Mechanism of NH3-SCR over P/CeO2 Catalysts Investigated by Operando Spectroscopies.

This study reports a comprehensive investigation into the active sites and reaction mechanism for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 (NH3-SCR) over phosphate-loaded ceria (P/CeO2). Catalyst characterization and density functional theory calculations reveal that H3PO4 and H2P2O6 species are the dominant phosphate species on the P/CeO2 catalysts under the experimental conditions. The reduction/oxidation half-cycles (RHC/OHC) were investigated using in situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure for Ce L3-edge, ultraviolet-visible, and infrared (IR) spectroscopies together with online analysis of outlet products (operando spectroscopy). The Ce4+(OH-) species, possibly adjacent to the phosphate species, are reduced by NO + NH3 to produce N2, H2O, and Ce3+ species (RHC). The Ce3+ species is reoxidized by aqueous O2 (OHC). The results from IR spectroscopy suggest that the RHC initiates with the reaction between NO and Ce4+(OH-) to yield Ce3+ and gaseous HONO, which then react with NH3 to produce N2 and H2O via NH4NO2 intermediates.

Number 2 Feibi Recipe Inhibits H2O2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Damage of Alveolar Epithelial Cells by Regulating the Balance of Mitophagy/Apoptosis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury and apoptosis are considered to be the initiating link of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and protecting AECs can alleviate IPF. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of number 2 Feibi recipe (FBR-2) medicated serum on H2O2-mediated oxidative stress injury in AECs and further explore its mechanism. We found that FBR-2 can regulate downstream antioxidant enzymes expression by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), reducing the level of intracellular ROS, protecting mitochondrial function and improving cell survival. FBR-2 can also activate mitophagy through the PINK1/Parkin pathway. Moreover, FBR-2 can inhibit apoptosis by blocking the mitochondrial apoptosis mechanism. In summary, these data indicate that FBR-2 medicated serum can inhibit H2O2-mediated oxidative stress damage in AECs by regulating the balance of mitophagy/apoptosis. This study provides new evidence for the antifibrotic effect of FBR-2 and provides new drug candidates for the clinical treatment of IPF.

Astragaloside IV Synergizing with Ferulic Acid Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis by TGF-ß1/Smad3 Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to research the interventional effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (Ast) synergizing with ferulic acid (FA) on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) induced by bleomycin in mice. METHODS: The mice were randomly divided into seven groups with 10 mice in each group, namely, a sham operation group, a model group, a miRNA-29b (miR-29) group, a miR-29b negative control group (NC group), a FA group, an Ast group, and a combination group. A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Samples were collected after 28 days of continuous administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe pathological changes in the lung tissue, and the degree of fibrosis was evaluated using the hydroxyproline content. Changes in transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and Smad3 in the lung were observed using immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum. PCR was used to detect the expression of the miR-29b, TGF-ß1, Smad3, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) genes. Western blotting was used to detect the content of the TGF-ß/Smad3 protein. RESULTS: Ferulic acid combined with astragaloside IV reduced the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and the synthesis of hydroxyproline in lung tissue. The combination of the two also regulated the oxidative stress response ， TGF-ß1/Smad3 pathway and miR-29b in lung tissue. CONCLUSION: Astragaloside IV combined with ferulic acid regulated the oxidative stress of lung tissues and TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling through miR-29b, thereby reducing the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. This provides a reference direction for the clinical treatment of IPF patients.

The dynamic behavior and intrinsic mechanism of CO2 absorption by amino acid ionic liquids.

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is one of the possible solutions to prevent global climate change, which is urgently needed for the sustainable development of our society. In this work, easily available, biodegradable amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) with great potential for CO2 absorption in the manned closed space such as spacecraft, submarines and other manned devices are used as the basic material. Molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations were performed for 12 AAILs ([P4444][X] and [P66614][X], [X] = X = [GLy]-, [Im]-, [Pro]-, [Suc]-, [Lys]-, [Asp]2-), and the dynamic characteristics and the internal mechanism of AAILs to improve CO2 absorption capacity were clarified. Based on structural analysis and the analysis of interaction energy including van der Waals and electrostatic interaction energy, it was revealed that the anion of ionic liquids dominates the interaction between CO2 and AAILs. At the same time, the CO2 absorption capacity of AAILs increases in the order [Asp]2- < [Suc]- < [Lys]- < [Pro]- < [Im]- < [Gly]-. Meanwhile, the synergistic absorption of CO2 by multiple-sites of amino and carboxyl groups in the anion was proved by DFT calculations. These findings show that the anion of AAILs can be an effective factor to regulate the CO2 absorption process, which can also provide guidance for the rational and targeted molecular design of AAILs for CO2 capture, especially in the manned closed space.

Insights into the solvation and dynamic behaviors of a lithium salt in organic- and ionic liquid-based electrolytes.

New-generation lithium-ion batteries use ionic liquids (ILs) as electrolyte solutions, greatly enhancing the safety and energy storage capacity of the battery. Fundamental molecular insights are useful for understanding the advantages of high conductivity of IL solvent electrolytes over organic solvent ones. In this work, we computationally studied two organic solvents (DMC and DEC) and four IL solvents ([Cnmim][BF4] and [Cnmim][TFSI] (n = 2, 4)) to examine the physicochemical properties of high concentration electrolytes. As expected, the IL solvent electrolytes exhibit higher density and viscosity, and larger self-diffusion coefficients and conductivity than the organic solvent electrolytes. Further, the microstructures of the lithium salt LiTFSI in various solvent electrolytes were investigated to explore the effect of the organic and IL solvents on the ionic association of the ions Li+ and TFSI-. The structural analysis of LiTFSI revealed that the organic solvents restrict the free motion of the ions, reducing the conductivity of the electrolytes. The [BF4]-type IL electrolytes have higher conductivity than the [TFSI]-type IL electrolytes, especially [C4mim][BF4] with the highest conductivity among the IL-based electrolytes. More importantly, it was proved that the dissolution of LiTFSI in the IL solvents is an anion-driven process.

The Effect of Concentration of Lithium Salt on the Structural and Transport Properties of Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolytes.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are used as electrolytes in high-performance lithium-ion batteries, which can effectively improve battery safety and energy storage capacity. All atom molecular dynamics simulation and experiment were combined to investigate the effect of the concentration of lithium salt on the performance of electrolytes of four IL solvents ([C n mim][TFSI] and [C n mim][FSI], n = 2, 4). The IL electrolytes exhibit higher density and viscosity; meanwhile, larger lithium ion transfer numbers as the concentration of LiTFSI increases. Furthermore, in order to explore the effect of the concentration of lithium salt on the ionic associations of Li+ and anion of IL, the microstructures of the lithium salt in various IL electrolytes at different concentrations were investigated. The structural analysis indicated that strong bidentate and monodentate coordination was found between Li+ and anion of all IL electrolytes. Both cis and trans isomerism of [FSI]- were observed in [FSI]--type IL electrolyte systems. Furthermore, the existence of the ion cluster [Li[anion] x ](x-1)- in IL electrolytes and the cluster became more closed and compact as the concentration of LiTFSI increases.