Search results for "DIOXIDE"

Silicateins, the major biosilica forming enzymes present in demosponges: protein analysis and phylogenetic relationship.

2007

Silicateins are enzymes, which are restricted to sponges (phylum Porifera), that mediate the catalytic formation of biosilica from monomeric silicon compounds. The silicatein protein is compartmented in the sponges in the axial filaments which reside in the axial canals of the siliceous spicules. In the present study silicatein has been isolated from the freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis where it occurs in isoforms with sizes of 23 kDa, 24 kDa and 26 kDa. Since the larger protein is glycosylated we posit that it is a processed form of one of the smaller size forms. The silicatein isoforms are post-translationally modified by phosphorylation; at least four isoforms exist with pI's of…

Exceptional affinity of nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid materials towards dioxygen: confinement effect of copper complexes

2007

We report the exceptional reactivity towards dioxygen of a nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid material due to the confinement of copper cyclam within a silica matrix. The key step is the metalation reaction of the ligand, which can occur before or after xerogel formation through the sol-gel process. The incorporation of a Cu(II) center into the material after xerogel formation leads to a bridged Cu(I)/Cu(II) mixed-valence dinuclear species. This complex exhibits a very high affinity towards dioxygen, attributable to auto-organization of the active species in the solid. The remarkable properties of these copper complexes in the silica matrix demonstrate a high cooperative effect for O(2…

Enzyme-Controlled Nanodevice for Acetylcholine-Triggered Cargo Delivery Based on Janus Au–Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

2017

[EN] This work reports a new gated nanodevice for acetylcholine-triggered cargo delivery. We prepared and characterized Janus Au-mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with acetylcholinesterase on the Au face and with supramolecular b-cyclodextrin: benzimidazole inclusion complexes as caps on the mesoporous silica face. The nanodevice is able to selectively deliver the cargo in the presence of acetylcholine via enzyme-mediated acetylcholine hydrolysis, locally lowering the pH and opening the supramolecular gate. Given the key role played by ACh and its relation with Parkinson's disease and other nervous system diseases, we believe that these findings could help design new therapeuti…

Design of enzyme-mediated controlled release systems based on silica mesoporous supports capped with ester-glycol groups

2012

[EN] An ethylene glycol-capped hybrid material for the controlled release of molecules in the presence of esterase enzyme has been prepared. The final organic-inorganic hybrid solid S1 was synthesized by a two-step procedure. In the first step, the pores of an inorganic MCM-41 support (in the form of nanoparticles) were loaded with [Ru(bipy) 3]Cl 2 complex, and then, in the second step, the pore outlets were functionalized with ester glycol moieties that acted as molecular caps. In the absence of an enzyme, release of the complex from aqueous suspensions of S1 at pH 8.0 is inhibited due to the steric hindrance imposed by the bulky ester glycol moieties. Upon addition of esterase enzyme, del…

Photocatalytic Properties of Cement-Based Plasters and Paints Containing Mineral Pigments

2010

Innovative cement-based premix products for surface coating of buildings that possess photocatalytic activity arouse great interest because of the results they can achieve in reducting air pollution and maintaining aesthetics. This photoactivity is induced by a photocatalyst, titanium dioxide, that can accelerate the oxidation processes of air pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which are mainly produced by incomplete combustion of fuel and are present in urban environments through the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. Surfaces that are coated with these products acquire a self-cleaning characteristic (maintenance of original color) because the decomposi…

Total oxidation of naphthalene with high selectivity using a ceria catalyst prepared by a combustion method employing ethylene glycol.

2009

Abstract During the catalytic combustion of naphthalene, compounds other than CO 2 are often obtained. These products, as polymerized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated aromatic compounds and benzene derivate compounds, are usually more toxic than naphthalene. At the present work it is shown a nanocrystalline cerium oxide prepared by a combustion method employing a proper ethylene glycol concentration that exhibits very high activity in the decomposition of naphthalene in the presence of air and, most importantly, a selectivity value towards CO 2 of 100% for any range of conversions and/or temperatures used. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the amount of ethylene glycol …

A comparison between photocatalytic and catalytic oxidation of 2-Propanol over Au/TiO2-CeO2 catalysts

2016

Abstract Photocatalytic and catalytic oxidation of 2-propanol, representative of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), were compared over mixed TiO 2 –CeO 2 -based catalysts. The effect of different amounts of CeO 2 and the presence of gold (1 wt%) on TiO 2 was investigated. In the photocatalytic oxidation CeO 2 had a negative effect on the performance towards the alcohol conversion of both TiO 2 –CeO 2 and Au/TiO 2 –CeO 2 catalysts, being Au/TiO 2 the most active system. On the contrary mixed TiO 2 –CeO 2 and Au/TiO 2 –CeO 2 samples showed a higher catalytic oxidation efficiency for 2-propanol conversion compared to the single oxides. In this case Au/CeO 2 catalyst had the best performance. …

Indoor Air Quality including Respiratory Viruses

2021

The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments is a cause of increasing concern. In this study, three sampling methodologies have been used in order to collect SARS-CoV-2 and 17 other respiratory viruses in indoor air, combined with a new analytical process to analyze respiratory viruses. Different areas of an ophthalmological hospital were investigated for the presence of these airborne viruses. Moreover, indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters (carbon dioxide, CO2; carbon monoxide, CO; nitrogen dioxide, NO2; volatile organic compounds, VOCs; formaldehyde, HCHO; and particulate matter, PM) have been examined to study the relationship between IAQ and airborne viruses. All indoor air and sur…

From Molecules to Systems: Sol-Gel Microencapsulation in Silica-Based Materials

2010

Measurements of HONO, NO, NOyand SO2in aircraft exhaust plumes at cruise

2011

Measurements of gaseous nitrogen and sulfur oxide emissions in young aircraft exhaust plumes give insight into chemical oxidation processes inside aircraft engines. Particularly, the OHA¢Â�Â�induced formation of nitrous acid (HONO) from nitrogen oxide (NO) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) from sulfur dioxide (SO2) inside the turbine which is highly uncertain, need detailed analysis to address the climate impact of aviation. We report on airborne in situ measurements at cruise altitudes of HONO, NO, NOy, and SO2 in 9 wakes of 8 different types of modern jet airliners, including for the first time also an A380. Measurements of HONO and SO2 were made with an ITCIMS (Ion Trap Chemical Ionization Mass …