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Solid oxide fuel cells are characterized by a high efficiency for converting chemical energy into electricity and fuel flexibility. This research work focuses on developing durable and efficient anodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on exsolving nickel from the perovskite structure. A-site-deficient La- and Ni-doped strontium titanates (La0.2Sr0.7Ti0.95Ni0.05O3−δ, LSTN) were synthesized using four different techniques and mixed with Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ (GDC) to form the SOFC anode. The synthesis routes of interest for comparison included solid-state, sol-gel, hydrothermal, and co-precipitation methods. LSTN powders were characterized via XRD, SEM, TPR, BET and XPS. In situ XRD during reduction was measured and the reduced powders were analyzed using TEM. The impact of synthesis route on SOFC performance was investigated. All samples were highly durable when kept at 0.5 V for 48 h at 800 °C with H2 fuel. Interestingly, the best performance was observed for the cell with the LSTN anode prepared via co-precipitation, while the conventional solid-state synthesis method only achieved the second-best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple method for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) of silver (Ag) in a matrix of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) was reported previously by some of the authors of this study. Based on mucin characteristics such as long-lasting stability, water solubility, and surfactant and adhesive characteristics, we hypothesized that these compounds, named BSM-Ag NPs, may possess favorable properties as potent antimicrobial agents. The goal of this study was to assess whether BSM-Ag NPs possess antibacterial activity, focusing on important plant-pathogenic bacterial strains representing both Gram-negative (Acidovorax and Xanthomonas) and Grampositive (Clavibacter) genera. Growth inhibition and bactericidal assays, as well as electron microscopic observations, demonstrate that BSM-Ag NPs, at relatively low concentrations of silver, exert strong antimicrobial effects. Moreover, we show that treatment of melon seeds with BSM-Ag NPs effectively prevents seed-to-seedling transmission of Acidovorax citrulli, one of the most threatening pathogens of cucurbit production worldwide. Overall, our findings demonstrate strong antimicrobial activity of BSM-Ag NPs and their potential application for reducing the spread and establishment of devastating bacterial plant diseases in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of synthesizing stable chiral Ag nanoparticles inside a natural mucin glycoprotein is demonstrated. The reaction is carried out without the help of an external reducing agent, by utilizing the reducing properties of the host mucin. A chiral spectrum is detected in the visible range, indicating the formation of a new type of chiral Ag nanoparticles-containing biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence for considerable stabilization of doped bovine serum albumin (BSA) molecules upon adsorption on gold surfaces is provided. This is compared to the surface-induced conformational changes of the bare BSA and its corresponding monolayer. The BSA unfolding phenomenon is correlated with dehydration, which in turn enables improved monolayer coverage. The stabilization mechanism is found to be partially controllable via nanodoping of the BSA molecules, upon which the dehydration process is suppressed and molecular rigidity can be varied. Our experimental data and calculations further point to the intermixing of structural characteristics and inherent molecular properties in studies of biological monolayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Macroalgae as carbon source for polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation in Haloferax mediterranei. • Utilization of Ulva sp. hydrolysate for PHA production with halophilic archaea. • Application of extreme halophilic archaea for PHA production. • Seagriculture for sustainable PHA production. Abstract Non-conventional carbon sources, such as macroalgae, are sustainable alternatives for large-scale production of biopolymers. The present study examined macroalgae-derived carbohydrates, as carbon sources for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by Haloferax mediterranei. Simulants of the hydrolysates of seven different macroalgal biomasses were prepared and the PHA production was studied. A maximum biomass concentration with maximum PHA content was detected in medium prepared from green macroalgae. The highest cell dry weight and PHA concentrations were 3.8 ± 0.2 g·L−1 and 2.2 ± 0.12 g·L−1 respectively when Haloferax mediterranei was grown in 25% (w/w) of Ulva sp. hydrolysate, at 42 °C temperature and initial pH of 7.2. Poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate was the major PHA constituent. The present study demonstrated that Ulva sp. is a promising feedstock for PHA production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We correlate between the nanotube curvature and the dispersion efficiency by β-lactoglobulin. [•] The nanotube changes the conformation of the dispersant β-lactoglobulin. [•] A whey protein successfully disperses carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel methodology for the evaluation of receptor arrangement in structurally flexible anion chemosensors was developed and applied to map the binding site of a new pseudocyclic tristhiourea chemosensor (6). The syntheses of 6 and related macrocyclic chemosensor 10 (a model of the folded monomeric structure of 6) are reported. Both chemosensors were evaluated by titration with a variety of structurally different anions in CH3CI and DMSO, showing a common preference for F-, CH3CO2-, and H2PO4-. However, within this group of anions, the binding patterns of the chemosensors differed, indicating dissimilarity in the arrangement of the binding sites of 6 and 10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]