Electron Push-Pull Effect of Benzotrithiophene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products.

A covalent organic framework (COF) has emerged as a promising photocatalyst for the removal of pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) contaminants; however, high-performance COF photocatalysts are still scarce. In this study, three COF photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the condensation of benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b':5,6-b'']trithiophene-2,5,8-tricarbaldehyde (BTT) with 4,4',4''-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)trianiline (TAPT), 1,3,5-Tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene (TAPB), and 4,4',4''-nitrilotris(benzenamine) (TAPA), namely, BTT-TAPA, BTT-TAPB, and BTT-TAPT, respectively. The surface areas of BTT-TAPA, BTT-TAPB, and BTT-TAPT were found to be 800.

Nanosecond-pulsed plasma protects against bacterial fruit blotch and promotes melon seedling growth.

Background: Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), known as the 'cancer' of cucurbits, is a seed-borne disease of melons caused by Acidovorax citrulli. Traditional chemical treatments for BFB are ineffective and adversely affect the environment. Using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) nanosecond-pulsed plasma technology, melon seeds were treated to promote germination and growth and to control BFB.