Different microstructures of ss-NaYF4 fabricated by hydrothermal process: Effects of pH values and fluoride sources

beta-NaYF4 microcrystals with a variety of morphologies, such as microrod, hexagonal microprism, and octadecahedron, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the samples. The intrinsic structural feature of beta-NaYF4 seeds and two important external factors, namely, the pH values in the initial reaction solution and fluoride sources, are responsible for shape determination of beta-NaYF4 microcrystals. It is found that the organic additive trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)) as a shape modifier has the dynamic effect by adjusting the growth rate of different facets under different experimental conditions, resulting in the formation of the anisotropic geometries of various beta-NaYF4 microcrystals. The possible formation mechanisms for products with various architectures have been presented. A systematic study on the photoluminescence of Tb3+-doped beta-NaYF4 samples with rod, prism, and octadecahedral shapes has shown that the optical properties of these phosphors are strongly dependent on their morphologies and sizes.

Controlled organization of silver nanoparticles into network assemblies by tuning pH values

We demonstrate the pH-induced assembly of 2-mercaptosuccinic acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles (MSA-Ag NPs) in the absence of hard or soft template. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) networks of silver NPs were achieved by tuning pH of the medium. The assembly process was monitored using atomic forces microscopy. The key factor affects the formation of network of silver NPs may be intermolecular hydrogen bonding between two carboxylic acid groups of MSA on two adjacent silver NPs.

黄土沟壑区小流域土壤pH值的空间分布及条件模拟

土壤pH值是影响土壤养分有效性和化学物质在土壤中行为的主要因素,研究土壤pH值的空间分布特征对于土壤养分管理和土壤污染预测具有重要意义。该文用地统计学方法研究了环境因素复杂的黄土高原小流域土壤pH值空间分布特征。结果表明,黄土沟壑区小流域土壤pH值具有球形—指数套合模型的空间结构特征,其空间异质性主要来源于流域内土地利用和土壤侵蚀等随机因素。与有机质协同的Kriging法能较好地对土壤pH值进行估值,其估值范围小于实测数据,估值误差来源于复杂的环境因素。序贯高斯条件模拟的土壤pH值范围与实测数据接近,模拟的平均值低于实测数据,模拟误差来源于模拟过程中独特的Kriging算法及高斯特性。

Effects of pH on the Interactions and Conformation of Bovine Serum Albumin: Comparison between Chemical Force Microscopy and Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

The conformation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), as well as its interactions with negatively charged mica surfaces in saline solutions of different pH values, have been studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and chemical force microscopy (CFM), respectively. A new approach to extract the contribution of elementary interactions from the statistically averaged force-extension curves through self-consistent fitting was proposed and used to understand the effects of pH on the interactions and conformation of BSA in saline solutions. When pH increases, the SANS results reveal that the sizes of BSA molecules increase slightly, while the statistical analysis of the CFM results shows that the averaged pull-off force for the elongation monotonously decreases. The decrease of pull-off force with the increase of pH results from the decrease in the strength of hydrogen bonding and the number of interaction pairs, as well as the slight increase of the strength of van der Waals interaction. When pH approaches the isoelectric point (pI) of BSA, results from both SANS and CFM suggest a loss of long-range interactions in BSA molecules. Our results also suggest that the force-extension curve is mainly contributed by the van der Waals interaction. The combination of SANS and CFM provides new insight to understand the interactions and conformation of BSA molecules

Self-assembly of polypeptide-containing ABC-type triblock copolymers in aqueous solution and its pH dependence

Self-assembling of novel biodegradable ABC-type triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lactide)-poly(L-glutamic acid) (PEG-PLLA-PLGA) is studied. In aqueous media, it self-assembles into a spherical micelle with the hydrophobic PLLA segment in the core and the two hydrophilic segments PEG and PLGA in the shell. With the lengths of PEG and PLLA blocks fixed, the diameter of the micelles depends on the length of the PLGA block and on the volume ratio of H2O/dimethylformamide (DMF) in the media. When the PLGA block is long enough, morphology of the self-assembly is pH-dependent. It assembles into the spherical micelle in aqueous media at pH 4.5 and into the connected rod at or below pH 3.2. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of the copolymer changes accordingly with decreasing solution pH. Both aggregation states can convert to each other at the proper pH value. This reversibility is ascribed to the dissociation and neutralization of the COOH groups in the LGA residues. When the PLGA block is short compared to the PEG or PLLA block, it assembles only into the spherical micelle at various pH values.

Phenolphthalein immobilized membrane for an optical pH sensor

A phenolphthalein immobilized cellulose membrane for an optical pH sensor was described. The phenolphthalein was first reacted with the formaldehyde to produce a series of prepolymers with many hydroxymethyl groups. In this paper, the prepolymers was abbreviated to phenolphthalein-formaldehyde (PPF). Then the PPF was covalently immobilized to the diacetylcellulose membrane via hydroxymethyl groups. Finally the membrane was hydrolyzed in the 0.1 M NaOH solution for 24 h to reduce the response time. Advantageous features of the pH-sensitive membrane include (a) a large dynamic range from pH 8.0 to 12.50, or even broader, (b) rapid response time (2-30 s), (c) easy of fabrication, and (d) a promising material for determination of high pH values. The immobilized PPF has a broader dynamic range from 8.0 to 12.50 than the free phenolphthalein from pH 8.0 to 11.0, and this was due to the newly produced methylenes in our investigation.

Polymeric pH indicators immobilized PVA membranes for optical sensors of high basicity based on a kinetic process

Two kinds of polymeric pH indicators PPF (phenolphthalein-formaldehyde product) and CPF (o-cresolphthalein-formaldehyde product) immobilized cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes (PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA) for optical intermittent determination of high basicity ([OH-] = 1-8 M) based on a kinetic process were developed. In our previous work, we had demonstrated that PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA could perform the determination of high pH values from pH 10.0 to 14.0. Here the discoloring kinetic behaviors of PPF-PVA and CPF-PVA were compared with those of free phenolphthalein, o-cresolphthalein and thymolphthalein. Experimental results and theoretical analysis indicated that the response behaviors of the optodes' membranes in concentrated NaOH solutions were diffusion-independent and still complied with the pseudo-first-order kinetics. In addition, two data analysis methods for determination were presented. One was directly based on the reduced absorbance: the other was based on the discoloring kinetic constant. It was found that the latter could perform a rapid (60 s) and reliable (relative standard deviation: 2.6%) determination for high basicity.

Difference in Enzyme Activity and Conformation of Glucose Oxidase Before and After Purification

EEnzyme activity of commercial glucose oxidase was enhanced after purification through a strong anionic exchange resin. In order to get a better insight into this phenomenon, surface pressure–area ( –A) isotherms and surface pressure–time ( –t) isotherms was used to study the interaction and the absorption at different pH values of the subphases between octadecylamine and glucose oxidase purified by a styrene system quaternary ammonium type strongly basic anionic exchange resin. Circular dichroism (CD), electrophoresis and enzyme activity measurements were conducted to study these phenomena. A preliminary hypothesis has been suggested to explain why the enzyme activity of purified glucose oxidase was higher than that of the commercial one. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The ionic exclusion-enrichment in a hybrid micro-/nano-channel

An ionic exclusion-enrichment phenomenon has been found at the ends of a nano-channel when electric-driven fluid passes through a micro-/nano-hybrid channel [1-3]. In our experiments, the hybrid channels are fabricated with two poly-dimethysiloxane (PDMS) monoliths microchannels (100um X20um X 9mm) and a nanoporous polycarbonate nuclear track-etched (PCTE) membrane (with 50nm pores). The flows are driven under different electrical potential and the test liquids with different PH values are used. The ion depletion in the source channel is observed by the MicroPIV system. In addition, the numerical simulations about ionic exclusion-enrichment in the hybrid channel are carried out. Some results are as followed:

Photodegradation of 2-naphthol in aqueous solutions in the presence of humic acid and ferric ions

In this work, the photodegradation of the carcinogenic pollutant 2-naphthol in aqueous solution containing Aldrich humic acid (HA) and ferric ions (Fe(III)) under 125 W and 250 W high pressure mercury lamp (HPML, lambda >= 365 nm) irradiation was investigated. The photooxidation efficiencies were dependent on the pH values, light intensities and Fe(III)/HA concentration in the water, with higher efficiency at pHs 3-4, and 50 mu mol l(-1) Fe(III) with 20 mg l(-1) HA under 250 W HPML. The initial rate of photooxidation increases with increasing, the initial concentration of 2-naphthol from 10 mu mol l(-1) to 100 mu mol l(-1), while do not change at 50 and 100 mu mol l(-1). However, higher removal efficiency of 2-naphthol is achieved at its lower initial concentration of 10 mu mol l(-1), and initial rate of photooxidation is 0.193 mu mol l(-1) min(-1). Dissolved oxygen (DO) plays an important role in the system containing Fe(III)-HA complexes in which Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions were enhanced in the environment. Hydroxyl radicals produced in HA solution with or without ferric ions were determined by using benzene as free radical scavenger and phenol as scavenging products proportional to hydroxyl radicals. By using UV-Vis and excited fluorescence spectrum techniques, the main photooxidation products, which have higher absorption in the region of 240-340 nm, were found, and the mechanisms for the oxidative degradation is proposed.

Analysis of steric mass-action model for protein adsorption equilibrium onto porous anion-exchange adsorbent

The ion-exchange equilibrium of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to an anion exchanger, DEAE Spherodex M, has been studied by batch adsorption experiments at pH values ranging from 5.26 to 7.6 and ionic strengths from 10 to 117.1 mmol/l. Using the unadjustable adsorption equilibrium parameters obtained from batch experiments, the applicability of the steric mass-action (SMA) model was analyzed for describing protein ion-exchange equilibrium in different buffer systems. The parametric sensitivity analysis was performed by perturbing each of the model parameters, while holding the rest constant. The simulation results showed that, at high salt concentrations or low pHs close to the isoelectric point of the protein, the precision of the model prediction decreased. Parametric sensitivity analysis showed that the characteristic charge and protein steric factor had the largest effects on ion-exchange equilibrium, while the effect of equilibrium constant was about 70%-95% smaller than those of characteristic charge and steric factor under all conditions investigated. The SMA model with the relationship between the adjusted characteristic charge and the salt concentration can well predict the protein adsorption isotherms in a wide pH range from 5.84 to 7.6. It is considered that the SMA model could be further improved by taking into account the effect of salt concentration on the intermolecular interactions of proteins. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of CO2 enrichment on the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyceae): Physiological responses and relationships with the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon

Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. 7820 was cultured at 350 and 700 muL.L-1 CO2 to assess the impacts of doubled atmospheric CO2 concentration on this bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Doubling Of CO2 concentration in the airflow enhanced its growth by 52%-77%, with pH values decreased and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) increased in the medium. Photosynthetic efficiencies and dark respiratory rates expressed per unit chl a tended to increase with the doubling of CO2. However, saturating irradiances for photosynthesis and light-saturated photosynthetic rates normalized to cell number tended to decrease with the increase of DIC in the medium. Doubling of CO2 concentration in the airflow had less effect on DIC-saturated photosynthetic rates and apparent photosynthetic affinities for DIC. In the exponential phase, CO2 and HCO3- levels in the medium were higher than those required to saturate photosynthesis. Cultures with surface aeration were DIC limited in the stationary phase. The rate of CO2 dissolution into the liquid increased proportionally when CO2 in air was raised from 350 to 700 muL.L-1, thus increasing the availability of DIC in the medium and enhancing the rate of photosynthesis. Doubled CO2 could enhance CO2 dissolution, lower pH values, and influence the ionization fractions of various DIC species even when the photosynthesis was not DIC limited. Consequently, HCO3- concentrations in cultures were significantly higher than in controls, and the photosynthetic energy cost for the operation of CO2 concentrating mechanism might decrease.

镉、铅排异大白菜品种的筛选和鉴定及安全生产调控技术

随着工农业的快速发展，土壤重金属尤其Cd和Pb污染日益严重。筛选和培育具有重金属低积累特性的农作物排异品种被认为是当前应对土壤重金属污染最为合理和有效的途径之一。本文通过盆栽试验、大田试验和砂培试验，研究了大白菜品种对Cd和Pb的吸收和积累的品种差异、对Cd、Pb胁迫的响应以及大白菜安全生产的调控技术，得出以下结论： 1) 盆栽梯度试验中，80种大白菜地上部对Cd的吸收存在显著差异(p < 0.05)。在3种Cd处理下(1.0, 2.5和5.0 mg/kg)，80种大白菜Cd含量浓度范围分别为(mg/kg) 0.22–2.46, 0.90–14.10和2.03–18.01, 其平均值分别为 0.79, 3.76 和6.79 mg/kg DW。大白菜对Cd胁迫具有较强的耐性。大田试验中，15种大白菜的富集系数和转运系数与盆栽梯度试验的结果基本一致。排异植物的筛选和鉴定标准包括：(1)该植物的地上部和根部的Cd含量都很低或者可食部位低于有关标准；(2) 富集系数(BF) < 1.0；(3) 转运系数(TF) < 1.0；(4)该植物具有较高的Cd耐性，在较高的Cd污染下能够正常生长且生物量无显著下降。采用此标准，结合盆栽梯度试验和大田试验结果，北京新3号、绿星70和丰源新3号可鉴定为Cd排异品种。秋傲和赛新5号具有排异Cd特性，但其对Cd的耐性较差。 2) 盆栽梯度试验中，在Pb投加浓度为500和1500 mg/kg处理下，30种大白菜地上部对Pb的吸收存在显著差异 (p < 0.05)，其Pb浓度的范围分别为：0.52–8.68 和1.86–16.20 mg/kg, 其平均值分别为3.01 和6.87 mg/kg DW。并且，随着Pb浓度的增加，白菜地上部Pb含量有随之增加的趋势。大白菜对Pb具有较强的耐性。低浓度的Pb处理对大白菜的生物具有一定的促进作用。结合盆栽试验和大田试验的结果，秋傲、世博秋抗和福星80可鉴定为Pb排异大白菜品种。 3) 砂培试验中，在Cd和Pb胁迫下，大白菜地上部的丙二醛(MDA)含量增加，随着Cd处理浓度的增加，超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性呈现先下降后上升接着下降的趋势，酸菜王的SOD活性要高于北京新3号SOD的活性。随着Pb处理浓度的增加，福星80地上部的SOD活性随之增加，而绿星大棵菜地上部的SOD活性先下降后增加。在不同梯度的Cd处理下，大白菜地上部的可溶性蛋白(SP)含量未见显著降低，甚至有所增加，而在不同梯度的Pb处理下，大白菜地上部的SP含量有所降低。 4) 施用改良剂可升高土壤的pH值和降低土壤中的有效态Cd，从而对大白菜的生长具有促进作用。施用改良剂可显著降低大白菜对Cd和Pb的吸收和累积。