Electrical-Driven Directed-Evolution of Copper Nanowires Catalysts for Efficient Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia.

The electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate (NO ) to NH (NORR) at ambient conditions offers a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. The pivotal factors in optimizing the proficient conversion of NO into NH include enhancing the adsorption capabilities of the intermediates on the catalyst surface and expediting the hydrogenation steps. Herein, the Cu/CuO/Pi NWs catalyst is designed based on the directed-evolution strategy to achieve an efficient reduction of NO‾.

Ag-Co O -CoOOH-Nanowires Tandem Catalyst for Efficient Electrocatalytic Conversion of Nitrate to Ammonia at Low Overpotential via Triple Reactions.

The electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate (NO ‾) to NH  (NO RR) offers a promising alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, the overall kinetic rate of NO RR is plagued by the complex proton-assisted multiple-electron transfer process. Herein, Ag/Co O /CoOOH nanowires (i-Ag/Co O  NWs) tandem catalyst is designed to optimize the kinetic rate of intermediate reaction for NO RR simultaneously.

Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia Based on DNA-Templated Copper Nanoclusters.

In alkaline solutions, the electrocatalytic conversion of nitrates to ammonia (NH) (NORR) is hindered by the sluggish hydrogenation step due to the lack of protons on the electrode surface, making it a grand challenge to synthesize NH at a high rate and selectivity. Herein, single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA)-templated copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) were synthesized for the electrocatalytic production of NH. Because ssDNA was involved in the optimization of the interfacial water distribution and H-bond network connectivity, the water-electrolysis-induced proton generation was enhanced on the electrode surface, which facilitated the NORR kinetics.

Research Progress on Cloning and Function of Genes Against Rice Bacterial Blight.

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice caused by pv. () is one of the most serious bacterial diseases that hinder the normal growth and production of rice, which greatly reduces the quality and yield of rice. The effect of traditional methods such as chemical control is often not ideal.

Catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition of unsymmetrical EWG-activated alkenes to fully substituted pyrrolidines bearing three different carbonyl groups.

A unique 1,3-dipolar [3+2] cycloaddition of alkyl 4-oxo-4-arylbut-2-enoates bearing two different electron-withdrawing groups was completed by using the silver/(R)-DTBM-Segphos catalyst system, which gives the corresponding fully substituted pyrrolidines with four stereogenic centers in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee).

Durable Anti-Superbug Polymers: Covalent Bonding of Ionic Liquid onto the Polymer Chains.

Here, we fabricated the ionic liquid (IL) grafted poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) (PVDF-g-IL) via electron-beam irradiation to fight common bacteria and multidrug-resistant "superbugs". Two types of ILs, 1-vinyl-3-butylimmidazolium chloride (IL (Cl)) and 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (IL (BF)), were used. It was found that the PVDF-g-IL exhibited superior antibacterial performance, with almost the same mechanical and thermal performance as unmodified PVDF.

Characterization and biological evaluation of a microparticle adjuvant formulation for plasmid DNA vaccines.

We describe the physiochemical characterization and immunological evaluation of plasmid DNA vaccine formulations containing a nonionic triblock copolymer adjuvant (CRL1005) in the presence and absence of a cationic surfactant, benzalkonium chloride (BAK). CRL1005 forms particles of 1-10 microns upon warming above its phase-transition temperature (approximately 6-8 degrees C) and the physical properties of the particles are altered by BAK. DNA/CRL1005 vaccines formulated with and without BAK were evaluated in rhesus macaques to determine the effect of CRL1005 and BAK on the ability of plasmid DNA to induce a cellular immune response.