In this study a new type of plug-in friction-stir lap welding (PFSLW) is proposed to prepare welded joints based on 4-mm-thick 6061-T6 aluminum alloy sheet. The differences in the cross-sectional ...morphology, microstructure, cross-sectional hardness and shear properties between the PFSLW joint and the normal friction-stir lap-welding (FSLW) joint are discussed. The results show that the cross-sectional morphology of the PFSLW joint has undergone changes. The PFSLW joint has a mechanical interlocking structure on the advancing side that is beneficial to the connection strength of the joint. The grain structure differs at the boundary between the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and the heat-affected zone (HAZ), and the PFSLW joints show a more pronounced bending deformation of the grain organization near the boundary. The microhardness of PFSLW joints was increased in the TMAZ and HAZ areas, and the lowest hardness is further away from the center of the weld. The failure load of the PFSLW joint has been improved, the microcracks part of the PFSLW joint has a ridge-like structure. In addition, the actual welding width of PFSLW joints was improved.
In various fields, much attention has been paid to graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets as a novel engineered nanomaterial. Understanding the interactions between GO and plant cells is critical for ...evaluating GO nanotoxicity, but the relevant information is largely lacking. Herein, it was discovered that GO nanosheets enveloped algal cells and formed blister-like nanostructures and bridge-like microstructures with cell exudates. Nitrogen-containing chemicals were shown to be responsible for the adhesion of GO to cellular surfaces. GO entered cells and damaged organelles. The two obvious alterations were plasmolysis and an increase in the number of starch grains. A reduction of cell division, aggregation of the chromatin and damage to the chloroplast structure were also observed. Compared with bulk-activated carbon, GO inhibited cell growth, enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupted antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, GO caused metabolic disturbances linked to key biological processes. Carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms were inhibited, and the ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids were increased. The flux of nitrogen metabolism changed from amino acids to cadaverine and urea. These findings close a gap in understanding the phytotoxicity of nanomaterials.
Graphene oxide (GO) is widely used in various fields and is considered to be relatively biocompatible. Herein, "indirect" nanotoxicity is first defined as toxic amplification of toxicants or ...pollutants by nanomaterials. This work revealed that GO greatly amplifies the phytotoxicity of arsenic (As), a widespread contaminant, in wheat, for example, causing a decrease in biomass and root numbers and increasing oxidative stress, which are thought to be regulated by its metabolisms. Compared with As or GO alone, GO combined with As inhibited the metabolism of carbohydrates, enhanced amino acid and secondary metabolism and disrupted fatty acid metabolism and the urea cycle. GO also triggered damage to cellular structures and electrolyte leakage and enhanced the uptake of GO and As. Co-transport of GO-loading As and transformation of As(V) to high-toxicity As(III) by GO were observed. The generation of dimethylarsinate, produced from the detoxification of inorganic As, was inhibited by GO in plants. GO also regulated phosphate transporter gene expression and arsenate reductase activity to influence the uptake and transformation of As, respectively. Moreover, the above effects of GO were concentration dependent. Given the widespread exposure to As in agriculture, the indirect nanotoxicity of GO should be carefully considered in food safety.
Graphene-related research has intensified rapidly in a wide range of disciplines, but few studies have examined ecosystem risks, particularly phytotoxicity. This study revealed that graphene ...significantly inhibits the number of wheat roots and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, and altered the morphology of shoots. Humic acid (HA), a ubiquitous form of natural organic matter, significantly (P < 0.05) relieved this phytotoxicity and recovered the sharp morphology of shoot tips. Both graphene and graphene–HA were transferred from wheat roots to shoots and were found in the cytoplasms and chloroplasts. HA increased the disordered structure and surface negative charges, and reduced the aggregation of graphene. HA enhanced the storage of graphene in vacuoles, potentially indicating an effective detoxification path. The content of cadaverine, alkane, glyconic acid, and aconitic acid was up-regulated by graphene, greatly contributing to the observed phytotoxicity. Conversely, inositol, phenylalanine, phthalic acid, and octadecanoic acid were up-regulated by graphene–HA. The metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the direction of metabolic fluxes governed nanotoxicity. This work presents the innovative concept that HA acts as a natural antidote of graphene by regulating its translocation and metabolic fluxes in vivo. This knowledge is critical for avoiding the overestimation of nanomaterial risks and can be used to control nanomaterial contamination.
The demethylation of methylmercury has received substantial attention. Here, a novel chemical method for the demethylation of methylmercury is proposed. The low-toxicity graphene-fulvic acid (FA, a ...ubiquitous material in the environment) was synthesized without the use of a chemical reagent. The hybridized graphene-FA presented an indirect open band gap of 2.25–2.87 eV as well as adequate aqueous dispersion. More importantly, the hybridized graphene-FA exhibited 6- and 10-fold higher photocatalytic efficiencies for the demethylation of methylmercury than FA and free FA with graphene, respectively. This result implies that immobilized, rather than free, FA accelerated the catalysis. Furthermore, inorganic mercuric ion, elemental mercury, and mercuric oxide were identified as the primary demethylation products. For free FA with graphene, graphene quenches the excited-state FA, inhibiting the demethylation by electron transfer. In contrast, the graphene of the self-assembled graphene-FA serves as an electron reservoir, causing electron–hole pair separation. Graphene-FA showed a negligible toxicity toward microalgae compared to graphene. The above results reveal that the green synthesis of graphene and organic molecules is a convenient strategy for obtaining effective cocatalysts.
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