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A novel hydrophobic ionic liquid including an N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-methylpyridyl)-1,2-phenylenediamine-4-amido structure ((IL-1,2-tpbd)+NTf2−) was successfully synthesized. (IL-1,2-tpbd)+NTf2− combined one amido (O-hard donor) and four pyridine (N-soft donor) groups. Its Cd2+ and Zn2+ separation behavior in nitric acid solution was investigated as a function of the extraction time, effect of pH etc. by dissolving (IL-1,2-tpbd)+NTf2− in a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ((C6mim)+NTf2−). The extraction kinetics were fairly fast and could reach equilibrium within 4 h. When pHeq≥ 1.8, the extraction percentage of Cd2+ and Zn2+ remained constant and the maximum separation factor was calculated as 12.78 at pHeq = 3.1; when pHeq ＜ 1.8, the extraction percentage of Cd2+ and Zn2+ decreased drastically due to the protonation of the pyridine groups. Complete stripping of the extracted Cd2+ and Zn2+ from the ionic liquid phase into an aqueous phase was successfully achieved under highly acidic conditions ([HNO3] = 2 M) without adding any other metal complex forming agents. The extraction mechanism was summarized as a cation exchange due to the independence of nitrate ions in the extraction process. Additionally, the results of the slope analysis and UV-vis titration revealed the formation of a 1 : 2 complex. Furthermore, (IL-1,2-tpbd)+NTf2− showed a higher preference for Cd2+ even under the interference of various co-existing metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3O4–graphene–TiO2ternary composite networks were first synthesized, which exhibited high selectivity and capacity in the capture of phosphopeptides, due to the enhanced contact to phosphopeptides given by the graphene scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a TiO2–Cu2O composite catalyst with enhanced efficiency for the gas-phase degradation of toluene was synthesized using the glucose solvothermal method. The TiO2–Cu2O composite catalyst exhibited enhanced stability compared to individual materials (TiO2 or Cu2O). Characterization results revealed the formation of a p–n heterojunction between TiO2 and Cu2O; therefore, the toluene degradation rate is promoted. For the degradation experiments with toluene, the TiO2–Cu2O composite exhibited enhanced efficiency (63%) for toluene degradation compared to TiO2 (40%) under simulated visible-light irradiation. Furthermore, the degradation rate of gas-phase toluene (171.6 mg m−3) by TiO2–Cu2O reached 79% compared to Cu2O (55%) under simulated sunlight irradiation. A mechanistic study indicated that the heterojunction improves the catalytic capability. The conduction band of TiO2 is situated below that of Cu2O; thus, the electron–hole transfer between the heterojunction is thermodynamically permitted. The photogenerated electrons can move from Cu2O to TiO2, while holes migrate from the valence band of TiO2 to Cu2O, thereby preventing the recombination of electrons and holes. hence, the photocatalytic activity is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we present a gravity-driven microdevice furnished with tunable TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) inside as the separation medium for consecutive on-chip enrichment and isotope labeling of serum phosphopeptides. The 3D tubular architectures of TNAs dramatically enhanced the affinity towards phosphate-containing molecules and also provided a spacious microenvironment for isotope dimethyl labeling reactions. To maximize the efficiency and capacity of the phosphopeptide enrichment, nanoscale tailoring and microscale fabrication were employed for adjusting the TNAs’ pore sizes and the channel patterns. The S-shaped microdevice equipped with interior TNAs anodized at 25 V was utilised for consecutive serum processing, and further differential expression analysis of endogenous phosphopeptides between ovarian cancer patients and healthy women. The phosphorylated fibrinogen peptide A (FPA, AD[pS]GEGDFLAEGGGVR) was found to be down-regulated by about 4 times while its isoform (D[pS]GEGDFLAEGGGV) was 2.4-fold up-regulated in the patient specimens. In principle, this nanostructure-embedded model introduced tailor-made bioseparation materials into the microdevice, undoubtedly facilitating the workflow of sample pretreatment and thus assisting the analysis of disease-associated biomolecules in biomedical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based probe, γ-cyclodextrin modified oleic acid–NaYF4:Yb, Ho upconversion nanoparticles functionalized with a rhodamine B derivative (RBD), has been achieved for Fe3+-sensing in aqueous solution with high sensitivity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]