Display omitted
Corrosion experiments and theoretical calculations were performed to investigate the inhibition mechanism of indazole (IA) and 5-aminoindazole (AIA) for copper in NaCl solution. The ...results obtained from weight loss and electrochemical experiments are in good agreement, and reveal that these compounds are high-efficiency inhibitors with inhibition efficiency order: AIA>IA, which was further confirmed by field emission scanning electronic microscope (FESEM) observation. Besides, the quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation showed that both studied inhibitors are adsorbed strongly on the copper surface in parallel mode. The adsorption of these molecules on copper substrate was found to obey Langmuir isotherm.
The activity of heterogeneous catalysts-which are involved in some 80 per cent of processes in the chemical and energy industries-is determined by the electronic structure of specific surface sites ...that offer optimal binding of reaction intermediates. Directly identifying and monitoring these sites during a reaction should therefore provide insight that might aid the targeted development of heterogeneous catalysts and electrocatalysts (those that participate in electrochemical reactions) for practical applications. The invention of the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and the electrochemical STM promised to deliver such imaging capabilities, and both have indeed contributed greatly to our atomistic understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. But although the STM has been used to probe and initiate surface reactions, and has even enabled local measurements of reactivity in some systems, it is not generally thought to be suited to the direct identification of catalytically active surface sites under reaction conditions. Here we demonstrate, however, that common STMs can readily map the catalytic activity of surfaces with high spatial resolution: we show that by monitoring relative changes in the tunnelling current noise, active sites can be distinguished in an almost quantitative fashion according to their ability to catalyse the hydrogen-evolution reaction or the oxygen-reduction reaction. These data allow us to evaluate directly the importance and relative contribution to overall catalyst activity of different defects and sites at the boundaries between two materials. With its ability to deliver such information and its ready applicability to different systems, we anticipate that our method will aid the rational design of heterogeneous catalysts.
Single-molecule localization microscopy is used to construct super-resolution images, but generally requires prior intense laser irradiation and in some cases additives, such as thiols, to induce ...on-off switching of fluorophores. These requirements limit the potential applications of this methodology. Here, we report a first-in-class spontaneously blinking fluorophore based on an intramolecular spirocyclization reaction. Optimization of the intramolecular nucleophile and rhodamine-based fluorophore (electrophile) provide a suitable lifetime for the fluorescent open form, and equilibrium between the open form and the non-fluorescent closed form. We show that this spontaneously blinking fluorophore is suitable for single-molecule localization microscopy imaging deep inside cells and for tracking the motion of structures in living cells. We further demonstrate the advantages of this fluorophore over existing methodologies by applying it to nuclear pore structures located far above the coverslip with a spinning-disk confocal microscope and for repetitive time-lapse super-resolution imaging of microtubules in live cells for up to 1 h.
Signalling between cells of the neurovascular unit, or neurovascular coupling, is essential to match local blood flow with neuronal activity. Pericytes interact with endothelial cells and extend ...processes that wrap capillaries, covering up to 90% of their surface area
. Pericytes are candidates to regulate microcirculatory blood flow because they are strategically positioned along capillaries, contain contractile proteins and respond rapidly to neuronal stimulation
, but whether they synchronize microvascular dynamics and neurovascular coupling within a capillary network was unknown. Here we identify nanotube-like processes that connect two bona fide pericytes on separate capillary systems, forming a functional network in the mouse retina, which we named interpericyte tunnelling nanotubes (IP-TNTs). We provide evidence that these (i) have an open-ended proximal side and a closed-ended terminal (end-foot) that connects with distal pericyte processes via gap junctions, (ii) carry organelles including mitochondria, which can travel along these processes, and (iii) serve as a conduit for intercellular Ca
waves, thus mediating communication between pericytes. Using two-photon microscope live imaging, we demonstrate that retinal pericytes rely on IP-TNTs to control local neurovascular coupling and coordinate light-evoked responses between adjacent capillaries. IP-TNT damage following ablation or ischaemia disrupts intercellular Ca
waves, impairing blood flow regulation and neurovascular coupling. Notably, pharmacological blockade of Ca
influx preserves IP-TNTs, rescues light-evoked capillary responses and restores blood flow after reperfusion. Our study thus defines IP-TNTs and characterizes their critical role in regulating neurovascular coupling in the living retina under both physiological and pathological conditions.
Interactions between injected CO2 and shale formation during the process of CO2 sequestration with enhancing shale gas recovery (CS-EGR) may alter the physical and chemical properties of the rock, ...affecting the efficiency of CO2 storage as well as CH4 production. To better understand these interaction-induced changes in shale properties, two shale samples selected from a marine Longmaxi formation and terrestrial Chang-7 member of the Yanchang formation were first reacted with supercritical CO2 (scCO2) in a laboratory batch reactor at 80 °C and 15 MPa with different time intervals, and then characterization methods were designed to access the geochemical changes including optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), element analysis (EA), low-pressure gas adsorption (LPGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicate that the nanopore structure system of the two shale samples was significantly changed after scCO2–shale interaction due to the scCO2-induced extraction of hydrocarbons, chemical reactions in minerals, and the swelling effect in clay minerals as well as organic matter. However, after exposure to scCO2, the variation trend of pore structure parameters between the marine Longmaxi and terrestrial Chang-7 sample was quite different, which was related to the huge discrepancies in terms of mineralogy and geochemical properties between them. For marine Longmaxi sample, the pore surface area and pore volume obviously decreased after a relatively short period of scCO2 treatment, whereas an opposite trend was observed in a terrestrial Chang-7 sample after long-term scCO2 treatment. In addition, an obvious decrease in fractal dimensions for marine Longmaxi sample was also observed after scCO2 exposure, reflecting the degree of pore surface roughness, and pore structure complexity were reduced, whereas the terrestrial Chang-7 sample exhibited an opposite trend. The results contribute to the understanding of the potential factors for the pore-structure evolution during long-term CO2 storage and the possible effect on the CS-EGR process.
•The effect of dust on electrical and thermal behavior of the photovoltaic panels was studied.•The consequences of dirt deposited on the PV panels in term of electrical thermal and optical ...effects.•The hot spot will cause the module overheating depending on the nature and density of the dust.•The Energy2D simulation was done for comparative study between dusty materials.
In this paper, the effect of dust on electrical and thermal behavior of photovoltaic panels is investigated. For this aim, several types of dusts are considered. Which leads to different panel behaviors in the thermal, optical and electrical aspects. Indeed, it has been shown that light transmission varies with dust type. Laboratory tests using various instruments such as microscope, spectrophotometer, I-V photovoltaic modules analyzer and data logger equipped with thermocouples are carried out. The obtained results show that variations on the physical parameters (grain size and type), level of light transmission and the glazing temperature lead to change in performance of photovoltaic panel (PV). The experimental observed behaviors were in accordance with the results obtained using the Energy2D computer simulation code of the thermal behavior applied to the glazing and PV module (Glass, EVA, Cell, Frame and Tedlar).
The nucleation process of poly(lactide) (PLA) on a series of fibers was studied by means of in situ polarized optical microscope during crystallization. Several synthetic and natural fibers ...(polyethylene terephthalate, carbon, Kevlar, glass, hemp, linen, and cellulose) were employed and compared to custom-spun fiber of stereocomplex (SC) enantiomeric PLA blend. Meaningful differences in the nucleating ability toward PLA could be found for all of the considered fibers. SC PLA fibers display extremely high nucleating efficiency, with the development of a continuous transcrystalline morphology on their surface, up to high crystallization temperatures. Quantitative measurement of the nucleation rate allowed a comparison of the different fiber substrates in the light of classical heterogeneous nucleation theory, by considering the interfacial free-energy difference parameter, Δσ, directly related to the nucleation barrier. The topography of the fibers surface was investigated by atomic force microscopy and tentatively related to the measured nucleation ability. While a general effect of surface roughness on lowering the heterogeneous nucleation energy barrier can be deduced, relevant deviations can be observed, in particular for carbon and SC PLA fibers. The different fiber wettability by PLA melt suggests that chemical interactions between the substrate and crystallizing polymer also play a meaningful role in promoting the nucleation, although this aspect is generally disregarded in the literaturein favor of surface roughness. Moreover, the specific surface topography is shown to largely affect the density of available nucleation sites along the fiber. To the best of our knowledge, this latter aspect has been neglected in previous studies on fiber-induced polymer nucleation, and deserves further investigation.
The impact of AEO7 surfactant on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (C-steel) in 0.5 M HCl solution at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C was elucidated using weight loss and different ...electrochemical techniques. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the corrosion and inhibition processes were reported. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) improved as the concentration of AEO7 increased. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed when a concentration of 1 × 10
mol L
or higher of potassium iodide (KI) was added to 40 µmol L
of the AEO7 inhibitor where the corrosion IE% increased from 87.4% to 99.2%. Also, it was found that the adsorption of AEO7 surfactant on C-steel surface followed the Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements indicated that AEO7 was physically adsorbed on the steel surface. The surface topography was examined using an optical profilometer, an atomic force microscope (AFM), and a scanning electron-microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) unit. Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory were performed to understand the relationship between the corrosion IE% and the molecular structure of the AEO7 molecule.
•PA and PFOES were introduced for the modification of nano-ZnO simultaneously.•The dispersion of ZnO@PA@PFOES in PVDF-TrFE was improved compared to pristine ZnO.•ZnO@PA@PFOES can increase the ...specific surface area and β-phase content of films.•The modified ZnO was beneficial to the piezoelectric outputs of the PENG.
In this paper, ZnO nano-particles (NPs) were modified by adding a dispersant (n-propylamine, PA) and a silane coupling agent (1H, 2H, 1H, 2H, Perfluorooctyltriethylsilane, PFOES) simultaneously. Further, the PVDF-TrFE/modified ZnO composite films with high crystallinity and large specific surface area were prepared, which acted as the active layer of the piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG). Four species of films, pure PVDF-TrFE, PVDF-TrFE/ZnO, PVDF-TrFE/ZnO@PA and PVDF-TrFE/ZnO@PA@PFOES were marked P-0-0-0, P-Z-0-0, P-Z-P-0 and P-Z-P-P, respectively. The crystalline phases of the films were determined by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), Atomic force microscope (AFM) and water contact angle (WCA) measurements were employed to analyze the surface morphology of the films. The thermal properties of the materials were characterized with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). From the FTIR spectra and WXRD pattern, it was notable that the modified ZnO NPs promoted the crystallization of β-phase. The results showed that the crystallinity of P-Z-P-P was increased by 36.12% compared to P-0-0-0. Combined with the results of SEM, LSCM and AFM, it can be concluded from WCA that modified ZnO NPs can increase the specific surface area of the film. The piezoelectric strain constant d33 value of P-Z-P-P film was 73.5% higher than that of P-0-0-0 film, and the output voltage value of ITO/P-Z-P-P/Au PENG increased 24.4% than that of ITO/P-0-0-0/Au PENG. After 1000 cycles of testing, the output voltage of the ITO/P-Z-P-P/Au PENG has been maintained at 2.40 V, indicating that the generator exhibited the high mechanical endurance. By clarifying the mechanism of surface modification, it can be concluded that enhanced piezoelectric output of the PENG is contributed to both higher β-phase content and larger charge collecting area by surface modification.
PDF
