Hollow-Architected Heteroatom-Doped Carbon-Supported Nanoscale Cu/Co as an Enhanced Magnetic Activator for Oxone to Degrade Toxicants in Water.

Even though transition metals can activate Oxone to degrade toxic contaminants, bimetallic materials possess higher catalytic activities because of synergistic effects, making them more attractive for Oxone activation. Herein, nanoscale CuCo-bearing N-doped carbon (CuCoNC) can be designed to afford a hollow structure as well as CuCo species by adopting cobaltic metal organic frameworks as a template. In contrast to Co-bearing N-doped carbon (CoNC), which lacks the Cu dopant, CuCo alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are contained by the Cu dopant within the carbonaceous matrix, giving CuCoNC more prominent electrochemical properties and larger porous structures and highly nitrogen moieties. CuCoNC, as a result, has a significantly higher capability compared to CoNC and Co3O4 NPs, for Oxone activation to degrade a toxic contaminant, Rhodamine B (RDMB). Furthermore, CuCoNC+Oxone has a smaller activation energy for RDMB elimination and maintains its superior effectiveness for removing RDMB in various water conditions. The computational chemistry insights have revealed the RDMB degradation mechanism. This study reveals that CuCoNC is a useful activator for Oxone to eliminate RDMB.

Follicular fluid progesterone downregulated HPGD and COX2 in granulosa cells via suppressing NF-ĸB in endometriosis†.

Increasing evidences showed that ovulatory dysfunction, possibly caused by luteinized unruptured follicular follicle syndrome (LUFS), is one of the reasons for endometriosis-related infertility. The present study was conducted to explore the potential effect of elevated progesterone in follicular fluid (FF) on ovulation in endometriosis. A prospective study including 50 ovarian endometriosis patients and 50 control patients with matched pairs design was conducted with alterations in FF and peritoneal fluid (PF) components identified by metabolomics analyses and differentially expressed genes in granulosa cells (GCs) identified by transcriptome analysis. Patients with endometriosis exhibited a significantly higher progesterone level in serum, FF, and PF. Granulosa cells from endometriosis patients revealed decreased expression of HPGD, COX-2, and suppressed NF-ĸB signaling. Similarly, progesterone treatment in vitro downregulated HPGD and COX2 expression and suppressed NF-ĸB signaling in granulosa tumor-like cell line KGN (Bena Culture Collection, China) and primarily cultured GCs, as manifested by decreased expressions of IL1R1, IRAK3, reduced pIĸBα/IĸBα ratio, and nucleus translocation of p65. On the contrary, TNF-α treatment increased expression of IL1R1, IRAK3, pIĸBα, p65, and HPGD in GCs. One potential p65 binding site was identified in the promoter region of HPGD by chromatin immunoprecipitation. In conclusion, we found that intrafollicular progesterone might downregulate HPGD and COX-2 in GCs via suppressing the NF-ĸB signaling pathway, shedding light on the mechanism underlying the endometriosis-related ovulatory dysfunction.

Lactobacillus johnsonii alleviates colitis by TLR1/2-STAT3 mediated CD206+ macrophagesIL-10 activation.

Imbalance of gut microbiota homeostasis is related to the occurrence of ulcerative colitis (UC), and probiotics are thought to modulate immune microenvironment and repair barrier function. Here, in order to reveal the interaction between UC and gut microbiota, we screened a new probiotic strain by 16S rRNA sequencing from Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice, and explored the mechanism and clinical relevance. Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii), as a potential anti-inflammatory bacterium was decreased colonization in colitis mice. Gavage L. johnsonii could alleviate colitis by specifically increasing the proportion of intestinal macrophages and the secretion of Il-10 with macrophages depleted model and in Il10-/- mice. We identified this subset of immune cells activated by L. johnsonii as CD206+ macrophagesIL-10. Mechanistically, L. johnsonii supplementation enhanced the mobilization of CD206+ macrophagesIL-10 through the activation of STAT3 in vivo and in vitro. In addition, we revealed that TLR1/2 was essential for the activation of STAT3 and the recognition of L. johnsonii by macrophages. Clinically, there was positive correlation between the abundance of L. johnsonii and the expression level of MRC1, IL10 and TLR1/2 in UC tissues. L. johnsonii could activate native macrophages into CD206+ macrophages and release IL-10 through TLR1/2-STAT3 pathway to relieve experimental colitis. L. johnsonii may serve as an immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory therapeutic target for UC.

Design of Amine-Modified Zr-Mg Mixed Oxide Aerogel Nanoarchitectonics with Dual Lewis Acidic and Basic Sites for CO2/Propylene Oxide Cycloaddition Reactions.

The utilization of CO2 attracts much research attention because of global warming. The CO2/epoxide cycloaddition reaction is one technique of CO2 utilization. However, homogeneous catalysts with both Lewis acidic and basic and toxic solvents, such as DMF, are needed in the CO2/epoxide cycloaddition reaction. As a result, this study focuses on the development of heterogeneous catalysts with both Lewis acidic and basic sites for the CO2 utilization of the CO2/epoxide cycloaddition reactions without the addition of a DMF toxic solvent. For the first time, the Zr-Mg mixed oxide aerogels with Lewis acidic and basic sites are synthesized for the CO2/propylene oxide (PO) cycloaddition reactions. To further increase the basic sites, 3-Aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) with -NH2 functional group is successfully grafted on the Zr-Mg mixed oxide aerogels. The results indicate that the highest yield of propylene carbonate (PC) is 93.1% using the as-developed APTMS-modified Zr-Mg mixed oxide aerogels. The as-prepared APTMS-modified Zr-Mg mixed oxide aerogels are great potential in industrial plants for CO2 reduction in the future.

GJB2 mutation spectrum in the Taiwanese population and genotype-phenotype comparisons in patients with hearing loss carrying GJB2 c.109G>A and c.235delC mutations.

Hearing loss, the most common sensory abnormality, is caused by the death of or damage to inner ear hair cells. Genetic mutations are the main cause of hearing loss. We used nex-generation sequencing data released by the Taiwan Biobank to investigate the GJB2 mutation spectrum in 1517 patients. We compared hearing function in Taiwanese patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) caused by the two most common GJB2 mutations c.109G>A (p.V37I) and c.235delC. We extracted DNA from the oral mucosa of patients with NSHL and performed Sanger sequencing to confirm the genotype. Of 240 patients with NSHL, we identified 25 with GJB2 c.109G>A and 9 with GJB2 c.235delC mutations, after excluding patients aged >10 years, in whom hearing loss may have been caused due to age-related degeneration. We investigated genotype-phenotype correlations in patients harboring GJB2 c.109G>A and c.235delC mutations. Furthermore, we described the GJB2 mutation spectrum in the Taiwanese population and identified the role of homozygous and heterozygous GJB2 mutations associated with hearing phenotypes in patients with NSHL. Thus, our study provides insights into the complexity of GJB2 genetics. Our data indicate that GJB2 c.109G>A heterozygotes had poorer hearing than did homozygotes. The mechanism underlying the more severe phenotype in heterozygotes and whether the phenotype is caused by GJB2 heterozygotes or compound heterozygotes warrant future investigation.

Circulating microRNA-762 upregulation in colorectal cancer may be accompanied by Wnt-1/ß-catenin signaling.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. CRC occurs because of abnormal growth of cells that can invade other tissues and cause distant metastases. Researchers have suggested that aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is involved in the initiation and progression of cancers. However, the key miRNAs that regulate the growth and metastasis of CRC remain unclear. The circulating miRNAs from BALB/c mice with CRC CT26 cell implantation were assayed by microarray. Then, Mus musculus (house mouse) mmu-miR-762 mimic and inhibitor were transfected to CT26 cells for analysis of cell viability, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, and regulatory molecule expression. Human subjects were included for comparison the circulating Homo sapiens (human) has-miR-762 levels in CRC patients and control donors, as well as the patients with and without distant metastasis. The result for miRNA levels in mice with CRC cell implantation indicated that plasma mmu-miR-762 was upregulated. Transfection of mmu-miR-762 mimic to CT26 cells increased cell viability, invasion, and EMT, whereas transfection of mmu-miR-762 inhibitor decreased the above abilities. Cells treated with high-concentration mmu-miR-762 inhibitor induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. However, mmu-miR-762 did not cause apoptosis of cells. Western blot analysis showed that mmu-miR-762 mimic transfection upregulated the expression of Wnt-1 and ß-catenin, as well as increased the nuclear translocation of ß-catenin. Further analysis was performed to demonstrate the correlation of miR-762 with CRC, and blood samples were collected from CRC patients and control donors. The results showed that serum has-miR-762 levels in CRC patients were higher than in control donors. Among the CRC patients (n= 20), six patients with distant metastasis showed higher serum has-miR-762 levels than patients without distant metastasis. Conclusions, the present study suggests that circulating miR-762 might be a potential biomarker for upregulation of CRC cell growth and invasion, and may be accompanied by the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

H2S-Sensing Studies Using Interdigitated Electrode with Spin-Coated Carbon Aerogel-Polyaniline Composites.

In this paper, carbon aerogel (CA)-polyaniline (PANI) composites were prepared and first applied in the study of H2S gas sensing. Here, 1 and 3 wt% of as-obtained CA powder were blended with PANI to produce composites, which are denoted by PANI-CA-1 and PANI-CA-3, respectively. For the H2S gas-sensing studies, the interdigitated electrode (IDE) was spin-coated by performing PANI and PANI-CA composite dispersion. The H2S gas-sensing properties were studied in terms of the sensor's sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability. IDE coated with PANI-CA composites, as compared with pristine PANI, achieved higher sensor sensitivity, higher selectivity and good repeatability. Moreover, composites that contain higher loading of CA (e.g., 3 wt%) perform better than composites with lower loading of CA. At 1 ppm, PANI-CA-3 displayed increased sensitivity of 452% at relative humidity of 60% with a fast average response time of 1 s compared to PANI.

Enhancing the Water Resistance and Stability of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots for Light-Emitting-Diode Applications through Encapsulation in Waterproof Polymethylsilsesquioxane Aerogels.

Highly stable all-inorganic perovskite quantum dot/polymethylsilsesquioxane aerogel (CsPbBr3/PMSQ AG) composites were first produced using two-step hot-injection and encapsulation processes by embedding green-emitting CsPbBr3 PQDs into modified hydrophobic mesoporous silica AGs. The unique structure of the composites not only considerably enhances the chemical stability of CsPbBr3 PQDs against moisture, humidity, and blue-light irradiation in air but also prevents anion exchange reactions during light-emitting diode (LED) manufacturing processes. In addition, the composition-optimized CsPbBr3/PMSQ AG exhibited excellent stability when soaked in water for more than 14 days and retained half of its initial intensity. Finally, white LED devices were fabricated by combining a blue-emitting GaN-based chip, green-emitting CsPbBr3/PMSQ AG, and red-emitting K2SiF6:Mn4+ phosphors.

Iron overload as a risk factor for poor graft function following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hematological malignancies are increasingly treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Unfortunately, iron overload is a frequent adverse effect of allo-HSCT and is associated with poor prognosis. In the present study, we investigated hematopoiesis in iron-overloaded mice and elucidated the effects of iron overload on the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Iron-overloaded BALB/C mice were generated by injecting 20 mg/mL saccharated iron oxide intraperitoneally. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to evaluate the effects of an iron overload in mice. BM cells obtained from C57BL/6 mice were transplanted into irradiated BALB/C mice (whole-body irradiation of 4 Gy, twice with a 4-hours interval) by tail vein injection. Two weeks after allo-HSCT, the hematopoietic reconstitution capacity was evaluated in recipients by colony-forming assays. Histopathological examinations showed brown-stained granular deposits, irregularly arranged lymphocytes in the liver tissues, and blue-stained blocks in the BM collected from mice received injections of high-dose saccharated iron oxide (20 mg/mL). Iron-overloaded mice showed more platelets, higher-hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, fewer granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM), erythrocyte colony-forming units (CFU-E), and mixed granulocyte/erythrocyte/monocyte/megakaryocyte colony-forming units (CFU-mix) than healthy mice. Iron-overloaded recipients presented with reduced erythrocytes and HGB concentration in peripheral blood, along with decreased marrow stroma cells, CFU-GM, CFU-E, and CFU-mix relative to healthy recipients. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that iron overload might alter the number of red blood cells after transplantation in mice by destroying the BM microenvironment, thereby affecting the recovery of BM hematopoietic function.

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells MMCi001-A from a Taiwanese hearing loss patient carrying GJB2 pV37I mutation.

Hearing loss is the most common disorder in the sensory system. Mutations in GJB2 have been reported to be very common in sensorineural hearing loss patients. In this report, we generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, MMCi001-A, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a 4-year-old male hearing loss patient carrying GJB2 pV37I mutation by using the Sendai virus delivery system. The generated iPSCs were demonstrated to express pluripotent markers and be differentiated into three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. This GJB2-pV37I iPSCs is valuable for studying the pathogenic mechanisms and drug discovery of hearing loss.

A Pt-free pristine monolithic carbon aerogel counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells: up to 20% under dim light illumination.

In this work, pristine carbon aerogels (CAs) were used as Pt-free counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by varying the molar ratio of their precursors. Pristine mesoporous CAs with controlled resorcinol (R)/formaldehyde (F) and resorcinol (R)/sodium carbonate (C) molar ratios were successfully prepared. The as-prepared CAs were synthesized via a polymeric sol-gel reaction and were labeled as CA-O, CA-Q, CA-F, CA-C, and CA-G. The DSSCs using the as-prepared CA-C CE gave the best power conversion efficiency (PCE, η), 9.08 ± 0.01%, among all the CA CEs. The CA-C CE is further applied to an indoor T5 light source system with an impressive η value of 20.1 ± 0.60% at 2.18 mW cm-2 (T5 lamp with 7000 lux). Moreover, the hardness of CA-C CE is 3.01 GPa (Brinell hardness test), which is comparable to that of the FTO/glass substrate. As a result, the CA-C CE shows great potential to replace traditional CEs based on the Pt/FTO/glass in DSSCs.

Synergistic effect of PANI-ZrO2 composite as antibacterial, anti-corrosion, and phosphate adsorbent material: synthesis, characterization and applications.

The increasing number of bacteria-related problems and presence of trace amounts of phosphate in treated wastewater effluents have become a growing concern in environmental research. The use of antibacterial agents and phosphate adsorbents for the treatment of wastewater effluents is of great importance. In this study, the potential applications of a synthesized polyaniline (PANI)-zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) composite as an antibacterial, phosphate adsorbent and anti-corrosion material were systematically investigated. The results of an antibacterial test reveal an effective area of inhibition of 14 and 18 mm for the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains, respectively. The antibacterial efficiency of the PANI-ZrO2 composite is twice that of commercial ZrO2. In particular, the introduction of PANI increased the specific surface area and roughness of the composite material, which was beneficial to increase the contact area with bacterial and phosphate. The experimental results demonstrated that phosphate adsorption studies using 200 mg P/L phosphate solution showed a significant phosphate removal efficiency of 64.4%, and the maximum adsorption capacity of phosphate on the solid surface of PANI-ZrO2 is 32.4 mg P/g. Furthermore, PANI-ZrO2 coated on iron substrate was tested for anti-corrosion studies by a natural salt spray test (7.5% NaCl), which resulted in the formation of no rust. To the best of our knowledge, no works have been reported on the synergistic effects of the PANI-ZrO2 composite as an antibacterial, anti-corrosion, and phosphate adsorbent material. PANI-ZrO2 composite is expected to be a promising comprehensive treatment method for water filters in the aquaculture industry and for use in water purification applications.

Prussian Blue analogue supported on sulfur-doped carbon nitride as an enhanced heterogeneous catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate.

While Prussian Blue (PB) analogues are attractive catalysts for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS), PB analogues are very small and thus difficult for recovery. Immobilizing PB particles onto graphene is a useful technique which facilitates recovery and also enhances catalytic activities. As doping graphene with sulfur/nitrogen (S/N) increases its electro-conductivity and active sites, the composite of PB and S/N-doped graphene should enhance PMS activation. Thus, this study aims to fabricate such a composite. Unlike conventional S/N-doped graphene prepared via post-modifications, trithiocyanuric acid is used as a precursor, which is converted to S-doped graphitic carbon nitride (SCN). The composite of PB and SCN (PBSCN) is then fabricated by growing a cobalt-based PB analogue on SCN. The resulting PBSCN preserves the crystalline structures, textural properties and catalytic sites of PB and SCN. As degradation of Acid Red 27 (AR) is used as a model reaction, PBSCN exhibits a higher catalytic activity than PB and SCN individually, as well as Co3O4 to activate PMS for AR degradation possibly because SCN may facilitate electron transfer and enhance catalytic activities of PB. PBSCN also remains effective and re-usable over several cycles for AR degradation. These features indicate that PBSCN is a promising catalyst for activating PMS and the fabrication technique demonstrated here can be employed to prepare composites of various PB analogues and carbon nitride to exhibit enhanced catalytic activities.

Ag-Deposited Electrospun SrTiO3 Nanofiber with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Methylene Orange.

Perovskite SrTiO3 nanofibers were successfully fabricated using a facile electrospinning method followed by calcination in air. The structures, morphologies, and photocatalytic performance of the one-dimensional SrTiO3 nanofibers were determined through X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and degradation of organic dye under light irradiation. The nanofibrous SrTiO3 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity after photodeposition of Ag on its surface to degrade methylene orange dye. The nanofibrous structure of Ag-deposited SrTiO3 was well preserved after photocatalytic degradation, revealing that the electrospun SrTiO3 nanofiber exhibited high stability. The improved photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the extension of the visible light absorption edge and efficient charge separation on the Ag-deposited SrTiO3 nanofibers.

Application of transoral continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroid disease: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The novel concept of continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (Cont-IONM) through stimulation of the vagal nerve has been used in thyroidectomies to prevent imminent injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). This article reports on this technology and the results of using transoral Cont-IONM in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroid disease. METHODS: Cont-IONM of the RLN was achieved through automatic cyclical stimulation of the vagal nerve using a C2 monitor and delta stimulating electrode. During the operation, three vestibular incisions were made, and the stimulating electrode was transorally inserted, with its cable line lying outside the trocar. The vagal nerve was gently dissected, looped, and then enveloped by the electrode cuff. Electromyography (EMG) of the vocalis muscle was performed, and the alarm was set to activate when the EMG amplitude reduced by 50% and latency was prolonged by 10%. Demographic data and outcome variables, including incremental time required to achieve Cont-IONM, were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (28 nerves at risk) undergoing a transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach were enrolled in this study. All Cont-IONM procedures were successfully completed. In all patients, the stimulation was set at 0.7 milliamps every 1 s, and Cont-IONM use was unassociated with any untoward neural, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal sequelae. On average, the ipsilateral Cont-IONM procedure required 10.33 ± 2.57 min to complete. Except for one instance, no significant problems occurred with electrode displacement. In one patient, a combined EMG event occurred, which improved after releasing the thyroid retractor, and the patient had no vocal cord paralysis postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Cont-IONM is feasible and safe to use during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomies and may assist in the early detection of adverse EMG changes, thereby preventing paralysis of the RLNs.

Electrospun magnetic cobalt-embedded carbon nanofiber as a heterogeneous catalyst for activation of oxone for degradation of Amaranth dye.

A cobalt-embedded carbon nanofiber (CoCNF) is developed in this study by electrospinning techniques. Through one-step carbonization, the electrospun Co-polyacrylonitrile nanofiber is converted to CoCNF. The resulting CoCNF consists of cobalt nanoparticles quite evenly distributed over CNF and also exhibits magnetically controllability, making it a suitable heterogeneous catalyst for activating Oxone (OX) to degrade organic contaminants. As degradation of Acid Red 27 (AR) is employed as a model reaction, CoCNF is validated to activate OX for generating sulfate radicals and then degrading AR. While a higher dosage of CoCNF and OX enhances AR degradation, CoCNF plays a more influential role in CoCNF-OX. AR degradation by CoCNF-OX is much enhanced at elevated temperature, and also favorable under the neutral condition. CoCNF-OX still remains quite effective for AR degradation even in the presence of salts and surfactants. The mechanism of AR degradation is elucidated by evaluating the effects of radical scavengers and the degradation is attributed to sulfate and derivative hydroxyl radicals. CoCNF is shown to activate OX for multiple times to degrade AR even without regeneration treatments. These results and findings validate that CoCNF can be a promising and advantageous heterogeneous for activating OX in advanced oxidation processes. The preparation method shown here can be also employed for fabricating other functional metal-embedded CNF for various applications.

The Effect of Salt Intake and Potassium Supplementation on Serum Gastrin Levels in Chinese Adults: A Randomized Trial.

Excess dietary salt is strongly correlated with cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Conversely, potassium likely elicits favorable effects against cardiovascular disorders. Gastrin, which is produced by the G-cells of the stomach and duodenum, can increase renal sodium excretion and regulate blood pressure by acting on the cholecystokinin B receptor. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of altered salt and potassium supplementation on serum gastrin levels in humans. A total of 44 subjects (38-65 years old) were selected from a rural community in northern China. All subjects were sequentially maintained on a relatively low-salt diet for 7 days (3.0 g/day of NaCl), a high-salt diet for 7 days (18.0 g/day of NaCl), and then a high-salt diet supplemented with potassium for another 7 days (18.0 g/day of NaCl + 4.5 g/day of KCl). The high-salt intake significantly increased serum gastrin levels (15.3 ± 0.3 vs. 17.6 ± 0.3 pmol/L). This phenomenon was alleviated through potassium supplementation (17.6 ± 0.3 vs. 16.5 ± 0.4 pmol/L). Further analyses revealed that serum gastrin was positively correlated with 24 h urinary sodium excretion (r = 0.476, p < 0.001). By contrast, gastrin level was negatively correlated with blood pressure in all dietary interventions (r = -0.188, p = 0.031). The present study indicated that variations in dietary salt and potassium supplementation affected the serum gastrin concentrations in the Chinese subjects.

Solvent-resistant CTAB-modified polymethylsilsesquioxane aerogels for organic solvent and oil adsorption.

In this work, we describe the successful synthesis of super-hydrophobic polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) aerogels with a porous network by a sol-gel polymerization process using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) reactants with the addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants. The specific surface area, pore size and hydrophobicity of the CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels were investigated for different amounts of CTAB doping. The specific surface areas of the pristine and CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels with C/M molar ratios of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.004 were 491, 301, 342 and 298m2/g, respectively. The water contact angles of the CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels with C/M molar ratios of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.004 were 166.38°, 165.62° and 166.43°, confirming the super-hydrophobicity of the CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels. Compared to pristine PMSQ aerogels, the as-prepared CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels exhibit more solvent-resistant properties in ethanol (EtOH) and n-hexane solvents. The as-prepared CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels were further used for organic solvent and oil adsorption applications. Consequently, the as-prepared CTAB-modified PMSQ aerogels have great potential for organic solvent and oil adsorption in industrial applications.

Towards Acid-Tolerated Ethanol Dehydration: Chitosan-Based Mixed Matrix Membranes Containing Cyano-Bridged Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles.

Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles, one of many cyano-bridged coordination polymers, are successfully incorporated into chitosan (CS) polymer to prepare PB/CS mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The PB nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the MMMs without the collapse of the original PB structure. As-prepared PB/CS MMMs are used for ethanol dehydration at 25 °C in the pervaporation process. The effect of loading PB in CS matrix on pervaporation performance is carefully investigated. The PB/CS membrane with 30 wt% PB loading shows the best performance with a permeate flux of 614 g. m-2 . h-1 and a separation factor of 1472. The pervaporation using our PB/CS membranes exhibits outstanding performance in comparison with the previously reported CS-based membranes and MMMs. Furthermore, the addition of PB allows PB/CS MMMs to be tolerant of acidic environment. The present work demonstrates good pervaporation performance of PB/CS MMMs for the separation of an ethanol/water (90:10 in wt%) solution. Our new system provides an opportunity for dehydration of bioethanol in the future.

Multifunctional Iodide-Free Polymeric Ionic Liquid for Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with a High Open-Circuit Voltage.

A polymeric ionic liquid, poly(oxyethylene)-imide-imidazolium selenocyanate (POEI-IS), was newly synthesized and used for a multifunctional gel electrolyte in a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (QSS-DSSC). POEI-IS has several functions: (a) acts as a gelling agent for the electrolyte of the DSSC, (b) possesses a redox mediator of SeCN(-), which is aimed to form a SeCN(-)/(SeCN)3(-) redox couple with a more positive redox potential than that of traditional I(-)/I3(-), (c) chelates the potassium cations through the lone pair electrons of the oxygen atoms of its poly(oxyethylene)-imide-imidazolium (POEI-I) segments, and (d) obstructs the recombination of photoinjected electrons with (SeCN)3(-) ions in the electrolyte through its POEI-I segments. Thus, the POEI-IS renders a high open-circuit voltage (VOC) to the QSS-DSSC due to its functions of b-d and prolongs the stability of the cell due to its function of a. The QSS-DSSC with the gel electrolyte containing 30 wt % of the POEI-IS in liquid selenocyanate electrolyte exhibited a high VOC of 825.50 ± 3.51 mV and a high power conversion efficiency (η) of 8.18 ± 0.02%. The QSS-DSSC with 30 wt % POEI-IS retained up to 95% of its initial η after an at-rest stability test with the period of more than 1,000 h.