzed, and the formation chemistry was proposed. GUMEFA was characterized, and its free formaldehyde and methylol group contents were investigated. It was observed that GUMEFA prepared with HEDP contained approximately 1.15-1.34 wt.% free formaldehyde and 1.56-0.54 wt.% methylol groups. These findings provide valuable insights for developing resins of different compositions and applications, thereby paving the way for producing composite materials with tailored properties.

Surface coating engineering of titanate anodes based on tannic acid-formaldehyde polymer chelating bismuth ions for advanced sodium-ion capacitors.

As a battery-type anode material for sodium ion capacitors (SICs), titanate (H2Ti2O5·H2O, HTO) exhibits good rate capability due to its layered structure, easy to insert Na+ ions and low potential during sodium-ion storage. However, the structure is unstable due to the lattice distortion resulting from the irreversible embedment of Na+ in the process of sodium storage. So there is a significant mismatch between the dynamic reaction of the HTO anode and the capacitive cathode. Surface coating engineering is a useful strategy for stabilizing the HTO structure, which is critical for improving the kinetic response. In this work, a surface coating technique is designed to enhance the surface of HTO nanoarrays on titanium foil by using the oligomers of tannic acid formaldehyde polymer (TAF) chelated Bi3+ ions (Bi-TAF). As a binder-free anode, HTO coated with Bi-TAF (HTO@Bi-TAF) exhibits more excellent capacity (335.2 mA h g-1, 0.1 A g-1), rate capability (212.3 mA h g-1, 2.0 A g-1), and cycle stability (97 % capacity maintenance following 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g-1) than HTO and HTO coated with TAF (HTO@TAF). At the sweep rate of 1.0 mV s-1, the kinetic investigation reveals that the capacitance contribution of HTO@Bi-TAF is 86 %. The SICs exhibit a significant energy/power density (89.4 Wh kg-1/250 W kg-1). This work shows that the Bi-TAF polymer coating has a dual effect of rate capability improvement and structural protection on the prepared HTO. This results in a reasonable and effective surface coating strategy that provides outstanding rate capability and extended cycle performance of titanium-based anode materials for SICs.