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Tryptophan synthetase (TSase), which functions as a tetramer, is a typical enzyme with a substrate channel effect, and shows excellent performance in the production of non-standard amino acids, histamine, and other biological derivatives. Based on previous work, we fused a mutant CE protein (colistin of E. coli, a polypeptide with antibacterial activity) sequence with the sequence of TSase to explore whether its catalytic activity could be enhanced, and we also analyzed whether the addition of a DNA scaffold was a feasible strategy. Here, dCE (CE protein without DNase activity) protein tags were constructed and fused to the TrapA and TrapB subunits of TSase, and the whole cell was used for the catalytic reaction. The results showed that after the dCE protein tag was fused to the TrapB subunit, its whole cell catalytic activity increased by 50%. Next, the two subunits were expressed separately, and the proteins were bound in vitro to ensure equimolar combination between the two subunits. After the dCE label was fused to TrapB, the activity of TSase assembled with TrapA also improved. A series of experiments revealed that the enzyme fused with dCE9 showed higher activity than the wild-type protein. In general, the activity of assembly TSase was optimal when the temperature was 50 °C and the pH was about 9.0. After a long temperature treatment, the enzyme maintained good activity. With the addition of exogenous nucleic acid, the activity of the enzyme increased. The maximum yield was 0.58 g/L, which was almost three times that of the wild-type TSase (0.21 g/L). The recombinant TSase constructed in this study with dCE fusion had the advantages of higher heat resistance and higher activity, and confirmed the feasibility of adding a nucleic acid scaffold, providing a new idea for the improvement of structurally similar enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forms of boron atoms are many and varied in the structure of transition metal borides (TMBs). The form of boron atoms determines the structure, morphology, and properties of borides. Herein, transition metal monoborides (CrB and WB) with different arrangement of one-dimensional (1D) boron chains were synthesized under high pressures and high temperatures. The 1D boron chains between the interlayers of CrB are parallel to one another, while the 1D boron chains between the interlayers of WB are perpendicular to one another. The morphologies of CrB and WB also show large differences due to the difference in 1D boron chain arrangement. As electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs), CrB and WB show good catalysis activity and durability. WB has the smallest overpotential (210 mV) and Tafel slope (90.09 mV dec−1), which is mainly attributed to the intercrossing boron chains improving the electrical properties of WB, as well as the 5d electrons of W being more chemically active. The TOF value of WB is 1.35 s−1, proving that WB has a higher intrinsic catalytic activity during HERs. This work provides a data reference for the development of high-efficiency electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of the piezoelectricity of tourmalines has been reported over three decades, but very few studies exploring the piezoelectric catalysis effect of tourmalines. Herein, the piezoelectric catalysis effect of iron-based and lithium-based tourmalines (Fe-TM and Li-TM) was studied through the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) in aqueous solution as model reaction in tourmaline/ultrasound system. In ultrasonic condition, the obvious degradation of RhB and PNP was observed and confirmed stemming from the piezoelectric catalysis effect of Fe-TM and Li-TM. Fe-TM was found to have higher surface voltage (560–590 mV) and a higher piezoelectric coefficient of 9.5 pC/N, compared to Li-TM (surface voltage: 410–450 mV; piezoelectric coefficient: 6.7 pC/N). Accordingly, high and stable piezoelectric catalysis activity was observed on Fe-TM in the degradation of RhB and PNP. Through annealing at 800 ℃ in air, Fe-TM can be converted from buergerite tourmaline into foitite tourmaline, and the piezoelectric catalysis activity was basically unchanged. In tourmaline/ultrasound system, the degradation of RhB and PNP was mainly initiated by •OH that be produced from the oxidation of water with the piezoelectric potential of tourmalines. The present work observes and confirms the piezoelectric catalysis effect of tourmalines, which could inspire the new applications and understanding of tourmalines. [Display omitted] • The piezoelectric catalysis effect of tourmalines was studied for the degradation of RhB and PNP. • Higher piezoelectric catalysis activity was observed on iron-based tourmaline than lithium-based tourmaline. • Positive surface potential can be formed on tourmalines in ultrasonic condition. • The degradation of RhB and PNP in tourmaline/ultrasound system was initiated by •OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is desirable to design nonprecious metal nanocatalysts with high stability and catalytic performance for fine chemicals production. Here, a method is reported for the preparation of cobalt metal and cobalt oxide cores confined within nanoporous nitrogen‐doped hollow carbon capsules. Core–shell structured Zn/Co‐ZIF@polymer materials are fabricated through a facile coating polymer strategy on the surface of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF). A series of hollow carbon capsules with cobalt metal and cobalt oxide are derived from a facile confined pyrolysis of Zn/Co‐ZIF@polymer. The hollow Co‐CoOx@N‐C capsules can prevent sintering and agglomeration of the cobalt nanoparticles and the nanoporous shell allows for efficient mass transport. The specific surface area and Co particle size are optimized through finely tuning the original Zn content in ZIF particles, thus enhancing overall catalytic activity. The yolk–shell structured Zn4Co1Ox@carbon hollow capsules are shown to be a highly active and selective catalyst (selectivity >99%) for hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline. Furthermore, Zn4Co1Ox@carbon hollow particles show superior catalytic stability, and no deactivation after 8 cycles of reaction. The hollow Co‐CoOx@N‐C capsules may shed light on a green and sustainable catalytic process for fine chemicals production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanophotocatalyst is a promising candidate for degrading organic pollutants but has an extremely low photocatalytic activity under nature sunlight. In this work, flower-like MoS 2 quantum dots/ZnO (MQ/ZnO) nanospheres with the size of approximately 1.26 μm are prepared at low temperature. The resultant flower-like MQ/ZnO nanospheres displayed higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO nanospheres under natural sunlight and without stirring, with the decomposition rate of the MQ/ZnO composites approximately 3.3 times higher than that of the pure ZnO nanospheres. Furthermore, the introduction of MoS 2 QDs endowed ZnO nanospheres with optical memory ability. The enhanced sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity is dependent on the unique electrical properties of MoS 2 QDs and the synergistic effect between ZnO and MoS 2 QDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to CO by reverse water gas shift reaction plays a vital role in the recycling of the abundant carbon source. Here, the reaction over a series of zeolite L-supported platinum catalysts was systematically investigated to study the promoting role of potassium. The results of activity tests showed that controlled addition of potassium promoter to Pt/L catalyst was beneficial for the catalytic activity and selectivity. It was observed that cage encapsulation by zeolite pores could stabilize Pt nano-particles even at severe reaction conditions. Furthermore, X-ray absorption near edge structure and X-ray photoelectron spectra results demonstrated that the chemical state of platinum was altered by the additional potassium promoter, providing evidence for the formation of Pt-O(OH)-K interfacial sites. Thereafter, the Pt-O(OH)-K interfaces, acting as main active sites to adsorb CO 2 and produce bridge-bonded formate intermediates, were identified by a set of in-situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microcalorimetry measurements. This finding provides new insights into the use of a variety of zeolite as carriers for highly dispersed noble metal in catalytic CO 2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO 2 to methane was investigated over Ru/rutile TiO 2 , focusing on the influence of the pretreatment temperature on the activity. Rutile TiO 2 stabilized Ru nanoparticles even after pretreatment at 800 °C; therefore it was possible to establish the structure–activity relationship without considering the particle size effect. The CO 2 turnover frequency initially increased with increasing pretreatment temperature from 300 to 800 °C, and reached a maximum value of 1.59 s −1 on Ru/rutile TiO 2 pretreated at 600 °C; it decreased to 1.16 s −1 for the sample pretreated at 800 °C. The characterization results indicated that the activity depended on both the extent of encapsulation of Ru particles by TiO x layers and the number of hydroxyl groups on the TiO x surface. The mechanism of CO 2 methanation was discussed based on in situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]