Electrochemical Stimulated Pickering Emulsion for Recycling of Enzyme in Biocatalysis.

Potential-stimulated Pickering emulsions, using electrochemical responsive microgels as particle stabilizers, are prepared and used for biocatalysis. The microgels are constructed from cyclodextrin functionalized 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (8A PEG-CD) and ferrocene modified counterparts (8A PEG-Fc) via CD/Fc host-guest chemistry. Taking advantage of the redox reaction of Fc, the formation and deformation of the microgels and corresponding Pickering emulsions can be reversibly stimulated by external potential, and have been used for the hydrolysis of triacetin and kinetic resolution reaction of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol catalyzed by lipases.

CO2 -Responsive Nanofibrous Membranes with Switchable Oil/Water Wettability.

Responsive polymer interfacial materials are ideal candidates for controlling surface wetting behavior. Here we developed smart nanostructured electrospun polymer membranes which are capable of switching oil/water wettability using CO2 as the trigger. In particular, the combination of CO2 -responsiveness and porous nanostructure enables the as-prepared membranes to be used as a novel oil/water on-off switch.

The phytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles on wheat varies with soil properties.

Zn is an essential element for plants yet some soils are Zn-deficient and/or have low Zn-bioavailability. This paper addresses the feasibility of using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) as soil amendments to improve Zn levels in the plant. The effects of soil properties on phytotoxicity and Zn bioavailability from the NPs were studied by using an acidic and a calcareous alkaline soil.

Does doping with aluminum alter the effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the metabolism of soil pseudomonads?

Doping of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) is being used to increase their commercialization in the optical and semiconductor fields. This paper addresses whether doping with Al alters how ZnO NPs at nonlethal levels modifies the metabolism of soil-borne pseudomonads which are beneficial in performing bioremediation or promoting plant growth. The differences in X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, observed between commercial ZnO and Al-doped ZnO NPs indicated the aluminum was present as Al NPs.