Enhanced Photocatalytic Efficiency Through Oxygen Vacancy-Driven Molecular Epitaxial Growth of Metal-Organic Frameworks on BiVO.

Efficient charge separation at the semiconductor/cocatalyst interface is crucial for high-performance photoelectrodes, as it directly influences the availability of surface charges for solar water oxidation. However, establishing strong molecular-level connections between these interfaces to achieve superior interfacial quality presents significant challenges. This study introduces an innovative electrochemical etching method that generates a high concentration of oxygen vacancy sites on BiVO surfaces (Ov-BiVO), enabling interactions with the oxygen-rich ligands of MIL-101.

New Biodegradable Copolymers Based on Betulin and Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Derivatives.

In this study, we propose an approach to the synthesis of new biodegradable polymer materials based on renewable raw feedstock (betulin) and derivatives of hydroxycarboxylic acids using a catalyst/catalytic system (γ-AlO, γ-AlO/TBHP) that is safe for health and the environment. The resulting polymers are linear thermoplastic polymers that undergo collapse upon melting in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Moreover, these polymers demonstrate non-toxicity towards a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Catalysis by Metal-Oxide Nanostructures.

Catalysis is an important field dealing with innovation, sustainability, and materials science that has been witnessing remarkable advancements through nanotechnology [...

Improved L-Asparaginase Properties and Reusability by Immobilization onto Functionalized Carbon Xerogels.

Enzyme immobilization can offer a range of significant advantages, including reusability, and increased selectivity, stability, and activity. In this work, a central composite design (CCD) of experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to study, for the first time, the L-asparaginase (ASNase) immobilization onto functionalized carbon xerogels (CXs). The best results were achieved using CXs obtained by hydrothermal oxidation with nitric acid and subsequent heat treatment in a nitrogen flow at 600 °C (CX-OX-600).

Evaluation of Gold Complexes to Address Bacterial Resistance, Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Their Antiviral Properties against Bacteriophages.

The worldwide increase in antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge, and researchers are diligently seeking new drugs to combat infections and prevent bacterial pathogens from developing resistance. Gold (I and III) complexes are suitable for this purpose. In this study, we tested four gold (I and III) complexes, () chlorotrimethylphosphine gold(I); () chlorotriphenylphosphine gold(I); () dichloro(2-pyridinecarboxylate) gold (III); and () 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidene gold(I) chloride, for their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antiviral, and anti-quorum sensing activities.